Writing Prompt: The Face of Memory

In addition to being a writer, photographer and avid pug lover, I also teach memoir writing. When I launch my new web site, I thought I might try adding a writing prompt at the end of some posts such as this one.

When I went outside today I saw this fallen petal from yesterday's photo op with the pugs. Unlike most of the others, which had blown away or shriveled up and died, this one sat withered, but still pink, glistening with yesterday's raindrops. It had a fragile beauty that fresher blossoms lack. If memory had a face, I think it might look like this: a velvet petal tinged with the blush of youth; slightly worn and crumpled, holding tears and promise, and the hint of many soft smiles. Tears run off smoother faces tainting their bloom, here, they caress the wrinkled surface, refreshing it like dew. The weary petal embraces its identity, like memory it reveals past lives, discarded hopes, reawakened dreams.

Writing prompt: What does memory look like to you?

Today Part 4: Exist Light Woman/Origin

I returned home later than I expected. I had hoped to have some time to rest before heading off to hear my friend, writer Jon Katz, read from his new book Dancing Dogs at the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, Vt. But my day had exhausted me, my medicine making me dizzy. I put the kettle on the burner for some coconut cocoa tea. The pugs scampered around my ankles as I sat at the table. The windowsill's blush bouquet of flowers shed its dying bloom. Petals fell on the tabletop. I realized I wasn't up for another trip today. Time to rest, but first I took the vase of flowers outside, placing it on the stoop. The pugs sniffed at it and I couldn't resist a final photo op. I grabbed the pugs' nearby fairy wings, snapping away as they fleeted across the back steps in an enchanting game of tag. Light floated across the pastel fabric. The day circled back to where it began -- a woman existing in light; a woman existing lightly.

Today Part 3: Photographing Light

Before going home I stopped in West Lebanon to buy some cotton-pink candy thread and diamond embellishments to adorn my Orphaned Princess collage. Getting back into my car I noticed some tree branches brushing against the window, their yellow berries shed a ready splash of color across the cement-gray parking lot. I reached for my camera and began photographing them, trying to capture the glass-like droplets that clung to the tiny, lemon spheres. While I tried to target a single berry, my camera instead chose to focus on the space beyond. Light broke through the viewfinder as sky and leaves replaced the sunny berry and dark, tree trunk. Although an imperfect shot, I inhaled the light 

letting it melt away my stuffy head and fatigued mind. 

Today Part 1: Light and Color

I left my cozy house this morning where I have been hunkered down sick all week to conduct an interview for an article I am writing for Upper Valley Life Magazine on Vermont Stone Cross Company in Hartland, Vt. The details I'll have to save for the article, but driving a dirt road following the interview, I had to back up when I caught a shaft of light breaking through the dark woods and glistening trees. I snapped a photo that could never do the scene justice, but captured the impression of the black, straight, trunk lines jutting through the chartreuse foliage. This moment, that I so easily could have passed by, set the tone for the rest of the day. Me, out in the world pausing to partake of a dance of light and color and the backdrop of glimmering rain that allowed them to take center stage.

Red Exhibit

Just found out my photograph of a barn on the Lincoln Farm in Bethel, Vt. just made it into the juried show called "Red" at the Darkroom Gallery in Essex Junction, Vt. The show runs from Oct. 25th to Nov. 18th with the artist reception on November 4th. To view the other photographs in the show go to http://www.darkroomgallery.com/ex34

It's Nice to Have Friends

Photo By Amy Chan

I found myself in a bit of a predicament the other night. I needed a picture of myself teaching my class and I wasn't sure how to get one. Yes, I could have set up my tripod and camera on self-timer, but I wasn't sure I could ensure a good shot and didn't want to interrupt the class too much. I could have asked someone at the school to snap something, but there are not a lot of people on hand the evenings I teach and again there was no way to be certain they would get a good picture. I thought of asking my sister-in-law who is a great photographer that has helped me out before, but she lives two hours away from the school and has a young baby. I decided instead to ask two friends who I have taken photography classes with through Jim Block ( http://www.jimblockphoto.com ) if they might be willing to stop by and snap something for me. Both friends, Renee Brown ( https://www.facebook.com/ReneeBrownPhotography ) and Amy Chan ( www.amychanphotography.com ) are excellent photographers and I knew I would be happy to have either of them take the picture. Both got right back to me. Renee was busy taking a class, but Amy was able. She even arrived at class before I did.
Unfortunately, I felt ill that evening and was worried I wouldn't photograph well, but Amy pulled it off and sent me several pics to choose from including the one above. Amy is a mother and L&D, RN and specializes in birth photography among other things. I realize how fortunate I am to have these wonderful and talented friends who are willing to help out at a moments notice.
I am also happy that Amy's picture of me will be featured on my new web site, which draws closer to completion each day. I'm told I'll be able to see the first design layout for it next week. Again, I wouldn't have found these great web site designers if it wasn't for my friend Jon Katz (www.bedlamfarm.com).
We often say "it's who you know" as almost a derogatory thing, attributing success to connections and networking, but there's truth in the statement and nothing derogatory about it. Often success does come from who we know, the friends we make, the bonds we forge and the kindness of those willing to put their talents to work to help us. This has certainly been the case with me and I am lucky to have such friends.

Beguiling

My niece Tori at Shelburne Orchards last week

Could Eve have been any more beguiling?

Burlington Waterfront.

I attended an Avett Brothers and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals concert on the Burlington waterfront tonight with my best friend Sheila Trask and her family. This was a picture of the sun setting over the water. The day before I traveled to North Hampton beach with my friend Joan and her pug puppies.  Tomorrow I am hoping to take my pugs to a doggie fun day day at the Shelburne museum. Lots happening, lots to talk about, but for now enjoy sit back, relax and enjoy the sunset.

Avery and the Dog

The other day at the Shelburne Orchard, a beautiful dog was resting amidst the hay and children playing on a tree swing. Avery came upon him and the two bonded. Here is a slideshow of the encounter. The music is by Avery's Dad, my brother John.

medium.m4v Watch on Posterous

The Negotiator

While I tried to capture my nephew, Avery, in photos the other day, his older brother Raine made it clear that I would not be doing so with him. Ten, going on 16, as his mother says, Raine informed us that we would not be photographing him. I did, however, manage to snap an image or two, none of which do this beautiful boy justice.

Blonde and blue-eyed, Raine, is as smart as he is handsome, which he clearly illustrated while we were apple picking. He is also clearly a good businessman and negotiator. First, he finagled me into offering him $25 to take his photograph for one of my future collages. "I never have any boys in my collages," I complained. "Would you let me take a picture of you in a nice dress shirt and suspenders?"

"Would I get to keep the suspenders?" he asked.

"Yup!"

"Cool, I always wanted suspenders," he announced. "But how much would you pay me?"

"Pay you?"

"Yeah, you'd have to pay me!" he said.

"How much?"

"Twenty-five dollars and I might," he said. "And, I'd get to keep the suspenders!"

This negotiation concluded, I later found myself indebted to Raine again when I lost my sunglasses just before leaving the orchard. Raine and I went back to search for them while my sister-in-law remained in the car with the other two kids. After searching the rows of Gala apples where we had spent the most time, I sent Raine back to the Macs to see if I left them there. A few minutes later his long, jean-clad legs came charging out of the orchard followed by the rest of him; my glasses clenched in his fist. "They were hanging from a tree," he said.

"I owe you," I declared.

A half hour later we were eating pizza when Raine looked across the table. A killer smile slowly spread across his face. "How much do you owe me?"

"What?" I asked, grinning back. I knew where this was headed.

"For your glasses? How much do you owe me for finding your glasses."

"Um, I don't know," I laughed. I watched Raine's smile grow. He has the type of smile that just grows and spreads in Cheshire Cat fashion.

"You said they're prescription. Just think how much more you would have had to spend if I didn't find them," he argued. "Isn't it worth $15 or $20?"

Needless to say, when I returned home last night my wallet was $15 lighter. My nephew Raine may have an innocent face, but he knows how to seal a deal. He is a charmer and I'm not sure any of us are ready for when he is actually 16. Just think how much damage those blue eyes and Cheshire cat grin can do by then. Just imagine who else he will charm.