Normally I use a macro lens to shoot small objects since they are expressly designed for this purpose. Today I received a new 35mm wide angle lens and took it for a test run outdoors. Such a lens is the last I would pick to photograph a bee pollinating flowers but when the opportunity presented itself I get in very close and took the shoot.

Macro photographers tend to try and isolate their subjects from what can be distracting background elements. With the 35mm, I was able to isolate the bee with a narrow depth of field but still capture enough surrounding details to give a sense of the environment. If not for the fact that this new lens is so sharp, I would not have been able to crop for the composition I wanted and still have enough detail in the image. This new lens is definitely going to be a keeper.

Jeanine is preparing to send out a graduation announcement for Nicolai and asked me if I would provide two photos of him (one when he was younger and one that is current). I decided to make a composite image and this is the result. I still remember that little guy and can’t believe how quickly time has passed and how much he has grown (and in so many ways). We love the big guy just as much and are extremely proud of all he has accomplished.

Lauren, one of Jeanine’s two sisters, arrived this afternoon from Indianapolis. She is here to join in celebrations for Nico’s graduation and Jeanine’s 50th birthday party for relatives (yes, this is about the sixth 50th birthday party; Jeanine has been quite content to get all the mileage she can from this milestone). After preparing a healthful dinner of homemade falafel for the family, Lauren joined my nephew John and I for a short trip to the Nashawtuc Country Club to hear Nico and his band performing during the CCHS Senior Dinner. Later the sisters and I went for an evening stroll and I had an opportunity to catch up on family news.

The sun had just set and I was still without a photo for the day so I went out into the front yard in search of something interesting to shoot. It didn’t take long before I came across this fly resting on a flower. I knew immediately that I wanted a perspective that would place the fly in profile entirely in front of the white petal. It took some real contortions and patience to get the exact framing I wanted but I feel it was worth the effort.

I like it when it rains on Mondays, especially after a weekend of sunshine. Going back to work is just that much easier. All that strives to be green is hydrated and I am more motivated to be in the office when the allure of being outside is dampened by the weather. This is the view from our farmer’s porch. It is representative of the lush green that can be seen in every direction now. The wind chime in the foreground is calm and the rain is falling in a very soft shower.

For the second time in as many days, Nico was in front of a large audience. On this occasion, it was our congregation. Graduating seniors are invited to reflect on their growth within the church as they prepare to enter college. Nico spoke last and was the only senior to speak contemporaneously which added to the sincerity of his reflections. My favorite sound bite from his remarks when referring to the church …. “we turn out good people.” Jeanine and I were very proud of him and I might go as far as to say that we turned out a good child. Fortunately, my soccer match this morning was at 8 AM on our home field allowing me to arrive in time for the service. I managed two goals and an assist which set a very positive tone for the remainder of the day. Pictured below is the entire group of First Parish graduating seniors.

While cleaning and organizing our tool shed, a project that occupied the better part of my day, I encountered this amphibious resident. Conveniently, he jumped right into the dust bin I was using making it easy to take him indoors to show Maya and to subsequently release him into a more natural habitat. My initial posting identified this fellow as a frog. Not even close, as I learned from our neighbor. Subsequent internet research has allowed me to make the correct identification. For those interested in learning more about the American Toad I refer you to this link which I found quite informative. Maya, still recovering from a slight cold, made use of the afternoon to prepare a cake for Nico’s graduation party to be held next Saturday. It is a work of art and I cannot wait to sample the masterpiece (not fully completed as pictured here).

For the first time, I was able to attend one of Nicolai’s motivational speaking engagements this afternoon thanks to iRobot summer hours (we work half days on Fridays). Today he was presenting to about 200 children from the Alcott Elementary School. This is perhaps his 6th engagement and he earns a fairly respectable speaking fee of $400 (not too shabby for a teenager). I was joined by Jeanine and Maya who were also seeing him speak for the first time. I can objectively say that his presentation and message were extremely powerful and moving. A teacher sitting next to me in the back of the auditorium said she had never seen the students so attentive and engaged for any assembly during the entire year.

Today was also Nico’s last day of high school and it was very poignant to watch him and his friends as the gravity of the milestone set in. It was as if they never imagined what this moment would actually feel like. I dare say the seemed a little melancholic.

Light from the rising or setting sun is unrivaled in photography. This evening as I left the house for soccer practice (we play under the lights), I had to stop for this photo of our neighbor’s barn/garage bathed in golden light.

I think it is safe to say that Jeanine enjoys cooking; especially for large groups. I don’t know how many women would be more excited to receive an industrial-grade 20-quart Hobart Mixer than a diamond necklace but I am fairly certain I know which Jeanine would choose. Today she is preparing for the high school’s Teacher Appreciation Lunch (she volunteered to coordinate the meal). The menu for 250 included pulled pork and chicken sandwiches (meat preparation has been underway for several days), barbecue sauce (being mixed above), and mac & cheese, with potluck contributions of salad and dessert. Stellar reviews from the faculty and kitchen staff (invited by Jeanine for the first time ever to join the teachers) made all the effort worthwhile. I don’t say it often enough but I feel very lucky to be married to someone who cares so much about nourishing those she loves and is just as happy to cook for those she may not even know.

Both the wonder of nature and the nature of wonder are sources of great inspiration to me. From these seeds, a magnificent Japanese Maple might one day grow. Every aspect of shape, texture, and structure refined over millions of years to ensure that this tree will not be the last of its kind. I enjoy taking time to appreciate such beauty knowing that these seeds will soon be returned to the earth not having fulfilled their ultimate mission.

After days of rain and overcast skies, the weather finally broke today. One would think that I’d have spent the day outdoors enjoying the sunshine. Instead, I used the holiday to catch up on a number of small projects around the house, researching the latest developments in flashlight technology and preparing a couple of my power tools for sale on Craig’s list. The kids (and Jeanine) think I am crazy to spend hours upon hours contemplating a relatively small purchase. What they fail to appreciate is that I am learning a great deal in so doing. In this case, I am now up to speed on the latest developments in LED and lithium battery technology, both extremely relevant to the work I do at iRobot.

My father would have loved the fact that both Kyle and Maya have learned to play the guitar, an instrument into which he poured the passion left over from his dancing. This photo was taken yesterday. I returned to Concord last night so that I could be well-rested for my soccer game this morning. Because of the holiday weekend, we were extremely short-handed. I played for 90 minutes straight at the wing midfield position, something I have not done in some time. We emerged victorious with a 3-2 win and in doing so secured first place in our division (with two games remaining before the playoffs) and guaranteed promotion to Division 1 in the fall.

The similarities between these girls is scary. Their first names are pronounced identically, they share middle names, they are the same age, they are both dark haired beauties, they are both the same height (if Maya stands on her toe tips) they are both 3rd in birth order and their siblings are the same ages. They rarely see each other outside of Ferry Beach weekend but have developed a very deep friendship over the last decade. This evening Jeanine and I enjoyed a delightful dinner with Maia’s parents at their summer home on Crescent Lake, an hour further north. It is not surprising that the parents shared a great deal in common as well. I made a late night return to Concord because of an early soccer match on Sunday while Jeanine spent a solo night in the tent. We ran into Nicolai and his cohort a few times as our paths crossed. Is it just me or does Nicolai always seem to be surrounded by extremely attractive young women?