• Creativity,  Essays,  Photography,  writing/reading

    He Inspires Me

    April 24, 2025

    I attended a wonderful program last night at CSU. A friend and fellow coffee shop regular, John Barnhardt, told his story of his 27 years as a cinematographer. He shared how he has wanted to make movies since he was about 9 years old. Through hard work and dedication he has/is achieving that dream, which includes winning an Emmy for some of his work. I was impressed with his openness and his vulnerability in telling his a story. I left inspired by his story, the journey he has taken, the challenges he has faced, developing his talents and gifts as a photographer and cinematographer, and how he inspires the students at CSU to believe in themselves and work towards their passions, finding their purpose, and offering their creativity to the world. I encourage you to check out his website.

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  • People/Portraits,  quotes,  street photography

    Taking Care of the Soul

    March 30, 2025
    Crystal City, Virginia – 2006

    Care for the soul needs to include care for the sacred, for without it we will become lost without even knowing that we are lost. And care for the Earth needs to combine these two, so that the real music of creation can be heard amidst all the noise of today.

    Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, Seasons of the Sacred
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  • architecture,  Documentary/Street

    The Legacy Lounge

    March 10, 2024

    I made a return visit to campus the other day. I’d forgotten how serene it can be at the Lory Student Center (while students are in class.) This image was taken while sitting in the Legacy Lounge just outside the Ballroom Doors. With no piped music, it is a good place to journal or read. Hope you’ve had a good Sunday. It’s been beautiful here.

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  • Art,  Cityscapes/Urban,  flowers,  People/Portraits,  quotes

    Entertaining a Thought

    April 17, 2023
    Crystal City, October of 2007

    “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

    Aristotle

    My ability to dream and fantasize goes way back. I could create a whole world in my head and stay there for hours simply by saying, “let’s pretend,” even when that was subconscious. I believe it’s an essential part of our young lives but there is a point where we cease pretending and begin living in the reality of life. Some of us do that sooner than others. I put myself in the later category. I’ve become aware of when to entertain thoughts without accepting them and let them go. Progress, as they say. Having said that I still find myself entertaining a thought just as this young lady seems to be doing but not accepting it as reality. Hope you had a good Monday!

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  • Candid Portraits,  Children,  People/Portraits

    Just Before the Crash

    January 24, 2018

    End of a long day
    End of a long day

    Children are awesome! We can learn much  from them if we take the time to observe and remain teachable. But, that’s for some other post. Anyway, I came across this image while looking for another image. This little gal and her mother were enjoying some together time at a local coffeehouse. Not sure but it seems to me like her very full day is about to hit a wall, sugar and all. Her mom allowed me to take this image just before the crash. Hope you have a great day.

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  • Camera Equipment,  Documentary/Street,  Fujifilm X-E1,  quotes

    It’s a Cold Morning

    November 21, 2013

    Bicycle in Old Town
    Bicycle in Old Town

    “To experience growth as a photographic storyteller requires one to be a bit reflective.” Storytellers by Jerod Foster

    At 5:30 this morning it was 14 degrees with light snow. At 9:30 it had warmed up to 17 and the snow had almost stopped. The prediction is for more cold and light snow flurries throughout the day. Not going to be a good day for a picnic. May get some reading done.

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