Day 75: Glacier Bowl

June 20, 2011. Jim took me for a drive on dirt roads by Camp Floyd, Utah. I was in heaven and while we were technically heading in the same direction as the paved road would take us, the scenery was completely different. Which is how I got to see this particular view of the mountain. I was enthralled with the relatively uniform curvature of the bowl. Jim told me it means this was formed by glaciers, rather than running rivers and streams, which create V shapes. Whatever caused it, I like it. I would LOVE to be there for a dawn shot. Problem is, not sure I can remember how to get there, and pretty certain I can’t get Jim out of bed that early!

Day 74: Father’s Day 2011

June 19, 2011. When it comes to fathers, I have been truly blessed. I have had 3 Fathers-in-Law: Mike, Peter, and Glen. And there’s my stepdad, John, who has been a wonderful godsend to our family. In fact, I have sometimes forgotten the step part. I am so grateful to have known these men, to have them in my life. Glen and John, especially. To them all, I send my love and my gratitude.

Even though I’ve had so many father figures in my life, I only had one Daddy. Daddy was the first person to love me unconditionally. He taught me how to fish, how to drive, and was so proud the day I learned to swim he wanted to give me a can of beer. Mom talked him out of that one. He was a fantastic doctor, he went out of his way to care for his widowed mother, and was an outspoken Republican in a Democratic state. This picture was taken 37 years ago when our family took a trip to Germany. Of all the trips we took as a family, this was the most fun.

Daddy, I love you, I always have and always will. And I miss you. Happy Father’s Day.

Day 73: Girl in Motion

June 18, 2011. This is Tiffany, my “niece”. She was doing a test drive on Emi’s new bike. When she saw me with my camera, she said there was no way I could take her picture. While this is not the best picture I’ve ever taken, I’m still happy with how it turned out, and makes me want to take more action shots!

Day 72: Ann in Sunlight

June 18, 2011. Taken on the Photowalking Utah photowalk to Wheeler Farm. we were challenged to just use a point-n-shoot of some kind. My husband’s Olympus quit working on me as soon as I arrived (this was due to the generic battery, not the camera itself). I was left with my android phone, the display of which is completely spiderwebbed with cracks. Between that and the glare, I couldn’t tell if I’d taken a picture or not. Thanks, Ann, for talking me into staying and giving it a try. This is the best pic of the day.

Day 71: Duckies!

June 17, 2001. Looking for something fun to do with your family? Wander on over to Wheeler Farm and see the chicks, bunnies, calves, kids, foals, and ducklings. The little ducks just zip across the pond like they’re running on the surface. Too cute!
P.S. The photo quality and size are the result of being taken with my cell phone.

Day 70: Who, Me?

June 16, 2011. This is Johnnie, and he’s coming up on 2 years old. He is part monkey, part mischief, and part sunshine. I love the way this photo turned out, with him looking oh-so innocent. He’s anything but! But he is a sweetheart and smiles almost all of the time. Now if we can just get him to start talking…

Day 69: Kababs

June 15, 2011. We went to Lehi for my niece’s birthday bbq. It was fun to hang out with everyone, watch the little kids chase the cats, the older kinds “hang out”, and join in the conversation with all the grown ups. Families are an interesting mix of people you’ve known all your lives, their spouses who sometimes do or don’t fit right in, and the resulting mix of cultures and points of view. And, of course, the best part of any get together is the food! Mari and I skewered some beef she’d marinated, mixed in some onion, and then turned them over to Jim and Mike, both master grillers. And this is what we got to sink our teeth into. It was delish!!!

Day 68: Happy Face

June 14, 2011. This is Carter. His dad takes him out for a walk every evening, and we happened to be outside when they went past. I was able to pull him out of his stroller and hold him for a few minutes. He just grinned and tucked his head under my chin. What a snuggle-puss! After I gave him back, I raced inside for the camera, then back out and took a few shots. Carter was a surprise to his family, who thought their 13 year old daughter would be their only child. His parents, especially his dad, are just besotted with him. And who can blame them? He smiles almost all the time.

Remember the Lazarus rose from a few days ago? Well, it was comletely opened when I got home. It smells heavenly! I went for a walk around the neighborhood (took a copy of Carter’s photos to his parents). When I got home, I found that Jim and our landlord had been working on the sprinklers. The rose was covered with droplets of water, glistening in the sunlight. I am having SO much fun taking pictures of flowers and doing macro stuff. I would never have believed it, since I have ALWAYS tried to take these sweeping photos that captured everything I was seeing. In some ways, I still am.

Day 67: After the Rain

June 13, 2011. I walked outside after work and encountered a torrential downpour. Giant raindrops pelted me as I crossed the street to my truck and started the drive home. I was thinking about the light, how incredible it looked coming in under the storm clouds. I kept watching the clouds, wishing I could find away to capture them without drowning in the process. By the time I got home, the rain had stopped, the sun was out, and the raindrops were glistening everywhere. I was absolutely gleeful as I ditched my bag, grabbed my camera, and begain to explore the garden. In the back yard, there’s a climbing rose that looks a little worse for wear. But one rogue stem, reaching out across lawn, is opening up into a stunning deep red velvet bloom.
My favorite capture of the day is this one. The way the light is coming through the petals is just luminous! Words can’t describe it adequately. Good thing I’ve got a camera to describe it for me!

Day 66: Face of Hope

June 12, 2011. My parents and brother came for dinner Friday night. I was absolutely speechless when my mom, instead of riding into the house in her wheelchair, came walking through the door, holding onto my dad for support. I praised her for her remarkable improvement, and she just grinned ear to ear! She made it through my house and into the kitchen where she finally sat down in a chair at the kitchen table. She showed me her new foot brace, which is making all this walking possible. After dinner, we all just sat around the table and visited. Mom was looking so cute I had to take her picture. I showed it to her and she said, “Oh, that isn’t so bad.” I love my mom so much, and I love the progress she’s making.