Photo by Colleen Karas/Photography Student

Photo used with permission from Colleen Karas

Tuesday afternoons after I shoo out the kindergarten students and clean up the room a little bit, a handful of fifth and sixth grade students come for after school photography class. There are 14 of them and two teacher/students as well. They quickly take their seats with their gear in hand and patiently, or not so patiently, wait to share their photo journals and photographs with the class.

The class is Shadow and Light of Winter in which we all don the boots and winter woolies as we head out to find beauty in northern Indiana. Their enthusiasm and excellence in the class shatter any misconceptions about today's young people.

Colleen is a friend, colleague and teacher at our school as well. She has a technological brain and has helped me so many times in the past with projects. She also has the side of beauty of which she is just now uncovering. This photo is of her neighbor's driveway last week end. She graciously gave me the permission to print on my blog.

Darkness is descending, I best get my camera and take a photo or two.

A view at dusk..

With camera in hand, I caught the view at dusk from my front porch. I was actually waiting for my ride to line dancing as I was watching the end of day. It was so quiet and peaceful. I hope I was able to catch those feelings in this photo.

As for line dancing, a great evening for dancing with friends and burning a few calories as well.

Waiting for the Wolf Moon in January

Trine University Professor, Tim Carver

Friday evening at dusk I bundled up to do a photo shoot of the full moon coming up over my downtown. I packed my camera case with all the things I tell my students to take: camera, cleaning cloth, plastic bag (in case of rain or snow in this case), business cards, and money.

It was still early by the time I walked the few blocks and I was so cold that I stopped into Rachael's coffee shop to a quick cup while peeking out the front door waiting for the darkness to deepen.

There was a gentlemen working and drinking coffee. Within a few minutes he began to pack up and bundle up. He then went outside. So, I am waiting for the full moon, but this gentleman all bundled up for this frigid evening checking something in his pocket was too rich for me to pass up.

I gathered up my supplies and quickly went out asking if I may photograph him. He was so kind to say yes. The picture is so rich...it is all about my small town, the coldness of the evening and the thoughts that when waiting for something, keep your eyes open to other possibilities.

His name is Tim Carver and he is a Professor at Trine University.

Thanks for a great shot and the conversation, Tim!

Thoughts and ramblings for a Tuesday...

The week end was a spilling of the arts...a full day workshop inIndy for my trip to China, two philharmonic shows (one in Indy and one in Fort Wayne), including bringing the little guys to Peter and the Wolf Ballet. Jonah sat spellbound on my lap and decided the ballet was better than Avitar! I took my niece Zoie, who is nine, and ended the afternoon with ice cream at Atzes.

I thought about my dad all week end. He loved the philharmonic and the ballet. His playbills are still overflowing in a box I brought home from Texas. The pieces were lovely and I thought about his joy in the music and question life itself.

The snow has returned to Northern Indiana. Last night the wind made her return debut swirling around this old house. It is good to be part of life, to enjoy all that there is, and yet be conscious of the dark side of this life.

So, today, I teach dance, paper making and a photography class after school. It will be a good day.

Coming Home...

My dad's funeral was so lovely. It was full of family, memories, stories. There were hugs and tears...moments of laughter and moments of such grief. We all carried roses, thanks to my mom and all the daughters told stories at the memorial. Late at night we went outside under the clear Texas sky and sent up a small hot air balloon to my dad. It was magical watching it weave itself up into the stars as we sang.

The drive was long even though I never drove one bit of it. My sister's children drove leaving four of us girls to eat chocolate and watch movies.

My sisters and I built such a bond these past two months, it is the clearly the gift of love which is the tapestry of which life and death are made out of.

I have also decided that no one should ever die alone.

I put effort into the week since being home, but found many bleak moments. My friends came over at night with wine, sent flowers, and made me re-join the YMCA! All of those are good things.

So, the snow falls, sleet glistens in the tree and at night I listen to my own heartbeat.
As for tomorrow on the road again, but for a new and exciting project. You will just have to wait until then!!

Lou Ann

Packing one more time...

Tonight I am packing to go back to Houston. It is my third trip in two months. This time it is for my dad's memorial service.

We are driving to Texas this time so a road trip by the Saylor clan will be the on call for tomorrow. We are also driving straight through. I have strict orders by my sister on bringing a small bag with just the essentials. Here is what I am taking:

snacks (mostly chocolate)

money (for gas)

vitamins

sunglasses

crossword puzzle books

The New Yorker

a pillow

a sweater

pajamas

extra jeans

two pair of underwear

snowflake socks

lip gloss

hand lotion

two books

my laptop

camera

cell phone

road atlas

my black dress

See you in Houston.

January Thaw..

It looks as if the northern cold spell will relinquish its hold as we move into the middle of the month. Temperatures are actually going to hit 30 degrees. It is the perfect weather for building snowmen. I think I will be out with my camera this evening finding the perfect snowman. Maybe I should make one myself.

My dad used to help us make snowmen when we were kids. Some things never change...snow, coal, carrots, buttons, scarves, twigs, memories.