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---------->photo by Elaine A. Russell

I took this photograph tonight thru the window of "Hey Jhonny", which is a great store on Central Ave in downtown ABQ. The hubby and I took our daughter out to celebrate her 18th birthday... and it was fun. We had comfort food... lots of tea .... and even a sugar cookie for dessert. YUM.

It seems like everything is changing. I am not sure where things are going... but things seem to be moving pretty quickly around here. Kids growing up, getting married... leaving home. Becoming grandparents... taking care of parents... while still being there for the kids... it's all a mish-mash of emotions.

And my photography is changing a bit too. I have discovered the wonderful world of layering... and am trying my hand at some digital altering of a few of my photographs. It is a wonderful thing to be able to express my feelings and viewpoint with my art, and now I can do it a little bit more artistically.

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly." --Buddha

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My son is now married... to a wonderful girl...

It is the beginning of a new chapter for them... and for us... as we get used to not having him living with us anymore. It is a strange transition... and I know it is the best for all of us. But I miss him... and today I was thinking of my son and my daughter when they were little....

This beautiful wisteria lives in a yard about 3 blocks from my house. It is stunning. Simply stunning.... and late this afternoon I was able to get a couple pictures of it just as the moon was beginning to rise....

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

my girl....

--------------------------------------------photo by Elaine A. Russell

So -- let me tell you about my daughter. She is fabulous. She is one of those unique people who has always known what she wants to do with her life. While most of us struggle with what we should or should not do... or what we can do as set up by our own self imposed limits.. or even limits put onto us by others... she has had this direct, matter-of-fact knowledge of herself. Not to say she is conceited. Far from it. She just knows what she is meant to do. She is an artist.

She has been working with me in the jewelry making business since she was in kindergarten, and selling her own work since she was 12. At 14 she decided she wanted to try her hand at photography, and by 16 she was in a gallery. She will be 17 in a few months.... and who knows where all she'll go and what all she'll do. But I do know that she will do it with creativity, compassion and love.