Kansas

A mother’s love

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A mother's love_Staats

My family has come together yet again, this time to be with my mother.  Since living by herself four months after my father’s death, she didn’t have the strength/will to battle the health issues she was facing.  On Tuesday she passed away with my brothers and me by her side.  As we process through this, I know this is how she’d want it, as family was first and foremost for her.
The night of her death, this photo fell out of a file folder – a visual reminder of the closeness, protectiveness, and love my mother gave to me, as well as my brothers, my nieces and nephews, and our extended family.
As we gather to celebrate her life, I know she will be proud of her family — seeing us all together to help one another through our sorrow and loss.

Thanks to my father

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Dad & me 1960_StaatsHappy Father’s Day to my dad.  I’m so fortunate that he’s been one of my biggest supporters throughout my life.  This photo from 1960 brings back memories of love, caring, adventures, and great times.   He was the one that built a great playhouse for me, complete with French doors.  And he was the one that bought the old upright piano that I first took lessons on, and even took the time to strip all the paint off and refinish it.  Dad took me ice skating, developed my love of the outdoors through camping and fishing, took me canoeing, and even bought me a horse when I was a young teenager.  My dad persevered with me trying to overcome my barrier to math story problems; for hours he kept his patience and worked with me until finally the light bulb went off in my head. So many experiences I’ve had, and so many lessons I’ve learned from Dad, and continue to do so even today.  Happy Father’s Day, Dad – and thanks for helping to shape me into the woman I am today!

Thanks to my mother

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Mom and me 1960_StaatsIt’s Mother’s Day and I’m thinking of my mother;  how lucky I’ve been to have her in my entire life, even today.  I look at this photo from 1960 and I can see her love, her support, her caring, and her pride.  I’m guessing it was Easter-time because of the frilly dress and hat and patent-leather shoes.  What were my mother’s dreams for me?  And have I lived up to those?  I’m living a full life, surrounded with family and friends.  I’ve had my mis-steps in life like everyone and I’ve managed to pick myself up and keep going, learning in the process.  I’ve gone to school to be educated and I’ve learned life lessons outside of the classroom that I’m carrying with me each day.  I’m developing the artistic heritage that my mother has passed down to me; her artwork inspires my photography and her sewing lessons (along with those of both my grandmothers) have carried through to my quilting and even into my photography.  I approach each day with a positive attitude, open to the possibilities of great and beautiful things that can happen.  Her love has remained steady and she’s one of my biggest fans and supporters.  Happy Mother’s Day, Mom – today and everyday!

A goal achieved

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Last weekend I reached a goal I set for myself earlier this year – I completed 1,500 miles on my bike for the year.  From back in mid-March when the temperatures were cool and our legs weren’t ready, we’ve biked and journeyed through Minnesota and even across the state of Kansas.  We’ve seen prairies and wheat fields, lakes and flatlands, rain and wind, hills down and up.  Sadly some of my final miles this year have been ridden alone as my riding partner hasn’t been able to be on the bike.  But he was helping me along in all the important ways with his encouragement and support.  So last Sunday with a SSE wind of 14 mph+, I headed northeast on the Gateway Trail, then meandered on county roads with that tailwind behind me.  The final miles were north on the Sunrise Prairie Trail.  My wingman met me in the town of Stacy where I watched my bike odometer turn to 5,000 miles (yea!) and the culmination of 1,500 riding miles for this year.  My bicycle has brought me in contact with great people, amazing scenery, the best and worst of weather, a sense of accomplishment, and the most wonderful feeling of adventure as I cruise along on trails and roads.  The kid in me enjoys the freedom of riding and the adult in me appreciates the bounty of sights, sounds, and memories.  So this winter as the snow is piling up we’ll be planning our biking adventures and goals for next year.

Lucy

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During my quick road trip to Kansas last weekend I was fortunate to photograph my niece Lucy for her high school senior pictures.  Trying to fit it in between family obligations and her volleyball games was a bit of a challenge, but we carved out some time on Sunday morning.  The day was overcast and actually quite comfortable — a perfect combination for photos.  We wandered the area, utilizing some old storefronts, an alley, an old stadium, and the train tracks that traverse through the county.  By the time we were done, Lucy had given her smile and her charming personality a real workout, but it was all worth the effort.  She’s a great young woman with an exciting future ahead of her.  I can’t wait to see what adventures and accomplishments await her.