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Julie Dee's avatar

Love the pics Deb

Yes, a special season ❤️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you friend. I remember you commented the first time I published - about the cat(s) and being 20. Do you know since that time I have had a few more cats. All nice. Then I was somehow awarded with the most horrible feral cat in the world. She is 13 presently and I just don't know what to do with her. I have tried a few times to give her a cat friend but she won't have it even with the cat whisperer techniques. We could never have her indoor/outdoor at our old place but I am beginning to let her out more and more. She sits at the door and screams. I have never had a more destructive cat either. Just thought I'd mention this. lol. lol. oxox

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Julie Dee's avatar

Aww bless ya. A cantankerous cat😂😂 They are all such characters, hey? As with difficult family members, I think we get given difficult animals for a reason sometimes. My dog as a child was problematic. My mum always used to say she didn’t think anyone else would have offered having her😂 maybe you are the patience she needs right now ❤️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

This is exactly what I tell my grandchildren that wish they could go near her. Shame. She's beautiful too. Poor thing. We believe many "do gooders" find what they "think" are abandoned kittens when in fact their mum went hunting for food. We believe this was Reese's case and her sister. My friend's brother found them. She kept the sister. They are both the same 🤦‍♀️

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Julie Dee's avatar

Bless 💔❤️

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Kevin Maher's avatar

💚♦️

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Carly Owens's avatar

Mt Baldy is such a special place. My family loves going to the lodge because we have so many happy memories up there.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Carly, it truly is such a happy place. That lodge holds so many good memories. We lived kitty-corner to it, at a sharp angle, just past the lodge on the left - and we married there in that home. I'm so glad it gives you great memories too. ox

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Beryl G's avatar

What a great combination your years of photography experience now combined with your writing, bringing it to life.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you mom 🩷 It really is a blessing to be given a purpose to create. You and dad were my inspirations. I love you 😘 ox

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Threshold 🙏❤️ Beautiful Deb. You have been a witness and with it comes wisdom as you cross your own threshold too.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you Jamie. I am feeling the years and I am in awe of them. ox

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Michele Serra's avatar

Great Picture!! Something to treasure through life!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much Michele! I treasure all the images of our lives and I hope to give that back in a timeless way. It is an absolute blessing to work with this tender age.

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Kevin Maher's avatar

A Beautiful picture and a beautiful reply. Thanks 🙏

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much Kevin! and thank you for reading and for following me! I feel very blessed.

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Michele Serra's avatar

Thank you for sharing!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh wow! Thank you for reading! ox

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SonOfaGunn4321's avatar

Your photos always magically stop time. Loved that you got up the mountain to do what you do so well...& then write about it!!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you brother! You know it felt so good. I had been writing about youth and running through the hallways (John Mayer!), living life, letting go, etc. There was a story to tell about that threshold. It was right there on the mountain. It came with some physical pain, as you know, but the beauty was the time spent, and the medicine of writing it all out. Love you. oxox

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Jenni Madden's avatar

I want that back for America. America and Americans who truly cherish all the simple beauty and try to capture it in beautiful ways! :) God bless you, Deb and God bless America.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh Jenni, I want all of this too! I think what we do have is the power of prayer. Praying over the magnitude of things we can't control and then praying for the simple way of life. That we can find peace in what feels like chaos and push ahead living our lives to the best of our ability, taking in all the beauty that is still out there. God Bless you too and this beautiful country that God has given us to take care of. oxox

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Jenni Madden's avatar

Amen!

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Joyce's avatar

Absolutely beautiful 💙

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much dear Joyce! I hope you’re having a good evening! I imagine you are ready to sleep. It is tea-time here :). Sending you much love. ox

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The Braver Mom's avatar

Beautiful photos and beautiful words too! How I admire your creativity and generosity to share ❤️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so very much! That is the kindest compliment. I feel like creating is a life-line for me. I so appreciate you reading this and hope you're doing well. Is it graduation season for you with any of the kids? oxox

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The Braver Mom's avatar

It’s graduation season here too. No offspring graduating this time though. Next year, I have one and I so look forward to that. ♥️ have a great week Deborah!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh cheers to next year! Another year to keep rising! It was a hard four years for these kids. Wishing you a great week too. ox

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Shelly Schartau's avatar

Love this Deb! The story and the images!

So beautiful!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

B.F.F.!! Thank you so much! It was really fun and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity. I will be sending you some pics soon! This has been a really crazy week as I know you had as well! Love you. oxox

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Jenn's avatar

So sweet and beautiful Deb! A wonderful tribute to grads and a life well lived ❤️. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos, and I love the tender poem

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much Jenn! I absolutely love going up that mountain. Every single time I am reminded of our beginnings. I don't go often for that very reason. It's so special. Thank you for reading and for your kindness and loving comments always. Graduation season is truly special. Plus these young people went through a lot in recent years - so it's extra special to see some joy from them reaching this milestone. oxox

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Jenn's avatar

Yes, I hadn’t considered what all these kids had been through to graduate; you are right. Cheers to beginnings, both those gone by and remembered fondly and those that are coming to pass ❤️❤️❤️

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Monica P.'s avatar

Great photographs, memories and poem. Your descriptions were so realistic I could imagine being there.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so very much Monica! I am so excited that a few readers said they felt like they were there. I guess when places are close to our hearts, it's easier to walk our minds through them and put into words exactly how it felt and still feels to this day. I so appreciate your kindness. Sending you much love for a good week ahead! ox

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Kristi Breslau's avatar

Beautiful story, beautiful photos!

Once again, I’m transported to another time and place that I’ve never been to through your writing.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much sweet friend. I am so happy you felt like you were there. I walked you through my life with John at the very beginning :). It's so good to go back to those places where life was more innocent. Sending you my love always. oxox

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Julie Dee's avatar

Gorgeous photos and memories.

“rescued a cat, lost a cat, rescued another cat” - love it. You were at 20 who I aspire to be😂😂

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much Julie :) Means a ton to me. oxox

And ha ha! I want to be this person all the time now. I made a joke to my husband the other day and said, "maybe I'm allergic to my family?" I just want to write, rescue animals and walk in forests (or garden). lol. I adore my grandchildren though! They keep me hopping and they somehow remove all my energy <insert delirious face>

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Julie Dee's avatar

I hear you.

Yes rescuing animals and wandering nature sounds like a plan I could definitely get on board with :)

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Joan Stommen's avatar

Your dabble in poetry is paying off… this is a beauty! Glad you’ve ’signed it!’ And the beginning of your love story, right here! Feels like I’m right there, gliding down the hills…never been there , it sounds magical! 😊🥰You’ve shone a spotlight on this graduation season, the photos show your gifted skills, your words touching every parent’s heart as they reach this milestone of life. Great essay my friend; dancing words that weave just right as they flow brilliantly from your hands and heart. 🫶❤️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Dear Joan, thank you so so much! I had to stop and write it and didn't change a thing. Another stream of conscious. Sometimes I think, when will this end? I have been so full of feeling and it will just burst. Mount Baldy is a very special place. We constantly pray over our mountains that they are protected. I'm glad you felt like you were there! It's truly like that and that's how it was when I lived there. I adore photographing these moments. It's always so fun to get out and throw myself back in. Thank you for reading and for your oh-so-kind compliments!! These milestones bring me tears too. Just watching the parent watch as we work is emotional. oxox

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