My Foray Into YouTube

Yes, you read the headline correctly! I have created a YouTube channel by the name of Joe Valencia Photography - http://www.youtube.com/c/JoeValencia32. I had been wanting to venture into YouTube publishing for a while but never really felt totally comfortable with the idea of being in front of the camera. I subscribe to, and watch, a number of photographers on YouTube and even interviewed a couple for my "Exploring Photography with Joe Valencia" blog and the more I watched, the more I wanted to do it. I finally found the courage after watching a video by Thomas Heaton in which he talked about overcoming your fears and doing what you love. The next day I went out and shot the introduction for my first video and first product review.

This was actually the fifth time I set out to shoot my first video, each preceding attempt found me coming up with an excuse not to shoot. This time was different; I was nervous, apprehensive, scared and excited all at the same time. I came close to backing out but forged ahead. I found that once I had the camera set up and started recording I felt right at home. I did make a rookie mistake while recording my "intro" with my phone - I shot in portrait instead of landscape.... I think what made it so easy was that I was talking about photography; ask anyone who has been in a room when I get started. I love photography and I love talking about it so I guess it was a natural prograssion to video.

I already have about a half-dozen ideas for upcoming videos and look forward to seeing where this adventure takes me. The first video was well-received, which is feeding my excitement. I hope you will check out my channel, subscribe if you like and leave a comment letting me know what you think.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Stephen King's Stand By Me - Every Boy's Story

Okay. All of the men, who love this movie, raise your hand. Quite a few, that’s what I thought. Now, all of the women who love this movie raise your hand. There aren’t a lot of you, are there? No, this movie seems to be the exact opposite of a “chick flick” and appeals mainly to men. Personally, I love the movie and the novella that it is based on.

The Body is a novella written by Stephen King and is part of the collection in DIFFERENT SEASONS. The book contains four novellas, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption (The Shawshank Redemption), Apt Pupil (Apt Pupil), The Body (Stand by Me) and The Breathing Method; three of which were made into movies, the movie titles in are in parentheses. I enjoyed each story and each adaptation but The Body and Stand by Me struck on a personal basis. The title of this post calls it “every boy’s story” and I think that is reasonably accurate; not every boy has set out to find a dead body but it is the adventurer in us.

The story is a first person account of four (4) 12 year-old friends, Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern. Vern overhears his older brother telling a few friends – the town thugs - about a dead boy, Ray Brower, he found and heads to the treehouse to relay the news. The boys decide to tell their parents they are going camping in a big field owned by Vern’s parents and go out in search of the body. They want to find him and be the heroes. They grab their gear and head out in search for poor Ray Brower. They walk along the train tracks and cut across a big field. There is a time when they come across a large pool of water in the woods and have to wade through it – if you have seen the movie or read the book you will know why this is the most difficult scene in the whole story…. They finally find Ray lying lifeless in the bushes when the thugs show up. They want to get credit for finding Ray but Gordie and the gang won’t let them. Chris had brought his fathers’ gun, just in case, and Gordie threatened the thugs, scaring them off. The boys finally decide to phone in an anonymous tip. The story ends with a recap of their lives after that trip.

I touched upon the highlights purposely not going into detail because I cannot do justice and I want to encourage everyone to experience it for themselves. This post wasn’t meant to be an essay about the story but rather what it means to me and guys the world over. It’s about being with your best friends, and exploring the world around you. It’s about adventure and going into the unknown driven only by your sense of curiosity. What a great time in your life – you are old enough to go out and explore and young enough not to have a lot of responsibility weighing you down. Over the years, I have written about some of my adventures in my early teen years; maybe that is one of the appeals of the story. I can envision this story being played out by Joe, Len, John and Jim although our lives were much different than Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern. We even had an overnight camping trip that was quite an adventure itself when we were about 16 and a bit of adventure involving train tracks but that is for another story. We had plenty of others and I look back fondly over those times. We have each gone our separate ways and have families of our own. I can’t remember the last time the four of us have been in the same room but suspect it has been more than 20 years and that is a shame.

I originally wrote this in 2016 for a blogging community I was involved in. I was initially inspired to write this after walking into the living room when my son was watching the movie on television. I had been writing most of the day. I took a break and was walking through the living room where my son was watching a movie. I arrived in time to see Gordie put his hands on the railroad tracks and yell “Train!” I could feel a smile growing on my face and a wave of nostalgia come over me. I woke up the next morning with the title and the rest just started writing itself. I know I have watched the movie with my wife (and possibly my daughter) but don’t really remember; she usually just smiles when she sees it is on and continues on. I can’t count how many times I have watched it with my son and have watched it countless times when I was alone. Even though the subject matter isn’t exactly “feel good” nor is the movie itself but it can always lift me up when I am having a bad day and isn’t that what a good story is supposed to do?

Well, last week I was flipping through the channels looking for something to watch and, guess what I found! I came in just as Vern was digging around under the porch looking for his pennies. I only meant to watch for a short time until my wife was done with whatever she was doing so that we could watch a movie we had recorded. My son walked in, saw what I was watching and sat down on the couch. My wife looked in, saw what we were watching and walked away knowing that her viewing pleasure was being put on hold. There is something about the movie - when I start watching it I can't just walk away. It's like having a bag of potato chips and trying to "eat just one." Yeah. Right!

This isn’t a typical Stephen King story and many people wouldn’t know it was if you didn’t tell them. It is just a great story about a group of kids trying to something good and the obstacles they have to overcome along the way. In other words, it is about life. I encourage you to read the novella and then, if you are so inclined, watch the movie. This is one of those rare cases where I enjoy both rather equally but the novella has much more detail and treats you to the references to other works that we have come to expect from Stephen.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Illustrations provided by Pixabay

I Want It - a Dave Evans original song

War and hate have been around since the dawn of mankind, that I am sure of. I am equally sure that the birth of the "protest" song came along very early in the evolution of music. I don't know when the first protest song was written or what it was about but it has it's place in popular culture, no matter where you are in the world. When I think of the protest song my first thought goes to folk music and people like Woody Guthrie (Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)) and Pete Seeger (We Shall Overcome); I think most people would do the same. I also think of rock and roll and artists like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Ohio), Creedence Clearwater Revival (Fortunate Son), and my favorite, John Lennon (Imagine). I would add Harry Chapin (What Made America Famous) to the list somewhere between folk and rock. I am adding another name to the list - Dave Evans - and the song, I Want It. I have written about Dave, his music and even how his music has influenced my photography and writing; now I am introducing you to his "protest" song. I'm sure that if you were to ask him, he wouldn't necessarily think of himself as a singer of protest songs and he would be correct. He may not even consider I Want It to be in that category but I think it is and, since I am writing this, it is....

The following is what Dave told me about the song when he first wrote it:

"One day I was sitting in my chair thinking about all the things I wanted out of life... The more I thought about it the more I realized I really only wanted LOVE. For some reason I picked up one of my guitars and started playing a chord progression I had never played before and the song was born."

>

I want the world to survive.
I want the lovers in my life still alive
I want the world to be the place I know that it can be.
I want the wars to conclude.
We'll grant the parents of the world solitude.
We'll make the world a place of love and peace and harmony
Then you'll see

So, the only thing you have left is to listen to I Want It on BandCamp and then come back here to let me know what you think in the comments below.

For more information about Dave and his music you can read my blog post - Dave Evans: Songwriter, Performer and Friend
Check out his Facebook page - Dave Evans Solo
Follow him on Twitter - @Dave2ta
You can email him at DaveEvansSolo@gmail.com

Emotion and Memory Triggers - What Makes You Happy? Sad?

Has this ever happened to you; you're sitting in your living room watching television when you suddenly feel yourself smiling for no apparent reason. Maybe you can no longer listen to a song you always loved. It could be a smell that elicits a fond memory or even a single word. These are just a few of what I call “emotional triggers” that can make you happy, sad, mad, nostalgic, etc.…. You may not even realize it; I know it happens to me sometimes. The funny thing is that the same trigger may make you happy one time and sad the next.

For me, smell seems to be the biggest trigger and it almost always brings me back to my youth. There are times when I’m not even sure the smell actually exists and that it is just a figment of my imagination. It is almost like I am subconsciously thinking of something and then my brain conjures up the smell, triggering the memory. I’m sure a psychiatrist would love to get me on a couch and analyze that!

The smell of lavender instantly brings memories of my maternal grandmother and the smell of a baked ham will always mean Easter at her house. The smell of pipe tobacco is a strong trigger – my great-uncle, Verner, smoked a pipe, as did my uncle, George, and my father-in-law, Mike. Now that I think of it, maybe the “phantom” smell isn’t so odd – I remember speaking with my great-aunt, Inez, shortly after Verner’s death and she told me that there were times when she would turn expecting to see him because she could smell his tobacco. Tomato sauce (yes – sauce, not gravy) cooking on the stove always reminds me of my mother making sauce on Sunday.

There is a certain smell or combination of smells, that reminds me of being at my Aunt Sissy’s house on a Sunday afternoon but I just can’t describe what it is, but I can tell you that whenever I eat a black olive or see a kid putting them on their fingers I am instantly drawn into her kitchen. That clean smell you get stepping outside on a morning when the grass is covered in dew – that brings me to Inez’s house and the time I spent there in the summer growing up.

There are verbal or audible triggers, too. If I am watching any sporting event and someone complains about a call, or lack thereof, I hear the words coming out of my mother-in-law, Joyce’s mouth. She was quite a passionate fan of the New York Giants and let the officials know when they weren’t doing their jobs – especially when the Dallas Cowboys were the opponent. The word “melancholy” brings mixed emotions – my grandmother told a story one time of when she was growing up; apparently she had quite a difficult time pronouncing the word and put the emphasis on the second syllable instead of the first. She told that story more than 40 years ago and it is the first thing I think of whenever I hear or read that word. If I hear “Lassie” or even the theme song I think of my children, the kids absolutely loved the 1994 movie and there were days when it might get played three times in a row! It would be on when we were building towers out of cardboard blocks or building something with the plastic Lego-style boxes that wipes came in. There are a lot of words that elicit memories of the children growing up – far too many to even count.

I mentioned songs in the introduction and there are plenty. I wrote about The Power of Music and how certain songs trigger very specific memories. I wrote in that post about Harry Chapin’s song, Circle, and that I cannot listen to it anymore, especially the live version. There are a couple reasons – the first being that Harry closed every show with that song; it contains the line “we’ll all be together again” but we won’t. The other reason is because it makes me think of friends and family who have died and it makes me sad. The other song I wrote about is Ringo Starr’s, Photograph. I loved that song growing up but since Ringo introduced it at The Concert for George; he said that since George died the song had new meaning and, like Circle, listening to it makes me melancholy. (Note: I just smiled when I wrote that – did not intend to use melancholy….)

Songs also trigger great memories like Pete Seeger singing There Was an Old Woman or Tom Chapin singing The Cousins are Coming and Bruno. These were songs that we listened to when the kids were young. We took them to see Pete Seeger perform at a Clearwater Festival at Sandy Hook when they were maybe 3 and 5. I printed a couple pictures and put something on them about how the kids loved Pete and we gave them to one of his stage hands after the show. We tried to meet him but they wouldn’t let us in. A week or so after the show a letter showed up addressed to the kids – it was from Pete! Can’t Help Falling in Love and In My Life are special songs; I proposed to my wife dancing to the former and our first dance after we were married was to the latter. I don’t dance anymore but don’t really have an option if they are played at a wedding reception or other event….

There are the visual triggers. My first car was a blue 1966 Chevy and whenever I see a blue car of that era I immediately think of it and Inez. The car was a gift from her; she promised it to me when she bought it, when I started to drive she would give it to me. Well, I had to wait almost two years after I started driving it but I finally got it. It was a four door, “three on the tree” and had no radio. I only had the car for a few months in 1978 when I was rear-ended at a stop sign. The car was totaled. This was just before Christmas and I was afraid of how she was going to take the news when I saw her. I don’t remember her reaction but we all got through it so it couldn’t have been too bad.

Watching the Little League World Series reminds me of my days playing Little League and then watching my son play. The same goes for the College Softball Championships – my daughter played softball and I have fond memories of watching both. If I see someone skiing I think back to the first time I ever skied – my wife and I went on a trip shortly after we started dating. I caught on fairly well and decided to go to an intermediate slope. We were taught how to snow plow in order to stop and it worked quite well. The problem is that I was going rather fast and when I tried to snow plow the tips of my skis crossed causing me to come to an abrupt stop – this is very much like applying only the front brake on a bicycle. I went tumbling head-over-heels before coming to a stop in a heap at the bottom of the hill. The goggles I was wearing had pulled away from my face long enough to get filled with snow and then go back in place. Embarrassing…

I also think of my wife whenever I see a clown or Harpo Marx. The first Halloween we were together she dressed as a clown and I had a picture of her on my desk at work. My co-workers had never met her and that was the only photo I had. She came into the office one day and when I introduced her one of them said “So, you are the clown.” I got a “look” until I showed her the photo on my desk. She was Harpo a year or two later.

I could go on for a long time, so many triggers to so many memories, but I think this is a good time to stop. What are your triggers? Let me know in the comments below.

Save Lake Topanemus

I have been going to Lake Topanemus for a few years now; I discovered it one afternoon during my lunch hour. If you read my earlier post, Mayor of the Park, you have already been introduced. Lake Topanemus is a 22-acre man-made lake that is enjoyed by boaters, fisherman and nature-lovers alike. I don't think there has ever been a time when I visited during fishing season and didn't see at least one boat and a number of people standing on the banks wetting their lines. I often see egrets, herons and cormorants competing with the fisherman to see who comes away with a better catch. If you look hard enough and are quiet, you may catch some turtles sunning themselves on a large branch or log in the lake.

There has always been an abundance of vegetation around the perimeter of the lake but I have noticed more algae and what can best be described as a film over the water. There is a Facebook page named, Freehold Pond - Lake Topanemus, (click here to go to the page) that I like to check out from time-to-time and I noticed there were posts about the water quality. I contacted the administrator and asked about the problem. The response is shown below, in it's entirety:

"The lake is a 22 acre impoundment pond. There have been numerous studies over the past 30 years. The lake is eutrophic¹. It was treated with an herbicide and algaecide for two years. Then two years ago, treatment ceased. As a result, the weeds and algae return from May - September. Unless treated, the lake will be covered by June. The Lake Topanemus commission stopped treatment without seeking expert advise. Through much effort, hoping the treatment will resume in June. Cost is borne 2/3 Twp 1/3 Borough. Problem is complex. Chemicals are most cost effective means. Dredging would be best but expensive. Chemical treatment is NJDEP approved. There are those who believe the lake should be left alone, let nature run its course. However, man made lake, man made problem, man made solution. I have 30 years of reports/studies. Lots of talk, no action until recent treatment."

As you can see, the lake is an incredibly beautiful place to be on a nice day and it would be a great loss if it were allowed to continue along it's current path. The images above were made over the last few years and are just some of my favorites. I could spend hours sitting on one of the lakeside benches watching all of the activity on the lake and listening to the birds in the trees.

The images below were taken during a lunchtime walk this afternoon. You can see the buildup of algae and how dull the water looks. It is sad to think that it is only going to get worse in the coming months if nothing is done.

For further information or to offer assistance, check out their Facebook page or Twitter feed.

• Freehold Pond - Lake Topanemus on Facebook
• @SaveLakeTopanemus on Twitter

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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The Twilight Zone – All-Time Top Ten Episodes

“the signpost up ahead - your next stop, the Twilight Zone” All-Time Top Ten Episodes list. The Twilight Zone is a television series, which originally aired from 1959 thru 1964 and was created by Rod Serling. There were 156 episodes, all narrated by Rod Serling and all in black & white. The series provided a rather unique and, at times, disturbing look into the topics of the day and the human condition. There were stories with a supernatural storyline like a young boy whose imagination became real, stories dealing with visitors from outer space, the after-life and real-life fears like nuclear war. It took ordinary people and put them in extraordinary situations, except for the ones with astronauts – they are not “ordinary” people. The original series went off the air in 1964 but was revived for a brief run in the 1980’s (1985-89) and 2000’s (2002-03) but the revivals never caught the public’s imagination like the original. I particularly like the episodes with a surprise twist at the end and the ones with Burgess Meredith. I grew up watching the show in re-runs and so have my children. My wife is a fan, particularly of the Billy Mumy episodes It’s a Good Life and In Praise of Pip, but she isn’t likely to sit through a marathon like I am. The list below represents my Top 10 and they all came without having to give it a thought. I could easily expand this list by another 5 or 10, or more, because I am thinking of other episodes as I write. Now, without further ado, I present my list in no particular order:

• Time Enough at Last
• The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street
• To Serve Man
• Mr. Dingle the Strong
• Living Doll
• A Game of Pool
• It’s a Good Life
• The Masks
• Nightmare at 20,000 Feet
• The Obsolete Man

As mentioned earlier there are terrific episodes that would have made the list had I gone for 15 or 20 instead of 10. Some of those are People Are Alike All Over, Number 12 Looks Just Like You, Eye of the Beholder, Ninety Years Without Slumbering, Printer’s Devil, The Silence and In Praise of Pip. In fact, of the 156 episodes there are probably only a handful or so that I don’t particularly care for but I couldn’t tell you which without looking at a list. If you have never watched The Twilight Zone I encourage you to do so and let me know what you think. If you are a fan I would love to hear what you think of my list – what doesn’t belong and what I missed. Leave a Top 10 of your own in the comments below. The graphics were downloaded from Pixabay and a composite was created by the author using Photoshop.

Hiking Through History: Monmouth Battlefield - Part IV; The Sutfin House

This installment is somewhat different than its predecessors in that it is about a single entity in an historic site. The house was built in 1731 and stands alone amidst the corn and a lone tree. It was owned by Derick Sutfin and at the time of the battle he lived there with his wife, Mary, and four of their eight children. They also owned a number of slaves who are believed to have slept in the upstairs loft of the house. The farm, at one time, covered 265 acres where the family raised livestock and grew grain. He produced wheat, rye, apple cider, beef, pork, poultry, honey and dairy products. There were also other structures on the land but the farmhouse is the only one left standing.

The image at the top of this post is a wide shot of the farm and battlefield. I took this photo while standing at the top of Combs Hill where the Visitor Center now sits. The house is approximately a mile away from where I was standing.

I have hiked this part of the park before and written about the other trails but I had only seen the old farmhouse from a distance. I started the hike on the Washington Trail but when I got to an opening in the fence I turned onto the Farms Trail and Colonel Cilley Trail which took me on to the Sutfin Farm and towards the old farmhouse. It is the Colonel Cilley Trail which ultimately passes by the house. I have always been struck by the weathered appearance of the house and I wanted to take a lot of photos. I took a few shots from different parts of the trail as I approached and then some up-close. As I was walking around the house looking for some interesting features to photograph I started feeling a bit uncomfortable. The house is closed up but many of the upstairs windows are without glass and there are holes in the side of the building so there are many places where you can see inside. I found myself concentrating more on what might be inside the house than I was on photographing the outside. The longer I was there, the more uncomfortable I felt. I just couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't alone and that I was being watched.

Ridiculous! Right? Absolutely! The reality is the longer I was there, the stronger the feeling got until I couldn't stay any longer. I had to leave the house and I couldn't get away fast enough. So it was back to the Colonel Cilley Trail, heading southeast until I came to a wooden fence identical to the one along the Washington Trail behind me. This is where the Colonel Cilley Trail heads north and the Farms Trail goes south. I took the Farms Trail and followed it back to the parking lot.

I couldn't stop thinking about my experience at the house and so the next day I decided to take my walk through the Sutfin Farm again, this time taking the Colonel Cilley Trail which would, once again, bring me to the Sutfin House. As I was walking along I came across a fellow hiker, a gentleman I had actually seen the day before but he was too far away to stop and chat. This time we were on the same trail heading towards each other and when we were close enough we exchanged "hello’s.” I asked him if he was on the trail yesterday and he said he was. I then asked him if he had ever experienced the sensation of being watched like I had the day before. Much to my delight, he said he had. We talked a little more and then I continued along the trail and soon found myself approaching the house. I was coming from the east whereas the day before I came to it from the west. I took some photos while approaching the house but as I drew closer the strange sensation started coming over me again and so I didn't stop until I was well past the house. I have discovered that the hiker and I are not alone - check out a great post by Patrick Browne called Monmouth Battlefield: Just Me and the Ghosts. You can also check out Chuck's Paranormal Adventures, he has done a number of investigations at Monmouth Battlefield (I participated in one and will write about that at a later date) and has some interesting observations of the Sutfin House. I have since learned that, though no one with the New Jersey Parks System or Friends of Monmouth Battlefield has experienced anything like I had, there have been recent reports of "things" from visitors.

Are there spirits walking the grounds of Monmouth Battlefield or stuck inside the Sutfin House. I don't know. I don't even know if I actually believe the possibility even exists but the bottom line is - I don't think I am going to get close to the house again unless I have others with me.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Out of the Darkness - Suicide Prevention and Mental Health

Suicide....

What a difficult word to read, to talk about. It is even difficult for me to type it. Understanding suicide is even more difficult; in fact, I am not even sure any of us can fully understand the decision to end one’s own life but we need to continue to try. It is only by trying to understand that we can begin to help those who feel there is no alternative. We know the numbers - more than 42,000 suicides in the United States in 2015, for every suicide there were 25 attempts and suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. The cost to society is immeasurable as each life lost robs us of the potential held by that individual. Imagine how different our world would be today without the contributions of Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk, Benjamin Franklin and Mother Teresa, to name but a few. Each life lost is a loss of another potential great contributor to our world.

Get involved

So, by now you may be thinking - "Yes, it is horrible but what can I do about it?" I'm glad you asked. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a great place to start. Whether you have contemplated suicide, know someone who has, been affected by the suicide of another or just want to learn more they have resources available to you. You can also become actively involved with the organization by participating in, or volunteering for, one of the more than 300 "Out of the Darkness" walks held throughout the year. You can find a local walk by visiting the foundation's website - if there isn't one near you, contact the local chapter in your state and ask about starting one.

Why I got involved

I have served as a volunteer event photographer and committee member for the Jersey Shore Out of the Darkness walk since 2014 and can tell you that it is one of the most incredible events I have ever been associated with. I became involved for very personal reasons. In the summer of 2010 a friend, Scott, took his own life and I do this work to honor him. I learned of AFSP after seeing photos his wife, posted on Facebook. The family had participated as a team in a walk in Philadelphia and I knew that I wanted to get involved. It took a few years but I finally got a chance to shoot the 2014 Out of the Darkness walk in Manasquan. I met Scott, a devout Deadhead, through my son’s Boy Scout troop and got to know a fun-loving, mischievous man who cared deeply for his family and the scouts in the troop. When I learned of his death I was stunned and saddened. How could someone as seemingly happy and outgoing as him do something like this? I don’t know but if helping raise awareness to the cause can help spare someone like Scott, count me in.

Sadly, I have other personal reasons for being active with AFSP. While working for the walk I got to know someone who had been struggling for a long time and we had a discussion about it last year. He was very open about it and I learned a lot from our talk. He relayed stories about helping others get through their dark times and he had a great outlook. I then learned of his suicide later that year. This was someone I barely knew but the news was very difficult for me to hear. I think Eddie's death was difficult because it showed me that the struggle never ends and no one is "out of the woods" when it comes to mental illness.

You Are Not Alone

If you are struggling, please remember this – you are not alone and you don’t have to go through it alone. Talk to someone – a loved one or trusted friend. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone you know there are other places you can turn to – AFSP is one of those places. I will list other resources at the end of this post. What is important to remember is that you matter. I know it is a bit cliché but you are the most important thing in the world to someone and they cannot envision life without you. I think many of us have had periods in our lives when we feel we cannot go on and others would be better off without us. I have met hundreds of the families and friends of suicide victims through AFSP and have seen how their loss has affected them. For them, life goes on but there is an emptiness, a void that cannot be filled.

What can we do?

We, as a society, tend to treat mental illness like any other - we treat it for a little while, the patient gets better and then we can forget it. I am not a medical professional but my understanding is that this isn't so and my experience appears to back that conclusion. By being involved with AFSP and Out of the Darkness, I hope to bring attention to the problem and encourage others to get involved. I have been worked with other organizations over the years and great advances are being made in those areas but it seems like this is one segment of society that isn't. I find that to be unacceptable - don't you?

How to Get Involved

Please consider volunteering or participating in a walk in your area. If you would like more information you can check out the AFSP website at http://afsp.org or send me an email at valencia32photo@gmail.com and I will put you in touch with someone.

Where to Get Help

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) – http://afsp.org
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
• Crisis Text Line – text the word TALK to 741-741

Note: Tweet: AFSP provides help to anyone who needs them – whether you or someone you know. They are there to help in any way they can.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Chase Your Dreams

I think that, of all the things we "waste" during our lives, dreams are the saddest. When we are young, we all have dreams; "I'm going to be an astronaut.", "I'm going to cure the common cold.", "I want to be an explorer.", etc.... They were very real to us and we were sincere but then we'd watch a movie and want to be a cowboy or a pirate. As we get older, we dream of being the underdog and rising against all odds, like Rocky or eradicating hunger throughout the world. We knew no limits.

As we get older, we may learn that we are claustrophobic so being an astronaut is out and the pirate's life is not as glamorous as we originally thought. We learn that dreaming is good but you have responsibilities; the mortgage company does not care that you are the best table tennis player in the county. We hold on to the dreams but they are reserved for quiet moments of reflection waiting for the weekly status meeting to start.

Harry Chapin once sang, "you're supposed to dream when you are young."^* Is this true? Do we run out of time to make the dream a reality? When is it "too late" and why don't we realize it beforehand? What held us back to begin with? So many questions but what are the answers?

There are certainly outside influences, such as physical limitations or some life-changing event that forces you in a different direction; a broken leg may not heal properly, dashing your dream of being an Olympic sprinter. Your family and friends may support your dream to a degree but urge you to “think long-term” and question how you will be able to make a living. This is a very strong influence and can plant the seed of doubt that we cannot prevent from growing.

I think the most common reason might come from insecurity. We just don’t know if we are good enough and that keeps us from trying. When you have done your best, and it isn’t good enough, that is a bitter pill to swallow. The fear isn’t necessarily of failure but of learning we weren’t as good as we thought and that is terrifying. We may not even be conscious of it. It’s like being at the edge of a creek you want to cross – you can try to jump the five feet to the other bank or walk a quarter mile to the footbridge. Do you take the leap or the safe route? Too often we decide to go the “safe route.”

Of course, not everyone turns their back on the dreams. A world without dreamers would not only be boring but we would probably still be drawing pictures on cave walls. Every generation has their dreamers who aren’t afraid – whether they dream of building a new country, explore the universe or, yes, cure the common cold. Without them there would be no telephone, no automobiles and no Beatles! Can you imagine a life without The Beatles? Aunt Mimi told John Lennon, “Playing the guitar is all very well, John, but you'll never make a living at it.” Thankfully he didn’t listen to her, in fact, years later he had those words put on a placque and hung it over her fireplace.

That’s what it boils down to – find your dream, put your head down and charge at it with all you’ve got. If it works out, great! If it doesn’t, learn from it and move on. It could be that your dream was unrealistic or maybe you weren’t quite prepared. You can re-group and try again or turn to something else. The important thing is that you tried. When you try, there are two possible outcomes – success and failure. When you don’t try, the only possible outcome is, essentially, failure. It’s been said that at the end of your life you don’t regret the things you did as much as you regret the things you didn’t do. Go out and take the chance. Give your dream a shot. It may not work out but that’s okay. Failure doesn’t define you as a person unless you let it.

So, Harry was right – you are supposed to dream when you are young – but don’t stop there. Seize the day. Chase your dream. Don’t let anyone get in your way or into your head. You don’t want to be sitting at a desk one day and wonder, “What if?”

^* "Dreams Go By" by Harry Chapin

Mayor of the Park

Have you ever walked by something a hundred times and never really looked at it? I mean, you see it there but you never really took the time to look at it. This park bench is something that I walked past more times than I can count but, to me, it was always just a park bench; nothing worth examining. Ah, I turned out to be wrong....

I was out on my usual lunchtime walk through Lake Topanemus Park when some movement caught my eye so I stopped to see what it was. It turned out to be a robin landing on the back of a park bench, this park bench. The bird flew off as quickly as it had come in and was gone before I could get a shot off but I noticed the hats hanging off the back of the bench. I thought it was odd, I could understand one (1) hat - someone could have found it on the ground and hung it there for the owner to see when they realized it was missing - but there were two (2) hats. That had to be significant so I walked over to the bench and looked at it from the front. That is where I saw the plaque dedicating the bench to George & Montana. My first thought was that George and Montana were a couple of lifelong friends who would meet at the park and talk about old times; that would explain two hats. I could picture them sitting on the bench, watching the birds come and go, fish jumping in the lake, squirrels, chipmunks, etc... and talking. What a great way to spend the afternoon!

The more I thought about the two men and the bench the more I thought maybe I was wrong. I have never heard of anyone being named "Montana" (I know it is possible, after all there is a Dakota....) but it wouldn't be unreasonable to think that maybe Montana was a dog. THAT made sense! I could see them walking to the bench, George with his baseball cap and a light windbreaker and Montana walking beside him. Montana would have to be a large dog - possibly German Shepherd or a Labrador Retriever - and he most certainly was George's constant companion and friendly. They would walk to the bench and maybe have lunch while taking in the sun in the summer or watching the leaves change color and fall to the ground in autumn. How many hours did they spend at that bench? How many people stopped to say hello to George or to pet Montana? How many just walked by without noticing like I did with the bench?

The more I thought about that bench the more I wished I had met George and Montana and spent time getting to know them. I don't know why but I think the three of us would have enjoyed sitting in the noonday sun talking about nothing in particular. Now, I may be completely wrong and George may have been married to a lovely lady named Montana who liked wearing baseball caps. They may have been brothers. Who knows? Who cares? It doesn't really matter who George & Montana were, what matters is that they are no longer around but their family and friends loved them enough to set up a memorial at a place that was special for them. That is the real story behind the bench; George and Montana were special. Isn't that what we all want in the end; to matter enough to someone that they would memorialize you for all the world to see?

Postscript: I originally wrote the above post for another blog in September 2015 and then set out to find out exactly who George and Montana were. I spoke with Greg, Lake Topanemus Commissioner, and he filled in the blanks for me. It turns out the George was George Buttacavoli and Montana is believed to have been a wolfhound. George was called the "Mayor of the Park" by those who knew him and people would stop to talk or play with Montana. It seems fishing and politics were a couple topics that were towards the top of the list. George died suddenly of a heart attack in December 2012 at the age of 63 and Montana was sent to a rescue in Northern New Jersey. The more I learned of George and Montana, the more I wish I had discovered the park a few years earlier and had the pleasure of knowing them. I have been back to the park many times since taking these photos and pass by the bench virtually every time. There have been occasions when I do not pass by the bench; I stop and sit on the bench and wonder what George would want to talk about....

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Hiking Through History: Monmouth Battlefield - Part III; Molly Pitcher

Molly Hays trailhead

Welcome to the 3^rd "Hiking Through History" post covering Monmouth Battlefield. The Molly Hays Trail (1.07 miles) retraces the steps of Molly Hays during the Battle of Monmouth. The following is the description from the brochure:

Molly Hays Trail: The Molly Hays Trail begins at the Perrine-Conover House parking lot, joins the Washington trail, and then swings west to overlook the spring that provided water to Washington’s army. The first segment of this trail can be used to link the Conover-Perrine House parking lot to the other marked trails.

A panoramic view of the battlefield from where Molly fought

Molly Hays (aka: Molly Pitcher) was born Mary Ludwig; born in 1754, near Trenton, New Jersey. According to legend, at the Battle of Monmouth, Mary, wife of artilleryman William Hays, carried water to cool both the cannon and the soldiers in her husband’s battery—hence the nickname “Molly Pitcher.” Molly was a common nickname for Mary during this time. Legend also asserts that when William Hays collapsed or was wounded, she took her husband’s place in the gun crew for the rest of the battle. There are other accounts that claim it was not her husband who collapsed but another soldier and that she fought side-by-side with her husband. An eyewitness account of Molly's fighting is on record in the National Archives:

"While in the act of reaching a cartridge ... a cannon shot from the enemy passed directly between her legs without doing any other damage than carrying away all the lower part of her petticoat. ... She observed that it was lucky it did not pass a little higher... and continued her occupation."

The entrance to the woods where Molly retrieved the water

The trail cuts across a large field heading towards a wooded area where the Perrine Hill Spring runs; this is where Molly retrieved the water to bring to the men on the battlefield. There are two information stations on the wooden platform overlooking the spring which is somewhere at the bottom of a tall, steep hill. One of the placards states that the temperature on the battlefield was 100°F that day. I cannot image what it was like hauling water in that heat, it was only about 62°F when I was there and the sun made it feel quite a bit warmer when I was in the middle of the field.

Panoramic view of the woods - Perrine Hill Spring is below.

Molly stayed with the Continental Army and her husband through the end of the war. In 1783 she and William moved back to Carlisle where they had both met and were married. After William's death she married John M^cCauley, working in Carlisle for the State House. In 1822 the Pennsylvania Legislature honored Molly for her services during the war presenting her with a $40 award; continuing to award her $40 each year until she died in January 1832. There is a monument commemorating her heroic performance on the battlefield. Pitcher remained with the Continental Army until the war ended, then moved back to Carlisle with Hays in April 1783. Following her husband's death, she married a war veteran named John McCauley and worked in the State House in Carlisle. She was honored by the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1822 for her wartime services, receiving an award of $40 and an annual commission of the same amount for the rest of her life. She died on January 22, 1832, in Carlisle, where a monument commemorates her heroic acts in battle.

For more information about Monmouth Battlefield State Park, check out the links below:

• New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry - Monmouth Battlefield State Park
• Park brochure and map (downloadable PDF)
• Friends of Monmouth Battlefield

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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An Open Letter to Mel Brooks

Dear Mr. Brooks:

I have so many things I want to say to you and questions to ask but I will try to keep this somewhat brief.

The first thing I would ask you if we ever met would be "How the hell did you get to be so funny?!?!" I mean, you have written some of the funniest television shows, movies and plays ever! It's not even just your writing - you are a funny guy. Period! I would bet that you could re-create the radio broadcast of the Hindenburg disaster and have everyone rolling in the aisles. I could listen to The 2,000 Year Old Man a million times and still cry. It helps to have a straight-man like Carl Reiner; actually, when the "straight-man" in a bit is Carl Reiner that says a lot!

I have been asked to name a favorite Mel Brooks movie and I just look at the crazy person in front of me. Picking a favorite Mel Brooks movie is like picking a favorite Beatles song; name one and you immediately think of another that you like more! I would say that - if pressed - I rank The Producers as one of the funniest movies ever made. The casting was incredible, the premise a genius and the performances flawless. I watch it every chance I get. Who wouldn't love Franz Liebkind - "Baby! Baby!... Why does he say this 'baby'? The Führer has never said "baby". I did not write, 'baby'. What is it with this, 'baby'?" or Leo Bloom going into a frenzy and cuddling his blue blanket? I am so glad you cast Zero Mostel as Max Bialystock, I don't think Topal would have been able to pull it off....

I have lost count of the number of times I have said "I got it! I got it! I got it! I ain't got it." That is one of my favorite lines from High Anxiety and I love it when someone recognizes it. I recently read an interview you gave in which you discuss High Anxiety and the reaction you got from Alfred Hitchcock. What a great story!

I have been asked "If you could spend an hour talking to anyone - past or present - who would you pick?" I have had different answers but the name Mel Brooks was never mentioned. How could I possible spend just an hour?? It might take 20 minutes just to get over the fact that I am sitting with you and be able to speak. I'm sure the next 40 minutes I would be crying hysterically and trying not to have "an accident."

On a more serious note, I would ask "Do you think you could get away with Blazing Saddles today?" It seems we are so hyper-sensitive as a society that some might think the humor to be too toxic. It seems that in order to poke fun of a particular segment of the population you have to be a member of that segment. Do you agree?

Well, I said I was going to try to be brief and neither of us is getting any younger so I am going to end with this final thought - the word "genius" gets thrown around easily these days but you are a true comedic genius. Thank you for all the laughs you have provided over the years, I am truly grateful. Who knew a Jew could be funny?

Regards,
Joe Valencia

Interview with Journalist Bill Bowman

Bill Bowman was born in a military hospital in New Jersey and grew up in an "army brat" but the most exotic place he lived was Long Branch, New Jersey. When he was about 12 he moved all the way to its Northern neighbor, Oceanport. It was then that we met and became friends. He attended Christian Brothers Academy and we lost touch for many years. He had gone on to Livingston College and a career in journalism, which ultimately lead to a job reporting for the Asbury Park Press, one of the major newspapers in the area. After his tenure with the Press he went on to found his own subscription-based on-line news outlet called The Franklin Reporter & Advocate. He is married to a successful jazz singer, PJ, and together they are quite active in animal rescue causes. When Bill is not working, he can be found cycling – whether for exercise or to raise money for charity – or sitting in the audience listening to PJ sing.

Bill has also written two (2) non-fictions books - Savage Lies, The Half-Truths, Distortions and Outright Lies of a Right-Wing Blowhard and Murderer of the Year. Savage Lies gets behind the comments of right-wing radio host Michael Savage (nee Weiner) and exposes the lies he uses to support his positions. Murderer of the Year brings you behind the scenes of an investigation and trial that rocked the small, upscale borough of Metuchen, New Jersey.

Personal Questions

What is your favorite childhood memory?

My favorite childhood memory would have to be when the physics finally kicked in, and I could ride my bike without training wheels. We were living on Fort Monmouth at the time, so I was maybe 5 or 6 years old, and I can distinctly remember my Dad holding the back of my seat and steadying me as I pedaled. Then, suddenly, his hand was gone! I wobbled for a few seconds or maybe a minute, but whatever mystical forces come into play when your body finds its balance did, and I remember looking back over my shoulder and seeing him with this huge smile on his face.

What are the five foods you can’t live without?

1) Spaghetti
2) Meatballs
3) Hot Dogs
4) Delicious Orchards’ apple cider doughnuts
5) Pizza
God, I’m healthy. Lol.

What’s the best advice anyone has given you and who gave it to you?

Various people over the years: You can only do the best you can do.
(Joe: great advice)

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren't working?

Listening to music, preferably jazz and blues, but I also like classical, R&B and good old-fashioned rock ‘n roll. And sleep. Sleeping is always good.

If you could spend an hour with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

I would love to spend an hour with Barack Obama, and pick his brain about what he’s endured the past eight years.
(Joe: that would be interesting, he seems like a genuinely nice guy to sit and have a beer with.)

Professional Questions

Why journalism?

Because I suck at math. I’ve always been a nosey person. When I was little, living in Long Branch, my friends and I used to count the blasts from the fire house horn to see where a fire was located, and then we’d shoot over on or bikes to see what was going on. I dabbled in it a little in high school – one of my English teachers was a reporter for the Asbury Park Press – but didn’t really get the bug until college. I enjoy bringing things to light and being able to help people, in the limited capacity that I have to do so.

Can you explain your style in 10 words or less?

Laid-back.

What is your greatest journalistic achievement?

In 1997, I wrote a series of articles that led to the establishment of an $8 million program in the state to provide every fire department and fire academy in New Jersey with a thermal imaging camera. Not many had them at the time because they cost about $25,000, but they are life-saving tools. The legislation – the first of its kind in the country – was created with the help of then-Assemblymen Christopher “Kip” Bateman and the late Peter Biondi, and signed by Gov. Christine Whitman. I remember how proud I felt at the ceremony where the first batch of cameras were presented to fire companies at the Middlesex County Fire Academy. A similar bill was introduced in the US Congress, but never went anywhere.
(Joe: that is certainly something to be proud of)

If you could work for any newspaper, past or present, which would it be?

I think it would have been cool to work for one of the New York City newspapers during the 30s and 40s, when newspapers were king and the competition was intense.

Where do you draw inspiration from when you write and what’s your favorite part about the process?

My inspiration comes from knowing people depend on me to tell them what’s going on. My favorite part about the process is when it’s over. Lol.

Bonus question:

What are your Top 5 "Deserted Island" albums?

1. “Dreams Are Meant For Two” by PJ Parker
2. “The Rising” by Bruce Springsteen
3. “The Seeger Sessions” by Springsteen
4. “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse
5. Cast album of Les Miserables.

To learn more about Bill and his books, please check out the links below.
The Franklin Reporter & Advocate - http://franklinreporter.com/
Bill Bowman - http://bbowman.net/
Savage Lies, The Half-Truths, Distortions and Outright Lies of a Right-Wing Blowhard - http://bbowman.net/?page_id=90
Murderer of the Year - http://bbowman.net/?page_id=95

Hiking Through History: Monmouth Battlefield - Part II; George Washington

This is the second installment of Hiking Through History and I am still at Monmouth Battlefield. The first post was about the Visitor Center and Combs Hill, today I will take you to the battlefield and the .86 mile Washington Trail. The following trail description is taken from the park brochure:

"Washington Trail: This trail leads to the main Continental Army position. Back-and-forth along this hill, Washington rode, encouraging his men and organizing a counter-attack as the British began withdrawing."

Now, I think it is important to say that I am not a history buff and that history was always one of my worst subjects when I was in school. That is what makes this hike even more special than just some time in the great outdoors. As I was walking along the trail taking in the beauty of the autumn day I couldn’t help but think back to June 1778 and imagine what was happening in the exact place where I was walking. The wooden fence shown here couldn’t possibly be a relic from the battle but I could almost see men kneeling behind it and taking aim. I often found myself stopping and looking towards the east trying to envision the British soldiers in the field and what it must have felt like to be there during the battle. I stood in the very spot that Molly Hays, aka Molly Pitcher, stood and fired upon the British when one of the soldiers fell – watch for a post about that trail coming soon.

The black & white image above was taken while kneeling behind the battlefield fence, looking towards the Sutfin House. This is a view that the soldiers would have had during the battle. The house is very interesting in on it's own and I will write about it at a later date.

It took longer than usual for me to hike this trail because I stopped at each of the information stations along the way and took pictures from that perspective. I have been to a number of places that claim “George Washington Slept Here” but I was on the ground where he commanded troops and that was somehow magical. If you stand still and are real quiet you can almost hear the roar of the cannons; or maybe it is the roar of the cars speeding by, I can’t be too sure.

When I was approaching the end of the trail I looked ahead and saw a couple of people walking dogs. I looked to my left to take a photo and when I turned back they were gone. The trail had a slight curve to it between where I was and where I had seen them and the grass was high so I thought I would meet up with them as I walked. I didn’t! I got to where the trail turned to go back to the parking lot (this is the spot that I saw the other walkers) and they were nowhere to be seen. The first thought I had was that they were soldiers who never left the battlefield and I was a little spooked. I then noticed that there was a trail to my right (this is the Lafayette Trail, watch for an upcoming post) and they were about 40 yards up that trail. They saw me and we exchanged waves. I actually stopped about 20 feet away and turned, just to make sure they were still there. I felt a bit foolish when I got back to the parking lot; their new, full-size pickup truck was parked next to my car….

Dave Evans: Songwriter, Performer and Friend

I met Dave at a job interview; he was looking to hire a programmer and I was looking to be hired. I had been on many interviews in my life but this one was different. We had just met but I was very comfortable and it seemed like we had known each other for a long time. I ultimately got the job and we quickly became good friends. We found that we had a common bond with music; we both play guitar and are more than casual fans of The Beatles. He is also a songwriter and a very good one at that. That was just over 10 years ago and I have had the privilege of watching his songwriting, performing and recording mature in leaps and bounds.

I mentioned earlier that we both play guitar but that is a little misleading. I played a long time ago - classical guitar mostly - and just fool around every once in a while. There have been a few times when I have gone to Dave's and we play some of his songs together but my playing isn't quite up to snuff. His playing gets better all the time. We have a long-distance writer-collaborator relationship that has been a lot of fun and rather productive. Dave will write a song - sometimes he just get a melody or chord progression he likes, sometimes just lyrics - and send a rough recording to me. I listen to it a number of times - usually 2 or 3 in a row and then come back to it a little later for a few more listens - and give him my thoughts. I almost never have a comment about the lyric but will offer some feedback about the accompaniment. He is the artist and, ultimately, it is his voice that comes through.

Dave's biggest influence is The Beatles and, in particular, John Lennon. You can feel this in his lyrics - he often writes of love or the social ills of this world. It is my opinion that his songs of love are his best work and I know they are his most personal. There is a geniuneness to his music that I feel sets him apart from a lot of other singer/songwriters out there today. He considers his style to be "classic rock" but he throws in a little bit of jazz, blues and country from time-to-time. Like most singer-songwriters the guitar is center stage for most songs but don't be surprised to hear piano, strings and horns show up from time-to-time.

Dave is currently putting the finishing touches on a few of his songs and looking forward to putting out his third album. You're going to hear a lot about Dave in the coming months - I plan on writing more about his music and specific songs. I also suspect you will be hearing about him from others, too. He is too talented not to be "out there" and it won't be long before he is. The video of "Mary's Song" is one that was done a few years ago and it has changed a little in the intervening time but it is my favorite song and I want to share it with you.

Mary's Song on YouTube

I recently interviewed Dave for this blog - you can read that interview here, Interview with Songwriter Dave Evans.

Dave has an Artist page on BandCamp where you can listen to more of his music, as well as purchase songs. His page is https://daveevanssolo.bandcamp.com and I encourage you to check it out as soon as you finish reading this post. If you are interested in publishing or recording some of his songs - his contact information is on his BandCamp page.

I would love to hear what you think of his music - check out his page, listen to some songs and come back to leave a comment below. I'm sure you will become a fan, just like me! Thanks for stopping by.

Interview with Food Blogger Carol Taylor

Carol Taylor, aka Caz, is a retired Civil Servant from England who is now living among the rubber trees in Thailand. She now spends her time pursuing her passions – cooking and writing, sometimes even writing about cooking! She is working on a novel and is getting ready to publish a second collection of short stories with some of her writing friends. In her circle of writing friends, Lola, Sophia and Ethel, she is the whimsical one they call Roxy (don’t ask, she would tell me.) Carol had told her daughter, a cancer survivor, that she would run a marathon and she did; she has the medal to prove it but don’t expect to see her line up again anytime soon.

I have enjoyed reading Carol’s posts but it can be difficult to do on an empty stomach because everything looks so good. As I write this I am looking at her Apple Pie and thinking about her Alcoholic Hot Chocolate. She also has written about the differences in what foods and ingredients are called – You Call It What! and What do you call it???? are terrific reads. Look below for a link to her Niume profile and other writings.

Now, it is my pleasure to give unto you – Carol Taylor in her own words!

Personal questions

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Red Shoes and what girl doesn't at some point want a pair of red shoes. I was quite young 11 ish and was out with my mum for sturdy school shoes...I wanted these red ones so every pair she made me try on..hurt me too big , too small anything. She got fed and marched me home. Telling my dad could take me to get school shoes. My dad was the authoritarian and stood no nonsense from us girls. He took me , asked me what pair I wanted...Me..little madam pointed to the RED ones. So we tried them on...a perfect fit and he bought them. My first pair of Red shoes. Looking back I am sure he got an ear bashing...lol
(Joe: great story. Reminds me of when I was 13 or 14 - I wanted red Puma Clyde suede sneakers. They cost $25 and my parents refused to buy them. I cut grass all summer and used some of the money to buy the sneakers before school started.)

What are the five foods you can’t live without?

Chillies, of couse..lol. Thai basil, Rice, Indian curry and coconut juice.

What’s the best advice anyone has given you and who gave it to you?

My best friend Jilly who sadly is no longer here. Once told me never to forget that I was ME before I was a mum. I love my kids and would do anything for them but I also leave time for me..to cook, to write and not so long ago my big son told me I had always been his inspiration and that's why he had got to where he was and he flies high and is also a great dad. Now I am blubbing..your fault...lol
(Joe: that is great advice. Once we become parents it seems we tend to lose "us" and we shouldn't.)

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren't cooking?

Writing...My passion and I always say my fingers are an extension of my mouth...I just write and walking i love...when was younger I used to run to free my mind but not now....

If you could spend an hour with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

Steven Hawking...what wonderful mind that man has..I would have so many questions about the universe..

Professional questions

Why cooking?

Why not??? I love to cook...I also like to know what is in my food so I think that ultimately drives me. I buy no processed food I make practically everything but without being obsessed because sometimes you just can't make it ..so then if I really want it's moderation.

Can you explain your style in 10 words or less?

I just cook from the heart.

What is the best thing you ever cooked?

I think you best ask them that eat my food that question..lol.. I can tell you the worst...Many of those...like the time I first used garlic and when it said clove I used the bulb...but I learnt.
(Joe: that's funny.... with that much garlic you don't have to worry about vampires for a long, long time!)

What is one thing, culinarily, that you wish you could do better, and why?

Beautiful presentation...When I see some of the dishes and how beautifully they are presented...My food..I get lots compliments on taste but would love to serve a dish where as it approached the table everyone went WOW...just by looking...You did ask..lol

Where do you draw inspiration from when you cook and what’s your favorite part about the process?

I used to be recipe driven and living here has taught me to be ingredient driven...so most times I look at what I have and cook..I substitute if Ihaven't got an ingredient and I taste and I can now taste a dish and tell you all that is it or most.....So I am inspired by Taste I suppose.

Bonus question:

What are your Top 5 "Deserted Island" albums?

Oh..That's a big ask so many wonderful albums and my taste is diverse but here goes.

• Paolo Nuttini...These Streets.
• Rod Stewart...Still the same... A great rocker
• The Rat Pack...Sammy Davis J, Frank Sinatra and James Dean.
• Handels Water music...I have old single and it was the only music my daughter would go to sleep for and she drove her brother mad when she able to put it on for herself..lol
• Lastly ohhhh a Bit of Buddy and Elvis

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Carol better. As promised you will find links to more of Carol's posts and writings below.

• Carol can be found on Niume - https://niume.com/profile/42183#!/posts
• Retired? No one told me! - https://blondieaka.wordpress.com/
• Follow Carol on Twitter - @TheRealCarolT

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All photos are the property of Carol Taylor and may not be used without written permission.

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