five things, may 9

1. I think the highlight of my week was when David Lebovitz retweeted my tweet about his cookbook yesterday and said, "Nice job on the ribs!" No! Really.... the highlight was Neel coming home from a conference, and that means I don't have to make the coffee any more. No! Really! The highlight is Neel coming home. Really. :)

2. I think Cal has been working hard on a post that answers your questions about the Page Program. Let's face it, I'm last on the to-do list after homework and baseball. Let's face it. Baseball is first on the to-do list. If you have any other questions you'd like him to answer about any aspect of the program, leave it in the comments, and we'll add it to the list.

3. I think I love the internet! So how's this for a small world story for you? I'm following lots of Italy-based folks on Instagram and checking out their blogs for tips and inspiration. If you're headed to Rome anytime soon, you should really use Gillian's Lists as a reference. She's an American expat in Rome, and as soon as I commented on her blog, she was lovely enough to email me so many wonderful suggestions. So guess what? Earlier this week, when I wrote that post about the rice paper candies and my home town, Gillian commented, and we grew up just half an hour apart! How crazytown is that? Not only that, but someone else I "met" on Instagram through #perception_collection grew up near me too. Crazy making, for sure, in so many ways, but this? This is why I love the internet.

4. I think I loved all your comments on that rice paper candy post, by the way. They really meant a lot to me. It's funny how memories get triggered. Every time I think back to that summer, I'm sitting on a shuttle bus next to my grandma. We must have gone together to the Fair. Also, if you're looking for me, I'm with Rooth, devouring a bag of Swedish Fish.

5. I think I also wanted to tell you how honored I am to be part of an amazing group of photographers who are rocking their Fuji cameras. I have a lot to say about this little camera and my decision to add it to my bag. I've been working on getting my thoughts in order, and I hope to share them with you next week. The group that contributes to this blog is made up of some amazing and inspiring photographers (it took me awhile to work up the courage to be part of it), and they've also contributed a great deal to my growing understanding of my new tool. The FujiXCrew post goes live each Friday, and I hope to be there each week. Thank you for taking a look.

five things, may 2

1. I think some weeks I just run out of things to say. Sometimes the work of just getting through the days is tricky enough, leaving little time for reflection. And reflection is what I'm best at! I'm in a place at the moment where it feels like every step I'm taking, from parenting to photography, is just wrong. Right now I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't just chill the hell out with a nice glass of rose´.

2. I think I really loved this article that I found on Lightstalking this week. Seven habits of talented photographers. I'm definitely managing a few of these but not all, so maybe it's time to get cracking.

3. I think another compelling read for me this week has been Petra's blog. I haven't had nearly enough time to comment on all the fascinating writing she's doing there, from her list of questions to musing on authenticity, but each time I go, I leave thinking and that's a good thing. I don't really have much to add on this conversation about authenticity, I don't think. Petra is way ahead of me on that curve. I've struggled with this myself lately, and felt some challenges to my own integrity and work, but I tend to be a "keep your head down kind of person," so that's where we are. Me, keeping my head down.

4. I think I'm needing to work on a better schedule for myself. What are your day-to-days like? Do you have a good routine that you like? Mine's okay...but a bit haphazard and I'm feeling the need to get more done. How do people do that? (wink)

5. I think I can't even begin to tell you how very much I have loved hanging with all of you during #perception_collection on Instagram. Seriously. Seeing your pictures show up in my feed, and even better, seeing you like and encourage each other, well, that made my heart sing. We have another challenge in the works for late June, and in the meantime, Christine and I will be featuring recaps on our blogs on Monday. I'm filled with joy and gratitude over your response. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.