Game? What game?

I went to the women's U.S. vs. Japan Send-off Series soccer match at San Jose State University with a few friends Saturday night. I was enthralled with the light coming into the stadium. It was gorgeous and made for beautiful shadows on the field. It wasn't until the second half of the game, when the sun set behind the stadium, that I could focus on what I had paid the big bucks to see.
U.S. 4 - Japan 1.

Lucy

My dog Lucy and I have been best friends for 14 years. She has been my one constant through some difficult times. We have had an amazing relationship and I am so thankful for all the good times we shared. We have enjoyed countless visits to the beach and romps in the snow - she has been canoeing and she even skim boarded for about 10 seconds. She was an artist at heart - drawing massive designs in the sand while dragging her favorite toy, a Frisbee, through tangles, turns and weaves in the sand. She has touched many hearts and won over many a meat filled hand. She traveled to San Felipe, Mexico twice.
Lucy has been a great dog - I can take her anywhere and she will hang by my side - no leash required. She has been so easy - we just click and work well together.
My girl is declining. She is blind now and mostly deaf. I carry her outside every few hours to do her thing and then I take her to her food bowl and water and then, wrapped securely in my arms, we walk to her bed where she settles in for another long nap. Lucy has cancer and is suffering from Cushings disease. She is exhibiting signs of pain around her eye which is where the cancer is so I am giving her pain meds twice a day.
My first reaction to all of this aging was fear and denial. Now I am trying to embrace her and love her and comfort her through the changes. She, as she has since day one, is being a trooper. She constantly walks into things but she perseveres and keeps going.
My girl is one of a kind and I will love her through this difficult time. I don't know if I can ever repay her the amount of love and support she has provided me the last 14 years but I sure as hell am trying.
Here's to my girl. Lucy Ball Falconer.

No photo

I don't have a photo to post today. I snapped a few of the morning light coming into my house this morning but they didn't excite me. I would rather show no photo than upload something forced.
I am in a transitional time right now. Drifting away from photography and more into drawing. A friend and I are in talks about a new creative business adventure. I will leave it at that until I am certain we are both in it 100%.
I know someday I will return to my camera but for now I need something different.

Algebra flashbacks

I have some time on my hands to figure out what I want to do with my life. I go in and out of wanting to go back to school to get a degree in something. I haven't made the leap yet because I haven't decided what I want to do when I grow up. Now is a good time to do just that.
So, back to school I go. My plan right now is to major in studio art. I am no master at art but I do enjoy it and I love drawing and doodling and sculpting so why not delve into some classes that will teach me more about those topics.
Not so fast. First - Math, science and communications classes. I really just want to play with clay and wire and concrete and paint and draw but I will have to wait to get to those classes.
I spent the last three days studying algebra so I could pass the assessment test at the local community college. I took the test today and passed. Intermediate Algebra - here I come.

Free Time

What does one do when they are laid off? Well, relax, play with the camera in the evening sun, relax.

Dog Dialog

Actually, it was more like a dog monologue. Beagle gets bossy about a stick he/she doesn't own.