The Windy City – Chicago Rocks

The view from my hotel room

The last weekend in October, I left my family for a short trip to Chicago.  The “official” purpose of the trip was the Zenfolio Zoom Tour, where I would learn about all kinds of ways to make my website better.  Hopefully in the next few months I will be implementing what I learned.

“Unofficially”, I wanted to take pictures in Chicago and visit with my dear friend Vicki.

I signed up for a workshop with John Batdorff, to walk the streets of Chicago and to see it from the perspective of a resident.  I was not disappointed – no only did John show me lots of cool places to shoot, I learned a lot about shooting subjects that do not have eyes.  This is a struggle for me you know.

With John, I practiced seeing in black and white – spotting patterns within a scene or subject, and thinking about black and white conversions while I shoot.  I am by no means a landscape or architectural photographer, but I love how learning an unfamiliar type of photography can bring so many ideas and inspiration to the type of photography that I DO shoot.  And it was FUN.  Between shooting locations John and I chit chatted about our families, our photography, and very interesting things like the difference between a Booty Call and a Butt Dial.  But that’s a story for a different day.

Don’t forget to look up!!

A bonus Chicago tip from John:  The Ghirardelli store gives out a free chocolate to each person that walks in.  Dessert on John! (don’t worry, I won’t tell everyone you’re a cheap date)

Lunch with Vicki, shopping on the Miracle Mile, and some street performances rounded out the trip.  (Vicki I won’t tell the story about how you mailed post cards to my girls 4 years after they were written…love you xo)

I think I need to do this more often…



Even the pigeons were cold
Yay for beautiful friendships…

Our Tiger, is it time?

How do you know when is the “right” time to euthanize a pet?  I recently asked this question on Facebook, because my buddy Tiger is struggling a bit.  He has been sick for quite some time – possibly a brain tumor, but we don’t know for sure because we are unwilling (don’t hate me) to spend the money on a CT scan simply “to know”.

I will spare you the details of his treatments and our struggles.  Suffice it to say that every time we think it is “the end”, he seems to bounce back and though a little wobbly and crooked, becomes his old self again.  When he bounces back, we wonder how we could have ever considered putting him down.

The truth is though, that he is 12 years old, and there will be a time that he does not bounce back.  How will we know?  I’m still not sure, but the great advice I was given on Facebook will help, as will this article I recently found:  How to Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Pet

Our veterinarian says that Tiger is not in pain.  And indeed, he had gained weight since our last visit.  His latest symptoms are being (mostly) successfully controlled with medication.  For the time being, our buddy will stay with us.

On the advice of our veterinarian, we will take it day by day, and love him while we can.

Our Tiger in his younger, healthier years
Tiger with our other fur baby Lucy