Let it Snow

I nabbed this frame when I was feature hunting today. I liked the quiet feel of it more than anything.

Merry Belated Christmas

Oh the men in my life. . .

America

Aaaaaannnnddd. . . . Part II

War Games Pt. 1

So this is the first of a two part post on the time I spent with some WWII reenactsors Saturday morning. These are a few of the pictures I shot in the morning before they went out to fight in the woods. They were staying at an closed down old west city. . . so kind of surreal to see Nazis at the O.K. Corral. More to come in a few days. Thanks for looking!

Granny D's

Spent a bit of time with one family as they searched for the perfect Christmas tree.

Happy Thanksgiving

Opening Day Buck Pole, an inter-tribal Powwow, dads waiting in line for flu vaccines, and a 97-year-old harmonica player. Happy Thanksgiving.

Farm Fresh Eggs

Barth Schutter makes his egg gathering rounds Monday morning after feeding his 300 chickens at his home just outside Jackson. Schutter and his wife, Linda, (not pictured) have been raising chickens and selling their eggs in a stand by their driveway for about seven years now. While they do have about 30 acres of land and several cows, the Schutters don't farm full time. They did, however, want fresh eggs every day. After buying their first round of chickens, Linda said they decided to start to sell the eggs. "These are so good we need to share them." Despite the fact it costs about $150 more a month to keep the chickens than they make off their eggs, the Schutters don't see divesting themselves of their birds any time in the near future. "We do it 'cause it's fun." Barth Schutter said.

Good Times, Sweaty Runners

Had a lot of fun Saturday at the state cross country championships at the Michigan International Speedway. Got to ride in a van as it sped around the track at 80 mph. . . all good memories, and some photographs I was really happy with. Thanks for looking!

track

I actually enjoyed cross country. . .

more recent work

Alright, so it's been a while and I haven't been posting very frequently. This is a monster post of some recent work from the last week or two. In no particular order. . . .

Two people peer out of the Commonwealth Commerce Center in downtown Jackson Friday morning at protesters lined up on the street. About 15 people turned out to voice their opposition to former Rep. Tim Walberg, R, and Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., who was in town to help Walberg campaign to reclaim the district seat he lost in the last election to Rep. Mark Schauer. "In a logical and nice way we need to discuss health care." Jan Baszlei, a protester, (not pictured) said. "There can be differences of opinion, but we need to do away with the nastiness."



A mother and son share a moment during a free festival hosted by a church behind the Menard's off US-23.



Francis Anderson, of Grass Lake, center, speaks with other attendants of the 17th Annual Land of the Falling Waters Traditional Powwow Sunday afternoon at Middle School at Parkside in Jackson. Anderson, who goes by Red Bird, said the bear skull at the end of his staff was a gift sent by mother nature for him to find. "Everything on my regalia I find." He said. "I give back what I take too. That's why we sweat."



Bernard Gipe, of Spring Arbor, left, is reflected in the windshield of his 1929 Model A Ford Pickup while John Stafford, of Grass Lake, center, takes a look behind it Sunday afternoon during the Fall Harvest Festival at Ella Sharp Museum in Jackson. Gipe's Model A joined a number of other classic cars and tractors on display at the festival, which included historical demonstrations, food, free planetarium showings and local vendors.



"Everything I've worked hard for is slipping, being stripped from me."James Belle, of Jackson, said. Belle was laid off from his job in January, loosing his health insurance. His wife, a hair dresser, had her hours cut in half at about the same time. Now he's struggling to keep up on house payments and put food on the table. On Saturdays Belle waits in line at the food pantry at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Jackson. He says the added food makes a huge difference for his wife and two daughters, one of whom is struggling to make tuition payments for college. "I never thought I'd be in this line. I was making $40,000-$50,000 a year. Then one day here I was. Never say never."



This photo is really sad. There was a two car collision last Saturday. An eight-year-old boy wasn't wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the car. He died at the scene.

there was a fire

some recent work

another fall themed festival, and a ride along with police to check on parolees.

Cat

Her name is Ami.

Another festival

It's kind of my thing, plus a grandparents day.

A few good moments

Feeling like a Square

So after railing against square photos for just about as long as I can remember, I find that I seem to be shooting them. Perhaps my subconscious is telling me not to be such a hater.