My first 14er

Today I hiked up my first (hopefully of many) 14er. I have been battling this cough for over two weeks now and it is still sticking around. I was not sure if I could even do this today, but I took it slow. Real slow (as in 5 hours to reach the top, when it can be done in 3). As my head began to hurt more and more, my lungs screamed for more oxygen, my heart racing, and as I felt more and more lightheaded with each step I took, I really wanted to turn around and call it quits. But one thought in my mind kept me going...I need to bring Scott to the top. While we have plans to eventually take most of Scott's remains to the beach in California, I felt compelled to bring some of him with me on this hike. I wept upon arriving to the summit. I cried as I placed his ashes inside a heart made out of stones. My grief became very apparent on that summit today. I wish he could have been here to hike with me on what would have been his first 14er also. I cried thinking about the kids and how they are at a camp for grieving kids, a camp they should not have to need. I pushed myself today because of my grief. I did it for him. Thank you, Timothy, for being there today, being patient with me as I slowly ascended the peak, for allowing me to breakdown on a mountain top, and for also bringing Scott to Torreys Peak since I was too exhausted to climb that peak.

This quote found on One Fit Widow’s Facebook page perfectly describes how I felt:

The thing about grief that a lot of people don't understand is that you can be going about your day, feeling perfectly fine, and uncover a memory, hear a song, or simply stumble upon a photo - and you are ripped back - if even for a moment.

Grief is part of the tapestry that makes up who you are. It's deep, it's lasting, and it's painful. It's also enlightening, powerful, and hauntingly beautiful.

Those who grieve are changed.

Life never looks the same. Often the grieving make the choice to live a better life. Grief makes you aware at a deeper level. Grief makes you wiser in a way nothing else can.

The last sunset

Picture taken by Kevin Ahrens of Kev’s Kaptures
This photo was taken ten minutes after Scott passed away.

Dani Renaud
February 3 at 6:19pm

I'm so sorry to announce that Scott Hooper, beloved husband, father, friend, and son passed away at 5:30pm tonight. You will be so very missed by so many people. I love you. You may have gone but many people will be here to love and support your family through this hard time and for years to come.

Thank you all for your support and love for the Hoopers through this difficult time. They and especially Mary appreciate it more than you know.

A new toy

I know it has been a while.  I guess I have some updating to do.  Oh well.  Such is life. 
We move forward and get on with our lives.

Anyway, one of the things I love to do is photography.  For the last two or three years, I've immersed myself in the world of DSLR's.  Before this time, I loved taking photos of my children, but envied the pictures that others would taking using their fancy, expensive cameras.  I wanted to do something like that.  I wanted to learn more about how to take good photographs. 

About three years ago, I spent part of our tax refund on a Craigslist purchase.  It was a older Canon Rebel model.  It was only 5 or 6 megapixels, but it came with two back-up batteries, a telephoto lens, and a few memory cards, which was good since it used flash and not SD. 

I poured over blogs and photography websites.  I learned what I could while enjoying the new range of photos I was able to take. 

Today, I have a Canon Rebel T3i.  I stuck to what I was already familiar with and what was capable of using my existing lens.  It still hurt in my pocket, but not too bad.  We purchased it after my son had a bit of an accident with my starter DSLR.  I don't think I'm too heartbroken to have gotten a new one.  I absolutely love it. 

Since getting the new camera, I purchase an inexpensive, fixed lens.  It is a 50mm lens.  I cannot believe the pictures I've been able to capture with this thing!

Anyway, fast forward to today.  I ordered a Light Scoop and SteadePod from Photojojo.com and they arrived today!  I haven't tested the SteadePod, but I have tested out the Light Scoop.  And boy, oh, boy, is it great!  I hate using my flash.  I avoid it at all costs. 

Here's an example of what I would do in a low light situation.  The following picture is set at f1.8, ISO 1600, shutter speed 1/80.  I only cropped the photo, so no editing.  

 This next picture was taken with the flash.  I believe my ISO was set at 800, f1.8, and shutter speed 1/200.

 

 Now, here's a picture with the Light Scoop. Same settings with just the flash alone.  This time, the Light Scoop took that flash and bounced it up to the ceiling for a more natural look.  I love it!

 

Photojojo also sends over a little stow-away in the package.  A little plastic dinosaur.  They encourage customers to take a picture of their stow-away and submit the photo with a caption.  

My son is on his way to being a paleontologist.  He loves dinosaurs.  He knows many of the obscure ones.  And he knows many facts about them.  So, we had to introduce the new little dinosaur to his gang of dinosaurs.  Here are some of my favorite shots.  

 I can't wait to try it out some more!

Snow Day

This winter has been fairly mild compared to the past number of years.  We've had very little snow with little accumulations.  So, when it snowed this past weekend and didn't melt by noon, the kids and I took advantage of our sloped backyard for some sledding fun. 

I also took the time to do some photo editing in PSE 8.  I had fun playing around with various actions.