HOME!!!

Home is where the heart is!!!  This past week, I took some vacation time from work to go back home and visit with my family.  I got to see and spend time with many people.  I am sorry to those that I did not get the chance to hang out with while I was down here.  My family probably don't know this, but I really needed to visit them more than they needed to see me.  I really needed this time to clear my mind of things and just enjoy life while also thinking about a lot things.  As I leave in a few hours and head back to my destination(s), I know that I will be sad for the next few days as I will miss home.  The good thing is that I will have many pictures from this week that I will get to review this week.  This evening, I want to share with you all some pictures that I took this week.  On a side note, thanks to everyone that allowed me to take their pictures.  I appreciate that.  I really need more practice with portraits.

Dear Pops

Dear Pops,

I can't believe that it has been 6 years since we last saw each other.  It seems just like yesterday that I would see your smile, hear your voice, and give you a hug.  We all miss you.  Ashia is growing up to be a beautiful and intelligent young woman.  I can't believe that she is a Junior now.  By the way, she even has her first job now.  She is no longer the little girl that would get on everybody's nerves :-).  Mom is making it.  She misses you a lot.  She has even started doing foster care with children.  Tra is sprouting up like a weed.  Next year, he will be in High School.  Ashley is...well Ashley.  Nah, she is doing very well for herself.  You would be so proud of the woman that she become.  As for me, I am beyond blessed.  I have been able to travel, experience life, and even found new hobbies (dancing and photography).   I have met many a wonderful people along my journey within the last 6 years.  You would love to hear my stories from my experiences as well as meeting my friends and even my girlfriend (I know right, who'da thunk it???).  With that said though, I know you would be disappointed with me though in that I have not made it home as often as I should or going to church consistently.  I am sorry...I will do better.

There is something that I want to tell you.  "I Love You!!!"  I never got to tell you that in those last minutes that you were with us.  This is something that has bothered me since the day that you left.  I guess I was just too focused on the situation to notice that I would never get that opportunity again.  For a long time I wondered if there was more that I could have done that night.  Maybe thinking that I could have saved you, but I realize now that God had his plans for you.  Sometimes I wish I had 15 minutes to talk to you what I would say during that time.  Would I just listen to you, would I just hug you and cry, would I say that love you ,would I catch you up on things, or would I ask you for wisdom.  Then, reality sets in and I remember that I won't ever have that opportunity in this lifetime.  I hope that I have made you proud Pops.  I hope that I fulfilled the reason why you named me "Solomon James".  I pray that I continue to be the man that you helped me to become during our 24 years together on this earth.

Sometimes when I get down, I start to remember our times together.  One memory that stands out is the day that everyone came up to Centre for Parents Weekend back in 2003.  It was a dream that came true that you were able to come to the game.  I remember you coming in on the golf cart from the opposite end of the stadium as we were warming up during pregame.  I could never forget your smile and you wearing the shirt, "Think Big".  I was so happy that you came and watched me play.  Sometimes I read the article from that day or I will look at some pictures just to go back in time. Even now, thinking about that day and writing this letter has me emotional.  I miss you man.  I know that I am being selfish in saying this, but I wish you were still here.  

I guess I could write all evening man because there is so much to say.  Before I end this letter, I wanted to share with you some pictures that I took recently.  I hope that you enjoy them.  For some reason, I felt that you were with me when I took these pictures, especially the fourth one as I watched a sunset over the top of a ridge in rural Rowan County on yesterday evening.  As I close this letter and prepare emotionally for tomorrow in reliving your home-going, I guess it would only be fitting to say...I LOVE YOU, POPS!!!

Your Favorite Son,

Solomon

Maysville, Kentucky

Maysville, Kentucky will always have a special place in my heart.  Not only is it a historic river town, but also it is a place that forever changed my life in just 30 minutes.  On June 10, 2006, my college friend and his wife were married in Maysville.  This was the first time that I ever had ventured to the town.  The wedding was spectacular wedding that my friends and I still reference at times (from the crying baby to the crying groom...haha).  While at the reception, I wanted to sit with my friends, but by the time I got my food all the chairs at the table were gone.  So, a few of us sat at an adjacent table with random people that we did not know.  It was very evident that neither us nor the other people wanted to be at that table, but somehow we all ended up there.  There was hardly any conversation going on across the table.  One of my friends asked me about my line of work and I responded that I work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Lifeskills in Bowling Green.  Then from across the table, a man overheard our conversation and we soon realized that we all were in the same line of work.  From that conversation, we exchanged contact information and well...as they say, the rest is history.

Sometimes, I like going back to Maysville and the surrounding areas to partake in its beauty and rich history.  It was one of the earlier settlements of Kentucky and important with its strategic location along the Ohio River for trading.  It also is home to an Underground Railroad Museum (which I hope one day to visit).   Last night, I took the opportunity to get a way on a beautiful evening for a couple of hours to enjoy a nice walk through downtown Maysville.  It was an extra treat to see the sunset at the Riverfront.  I hope that you enjoy the pictures.  If you are in Maysville, you have to check out one of my many favorite restaurants in Kentucky, Caproni's (the last picture featured on this post) and ask for a window seat so that you have a great view of the Ohio River.  The food is good too :).

 

Just Chillin'

Tonight, I am just chillin'.  I have seriously spent the last 30 minutes trying to come up with different topics, perspectives, etc to blog about and you know what...I just don't have any tonight.

I would like to thank everyone for their continued support with my photography, which has grown from a hobby into a lifestyle.  Honestly, I used to be self-conscious about bringing my camera around to different places, especially in public settings because I was afraid of what people would think or say.  Now, people who know me well enough question me if I do not have my camera with me.  It has been great capturing my memories and sharing them with you.  I have enjoyed the positive feedback and the constructive criticism.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!   At some point, I would like to do something with these pictures, but I am not sure of what to do just yet.  Who knows?  I am always up for ideas though!!!

Engagement Pictures

First, I would like to thank Melanie for her contributions on the last blog post.  I never realized how good of a writer she is until this past week.  All I can say is....Wow, very intimidating!!!!  If I don't write much in the future....you will know why :).

Tonight, I want to share with you some engagement pictures that I took recently of friends (Paul and Heather) that will be getting married in the future.  It was an honor that they would ask me to be apart of this special moment in their life.  For those who have followed my posts for some time could only guess that we met at White Hall outside of Richmond for these shots.  Although we ran into a slight barrier at first, we still made it work.

I had a great time capturing the love between these two.  It made it easier for me to not be as nervous about it being my first time with these type of pictures.  I hope that you enjoy these pictures.  Congratulations Paul and Heather!!! 

A Sunday Kind of Love

     There's something about the southern charm, urban sprawl, and rich history that beckons me to go to Nashville. Disregard the fact that I'm not a country music fan, cowboy boots make my legs look short(er), and CST is not the kindest of time zones. But I digress...

     Today, Solomon had me in one hand and his camera in the other. On  Broadway, the rain was intermittent, but the deluge of tourists on the street and in the saloons remained strong and steady. As we walked through Music City, it struck a chord that it wasn't so much the sights and sounds that kept our interests piqued and his shutter clicking, but it was the feeling in the air of Summer's near end as September begins.  With that mutual understanding, we enjoyed it for what it was, and it was the kind of afternoon that Etta James famously sang her heart out for.

                                                                                    --Melanie, guest blogger