We started the year with this sunset, and we’ll end the year tonight with a full/blue moon.
2009 was a mixed bag. I accomplished some major feats. For starters, I moved my family from Charlotte back to the west coast in what economists say are the probably worst economic times in decades. I remember that golden day early February when Kari and I made a promising hand-shake – agreeing that we would do everything in our power to find the next wagon to hop on destined for the Oregon Trail and to never look back. Our family & friends called daily throwing caution to the wind that it would take much longer to move back since the recession was so bad. I laughed really loud that day in April when I got an interim job offer in Portland and said, “Honey, pack your bags, cuz we’re moving to Portland, Oregon!”
Here we are in our warm little cottage in Portland, Oregon. We’ve settled in quite nicely; meeting some new friends and re-connecting with family. We both landed awesome jobs. I dove further into my photography and created this blog. I think a daily photo blog challenge for myself was just what I needed. Kari picked up a new guitar. She’s learning the A, E, and D chords. We both tried out yoga for the first time. And, we definitely both agree that it’s a great workout for the body, mind, and especially our Spirits.
Through all of the other rough patches we encountered this year, I think what we both learned above everything else is that we’re both very lucky to have each other. Our bond is tight. Our trust is great. Our loyalty and faith in one another is amazing. Our love is intense and passionate. We’re only just getting started!
Bring it on, 2010!
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Tags: 2009, beach, daily photo blog, music, new years eve, news, pacific ocean, photography, portland, project 365, relationships, same sex marriage, sunset
Little did I know when I took this photo of Mt. Hood that about an hour later it would begin to snow here in Portland, Oregon. Yippeeeeee!!!
…and it’s still snowing!!!!!! It’s sooooo beautiful outside! Stay tuned for more photos!!!
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Tags: 2009, daily photo blog, december, oregon, photography, portland, project 365, snow
Neko Case – Buckets of Rain
written by Bob Dylan
Buckets of rain
Buckets of tears
Got all them buckets comin’ out of my ears.
Buckets of moonbeams in my hand,
I got all the love, honey baby,
You can stand.
I been meek
And hard like an oak
I seen pretty people disappear like smoke.
Friends will arrive, friends will disappear,
If you want me, honey baby,
I’ll be here.
Like your smile
And your fingertips
Like the way that you move your lips.
I like the cool way you look at me,
Everything about you is bringing me
Misery.
Little red wagon
Little red bike
I ain’t no monkey but I know what I like.
I like the way you love me strong and slow,
I’m takin’ you with me, honey baby,
When I go.
Life is sad
Life is a bust
All ya can do is do what you must.
You do what you must do and ya do it well,
I’ll do it for you, honey baby,
Can’t you tell?
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Tags: 2009, bob dylan, buckets of rain, christmas, neko case, pioneer square, portland, statue, winter
No, there is nothing spectacular to say about this photo. I took this photo as a representation of what I am currently seeing outside my front porch. The forecast is alerting the Portland-area and Willamette Valley residents for snow today and tonight. So far, I see nothing.
Stay tuned!
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Tags: 2009, daily photo, december, portland, snow, willamette valley
Kristen’s long time friend, Tracey joined us for Alterna Thanks last Saturday. Tracey was in charge of bringing a couple of appetizers. I liked her display of fresh sliced oranges, pomegranate seeds,persimmon wedges, crystalized ginger pieces and sliced apples. She encouraged everyone to eat the the persimmons along with a chunk of ginger. They were delicious!
She also brought radishes to be dipped in softened butter and two types of salts. Although I’m not a fan of radishes I couldn’t resist a try since everyone at the table was ohhh’ing and awwww’ing at their complexities. After my attempt I quickly went back to the persimmons and ginger.
Another one of my photography obsessions is capturing candle light glow. I realized that I began taking dozens of photos at the dinner table while everyone was chatting and working on digesting the scrumptious thanksgiving meal we ate. This is a bad habit (I think) of mine. I think it’s a way for me to tune out a little. But, I can’t help but to obsess on capturing interesting images like this one.
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Tags: 2009, appetizers, apples, butter, candle light, food, food photography, ginger, obsession, oranges, persimmons, photography, pomegranate, radishes, salts, thanksgiving
We are celebrating Thanksgiving a week early in Seattle with my family, because next week we’re all going to be in different places on Thanksgiving Day. It seems ironic to me that after having just hauled ass to move back to the west coast after a short year and a half stint in Nor Cacka Lacka that my first major holiday will still be spent without my family. But you know, I’m completely okay with this. Now that I live in Portland I get to see my sisters just about every 6 weeks which means sisters and kid fix galore! I can’t tell you enough how great it feels to live so much closer to my family.
I might not have a job, or a working vehicle, or even a washing machine that works for that matter, but this year I definitely have so many blessings to count when it comes to a life full of love, fortune, and joy.
For that, I am thankful.
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Tags: 2009, family, photography, portland, seattle, thanksgiving, trina ramirez photography, washington, west coast
I’ve been trying to capture this storm that is passing through the west coast. This shot was taken looking east fom the city of portland, oregon. Just about mid-center of this photo is Mt. Hood. By the looks of the clouds over Mt. Hood, it’s getting some serious weathering over there!
This shot was taken looking west – into the city of portland – over Hawthorne. 
Tags: 2009, autumn, capture, clouds, cty, east, fall, hawthorne, Mt. Hood, october, oregon, photo, photography, portland, rain, season, shot, sky, storm, west, west coast, wind, windy, wintery
