“People who are most afraid of their dreams convince themselves they don’t dream at all.”
― John Steinbeck, The Winter of Our Discontent

It’s been almost two years since my last post.  Here’s my excuse.  Life got in the way.  Life was busy with photography.  Life was busy with a teenager.  Life became surreal due to the political ugliness and the division in our country.   My dreams, as I’m sure many of yours, became hard to identify, and sadly became less significant.

The intent of this blog was to follow my daughter on her journey to becoming a young adult, while also sharing my journey in photography.  Here’s the update CliffsNotes style: I successfully added “art commissions and installations” to my resume while my daughter moved on to high school and continues to passionately pursue her equestrian goals and dreams.

During the first six months of 2017, I spent a few months in San Francisco rising before dawn to capture the iconic landmarks and the eclectic vibes of our amazing city by the Bay.   After a major installation at a VC firm in SOMA in June, it was time for me to take a breather.  The timing couldn’t have been better.  How could she have possibly turned 15.5?!!!   It was learner’s permit time!

As the mother of a teenager with places to go, people to see, and horses to ride (with no access to public transportation … remember, we live on a mountain), I became her private Lyft service and Driver’s Ed teacher.  My availability for commissions pretty much became non-existent, however I did sneak in a few mini sessions last Fall.  With still a few months to go before her Chapter 16 begins, I continue as driver, but rest assured there is no complaining on my end.  I already feel the lump developing in my throat.

2018 has brought an unexplainable, quiet sense of hope and optimism.  I’m not exactly sure why or where it’s coming from; perhaps from spending time with my daughter and her pals who exude intelligence, kindness, empathy and the kind of optimism and hope that comes with youth.   Whatever the reason, I embrace it.  With 2020 only two years away,  I have a renewed energy to take this blog on the final leg of the journey.

As for the tree, I have begun a new photo series.  I have driven by this tree every day for the past 15 years.  I wanted to make a picture on a perfect winter day.  I convinced myself for last 15 years that day has never been quite right.   Today was different, so I stopped.  This image encapsulates the feelings and emotions that filled my 2017, while reminding me that beauty exists and my dreams are still very much intact.

Cheers! xx J>