What are some little things that you do for yourself that bring you peace and calm? I think one of the reasons we’ve kept “A Collection” going for so long is because of how it makes me feel. I could look at pictures like these on an endless loop and never get tired of it. I’ve often wondered too, when creating these posts, what makes me decide that I’m done? Is it because I think 50-ish photos is enough for people to be enticed by it, but leave them wanting more? Maybe it’s because any more and I will feel sorry for it eating up the loading time for a visitor. There’s no rhyme or reason and each time we post it’s different. It is one of the series regulars that has no consistency or format. That could either really bother someone a lot or not, I don’t know.
Whatever the case, I hope it brings you some light into your life this weekend the way it did mine. Everyone please wear a mask, stay safe, be kind to each other, and check in with someone you haven’t spoken with in some time.
I was hoping that I would find coverage on this “micro” wedding that occurred this past week and lo and behold, Vogue had it featured. Like many other couples, Kerry Anne and Michael’s dream wedding was also impacted by COVID-19. The date for their “micro” wedding had been set, but while they were planning for their day, protests around the country were being ignited. While some couples may have opted to avoid the commotion, Kerry Anne and Michael found themselves right in the middle. These photographs are not only stunning, but they will go down in history for being a part of this iconic and massive movement.
For their entire couple story and many more photos, visit the [source]
It hasn’t been easy seeing all of my friends having to postpone what will be the most important day in their lives. This was supposed to be a big wedding year for us and it’s all of a sudden not. Some of my friends have decided to postpone an entire year while others are still finding ways to honor their original date. I’ve been waiting to find the perfect socially distanced quarantine wedding to share with all of you for Wedding Mondays and I think we did!
Elaine Welteroth and Jonathan Singletary met as kids at church through their mothers. It wasn’t until adulthood that they would finally end up together. Their story depicts how they planned to marry in their hometown of where they met back home, but COVID-19 had other plans. Not wanting to let go of their original date – 5/10/20 the couple moved forward and married right on their stoop. Following the exchanging of their vows was the best wedding block party I’ve ever seen! The photos are a must to look at, but we’ve also got a video that captures it all. For the full story, check out their wedding feature on [Vogue]
It’s safe to say that this is the first time I’ve ever created “A Collection” while in quarantine. Let’s hope that in this lifetime, we don’t ever have to live through another pandemic. I used to look forward to these posts for a number of reasons. They were so different than any of the usual posts that I normally did for Yow Yow! Instead of spending a lot of time around the words I was using, this was my visual diary. It was calming for me to dig through the archives of Tumblr accounts I manually followed (I don’t have a Tumblr account!) and make a decision on what photos to include. It wasn’t always a simple yes or no. There’s certainly an intent for each one that is selected and for how I’m feeling at the moment.
Being in Shelter-in-Place now already for a month and a half, I thought I would have gotten to this post much sooner. It seems like I’ve found my calm through a number of other outlets during this time.
I’ve been rereading some of the last few posts I’ve written and it’s not hard to detect a bit of frustration in my words. I can’t even pinpoint it to one thing exactly. It’s the administration, or the fact that people are breaking quarantine, job loss, but also increased reporting of xenophobia. All these negative outcomes that I never thought could all be related (among others that I haven’t listed) are because of COVID-19. In a way, this has taught me a lot about consequences and impact. Reaching some peak anxiety tonight, watching this video came at the right time.
The video reminds me that I’m not alone. And sometimes even when we think we’re doing okay, we think we don’t need to hear that, but we do. Quarantine isn’t just happening in my city or my country; it’s everywhere but yet we forget. These emotions and overwhelming feelings are felt by many others in the world. This race to finish what’s in our fridge before things expire is not just a game that I play by myself. Counting while washing my hands to make sure it’s an appropriate time is now routine. “A Social Distance” brings us all together at once and was filmed in 30 different countries featuring a wide range of people.
The short film directed by [Ivan Cash] and [Jacob Jonas] was made through compiled clips sent by everyone and filmed via Zoom. However you may be feeling today, I hope this brings you a little bit of joy or a smile.
Somehow we’ve really nailed the timing of these posts and every time we’re due for one it’s right around New Year’s! But if I’m being honest, the New Year is when I’m feeling my most creative and inspired. These photographs represent that and my current state of feelings. I can’t believe this is the 56th post for “A Collection!” It’s not a significant number by any means; I’m just amazed we’ve had this many.
I love going back and visiting A Collection 1-10 or 10-20 because even those represent a much different time than how I feel presently. In a way, these happen to be my own personal journals, but written in the form of other people’s photos.
May your new year and new decade be full of life, simplicity, and joy.