Blog

Cultivating a soft heart

Quote of the day: “Have a strong mind and soft heart.” —Anthony J. D’Angelo During a lovely weekend with my daughter, her husband, and our two grandkids, ages 5 and 3, my heart was feeling full and soft.  We had so much fun visiting with our daughter and her husband and playing with the grandkids. I think it’s easy to have a soft heart around kids, especially your own grandkids. But it can be challenging to maintain that soft heart when we return to our daily lives and all of the worries and cares return. As we were heading home to Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

What really matters?

Quote of the day: “In the end only kindness matters” —Jewel I’m in a contemplative mood today and I’ve been thinking about what really matters. And I’ve come to the conclusion that I have no idea what really matters. There is so much that we don’t really understand. Mysteries abound. Paradox perplexes. Purpose is oftentimes highly overrated. All I know is what is true for me today, this moment. Family matters to me. Kindness matters. Love. Courage. Honesty. Friendship. Beauty. Connection. Joy. Nature. Spirit. Peace. Grace. Presence. Making photographs. All of these matter. What matters to you today?  

By Marilyn, ago

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Quote of the day: “Yesterday is but today’s memory, tomorrow is today’s dream.” —Kahlil Gibran We spent part of today in Ames, Iowa, where my husband and I both went to college and where we met, married and lived for the first years of our marriage. It’s been some time since we’ve spent any time in Ames. Our afternoon was filled with a mixture of fond memories and nostalgia, and surprise at all of the changes that had taken place since we left there over 25 years ago. Since spring is much further along in central Iowa than in the Twin Cities Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

Spread the light, spread the joy

Quote of the day:   “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” – Edith Wharton Today as I was talking with a friend, I enthusiastically said, “Let me show you what I was playing with yesterday. I got a bunch of daffodils to photograph. Aren’t these amazing? I love the shades and shapes of them.” My friend responded, “I want to love doing something as much as you love photography! You light up when you talk about it.” I feel so lucky to have discovered this passion. I used to Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

Women of a Certain Age

Quote of the day: “Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.” —Mark Twain Beauty is not just found in the faces and bodies of the young. Have you noticed how aging women are rarely portrayed as vibrant, beautiful, and magnificent? I noticed the way that photographers who do portraits and nudes often use only young “babes” for their studies. And I noticed how beautiful women become as they grow older and more confident and more themselves than they ever were. So I decided to start a project called “Women of a Certain Age” and photograph women I know who are Read more…

By Marilyn, ago