tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69634340363519328782024-02-18T18:11:00.762-08:00HoldlifestillMusings on life and the obsession of photographyKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-22534121973171380862009-09-28T18:15:00.000-07:002009-09-28T18:35:16.628-07:00Switcheroos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDykl9FEcx9Cy_Odprf9OWC48tSghTLxfp1YCk4Op-BRTLko3JzHQaNoBKgBFt494KsE4vjuvI-2ZAxru1xrA-fZ-f_9EY7GzqqEvLTSgBi7_KOimpXWONkB4i1_DxGL6GdmJ7WuWbGB1F/s1600-h/DSC_1645+WM.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDykl9FEcx9Cy_Odprf9OWC48tSghTLxfp1YCk4Op-BRTLko3JzHQaNoBKgBFt494KsE4vjuvI-2ZAxru1xrA-fZ-f_9EY7GzqqEvLTSgBi7_KOimpXWONkB4i1_DxGL6GdmJ7WuWbGB1F/s320/DSC_1645+WM.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386693646934533154" /></a>
<br />Such a long time! Sorry to have been absent from this blog.
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<br />Many wonderful things happened in the last few months. I have photographed many families and have met some awesome people.
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<br />You can see some recent sessions and the fun I've had on my new site, <a href="www.holdlifestillphotography.com">Holdlifestillphotography.com</a>
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<br />I am also on Facebook at <a href="/a>http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burlington-ON/Holdlifestill-Photography/137179751370?ref=ts">Holdlifestill Photography</a>
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<br />If you have visited me here and wondered what happened, do not be alarmed! I am more than ever in love with the art that is photography. I hope you take a few minutes to check out my new ventures.
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<br />Happy Fall :)Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-65249279509356621482009-04-18T20:21:00.000-07:002009-04-18T20:53:46.438-07:00stretch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42lRwgmBcglhYiMVbJrfDULr5uPFwmIXhhyc-wrE4J_TBgwbLmx-xw2kC00Y0EHIsQYpF9D474BW8GqIVhNrcMJ_2M75fbKNxFa2JApQUcR6sNbP3ipextJgfqkeszj5Arx3B4E-HvptJ/s1600-h/DSC_4806.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42lRwgmBcglhYiMVbJrfDULr5uPFwmIXhhyc-wrE4J_TBgwbLmx-xw2kC00Y0EHIsQYpF9D474BW8GqIVhNrcMJ_2M75fbKNxFa2JApQUcR6sNbP3ipextJgfqkeszj5Arx3B4E-HvptJ/s320/DSC_4806.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326239475080733234" /></a><br />I feel so happy.<br /><br />I am happy because I am getting to do what I love to do. Capturing people and showing their spirit. Capturing the essence of time. <br /><br />During the last three days, I have had the privilege of shooting three different families. Families to be, families about to expand, and families that have just expanded. I have learned invaluable lessons about how hard this really is. How much you have to concentrate to bring it all together and the stamina that you have to have to keep up the energy for 2+ hours. I have learned that you have to go with the flow, regardless of where the flow takes you. That light can be both your friend and your enemy, but it will make or break the photo.<br /><br />I have also learned that this makes me want to keep going. For the last three days, the camera has felt like an extension of my hands. That's the feeling you get when it is a tool to channel what you see in your brain. It's such a high.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-11861778622850595582009-03-28T21:20:00.000-07:002009-03-28T21:28:00.998-07:00Here's how to do it<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6vRd6ePIsmPbpmUlPq6nCGofaRcTxFLu5xdyaAyND4nIqVohbYWDnG-6b1IsozvUB7jEd1X-08cC-OU1pymbpHQKeFo5aYOD4Wp8u-ow0Iql8_AzjoSCH3qj5Fd_w89vZlP7kEeuy4OB/s1600-h/DSC_3361+PS+Edit-3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6vRd6ePIsmPbpmUlPq6nCGofaRcTxFLu5xdyaAyND4nIqVohbYWDnG-6b1IsozvUB7jEd1X-08cC-OU1pymbpHQKeFo5aYOD4Wp8u-ow0Iql8_AzjoSCH3qj5Fd_w89vZlP7kEeuy4OB/s320/DSC_3361+PS+Edit-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318461699883967090" /></a><br />Steps to snaring someone who is not expecting to be a model for the day:<br /><br />1. Offer a 'try' of your foundation<br />2. Suggest it might look lovely with some blush and mascara<br />3. Encourage a few (hundred) poses<br /><br />Got the sis in front of the camera today. Gorgeous.<br /><br />We also had a fun time in Paris, if only the one in Ontario.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-65807946106280858332009-03-22T17:39:00.000-07:002009-03-22T17:42:17.390-07:00Could there be more hours in the day, please?It's a rhetorical question, I know, but I really wish that I had more time to learn. I have an arm's length list of what I'd like to know...things that would really help take my pictures to the next level. It's out there, it's free, it's just the time that I'm missing. I know exactly what I'd like to change with certain things in my images, but I just need the time to learn and to practice!!! So frustrating and so exhilirating at the same time. <br /><br />I tried not to multitask in Church today, but it was really hard. Wonder if they would frown upon bringing a laptop into the 'crying room'?Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-24218145375379531342009-03-20T18:14:00.000-07:002009-03-20T18:31:38.768-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV1pteXAuhPbolZuU9AEJTjbj6saoleR8g9iDxj_UXD9vILIY6Cr7VEmhfT6MtHkxSuko23tfaHK3vWkzYcivsfsVKyq3J2w10bJCiEJxdF88yGzngoF3LCTCZCEe1yk2ocFkXYx-YTA2/s1600-h/DSC_0361.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV1pteXAuhPbolZuU9AEJTjbj6saoleR8g9iDxj_UXD9vILIY6Cr7VEmhfT6MtHkxSuko23tfaHK3vWkzYcivsfsVKyq3J2w10bJCiEJxdF88yGzngoF3LCTCZCEe1yk2ocFkXYx-YTA2/s320/DSC_0361.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315446667400970178" /></a><br />Two posts in a row, it must be some kind of a miracle, as <a href="http://gloryfades.org/">this person</a> would say.<br /><br />Today, not so wonderful. You would think that getting together with extended family might be awesome on its own merits. However, when you throw two dogs into the mix, oy. Sage did not know whether she was coming or going. She was rather going. A lot. The thing is, the other dog is three years older than Sage, and she would have gladly just gone to sleep, had Sage not been there.<br /><br />So, I have a headache. It's Friday night, and my crew (dog included) is in bed. And it's 9:20 p.m.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-77253172602067109032009-03-19T20:28:00.000-07:002009-03-19T20:39:47.412-07:00keeping it real<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4_kzJcSBiO-7M6WElhKwDqv4F815FQpWC7uPrZz70kTsjD0GPYAvRVJw8IztAAtzFtHdSevpzgdVhBpMHKDcgQHkgZG20M9A_eP9lKA62wsKl_JmdOxL4i1inwAivDeBsHzP5qnYC0F1/s1600-h/DSC_2783+PS+edit.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4_kzJcSBiO-7M6WElhKwDqv4F815FQpWC7uPrZz70kTsjD0GPYAvRVJw8IztAAtzFtHdSevpzgdVhBpMHKDcgQHkgZG20M9A_eP9lKA62wsKl_JmdOxL4i1inwAivDeBsHzP5qnYC0F1/s320/DSC_2783+PS+edit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315109559413643906" /></a><br />Today, we swam. The four of us. It was joyful. Spending two hours in the pool away from everything else. Not worrying about anything else. Tomorrow is another fun day to finish off the March Break. I can't wait.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-79722052729613047942009-02-07T14:20:00.001-08:002009-02-07T14:27:53.028-08:00It's all about the propsProps to have the courage to take the next step and also the props that you actually need to take the next step. Of course, I'm talking about photography. I've had the D300 for a cool week and a half now. I need to know that it was not a waste of money so I'm trying to see if my work is actually <span style="font-style:italic;">different</span> than before, but I just can't tell yet. <br /><br />Today was about props. I have this crazy idea of taking things to the next level. And for that I will need props. So, I went scouring through Value Village, Pier 1, and also through the Reuse Centre for props. Specifically for fuzzy blankets and baskets that I could use to position a baby with and in. Value Village is having a 1/2 off sale on Monday - will have to check things out then and Pier 1 had some possibilities, but they were too wobbly for my taste. I don't think that they could physically support a newborn. The Re-use Centre had a wonderful wicker bassinette, but with my storage issues, it would not work because of the size. There was also an awesome sled, but again, I don't think that I'll be needing that for some time. So, my other ideas include trusty old Homesense and then, get this, hopping to the States to check out Target. I also love their TJ Maxx, so it would kill two birds with one stone!<br /><br />Ah, the props to be bought!Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-48950999103694095652009-01-30T20:29:00.000-08:002009-01-31T14:13:54.343-08:00365 ideasBear with me, I'm doing a 365 flickr photo a day project. The results can be seen <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/theguffroys/">here</a>.<br /><br />I'd like to keep track of places that I'd like to go to for inspiration, so I'm going to start a list on here. Some people are doing a theme for their 365. I'm more about getting through it. I have had some brief thoughts of inspiration here and there, and I'd like to go back to them.<br /><br />1. Locke Street<br />2. Confederation Park<br />3. at the Movies<br />4. friends and neighbours<br />5. junk<br />6. Re-use store<br />7. rusted<br />8. quote me<br />9. winter wonderland<br />10. Spencer Smith Park<br />11. Raymond & Associates<br />12. Love<br />13. What a mess<br />14. Spring has sprung<br />15. NOTL<br />16. Creekside<br />17. Winona Peach Festival<br />18. At the cottage<br />19. Cherry blossoms at Puddicombe<br />20. FrootogoKathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-71808992016172793702009-01-27T18:53:00.001-08:002009-01-27T20:30:11.740-08:00The holy grail...for me is my new D300.
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<br />I walked into the camera store today...thank you <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CKathy%27s%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 13.85pt;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:10;color:navy;" ><a href="http://bellarte.fotosource.com/aboutus_index.html">Bell Arte Camera</a></span>, and said that I'm buying that camera. The gentlemen did not even ask me any questions, just took my comparative prices, which, by the way they matched, and sold me the rather heavy and rather expensive box that I have longed for. It's such a sweet feeling and at the same time it's scary. I wonder if <span style="font-style: italic;">I</span> will live up to what this piece of equipment can do.
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<br />I have no idea how to fix the font going all wonky because it's late, and frankly I don't care. I just wanted to document the day of my momentous purchase. Now, if I only had a memory card!!!Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-78308315351746639782009-01-18T14:04:00.000-08:002009-01-18T14:12:46.652-08:00DefrostingMy sister taught me about 'buy nothing day.' I've recently blogged about my concerns with a full-blown case of shopiitis. Needless to say, it's not cured in a day. I'd like to really keep track this year of the financial end of things, and am inspired by Olga's steps forward with that. So, my (small) resolution will be to keep track of BND's and see where I end up. You see, I have some big dreams. One of them is for my kids not to have to worry about paying for school. That, of course, comes from having to pay for school myself. Still paying for school in fact. It just sets you up for a long long time with a very tight margin. The other dream is to visit some places I've not been to before. That's an awful lot of places. It too takes careful planning, so BND's here were come. Today was one!<br /><br />I'm defrosting, because we spent the afternoon outside. The four of us, and one very snowy dog. First we burned things in the firepit and then we were trying to build things out of snow that was not cooperating. We took a walk down to the marsh in the knee-deep snow, got separated from Brian and the dog and met a guy that would not go away. He had a flock of kids with him, and no partner, and kept pace with me and wanted to talk. Creepy. He took off when I loudly said that we were looking for Dad + dog. Ugh. Family walk and creepy dude comes by.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-8493187591220558902009-01-09T19:33:00.001-08:002009-01-09T19:39:28.973-08:00ComplacencyI must admit that the new year is walloping my ass.<br /><br />I returned to work after a week's sojourn between Christmas and New Years' to my job that I truly love and that has kept me fascinated for the last five years. I guess I've felt too comfortable lately, because this week I've had to deal with some nerve wrecking things and it's thrown my sense of complacency out the window. I think it's good that most people don't have to deal with situations where kids might be harmed. I wish that I could write about it here, but no such luxury. The people that I work with help, but a lot of the time they are facing the same nightmares. I'm not exactly sure how I deal with it, other than taking the green pills that bring my blood pressure down to where it should be. That, and hug my own little people a bit longer, while they still let me.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-11527414847692866502009-01-03T19:09:00.000-08:002009-01-03T19:19:23.452-08:00You're not in charge of meIt's so simple when you're five. Today, on the way to dinner, the bickering picked up speed. All of a sudden Ethan said to Leah - "stop bossing me around, you're not in charge of me, <span style="font-style: italic;">God is!</span>" And I thought, how apropos and how simple it is when you're five. No big questions. It is how it is. He's the one in charge. He supersedes all else. I wonder when we lose the kind of big faith that we seem to inherently have. Does it happen quickly, or stealthily over time? It made me think of where I fit within this situation...where is my faith? I know it's there, but it's a bit trampled by everyday life. It's just moments like that snap you back to what's important. If it's as simple as that to a five-year-old, why is it not as simple to us when we get older? What gives, what changes? I haven't got the answers to those questions, but I'm glad that I took a minute today to think about them.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-4968129279783553202009-01-01T07:33:00.000-08:002009-01-01T07:37:30.990-08:00FreshIt came and went without much pomp and circumstance, but nonetheless, I'm glad that we got to share the last night of the year with the neighbours and their kids. We had a nice dinner and then just hung out. The kids did their thing with watching a movie and coming and going to the bonfire, where the dads stood for about two hours. We, the moms, stayed inside. Duh, it was -17 yesterday evening. <br /><br />Today, we are taking it easy. Back to work for me tomorrow, so I'm not planning on doing anything, other than making a quiche. That's right, if I were to make any resolutions, and that is a stretch, it would be to be more adventurous in the kitchen. And to get a new kitchen. <br /><br />There, resolution made!!Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-35484645501633137892008-12-30T19:20:00.000-08:002008-12-30T19:24:51.248-08:00SexyI got my Christmas present today. Away we went to have a photo shoot with a pro. My idea of heaven. He even had remote-controlled strobe lights!!!! A seamless white background, a funky chair, props galore. I had a blast. So worth it. Such a moment in time. Before we left, Ethan said that he wanted to look sexy. What he actually said was "I like sex," but without knowing what he was saying. He wanted to ask if he looked all right in the red shirt he was wearing, but it sorta came out funny. I had to laugh..and ask what he meant, of course! Gotta love him.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-24684570711175571882008-12-28T16:41:00.000-08:002008-12-28T16:51:03.254-08:00Shopiitis and the look of scornI may have an incurable illness. All this Christmas shopping and post-Christmas shopping has put me in shopping mode. Really, it's a disease. I have no need for anything else, and no room for anything else in my tiny house; and yet, I'm compelled to go looking for something else. Not really sure what either. I do have a need for appliances with a leaking washer, but appliance shopping is not so much fun. And expensive. <br /><br />So, this illness comes and goes in waves for me. This week is particularly bad - just ask my sister. Hope it's over soon.<br /><br />The other part of this post is somewhat unrelated to the shopiitis part. Ms. L. was an altar server for the first time today. Proud moment for me as a mom. She looked so tiny up there with the priest and the two other altar servers who were probably Grade 5 or 6 boys. But she did her thing and she looked all solemn. The look of scorn came from the lady who does that altar service training for the kids and who arranged for Leah to be there today. All because we were a 'tad' late for mass...i.e. walked in when the procession was starting. Sheesh. It all ended well, tho!Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-38149561981867125772008-12-25T10:21:00.000-08:002008-12-25T10:31:07.129-08:00So this is ChristmasSomeone woke at 4 a.m. this morning to see if Santa was here. It was Ms. L, who is on the cusp of not believing any more. I think that she was reassured by the visible dents made in the banana bread and egg <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nog</span> left for Santa. Oh yes, she also wrote a note to him, asking whether banana bread was OK, rather than cookies. Santa did write back. Thank goodness the handwriting was not recognized.<br /><br />We have had a very enjoyable Christmas morning, I must tell you. The kids waited, albeit, impatiently, for the coffee pot to brew before the gifts were started. Santa brought just the right amount of things. Last year, he went <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">WAAY</span> overboard in the kids gift department. We had to have a little chat about that.<br /><br />I got a tripod! And yesterday came a gift card to my favourite camera store...not to mention a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">flickr</span> 'pro' account. My family knows how nutty I am about this photography hobby of mine.<br /><br />So, all in all, when I inhale the turkey aroma that is making its way downstairs, I am reminded of how nice it is to have your family at your side and how special it is to share Christmas with the ones you love.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-80171307879298452952008-12-22T16:31:00.000-08:002008-12-22T16:34:24.299-08:00Dragon BreathEver notice how small things can make a difference?<br />I was in line at Winners today. The lady behind me asked a question, but I could not concentrate on what she was saying. Halitosis city. Holy crow batman, I could not stand it. So I started inching away, trapped behind the person in front of me and dragon breath lady. And she kept talking. OK, it's small and insignificant and I'm sure my breath is no daisy, but my patience was very thin. Hm, maybe it's to do with the craziness of the season?Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-73423314214148843952008-12-21T07:32:00.001-08:002008-12-21T07:34:36.260-08:00Visions of sugarplumsI am grateful.<br /><br />I am grateful for Brian, because he is out there with the snowblower for hours and never complains.<br /><br />I am grateful for my sister who shopped with me for the afternoon and then wrapped for the evening.<br /><br />I am grateful for the fact that my children are home, are safe and are not brats.<br /><br />I am grateful for how much joy I get out of giving to others.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-6636298440308887262008-12-10T20:06:00.000-08:002008-12-10T20:09:53.724-08:00Have you got your flea shot?I got swallowed by life when I got back.<br /><br />It was Christmas full-tilt here. I resisted. For a few days after Poland I had the dreamy, "I am rested" look on my face. People commented. I invariably said the same banal things like the holiday was good and I'm glad to be home. Then I jumped into two huge files and voila, the look went away.<br /><br />But I did get my flea shot, as Ethan puts it. Gotta keep the priorities in life straight!<br /><br />Onto the Christmas extravaganza we go...Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-5109140233157705552008-11-17T07:02:00.000-08:002008-11-17T08:23:04.236-08:00Time flies when you are having funWhew, what a whirlwind the last week has been!<br /><br />In the space of the last seven days, we have been to three different cities - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kazimierz</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Dolny</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Sandomierz</span> and Krakow. Each has imprinted its memories.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Kazimierz</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Dolny</span> is a bit like coming home. It is a lovely little city situated on the banks of the Vistula River. It has some castle ruins, a town square with a famous well, and is the place where my parents got married. It's like coming home because it is the place to take family that is visiting from out of town, or in this case out of country. We laugh <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">everytime</span> we get taken there, because it is the standard tourist stop.<br /><br />Nonetheless, it was dear to see it again, and this time, we toured a 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> century convent, where my mother bought herbs for everything from hemorrhoids to hypertension. We also met this monk who was desperately lonely and a lovely old man. I wanted to buy a rosary for E and L there and he would not take any money for it, and he blessed both of them. It was heartwarming. He told us a bit of the story of the convent, and we got the impression that if we stayed longer, he would have gladly spent more time with us.<br /><br />The day we went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Kazimierz</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Dolny</span>, it was a national holiday. Apparently, it's the place to be to show off your vehicle and your family. To walk the town square and to have a beer. Everybody and their uncle was there. I did not mind so much, as it was a sunny day. The throngs of people were not really interested in the same spots that we were going to, so that made things all right.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFvteiyudl6WWeAw6HxKYWfNrC6lPJgV-OVRPOxrTe0u0EhbLltgfitEcED68wuSlArLBRBqCK5s254QP-fwpzIJVJuA_U4rB6knm2Gakp_y8vubEYQpjMKRHeL-v6uAoa27Oo0lJg-u3/s1600-h/DSC_0253.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269661279975265138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFvteiyudl6WWeAw6HxKYWfNrC6lPJgV-OVRPOxrTe0u0EhbLltgfitEcED68wuSlArLBRBqCK5s254QP-fwpzIJVJuA_U4rB6knm2Gakp_y8vubEYQpjMKRHeL-v6uAoa27Oo0lJg-u3/s320/DSC_0253.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Onto the next city. On the 12<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span>, we set out for Krakow, by way of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Sandomierz</span>. The highlight of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Sandomierz</span> was a 13<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">th</span> century church. But first we got stalked by a guide who popped out of her car when she spotted us and offered to take us through another church. This one was from the 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">th</span> century. A <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">young'un</span>. She had crazy hair and spoke with the speed of a machine gun. Lovely lady. Don't remember a word she said. She steered us toward the 13<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">th</span> century church, where, as it happened, my camera battery decided to bid adieu. Hence, so few pictures of St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Jakub's</span> church were captured. We did find a statue of St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Czeslaw</span> there - my father's namesake.<br /><br />We arrived in Krakow in the late afternoon and set out for the city centre. This is a square again, with a famous basilica and stores in the middle of the square, called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">sukiennice</span>. In medieval times, cloth was traded there, hence the name. The buildings were beautifully lit up at night, and I'm glad that I started snapping. Some of the shots worked out nicely.<br /><br />Let me tell you, I wish I was in Krakow with my sister. It has such a spirit, so much life. It's a city for young people. So many hostels, so many clubs, so many things to do and see. I have a photo of a bar advertising 'dancing on tables' on Thursdays. You had to be there. I think they were dead serious.<br /><br />We toured the castle and churches that would make you cry. We were bone tired at the end of the next day, full of walking and touring. At one point my eyes hurt from looking at things. So much history, so much tradition and such richness of spirit. It was wonderful. I am very grateful that I got to experience this at this point in my life, when I can appreciate it.<br /><br />At the end of the day of touring, we wandered into the old Jewish quarter of town. We were hungry and hurting. None of the restaurants seemed to fit. How can you eat Italian or Portuguese food in the old Jewish quarter? I didn't think so either. We finally wandered into a little bar called '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">alchemia</span>' or 'alchemy.' This is funny because I was older than the crowd in the bar by about ten years. It was dark and smoky and oozing with coolness. You can imagine how well my mother, aunt and uncle fit in. The best part was that the bar did not serve food! Yes, liquor and beer only. And I thought you had to serve food to prevent people from getting sloshed! We had a beer on an empty stomach, and then stumbled out to find food. We found a little place that did not serve kosher food, but the food was yummy. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Borsch</span> with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">uszka</span>, or mushroom <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">pierogies</span>.<br /><br />So, the week was jam-packed with memories and feasts for the eyes. A good week indeed.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-36240123233911511752008-11-10T08:27:00.001-08:002008-11-10T08:36:29.783-08:00One big happy familyToday, we are crammed into my aunt's country home...a two bedroom home that is currently housing eight adults and one very precocious child. I love family; however, it is very close here and on top of that, the septic tank is full.<br /><br />Yesterday, we attended the baptism for my first cousin's four-month-old child, conducted in a small church near her home. I realized that I no longer remember the Lord's prayer in Polish or the Hail Mary for the matter. Sad.<br /><br />The photos from the day sucked, though. I was not having good luck. Everything came back blurry and stilted. Oh well, you can't win them all.<br /><br />I'm impressed with the people of my parents' generation. Two people in particular were drinking shots of vodka last night. A whole bottle's worth. I'm thinking that if I were to partake, I'd be dying today. As it is, there is a persisting buzz in my head, perhaps from mixing white wine and screwdrivers. But they were chopping wood today, as if all was right with the world!<br /><br />That is stamina.<br /><br />I have decided that children, apart from my own, are good in small quantities. My cousin's child is an only child and is quite precocious, as I mentioned above. Maybe it's due to too much time with adults? All I know that when she was bouncing off the walls last night at midnight, I was ready to run. So much for routine and structure. Seeing all those children made me miss my own kids more than ever. Wish they were here to share this with me.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-59869547927915882872008-11-07T09:30:00.000-08:002008-11-07T09:58:42.983-08:00CrossroadsThis is a country of contrasts.<br /><br />Today, we toured the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Zamoyski</span> palace in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kozlowka</span>. To get there we drove through a number of villages. The contrasts are the new builds, with jaunty colours and unique designs, versus the screeching poverty of the old buildings with peeling paint and cracked windows. It's like the country is really trying to resurrect itself, but cannot quite get there yet.<br /><br />It's like that with roads too. They are so plugged with cars, because cars have all of a sudden become affordable. So people are getting cars and going everywhere, but the infrastructure is not there. The roads are so narrow and traffic is atrocious. <br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed touring the palace. They showed us about six different rooms. The most amazing things were the heating fireplaces. Made out of porcelain tiles. This family was so exclusive and rich that they had things made to order, such as the designs of these fireplaces, and then they had the blueprints destroyed, so that they could not be repeated. They had a 500-year-old rosary on display. It was made out of agate and silver. Likewise, the dinner service was made about 300 years ago, but now they have no idea who made it, because the family did not want the mark of the craftsman on the dishes, so they just had their family crest on the bottom.<br /><br />The Canadian connection with this place is that they emigrated to Canada after WWII and settled in the Montreal area. Neat.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-81415297826105219402008-11-05T13:16:00.000-08:002008-11-05T13:26:56.807-08:00Let me tell you about a little treat called 'nalewka'We are in the midst of very foggy and rainy weather here, it seems.<br /><br />Today, our adventure was to head out to the outdoor market. This I recall from my childhood, except not that particular one, of course. The day was not particularly favourable, with a slight drizzle; however, the vendors set out their wares. You could buy everything from felt-lined rubber boots to rat poison and everything in between. There was a stand with kitchen cabinets, but I did not see one with the sink. We meandered, bought a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and ended up going home. We were done by 10 a.m.<br /><br />I am having a hard time doing nothing. I realize this will be a complaint falling on deaf ears, but the morning hours after we got back stretched out a bit. Again, the meal times are a bit awry, so I can't rely on those to guide my day. Thank God for the laptop. I am keeping myself amused with it.<br /><br />So, to get to the meat of the matter, my family makes this heavenly potion called '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nalewka</span>.' Since I am of age, I can partake. It's between a spirit and a liqueur. We've had a plum-based <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nalewka</span> and today we had a raspberry-based one. This is one of those things that you have to be careful with as it goes down quite nicely. But when you try to get up to the bathroom, all of a sudden the room does a little spin. <br /><br />Cheers.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-76840293444165078602008-11-04T13:09:00.001-08:002008-11-05T05:03:17.725-08:00Walking among the convalescents<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUd7VgK11WNhK-KQGSyTDBk5rt3F7p6-wzCjD8ifj-MP0z7vLWel3U45oGdcr1MrhoGpAP04qoM55Hyp-BywfO6uDFUPfWIK_1Tebsev3dqL_gepP2E-4Vs1CDtUBxVaUWLGLhqCExmOI/s1600-h/DSC_0154.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265158228315787410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUd7VgK11WNhK-KQGSyTDBk5rt3F7p6-wzCjD8ifj-MP0z7vLWel3U45oGdcr1MrhoGpAP04qoM55Hyp-BywfO6uDFUPfWIK_1Tebsev3dqL_gepP2E-4Vs1CDtUBxVaUWLGLhqCExmOI/s320/DSC_0154.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We took a bus into Naleczow today - 1 stop. A bus is really a passenger van, but that is the preferred mode of public transportation here.<br /><br />There was a fabulous wooden church there. It struck me that no matter which church we go into, there are always people praying there. Kind of neat, to see that kind of faith. Just quietly sitting in the pew and praying. I wish I could have had better light in the church. It was very dark; ergo the photos sucked.<br /><br />The convalescents were on the grounds of the sanatorium complex that we walked through. This brought back fond memories of my grandparents, who went there for various periods of convalescing associated with their myriad of chronic non-life threatening conditions, which always lead to a litany of description of symptoms and required medications. I remember visiting them as a kid and walking along the same paths among the majestic trees that line the park. This town is famous for its healing spring waters, which we of course, have in the bottled form here at my aunt's.<br /><br />Who could resist posing with a bronze stature? Not me, that's for sure. I hope to be able to include the results here soon. We might also get to go to a Chopin concert there. I think I'm getting all worldly now!<br /><br />I think my mother has figured out a way to eat regularly. They are a little bit 'loosey goosey' with the meal times here. Sometimes they're like snacks, and truthfully, we were getting a bit antsy for regular, hot food. So, anytime we are out, she proposes to eat. Not so good for the wallet, but hey, leads to a full belly in the end. Today, we had lovely meat pierogies, as well as hunter's stew. I'm still full and it's 10 p.m. But, this particular establishment had BIRDS on the menu. I kid you not. Apparently, they're a delicacy. So are snails, but you don't see me rushing out to sample. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br />Tomorrow we head to a bona fide outdoor market. I can't wait.</div>Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6963434036351932878.post-23133407813161774302008-11-03T13:35:00.001-08:002008-11-05T05:00:57.858-08:00Day 2 and 3What an unimaginative title, but hey, I'm not feeling very inspired. What I am feeling is homesick. For my kids and my husband and down to the small things in life, like my toilet.<br /><br />It turns out that when you are older, you have a hard time adjusting to things as well as you did when you were little. I'm talking about wrecking havoc with meal times and such.<br /><br />Yesterday, we went to pay respects at two cemeteries. One of the cemeteries was fertile ground for my obsession with photography and wrought iron. It heartily fed both. Except that I wore the wrong shoes and of course it killed to take every step. Then we went to a supermarket, and those have changed. I miss the old communist-era supermarkets that were tiny and offered no choices. Now, they are just like our stores, and it stinks. Even most of the signage is in English.<br /><br />By the time we got home, my feet ached, I was starving and very tired.<br /><br />On a happy note, I was able to get <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ahold</span> of a friend from the First Grade. I have not seen her in eleven years, but I will see her next week. I will also hopefully see my Grade 1 teacher. Fond memories of those moments in childhood. My old school is now a high school, which is kind of sad. Apparently, my home town has changed a lot, but I haven't been able to go there yet.<br /><br />Today, we set out to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lublin</span>. We walked all along the old part of town, and I fed my passion for photography. Bitter disappointment after coming back. Most of my shots blow. I'm not sure what to do differently to make them better either. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Urgh</span>.<br /><br />We did have a run-in with the old system in a restaurant/pub we went to. The food was atrocious and the service was just confused. It was not pretty, but I ended up with a full belly, so that was OK. We were approached by lots of people on the way around as we walked by. Some wanted money, some started talking to my mother in English. It was a bit surreal. I don't think I would do well there by myself. The two churches we went into were gorgeous, though. Baroque inside, no fanciness spared.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Lublin</span> is in a renaissance. Most <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">dilapitated</span> buildings are being restored. The castle is restored. Everything looks fresh and almost new. I was impressed.Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17641856187352714092noreply@blogger.com2