Red, Purple - Just Because

Just because. Not because it made sense. Not because there was a lot of forethought. Not because I'm going through mid-life crisis (I've done that). Just because...

I was in Michael's buying paper stock for a project. Going through the checkout stand, I was waited on by a very nice woman with short red hair. I liked it. I complimented her on her hair and found myself saying, "I've never been a redhead. I think you've inspired me!"

An impulse was born. I ran the idea past Scott and the girls. My husband has always been supportive of my "hair-brained" ideas. The girls, on the other hand, gave me mixed reactions. Courtney just smiled and Kendall thought I was nuts, but said if I changed my hair color, I should be a brunette. (I've done that). I'm not sure why I asked for opinions. I had made up my mind walking out of Michael's. I called my hairdresser, Louise. I let her know at the next cut, it would be color time too - red! She asked me to send a photo of the color I had in mind. Do you know how many shades of redhead there are!! And every woman I saw online had alabaster skin too. I'm not so lucky, but knew I was going through with it anyway. 

And so it was - on the day before Thanksgiving, I became a redhead. I came home a little in shock because of the drastic change, but Scott surveyed the new locks and gave his approval. The next morning, however, when I walked into the bathroom and saw myself in the mirror again, I was ready to speed to Safeway, buy a mousy brown color and douse the flames! But I didn't have time to change my hair color before we left for Thanksgiving dinner with family - and the unveiling of my new do. Frankly, the only person I was worried about was my 14 month-old grandson, Ben. If he ran away screaming, I might have to head for mousy brown before seeing him again!

I passed the Ben test, although while feeding him, he was studying me very carefully. But then again, he's a cheerful, risk-taking little fellow (takes after his Nana B), demonstrated by the delight he got and gave as he pranced around the room with a plastic bowl on his head. He definitely upstaged me!


Other family members were wonderfully indulgent about the new look. My brother-in-law even told me I didn't look as tired! Thanks, Jon!

Today, I took pics of my new locks for the record. And if you're asking whether these photos have been retouched... You betcha! I use the same magic lens cream for my own photos that I do for others who wish to defy time a little longer.

I'm not sure how long this impulse will last, but for now - I'm color coordinated with my cat, Calvin. And as Jenny Joseph said in the last stanza of her poem about growing old:

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised 
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple. (Hair, just like my grandmother's). BonnieKingPhotography.com

Ben and Micah's Animal Adventure

BonnieKingPhotography.com

Mafia Monroe Foundation

Last Saturday, my studio was taken over by our grandniece, Dorie, and her amazing super model, Mali (short for Malibu). The purpose of the session was to shoot photos of a line of clothing being considered for small dogs. Once developed, the line of clothing may be available on the Mafia Monroe Foundation websites.

Dorie is the co-founder of the Foundation, a Hollywood based, non-profit, 501(c)3 rescue organization dedicated to saving neglected and high-risk, small dogs in Southern California. According to Dorie, the Foundation was established in 2010, due to the alarming and heartbreaking, high euthanasia rate of perfectly adoptable little dogs.




The foundation was named after Marilyn Monroe's beloved dog, Mafia ("Maf"), gifted to her by Frank Sinatra. At the time of her death, Mafia was adopted by Mr. Sinatra's secretary.

If not for  privately funded charitable organizations like the Mafia Monroe Foundation, these petite pups would be destined for the overcrowded shelters of Los Angeles and tragic, early deaths.

But last Saturday, Mali, a rescued pup herself, showed the extreme patience of a super model - all for a good cause.  http://www.themafiamonroefoundation.com/
BonnieKingPhotography.com

Seasons of our Lives

I'm in the process of putting together 80 original photo cards to create 10 sets of eight cards, each set with two photos of each season on four different types of card stock. I know - that makes my head hurt too! And I insist on printing, cutting, labeling, gluing, stuffing and adding a bow tie late at night when my brain is operating on less than full power. (Full power at my age is questionable anyway).

These are a donation for a holiday bazaar next Thursday, November 17th beginning at 6:30 pm. An organization I belong to - P.E.O. (standing for a philanthropic education organization) - is hosting the event to raise scholarship funds for women. All are welcome to come to the event being held at the Salvation Army Community Center, 4009 9th St. S.W., Puyallup, WA 98373.

I've titled the cards, Seasons of our Lives. They really didn't need a name since each of the four photos represents a season, but I was inspired by a friend of mine with whom I've discussed the seasons of our lives. It doesn't have to be winter to experience a season in our lives when things seem bleak and dreary. On the other hand, if you have a spring in your step and a smile on your face even when it's winter, you may be bringing sunshine to everyone you meet. What's your season this season? BonnieKingPhotography.com

Family

I taught my second Introduction to Memoir Writing class today at the Puyallup Senior Center. I'll be teaching two more introductory classes: one on Friday, November 18th and the last on Friday, December 2nd, before I launch an 8-week Writing Memoir class (two hours a week) in January and February. Amidst all the teaching, I'm hoping to practice what I preach and find time to continue writing my own memoir!

Between the two classes I've taught so far, there have been 13 students, from whom I've learned a great deal. All have stories to tell and are exploring whether they want to leave those stories for others to enjoy, learn from, or marvel at. I've been privileged to hear bits and pieces of personal history including first impressions coming to the U.S. from another country, stories of childhood special moments, and stories of adversity that no one should have to endure. Stories made us smile, but at least one - brought the writer and some listeners to tears in the re-telling.

Most of what was shared were stories about family. How could they not be? Whether it's nature or nurture, our life story is because of, or in spite of, family influence. Family influence might be the immediate family, the extended family, or a community family.

From the classes I taught to the photos I took this past month, the word which kept coming to mind was "family." Perhaps what made this even more poignant, was the fact that October was the one-year anniversary of stepdaughter Krista's passing. She died of an amniotic fluid embolism which occurred during the birth of her daughter, Ariana. Ariana passed three days later. (I wrote more in my 10/31/2010 blog).

Whether it was taking photos of the Luthi family, the Barager family, or my own sweet grandsons, Ben and Micah, "family" was not only on my mind, but in front of my lens providing beautiful evidence of the word. 

I'm a very fortunate person; I am who I am because of family, not in spite of them. My husband, Scott, and I have family and extended family of whom we're very proud and hold dear to our hearts. We may not tell them enough  - because they are - family.

BonnieKingPhotography.com