Where is the chivalry?

Someone I know questioned modern-day chivalry.  Here is my reply:


Chivalry, by this old-fashioned girl's definition, is a man who will open doors; a man who will do what is necessary to provide for his family; a man who knows there's a time to listen to her, cradle her face in his hands and kiss her cheek, and the time to set her straight, and a chivalrous man knows the difference; he is a man who loves her with her faults, not in spite of them; a man who spends his pennies with what he has today, not for what he may have tomorrow; a man who already knows all this, and does these things BEFORE making a committment to her because despite these superficial times, a chivalrous man is what a real woman wants, even if she doesn't know it.


Signed,


I didn't deserve a chivalrous man until I was able to accept the above.

Please Help!

I went to kindergarten with this little boy's mother, Eva.  Elias was taken to Morocco by his father and we are spreading awareness to this matter, and others like it, to reunite these missing children with their loved ones.  Someone out there knows the answers.  It could be you.  It could be someone you know...or someone they know.  Please do me this favor by watching Eva's YouTube video to see their story, see the faces, and spread the link. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88dLM2LvLco

A Very Mendocino County Weekend

I went back home for the first time in nine months.  It was quite refreshing.  My mom and I spent Saturday together at Vichy Springs (www.vichysprings.com) in Ukiah, CA and relaxed in the vichy baths and got pampered.  It was a much-needed break, and time alone with Mom is always a much-welcomed treat. 

I felt so rejuvinated and young.  I swear, you should have seen me.  I didn't look a day over 5 -- okay...6 tops. 

The kids had quite a fun time as well.  Each time we arrive at my mom's house, Tutu (my mom) puts little goodies in the guest room for the kids.  She even got the hot tub all warm for their arrival.

Everett got a cap gun, then Grandpa was taking some of Tutu's little flowers and putting them in the gun barrel so when it shot, the flowers shot out, too.  It was so cute.

"Stork chocolate Reissen, please Mrs. Lang."

Okay.  I know.  I just pulled that out of nowhere.  Does anybody out there even remember that commercial?

What goes on behind her head...

...stays behind her head.

Oh, innocent one.

Oh, Maggie the Moose.  I love that pup.  I think she was born within a day or two of Everett and the first time they met, she squatted and peed on him.  They were both like 2 months old.  She's much "dryer" now.

Water...

much like my words...

go in one ear...

...and out the other.

My beautiful mom.

Fresh caramel apples served at the hot tub.

Grandpa had a quad in the back of his truck.  Everett loves motorcycles.

Grandpa taught Everett how to turn it on.

...and how to drive.  Heavens ta' Betsy.

Okay.  Let me get this straight, here.

We have guns.

We have motorcycles.

We have fire.

Well, I forgot to get pictures of him in the plastic princess heels from the toy bin.  But that's okay.  He probably wouldn't appreciate my sharing that with people.

Sky lanterns are so beautiful.

The kids played with paper dolls.

We walked up to Harmony Hill with Papa to visit the sheep farm.

Here's Torso -- I mean -- Aya Rose.  It soooo wasn't cold out.

Sometimes she is such a dramatazoa.

Yeah, if ya didn't know, those little things can kick.

Whatever you're thinking about this picture, so am I.

"Well, hello, Mrs. 0562.  Do you come here often?"

Mr. G shows the kids how his sytem works.

Look at all that yummy corn.

Although three little hands offer up corn, they all go for hay. 

They're such sheep!

Everett thanking Mr. G.

After all that, we went across the street from my dad's and visited with his grandma -- my great-grandma -- my kids' great-great grandma.

How do you feel about redundancy?

.

.

.

I think my kids are very blessed to have a great-great. 

Ahh...

...the story she tells.  ;-)

How many generations are alive in your family?

"Baby B"

What a pleasure it was to work with this little one.  He was close to our hearts before he was even born, and just has the most amazing family.  Thank you, M&J for allowing me to chronicle his beginnings. 

(Click any picture to enlarge)

Toes, anyone?

Milk-induced bliss. 

Sneak of "Baby B"

He came out of the oven a little over a week after I took this.  I have the pleasure of photographing him tomorrow.  I can't wait to smell that neck and smooch those toes!

Just

He's just 3. 

"Just."

What a packed word. 

Just one song...

Just one wish.

Just one nipple.

(Okay.  I couldn't come up with another one quickly enough.)

Ahh, the sweet rite of passage.

That's just a party favor on my truck hitch.  (No children were injured in the headlessness of this headpiece.)

This is what friendship looks like after 22 years.

Ahh

I have two shoots to do this week and am currently waiting for the postman to deliver my formatted memory card accompanied by the CD recovery of three events I had on the card.  Tick tock.  Tick tock.