LIFE Archives - Page 2 of 8

Book Covers and Serendipity

Posted on February 26, 2018September 23, 2023 by Tressie

Riley on a book cover?

Sometimes serendipity strikes when you least expect it – a happy series of events has lead to a small adventure and new friends for Riley and me.

Scrolling through my social media accounts last November, catching up on everything my friends were up to, I was startled by a text out of the blue from a friend who I had not heard from in several months.

The text was simple. A photo of a book, and the words “Look familiar!!”

I read the text, and did a double take. Wait. OMG. Is that? Holy crap, Riley is on a book cover!!!!

I sell several of my older images as microstock, and this photo of 8 year old Riley has been one of my most popular to date. But…this is the first time I have seen it (or any others) on a book cover.

I immediately texted Riley, who responded “That’s so cool! Can we buy it”

Of course we can!!!!

After having a few minutes to think about it, I decided that I would take it one step further and contact the author to see if I could somehow purchase a signed copy.

Without telling Riley my plan, I reached out to author Leah Weiss the morning of December 3. Leah responded immediately, and after a short exchange of messages, let me know that not only was she in Michigan visiting family, but that she had free time and would love to meet Riley in person.

What?? My goal of purchasing a book had turned into a meet and greet with the author!! Talk about serendipity – what are the odds that when I decided to contact Leah, she was only an hour from my house?

The meeting was all we could have hoped for and more. Leah and her husband Dave are positively the sweetest they could be, and Riley and I greatly enjoyed our time with them.

We talked about books, and reading, and how Riley and I could not wait to read “If The Creek Don’t Rise”. We talked about family, and growing up, and basketball, and never giving up on your dreams. It was like a visit with old friends, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

A few photos and some hugs, our time together in person was over all too soon, but the memories made and friendship forged will last forever.

If the Creek Don’t Rise – Leah Weiss

I have since read “If The Creek Don’t Rise”, and highly recommend it. A beautifully portrayed portrait of life in Appalachia, I was transported to another place in time. Throughout the entire story I found myself rooting for Sadie Blue, seeing a strength and power in her that she did not see in herself. As each character was introduced I felt as if I were meeting each one personally, gaining an insight into their motivations and changing my perceptions and assumptions of who I thought they were. The end…the end is not what I expected…but perfect.

I am a photographer, not a book reviewer – so…you really should just read the book and see for yourself.

Find “If The Creek Don’t Rise” on Amazon, or at any major retailer.

PS – local folks stay tuned. Author Leah Weiss will be visiting Michigan in August 2018 for her book tour. The Michigan leg of her tour may include a special guest (or two)…shhhhhh…

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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

Harlem Globetrotters – Huntington Center Toledo

Posted on August 9, 2017September 28, 2023 by Tressie

A Gift of The Harlem Globetrotters

For the last couple of years, I have made it a mission to stop purchasing so many “things” and to start giving the gift of fun, togetherness and time. In December of 2015, the Christmas gift to our family was an outing to see the Harlem Globetrotters at the Huntington Center in Toledo, OH. To date, this is one of the most fun we have had as a family with a Christmas gift!

I’m not a huge sports fan, but even I had a great time at the show. There is

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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

The Creature Conservancy

Posted on August 2, 2017September 28, 2023 by Tressie

The Creature Conservancy

Where in Ann Arbor, MI can you see an Arctic Fox, a Reindeer and an albino Alligator? The Creature Conservancy !

Warm sun on our faces, Alex and I entered and were immediately intrigued by the black swans floating gracefully in the pond directly in front of us. In the distance to the right side of the pond, Emus wandered down to the waters edge to get a drink. A gentle breeze created tiny ripples in the water, prompting me to take a deep relaxing breath.

Slowly walking to the right, Alex and I headed toward the main building. Immediately upon entering, we met Luna the albino Alligator. We watched Luna for quite some time, swimming back and forth in her enclosure. It never occurred to me that Alligators could be albino, or what they would look like – Luna is beautiful!

After visiting Luna, we saw countless turtles and snakes. As we wandered, a playful and talkative raven named Poe caught our attention. Poe loved to bob his head, and say his name – “Poe Poe!, Poe Poe!”. We saw a sloth, muntjac deer, crested porcupines, an armadillo, barnyard animals and more.

Animal Presentations

Sven the Reindeer was the featured animal the day that Alex and I visited, and we entered the center room of the main building to watch Sven on the stone stage. Sven proudly shook his antlers, and strutted the length of the barrier to show everyone just how beautiful he is.

Other presentations included cougar feeding, alligator feeding, and cougar play time.

Hands On

The best part of the visit, was how many opportunities there were for hands on, interactive moments with the animals. Everything was very up close and personal, and in many cases you could touch the animals.

The entire location – indoors and out – had the relaxed, homey feeling of a farm, and people who work there are clearly passionate about what they do. The animal handlers were friendly, outgoing and eager to talk about the animals they care for. Alex and I were only there for a couple of hours, but we learned so much on our visit and walked away with a greater appreciation of the creatures that we share this planet with (and the people who advocate for them).

If you’re looking for a relaxing, low key outing with your kids in the Ann Arbor area, the Creature Conservancy is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours.

The Creature Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that takes in injured, non-releasable wildlife and occasionally acquires individual animal ambassadors to meet their teaching goals. To learn more about The Creature Conservancy, visit their Website.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

Walk Out Songs – A 2017 Crowd Sourced List

Posted on July 26, 2017September 28, 2023 by Tressie

At the end of this softball season, my daughters 12u softball team had the opportunity to play a game under the lights at UofM Alumni Field, and the girls were asked to choose walk out songs for their turn at bat. Alex was struggling to think of and choose her song, so I did what any self respecting modern parent would do….I turned to social media to crowd source suggestions.

The suggestions were a great mix of old and new, confident/bold, funny and nostalgic – something to fit every personality from many genres. I enjoyed the song suggestions so much I decided to share them here. We won’t go into the side conversations that were started due to my request to keep it “12 year old girl appropriate”, or the fact that someone actually suggested “Let It Go” for the sole purpose of annoying EVERYONE (I might be on board with that, but Alex wasn’t – HA)

Best Walk Out Songs – The List

In the order they were suggested (and yes I included a few questionable suggestions – because hey, that’s what you get when you crowd source), here are the best ideas for 12u Softball Walk Out Songs

Best Day of My Life (American Authors)

I Lived (One Republic)

All Star (Smash Mouth)

Mama Said Knock You Out (LL Cool J)

Celebration (Kool & The Gang)

Dancing Queen (ABBA)

Roar (Katy Perry)

Girls Just Want to Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)

Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Pat Benatar)

Jive Talkin (Bee Gees)

Centerfield (John Fogerty)

Another One Bites the Dust (Queen)

The Greatest (Kenny Rogers)

Enter Sandman (Metallica)

Back In Black (AC/DC)

Here Comes the Boom (Nelly)

All I Do Is Win (DJ Khaled feat. Ludacris)

Not Gonna Blow My Shot (Hamilton)

Wild Thing (The Troggs)

Youth Gone Wild (Skid Row)

American Bad Ass (Kid Rock)

I was really hoping she would go old school, but ultimately Alex chose All I Do Is Win (DJ Khaled) as her song.

Her team went on to win their game, 9-5. Go Gold!

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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

And Then There Was Aubrey

Posted on July 2, 2017September 23, 2023 by Tressie

The antiseptic smell of the hospital. The hours of waiting. The decisive moment, when it is “time” for Aubrey’s birth.

Everything so similar, and yet at the same time…so different.

It’s hard to explain the mix of emotions surrounding the birth of my second grandchild. Thoughts of the beautiful boy Landon who we held for such a short time but were not able to bring home, the excitement of a little girl this time, anxiety and fear, overwhelming happiness and a small bit of guilt for that happiness. Wondering how your heart can possibly be big enough to fit all of the love for your children, and now grandchildren.

Dark hair, sweet fine features and a healthy wail. Aubrey is born.

And just like how your heart grows exponentially each time you have a child, so it does with the arrival of each grandchild. Our hearts are full.

Aubrey Harper - Tressie Davis Photography =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.