Giving Thanks 2013.

Not very much has fundamentally changed since last Thanksgiving.  Hard to believe I didn’t write a blog post last year on the subject.  In the end, there was so much going on....  Oh well....

Its hard not to be thankful for my life and all that’s in it.  I have a wonderful Step-Daughter, who tries my patience quite a bit, but is still one of the most interesting people I’ve ever gotten to know.  She’s crazy, eclectic, and a true unique.  I’m beyond thankful to be in her life, to be loved by her, and to have the respect she chose to give me.

Family Portraits: Autumn 2012 - Part 2

((Continued from Part 1))

Back in the Fall of 2012, I took the family out for some portraits.  Continued from Part 1, here are some of the best I selected to talk about and display here on the blog.

Family Portraits: Autumn 2012 - Part 1

During the Fall, the family went out to take some shots with me.  We decided to pull off some family portraits.  The lighting wasn’t the best, but we made the most out of the trip, and I got several amazing shots.  In this post, I shall share some of the twenty two keepers, and talk a little about what I did to the photos, and what I could have done better with them.  Either way, it’s a show case of my photography, and I hope everyone enjoys this look into my life.

A Rambling Update.

I hate forgetting what you are going to write about, but then...getting maced with perfume by the step-daughter will wipe your memory pretty much instantly.  Wow perfume burns in the eye for a very long time.

Today I spent time learning about other blog formats, and even though I’m having issues with my floating social media bar at the bottom of the page, I have to say, I’m going to have to be satisfied with Blogger here for awhile.  I just hope I can work out the issues with it soon, as its my current visual project.

Dating a Teenager's Mother

I remember several years ago, a colleague at work turned to me and said, “You shouldn’t go for women who had children.”  I remember looking back at her and said, “Finding a woman at my age without children...yeah right.”  I remember the conversation well, and how true it was then, and still is.

Falling in love is hard enough, even though when it happens its way to easy to just fall.  Lisa and I fell fast, and hard, and it was wonderful.  But quite a few people were startled by it all, watching from the outside.  Not least of which, was a teenage daughter caught in the middle.  But here’s one thing I’ve learned, if you are to have a mother love you, then you have to love the child as well.

A Nice Little Forest for Photography

I love photography, I love going out and having sessions somewhere.  Finding landscapes that are truly wonderful.  I admit, that I’m not the best when it comes to shooting models.  But I’m learning, and I know I can still get great shots with perseverance.

For this adventure, Fall had just started, Lisa went over to her best friend’s house, and my step-daughter and I tagged along.  Unfortunately all the batteries for my camera was dead, so I used my fiance’s cell phone.

(poem) For my Step-Daughter

Never thought I’d live to see
A daughter’s birthday
It always seemed impossible to me
To have a teenager make me feel this way

But alas
I do,
Despite all your sass
I love you

No matter how you hack it
You were the baggage this relationship taunted
But in the end, I must acquit
Because you are the daughter I always wanted

 I missed the first decade (and a half) of your life
Which pains me to know end
But I honestly feel no strife
Because we have become such fast friends

I know I’m just a silly old man
But from this day
I shall do all that I can
To never let our friendship decay

You have your life in front of you
But the same can be said about every day
But as sure as the sky is blue
I hope you have many a happy birthday

 Enjoy this life as best you can
Chase your dreams
But never chase a man
And simply learn to bask in the moonbeams

 I don’t remember my own sixteenth birthday
I’m sure you’ll forget things, as well
But never forget to dance and play
Because that is the only way to excel

 Always remember what Einstein said
“Imagination is more important than Knowledge,”
The talent of imagination is not widespread
And only knowledge is a privilege.

 So enjoy this day with your new step-dad
I know I will enjoy it with you, my step-daughter
Happy birthday and don’t be sad
Or else I shall almost kill you with laughter.

--Dan

--Want more Poetry?  Check out my Poetry Collection Page!