Posted on by Anne Sandler · 53 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #325: Gratitude

Each year I set an intention, not a resolution. This year it was gratitude. So, thank you Tina for rolling in this challenge towards the end of 2024. For me, gratitude is a choice you make every day. Living in gratitude makes your personal space better no matter what is going on around you.

I am so grateful for my family who were there for me in 2009 when I had heart surgery. They continue to be there for us, helping in many ways and sharing life cycle joys. I have pictures of my two granddaughters to share. The first is of my younger granddaughter, Olivia, waiting for her birthday party guests to arrive. This was taken in October 2018. She’s grown a lot since then. But the memory of her excitement will always stay with me.

Meanwhile, more recently, my older granddaughter, Madison, was getting ready for her wedding. Of course grandma had to take the pictures. The morning was just bursting with love.

I’m also grateful for my two grandsons Christopher, a teacher, and Ryan, a high-school student.

When you have pets, they are family. I’m grateful for all the loyal and loving dogs we’ve had. Here are Molly (now deceased) and Gem (who is 14 years now but a puppy in this picture).

Memories are something I cherish. I guess that comes with age. Richard and I took wonderful trips in our trailer. It’s my favorite way to travel. I’m so grateful we chose to travel this way while we could.

I can’t end this post without mentioning how grateful for my passion for photography. It’s helped me find many friends and has shown me the wonderful area I live in.

Remember, when the going gets tough, find something you’re grateful for. And, yes, there’s a take away for you in every circumstance. The world is a lot better when you concentrate on gratitude. Today, I’m grateful for the LAPC community.

Thanks Tina! I think we all needed to shift our mindset to gratitude. When you post your blog, please remember to link to Tina’s challenge and use the Lens-Artist tag. Last week Patti had us concentrate on details, and we saw wonderful images in your posts. Ann-Christine is up next, so look for her challenge. In the meantime, live in gratitude each day.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 43 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #260: Time

Where did the time go? Wasn’t it just yesterday…….? When you’re a senior senior, (That second word was for emphasis!) time goes by so fast. And when you’ve graduated to become the matriarch of your family, you think of how fast time has flown by. Donna’s challenges typically send me on an emotional trip of some sort. Her Time challenge has me thinking of family, and most recently of my grandkids.

Wasn’t it just yesterday the younger set were:

And now they are:

Olivia and Ryan are now in middle and high schools. I remember picking Ryan up from elementary school and Olivia from preschool.

I also remember the older set of grands coming to my house before and after school. Here is Madison posing with her then boyfriend before her prom. And then at her wedding this year. Just 10 years apart.

And here is Christopher at his High School prom and at his sister’s wedding party.

Yes, time flies by. In October Richard and I will be celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary. Here’s the family at our 50th anniversary.

What will October 5th bring? Our family is scattered in three different states now. It’s amazing how time changes things, especially family dynamics.

Nothing can change the dynamics of LAPC when it comes to challenge responses. I so enjoyed seeing all your amazing black and white/monochrome images last week. They were creative and well done. As you respond to Donna’s challenge, please remember to link to her post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Next week Egidio of Through Brazilian Eyes will be hosting our challenge. Be sure to look for his post. Until then, stay healthy and safe!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 12 Comments

Lens Artist Challenge #127: Precious Moments

Precious moments are those times that get us through the difficult times. Remembering them fills our beings, making the dark more bright. Amy’s choice of Precious Moments couldn’t have come at a better time. We all need to come out of the dark and into the light.

My precious moments revolve around my children and grandchildren. In this post, I’m sharing images of my wonderful grandchildren. I have two sets and they are far apart in age. I was at the same elementary school for 16 years! After adopting two boys, we had a natural child, a boy of course.

My oldest John, who passed away, left us with two wonderful grandkids. Madison and Christopher. Here are their prom and graduation photos.

Christopher agreed to have his picture taken before he left for his prom. With him right after graduation are his mom, Teresa, and sister.

Madison’s prom and graduation came 2 years later.

Madison and Christopher are now grown with homes and loved ones.

The younger set belong to my son Greg and daughter-in-law Jessica. We were so excited to welcome Ryan and Olivia to our family in 2011. We had a family party in celebration of Olivia’s first birthday. Ryan was three.

Two special moments I was able to capture was at the Sacramento Zoo in 2013.

Although older now, 11 and 9 years, they still are close siblings. Here they walk the zoo hand in hand.

We were across from the flamingos when Olivia noticed the plastic birds. Just from the look on her face, I think Olivia thought they were real.

My last precious moment occurred on Valentine’s Day 2015. The kids were spending the night with us while their parents went out. We prepared a small celebration with some gifts. Ryan used all his stickers on his grandfather. I thought that it was a generous share!

These children are my precious every things. They feed my heart and soul. It’s true, you have children so you can have grandchildren!