Katya

I have been having a walk down Memory Lane while going through negatives to scan. It's a difficult task as I have been grabbing piles of negs from my old darkroom in my mom's basement and nothing is organized by film type or chronology. The hardest part are the memories themselves. Better times, more exciting times, lost friends and the dearly departed. It's okay though, I'd rather be a sentimental pack-rat than a zen monk...I think!

Happy Beginnings

Bittersweetness. My foster babies have new homes now. It's impossible to care for a critter and hope for a better life for them without getting so terribly attached. The house seems so quiet now, with just the 3 dogs and 4 cats!

Honey (the wounded and discarded pit-bull) went to live with her new family last week and is living large with daily walks and lots of lovin'.

Franky (the seriously sick kitten) went  home with her new mammas yesterday to live with a big brother, who hasn't yet taken him too seriously. 

Here's to hoping that St.Francis doesn't place any more orphans at my door!

Muerte Girl Gourds

My girlfriend, Selena Navarrete, is an amazing folk artist who works with gourds and other mediums to create works unlike anything I have ever seen before. You can see her pieces on her website and can purchase her one of a kind creations on Etsy.

http://www.selenanavarrete.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MuertegrlGourds

                                              Above photos courtesy of Selena Navarrete

Here we go AGAIN

Thanksgiving at my mom's didn't happen this year (didn't last year either) as I was not feeling well. The Honey's father was in town so we decided to take a little drive the following Friday along the Garden Highway, which runs along the river. It was a beautiful, relaxing day almost completely devoid of other cars and all was well until we spotted a dog running up the levee from the river side.

By the time we'd stopped and realized that she was without a human companion she came running up to the car looking as if she'd been waiting for us all along and was ready to get going. After establishing that she was friendly, an understatement, we put her in the back where she laid down and made herself at home.

She was skinny, flea infested, and had a nasty abscess on her face and was in the middle of nowhere and I started bawling. We don't need another animal, we can't afford another animal, we couldn't leave her there.

I have put in found reports to all of the local shelters, put ads on craigslist and in the paper, contacted local rescue groups etc., but no one has come forward. She'd been dumped. Another check mark in the People F'n Suck Column.

A bath, flea medication, antibiotics, lots of food, lots of lovin', multiple vet visits, an operation to remove the abscess and she is a happy girl (not that she's done any complaining).

I posted on Facebook for a foster home and my friend Selena came through. After "Honey" spends some time convalescing at our place she will go live with her and her family and hopefully they will all fall madly in love and spend the rest of their days together!

I also posted a plea for financial help as the vet bills between Honey and Franky (the kitten) were well over my meager budget of Nothing. I am overwhelmed with the generosity of the folks who contributed both money and concern. One person, in particular, had me in joyful tears when I learned that she would be sending me a check for $500 all the way from Macedonia. I would love to shout out her name to the Heavens but she is a kind and gracious person who doesn't do things to be lauded.

I am happy to put a check mark int the People Rock Column!

Franky

Two weeks ago, while feeding my cat Otis and the 3 ferrels that hang out in my side yard, I looked down to find a wee little lad with his eyes completely crusted over and one severely bulging. Then I found his brother hiding nearby. I had been wondering why the mamma, "Sugah", had been so vocal and demanding of late.

After abducting the kittens, my friend and I took them to the vet where the brother was adopted by one of the veterinarians, big happy moment! Between the two of us we've been caring for Franky and giving him antibiotics and eye ointment.

He is a typical, rambunctious 6 week old who thinks that he is large and in charge but still loves to snuggle and place his paws on our faces while gazing into our eyes.

His check-up at the vet today confirmed that he is blind in his right eye and his inner eye lid has attached to his cornea. Other than that, he is healthy and happy. I hope to adopt him out soon as it is getting harder and harder to think about not having him around.

Otis

                                                                           Sugah

Ancil Hoffman Park

Saturday Drive

We usually head North or West or even South but decided on East this time. We ended up in Nevada City where we walked a bit, ate a lot and daydreamed about living in one of the fabulous Victorians.

Rancho Reubidoux Retail

One of my favorite blogs comes from Reuben Munoz @ Rancho Reubidoux.  http://ranchoreubidoux.com He is an incredible artist who can do it all!  He paints, he photographs, he designs landscapes, he writes- his eye for beauty and diverse abilities are obvious in everything he touches.

Now, we can have some of Reuben's beautiful imagery in our own homes (or on our person) via his online shop. http://society6.com/reubenmunoz.

I was thrilled to see the photograph I "inspired" in the mix!

My Website

After all of these years as a photographer, I finally have a website!  My dear friend Andrew @ Andrew Hislop Graphics http://andrewhislop.com/  made it happen.  These days, as a visual artist, you are not ligit without a website. We will see where it will take me!

http://www.ginnygilesphotography.com

On Saturday I had another shoot with Dasia at my studio.  It had been a very long time since I'd done anything there as I have been doing only outdoor portraits lately. I love that place so much and always feel so much better after having spent some time in it's "warm embrace".  I know that sounds funny but I don't know how else to describe it. It is as if the rest of the world just slips away when I am there and I feel as if everything will be okay.

My long-time friend and professional MUA, Selena did Dasia's make-up and it was stunning. She had never had her make-up done before and it was only her second photo-shoot but she came off looking like a pro. There is something so incandescent in that girls beauty and she is just such a pleasure to be around.