Photographic Musings by Marie Rush

Seniors!

2012-01-28T09:26:00.001-05:00

Had the pleasure of the company of a couple of great gals last week. (Things are always more fun with besties!) We spent about an hour and had some local fun! Nothing like pictures in your backyard, then we took a trip to the dock! Waiting for permission to blog images from one young lady, but here is a sneak peek at some of the images of Taylor. I am looking forward to more senior shoots!

Oh Baby!

2012-01-17T18:28:00.000-05:00

I got my hands on a baby! Fyi, first one, I might add, so I went to their home with a bag of tricks as I wasn't sure what to expect. I settled in beside a nice window full of light and shot away! I am very pleased... and I can't wait until my next baby! (Well...not mine, personally, but you know what I mean!)

Until my next musing...

Artsy Me

2011-11-28T15:28:00.000-05:00

I love it when I get a chance to be artsy with my photos. These families gave me free reign! Crazy moves, dramatic colors, color pops! What fun!

Until my next photo musing...

Headshots from the Heart

2011-11-27T17:51:00.001-05:00

Jimminy Cricket (however it's spelled), kids can look so darn fabulous... I love these two kids--inside and out! Youthful spirit captured forever!

and his "little" sister...

Until my next photo musing...

Families are so fun!

2011-11-27T17:25:00.000-05:00

I met with a great family last week, and they horsed around happily while I snapped away! The weather gave us a tiny challenge...as in, imagine it being hot in November in Florida! Everyone hung in there, and I think they got some great family shots for the "card!"

Until my next photo musing...

Fur Babies

2011-11-27T17:11:00.002-05:00

A beautiful woman and her adoring pups! This was an ambitious task, but most of the pups cooperated!

Until my next photo musing...

A 95th Birthday Party...

2011-11-27T17:07:00.001-05:00

...and look who I found!

Until my next photo musing...

October in Florida...

2011-11-27T17:03:00.001-05:00

I had the opportunity to do a family shoot at the beach a few weeks ago and it was awesome! The kids had fun, caught some beautiful light and ended up the day watching the sunset. Ahhhh, Florida life!

The rocks were a perfect backdrop for this fabulous family.

All in all, it was a beautiful day at the beach!

Until my next photo musing...

The Color of Light

2011-06-18T15:49:00.000-04:00

One of my assignments in my photography class this week was to capture light. Light is so important, and can make or break an image. Too much (overexposed) and you have washed out a photo, too little (underexposed) and you have lost the details. I watched light around my house throughout the day before I settled on my source of light--my dining room window. I (lazily) have kept my Christmas bling on my chandelier, and watched as the sun came through the window and hit the facets of glass. Bam. The colors of light!

Blue

2011-06-16T17:57:00.000-04:00

My grandmother's bottle, and my mother's favorite color. My favorite color too, as long as I can look at it at the beach--in the sky and in the sea! Blue was my prompt for my photography class today, and I like the way this photo turned out. It is a little moody, a little perky, and yet has a calm feel---

If your child is struggling with schoolwork, read on...and share...

2011-03-19T14:22:00.008-04:00

That picture, that one up there, makes me cry. My daughter is reading a book. On her own. If your child has never struggled to read, then this blog post isn't for you--but it may be for someone you know, so bear with me. I try to write less than more on here, but this is too important not to pass on.

Do you know someone who has been told that their child is suffering from the symptoms of ADD? Things like:
o difficulty paying attention to details and tendency to make careless mistakes in school or other activities; producing work that is often messy and careless
o inability to sustain focus on tasks or activities
o difficulty finishing schoolwork or paperwork or performing tasks that require concentration
o frequent shifts from one uncompleted activity to another
o disorganized work habits
o failure to complete tasks such as homework or chores (i.e. miserable homework time)

Well, that's my daughter. Well, was my daughter. I look at the picture up there, and I am amazed. I did a lot of research on how I could help her, and medication seemed to be the only way. I took her to the eye doctor, and it turns out she has 20/20 eyesight. Great. She can see far away and she can see up close. It wasn't an eyesight problem...

Then someone mentioned vision therapy and a developmental optometrist; a doctor who has special schooling and focuses on, well, focusing, or “vision.” Not isolated focusing, but eye tracking, eye teaming, and peripheral vision. All the things that we take for granted (if we can see!)

I started to think back, and remembered all of the things that scared her: riding a bike, swinging on a swing, going off a diving board, jumping rope, catching a ball, laser tag, dancing in dimmed lights to a disco ball. All of the normal things that kids love to do, and typically do with ease and without fear.

After doing a lot more research, I decided to give it a try, as I had nothing to lose. I believe that ADD is a diagnosis of elimination, and I wanted to eliminate a “vision” problem. Note I didn’t say “eyesight” because I already knew she had 20/20 eyesight. I also requested that the school psychologist do a battery of tests, and as it turns out, she has very high cognitive abilities (+90% ile), and is in the -1% for visual motor skills. "Motor" was the key word that gave me hope--motor skills can be impoved with exercises.

Eight weeks ago, we embarked on our vision therapy journey, and with the help of Robin Beniot and her book, “Jillian’s Story,” Dr. Allison Falden at Healthy Eye in Ponte Vedra, a team of great teachers at school, and a lot of vision therapy homework, my daughter caught a ball for the first time 6 weeks ago. Dr. Allison taught her to catch the one that “wasn’t fuzzy.” Imagine that. I never thought to ask her "How many balls do you see?" Silly me. ;-)

She now knows that when her eyes are tired, she sees two (double vision) and she needs to rest them, and knows how. She has learned to “hard focus” when reading to force herself to see only one chunk of letters (words) and has improved beyond my wildest dreams in her academics, and consequently her motivation and self concept. A dream domino effect!

We are still on our journey, but I felt it was time to share, so that maybe, just maybe, someone who is struggling to find the answer to a child with similar difficulties might find success with vision therapy.

Disclaimer: If a child has ADD/ADHD, then vision therapy may not be the answer, and likewise, if a child has trouble focusing because of vision, then medication may not be the answer. No promises, just hope…

Time...

2011-03-12T17:43:00.000-05:00

Time goes too slowly when you want to wish it away,
Time goes too quickly when you wish you could stay.

Time doesn't wait while you "get it together,"
Nor does it quicken like a change in the weather.

It is patient and consistent, ever ticking away,
The pendulum of existence, by night and by day.

Take your time, and use it, with great thought and care,
Suprisingly and knowingly, it will not always be there.

Musing: Blue

2011-01-29T10:41:00.001-05:00

I am adding to the pool of images over at Bliss and Folly today...for lots of reasons. 1. Blue is my favorite color to see (although pink and red and orange are my favorite colors to wear--at the same time!) 2. The color blue brings me peace, and groundedness, and 3. A special someone informed me that my blog was sorely neglected. I agree.

The picture that gives me my all-time favorite blue-ness was taken on a hooky day from school last year. Yep--just impulsively took the girls out of school, packed lunches and went to the beach--all by ourselves. Whats your favorite blue picture? Link up at Bliss and Folly.

Crossroads, and a New Leaf

2010-12-31T18:17:00.001-05:00

Crossroads, and a New Leaf, originally uploaded by marierush.

The new year poses the opportunity to let go, instill new, and soar...Happy New Year, everyone!

Bald Eagle in Fleming Island

2010-12-30T08:38:00.001-05:00

Bald Eagle in Fleming Island, originally uploaded by marierush.

So, it isn't very often that a. an eagle flies over your head, b. you have a camera with you, and c. you remember your camera because you are in awe...

Sometimes. the Lights Bring Things Into Focus...

2010-12-16T20:13:00.002-05:00

, originally uploaded by marierush.

Like in this picture. It is the juxtaposition between the new lights and the new tree, and the 1800's furniture...

That is what makes it all come together...

Hugs,
M

Is it possible she is only seven?

2010-11-24T10:27:00.001-05:00

, originally uploaded by marierush.

She is silly, and serious. She is a tomboy and all girl. She is salty and sweet. She mixes up "morning dew" with "Mountain Dew." She is seven and sixteen.

Stunning Sunset Last night

2010-11-24T08:17:00.002-05:00

, originally uploaded by marierush.

Surprising..as there weren't very many clouds, but nonetheless, it was beautiful. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, everyone...there is so much to be thankful for!

My Girls

2010-11-24T08:15:00.001-05:00

, originally uploaded by marierush.

I love them...even when they give me 1 hour of cheesy grins in exchange for one genuine photo...

Rose Bokeh {hearts}

2010-11-05T21:03:00.001-04:00

Rose Bokeh {hearts}, originally uploaded by marierush.

Sweet, colorful and yummy...have a great weekend!

Hearts

2010-11-03T18:37:00.002-04:00

Hearts, originally uploaded by marierush.

What fun! This is my first attempt at shaped bokeh...I'll look forward to using this in some of my shoots in the upcoming weeks! It is a silly-fun technique! Thanks to my patient teacher, Tammy!

Dare to b Gr8

2010-10-28T19:26:00.002-04:00

Dare to b Gr8, originally uploaded by marierush.

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland

The pumpkin patch priced all of their pumpkins by the glorious stems, so I rolled with it. I'm going to make a conscious effort to a. "roll with it" more often, and b. write more on my blog. As much as I love the photography aspect, I feel that it is important that I explain a bit of the *lalalalalalalalalalalala* that goes on in my mind when I capture an image and feel like it deserves a spot on my blog. I'm rollin' with it...hope you roll with me!

Daddy and His Angel

2010-10-16T12:37:00.003-04:00

Sometimes the perfect shot doesn't even have any faces. Can you feel the love? I can.

The Sun Came Out for Me Today!

2010-10-14T18:09:00.002-04:00

So here is my tribute...

~Marie

Photographic Bucket List

2010-10-14T17:53:00.002-04:00

I have a photographic bucket list. A list of things I want to capture with the lens, but all of the planets have to align first. The planets aligned twice today. Three if you count the fact that I got a job, but I digress (hooray, me!)

Without purchasing a special filter, I have wanted to capture a dreamy sun kissed image, that flares like fireworks. I have also wanted to capture a leaf while it is actually falling. Like, seriously, I have to have a tree that sheds, a breeze and enough light to see it. Oh, and the perfect shutter speed, and focus and click--all at the same time. While patiently waiting for my leaf to drop (yes, I did wait-staring at the tree like a watched pot) I saw the sun through the leaves. I actually caught it! Here is today's shot.

With that shot under my belt, I continued to wait for a breeze and a dead leaf to find each other at the same time. I won't tell you how long I stared, but I will show the shot. Next time, I'd like to have a blue sky background instead of the pines, but, hey, I'll take what I can get these days!

I'll reveal the whole bucket list soon...
~Marie

Dear Teacher,

2010-10-14T16:05:00.003-04:00

Dear Teacher,, originally uploaded by marierush.

Thank you for taking the time to write my daughter a note today. It was the first one she has ever gotton, and it made her day. And mine. Look at all the positive words, all in one place, right near her name. It has a place of honor on the front of our refrigerator. And it might be there forever.

Sincerely,
Grateful Parent

The Transformation

2010-10-14T16:00:00.001-04:00

Some folks have asked me about my bus picture, so I will try to explain how I turned this:

Into this:

This was a one time shot. Out the window of my car, only two school buses go to the school, and this one had already dropped off the students, so it was empty. The first issue was the necessary crop. The truck was not in my mind's eye, nor was the drainage ditch in the forefront, so they were chopped. Then I took it into Photoshop and played with it. You can use pretty much any editing program to do what I did, whatever came with your camera, or Photoshop Elements. I boosted the exposure to lighten it a bit, and then saved a copy. So then I had two pictures, a light one and a dark one. I opened a new file and brought in both pictures as layers (dark one underneath). I created a third layer and I painted over the blacks in the bus using a teeny tiny little ole' paintbrush, and then reduced the opacity to about 24% so it didn't look goofy.

Then, to make the fall leaves pop on the leftside (to give them the appearance of depth) I removed the upper left quadrant of the lightest layer with my eraser tool, at about 50% opacity, to reveal the darker layer a bit.

I fooled around a bit with where I wanted the depth, and when I was happy with it, I was done. I'll be quite honest though, it is much easier to get the shot right out of the camera! In a pinch though, some thoughtful edits can make a "bleh" picture palatable. I took the photo for a class I am taking, and the picture prompt for that day was "Me Time." I felt the bus represented the time that I have while the girls are in school.

Morning

2010-10-12T21:44:00.002-04:00

Morning , originally uploaded by marierush.

I'm uploading this tonight, but watch for an update as to how I took the picture (out the window of the car) and what I did to make it feel like I actually put my kids on the bus (which I didn't!) I'm gonna show you what the picture looked like SOOC (straight out of the camera--which wasn't beautiful!)
~Marie

Alli Girl

2010-10-11T20:25:00.001-04:00

Alli Girl, originally uploaded by marierush.

All love, no common sense. Sweet gentle goofball.

Cookie Jar

2010-10-10T14:32:00.002-04:00

Cookie Jar, originally uploaded by marierush.

I love it. It clinks and hasn't been chipped, it is filled with skinned-knee-fixer-uppers, it brings smiles, and even when seemingly empty, I know that it is still filled with love.

Antique Remains...

2010-10-09T18:06:00.004-04:00

Antique Remains, originally uploaded by marierush.

Saw these beauties in a barn today. I am so drawn to antiques, and years ago I was a collector. Now I am a collector of Strawberry Shortcake dolls from McDonalds...but I digress...these were beautiful jugs on top of an old phonograph. Just lovely.

...and the spinning wheel--how glorious. I wonder what it has woven in its time.

I don't know what this machine is, but I loved the colors, and the juxtaposition of the new tire and the beautiful rust.

I posted some more treasures in my Flickr stream (the link on the top right) and I hope you enjoy them.
~Me

My Aunt. My Blessing.

2010-10-07T20:33:00.003-04:00

, originally uploaded by marierush.

She is...
my rock
my guiding light
my wisdom (when I have none to be found)
my friend
my listener
my voice of reason (when I have a voice, but no sense of reason)
my blessing.

Love you!

Oh Roxy, You're so Fine...

2010-10-05T10:48:00.002-04:00

Oh Roxy, You're so Fine..., originally uploaded by marierush.

Beauty - in projection and perceiving - is 99.9% attitude. ~Grey Livingston

Musings on Fall...

2010-10-02T14:38:00.001-04:00

Fall Porch, originally uploaded by marierush.

...hoping it is right around the corner! I am ready for a change.

"Fiery colors begin their yearly conquest of the hills, propelled by the autumn winds. Fall is the artist. "
Takayuki Ikkaku, Arisa Hosaka and Toshihiro Kawabata, Animal Crossing: Wild World, 2005

Owl with Purple Glasses

2010-09-29T11:15:00.003-04:00

Owl with Purple Glasses, originally uploaded by marierush.

I am so excited that I have a new photography class starting on Friday! It is called "Picture Fall" (I am so ready for cooler weather) and it will be a blast! I am involved with many of the participants at Mortal Muses through Shutter Sisters (yes, that is a lot of linkage) and they are wonderful women who inspire me! Here is another link to some photography books by the Shutter Sisters team.

This image was borne from a "purple Tuesday" challenge, and it was a challenge. Feeling rather uninspired, I realized that my reading glasses were purple, and, "Hey, I wonder how funny it would be to put the glasses on the 'Big Backyard' magazine?" It made me giggle, and then remember that there are only two more sleepies until I get my photography fall groove on! Whooo-t!

The Eyes Have It.

2010-09-22T12:40:00.001-04:00

, originally uploaded by marierush.

Seriously---are they not beautiful? What glorious, drop-me-in-the-water-now-please blue! I think that if you can capture the eyes, you are more than likely to capture the spirit, and in this little one, it is the spirit of kindness, love, and obedience. I wonder what her mother would say about that last adjective? *wink*

Look into those eyes, and I believe a *sigh* is in order!

The End of Today...

2010-09-21T20:05:00.003-04:00

The End of Today..., originally uploaded by marierush.

The years fly, but sometimes the days are so long...it is all so confusing, isn't it? Today left in a blaze of glory...

Thank you to Trisha who called me this evening and said, "Run to the dock--there is a beautiful sunset!" She was right, and I must be very obedient! :-)

Love...

2010-09-16T10:39:00.000-04:00

On the tennis court!

Change

2010-09-15T12:09:00.001-04:00

Change, originally uploaded by marierush.

Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken.

~Frank Herbert

Winston, in Thought

2010-09-14T12:26:00.001-04:00

Winston, in Thought, originally uploaded by marierush.

Okay, so that was an exaggeration. I am sure he isn't thinking about anything except when it will be 5 o'clock (dinnertime) and who will scratch him next!

Fence Friday

2010-09-10T18:47:00.004-04:00

Fence Friday, originally uploaded by marierush.

Did you know there was such a thing? On Flickr, there is. So, happy fence Friday! Today, I am on the fence - about alot of things...Should I ______? Insert any number of actions/activities/decisions in there.

It has been a very strange week, but yet, when isn't a week in my life weird? And, while I am at it, don't you find it amusing that weird does not follow the i-before-e-except-after-c rule?

The linear-ness (is that a word?) of the strong and sturdy focused first fence post gives me peace, even though I know a few fence posts down it gets crooked again...but alas, is this not like life?

*peace* and hff!

Wildflower

2010-09-06T09:44:00.001-04:00

Wildflower, originally uploaded by marierush.

Let her cry, for she's a lady
Let her dream, for she's a child
Let the rain fall down upon her
She's a free and gentle flower growing wild...

Words and Music by D. Richardson and D. Edwards.

photo: me / texture, Kim Klassen

Tendering My Resignation

2010-09-03T11:02:00.001-04:00

I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of a 7 year old again.

I want to go to McDonald's and think that it is a four star restaurant.

I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle, skid rocks across the mill pond and make a sidewalk with rocks.

I want to roller skate and play ball in the street, play 'Rover Red Rover', 'Hide and Seek' and ride my iron wheel wagon down the hill.

I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them.

I want to lie under a big oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer's day.

I want to return to a time when life was simple. When all I knew were colors, most of my multiplication tables, and a few nursery rhymes. All I knew was to be happy and I was blissfully unaware of all the things that should make me worried or upset.

I want to sleep in a tent in the back yard without worry or fear.

I want to think the world is fair. That everyone is honest and good.

I want to believe anything is possible.

I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again.

I want to live simple again. I don't want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor's bills, gossip, illness, and the loss of loved ones.

I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, kind words, truth, justice, peace, dreams, imagination, mankind, and making angels in the snow.

So here is my check book and my car keys, my credit card bills and all my statements. I am officially resigning from adulthood.

And if you want to discuss this further, you'll have to catch me first, cause...

TAG! YOU'RE IT!
See Later... Alligator

~Author Unknown

Rockin' Camera Bag!

2010-08-31T11:08:00.002-04:00

So, I entered a contest today, and wouldn't it be cool to win? This is the birthday of a camera bag that I looooooong for. Seriously. I piiiiiine for it. I know I don't need it (that was for mom), but I *insert whine here* really, really, really want it. now. (Christmas, hint, hint?) Anyhoo, here is the link to the line of sassy, girly, downright awesome camera bags...

Happy Birthday!

Photo, me. Texture, Kim Klassen.

Lonely Swing

2010-08-26T15:47:00.001-04:00

Lonely Swing, originally uploaded by marierush.

It is still so hot here in Florida (51 days over 90, but who is counting!) that even the swings are unused. It is too hot to sit in them!

I still found it a pretty sight today... I hope you do too!

Grammy Love

2010-08-24T12:27:00.001-04:00

Grammy Love, originally uploaded by marierush.

The girls are starting to hint (bigtime) about a trip to see Grammy...they must know that it will be snowing in New Hampshire soon!

Lotsa Purple

2010-08-21T13:23:00.001-04:00

Lotsa Purple, originally uploaded by marierush.

I decided to take my camera on a spin around the house today and drummed up these two beauties--a purple bottle and a purple daisy.

Kinda makes the yellow pop, doesn't it? Have a great weekend!

Haiku

2010-08-12T23:16:00.001-04:00

Feelings are tender

As the unfurling bud dares

Be gentle with me

The Evolution of Cherry Tasting

2010-08-12T17:43:00.001-04:00

The Evolution of Cherry Tasting, originally uploaded by marierush.

It didn't go very well, unfortunately. I am always proud of the girls trying things, and giving it another try...and another try. I read somewhere (probably on the Internet, so of course it is a fact) that a person has to try a taste about 10 times to change a "bleh" to an "umm."

This was "bleh" 2.

8 more times to go!

Tickle Time with Daddy

2010-08-11T11:24:00.001-04:00

Tickle Time with Daddy, originally uploaded by marierush.

This is a precious daily routine in our home. Sometimes it happens in a chair, or on a couch, or snuggled in the bed, but it always happens. Daddy tickles.

From me to you...

2010-08-09T21:33:00.001-04:00

From me to you..., originally uploaded by marierush.

Such a simple gesture can fill one's heart with love.

A Handful of Posies

2010-08-09T19:33:00.001-04:00

A Handful of Posies, originally uploaded by marierush.

I walked into the kitchen to cook dinner, and my daughter had picked some flowers and set them on the counter for me. *awww*

My Love - One of Many

2010-08-09T13:43:00.001-04:00

My Love, originally uploaded by marierush.

Such innocent beauty. Tender love. My child. *sigh*

My daughters share the same love I have for the ocean. One asked me this morning if we could go, but alas, too much work today, so I made a promise to her (and to me) that we would go one day this week. Thursday seems like a good day, but since tomorrow is Tuesday, then Tuesday seems like an even better day!

The reasons I love the beach: The smell. The peace. The sound of the ocean and the seagulls. The cool of the water. The waves--and hopping through them. The feel of the sunlight on my skin. The expanse--it just puts everything in perspective.

I believe I can fly...

2010-08-08T13:35:00.002-04:00

I believe I can fly..., originally uploaded by marierush.

I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly

Photo, me. Texture, Kim Klassen.

Golden Love

2010-08-06T18:21:00.001-04:00

Golden Love, originally uploaded by marierush.

She is always there. Waiting. Waiting to love and waiting to be loved.

Light

2010-08-06T11:35:00.002-04:00

Light, originally uploaded by marierush.

I took a photowalk around my home the other day, and stumbled across this lamp. I love it. It is rich, and girly, and old fashioned and sends out a great vibe when it is illuminated. Strangley enough, it is in my bathroom! Since getting my camera, I am immensely aware of light and shadows. My girls (who are 7) can spot it now too! They will tell me, "Mommy, the light is just perfect for a shot." I giggle thinking about them saying such grown up things, but I also take pride in the fact that they are aware of what makes a "good shot." Happy Friday, and I hope it is filled with beautiful light...

Peace

2010-08-05T10:37:00.002-04:00

Peace, originally uploaded by marierush.

I was driving home from dropping the girls off at their camp this morning, and decided to whip out my camera for a few floral shots. The sun was at a nice level, the breeze was gentle, and it wasn't too hot...just right for this image of peace. I also gave it a little funk with Kim Klassen's texture.

Hello? A Month Got Away...

2010-08-04T14:51:00.001-04:00

Hello?, originally uploaded by marierush.

Here it is, August 4th, and I'm back at the blog! I had a blast in Picture Summer, and most of my images are already in my Flickr account (click on the right to see them!) Todays picture is about something that I love---communication...words...talking...planning...dreaming.

Hooray for telephones, both old and new!

Rainy Holiday Parade...and Traditions

2010-07-04T14:15:00.000-04:00

My photo assignment today was to take a photo that embraced the theme of "traditions." Each year our community has a parade that includes silly things--dolled up golf carts, dogs in bicycle baskets, and walkers with flags. This year was a rainout--but I still found the beauty in the day. Happy 4th of July!

Today is Day 3 of my Picture Summer Class

2010-07-03T14:59:00.000-04:00

I'll add my day one and day two pictures too, just so I can get caught up--then watch for a lull midmonth when my camera and I (with the kids!) head to the Gulf coast of Florida for a shooting good time! (I mean that in the nicest way!)

Our assignment was to center something--mathematically speaking! I'm very off center, so this is a tough one for me, but I gave it a go!

Day 2 was a "splashy" photo, and since my children are home sick, I used an oldie but goodie!

And my first assignment was to take a picture of what summer represents to me. This again was tough because my kids were home sick, but we did our indoor version of an ice cream stand!