Barrow Journal

When my second son was born this past August, my first son had quite a transition to make. [Full Story »] 

It’s hard for me to believe that it’s been ten years this week since my friend and children’s author/singer/songwriter/storyteller, J. J. Reneaux, died of cancer. [Full Story »] 

Occasionally I get overwhelmed by all the toys my three-year-old has received for every Christmas and birthday. Musical toys can turn on randomly in the night, and everywhere I step there’s a Matchbox car just waiting for me to sprain an ankle on it. Now that I have two boys, I fear that someday we’ll be hosting Nascar right here in our house. I like to get my son outside in the yard where we take no toys except for a few balls and occasionally a truck to roll down the driveway. It feels good to watch him pick up a stick and “go fishing” in a puddle or watch him dig in the dirt. He entertains himself, and the earth is his playmate. [Full Story »] 

Since I made the decision to homeschool my boys, I have been gravitating to articles and other advice regarding education. Recently I followed a trail of information from a radio show to the Internet, and I landed at the “Tools of the Mind” website. (http://www.mscd.edu/extendedcampus/toolsofthemind/) Tools of the Mind is a teacher training program for Pre-K and kindergarten, and though I am not advocating this curriculum because I don’t know enough about it, I did enjoy reading their page for parents. [Full Story »] 

Sometimes being a stay-at-home mom can be isolating. Though I have several friends, and I’m beginning to make new mama-friends through playgroups, I still don’t feel like I get to socialize enough. When I’m with other mothers, the children interrupt our conversations constantly. I also have to drive at least thirty minutes to meet anybody (not to mention the hour it takes me to get the kids and myself ready and packed into the car), so this discourages me from planning too many social activities.
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I’ve been writing about photography because it’s something I’m passionate about, and I’ve dabbled in it my whole life. In the last few years, however, I’ve put much more effort into learning the mechanics of a camera and what makes a good composition. There is so much I could say about how to take better photos that I can’t possibly write it in one column. Instead, I’m going to share a few tips that have helped me take better photos, and then I’ll point you to some websites that you can get lost in, if you want to. [Full Story »] 

Many photographers will say that equipment does not matter. It is the photographer’s eye that creates a good photo. I completely agree. I have seen some incredible photos taken with inexpensive cameras. But sometimes I see incredible photos with unsurpassed color and clarity, and I think some of that had to be the equipment. Much of that has to do with the lens too. Though I am dreaming of getting a better camera, I would first like to get some better lenses. [Full Story »] 

Kids grow at a rapid pace and not taking the time to get some good, quality photos is a shame. Though most parents follow their kids around with a camera (especially that first baby), I have met some who do not. I’m always surprised when I meet people who only buy the studio portraits of their kids. For me, capturing my kids in their everyday environment is a must. [Full Story »] 

Did anyone receive a new camera for Christmas this year? [Full Story »]