If you don’t know it, and probably most of you don’t, I’m a bit of a “gearhead” - I LOVE old cars!  Please understand that I use that term with the most heartfelt comrade from my fellow gearhead brothers and sisters.  :-)   And, I’ve got nothing against new cars; I’m frequently tempted to buy one or two because they are fabulous, but there is just something about the old cars that appeals to me both visually and nostalgically…

So, my 1986 Volvo 240DL that I’ve been tooling around in for a number of years will be on the sales block soon; just a matter of detailing it to look even spiffier than it already does so when I go to sell it I can get top dollar for it since I’ve put thousands into it over the years I’ve had it to keep it as beautiful as it is and running as well as it does.  I’ll post about it here when she’s ready to be sold.

And now…out with the old and in with the older!  Enter my just acquired 1981 Mercedes Benz!  You won’t miss me riding down the street in this car!  She’s bright and FABULOUS and I am smitten!  I got it from a great young man who took great care of it, considering he’s a gearhead too…and my nephew!  Funny thing is, I just saw an even older Benz last night - a beige, what looked like a 1970s model.  All I could do was to stare and smile at the stylish guy driving it. It was like we were speaking a language and sharing a moment that only each of us could fully understand…I digress.

Well, don’t forget to wave when you see me tooling by!  I’m thinking of a vanity plate, maybe something like bumbleB, or JBzzzzz…check out the photo below and you’ll know why!!  ENJOY!!

BIG love, Joanne Bartone Photographer | www.joannebartone.com

…when I wasn’t looking, Spring finally sprung!!  Here’s the evidence: Buddha in the garden and tulips near by!

Ahhhhhhh; the sweet sights and sounds of Spring are here…warm sunny days, periodic showers of nourishing rain and the Cardinal family nesting in our front tree.  It seems we’ve waited a long time for this.  I can finally admit that it really was well worth the wait!  Perhaps now, I’ll finally be able to get warm!

BIG <3 Joanne Bartone Photographer | www.joannebartone.com

I’m a former Social Worker; I worked in the field for seventeen years. I left that field at the height of my career as the Director of an Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center to return to school for photography, but you can’t take the social worker out of the photographer!  I’ve never stopped thinking, ‘How can I continue to be of service to people?’

The answer to that question came to me last month when I saw a report on the National News where many soldiers enduring tours in Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering with relationship problems, PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), morale issues, severe depression and heartbreaking record numbers of suicide.  I can’t even begin to express how that news report affected me…I felt that I needed to reach out to help in some small way.

So, I took my desire to reach out to help and put it into action.  My thought process was, that I personally know and understand he power of a photograph; I’ve witnessed it in my own life and through the eyes of my clients as I make countless couples happy through my wedding photography all through the year, so I knew I had to reach out to our military personnel and their families to try to make a small difference for them.  And, so my idea and desire to help is coming to life!

Whether or not you or I agree with the war, or the policies of our government, all of which are neither here nor there, these brave men and women are the people who have to endure the hardship of their service in a thankless job meant to make a difference for so many at their expense, sacrifice and detriment. Yes, they signed up for the job, but these are not just soldiers, they are human beings; people with feelings and struggles just like you and I and they deserve HOPE.  I say if “hope” is the latest buzz-word in our nation, how about we all “put our money where our mouths are” and make a difference by reaching out to others and by DOING ANYTHING that might make a difference for one person or for many!

Click on the photo to read the story on this little gift I couldn’t resist giving:

Photo: Andrew Russell/Tribune-Review

I would encourage everyone, from all walks of life, to reach out to help those in need no matter who they are, no matter who you are.  Find a situation that speaks to your heart, as I did in this one small instance, and MAKE the time to do something about it. It might be as simple as reaching out to a neighbor in need, or to a cause or a charity; anything will do.  Imagine how much better the world would be if we all could spread a little more love and compassion - after all, we really do get back what we give.

I will post more about my experience and the interesting things I learned about reaching out to soldiers with my gift in my next post after the event!  Look for part 2 next week!

BIG love, Joanne Bartone Photographer | www.joannebartone.com

DETAILS:

What: A free one-day portrait session for military personnel and or loved ones dealing with current military deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan.

When: Sunday, March 15, 2009, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, 4141 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15213 – parking available in the garage beneath Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum and on the street. GRACIOUS DONATION OF SPACE for the session donated by Marjorie Henderson, Director of Sales at S+S - Thank you Marjorie!!!

More information: Reservations are recommended, but walk-ups will be taken first-come, first -served. E-mail joanne@joannebartone.com or call 412.418.8075.

Though winter is a cold time of the year when all lies dormant waiting for the rousing warmth of spring, it always amazed me that people seem to think it’s a season void of color or beauty.  I’ve never understood how someone might think that way, as I can see many beautiful hues of browns, blues, greens, silvers, oranges, white (the most obvious!), yellow and more!  Now, I’ll agree, it is cold, but it is BEAUTIFUL nonetheless.

Enjoy some of the beauty of the winter wonder that I created in this image.  The top square is an image taken at night - I loved the way the soft snow sparkled in the light.  It may be hard to see here, but it was lovely…

Although I love the sights and colors of winter, I remain BEGGING for spring!  Give me warmth!  Give me sunshine!  Give me Puerto Rico in the winter!!!

BIG love, Joanne Bartone Photographer | www.joannebartone.com

Really; does it have to be so cold?  weather.com says it’s “11 degrees, but it feels like 1 degree.”  That is just wrong!

I know we live in the Northern Atlantic states, but what has happened to global warming?!  Try as I might, I simply cannot get warm, even with my handy-dandy Vornado Sole Aire which I purchased at Staples here in the South Hills, on sale for a mere $29 (well worth every penny!).  So, in times of crisis, I turn to my favorite mid-day drink: warm tea…mmmm….

And, what is tea if it doesn’t have honey, I ask?!  Welll, cha!  Nothing!

So, I pull out my favorite tea: Numi Roiboos Red African Bush flavor, my favorite teacup (purchased on sale at Starbucks - I just loved the blue and brown Asian motif!) and add my favorite honey (and small indulgance): Granja Mediterranian Rosemary & Lavendar Honey and enjoy!  mmmmmmm….  I feel better already!

The Granja brand honey is my favorite honey because their flavors are soooo delicious, like the rosemary lavender one I’m enjoying.  But also, the design of the container leaves for a no-drip seamlessly easy “pouring” from the bottom of the container, which doesn’t waste a drop of the nectar or leave a gooey mess. If you want to try the honey, you’ll either have to come over for tea with me or purchase it on line.  Time for a second cup!  ENJOY!

BIG love, Joanne Bartone Photographer | www.joannebartone.com

…I’ll bet you loved her!

This is my Aunt Jo (Josephine) and she was one of the kindest, sweetest people I had the honor to know. She is my father’s oldest sister and she passed away last Tuesday, 12.30.2008 and was laid to rest on Saturday, 01.03.2009. She will be missed by everyone who knew her, who loved her, and who had the good fortune to be in her presence.  She was a good woman.

I’ve chosen to post an image of Aunt Jo when she was vibrant and young because in my eyes and in my family’s hearts that is all she ever was any way; vibrant and young and filled with love and life!

Aunt Jo, circa. 1940, Conneaut, Ohio

I have been blessed to hail from a wonderful Italian family filled with special Aunts, Uncles and cousins on both sides of my family and I am grateful for all of you.

My Aunt Jo is the third loss I’ve had to deal with from November through December, but I continue to count my blessings. I figure if I count my blessings - many of them coming from those I know and love - I’ll be way too busy to think anything other than loving thoughts.

Here’s to you Aunt Jo, and to the legacy of love you’ve left us…not to mention all those good cookie recepies!

BIG love to Aunt Jo, Eddie Jr., Bart, Randy and our extended family - Joanne

…my Pooh, my kitty with many names, including, Pud, Puddy, Pudding, Puddels, no.1, Wash, Mushdapuddapudpie, Kiki, Monkey-kitty and her original name, Cleo. She’s was a doll and would have been twenty years old this coming June (’09), but she got a bit tired, sick and weak and so today was her last day with me. Nearly twenty years together…she was a big part of my life; she was my “family”…an angel and an all-around great cat. She was a blessing and a gift and a source of great comfort and joy. I remember every moment with her from the beginning until just a little bit ago at Dr. Bebko’s Cat Clinic in Bloomfield (love the people there; so compassionate, kind and knowledgeable) and I will cherish each memory always.

Pooh is pictured here with her best friend (besides her momma) Eeyore, whom she has had since she was smaller than Eeyore was! Eeyore has been Puddy’s baby from the early weeks of her life, and every night since Pooh was a baby, she would pick Eeyore up in her mouth and carry him around the house meowing the whole time; it was priceless to see and hear!

She loved to eat because she was deprived of food in the early weeks of her life, so at one point her weight equaled her age - I think that was around age 16! And, as you can see, despite the many cushy beds she had, she preferred to cuddle up in the tops of or in actual boxes. She was a free thinker, unlike many people!

In her youth she was mischievous and full of energy, but sleeping was always a favorite pastime. Up until about two weeks ago she still loved to go on “adventures” with her momma even if they were supervised and only onto the porch. She was a great mouser, a cuddle-bug, easy-going and always happy! She had the most beautiful peacock-feather-looking green eyes and she was an angel; my heart aches right now and I miss her already.

Notice the “M” on her forehead. Legend has it that the “M” was placed on Tabby cat’s heads by The Madonna when a Tabby cat climbed into the manger to keep the Christ-child warm. The mark of the “M” was Mary’s way of blessing kitties for their service to her child. Sweet, huh.

I love her dearly; there are so many things about her I will miss always, but I will keep her safe and close in my heart always remembering her, and I will trust that she is in a better place with all the food, warm beds and catnip a kitty might want. Perhaps each of you might offer a tender thought today for my Puddy…she was an angel. Thanks.

Whose the bigcat, bigcat, bigcat?! Puddy is, that’s who and always will be!

June 1989 to November 2008.

BIG love for my BIG cat, Joanne Bartone, Photographer | www.joannebartone.com