Blogiversary » 1 Year

Can you believe I've had this little blog for about a year? Yeah, it was around this time in May when the wheels started spinning in my head and this thing actually came to life. Pretty neat! I'm just so thrilled with all the memories I've made and captured just within the last year. Looking back I feel very grateful and touched by all the people and places I've come in contact with. Now there has certainly been a fair share of down times along with the ups, but it's nice to let these kind of moments fade away and let the good times shine on. If every year of my life is as beautiful as this past one, I'm doing something right. Here's to hoping there are many more..

» Linds

Furzilla

Whenever I was gathering and setting up everything to photograph my camera collection, Furfur was extra curious about what I was up to. That's nothing new for these little ferrets, though. However, Furfur wasn't feeling well on this particular day. I'm not sure what she got into, if she was having some sort of reaction to something. As you can see from these pictures, her face is a little swollen. Luckily, the swelling went down pretty quickly and it didn't seem to bother her at all. It was just a little scare for us. So, of course, she got some extra special attention that evening, which is why I let her sniff around and crash my camera shoot. Even if she isn't totally looking herself, I think these photos are extremely adorable!

» Linds

Train Yard » March 2012

Still playing catch up with pictures.. but these are some good ones.

» Linds

Vivitar ViviCam 3765

I've probably called my Nikon my first, true real love.. but I'm lying. This is it... My first legit digital camera. I wish I could remember to tell you how old I was when I got this but I really can't recall. I'm thinking junior high?. Had I not got this for Christmas and got a hold of this camera at all, I might be a much different person. Seriously, I might have got interested in much different things, perhaps.. I know it doesn't look like much, but this ol' thing deserves a lot of credit. I captured a lot of beautiful and intriguing things from behind this viewfinder.

Thank you, little Vivitar.

» Linds

Church of Level Tracks

Ever feel like you need a vacation from your mind? I do. Pretty often.

 Last night I went to go see Tim Barry play at the 31st Street Pub in Pittsburgh. I'm really happy I forced myself to make the effort to go. So many things just get put off because well.. a lot of times it just seems easier not to? Sad excuse, but true, nonetheless.

 I had originally saw Tim open up for The Bouncing Souls and The Gaslight Anthem several years ago. I instantly was in love with his music. I remembered he came through Pittsburgh a short while after that but it was 21+ and I hadn't turned 21 at the time. I'm glad I got the opportunity again and I know I would have completely regretted not going. Sometimes that happens.. more often then it probably should.

 It was nice to get out of town. Nice to do something. Spend time with my sister. Get away from the daily grind. The dirty apartment. The dishes. The chores. Dirty liter boxes. Annoying alarm clocks. Try to forget about work. Money. Cars. Try not to think ab out anything. Just enjoy the moment. The people watching. The drinks. The spontaneity. The night time. The environment. The city. The music.

I love small venues like bars so much.  Tim even came into the crowd and played acoustically for a song or two. It was so intimate and moving. A great performance. One that leaves you going to bed feeling all giddy and waking up the next day still feeling that way. I needed that.

Ahhh, yes, music..... this is why I love live music in particular so much. It's a total escape from life. There isn't anything comparable, in my opinion, and hardly anything I love more.

 Happy Weekend.

» Linds

Animal Heaven

We've been experiencing some incredibly tough times lately.

All three rats, Neil Young, Diddy Kong, and Depeche, passed on, in such a short period of time. Plus, the unexpected death of our cat, Kuddy Koo. On top of that, the raccoons are finally independent and free and out in the wold all by themselves.

These are some huge adjustments to get through and a lot of sadness, emptiness, and voids. Don't get me wrong, there are just as many sweet memories and special times.

Sometimes I've never wanted life to have a rewind button so bad..

Look at Depeche in that photo. I remember when he was that tiny.. tiny enough to fit into a little box to carry home from the pet shop in West Virginia. I held him on my lap and we listened to Depeche Mode all the way there and home in the station wagon. That's how he got his name.

Where does the time go? Why? It's a whirlwind of questions in my head.. a lot of questions that don't have real answers. Death really stirs up and scatters my brain.

I know, they are just "pets" and their life expectancy is not long, but to us, they are family and it doesn't make it any easier, even when you know it's coming.

You've just got to stay positive and have that thing called.. faith? And believe that they are in a better place and hopefully this place is full of happiness and good health.

It's a hard thing to put into words, but I try. If there is any thing I do know, it is that I hope when I pass, I can go to this animal heaven.. because I have so many wonderful critters waiting for me on the other side.

Sometimes it's hard to imagine anything better than that..

» Linds

Super GL

xo, Linds