Louisiana Live Oak ! This tree has been in my life for 40 + years and it was there long before i had it to lean on ! We have launched the boat near it and had a plenty of picnic under it. This was also the spot where we used to get some really nice snow balls during the annual church bazaar ! The spanish moss hanging from the branches always remind me of home. Our church is no longer there thanks to Hurricane Katrina, but the memories will always remain .........

This was the first family reunion that i had the opportunity to attend. This was July 1-3, 2005. I was able to see some of my folks that i havent seen in a long time. My father who is in this picture, is no longer with us, but he'll always be in my heart ! I think about him every day and wish he were still here to talk to me and so i could just throw hugs on him. I feel so fortunate to have been able to spend this special time with my family and some really close friends. During this holiday time i really feel nostalgic for the old holiday parties at Nano's house and my bartending duties ! :-)

Au Revoir - Mon Amis !

Lagunas Mountains

The setting is tranquil. The cabin is rich in history and charm !
Nestled near the top of the Lagunas Mountains East of San Diego, is this rustic cabin which hosts the Photo Club meeting every year and serves to set the soul free of many of the members while on this awesome journey into the wild !
I have gone several years and found the commune with nature to be priceless. These are just a few pix i have from these times.

My Hero

This is my dad. Herbert Malter. He is the guy that i look to for strength, support and guidance. I often wonder what the world would be like without great dads like mine. Who else would teach us how to fish, swim, trap and raise livestock? Every spring, we turned in the topsoil and set our furrows for the veggies yet to come and by the time we were studying up for finals, there was something on the stalk, vine or in the patch. I thought it was magic. I now understand that it was good planning an almanac and a heap of animal waste. Why, what else can make corn plants grow to 10 feet tall and okra the size of your little finger be the size of a banana by the time you get home from school. I would cringe when i arrived home from school and one of the hogs would be loose, terrorizing the neighborhood. My dad would tell me to put my school bags down, change my clothes and come on out to help get the hog back into the cage. It seemed as if they were waiting on me to do this chore. Well, they were. Once we achieved our goal, my dad would tell me over dinner that putting the hog back in the pen and securing it so he doesnt get out again was just part of being a responsible caretaker. He would also tell me to look back on this moment a year from now, when we were eating the bacon or the pork chops or roasts. The flavor would be that much sweeter ! He was so right. Apologies go out to my vegetarian friends. Trust me i spared you the details, but the story needed to be told. My dad also showed me compassion and caring by example. Whenever we'd pass someone in need, my dad would always go and talk to them and see what the issue was as well as give them some food or even some cash. When i'd ask why he always talks to those folks, he'd tell me "What harm is there in being nice to folks"? He also said "God doesnt like ugly and that he'd probably want us to help his children instead of making fun as we go by". Yes, i put my dad on a pedestal, but i still think he deserves it. Enough for now, but be warned, i have more...................that's for a later date ! :-)

Latino Film Festival San Diego 2009

Could life get any cooler? I dare to imagine......... This awesome film which was the 3rd top grossing film of all time in Columbia, beat out hits like Batman & such.. This film called "PARAISO TRAVEL", premiered in San Diego last night and the stars of the film as well as the director was here to boot. I feel so lucky to have been in the room with them. Then, they all jumped on the interview stage for this rare photo op. Life is good. The dashing gentleman on the left is Ethan Van Thillo, the Executive Director of the festival, next is Simon Brand, the director, Angelica Blandon, the female lead,Yolanda S. Walther-Meade, festival coordinator, Tony Dalton, one of the male leads.
This was truly a moment to be captured. Afterwards the film was screened to audience raves ! If you get a moment before the festival is over, i highly recommend you make time to go see this film. It will be shown a few more times before the festival is over. Who knows, you might just bump elbows with another star of Latino Cinema. Bienvenidos !!!!