We took a little afternoon drive yesterday, purely for the purpose of working on our photography skills. This was taken at one of our local farm stands. Don had his Holga (our little plastic Japanese cameras) and his iPhone and I had my Holga, my iPhone and my big girl camera. And I was carrying all three! This picture is from the big girl camera. The iPhone photos are on Instagram. The Holga photos are an unknown quantity right now because they use film. Yes, film. We’re headed into the city tomorrow (Don’s going to get his ‘new’ vintage camera (he’s going to start studying with Louis Mendes.) I’m going to upgrade my big girl camera, and we’ll be dropping off our film at B & H. Plus, we’re going to sneak in a little visit to the Community Garden. It’s “All Photography, All the Time!!” in the Hill-Sparks household.
I find photography fascinating. And it’s great for Don to have something new to focus on. He’s really missing his cast mates and everyone involved in Margaritaville. It’s been over a week since he’s seen them and the fact that the show is over is really hitting him.
Also from the local farm stand, with our mountains in the background. This hollyhock is gorgeous. Mine are rather disappointing this year. But this? Amazing.
I don’t know how many of you are familiar with Design Sponge, an excellent design website that has been around for years and was created by Grace Bonney. I’m a follower and have been for several years. Grace and her wife, Julia, moved up to this area from Brooklyn a few years ago. We walked into our bank lobby yesterday and there was Grace! I introduced myself to her and we chatted for a while. She’s a warm and lovely person, as I expected she would be.
Off to make another cup of coffee.
Happy Saturday.
Claudia, I’m back from my trip and missed reading your blog. I purposely stayed away from tech for a month, except to email my family that we arrived safely at the hotels which had WiFi for free. It was refreshing to stay away from tech. We actually used real paper maps instead of downloads. I’m missing my friends, with whom we spent far too little time. I’m sad for you and Don as you struggle with the disappointment of ETM ending prematurely, and, rather cruelly. However, I’m sure sharpening your photography skills will help ease some of the pain while providing immense enjoyment and aesthetic reflection.
Welcome back! I hope you had an incredible vacation!
What a surprise to run into Grace at the bank! I’ve followed her blog for many years, too. She seems like such a tiny, sweet little thing, loaded with talent.
Glad you guys are making time for photography. Enjoy! And don’t forget to share. I know we’ll enjoy seeing your visions.
She is. She’s the real deal! xo
Photography is such a great creative outlet. I’m so glad Don is going to study and enjoy his vintage camera. My daughter and family have been gone for two weeks and I miss them so much. I can imagine how hard it is for Don after being with his cast mates so long and now, not at all. Thinking of you both as life transitions you once again.
They are family to him and their absence is really hard for him.
I think it’s wonderful that you are pursuing photography along with Don….and honing your skills. Maybe you can teach us a thing or two. I’ve been taking pics of different places in the yard…so I can document growth. But, it also helps me focus on places that need more work…or a few places that are perfect to my eyes. But, I only use my iPhone…it’s just easier for me.
I’m anxious to see Don’s vintage camera….and examples of his work. Have fun in the city! ;)
We’ll take pictures of it!
Oh, you live in such a pretty area. I smiled reading your post because I was outside early early this morning taking extreme closeups of our flowers after last night’s rain. Love pictures of water drops on petals. As retirement looms, I’m also thinking perhaps nature photographer could be my second career :-) Heading over to see your Instagram pics now.
Yes, nature photographer! Go for it!
what fun! photography fulfills that creative need in both of you!
and we will always be the happy recipients of your results. :)
Thanks, Tammy!
The photos are lovely. Glad that Don is focusing on taking lessons. My cousin is into photography. It seems like a relaxing thing to do. it seems like you have made a new friend in Grace.
Marilyn
Well, maybe not a friend – more like an acquaintance!
Such pretty pictures!! I’m sure just taking day trips to find wonderful things to photograph will be great fun. Especially into the Fall!
I think I need to quantify that which I wish for. We need rain so badly, and it did arrive last evening. However, it was a deluge so it mostly just bounced off the hard ground and streets and sidewalks, and along with the wind gusts we had, today my plants look as if someone beat them. We only ended up with a bit over 1/2 of an inch. We need a day or two of nice steady rain. There is my wish ~ quantified.
Hope you have a lovely Saturday and much fun in the city tomorrow!!
Same here. We’ve had thunderstorms, but not an all day soaking rain. That’s what we need.
I just think it’s so fantastic that you both have a hobby you can share; not unlike a couple who, for instance, can do something like play golf together. My great-aunt wasn’t about to be a golf widow, so she learned to play golf and, thereafter, she was his main partner for the sport which worked out so nicely when they’d center fun vacations around golf (many travel destinations have incredible golf courses around the world, of course).
I’m so excited to know you’re going back to the community garden! Pictures, please!!! It’s good to go back and not have total withdrawal for Don; he’s having enough of a hard time coming down off the high/low emotion and routine of his life, as are you. But you both are so resilient, being patient with yourselves, doing all the right things in the transition. Perfect.
Hopefully, if it isn’t raining, I can get some pictures of the community garden.
We’re trying to be positive and it helps to have something to get excited about.
You two are amazing! Always creative and curious. That is how one heals. Still feel sad for you but I know you are both resilient.
Thank you, my friend. Much love.
These ladies are right…you and Don are very resilient!…you go through your mourning period and then bounce right back into another thing…I guess that is the best thing about having multiple interests!…Good luck to both of you in your persuit of being better photographers…I’m sure all of us will enjoy seeing the results!!
I does help to not have all your eggs in one basket. I’ve always been interested in a lot of different things and so has Don. We are so sad about Margaritaville, but having something to look forward to really takes some of the edge off.
i am happy to hear more happiness in your words here, that you and don have another creative outlet in photography and things to look forward to … you both deserve it!
and that’s not a statement against you posting about tougher things in life. i appreciate honesty, the balancing act of life and the real-ness you share! i’m just glad if the good and happy things outnumber by far the tougher things for you and don.
also glad you and grace had that introduction and visit. would you ever want your charming home to be featured in a “sneak peek” on her blog (probably my favorite type of her posts)? if so, i hope that happens. :)
jimmy put on a great show last night (duh)! boonie seats (and thirteen hours of travel time in the last 26 … worth it!), but we could hear the music and singing very well. too bad the sound system at wrigley can’t catch the talk between songs (one of my favorite things about jimmy …). hope you will be there for the jones beach concert!
and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
kathy in iowa
I used to dream of my home being featured, but I really don’t anymore. It’s a big hassle to get your home photo-ready for that kind of a shoot and the mere thought of it is overwhelming! I’m happy not having it featured.
So glad you had fun at the concert, but of course, that’s a given with Jimmy!
i understand the felt pressure of getting something ready for publicity (and i’d have lots of work to do, for sure), but i think your home looks great as is!
yep … jimmy = guaranteed good time!