A Tree that Needed to be Photographed

I got a phone call the other day and the message was simple. There is a tree in Salisbury that needs to be photographed.  Apparently my father rides his bike past it every now and then and tried to describe it to me. To make a long story short here is what I saw.

There is no reason that this tree should be alive, its entire interior has been eaten away by something. My father could literally climb inside and peer outward.

From almost every angle this tree just screams dead.

However, when you take a second look you will not only notice the leaves but more impressing is the fact that this tree is literally covered with life.

This tree is the embodiment of the circle of life. The leaves and mosses are converting the sun's energy into food, the tree itself is providing animals with food and shelter. The fungi and lichen are converting the decomposing portions back to hydro-carbons.

The Gathering in the Orchard

If you have not noticed yet, its Autumn. And that can only mean one thing. It must be that time of year to pack up the kids ...

... and put on the war paint ...

... because its time again for apple pickin'!

Since my wife and I moved out to central Mass we have been an hour and a half away from friends and family in any direction. However, once a year in October we like to have a gathering of the friends and family for an annual apple picking cook out. This year (as every year) we had quite the turn out! Trying to get a picture of everyone is impossible but I do try every year. No, if you are wondering that is not everyone.

Its quite the sight to see so many from so many generations gathering yearly. As most married couples know or will soon find out it is always about going to see the friends, or one of the two families. It is truely nice to be able to have so many from up and down the east coast of Massachusetts getting together in the middle of the state.

The stories begin in the parking lot as people arrive.

After a short hayride, we're off to find apples!

Not that apple, we usually try to go for ones without warts.

More like that apple.

With so many generations represented it is interesting to see some of the children are not yet old enough to walk on their own.

Some of them just like to be carried.

Some are just too excited to be contained!

This one even found her way to the forbidden zone. Though I am not sure she cared, I am sure the apple was sweeter just for that fact.

Family traditions are a wonderful thing and I am so glad that my wife and I are able to bring so many people together for such a fabulous day. I would like to thank all of the people who made the day such a success as most of the people reading this probably attended. If you did not attend than thank you for reading.

Good Food With Good People

Many years ago when I graduated high school my father asked what I wanted for a party. My answer was simple, pulled pork! What came about was a fantastic barbeque that turned into the talk of the family. Since then the annual Bartsch barbeque has exploded into a massive gathering of family and friends that is the talk of the town.

So let me introduce you to the master chef (a.k.a Dad) ...

his lovely wife (a.k.a Mom)...

and the many people who show up for good conversation and great food.

Growing up in the back yard I fondly remember being able to run circles, play baseball, and hours of mowing. But once a year the yard is filled with the sound of children laughing and memories being relived as new ones are forged.

 

It really is great to see entire new generations enjoying the swing set that I watched my dad build and play on the giant tube that once entertained me and my sisters for hours.

No visit home would be complete without a walk down memory lane. For my friends and I that happens to be the road to Salisbury Beach.

As a photographer it is sometimes difficult to take pictures of yourself. With the lovely invention of the articulating viewing screen on the DSLR I am able to give myself a decent chance of framing a decent pic.

Until next time, enjoy yourselves, eat well, and take pictures!

Since my graduation from high school my father has truly perfected the art of pulled pork and I would argue that it is some of the best around! Feel free to share your own favorite family made dish and make my mouth water.

Growing Up ... I Guess

The passage of time is marked by tradition. One tradition is to celebrate a birthday but others can also be used to mark time. Every year a group of friends from college gather in Cape Cod for a weekend of celebration. We do not really celebrate anything other than going to the Cape but hey, isn't that enough cause for celebrating?

Through the years we have had many experiences while on the Cape. Some of us (maybe just me) have set our clothes on fire, some went swimming in stranger's yard ponds, some even danced on stage with go-go dancers. There have also been many more less than proud momments sharred among friends.

However, this year was a bit different. This is the year that most of us aproach the milestone of thirty years on this Earth. Even though copious amounts of alcohol were consumed the trip was much more subdued.

We spent our time reminising and playing games.

It is a well known fact that you can never out grow throwing a ball around. However there may be an age at which throwing rocks in open water is frowned upon, I can only hope that I never see that age.

Despite what our wives may say we are also not too old to fly kites.

For as many years as we have congregated on Cape Cod we have never had the inerest in renting a boat. Though no one can explain why this was it was remedied this year.

Though I have been shooting photos as a hobby now for longer than a decade the motivation for starting this blog came from this man (below). Photos and Ramblings is a blog from a friend that inspired me to utilize this format.

We could not have asked for a more beautiful day to take out a boat, nor could I ever dream of a more beautiful wife.

After the Kracken was released we swam ...

... and flipped ...

... and we sometimes landed a bit rough.

Did I mention the Kracken ...

I wonder what his picture looks like?

All of these things are wonderful memmories to a fantastic weekend; however, there was one obvious difference this time around ...

Though we are all married to one another this was the first year that one of us brought a baby. She was cute, she was adorable and we all passed her around. It was almost sureal and eye opening. Here we all are on our anual weekend party building memories together and suddenly now there is a whole other generation tagging along.

She will never remember this weekend but 15 years from now her parents will show her these photos and she will look at all of those people she considers old and think "wow you guys dressed funny". However, we didn't look like food exploded on our face ... this time at least.

These are memories that she will never have but we will never lose. 

For some playing with babies is natural and comfortable ...

... although for some of us its ... not. One of these two needs to be burped, can you guess which one?

I guess this means we are grown up, or maybe people never grow up and they just fake it for a while. This baby is going to eventually learn all of our names, we will be the fake aunts and uncles for at least 10 years. As she grows up so shall we grow older but hopefully that spark that makes us excited about everything and every moment never leaves us.