Desert Bloom

I have to premise this entry by saying that I am a plant murderer. For as much as I love them, I tend to serial kill them. All the real ones in my house have to be able to take a LOT of abuse and even rise from the dead sometimes. I call them my Jesus plants. Poor things. I feel bad, and I really do admire their sweet determination.

On that note, I have to show you this picture of the tomatoes that were grown IN OUR VERY OWN BACKYARD THAT IS NOT IN THE GROCERY STORE. I can't take the credit. Jason made it a project one day for the kids. They planted flowers and tomatoes in the back. Well, these tiny little seeds turned into actual PLANTS, that turned into actual FRUIT (tomatoes are fruit right?) Anyway, I know this is not earth-shattering. But, these tomatoes mean so much to me. They mean things can ACTUALLY bloom in Texas (chill Texans, I'm about to say how much I love it here). But it wasn't always that way. My first memory of San Antonio is sitting in an Ihop (yuck) restaurant crying my eyes out because I couldn't imagine that this was going to be my life. We were moving away from my friends and family and everything familiar to be in what I thought was the Ugliest Place On Earth. That was just one name I had for it. The others were The Armpit Of America. The Ass Of The Atlas. And Satan's Backyard. Yes, I can be a teensy bit dramatic. And I hate to say this all so simply as if to imply that the last four years have been easy. They haven't. I've been pushed here in ways that I could have never imagined. I've had many other breakdowns in addition to the one that began in the pancake house. But I've also met some of the best people in the whole world and made some of the best memories. I feel like I've come a long way from the 29 hour drive in the Uhaul. And I feel a lot like these tomatoes. The ones that grew in our 100 degree, Armpit Of America Backyard. The backyard that I've grown to love so much.

And to make the day even sweeter, B and H decided to send me a present! (oh, if only it worked that way). I got my wide angle lens today! I'd been shooting for so long in the studio that I never really had a need for one. But lately I've been feeling like I needed more options when I'm on location. So now, I have a new toy to play with, Yippee!

By the way, THANKS for all the comments yesterday! I read all of them and they make my day! I got a notice from squarespace this morning that I have to upgrade my bandwith AGAIN! This will be the third time! It's getting busier around here, and I love it! Thank you so much to everyone that stops by to check in around here every day. I would love to hear from all of you, to get to see who is behind those numbers!

And make sure you come back this week. There is a special surprise coming up Thursday. A rockstar interview on the WOAI blog. Betchya can't guess who???

Ok, I'm off to get my hair done with my favorite hairdresser extraordinaire! Life IS SWEET! WHOO!!

Comments

[jen]

I love this. I used to live in Texas and miss it a lot. You can't beat the people there!

[mama]

Those tomatoes are the best metaphor for life!
There you are, bearing fruit. I love it.

[Alissa]

Okay, I laughed out loud so much that my kids came running and were so disappointed that it was only tomatoes on the screen. I once described my last residence as the armpit of our state so I think it's funny - but those others you came up with are a riot! I'm very jealous of your new lens. {sigh} Someday I will bring in enough cash to fund my lens and accessory addiction that I feel growing in my heart.

[Alissa]

PS - I love that you are a Canon girl. Tee, hee, hee. It makes me love you all the more. Do you have a 5D?

[daily relish]

no Alissa, I only have a (now DISCONTINUED) 20d. I'm saving up for the 5D too! Go Canon! :0)

[Anna]

Sigh, I would love a 5D, too! And that lens!

And...consider yourself tagged! :)
http://hankandwillie.wordpress.com/2007/07/11/oh-you-crazy-eights/

[Susan]

Honey bunny--when I win the lottery tonight, I will purchase you and up to 5 of your favorite professional photographer buddies the Canon 5D. :-)

[Kal]

I have mo hankering for the 5D. BUT, I would like Double D's just for a day to see how it compares to a wee A+. ;)

[daily relish]

oooh, I want the double Ds too! And not just for a day either.

[Susan]

And I forgot to ask..when do I come by and pick up my tomatoes???!!!

[nic]

see, its not just me!! im a texan, currently residing in nyc. i also think that san antonio is the armpit of texas. im trying to think of somewhere that would be the armpit of america, but i guess thats san antonio like you said. the humidity is killer!!

[tz]

Don't dissin' the great state of Texas y'all!

[Jamee]

I don’t know how I came across your blog, but boy am I glad…I love your work, it is amazing…while I sit here at work bored, I have started from the beginning of your post and am working my way to the newer ones, and I decided to leave a comment on this post. So thanks for putting so much work & effort into your blogs, it’s inspiring. I do photography as a hobby for right now, but would LOVE to make it a profession one day! Photography is my heart :)

Signed,

Jamee in GA