One II

I have a secret to tell you. I've been taking ballet classes. For the first time. Ever. "What? At your age?", I can hear you ask. Yes, and I'm twenty years younger than the oldest student in my class. There are some amazing things I've learned, taking ballet. It's hard, very hard. Moving your arms and legs about simultaneously and often in opposite directions, while trying to keep up with an instructor speaking French is hard.  Your mind reels as you try to remember what a Pas de Basque is while keeping your shoulders down, your arms in a perfect graceful curve and your tummy tightened. And sometimes, I do miserably. But I keep going back BECAUSE it is hard, and it feels good to do hard things and feel yourself progress. These things translate nicely to other parts of life. You don't give up just because a thing is hard, you just try harder and keep trying until you get the thing right, because that moment when you really nail a Pas de Basque? There's nothing else like it. And then maybe you too might be tempted to add Modern dance to the mix.

One

You know the type. That person who carries her camera with her everywhere she goes and you can't eat a single bite of whatever it is on your plate until she's recorded that meal and that moment with her camera. And even after you've taken a few bites, there she is, still snapping away. I have been less of that person lately, not from lack of desire, but other things just have to take priority sometimes.

 

But today I was making granola, using my mother's preserves (best in the world, for the record), and I just had to capture this one quiet moment of the sweet taste of home. And sometimes that alone is all you need to make you happy.

DeSantis Florist

I had the honor of doing a mini-shoot at DeSantis Florist yesterday, the oldest florist in Columbus. What a neat experience. I've never been behind the scenes at a florist shop, and it's really something to see a small team working together to make a number of arrangements that meet such a variety of needs. Nothing says, thank you, I'm sorry, condolences, happy birthday or I love you like a cluster of well-chosen flowers. And these dedicated folks are masters at saying what is hard to say with mere words, don't you think?

 

If you want to see more from my shoot, please go here.

Change

When I look at the leaves flaming yellow and red in the trees, I'm amazed that a few short months ago they were yellow-green sprouts. The cicadas and fireflies have faded, and the grass is covered with frost in the morning, but the seasons continue to reveal themselves in new and interesting ways.

I'm going through some major changes of my own, and while this might end one chapter, the book is thick and has many, many pages left to be read. Change can be tough, yes, but when you look at it with fresh eyes it can be a wonderful thing. It can be downright exciting, wondering what the next chapter brings. You look back and realize you've learned a katrillion things and made a few true friends along the way, but the good stuff is far from over. If you stop for a moment, and look around, you might find you have some amazing people around you who've got your back. They've been there all along.

So, what do you do when life throws you a bit of a curve ball? You take up a friend's invitation to do leaf portraits in the dappled autumn light. Rachel's portraits, by the way, are brilliant. She is a genius photographer, artist and storyteller. Visit her here and say hello.

Autumn

Clintonville Farmers' Market

I went on a fun photo shoot with my friend Laura this morning and we found ourselves at the market. The spring fruits and herbs have disappeared and made way for root vegetables and apples. You can still find lots of preserves, fresh bread baked just this morning and lots of flowers. It's a great place to run into new neighbors and old friends you haven't seen for years. And it's a nice place to witness the rhythms of crops, seasons and personal lives.

Cookie Cravings

Last night at our neighborhood happy hour, I met a couple who owns a neat place called Cookie Cravings not far from our neighborhood. Their cookies are simple classics with a twist, careful experiments on recipes that have proven the test of time. Blueberry with goat cheese or white chocolate pistachio with sea salt are among their more unique confections. Their light-filled shop isn't limited to cookies, though. You can get a cup of dark French-press coffee, as well as a savory crepe any time of day. If the warm, welcoming environment makes you want to stay, you can pull up a stool at the bar and enjoy your treat.

Vermont Four



The weather in Ohio today was much like Vermont was two weeks ago. Perfect. These are a few random shots I took in Vermont. The top two are from my perch inside a cafe in Montpelier. I like how the guy taking his lunch break from cooking has a fork inside the small pocket on his arm. And I'd love to learn the story behind the heart in the window.

 

I hope you're savoring these last lingering days of summer.

Vermont Three

On a fine day, you'll find many cars parked along the dirt road that takes you to trails leading to the top of Wheeler Mountain. Given a specific point of entry, you have two options; the White Trail and the Red Trail. As their colors might indicate, the White Trail is easier than the Red Trail. This little chromatic system is handy if, say, you have a dog or two with you. Dogs tend to be less skilled at climbing up rock walls. And while the whole trail is beautiful, with interesting mushrooms and tree roots to draw your attention, when you get to the part where suddenly there are fewer trees and you can see a bald rock, you wonder, "How exactly am I going to do this?" But you figure it out and the payoff is so worth it. And looking around, you believe impossible things.