Day 8 of 7: Service

Today is Memorial Day and although my cousin, Heidi, didn't give her life while in Afghanistan, she saved many lives and unfortunately watched some perish. I wanted to post about her today.

Heidi is a medic in the Navy and was part of the Female Engagement Team (FET) who were attached to the 3 Battalion 5th Marine Regiment (3/5 Darkhorse).

Here are a couple articles about the FET:
Marine Article
NPR Article

Heidi was recently home on leave after spending 8 months in a very volatile area of Afghanistan. I'm so relieved that she's home safe.

I was able to go to the airport to welcome her back to Sacramento.




Janeice, Heidi's mom, through a big homecoming party for Heidi.




Here are links to press photos of Heidi while in Afghanistan.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4 This is my favorite.

Thank you, Heidi, for your courage to serve.

I am sincerely grateful to all the men and women in our armed forces who have given their lives in defense of freedom and the USA.

Day 7 of 7: Family

The Whole Earth Festival (WEF) happens on the U.C. Davis campus every Mother's Day weekend. The first time we went to the WEF, Josh was just one-year-old. Some years we go and some years we skip it but this year I felt the pull.

We were able to meet up with the other Thiel clan too. It was a beautiful, enjoyable day.






One of Carley's friends came with us.
























Like true cousins, they're pulling each others hair for the "nice" picture.

Day 6 of 7: Band

Josh played trumpet in his elementary school's band for a third year.



He also played french horn for a first year.



I am so proud of him.



Some students tried out for and made Honor Band. Remember he played in the district's Honor Band last year? He made Honor Band again.



But this year he played his french horn. There were only two french horns in the entire band.



The Honor Band is made up of 80 students picked from 25 elementary schools in the school district. For the most part, they're 11 and 12-year-olds. The students practice their music individually for a month and then meet as a group for two days before their performance. These kids are pretty amazing.

Keep in mind, the band sounded so much better in person compared to the videos.



I am so incredibly proud of him.



This year, for the first time, the Honor Band toured the day after their performance. They played at three elementary schools, partially to excite students into joining band next year.



Leading up to it, Josh dreaded Honor Band. He had a great time and met new friends, including the cute girl who was the other french horn player.

Last night, after the school tour was over, I heard him say "I miss Honor Band." What a great experience he'll remember forever.

Day 5 of 7: Words

Two days ago, The Oprah Show ended after 25 years. (Had you heard?) I was only 12 when the show started. So much has changed in my life from then until now. I wasn't always a regular watcher but The Oprah Show would make it's way in and out of my life over the past 25 years. And usually, it would make me think or look at things a different way.

I couldn't not see the end of an era so I DVR'd the last three Oprah episodes and watched them yesterday while cleaning the living room. I was surprised that for the last show there were no guests. Just Oprah. Just talking. They called it "Oprah's love letter to you." I stopped cleaning and sat down to listen.

Something she said resonated in me. I want to share.

"Nobody but you is responsible for your life. It doesn't matter what your mama did; it doesn't matter what your daddy didn't do. You are responsible for your life. ... You are responsible for the energy that you create for yourself, and you're responsible for the energy that you bring to others."

Be responsible for the energy you bring to others.

I'm sure going to try.

Day 4 of 7: Macro

I recently rented a macro lens (aka "micro" in the Nikon world) for a week. Goodness, it was fun.

I interrupt this blog post to notify other photography enthusiasts about my rental lens.

For those of who are curious, I rented the Tamron 90mm f/2.8. I rented through BarrowLenses.com, which was a great experience. I would definitely recommend them if you're interested in renting equipment.

Now back to the regularly scheduled post.






I became obsessed with all the small things in my yard...


Such as the moss on my fireplace bricks.




Even a spider can be beautiful.


And dew can be amazing.


Through this dew drop, you can see the palm trees across the street from my house.


Here is a closer look.







I had the lens when we went to Fort Bragg last month. While we walked the Fern Canyon Trail, I was the straggler falling behind to grab lots of shots of little nature. These pictures help me with the start of #24 on my Life List "Photograph 25 Northern California wildflowers in nature and learn their names".


Redwood Violet


Obviously this is a daisy but the type of daisy has me stumped. English daisy? Supple daisy? Seaside daisy? All of which can be found in Van Damme State Park. The size of this particular daisy is about the size of a quarter.


White Trillium


Trillium


Forget Me Not as you've seen before.






Can you tell I had a lot of fun with that macro lens? And these are just my favorites! A macro lens has moved it's what to the top of my photography wish list. Next on the rent list is a fish-eye lens.

Day 3 of 7: Dance

Carley started dancing at Ovation's Dance Studio in January. This is the "real deal" compared to the dance she did through the park and rec district.

Carley has dance class once a week. The class has been practicing a dance for a recital, which is next month.


Last weekend, Ovations put on a benefit performance to raise money for a local charity. Dinner was served, items were auctioned, and the classes danced their dances. It was really quite fun.


I don't know any of these people. I just wanted you to see how it looked. Walt and I went together. Josh was a friend's birthday party so it ended up being a mini-date.


Back row on the left. If you can't find her, it's because she had me straighten her hair for the show. She insisted!








We were so proud of Carley. The performance was far from perfect but that's part of what makes the little girl dances so awesome.


Carley was beaming. She had such a great time! That's what counts, right?


Enjoy the performance yourself. The camera was out of focus but you get the gist.