What I did on my winter vacation: Part I

Well, it seems another January has come and gone. If the mountains of snow all around us are any indication, I really picked a good month to be closed this year. It's been a great month of travel, leisure, family, fun, and frolic. Dont' worry, I've been home for the past week, so I got a good taste of the weather you enjoyed all month.

Without sounding to gloaty (if that's even a word), I thought I'd share some of my favorite images from the month. Many people ask, 'did you go someplace warm during your break?' I always go to Florida to visit the folks, but this year I was able to go a bit further south to Costa Rica. As is the case with most of my getaways, it's all about the 'golden hour' of light. That's when I usually drop whatever I'm doing (or sipping), grab my camera, and partake in my favorite hobby. I thought sharing here might give you a little respite from the view you're currently seeing from your window (if the snow hasn't completely covered it)..

By the way, these were all taken with my new Iphone. The old-fashioned looking ones with an app called Hipstamatic and the wider ones with Pano.

I hope you enjoy, and please don't hate me.


Walk in the woods in Florida with the folks...

My favorite niece Dagney...

Horseback riding in Costa Rica...

Farmer's Market, there's just something about going to one in January...

Orange Tree in the folks' backyard..

The beach, Guanacaste, Costa Rica..

(click on the panorama images to get the full effect)...

Golden hour...

The lake near my parents' house in central Florida. They get some amazing sunsets...

That'll do it for now. I also did some skiing in Utah and caught a bit of the Sundance Film festival, but I wasn't sure if you'd be all that excited to see photos of snow right now. Better to save those for another time..

In any event, it's game on today. It was a full day of ice cream making yesterday to restock the freezers. One more full day today, and all flavors will be stocked, along with a handful of specials. Just in time for the next snowstorm...

See you soon, Jim

Winter Photo Shoot. - Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour. - John Boswell


Had the chance to escape to the coast for a brief post-Valentine's Day respite earlier this week. Not so much writing this time, but still managed to capture a few images. There's nothing quite like snow on the beach. Unnatural, yet beautiful nonetheless.

Hope you enjoy.

If you liked, here are a few more...

I hope you are enjoying this cold and nearly snowless winter so far. Pitchers and catchers arrived this week, so Spring must be around just a few more corners. Next week is looking to be a bit snowy, so perhaps not yet time to put away the snow shovel and boots. We New Englander's are a patient breed when it comes to the weather. Spring will get here when it feels like it. In the meantime, put a scoop of pellets on the fire and on your way to the couch, grab yourself warm (or cold) beverage and a comforter , flip on the Olympics, and savor the slower pace of life while it's still here.

Perfect Fall Foliage Weather & A Go Sox!

Well, tomorrow morning or if you're reading this on Monday...now, we'll either be looking forward to another Red Sox World Series or simply feeling almost satisfied with the valiant and nearly historic effort from our favorite hometown team. Since those cards have not quite fallen as I write this, rather than get all worked up and nervous about tonight's game, I thought a few foliage shots I've added to my collection over the past few days might be a better way to go. Hope you got out to enjoy the display. A bit brisk, but what sweet Fall weather and amazing color it's been.


Swing over the leaf blanket...


Football Practice...
The Williston School Pond..

In fact, I think I'll grab my camera and see if I can grab a few more right now...

Go Sox!

Flowers on Film.

Well, that's not entirely true. It's flowers converted from bits and bytes and megapixels to photo paper. Matted, framed, and hung on the wall for you to see and hopefully enjoy. I'd like to invite you to my show this weekend. It's part of Easthampton's monthly, ArtWalk Easthampton. This month's event is tomorrow (Saturday, April 12th) from 5-8pm. The featured artist at Mt. Tom's is me. or is it I? For two reasons. Number one, because it's my shop and I get to choose who shows on my walls. And number two, I took a bunch of cool shots last month at the Smith College Bulb Show, and I thought the set would make a nice little show. But I'll let you be the judge of that.

I hope you can stop by to check it out. If you can't make it tomorrow for the walk and the free coffee and buttercreams, the show will stay up for a month. Come by anytime.

Like last time, I'll try to post a link to a flickr version of the images, for those reading from afar.
Here you go.

Thought I'd also share some words I came across recently. They seemed appropriate to go along with a show about flowers...

“Seeing beauty in a flower could awaken humans, however briefly, to the beauty that is an essential part of their own innermost being, their true nature. The first recognition of beauty was one of the most significant events in the evolution of human consciousness. The feelings of joy and love are intrinsically connected to this recognition. Without our fully realizing it, flowers would become for us an expression in form of that which is most high, most sacred, and ultimately formless within ourselves. Flowers, more fleeting, more ethereal, and more delicate than the plants out of which they emerged, would become like messengers from another realm, like a bridge between the world of physical forms and formless.”

Eckhart Tolle, from A New Earth – Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose

Have a great weekend.

Winter Photo Show @ the Chamber

Just hung a show at the recently renovated Easthampton Chamber of Commerce office. It includes images of local winter scenes such as the view above from the front of the ever-cool and casual Brass Cat pub. If you're wandering by the Chamber office on Union Street, I hope you'll check it out. You can see most of it through the windows, but Denise and Eric are good people so feel free to wander in. While you're there you can stock up on all the local brochures. The show will be up until early March.

While we're on the topic of my photography, check out the very slick new Easthampton Website, designed by Bill Tuman. Hit refresh on your browser to see more images...

Rock candy on a fence.

I wandered around yesterday morning, just me and the trusty new Pentax, through our latest winter wonderland. The night before brought a light rain and temperatures that dangled around the freezing mark. Not quite the killer ice storm the midwest has been suffering through this week, but enough to coat the trees and fences with an intriguing layer of ice. Dare I say the makings of a good batch of rock candy. Lest you fancy a fate like that little boy in the schoolyard on A Christmas story however, I don't recommend sampling.

Sounds like lots of winter weather heading our way this week too...bad for biz, but great for photo opps. Take it slow, enjoy, and stay tuned.

Fall is in the air.

It's barely 60 degrees today here in western MA. The sky is a deep blue, that darkness of blue rarely seen during the hot summer months. People are wearing sweatshirts. And on my little morning bike ride today, I noticed another first sign of Fall, a few early leaves starting to show off their colors. Won't be long now. That's ok, I'm ready for a slower pace. And let's face it. There's no place more beautiful this time of year than New England during foliage season. Bring it on!