2018-12-02 Old and Familiar Places

My wife and I make a point to visit Longwood Gardens during the holidays. It's not only a tradition, but a glimpse into the magic of professional Christmas decorating. There's a month and a half devoted to glistening lights, glowing baubles, shimering ornaments, and the natural beauty of the gardens both inside and outside. It is a crowded time often filled with wide eyed children and slow moving grandparents but with paitience and endurance capturing some special moments is worth the wait.

The Longwood Gardens Conservatory on a chilly morning in December 2018

2018-12-01 Christmastime

As another year ebbs away my thoughts turn to the holidays and the happy joys of celebrations through past decades. Next year I'll be half a century old so this marks my 50th Christmas. I remember the fun and unbridled expectations of Santa's visits as well as the cherished warmth of dear friends and family gatherings. Time marches on and I'm just as caught up in the ride as the rest of the world. With every passing year December comes and goes more quickly, and it seams there's much more to get accomplished then moments to savor. So this year I'm trying to showcase some holiday scenes of reflection to pause over and cherish as the rush of life whirls about. (Now press F11)

2018-11-04 Portland Head Lighthouse

I started out as a photographer capturing landscapes and loved it. The feeling of harmony and connection with our beautiful world becomes palpabile in the early beams of dawn. With the sound of the echoing surf breaking on the beach, the chill in the air was refreshing and exhilarating. The extra hour afforded by the end of Daylight Savings Time meant I could convince my wife to accompany me to the cliffside before dawn. Sharing something this beautiful made the sunrise even sweeter.

2018-01-02 The game that didn't matter

I thought it would be an important game. I thought it would be the determining factor as to whether or not the Eagles advanced to the play-offs. I thought it would be one of the most sought after assignments of the NFL season for Philadelphia. I was wrong. Since the Eagles secured their position in the post season and had locked up home field advantage with a win on Christmas, their final game against their arch enemy the Dallas Cowboys amounted to pretty much nothing. The Eagles back up (currently starting) quarterback was played for only one quarter in an effort to gain a bit more field time, but with preservation of quality players being the main focus for the team, why risk anything to gain absolutely nothing. As for the Cowboys, their season ending game was just another notch in the win column, a hashtag in the history books. Even the fans knew it was a forgettable game. In the frigid 3 degree weather, many of them had left by half time. Fortunately there was a photo opportunity or two for me.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) reaches for the pass during the NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles on December 31, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire) © Icon Sportswire

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jaylen Watkins (26) knocks Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) into the air during the NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles on December 31, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire) © Icon Sportswire