The Carl Family.  The best words to describe them are energetic, whimsical, and up for any challenge thrown at them.

We meet up last friday night at Wells State Park in Sturbridge, MA.  It was a warm spring New England night full of all kinds of possibilities.  I showed up early to get a survey of the land.  I imagined this that and the other.  Yes!  So excited.

I met Krystal and Carl a few months back at Bella Productions event to raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis.

They showed up with 4 kids in tow and off we went.  We trapsed through the woods, down to the lake, and up a hill.  They were in the best of spirits as they warded off the mosquitos and threw a few rocks in the lake.

After many wonderful locations and shots we headed back to our cars and parted ways.  As I left that evening I was truly grateful.  Grateful to know such a wonderful family, grateful for an evening well spent, and grateful to be a photographer.

Main Street.  The words send our mind to faded images in the past.  A time when we knew the owners of the shops down the street.  They were our friends.  Sadly that is not the case with most of us today.  They have been pushed out to make room for the big monolithic superstores full of many workers just trying to make a buck.  That can change.

I would like to introduce you to Mary of Giorgi’s Boutique.  She has a consignment clothing boutique aimed at women who make select choices in what they wear.  It is an unassuming store located at 266 Main Street in Marlborough Massachusetts.  As you walk in Mary greet’s and you feel at ease as she talks to you.  There are a wide variety of clothing and accessories  that make any woman feel good and look good.

I was able to attend her grand opening a few weeks back.  There was a large number of people who showed up.  Everyone from the mayor to my friends at the chamber of commerce.  She had hors d’oeuvre’s  and wine for everyone to taste on while they scaned the boutique looking for that special something.

There is something special about the main street shop.  The entrepreneur who takes a risk in today’s economy and branches out on their own.  When you get the chance shop local and cultivate friendships with the local store owner.  And if you are in Marlborough stop by and say hi to Mary at Giorgi’s Boutique.

It has been said “Laughter is the best medicine”.  If this is true there was plenty of healthy people in Worcester a few weeks back.

I was fortunate to be part of Bella Productions “Putting the Fun into Fundraising”.  An evening to raise money and attention to those suffering from alzheimer’s at Corral Seafood in Worcester.

Dr. Steve Sobel started off the evening.  He has a style that is slightly outrageous  while never taking himself too seriously.  He kept the entire audience in stitches while relaying lessons from life and basketball.

The Penguin Apocalypse from the Natick Improvisational Team performed.  They were amazingly quick and amusing.  There minds were running a hundred miles a minute to keep up with the audience requests as well as each other.

It was wonderful again working with Bella Productions.  I also have to thank the following for donating time and services.

Natick Improv 

Dr. Steve Sobel

BrightStar Care of Milford-Worcester

Coral Seafood

I have a few favorite bloggers.  Seth Godin, Justin and Mary, Liz and Ryan, and Carlos Whittaker.  I would be remise though if I did not mention Jon Acuff!  He has a wit about him that is genuine and perceptive.  I have followed him for a few years.

Recently I was a select group of followers who had the chance to read his new Book START prior to it being released.  How thankful I am because it truly is an amazing book and like so many things in life you have to START.  You can but it here!

If you follow his advice and don’t let the book or yourself sit on the shelf you will change.  But on the other hand if you don’t you won’t.

Once when hearing my friend Mary Marantz speak she was asked “What happens when everyone does what you do to do to be successful.”  She said not everybody will.  Good lesson to learn.

Will loads of people buy this book.  Yes.  A number of have already been sold and it is in Amazon’s top 20.  Will everybody do what it says to.  No.  The sad truth is, even in my life, that the distance from awareness to completion is too hard a road for many.  It involves a little four letter word, WORK!

Do I think you should buy the book.  Of course, it is amazing and can change your life.  But remember not to stop with simply buying it, reading it and thinking you are done.  Learn the lessons and let them change who you are.

Excuses are a dime a dozen.

Excuses often come from the thoughts we have.  Telling us things like why try, I won’t succeed, I wont’ ever be good enough, I am not ready.  Everybody has them.  I hear them all the time.  I am sure I am not the only one, there is proof here.   Your excuses may be the some or different than mine.

To help put an end to this I have came up with a new moto.

No more excuses!  Fear can grip you and try to tear you and me apart.  But you and I are never alone.  No matter how alone we feel.  We are never alone.  There is a God who watches over us and loves and provides for us.

So today go out with More Risk, and Less Excuses.

I mentioned Easter Weekend a few posts back.

I was blessed and fortunate to be able to spend part of Saturday Morning with my Good friend Eli hiking at Mt. Tom in Massachusetts.  I don’t know why but there is a Mt. Tom in every New England State.

Eli likes to vault along the trails and I am slow and methodical not to miss anything.  Regardless we seem to make a good pairing.

The streams have been thawing out and now are flowing quickly.

I hope that you are able to get out and enjoy the spring as I have been lately with more adventures to come!

Hello Everyone!

Hope your weekend if full exciting plans like mine is.

Today I have a little blue and gold to add to your day.

Years ago I heard Jay Maisel speak on How he always took his camera everywhere.  I do mean everywhere.  You never know when inspiration will show up.

Last weekend I was walking around with my friend Eli.  On the way to back from the grocery store inspiration struck and I was able to snag this photo.  Do you know what it is?  If you want to take a guess leave some love in the comments section.