I used a polarizing filter to bring out the shadow of the bridge from which I was shooting. If only I had taken a little more time to get the exposure right. 

This morning I played soccer for the first time in outdoor competition since I injured my knee. I was in for twenty minutes which was plenty and it held up well under full pressure. Unfortunately, we were only able to manage a 1-1 tie. Immediately after the game, Maya, Jeanine, and two out of town guests traveled to western Massachusetts where we dropped them off. The fall color was spectacular. 

Kyle and his friends have a leaf gathering science project due on Monday. Each of the boys needed a few ellusive leaves to finish their collections of 50 different species and we drove around searching for them. 

I took Maya to her soccer game this morning. It was an exciting 0-0 tie. Both teams had many scoring opportunities but no one could seem to find the back of the net. After the game we took advantage of the beautiful background for a team photo. 

Today was the perfect fall day. The trees are showing peak color, the air was crisp and a soft breeze was blowing. I was able to take a few hours for myself and immersed myself in nature. See if you can figure out the subjects of this photo. These are the colors as shot in camera with no post processing.

Kyle and close friend Chloe were reluctant to let me photograph them. I am glad they did.

By popular demand, I have uploaded the video of Nicolai on the Ellen Degeneres Show. Click on the link and select the image of Ellen.

Nico on the Ellen DeGeneres Show

There is another video in the album of Kyle and some fancy soccer skills.

The big news today was Nicolai’s appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Jeanine and Nico returned on the red-eye early this morning after thoroughly enjoying their Los Angeles experience. Nicolai was fantastic and he had a great time. Ellen gave him a Gibson Les Paul guitar and amp which he was thrilled to receive even though he doesn’t play guitar (yet).

Nicolai with Alyson Roth of the Free Wheelchair Mission at Universal Studios. Jeanine and Nicolai enjoyed meeting the person on the other end of the phone. Alyson has helped us at every turn with our fundraising efforts. 

While waiting to pick up Kyle after his soccer game this evening I enjoyed a beautiful sunset from the Concord Carlisle High School. 

Being Mr. Mom for the next three days required me to make a trip to the store for milk. I was treated to Golden Light on the Sudbury River for my troubles. 

After soccer, Maya and I waited to pick up Kyle at our church. He was returning from a weekend retreat in New Hampshire with his Coming of Age group (different from our family Coming of Age Adventures – teens from the church explore their religious beliefs). While we were waiting we enjoyed the clebration surrounding the annual Crop Walk (for hunger). 

Early this morning, I drove Jeanine and Nicolai to the airport. They are headed to Los Angeles to be on the Ellen DeGeneres show. The show will tape on Tuesday and air on Wednesday. I made it back to Concord in time for my soccer game against Framingham. I warmed up with the team but opted not to play. I think I need another couple of weeks before my knee is ready for game level intensity. We tied 3-3 in a very combative match. Afterwards, I dropped Maya off for her soccer clinic and then found a nice field for some photography. 

Maya beats her defender and makes a run up the sideline in her game today. The hard faught match ended in a tie.