Prairie Island Dakota Days Wacipi Celebration

Posted on July 12, 2015 by Helen C

Many years ago, Rochester hosted a Pow-Wow. My husband and I went there thinking we could take some photos. I didn’t know anything about Pow-Wow, and I wasn’t serious in photographing at the time. It turned out to be a small one. We didn’t stay long. I took less than 10 photos on that day.

Two days ago, my friend JT told me about the Prairie Island Dakota Days Wacipi Celebration at Welch. Yesterday we drove an hour to be there. I still don’t know too much about Pow-Wow. One lady told me a little bit about their dances like southern Indians danced clockwise (if I remember it right) and the other dance counterclockwise. She told me the accessories on their cloth indicate something. The music was very loud. It was hard to carry a conversation.

It was a fun night. I saw cute kids, talented dancers, excellent drummers and singers. I witnessed beauty, courage, determination, and love. On our way home, I started chanting. My husband told me to be quiet so he could focus on driving.

dancer1s

dancer2s

drummer1s

kid1s

kid2s

yman1s

mans

womans

love1s

I, apparently, have taken too many photos. So sorry… 😉

kidfs

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Posted in photo, photo and thoughts | 42 Comments

Cee’s Black & White Challenge: Sculptures, Statues, Carvings

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Helen C

Cee’s Black & White Challenge: Sculptures, Statues, Carvings

I just realize that today is the last day to submit to Cee’s Black and White (sculpture) challenge. When I first saw the word sculpture, I was sure that I could find at least 10 from our Italy trip photos. And I did.

But on second thought, I really think David deserves his own spotlight. So here he is…

Davids

Ahhhh…

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Posted in Cee’s Black & White Challenge, photo | 23 Comments

Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge: 2015 Week #27

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Helen C

Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge: 2015 Week #27

Winona is a city in and the county seat of Winona County, in the state of Minnesota. Located in picturesque bluff country on the Mississippi River… – Wikipedia

When we visit Winona, we often stop at Acoustic Café for a cup of coffee and maybe a sandwich. Whenever I was there, I would stare at the lady dressed in white standing by the second floor window across the street. I wondered who she was, whom was she waiting for.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

_HHC1597--s

_HHC1599--s

Posted in Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge, photo | 20 Comments

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: More Than 5 Items

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Helen C

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: More Than 5 Items

I haven’t done any photo challenge for a while. I’ve finally figured out why time goes much faster after I retired. It, actually, has nothing to do with the time, but has a lot to do with how slower I am getting anything done nowadays. It’s a new kind of life that I have to get used to, I guess. 😉

The first photo was taken at Rochester’s hot air balloon show – a reward after getting several mosquitoes bites. (Question: Should I move to the right a little so my friend JT would not be under one balloon? At first, I thought so, but on second thought it is more fun as the way it is. I am still thinking.)

The second photo was taken on a Sunday at downtown Rochester – I was glad that they were there. (Have I posted this before? It looks like I was ready to post it but never did. Forgetfulness is another thing I am trying to get used to ;-).)

Thanks for visiting my blog.

airballons

p5s

Posted in Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, photo, photo and thoughts | 15 Comments

Shooting Firework – 2015

Posted on July 5, 2015 by Helen C

I admit that it was 2 hours before firework time that I hurriedly watched two videos on how to take firework photos, hoping I would become a good firework photographer instantly. One suggests us to try out the camera settings ahead of the time. It made sense to me, so 10 minutes before heading out I went to my backyard trying to take a couple of photos. Well, I got 3 mosquito bites before I could even put down the tripod in spite of my effort of waving bugs away. I ended up retrieving back to the house without taking a shot – it was that bad. I then decided not to go to downtown. I would take photos inside of my house instead! Our neighborhood firework show would not be as good as our city’s, but for someone, who was only willing to spend 15 minutes learning how to shoot firework photos, maybe a neighborhood firework show is good enough for her ;-).

Using a tripod is a must, both videos say. But using a tripod is like having your hands tied up behind your back. The firework was on the left, right, in front and back of the house, high in the sky, low above bushes… and there is no way to adjust the tripod in time. Soon, I decided to follow one source only. Even that, I had missed a couple of them because I was aiming at the wrong height.

Taking photos through window glasses is not an idea situation, but I didn’t want to open windows letting bugs in. Also, my view was limited by the window. (Tree has posted nice firework photos on her blog! From my window, I didn’t see anything like that. Really 😉

Of course, like one photographer said, it would be better to include a foreground or background like buildings… etc. or, even better, to include people. There was no way to accomplish that by taking photos inside of the house, through a window.

I comforted myself: this time I was practicing shooting firework itself. Next year, if I figure out how to deal with our Minnesota state birds (mosquitoes), I will add foreground, background, playground… etc. Sounded good, but when I look at these photos I took, I wonder when we take away the foreground, background… etc., what’s left to consider a firework photo as a good one or not? Maybe it depends on how sharp the photos are?

I compared this year’s result with last year’s. Last year I used a Panasonic point-and-shoot camera, which was set at “night scene” mode. This year, I use Nikon D750, manual mode. Hate to say this… I think last year’s photos are sharper. This means I didn’t have correct settings? Maybe it was the window that caused the problem? I really don’t know.

Still, I am very happy with this experience. It was my FIRST time using manual mode. I always wanted to try it but was afraid of doing it (Why? I have no clue.) Now I am no longer afraid, to say the least – yeah! 😉

Thanks for visiting my blog.

FW1s

FW2s

FW3s

FW4s

FW5s

Posted in photo, photo and thoughts, Photo Question | 38 Comments

Happy 4th of July

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Helen C

This is a street photo, which I shot at Rochester downtown recently. Happy 4th of July!

_HHC1640--s

Posted in photo | 11 Comments

3 Days, 3 Quotes (Day 3)

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Helen C

On this last day of the challenge, again, I want to thank Amy (at The World Is A Book…) for inviting me to participate the “3 Days, 3 Quotes” challenge — post a quote each day for 3 days and nominate 3 new bloggers each day to take part.

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there. ~Amy Li

Karin, Helen, Yvonne

Karin, Helen, Yvonne

Yvonne, Karin, Helen

Yvonne, Karin, Helen

In 2002, a year after we lost both of our parents, my sister Karin was diagnosed with breast cancer. The first thing she said to me was: “I am so grateful that I wasn’t diagnosed with cancer when our parents were still alive. Can you imagine how mom would take the news?” The second thing she said to me was: “If every family has to have a victim of cancer, I am glad it is me instead of you or Yvonne.”

Karin passed away in 2013, but I know she is with us, still.

I would like to invite Lois, Sue, Adhika to participate the challenge. Again, please don’t feel that you have to accept the invitation. No pressure! 😉

Posted in 3 Quotes, Memoir, photo | 40 Comments

3 Days, 3 Quotes (Day 2)

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Helen C

Again, thanks to Amy (at The World Is A Book…) for inviting me to participate the “3 Days, 3 Quotes” challenge — post a quote each day for 3 days and nominate 3 new bloggers each day to take part.

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever.
— Author Unknown

My mom and my niece

My mom and my niece

At my mom’s funeral, the person who cried the loudest was one of her grandsons. Mom had taken care of 8 out of her 10 grandchildren when they were little. All my siblings and I worked fulltime, so whoever had a baby, Mom went to his or her house to help. When her grandkid grew a little older, every morning she would watch her grandkid get on the school bus, and later welcome him or her back home. She never got paid, never took a sick leave, and never complained.

Today, I would like to invite Dawn (The Day After) to participate the challenge. I was also going to invite Tree (Conversations Around the Tree) but someone else already did (It still counts, doesn’t it? 😉 And the third invitation goes to… anyone who wants to participate (Thanks Cee for the good idea!)

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Posted in 3 Quotes, Memoir | 20 Comments

3 Days, 3 Quotes (Day 1)

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Helen C

My friend Amy (The World Is A Book…) invited me to participate the “3 Days, 3 Quotes” challenge — post a quote each day for 3 days and nominate 3 new bloggers each day to take part. (Thanks, Amy.)

Amy, an excellent photographer, is a wise, kind, and caring person. (I, actually, can go on and on because she is truly amazing!) I admire her a lot. For those who know her, I am sure you know what I am talking about. For those who don’t know her, you’ll find out what I mean if you visit her blog.

I love quotes. When I read a good one, I would smile for hours. Unfortunately even though I like quotes a lot, I cannot memorize any. So I googled and found this one.
Kearson--BWs2
Promises are like crying babies in a theater, they should
be carried out at once.
— Vincent Peale

Vincent Peale was right. The longer I’ve waited, the more I feel like to chicken out of this challenge even though I have promised Amy 😉

And for this cute crying baby… I really don’t mind to be the one who has to skip the show and carry him out of the theater.

I would like to nominate: Cee, Chris (Sorry, Cee 😉 and Mabel. No pressure, of course.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Posted in 3 Quotes | 22 Comments

A Little Bit About My Dad

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Helen C

MomDad

I want to write something about my dad, but this whole day there are so many things went through my mind and I had a hard time to decide what to write. I thought I would share with you an excerpt from my novel, Jin-Ling’s Two Left Feet. After all, Jin-Ling’s dad was created based on my dad.

. . .

I take the green onions from the refrigerator and begin to wash and chop them while Dad gets the dough ready. Other than chopping the green onions, making green onion pancakes is a one-man show. I watch Dad skillfully sink his fingers into the dough. His hair is as white as the flour on the table. He sees me watching him. “Next time, you’ll make the pancakes,” he says.

“Sure.” I nod. He’s said that many times in the past, but the only thing he’ll let me do is chop the onions. Flattening the dough is hard work. As soon as Dad lifts the rolling pin up, the dough more or less returns to its previous thickness. “Dad, don’t worry about it,” I say. “Make a thick one.”

“It won’t taste good,” he says, looking somewhat concerned. “You need to learn to be more patient.”

Yeah, right. Guess where I got my genes? Still, this is the deepest conversation Dad and I have ever had and I don’t want it to end. I clear my throat, making sure I get his attention. “Are you happy, Dad?”

What a stupid question! No one asks her dad if he is happy! I guess having a deep conversation with Dad won’t be as easy as I thought.

He lifts his head, staring at the wall, and then buries his hands in another piece of dough. For a while he doesn’t say a word. The silence makes me nervous. Just as I’m ready to redirect the conversation, he says, “Your mom and I work very hard to provide you and Shaw-Ming a good home. If you aren’t happy, I don’t know what else I can do.”

“I’m not talking about me, Dad.” I hold my hands out toward him, palms up. “I’m asking about you.”

He looks puzzled. “Me? Happy? I’ve never thought about it.” He pauses, then says, “I guess I’m happy. I go to work every day to put food on the table. I guess I’m happy, because I’ve done my job.”

Now I’m puzzled. Come to think of it, Mom and Dad never do anything just for fun. They don’t travel, they don’t go to nice restaurants, and they never party.
…

My parents had sacrificed a lot for their kids. I love them very much. How I wish I could have them back…

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Posted in Dad, Writing | 26 Comments