In Memory Of Cat

These are some of Cat's favorite images. As a final post to her blog, I wanted to share this gallery in tribute to my wife's sweet spirit. May you be blessed by the beauty she saw in nature and in others. We will miss her dearly.
- Warren Ludwig

Thank You

I want all of you to know how much I and our family have been blessed by your comments. We had a beautiful Memorial Visitation for Cat last Friday, and I can't express how much it meant to have so many come to honor her. Thanks to all for the food, the incredible flowers (I know Cat was seeing them from above, and wishing she had her camera!), and most of all, for the love you give. I will leave you with these words from a hand-written note that I found among Cat's things...they reflect her very essence. - Warren Ludwig

Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply.
Speak Kindly. Leave the rest to God.

At Peace

This post is from Cat's husband, Warren. It is with great sadness that I share this, but I know all of Cat's friends online would need to know.

After struggling for 15 years with extreme pain, and multiple chronic conditions, Cat could bear the burden no longer and took her own life Monday, April 19th.

We are all still reeling from the shock and loss. None of this seems real...she appeared to all of us to be doing better, little by little. But something in her fragile body was changed dramatically after her surgery in January. She was trying to be so strong for all the rest of our sakes, but only Cat knew how insurmountable it felt inside. But she is at peace now, and is with her Lord Jesus in her "Gardens of Heaven".

Please know how much Cat's online community meant to her. It gave her great joy to hear that you appreciated her beautiful photography. As her "real world" grew smaller with the pain, you all gave her sweet spirit freedom as she took images to share on her blog and Etsy store.

The photo above was taken at Easter, on one of her "good days" as we enjoyed some wonderful family time together. That is how we can remember her.

Funeral arrangements are still being made at this time, and you will understand that I cannot respond to emails for a long while. If you wish to inquire for the most current information, you can call:
DW Newcomer's Sons Funeral Home
913-451-1860
11200 Metcalf
Shawnee Mission, KS 66210

-Warren Ludwig

Evening walk

My slow evening walk was interrupted by these gorgeous flowers and the setting sun. I had to hurry home to grab my camera and hope I didn't miss the light. I opted to drive the few blocks back, just in case. I'm glad I did. Lighting can make or break a photo. It also helps to have a neighbor who has a stunning garden. I'm thankful she lives on a corner lot with an iron fence:)

Kauffman Garden

   
I hadn't been to Kauffman Garden for a couple months. Here are a few shots that I captured. It has been an extremely long winter in Kansas City. So much snow and cold weather. I know spring is around the corner but it can't come soon enough for me.

The conservatory was filled with gorgeous flowers. It always helps to visit and breath in the beauty of nature.



I was happy that Crazy hadn't forgotten me. She came running when I called her name:)

I haven't written in a while because recovering from surgery has been more difficult than I imagined.   I am still struggling, but hope the doctors can figure out how to help me.  Keep me in your prayers.

Dreaming of the Sea

Rocky Sunset
by Painted with Light Photography


Tide Rushes In
by PhotoGrunt


Coastal Dream
by KennaFoster

As long as I can remember, I have been drawn to the sea. I can't really explain the ache I feel or why it is there, I just know it is. Here are three wonderful photographers that captured the sea beautifully. Check out their Etsy shops to see more of their amazing work.

KCFreePress.com feature

Heritage Rose

I was asked by Jennifer Wetzel, the Photography Editor of KCFreePress.com, if my shop could be featured in a Valentine article with other local Etsy sellers. She chose Heritage Rose to be included. What an honor. Thanks, Jennifer! Click here to see the article.

Snow and more snow

A storm came through today and dropped 6 inches of gorgeous snow. The temperature was around 32 degrees so it wasn't hard to stay outside and take photos. I just had to dodge the huge snowflakes. This cardinal was patiently posing, knowing that I would bring out some birdseed for him and his mate. I just heard from the weather report that it is suppose to snow for 36 hours straight starting Sunday. I'm dreaming of spring:)

POE blog

Metallic Blue is featured in the Photographers of Etsy blog. It is Mosaic Monday and "Into the blue..." was the title of the week. I am honored to have it included with such beautiful photos. Check out their site to see all 12 blue images.

I was taking photos of this iron gate when it went out of focus. I thought something was wrong with the camera, then I noticed that the wind had moved the gate open. I shifted my angle to get another shot, when a blue car come into view. I love surprises. I couldn't have planned for a better image.

100th follower

A Gathering of Angels - Iris Mandala by Karen

Karen Casey-Smith became my 100th follower. I've been watching to see who it would be. Thanks, Karen, for visiting my blog. She is a fine art photographer who creates floral mandalas. I am amazed by her work. Make sure to check out her Etsy shop called karencaseysmith.

More Photos

Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since my surgery. I'm very slowly getting better. I have to remind myself that I had the tumor for over 10 years, so it will take time to recover. Pray for patience:) Here are the last of the Florida photos. It is cold and cloudy in Kansas and I have been having fun looking at the beach and surf.







Warren took this sunset photo the evening of my surgery. I wasn't feeling up to being a photographer but my eye wanted the shot. He is such a sweet husband and took lots of photos for me to choose from.

Florida

Honeymoon Island

Last week, we flew into Tampa, Florida two days before my surgery so we could be tourists. We stayed by the beach and had fun checking out the area. The colors were amazing. We have never seen water look so beautiful.


Honeymoon Island State Park


Sand Key


Sand Key Beach


Tampa

This was the view from my hospital bed at Tampa General Hospital. We arrived before sunrise and were so surprised to see the bay when we looked out the window. I was glad that Warren brought his sketchbook and paints. I convinced him to give this sketch to Dr. Norman as our way of saying thanks.

We will definitely be flying back someday with hopes of traveling down the coast. My wish list includes kayaking and parasailing! Here's to better days ahead.

Happy Dance!!

Sand Key, Florida

I just got back to Kansas City a few hours ago. Before I crash, I wanted to tell you the great news. I did have a benign parathyroid tumor!! It was 10 to 12 years old. Surgery to remove it was a success. My life will be soooo much better in a few weeks. I can't wait! Thank you for all of your prayers and concern. I am so touched by reading your comments.

Many thanks go to Dr. James Norman, Dr. Douglas Politz, Dr. Arnold Goodman, and their staff for giving me my life back. Words cannot express my gratitude. Thank you , thank you , thank you!

Here is their website regarding parathyroid disease. Check it out if you have it or know of someone who does. http://parathyroid.com/

I will post more Florida photos later. Now off to rest.

Surgery

I will be having outpatient surgery on January 14th in Tampa, Florida. I have a 90-95% chance of having a rare benign parathyroid tumor. I have struggled with health issues for years and this might be the cause. I am hoping that this is the answer. If not, then we will keep searching. The surgery is a delicate one that few doctors know how to do. Thankfully, we found a specialist in Florida. It is snowing in Kansas City with up to 6 more inches predicted today. An arctic front comes in tonight with wind chills of -20 to -30 by Friday. I might not want to come back after the surgery! I won't have a computer handy, so I'll give you an update when I return.
Thanks...Cat

A snowy winter

chickadee

Kansas City keeps getting lots of snow. I've been having fun taking photos, making snowmen, and helping my husband shovel. To be honest, he does most of the shoveling and I'm having most of the fun:)