The Sweetest Reasons

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.

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!

Hurricane Lessons

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.

Read Aloud

 
Why the Frog and Snake Can't Be Friends

Goodnight, Irene

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.

Crossing

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 . . .

Centerport Journal VIII

On our last day, I met up with Annie and the little girl she watches for one last romp in Northport. It was a perfect day.

And then Annie took us to a small community farm, tucked away in a little residential neighborhood in Northport. I had never been before and it was so cute! Thank you for sharing with us! Can't wait to play with you and Abby and again soon!

Centerport Journal VI

After a late night of debauchery, nothing beats starting fresh by going for a swim in the bay.

So these next few are pretty special to me because I never walked out into the middle of the harbor before. A giant sandbar reaches almost clear across the harbor, connecting Centerport Beach to HBCA. I went for it. I stood in the middle of my two hometown beaches. It was heaven.

Back to my babies . . .

Then off to the city . . .

Centerport Journal V

Speaking of girls, I also had an amazing night out with some of my oldest friends. Katie and I have been scheduling the early summer trip home together for at least five years. Annie, I have known since I was three! Liz and Cher, well I had way too much fun with them when we were teens and again once Facebook reconnected us as adults (crazy thing about Facebook, huh?). Everyone else, I have gotten to know as I've grown older, more mature, giving old friendships a new chance. It's a beautiful thing, to come home and have a group of stellar women to hang out with. We laugh so hard, speak so honestly, and share so much. Plus, we get into good trouble, which isn't always easy to do, but thank goodness it just makes for more history between us all. Remember that night when . . .

Pre-game iced coffee with Katie down by the harbor.

Britania Yacht Club and the Whale's Tale for sunset drinks and dinner. None for Katie, though: She's due in January with Baby Number 2!

Liz was our surprise guest! Eeeeee!

So much hugging!

Beautiful Annie at the Grain & Feed, which we took over next . . .

How beautiful are my friends? Stunning!

Smart people went home. Silly people went to Gunther's. Remember how I mentioned my lengthy list of late-night encounters in Northport? Well this night did not disappoint either. Men flocked. We turned them all away by flashing our diaper wipes or our witty senses of humor. We laughed sooooo much. And thank goodness for Cheryl, the best designated driver a gal could hope for! (Or three gals could hope for!) What. A. Night.

"G" is for Goodnight Gunther's and gross cowboy.