the august break, seventeen

the august break, seventeen, originally uploaded by Jhascrapmom.

a tale of two

i am a bit of a fan of supporting artists that i *know*, either in real life or through a friend who knows a friend who knows a friend.

about five months ago, through another photographer's blog, i found the work of michelle wilson, a photographer writing and illustrating ( with her own photographic works ) a book.
*a tale of two* is the story of two sisters...

which plays pretty close to my heart right now.

well, i received my book today:), after a few impatient weeks.
michelle, who i do not know in real life, is hysterical. she produced little videos all along the way of the production of her book, keeping her supporters in the loop. her last video was of her adventure mailing out the books, so i knew it was coming!

and the book? it is beautiful and creative.
there were only 500 printed, and the pages feel wonderful and the images are just unique. it is a pleasure to read.

here are a few links for the book and about the journey that brought it to fruition.

noneofitistruth.com/tale-of-two

www.indiegogo.com/A-Tale-of-Two

i always find it fascinating when people find the way ( or ways ) to bring their passions from the idea stage to reality. and this book is a pretty fab example of this.

it now has a little place of honour in my library if you would like to stop by for a read:).

august break, eleven

august break, eleven, originally uploaded by Jhascrapmom.

so, i dragonboated on this day.

i wasn't planning on it.

five minutes after i took this, i found myself being frantically tutored in paddle handling ( well, i was frantic), wearing a life jacket and being loaded into a very impressive looking boat.

i am not a natural at anything on water. or anything athletic, really. but honestly? i did not even have the time to think about it. sometimes you just have to roll with the moment. right. okay.

all i could think about is how i was going to ruin the chances for any victory for my boat mates.

you see, my friends are super athletes...like mega triathlete, marathon loving, black toe sporting, should be in nike commercial worthy sportinistas. they are awesome. and place first in their age groups. and run in places like boston and new york and overnight through the mountains of new hampshire to raise their hands triumphantly in the ocean...i am the thing that does not belong in this group.

and yet, there i was.
no pressure.

just follow the paddle in front of you. just follow the paddle in front of you. just follow the...DAMN!
i almost did not ruin it for them:(.

we came in second...the longest 45 or so seconds of my life!

and thanks to the earth shattering thunder and lightening storm that immediately followed my historic debut, the team finished in second place as the races were canceled due to weather. the first non third place finish in three years!

historic indeed:)

the august break

the august break, eight

the august break, eight, originally uploaded by Jhascrapmom.

i was telling a good friend today about how at the end of every august, that i can look back and see clearly where my priorities were for that month, through the photos i have taken.

but that usually how it takes the full month to see what that is.

and that often i am unclear on what i have really been experiencing until i see the 30 days together, as a cohesive interpretation of my month.

this month? it is crystal clear to me now. today.

it is about the children and the relationships i have because of these kids ( including mine).
and how this year, this month, this day, how these connections make me happy and whole.

the august break, nine

a loss was experienced today, within my circle. the kind of loss that shakes you to the core. 

these faces i photograph are precious. and need to be loved and appreciated every single day. because we are blessed to have them.

and sometimes, even in loss, we are blessed to have had them for any time at all.