An and Wootie

My youngest cousin Wootie has autism.
I’ve been watching him since he was born, but I got serious with him about five years ago.
Five years of constant kissing, hugging, wrestling, cuddling and watching him play DS so I can read the ads to him.
Five years of five afternoons a week.

My heart burst into a thousand tiny more hearts when I saw him sitting and cuddling another little girl in his class. He tends to zone out and not acknowledge other humans. This little girl was actively engaging him. Relentlessly engaging him, so he had no choice but to giggle and cuddle her. She wouldn’t leave him alone.
Fascinating to watch it unfold.

I love you Wootie. Happy Halloween <3

What is autism? How is it defined?
Answer: Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder. Its symptoms include differences and disabilities in many areas including social communication skills, fine and gross motor skills, and sometimes intellectual skills.

Autism is also a spectrum disorder. In basic terms, this means you can be a little autistic or very autistic. At one end of the spectrum is Asperger Syndrome, sometimes called The Little Professor syndrome. At at the other end of the spectrum is the disorder that is most often called classic or Kannerian autism, which often includes profound developmental delays and challenges. In between are a variety of pervasive developmental disorders including Rett syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

Not only is autism a spectrum disorder, but recent studies suggest that there may be more than one type of autism. While some autistic people have additional symptoms such as gastrointestinal issues, seizures and even mental illness, others have no such symptoms. The jury is still out on the question of “many autisms,” so for now the term “autism spectrum” covers a wide set of differences and disabilities.

Garden of Eatin, Ninth Ward

Brilliant Enthusiasm.
I am glowing with those words. I walked in the door an hour ago from a 4am flight, threw my bags down and edited a few photos to share with you all.
Never have I been more proud of my friends and of myself for really, truly giving and invoking change.
Seeing a need and filling it with love, kindness and non-stop energy.

In the midst of a class I was helping teach, I was suddenly surrounded by a crowd of fifth graders who wanted to look at my eyes.
I took the opportunity to silently say “I believe in you” to each and every kid, while they peered into my vibrant green eyes.

More pictures and information coming. For now, for today, Give Yourself to something or someone.
Big thank you to each and every donor who helped Lighting Up The Sky make it down to New Orleans.

the love of my life. . .

Happy Special Needs Week

“People need to understand that children with special needs are not sick, they are not searching for a cure, just acceptance. This week is for special needs education. Ninety three percent of the people will not copy and paste this. Will you be part of the seven percent that will and will you leave it on your wall for at least an hour?”

Tiff and Drew, together again

Sufini Linguine

My friend Mari’s daughter is one of my favorite playmates. She looks like a cutesie pie strawberry shortcake, but Sufini Linguine is all Darth Vader mixed with Steve Urkell.
I really enjoy the time I get to spend with her.
Loves.

Andrea and Sofia

Shot using luminous late afternoon sunshine as our guide …

If buildings could talk, the Tassajara School House would tell of children reciting lessons, ciphering and singing in a classic one-room school. Students from Tassajara Valley ranches attended this school from 1889 to 1946.

Students from first to eighth grade walked, rode horses and took buggies to get to school. In 1889 Richard D. Williams was the teacher and 41 students attended that August. Roger Podva (born in 1884) began school in 1890 and said there were 42-75 students at the school when he attended, sitting two to a desk. They learned mental arithmetic, reading, geography, spelling and writing. A picture of George Washington hung on the wall.

Today the School House sits in rural, restored splendor on its original site at 1650 Finley Road in Contra Costa County’s Tassajara Valley. A belfry with bell, old outhouses, a restored stable, picnic tables and a new redwood water tower complete the picture.

Tiffany and Andrew

Shot at the Old School House and accompanying fields and ranches nearby, in the late afternoon.

If buildings could talk, the Tassajara School House would tell of children reciting lessons, ciphering and singing in a classic one-room school. Students from Tassajara Valley ranches attended this school from 1889 to 1946.

Students from first to eighth grade walked, rode horses and took buggies to get to school. In 1889 Richard D. Williams was the teacher and 41 students attended that August. Roger Podva (born in 1884) began school in 1890 and said there were 42-75 students at the school when he attended, sitting two to a desk. They learned mental arithmetic, reading, geography, spelling and writing. A picture of George Washington hung on the wall.

Today the School House sits in rural, restored splendor on its original site at 1650 Finley Road in Contra Costa County’s Tassajara Valley. A belfry with bell, old outhouses, a restored stable, picnic tables and a new redwood water tower complete the picture.

Old School House

I shot photos of Drew and Fifi last week on a splendid Sunday Afternoon. I met up with their moms (kids in tow) at a sweetly restored old school house in Danville.
A little bit about the magnificent school house:

If buildings could talk, the Tassajara School House would tell of children reciting lessons, ciphering and singing in a classic one-room school. Students from Tassajara Valley ranches attended this school from 1889 to 1946.

Students from first to eighth grade walked, rode horses and took buggies to get to school. In 1889 Richard D. Williams was the teacher and 41 students attended that August. Roger Podva (born in 1884) began school in 1890 and said there were 42-75 students at the school when he attended, sitting two to a desk. They learned mental arithmetic, reading, geography, spelling and writing. A picture of George Washington hung on the wall.

Today the School House sits in rural, restored splendor on its original site at 1650 Finley Road in Contra Costa County’s Tassajara Valley. A belfry with bell, old outhouses, a restored stable, picnic tables and a new redwood water tower complete the picture.

Shauna Cox, Wedding pt.2

The Magic Fifty

I recently bought a 2.8 “fixed gear bicycle” 50mm lens for my pentax kx-7.
This is my first attempt shooting with it, I opened the lens box around 8:30PM and managed to get in 2-3 shots before going to sleep and then woke up at 6AM like a kid on christmas. I stumbled outside and began investigating once I had slurped down enough coffee to move around somewhat clearly.

Aqui Esta: