Cathy

I'm a Photographer on a learning curve.

[cdonohoue]

For Love of the Dog

What is it that makes us fall in love with a dog? What part of us will put up with whining, housebreaking, chewed furniture and baseboards, ruined carpeting and ungodly vet bills? What is it that makes us dog/cat lovers - an extra gene? There are people in the world that think folks like me are crazy to put up with any or all of the above. They say, "It's only a dog," and I want to smack them.I love folks that love their furry children. They are my tribe and my people and I feel at home with others like me. They understand the need for a four legged love in our lives. I come home and it is a celebration and Mojo and Joker act like I have been away for years and I am a star - and that is just when I go to the grocery. They are incredibly excited by the new rope toy that I spent $5 on and they both think I am a gourmet cook.It has been a year since I lost my Maggie. I still find that difficult to talk about. I fought so hard for her to find just the right combination of meds and cheered her on as she adjusted to Addison's and had no idea she had a disease. Tom and i have loved every four legged baby that we have had the privilege to parent. Chrystal, Holly, Roxie, Giggles, Charlie, Maggie, Mojo and Joker have all enriched our lives.©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

[cdonohoue]

No Clinkers

This is another one from the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. There were a lot more in gorgeous neon lights, but this is the sign that hit me in the heart. When I was a child we had a coal fired furnace in our basement. It was a big old monster and took up a ton of space and we had our own coal bin. The truck would come and shoot coal down into our basement through an open window. On cold nights I remember being allowed to go no further than the landing on the basement steps to watch my Daddy getting out the clinkers, (incombustible residue, fused into an irregular lump, that remains after the combustion of coal) and shoveling in more coal and banking the fire for the night. I'm guessing my folks weren't near as fascinated with this monster as I was. I can't remember how old I was when a friend helped my Dad install a gas furnace. I missed the monster in the basement. It was a monster I was never afraid of because of my Daddy. I go up and down those same basement steps multiple times a day while doing laundry. The old coal bin is now the workshop. Seasons change but my memories remain.©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

[cdonohoue]

Raindrops and Teardrops

It's been an odd day - to say the least. My meeting last night was very much what I thought it would be. Where do we go from here? It hurts my heart and I have no answers. I realized it's my ex husband's birthday - but he is gone now. That still seems so very strange that someone my age is gone. To top it all off I went to UC Hospital today for a standard lung scan follow up, however, it was the first time I had been there without Maggie in tow. The two of us did so much pet therapy there. Some of my most outstanding God moments came when that girl took me to places that I never thought I would go. Raindrops and teardrops somehow go together.©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

[cdonohoue]

Gone Fishing

The Cincinnati Zoo is one of the top in the nation. Right now we are making national headlines with our premie baby hippo, Fiona, who lived against the odds. She has made ugly cute in so many ways. She is also free to come in and out of the exhibit at will. And of course she wasn't out on our last trip. That's OK as I have a membership and visit often. That being said I have to say that I've never spent too much time with these fishing birds. They aren't exactly pretty, but I do like their feathers. ©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

The Cincinnati Zoo

[cdonohoue]

Dogs are Good for your Soul

When I was a little girl my Mother would not allow me to have pets. She said that I wouldn't take care of them or be able to pay their bills. When I turned 16 I got a job at the "Dime Store" up on the Pike. I also got my first dog. Remus was a mix from way back, born to the dog of a friend of mine. I took him to the vet for all of his care and I loved that dog to the moon and back. He was sort of a Chihuahua and other things thrown in. When I married and left home he had to stay behind as the apartment that we could afford didn't allow dogs. Besides, he had won my parents' hearts.I have been making up for the lack of a dog in my life every since. We have been privileged to have up to four at a time - though that is a bit too many. We had Corgis for years until we had too many back problems to continue. We did, however, stay with herding dogs. Right now we have two Australian Shepherds, Mojo and Joker, fondly known as "the boys." They are often what my camera finds to record. They are a huge part of our daily lives and we travel with them often. If you have never done that you would be surprised how much fun it is. We just have to pick temperate times of the year. The above shot is a Psychedelic twist on Mojo.©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

[cdonohoue]

9.11.17

I don't think that this day will ever pass that American hearts don't turn to the tragic event of 9.11.2001. Those of us that are old enough to have first hand memories can tell exactly where we were when we found out that something horrendous was happening. We tuned into the news in time to see the second tower fall. I was at my parent's house - my house now. Tom was at work and he remembers just which account he was servicing when he heard the news. I went to an impromptu service that night to pray for the souls that were lost and the souls whose lives would forever be effected by the events of the day. We came together as a nation, with no thoughts of skin color or creed. We came together to mourn and to remember."September 11 impressed upon us that life is a precious gift. Every life has a purpose. And I think we all have a duty to devote at least a small portion of our daily lives to ensuring that neither America nor the world ever forgets September 11."– Bill Frist

Where were you?

[cdonohoue]

Two Passengers

As the last days of Summer loom and the flowers are showing that "end of season" coloring, I turn inward preparing for the winter to come. I spend endless amounts of time wandering the flowers and preparing to say goodbye for the season. Each year seems a bit harder to let go. I love Autumn with football, crisp nights and leaves on fire, but the flowers always make me the happiest. I'm so very glad that we made the decision to plant the garden. A garden is always preparing for the future. I love living into hope.©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

Changing Seasons

[cdonohoue]

Learning Curve

As my body slows down, I am a firm believer in keeping my mind occupied and learning new skills. One of the skills that I am determined to conquer is layers in Photoshop. I am working there on the most simplistic level - but if I don't keep practicing I will forget the steps of the process. I can find a lot to keep me busy in the wildflowers that we planted this summer. They have been a riot of color and something new almost every day. This is 3 different shots blended together into something that made me smile. I hope you enjoy my wildflowers. They will soon be memories as the seasons change around me.©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

[cdonohoue]

Gratitude and Downward Facing Dog

I woke up this morning and just laid in bed for a few moments. I did a check in with all systems and they all were happy. As long as I kept laying there under the covers I felt incredible. I woke up in gratitude. I got some news yesterday that I didn't want to hear. It was good news in so many ways but it wasn't an answer. I'm in good shape. All of my major organ systems are working together to keep me healthy and I am thankful.Here comes the part that doesn't make me happy. In the last several weeks I've had my long awaited appointment with the neurosurgeon and the orthopedic surgeon. I have my distinct issues but nothing operable unless I want to add rods and screws to the mix. That sounds like incredibly good news, and it is, but I wanted a quick fix. I wanted someone to say that if they did this then I would be "fixed." Sixty-six just doesn't work that way. I am sort of like my gorgeous garden flamingo- fading paint and a bit rusty. I will continue with my new yoga practice. Downward Facing Dog is sort of a riot at my age but I can actually see that I am doing it with more ease than when I began. Both docs think this is a great practice to continue. I have to find my own attitude adjustment and I am confidant that I will. I always deal better with that which I understand, even if what I understand might not be what I had wanted. I'm aging. That is a fact and it is one that I am grateful to be able to live into. I am blessed to be here.

You have to read it to find out how Gratitude and Downward Facing Dog ended up in the same title.

[cdonohoue]

To Plant a Garden

I love this time of year in the garden. All of the nurseries have their perennials on sale at end of season prices. I buy what appeals to me to plug into my little piece of heaven with the promise of new growth for next year.Maybe we, as hopefully still part of the human race, should see this time of year the same way. To plant a garden is to plan ahead and plan on being present. It is to plan on tending creation and leaving it more beautiful than we found it. It is to plan on nurturing and fertilizing and deadheading - or we can think of it as loving and applauding growth and making way for that which is to be born. The times that we live in are scarier by the day. The world and the weather are in turmoil. I can only tend the part of the world that is mine while I pray for the larger garden.Property of ©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

Another day, another world view

[cdonohoue]

Dyslexic Studio

This was my entry in the online Scavenger Hunt that I am a part of. It is done on google+ and is a ton of fun. This was the 20th round and the word was "cinematography." There are 300 folks that take part from around the world and post their idea of what that word means. So many fantastic folks. I am just learning to navigate Photoshop and know that I have a lot to learn. But I'm pretty darn proud of my 66 year old self for playing and taking part in something that is so much fun.

[cdonohoue]

Seasons Change

I hate to see Summer winding down and Autumn poised to step in. My seasons are going by so quickly now. I want to slow it down and bask in the warmth of the sun with the dogs in the yard enjoying the garden. I am beginning to see slight changes as the earth must be signaling the flowers to take a break - they deserve it. It is raining today in Cincinnati so I reached back to a recent zoo trip for the hibiscus.©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

[cdonohoue]

Changing of the Guard

Tomorrow my family will gather to pay tribute, share stories of love and laughter and comfort my cousins as we bury a very great lady, my aunt. She was my mother's best friend. They lived across the hall from one another during the early years of their marriages and forged a bond during that time that lasted their lifetimes. My aunt was a true "southern" lady - and she lived up to that description. She was always offering good food and comfort. She could make a meal stretch to feed however many ended up around her table. They lived in a small house but you would never find a dirty dish in the sink or a towel on the bathroom floor. She made you feel welcome. As I grew older I found out that she made the best whiskey sours. My aunt lived to grand old age of 92, but genetics was not very kind. She suffered with dementia at the end as so many of her family. My last conversation with her was answering her in 5 different ways about where we were living now. It was actually pretty interesting when I kept embroidering on my original answer just to keep the conversation going. I was privileged to be able to go and tell her goodbye and send her off with messages for my folks and the rest of those that were waiting for her with open arms.One of the most comforting analogies of the moment of death that I have ever read went something like this. As those of us left here gather to mourn the passing of a loved one, the angels gather in the heavenly "delivery room" saying, "Get ready! Here she comes! She's almost here!" I love this as it allows me to see the faces of my folks and my other relatives waiting to welcome my aunt as she took her last breath on earth and her first one in heaven.With her passing, she leaves my cousins and myself being the oldest generation of our family. That's a lot to live up to.©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

[cdonohoue]

You May Say I'm a Dreamer

I love this shot of the Lamb's Ear - purposely on the soft side of sharp. As the temperatures and humidity continue to rise in Cincinnati, it reminds me how blessed I am to be able to say that my internal temperatures are just right. No heated conversations or cross words fighting for acknowledgement. It seems like I often write about "The Gifts of Age." I think that is because I open them every day and I need to remind myself of the blessings so that I remember to say, "Thank You." I am truly grateful for these gifts as I do remember the hard fought battles to serenity. Sometimes I forget and that is when I allow myself to be caught up in the drama of the moment, even knowing that it will not serve my soul. So back up and remember who you are and how you got to today. It will amaze you.©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

The gifts of Age

[cdonohoue]

Do Justice

I don't have an image for what is happening in my heart. I don't have any wiser words to add to what is being said in my country nor do I think that spending time blaming will create change. I think that this quote is applicable to anyone's life - “And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 - even if you don't believe in God. Do justice. Work for Justice. It is a great recipe for how we live and walk in our tiny piece of the universe. ©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

Living Justice

[cdonohoue]

What the Camera Feels

It's true. One of the joys of photography is that a picture can take the photographer, and hopefully the viewer, into the moment that the shutter clicked. In that moment I was feeling the warmth of an August sun on my cheeks and the sheer joy that a field of sunflowers can bring to me and all of the folks that were enjoying these beauties that summer evening. That is where the magic lies.©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

©Cathy Donohoue Photography ©The Dyslexic Typist

[cdonohoue]

It's Time

I don't have a photo that goes along with what I want to say today - so a rose will have to do. This glorious white rose smells like licorice. To me it is a total opposite of what I'm seeing and that is what makes it so beautiful. We had an interesting discussion last night, my son and I. My stance is that it is time to stand up for what we believe in as our country is "going to hell in a hand basket," as my Mother used to say. I did a lot of standing up and sitting in when I was younger. That is my generation. Peaceful demonstration most assuredly has a place in our world right now. I was invited to go downtown earlier this week but some crazy health issues kept me from going. My son thinks that I am too old to get actively involved. He is very protective of me and I love that he is trying to take care of me. But it is time to stand up or shut up, put your cards on the table, show your stripes. It is time to make our government take a long look at what is happening in the world around us. I never in my wildest dreams thought that what we went to war over not that very long ago would now be allowed to have a rally chanting hate and proudly displaying swastikas. How can that be? If we don't react to this now we may very well be fighting that war on our soil in the not so distant future. Where do you stand? What can you do? How can we the people make our voices heard if not at peaceful protest of what is happening and has been for some time. Hate is rampant and love is being way too quiet. All photographs are the property of ©Cathy Donohoue Photography and ©The Dyslexic Typist.

The war of hate vs. love