A Thousand Words Tell A Story

This week, the FOLK Journal Challenge Prompt is:

Reflect on your favorite family photo. Tell the story of that day. If you were not present when the photo was taken, tell a story that relates to those who are in the photo. 

If you're not already linking up to the FOLK Community Journal Challenge... well, you should be. Each Monday I will be posting a new journal prompt on the FOLK blog along with my answer to the prompt. A list of prompts can be found HERE.

A photo tells a thousand words, and a thousand words tell a story. Join me, share YOUR story!

I shared my 'official' response for the week on the FOLK blog, just as I do every Monday. The difference this week was that I had more to say, and more photos to share. So, here goes:

I've been a self proclaimed photographer since I can remember. At a birthday party (I don't remember which one) many, many years ago I unwrapped a pink Tweety Bird camera and from that moment on I was hooked. All thanks go to that little chunk of pink plastic! Over the years I have owned many cameras and unintentionally murdered many cameras as well. I have dropped them in the lake, broken off the film door, broken off the actual button you push to take the picture (don't ask me how that happened), and cracked the display screen. I'm hard on cameras, but I use my camera's daily so I suppose that can be expected.

Just as my choice in cameras has changed over the years, my photography skills have changed and evolved too. Still, I have many photos that I have taken that stand out in my mind as favorites.

This is Whitley. From the day she was born she's been my 'princess.' In this picture she was two and a half years old and was just starting to develop her quirky, tell-all personality. She takes after our Grandfather more than any of the grandchildren or great-grandchildren. She looks nothing like him, but she has every bit of his personality. She's never met a stranger and she talks to everyone like she's known them her whole life (all 8 years!). I love looking into her eyes and watching those wheels turn. She's always talking and I know she's thinking 10x as fast.

I didn't take this picture (my Mom did) but it's one of my all time favorites for a few reasons. I'm happy. That's my natural smile. Other than on my farm, the lake is the only other place where I am completely 100% myself... and happy. It's home and it's truly where my heart is. I credit my love of water to growing up at the lake (I can walk there from my house and did so almost every day as a child). I'm also a Cancer zodiac, a natural-born love of water. That day my Michigan family was in town and we had spent the day riding wave-runners and trying to throw each other off of them. Looking back, it was probably really dangerous to do. It was fun at the time though. This picture was taken at the end of the day as the sun was setting. I love the color of the water (and my skin - what I would give to be that tan again!)

This is quite possibly my absolute favorite photo of all time. This is Cameron. We've known each other our entire life, but it took us 20 years to really connect. This photo was taken on our second date. We went to the park that day and laughed at the crazy fighting ducks for at least an hour. He's the one. He's always been the one... it just took 20 years to realize it. I love the rays of sun in this photo. They give it such a warm and happy feel.

This was taken at the local golf course in my hometown. Cameron works there and is quite possibly the biggest golf enthusiast that I know. I try to play myself, but our golf trips usually end up with me leaving my clubs in the cart and pulling out my camera instead. I've gotten some great action shots of him over the years, and the scenery on each course we visit always takes my breath away. It's great couple time for us!

I recently snapped this during a daily feeding on my farm. I'm pretty sure it's going to be framed and placed on my mantle someday... when I have a home of my own that is. This little lady's name is Carmine and she was born and raised right here on our farm. I get so attached to the calves we keep and raise. They're like family and I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Another photo that's probably going to be framed in my house someday, this one was taken at the back of one of my fiends looking deep into the Daniel Boone National Forest. This is home. Recently (I don't remember where) I came across a quote that read "You'll find no cell phone service in the middle of the woods, but you'll never feel as connected anywhere else." This is so very true. There's just something about natural forestry land that brings you back down to Earth and puts life into perspective. I can't tell you how many decisions those trees have helped me to make over the years. They really do talk to you.

Last, but not least:

On our trip to New York last April, I stopped to snap this photo and quickly lost Ben and Heath. I had to run to catch up with them but it was so very worth it. It's the lighting in this photo that I love the most. It's so moody, but so cheerful at the same time. A definition of patriotism if I ever knew one.

So, these are a few of my favorites. I have many, many, many more but if I add them I'll start to slow down the time it takes this post to load so I'll just leave it be.

Don't forget, if you're a blogger I would love for you to link up to the FOLK Community Journal Challenge each Monday. It's not too late to link up to this weeks prompt. Share some of your favorite photos and the stories that accompany them.