It’s time to begin thinking of the dates I’ll be going to the ‘Dacks for my annual winter backpacking trip..jpg "Adirondack Mountains")
I look forward to this trip every year. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful park right in our backyard.
Namaste
I really love to receive “Thank you” cards especially when the author has chosen to take the time to hand write the card. I’m old fashioned. I keep a shoe box full of those cards and on occasion revisit them. A smile rapidly follows as I recall the person, the conversation(s), the friendship and the emotional deepness of the relationship.
My parents taught me a very long time ago the importance of saying “thank you” and recognizing the individual for their kindness.
I make sure I keep a box of fine stationary in my office. I collect antique fountain pens (yeah, I know) and keep several inked all the time. Email is impersonal, text messaging is too easy but the feeling of a fine fountain pen nib gliding effortlessly across a fine piece of stationary; well that is something special. Thank you’s deserve something as special.
.jpg "Buffalo NY Wedding Photography")
Think of someone who has done something nice for you, go to the store, choose a card and write a personal note to that person letting them know how much you appreciate them and/or what they have done for you.
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I had the opportunity to spend the day with Katie, Paul and the couple’s families as I photographed their wedding this past weekend.
.jpg "Christopher Kijowski Photography")
What can you say other than…beautiful!
Katie called me on Monday a full-week before her wedding and expressed concern about the weather we have been having so far this year. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those seasonal changes which traverse directly from Winter to Summer with the only division being the lack of snow.
Katie and I discussed the weather and my eternal optimism that the weather was going to be nice for her wedding. Katie was concerned about her post-ceremony photos while I was more concerned about the actual ceremony as it was an outdoor wedding.
We discussed alternate locations for post-ceremony photos. Katie chose the Barton Hill Inn and Spa. The hotel was very generous allowing us the use of an unbooked room, small ballroom, accompanying terrace and foyer. Within the hotel we found many props to which Paul instantly gravitated like a child finding themselves locked in a room with an endless supply of candy.
We prayed to the rain gods and they responded by holding the foul weather at bay
On the way to the Grand Island Holiday Inn for the ceremony, Katie stopped at the Mt. Olivet cemetery where Katie’s dad was laid to rest. Katie and I walked to his headstone, she knelt and wiped the top of the stone clean and laid a wreath in his honor on top of the stone. Katie talked of her love for her father and her wishes he could have been present to see her and walk her down the aisle on one of the most important days of her life. We spoke and agreed he was watching her from above. At that moment I felt a drip of water on my face. It was a tear of happiness as well as sorrow.
The guitar was her father’s bass guitar. Her father was an accomplished musician who played in a band during the seventies called “Stillwater.” Katie’s mother talked of her husband’s musical prowess and broke into tears. She said, “Chris, you would have loved his music.” As Katie’s father grew older and the prospect of remaining an active member of a band faded like a dream which we can no longer recall after we wake, he began spending more and more time playing guitar in his church’s folk group. Katie’s mother stated, “That made him so happy.”
Katie looked beautiful.
Namaste.
Chris
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The past week has been interesting as I’ve made changes in the design of my blog. We’re working toward eliminating our main website and consolidating everything into one site.
I went for a long run last Saturday. The first four miles of the run took me along the Niagara River. As the path swept closer to the water I found myself running and paying more attention to the scenery. I stopped at one point and marveled at the serenity which I witnessed. The surface of the water resembled glass and colors reflected from the water’s surface as the sun rose were an incredible palette. The sights prompted me to return the next morning…this time with camera in hand.
I hope you enjoy!
Namaste
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Happy Halloween!
Nancy is the pumpkin carver, cookie maker and house decorator in our house. I’ve never been fond of these activities, but I do enjoy photographing them.
Have a happy & safe Halloween.
Namaste
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