One Reason to Love Fall

Those days of bright sun and moderate temperatures are just right to tease out the beautiful blooms of my purple aster, prarie plant. In September, it becomes a feeding station for Monarch butterflies, heading south to Mexico, and some local bees.

This year it's a little late in its blossoming and I've only seen a few Monarchs coming by. Last year, the meaty, thick stalks were bending over from all the monarchs feeding on it's energy-rich pollen. I spent some time photographing them last year, as they paid no attention to me. All attention was on their food source.

So I wanted you all to enjoy the view I have from my dining room these days! I wait all summer, watching the stalks get thicker and taller, knowing that September will bring me a reward for my patience. Soon I'll be saving seeds for friends to start plants of their own, as well as strategically placing my own seeds in sunny places where I think that purple color will enhance my garden or make for some great background color in a photo.

Take it all in. It only lasts for about 2 weeks!

My Life has Direction

One of the things I enjoy about photographing high school seniors in the Milwaukee area is that they give me a glimpse into the future. I enjoy talking to them about where they might go to school, what course of study or trade they might pursue, and what subjects they enjoy learning about. This year, I'd say my seniors have been more science oriented - medicine, nuclear physics, biology, etc. Some will be serving us in the military, while others will choose to teach.

Luke told me he's looking to be a psychologist - "maybe working with veterans or in an educational setting," he said. I perked up when he told me that, because in the short time I had been with him, I could feel his calmness and felt at ease with him. "You'd be great at that Luke," I told him. "I can see you being a great listener. "

Later on, as we were walking back to our cars, I learned of a large, personal loss he has lived through. The sudden death of his father three years earlier. It all made sense then. Sometimes in life we choose the paths we take while other times the paths sort of find and "draft" us. It's what we choose to do with it that counts.

I thought about how losses are often gifts to us. It's only recognized at a later time in life. While we're going through the discomfort and grief of a loss/change, the spiritual struggle often brings us through to a better place. We're stronger, more resilient, empathetic, and all the wiser for it. The world becomes more shades of grey vs. black and white. At least that's what I've found in my life.

As we walked back, past a fence, where I had previously made a great head and shoulders photo of Luke, he asked me if I could take a few more shots of him there from the waist up. Sure I could, and am awful glad I did! I LOVE this photo of him. In all his steadiness, I saw that he had direction in his life and that he has a gift he will share with others.