They say retirement is about slowing down, but I prefer to think of it as narrowing my focus. I’ve traded the corporate hustle and excitement of working in arenas and stadiums for the Jersey Shore, but I still carry the "project manager's" eye for detail. This week’s "work" was all about intentionality. Viewing my days as a series of carefully constructed moments. Whether I’m framing the lines of a coastal landmark or building layers of flavor in the kitchen, I’m finding that the best projects aren't managed; they're composed.
Whether I’m framing the geometric lines of a landmark in Spring Lake or layering flavors in a pot of Chicken Gumbo, the goal is the same: precision and soul. There’s a specific kind of beauty in the "bones" of things, especially during these quiet, off-season weeks where the structure of our community really stands out.
Take this view of the bridge over the frozen lake. In the peak of summer, this scene is soft—buried under lush green leaves and the movement of water. But in the winter, the architecture reveals itself. I wanted to capture the contrast between the rigid, man-made lines of the walkway and the sprawling, intricate network of the bare branches above. Using the 85mm f/1.8, I was able to compress the scene just enough to make those structural layers feel intentional, rather than cluttered. It’s a reminder that even in a "slow" season, there is an incredible amount of design to appreciate if you’re looking for it.
The same intentionality follows me into the kitchen, which I share on my BBQ IG page @toms_bay_bbq. Just as a lens compresses a landscape to find the structure, a recipe like Chicken Gumbo is an exercise in building layers. It starts with a dark, steady roux—the foundation—and builds up with the "holy trinity" of vegetables. Each step is a deliberate move, a piece of construction that ends with a final result that is more than the sum of its parts. It’s a reminder that whether I’m behind the tripod or the stove, the most rewarding "work" is the kind you build from the ground up.
