Tonka

I found an interesting article written by  By AARON MILLER Published On 09/03/2015 @aaron_m_miller

on  ThrillestTonka trucks have been the undisputed kings of the sandbox for decades. Built on the notion that “a toy shouldn’t break just because a child plays with it,” they’re sturdy and heavy enough to be used as legitimate weapons if you swing one at someone’s head. Back in the '70s, Tonka even had an elephant stand on one, just to prove their point. But if you've ever held one, you already know how indestructible they were -- learn twelve more things on the Thrillest  site

World Parkinson's Disease Day

My Grandfather, Daddy, and now my Uncle have suffered from Parkinson's Disease.

April 11 is  World Parkinson’s Disease Day and marks the birthday of Dr. J Parkinson. On this day there are efforts made to increase the public awareness of this terrible disease, as well as all the good works put forth by the worlds organizations dedicated to eradicating this disease. There are activities to promote this the entire world over, and the opportunity to participate is open to any and all who want to help in this effort.

Feeling GROUCHY??????

Have you done a grouch a favor today? According to the Days of the Year website, find a grouch!

If not then it’s likely that no one told you it was Do a Grouch a Favor Day, as doing a grouch a favor is what the day is all about. We all know a grouch at some point in our lives, and it is very likely that we’ve had phases of being grouchy ourselves. Sometimes another person doing us a favor is the last time, but other days a favor from someone, be they a close friend or a random stranger, is exactly what we need to break us out of our slump.

http://ow.ly/NIb2307ahGl

Ballet Day

History of Ballet Day

 Ballet found its origins during the Renaissance throughout Italy and France, though it had yet to evolve into the form we know it today. There were no tutus, no ballet slippers, and the iconic pointe work of ballet were all things to come in the future. It found its roots in court dances, and thus incorporated the proper dance dress of women at the time, formal gowns that descended to the ankle. Unlike modern performances, the audience would join the dance as it came to a close.http://ow.ly/sjff307agtv

Teaching - A great way to learn

I have been teaching my daughter Jazmín some photography stuff over the past few months. On her Christmas break we spent a lot of time on Photoshop.
I can't tell you how much I learn from teaching others. I have to stop and think about what I am doing and remember the WHY of what I am doing.
I think Jazmín is going to be very good at this!!

Toy Boats

Did you have a favorite toy boat for your tub or for the creek?

Below is just a snippet from the Collectors Weekly website. Visit the site for some more interesting facts.

Realistic replicas of wooden sail boats, sometimes referred to as “pond yachts,” were popularized during the sailing-schooner trend beginning in the 1860s. Though ostensibly for the children of affluent families, these boats were up to six feet long and were often piloted by fathers. During the same era, the world’s navies were transitioning from sail to steam, a change visible in model boats, too. Self-propelled toy boats provided fascinating entertainment for kids everywhere, some of which used tiny steam engines to run continuously for up to an hour. Everything from delicate pleasure boats with ornate floral designs and gilded bows to ominous hard-working warships floated on park ponds.

The Meanings and Myths of Pearls

I found this cool article about pearls on the website Bellatory

Pearls symbolize wisdom acquired through experience. They are believed to attract wealth and luck as well as offer protection. Known for their calming effect, pearls can balance one's karma, strengthen relationships, and keep children safe. The pearl is also said to symbolize the purity, generosity, integrity, and loyalty of its wearer.



To find out  more, visit the Bellatory website.

Glasses

My whole family wheres glasses!  I got my first pair when I was 5.

I found the information below at the Museum of Vision website.

A simple historical timeline of eyeglasses starts with their invention, believed to be between 1268 and 1289 in Italy. The inventor is unknown.  The earliest eyeglasses were worn by monks and scholars. They were held in front of the eyes or balanced on the nose.





 The invention of the printing press in 1452, the growing rate of literacy and the availability of books, encouraged new designs and the eventual mass production of inexpensive eyeglasses.

Talia Dances with Joy

It was such a pleasure to photograph Talia at Dance with Joy in Russellville, Arkansas.
Hardgrave Photography is located in Knoxville, Arkansas, only 15 minutes from Clarksville or Russellville. Photographer Rebecca Hardgrave is a Certified Professional Photographer. You can contact her at 479-885-3835 and check out her latest work at www.hardgravephoto.com. Follow HardgravePhoto on Pinterest, Facebook, and Google+

Lily Pad?

Oh how I love the Enchanted  Fairies set in February! I love it so much that I have my own fairy costume. But I do like to share so when Lily's mommy teased that she was jealous that I had a fairy costume and I didn't, I had to take it off and make  her put it on. All with the encouragement of Lily!  We had a great time, and Lily loved flying like a fairy and kissing  her frog.

Kyra - 4 months

 Kyra is in the "Baby Steps" program at Hardgrave Photography.

 Her 4 month session was so easy, I almost felt guilty for not taking more photos. She just was in the best mood and very willing to pose, laugh, smile, and talk with me.

 That is why I like to photograph 4 months instead of 3 months. That one month gives them strength to hold up their heads and body on their tummies. They also begin focusing farther away.

 I feel so lucky to be able to photography this sweet baby and work with her sweet parents for 3 more baby sessions.

Kara the Fairy

This little fairy is so very special to me. She started out in the Baby Steps program almost 5 years ago. I have seen her go through physical therapy, surgeries, pain, and still always has a happy face. Not to mention she gives the best hugs. She has over come so many things that they thought she might not be able to do.
 I love visiting with her sweet momma. We could sit and talk way longer than it takes to take photos or order photos. This is a special family, and she makes a perfect fairy.

Jenny Jenny

Jenny is a great dane mix, but pure in heart. Her coloring is called brindle.

"Brindle is a coat coloring pattern in animals, particularly dogs, cattle, guinea pigs, and, rarely, horses. It is sometimes described as "tiger-striped", although the brindle pattern is more subtle than that of a tiger's coat. The streaks of color are irregular and usually darker than the base color of the coat, although very dark markings can be seen on a coat that is only slightly lighter." 
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brindle

Jenny is waiting for that family that really want a sweet, active, big dog. She is waiting at Needy Paws Animal Shelter in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Daisy Dog

Daisy lived at Needy Paws Animal Shelter. Luckily, through the efforts of staff and volunteers, she has gone to a lucky family that can love  her for years and  years to come.
For years, I was on the board of a humane society. Talk about hard work, emotions, and rewards - that was it.  There are always more dogs that need a home than there are homes available. Needy Paws has made such great strides in adoptions since I left the board. But the need to spread the word to consider adopting from a shelter, spaying an neutering your pet, look for housing that is pet friendly, don't get a pet unless you have a place for it and time to care for it.  All these things will help reduce the amount of pets that are abandoned in the streets and at the shelter.

Hammy - NOT for Adoption

Before I could get this Blog post finished - Hammy found his permanent home!  Being a pet  care specialist at Needy Paws Animal Shelter, it is easy to be tempted to take home many of the animals. But as a professional, you also know that you can't.  This time though, Hammy just kept working his way into the heart of the Specialist that brought him in for photos. 

Keep a lookout - there will be a future post featuring Hammy with his new family.

The Weavers

I love this family! And Beverly - the momma - loves me too!  We had the photo session right before I left for a mission trip to Guatemala, so we had to wait to do the order.

Then there were delays due to weather, this and that. But everytime I talked to Beverly, we had the best conversations.  At the end of one message - I heard her say "love you", and I laughed thinking she had said it out of habit, like I do to my kids and family. But no, when I talked to her and started to tease her she said she meant it. WOW - that made me feel so good.

This woman knows the value of health, family, and time. You can just tell from the images that she values her family greatly. And they adore her. I talked to her daughter from another state and she made sure and ask me how her mom looked since she had been sick for a couple of weeks.

I joked something about "becoming our mothers" and she told me that she could only hope to be as good as her mom.

Hug your family today - not because something is wrong - just because they are precious. Tell someone you love them that may not expect it. Don't forget that you don't have to have a tragedy or health scare to become more grateful, more loving, and more forgiving.

Adalyn P

I just LOVE little baby girls, well baby boys too. And when I have a connection with the family, it is even better.  I was Adalyn's momma's senior photographer.

Then, I find out her great grandparents were great friends of my grandparents.

AND I photograph Adalyn's cousins!!! Small town, small world - and I wouldn't have it anyother way!

Need some Green?

 Well I needed a "green" post for St.Patricks day so I have Kinlee and Karsyn Green and their green frog prince!

 Both of these girls have been through the Baby Steps program at the studio. I photograph their cousins on both sides of the family. I have photographed their aunts and uncles.

 They are precious to me. Kinlee is a talker and loves to play games with me.

 Karsyn's flower crown was a little crooked - but it was on....well most of the time.

 Karysn was all into kissing the frog!!

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY