Friday, April 10, 2020

Phyllis' Photo Fundraiser

Phyllis’ Photo Fundraiser 

Make a donation of $150 or more to an organization helping deal with the fallout of coronavirus in these difficult times and choose which of the 13 photos you’d like to receive.  It will be 8 x 10 in size and mounted on black foamboard, with sawtooth hooks provided for you to attach to the back for hanging.  I'll remove the watermark unless you tell me not to.

For my printing and mounting, I will be using Nations Photo Lab, based in Maryland.  Not only do they make beautiful prints but they are devoting resources to manufacturing face shields for health care workers:   https://www.nationsphotolab.com/ppe   

For the first 15 people, I’ll cover the cost of printing and shipping (a little less than $22).  After that, I’ll ask for reimbursement for printing and shipping costs.  

For any donation greater than $150 (in increments of $50), I will donate a 20% match to your organization of choice, up to an aggregate total for me of $750. (Kind of like an out-of-pocket limit in your health insurance plan!)

Here are the steps to take:

(1) Make your donation directly to the organization (and get any tax benefits as well).

(2) Email/message me with a photo or scan of the receipt to the organization (or a “go fund me” type donation).  Pgk313@gmail.com

(3) Choose your photo and let me know which one you’d like.  Unless you tell me otherwise, I'll remove the watermark with my name.

(4) After the first 15 people, I’ll let you know the actual costs of printing and shipping and will ask you to send to me via check, PayPal or Venmo

(5) Your mounted photo will be shipped to you by Nations Photo Lab via USPS or FedEx ground (be patient, everything is taking longer these days, so could be up to a few weeks)  

Here are some organizations that are near and dear to my heart in my community, but you can choose a different one in your community:

Ayuda’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
https://www.classy.org/campaign/support-covid-19-relief/c277151

Community of Hope
https://www.communityofhopedc.org

Food and Friends
https://foodandfriends.org 

Mary’s Center
https://www.maryscenter.org

So Others Might Eat
https://www.some.org

Washington Project for the Arts, Wherewithal Recovery Fund
https://www.wpadc.org/content/call-support-wherewithal-recovery-fund

Whitman Walker Health


1 - Abstract Autumn (2018)

2 - Golden Rock Creek (2018)

3 - Antelope Canyon Light (2015)

4 - Overlooking the Hudson (2011)

5 - Tulip Time (2018)

6 - City Snow (2016)

7 - Finding Peace (2016)

8 - Misty Morning Cherry Blossoms (2012)

9 - Central Park at Night (2019)

10 - Lily Pad Pond (2009)

11 - Bluebell Bliss (2020)

12 - In the Narrows (2015)

13 - A Sunflower Above the Rest (2017)

Monday, April 6, 2020

Me & my phone, walking around town

With life becoming more and more surreal with stay-at-home orders effective last week, I've been trying to maintain some semblance of sanity by walking every day.  Since Tuesday, it's been just me and my phone.  (The prior Sat., Sun. & Mon. were each with a friend at an appropriate social distance away.)  Tweaked my neck last week so didn't feel like lugging my big camera, so here's eight days of wandering as seen from my Samsung.  

Saturday (3/28)




Sunday


Tuesday





Wednesday


Thursday


Friday




Saturday (4/4)



Sunday (4/5)



Tuesday, March 31, 2020

New York state of mind

My heart is with my family and friends in the New York area right now.  So a few NYC pics.  First is from central park (big camera, photo workshop).  Next, 59th street bridge (little camera).   Finally, view of Manhattan from Jersey City (phone).


Sunday, March 29, 2020

Breathing on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail

Yellow trout lily
I've never been very good at meditating but when I am hiking and taking photographs, I am able to breathe a little more deeply.  The other day, I escaped to a segment of the Bull Run Occoquan Trail in northern Virginia where I could breathe in the bliss of bluebells and other spring ephemerals.   Social distancing--a new and ever present phrase and phenomenon--was much more existent on this trail than in the heart of the city.   A brief but much needed escape.





Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Solitude (almost) at Scott's Run

Social distancing in the city has had me feeling too close to people on the sidewalks so today took a stroll at Scott's Run Nature Preserve.  Except for the trails nearest to the parking areas, it was relatively quiet.  I did pass people on average every 10 - 15 minutes or so, but only a few at a time.  I believe the parking lots may be closing after today so access will be more limited.  The air felt a little cleaner and I could breathe a little deeper amidst the emerging bluebells and other spring ephemerals.



Thursday, March 19, 2020

My sanctuary


A few weeks ago, extraordinarily stressed (and this was before coronavirus was the talk of the town), I went for a walk to a place that always brings me peace, Hillwood Gardens.  This was the first time I walked there from my home and back.  The Japanese garden pond area in particular draws me in. As did this turtle statue in the pond.  

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Strange spring

With the talk and news nonstop coronavirus, thought I'd get out and enjoy spring.  And start posting again.

Blood root flowers opening up at Scott's run and spring beauties in full bloom.