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I’ve been struggling a little lately with knowing what to say, if anything, about the racism that’s being brought to the surface In America lately. For a long time, I felt like it wasn’t really my place to speak on racism, as a privileged white woman who am I to think I have any authority to speak on racial issues?! Recently, however, it’s been pointed out to me that by not saying anything I could potentially be making matters worse. So I will fumble I’m sure but I’d like to make it clear where I stand on the injustice in our world.
First and foremost, I consider myself to be a humanist. I love people and value diversity as a great asset in society. In my ideal world we would understand that we are a global human family. My travels to far off places have really helped me gain perspective and respect for all cultures. One of my favorite things about photographing weddings, in fact, has always been learning about how different cultures celebrate the same right of passage. With regard to race, I want to accept and acknowledge my white privilege while being an ally to brown and black people whenever possible. I see you. I hear you. I cry with you and I love you. I feel like all I can say is that the injustices outrage me as well and I promise to continue to stand up to bigotry of any kind when I see it or hear it. I’m sorry to just now be speaking up. I really wanted to speak from the heart and do very much struggle with knowing what to say. “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.” -mlk jr.
I love you. I value you. I stand with you. Your success is my success, Your triumph is my triumph. I hear you and will continue to listen to you.I am your sister and you are my brother. We are all interconnected and my heart breaks with yours.
I hope we can transform this outrage and grief into actions that will ultimately make this world a better place. ❤️🤞🏼

Just a couple cool critters we found in our backyard this past week! 🤓 🐛

Just a couple cool critters we found in our backyard this past week! 🤓 🐛

Sunflowers 🌻 are in full bloom in our garden!

Sunflowers 🌻 are in full bloom in our garden!

Sunflowers 🌻 are in full bloom in our garden!

This little mantis was escaping the rain on our porch yesterday 😍 Annie wasn’t sure how she felt about him crawling up her arm 🥴 😂 but we loved visiting with him for a while- felt like a blessing

Admiring the twirls and tiny hairs on gourd plants in my garden today. I often feel like I have these sensitive tiny hairs, feeling out my surroundings and acting accordingly. Deep garden thoughts 🪏👩🏽‍🌾 hope you’re well 💞

Admiring the twirls and tiny hairs on gourd plants in my garden today. I often feel like I have these sensitive tiny hairs, feeling out my surroundings and acting accordingly. Deep garden thoughts 🪏👩🏽‍🌾 hope you’re well 💞

Got up close to this queen European hornet- it was the same size as the cicadas - so big! It was intimidating for sure but didn’t seem threatened by me.

Annie and I have had so much fun finding and holding cicadas this week! She says, “oh he’s so beautiful. Hi little guy” Each day, more emerge and their songs get louder and it’s been fueling my soul 💞

Annie and I have had so much fun finding and holding cicadas this week! She says, “oh he’s so beautiful. Hi little guy” Each day, more emerge and their songs get louder and it’s been fueling my soul 💞

Annie and I have had so much fun finding and holding cicadas this week! She says, “oh he’s so beautiful. Hi little guy” Each day, more emerge and their songs get louder and it’s been fueling my soul 💞

Annie and I have had so much fun finding and holding cicadas this week! She says, “oh he’s so beautiful. Hi little guy” Each day, more emerge and their songs get louder and it’s been fueling my soul 💞

I loved this snail’s shell that, to me, resembled a computer circuit board 🤓 cute little feller 😍

I loved this snail’s shell that, to me, resembled a computer circuit board 🤓 cute little feller 😍

I loved this snail’s shell that, to me, resembled a computer circuit board 🤓 cute little feller 😍

White-crossed seed bug - Neacoryphus bicrucis 🐞

We came home from vacation to cicada mania 😍🪲 felt like a blessing. I’m kind of obsessed with cicadas and they are so much fun to photograph since they pretty much sit still, are slow and let you get super close to them. Plus, they sing and are so cool-looking. All of these photos were taken in our yard here in marion, nc.

We came home from vacation to cicada mania 😍🪲 felt like a blessing. I’m kind of obsessed with cicadas and they are so much fun to photograph since they pretty much sit still, are slow and let you get super close to them. Plus, they sing and are so cool-looking. All of these photos were taken in our yard here in marion, nc.

We came home from vacation to cicada mania 😍🪲 felt like a blessing. I’m kind of obsessed with cicadas and they are so much fun to photograph since they pretty much sit still, are slow and let you get super close to them. Plus, they sing and are so cool-looking. All of these photos were taken in our yard here in marion, nc.

We came home from vacation to cicada mania 😍🪲 felt like a blessing. I’m kind of obsessed with cicadas and they are so much fun to photograph since they pretty much sit still, are slow and let you get super close to them. Plus, they sing and are so cool-looking. All of these photos were taken in our yard here in marion, nc.

We came home from vacation to cicada mania 😍🪲 felt like a blessing. I’m kind of obsessed with cicadas and they are so much fun to photograph since they pretty much sit still, are slow and let you get super close to them. Plus, they sing and are so cool-looking. All of these photos were taken in our yard here in marion, nc.

We came home from vacation to cicada mania 😍🪲 felt like a blessing. I’m kind of obsessed with cicadas and they are so much fun to photograph since they pretty much sit still, are slow and let you get super close to them. Plus, they sing and are so cool-looking. All of these photos were taken in our yard here in marion, nc.

We came home from vacation to cicada mania 😍🪲 felt like a blessing. I’m kind of obsessed with cicadas and they are so much fun to photograph since they pretty much sit still, are slow and let you get super close to them. Plus, they sing and are so cool-looking. All of these photos were taken in our yard here in marion, nc.

We came home from vacation to cicada mania 😍🪲 felt like a blessing. I’m kind of obsessed with cicadas and they are so much fun to photograph since they pretty much sit still, are slow and let you get super close to them. Plus, they sing and are so cool-looking. All of these photos were taken in our yard here in marion, nc.

We found the cutest little inch worm the other day 😍 hope he is staying warm

We found the cutest little inch worm the other day 😍 hope he is staying warm

We found the cutest little inch worm the other day 😍 hope he is staying warm

I call the last frame, “wipe my boogers”
Fun little snow this morning ❄️

I call the last frame, “wipe my boogers”
Fun little snow this morning ❄️

I call the last frame, “wipe my boogers”
Fun little snow this morning ❄️

I call the last frame, “wipe my boogers”
Fun little snow this morning ❄️