hardest part of dreamin' is waitin' on the body

Fundraising is definitely not the greatest, most fun, or easiest thing to do.  But one thing that I have found that I do like to do is give people a good time...and if they donate some money because of that said "fun" time, then, it is just extra-positive.

The Reneaus exemplified this idea of having a great time while bringing in some dough for a good cause.  They traveled up here from Bowling Green to play a set at The Bard's Town in my honor. A girl couldn't ask for better friends (or talented ones).  Louisville got a taste of some exceptional alt-country and rock'n roll tunes.  Hear some for yourself on The Reneaus Facebook Page.

portraits: week 18

The Cassins are a couple that singles dream of befriending.  Intelligent, smart, and fun - they are not wrapped up in their relationship to the point where they disregard the social joys of others.  Individually, Jessica and Dan have unique interests and viewpoints.  Together, we get to witness a discourse that is witty, insightful, and challenging.  But the best part is that they let you in on that discourse.  They have this beautiful little world that they share with each other, and they want you to share it with them too.

 

 

backyard goodbye

What better way to send someone off then with bratwursts and sparklers?  Tim is leaving us for Alaska.  We will miss his skinny jeans and horn rims, his slyness and his humor, his handsome and his heart.  He will miss our community, our togetherness.  So this is how we leave him - baked-beans, strawberry pie, corn-hole, fireworks, and a late night circle of folding chairs.

gentlemenly good time

Sometimes I get frustrated at Louisville for not having good music shows.  What if I want to go out, pay 5-8 dollars, hear a good band and have a quality time?  For a city who has fathered some talented acts, it sure doesn't have many good small venues to attract really good traveling musicians.  I hope that this is changing and continues to for the better.  Last week I visited Gerstle's Place and was pleasantly surprised.

 

portraits: week 17

Brent and Molly are one of the most fun couples I have met here in Louisville.  They love culture, food, and a good time.  They throw great parties with lots of home-cooked and crafted food.  They constantly make me ask the question: "how do they do all of this with two full time jobs and two full time kids?"  Here are some photos Molly, Brent, and their youngest, Zeke.

vulnerability and sappy professions

As I think about leaving the country, a weight seems to settle on me.  This weight, I think, may signify the dread of loneliness that seems to be inevitable within the context of what I am about to do.  I have made a community here and I am now leaving that community.  Who knows what it will look like in 2 years time.  People will have moved, made different friends, gotten married, had children, fallen out of touch.  The Louisville I will come back to is not the Louisville I will be leaving.  This thought at times is overwhelming.

BUT

There is one group of people that I know I can come back to where time, change, failure, achievement, or need will not separate, rift, or break the relationship that we have established.  They may live in different cities, they may live at different stages, but they have stayed my close family for over 5 years now.  I hope that 2 more will be no big deal.

I have taken many portraits of these wonderful people over the years. My aim is to post some of them over the next few weeks.  Here are the first: some images taken of Marissa and Jordan before they got married in 2008.

the dancing queen

Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for the place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come in to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music’s high
With a bit of rock music, everything is fine
You’re in the mood for a dance

And when you get the chance...

goin' to the country

Memorial Day brought a long-awaited trip for me to see Huber Farms.  Bailey, Jackie, and Peake accompanied me to pick strawberries, taste wine, and buy local grub.  It was a lovely day...it could have been less hot and humid (as all summer Kentucky/Indiana days could be)...but we uncovered some rubies - the kind you can make a down home strawberry pie with!

a very first birthday

Scenes from Miss Mary Grace's First Birthday Party.