Ye Olde Film

I came into possession of this tried and true classic thanks to some friends at church. Loaded my first roll of film today. I learned how to shoot on film, but it was a Canon with all the bells and whistles. This #Pentaxk1000 just feels so solid and mechanical, like a real tool. I've ordered the special battery for it; until then, I'm having to guess the speed without the built-in light meter. There's something so satisfying about manual focus, the noiseless click of the shutter, and turning the handle to wind the film after a taking a photo!

{Photos 1 through 6 shot on Pentax K1000 with a 50 mm f/2 lens on 400 speed Fujifilm.  Pics 7 and 8 from a Boots brand disposable camera.}



When I came to pick up my developed photos at the shop and load a new roll of film into the Pentax, an old gentleman was there, of the sporty retired variety, who joked with me: "What have you got there?  What is that?"  Having a joke with me about my young generation margin film obsolete.  I played along happily, saying, "Some archaic, useless thing, I don't really know..."

25/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2017."

Afon: speaking more now in bits and pieces; affectionate (and mischievous) as ever.

Roan:  the hills are alllliiiiiiiive...!  He too is speaking more and more.  His favorite phrase is "no, want" with a pause between the two words just like that.  That should tell you everything you need to know about him!

Please if you could keep Afon and Roan's father in your prayers, as he has had to go in for emergency surgery due to appendicitis.  He is out of surgery and recovering but weak and nauseated.  Thank you!

Little Stories

24/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2017."

Afon: at the fish and chip shop, with his mop of wild hair.

Roan: not taken very well to his sun hat.

Dressing Little Boys

The inequality of the sexes swings both ways; as the mother of two boys, it's difficult to find an affordable selection of little boy clothes that suit our tastes and needs.  More often than not, I am looking outside of the local resources to find clothing that is sweet and childlike and that doesn't scream "I'm branded a boy by my society."  I crave what I call the "Christopher Robin look," at least for the earlier ages.  Gender neutral play clothes that are made of comfortable, sustainable fabrics that won't break the bank.  Rompers, bodysuits, tights, and bonnets are a few things in high demand but short supply.

Well, that's just me.  But I think other mothers of boys can agree that the selection just isn't there like it is for girl-children.

Afon wears uniforms for most of the week and much of the year, so he only needs a few mix-and-matchers in his wardrobe; some long-wearing trousers and an assortment of tops that are easy to layer do the trick.  Roan has more variety modeled around the same principle: less items that can be switched up to be worn in a variety of ways.  For example, he only has two sweaters for the entire summer (one to wash and one to wear), along with a raincoat.  Afon has one sweater, and two raincoats, which are not part of his uniform.  Shirts are switched up with different shorts and trousers to make fresh looks (and to assure teachers and other nosy parties that yes we do wash their clothing--daily!).

I told someone once that I enjoy dressing my children like turn-of-the-century peasants.  In truth, I just pick out what attracts me.  Soon enough, they'll be making their own decisions about what to wear, and I will have to put up with the Sponge Bob logo graphic tee, whether I like it or not.

(The horror.)

23/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2017."

Roan: still a bit too small for his tricycle.