Just Go With The Flow of Happiness

It's crazy what makes us happy – or mildly content. For me after two evenings and mornings on my sister's back deck, I was thrilled to capture one hummingbird in action. Though the bird is not in clear focus.

Still... yay!

The focus of the weekend was getting to my sister RoAnn's on Saturday so we could see he granddaughter – my great-niece – Kenlee dance in her recital Sunday.

Let me just say, that was the most awesome experience! You were so good, girl!

In addition to her fans who were there to cheer her on, we all had a late lunch with Sunday. Then, it was a nice relaxing treat at my sister's to just relax by the "fire" in the evenings on the back deck.

Today I headed home and seeing my parents' grave was the only non-detour. Was glad about that. Also it had been pouring rain and it stopped for approximately 8 minutes so I could visit Mom and Dad and then it started within seconds. It was insane. So grateful!

As for the rest of the weekend... I am thrilled to be back home safely (with some parts only $4 per gallon of gas)... and craving to do more for more my nieces and nephews. A project for another day!

Happy Satur-Dane

I don't know my father's thoughts on Danes. His only remark one time (as a 50/50 Swede and Norwegian) was about "goofy Finlanders."

Today I spent the day in a historic building called Danes Hall in Waupaca. Apparently lots of Danes settled in this town 45 minutes away. First time at the hall. An impressive facility that can accommodate a ceremony and reception on the third floor, an area to relax for appetizers on the second floor, and a popular bar in the bottom floor known as The Cellar. 

Every time I swear off shooting wedding photos, I cave to another request. This time to one of hubby's cousin's kids who lives on the East Coast but wanted something close to the bride's hometown in Waupaca.

Today was sunny and 84 degrees – the warmest day this year – but sun is not always a photographer's friend. So I did take most of the pictures inside the nice venue but took a few dozen outside with the couple. 

Although I am the cheapest photographer around, I still want to prove my worth and deliver good photos.

What I liked about this one is that I framed an angel on their shoulders to represent Grandma Batch, who is my mother-in-law's sister. Both are gone now. For the bride, I think/hope this picture means a lot! I know it will to Uncle Richard, who tearfully hugged me while commenting, "This is so hard to experience without Batch. She'd be so happy."

Sometimes in the chaos of all things weddings, we might forget how much the occasion means beyond the immediate family and friends. It's good to remember the feelings of grandparents who were overjoyed for the first times to be called Grandpa and Grandma. These "young people" are the world to them! 

Just pointing that out since I have several brides planning in 2026 and 2027 and I knew your grandparents who have gone. Also, I know for 99.9% certainty that y'all have better things to do than read my blog! LOL. Well, I did my part!

#hugyourfamily

And... Action!

So when you're a writer in a marketing department part of your job duties include writing video scripts. I mean for everything from safety advice type videos (it's an insurance company, after all) to more entertaining story lines for a fun video for a sales leaders' ceremony.

Spoiler alert: I like writing the funny and entertaining stuff the best!

So this week and last week we had several video shoots to piece together what we KNOW will be a highly entertaining and memorable video for such occasion. On Monday I was accidentally on camera as a hand model – not really, but I am glad my nails were done for the close-up of my "hand shaking" scene. 

Today we wrapped up our last segment and I cannot wait to see the final results.

I am so grateful to work with such a talented video team. I mean they can piece together magical results every single time. Yesterday they used a Go Pro camera in the pool and I was like, wait, I have Go Pro that I never use. Should I pick up a new hobby and do more video?

No, Robyn. The answer is no.

And yes, I know that would add a level to my photography skills, but dang, I should stick with what I know. Shouldn't I? 

Asking for a friend who happens to be middle-aged and has no excuse nor time to pick up another hobby. 😁

I promise to keep myself grounded. To accept my capabilities. And to dip a toe – just one toe – into the video capabilities pool. Keep me honest!

Spring Chickens and Other Random Commute Photos

 If you ever saw the Disney movie Up, you know that dogs can have a single train of thought until "Squirrel!" That is me. Of course, I've said previously that my "spirit animal" is an eagle or a fox. But now I'm thinking... squirrel. I offer my commute photos from the first part of this week as evidence...

Coming home from Stevens Point on Monday, I saw a plume of smoke and drove 10 miles out of my way to follow it. The old newspaper reporter in me never dies. Took this from the Prairie Chicken Viewing/Counting Area on County Trunk F (if you know, you know). But does anyone know what was going on south of there Monday? Gas prices are rising so I didn't go any further.

And here is what I am calling a spring chicken in the neighbor's yard. Mainly, since this was taken on that fake spring day Monday, I was attempting to coax it to make spring a little more permanent. Let the record reflect that that effort failed.

I was, however, successfully treated to a glorious sunrise. I will always tap the brakes for these!

PHOTO CREDIT: JIMMY AUSTIN

My photographic failure is that hubby captured a photo of this pale guy in our front yard and I've had my camera – with mega zoom lens – on the kitchen table all week to get a nice, crisp photo of him. And he (ooops, maybe SHE) hasn't reappeared since I've been at the ready. Multiple neighbors keep on seeing IT so hopefully IT will come back.

Also I assured Jim he'd get a photo credit.

So, yeah, there's a peak inside my hamster cage (or squirrel cage) of a brain! Enjoy your perfectly NORMAL selves for the second half of the week!

The Eagle and Fake Spring Have Landed

As a purely self-proclaimed photographer, I am the sort of person who is beyond irked when I see an eagle while I'm driving – and I don't have my good camera. Just my phone. So while I realize I should just enjoy the majesty of our national bird and (for me) a sign my daddy's watching over me, I still get a bit ticked. 

They are just so majestic and beautiful. Of course tonight on the way home from work there were two of them and one was flying while this guy was parked for a minute in the field. First photographer thought: OMG this will be awesome to catch them both! First eagle thought: What is that lady thinking? I'm flying off and out of here!

Still for me, when I hear random birds in the early morning hours, I have false hope that spring is near!

Of course when I got home, the warm temps and rain (not snow) today had my front yard also thinking spring is here. Sorry, yard, it's fake and this is just a reprieve. There's a meeting at 6 tomorrow night in our living room. We can all grieve together.

The weird weather thing is that it's supposed to snow Friday a.m. when Camp Crop-A-Lot commute time happens. Obviously nothing will stand between me and my scrapbooking weekend, but I will continue gathering my stuff tonight so I am ready to heave-ho at 8 a.m. Friday. Top priority!

It's Ash Wednesday. Never forget your priorities this Lenten season. 😄📖

 

Northern Lights Envy is a Thing

I was so frustrated with our cloud cover on Bluejay Drive last night. I literally stepped outside every few hours to hopefully catch sight of the Northern Lights.

Especially after viewing stunning photos from family Up North in Wisconsin and from the Twin Cities on up in Minnesota (like my niece's photo above). So lucky! So envious.

And I'm not kidding that there were clouds at 9 p.m., 10 p.m., and 2 a.m. But I could see something was hiding behind them!

Then.... shout out to Mr. Tiny Bladder for awakening my body at 5 a.m. I look out the bathroom window and see... stars! Holy crap! No clouds.

So I run out the front door and onto the driveway in my slippers and PJ's and finally caught a beautiful view above our tree line!

It was a brilliant pink! And because I was not exactly dressed to hop in the car and find an unobstructed view in an open field somewhere, I don't know if our pinks were attached to any greens like other photos I viewed. 

In retrospect, I should have. Because I didn't fall back asleep anyway for my 6:20 alarm.

So tonight I caught colors early...

As in sunset colors on my drive home from work. But because the Northern Lights are supposed to be visible like everywhere tonight, I will try again. Between sunset and choir practice. Then between choir practice and realistic bedtime.

Good luck to all of us Northern Lights dorks! 📷

Sisters' Getaway

 

Our 27th annual sister weekend was more like a sister Sunday-Tuesday getwaway. We had an AIRBNB up in Eau Galle, Wisconsin, which must be an incredible spot in the summer. And was still amazing for us with the post-fall colors.

The house itself was amazing with plenty of room for all of us to have sleeping space – some on our own and some of us sleeping with our twin.

Naturally, Raylene and I did our annual opening act. This time we quickly transitioned from Bette Davis Eyes to she's got Tiny Hedberg Eyes. Only spooky at first!

Monday late lunch/early supper we were in nearby Durand along the Chippewa River. Had to get a group picture courtesy of our waitress! 

And today, when we were about to part ways, one sister (OK, me) insisted we try for another group picture without sun and shadows...

And today before we parted ways, here we are!

Right before we promised to love each other and keep in touch with each other!

Airborne for the Win

I rarely do any type of product endorsements here, but about mid-morning when I remembered we had this in the medicine cabinet, it was a win. I worked from home again to not spend the day coughing on co-workers.

But that magical effervescent tablet in mid-morning was really the cure for me. (Unfortunately not for hubby so much.)

So I got through work, got through a middle school volleyball photo shoot, and fake suffered (LOL) through an always wonderful Girls Night Out (with Mexican food) that I hoped would clear up my sinuses. Pretty sure it helped, at least.

Now if us non-Brewers fans could just help them win tonight. Hey, when our teams are out, the Blue Jay Drive team is like "go, Wisconsin!"

Hunt for Red Hot October

This week has been insanely warm for October. Record high Friday and tied for high temp today. And you know who loves that? A solar powered sister like me! Of course I had to work every day this week but I did get some outdoors time the past three days.

After work on Thursday I headed straight up to Athens with my camera for a Royals cross country meet. So behind on fall sports pix! Guess who doesn't like summer weather in autumn? Runners. Spoiler alert if you have a gag reflex!

Yup, this was the look on probably half the runners' faces right before they crossed the finish line and tossed their cookies! Not kidding. I do not know how I stayed upright since that is such a trigger for me. Uff da. Those poor runners. Both our high school and middle school girls teams took first place anyway!

Gives new meaning to "hurling" through homecoming week! Speaking of homecoming...

Finally was IN TOWN so I could attend and photograph a Royals football game! So many weddings, so little photography time. But we still managed to attend a retirement/birthday party before the game! LOL.

The Royals ended up falling to Pittsville 30-6. Still, I managed to capture a few good photos of both the game and musical entertainment. Once a Pep Band Mom always a Pep Band Mom!

Today's summer-like weather called for a summer activity. 

Mr. Fox and I have literally not been golfing for more than a month! So fun to get out for a very warm round with our friends Craig and Sara.

It also happened to be Big Cup Challenge Day so we got to play larger holes but somehow none of us could manage to take advantage of it. I was just too rusty. That's my excuse. Still... so fun to be out again like it was August!

Of course I 100% got into autumn mode at the Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest! 

Seriously, holy Great Pumpkins, Charlie Brown! I feel like there were tons more arts & crafts and food vendors there than ever before. I found quickly that I was grateful there was an ATM on site, too, because I did not prepare for that. It was so hot, though...

Much like my tasty mini donuts! But productive. I had a few gift things in mind and I found what I needed. After 12,000+ steps on my pedometer between that and golfing I was ready to head home and shower!

Because, of course, our social calendar still had another appointment to go to, after all! And we wonder why time flies.

Had a special 50th anniversary party for our friends Jon and Audrey, who are more like family since they helped raise our baby boy. I mean seriously, how did they know that 30 years into their marriage when she was operating a daycare that they'd meet young Mr. Carter needing afterschool care? And that he'd work his way into their hearts and they'd find a home in ours? 

They really are like family – and we've come to know their entire family very well, too. Just special!

Sometimes I can't believe how blessed we are with the people in our lives. Even how many we've spent time with in just the past few days. It might be the hot summer temps, but I suddenly have water leaking out of my eyes.

Life is so good when you count your blessings! Just sayin'. 

Winners for the Win

My lucky fox talisman is on fire this week! I mean I did get a win a BINGO Sunday and my Vikings got a victory, so I have to give somebody or something the credit!

As for central Wisconsin, both the Packers and my Vikings were playing at noon so I hoped that would increase my odds if I went to BINGO. Turns out it might have. There were more than 100 of us so the larger jackpots were in order. And here I am winning the "kite formation" BINGO for $70. Works for me!

While sitting there and dobbing my heart away I knew that my Vikings were somehow winning and my fantasy team was on fire, too. Maybe I should credit going to bed at 1 a.m.!

Got home after BINGO and took a picture of our flag at the end of the driveway before I even pulled into the garage. Gotta keep the good vibe going!

And it worked for once! A 5-star re-run, if I do say so myself. Jim enjoyed it too after his return from golfing in Minnesota this weekend. I'm like "thanks for leaving the good vibes there"!

Tonight, after some "winning" (I think tennis matches), I'm about to embark on the next season of The Voice. Where I will wait for quite sometime before I declare a winner!

30-Minute Rule

The good news is that I finally have a weekend at the homefront so I can attend and photograph multiple Royals sporting events. The bad news is that Mother Nature did not get the memo.

As much as I hoped the weather forecast would change for tonight, this is the current radar and we are 3 minutes from the alleged kickoff. I decided not to even chance it with my photographic equipment. Even an umbrella and rain jacket wouldn't give me comfort.

And since I'm still hearing constant thunder (which rules require calls off action for a required 30 minutes), I have doubts there'll be anyone else along the sidelines either.

Tomorrow isn't looking much better.

With hubby out of town and out of state on a guys' golf weekend, I figured I'd knock off football on Friday, cross country Saturday morning and tennis Saturday afternoon.

I figured.

Right now it's looking like the only plans I'll keep are a Saturday night concert and Sunday church choir and school BINGO. Fun still, but grrrr. 

I thought a good backup plan would be Hallmark tonight. But then the remote (which I rarely have in my hands) didn't work. Are you kidding me? Thank goodness just perfectly timed dead batteries. I swear. This is going to be a long weekend alone!

Hoping for a little sunshine for all of us! 

My New Photo Remove Tool

How come every time I have a major life-changing announcement, T Swift has to eclipse it with some random announcement like, say, an engagement? Honestly, good for them. I like "them" as a "them."

Now onto my announcement that I am about to become a millionaire because I have developed something even better than the latest Google Pixel or Photoshop "Remove" tool. I am not joking here.

Tonight during my senior photo session, I told one of my waterskiing boys that I like the angle and the water but I'd probably have to Photoshop that darn dead tree out of the picture. He stands up and says, "Hold on."

And just like that I could see the technology working before my eyes as the tree was removed!

Wow. What an amazing app feature! I think I should go on Shark Tank or something!

For the record, he put it back in place when we were done so no one was the wiser. Except all of you, of course. I'm trusting you to keep this between us. I just haven't stopped giggling about it for 2 hours! 

Love my side hustles!

Hope you find something to giggle about this week! 

Random Acts of Color

For some reason I could not get my phone to sync up with my computer when it came to photos last night, so I said "screw it" and didn't bother blogging. Now it somewhat works.

If you've read a few of my previous blogs you know this means I got to golf SentryWorld last night. I was subbing for friend on our other Marketing golf team who happens to be vacationing in Iceland. I'd like to say I was winning – but beautiful Iceland? I doubt it.

One fun hole was me saying, "Hey, there's my ball" and my partner saying, "I think that's a mushroom." Raise your driver if you would've thought the same thing!

At least on my drive home I knew all the COLOR credit went to God with some amazing sunset views en route home. Thanks!

Today's color palette was a surprise. I learned that someone I was loving on this weekend up north now has COVID.

So I swung by Walgreens on my way home to pick up a test. I didn't have symptoms but I had senior photo session this evening and we have an out-of-town wedding Friday. Thank the Lord it was negative. Because, well, I hate to miss out on anything!

I guess my random acts of color this week have truly been blessings!

Well, Doggone!

I've taken senior portraits with family pets on many occasions. Sometimes they are as big as a horse (and actually are a horse) and many times all sizes of dogs. And doggone, but dogs are cute. And just like the "stock photo" above, get them to open their mouths and it's like they're smiling! 

As part of tonight's photo mission, the mom wanted me to replicate this picture or at least something similar for comparison's sake after many years.

I think Dude (love that name) cooperated pretty well, don't you! 

It was a fun evening and it was cloudy so I never had to address any sun squinting or extra shadows! 

What I learned the other night with hoops pictures of J is that she can't hold a serious, non-smiling look to save her life. She breaks into a giggle and even more smiles. Oh to be young and filled with joy.

Or just be more like a dog and think "You said my name! I must smile! Yes, I'm panting and I have terrible breath, but you're looking at me! Saying my name again! Yay! Joy!"

🐶🐕🐶🐕