Into the Mountains

Jim and I have always been "into the mountains"

Hiking has been a pastime for us since we met back in 1980.
We feel lucky to live in a place that offers hundreds of options of all shapes and sizes.  From those practically on our doorstep to others a hop and skip up the road.

This day we picked the yellow trial as our hiking "spot".  I brought along my camera with that same feeling in mind - and attached my pinhole lens.   A pinhole lens allows a pin-sized hole of light to make an exposure.  Exposure times need to be longer to allow for light to seep in.

A steep climb at the onset - just Jim and I hiking up the trailhead.  There was plenty of time for such long exposures.

I also threw the nifty fifty into my pack to expose the naked eye view.

Looking out from the ledge was spectacular and gave us a clear shot of "home".   Yes, we did see a hand full of fellow hikers.  All of us kept physically distanced allowing a social banter that reflected the enjoyment of this day. 

 On our way down we took a moment and walked towards the "VIEW"
Complete with a lovely stone perch and a picnic table and a note book for thoughts.

 I enjoyed reading this one from 2019 - I do hope that this lad comes back up with another batch of sesame noodles and takes in the view!
A few thoughts as we sat and took in the view at the end of our hike

why we hike

hiking has a vulnerability

and simplicity to it

it helps us relax

clears the mind

it's good for the body

a powerful cardio workout

lowers risk of heart disease

and honestly, at the end of the day

it's beats going to the liquor store!

enjoy,

k

Sleep Patterns

 At home...

wrapping our heads around the new "normal" that the Coronavirus has brought into our lives

I offer a brief moment of levity...

Night-time adjustments   

Sleep patterns

enjoy,

k

Super Heroes Amongst Us

Over the years I've had a lot of fun with clients during their photo sessions

This was certainly heightened whenever I brought out the "Super Hero" patches as a possible prop

Personalities came shining through with just a simple notion of being...      "super"

Smiles were genuine and catching

We have many "super heroes" amongst us

 especially now with the trying times we find ourselves in due to the Coronavirus/Covid 19 outbreak

to the "super heroes" that are out there
every day working and helping

to the "super heroes" that are staying
home

to each and every "super hero" among us

Thank you all!

enjoy,

k

Colonial Theater ~ Renovations and Teaching Moments

A picturesque day over at the Colonial Theater in Laconia.

Today the "COLONIAL" sign and marquee, a focal point downtown for almost a century, was dismantled and taken down.  Both the blade and the marquee will be fabricated and placed back on the front of this building at a later date.  

 These signs went dark in the early 90's 

but as work began around 2015 the blade and marquee showed the signs of life that will be returning to the downtown space

 Care was given to the process of dismantling

and the same care will be given to fabricating a replica to hang for hopefully another century

 Workers cutting and removing bolts that held the marquee in its place

 As the final piece comes away from the building Ian Raymond sets up shop across the street.

Ian Raymond's photography studio sits across the street from the Colonial Theater.  Today he documented the renovation work not only for himself, but due to these unprecedented times, a "teaching" moment for his grandchildren.
  

 With his pinhole camera Ian set up his camera on the stoop of his studio and made photographs

Ian also made video podcasts to explain the process of pinhole photography as an art lesson

Using a long exposure - watching the world go by - he created a photograph that documented this day.  Due to the length of the exposure the photograph contains "figures" in the windows showing workers as ghostly.  The "workers" will come and go but as photographs will remind us they play and integral part of history.


enjoy,

k

Thoughts ...skillful

Headed back inside the Colonial Theater to document the restoration progress.  Practicing the guidelines of "social distancing" while working as I made my way through this grand lady with my camera.

Seeing first hand this skillful work-in-progress

Interior/exterior view of a worker on site

Custom-made stencils hang from the scaffolding

Finishing off intricate details to the stenciling on the ceiling 

 The process of replacing and patching plaster that surround the proscenium arch

 Repair work in beginning stages 

 as some finishing touches begin to show through from my previous visits

Respectful ~ Skillful work
                     ...Essential work

enjoy,

k

Thoughts ...thankful

A parade of over one hundred teachers drove through the town of Gilford on Friday.  Students and their families filled parking lots and lined the streets in front of their homes to "wave" and say "hi, I miss you"

Love the friendly reminder to "eat your fruits and veggies"

Signs filled love and hope 

Expressions filled with happiness and love

Finding "your" teacher in the parade

....priceless

Yes

We Love You

Yes

We Miss You

Warmth and sentiment

Heart-Lifting

 and certainly felt by all

enjoy,

k

Thoughts ...grateful

In the time since the Coronavirus has consumed our nation 

we've gone from Winter to Spring here in New Hampshire.

Each day we take time to watch the news, we stay informed

we go to work, we check in on family and friends. 

...we also feel the importance of living each day

and taking care of ourselves.

Our lifestyle has forever included the great outdoors.  

Fortunately, where we live truly encompasses this way of life.

As I watch the news each day, especially in NYC, I feel for the folks there.  It is limiting in so many areas of our country with this new practice of "social distancing".  I feel that here in NH we are able to accomplish this with more ease.  

For this I am grateful... 

As we've passed from Winter into Spring we all feel the angst of not knowing how long this virus will linger.  May we begin each day feeling what we are "grateful" for.  

 We may be in different places geographically but I see each day we are all connected.  Our care for one another  is strong and will prevail.

Be Healthy ~ Be Safe!

enjoy,

k