Kathleen Thompson
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Achievements (1)
Stories (28)
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Bringing Artistry to Photography
As a professional photographer of 35 years, I have spent plenty of time in a darkroom watching the magic of seeing an image come up as I would take a sheet of photo sensitive paper, expose it to light in an enlarger, then move that sheet through various chemical steps in the developing process. As always, things change. Mid-career, thousands of images later, the digital age leapt forward; so I packed up my darkroom equipment for storage. Instead of hours in the darkroom, I spent my time learning some of the premiere photo programs like Photoshop and Lightroom, which I now currently use to produce my final photos. The digital age was necessary for many reasons; including eliminating the toxicity of chemicals in photo processing, making way for faster work turn-around times, and simply giving more people access to learning photography.
By Kathleen Thompson5 years ago in Photography
EXIT DATE
As a child, Hartley was born with imperfect teeth, a dental condition called Dentinogenesis imperfecta which resulted in a lack of enamel and was reflected in a smile of yellowed, chipped teeth. Hartley rarely smiled because when she did, she felt the judging glare of her classmates. Sometimes kids would yell out “Hartley, why are your teeth so yellow? Don’t you brush them?!” At first, it hurt her feelings to hear those comments, so she would shy away on the playground and become a recluse. But then she learned better. She became accustomed to pulling away from her classmates at recess. She sat on a swing, went quietly inside her own skin, and became still, resulting in a beautiful gift that allowed her immunity from ridicule as a child and served her all the days of her life. The gift? She became an astute observer.
By Kathleen Thompson5 years ago in Humans
Northville
My introduction to the town next door- Just 10 minutes from the town where I grew up is the city of Northville. I’d often go visit my friend Susan who lived there for many years. On one such occasion I went into the downtown area and saw the latest children’s theatre production announced on display on Northville’s historic 100-year-old "Marquis Theatre" that said; “Alice In Wonderland.” As a photographer I immediately had an idea. I would ask Susan to drive my car with her dog Maggie in the front seats while I took some wide shots as we travelled around the block several times. I was picturing the two of them in my little car driving into a magical place which I would emphasize and highlight by hand-painting the town, complete with the “Alice & Wonderland ” signage while keeping the vehicle black & white in the final print. Susan drove around the block about 5 times while I stood in the back seat holding the roll bar so I wouldn't fall, as I clicked away grabbing the shot I was visualizing in my mind. At one point, Maggie moved her paw into the foreground near the gear shift. Through my lens it looked as if she was co-piloting the vehicle! That’s when I knew I had my shot. I titled the photo “Follow My Bliss,” a favorite quote of mine from the late author Joseph Campbell.
By Kathleen Thompson5 years ago in Wander
The Clearing
Dear Reader, before you begin to read my story - I thought you might enjoy a lovely piece of music to set the tone for your own personal "walk" as you read my story. My amazing nephew, Scott David Thompson wrote this lovely piece of music which accompanies my words beautifully and sets the tone for the places in your heart I hope my story will inspire you to visit. So click on the musical link below, close your eyes, listen, and then read "The Clearing" - hoping that this experience guides you to some memory that is wanting to be remembered, honored, and/or bring you peace.
By Kathleen Thompson5 years ago in Wander
Creamy Carrot Soup & Blueberry Pie in the Sky
I've known my dear friend Pam for twenty two years. She is currently dealing with cancer. Because of the pandemic and her compromised immune system, our visits have shifted from meeting once a week at a local restaurant to connecting for a meal (safely, socially distancing away from the crowds) outside on her front porch. Picking up take-out is sometimes on the menu, but as I thought about her health and her personal food favorites, one soup came to mind and has became more often than not, our weekly stable dish to share - Creamy Carrot Soup. Making this healthy soup is truly a meditation for me and it is a way to support Pam's healing. Sometimes I will bring an Asiago roll to accompany the soup and a piece of "Blueberry Pie in the Sky" for dessert. When a friend or family member is seriously ill it is a wake-up call to honor each moment you still have with them, and to make more conscious food choices to support their physical well-being and potential healing as well. Making this tasty, grounding soup is one of the ways I tell Pam that I love her - our meal time brings us both comfort and celebrates our connection and our gratitude for our long-standing friendship.
By Kathleen Thompson5 years ago in Feast
Raising the Vibration
On any given day, my focus may change and so will my music selections. In these last few weeks before the election, I have ramped up my intention to share information that will unite us as a country and perhaps affirm the right choice at the ballot booth. Music can inspire. Music can heal. Music can literally move us figuratively and literally to feel a certain way. So, on that note, a couple of weeks ago, I wrote a Facebook post to present a challenge with a specific outcome in mind. Here’s how it read:
By Kathleen Thompson5 years ago in Beat
Do You Have My Back?
I have viewed a lot of TikToks that have covered current events, entertainment, travel, politics, how-to, funny animal videos and many that are truly self-expressions of the creators. Those short videos, if used well can reveal so much and teach so much. My favorite TikToks are those that have been teachable moments. Maybe it is because I like learning. I like my widening my lens. I like becoming wiser. I think the TikTok app when used in the smartest way for the highest good can have powerful, far reaching results.
By Kathleen Thompson5 years ago in Humans
"Bella" Means Beautiful
My youngest sister Michelle is the *“Elly Mae Clampett” in my family in regards to connecting with animals – she has owned cats, dogs, rabbits, and currently is raising chickens and a rooster! Over the years, through her experiences, she has introduced me to the nuances of many different dog breeds that inhabit our world.
By Kathleen Thompson6 years ago in Petlife
The Sweetness of "Sugar"
About 15 years ago, my sister Michelle brought my 84-year-old Mom to various places in search of a dog or a puppy for her. It was the last stop on the route home where my Mom met “Sugar,“ an American Eskimo who totally lived up to her name in sweetness. Apparently, lucky for my Mom and our family, Sugar’s previous owner had brought her back to this pet seller because she wasn’t a match for that person’s household. Michelle gave my Mom the most wonderful gift when she stopped into that pet store that day - Sugar was then about 6 months old when my Mom first locked eyes with her for what would prove to be a divine pairing of souls.
By Kathleen Thompson6 years ago in Petlife
Creamy Carrot Soup
If you are looking for an entree that will tantalize some of your 10,000+ taste buds, this Creamy Carrot Soup will do just that. Some people might pair a wine or cocktail with this meal…I would just serve water as a beverage with this delicious soup so as not to alter any of the tastes you’ll encounter in a single savory spoonful. Instead, I might suggest pairing your meal with a good read like “A Natural History of the Senses,” by Diane Ackerman, or perhaps the poetry of Rumi? After all, even though we pine for the pandemic to be over, one benefit is having more time to make our meals a celebration of the senses while dually assisting our coping mechanisms… for as the famous French chef August Escoffier said, “soup puts the heart at ease.”
By Kathleen Thompson6 years ago in Feast
