4 June 2009 Photo: Misty Morning

I am so tired of cancer taking people in my family. I just found out today that my cousin lost her battle to cancer early this morning and she was so young. As I was about to walk outside to enjoy the early morning light, my sister called to tell me. The mist was rising from the lake across the street. Mist always pulls me in two directions...the gloomy feeling of mist is contrasted to the beauty and serenity of the scene. I guess death is similar - the sadness we feel when we lose someone we care about contrasted to the relief that they are no longer in pain. RIP Suzi.

28 May 2009 Photo: We Are Family

One of my sisters is going in for surgery today so this blog is dedicated to her. Family is very important to me and I don't always tell them so my thoughts and love are going out to all of them today. I was still in high school when we lost my mom to cancer, and my siblings really took care of me and helped me to become the person I am today. Thank them or blame them as you see fit.

I obviously did not take this picture since I am in it. This picture was taken of me (right) and Tra (left) circa 1973/4. As you can see we were fashionistas even back then!

The song below is the one my brothers/sisters and I danced to at my wedding in lieu of the tradition father/daughter dance...I love you guys!

We are family
I got all my sisters (and brothers) with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing

Everyone can see we're together
As we walk on by
And we fly just like birds of a feather
I'm not telling no lie
All of the people around us to say
Can we be that close
Just let me state for the record
We're giving love in a family dose, yeah

We are family
I got all my sisters (and brothers) with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing

Living life is fun and we've just begun
To get our share of the world's delights
High hopes we have for the future
And our goal's in sight
No we don't get depressed
Here's what we call our golden rule
Have faith in you and the things you do
You won't go wrong, oh no
This is our family Jewel, yeah

We are family
I got all my sisters (and brothers) with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing

14 April 2009 Photo: Daffodil Days

Daffodil Days is one of the American Cancer Society's oldest and most beloved fundraising programs. As the first flower of spring, the daffodil represents hope and renewal. To the American Cancer Society (ACS), the daffodil symbolizes the hope we all share for a future where cancer no longer threatens those we love.

Each spring, the Society offers daffodils to donors in appreciation for a contribution. By sending bunches of daffodils to friends, family members, and people touched by cancer, you are sharing a message of hope and raising funds and awareness to help defeat cancer.

This little daffodil is in my yard but had broken or something was trying to eat it. I picked it up and put in on our fence and it made a lovely photo of the day. Even though official daffodil days that support ACS are over, buy someone a bunch of daffodils and make their day! And you can still give to ACS in other ways... http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp?level=0

12 April 2009 Photo: Peep Show

OK so this is not the best example of photography, but I could not let the yearly CNY Diorama Contest go by without a shout out to the Peeps. I look forward to this every year, well it's only the third year running but still I wait with anticipation. It brings me back to my childhood when making dioramas was the best class project ever and I was good at it!

This year's winner in Syracuse was call St Baldpeeps Day which was based on St Baldrick's Foundation. St Baldrick's Foundation (http://www.stbaldricks.org/) is an organization to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer. It's great cause with events that run all over the country. Check it out!

And if you want to see more Peeporamas check out these websites:
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/plenty_of_peeps_try_out_for_20.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/09/AR2009040903818.html

Happy Easter to you and yours! Thanks Easter Bunny...BOCK BOCK!