Connected

"The reason it hurts so much to seperate us because our souls are connected. Maybe they always have been and will be. Maybe we've lived a thousand lives before this one, and in each one of the we have found each other" ~ Unknown.

Connected. Perhaps the reason I am so drawn to the North Shore - my Dad.

This past week I have had the overwhelming need to call my dad and talk to him. Possibly, I feel that I am loosing the sound of his voice. It has been almost 2 years since we found out that his journey in this world would soon be ending and I miss him dearly.

My Father had an extrarodinary love of the Sea and as I sat on the shores of Lake Superior I felt as though he was sitting next to me, his whisper in each roll of the wave and his hand on my shoulder with the warmth of the sunset's soft pallet. I am certain that this will always be the place where I will be closest to my dad - the sea - our connection.

Know Who You Are

"Sometimes when you are really lonely, you really feel alive and you feel like you know who you are." ~ Unknown

This is the exact reason I love to go to the North Shore in the winter...to capture the beauty and emmerce myself in the solitude of nature.

Shortly after sunrise, it was 4 degrees and absolutely beautiful sitting on the rocks over looking the magnificent Lake Superior. I sat here, in the snow for almost and hour, losing myself in the moment.

Many of my friends question my trips that I take alone, but it moments like this where you really do feel alive and find, at least a few clues to who your really are.

"During the storm or in the darkness...follow me to a safe harbor" ~ Unknown

I have returned from my annual trip to the North Shore of Minnesota. I love this place...especially during the winter. It's landscape is ever changing.

This trip in particular helped to really push me as a photographer. Because I have taken countless images of the various landmarks in the area, I had to force myself to try new angles and be more creative in my shots. This is probably one of my favorite images from the weekend!

"Expect the best, plan for the worst and prepared to be surprised" ~ Unknown

As I plan for my annual winter photo trip to the north shore this quote came to mind. Visiting the North Shore of Minnesota this time of year you never know what to expect to find. The weather and scenery sometimes change by the hour and this trip I am sure will be no different. The weather forecast calls for snow, clouds, wind, sun, all within 48 hours.

So armed with my hand and foot warmers, long underwear, Baileys & Coffee, Bunny Slippers and of course my wheat thins and canned cheese I am ready for a weekend away - cabin in the woods - "me" kinda of weekend!

All At Sea

"I am all at sea where no one can bother me" are first lyrics in Jaimie Cullum's sing All At Sea.

I can relate. I want to be all at sea where no one can bother me. I want to soak up the sun, the smell, the sound of the sea.

Sounds as though this is going to be an all about me day today. Selfish or necessary? Necessary. I took a road trip last summer and drove around Lake Michigan capturing the many lighthouses that dot the landscape. Armed with 20 hours of 70's music, plenty of photo equipment and the road trip must - Wheat Thins and canned cheese, this was and awesome way to regroup, cleanse the stress and soothe the soul. I recommend that everyone take a "me" trip Jaimie Cullum seems to concur as well. " I am all at sea where no-one can bother me. Forget my roots if only for a day. Just me and my thoughts sailing far away".

Time's Caught Up On You

Another night, another place, Another limbo where you've fallen from grace. No you don't cut it like you used to. Look's like time's caught up on you ~ Gerry Rafferty.


A sad day yesterday, Gerry Rafferty died. He was an incredible singer/song writer from the 70's that battled with alcoholism - these are lyrics from his 2009 and last album release.

Another icon from my youth, this building, the Peterson Biddick building in my hometown was torn down. As I am quite sure that everyone is Wadena is cheering that this old place is gone, but the photographer in me is quite sad. Even though it has seen better days...I remember those better days..the hustle and bustle of farmers coming and going. The feed mill in any town was the center hub of every small town and in it's time, I am sure that many of the world's problems were solved here.

So in the the words of Gerry Rafferty, it looks like times caught up on you.

We Understand

" In youth we learn; In age we understand" ~ Marie Von Ebner- Eschenbach.

When I started this blog, I in no way intended it to be a dumping site for my rodeo images. Going back through the couple of thousand photos, I have really been drawn to not the action shots but the casual images. The images that seem to tell the story of this iconic somewhat heroic group of people.

Having grown up watching cowboy legends such as Tom Mix, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and of course the Duke, I now understand why most of us our mesmerized by this lifestyle. With all of the technology and just how fast life moves these days; the cowboy way seems to take us back to a time in our youth that on a Saturday night we were content with just hanging out with friends, perhaps sitting on a fence and just "be".

Prayers

"Courage is fear that has said it prayers" ~ Karl Barth.

Well, day three into my New Year resolution and I am happy to say that I am still on course! The main reason to get this blog started was to get through the thousands of pitcures I have in my archieves.

What happens is...I go on a photoshoot and come home and process a couple of my favorites and the rest sit. I have noticed that going through these images is really pushing my processing skills...so...so far...sucess!

Last American Cowboy

I just finished watching an extrordinary series called The Last American Cowboy. It was a

phonemenal show that followed three Montana Ranchers for one year. Boy, if anyone ever thought that the cowboy life is Hollywood glamorous, think again. They are probably the hardest working folks on the planet. They aren't doing it to get rich...that for sure. It is hertiage and tradition. This life is passed from one generation to the next..it is the cowboy way.

After spending the past 3 years with the MRA, I have seen first hand how important family and traditions are. This image of a grandfather and grandson really depict this passing of the torch and assures us that the American Cowboy will be around for generations to come.

Happy New Year!

I feel as though this is the perfect image to start off the new year. It was T. S. Eliot who said " A beginning is only the start of journey to another Beginning". By walking though that gate, on fresh snow, I can start a new year, a new journey, a new beginning.