There is no place like home, there is no place like home!




















































Playground Sails 08.30.08














Coleus Leaves 08.29.08













Garden Iris 08.28.08


Palm Leaves 08.27.08



Maple Leaf 08.26.08

Dalias 08.25.08






Dorothy said it in the Wizard of Oz, there is no place like home, something I had to keep in mind as I started my week off with a case of the flu that left me with little energy and a fever.

I did manage to find the backyard and tried to find some inspiration. The second day feeling not much better, so once again I found my way to the backyard looking for a photo for the day. By the third day I just figured I would try to find all my photos this week around the house. Because another thing Dorothy also said was "If you can't find what you're looking for in your own backyard", so I am happy to say that my first 5 photos as well as some of the others were taken in my yard, and today's photo was taken at the park in our neighborhood, which is like a second backyard when you live in the suburbs.

I am happy to report that I am feeling better and will be back out and about for my next post.

Have a great week!

Monique Jervan-Chilton

All you need is one











Falls hot color 08.24.08

West County Vineyard House 08.23.08

San Francisco Boats 08.22.08

Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon 08.21.08
Backyard Thomas 08.20.08
Hay in the Sunset 08.19.08

Piner Road Trees 08.18.08




At this moment, there are 6 billion, 4 hundred, 71 million, 8 hundred, 18 thousand, 6 hundred, and 71 people in the world.

Some are running scared
Some are coming home
Some tell lies to make it through the day
Others are just now facing the truth
Some are evil men at war with good,
And some are good, struggling with evil.
6 billion people in the world, 6 billion souls –
And sometimes, all you need is 1.



The very 1st day













My 1st day of School 8.20.08


Matthew with our friend Nolan 8.20.08


Our friend Makayla 8.20.08


My drawing 08.20.08


Listening to the teacher 08.20.08


Since most of what I have done here is talk about my photo project and share some kind of my thoughts, today’s is a special post for a special day.

Today was the 1st day………… of school for my son Matthew. It went really well and was a grand success. Below is the story I read Matthew last night as we readied for the special day.
I also included a few photos from the morning that we wanted to share.
-Monique Jervan-Chilton

THE NIGHT BEFORE KINDERGARTEN- Natasha Wing

‘Twas the night before kindergarten and as they prepared,
Kids were excited and a little bit scared.
They tossed and they turned about in their beds,
while visions of school supplies danced in their heads.

Erasers and crayons and pencils galore
were stuffed in their backpacks and set by the door.
Outfits were hung in closets with care,
knowing that kindergarten soon would be there.

In the morning it came – school starts today!
Would the teacher be nice? Would they still get to play?
Faces were washed, and teeth were brushed white;
Kids posed for pictures with eyes sparkling bright.
Parents packed snacks and kids hopped in cars
As if they were boarding a spaceship to Mars.

Some kids brought blankets or their favorite stuffed bear;
in hopes they could nap like they did in day care.
Their parents exclaimed: “You’re big kids – WOW!
Let us hold your bears and blankies for now.”

The parents were worried their children would cry
if they left them at school with just a good-bye.
So they told their darlings, “If you want, we can stay
and make sure that everything will be A-okay”
The teacher then greeted each one with a smile,
and invited the students to stay for a while.
The room was all filled with toys, books, and maps,
but where were the beds for midmorning naps?
They colored and painted and played Simon Says,
then tumbled and skipped and stood on their heads.
They sang silly songs from beginning to end.
Within just a minute, each kid had a friend.

The children were happy. They loved Miss Sunrise
It was she who was in for a giant surprise.
When what to her wondering eyes should appear
but sad moms and dads who were holding back tears!

Their noses – so sniffly! Their eyes – red and wet!
This was the saddest good-bye Miss Sunrise had seen yet!

She gathered the grown-ups on the magical rug,
then sent them away after one final hug.

The children all waved from the door of the school.
“Don’t cry, Mom and Dad; kindergarten is cool!”

The First 45 Days















Ducks at Dusk 08.17.08

Cloudy Sky 08.16.08

Vineyard Tree 08.15.08

Sunflower in the Sky 08.14.08

Fruits of Summer 08.13.08

Railroad Spike 08.12.08

Fence 08.11.08
Flower 08.10.08


Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values.-Ayn Rand



Today's photo marks my first 45 days working on this project. It has passed so quick. When I took on this goal, I wondered if I would really be able to make it past two weeks, thinking I would get busy and my journey would get lost in my day to day life, but as I stand here at the end of these first 45 days, I think I can really do this.

We can do anything we set in our minds, just keep remembering to take it step by step. I do not think to much about what photo I will take tomorrow, only the ones that I will take today. It is kind of nice just thinking about the moment, since so much of our lives are lived planning our tomorrows and the days that follow those tomorrows. I like these moments!

-Monique Jervan-Chilton

Do not let your fire go out!













Canoe on Russian River 08.09.08



Wildflower 08.08.09

Dodge Vintage Car 08.07.08


Plane Tail 08.06.08

Tree in the Summer Sky 08.05.08

Swim Lane 08.04.08


Rocks 08.03.08




Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplacable spark. In the hopeless swamps of the not quite, the not yet, and the not at all, do not let the hero in your soul perish and leave only frustration for the life you deserved, but never have been able to reach.

The world you desire can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours.-
Ayn Rand


I heard this quote during the past week and just really felt like this was what I wanted to share.

Thank you to all who have joined me in this journey, your kind words and support mean so much to me.
-Monique Jervan-Chilton