Rizzle Frazzle

Stephanie and I returned home late Sunday night from our photo shoot and my head is still in a swim. So many experiences packed into those 9 days so tightly with no time to really digest everything. In the shot above our plane is passing over Mt. Hood at dusk after two long and bumpy flights. I was numb to it; at that point I had let myself sink into a state of blissful torpor as I reran the experiences.

One of those experiences was at this restaurant where we ate Italian food so dripping with good olive oil and garlic that we spent some time in heaven. In fact, the wonderful food was a highlight of the trip. Our standing editor Julie and our photographer Christine took us out to lunch every day to the great eateries of Cincinnati and we ate like royalty.

This is what the F & W studio looks like where the book photography is done. Those lights are not bright or hot; when the photos are taken they are augmented with flash. Julie is sitting to the right side of Stephanie where she records every step of our projects and techniques. This will help us later when the actual writing takes place.

Here I am showing a step in one of my projects while Christine takes a shot from above. The room we worked in was very large so we could spread out and make a big mess.

In addition to all the shots for the book, Stephanie and I appeared in three promotional videos for the book. These videos were shot in this room with lots of incredible equipment. Since I am now a quiet person Stephanie did all the talking which drove me crazy. I had to sit on my hammy instincts and let someone else speak for a change.

Stephanie and I managed to get in several good shopping trips while we were there. One of her hauls was this chartreuse metal-flake phone cover. She be lookin' mighty stylish talkin' on that phone now. I don't think she takes a bad picture. (you can take that both ways) Check out her blog posts about our trip too; here and here and here. She had more posting energy than I did.

We both captured shots of this precious dress at a big vintage store we visited. The store was rows on rows enormous and we spent a few hours there combing through the goodies. There was great furniture but too big to ship home so I left with only a few treasures.

One day we visited a nature trail to see if we could spy some cardinals. We don't have cardinals in Oregon so it was a huge thrill to see them flying over our heads and landing in the trees around us. The honeysuckle was beginning to bloom that day and the birdsong was like nothing I've ever experienced before. That powerful fragrance coupled with the joyful singing of the birds was amazing. I fell in love with the soft warmth and luscious forested hills of Ohio and Kentucky. I had no idea that place would be so green and beautiful.

This photo sums it up for me. One rather rickety old gal and one young woman in her prime joining talents and hearts to create a dream. We said many times to each other that this book will be so much better as a result of our collaboratiion. Fate allowed me to make this photo shoot in spite of a few hurdles. Stephanie was the strength I leaned on in Ohio. She held me up and I did not wobble.

Thank you again to those of you who have continuously sent your well wishes. I even dreamed about that last night. I think those messages of hope have sunk down deep into my soul where they give me ongoing sustenance. I send that love and encouragement back out to all of you too as you face your own hurdles and celebrations. It's hard, it's easy, it's life.