O Christmas Tree

"The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect! " ~Charles N. Barnard

For a large part of my adult life, I had to have a perfect Christmas tree.It had no gaping holes, was balanced and perfectly shaped...NO" Charlie Brown Tree" for me! In the last few years, I've changed my tune. Maybe it's an age thing,or maybe I just finally realized that in the big picture of life, a perfect tree just wasn't important.

As a child, our tree wasn't put up until Christmas eve and sometimes my father would take us up into the woods and cut our own. I'll always remember the year he flushed a woodcock from a tree he was cutting by the full moon..I can still see that bird so clearly... I think that was one of the craziest looking trees the Griswold family ever had.

Tonight, I brought home a perfectly imperfect Fraser Fir that smells divine and will look splendid when I finish decorating it. Lets hear it for imperfections!

My Other Passion

Horses...ever since I was a kid, I've been in love with them... Draft Horses, Three and Five Gaited American Saddlebreds, Horse Racing and Three Day Eventing,..every breed of horse interests me, as well as how a breed developed and the role they played in history. As a kid, Saturday afternoons at the Griswold Farm found my sisters and I glued to the TV for live racing from Aqueduct Park in NY. We learned all about the racing greats and my most vivid memory was Secretariat winning the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown. I remember crying..and for some reason, I still cry when any horse finishes first..they have such heart and give it their all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V18ui3Rtjz4&feature=related

Photographing horses..

I've toyed with the idea of specializing in equine photography lately..here are a few images I really love

{This shot recently sold in an art show..}
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I was never a rider {chickened out after a fall once},but my instructor told me I had wonderful hands and a nice manner around horses. I worked for vets and horse trainers who said the same thing. I know how a horses mind works and although I respect them greatly, I make sure they know who is in charge. I'm always calm and they respond. It helps when photographing them too!

I don't know where all this will lead...but stay tuned...

Luck Be a Lady

Late Summer is a busy time for me, with annual art shows in the northwest corner of Connecticut. So much time goes into deciding what to put in the shows, finding the money to frame them and make extra matted prints to sell..photography is one expensive way to make a living. Since I don't have too much time to get my art out there when I'm singing and teaching voice full time nine months out of the year, it's important to pick the right "wow" photos I think could sell. I'm happy to say that I've had an excellent month. Not only do the wonderful people of my hometown support and buy my work, I'm thrilled that I can go out of town, where no one knows me, and still make sales. It's validation and it feels good. My photos are going to happy and appreciative customers who don't mind listening to me babble about each image and all the circumstances surrounding why I took the shot. I love hearing where these people plan on hanging them..I guess each photo is like a child, in a way. I'll miss them...and yes, I photograph them framed for my archives..

Last week, I was sought out by the art director for Connecticut Magazine. She had found my photos on the Norfolk Town Website and told me they were very interested in using one of my images for the COVER of their October issue. Once I found the image,{thank God I organized all my discs by year} I sent it and a mock up of the cover was returned to me. It looked fantastic but I had to wait for them to decide. Yesterday, they said yes and announced what they would pay me...lets just say..I was blown away! I feel so honored and hope this opens up some more doors for me in the photography world.

I don't know if it's luck, or just the universe looking out for me...either way..I'm very grateful.

School's Out For Summer.....Almost...

I may take some "heat " for this, but I don't understand why schools are dismissing students early because of intense heat. How will our youth ever become tough? I remember plenty of hot, humid days sitting in a classroom with the lights off, still able to listen and learn. I realize there are many "rules" in the school system nowadays and you can't bring a bottle of water and drink all day because you aren't allowed to leave for all those bathroom breaks..and there is most likely the fear of being sued if your child is affected by the heat. {Don't get me started on that topic}.

Why is everything so different now? The weather hasn't changed since I was a kid. Perhaps the budgets should allow for central air if school continues too far into June..or maybe the powers that be should change the number of days in the school year. A lot of this goes back to the amount of lost days due to the intense Winter we experienced. As far as I could see, at least a half dozen of those cancellations were uncalled for..If there wasn't so much fear in the weather, school would be ending this week, just like it did for most of us in the good old days.

Stop spoiling the kids..life isn't all about being comfortable..sometimes you have to toughen up and just deal with it...they'll find that out sooner or later..

I Love Iceland

More Iceland 2005 - Katherine Griswold - Picasa Web Albums

Iceland 2005 - Katherine Griswold - Picasa Web Albums


I've only been twice, but it was enough to fall deeply in love with that magical country. At the moment , I am unable financially or health wise to go back and I sure hope that changes one day soon. I'm certain I'm supposed to see and experience much, much more there.

In the meantime, please check out my two photo links from past trips...such wonderful memories..

Memorial Day

As a child, Memorial Day was a three day weekend, a chance to play and picnic with family and friends,a sign that Summer was closing in and that the end of school was near. Later in life it became a day to honor those who fought, and continue to fight for our country so that we can enjoy our freedom. In the last ten years it's turned into a special memorial for lost family members and friends.

This year, will be the tenth anniversary of my mothers death and the first for our dear family friend, and my sister Gerri's best friend, Fred. Joan {my mom} and Fred had quite a relationship full of quick wit and much sarcasm ..it made for many laughs..although it wasn't always funny. The fact that we honor them on the same day, May 30th, is ironic.I really wonder what bits of trouble they are causing, wherever they are and if Bonnie, Gerri, Jim or I will get some kind of message. I do believe in those messages from the other side. We shall see..

However you celebrate Memorial Day, I hope it's meaningful.

Mom, feeding General Nuisance and Fred with his beloved Bobina

Grimsvotn..Mother Natures magnificent trouble maker...

Volcanic Eruption in Grimsvotn, Iceland May 21 2011 on Vimeo


I've been reading a lot about people "hating Iceland" because the erupting volcano is disrupting their lives. Folks..we can't control Mother Nature, and I'm not saying a cancelled flight or any other inconvenience should make us jump for joy ...but hate? It's such a strong word, and I try not to use it. Instead of thinking of ourselves, how about considering how the eruption is affecting the people, farm animals, and wildlife who inhabit the area around Grimsvotn...perhaps that will put things in perspective.

Grímsvötn Eruption 2011 - a set on Flickr

Icelanders are very hardy folks..I have every faith they'll survive this latest challenge..without any complaints.

Energy

“Goals provide the energy source that powers our lives. One of the best ways we can get the most from the energy we have is to focus it. That is what goals can do for us; concentrate our energy.”
Denis Waitley


I'm a pack rat...it seems to run in my family. Lately, I've been feeling a bit closed in with the clutter of "stuff" I've colllected in my half century of existence. I sometimes feel stagnant energy,especially in the sleeping quarters of my house.That could be one of the reasons I sleep so poorly.

This week, big changes have occurred. Although I'm finding it difficult to "let go" of "stuff", the ever logical me analyzed every bloody trinket, frame, clothes..you name it, and thought..will I ever wear or use this again? How many years has it been since I've picked this up..I don't remember owning this!..It's ridiculous how many possessions we accumulate. That does not define who we are!

Of course, the sentimental side of me {which is HUGE}, kept some things..I can't throw out every memory..a special letter or card I've received and as long as I vow to keep them in an album..they can stay..I admit reading all that stuff made me shed a tear and laugh hysterically more than a few times.

I now have a dozen boxes in assorted sizes filled with goodies someone will love to clutter their house with! I've only scratched the surface in the creating energy flow upstairs..but I can already feel it moving. The church I sing at Monday nights will be the recipient of those treasures for their Memorial Day tag sale.

My goal in the next two weeks is to finish the bedrooms and start on the books..I am SO focused!

LET THE ENERGY FLOW!

Clouds

" Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky."
Rabindranath Tagore

Inspiration

I haven't given my blog much attention, as you can see, but I guess I thought I needed to write something long and profound every week. I finally realized...I don't! It takes me a while to catch on, sometimes.

There is so much, just outside my window that should inspire me to write.For whatever reason, I haven't been motivated. So for today, I'll keep it short and post some photos of the beautiful Spring we are experiencing here in wonderful Norfolk, CT.

Enjoy!

Violets are one of my favorite Spring offerings.

Haystack Mountain. A view from the Norfolk Post Office. Come on, who else gets a view like this?

Several years ago, I maintained this estate garden. Spring is it's best season.

Spring is about rebirth..although we hardly need anymore Canada Geese, you can't deny how cute this little one looks. Two siblings are hiding in the grass.

Snow Day!

Those words were music to my ears as a kid. We'd all come down to the kitchen and feel the wood stove kicking in, gather around the table and wait to hear if radio announcer Bob Steele would call out our school's name. Once we knew for sure, I don't recall ever going back to bed, maybe in my teenage years, but before that, we were out the door having a blast in the snow asap. I'm so grateful I grew up in a time when life was simpler. When you had a day off, you could play or read and maybe watch a little TV.Living in the country..it was all about the great outdoors.

Once we were out the door, it was time to figure out creative ways on how to entertain ourselves. There was the usual sledding or tobogganing down the hill over the big, beautiful man made pond that graced our back yard, or we'd build snowmen, snow forts, and sculptures. We also did a lot of shoveling and helping neighbors dig out. I don't think we ever complained. Later, back at the cozy farmhouse, we'd have hot chocolate or whatever goody our mother was cooking.

I especially loved walking in the woods on our huge property by myself. There is something so peaceful about snow. I think being among the trees and wildlife spawned my love for photography. I've always had a vivid imagination and could picture creatures and spirits peeking out behind the mighty spruce and pine trees.

What a great time to be a kid. It sure made me appreciate the little things in life.

Spirituals

Today, my choir job in Hartford resumed after Christmas break. In celebration of Martin Luther King Day we sang some spirituals. There is something about that kind of music that stirs my soul. Our introit was a beautiful arrangement by Fenno Heath of "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child". Fenno is famous for his long history with the Yale Glee Club and one of a handful of directors of that choir. The words are powerful and lots of line and dynamics are required. I'm a very emotional singer and sometimes need to be careful not to let those emotions get out of control. In my opinion, it's all about the text. We really did a beautiful job and sang it at the piano downstairs in the Cathedral,something we don't do very often.

Next, was my favorite of the two spirituals, the wonderful "Aint a That Good News", which we sang from the choir loft.This piece holds great memories for me,having sung it on a choir tour to Ireland in 1994. It's a little tricky, but we finally ironed out the rhythm kinks and rocked it.Our sound was out of this world. It's a high energy piece and our fabulous choirmaster, Jeff Douma, really gives us energy.. Jeff shows his emotions big time when he conducts and he carries us on his back. We are nearly an all professional choir but you still need that leadership.I must add that he is the current director of the Yale Glee Club and a professor of choral conducting at Yale..we are so lucky to have him.

I wish we sang more spirituals..I think they make people feel good, whether you're singing...or listening....

Something New

I've always enjoyed reading and good writing. I don't consider myself a writer by any means, but have decided to give this blog thing a try. What have I got to lose? I'm always thinking and analyzing things so I might as well put those thoughts here. It may actually clear my brain of "thought clutter"!

I'll be posting a lot of photographs and music, since those are my passions in life and how I make a living.

Please bare with me, as I embark on this new journey in this new year.