A few years ago my great friend, Erin, asked me to photograph her sons. I came over and they played. They didn’t look any different than any other time I had visited them. She didn’t fuss over their clothes or tell them what to do. It was fun for everyone involved.
This photo is from that visit. Yesterday’s photo of Augusta swinging reminded me of how much I love a swinging photo. The above swinging photo is an all time favorite of mine.
Erin and her family moved to Florida. I miss them.
f2.8: 1/2000: ISO 200: 50mm: Canon 5D
f2.8: 1/10: ISO 640: 20mm: Canon 5D
Some people say they love babies that they can give back at night and when they need a diaper change. I love babies who wake me at night by touching my cheek and asking to nurse, poop in our tub after a shower together (happened yesterday) and dance when I walk in house after I’ve been away for an hour: my babies.
I was talking to friend today about the cuddle filled days I’m having with Atticus recently. I told her about how he got in to bed with me at four this morning. He crawled in and said, “I want to be close to you mom.”
She said, “Soak it up.”
Today’s photographer: my daughter, Savanna. She will be ten this month. We were all out together enjoying the snow. I asked her if she would take pictures of me with Augusta. I handed her the camera and then said, “Oh! You have to focus using your thumb on the back of the camera.” (Back button focus) She said, “No problem.”
f4/0: 1/250: ISO 200″ 100mm 2.8 macro: Canon 5D
f3.2: 1/200: ISO 400: 100mm macro: Canon 5D
f2.2: 1/200 sec: ISO 250: 50mm: Canon 5D: bounced flashWe don’t have a cookie jar. She found it on the counter where it was cooling.
He wants to build a real house but popsickle sticks and glue will have to do for now.
(She’s jumping.)
When my oldest was a baby, I was always looking forward to what she would be able to do next. She was sitting and I was waiting for her to crawl. Then she was crawling and I was excited about her walking.
With my third and fourth children, I don’t look forward. I watch and enjoy what they are doing today. I know they won’t be doing it very long. She’ll be able to get both feet off the ground in no time.
When you set out for Ithaka
ask that your way be long,
full of adventure, full of instruction.
The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops,
angry Poseidon – do not fear them:
such as these you will never find
as long as your thought is lofty, as long as a rare
emotion touch your spirit and your body.
The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops,
angry Poseidon – you will not meet them
unless you carry them in your soul,
unless your soul raise them up before you.
Ask that your way be long.
At many a Summer dawn to enter
with what gratitude, what joy –
ports seen for the first time;
to stop at Phoenician trading centres,
and to buy good merchandise,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensuous perfumes of every kind,
sensuous perfumes as lavishly as you can;
to visit many Egyptian cities,
to gather stores of knowledge from the learned.
Have Ithaka always in your mind.
Your arrival there is what you are destined for.
But don’t in the least hurry the journey.
Better it last for years,
so that when you reach the island you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to give you wealth.
Ithaka gave you a splendid journey.
Without her you would not have set out.
She hasn’t anything else to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaka hasn’t deceived you.
So wise you have become, of such experience,
that already you’ll have understood what these Ithakas mean.
(Emphasis added.)
I was introduced to this poem on this blog.
