Wornoutwoman

For those of you who love my books, and are looking forward to the hard read, for Finding Kylie , becoming a reality - I've launched a kickstarter   campaign.  All John Schwab , my writing partner, and I need are a handful of friends to support us with a few ones or fives. In his words, "We just need a few pals to  support as if buying us couple drinks ... that's not  much." We don't need much, but it will take a bunch of you  to donate a little - and every bit means the world to  us as we've worked so very hard to make this hard  read a reality. Just click the link below to read about our project.   We only need 2K and have until September to raise it  - but need everyone's help to make it happen.  We've  got a few prizes tied to certain donation levels.   Check it out and please consider donating to a very  worthy cause. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/findingkylie/finding-kylie-hard-read-fund 

From time to time, I freelance for different media outlets or organizations. What I love about photo work is that every day is different.  Your subjects and environment always change. The only thing that stays the same is the eye behind the lens and how the photographer challenges him or herself to tell a new story. Today, I filled in for a local paper, which took me everywhere from downtown Oklahoma City, Norman, to the State Capital.  With today's temperatures which were topping at 99 degrees, I was ready to get home to upload my assignments from the comforts of my air conditioner. Here's a glimpse into my day ... Here's from day 2

Since I moved here in 1990, I've been asked multiple times, 'Why do you live in Oklahoma?'  And, as the weather has become more and more extreme, here in tornado alley, my friends across the nation shake their heads saying, "Why would you stay there knowing you could get blown away by a tornado?" Here's my answer. Every state or region has its issues. I've lived in other countries and nationwide throughout the US. I've lived through typhoons, tropical storms, earthquakes, ice storms, blizzards, and tornados.  So, to not live in Oklahoma due to tornado would be ridiculous because when it's your time... it's your time. Here's why I live here.  The heart of this community is like none other.  We rise in the face of defeat.  We lift each other up.  We breathe determination. We love with a heart bigger than the heartland itself. We smile when we pass a stranger in the street. We give eye contact and say hello.  We show our neighbor kindne

Recently, I had to take Little T to the doctor for a follow-up.  Our peds doctor has always been the best to work with.  Whenever he introduces us to fellow partners, at their practice, he always says, "This is that patient I've talked about." My little guy is a pistol.  And he makes an impression with most that he meets. On this day, our friendly doctor walked in with a medical student and proceeded to check out little T.  He then asked his medical student shadow to go through the process, which he just did, so the med student could view T's ear canals and make observations. We wrapped it up pretty quickly.  I turned to my son and said, "What do you say?"  I assumed he knew I meant for him to respond with, "Nice to meet you." No ... not my kid. T:  "Ummm, yeah you made me a bit nervous."  (turning to the med student) Med student: (taken back)  "Me?  Why?" T:  "Cause I could tell you were shivery." Me: &q

So right about now I'm wondering how the Oklahoma Tourism Department is going to entice anyone to visit our state. Their slogan, Is this a great state or what?  isn't quite the right fit for us after 2011. Somehow, I don't think this year would make anyone think 'Yeah! I'm going to Oklahoma!' In fact, most of us who live here and love it, is seriously thinking about why we love it so much. After experiencing this year, I've caught myself looking to skies to watch for swarms of locusts or the second coming. LOL. If you've been anywhere near a TV you may have seen that Oklahoma has been in the news. The national reports have shown 2011 as being the record-breaking year for Oklahoma's weather. We've set records with the strongest earthquakes in state records, the longest drought, the hottest summer, the most tornadoes, the biggest blizzard, the most rain, and flooding. All in one year! Sheesh! And it's not like it's been quiet

We had our second date night in a month! Look out, we may actually have some couple time here. Woo Hoo! We've not done that in so long. Our fine city has our first NBA league. ESPN has been hating on us for it too. I'm so tired of all the sports media bad-mouthing Oklahoma City and taking shots at us. Personally, I'm excited for our state and the team. The Hornet's record improved drastically when they played here, because our city embraced them and supported them. I know it will be the same as the Thunder. This pic above is our first shot when we entered the Ford Center, in downtown, to watch our first NBA game! They had bands playing everywhere and entertainers all over the place, like C&C Music Factory, who had a pre-game concert. It was a big party thrown for the entire city, and we were all loving it. My bil and sil playing NBA video games. She kicked his butt. They had TV and game systems set up all over the arena. The view from our s