Aunts & Art

I am blessed to have many artists in my family and as close friends, and how I love it. Mostly because every now and then I snag a pretty cool piece of original art. (Hint, hint: my birthday is the 28th of November;)

My aunts are particularly great with the art hook ups...

Aunt Mary crafted a winter scene for me when I graduated high school. The silver-framed, snowy-valley hangs on a dramatic black accent wall at my parents' house. I love being greeted by that wall in my old room; it definitely says, "You're home."

For my graduation from Mizzou my dad's zanny sister, Aunt Margaret Mary, gave me a tranquil water-color that my mom picked out. Mom calls it "Through Blue Eyes," as she gazes into the distance... cracks. me. up! (You'd have to know the lovingly-dramatic Karen McDevitt to understand. Adore you, Mom!) Anyway, Aunt Margaret Mary likes to see the space people hang her paintings, so here's a photo of her work in my tiny room. (Notice the door to Ellen's room to the far right... we love that she has to go through mine to get to hers.) This art helps makes my little space livable. Thanks again, Aunt Margaret Mary.Click here to have a look at more paintings by my Aunt Margaret Mary.

Aunt Julie came for a visit last week and asked if I'd like some "plumes" to decorate with. "Hmmm...? Sure, I'll take a look," I said, thinking I'd probably just take them off her hands. She came from her car engulfed by these full-body-length, feathery-stick-things. Laughing, I asked her what they were. "Here's some pampas grass for your pompous ass!" She snickered at her own wit... a line that is straight from the beloved Uncle Dennis' mindset. Haha! I love my "plumes," Aunt Julie.

Aunt Laurie is a photographer in New Orleans and is the one who got me started in the photo world. She even gave me my first digital camera. What a gal! Well, Laurie landed a sweet gig taking photos at Jazz Fest the past two years and in 2008 she casually mentioned taking photos of some guy named Robert Plant to Mom. "OH. MY. GAWD!" is surely what Mom said... she knows I'm boder-line obsessed with the lead singer of Led Zeppelin.

Learning of this, Aunt Laurie decided to give me a silver print as a graduation present. Thanks, lady!

Aunt Laurie's photography website here!

Jack-Os

A dark pic of the jack-o-lanterns on my front porch...Matt aka Seamus carved the owl. Ellen carved the vampire. I carved the lil' guy in the front:) A late-night, successful pumpkin carving adventure, if I must say. And I do say.

Youth Planting Roots

Dylan Atchley is a fellow Americorps*VISTA member who is also working with young entrepreneurs in Missouri. Our VISTA assignments are part of the MU Extension Youth Enterprisers Project. Dylan is serving his year at the Catholic Charities of St. Louis with Youth Planting Roots. Three different sites make up the urban horticulture project designed for young aspiring entrepreneurs interested in vegetable production.

An 8th grader named Elizabeth had the idea to start Youth Planting Roots after she completed a science project. Growing hydroponic tomatoes was too much fun and she thought other kids should be in on it too. After writing a grant the young lady helped kick start the program that has now reached over 200 youth in St. Louis. Way to go, Elizabeth!

Dylan helps assemble a greenhouse at one of the Youth Planting Roots sites, City Greens Community Garden.

Dylan explains which pieces the aspiring entrepreneurs can help him find to puzzle the greenhouse roof together. Elizabeth, far right, is now a freshman in high school.

The kids helped pull up melons as well as egg plant and even got to take some home... though I'm not sure they were sold on the idea of actually eating anything!

"This bed belongs to Youth Planting Roots."

Egg plant!

Learn more about Youth Planting Roots HERE.

Pete Yorn @ The Blue Note

Pete Yorn came back to Columbia! I shot some photos for the Blue Note and wanted to share my favs along with a pretty crazy story... one involving a piano, cousins and a button?

I've been listening to Pete since 2002 so needless to say I had a BLAST... especially when Leslie and I ended up hanging out with Pete and his band after the show.

The show ended and Leslie and I were talking with Pete Yorn's tambourine-rockin'/merch-selling cousin Max, below right. After casually introducing the Blue Note's booking-manager/ MY cousin, Pete McDevitt, Max told us the Vault was the place to be. Leslie and I ditched our beloved Shakespeare's for an unforgettable time at the bar below Tiger Hotel with him, Pete and the rest of the guys. "We've both got cousins named Pete!"

AND... wait for it... I sewed a button on Pete's jacket? Cross that one off the list;) When button-sewing skills are in need, you know who to call... though I'm not sure I did my finest work; candlelight isn't the best for a needle and thread. Haha!

Leave a piano around a bunch of musicians and the future is imminent... Thanks to Joe Kennedy for the sing-a-longs and to everyone for an overall amazing night. It's gonna be hard to top.

Alberta Cross

Alberta Cross opened for Pete Yorn last night at the Blue Note in Columbia. As for their genre... I'd say rock for sure but with a heavy blues influence. I dig 'em... have a listen HERE.

365 Postcard Project

Hey artists and entrepreneurs, check out Kickstarter.com It helps fund projects and endeavors by advertising for pledges through their website. It's a great way to get an idea off the ground.

Emily Grenader is an artist taking advantage of the program with a few projects; one is "365 Postcards."

"Postcards are fun to make, fun to send, and fun to receive. I want to send a postcard every day for one year starting June 1st. On June 1st I am moving from Brooklyn, NY to Houston, TX. Hear from me on my road trip to the south. Find out what I am doing for one day out of the year. What other states or countries will I visit between June 1st, 2009 and May 31st, 2010?" -Emily

She wants any address and because I absolutely adore snail mail, I emailed her mine and in no time I had a postcard in my mailbox! Here's her scan of my "Oct. 13" postcard on her webpage. She added a photo of a woman holding a baby to the old postcard of our Nation's Capital. "I started the postcard project by placing myself in the postcards of places from allover," Emily said in an email. "Recently, I've been putting strangers I've photographed in different places. The woman with the baby was photographed in Houston and ended up in a new place." That place is Columbia, Missouri... very cool project, Emily.

Help fund Emily's projects or others atKickstarter.com!

The leaves they are a'changin

"Leaves become most beautiful; When they're about to die;
When they're about to fall from trees; When they're about to dry... up"

-Regina Specktor, "Time is all around"

Jacque and I went on a quick hike since it was 74 degrees yesterday! I highly recommend Three Creeks Trail... especially as the leaves are a'changin.

Rebecca's Pumpkins

11-year-old, Rebecca is another 4-H entrepreneur! With the help of her parents, this 6th-grader has a pumpkin patch in Pemiscot County.



Audio slideshow to come:)

Little Tigers

Mike and Erica's beautiful kids in our favorite colors: black and gold!
Reese & Elle

"Aunt Colleen, there was a skunk and it smelled like a Jay Hawk," Rolen said oh-so-matter-of-fact-ly. Destined to be a Tiger!

Reese running on Francis Quadrangle.

Tony Hawk @CoMO

Last week I saw this Tweet from @Shakespizza: "Tony Hawk skate demo at cosmo skatepark tomorrow. Free Shakes pizza (courtesy Tony) . Really." My favorite local hangout, Shakespeare's, is infamous for funky advertising, so I wasn't exactly sold... but it was true!!!

Tony is touring and spreading word of each event through Twitter. He said it is a "social media experiment" and that he wants to keep it an intimate environment. Though Cosmo Park was a-buzz with people, it was quite a manageable crowd, especially for the status of this retired pro-skater. He and his crew had fun at our very own skatepark as well as on Tony's 13 foot half-pipe. Very cool.



Here's the 41-year-old-skating-legend approx. 1.8 seconds before I got 1/2 of a high-five! Thanks Tony... a great event!

Bee-keeping entrepreneur

Being a photographer is a great excuse to see and do things I normally wouldn't even dream of... being surrounded by THOUSANDS of bees! It's no big deal for high school senior, Rebecca (left). She let me (right) join her and her dad as they checked on the bees. Thankfully they provided the outfit.
After "smoking out" the bees, which helps get some of them out of the hive, Rebecca and her dad lifted panels to see how much honey they will have to make it through winter.
We searched through 4 different hives before we spotted a queen and here she is at the tip of Rebecca's dad's finger. The social structure of bees is just amazing. What a powerful little insect!
Rebecca holds a jar of her very own honey. She sells at local farmers' markets in Lafayette County. She loves keeping bees and hopes to make it a career! (more on Rebecca to come)

Super Sweet Sixteen

Morgan, my favorite goat-milk-soap-making-4Her, invited me to photograph her Sweet Sixteen birthday party. She had a blast dancing with friends and family on the patio at Bambino's!

I think she was a little shocked at the $$$ tucked away in that card! Morgan has great facial expressions:)

Roots 'N' Reggae?

Columbia's Roots, Blues 'N' BBQ Festival has witnessed some of the greatest weekends of my life:) This year was pretty good too, though many scoffed at the fee (myself included) and the poor health of some artists mixed with rainy weather literally put a damper on the fest, we still had a blast! Beach balls bouncing through the crowd made the already relaxing music of the reggae band, The Itals, reach a level of innocence everyone could enjoy!

Here are The Itals... check out those dreds! The Jamaicans asked the crowd to wave a sign of peace and we had no qualms participating. Hannah later tweeted, "Sometimes I think there would be no violence if everyone listened to reggae and drank beer outside."

Hannah (black/white flannel) came down from Michigan to see the Ireland girls: Holly (left corner), Ellen (very bottom) and me! Hannah is also an avid festival-goer. I think she went to one nearly every weekend this past summer; coming all the way to Missouri for one shows her dedication. I hope it was worth it!

MO + MI = ♥

I met Hannah Sheridan in Ireland; we both studied in Dublin through CIEE. She's my uber-political, sarcastically-dry-humored, anti-line-dancing, one-of-a-kind, Michigan friend. I hadn't seen her for a year until this summer when our paths crossed 3 times and in 3 different states... this last time was in Missouri!She took me to a hip restaurant in Detroit, I took her The Big Tree in the middle of nowhere. Very fitting:) Here's Hannah, Holly and Hannah's travel buddy, Brandon with my favorite tree.

People often leave their mark on this concrete mass. It used to hold a plaque giving info about Missouri's Champion Burr Oak, but somebody up 'n runned oft wit it.

Hannah left a message of love: "MO + MI = ♥" Very true! Come back soon, friend!

A buddy of mine did an amazing story on The Big Tree, click here to watch!

Missouri Stream Team

Jacque volunteers once a week with the Missouri Stream Team, specifically with the Plenarian Project. A small group meets near Devil's Icebox to count these small, flatworm creatures along with other stream dwelling species. The group of volunteers is responsible for collecting data for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. She asked me if I wanted to go and of course I said YES to wading in a creek and looking for cool stuff:)

Stephanie Brinson, one of Jacque's friends, volunteers regularly. Stream Team is about to lose her though because she is heading to South Korea in a few weeks to teach English... awesome!

Jacque Harrison, Stephanie Brinson, and the woman who runs the show, Shelly Reimer (far right). Shelly was testing the pH of the stream.

Stephanie checks out Shelly's cheat sheet... a reference incase we were to find anything out of the ordinary.

Next it was time to head inside the cave. Jacque and her flash light, head toward the entrance of Devil's Icebox. The big catch in here would be Pink Planaria, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world!

Jacque found one this past summer and though I wasn't there, I imagine her excitement looked like this photo!

What a way to spend an evening:)

Goat milking... "like brushing your teeth."

As of July 27, I started my year as an Americorps VISTA volunteer; I'm loving being a part of MU Extension with Missouri 4-H, specifically helping young entrepreneurs. Part of my assignment is to profile/document 4-H youth across the state who are successful in their business endeavors.

Morgan is my first subject...
Morgan, 15, of Boone County, tends to her daily chores of feeding the goats, chickens and dogs.



Milking goats is also on the list of daily chores. "You get pretty used to it," Morgan says, "It's kinda like brushing your teeth."

Goat milk has many uses, among them for Morgan, is making soap. She is a 4-H Entrepreneur who sells Katy Trail Goat Milk Soap.

More on Morgan and her soap making to come... even her Super Sweet Sixteen birthday party!!!

McDevitt Hodown!

Last weekend marked one year ago that we lost Uncle Dennis. Family and friends came to Eldon to be together. We celebrated Joe's graduation from Apache Aviation Logistics school and my graduation from Mizzou... I like to call it a McDevitt Hodown! 60+ people filtered throughout the day at Mom and Dad's property and some even camped overnight! Family, food and FIRE? (Courtesy of Uncle Jimmy!) It was quite a success, if I must say. There's already talk that this will have to be an annual McDevitt reunion:)

My niece, Reese

Reese helping Daddy (my brother, Mike) gather fire wood

My cousin Connie's daughter/ Uncle Dennis' youngest granddaughter, Corin, throwing rocks into the creek

Cousins Abby and Emily on the rope swing

Pete Yorn @ The Pageant

Jen needed a date for a wedding in Detroit... hmmm a chance for a little road trip, plus I'd get to see my friend Hannah? Of course I was in. The only stipulation was I HAD to be back in St. Louis the next day to see my favorite artist, Mr. Pete Yorn. Success. Jen, Becky, Ellen, Leslie, and I enjoyed his music, front and center.The first time I saw him live was in 2006 when my friend, Erin, "made" me wait outside the Blue Note to say hi. Cold, but worth it. That's when I met my "PY groupie friend," Sandy. She was there the second time I saw PY, when I caught his guitar pick at the Pageant! Well, almost. It hit my hand and landed in front of the guard rail, only to be kindly returned to me after the show:) I'm a sucker for this classic concert souvenir.
The 3rd time I saw PY, was below the Arch. (The same day people were stuck inside!) This time, PY threw his guitar pick toward Sandy and I, both of us with no luck. A few days later she found it inside her purse! Fate;)
Mom joked with me before this last show saying, "Don't catch anymore guitar picks!" Well, I took her advice, but dang it, I should've had this one. Sure enough after the set was over the little piece of plastic came my way! It hit all four fingers and most of my palm but somehow I managed to swat it out of reach in front of the guard rail. Just like the last time, minus a nice guard to retrieve it. Becky took it upon herself to jump the rail, but within seconds a man came screaming at us. Keep in mind this was AFTER the show; chill out a bit, man! Unfortunately, Becky dropped the pick and we were told to leave as he stood his ground hovering the area. No pick this time, but still a great show!

Part of the reason I just adore Pete Yorn is because in spite of all his success, he still plays smaller venues and record stores which make for some pretty personal shows. Check out these youtube videos to see what I mean!

Pvt. 1st Class

Pvt. 1st Class, Joseph E. McDevitt, just graduated from Apache Aviation Logistics school in Virginia. He’s been gone since his basic training in January and is more than happy to be home... mainly to see his twin sister;) We are all so proud of you, Joe!!!

Rolen's Box Turtle

Mike and Erica found this colorful, three-legged turtle out at Mom and Dad's property while picking blackberries. We all couldn't get over its color; and we've seen our fair share of turtles! I wonder if it has to do with the yummy berries he was feasting on???

Rolen was afraid of the turtle at first, but was soon carrying it everywhere and even fed it a carrot. "He's a box turtle, Aunt Colleen, because you put him in a box." Haha! We did have it in a cardboard box before taking it back. Touché, little buddy! I love how literal my nephew thinks:)

To learn why they are actually called box turtles and to see other Missouri turtle facts, check out this Missouri Department of Conservation link!

Lexington horses

The Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed,owns a HUGE global horse breeding operation. We visited the Darley location in Lexington, KY. (The man has two wives and only visits once a year! Must be nice.)Brian's wedding brought the family to town so aunts, uncles, and cousins toured the breeding facility and grazing pastures of Lexington's finest champion horses. Here is my cousin Jackson and Holy Bull. Little "Action Jackson" would've been far happier had we visited a dairy farm instead. All he wanted to see were some cows!

I was amazed by the photography inside the main clubhouse. I'm in the process of trying to look up the photographer so let me know if you have any leads.

Sandia Peak

My pre-service orientation for Americorps VISTA meant a few days spent in the desert! I had one goal on my mind, well other than making sure to have some ROCKIN' Mexican food, I wanted to do something special to Albuquerque. Within a few hours of landing in New Mexico, and with time to spare before check-in, two new friends and I hopped a taxi and accomplished both goals. That's my kind of travel!
Word of a scenic tram ride had us itching for a thrill, and the 2.7 mile long ride to the top of the 10,378 ft. peak was just that. The Sandia Peak Tramway owns the title of the World's Longest Aerial Tramway.

It's located in the Cibola National Forest and provides a 11,000 square-mile panoramic view of the Rio Grande Valley and the Land of Enchantment. This couple takes it all in... I just LOVE how touristy they are: fanny-pack, hats, hawaiian shirt! This is me in 40 years:)

From the city the mountains seem too picturesque to be real as if a fake backdrop is set up behind the city. The mountain gets its name from its color; "Sandia" means watermelon in Spanish, and the mountains look especially red durning sunset. Beautiful.
We went for a little hike at the top to enjoy the cool mountain air and this tree caught my eye. Talk about strong roots:)

As a side note, the training blew me away! As VISTAs we are actively "Fighting Poverty, With Passion," which was the focus of many sessions. The group there for training was beyond diverse crossing over many generations, representing varying ethnicities, and all kinds of socioeconomic backgrounds. I've never been in a setting that diverse while still holding a common theme. And that theme is: help people in need, right here in America, and in our own communities for that matter. So cool.

Little homegrowns

This green pepper and tomatoes were the first batch of homegrowns from my back patio. The pepper poster in the background is one I purchased in Ireland. Even before I appreciated the taste of peppers, I loved the look of them. More produce photography is in the near future:)

Famous photographer, Edward Weston, made some great photos of peppers and other still life... check it out HERE!

Baby Elle

I was lucky enough to take my niece's 6 month photos. This one is mine and Erica's favorite:)

"I am a survivor of rape."

Four women share their stories.

(I found it best to pause the video and take a few minutes to load fully before viewing.)

I'm a survivor of rape. from Colleen McDevitt on Vimeo.

Please feel free to comment. This is an issue that isn't talked about and we can start to make that change.

"Oh SIGN can you SIGN..."

My sign language class performed the Star Spangled Banner before a Mizzou baseball game.
This is Matt Lothrop, a buddy of mine since freshman year. He knows EVERYTHING about baseball and he was lucky enough to deal with my broken heart after Bob Gibson denied my autograph request. Lothrop is going places and I'm happy to have him as a friend:)
 

Bonnie Cassida: mother, pastor, widow

I first met Bonnie through a story with the Missourian. The assignment was to find someone who had a life-changing year. I thought about how my life changed in 2008 and the passing of Uncle Dennis due to cancer was definitely how I will remember the year. I searched the obituaries looking for a similar situation... someone who died too young, leaving a family behind. David Casto's obit led me to his wife Bonnie. The two lived, worked and raised three children together. He was only 42.

Read the article I wrote for the Missourian HERE.

The Big Tree

A radio-blasting road-trip to the Burr Oak in McBaine has become a tradition for Jamie, Becky and me. It's similar to the riding around we did during our days in Eldon. These two gals are what it's all about...

Bye Bye, Miss American Pie?

As time goes on I'm thinking the amount of pie consumed by America is exponentially dropping... come on people!
This is no joke!
Well, it's nothing to be taken too seriously, just an observation. I mean, the only time I dig into a delicious pie is around Thanksgiving and Christmas, which is a shame considering my mother should be given some kind of award for her pie-making skills. (Apple, Cherry, Pumpkin, Chocolate, Strawberry... you name it! It's her forte... just ask any of my 50+ cousins!) It's a dying art... A dying social delight... A dying American tradition... I'm smelling a photo essay on the topic... or wait, is that a coconut creme...? I wish!

(I shot the photo a few years ago at Waffle House in Columbia. My only fear is how long that poor little pie sat there, uneaten. Who orders pie at Waffle House? Who even goes there... Uncle Dennis, that's who! 4 times in one week on our Florida trip. Hahahaha. More like "Aweful House!")

Hiking in Arkansas

On a whim, I went to the Ozark Mountains with John and Mike. Below is Hawksbill Crag, one of the most popular hikes in the area. Mike got a little bit too close to the edge...


We saw this little guy in the middle of a county road in Arkansas... too funny!