Aruba

Yes, I found meca. This place has to be on your bucket list. If you like the desert, it's got it. If you like the beach, it's got it. If you like, gambling, it's got it. If you like anything, it's here. We were fortunate to go with Paul & Lyn that knew the island well. Otherwise it would have taken longer to see what we saw...not that, that would have been a bad thing. Enjoy the show.

This Photographer Still Goes To School

If you ever have a chance to attend Steve Bedell's "Natural Light" photography class, do it. Then do it again until you "get it". Here Steve has set up the model as we use reflected light of the building and the sun at her back.

Steve looks for interesting backgrounds and found this fencing in front of a dumpster in an alley. Remember no flash was used, all natural light.

Steve liked the colors of this setting right on Main Steet getting plenty of onlooker attention.

Steve liked this rusty old fire escape a lot more than the model liked sitting on it.

The End.

Camping at Holland Pond, VT

Our annual camping too us to Holland Pond, Vt this year. Two camps and over an acre of land near a loon preserve plus trails to walk and bike.

Quiet water beckoned us daily.

Misty fog and the call of loons was exciting.

This sunrise ended the week nicely.

Today is a good day to do....nothing at all.

Hot Air Balloon Rally

Coming in for a landing. Check out the Pittsfield, NH Hot Air Balloon Rally.

After chasing the balloons, Hunter goes in for a dip.....again!

Kathy rows and Irene looks for land.

A short break before we eat.....again!

Trinity Baptist Church events

FORTH OF JULY FIRE WORKS & BBQ




ANNUAL SPORTSMAN BANQUET

Some live owls & hawks and this creative deer display.


Another creative dislays included this bear.


Interlocking moose display provided by NH Fish & Game.

Here come the brides

Here are some my 2010 brides.

Joanne

Kelly

Bridget

Celebrating 60 years

We stayed in the Camp Room. Unbelievable detail inside. You wouldn't know your were in a hotel made from a paint stick factory.


The bed in the "Camp Room" at Common Man Inn.


Relaxing before dinner in the boiler room.


Hey...a little privacy please!!!

Lady Patricia Deep Sea Fishing

Kathy got the biggest fish of the day.

The Lady Patricia owned by Captain Bill's Charters.

Not very pretty...but interesting.

The Tall Ships were in port as we came in.

NH Supreme Court

The NH Supreme Court flowers.

Grant Richard's baptism

Grace Lutheran Church was the site of Grant Richard's baptism. It was a perfect day for the private affair that was shared by family and guests. Here's a slideshow of the day.

Paul turns 80

Friends and family came to celebrate Paul's 80th birthday. Most are still in disbelief of his age as he maintains two homes, has a garden that feeds two families, hunts and fishes, works as a painter and in his spare time he and his wife travel around the country.

Celebrating 6 decades on earth.

They all came ... but one.

Sportsmen Banquet

Almost 300 men attended the 6th annual Trinity Baptist Church Sportsmen's Banquet. Several events including archery, climbing wall & more. The event ended with a feast of over 2 dozen wild game menu items. Own own NH Fish & Game was there with their moose trailer. Check out the slide show. Comments welcomed.

R&R at Pats Peak

Today I decided to strap on a pair of skis at Pats Peak in Henniker, NH. Nothing unusual about that except for two things. In a month I will have been around 6 decades &2 I haven't skied more than a handful of times.

I headed out first thing in the morning thinking I wouldn't stay more than a couple of hours. I got to the slopes and rented my equipment. I went to the beginner area to see if it would be like getting back on the proverbial horse. Even though the kids whooshed by me I felt that I was ready to hit the lifts.

The parking lot was full but there were no waiting lines. I watched the people in front of me & managed to get on the lift without incident. Getting off was a different story! The people in front of me got off & dropped their poles. As they went to retrieve it I managed as graceful a forward roll off the lift as you can do with skis on. They apologized but I told them I probably would have tumbled regardless.

Well off to the run. I was told to look for the green trails. There were two. Neither looked very beginner to me. Considering where I was, I had to choose one. It was an up & down ride with me down about 5 times. I made it to the bottom with only my dignity dented a little.

Any normal person would have called it a day. Not me. I'm French. I got back on that proverbial horse. The second time was a charm. Got off the lift with grace and didn't fall once. It got better each run. Funny how a little practice in a day makes....or something like that.

I managed a few photographs with a little point & shoot & one with my Canon 5D. Can you tell which one was with the 5D? I finished the day about 2:30PM & covered 3 beginner trails. The Winter Olympics are upon us and as I passed over the mogul slops, I now have a new respect for those that brave that terrain.

Hope you enjoy the photos & hope you get out to see the incredible views at a ski area near you. It's fun just to go there & read a book & and people watch. No charge for that. Lots of food if you go around lunch time too. See you on the slopes.

Rebecca & David

I just realized that I forgot to share this couples wedding with you. They got married at the Temple Adath Yeshurun that I lived next to about 40 years ago. Their reception was at the Red River Theater in Concord. This would have been my ideal reception place as I am a movie buff of sorts. By the way I recently saw them at Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event. They told me that David was laid off from his job at a public radio station a few days after their honeymoon. It does have a happy ending...

Do you recognise this place?

If you do then you were at my booth at the Courtyard Marriott Bridal Show today. It was a great show. About 175 future brides attended. I got to meet about 45 of them.

January 1, 2010

To our family and friends, may 2010 be everything you want it to be. Today we were with good friends for dinner. They are artists that have dealt with media from photography to paint to abstract art using paper, bottle caps, and any thing else they can get their hands on. The best part they are in their late 70's!! They are an inspiration in more ways than they know. Thank you Paul & Irene.