Pictures from my trip to the park

Last month, I spent the afternoon with my friend Erin as we tried different settings on our DSLR cameras based on a lesson from our on-line photo class.

I am so sad to say that I've missed placed the disc with all of those photos. The ones below are from my Facebook post; I was hoping to frame a few for my house. I am not sure they will be high enough quality, but we'll see.

Anyway...these are a part of my creative being. I love these photos and look forward to learning more about photography and capturing lots of other good, "stuff"!

It is a Relationship

It is a relationship

It is my relationship

I will nurture it

I will never make a living at it, but that was never a thought I entertained or for that matter, never even had in passing

I may never live it the way I wished or wish (now) but I will live it

I will!

(~inspired by Alonzo King)

The Journey Begins

My Commitment:

I will develop / write two stories, poems, or essays about my shadow experience and my fear about dance.

I will TRY and capture, "her", with the help of my friend Lisa.

My Gratitude:

Thank you ladies, for providing a safe, kind, supporting, and loving place for my shadow to emerge. I am looking forward to finally meeting her and introducing her/me to the world.

Rob, all I can say is, "THANK YOU"! Thank you for loving me just as I am and being supportive.

I love you with all of my heart and soul.

~ Col

10288 Fleetwood Street

What an amazing 8 years.

I cried so hard when I left our crappy old apartment in Glendale Heights 11 years ago (which I just hated and DIDN'T know/have nice neighbors); God only knows what will happen today.

I love my new house and know that lots of wonderful new things are around each corner…but this house holds so many memories; lots of good, some bad, some UGLY and so many AMAZING. Rob and I (and the boys) have shared so much in this house; so many first for the boys; puppies, girls, driving, kisses (girls again) and a few other first that I WONT post here. If the walls could talk…

Living here in this community has changed me. I couldn't be blessed more so. The folks in this community are truly special.

Who knew when Rob and I decided to buy our first home that we’d find such a special place to raise our boys and be as a family? Throughout the last 8 years we’ve become part of a community that I don’t hear others talk about having. It cared for a family that lost their home to a tragic fire. It was loved by a child; a hero who we were all blessed to know, who lost his life to that bad word, Cancer. It’s the place that I have called home, surround by an amazing group of friends; where anything can happen from, Toga Parties, Dance Your Ass off Parties, or impromptu driveway get-togethers.

My immediate neighbors, the Bartlett, the Lawler’s, and the Wall family have saved my house from a burning grill (thanks Steve, still can’t believe you took the fence!), fixed countless items in my house (thanks Tom; you are my “stand in hubby”) and cared for injured children, (thanks Larry) and that is just the men. The women, well, I can’t say enough (b/c the tears are affecting my ability to type). You know how much I love you and how much you mean to me so I’ll leave that alone for now. Just know you might find me sitting on the porch with a glass of vino in hand!

Knowing that you are surrounded by people who are good, who care about you and who you can count on, is a gift. To me, my neighbors (both next door and up the street, have been so much more to me than just my neighbors, they are my friends. Thank you for being my “neighbors”; as Fred Rogers said, “I’ve always wanted a neighbor just like you”.

10288 Fleetwood Street – The Madeya Family

Lend your arm...

After I landed at the Detroit Airport last week, I proceeded to the Ground Transportation Area. As I approached the escalator, there was an older couple in front of me. They slowed down and became very cautious of the escalator. The old woman, shaking, stepped onto the escalator. I seriously thought she might fall over and go head first down as her footing was not firm. Her elderly male companion, came to a halt and wouldn’t get on it. I could tell he was frightened, so I offered him my arm. He hesitated, but after I let go of my roll-away, he took my arm and together we got on the escalator.

I thought for sure that after I got him on the first step, I could jump back and grab my bag...OH NO, he held on to me for dear life and I turned around in a bit of a panic, leaving my bag behind. As I turned back, another business traveler, smiled and said, “I got it”!

The older man and I rode the escalator down to the next floor where we were greeted by his wife who mouthed “thank you!”. We all smiled at each other, including the business traveler, bringing up the rear along with my bag.

It’s in these moments that remind me how easy it is to make someone feel safe and seen. Kindness, service, attentiveness…you can call it whatever you like; but whatever you call it, do it. Not only for the person who needs it, but also for yourself, who like me, needed it way more than the older gentleman.

Lend someone your arm today; It will make you both feel “really good”.