Rowan's Tree: A Year-Long Photo Project

On September 26, 2016 we lost a wonderful friend in the form of a Golden Retriever named Rowan.

He was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer and died at the age of nine.

Anyone who ever met Tom Solinsky knew Rowan, and he brightened the days of many people as he smiled out of the side of Tom's Jeep.

Rowan Solinsky, friend to all
Photo by Tom Solinsky

On the day of his death, we gathered with the Solinskys and some close friends and performed a rogue burial and tree-planting in Rowan's favorite park.

After that day, I went to the tree on an almost weekly basis to document it's first year of growth.

Going so often to the site of Rowan's grave helped me process the grief I feel from losing him. Documenting the tree also gave me a physical reminder that, while Rowie is no longer with us, his body is helping create nutrients for this tree to grow, which means there's still a piece of him in the park, and will be for years to come.

I've selected the best examples of the seasons here:

I've created a slideshow (less than a minute long) of the entire project through the year. 

Original music by The One and Only Bill Davis

I have admiration for other artists and their bodies of work and ongoing projects, and I often overlook my own. While I regret the circumstances, this project was a positive and productive way to move forward through the sadness of losing such a great friend-dog.

Did you complete any self-appointed projects in 2017? Share your successes and challenges in the comments.

Weekend in Wisconsin

This past weekend, I went up to southeastern Wisconsin with Bill to visit his family and hometown. We usually end up in the Midwest in the dead of winter or late fall, so it was nice to explore Manitowoc with the sun shining and no coat on.

We were pleasantly surprised by the size of the Farmers Market, as well as the number of public murals that dot the downtown.

Lake Michigan is a huge part of Manitowoc's history and industry.

On a bridge going over the river.

This one is my favorite.

The classic, historic Budweiser mural. There are way better shots of this beauty. I was dancing in and out of traffic.

On the street side of the Maritime Museum.

Saw this gem a the Farmers Market and had to share it.

We walked around the marina for a while and ended up being right in time to see the SS Badger come in from across the lake.

This ferry crosses Lake Michigan twice a day between Manitowoc, WI and Ludington, MI.

The SS Badger is the last coal-burning ship in the US.

Seeing one coal-burning ship is novel, and quite enough.

I opted out of walking down to the lighthouse. I wasn't wearing the right shoes.

It's a lovely view.

I love looking out over Lake Michigan. Nashville is my home, but I miss living near such a large body of water.

This was at the beginning of the trip in Milwaukee. Wisconsin does have some great delis with clever names!

This trip was the last of four in six weeks, and, though it was another road warrior whirlwind, Bill and I had a great time exploring his old stomping grounds.

January 21, 2017 Women's March in Nashville

Dear Reader,
Our country is going through serious political, social and economic upheaval, and it's a very worrisome and exciting time to be an American. I have previously opted to keep politics out of my business life, but the current climate is leading me to change that position ever-so-slightly. I will be participating in and documenting some of these events as time goes on, so there will be posts involving politics and social justice issues from time to time. As always, the focus will be primarily on imagery.

I volunteered to photograph the Women's March in Nashville, one of the many branches of the Women's March on Washington across the United States (and, in fact, the world). People from many different backgrounds came together to peacefully show their opposition to the new president and his administration. I went as an observer and documentarian; I wasn't planning to officially march or chant, and I didn't have any signage.
As the day progressed, I was awed and humbled to be a part of such an incredible event. I talked with a couple of women from more conservative counties, and they expressed a newfound hope that they aren't alone in their thinking. The atmosphere was calm but invigorating, and there was sober intent, but not without joy. No matter what your political leanings, it undeniably came off without a hitch, and with double the expected attendance.
Below are some of my shots from the march. There were 15,000 people in attendance and no arrests, violence, rioting, or looting.

Lovely Cumberland Park, the scene of the rally before the march.

People making signs before the rally begins. 

There were many families with small children.

One of the women I met, Judy, lives in Columbia, TN. She is reinvigorated by the march and plans to have regular gatherings of like-minded people in her area.

A pro-life, anti-LGBTQ group met with non-violent opposition when they showed up with gruesome signs and a mixed message. 

The crowd continues to gather.

Cumberland Park was packed. You can see people still arriving across the parking lot on the left.

I don't know if this young woman was proud of her sign, to be a member of the march, or both, but she was a little ray of light in the crowd.

The march begins!

The woman with the Republican sign was a crowd favorite!

Congressman Jim Cooper in the crowd.

Second Avenue leading up to Public Square

The window box at Rock Bottom Brewery

I arrived at Public Square with the first half of the marchers. This is a shot of the pedestrian bridge from the observation deck of the parking stairway.

Since that event, there have been multiple rallies and marches in Nashville, many of which are getting higher-than-expected turnouts. My hope is that people become even more engaged as time goes on, and we become a society of people accountable to each other, who welcome and accommodate people from all walks of life.

I'm a newbie at being politically awake, and I'm actively looking for ways to improve. Here are some links that I've found relevant over the past couple of weeks:

This is a piece from Medium that addresses sign verbiage as well as behaviors that may be hurtful/exclusive to fellow members of the cause you're representing. 

This is a piece from The Bitter Southerner with personal accounts of why people marched in DC.

A few events coming up that may appeal to some folks:

We Are Watching - Rally at The TN State Capitol, Feb. 6, 3-6pm

Postcard Writing Night at Gift Horse in East Nashville, Feb. 16, 6-9pm