We Live Here, Too #3

Jenni and Morgaine

Today, I photographed the fearless director of the Human Dignity Coalition, Jenni Peskin and her lovely daughter Morgaine. We were lucky that the sun came out today after hail storms and heavy clouds all week. It was a perfect Central Oregon spring day, bright and sunny and surprisingly cold and crisp. We talked on the porch for awhile, sharing funny April Fool's Day stories and then took a little stroll through the neighborhood. One of the things I realized while we were on our walk is that I love living in a neighborhood where you can walk down the middle of the street. No need for sidewalks. Yet another perk of living here.

We Live Here, Too #2

This weekend I photographed Joe and Eric on Saturday and Connie on Sunday. I was suppose to photograph some more folks, but illness has fallen over Bend, and I will get to photograph them another day.

Connie took me through the neighborhood she grew up, just off Newport Ave, near Brooks Park. We went to one of her favorite spots along the river, just steps from the house she grew up in. This little nook, with the giant willow tree was a treasure for her growing up. Back then, she said, there were no fences and you could just run up and down the river, where now there are houses. I liked the way she described it, "Back then, everything was free."

Joe and Eric took me to the Welcome to Bend sign, the thing Joe felt was so beautiful when he first got here, because it announced that he was here. Eric grew up in Bend. He and Joe met in NYC and then Joe moved here to be with Eric. That's love. Having lived in NYC myself, I could see how that transition is a big one. Bend is like the wild west in comparison. One of my favorite things Joe said was how he liked that everyone here has a "How I got to Bend" story. That's how he feels connected to his community. He's right. We do all share that story. The stories are different, but they are all similar, in the sense that maybe we found a home when we got here or maybe a home inadvertantly found us.

We Live Here, Too #1

I began photographing the We Live Here, Too participants today. So far, I am learning that my own community is bigger than I thought. That's a nice feeling.

Today I was able to hang out with two couples that made me feel a little better about the world than I've been feeling in the past few years. That's a pretty nice feeling, too.

We Live Here, Too

A portrait series of the LGBTQ community, their friends, family and allies living in Central Oregon.
This is the project I am starting today in collaboration with the Human Dignity Coalition. Please keep yours eyes and ears open for the rest of this adventure in print and on radio. The final show will be on display for the Dignity Awards at The Mirror Pond Gallery, May 1. The project will then be on display at tdb Loft for the month of June.

SUMMERTIME!

The lovely Sister JRae left me the most wonderful birthday message. In it she told me that when my birthday hits every year, it feels like the first day of summer for her. I always felt that way, too, when I was growing up and then I moved to Central Oregon where one of the times of the year it is freezing and rainy is in the first part of June. This year, it actually hailed one day before my birthday---ugh. So, with that beautiful birthday message, I forgot about the hail and have gone back to think that summer really hits when it is my birthday. So, happy birthday to me and happy summer to you!

Here are some events and classes and things I will be doing this summer:

KIDS RADIO CAMP at KPOV, Bend Community Radio!
June 29-July 3
July 6-10

UV Rays are bad! Keep your kids indoors with a fun radio class! Kids learn how to write stories, PSA's and ADs for the radio. They even get to perform, spin some music and just genreally get their voice out there in a good way. For kids ages 10-12.
Register with Bend Parks and Rec at 389-7275.

SUMMERFEST
July 11th and 12th, Downtown Bend

I will be showing off my goods this year at the Bend Summerfest. I will have many of the usual offerigs-- Alphabet Prints, Notecards... Plus some new stuff: New Prints (think bikes and radios), Buttons (Alphabet Buttons), painting, drawings and more. Come by if you are around.

Then after that, I am of to Caldera for camp. Can't wait. I hope whatever you find yourself doing this summer, it suits you well and makes you happy. xo...teafly

MONDAY PHOTO

Sweet Dreams Begin? (me in my sleep apnea gear at home for the first time)
March 2009

MONDAY PHOTO

Allison and Sailor at Marz
March 2009