a blow to the head

I've been meaning to post this for awhile. The photo above is one I took of my father's silhouette in the foreground with our family business burning behind him. I was the one who received the call in the middle of the night that it was on fire. When we first got there, it was small and in the back of the building. My father was even joking about what trouble it'll be to bring in someone to fix the roof.
  Then there was a loud roaring sound. Gas-fire.
  My family watched it burn to the ground for over 11 hours with flames up to 70 feet in the air.  At one point, the police moved everyone about 300 meters back and the heat was still too hot to not avert your face.  I experienced first-hand what it was like to be horrorstruck and have the local media there with cameras.
I wonder if my emotions and senses will ever be as extraordinarily alert as they were that night. It was completely out of my control and all I could do was watch.
its awfulness
its awe-fullness
and take pictures.

My home away from home

I'm a homebody who's never home. A mountain girl, living in a city, who belongs in a field. A typical gemini with varying interests. Many of the people I have photographed over the years, I've established tight bonds with. One in particular, I consider my 2nd family. They invite me to frolic on their beautiful farms as a friend whenever I have the time.

I'm so lucky to have them in my life.

Cult, tribe or commune, call them whatever you like. I know them individually (my best friend lives in the community) and as a group and am in constant awe of their dedication and beautiful lifestyle. Sure, I may not agree with everything they say, but that doesn't mean I can't learn a lesson or two and be a friend.  They have a right to live the way they do and I'm always glad to see people champion against the grain.

I do believe they have found something (a connection, community, and compassion) that our superficial, selfish Capitalist society has lost.  Every time I visit, city living and popular culture's luster just floats away, unmissed.  It's not just about visiting a farm, its about being around and witnessing a community founded on love, acceptance, and human goodness. 

"The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it.  Create your own."  - Tuesdays with Morrie.

The Circus Comes to Town

Speaking of the circus... Barnum and Bailey's Circus came to D.C. about a month ago at the Verizon Center. Given my history, I just HAD to go! I'm not too fond of arena shows. I prefer the small, arty one-ring circuses, but I really liked some of the BB performers.



Cutest clown ever? He attached himself to my backpack.