James Houck Photography: April 2007

Clearwater PD v Largo PD Charity Softball Game

This past Friday was the Charity Softball Games between Largo PD and Clearwater PD. Clearwater was gracious enough to let Largo win this one. It was a great time and all proceeds went to Clearwater Officer John Schmidt and his wife Karen for their daughters pending heart surgery.

Keep John and his family in your prayers

Just some things to look at

Some of you may have seen these before. They are some of my favorites

Painting with Light

Hat Trick

The Press Waits

Flamingo Peek-A-Boo

Madison - Easter 2007

By request, Madison Jamie Ann Houck @ 15 months

Helen's 75th

Dru's mom, Helen arrives and greets Doug.

She is so surprised, she can't contain her happiness.

The first generation, Scott, Brian, Drucilla, Keith, Doug,
Norman, Tim with Mom Seated.

The grandchildren.

Leon's, Where it all Started

I needed to include this photograph of Leon's Restaurant and Bar, in Arbutus Maryland where I was born and raised the first 25 years of my life. This is where Dad met Mom.

At some point in the late 40's and early 50's, dad was a Studebaker mechanic. He then bought Leon's, where Mom was a waitress.

Dad told me that he loved her from the first time he saw her. Mom told me that she couldn't figure out why everyone stopped asking her out. Dad said they stopped because h threatened them. Dad would do tricks for her that would show how strong he was. Mom would pretend not to care.

They got married in 1954 but didn't tell anyone until 1956 when she was pregnant with Billy. Dad had been married before and the divorce wouldn't let him get married in the church. They never told anyone until 1981, when Dru and I told Mom that she was pregnant with Adam and we had been married for almost a year. De Ja Vu!!! Mom was shocked, as was I...........and Dru. Wow, so unique but so similar.

Mom told us the whole story...............and then we became parents! WOW!

Baltimore City Rescue Company #1

Rescue Company #1. The busiest Fire Station in the Country

Dru and her Brother, Brian.

Brian's son B. J. at his HazMat Truck. I am sure that one day he will be a Battallion Chief or higher.

I love that they still have the poles at the stations in Baltimore.

Washington D. C.

Andrew and Dru on the Mall in from of the U. S. Capitol. Andrew had never been before and seemed to have a great time. I know I did. We saw the Air and Space Museum along with the Natural History and American History Museums.

It was great watching him see and explore things that he has never seen before.

There was a High School Band Competition on that day. It was a pain in the ass to find a parking spot and the bathrooms were Port - O - Potty's

The D. C. Metro Police were out in full force with all the specialty units on hand.

Andrew and his Mother with a Police Clown

I guess everyone is wondering about the new posts and what was going on. Dru and I and Andrew drove to Maryland this past weekend and I photographed her mothers 75th Birthday.

The shoot went well and I made some good shots of the day. I will post some of the photographs from the past weekend. Andrew, my youngest, got his first look at the Smithsonian Institution and we also made it to the busiest Fire Company in the country. His cousin, BJ, is a HazMat Firefighter with the Baltimore City Fire Department and he gave us a tour.

The photos above will say it all!