To My Good Friends Memory

@Scott Schilling: Thanks Scott for your kind words and thoughts. I think landscape photography is in some ways therapeutic as it provides a positive escape for all of us.

@Magda: Thank you for your very kind words Magda. This photo blog has been a wonderful outlet for me and has allowed me the chance to share my ideas and images with people from around the world.

@ManuelaR: Thank you Manuela.

@Judy: I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your son Judy, and what you say is so true, I try to share with my sons that life is so short, a raindrop in a barrel, so we need to live each day like it is our last. Times like this just shake us all. Thank you so much for your constant support.

@Bookfool: Thank you Bookfool, thanks to my family and friends, we are all pulling through this together.

@Marion: I firmly believe in everything you have said Marion. I have a strong faith that they are both in a better place. Thank you for your compassion and kind thoughts.

@Claudia: Hi Claudia, thank you so much for writing. I think friendship is something that at times we all take for granted - everyone's lives are so hectic. So maybe we should all stop for a moment today and call our friends to let them know what they mean to us. I was very fortunate to have spent an hour talking with Jeff, we really talked about a whole lot of nothing, but we shared some adolescent "guy stuff" laughs and he was very happy. If someone would have told me that was going to be the last time I would have spoken with him, I'm not sure if I would have changed anything in the conversation other than to tell him how much his friendship meant to me.

@Tracy: Hi Tracy, I was actually half way through the Yosemite workshop when my wife called with the news of Mike's passing. Gary was very sympathetic and said if I needed to leave he could handle the workshop by himself. It was just that sudden shock, that kick to the stomach that I needed to get through. I finished the workshop and had a wonderful weekend with my family. Monday morning I received the news of Jeff's passing. I've put the cameras down for a while and am taking some time off. I will dabble at editing today and then Mike's funeral tomorrow and Jeff's memorial Saturday. I know both events will bring some closure. Thank you for writing - everyone's kind thoughts here have been very comforting.

@Janice: That is lovely Janice, thank you so much for passing it along. I apologize for not properly saying goodbye to you and Phylis, but my family was waiting up for me and I just needed to get on the road as quickly as possible. It was a pleasure working with the entire group and I look forward to seeing many wonderful images. I hope we meet again in the not too distant future.

@LauraS: Those are kind thoughts and thank you for sharing them with me Laura.

@john4jack: I appreciate you writing this Jack. This blog has been therapeutic in many ways. Photography is a universal passion we all share, and this community has been very supportive. I will soon be back in the field creating new images, but for now, some down time is needed.

@Sergei Z: Hi Sergei, we will say goodbye to one friend this afternoon, and the other on Saturday. The closure is needed and it will be good to be with others who cared as much as I did. Thanks for your support.

@Nerise: Thank you Nerise. I have a friend who is a Pastor and he is a wonderful landscape photographer. He too is from South Africa and has shown me many images from your country. Perhaps one day I will visit. I appreciate you taking the time to write.