A long time...

It's been a long time since I've posted anything on my blog.  Yesterday, April 30th, was the 5th year since my Dad died and two days prior would have been my mom's 80th birthday.  For some reason I thought this weekend would come and go with relative ease since the last two were easier than the first two.  I was wrong.  This weekend was super charged and painful.  Every emotion seemed right on the surface.  I fixated on everything left undone and all the things yet to be done or yet to be started including both my list and Brad's list (and "no" that did not end well).  

I posted a question on FB asking my FB peeps who have lost their parents or a loved one what emotions they feel or behaviors they do in the days preceding the "anniversary".  The responses couldn't have been more meaningful.

A grade school friend (1st grade maybe?) who has lost both her parents, too, shared something really sweet.  She finds small ways to honor their memory throughout the year, so I’m thinking I will finish out my 52 weeks of pictures to honor my dad.  He had few hobbies, but when he he could he took out his camera and had quite an eye.

I think to honor his memory this will be a good thing for me.

P.S.  I'm going to pre-date the blog posts since they will be photos from 2015.  It will be good.   

52 Pictures - Week 33 - Planning

52 Pictures - Week 32

This one is never very far away.

This boy always make me smile.

Munch, munch, munch

Scooby's face!!

52 Pictures - Week 31 - Gracie's View

Grace's Summer Breeze View

52 Pictures - Week 30

One for us and one for our neighbors from their peaches!

Those ears.

Gorgeous Dog and Gorgeous Lawn.

Bugs?

Smiley boy.

52 Pictures - Week 30

52 Pictures - Week 29 - Motorcades

Waiting for a VIP. 

Yes, the President of the United States of America.

President Barack Obama!!

"There but for the grace of God..." 

~ Barack Obama

God Speed on Prison Reform, Mr. President.

 

From my office - 20th Floor of Devon Tower

On their way to El Reno  

52 Pictures - Week 29 - Finley's View

Finley was my companion at Summer Breeze a few weeks ago and he had an absolute blast. 

 

52 Pictures - Week 28

Fabulous concert with B!!! 

Jason Isbell

"Something More than Free" 

Cain's Ballroom

 Tulsa, OK.

52 Pictures - Week 27 - Photo Shoot with Grace

Well, hello there Miss Grace!

 

Photos taken on iPhone

52 Pictures - Week 26 - Skip Hill Mural

While running around town we stopped by Skip Hill's new commissioned mural on the old Homeland across from the high school.  This building will soon be the new home for Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

Skip graciously visited with us for a few minutes and what an inspiration he was to both of us!!  His words "art dies hard" reminding us to be creative.  Calling to our creative selves to say "Yes" to art.

To painting
To photography
To writing
To making music

I say...

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes!

52 Pictures - Week 25

52 Pictures - Week 24

Teeny Tiny paws ... funny closeup iPhone distortion

52 Pictures - Week 23

I just love this dog.  Scooby captured Brad's heart last October when he was running loose in the neighborhood.  His owners couldn't keep him and Scooby soon found his forever home with us.

The capture of my heart took a little longer, but he's settled in and our new routines are now normal.

He's a keeper in our family of 7.  

52 Pictures - Week 22

Last Sunday night The Steel Wheels performed at the second Summer Breeze concert of the 2015 season.   They were just fabulous.  They sang a song called "Rain" which was stunningly amazing.  They apologized given how much rain we've had here in Oklahoma.  Simply.amazing.harmonies!!

Here is the song on YouTube:  "Rain" by The Steel Wheels

The Steel Wheels - taken with iPhone

52 Pictures - Week 21

Everything is fair game for a photo shoot. 

ISO 200  f/2.5  1/100

52 Pictures - Week 20

52 Pictures - Week 19

Ann Arbor, University of Michigan (iPhone)

52 Pictures - Week 18 - Word of Encouragement

I'm including this FB screen shot in my "52 Pictures" because the words are so beautiful to me.  A dear friend (old boyfriend) from college sent me this memory on what would have been my Mom's 77th birthday.  Although I don't remember this memory specifically, I can totally see my mom doing this.  My friend's message couldn't have come at a better time for me.  Truly a Word of encouragement.

52 Pictures - Week 17

ISO 6400 f/2 1/60