Ohio is for Lovers!
Gallipolis, OH
Sometimes, fate takes us in strange and unexpected directions. With Thanksgiving just behind us, I’ve been reflecting on the twists and turns of the past year. It’s been a journey of profound change and self-discovery. While not every moment of introspection leads to clarity, two experiences stand out as transformative.
The first was speaking at my grandmother’s memorial. A memory of her has stayed with me, especially during one of the most challenging times of my life—after my divorce. Her advice? “Love.” At the time, I was sick of it—sick of loving as if it were a duty. Her words echoed in my mind for years until I started to redefine what love meant to me. When someone beautiful entered my life, I began to understand. As I stood in that room of family and loved ones, her wisdom resonated in my heart more than ever.
The second pivotal moment came from my dear friend Leah, who pulled an oracle card for me. The message was clear: my peace would be found in the fluidity and embrace of change, much like water. At the time, I was clinging to that same broken romantic relationship, desperately holding onto something I thought defined my value and stability. Those days have been tithed to grief and self-blame, but the guiding messages helped me shift my focus. Chaos still seems to lurk around every corner, but I’ve learned to flow with it rather than fight against it. Accepting life’s unpredictable nature has become a powerful practice.
On the subject of love, my journey has turned inward. I’ve been discovering the richness of friendship, the quiet strength of self-acceptance, and the importance of cultivating self-esteem. Love, I’ve realized, is not just about romance—it’s about the practice of humanity.
Creatively, I’m nurturing my inner child—the one who has loved making art since the beginning. A pivotal part of that process was meeting Jessica Malone, an incredible photographer based in Gallipolis, Ohio. For years, I had admired her work from afar. Her path resonated deeply with me, and seeing her journey inspired me to finally take the leap and book a session. It was everything I hoped for and more. I was honored to sit for her Tarot series, embodying The Hierophant, The Chariot, and The Moon.
After our mission was complete, my little sister and I set off on another adventure—this time to touch Mothman’s Butt. Yes, you read that right! Just a hop, skip and a jump across the river, the excitement surrounding this legendary cryptid was palpable. It was a moment that added even more magic to the lore of the region.
Our journey continued through Ohio, leading us to “the San Francisco of the Midwest,” Cincinnati. There, we had the pleasure of meeting Tim from Tim’s Picks on Main. His energy was infectious, and his collection of antiques was nothing short of intoxicating. (And Tim, if you’re reading this—I was eavesdropping just a little, and I hope you hired that cute boy with the nose ring!)
The textures and layers of big cities like Cincinnati feed my creative soul—so much so that many of them are featured in my photography. What can I say? A little patina gets me hot.
That’s enough of my musings for now.
I’m thrilled to share these stories and more in the next book of my Circular Journeys series. If you’d like a glimpse into the mind behind the camera as I explore the strange and beautiful, you can grab Book One, Circular Journeys: Black and White Tales of Travel, on Amazon.