This rang so true for me and made me sad. But then I remembered how on a visit to the Chesapeake Bay I enjoyed another remote spot that has been preserved by duck hunters. And I thought about the small donations I send to Nature Conservancy because they are setting aside as much land as possible as undeveloped spaces. I love it when I see their sign designating a protected area and I think: “Hey, maybe I helped with that.”

Like in all cases, there are good and bad scenarios. Do we sometimes not do enough, sure. Can we always do more, you bet! It’s my hope for our kids and grandkids, of course, that in addition to those people who work tirelessly to make a difference, that even people who are spending more and more time with their computers, PDAs, cell phones and such, will also still have enough of a fondness for trees, oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, marshes, swamps, deserts, and mountains to support the efforts of those who protect and preserve. . . and to take some time like Adam did—even on a day when he was out at the beach partying with friends—to stop and pick up some trash.

Thank you for that conversation and reminder, Adam. Thank you for the walk.

[Photo above: Adam and his dog Daisy, Morris Island, SC]

At first, it looked like a place gone to sleep for winter:
hues of brown with shriveled leaves and fields abandoned by most birds
except for snow geese and a few ducks. And then, the magic happened. . .

Click on the link to take a fall walk with us: http://mimspeak.com/ArtBooks/FallWalk/

For Alice, who always inspires us to enjoy nature and to just be.

Kevin, the gorgeous greyhound racer gone long-legged turtle. Such a sweetie.

Animal Rescue League of Boston brought the adorable Hazel, who is looking for a good home.

Trudie, the cutest jail bait I’ve ever seen.

Kili enjoys his devilish role!

Stay tuned for more photos!

To see more of Mim’s dog portraits, visit: http://mimspeak.com/DogDays/

Belle & Breton (Bill & Judy, and Hatzy) . . . congratulations on a spectacular celebration!

More to come of the ceremony, the lovebirds, and the party!

I delight in knowing that not only will moms and dads and grandparents and the kids themselves enjoy these books & photos now, but they will have a life of their own as the kids grow. . . looking back when they are in college and then parents themselves and they share the books with their own kids who will be thrilled to see and smile with their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents in these glorious at-play moments frozen in time.

Click on the links below to see each slideshow book:

A Summer Day with Jonathan and David

Jonathan loves to fish.

WHAT did David catch?

See the full book slideshow: http://mimspeak.com/kids/SummerFunwithJD/

At Play in the the Park with Oscar and Travis

Oscar is an expert bubble maker!

Travis is an expert bubble breaker!

See the full book slideshow: http://mimspeak.com/kids/OscarTravSlideshow/

Please contact Mim to schedule your September and October Family Sessions!

Another ART of LIFE moment with Mim Adkins Photography.

Please take a minute to read their story
[click on the link above to read Breton & Belle's slideshow storybook]:

Breton & Belle's Engagement Story

Note: the slideshow storybook takes a few seconds to load. ENJOY!

It was a winter day and I got cold and wandered off. He stayed on task.

After he finished the sculpture and cleaned up the site, we circled around it having a look from each vantage point.

And then we enjoyed the fruits of our labor.

Wishing you a gloriously inspired and productive week.

As I walked through the woods,
I happened upon a woodland faerie.
She was wild and elusive and fast.

At first she didn’t notice me
so I followed her along the path where she climbed onto a rock.

I watched her as she daydreamed while
the sun kissed her skin and the wind whispered in.

Suddenly, she caught me watching.
She didn’t run . . .  so for a moment I hoped we’d be friends.

Then the moment passed and she hid herself.

And with one last look, she disappeared back into the woods.
 

Thanks to the Wall family for inviting me to capture their ART of LIFE.

NOW booking for June and July family sessions! Contact Mim for special discounts.

How joyful, dear, important and present our animal friends are in our lives. They comfort us, give us many laughs, teach us much about loyalty and patience, offer steadfast companionship, invite us to play and snuggle OFTEN, and insist we join them IN the moment. 

My next Day of Portraits fundraiser is April 18. Please mark your calendars, sign up if you don’t yet have fun, artful portraits of your beloved pet(s), and PLEASE spread the word by sharing this posting. In these challenging economic times, homeless cats and dogs are facing more challenges with increased abandonment and big financial cuts to shelters. 

I dedicate this moment to dogs I have photographed who are no longer with us. Kudos to their people for giving them such great care and happy lives and for participating in the fundraiser. BIG thanks to MSPCA-Angell and the Animal Rescue League of Boston and other shelters who tirelessly offer brave support to homeless and abused animals.

Here’s to you Emma, Betty, Rangeley, Homer, Axel, and all the other amazing pets who have graced our lives.

[If you can't see the full photo frame, please widen your browser window]

In remembrance of few wonderful dogs I've had the honor to meet.

To sign up, email Mim: mim@mimspeak.com

For more details, visit: http://mimspeak.com/LOVE/

To see more of Mim’s pet portraits, visit:

http://mimspeak.com/DogDays/

http://mimspeak.com/DogDays2/

http://mimspeak.com/peeks/catface/

http://mimspeak.com/peeks/cats/ (starring Rowser and Romeo)

Please share this blog link with anyone you think might enjoy it, and please do leave comments below.

I don’t go to church, but I realized I meet the divine often when I walk in the lush moss-covered woods, inhale salty beach air, drive through the desert alone, stand in the quilted quiet of fresh snow, and dive into clear lake waters.” There are so many others I could name.

God and angels, heaven and the divine, blessings and prayers live everywhere.

When I manage to stop, when I can be quiet and still, I find them. 

Mim Adkins Photography | From the Sublime Series | Earth to the Moon