Ocean's Pull

Today I went out to North Beach Island in Chatham with friends who have a camp there. It was one of those changeable Cape days; the kind that keeps you guessing.....foggy haze rolls in one minute, burns off the next, then diamond glints as the sun begins to lower a bit. In a word, magic. As we walked out to the " new cut " I noticed a sweet low tide pool that called to me. There were a few people frolicking in the waves and the bobbing looked too good to pass up. I tried to entice my friend into the water but she passed. Venturing out into the water; I jumped the waves, floated, and bobbed blissfully. Luckily I never went further than my chest. Suddenly I realized the undertow was significant With every step I made in it was pulling me out. I realized the undertow was more than I bargained for. Luckily I was able to touch, dig in and brace myself against the tide. The force of the ocean pulling me out was alarming. I am a strong swimmer but I knew I needed to dig my feet in and head toward shore with all I had in me. When I got through the scary zone I told my friend about my "moment of terror". She had been caught in a rip tide at age 18 and knew what I was talking about. This was my second scare of the summer and it made me wonder, is the ocean getting stronger or am I getting weaker? I think wisdom is prevailing.

Morris Island with the Graves

Great day for surfing at Nauset Beach in Orleans

My garden grows

Latest oil painting on driftwood

This is my latest driftwood oil painting. I am selling my paintings, cards and shell/beach stone magnets at" Fisherman's Daughter ", a fantastic eco boutique in Chatham behind the post office. I am also selling them at the farmers market in Chatham on Tuesdays from 3.30 t0 6.30, next to the Box Office Cafe on route 28.

Backyard fun with Tatem and Indie in Harwich

We had a sweet reunion with my niece Brooke and her awesome hushand Ryan in late June. The day started at Lighthouse beach and ended in our backyard. It was a perfect cape day and I was sad to see it end. Giggling in the waves with Indie, hiding Tatem in a beach towel and snuggling with both of them on the sofa at the end of the day are moments I will never forget.

What sweet souls these two little ones are. Bright and innocent, dear and daring, cozy and quiet are words that come to mind. They are each their own unique person . Indie is a little man and Tatem is years beyond her age of four.

I photographed Brooke when she was close to Indie's age in our backyard in Rye, New York. The camera was probably my first Minolta, the film was Tri X black and white and I printed and toned the 8x10 prints in my darkroom. Brooke was the first and only grandchild and we were all totally smitten with her every move. I took those photos over 30 years ago. A feeling came over me as I shot those images so many years later; how the magic then was the magic now.

Calendar Girl for Concord Art Association February 2012

I am delighted to share the news that this image, featuring Elizabeth Weir, was selected for the February image for the 2012 Concord Art Association calendar. There were 54 entries and 13 chosen so I am very pleased. Elizabeth grew up in Concord and her parents still live here in Concord center. It was literally so cold I could only take a few shots at a time with my little Canon G12.( I highly recommend this camera, though it's a bit larger than a point and shoot it has manual control for f-stop and shutter speed ) I remember a photographer once saying," You get the best photographs in the worst weather. "