Nature Photographer and Friend

A few weeks back, I received a welcome surprise. My ES's kindergarten teacher from DeKalb, IL, Tracy Paszotta, friended me on Facebook. After ES finished a year of kindergarten with her, I spent a year in her classroom, working as an individual aide for an autistic boy. I smiled, sighed, and clicked "Confirm."

I don't know why I had never thought to look for friends from my old Littlejohn Elementary School colleagues. I suppose, ever since I joined Facebook, I haven't really been on the lookout for new friends. Mainly, old friends from The Salvation Army have found me and occasionally I would see another person I wanted to add from their friend lists.

Now, I had some DeKalb contacts to add and I was having fun. I was able to skim through photos and see how some of the kids I remember from Littlejohn have grown up. I reconnected with two students who used to write to me often through the "Wee Deliver" program at the grade school. (This was a delightful program, headed by Ms. Sharon McKee. Both my son and Jenny, a student I worked with, spent time as carriers, so I felt deeply committed to the program ... plus, I just love to write and read letters!)

When I discovered Debbie Miller (an old friend and fellow individual aide) on Facebook, I was extra excited because I noted that she has a blog. From the moment I clicked on her blog, Nature-ally Beautiful, I fell in love with her photography. Now I am scheming and conniving to try to get her to come take pictures on our property. I would love it if she could get a professional shot of one of our blue heron.

I was also feeling frustrated that I had not found her just a few weeks earlier. She recently held a poll on her blog to determine a final shot for a set of note cards featuring cats. Everyone who participated in the poll was entered into a contest and the winner received a set of four of her beautiful note cards.

Not to worry, though. On my way up to the CMI reunion weekend, I made arrangements to stop in and see Debbie. I brought her a loaf of my Banana Chocolate Chip bread, just like old times, and we sat in her kitchen talking about blogs and how thrilling it is to pursue something you feel passionate about. I made a purchase from her line and she added in a jar of her homemade Autumn Orchard Salsa - yum! (Her jams and salsas are so delicious that she has to hide them from her kids, or they disappear too quickly. Indeed, she recently found two boxes she had hidden away and it felt like Christmas.)

I also snagged a chance to look out at her garden. She has a little nook surrounded by stunning sunflowers, where she sits quietly and waits for the birds to come and take their poses. She has promised to send me some of the sunflower seeds so that I can attempt to grow my own. (Inwardly snorting, remembering how black my thumb is!) She assures me that sunflowers are not difficult to grow. I think I would achieve more success if she were to make a trek down here to Indiana to walk me through the planting process. She'd teach me a new skill and I'd offer up the beautiful setting, ripe for nature-ally beautiful photography!

Take a moment and visit her blog. From there you can take the link to her card page, if you are interested in purchasing any of her beautiful note cards. While you're there, tell her Wendy sent you!