The KKK comes to town...

I was jolted back into culture shock when the KKK came to visit today...sans the white, pointy hats but still intriguing nonetheless. As it turned out, only a few of them came to protest and left after only 20 minutes. They were greeted by about 300 counter protesters.  Check out the article here

A Rare Snowfall

People love the snow here... because they never see it. I looked out the window and watched all of my happy neighbors taking pictures, having snowball fights and building snowmen. Then I remembered that I don't have to be a grumpy northerner who is supposed to despise the snow cause I live in the south! So I went outside to join them. After all, it's been awhile since I've had to put on my boots and scrape snow off of my car.


Actually, I didn't even have to scrape my car off because it melted so fast. The following day I discovered remnants of the previous day's excitement.

Just Peachy

The other day I was jolted from my sleepy, photo rut for a few hours. Finally, an unfamiliar scene that awakened the senses.

Driving Home

Lonely Tree Reflection


Foggy Hay

Welcome to the USA

I heard about a family that was going to be adopting five children from Guatemala. I asked if I could follow them while they adjusted to their new lives in the U.S. The first time I met the family, they were just returning from Guatemala after the adoption became legal. Family and friends came to Atlanta to welcome them home. Everyone was crying and hugging. For a second I forgot I was there to take pictures. With tears running down my face, I hugged the mother (who I never met)and introduced myself. "Hi, Congratulations. I'm Jackie the photographer." Awkward. But no one noticed because we were all too busy being happy.

Here's a link to the story (that is on-going at this point and a short slideshow)

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/102608/met_480941.shtml

Strength

One would think only a superhero would have the strength to tackle some of the great pains that life throws at us. But these women don't have special powers, they're human, just like me, but facing a battle no one should have to endure. I don't know how they do it, but I've been truly inspired by their strength and courage.

Sherry, a mother and a wife, recently diagnosed with breast cancer.







And June, a grandmother, raising her granddaughter who is a victim of shaken baby syndrome.







VIEW JUNE AND SEPTEMBER'S SLIDESHOW:

Soldiers Homecoming

At work, I'm known to whine every and now and then. But on days when I get to witness moments like this, I'm reminded of how lucky I am to be doing what I do.

More People Not Like Me

I went to this assignment tonight with an open mind, as I always try to do whenever I am introduced to something that seems to contradict my own beliefs. I'm finding more and more people don't think like me, and that's OK. It's one of the reasons why I enjoy living here- and one of the reasons why I don't.

There's Something Called the Redneck Games?

Yep, there sure is. And we decided to embrace southern culture and head to East Dublin, GA to check it out.

There were lots of confederate flags



and people dancing with beer guts




There were proud people, like the man on the right who just won the watermelon seed spitting contest, and the one on the left who is just proud.




We had the opportunity to witness a redneck wedding. Rumor has it that they met in the mud pit last year.








After the ceremony, the happy couple belly-flopped into the very same mud pit



and so did everybody else









Covered in mud, we took our newly discovered appreciation for rednecks to bonjangles for chicken and biscuits, discussing next year's plan to be there in time for the bobbin'for pigs feet competition.

YEEHAW!

It takes a really long time to get back where we came from

We took a road trip back to the Northeast.



went to a Sox game


and bought souvenirs


drove



saw a lot of my feet,


old friends


and some new


waited for the rain to stop in Annapolis


made a few stops


and drove some more