The Sweetest Reasons

25+

Yesterday, I watched five kids all at once and it was nearly 60 degrees in late January. Both of these things amaze me.

Weekend

We had our bests from Maine down this weekend, and as is often the case with this crew, we picked up right where we left off from this past summer, and Laura and I pick up just where we left off when we lived together in college oh-so-many years ago.

Such a great family, such fun adult friends too. I swear the laughter was out of control for all of us. It got super silly after the kids went to bed. I think it was something we all needed, really, just to laugh a lot and loudly.

Best part of all of this? They are so much closer now! I see much more hanging out in our future.

That's My Girl

Eva, the most beautiful derby girl!

 

2011 League Profile - Evilicious from Gotham Girls Roller Derby on Vimeo.

Inside Days

This past week (or two) has been cold, wet, and sick. I have been shooting purposely for the 365_Project, which has been really great for me (and hopefully others). The flip-side of this project is that I am amassing all these other photos that I really like, but they just aren't the "one." And that's great. That was what life was like before this project. But I now see my photos a little differently. I'm not sure how to explain this yet, but I am aware of a change in what I set out to do with my work each day.

Either way, I really like these next few. They capture our days of doing very little, feeling sick or lazy or both. And some experimenting beyond photography into sewing, which I'll post about later. All good.

Jess and John were good enough to edit my soon-to-be-launched website. Edit it, and organize it, and just totally make it work so well. So grateful.

Goodbye/Hello

There once was a ramp at A & C's house in Watertown. The boys built it. We often hung out there, ramp-b-queing. It was always fun, and a good excuse to get together (not that we need excuses). This year, well, so much happened this year (and last), but the house in Watertown was sold, friends moved, and the ramp moved too. See below to find out what happened to the ramp. Spoiler: It's a happy ending.

Unidentified Fantastic Object from Jason Arnone on Vimeo.

History Lesson

Four years old and up for Plimouth Plantation. Any younger and it's a pretty rough trip. I didn't get to take too many photos or see much of the place because of a certain sad, crabby, newly-turned three-year old, who begged to go home the whole time. (!!!) Mommy patience stretched very thin.

At least we had great company, and for what it was worth, Beatrice was making all sorts of connections between the English Settlement, Wampanoag Village, and our reading Little House in the Big Woods (and yes, we know that we are covering several centuries between the two).

Happy Thanksgiving from the place where it began!

Hi!

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.

Yesterday & Today

Ysterday, I sat outside of yoga class, in my car, on the phone, crying. I was finally talking to someone about things brewing in my life. I tend to hide away from people when things are hard for me. I push lots of good people away, or ignore them. I hate to spread my sadness. Or worry. Or anything not wonderful or happy. But last night, I just had to talk to one of my dearest friends. I had to unburden myself a bit. And, as expected, it was a great release.

Today, I went through some emails she had sent me that I had glossed over in the past few weeks. And she sent me this project below. This is why I call her.

South Hero Sentiments: Day Two

Woke up a wee bit hung over. Packed the girls up to go see the circus with Ammy and Gemma and to sleep over. A day and night without the kids!

I rode my bike through the farms on the island, on a hard packed dirt road that edges the lake. A nice, long, easy ride. I also spotted three Great Blue Herons in a marsh. Absolutely gorgeous, dinosaur birds.

The boys go fishing. Finding some old poles and a pocket fisherman in the shed. They tie rope to our inner tubes, and swim out to a mooring off-shore. They float a cooler of beer and bait with them as well. The whole set-up kinda rules.

Us gals read. All day. Perched on rocks and in beach chairs. We drink pink wine spritzers with fresh raspberries. The South Hero Spritzer.

There was one small person with us, Harrison. The most beautiful and best baby boy around. His parents are all sorts of awesome too.

John and Jess arrive. Now we are only missing Doug.

And now here are a whole bunch of couples shots . . .

And one of my handsome man.


J & C made dinner: Broccoli salad, shrimp rolls with homemade aioli, tater tots. Incredible.

Then this South Hero Spritzer bartender fell fast asleep . . . sweet, sweet vacation sleep.

South Hero Sentiments: Day One

I kept a little journal of our week's vacation in South Hero. All I have for Day One is a quote from Bea:

Want to know what's better than marshmallows?

Vacation!