Our friend Patti took us to a unique and mysterious town here in Florida named Cassadega on Valentine's Day.  We had to drop our guys off for their annual Daytona trip so thought we'd pass through there on the way. I've never seen a medium but thought it would be interesting anyway, so we headed out with a stop for Greek Food, beer for the guys, then into the mystic.

A tiny snippet about Cassadega, it's a place that draws the clairvoyant. Psychics, mediums, healers, people who seek enlightenment are guided to this place, and some believe it is a kind of spiritual vortex.

With respect to people visiting Cassadega for the Spiritualist camp, I was careful not to take too many photos where it might interfere with someone's privacy especially since it was a first time visit.  So here are the ones I did take..

 

First.. a photo of me and our baby Sonny  : )

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Patti and Rodney, lovebirds extraordinaire

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Simba the cat, coined by some as the "Mayor"

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Sonny was totally feelin it

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For more information about this neat Florida town, here's an article I found written by Robin Peraldo, https://medium.com/florida-history/the-mystery-and-spirit-of-cassadaga-8a0058b024b1

Information about the spiritualist camp  http://www.cassadaga.org/

 

Katie and Oliver were married at the Courthouse in Watkinsville, Georgia on July 14th...

so we arranged a photography session that morning at 9 to try and avoid too much of the Georgia July heat.  I met up with Katie and her sister first and Katie looked beautiful!! Sweet blue eyes glowing with excitement and a bunch of bright yellow sunflowers in her hand, backlit by the sun. My mind was darting back and forth with the thought of how pretty this session would be on this beautiful morning!

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We started shooting first around  the Oconee County Visitors Center when we spotted the bright red door.

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We heard Oliver and Kodi were on their way to meet up with their bride so we headed to do a first look at the

Eagle Tavern across the street.

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Oliver and Kodi show up to see their beautiful bride while Katie waits..

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Though Oliver was excited to see his bride all dressed up in her wedding attire, Kodi stole the first kiss!

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Katie surprises Oliver with a sweet Mario mushroom boutineer she made just for him!

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I asked how they met.. they both worked at Pacific Swimwear (I love that store) but reconnected years later and started to date.  I think they said around the first date they were ready to get married and have kids.  That's pretty dadgum sweet.

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Potty break for Kodi along the way.

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Photos at a perfect spot by the Gym.

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YEP, absolutely : )

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Bella Watkins and I decided to arrange the marriage of our dogs in a backyard ceremony. This event is something we have been discussing for a couple of years now, so we finally made it happen on March 11th, the last weekend of Bella's 6th grade Spring Break. 
The night before, Bella made lots of tiny cupcakes for the guests, and selected the perfect icing colors.  Rachel and I made a photo area, and we did everything but a rehearsal because we became carried away with other things, especially once my parents arrived in town and the chardonnay started pouring about.  Eddy and Rudee sat on the couch and waited patiently while we doted about, oblivious to the plans in store for them.

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Bella the baker, perfecting the icing colors for the tiny cupcakes

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Rachel preparing the photo area with tissue leftover from baby shower gifts, she is so talented!

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   Our snacks for the people included my Mom's delicious pimento cheese sammy's, Bella's colorful cupcakes, a bowl of danish wedding cookies, carrots and veggies, goldfish, and some other delicious stuff brought by the guests. 

For the canine guests, my friend Robin Taylor of the delicious smelling and tasting (yes, I've tried one or two) Oscar Bites Dog Treats provided the party favors and the beautiful wedding cake for the couple and their friends. Mom also made up some cute milk bone suckers.

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Table display with the engagement photo and Robin's beautiful cake

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Close up of the cake made by Robin Taylor of Oscar Bites!

My friend J-Nasty Sand had the perfect cake topper look-a-likes!

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The wedding began around 45 minutes later than planned (we felt Doc needed a quick trip to the lake to get energy out before his friends arrived ) so we threw the remaining touches together with the help of some of the guests. John Watkins (Father of the groom) started his playlist of dog themed songs hooked to our karaoke machine.  The crowd gathered as we waited on the groom to be escorted/held by Bella, as we played a special song called "Puppy Love" written by our friend Joe Shelby. (Vid with song at the end of this blog)

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After the Puppy Love song, John Watkins blew "Isn't She Lovely" into the unique melodica for the bridal procession.

Walker led our bride down the aisle so I could take photos..  she lost her vale along the way but we fixed it quickly before she approached her groom. Here's a short vid from Marilyn Estes..

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Our friend Lisa Stokes, a real deal ordained wedding officiant, joyfully led the ceremonials

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We went straight for the kiss instead of adding rings, and tried to use a bit of hot dog threaded through fishing line, but only Eddy was interested so he stepped on his bride to get to it..

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CakeEating And after, the Bride and Groom took a few photos

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AYP_8860 Doc, Rudee's home brother looks a little disappointed we chose Eddy for her.. he'll get over it. AYP_8819 Photobomb by the bride AYP_8909 The Watkins family with the Bride and Groom

 

And some of the guests.. AYP_8785 AYP_8881 AYP_8839 AYP_8748 Bucky!!

 

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My Mom and Dad with Banjo : )

 

Lisa even printed a marriage certificate for the happy couple!
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Thanks to the guests, we received monetary donations as well as food and treats from the guests and we donated to Athens Council on Aging, and to Athens Canine Rescue for a spay/neuter.

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Here's a very low resolution vid of the wedding photos with Joe's "Puppy Love" song...

    Well, New Year's Eve I was a baaaaaad Momma. 

    I have to tell the truth. We went to a wedding in Tennessee and left the dogs at home by themselves for one night.  I'd never done that with Rudee, ever.. I usually sneak her into the hotel room regardless.  However, since we now have our black lab Doc we decided to leave both at home thinking Doc would be jealous of us taking only Rudee and tear something up.  We do have a fenced in yard and doggie door and planned to be back by lunch the next day so things would be just fine we assured ourselves and bolted.

    When we got back home there was no Rudee!  We searched everywhere and I was panicking.  Walker noticed one spot by the door of our wooden fence where only she could have squeezed through in a panic. I walked around the neighborhood and burst out crying while on the phone with my mom when I saw the Vultures atop a meat hunk of something at the house directly behind ours.  Heaving with tears, I walked right up to it and realized it was just dinner leftovers from the night before.  So I continued on, asking people in the neighborhood if they'd seen my small, Toto like terrier mix but no leads.  When I went across to a neighbor's house and knocked on the door it suddenly struck me that there might have been fireworks somewhere for New Year's Eve and then I knew.. she'd fled.  It's the only thing that makes her absolutely crazy and erratic and I was so mad at myself for fireworks not even crossing my mind on New Year's Eve, July 4th yes that's a given.. but I didn't even THINK about it!!

    Meanwhile, after Walker headed the opposite direction on foot following several trips around in the truck, our neighbor who details cars was outside barbecuing.  After asking about Rudee he got a lead, the guy had gone to pay his booth fee at the J&J Flea Market earlier that morning and had seen a dog fitting her description in the office on a dog bed. We headed straight over, across hwy 441 from our neighborhood off Newton Bridge and went to the little log cabin office and there she was!! 

    So, word from Kristen and Elise, the office managers, was that she had appeared at 11pm the night before and the security officer on duty left her where she was, thinking she would return back to her home eventually.  When Kristen and Elise came in to work at 6am that morning she was still there on the office porch and they knew she must be somebody's house dog and let her in.  She was given treats and a warm dog bed that belongs to Elise's dog Precious, who comes to work with her every day.  I did not have a tag on Rudee (shame, shame, shame again!) so she had already posted on several sites looking for her owners. 

    We were so lucky to have found her, to have had the missing link come right from our neighbor we had never even spoken to before, and for everything to have happened within an hour of noticing her missing.. and the kindness of these ladies to recognize and take her in that morning.  By the unbelievable grace of God she made it across highway 441 from our neighborhood that night and to the office cabin at the J&J of all places.  We were so thankful to see her there and safe, and after the shock wore off I was able to focus on this little black and white dog sitting on the office table with it's tongue hanging out.  This little toy dog named Precious had been rescued by Elise after delivering 6 litters of puppies at her young age by a breeder who sold pups at the J&J. Immediately I thought of one thing I could do to maybe express my thanks to these very sweet ladies.

   Introducing, Precious of the J&J Flea Market:

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   I recently came back from a photography conference in San Antonio where my parents met me.  We stayed at the La Quinta close to the convention center where we could pretty much walk everywhere.  A friend of my parents had mentioned we should visit a haunted hotel there, so naturally that was on my radar, loving doing the ghost tours and stuff in my favorite Georgia City with soul, Savannah.  The second night after the convention we headed straight to the Menger Hotel, "the oldest continuously operated hotel west of the Mississippi" and steps away from the Alamo.  It opened less than 25 years after the battle and is full of history and as they say, "People who have stayed here have been from all walks of life, including our non-living guests," (Ernesto Malacara, the Menger's director of public relations and ghost expert, San Antonio Express-News.")

  So, after mom had several glasses of wine at the La Quinta bar and a sneaky cup of it to go, we headed to the Menger for a visit.  Mom was feeling good and cracking us up, immediately when we walked in I felt a good vibe.  The hotel is beautiful!  It reminded me a little of the old version of the Monte Vista Hotel in Black Mountain.. with elegant decor and a feeling of welcoming old souls.  The beautiful blue walls and hotel carpet were amazing.  I'm not great at describing architecture but a great description is on their site..  We were in awe and wish we'd booked a room there.  I had read that most sightings happened on the third floor so I headed there first to look around and take some photos.  Unfortunately I wasn't blessed with any apparitions in the moment or after viewing the photos, but posting the photos anyway because it was a neat place to shoot.  I used existing light with a 35mm lens on my D700. 

 

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My parents waiting patiently, mom's to go wine cup on the ground (we trashed it no worries).

 

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A ghost tour forms at the bottom floor

 

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The leader of the ghost tour tries to scare me coming up the stairs like an apparition in my photo

 

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His ghost hunter apprentice, sniffer outer, or protector

 

On the third floor, many people experience seeing the ghost of Sallie White. She was a maid working at the hotel who was brutally attacked by her husband in 1876 and remained in her room suffering until she died, the hotel paid for her funeral which was $35 at the time.  There are several photos and stories online of people experiencing her ghost.  On the second floor is the King Ranch Suite, which hosted a man named Captain Richard King, who loved the hotel so much he became ill and chose to book a room where he stayed until his death.  They have moved the original door to his room but he is seen by several moving through the walls, unaware of any changes.  Here's a link to these and a few more stories: http://darkhaunts.com/TexasGhostStories/TheMenger.html

Before leaving, we felt we had to visit the famous Menger bar where Theodore Roosevelt formed his Rough Riders. Though Mom was probably good on the wine, I decided to purchase her just one more glass, Dad a bud light, and myself a decaf coffee (I'm pregger) and we sat in this lovely wooden piece of history and met some interesting people, as mom is great at never meeting a stranger.

 

This is mom in the phone booth trying to look scary.
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The next day we decided to visit another haunted hotel by the Alamo, called the Emily Morgan.  Before it was a hotel it was a hospital that housed a morgue and psychiatric ward, and has lots of paranormal activity according to guests.  It has been rated the 3rd most haunted hotel in the world according to this site: http://www.mysanantonio.com/lifestyle/article/San-Antonio-s-Emily-Morgan-Hotel-is-the-third-6582426.php

We explored a few of the hallways but didn't stick around too long.  We went to a few of the floors reported to be the most haunted, and I will say it felt pretty freaky.. kind of stifling.  The doors are dark brown and brooding and it has a strange sense about it, I'm sure it's a cool place to stay. I did speak to a worker who captured this image on his cell phone from the hotel lobby at one point.  You can see a translucent image of a figure sitting on the blue chair. We met a woman on the elevator down and I asked if she was staying there, hoping she had experienced something paranormal but she had no idea about it even being haunted, oops.  Also, my Uber driver mentioned he stayed there once thinking there was a jacuzzi in the room and was disappointed his didn't have one.  He mentioned it felt eerie.. so I feel that people loving the haunt would most likely get their scare on here pretty easily.

 

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Here's a photo of a hallway from one of the floors..

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A scary looking antique mailing system by the elevator, with bloody looking condensation
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On our last night in San Antonio we hadn't had enough of the Menger Hotel, and wanted to go back and try the famous mango ice cream made fresh for 100 years there, so we headed back since they serve it until 10 pm. We stepped into the Colonial Dining room where they play music from the 20's just like that scene in the shining.  The architecture in the dining room was also beautiful, and service with a smile but not fake at all, not one bit.  Everyone was super cool. One other family was finishing a meal near us and the waiters filed in with a chocolate cake and candle, flicking the lights on and off for a little boy's birthday.  At first I thought we were experiencing a haunting but realized someone was in the room controlling the light on purpose.

 

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I was trying so hard to find something in the photos.. thinking maybe the grey behind the little boy was a headless something in 20's clothing.  Probably just a stroller or something.

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Neat detail on the fireplace

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One of the waiters mentioned people have often seen the ghost of what looks to be an Englishman with a bolo and hat, coming out of the fireplace and hovering above the table in the area around it (photo above).  Also, people claim to see the ghost of a little girl named Sarah who was brought into the hotel after her accidental death from a horse and carriage. They say she plays in the restaurant and wears the 20's clothing she was brought in wearing.

 

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We left for the night and vowed to stay there if we come back sometime for a visit.

 

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One of my favorite places to relax and spend a day or night is on Sapelo Island, off the Georgia Coast. There are many places to choose from to stay on the island affordably, but my favorite experience so far is camping at Comyam's Campground in Hog Hammock, owned by the Bailey's who are locals there, check em out: http://www.gacoast.com/geecheetours.html. Anyway, we bolted from Athens and missed the ferry the first day... but we made a night of it at a cheap motel and dinner at the awesome Old School Diner, then headed on the 9am ferry on Valentine's Day to camp for one night. 

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Me and Chef Jerome... so it turns out, his mom cooked for the notorious Green Frog restaurant in Waycross back in the day!!

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We ordered the wheelchair platter of course! Lots of crispy seafood and ribs on the side.  The hushpuppy appetizer was absolutely delicious!! I LOVE hushpuppies and Chef Jerome is right on with his recipe. Look at Walker's sticky fingers back in there!

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These pix of the diner were from my iphone, pardon the quality... I was mad at myself for not bringing my camera.  You gotta see this place during the day, we had reservations at 7pm so couldn't really see a lot outside, but certainly felt the sweet carpet in the parking lot!

photo(40) This delicious double or triple or quadruple chocolate dessert I finished off for breakfast the next day still has my face broken out!  But totally worth every bite and I'd do it again.

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It was freezing Friday night!  Probably a good thing we missed the ferry... our cheap hotel in Eulonia was fun, we'd do that again too, so we can spend more on great food around the area.

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We arrived at the campsite and two bikes were waiting for us.  It's about a 2 or 3 mile ride to Nanny Goat beach from the campsite.  We brought Rudee so we squashed her in Walk's backpack for most of the ride. Next time I'd love to check out Cabretta beach, it's just a 2 mile or so walk down a dirt road from the campsite.

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It was instant immersion for Rudee

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Her energy is amazing at the beach, she loves it. Fetching shells and just being overall adorable.

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I was too chill to take photos on the beach... but we ended up finding a sun soaked cranny near the dunes, away from the light wind. We spent an hour or more absorbing the sun and it felt like we were the only people on the beach.  It's always like that there.  We watched several dolphins near the shore which made it even more magical.  We headed back and let Rudee run a while after us, and stopped along the nature trail.

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An enormous magnolia. Read below, pretty cool.

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Near sunset we walked a bit away from the campground.  The marsh and live oaks are gorgeous around there. 

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Rudee totally fell in love with this most awesome dog. They played and she giggled and made weird noises like a lovesick girl.

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Julius hooked us up with some live oak to burn for our campfire and Walker was fascinated the whole time about how solid and strong and long it burned.  The next morning the embers were still glowing and all I had to do was throw in a little spanish moss and a few more logs and we were rockin for cowboy coffee.  I toted a huge pot in my luggage on the ferry just for that... which was ridiculous but we made it twice to make it worthwhile.

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Looks like we're about to set the tree on fire but it's just the angle.  I can see how fires are easily started around these islands though.

BW-8197 The stars were beautiful!!!! So after gorging on 2 packages of sausages and Terra sweet potato chips, we put the camera down in the grass near the marsh at the campground and took some pix.

BW-8206 BW-8199 BW-8210 We had an absolutely peaceful night of sleep with no sound at all, not even a racoon. Well, also helped the campsite was empty except for us. We accidentally left the tent cover at home but luckily Walker brought a tarp so we used that.  It wasn't cold at all though!  Felt so perfect.

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We had to wake up at the crack of dawn because we were leaving on the 8:30 ferry to head back to Athens and Julius was coming by at 8am to pick us up.  I'm normally a very late sleeper... but I heard some roosters crowing around 6 and had this extra energy and excitement from the peaceful night there, and was looking forward to watching the sunrise over the marsh, so I woke up and waited for it.

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These two photos are views of the sunrise  from the pinhole we created for the digital camera.

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We exited the ferry, which football player Allen Bailey (from Sapelo) happened to be on with us! I had no idea who he was, but he was huge so I suspected... and we saw him later at a convenience store and I confirmed it.  This adorable poodle was in the parking lot as well, I missed out on the photo of Allen Bailey but did get the poodle.

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On the way back, we couldn't miss going to the Smallest Church in America, off Hwy 17.  It's adorable.

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Angels together.

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The end.  We cruised back home to Athens and entered the ice storm.

 

   A few years ago, on the way down South to Waycross, Georgia, via Highway 15, I noticed a striking scene of smoke filtering through some trees above a small green house - I turned back around to take a photo and saw a woman raking and burning leaves in piles, causing that roadside beauty in the late afternoon light.  When I stopped to take her photo I was taken aback by her dog, barking fiercely at me while guarding his person.  I kept shooting and she looked at me, then looked down and continued raking.  I stopped and showed her what I was seeing and she smiled and was totally cool with me. 

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   Anyway... it ended up making a really nice photo converted to black & white, so I printed and framed it and delivered it to her over a year or so later.  Actually, I have to mention, I couldn't really remember where her house was... and on another drive to Waycross, Walker noticed a beautiful scene and pointed it out and it happened to be exactly her house.  So we went, introduced ourselves and handed her the photo.  She was doing the same thing as before, and wearing the same outfit and hat.  She didn't say much, just smiled and took the photo and we talked for just a bit before continuing to Waycross. 

   More time passes and last week I received a fb message from Ben Reynolds, a friend and photo teacher at UGA, that Mary Ruth Moore is trying to get in touch with me about something.  I hadn't seen her in like 15 years since I graduated from the photography department. Mary Ruth has been teaching photo at UGA forever and does the most beautiful pinhole photography you've ever seen.  She taught during the Cortona studies abroad program I attended the summer of 99, so I took her photo class and became fascinated by her.  Anyway... ask anyone about her and they'll have had the same experience of being touched by Mary Ruth's beauty inside and out. 

   So anyway... I called her wondering what in the world she wanted to say after all this time, and she explains a story about her friend Carol Anne plopping down this black and white photo while visiting, and she loved it and flipped it over and saw my name.  I always forget to sign my prints but thank goodness on that print I had remembered, and Mary Ruth wanted to call and tell me the story and connection.  Anyway, turns out Carol Anne helps care for Emma, the woman in the photo, and the frame had fallen from the wall so she was coming over to show the print to Mary Ruth. 

  The very next Day, Walker and I were invited to visit Mary Ruth and we had a wonderful time reuniting and just walking around her beautiful property and talking about pretty things.  She has inspired us to break our film cameras back out and turn them into pinhole cameras.  In a slow time for photography, one needs inspiration and I feel her contact was a gift.  Well, that's my story on how things come back around in a neat way. 

Thanks Emma!

 

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Holding one of her pinhole cameras and showing her most recent composition

 

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Mary Ruth would like this "arc of light" Walker captured on her porch

 

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Walker took a pic of us and immediately Mary Ruth started cracking up at Walker's unintentional photo stance

 

By the way, a selection of Mary Ruth Moore's photography is currently on display at Athens Academy in a show titled:

"Experiencing Italy"

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     For the past couple of years, I've enjoyed vacationing at Anna Maria Island with Walker at his family's beach house.  We try to escape there anytime we can afford to.  As a honey lover and obsessor, I noticed there were bees on a rooftop beside our favorite restaurant, Duffy's.  We just admired it for a while, but during our most recent October visit I was sick with a cold and remembered those hives.  I asked local Rick Lewis if he'd met the neighbor and he said "yeah that guy is really nice!"  So, Rick took me over and introduced me to Bill the beekeeper and I asked if I could do a blog on him and take some photos.  He gave me a huge jar of delicious honey with bee pollen in it and said yes just to get in touch, and I swear that local honey cured me.  I don't have photos of that honey because it's gone... but I swear by it. Also, with the delicious comb he offered us, I converted 9 year old Bella Watkins to loving honey!

     As I'm inspired about getting into backyard beekeeping because of most importantly... the need for bees, then, my love for the taste and benefits of honey, I know nothing about it besides watching youtube vids and asking around, plus an excellent book Walker bought me for Christmas about it. 

     Let me elaborate a little about my love for honey... I put honey on everything.  I think the 2 of us go through a huge mason jar of honey every two weeks from bulk at the Daily Grocery.  I like honey in my coffee - it is WAY better than sugar.  If a restaurant doesn't have honey, most of the time I silently judge it, especially if they sell coffee.  I was very excited to see it on most restaurant tables out west.  I've always warmed up old mac & cheese with honey, makes it taste like new. I put it on french fries, eggs, chicken, fish, and pork. Apple and cheese sandwiches are excellent with a honey base, then there's peanut butter and honey, bananas and honey, and cheese toast with an underbelly of honey.  My salad dressing is composed of olive oil, honey, and lime. Recalling... I think the first time I fell in love with honey was on fried chicken.  We'd always pick up some KFC or Maryland Fried Chicken on Sundays after church and bring it to Mema Yarbrough's house to eat with the family.  I would be so disappointed if dad forgot to ask for honey packets. I now take a travel vial everywhere I go just in case.

     Well, Bill the rooftop beekeeper let me suit up with him and watch and question him during our most recent trip to Anna Maria Island.  Q & A at the bottom of the photos!

 

Here's Bill

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Lisbeth, Bill's wife, helps "suit" me up for the bees

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I realize I look even shorter than I really am in a bee suit... and the suit my mom purchased for me has an extra long crotch for some reason which is pretty hilarious. Forget looking cute... it's all about the honey anyway.  Thanks Marc Mauldin for the photos!

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Bill told me once I was on the roof and around the bees with him, that I had the wrong gloves on.  Luckily there were no mishaps.  I realize a suit really isn't needed for most beekeepers but I'll probably suit up... just in case.

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And here are a bunch of photos I took watching Bill with his Bees last October...

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mmmm delicious honeycomb!

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A view from Bill's roof, showing the back of Duffy's restaurant

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Bruce, Rick, and Polly of Duffy's waving at us!

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A view of the Queen's cell from one of the hives

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Looks like a boiled peanut

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Can you find the Royal Queen?

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a close up of the capped brood, which is the eggs, larvae and pupae that will become fully-grown bees.

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Bill hands us down a delicious plate of honeycomb

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Bill's wife Lisbeth

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What's your favorite meal at Duffy's?  (the awesome restaurant right next door to Bill's house)
My favorite meal at Duffy's has to be one of their world famous burgers!  I'm gonna say a blue cheese hamburger...

I met Sarah and Adam for the first time on their wedding day.  Sarah was unbelievably calm, which immediately put me at ease and the whole day went like that... very smooth, simple, and beautiful! 

 

Wedding Info and Contributors:

Wedding Date: October 26th, 2014

Photography: anneyarbroughphotography.com

Venue:   The gorgeous Botanical Gardens Day Chapel, reception in the elegant Terrace Room

Wedding Officiator: JG Beckett

Makeup and Hair: Mandi Harris at Imagine Studios

Director: Ashley Stalvey

Flowers:  Also Ashley Stalvey! (Jack of all trades)

Music: The Musicsmiths

Catering: Classic City Chef

Cake: Artful Cakery by Julie (per the bride: Julie is sister to Bonnie, who is Adam's sister-in-law. We loved being able to use the talents of family and friends!)

Favors: Splendishes by Shonali (bride: Shonali is a friend of mine and an amazing chef. She can make anything.)

 

 

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Ashley (director and floral design) and her adorable son

 

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DSC_4160 Meanwhile.. Adam receives a nice gift to loosen up for now or later...

 

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The Day Chapel is sooooo georgeous, especially in morning light

 

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The Musicsmiths played soothing instrumental music during the wedding and reception

 

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Adam's a breakdancin photo bomber!

 

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Adam kept his cool despite the bees buzzin all around... he's allergic... but luckily we escaped to the reception in time without needing an epi pen.

 

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An awesome bloody mary and mimosa bar waiting for the guests after the ceremony

 

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JG Beckett (wedding officiator) gets serious about cornhole

 

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Yummy!!

 

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Classic City Chef did an awesome job with the omelet station & breakfast bar

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A cornhole groom's cake by Artful Cakery by Julie! 

 

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And a beautiful candy magnolia atop the Bride's cake!

 

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Just a cute little moment

 

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And to the Arch for the last photos of the day, of course!

 

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Hi-5 baby, we did it! 

 

 

Sam and Brian got married at the eccentrically beautiful and cool Ashford Manor in Watkinsville.  I was looking forward to the wedding, especially after meeting this awesome couple & doing their engagement photos. When I walked in to the bridal suite on the wedding day, I heard Sam's mom say "When I first met Brian, I really hoped he would be the one".

 

 

Sam & Brian Ruggieri

Wedding Date: October 12th, 2014

Venue: Ashford Manor Bed & Breakfast

Cake: Ike & Janes, and The Grit

Catering: Lisa from South Lumpkin Café

Flowers: Ashlie Johnson, Bud and Bloom Athens

Make Up: Makeup by Jeni

Hair: Olive at City Salon and Spa

Mugs & Plates: Local thrifting by the Bride & Groom

 

_ASC6611 _ASC6857 _ASC6605 _ASC6667 _ASC6797 _ASC6788 Some smelly goods from Sam's mom

 

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_ASC6713 Meanwhile... the guys are getting ready with their instructional video

 

_ASC6897 And finally, Brian is ready to see Sam...

 

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_ASC6920 Lookin good in her wedding dress at the first look!

 

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_ASC7024 _ASC6965 _ASC7452 _ASC6966 _ASC7033 Just bein silly!

 

_ASC7146 _ASC7150 _ASC7153 Sam and Brian made the awesome lace flag decor near the ceremony

 

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_ASC7363 A proud new husband : )

  _ASC7342 A most lovely Husband and Wife

_ASC7263 And some happy folks

 

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_ASC7484 _ASC7373 _ASC7497 Ashford Manor is sooooo pretty

 

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_ASC7682 _ASC7604 Fall leaves made their appearance here and there, adding a lovely seasonal touch

 

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_ASC7635 Guests picked a cool mug and took one home, I love this

 

_ASC7646 _ASC7685 Awesome checkerboard dance floor

 

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_ASC7674 I know exactly how you feel!

 

_ASC7655 _ASC7673 _ASC7694 For a good time, offer cakes from the Grit and treats from Ike & Jane!

 

_ASC7698 Tiny clothespins holding photos of little Sam and Brian

 

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_ASC7807 _ASC7810 I got obsessed with shooting this fountain, I bet everyone does

 

_ASC7960 _ASC7972 Flags Brian made for the exit, each with an S&B

 

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Congratulations most lovely couple of the Universe!

 

Wedding date: September 13, 2014

I met Beckey at Dahlonega Marketplace http://www.dahlonegamarketplace.com. It was my first time displaying photos at a bridal show, and I'm glad I did.  Thanks Nicole and Chad!

Beckey remembered I also did pet photography, so having 4 of her own (+2 kids), we were a great match to work together!  Beckey and Todd had a sweet wedding right at home, though the air conditioning went out the same afternoon and it was hot & humid this lovely Saturday, but that didn't change their cool attitudes.  These people were awesome to work with!

 

Todd greeted me first, warned about the air conditioning, and told me Beckey was getting ready in the heat, about to move downstairs. I was worried she'd be frantic...

 

Nope!

 

Snickers greeted me at the door first thing

 

Seth at the floor

 

Molly... comatose

 

Rayne supervised the getting ready process

 

By the way, none of these dogs barked at me, they were completely cool too.

 

Molly on the bridesmaid dress, I loved these people already

 

Beautiful flowers by Marci Weatherford, delicious cake by Publix

 

Shenanigans creating Shenanigans in the kitchen, getting some freakin delicious food ready.  Smellin up the whole house with yummies!!

 

Mom and Daughter getting beautiful together

 

the air conditioning savior

 

They had to reinact a nose smoosh photo : )

 

Beckey's son seeing her in her wedding gown

 

This guy started cracking up during the ceremony!  Had everyone laughing!  Greek people... they know how to have a good time!

 

This guy again!!

 

Gorgeous flowers by Marci Weatherford

 

 

The groom was taking tips...

 

Catering by Shenanigans, mmm mmmm mmmm mmmmm!!

 

Tunes by "Bad Habits"

Lots of frogs around their place, so a ring shot had to be.

 

Just in case she doesn't like frogs...

 

They let the dogs back out!

 

 

Wedding Date: September 6th, 2014

My friend Kellet Junker referred me to this very lovely couple and I'm so thankful.  Kellet (former photography major, turned occupational therapist)  even assisted in the photography and it was a wonderful evening, I love weddings like this...

Leanne Kidd was the wedding coordinator, keepin it tight!

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The fan was Sarabeth's "something blue" from  her brother.  She held on to it the entire night!

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Cator Woolford Gardens is at the Frazer Center in Atlanta, Ga. It's a gorgeous venue for weddings and events, and easy to travel to. I'm not crazy about navigating through Atlanta, but from Athens, 78 takes you pretty much right to it.  http://www.frazercenter.org

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Nieces and Nephews were flower girls, ringbearers... so absolutely sweet seeing this whole group of kids enter the ceremony.

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Sarabeth and Rob were awesome to work with, not wanting too many formal shots, just to capture the evening with family and friends. The beautiful flowers were done by Christin Bruce, and Sarabeth's mom got crafty with the boutineers for the groomsmen and children, and for the table decor.  Sarabeth also contributed her touch with wine bottle vases and candle holders.

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Barber-1904 Flowers by Christin Bruce  Barber-2110 Tussy Mussy's for the Mothers Barber-1957 Barber-1985 Sarabeth's Mom's crafty boutineers Barber-2127 Barber-2176 Barber-2467 And Sarabeth's wine bottle candle holders /vases

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The reception was in the atrium, with food catered by Sun in My Belly.  The food looked, smelled, and tasted delicious (thanks Leanne for my awesome vendor meal!) The catering staff was also very friendly, which I noticed and appreciated. 

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Barber-2520 Barber-2523 Sun in My Belly Catering, http://www.suninmybelly.com/ Barber-2539 The kids had their own buffet with mac n cheese, apple juice, chicken nuggets, goldfish and fruit... per the smiles.  Barber-2575 Barber-2519 Barber-2508 Wedding Cake by Rhodes Bakery, http://www.rhodesfamilybakery.com/ Barber-2587 Sarabeth and Rob did their dance to "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" by Neutral Milk Hotel, awesome choice!! Barber-2681 Sweet Tunes DJ'd by Dave Chait, and by the way, he played some really good music... not your typical reception music, but the best old school rap, and a mix of other awesome songs to get the crowd dancing.  EVERYBODY danced during this wedding thanks to him. Even the kids had a special time of singing to a song from the movie Frozen... it was adorable.

_ASC2912 Barber-2868 Reception selfies

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Well, I'm finally getting to some blawging since I've switched my site over to Zenfolio.  For my first entry (that has taken me about half a year to start...) I'd like to spotlight a very special family, the Barbers.  So, step up to the fence with me and meet some of the current crew (play the video below).

   

I met Dr. Renee Barber through a referral from Sara Epstein, owner of the former and wonderfully missed Z-Dog Bakery.  Dr. Barber was one of my first in home session visits in 2010, and as soon as I walked past the white picket fence and saw this peanut gallery of dogs bounding out of the house literally rolling, darting, shyly creeping, and trotting excitedly toward me, I knew I had chosen the right niche and I was immediately in love.  

 

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Above:  The first four I met from left to right... Bailey, Bumble, Jilian, and Hanah Banana Elizabeth Smith Barber.

 

Bailey is hell on wheels, and Bumble always keeps her distance as not to get stepped upon

 

    The Barbers currently reside here in Athens with a crew of 9 dogs, 5 cats, and 2 guinea pigs.  Right now Dr. Barber is a DVM resident at UGA in Neurology, and Jamie works with the UGA Department of Infectious Diseases.  Pretty smart people... with enough research behind and in front of them to deserve a comedy at home!  Anyway, what I think is so endearing is that most of their dogs have come from different shelters or vet hospitals with serious surgical needs.  So the family keeps growing... and apparently Jamie is the softy. Almost always clad in colorful crocs (& scrubs), the Barbers sweetly match their equally colorful living space and animal activity.

 

A most recent family photo,

Chickpea, Bumble, Cindy Lou Who, Bailey, Spinky, Charley (a foster - white one in the back), Rooster, Felix, Flounder, and Gilian

 

 

Rooster (Cogburn) in his Halloween costume one year

 

Bailey's Ride

 

Rainey Lynch - my favorite and most awesome and over-qualified pet wrangler, helping with a Christmas photo

 

 

Jamie always offers a delicious craft brew before and after photo sessions, this is Rainey getting shnockered but by dogs

 

I asked Renee several random questions out of curiosity on what life is like at the animal house... I'm gonna do this question & answer style:

 

Me: When/Where did you and Jamie meet?

Renee: We met at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Jamie had been living on a sailboat for 12 years.

Me thinking: (...and now he lives with on land with 9 dogs, 5 cats and 2 guinea pigs? Wow, it must be love!)

 

Me: Who were your first dogs? 

Renee: Jilian and Hanah

 

During Hanah's last days... I was allowed to bring her a double cheeseburger which was shared with everyone

 

Me: In what order did you gain the dogs? 

Renee: Bailey was the 3rd, Bumble the 4th, then I lose track.

 

Me: How often do you go on vacation?

Renee: Rarely

Me: How do you split up the kids?

Renee: We split them up between people and one or two take to the kennel.

 

Me: Do you want kids one day?

Renee: Would love to.

(I always wonder this about people with lots of pets... pets OR kids, or pets AND kids, etc...  regardless... I have a feeling Jamie and Renee would be excellent parents)

 

These are hats she made one Christmas for the dogs...

 

 

Me: Do they all snuggle with you at night?

Renee: Not really, they sleep in dog beds, kennels, etc.

(Would be killer to snuggle with all these dogs, but then again maybe not)

 

Me:  When you lose one, would you say coping easier since you have so many? 

Renee: Yes, it's hard to be sad when you're surrounded by so many dogs.

Me: Do you notice if they miss Hanah and Jilian?

Renee: No, I haven't appreciated that any of the dogs notice when one goes missing.  They're very routine oriented and only seem to notice change if the routine is disrupted. 

 

Me: Do they tend to pair up together like high school cliques?

Renee:  There are definitely cliques. Bumble and Chickpea love to play. Felix likes Bailey. Cindy Lou Who loves Squid the cat. Spinky hates everyone except Cindy Lou Who. Rooster and Flounder are playmates but interestingly, Rooster hated Flounder for a long time and they just recently started hanging out together. None of them play with each other as much as Jilian and Hanah used to - they would wrestle all the time. Maybe there are just too many of them. Often if two dogs start playing another dog (usually Rooster) will try to break up the party. Whenever we try to take them all to Sandy Creek to run around and play, they all just stare at us instead of playing.

 

Me: What about feeding time?

Renee: They're pretty calm until dinner... then they all get separated, some in the kitchen, some in the kennels, some in the bathroom, etc.

(I'm picturing Shark Week)

 

This isn't feeding time but close enough

 

Me: What would you say about living with so many dogs?

Renee: They're a great security system! I'm always amazed at how different their personalities are...