It's Been a Minute, But Here's My Weekends

So, it's been a minute......as they say.

I haven't posted in a couple/few weeks because I lost my Mom a couple of weeks ago. She passed away peacefully and the whole family was at her side. As sad as it was, it was also beautiful. She was 90 years old, was loved by just about everyone who ever met her, and lived a full life. You can't ask for more than that. We are all doing ok and are just filled with gratitude for having had her in your lives for as long as we did. Plus, I don't believe our loved ones ever really leave us. I think they live on in your heart- and your memories of them help keep them alive. Thank you to all of you who sent texts, emails, cards and gifts- you were all very thoughtful and it was very much appreciated not just by me, but my entire family as well.

So there's that.

But it's time to get back to work, right? So here's some of what I did since I last posted-

First, how about that awesome BEER DINNER we had with a bunch of Lend a Helping Can Auction winners at NORTHWOODS BREWING COMPANY!

We had a four course dinner that was delicious! Thanks to Chef Ryan, Jeff, Becky, and Sarah Fenerty and everybody at NWBC! We all had a blast!

Got out last Monday and took a day to be by myself - and headed to the White Mountains. It was a beautiful morning and I started out at Sugar Hill where I was treated to this for a sunrise-

And no trip to Sugar Hill (especially in the morning) is complete without a stop into to see my friends at Pollys Pancake Parlor! And MONDAY IS THE DAY TO GO FOLKS BECAUSE I HAD THE PLACE TO MYSELF!

The place is so popular there is almost always a bit of a wait -so this was a first!

Also stopped in to check on this birch path in Campton that I love to visit-

Not something you see everyday. Pretty cool if you ask me-

And once again in my travels- I somehow ended up behind another one of these trucks...

And like I always say- NOPE. NOPE. AND.....NOPE. I'll pull off the damn road, or pass them (if its legal to) - because I am NOT following one of them down the road! I SAW FINAL DESTINATION! (And it s nothing against the drivers. Watch the movies and you'll understand)

Of course, since it's stick season- I've been following several bald eagle spots- and have had some pretty good luck catching them in action with the camera. Heres a few-

(I love the two other bald eagles in the background of the second shot)

Got some cold weather pics too - here's Whaleback Light in New Castle. The water was warmer than the air, and creates "sea smoke" which is really cool to see-

Also - stopped by to visit an old friend of mine in Rollinsford-

That's a very special to tree to me, and many others. I've photographed it hundreds of times over the years and will continue to do so.

Here's a 5am attempt at seeing/photographing the milky way (Feb is the start of the season in which the milky way is visible in the sky on clear nights)

Oh, and I saw this hoodie that I should get for Roadkill -

Right?

I know that I didn't get to do much stuff that some would consider "fun" over the last couple weeks - but what i really needed was peace. That's what I get from going out with the camera. That's helped me through many things over the last several years, and once again- it didn't fail me this time. I'm so thankful for that.

So I'll leave you with two of my favorite pics of my Mom (and my Dad).

They were taken at my 35th Work Anniversary Roast from a few years ago. In front of a sold out Palace Theater crowd - when I got up to speak- I introduced my parents to the crowd and asked them to stand.

They did, and the audience was so generous with their applause- and went nuts.

And that's when my Mom blew me a kiss from the audience.

She was the best.

And she's with me everyday -

Thanks to you guys for being so kind over the last couple weeks. I won't forget it. Ever.

g