Why?

"Oh well I believe there are angels among us,
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours,
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love."

A while back, I wrote about Jennifer Mills, a local resident of Glen Ellyn who had passed away at a very young age. Whereas you may not remember that particular blog, I do. Jennifer was “discovered” by a friend of ours who was in from out of town. They went on a nighttime treasure hunt and with a flashlight saw something reflecting off of a limb of a small bush.

The reflection was one of a number of “fairies” that filled the branches---down below was a plaque letting anyone who encountered this bush know that Jennifer Mills was no longer alive. Next to the plaque was an angel with its head down; it was for sure the most moving tribute amongst the many that are located around the lake.

Last weekend, while we were down at the lake, we took my nephew to visit the bush that where Jennifer’s tribute now resides. But something was wrong. I was not able to find it; the fairies were gone---the angel no longer guarded her, it was just another bush---and only the plaque remained. I was sad; I was not sure if Jennifer no longer wanted this tribute, and elected to remove them on her own, or worse yet if someone had come along and taken them as a funny joke.

We live in very interesting times; it seems as if people sometimes, not always, feel they can make changes they think will either be funny or show they are in charge. It happens in our personal and professional lives; what’s unfortunate about their actions is they leave others wanting what had once been there. Whether it’s a secure job to help feed and maintain your family or a reminder of a special person---changes do happen. But when they are malicious and unneeded, they fall into a very different category.

I am looking for a similar statue that was once next to the plaque that honored the loss of a woman taken away too soon. I figure if I place it there, and it is removed by Jennifer, then it was her way of saying, “I don’t want this here.” If it remains, maybe those who took it will think about why it was there in the first place---and leave well enough alone.

The photo above is of the dedication to Jennifer before everything was removed. I a sure that somewhere this fallen angel is wanting to go back to the place where it belongs. Right next to young woman who loved angels.

Thanks for stopping by.

Does anyone have change?

"I'm at a payphone trying to call home
All of my change I spent on you
Where have the times gone, baby it's all wrong
Where are the plans we made for two?"

I read online about the class of 2016 and what they have experienced and what they really know little or nothing about. They have probably never seen an airline ticket, lived without hundreds of networks on their TV, and for sure, they likely have never used a payphone. If they have, it’s because they lost their cell phone.

Roughly 20 years ago I got my first cell phone. In these days of smart phones dominating our everyday lives, back then these were not smart phones, they were portable talking pieces. They were also expensive if you talked too long to friends, family, and everyone in between; I remember a business associate of mine who took our company phone on the road. He used an 800 number thinking that because it was an 800 number there would be no charge. He was wrong---$200-plus wrong. Who was he talking to? His folks.

As I look around the train car I am in, I see iphone, ipads, and computers placed in hands, laps and attached to their ears. It’s the ones who are talking that are the most disturbing. I should have sat in the quiet car; kind of funny that we can no longer be social without disrupting people and taking them away from their electronics is now viewed as offensive. (I have overheard some great conversations---whether they wanted them heard or not.)

The word on the street is that Apple will soon be launching its latest version of the iphone. As people line up the days before they are unveiled, I will be looking on line to see what benefits they have in comparison with the model I have now. The difference between myself and the others who view this as a “must have”…I really don’t care as long as mine has an ability to talk, listen to music, take photos, record notes, go on the internet and provide directions and apps so I can pass the time. I need nothing more than all of these options---well unless it can make breakfast.

The photo above was taken a few years ago. I was really kind of amazed when I saw two payphones that still appeared to be in working order. Of course they were in pretty good shape as they stood waiting for someone to pick up a receiver and place a call;that moment didn’t arrive. Perhaps it’s because a call is now 50 cents---when I was a kid, and yes that was long before we had even a cordless phone, it was a dime. Now I know the reason why kids don’t use payphones, there’s no place to slide a debit card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Out at sea.

"Wait a minute baby...
Stay with me awhile,
Said you'd give me light
But you never told be about the fire.
Drowning, in the sea of love
Where everyone would love to drown,
But now it's gone,
It doesn't matter what for,
When you build your house,
Then call me home."

Music is a very powerful way of expressing yourself without having to say, "this is about me." When a writer puts words on paper, and music around the words,  I am not sure if he or she is writing about them self or if perhaps they can disassociate themselves from the meaning and just create magic. If they can do this, they are not human. At least I know I couldn't do it.

As I have grown up, and I actually have, music has defined my inner emotions. I have felt love, rage, defeat, and every conceivable emotion as I have listened and let my mind drift into wherever it feels like taking me during those few minutes. I am not the only one of course, but what's interesting is how 3 or 4 minutes can change how someone feels and take them to a place where they are safe or perhaps even vulnerable. We let this happen, it's part of the emotions we have stored deep within us. Can you imagine if we didn't have this ability? I can't.

A long time ago, I wrote about the power of the radio in "Snap.Shot." Growing up in St. Louis, I had a white clock radio that I received when I was probably around 8 or 10 years old. When I first received it I was pissed. Why? Because my brother received a tape recorder and that was the coolest thing I had seen; me, on the other hand, I got a damn clock with an AM/FM radio. Oh how I misunderstood the power of radio---I ended up treasuring that gift for many years. I cannot say the same about the tape recorder.

There were nights when I would turn the radio on and listen to stations such as KSLQ, KIRL, and KSHE (if I felt like "hard rock") and would just let myself go wherever my mind had the keys to drive me to. One of my favorite songs, and I still love it today, was "Things We Said Today" by the Beatles. It explored loss, love and the power of the memory of days gone by---I probably listened to that song a million times. More likely on my record player, but sometimes on the radio.

Normally I don't write about the song I have placed on "Snap.Shot," but I will today. This song by Fleetwood Mac just tears at me; the power of the words, combined with the sadness of the sound of the music, always works in taking me to a place I yearn to be. I know, you think I am kidding---but I am not. It's something about "drowning in the sea of love, where everyone would love to drown" that resonates with my years growing up. I was socially and physically awkward and so bad wanted to be in love with someone who would feel the same way back. I have later found that in my later years, but it's the "Wonder Years" that are such powerful memories.

The photo above was taken on the banks of Lake Michigan; we were actually on the Michigan side. I saw this boat, and I saw the fading sun, and knew there would be a moment where they would come together. It was a fleeting moment---in other words, it was like love at times.

Thanks for stopping by.

Summer.

"I see your shadow everywhere
 I feel your smile though you’re not there
A kiss for every star in the sky way above
You’ll always be my one and only summer love."

Writing about summer is a topic I enjoy. Living here in the upper Midwest, we enjoy summer; yes it's been a hot one, and unlike today we have had very little rain, but I know what's coming and I am not happy for its arrival. Winter in Chicago is comparable to the flu---you know when it is more than likely going to arrive and once it does you can't wait for it to leave.

This summer has been at best interesting in our household. We have seen days, and even weeks, where it is pretty desolate, and then other weeks where I am not sure if we can squeeze another body inside. Okay, we can, but when we have as many as 9 people living in our home at one time, the privacy level is not what we would call----umm....private.

Of course, summer is not all about crowding people into a home---for me it's about building the memories that help me through the cold days winter brings. It also is a great springboard for some incredible photographic opportunities. For example, this weekend we are planning to go to Chicago's lake front and watch the Air and Water Show. If you have seen it, you know it's pretty much indescribable. If you have not...let me provide you with a visual. Planes doing stunts that if you were a participant, you would swear that your life was over. I have seen planes soar hundreds and hundreds of feet above the water and dive down to a level just inches from it. I never hear any screaming on behalf of the pilots, perhaps their voices are still floating around at the top from where the plane began its rapid decline.

Also this weekend, and I am not sure how I will get this done, is the Arlington Million horse race. I do enjoy photographing horse races, but I also know that to me a horse is a horse and I really don't know anything more about them such as their name, rider, and the odds of them winning.  But what I do know is...this is not an everyday experience, and if I miss it I have a full year to wait for the next running. What a dilemma.

The photo above is what summer is all about. Freedom, fun, and finally shorts and no coats. Recently at 6 Flags Great America, I was without my trusty Nikon, but had my iphone 4s. (The one with Sari who does not really interact like she does with the stars in the commercials.) I really had no idea how good the camera on the iphone was until I downloaded the photos. They actually are not too bad. Sure the iphone does not take photos as fast, but in the end, I could place it in a plastic bag when we went on the water rides and could capture a summertime memory.

Thanks for stopping by.
 

Shades.

"I can see you,
Your brown skin shinin' in the sun,
You got that hair slicked back and those Wayfarers on, baby
I can tell you my love for you will still be strong
After the boys of summer have gone."

This time of year, as you walk in the city, more than likely you cannot see anyone’s eyes. The sun is bright, high fashion is part of the scene, and sunglasses are an accessory that lets one person look at another without them realizing you are looking at them. You with me?

I recently bought a pair of sunglasses. I really liked them. The key word here is “liked.” I can’t find them and it has been less than a month of ownership; if they were ten-dollar glasses I would be fine with it, but as you might suspect they were slightly more than that. I am hopeful I will be able to find them before winter---don’t bet on it.

This is for sure not the first time I have purchased sunglasses; it’s also not the first time I have lost, sat on, or misplaced a pair either. Being someone who I would call a very impulsive, get-me-out-of-here shopper, I am not one to spend much time in search of the perfect pair. One time, and this is a story that I have repeated a few times, I went to Neiman-Marcus; I rarely, if ever shop at Neiman’s---I guess I was feeling like I was a rich man that fateful day. I walked in, was approached by a man who looked like he shopped at the store where he worked, and I confidently said, “I am looking for sunglasses.”

Based upon his now confused facial expression, I suspected I was speaking a different language than their average customer. He looked at me and said, “Sir, at Neiman-Marcus we don’t sell sunglasses, we sell sunshades.” I took it in, let it absorb, and thought, “What am I doing here?” I then said, “Thank you, but I suspect these are going to be more than I am looking for” and walked out of the store.

I do not recall where I finally ended up buying a pair, but I am thinking it might have been Kohl’s. I am a Kohl’s shopper and am just fine with it.

As the summer is starting to wind down, Labor Day is staring us in the face, I know the sunglasses will find a location and not move for some time. That is if I find or buy a new pair.

The photo above was taken this past weekend; our 2 youngest and their cousin were out and about wearing their new sunglasses purchased at a fair we went to. A deal we could not say no to. Buy one pair, get two free for $20.00. I should have purchased my own set---that way I could have lost, sat on and misplaced all 3 and be ready for next year’s sunglass purchase in the spring.

Thanks for stopping by.

Alone.

"I hear the ticking of the clock, 
I'm lying here the room's pitch dark. 
I wonder where you are tonight,
No answer on the telephone.
And the night goes by so very slow, 
Oh I hope that it won't end though, 
Alone." 

Life is funny; sometimes you can’t wait to have time to yourself and then when you do, you wish you didn’t. In the end, I suspect we all want to have some form of friendship, togetherness, and even a relationship that takes you away from being alone.

Over the past few months, off and on, I have had plenty of time to know the feeling about being alone. My wife and kids did a lot of traveling to see family and friends; the house was quiet, except for me and our dog Cash. Whereas Cash is a friendly dog, and certainly part of our family, he is very interested in sleeping, eating, and going outside as often as he gets the urge. That dog gets the urge frequently.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are benefits of being alone. I watched whatever I wanted to on TV, made whatever I wanted to eat for meals, and if I wanted to go to sleep at 9 o’clock because I was tired, I did. Once I got beyond these benefits I realized that I am a people person and I do need people in my life. 

During the time my family was away I ventured out and took photos. I went out to the Western suburbs where there is farmland and photographed barns and animals. On one shoot, I was able to get up very close to a horse that wanted to either see my trusty Nikon, or was curious why I was invading his space. I took a number of pictures of this horse and the cows he was “protecting.” I shot pictures from above the wire fence, through it and from the ground upward to capture angles of my new friend the horse.

Until.

I suspected the wire fence was there to keep the animals in and what I thought was right. What I didn’t realize is that farmers, based upon experience, know that animals can escape by literally pushing through a fence---whether it’s wood or wire. Unless it has electricity going through it that is; then it tends to keep the animals in and everyone else out. That day I was part of the “everyone else” and learned the hard way.

As I was getting up off the ground, my lens touched one of the wires that held the fence together; the lens as you might suspect is made of metal as well. The shock I received reinforced that keeping a 1000-pound animal confined takes a lot of electricity. I was stunned and thankfully my camera took the jolt like a champ; after I figured out what happened, I checked to make sure it was not fried. Luckily it was okay.

The photo above was taken before the voltage went through my body and the Nikon’s body; I suspect the cows were well aware of what was going to happen should I touch the wires that they know all too well. With their heads down I wonder if they were laughing and waiting for the moment---if so, they are probably still laughing about it.

Thanks for stopping by.