I enjoyed documenting the celebration of Texas’ 178th independence this past Sunday, March 2, 2014. The celebration took place in the Old University Building located just west of Mound street on the campus of TJR elementary school. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT), mayor Roger Van Horn and others were there to organize, make proclamations and honor our Texas history. Local Boy Scout Troops were invited to participate including Troop 100 which my son Nathan currently holds Star rank and who was honored to hold the American flag during the celebration.
I would love to get your feedback!
Enjoy,
Greg Patterson, Certified Professional Photographer
Colorful blooms abound in Nacogdoches as springtime awakens after a cold winter.
Colorful blooms abound in Nacogdoches as springtime awakens after a cold winter.
Winter is a confusing season here in Nacogdoches. It seems like half the time we are covering our plants with sheets and wrapping our pipes to keep it all from freezing. Then, the other half of the time we are wearing shorts and drinking ice tea as we rake our lawns. I compare it to the “He loves me, he loves me not” ritual of little girls as they pull individual petals off of a daisy. “Today it’s freezing, tomorrow it’s hot. Today is 20 degrees, tomorrow is not.” Last night brought some pretty chilly air, but it will be back up into the 70’s before you know it.
No matter the sporadic weather patterns, spring always seems to arrive in East Texas, bursting with a brilliant kaleidoscope of color. Already the trees are budding and blooming, flowers along the roadside are pushing up, and the azaleas will be close behind. Nacogdoches in springtime is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful, color-rich places in the country. This will be our first spring as the Garden Capital of Texas, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. We are so blessed to be right in the middle of such abundant beauty. I will be taking many an opportunity to enjoy the SFA Arboretum and Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, as well as enjoying my own personal azaleas. It just instantly puts me in a better mood.
So hang in there! I’m certain we have some more whacky weather ahead of us, but just close your eyes and remember that the blooms are coming. And what a wonderful sight it will be to open your eyes when they have come.
Greg and Cindy Patterson with Joe Buddy on Valentine's Day.
Greg and Cindy Patterson with Joe Buddy on Valentine’s Day.
Thanks to all who participated in “Puppy Love” and helped us support our local Humane Society. We would hope that every furry friend has it as good as Joe Buddy this Valentine’s Day. He has helped contribute to the happiness around the Patterson household since 2006 when we “rescued” him.
We wish all of our studio friends lots of love,
Greg, Cindy and Joe Buddy.
If you haven’t seen the movie Frozen, you are missing out. It’s one for the whole family to enjoy, especially for those families like my own that are full of little princesses. My girls have not stopped singing the songs or acting out the scenes since the day we got home from the movies. Yes, it drives me crazy, and yes I find myself singing those songs in my head as I brush my teeth… but I wouldn’t have it any other way. My girls are my life, and if it brings them joy, I will endure the never-ending off-pitch tunes because I love them. (but I digress)
In the movie, there is a magical snowman by the name of Olaf. He is my favorite character by far. As pure as the snow he is made of, Olaf makes you laugh and even cry. There is one scene where he stands beside a fireplace talking to his friend Anna. Even though his face starts drooping and his eyes and nose almost fall off, he makes the profound and instantly famous statement, “Some people are worth melting for.” As I sit here just two days away from Valentine’s Day, wrapped up in my scarf due to the frigid temperatures outside, his words are ringing in my mind. We all have special people in our lives that we would do just about anything for. I have my girls, my wife, my friends, and you have a list of people yourself. When we share our lives with others, we form bonds of love that almost nothing can break. We give our time and energy. We buy gifts, and we make gestures all to demonstrate how we feel.
Valentine’s Day is almost here. I know, some cynics say it is a gimmick created by the greeting card industry to boost sales. But no matter the reason, we now have this special day out of the year where we are reminded to make some gesture of love for those we hold dear. What are you planning on doing for your loved ones? Make sure you show them how much you care. Make some magnanimous gesture. Make sure they know that they are worth melting for.
(and if you are still searching for ideas… I know a photography studio with some great gift ideas. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. 🙂
Solo tree just outside of Douglass Texas along the el camino real de los tejas .
Solo tree just outside of Douglass Texas along the el camino real de los tejas .
Old church along el camino real de los tejas .
Old church along el camino real de los tejas .
Snow topped camellia bush behind historic Nacogdoches home.
Black & white snow ladder.
Nacogdoches Mound street snow covered business.
When Thursday afternoon temperatures started dropping, I was hopeful for some of that white goodness and we rarely see in Nacogdoches. About 6 pm last night, the snow came and continued for most of the night creating a beautiful white blanket over everything we normally view. Thankfully Douglass ISD started with a two-hour delay. We were certainly enjoying the few extra hours sipping on freshly brewed coffee.
There is a #solotree along my normal path into Nacogdoches from Douglass. I’ve been wanting to stop for the past month to capture the stark contrast between this tree without any sign of life which stands in front of an army of mighty pines. Today was one of hopefully many attempts to capture this solemn tree. I tend to see the world differently than most with even the most simplistic creating strong meaning and visuals such as this tree.
I’ve included a few additional images captured on this Nacogdoches Snow Day. I would love to hear your thoughts and or comments. And by all means, share the love of photography by sharing this blog post!
Enjoy!
Greg Patterson
Certified Professional Photographer
Ice on pond at G Patterson Studio located in Nacogdoches Texas.
Ice on pond at G Patterson Studio located in Nacogdoches Texas.
It has been quite cold the past few days. Nacogdoches is not quite use to this type of weather. We had plumbers out to our house to fix problems with one of those on-demand hot water heaters that froze. I think they are thankful for the work but may be wishing the same we are wishing, and that is warm weather.
When I came into the studio Tuesday morning, I could hear the trickle of water back in the garden. Beyond my skin saying retreat for a warm environment, I veered off my normal path to the studio to examine the sound of water. It was about 18° that morning with an expected high just below freezing. There must have been some moisture from the previous night because as I walked, I could hear the grass under foot crack and pop as if frozen.
As I approached the pond, I could see the shimmer of sunlight bouncing off of the what was once water. Now frozen to about 1/2 inch thick ice. The falls were still running but with every splash, they were producing some fantastic ice sculptures on the rocks below. Cold but most defiantly still beautiful.
Warmth will come again and we will all be wishing for cooler temps.
Before we know it, we will be rocking 100° plus days which seem to stay with us much longer than cold. Are you ready for March/April? Spring is one of my most favorite seasons with March and April just about as perfect as it can get in East Texas.
However, by the end of this week, we are expected to be back in the mid to upper 60’s. Until then, enjoy this photo I captured with my trusty Nikon.
Enjoy,
Greg Patterson, Certified Professional Photographer
The beginning of something beautiful! Toasting to everything Happy Happy Happy!
The beginning of something beautiful! Toasting to everything Happy Happy Happy!
Can you say “Happy Happy Happy” Anniversary! Well I can as today my beautifully kind and amazing wife and I celebrate our anniversary.
Time really does fly when you are happily married. I do remember some not so easy moments but they are like dust in the wind compared to the years together. We started young at a mere age of 20. Young, excited and ready to start on our own, we were married 27 years ago today, January 3rd 1987.
Over the 27 years, we have celebrated the birth of three wonderful and healthy children. Watched as they grew, played Nacogdoches Baseball, NYSA Soccer and been part of the Nacogdoches Dragon Band.
We started a business from nothing, basically working out of a closet in one of our rented homes. The business has always been part of our family and close to our hearts. A strong sense of family has been important to us and the business allows us to share this passion by capturing those special moments for others.
Since its January and such a great month for tips, I though I would pass along my tips for my happy marriage.
1. Love your spouse more than yourself. Easy to say but putting self in anyplace other than first is difficult. When self is at least second, then in my opinion it allows for you to be joined together as one.
2. Realize that there will be bumps, hills and sometimes mountains to climb in life. Work, bills, kids can all wear on an otherwise healthy relationship if you let them be first. So go back to my tip No. 1 and make sure your spouse comes before you and the job and the kids and anything else.
3. There are really so many things I could say and have likely over 100 tips. Well this LAST tip is simple. Remember those two words you said during your marriage. You remember? “I DO!” Those two short words in my opinion are a promise. But what were you promising? My vows I promised “To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish ’till death do us part.” So my last tip is to remember your promise and be faithful to the best of your ability to live up to that oath.
I would love to hear your story and or comments.
Greg Patterson, Certified Professional Photographer
