On The Third Night of Hanukkah . . . Cool Cat Party

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

It was the third night of Hanukkah and Emma and Blackie came out to play.

Phoneix and Her Friend

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

It's really amazing how much insight a horse can have if you just stop and talk to one.  LOL

Eagles of the Conowingo Dam - December 21, 2008

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I went with a friend to the Conowingo Dam, which is a place that many photographers go to take pictures of Eagles in the wild. I wish I had a better camera. It was pretty cold and after a short time we decided to get in the car and drive around and see what else we could find.

Road Trip to Monsey, NY

© (2008) photographs by Vicki Polin

Went up to Monsey with a friend for shabbos. On the way we got caught in a little snow storm. Going up we cut through Pennsylvania. The way back we took 95, cutting through Delaware.

December Rainbow

© (2008) photographs by Vicki Polin

I was heading into starbucks when saw the rainbow over Quarry Lake Shopping Center in Baltimore. I wish I could have backed up far enough to take the full picture yet before it disappeared to quickly.

Thanksgiving Day Hunt 2008 (Hunt Valley / Greenspring Valley, Maryland)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

A friend on line told me about the Thanksgiving hunt. It was amazing. After the hunt we were taking pictures of llama's and goats when we heard some horses galloping away. We jumped in our car to see where they were going and also so we could alert the police who could alert the owners. We never found out if the escaped horses were found and brought back to their home.

On Thanksgiving Day morning the entire hunt meet at St. Johns Church on Butler near Piney Grove Road for the most traditional blessing of the hounds, horses and riders. The riders horses and hounds are pristine and braided for this occasion. After the blessing the crowd parts and then the hounds run thru followed by horse and riders.

Some riders were wearing Scarlett (aka red) coats. This tradition has been going on for 115 years in America and several hundred in England/Ireland.

Watch all 3 parts.

Part 1



Part 2


Part 3

Road Trip to Williamsburg, NY (Brooklyn)

© (2008) Photograhs by Vicki Polin

I had to go to NYC to do a press event for Rabbi Nochem Rosenberg in hopes getting news media attention for him after there was attempt on his life because he advocates for sexually abused Jewish children in Williamsburg and Borough Park (Brooklyn).

I drove up the day before (from Baltimore) cutting through Pennsylvania, stopping in Bird-in-hand and Intercourse.

Click here for more information on Rabbi Rosenberg

Birkat HaGomel (Surviving Danger) - Road Trip to Gettysburg, PA

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Birkhat Ha‑Gomel is blessing (prayer) said after surviving illness, childbirth, or danger.

Blessing: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the Universe, who bestows good things on the unworthy, and has bestowed on me every goodness."

Congregational Response: "Amen. He Who has bestowed on you every goodness, may He continue to bestow on you every goodness. Selah."

A friend of mine and I were involved in a serious a car accident with earlier in the week on a highway in Maryland. As we were coming down an entrance ramp from the corner of my eye I noticed a car to my left spinning out of control. I slowed down enough so that my car wasn't hit, yet a second later the other car bounced off the guard railing and smashed into my car. B'H' no one was hurt seriously.

I really needed to get away for a few hours to focus on something other then insurance companies and medical care so I went on a day trip with a friend to capture the fall. We went out on Falls Rd. passing through Lineboro, Maryland, stopping at the Twin Springs Farm to take pictures of the Buffalo and then went on up to and around Gettysburg, PA.

It's amazing how beautiful the day was considering it was a grey and dreary day.

The first video is from Cockysville to Lineboro, MD. The second is from Lineboro to and around Gettysburg. Hope you enjoy the show.

The music in Part 1 is "What is it we fear" by "Get Smart".



The music in Part 2 is "Jerusalem" by Matisyahu.

Walking the NCR Trail Near Monkton, Maryland

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Right after these pictures were taken, a friend and I got back into my car and proceeded to go home.  As we were on the entrance ramp, a car spinning out of control at about 85 mph hit us.  It was a shocking experience after a picture perfect day.

Should Women Educate Men in the Jewish Orthodox World?

A ride down Park Heights to Tufton Rd. - Pikesville to Catonsville, Maryland

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Today I was missing brunches of my past with a friend back in Illinois. We used to make special omelets, toast Manitowoc bread along with having a cup of hazelnut coffee. While we caught up with each others lives we would be listening to George Winston on cassette. When we were finished eatting we would do the spa thing.

Driving around today, watching the leaves changed colors put me into that same zone as the spa days.

Road Trip to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Click here to read about the history of Harper's Ferry.

Deer in A Forest - Harper's Ferry, WV (October 12, 2008)

© (2008) Filmed by Vicki Polin

Not Quite Sukkot - Mount Washington Arboretum

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Happy Birthday to my Nephew - Can't Believe Your 18!

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

The following photographs were taken in honor of my nephew's 18th Birthday outside of Harper's Ferry, West Virginia

In Honor of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - 5769

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

The following pictures were taken along the Catoctin Mountain Scenic Byway in western Maryland in honor of Rosh Hashashana and Yom Kippur.

Tashlich - Pond of Pikesville, MD

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

"You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."

Tashlich is a long-standing practice starting in afternoon of Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippur. It is the symbolic "casting off" of the previous year's sins It is done by throwing pieces of bread crumbs or lint into a large, natural body of flowing water .

Motzi Shabbos - Parkton, Maryland and Beyond

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

It was a picture perfect day to take a ride out into the country. I knew it was going to be a great day for photographs when I saw a pheasant crossing the road.

A Few Hours Before Shabbos (Hunt Valley, Maryland)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I was on my way out to Hunt Valley Mall and took a slight detour along the way.

Rosh Hashanah - Hunt Valley (2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Taken at Rosh Hashanah Under The Stars - Oregon Ridge, Cockeysville, Maryland 

Llama's of Baltimore County

© (2008) Photographs by Murray Levin

These were taken by my dear friend and  photography coach, Murray Levin.

Escaping to the Country - September, 2008

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I desperately needed a respite from being stuck inside. The following pictures were taken in Baltimore County.

Gettysburg, PA (August 3, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

On my way to the mall I took a few pictures. These were all taken between Gettysburg, PA to Pikesville, MD

Butterflies of Port Deposit, MD (August 5, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I went up to Wilmington, DE with a friend. I was speaking later that evening at an event at the JCC regarding the one year window that is left for survivors of sexual abuse, who were abused in Delaware.

My friend and I decided to take the long way up to see if we could find anything interesting to photograph. On the way we stopped off in Port Deposit. We went under an old stone bridge and found a zillion butterflies on a huge old bush.

Childhood Pictures

© (2008) Victoria Polin

I'm like everyone else, there's times that we all reevaluate our lives.  Being an art therapist, I tend to utilize the creative process to do this.   I found it helpful to put together a photojournal entry of my childhood photographs.

The Road To Glencoe and Sparks, Maryland (August, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

There were thunderstorms on and off. I needed a break and ran away with my camera for a few hours.

The Cows of Hunt Valley (July 29, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Went out with my photography teacher on a photo shoot. This is part one of a series.

Drive by shootings in and around Hunt Valley, MD

© (2008) Photographs by Victoria Polin

I took the long way out to Wegman's. On the way back I was shocked to see vultures on a fence watching the horses on Tufton Rd.

The Pond of Pikesville, Maryland (July, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin)

There's 3 short films to this entry

Torah Drive - In and Around the Eruv of Baltimore (July, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

With the price of gas these days I'm trying to stay closer to home. The last time I took pictures of the community it was snowing. I figured I'd show the world what the community looks like in the summer.

In Memory of My Grandmother (12 Adar, 5666 - 15 Tamuz, 5738)

My Grandmother (sitting) and her sister

I took both groups of pictures (see below) in honor of my grandmother's yarzheit. She was a very special person who was loved by many.

Car Wash, Cattle and Bison (July, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

This is the end of a series of photographs taken near Lineboro, MD. At one point during the day there was a major thunderstorm leaving tree a tree in the middle of road. We stopped so my friend could clean off his car.

A few minutes latter we came to a field of Longhorn steer. Across the road was a field of Bison.

Butterfly, Beetles and Vultures Near Lineboro, MD (July, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Part of a series of pictures taken early in July, 2008.

Driving around near Lineboro, MD (July, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Stringtown and Resh Mills Rd. (July, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Llamas, Camel and Goat -- Oh my!

Flying from LAX to BWI with a stop in Salt Lake City, UT

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I took these from the plane flying from Los Angeles to Baltimore, with a stop in Salt Lake City, UT. This film basically condensed a 7 hour flight in less then nine minutes. At one point we flew over Chicago, yet I think I missed it and only got Indiana.

Drive By Shootings In Los Angeles (Photographing at Night)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I only had a few hours in LA. A friend drove me around giving me a mini tour. This was the first attempt at photography at night. The last picture is a gas station.

My Birthday in Ojai, CA (June, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I woke up about 5 am due to jet lag. I decided to see if I could capture the sunrising. Later in the day I went with a group up to Meditation Mountain. What a wonderful place to spend a birthday.

Childhood Photographs

© (2008) Vicki Polin

Photographs of my childhood from ages 0-18.

Early Morning in Ojai, CA (June, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I woke up very early in the morning due to jet lag. I missed the sunrise by a few minutes.

The Road To Ojai (June, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

It was a seven hour plane ride and then a three our car trip (due to rush hour traffic) to get to Ojai, CA from Baltimore, MD. It's absolutely beautiful here.

Being Observant on the NCR Trail (May, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

It was perfect day to go walking on the NCR trail just outside of Monkton, MD. I've condensed a 2 hour hike into just under 12 minutes.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Federal Hill (May, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

It was a gray and cloudy day. One of those days you sort of wish you could stay inside. I had to go downtown Baltimore for a meeting. I was close to the Inner Harbor and thought I'd take a break and take some photo's prior to heading back to Pikesville.

Road Trip to Virginia during Memorial Day Weekend - 2008

© Photographs by Vicki Polin

Rainbow Over The Eruv of Baltimore

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I was coming off of the beltway and couldn't help but notice this huge rainbow that appeared to be stretching across the eruv of Baltimore.

Assateague Island, MD - May, 2008

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

The following pictures were taken between Baltimore and Ocean City, MD. Most were taken on Assateague Island, MD

Assateague is known for it's wild ponies that were shipwrecked there over 500 years ago.

Geese of Pikesville, MD - May 6, 2008

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Goleta Beach - Santa Barbara, CA

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

The following photographs were taken between 3:00 - 4:00 pm on April 29, 2008.

The Tulips of Sherwood Gardens (Baltimore, MD)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

August 24, 2008 -- I took these photographs in memory of my uncle who passed away earlier in the week.

Click Here for the history of garden

Driving Through Baltimore and Carrol County (April 10, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Mount Washington Arboretum (April 7, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Mount Washington Arboretum, Baltimore, Maryland

Early Spring in Baltimore County - March 28, 2008

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

This was one of those days I could have taken a million pictures if I had the time.

Loch Raven (March 26, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Loch Raven - Baltimore, MD

March 24, 2008 - Baltimore County

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

The Pond - Feb. 28, 2008 (Pikesville, MD)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

An Afternoon At Loch Raven (March 14, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Victoria Polin

A friend took me to Loch Raven to teach me how to use different features on my camera. It was a gloomy day, yet with my lessons my camera seemed to pick up light where I didn't know there was light.

Dusk at Loch Raven (March 14, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

A friend took me to Loch Raven to teach me how to use different features on my camera. It was a gloomy day, yet with my lessons my camera seemed to pick up light where I didn't know there was light.

Montrose Harbor, Chicago, IL (March, 2008)

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

The following photographs are dedicated to my Grandmother, Aunt Ruth and Stevie.

The pictures were taken during the first week of March, 2008 between Montrose Harbor and the "doggie beach" in Chicago.

Chicago's Northshore (March, 2008)

© (2008) photographs by Vicki Polin

Amish Country (Pennsylvania) - January 30, 2008

© (2008) Photographss by Vicki Polin

Mount Washington Arboretum - January 28, 2008

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin
On the way back from the post office and decided to check out the arboretum.

Lineboro, Maryland - January 20, 2008

© (2008) photographs by Vicki Polin

I took these photographs around Lineboro, MD.

I was trying to find out the history of this town online. The only facts I could find was that the town was named for its location on the Mason Dixon Line and the volunteer fire department hosts something called "Bedlam in the Boro" every year around Halloween. It's also the home of Twin Springs Farm.

January 18, 2008 - Part 2

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

January 18, 2008 - Part 1

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Photographs taken near Hunt Valley Mall in Baltimore County, MD

Vultures at Walmart (Owings Mill, MD)

© Photographs by Vicki Polin

January 10, 2008
I didn't have my camera with me so I had to use my cell phone. The quality isn't so great, yet I thought this was a shot I needed to get. I didn't get to close after I saw what I saw.

I was cutting behind the Walmart / Sams Club parking lot in Ownings Mill, MD. I noticed these huge birds swarming at the dumpsters behind the building. I drove over to see what they were. There were over a dozen vultures having lunch. I never saw so many vultures in my life, especially out in the wild.

A Spring Day in January?

© (2008) Photographs by Vicki Polin

It's hard to believe that it was in the 70's today.

Dedicated To A Friend - January 6, 2008

© (2008) photographs by Vicki Polin

The following pictures were taken around Hunt Valley, MD