Lift your eyes aloft, see the stars afloat.

The motion may be stopped, but there’s life in the stillness. New York City doesn’t seem to abide an object at rest, even in the frame of a picture. The far distant horizon down the canyon of the street is utterly open-ended, an endless series of opportunities for success and failure, for guts and glory, for past, present and future.

Farewell to the city and the love of my life

At least we left before we had to go. 

- Ryan Adams, New York, New York

Making the most of an upward descent, your only escape is the metal to the roof… and yet the escape ends before the roof, so wires it is, hand over fist, Peter Parker on the wall, to grip and grab and grasp the edge and emerge scathed but skyward.

Magazine quality, men talking on the corner (French, no less)

Much less of them then us

So why do i feel like something’s been rearranged?

You know, taken out of context

I must seem so strange 

 - Ani Difranco - Fire Door

One of the things about photography is that, if you’re paying attention, then you’re actively paying attention—looking not just forward but back, up, down and around. You just never know where diverging or converging lines can appear. So, keep your eyes open and your hands upon the shutter.

Oncoming train, outgoing world.

From the last stop on the line, the only option is into the city, into the heart of the world and into the belly of the beast.

Used to take the subway up to Houston and 3rd;

I would wait for you and I’d try to hide…

Only in New York City, of course. 

While out walking the High Line converted railway, I spotted what I thought was a fella creeping in the window… just a friendly wave, though. It struck me as a pretty strong metaphor for NYC, actually.

This is from a trip to New York City a few weeks ago, wandering around Astoria. More NYC photos coming, probably one each day or so.

So, to arrive home to see this was, once again, humbling and moving.

Like beautiful snowflakes, these envelopes arrive carrying not just money but love. They may not look it, all flat and proper, but they’re fit to burst with caring and love for Melissa Jenkins and Ty.

From right here in the NEK, to New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, even Florida, and as far away as New Zealand… let me say that one more time so you don’t miss it: New Zealand. No, I didn’t stutter, but I did blubber a little.

Rock on!

The last week has seen an unsurprising but impressive outpouring of love and support for Melissa and Ty. From our little photo project (that got a heck of a lot bigger than we imagined), to moving tributes at St. Johnsbury Academy, Shawn Timson’s bursting donation buckets at Horizon’s Deli and one whale of a fundraiser by Ramunto’s Pizza last Saturday (again, BRAVO to them!), the Northeast Kingdom makes my heart swell with pride.

However, I urge you to please continue to give to the Melissa Jenkins Memorial Fund. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Checks should be made out to “Melissa Jenkins Memorial Trust” and sent to Passumpsic Savings Bank, 497 Railroad St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. Cash donations and checks can also be dropped by any Passumpsic Bank branch in Vermont.

Our expectations were met, exceeded and beyond. We have committments for more than 250 prints… that’s over $5,000, with 100% of that going directly to the Melissa Jenkins Memorial Fund.

Wow. In the deepest, darkest moment, the community shines. The response was at once amazing and unsurprising. 

As noted earlier on our respective Facebook pages, Matt and I have reached the limit on the number of prints we can offer. We are both humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support for Melissa and Ty. 

We both encourage those of you who wish to contribute—but may have missed this fundraiser—to send donations of any and all size to the official fund. Information is included below. 

Thank you Matt Payeur for teaming up with me on this wild idea… couldn’t have done it without you, good sir. 

A very special thanks to Don Whipple of Kingdom Color and Imaging, who stepped up to the plate and then, on a high and tight inside curveball, knocked it out over the Green Monster. We couldn’t have done it without him. Thanks, Don!

Also, Matt and I would like to put together a local silent auction of framed artwork. As more plans materialize, we will be sure to alert everyone so that we can raise even more money for Ty.

We can’t change the past, but we can certainly change the future. Good deeds, my friends. 

Information from the Northeast Chamber of Commerce:

A special fund has been set up to assist the 2-year-old son of Melissa Jenkins, now and in the future.

Checks should be made out to “Melissa Jenkins Memorial Trust” and sent to Passumpsic Savings Bank, 497 Railroad St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. Cash donations and checks can also be dropped by any Passumpsic Bank branch in Vermont.

This is the one fund that ALL donations should be sent to. It was established in cooperation with St. Johnsbury Academy, where Melissa worked, and Maple Grove Farms of Vermont, where her mother works. Please share this message.

These are a few emotions that come to mind in thinking about the last few days. The outpouring of support for Melissa Jenkins and her little boy Ty have been amazing everywhere.

When Matt and I began this fundraiser, we really had no idea. It was something we could do, with what gifts we are given. Speaking for him, I can say we’re both utterly and completely blown away. 

Thank you.

As of this afternoon, you have amazingly bought more than 170 prints. That is incredible—inspiring, really.

Because of this, we’ve talked to Don Whipple of Kingdom Color and Imaging, and he is willing to cover the cost of printing for up to 250 8x10s, which is unbelievably generous. If we sell 250 prints, we can give $5,000 to the Melissa Jenkins Memorial Fund for Ty. Once we’ve reached 250 prints, we will then close this fundraiser. 

We can never bring Melissa back, but we can do everything possible for Ty. It’s a good start, and there will be much more around the community. Already I’ve seen a number of projects and fundraisers begin, and I can’t express how wonderful it is to see. Matt and I have also discussed putting together a local art show and silent auction, and we will keep you updated on that project.

The Northeast Kingdom shows itself to be amazing—again.

See the post below this one for all the links and information. Matt and I both would like to thank all of you who have purchased photos and helped us help Ty.

Inspiring.

Photo by Josh Ainsworth

As some of you may know, Melissa Jenkins went missing from her running vehicle, while her son Ty sat in his child seat. Tragically, she was discovered yesterday dead, the result of a unexplainable and horrific homicide—leaving her 2-year-old son Ty without his loving mother. Melissa was an amazing person, always smiling and always willing to help others. She was pursuing her master’s degree while teaching science at St. Johnsbury Academy. Her loss has shaken the entire community.

Our hope is that we can do our small part in making Ty’s life better after the tragic loss of his mother. We are both offering special galleries of images for this fundraiser.

Each 8x10 print is $20; 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Fund. Special thanks to Don Whipple of Kingdom Color and Imaging, who have generously donated all of the costs for making these prints.

To order a print, please visit the special galleries here:

BMM Images for Ty

Empire Images for Ty

You can message either of us directly on Facebook with your orders, including the image numbers and your mailing address, or you may send email to either info@bmmimages.com or matthewpayeur@yahoo.com. If you wish to buy from both galleries (and we encourage it), you may send a single order and single check, as we’re working together on this project.

Please make all checks payable to “Melissa Jenkins Memorial Fund” with “For Ty” in the memo field. 

Thank you!

Please Take Your Seats

Larger version HERE

Casting About in the Cold

We’re going to need a bigger boat.

Click the picture for much larger, buyable version, won’t you?

White-out conditions in Syracuse can’t keep a man down.