Nikki and I are in LA, staying at the Radisson while attending the weekend service event called PRAASA.

At 4:30pm the hotel restaurant wasn’t yet open. Once I heard there was an In and Out relatively nearby (a mile walk away) there was no more discussion about where we’d eat dinner. Gotta love those fries.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Yesterday was the first Tuesday of the month, so five of us from the desert drove in to attend the Baby Meeting (not really babies, but a gathering of my sponsees). We meet other sponsees at my Grandsponsor’s apartment in Encino. Before the meeting we always meet at the California Chicken Cafe in Encino for dinner. Eight of us shared dinner before the 6:45pm meeting.

At the meeting Tina sets up the teleconference machine so the out of town ladies join in the meeting too. It’s a wonderful way for all of us to stay connected. Every year we read and each share for 3 minutes from a book we have chosen to read. We’ve been reading the book, Drop the Rock, Removing Character Defects by Bill P. Todd W. and Sara S.

On page 35, these two sentences stood out to me: “How do we define ourselves? That will say a lot about where we place pride in our lives.” During the sharing, one of the ladies shared something that also made me reflect….”Who I am is how I’m treating you.” I’m still thinking about these sentences.

In an email correspondence this morning I wrote the following to someone:
“I’ve never been happier. It seems I’ve been graced with the willingness to make time for myself, schedule backpack trips, lots of photography workshops and other learning opportunities with this new love of photography etc. I’m living my intentions, rather than talking about them or justifying why I can’t do this or that. You know, the old, “You just don’t understand. Blah, blah, blah”

Big girl Linda finally knows that part of learning is going through the process of not knowing how to do something (duh)….and that if I don’t stay with those uncomfortable feelings, keep up with failed attempts to learn, I’ll continue believing I am stupid and can’t learn, and punish you with my feelings of inadequacy. (And waste my time and yours (if you’ll listen), explaining how I just don’t learn like others. Waaaa)”

So, I have now opened the box of lighting equipment and will continue trying to put it together, test out how it works, learn and gain a little more understanding so that that age old of fear (of looking stupid, feeling embarrassed, you laughing at me (even when you’re not around) won’t stop me from experiencing all the good feelings and pride I’m beginning to have.

I am excited about my days, my life lately. I believe I’ve just uncovered another roadblock to happy, joyous and free, at a deeper level. That’s what I love about finally feeling secure enough that I really no longer worry what others will think of me and just continue to do what I’m afraid to do. I learn a little at a time and end up getting happier and KINDER, to everyone around me and to Linda. It seems so simple, but I understand now that not understanding, is normal and appropriate before the understanding comes.

Patricia, Sandi, Linda (in reflection) Margaret, and Stacy in the San Fernando Valley, just before entering California Chicken Cafe.

I wonder how many PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) backpackers read my blog.

Each year about 300 thru-hikers start out in late March through late April to backpack 2,660 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail. This adventure can take about 4 to 5 months. I backpacked the PCT as a thru-hike in 2002. On this adventure of my life, I met some of the best friends I have today. Two friends (Yogi and Cupcake) and I, following the completion of our backpack, wanted to give a gift to the upcoming year thru-hikers. Our gift had to be light weight, useful and memorable. We came up with the idea of gifting a bandana. The first PCT Class bandana was gifted to the Class of 2003 thru-hikers. Since then, each year for 8 years now, we have continued the bandana gifting tradition. Follow this link to read the story of the bandanas, located on the ADZPCTKO backpacking site.

Gotttago, Cupcake and Yogi

This is the first year we have used a color (pink) that may cause some grumbling. We’ll see.

This year's PCT Class Bandana

This morning.

San Jacinto's many looks.

While at my sponsor’s Birthday Brunch on Saturday, one of the women went out to her car and brought in her dog.

In season.

Yesterday I used up some really ripe (brown skinned) bananas to make fruit leathers using the dehydrator. It is always a challenge finding sweet treats that don’t contain sugar. Here is the recipe I put together, using up what I had on hand. As you’ll see, I didn’t pay much attention to amounts as I used what I had on hand.
4 large very ripe bananas (the kind that you don’t want to eat because they are so brown.)
1/2 tsp bottled vanilla
oat bran (can’t remember how much, maybe a half a cup)
oatmeal (approximately 1/2 c., I think)
chopped fine walnuts and walnut meal (at the bottom of a container I use to hold walnuts)
raisins (don’t remember how many but maybe 1/2 c.)

Mash the bananas with all the rest of the ingredients.
Spread mixture on plastic dehydrator trays (I spray a little Olive Oil Pam on a paper towel and wipe each tray, hoping the mixture won’t stick too bad)
I spread and flatten the mixture as equally thin as I can get it, using the back of a spoon to flatten the 2 tablespoon drops of the mixture.

I set the dehydrator to 135.
I cook the mixture for 3 hours and then turn it over. (I use a pie server to turn the gooey mixture over and make sure to re-flatten the mixture so it drys all the way through.)
I cooked the turned mixture another 1.5 hours.

Here is what the end product looks like (not out of focus like they look in the photo though:-)

Banana leathers plus.

Ummmm good.

p.s. I will never be a food photographer. I finally gave up trying to get this photo looking good.

Each week I spend time in a bookstore reading what I always read – photography books.

Vince used to call where you spend money you don’t need to spend, leakage $$$. It’s emotional spending…..you know, if I buy ____ ___, I’ll feel better.

I’m sure glad I don’t spend $300 a month on books anymore. Right LR? You probably wish I were still into buying books rather than the expensive photo gear habit I have these days.

Tonight I used up the remaining Barnes & Nobel gift cards on the 2 photography books I bought and only had to pay an extra $21 out of pocket. Pretty good LR, right?

I’ve missed your comments LR and hope this blog will get your creative juices flowing. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Quincy and Katya arrived around 1:30pm. Why? Because tonight Quincy spoke here at St Margerite’s and Katya decided to come down and hear Quincy too. They’re spending the night. Right now I hear them giggling in the guest room as they get ready for sleep.

We Three: Quincy, Linda and Katya.

Quincy and Katya just before we left for the meeting.

We were in a hurry to leave for the meeting when I decided to ask Ray to quickly shoot our photo. The small compact just couldn’t do the job, lighting wise, and the on camera flash played havoc with the finished shots.

Not much time with my camera today, but since I always have the compact camera, I couldn’t resist taking this photo of Baby Noah who is brought to our Wednesday JTBP meeting every week by his parents, Cynthia and Dusty.

Noah is the most beautiful, well behaved baby I’ve ever been around. I have a very special attachment to Noah as Cynthia asked me to be with her husband and Sandi in the delivery room where I shot zillions of photos throughout the day and during Noah’s birth. Photos from Noah’s birth are viewable here. Be forewarned if you are squeamish. And yes, I did get permission post these photos.

Baby Noah, now almost 2 months old.

Trying to create something for the blog.

Days are going by too fast. No dedicated photography time. Boo hoo.

Tomorrow.

p.s. This week’s photo subject is circles.