bench Monday: love, unconditional love, true love

bench Monday: love, unconditional love, true love, originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

hbm :)

One from the vaults, sorry. I shot this exactly a year ago but didn't use it. I'm posting it today because I've had a long and tiring day (bereavement counsellor, nurse to sort out pain meds, then a lovely Humanist celebrant to help me plan how my funeral will go, a truly lovely guy. All finished off by a few hours in the car to collect my son from his grandparents with whom he spent the weekend. I did manage a couple of bench shots, but am too tired and befuddled to even get them on to my computer.

So, this is a shot about three of the loves of my life: James, my boy, and Marmite!

Maddie

Maddie, originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

One of my friends asked me to take some photos of her two children to make a picture for her dad's Birthday. This is one of the test shots to check the lighting. Isn't Maddie the most beautiful girl ever! It was so good to be out working again, felt like myself for the first time in ages. James was a very useful chap, getting the kids positioned, carting my camera equipment around, and generally making himself helpful. A good time was had by all!

no boating permitted

no boating permitted, originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

hff :)

Confusion! No boating permitted on a green field...go figure.

stoned, the "I want to be a hippie" edition

stoned, the "I want to be a hippie" edition, originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

hfdt :)

I want to be a hippie and I want to get stoned

James and I have been wanting to go to this "ancient" henge at Milton Keynes for ages. OK, when I say ancient it's been there for like two or three years, so it's old for a newborn. We took a trip out there today so James could demonstrate his balancing prowess face-down. He's a good sport!

bench Monday: one step beyond

bench Monday: one step beyond, originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

Madness

hbm :)

I dedicate this image to everyone who is living with cancer, this illness really takes you several steps beyond what you ever imagined your body, your mind, your emotions, could possibly endure. And it takes your families and friends with you on this oh-so-painful journey. I especially wish to dedicate this to my friend Ric because he's having a tough time but showing such dignity and compassion to others. Huge hugs across the pond to you, Ric.

For me, today is the first day in a couple of months that I've picked up my Nikon and gone out to make a picture. I didn't do the shot I had planned because I was too weak to walk to the bench I had intended to use, so I left the props in the car and just went with this lovely bench surrounded by clumps of golden daffodils, with my two favourite boys messing around, much to the amusement of the local yokels.

fence friday: blossom

fence friday: blossom, originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

Today is the first day I've been out of the house in weeks that hasn't involved me having to go to hospital! It's entirely exhausting being out but so invigorating and uplifting because it's a beautiful day. James and I went to Waitrose to pick up some yummy food for the weekend (my bff Caroline and her six-year-old are visiting) and I also wanted to pick up Easter bits and bobs before my boy breaks up for Easter break.

WOW

WOW, originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

My boy was awarded a Worker of the Week certificate today. His class teacher wrote: "he has not just been a worker of the week, he has been for many weeks now. He has become extremely kind and friendly towards others; he tries his best; gets his jobs completed; and is making great relationships with adults in the school. Well done, we are very proud of you."

I am so proud of my boy. He has been going through a real tough time lately, helping me pick a wig since the horrid chemo has made my hair fall out, selecting the piece of field at the green burial ground where he wants to be able to come see me in the future, and comforting me when I am in pain or unhappy. He's a good little boy, even though he's Mr Scruffy Untucked T-shirt today at school.