This is what happens when..

On Friday, my parents and I drove to a little old mining town called Columbia. Its near Sonora and it was cute and quaint and all those feelings you feel when you walk around a small town. It was hot beyond hot and we ducked into the stores as much as we could to escape it.

After walking around, watching people sift for gold, listening to the wonderful band, and watch little kids climb up greased poles for money, we headed back home to wait out the firework show later that night.


My sister was having a little gathering on their church lawn since it was a good view of the city’s fireworks, so we arrived and I set up my camera. We all chatted and hung out as we waited for the show to begin, and I was able to somehow convince my sister to make me a s’more as I sat there doing nothing. She’s a good sister, she is. I on the other hand…

As the show began, I took photos and couldn’t help but think how paltry the fireworks were. Nothing like what I’ve seen other cities do, and nothing like what a “County’s fireworks” display should be. This was the first time I had my camera set on a tripod with a remote, following online tutorials, so I was excited to see how they’d turn out, even if the show wasn’t spectacular. Turns out I left my shutter open for far too long, and it left many (all) of my shots streaky. And when the finale hit, well, you’ll see.

The finale: Here is a great example of what happens when the city shoots all of the fireworks off in the exact same spot, and you leave your shutter open for 6 seconds too long. A big bright white mess.

And this is how the majority of them turned out…

I’m pretty sure this is when my niece walked into my tripod.

So unless you want this look, I advise you follow the professionals who say to keep your shutter open from 2-6 seconds. Not the 8-13 seconds that I did.



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The love of beaches

I went to the beach for the 4th of July, and as I was driving in, the first thing I saw off in the distance was the heavy layer of fog creeping over the hills from the coast. They’re like fingers slowly crawling over the lush hills of Avila Beach and its always the tell tale sign of a 10 degree drop the moment you reach it.

I went from 108 degrees to 67 in a matter of 2 hours. It was heavenly. I didn’t mind the fog and the chill it brought, though I wondered how the fireworks would work out later that night. I made it to my {now} friend’s house for the bbq and it was a lot of fun meeting everyone for the first time. The food was amazing and they didn’t disappoint in their promise of giving me 20 avocados from their massive 30 year old avocado tree.

I’m tempted to drive down there to jump their fence just to get more, there’s so many of them.

After dark, we made our way to the beach where the fireworks would get set off, and the marine layer was heavy. As it grew darker, we enjoyed the people’s fireworks around us, until the show began, only we couldn’t see it. The fireworks were shot straight into the fog, and only the clouds would change color at the bottom. That was our only indication it went off.

Everyone around us were disappointed. Half the beach cleared within the first 10 minutes, but we stayed and continued to enjoy the evening with the fireworks getting set off around us. Finally, we made our way as well among the throngs of people, and after eating watermelon cake, I left to Morro Bay for the evening.

Regardless of the fog, it was still a memorable day for me. I’m glad I took the chance, and made the trip there. It gave me the chance to make new friends and to see old ones, and that, I’ll never pass up.

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Where am I going with this?

Do you ever look around your home for inspiration for your posts? I’ve been doing it for the past 2 hours and haven’t come up with anything. Odd that 7 tables, a bench, tv, couch and a front door aren’t inspiring a deep post from me.

Is it odd I just realized I have 7 tables in my little living and dining rooms? They all have a purpose and aren’t at all cluttering my space, promise.

On one table in particular is a hilarious get well card. The ever so sweet and insanely hilarious Tatiana mailed me a little care package. All the essentials if you ask me!
Inside the card says, ‘I hope you get the color back into your cheeks real soon.’

I cracked up laughing. (as you can see, that’s 1 of 7 tables) Thank you sweet friend, I loved everything!

Last night I watched The Capitol Fourth 2011 on PBS for my firework fix. Did anyone catch it? I know a lot of you couldn’t see the fireworks in your areas. If you saw it, wasn’t it spectacular??

I loved the music. That coupled with the firework display kept giving me goose bumps. Or as G-man says, chill bumps. Or does he say chill bumps for goose bumps and goose bumps for chill bumps…? I never can remember. It gave me the chills! Maybe it is chill bumps, then.

Since we’ve established this post has no substance (beyond you of course, Tatiana) I figure I’ll prepare you for tomorrow’s deep, deep deeep post. Ok, it’s not deep at all!

I get to tell you my exciting news! I’m super excited over it and can’t wait to share it with you! It’s only life altering information.

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I’m thankful for 20

Happy 4th of July everyone!!! It is HOT today! Stay cool, use that sunscreen and enjoy those fireworks! I absolutely love the fireworks, especially the loud boom. Absolute favorite part!!

Last year on this day, I had the privilege of sitting on a lanai with my love, watching an amazingly beautiful firework display. I wish I were there with him right now. He already left to go back home, and ironically will be in the air during the show, so neither of us get to see them this year. It’s safe to say, I’m missing his company.

I’m thankful for:
- G-man being here over the weekend to take care of me and give me some great company.

- Everyone who has generously been bringing me dinners every night as I recover.

- All the well wishes and prayers for my recovery.

- God’s sufficiency. He is enough for me to do all things.

Since it is the 4th I’ll leave you with the great pictures from last year’s Magic Island fireworks show in Honolulu. I wish you a safe and fun day!




The reflections off the water are so beautiful!






Proud of the red, white and blue!


The colors in the water are perfect.


The finale.


Thanks for letting me relive it and following along with me!


Good news: my exciting news I mentioned has been confirmed and I get to tell you this week! Hooray!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY ALL MY FELLOW AMERICANS!!

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