Musikgarten

Last Saturday I photographed the piano recital and music gala for Musikgarten of Oak Park, the full gallery can be seen at http://emphotography.zenfolio.com/2012musikgarten

Homeless veterans

Memorial day is observed in the United States in commemoration of those members of the armed forces killed in war, but what about the ones who come ‘home’ and have no home. Is veterans day their 'celebration', I’m not sure how to celebrate so many people coming back with PTSD and so many left on the street.

This morning I sat and chatted with one marine who is living on the streets. I met him at a night shelter a while back and we bump into each other from time to time. Last night he slept outdoors, being only in the 80’s it’s not bad compared to Afghanistan. A few nights ago he had a hard night, ended up in hospital; he taught he was back in Kabul.

“the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) estimate that over 67,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. Over the course of a year, approximately twice that many experience homelessness. Only eight percent of the general population can claim veteran status, but nearly one-fifth of the homeless population are veterans”.

I don’t often post without photos, but I’m not going to post a photo of this marine, I will sign off and leave you to think about the many many faces of the 67,000

Indian Joe

I first met Joe a few weeks ago. From what I know of him in our few meetings, Joe is gentle man.

At 54, with chronic back pain he can no longer find work. With lack or work came lack of money, with lack of money, well we all know...

We sat in the park on a sunny morning and Joe told me about his life, growing up in Cicero, falling off a garage as a kid, messing up his back, followed by years of work at different jobs around here and in Texas. Now he sits in the park and wonders what he will do, where he will spend his nights now that the local night shelter is closed for the summer. Will he eventually get disability and go back to having a place of his own?

Joe tells me he doesn’t like being on the streets, he hates it. He had lots of jobs, he liked working and going home and cooking his dinner.

I hope Joe gets disability, I hope he get a little home and I hope this happens soon for Joe.

no place to be

What does one do when they have no place to be all day.
What does one do when they have no place to be all day and they don’t have a home to rest in. Some sit in a park, some sit in a bus shelter.
For weeks now as I drive or cycle up Harlem Avenue I see two men sitting in the bus box. One is sometimes lying on the bench, is he ill? Do they eventually get on the bus and go somewhere? Do they stay here all night?

Today I stopped to talk with them; today I went into the bus box for a few minutes. It was loud and unnerving with the passing traffic.

I see my refelction in those gray/blue eyes, I see a reflection of so much more

Mother Day mini session

Just two days to Mothers Day, and two afternoon/evening sessions still available, mini (20 minutes - $125) or full (1 1/2hours) Call right away if you would like to have a session on mothers day.

Not ready to take the photos yet, give her a photo session gift certificate that you can print right at home. Now that makes it easy, and what mother doesn't love a nice photo of her children.