Starting Over- Sonoma Strong

Our “oldest” (as in we’ve been friends since 1970) friends, Joan and Rudy, lost their beautiful home to the Sonoma County wildfire two years ago. They got out with just the clothes on their backs with no time to spare. On our visit to California a week ago, we saw their property for the first time since the fire.

The good news is that they are rebuilding on their beautiful property! And their daughter, Liz, bought the property next door!

Because of the heavy rains (continuing while we were there), the area is lush with new growth, and you have to look carefully to see the remnants of the devastation that took place that October night. Their new home, with a different floorplan, is being built in the same spot as the old, and when you walk in, you can see the same views as before. It felt good to be there.

Below are some shots of our visit.

Flowers in bloom with a view up the hill of a bit of burned area and just a little corner of the roof of the new home:

A partially burned tree by their driveway.

Look in and looking out:

Joan and Rudy with their grand-dog, Newton:

Daughter, Liz with Newton:

Although they are starting over in many respects, it was heartwarming to see how much seems the same. They hope to be able to move in next Fall.

Melinda2 Comments

Alley Adventure

Last week I accompanied my husband on a business trip to the Bay Area (California). We took time to stay in two of the towns where we used to live and were able to visit with many of our close friends and my teaching colleagues. It was a last minute decision to go, and it was so wonderful to be able to see so many friends on short notice.

I did not do much photography while there (no time!), but when we arrived in Petaluma, our first stop, we took a short walk in the RAIN before meeting dear friends for dinner. I only had my iPhone, but had a great time photographing this alley.

 

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Blue Spring 2

This image is the second of two multiple exposures I took of the same flowers. I dearly love playing with this technique, whether in camera, in Photoshop, or on my iPhone. I’ve always loved impressionist and abstract painting and so enjoy creating images that are not a literal representation of the scene in front of me. I never know exactly how they will turn out, and I think it’s the unpredictability that is a big part of the appeal for me.

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Reflection Number 1

My little AAUW photo group is meeting this week, and the topic is reflections. Each month we send 4-6 photos to the leader, and then they are displayed on a large screen in a room at the library. Later they are on the website for AAUW Prescott. I got a few photos together for the topic, but also decided to do some still life photography emphasizing reflections.

Here’s one with my baby cup! I tried to shine it up, but ended up having to rely on the dining room table for the reflection.

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School’s. . . Out … for … Summer!

Yesterday was the last day of the semester for my photo group. I can remember how nervous I was the first day, weeks, even year in this group of advanced photographers, but now I am just one of the group and the people are my friends. Our final this time was a slideshow of our favorite images, and I now felt confident to share more of the photos that are in my own style and also some of my experiments in multiple exposure etc. I have proven myself with sharp images and photoshop skills, so anything goes now (hah!)!  It was nice to get positive feedback!  I’ve uploaded my video here- but have no idea if it will play (it’s a pretty large file). It may take awhile to load. So apologies in advance.

Melinda5 Comments