We had a wonderful week in the Keys, this being our first time! We have all decided that Key West is the place for us, and the next time we visit we will not return, choosing to get lost in the local color, flavor and bon vivant of this magical island. It is truly an American Paradise.

Pics of their visit to the States. Since they will with us for about a month I will have multiple posts...

Reflections -

Dad found this pic in one of his boxes locked away like most of his memories of the Vietnam War and his 18 year career with the Special Forces. Slightly damaged, but still looking good for a picture that is over 45! years old, I photoshopped it back to good health. (There must be a metaphor in here somewhere)

When I see this picture, I am reminded that there are very few pictures of my Dad in his youth, due to the fact that most if not all were 'misplaced' during his 18 months as a P.O.W. (1966-1968) [his belongings or personal effects were shipped back to the States and G*D only knows where they are now].

Coupled this with the fact that his family suffered a fire when he was 16 or 17 years old where they lost EVERYTHING. So there are very few pictures of him prior to the fire and Vietnam.

The hope of finding any remaining items in tact is a bit like hunting for buried treasure, and with each passing year as the Aunts, Uncles and his generation of "Adult" cousins get older these items are harder and harder to find.

As I look at him at 22, at the beginning of his career as a warrior and patriot, I see the hope, self determination, swagger, atitude, and self assuredness that youth provides. I also see myself (and my brother Dale), as my family would attest.

Some where in this young man is the father (and teacher) that I have come to know and love, a young man that soon after his entering into battle would soon be changed forever.

I am amazed at his will, strength and perserverance for those experiences would have surely broken a weaker man.

For each struggle that I have to endure, for each obstacle that I have to overcome, for each problem that I feel may be too hard to solve, I reflect upon his experience and life and it all seems moot. His lessons (and mistakes) continue to endure, and re-confirm themselves.

Thanks Dad for giving me the "Tools for Life".

Even after 2 years it is hard to be in South Florida during the Holiday Season. Sandals and shorts in December?? What Sacrilege!

As a Northerner there are certain winter ideals that are hard to overlook. Christmas lights on a palm tree is one of them. Strange, yet somehow wonderful I haven't gotten used to the idea.

As of late we have had unseasonably cool weather happening right now, even though I know that the weather will change in a week, I still keep a look out for what might be a flurry or two...

While at my parents house I like to go out and watch "Ducky", a float thermometer for their pool. I like to watch him bounce around with the currents, mesmerized by the sunlight that dances around him.

While watching I imagine him floating round in space, dancing in and around the swirls, or maybe nebulas or even time warps...

Pics of my good friends Lauren and Jeff.

Jeff and I used to work together briefly while at Lockheed in Rockville. Within 5 minutes I had a feeling that we would be lifelong friends. Easy going and a fellow photographer/artist, I respect his point of view and opinion because he cuts to the quick.

Lauren is his [much] better half and it was our pleasure to finally meet her. Both climbing enthusiasts, they long for big open spaces, vistas that defy description and skies that are endless. I wish them the best of luck in finding their Shangri-La, and a place that helps to drive their passion.

Thanks guys for visiting and I hope to see you both again soon.

My good friend and fellow dive team member here at work... His face is so interesting and full of character.

I respect him for his diving experience and insight. As a team we work well together, and while diving we always seem to know what the other person is thinking.

That being said, I was with him the day he got 'bent' and the thought of possibly losing him as a team member or worse losing him to decompression sickness was heavy on my heart.

We had the same dive profile, the same bottom time, the same safety stop. All these questions were in my head rolling round. "Why am I not feeling any symptoms??"

After deeper discussion/investigation/consideration, it was attributed to a bubble no bigger than a magic marker nib that was lodged in his back due to his weight belt being too tight.

After he was lifted to a deco chamber, we had to continue with the salvage task and everyone was SPOOKED. Definitely one of the most stressful days of my life and not one that I want to re-live EVER.

It was hard to concentrate on the job and not think of him suffering or what the next 48 hours held for him in the deco chamber.

Thanks Russ for being a mentor and friend.

We finally got our gear! It has been 2 years of hard work, perserverance, and dreaming.

Wayne and I believed that our art and experience would help in giving our 2 man show credibility - and with each project one step closer to fullfilling our vision.

While attending a going away party we were lucky enough to get a moon dance...

The evening was PERFECT.

Not too hot, not too cold - just right - with a nice sea breeze. It was one of those nights you dream of, the kind of night that makes appreciate life and hope to experience again and again...

I never, ever get tired of shooting sunrises here in South Florida...

I can't decide which one I like the best...

In Color


In B&W

She tolerates me at best. She is a good model, allowing me to get close...

The more I spend time with Donny, I realize that we are equally the same as we are different. I respect him for his experience, point of view, and his willingness to express it. Our conversations are equally as varied, even though the subject takes tangents it always seems to make its way back to the original discussion. We both have concerns, worries and ideas about where we are going as a Nation. Due to our respect for each other we can discuss freely, not holding back due to the fact that we are both "military brats", have thick skin and a multi-racial back ground.

Thanks Donny for being you...

Amy, good friend and co-worker. She has a laugh that is infectious!

My Attempt to capture an image as poswerful as Ansel Adams...

My ongoing love affair with Mother Earth.

Each morning that I can witness her show renews my spirit.

Each moment that I capture recharges my creative battery; Her blessings that would otherwise go unnoticed are always held close and dear, because I know that some day I will not be able to experience her embrace from this Earthly perspective.

I can only hope that the next world will hold more sunrises for me to witness...

The Black Crowes

I have always been a big fan of The Black Crowes, but after seeing them live this past Summer, I was BLOWN away...

They are a soulful rebellion; a musical hurricane to be reckoned with.

The power of their prose, the force of their music, and the voice of Chris Robinson all came together for an awesome experience...

During Sunfest I was on my feet dancing with Anna, rocking out to every song... "Soul singing, you got my soul singing"...

I hope to be able to see them again this fall...

Rock on Crowes, rock on!















*Images pulled from various web pages...