Heat Weirdlastname 
The Kid discovered that pushing the water towards the wall of the pool would make it splash out. It seems this took a long time to discover. I was fresh out of the cold water, sitting in the corner on the deck, trying to stay dry = good incentive to figure out how to splash … Read more
The Kid and I went for a walk in the neighborhood. “If you see anything you’d like me to take a picture of, let me know.” “How about this tree?” It’s a nice tree. And I like the howling coyote on the window grate in the background. I really like this tree. I’ve lived here … Read more
I love the desert. “I wouldn’t go there; it’s just brown everywhere,” a friend back east told me before I moved out here. It’s different, for sure. And beautiful. In the seasons when more plants are thriving, it’s more conventionally beautiful. Even now, as a brutal-even-for-Phoenix summer is gasping its last breaths (we hope!), and … Read more
This morning, wanting to take some photos but also feeling very lazy and uninspired, I said to The Kid, “Hey! I haven’t taken pictures all week. Do you want to make a scene with your LEGO that I can take pictures of?” He was enthusiastic! After setting a few parameters on size, he went to … Read more
People who exercise a ton on the weekends and not at all during the week are often called Weekend Warriors. Lately, I’m a photography Weekend Warrior. Last weekend, I had the honor of photographing this cutie pie. She lost both her front teeth, and her mama was lamenting the loss of school pictures this year. … Read more
The Kid has an enormous amount of energy. To be honest, it’s exhausting. But it’s who he is and, for the most part, it’s good for him. As a general rule, we all are too content to sit. He often can when he needs to and the rest of the time? In motion. He received … Read more
We went hiking early last week at South Mountain, a local park with a zillion trails. It’s been over 110 every day for at least a week, so even at dusk at 7, it’s still over 105. The trails aren’t crowded. The clouds this time of year are often amazing, and I’ve been trying to … Read more
First: this is my experience. It might not match yours. I’ve struggled with depression for about as long as I can remember. In relatively recent years, I’ve learned how to manage it. Mine seems to be connection-related. When I feel well-connected to important people, my brain chemicals stay happy. When I feel disconnected from people, … Read more
The house next door has an odd little courtyard-ish area by the front door that might be big enough for a bistro table and two chairs, though there’s no hope of air flow. It used to have a fountain in it. Our new neighbor put in some flamingoes. The Kid and I took a walk … Read more
School has started or is about to start ’round here. For the moment, we’re all online, and many parents are struggling with the situation. Different households have different dynamics. Parents and kids have a wide range of personalities and interpersonal relationships. Be open to possibilities. Take what works; leave what doesn’t. As a teacher with … Read more