RIP Sharon Brooks Janis: Sacramento River Walk

I guess it’s easy to say, “We’re at that age when our friends leave us.” But, it still hurts when they do. My dear friend Sharon died Tuesday morning. I won’t go into her illnesses, but she died peacefully in her sleep. For that I’m thankful.

She lived in Chatsworth California, more than 300 miles from me. While we didn’t talk on a daily basis, we did keep in touch via phone calls and infrequent in- person visits. Sharon was a “doer,” taking on various roles at Temple Ahavat Shalom in Granada Hills. She was Sisterhood president, catering chairperson and helped in many other areas. Some how she found time for everyone and everything. As I sit here, I’m at a loss not being able to go down to Southern California for her funeral.

During her last visit here in Sacramento, we went down to Old Sacramento. I remember sitting with her just watching the activity on the Sacramento River. She was diabetic and had neuropathy in her feet. Walking any distance was not possible. So, I’m not going to post the second part of my Napa trip (that will be my next post), but post my recent visit to the Sacramento River Walk. Included in the gallery are some iconic shots, some new scenes and some street photography. I hope this will honor her, especially since I couldn’t say good-bye in person.

Sharon, may your memory be a blessing for all of us who knew and loved you. Shalom.

My heart is full: Sacramento Zoo

Funerals are for the living, and without one, there is no closure. Tonight we had a memorial for Uncle Chuck and my dear friend Carol. We also invited Richard’s friend John whose sister Mary passed away this morning. We were Jews and Christians united in an effort for sending our loved ones on their way.

We did traditional Jewish prayers, John sang the 23rd Psalm and taps. We all told stories about our departed family members and ended it with dessert. What a wonderful evening. Uncle Chuck would have been pleased at the variety of religions and camaraderie in the room.

This is what caring and love is all about. He would have also loved the zoo animals and probably given them nicknames. He always gave people he loved nicknames. His girls were Rotten kid 1 and Rotten kid 2. My youngest was just Rotten Kid. My grandson (Chistopher) was JJ.

So as you smile at the Sacramento Zoo animals, send a smile up to Uncle Chuck and Carol; Arthur and Alina; and Mary.

 

Out and about Sacramento with my camera

I’m beginning to take my camera with me whenever I go where I think there may be something to shoot. Now, a trip to the grocery store, well there may be stuff to shoot there too. But, recently I was a trainer for Toastmaster officers down in downtown Sacramento during the lunch hour. So, I brought my camera. I should have brought lunch too.

My Toastmaster and photo buddy Bob and I took the light rail downtown where parking is difficult. While waiting for the training to begin, I practiced on manual, promising my fellow Toastmasters that I would delete the shots–I did. After the training, which was held in a cafeteria without food or vending machine, Bob and I walked to a nearby light rail station hoping to find something to shoot and something to eat. I did have an opportunity to shoot a memorial to slain police officers and a sculpture of a wife and daughter who had lost a husband and father. I also found some Mickey Mouse statues in a museum. We stopped in there to see if the gift shop had any food. We were desperate.

A couple of days later, I was chasing a sunset at Gibson Ranch with a couple of other photographers. The day before the sky was on fire, but I didn’t know it until it was dark out and photographers were posting their spectacular images on the web. Although we didn’t have the cloud cover of the night before, I did get a decent one-cloud shot.

So here are my images of being out and about with my camera.