Trustee's of the Reservations: Crane's Beach, Ipswich, MA. January 31, 2012. Late afternoon.
In the fifties, no wind, on one of the most beautiful beaches in Massachusetts. With my family. Absolutely perfect.
With great fortune, it seems, we met a lovely woman riding her horse in the ocean that afternoon. It was just so gorgeous to see and photograph.
I can't wait to spend my summers here.
Looked something like this . . .
Photo by Nigel
I didn't photograph all the eating, tv watching, mall shopping, and general hanging out we also did. You'll just have to imagine what that looked like.
xoxo
I'm still here. I have been very busy. Houses have sold. Houses have been bought. Homeschooling was happening. Then it was not. Friends eloped. Photography jobs were done. We traveled a bit. Got sick. Got well. Did some yoga, though not enough. Watched it snow in October. Have been barefoot in November. Shared a sacred place with some very special people. I feel like I have either been shooting for days on end or not shooting at all. There hasn't been a ton of personal work lately. Too much packing to do. Lots of memory gathering too. So for right now, tonight (hi, Laura), I'll post a quick photo of a great memory. Get ready for the onslaught as this move happens. Didn't you know how nostaligic I can get? Oh, then you are in for a ride.
As hurricanes go, we were awful lucky that Irene didn't slam us too hard while on Long Island. We woke at 3 a.m. to a power surge and the storm began to rage. By 11 a.m. it was mostly gone. My sister and boyfriend were with us from London, and I think it was pretty special to all be together during that storm, if only for 48 hours. And I learned a little, I think.
I learned that living with power is a blessing, and we ought to be more grateful for it.
I learned that living without is truly wonderful too: reading by candle-light, playing card games, and talking, so much talk to each other.
I learned that a hurricane makes neighbors walk around and talk to each other, and help each other, and drink together. I think that's nice.
I learned that even neighborhood kids to look up at some strange lady taking their picture and totally get it: This is something we will never forget.
I learned that Sal D's will never close, no matter how bad the storm and the food is always, always incredible.
I learned that if my grandmother is still wandering around in the dark after 8 p.m., she wants to stay up and talk about her life. You should listen. Even if you heard these stories before. She won't be around forever to retell them, and each time I learn something new about her.
I learned that I am and will always be an Islander. A hurricane is like a badge of honor. I have now gone through two in my lifetime there.
I learned that I haven't shot spot or weather-related photos in nearly a decade, but I still totally have it.
I learned that if your oldest friend from childhood and your sister's oldest friend from childhood are both drinking at the same bar, that has no power, but cold beer, you better believe you and your sister are going to be there in a flash.
I learned that you need to cheer for LIPA when they drive by with their utility trucks because they will totally honk back at you and flash thumbs up!
I learned that Napper's hasn't really changed since high school and I like that.
And I learned that the sky after a hurricane is a sight to behold.
We are here on LI with everyone minus Mike (wah) to brave this storm. The energy around here is crazy. Mild panic mixed with absolute nonchalance. And just waiting.
Here are a few shots I managed to grab while out over the past few days.
The crazy line for gas on Friday.
Boats in the Northport Harbor before the storm.
Yes, I photographed the Throgg's Neck Bridge on my way home. Super illegal in New York State. Catch me now, coppers!
We are on Long Island again for the week, to see my little Anglophile sis and get some more beach in while getting heads cleared and possibly straight.
I love New York, Long Island, and my home town. Crossing this bridge always gives me a rush, so close to home now, just minutes and exits away.
Revelations, white wine on ice, a little sand between the toes, and I'm feeling better than I have in weeks. More to come . . .
I love little girls. No doubt about that. (I love little boys, too.) My family is so female, though, it is all I've ever really known. And getting to spend time with my 10-nearly-11 year old cousin Hannah, was so special. To see what little girls grow up to be, so sweet and smart and fun. Sunday was an incredible day, and it was because of Hannah and her sweetest friend Emma, and of course, my darling Auntie LynnMarie. Love us Hanley Gals, the products of my dear Grandpa Bob. Oh, he'd be so proud!
Shelling peas from Regina's farm. Honey and Bea were having too much fun, naming the peas: Momma Pea, Baby Pea, Pea-Pea.
My Godchild and her lovely twin sister graduated from high school this weekend. They held a great little party in Centereach and all our family was there. And I love them all. It was a happy time and hard to believe the twins are 18, driving, going to prom and graduating. They were just little babies yesterday.
