Why hello!  Yep.  It's been a loooong while since I've done a blog.  I mean really, really, really long time!  In fact, when I decided to blog again (literally like 2 minutes ago - ha!),  there was a draft saved, captioned: "prom" dated  5/17/17.  Now do you believe me?  
OK -- so I'll just make this a simple one, just to say that I'm back to blogging and to check it off of my "TO DO" list.  Well, my "virtual" TO DO list.   OK -- you got me. Creating lists are not a regular thing for me and another item that has to start happening consistently in my life.  Like this blog thing. 
Alright -- back to this post.  And here goes!

Several weeks ago, I did HS Senior portraits for my niece and nephews.  We took photographs at the Elizabeth Gamble Gardens in Palo Alto.  Talk about trying to stay focused on the "people" photos, rather than the abundance of flora and plants, was just a tad bit of a challenge for me.  Brain overload just taking everything in!  My attempt at controlling the disarray in my head was a personal trial, as I had to contain my complete excitement and joy of the beauty surrounding.  But then I realized that I was here with my humanfolk, and it was possible to enjoy their company along with the setting.  AND I felt blessed that I had the best of both worlds this day!  

I will certainly be back to these parts, and whether it be with or without people the next time, I'll take it ALL in with a grateful heart....

Isn't that what a photograph is about?  I bring this up after recently going through numerous photo albums for my family to preserve memories.  My parents, my brother's, my sister's.   A lot.  Having to look through each photo, I see details.  So many details.   A face. The clothing. Those expressions! That place!  And it just brings back tons of emotions.  Go pull out your photos.  Reminisce.  Cry. Laugh.  And just....remember. 

It can't get better than Point Lobos.  It is one of the most beautiful places in California in my humble opinion.  My first photo shoot here was with this young man named Ricky, a senior at Salinas High School.  I've been to Point Lobos on several occasions in the past, but never for a photo shoot.  Let me tell you -- it made me appreciate this gem of a place even more!   When you're shooting for recreation, hobby, or past time, the vibe is mellow, timeless....you just happen upon things at your leisure.   On the other hand, when you're "on assignment," such as Ricky's senior portraits session, there's a certain alertness and detail that consumes you.  Your whole being converted to where you are and who you're with.  That was exactly my experience with this session.  Being present to the setting with all of your senses.  Your vision  -- observing the trees, the rocks, the wildlife.  Listening to the crashing of the waves against the rocks; the trees rustling.  A whiff of the distinct scent of the ocean.  I could not have been in more courteous and pleasant company.  And one of THE BEST part of this shoot was the hiking up and down on several trails to find that perfect spot.  But then again, it is Point Lobos.  And perfect surrounds you.    

Vintage.  To use as an adjective, as noted on Google:  "denoting something of high quality, especially something from the past or characteristic of the best period of a person's work."
This came to mind after a recent assignment because of the subject.  
Several months ago, I was chatting with a woman at church who was telling me that her husband just finished refurbishing their 1955 Ford Pickup truck.  I was impressed because:  (1) That's just awesome. And (2)  That's just really awesome. And (3) That's just really SUPER awesome!  Then the photographer mode thingy starts clicking in my head, and I asked her if she would allow me to take photos of the truck.   To my ears delight, she responds, "Sure."  Talk, then talk, and then talk some more.  Time passes.  And then several Sundays ago, she sees me,  and  invites me to come out to her house to take photos of the truck.  Cool!  OK.  Photographer clicky thingy goes off in my head again, and I ask her  if it would be okay to offer the truck as a back drop for senior photo sessions.  Cuz like, who would want to pass up a photo op with a classy car, right?  Again, to my ears delight, she says yes.  I am now in complete bliss.  
So, where was I going with this?  Oh yeah. This 1955 Ford truck.  Appealing. Charming. Vintage.  Period. 

So my youngest daughter turned seventeen yesterday.
Seventeen.  MORE than one and half decades. A daughter of  10 + 7.   Years.
How does that happen? Life happens. Before your eyes.  Looking. Not looking.  
The child you brought into this world transpires.  The years ensue.  Hastens without control.
 And you see before you your almost adult child. And this in itself is a collocation.  
Forever your baby.  All of seventeen.  

Haahhahahaaa! 
I hear this all too often from my minions. (ahem -- daughters)
On a recent family jaunt to Northern California, to a quaint, little town called Pescadero, we decided to have a look around.  We got there late on a Saturday morning.  After a bit of walking and getting the lay of the land,  husband got hungry; daughters got hungry. So I suggested that we go grab a bite to eat.  After filling our tummies, we decided to explore a bit more.  I wanted to survey further on the outskirts, so I told the fam, "Hey.  If you don't mind, I'm going to head up this way."   With interests lying elsewhere, rather than following me around taking photos, we went our separate ways. 
Just me and my camera.  Immersed. Lost. Engaged. Adrift. Focused. Complete escape. 
Then.  
Reality check.   
"Mom!  Stop taking photos!  Get in the car!"  

This city holds a special place in my heart. 
During my senior year (yes!  you read that right!),  my family and I had to move from Guam to California.  My Dad needed special medical attention that was not provided in Guam.   I was devastated to have left the island during my last year in high school.  We moved in with my sister, who lived in one of the outer cities of San Francisco.   Daly City. Talk about weather shock!  From island weather to cold, windy, foggy.  Ugh.  
But then the weather grew on me, and the city, and the people.   
Time and time again,  I navigate to San Francisco.  And each time, capturing images of the city.  
San Francisco.  It's easy to leave your heart here. 

​So here's the thing.   When I drive around, I get distracted. I stop. Tonight, that's just what I did.
Goats to my right.  They were up the road a week and a half ago.  I did stop then, too, but did not have quite the view that I did this evening.  
Camera grabbed.
Away I go. 
So many goats.  Ahhh....sheep, too.  
Is that a dog?  What kind of dog?  Great Pyrenees.  
The goats seem to be ready to be photographed.  They had made their way into the trees this evening. as if to say, "Hey!  Have you seen me up in this tree?"
Parker is the "director of goats." What a title.  So cordial and willing to chat.  One can only hope to be called a director of something sometime in your life.  
So there you go.  Get your goat.