the lines and shapes of her

As she stood in front of the mirror debating if she should go with gloves or her bracelet, I couldn't help but follow the beautiful lines and shapes of her.

The way her vintage dress, followed the contours of her hips.

The scar on her elbow.

The shape of the shadow that placed itself along her arm.

The roundness of her pearls.

The route her veins took, along her hand.

I stepped out of the box and allowed my lens to guide me.

I know I shouldn't pick favorites but...

This photograph has nuzzled right inside a corner of my heart...

And that's perfectly fine with me.


Happy Wednesday, my friends.
; )
Ps: Please click on image if you would like to enlarge. ; )

the walk

I was given the thumbs up, that was my signal. I took my place in the center of the aisle behind my lens. "At last" by Etta James, gently flowed through the speakers. The doors opened, and there they began the walk, toward the alter.

I released a sigh. I welled up, with tears. To see my cousin walk his sister toward her groom was amazing.

My cousin walking again.
Wearing his metals of honor including the purple heart. His sword shinning, held proudly, by his side. It was nothing short of a miracle.

It was love.

You all have cheered me on, each and every time I have picked up my camera.
I thought of you on Sunday. I thought of your kindness and friendship.
Your lighting tips and your go for it attitudes. When I got nervous, I allowed your poetry and words fill my heart.

Thank you SO very much.
I will place a few more pictures here of the wedding, if you wouldn't get bored seeing them. ; )
xo

you know her...

The cutie that stands out in the crowd.
You take her picture and then she becomes your assistant; following you around and making your heart flutter each time she claps her hands, as you take a picture. "Yay Pictures!"
I agree.
Yay pictures!
Happy Monday~
; )



PS: I wanted to thank the talented Laura at a world in a pan. She has given me this lovely award. Laura has the most glorious and yummy blog. I am deeply inspired each time I visit. This friends award means the world to me, especially since it came from Laura.

I will share this award soon.
Thank you ; )



xo

a spring sign

I found myself smiling over this little tulip this morning. I don't remember there being any tulips in our back yard. I will consider this a purple sign of spring ; ) A sign of new beginnings. I hope the little guy/gal survives the snow were expecting tonight. Yep, snow; ) My many Jamaican family members (who are here for a family wedding) aren't really loving the weather. When they left Ja it was 85 degrees. ; )

As I was looking over my to do in life list. I realized I have never read Alice In wonderland. I don't know why I thought I had. Have you read it? I added it to my list; )

I want to write my husband a love letter. I want to remind him of how much I appreciate him. I get choked up each time I speak about last night. He came is smiling with a pretty wrapped gift...
The kids had smiles on their faces, as though they couldn't hold the surprise, any longer. He started the line as he spoke "now don't get mad baby, and don't try and return it."
It was a new camera.
"Well get by baby. You deserve this."

Happy tears.

Have a beautiful evening.

so tell me what you really think

Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Hellen Keller, Louis Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Theresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein.
from the book 5,Where Will You Be Five Years From Now by Dan Zadra

This has been a great book for the family to read through. The best part is listening to the hopes and dreams, of what our little family would like to achieve, in 5 years ; )

Overall, it has become crystal clear to me, that I must make time to do the things that live inside of my soul. I need to be willing to make mistakes and take risks. No matter how crazy the ideas may seem. The hardest thing has been investing in myself. What is that??! Crazy thinking!

BUT, he needs this, she needs that. The kids come first.

I was speaking with my friend from Brooklyn (who tells it like it is) the other day. I said to him- I should just do this another day. He said to me (in his deepest* hardcore *Brooklyn* accent) Oh no doubt, I think you should do it another f* day, since that day is so promised to you!

Hmm... I dig that. Point taken!

Have a glorious weekend!

; )

tag i am it

I have been tagged by my new blog crush, Julochka. ; )

Here are the rules:
1. Respond and rework. Answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your own invention; add a question of your own.
2. Tag eight other un-tagged people.
3. It can be an idea to post the answers together with several completely unrelated pictures. :-)

What is your current obsession? Shooting my camera in AV.

Do you nap a lot? No mam, insomnia doesn't afford me that luxury.

Who was the last person you hugged? My daughter, this morning. ; )

If you were a tree, what tree would you be? A willow. So light and billowy, they are usually by water, so I would dig that.

Have you ever had an altercation with the police? Hmm... once a few kids popped a fire hydrant on a 100 degree day here, and 5-0 started to pull out the cuffs. I MIGHT have said something to the tune of - you got murders on the loose and your gonna arrest them for some shi* like this. They scolded me about fire safety and told me to keep it moving. The kids didn't get arrested so...

What was the last thing you bought? A bottle of Aveda Brilliant for da afro. Hello Jamaica!

What are you listening to right now? Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie. Thank you Susanna, this is mad photo editing music.

What’s on your bedside table? Cough medicine, a stack of books, a night light, a picture of my David. ; )

Say something to the person/s who tagged you. Hi Julochka, each time you update in good reads, I run out and buy the books you have read. I am on to Blink. I am seriously ga-ga over you.

Who's photography are you loving in blog world at the moment? Easily tangobaby, she is on fire! Waving hand in da air, she is capturing da emotions.


If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? Canada! Is Montreal too much to ask for? ; )

Favourite vacation spot? Anywhere the love of my life is. That's what's up! ; )

Name the things you can’t live without. My family, my dog Miles, camera, imac, books, cured meats.

What would you like to have in your hands right now? The Canon 50D. Insert the music of the mama's and the papa's, California Dreaming here--------------------- Okay, I'm back. Next! ; )

What is your favourite tea flavour? Pomegranate.

What would you like to get rid of? This cold my kiddos gave me ; )

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? Paris France, to visit Tara of course. xo

What did you want to become as a child? Photographer.

What do you like better, e-mail or telephone calls? E-mail, I get freaked out by the telephone.

What do you do when you get time alone? Blog, listen to loud music, pray, bake, strut like a super model and accept the James Beard award in the bathroom mirror. : )

I will invite anyone who wants to play along, to join in on this tag. Let me know if you do, I would love to read what you have to say.

Peace and xo.

; )

lavender

“When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator”
Mahatma Gandhi


Today I went into a department store, to buy socks. As I began to walk to the registers, I saw the prettiest pair of pajamas. They were lavender, with butterflies on them. I ran my hand across them and imagined, this is what a lavender sky, must feel like.

Guess what? I bought them. The bottoms only. I'm not a whole set, type of girl.

these have been marked down another 20%- $12.00 is your total.

My old sweatshirt goes perfectly with my new p.j bottoms, on this chilly evening.

Sometimes, it the smallest things in life. Ya know.
; )
I laughed and clapped my hands, while I watched a man fly his kite, last night. The higher his kite went, the more I cheered him on. He smiled and kept saying "look it's flying".

Note to self: add fly a kite to must do, list.

It makes my heart warm, when I pass on a recipe to someone and it works.
SE'LAH, thank you for the love.
Let me know, if any of you need- warm, chewy, oatmeal cookies, in your life. Wink.

imagination blue skies wings

To regard the imagination as metaphysics is to think of it as part of life, and to think of it as part of life is to realize the extent of artifice. We live in the mind.” (wallace stevens)

It began as a frame in my imagination, then a reality with my lens. I was moved by the thought of the four.

; )

the shrine of happiness

as I placed my head on my pillow last night

i smiled at the thought of my corner filled with love and happiness

deep into my sleep

i saw your face

i searched for your beautiful hands

i love you

you began to leave my dreams

wait tell me what to do

Martin Ramirez was free

i searched feverishly for you

passing the robes of Guadalupe


Santa barbara...

Saint Catherine...

once again

you leave me with gifts of love




Needless to say, my corner is filled with gifts of love. Some of you have sent me these things, some I have bought with love, most are gifts from those, who have passed on. My daughter calls this corner of my bedroom, the shrine of happiness.

Happy Friday, my friends.

; )

the road to recovery

For the past two days my sons cough has gotten worse. After calling the doctors office and having them recommend various over the counter medicines, nothing worked. Five days, this kid has been coughing. We were all walking zombies around here. Finally, I had enough. My son and I got dressed and camped out at the hospital. Someone was going to take a look at my son. I was told that it was flu season and to go home 3 times. After 2 hours of sitting and nothing, I reminded them, I wasn't leaving without my son getting medical attention. It wasn't the flu or just a cold! Our family doctor who was off for the day, asked us to meet her at her office.

My son has a terrible case of bronchitis. The doctors feel he was headed toward pneumonia. His breathing was starting to become constricted.

As I stood in the line at the drug store, listening to the pharmacist tell me that, even though we are in the computer, I had the wrong card and she REFUSED to call the insurance company to ensure coverage.

Just pay the $100.00 for the perscriptions and get reimbursed later.

That's when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror behind the counter. I hadn't so much as run a comb through my hair, and the circles under my eyes were telling a story of their own.

I didn't like the person I became. My anger was built up. I wasn't leaving without my sons medicine.

How does someone go to work 5-6 days a week for the past 20 years, pay for insurance but, go through this type of shit, when their child gets sick?? Why does this have to be a fight??

I don't mention my husband enough on this blog, but when I do, I hope you feel the love and respect, I have for him.

Just as I lost my cool, my husband rounded the corner, with the insurance company on his phone. The pharmacist spoke to them, entered a code and the meds were filled for a total of $9.00. As I began to walk off, I heard my husband ask the pharmacist this simple question...
"Mam, are you a mother?" I didn't stick around for that conversation.

Last night our son slept comfortably, without so much as a cough, for the first time in 5 days. The family slept through the night.

As tired as I was, I couldn't go to sleep without being thankful and thinking of those who are less fortunate than us.

I still have so many questions that lay beside my heart, about this whole medical journey.

Thank you for allowing me to share.
: )

miles

The vet calls him cutie patootie, each time she see's him.

The mailman shouts toward the window "hey boy!"

The beautiful woman, down the block, waves at him and says "there's my boyfriend."

He brings his empty water dish, to my husband and hubby jokes "regular or sparkling?"

Who wants to strike a pose?? I ask miles.

Oh, he pretends not to like all this love and attention but, he does, he really does.
Happy Wednesday!
: )

mama

It was such a beautiful day today. I saw lovers holding hands, kids playing basketball and friends sharing laughter. I can see how someone would want to sit, and just be present in the moment.

I am tired tonight. The different hats that I wear, were left outside my door tonight. ; )My son has a bad cough and I sit here beside his bed, waiting for him to settle into a comfortable sleep. I will remain on his floor with one ear open all night, if need be. ; ) I'm mama, tonight. ; )

Did I tell you, I finally bought a tri pod? I really see no reason not to set this thing in the middle of the family room, and smile at it each time I walk by. It's so much more entertaining to watch than tv, for me. Wink ; )

Corned beef sandwiches and cheddar cheese soup are crossing my mind. Hmm...St. Patrick's Day is stirring.

Have a lovely day, my friends.

Update: My sweet, friend, Mary shared with me the most beautiful Irish blessing once. I have it taped to me mirror ; )

i gotta let cha know

I once saw a few photographs in an art magazine and the the title of the work was called something like, dead or alive? There was this person sprawled on the floor, with his eyes open. The photographer said he wanted to set up the shot and make you wonder if the person was dead or alive. It sent chills through my spine, looking at these photographs.

These pictures almost made me a want to turn the page and not look at the layout. I couldn't stop looking because, the photographer made me think, he got my mind swirling with feelings and emotion.

Looking at those pictures made me think of senseless killings, bloods, crips, war and Charleston Heston.

I remembered a time when you could allow your children to play by windows, without fear.

I have heard the cry of a mother's loss.

I thought about how I married into a family, that has protected and served for generation after generation.

My thoughts finally came back to this magazine.

I wondered what moved this artist to photograph in this way? What was he feeling that day? What muse came to him? In what form did it speak? Did this piece set his soul free?

I loved the emotion that expanded inside of me, I accepted my mind opening along with my heart.

I wish I remembered that photographers name, to give him credit for allowing the readers into his world that day. I respected that he shared with the world, a thought, an expression.

This post began in my mind yesterday, when I received a letter saying "your pictures kind of upset me." This woman went on to say, that I shouldn't go out and take shocking pictures to bring back to my blog. "There is enough bad news in the world!" I was offended because, not only were the pictures she referring to, the neighborhood in which I live, the words she commented(post below) on, are my feelings.

This is a blog, a public blog, where I gently lay my feelings when I am moved to do so. I am not ashamed of the pictures I place here; to me they are filled with beauty and love and truth. These neighborhoods raised me up, to be a good hearted, educated person.

Gwan git to school girl.

Milwaukee is not without it's problems. We as a city, rank extremely high on everything from black males being incarcerated to murder rates. We need work! No doubt! So does every other major city.

There are times I used to suggest to my husband, to hide his law bag, in order for our kids not to see the pictures of the cases he was working on. I don't do that anymore, our kids are old enough to see what is happening in the world. We speak openly about much in this home.

These pictures I place here may not be taken with a top notch camera, or framed just right, or in the greatest aperture but, they are my feelings through my lens. I place them here with love, anger, frustration but always with hope.

Plenty of hope.

My camera and my pen are my freedom.

So Lisa, from Orange county, if there is a time you see a house that looks like it may need to be condemned, just remember Lisa, this may be where a family prays over dinner, nuzzles together to stay warm, where a midwife delivers a baby, or a child builds her first castle out of her mama's scarves.

Hello Jamaica.

Hello Milwaukee.

We are a blogging community here, no different than the community I live in, or where you live. We all come from different walks of life and we need to respect this, or we click to a different page. No more no less.


This is the block my husband grew up on. This is where all his law school dreams started ; ) This is where my kids spent the day with their 88 year young, great grandma and auntie, then went to the movie theater and laughed all afternoon.
One love-
; )

today

my feet hit the pavement

the sun dances off my lens

penny candy

look no hands

the buildings slowly crumble

a young man strung out on crack recites a love song to his pipe

is that you marvin

make me wanna holler

a mother looks both ways before her child crosses the street

hearts of warriors

smiles that warm me

i am home

my anger eases toward my tongue

this is a community

american flags wave with pride

i raise my lens to show my love

and the beat goes on...

it's saturday

I woke up very early and decided I would go into my husbands book bag and see what he was reading. I found a very interesting book, that smelled like his old, leather, law bag.

The sun started to rise so pretty, I'm going set the book down and raise my lens toward my corner of the world today.

See you soon.

: )

a place to call my own

Honestly, your inspiration on my post yesterday, has blown me away. My husband being the sweetie he is, told me that if he could, he would build me the home of my dreams, with his bare hands. I'm in love... I digress.

What about this nook, he asked? So what do you think? This is the tiny corner that could be all mine, with some sprucing up. Really, I did warn you that my space is very limited. It is a little nook, or alcove that sits in the front of our bedroom. I have a jewelry armoire sitting there and the corner is really neglected. Ya know, when an attic is made into bedrooms, that's the spot. You might not be able to tell but, I could fit a small desk or something in there. It does get pretty light. I will work on the glittery stars and hit a few second had shops this weekend. I also have a few items of love from you all, that I think would fit just perfect. : )


Do you think it's possible? Hmm..

Peace and xo
Happy weekend!

good stuff

I've been dreaming about a personal space. A place to create, to sit my books, hang a few glittery stars. I don't have much room for this but, I would be grateful, even if it's a small corner of a room. I have read many times, that a place like this (no matter how small) can make a world of difference to the body and soul.

I am almost sure that a stack of glossies and sharing a plate of homemade/messy nachos with the people you love, makes any day just about perfect.

; )

tough love part 1

Me: Hello. Blah, blah, blah.

My ex- photography teacher:

"I remember back in the day, you could frame and shoot with your hands tied behind your back."

"The thing is- you young bucks don't get the shot, you run to that damnable photoshop."

"Get the damn shot and you won't need to fix it!"

"Who's got the bigger amount of pixels means nothing to me, why should it mean something to you?"

Me: Silent giggle. Bigger pixels...

"I've decided to teach you everything I know, about my 41 years of photography."

Me: Sniffle...i love you and I'm going to hug you when I see you.

Photography teacher: Tomorrow I will teach you how the inside of your camera functions- then we will shoot with your image screen taped and covered with paper." you will shoot blind for the next two weeks.

"Christina I love you too and I'm damn proud of you."

; )

ttv love

I can't honestly say I'm getting a whole lot done today. And that's cool with me ; ) This morning I decided to walk around my neighborhood and follow the rain drops through the view finder. This kiddo (on his way to school) walked up to me and asked me what I was doing. I then let him look, ttvf. His laughter and excitement, burst through me, making me open my eyes wider.

I have to admit, I urged him to run the rest of the way (down the block) to school : )

As I watched him enter the school doors with the other kids, I knew I wouldn't easily forget. his sweet, 9 year old reaction, after his first look ttvf.

I believe that moment will carry me and my heart, right through the day.

Peace and xo
; )

scroll three

"The people line the riverbanks, and the priests, with their shaven heads and white linen robes, stood ready to receive us. There was intent curiosity on all their faces. Is this really the Queen? They thought. May we approach? Is she truly a goddess? "
from Margaret George's The Memoirs of Cleopatra

It's easy to slip into such an inviting book, on this rainy Sunday. The rain drops have been hitting my window all day. It's lovely really. No complaints from me. Marcus Antonius alone, is worth the turn of each page.

I have a full dish of creamy macaroni and cheese in the oven, bubbling away. Yes, it's Sunday.

I am curious, how are you today?

Peace and xo

sun

i see you dancing lovingly across my photos

lighting a sexy trail along the concretes voluptuous curves

whispering for me to come out and play

resting your warmth on my eyelashes

i won't refuse your touch

you lead and yes

yes love

i will follow

: )

orange

I think orange may be my color this week. Beautiful orange roses next to me, while I nap on more pillows than I could ever need. I really don't want this tiny cold, my son is getting over and that my daughter is feeling touches of. Sniffle, sniffle. The fresh oranges seem to be helping me, I am seeping the peels in honey tea.

Every so often I reach for my new Annie Leibovitz book, that was delivered to my husbands best friend, by mistake. They told J. "keep it as a gift for our sending the wrong book." He literally ran it over here to me. I used to love A.L when I was a teenager, I couldn't get enough of her Rolling Stone covers, or Vanity Fair shots. Her John Lennon and Yoko Ono pictures, once brought me to tears. Not too long ago I saw A.L on tv, photographing Queen Elizabeth, and I thought, my goodness, I'm proud to be a woman. ; ) It will be nice to revisit her style through the pages of this book, that sits with an orange jacket around it's cool cover. A thoughtful act of kindness from J. I think I love that. Thank you, J.

I am hoping the sun comes out of hiding today. A nice warm, orange glow, would be nice to add to the day.
; )

i remembered

This evening I remembered...

twirling

fairy tales

pink cotton candy

written words

blushing

full circles

The beautiful Relyn, invited me to come play at her place tonight, as a guest blogger. I would love it, if you would drop in and said hello. : ) Pretty, please.
xo

i heart memories

I was thinking about Chocolate loafs and gum drops before I fell asleep last night. Maybe it came from walking the rows of magazines, at the bookstore. I bought a few cooking magazines and even scored a French, Christmas magazine. Bliss! I am constantly buying magazines, in different languages. I love them.

Did I ever tell you I learned to cook italian food, from a woman who spoke only italian. It started off where neither of us understood one another, but at the end of 6 weeks, she tasted my take, on her Sunday gravy. She smiled, gave me a kiss me on both cheeks and wiped her teary eyes, with a kitchen towel. I kind of dig that there are so many ways, to covey emotions.

Eh naw, 'appy day, mon!
; )