Monday May 30, 2011
Can we do it all?
And do it all, at once?
The jury is still out on that point, but here’s hoping we can.
Maybe not all perfectly — but doesn’t everyone say perfection is overrated?
Here’s to trying.
Trying to do it all.
At once.
And not all perfectly!
Wednesday May 25, 2011
Theodore Wirth Chalet
On Sunday I was shooting a wedding reception at Theodore Wirth Chalet in Nouth Minneapolis and had one of the most traumatic experiences of my life.
Basically, I was in a tornado.
Well, not exactly in it, but I could practically touch it. And I saw it coming right towards me.
I was in the Theodore Wirth Chalet, a local Blue Grass band is playing, bride and groom are dancing, and family and friends are dancing.
I am standing in the open doorway (because that is a wide open light source and I want to be in control of that area :), after shooting some dance photos I decide to turn around — and look outside.
All day the weather had been crazy — cloudy with powerful downpours of rain, then it would stop and was just normal cloudy and overcast.
As I am turned around, I looked up to see what I think are, birds. I think to myself, “That is strange, those birds look weird.” — I say to the guys next to me, “Look at those birds. Don’t they look strange? They are really high up.”
THEN (maybe a second later) I see what looks like a rectangle swirling around 1000 feet up, and I think to myself, “Wait, birds aren’t rectangular! That is NOT a bird. Is that stuff? Is that a THING???” And then I say it all OUT LOUD, “That is STUFF. Is that a tornado? THAT IS A TORNADO.”
Random, quick thoughts inside my head, “Why am I just finding out about this right now? It is going to hit us? It really is going to hit us. What is it going to feel like when it hits us?”
I seriously thought the tornado was going to hit us and I couldn’t believe it.
No sirens. No warning. No one telling me to find safety.
Just Blue Grass playing and people dancing.
I turn around, and in that split second I see the fear on the faces of the guests, as they realize what is right outside.
And then the power goes OUT.
It is now crazy pouring outside and I am now officially scared.
Totally and completely freaked out.
I hear people saying “go to the basement” so I grab my camera bag and apparently in the second it took for me to grab my bag — everyone is already in the basement.
I suddenly feel very very alone.
Luckily I’m not – it’s just the groom, the guy that was standing next to me in the doorway, and me, and then I start to cry.
Because I am scared.
The groom is super sweet and grabs my hand and tells me it is going to be okay.
I believe him and we head to the basement.
I give Jake and very quick frantic call and tell him that I just saw a tornado and we are in the basement. I am shaking.
This tornado, that I saw with my very own eyes, ripped through North Minneapolis killing at least 2 people, tore the roofs off houses, took down many huge trees, and smashed countless cars.
I saw it. It was powerful. It was strong.
And it was so scary.
I can still replay the images and hear my thoughts over and over in my head.
It was so bizarre to be that close to it. So freakin’ CRAZY!
But I feel very lucky to be safe and that everyone in the Chalet was fine.
Mother Nature is one tough cookie!
To help support the rebuild efforts in my friends Kai and Tia’s North Minneapolis neighborhood please check out the very cool t-shirt they designed and organized as a fundraiser.
Friday May 13, 2011
Pizza on the Farm is one of my favorite places to visit with my friends!
And, yes, we did technically “cheat” and enjoyed our pizza on a Tuesday (a non-cheat day). But we are okay with this because we aren’t going to stop living. We are thinking different about what we eat and making better choices and that is what matters most. All the ingredients used to make these delicious pizzas are organic, locally grown, raised, or harvested — which makes us feel really great about supporting this farm and makes it totally worth the “cheat”!!
Monday November 29, 2010
Four days full of family, food, and staying up late. Way too late one night, maybe even 5 am too late, but oh so worth it. Trying new things and not caring anymore. Ben and Becky are engaged and we all screamed with joy! It was so exciting!!! In the living room with just our family and Kate’s amazing friend Alex. She’s a part of the joy too. We celebrated Ellen’s 100th birthday and it was incredible. She was so happy. I do love Mankato with so many familiar people and places, where you can just slip right back in with the crowd. And also, I like that we can meet Amanda and Matt and get a cocktail. It is the best and there are no words to describe it — you just have to feel it.
Anyway, now I have a cold because I let down my defenses. I stayed up too late, I had too many pieces of pie, cocktails, and I didn’t get enough rest. Sinus pressure nasal congestion and I don’t like it. But Jake’s at Mississippi Market getting me some soup. Judy got a bath so I let her up on the bed to nap with me. I’ll get better soon. I have things to do. Like the house to clean and the tree to put up and the holiday party to plan.
