Sunsets across my childhood memories

I love when the sun becomes muted by surrounding clouds and colors, almost as if I took my fingers and wiped them across the scene softening and blending the shapes and lines. Tonight I stopped the car to watch for a bit then take a few shots because it was one of those sunsets.

Even more so, they remind me so very much of a book I loved as a child.  There were illustrated versions of the same sunsets I love today throughout the pages, and I used to sit and look, turning back and forth among all of the pictures.  I remember viewing similar sunsets as a child and thinking that they looked like something in the book.  If I could only remember its title.

I still like being transported in my mind to those moments of wonder many years back and jumping into the pages of the book again. Brain switches open up memories and feelings when I see the soft colors and lights. I like connecting then with now, and really appreciate the near timelessness of sunset beauty.

On stage with the Rebirth Brass Band!!

All it took was Chadrick Honore inviting 'all the ladies in the house' on stage, and the stream of women started through the side stage door.  I scooted in last after a good nudge from my awesome friend, "You've got to go..." I've been on stage briefly to take a few shots when Rebirth has played Chelsea's and once at Bogie's, but never at the Varsity Theater.

I took a spot right by snare drummer, Derrick Tabb, and tuba player, Phil Frazier.  I'm guessing that there were 20-30 happy, dancing women who were completely into it with up there with me.  Watch the video and see how only a few pulled out their cellphone to take a picture or two.  Other than that, they were truly embracing the moment.

I'm not sure how I did not dance at all for 10 minutes.  Usually, I'm movin' a bit in between my shots, but this time around I suppose I took the self-assigned video job very seriously. ;)

Thank you very much, Rebirth!!! Always excellent to have you in town.

#RebirthBrassBand #RootsofMusic #VarsityTheater #OnStage #Video #NewOrleans #LOVE

Memories in green

Years ago, in 1995, I spent some time in a rainforest region of Ecuador.  I had been selected as a Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation teacher grant recipient to visit through Earthwatch. My mission as a team member was to assist scientist, Durrell Kapan, collect field data for his study of evolutionary processes in butterflies.

Today I was reminded of one of my personal transformations in the rainforest while staring into a large palm plant.  First, the burst of green attracted my eye, then the many gradients of color in the light and shade revealed themselves.  As I got deeper into the leaves, I smiled remembering the softness of the earth below my feet and the surrounding space of layers and layers of rainforest lushness.  Just like today, the greens introduced themselves as one entity, and with more time walking and being in the forest. shades stood out with their own identity. It was a beyond precious and invaluable experience twenty years ago, and how wonderful that a moment of light and a local green plant intermingled with those memories.

(Time to search for the summary report I wrote for the G.  In it a poem about green is included.)

In the glow, we walk

In the South, you just know when the humidity arrives and is here to stay. As soon as I stepped out this evening to walk our dog, I felt it immediately. It draped itself over me in a thin layer of stickiness as we moved along not even a long distance from home. Despite my angst, I thought the effects on the light were gorgeous as the golden sky had a glow to it. The setting sun kept making me turn around to enjoy as Sparkle led me to the field.  I found it all so lovely.

Apparently, my iPhone4 was aware of the glow, too, because the photos taken delivered just that. At first I thought it was a smudge on the lens, but no.  Possibly my contacts were funky and tired? No.  I just went with it and took advantage of how we worked together to capture and enjoy the feel of it all.

Walk with me through the images and the space. Maybe you'll get a sense of why I gravitate toward this field and what it offers.

Know that I processed the photos in Picasa, overall kept the composition intact with only a few cropped, and used the "Orton-ish" filter to accentuate the glow. I find myself preferring the feel of the bw and its stress of the white in its softness.

Fest family appreciation 2015

I love New Orleans Jazz Fest and Heritage Festival for its music, food and culture, yes.  Every year, I also volunteer at the Zulu Krewe Diamoncutters beverage tent via the heartfelt outreach of The Threadheads, and I feel myself becoming more and more attached and happy to see the good people working with me, and stopping by to visit, too.  I'm more than fortunate to share in their Fest spirit of friendship, fun and goodness!

Breaking in tradition of presenting images in time order, I'll share a mix of photos from the different days worked at Fest this year.  I'm so prompted to dig into past years for images of friends, too.  Enjoy meeting and reading about my Fest friends who make the experience all more awesome!!

*More friends to be posted*

They're back...

Enjoyed a little impromptu photo session with a dragonfly or two, today.  While still cleaning up sticks fallen during last week's crazy storm/potential tornado, I was visited by a few dragonflies enjoying flight in the sunshine.  I kept taking note because one in particular returned to the same stick for its landing allowing me to get close for some awesome views.  There were territorial 'battles' between dragonflies, as well as some comradery in shared stick space with one another.  Not only are they pretty to watch and a challenge to photograph, but they are a wonderful reassurance that there will be less mosquitoes bothering us.  Now if I could only get that "dragonfly in flight" shot I'm looking for...

Benjamin Booker excellence!

Big holler goes out to the Atomic Pop Shop vinyl store here in Baton Rouge for their 2 ticket raffle for the Benjamin Booker show at the Varsity.  I entered and was more than psyched to have a message on my phone that I had won!!  Shared my tickets with a good friend in from North Dakota, and grabbed another great friend to be there with us, too.

Dear lord!!!!  Leaning on the front and rockin' out during the show made for a more than excellent night.  Hot sounds and energy!!

I was treated to a set list at the end of the show given to me by the drummer, Max Norton. When I asked if he could sign it and get the others, too, he didn't hesitate.  "Go on back...." pointing to the doorway to back stage.  Really?!!!  After a nano second of hesitation I walked on through and was welcomed by Benjamin Booker sittin' on a couch with the opening band, the Yelephants, and a handful of friends.  He even made room for me to sit down.  Happy girl, indeed!

Thank you, Benjamin Booker!!  We were the lucky ones to catch you that night.  :)))

bouquet of irises

Buy yourself a bouquet of irises, and watch them bloom in the rain. `~ Me

The other day I bumped into a friend at Trader Joe's on my way out of shopping.  She had a bouquet of irises, and I knew that on my way in I had said to myself to remember to buy one.  I added it to my basket, and walked out with them in hand.  My friend and I talked a bit outside before heading to our cars.

During the week, I kept them inside my house on our round dining table, but today I was prompted to take them out into the rich, wet green of our backyard.  I placed the vase on the deck edge, and the blooms looked gorgeous against the green in the falling rain.

I have different shots, but this composition serves the iris group best.  I most appreciate the connection shared with my friend also enjoying the process of her blooms.  Special.

Charles Bradley's soul and goodness...again

Couldn't have been more fortunate to have been on the center rail for Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires' set at the Baton Rouge Blues Festival 2015.  This was the second time seeing him in Louisiana, and given that I was beyond moved by him at the Internation Fest Louisiane 2013, my heart swelled even more.  He truly, truly LOVES his opportunity to sing and connect with people, and in the audience that energy is felt very strongly.

Arrested Development, yes, Arrested Development, performed before him and were fantastic!  At the end of their set the ENTIRE crowd emptied the floor.  As my jaw hit the floor, my husband and I went right to the center rail and planted ourselves there for an hour waiting for Charles Bradley.  :)))))  Best spot in the house!!!

I have lots of good photos, but the one I've selected here is what stays with me the most.  Charles Bradley is about LOVE, appreciating opportunity, overcoming life challenges, people connections and appreciation....deep SOUL.  Whenever he holds his hands over his heart I feel it in my heart, too.  Look at this moment and know that CB, "screaming eagle", is true, and really wants you to know how much that you are loved.  He generates beauty.

After the set, he was hoisted off the stage by Doug, who I think is his manager, so he could hug any fans ready to receive him near the rail.  His hugs are strong and memorable, and it's a wonder to feel his tears and embrace.  When he got to my husband, to my right, he held him tight and they exchanged kind words in appreciation of one another. Before holding me he said, "I saw you out there!"  Gah, my heart jumped and I really squeezed him.  He really is beautiful.

As he continued down the line to my left, I asked Doug, if there was a setlist.  He kindly replied that he'd look for me.  In minutes, there it was, in my hands.  Thank you SO much Doug!!  I risked hanging around a bit more to ask for Charles Bradley to sign it, and a Blues Festival organizer saw me and insisted I go beyond the rails to wait for him.  I didn't want to be too much.  Charles Bradley talked a bit with a musician as Doug held a white jacket on a hanger embellished with a silver eagle.


Once Charles was done, he came over to me very kindly and shared goodness with me once again.  I introduced him to my husband, and the love fest continued.  I let him know that my brother is the one who introduced me to his music.  He smiled and shared some stories about his mother's words about sharing love, and then talked about how he usually passes out roses to his fans and the end of the shows.  "Why did God make yellow roses?  Because he loved them.  Why did he make white roses?  Because he loved them.  There are red ones to represent our shared blood as human beings....some people believe in God, and some people don't.  In the end when you close your eyes you will know that we are all part of the same Creation."


Charles Bradley, you are one very special man.  Thank you for sharing your gifts with us.  I'm very grateful and inspired.

Breathing in

Breathing in, I calm my body and mind.

Breathing out, I smile.

Dwelling in the present moment

I know is the only moment.

~Thich Nhat Hanh, Being Peace

Texas journey

We traveled through northern Texas to visit good friends for a few days, and there was a story to and from in the repetitive view of  long roads, open ranch spaces, and the modern immersed in the old and abandoned.  With many, many hours spent looking out the window as my husband drove, I documented more than a few of the scenes.  I really like the entire set of images processed bw, all 52 of them, and here I attempt to pick the images which best summarize the views.

Jack solo time

I was surprised today when offered to ride Jack without a lead line from the start.  :))  I'm learnin' and growin'....

The most lovely of moments was upon arrival to the barn and all of the six horses stalled inside, minus one, were napping.  They made me stop in their moment of peace and silence.  What beautiful, large creatures centering themselves for a needed rest.

Thi is sweet Jazz.  I was standing near his stall while Jack was being saddled, and he snuggled his lovely head into my back and left arm.  My whole person was filled with a good feeling, and I reached my arm around him.  :))

See you, Jack!  Thank you!

Big Sam's Funky Nation!!

Back in Baton Rouge and topping off the Arts Council's Fest for All this past weekend was Big Sam's Funky Nation!  Toot, toot!!  It had been way toooooo long since our city rocked out to their awesome sounds, and folks really had a great time.

I jumped into the last hour of his set, took some shots, and danced a good groove!

With the Tambourine Lady

You just have to participate with Big Sam!

End of show satisfaction.  Check out that smile!

Viva NOLA!!!

Note:  When Big Sam pointed at me while taking a shot, I was very much reminded of Big Sam's 2010 visit to Sunday in the Park Baton Rouge.  That time it was sun glare shooting across the frame. This time my focus didn't grab his hand.  Next time?  :)))

Big Sam's Funky Nation - Sunday in the Park 2010

http://irenekatophotos.blogspot.com/2011/02/big-sams-funky-nation-sunday-in-park.html

Soothe

I found the soft colors and textures of the sky and fallen camellia petals very soothing during an evening walk.  If only they could be woven into a blanket just right...

Take the long way home

Following an appointment I took a bus home instead of having my husband drive in the traffic.  I chose to get off a stop a bit further from home to have the "scenic" walk.  I'm fortunate to have caught a few cool frames en route.  (Taken with iPhone4s, again)

I think that I have a shot of this mailbox when it was functional somewhere in my files.

LOVE this shot out of the set.