I'm inspired to re-discover my love for photography, mostly because I'm teaching 2 classes in the fall. I can't exactly say why I put the camera down, but I feel like I'm entering into a season where I want to pursue things that are most meaningful to me. Capturing images that brings some sort of joy to others is one of those meaningful passions. My only hope for this season is that by re-discovering my passion I'll then find a way to transfer that passion and inspire my students as well. So here are few shots from my new camera, one of my favorite subjects and an unsuspecting one.

I'm happy to report that Sydney is still alive. So crazy man didn't poison her through the car window. He probably just gave her the leftover free starbuck's pastry that he didn't care for. I still reserve the right to call him crazy man though. Sydney and I have had a sit down chat about taking food from strangers (aka crazy man) through the car windows. Sometimes it's good to just laugh at the absurdity of life :).

Sydney and I went to Starbucks this morning so I could join the rest of the country on free pastry day. On the way home, I drove through downtown and hit the red light at 93. Something caught my eye behind me and I realized that the guy in the car to my right had his door open and stepped out to pet sydney on the head. Of course she didn't refuse the affection, the excellent guard dog that she is. The light turned green, I began to go, then heard a strange noise. Sydney was eating something, the guy didn't get out of his car to pet her, he got out to give her food. For sanity's sake, let's just believe it was a dog treat because it was gone before I could get to it without causing an accident. But many questions still come to mind. 1. who keeps dog treats in their car, I mean I'm a dog lover but seriously? 2. who stops at a red light and gets out of their car to approach another car with a dog hanging her head out the window? 3. Didn't your mama ever tell you not to reach your hand into a window to pet a dog you don't know? I mean Sydney knows no strangers but you don't know that. I guess now you do. 4. Still wondering, did that really happen?

Dear Friends & Family,

I am running a marathon to raise life saving funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It's my first marathon and I could really use your help! So, I'm asking you to Gimme 5!

1. Gimme 5 minutes of your time- go to my website and learn more about The Society and my training and fundraising progress.

2. Gimme 5 bucks- you can make a secure credit card donation online. You can rest assured that your money will go toward a great cause! If you would like to donate more, fantastic!

3. Gimme 5 friends- send this email to five of your friends and help me spread the word about what I'm is doing!

4. Every 5 minutes- someone new is diagnosed with a blood cancer- money for research is desperately needed so donate now!

5. $5,000 is my goal- my dear friends, (and friends of friends) I can't complete this journey without your help.

Ha! Hershey's is actually making money off of a chocolate milk mixer. Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't it appear that syrup is actually sticking to the side of that plastic, so in all actuality this mixer does not make the perfect glass of chocolate milk. In case you have run out of spoons, try pouring some syrup in your mouth, then some milk, and shake your head side to side. That extra chocolate would just stick to the side of your mouth, and you'd save $9.99.