Summing Up Summer

School has been in session for over two months. I didn’t catch up on things like I wanted to when I was off this past summer. (I have finally come to the realization that I never will.) But I’m grateful that I had a lot of weekend trips, did some redecorating (we switched around the kids' furniture and I got a new bedroom set - my room now has fresh paint and new accessories as well!), and took some incredible photos.

Trips: First I took two of my boys to northern Michigan for the week. We stayed with family, fished, and enjoyed playing on the huge sand dunes. Riding at the Badlands in Attica was a new and exciting experience, as was the houseboat trip on Potoka Lake in southern Indiana. I was also fortunate to be able to go to Bears Training Camp one morning on my last day of summer vacation.

  

Exhibits: I had two photo jobs and had photographs displayed in two exhibits. One was the Naturally Yours Exhibit at the Indianapolis International Airport (my photo was even used to promote the event) and the other was Images of Whiting up near the lake. Studio 659 is small but in the historical district of Whiting. It was neat to be a part of the city’s anniversary events. I entered a photo of beach glass (that we found), one of the steel mill with ice bergs, and one of just some weeds that grew along the sand dunes.

Whihala Beach Glass

Sports: Football games and practices with three of my boys wore me out but I did enjoy all those Saturdays at the fields. I just framed some photos of them and also some of the Bears and hung them in the basement.

Poetry: Finally, I sent in a poem for a the Indiana Bicentennial Poetry book to be published in 2016. All counties in Indiana were invited to submit and one poem from each county will be included. My poem will be sent to Indianapolis for final judging so I have a 50% chance of getting in. My name was announced on the radio last week (local station) and my name was in The Shopper a few days ago. Pretty awesome!

My next plan is to submit a few poems while on fall break next weekend. I just attended a conference for children’s writers and illustrators and feel inspired again.

Spring Cleaning

The last two months have been all about the environment; save the Earth type stuff. It started with the warm up. It took forever but once the snow and ice had completely melted months of discarded trash was exposed. I saw piles everywhere. Soggy paper drinking cups,  aluminum cans, and glass bottles littered the sides of the roads. Farm fields were dotted with plastic grocery bags and cardboard. Plastic bags even hung from tree limbs along the ditch bank.

Who can enjoy a sunny Sunday walk or drive when the natural landscape is so exploited and obstructed? I couldn't, I couldn't even look out my window, so I recruited my family and the annual task began. We filled bags with trash and bins with recyclable items. We filled our yard cart with the bags and bins because they were too heavy to carry home. We collected as much as we figured our garbage service would take the following day and it seemed to be more than ever.

I originally planned to just clean the fields immediately to the east and west of our property but the more we picked up the more I saw in the distance. I vowed to clean the fields between our house and my in-law's one section at a time(about a mile of roadway). I didn't foresee the amount of time and dedication it would take to tackle this disturbing and enormous job.

I continued to patrol the roadside and gather trash for the next several Sundays as it is a busy thoroughfare and irresponsible uncaring motorists always have something to throw out. I fished out floating rubbish from the small pond where egrets and waterfowl nest. I crouched under low branches and dodged thorny bushes. I learned what to wear (long pants and surgical gloves) and what not to wear (flip flops and shorts) and developed a system to deal with it all and prevent further mishaps. (Once the bottom of a paper bag broke open in my garage so I got to clean up broken glass too).

My Sunday collections were never as massive as that first day but I did feel like I was getting somewhere.  In the weeks that followed I saw more spring wildflowers. I saw new young families of geese and ducks paddle in the pond. I saw less trash. So I tried to focus on the good to be able to deal with the human waste surrounding it.

Still it was upsetting and overwhelming. I took pictures to document what was collected. I manipulated photos and added text to make a statement. I wrote a poem to express my outrage. I posted pictures of the good and the bad.

Plastic bottles, fast food packaging, empty cigarette packs, and liquor bottles were the most prevalent find but some unique items were discovered as well. I found roller blades, an SAT study guide, women's foundation makeup, a broken cell phone, a temporary license plate, and a dollar.

After picking up and sorting recyclables today I decided I needed to be done for a while. The weeds are growing and corn has been planted. Any remaining and any new garbage will be less noticeable until next spring. Even though the clean up was a huge undertaking we only made a difference in our tiny corner of the world for a short amount of time. We only improved a couple acres of land for a few wild animals and those that live nearby or drive past. But it was worth it. Imagine if everyone did their share or even a little more. Imagine if all people cared for their community and made small changes to leave less of a negative impact on our planet. We only have one home after all.

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This mess sat near the corner of Rt. 41 and Lincoln Highway in Schererville. I asked the bank manager to clean it up. Someone did at one point but it's piling up again.

It is just sickening.

Snow Business

Chicagoland officially survived the winter. I didn’t think it would ever end, and if you look outside it doesn’t seem like it has yet; there is STILL snow on the ground. I don’t remember a colder or snowier winter. That’s all the past four months have been about it seems – the weather. We had seven snow days which extended the school calendar by a week, even with a few pardons. The temps were sub-zero, the roads were treacherous, and snow and ice kept piling up layer after layer. The deep freeze and several blizzard conditions encased buildings and trees in ice for weeks on end. …I never really wrote about any of it until now but I certainly talked about it and took pictures. It was deadly but beautiful. It even inspired me to book a condo in Florida so that is where we are heading in two days for spring break. We are not doing Disney; we are just going to enjoy the environment. My family and I are going to fish, snorkel, visit the Everglades, kayak, and just lay on the beach. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be trading one extreme for another.

As I mentioned, I haven’t been writing much. I have had a few ideas and still have plans to finish projects and submit but I’ve been preoccupied with the winter and our vacation. I did accomplish one goal early on this year. I got the nature books into the two stores as I had hoped. The Indiana Welcome Center and Center for Visual and Performing Arts gift shops both have copies on their shelves. It would be nice if some of them sell.

The Ladies Auxiliary St. John VFW Family Dance was in late January. This was our 10^th year. The weather affected the turn out but everyone who did attend had fun. I keep promoting events through the post Facebook page and did get the details and some photos in the paper again this year.

Finally, I have some photography news. One of my photos will be on display all summer at the Indianapolis International Airport. I was real excited about this one; they obviously have a lot of traffic. Travelers from all over the word will see the exhibit which is sponsored by the airport and The Nature Conservancy/Indiana.

Make it Awesome

 

The year is nearly over; just a few more hours. I'm usually kind of sad on New Year's Eve. Not sure why that is exactly, except that I hate to see good things come to an end. If that is the case or reason for my melancholy (yes, it's melancholy - defined as a thoughtful or gentle sadness - I like that definition), then I have a lot to be thankful for once again. Twenty thirteen was a good year for my family. It was full of changes and new experiences, and for me it was productive as well. I hope I can keep up the pace and accomplish even more in 2014. I would hate to slow down, sit out, or put too many things to the side. It is time to set some new goals, maybe even take a look at my bucket list; see if I can check anything off and then make some revisions or additions.

So the latest is:
Naturally Yours: Poems About Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs is available on Amazon. I just put in my order today. I am working on getting it in local gift shops - specifically at the Indiana Welcome Center and the Center for Performing Arts in Munster.

And my next idea is:
Trying to sell some art in a local gallery or store - note cards? mounted prints? some watercolors? Not sure. I need to visit some places, do some research. My sister has been making sea glass jewelry so I want to encourage and help her as much as possible too. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could both have some items at the same gift shop or gallery...

So here's to the past and wishing an awesome New Year for everyone. I'm sharing something I saw on Facebook because I absolutely loved it. It sums it all up perfectly.

 

Just Around the Corner

Football has ended. I had three boys on three teams – and next year might be worse – (four on four!) but boy, was it an exciting fall. Now that I have some evenings free I plan to catch up on a whole bunch of projects and maybe even relax a bit.

Even though I was busy with the kids and work I kept taking pictures, writing, and submitting all kinds of things. When I think about it, it is mind boggling.

* I had two photographs displayed at the Indiana Welcome Center in August and September. I was so happy with the whole experience and felt extremely honored to be part of the Reflections Exhibit, my first.

 

 

* I finally got a chance to set up a Facebook photography page and also put photos on Redbubble. I have had several positive responses and have been busy taking portraits for people ever since. I have had luck with the weather and lighting, splendid fall colors, and of course my clients are beautiful inside and out.

* Another first – two of my mounted nature prints were auctioned off a couple of weeks ago at the 7^th Annual Ladybug Bash Banquet in Chicago and I got to meet some of the bidders. Proceeds went to the Midwest Pesticide Action Center so I feel everyone benefited.

 

* This past Wednesday I headed down to Rensselaer for a book signing party. The latest edition of From the Edge of the Prairie is hot off the presses. I have three pictures and poems in this year’s book.

* I did well in the Lake County fair (4 ribbons), just finished working on the cover for the latest Hoosier Horizon Magazine due out in December, and submitted some poems and craft ideas to a kids’ magazine.

 

* I will have three poems and photos featured in Naturally Yours – Poems and Short Stories about Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs. Proceeds from the sales will help the environment. I wrote about my favorite places: Tippecanoe State Park, The Indiana Dunes, and Shades State Park.

So to recap, I know I accomplished a lot in the last four months but there is still so much more out there. I feel like I’m still taking steps that will lead me to something bigger – I hope so anyway. I hope I am heading in the right direction and real success is obtainable. …Part of me gets frustrated because so many of my friends are published now. I just don’t have the time I need to polish and finalize my bigger projects; I need to work on that, finding more time somehow. For the most part though, their accomplishments inspire me and I’ll keep the faith that their experiences will help me achieve my goals.

One thing leads to another...

Since school ended May 29th, my birthday, things have been busy busy. We were fortunate to be able to take several weekend mini-vacations this first half of summer. We went fishing in Ludington, Michigan, hung out with friends in Jellystone campground a few hours east of here, kayaked and canoed in Peru and Shades State Park, and hit the Indiana Dunes a few times. My oldest was in weight training/conditioning for football and took both pool and gym in summer school so that meant lots of driving here and there. Yesterday was the last day of summer school YEA! - and he even gets a few weeks off before actual football practices begin again. So it has hit me, and I'm happy and proud; my oldest is a Freshman in high school! The same school I went to. He seems very excited about this next phase in his life and is motivated to do well. Fingers crossed it lasts.

I had to miss a few writing and photography meetings lately, just too much going on, so imagine my surprise when my friends from Write-On Hoosiers contacted me to tell me that I won an honorable mention in the National Federation of State Poetry Societies' Contest. Fellow poet Tom Spencer was actually at the convention in New Mexico when they announced my name. Super cool! I got a certificate in the mail a few days later; 7th out of 242 entries in the Ohio Award. Little successes keep me from giving up so I sent materials to two more children's magazines. I am also going to submit three poems to the Naturally Yours - Poems and Stories about Indiana State Parks book. I just wrote about one about our time in Shades.



Since I can't put down my camera for more than a moment I am still constantly taking pictures. I like to take of everything which is my downfall. I have no specialties, I don't excel in any certain area - I just want to do well in all situations. My latest challenge has been taking good portraits. I have taken some photos of groups, events, and extended families at different locations but never set up an actual studio here. I did purchase lights a year ago and some backdrops but really needed a stand. So my husband ended up making me a backdrop frame and it has helped tremendously. After that I decided I needed to work on advertising so I set up a Facebook page just for my photography. Next thing to consider: selling. One way to make my photos more available is to set up an online place to show and sell my prints. I have a friend who uses RedBubble so I set up an account and put some things on that site. Just a few pictures to start, but the hard part is over. I'd be thrilled if I even sold a note card or two.

I have done one photo shoot since all that and I was very pleased with the outcome. I also have two more shoots lined up. It is with my extended family, which is perfect. It gives me a chance to practice without all the pressure of doing everything right. I also have been buying and gathering and even painting props. I guess I am taking this pretty serious even though I don't want to ever do a wedding or take portraits full time.

Now fair time is just around the corner. I am entering 7 photos in the Lake County Fair and even one drawing of a bluegill, inspired by our MI fishing trip. And I again wanted to put myself out there so I tried to get into a photo exhibit. Just a few days ago I was informed two of my photos will be on show at the Reflections Photography Exhibit at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond. I couldn't be happier. This is pretty official. They want a head shot of me and the other photographers and are going to make postcards to promote the event. The photographs will be on display August 15 to September 30. There is even an opening reception and I can have purchase information and the prices available if I desire :).



My favorite quote: "You miss 100 % of the shots you don't take." by Wayne Gretzky. Guess that is why I keep taking chances and can't seem to slow down. Everything keeps leading to something else.

Winter and Spring Recap

Last fall my youngest son started all-day kindergarten. I had big plans. I was going to catch up on some writing projects I started long ago, other household projects that had been put on hold, learn more about my camera and photo editing, and clean. I was going to clean out the closets, clean up my document and photo files, delete old e-mails -- basically declutter and simplify everything. I also wanted to renew my substitute teaching license so I could earn some extra cash and get out of the house once in a while. I accomplished a few goals and worked two days a week the first semester but then a full-time position opened up at one of the schools I was working at. I already knew and liked the teachers and students. I would get some paid days off plus all school breaks and summer vacation. The offer was too good to refuse, so I couldn't.

Since January I have been really juggling my responsibilities. I was always very busy but now I'm close to overwhelmed. I love my new job ,and my hobbies, and volunteer work so it is hard to say "no" and not keep on taking on the things I've always done. Plus I have the four boys and their activities; I want them to be able to be in sports and participate in school clubs, etc. I shouldn't complain though because although it was a long and busy winter a lot of good things happened.

First, I submitted a photo to NBC Chicago and it not only got on the 10:00 news but also was printed on the Chicago Sun Time Weather page the next day. Then the Town Planner calendars came out and I was happy with the end product. I have photos in nine different calendars this year. Finally, the 9th Annual Ladies Auxiliary Post 717 Family Dance was fun and well attended. We raised over $800 for our veteran's programs.



I have cut back some but managed to submit to the Prairie publication, the National Federation of State Poetry Societies Spring Contest, and photos to several Calumet Region and Chicago Area Camera Club competitions. I am also a U6 soccer coach for my youngest son's team again. Just last month I was surprised to see one of my poems was published with the photo in the April Family Flyer Magazine. It is "a welcome guest in 113,000 homes!" around the Lake and Porter County areas. And as for the PoPP children's poetry contest: the entries were judged, the magazine was printed, and the April awards assembly has come and gone.

So some things have been on hold; I didn't accomplish everything I wanted to these past several months. I didn't get back to those watercolor paintings or get to those neglected areas in my house and delete and/or organize the mega-billion-bytes of electronic mail and pics and files that are hanging around and stored everywhere but there is always tomorrow, or the weekend, or SUMMER!