Value, Affirmation and Friendships!!

Never take a friend for granted.  We aren't gifted with many real ones in life and when they come along, we have to step back and just be still with the realization of what happens in the relationship and be at peace with it!!  This is Allison and me when I still thought that short hair was who I "needed" to be to be 'proper'. Then I would have been acceptable that my hair was 'age appropriate' - really!!  Allison and I met years ago and then remet and got to know one another - we trained together, laughed and talked and planned and lived with DARE to AFFIRM - shared common interests - and now share a friendship that comes of knowledge and familiarity with LIFE and memories as our commonality.  Just to acknowledge APPRECIATION for this.  Why this and why now?  Maybe it is a comparison that led to this appreciation - the other night, I needed to hear a friend's voice for comfort - for reassurance - and I called another.  She didn't answer and didn't call back.  The next day, I got a 'coach/cheerleader' email that told me that she was there in the virtual world and IF we had talked, this is what she would have said.  Thanked her for the words BUT said what I really wanted/needed was the minutes of friend time and a voice.  I asked her to share how she defines friend/friendship?!?  I suppose I could ask that of many others - a survey - but I know in my heart how I think of it - and yes, I have been told that I have unrealistic expectations - but geeeeeeeez I am human!!  Technology can easily get in the way of real time caring or at least voice contact on the phone!  Maybe I am getting older - but I totally appreciate and value the contact of my friends and family!!  Happy Holidays!!!

Photoschmoozer steps out!!!

Just a few days ago, the birthday celebrations began!  Why not celebrate LIFE and all of the years that I have lived with total love and appreciation for all of my gifts.  This day was lunch with my dear friend Allison - during the conversation, she reminded me of what I had done for us for DARE to AFFIRM - first of all, created the concept - then began the dance - and even did the shoes!!  Yep, I painted these and took the picture with my incredible striped toe socks?!?  Why remember this and why now?  Well Photoschmoozer is stepping out!!  I have hung a Photography exhibit at the McCowan Library in Pitman and have invited everyone to celebrate with me - an opening night catered affair!  Yeah for me!!  Yeah for Life!!  yeah for Friends and Family!  Just Yeah!!!

In My Own Little World

It's been a long time. A few days after I wrote the last blog about adventuring in Kensington section of Philadelphia with 'the gang', I opted for surgery! Yes, it was by choice if you can consider that getting rid of pain is a choice. The right foot was looking funny and then skewed the spine and the rest of the body. My doctor said "I was an interesting woman" and proceeded to tell me all of the things going on with my toes that made this so. Lucky you...this is about photography and seeing - not my medical ills!! So I am now the lucky owner of straight toes (though I won't know that for days yet til we go back for a check up) and this big ugly black open toed boot that is my faithful companion for six weeks. I am confined...and not champing at the bit like I thought I might. I almost find it relaxing to sit upstairs in the recliner with my foot up on a bunch of pillows.

But wait!!! This is about the PhotoSchmoozer and seeing. What can I do if I can't go out and about?!? Well...simple my photography friends...stay in and within and see what is right in the world around me. There are windows to the outside and amazing little wonderful things right here in this room that have lots of meaning. My niece Rebecca found some cute little duckies at the local hobby shop, so there too are photo ops. Then there are all of my 'chatchkas', goddess statues...the choices are infinite. In the days to come, I will share some of those. For today...me healing in my chair. As the New Year approaches, I can be filled with gratitude - a foot on the way to healing, a great new job and wonderful family and friends who nurture and care. Happy Days and always be still to just look around you. It is amazing.