Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day. A day to honor and remember all that have given their lives to make this country a wonderful place to live. I feel blessed to live here and have the freedom to live my life as I see it. Thank you to everyone who has served and is serving this country.

I attended the annual Memorial Day parade in West Chester, Ohio today. I'm not sure why I ever stopped going to parades since I love them. Watching the children wave and smile as the parade goes by. Or scamper around to get any candy tossed from the people actually in the parade. I even saw dog bones being given to dogs panting in the shade. (it is a very hot and humid day here). Of course the bands are my favorite since I participated in band while in school.


The following tow truck is my favorite vehicle of the parade. Because I know they honor our soliders 365 days a year not when the holiday calls for it.
I decided to attend the ceremony after the parade held at the local cemetery. They had a few remarkable speakers that really made me think and reflect on my life. I will definitely take to heart the words they said. One reflected on the fact most people do not treat the star spangle banner with respect. I definitely have noticed this over the years as well. As a photographer that shoots a lot of sporting events, I always put the camera down when the athem is played. Other photographers continue to shoot pictures and say it is their job. To me, my job can wait while the anthem is played. The below picture was shot before they raised the flag and the anthem was played.


The fly over was done at the end of the memorial ceremony.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day and remembered it was a day to honor our military and not just another day off work.

This past weekend was very full for me. I photographed a lot of sports. Lacrosse games on Friday. Youth soccer on Saturday morning. The Cincinnati Marshals (national indoor football team) on Saturday night. I did find some time to hang out with my husband at a wine festival. While it was really crowded we did have fun and got to try a lot of different wines. Below is a picture of my husband on his third wine tasting.

We did fine one wine we both really liked. The winner was Pinot Noir-Syrah by Debonne Vineyards.

On Sunday I met up with 2 other photographers at UC for a learning session. I learned a lot from the two of them and hopefully I taught them something as well. I wandered around for awhile taking random pictures.


One of the new buildings they have built recently offers so nice reflections.

We've been have a lot of rain here in the Cincinnati area. Of course whenever I want it to pour it only sprinkles. As you can see in the below picture, baseball games were rained out most of the previous weekend. The picture would have been much better if it was really pouring but the weather just would not corporate for me.

There were moments of hope in the sky where you could see it actually lightening up.

All the rain did make for some nice evening pictures.

And of course with all the rain my flowers are really growing so I won't complain too much.

The good news is my rain gear for my camera and lenses comes in soon. That should pretty much guarantee sunny weather for the future.

I decided to start a blog with a little pushing from a friend. I was looking for a place to show some of my photos that I take for myself and not just my job. We'll see how it goes and if I stick with it. Hopefully time allows me to do so.

I decided to start off with some pictures I took on a recent trip to Germany. The trip was something that was talked about for almost 3 years. It is still hard to believe it has come and gone so quickly. Had an amazing time and would highly recommend a trip to that country to anyone.

While in Munich we of course had to visit the Hofbrauhaus since it is a tourist thing to do and we have been to the one here in Newport, KY.

Went to see some famous castles outside of Munich.

Took a train down to Salzburg, Austria for a couple days. There we actually paid to climb a hill/mountain to visit a fortress.

There were balls decorate all over the place. Here is one of Mozart.

Next was a train ride to Frankfurt. Frankfurt was probably my least favorite place. But there was an interesting site.

On a more serious note, here is one architecture picture from Frankfurt.

Next was Koeln. As you leave the train station The Dom is right there. If that isn't an amazing site to see after a train ride I don't know what would be.

Inside The Dom

The trip finished in Berlin. I still haven't found my favorite picture from there so I won't post any for now.

Hope you enjoyed my first post.