Autism Society of Maine's "Showcase Your Abilities" Craft Fair

On Saturday my best friend, Cindi, and I went to participate in a craft fair sponsored by the Autism Society of Maine. For those of you who don't know me, I have a 16 year old son with autism. He is very creative and helped me make several projects to sell at this fair to raise money for the cause. My cousin, Shirley, also contributed a basket of beautiful hand knit mittens and some cute hand knit ornaments she made. I included some of the photographs we displayed in an earlier post. Today I'm posting fun pics from the craft fair of my display and Cindi's display. The fabulous coat I'm wearing was given to me by my thoughtful cousin, Nola, who lives in Texas. Every where I went, people commented on how unique and fun it was. Even a nice ol' man at Michael's couldn't help but tell me how "smart" it was! It was a great day and we raised $30 for ASM. Not a huge amount, but every little bit helps. It was their first attempt at sponsoring a fair like this, so I'm sure it will be bigger and better every year they host it!

I'm Back!

It's been a while since my last post. I've recently been making projects for a craft fair I'm going to be participating in. The Autism Society of Maine is sponsoring it's first craft fair. It's called "Showcase Your ABILITIES". Many children with disabilities and their families enjoy crafting, photography and art. This "craftabilities fair" gives us all a chance to show off what we CAN do. These are a few photos my son, Jacob, and I will be displaying (and hopefully selling!) He shot the Circus Wagon Wheel at a Museum in Massachusetts and the Stained Glass Window is a shot he did after Church one night. I shot the Rose at a friend's house and grew the Day Lily in my own garden.

Blessings

Every morning I get up and look out my windows. My back yard is a field, full of numerous wild flowers and tall grasses. All sorts of beautiful birds greet me at the window. Depending on the season, different creatures come to greet me. During the cold winter, I can see hoof prints in the snow under the apple tree where deer had been munching before I awoke. In the early spring, beautiful bluebirds flutter around my fence posts, looking for a morning snack. Early summer brings goldfinches, bluebirds, and baby starlings, waiting for mommas to feed them - even a wild turkey or two will wander up the winding path to the shade of the birch trees, eating flowers along the way as she goes. In the fall, most of them come and say good bye before flying off to the south or heading for the deep woods to stay until spring comes again, occasionally coming out for a meal at the feeders when they can't find one on their own. I love to watch them all. It is truly amazing to me how God has designed our world; I enjoy it every day and thank Him for such a wonderful blessing as the beauty of creation. I pray that I never fail to appreciate how God has blessed me so richly in all of this - how he has blessed us all.


To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven... Ecclesiastes 3:1

Don't Wait

Do you ever think "Oh, I should do....?" and then you DON'T? I'm sure I'm not alone in type of behavior. We always think we will have another opportunity, another day, year, 10 years... But do we? Sometimes opportunities only come around that one time, and then they are gone; the chance to do (you fill in the blank) might not come again. Too many times I have thought about doing something instead of actually just doing something- and then the chance is gone. One April morning, I woke up to find several inches of newly fallen snow. More than once, I have thought about going out in the cold and taking some photos, before people get out and mess up the beauty of God's handiwork-and then didn't. Well, this particular morning I did get out and take some photos and enjoy the magnificence of God's creation, if only for a few minutes. I have enjoyed those few minutes over and over each time I think about that morning. So, each day, whether it's shooting a photo, mailing a card, hugging a child, or smiling at a stranger, take these opportunities and DO something: You won't ever be sorry you did.

Sturbridge Village Photos

These are a few of the photos I shot in January of 2006. These were all taken in Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts. It was an unusually warm day for January, during what we call in New England the "January Thaw". To some, it seemed a dreary, rainy day; but to me, it was a fabulous day for shooting some great photos.

The Narrow Road

Today I would like to tell the story of this photo. It is one of my favorites, and the one that gave me confidence in my photographic abilities.
I shot this photo in Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts, just a precious few days before my only brother passed away. 20 years earlier, he had been in a terrible car accident, which left him paralyzed and without feeling from the neck down. He had been very ill for the previous few months and was near the end of his journey here on earth. Just as he was drifting into a peaceful sleep, he said, "It feels like someone is holding my hand." "It's God," I said, (for no one was there). "He's come to take you home." It was to be our last conversation.
Now, as I look at this photo, I like to think of my brother and the Lord, hand in hand, walking up the Narrow Road that leads to the Gateway of Heaven.




Enter ye in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. Matthew 7:13-14

First Fence Post

Hey, I guess this is it. My first post. I'm not really sure about this, but I think it will be fun!