Lately I've been thinking...

Lately I've been thinking...

that maybe I need more broadminded, intelligent, humble people in my life to share all that I believe is rich - hikes in the woods, classical music concerts, travel, politics, books - rich stuff, not the small stuff.



Maybe it's time I shed my fear of "going for it".  Maybe I should give it a go at being/doing what my heart desires - photography.  Maybe I should follow what my father always said, "You know I've always thought you should be a photographer".

Maybe I can never have the character and goodness and intelligence of my father, but maybe his passing will make me try a little harder, in the hopes of maybe someday, coming close.

Maybe when the raw pain of losing the man I loved most in the world has dulled, I will rally to celebrate his memory by enriching and actualizing and celebrating the very best of what I can be.

And maybe that is the biggest tribute I can pay my father.



And in the end, that will be the greatest gift he gave me.

Dad, I will miss and honor and love you til the day I die

. 

My First Wedding -

The Family Wedding has come and gone.

Laura and Rich are man and wife.

The pictures may not be ready for Vogue

but they capture the silliness,

the tenderness,

some laughs,

my niece's newfound love,

 and the family all together again.

I need better equipment, more training, more experience -

before I would ever try one again. 

But for my "first wedding" job -

A Day of Joy and Love and Family -

As they say in the biz, "Good Capture" 

A Practice Round with Emma

A Family Wedding is coming up. 
My brother's daughter is getting married. 
The couple has asked I take their pictures that day. 
I've declined, referred, suggested and yet,
they assure me they won't be disappointed.

Yikes! 
As the wedding day looms, the stress builds. 

So for a shot in the arm,
my dear friend suggested I do a "baby shoot" of her magical daughter Emma.

And with a beautiful babe like Emma -

anyone would feel a competent photographer. 

That little babe is Magic! 

Happy Holidays!

Roads less Traveled

I love the Roads Less Traveled -

wherever I find them

A Bright and Sunny Monday

- pups that warm my heart

- a call from an old friend for a trip to the Renaissance Fair this weekend!

- editing pics of my niece Laura and rich, her husband-to-be

- support from staff after a trying upsetting week

- A President who made me proud
 followed by a call from my 84 year old dad reassuringly saying,
"Kelly, dont worry. He'll pull it off".
(He's always right about these things.
I needed him to say that).

- AN UTTERLY BRIGHT AND SUNNY MONDAY!

Fall Flying By -

October!

Might be my favorite month of all - crunching leaves,
fabulous colors and smells,

sweater season, good hair season, windows open...

I could go on and on.
 

But September was a hum dinger too!

Lots of Surprises and new traditions.

With my niece Emily in the city we meet for biking
Kelly Drive at least twice a week!

 Love it!

And visiting her new life downtown is so much fun!

Her new home is right out of  "Sex in the City" 

Carrie Bradshaw's Home in NYC

Em's Home on Spruce Street Philadelphia

My L.A. Friends - John and Bob - stopped my home while in town!

What a treat it was!

A surprise visit from my nephew Adam just made my day! 
Visiting from Memphis, he was attending a conference at Jefferson Hospital in Philly.

Once a DJ,

and a yoga teacher,

after a hike through the Appalachian Trail -

he headed to Med School in Johnstown, Tennessee!

What a doc he will be!

But a stop at Casselli's to catch up was just pure fun!
(That guy Claudio could sing like Pavarotti!)

And then ...
I discovered my new sacred spot,
a church of sorts,

Laurel Hill Cemetery!

Sublime! Serene! Historic!

They held a 5k REST IN PEACE Race this weekend

and what a hoot!

 When we all stop and think about it
- or blog about it
- or make a list about it -

- AIN'T LIFE GRAND!