Summer is Here!!!!

Regardless of what the calendar says. . . Summer does not begin on June 21st. Nope when that magical day in May arrives and the kids hit the school doors for the last time . . . Summer is OFFICIALLY HERE! I think for every kid in school and even most parents that once that day in May arrives hugh sighs of relief wash across all of us. I can remember as a kid hitting that door on the last day being overly excited and getting butterflies in my stomach wondering if it would be warm enough to hit the pool when it opened for the season . . . As a parent I can't help but also breathe a sigh of relief when my kids hit that door for the last time and thinking . . . we survived another year. . .

But the only difference now is that Summer really isn't a break anymore . . . it seems like Summer is just as busy but just without the school work . . . We had summer baseball and things like that but I just don't really remember it having the intensity that it does now. . . Summer wasn't work it was fun. . . it was a break. . . now there's summer basketball, team camps, summer weight lifting, and of course summer jobs for many. . . I could go on and on . . .

But regardless of the different kind of "busy" summer brings us, I think we all await that magical day in May and welcome it warmly only to begin the countdown and groans of only 3 months until School Starts . . .

Happy Summer everyone!

Congratulations Graduates!

The time has come and Graduation is near.. . the Class of 2007 will soon just be another "panel of pictures" hanging on the wall . . . and by now I'm sure Senioritis is at it's highest peak . . . In actuality though . .. Graduation is a bit bittersweet. .. I mean all the graduates can think about is moving on to bigger and better things leaving high school and all the drama that goes along with it behind . .. But for parents it means that their children will be "on their own" making their own decisions about studying, curfew, etc. Graduation Day brings alot of laughter and alot of tears as we see 18 years of life spreading their wings to fly off to the next phase of life. But it also means leaving that security zone of "home" and all the friends that have made growing up what it is. Most seniors will have 3 months to be in their "Graduation Bliss" before saying their goodbyes to their friends and families, but some will "fly the coop" at the absolute first opportunity never looking back.

So to all the graduates, whether you are heading to college or into the workforce, I wish you the best of luck as you progress forward to this next phase of your life. Always remember the people that helped make this dream for you possible and be sure to thank them when you have the opportunity.

Here's to the Class of 2007 and a very special congratulations to the Seniors that helped Prairie Images Photography spread her wings and move to a new level: Brady, Brianna, Carlin, Cecelie, Cody, Eric, Garrett, Jake, Jeremy, Joel, Kenneth, Kristina, Leigh Ann, Logan, Oil(Oy), Rani, Sandi, Shauncey, Shayla, Spencer and Tatiana. Iwish all of you the best life has to offer! Reach high and dream big!

Happy Mother's Day!

Tomorrow is the day when Mom's rest. .. but I ask myself .. is there really such a day! I mean regardless there will be laundry piling up and dishes filling the sink. So to all the mom's out there.. . be brave... just leave everything be. .. there's always Monday! Hope everyone has a great Day!

The Coffee Shop Talk . ..

Coming from a small town it has often been noted that the rumor mill runs rampant ... or you might here someone say "The talk at the coffee shop is. . . " or many other various things that implicate small town folks like to talk. .. sometimes it's about the latest farm sale coming up, the new family in town or even the latest death in the community. But I'm sure the biggest topic at "The Coffee Shop" in our community as well as others across our entire nation is the tragedy and devastation that has hit our neighboring community of Greensburg! While many might refer to our town gossip as something wrong . . . in times of tragedy like this I think it just proves to people why small towns are a blessing. When tragedy strikes how many people do you see come together to take care of each other. I'm sure the same gestures of help are seen in the cities too but I will argue with anyone that there's nothing like small town living. But talking although referred to as "gossip" by many can be a very valuable thing . . . it allows people to communicate what they are feeling and it allows us to show our support to those that are in need, and it can be very valuable in the healing process. And right now the people in Greensburg are probably doing alot of that right now. The events of that evening will be fresh on everyone's minds for many weeks, months and even years to come. Some will be sharing this story with their grandkids some day .. . while others may share it with the new people that move to the community that will be rebuilt. And judging from the newspaper interviews I've read the people are very determined to have Greensburg, KS put back on the map which shows you that the Spirit of the Midwest lives through these small communities that like to talk! As a fellow small community, I think most of us realize that this very same thing could have just as easily been Meade, KS. And I have every confidence that if it were that way the people in Greensburg would be offering the same prayers to us that I know many of us are offering to them! As the people in Greensburg begin to rebuild and reshape their lives and their community, let us all think about fortunate we are to still have the things that they don't! In "normal" circumstances when a tornado strikes a few houses or business might be affected.. . but that is not the case here. These people have very little if anything. They've lost their homes, belongings, vehicles, and places of employment. They have no bank, they cannot get their mail, they don't have any of their medications and not even the local hospital or doctors office to go to in order to retrieve the information. So the next time you go down "Main Street" just take a look around and notice what we would be missing if the same tragedy struck Meade, KS. Isn't it nice to be able to just go "downtown" to the grocery store, the pharmacy, the post office, among many other things. So as we all gather for the next day of "The Coffee Shop Talk" ... perhaps the topic should be . . . what does Meade offer to us today that could be gone tomorrow!

Tragedy . . .

When severe weather threatens I think everyone always wonders "what if" . .. but after last Friday there are no "What Ifs" for Greensburg. .. it's more like What Now? The events of that night will be fresh on everyone's mind for a long time. I honestly cannot imagine what these poor people are going through .. . to see the pictures we get an idea but honestly I think seeing the effects will absolutely suck the wind out of me just like that tornado sucked the life from that town. Tragedies like this tend to bring communities together but how do they do that when there's nothing left to do it with. So many times we hear the term that "it was leveled" ... but you just always hope and pray that it never happens. My thoughts go out to everyone there . . . the recovery process will begin soon . . . but the unknown I'm sure has many absolutely scared beyond our imaginations. I mean how do you rebuild from scratch. Small town are known for rallying together and knowing the people that I do in this small town I know they won't give up with out a good fight. To all of those out there that were affected by this horrible tragedy . .. just know that people from everywhere are here to help and are wishing you only the best as you being the recovery process!

It's HERE & Don't FORGET!!

Okay ... now I know most of you won't be as excited as I am over this . . . and I certainly know that the United States Postal Service isn't as thrilled. . . I know when I spent my days behind that counter this was NOT a day of looking forward to . . . but finally . . . the day I've been waiting for . . . the delivery of "THE YELLOWBOOK" (formerly known as the Feist) .. . now why in the world would anyone be excited about this . .. well some people might actually look forward to the Pizza Hut coupons . .. but for me . .. it's all about advertising . .. you see this year I took the plunge after much deliberation and nailbiting and put an ad in the yellow pages for Prairie Images Photography! So now when people are looking for a Children's or Senior Portrait Photographer... I WILL BE THERE!!! In fact .. to save you the trouble of looking it up in the phonebook your self . .. here's the ad right here! :-)

And it's just in time because Prairie Images is having its GRAND OPENING/OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, May 5th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Yes that is in 2 days . . . And just so you aren't mistaken on the location . . . my studio is located 2 miles south of Meade on Hwy 23. When you get to the Grain Bins(you know that famous landmark EVERYONE knows) . . . you will turn west(right) on "P" Road. .. Now here is when/where the confusion starts. . . because you see everyone seems to associate my studio with a HOUSE and since the studio is nestled BEHIND the grain bins everyone wants to gaze further west to the House up the road. . . well there IS not a house. . . My studio sits right behind the grain bins in a new building . . . so when you get to that first driveway RIGHT off of Road P turn into it and follow the path to the East door. Don't let the outside fool you ... when you get inside you will be pleasantly surprised. . . Hope to see you there. .. ohhhh and just in case you are wondering . .. it will be held RAIN or Shine . . .hopefully with no tornadoes!