Grand Army of the Republic

Not that I hang out much in graveyards, but there sure is a lot of interesting history on gravestones. This individual fought in the American Civil War in the Union Army.

Memorial day traditions

Traditions are a big deal in my husband's family. So for memorial day weekend we made the trek to Ohio and Indiana to put flowers on the graves of his relatives, many of whom he has never met, as his family has done for at least 4 generations now. For 99 years, the Bauers have spent the summers on Lake Hamilton. What began as a campsite has evolved into a tiny little cottage with modern day appliances. Which is a good thing.

Like all the other families there, memorial day weekend is for "opening" the cottage, which includes hanging the American flag on the front porch. Out here in the middle of nowhere, you will find some of the most diehard Americans in this country. A place where time has almost stood still, towns look as they did in the 1950s, and everyone knows everyone's name. Quaint is how I would put it.

Happy memorial day!

Octorara Creek

Yesterday I met up with fellow Chester County camera club member Ed Heaton. Ed was kind enough to share with me his favorite spots along the Octorara Creek to photograph. He happens to live in the same neighborhood my brother and his family just moved into, so I hang out in Ed's neck of the woods often. It was nice having someone show me around as we are still discovering all that this area of Pennsylvania has to offer! Thanks Ed!

Come sit with me...

This photo was taken at the Jenkins Arboretum in Devon last week. I discovered this garden last spring and since then, they have remodeled the visitors center and upgraded the gardens. With all the rain we had been getting lately, the short-lived break from the downpours was a welcome change.

A Heart of Gold

There are some days I wish I could erase from my life. Friday was one of those days. We got the biopsy report on the cause of Mika's collapse earlier in the week and the news was grim. Who knows how this journey will go, but each day I have with her is a day I will treasure. I vowed I would take a photo of her daily (can you ever have too many photos???) to remind myself just how blessed I am. This photo was taken the day after that horrible day, just 4 days after her surgery. She is recovering well and acting more like herself. Like so many golden retrievers, Mika has always been such a happy dog, so full of love and so easy to love. She truly has....a heart of gold.

Will you come walk with me?

I posted a photo of this bridge in one of my earlier blogs this winter. I revisited this park recently and in post-processing gave this spring image a dreamy, fantasyland look. In light of the last couple of days, I feel as though I have been living in a dream.

My husband and I almost lost our beloved golden retriever tuesday and had to make the decision to have emergency surgery to save her life. She pulled through with flying colors and is back home with us now. In between the tears we shed while waiting for the surgeon to give us an update, we relived the many memories we have shared with her. Mika has been my shadow for 9 years, going virtually everywhere with me. We didn't lose her that morning and this journey is far from over. But I cannot wait for her to come walk with me again.

Pretty in Pink

A couple of weeks ago I went to Longwood Gardens to photograph the flowers there. This was my first time visiting the garden in the spring and I happened to go when the tulips were just about to peak. After spending a morning here, I have added a macro lens to my looonngg wish list of photo gear to purchase! This blog image was cropped and edited in photoshop.