Soiree with Alloway Report

Soiree with Alloway Report

Thank you for reading this Soiree with Alloway report. That explanation is below! Only got out once this week. Spent more time in doctor’s offices. I guess as we age that’s something we can expect.

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For most of my adult life, I’ve been making photographs.

I’ve used them to illustrate magazine articles and books, and I’ve been fortunate enough to build a life filled with adventure, travel, wilderness, wildlife, boats, airplanes, and places few people ever get to see. What I never really did was try to sell my photographs directly to the public. I suppose I never quite knew how, and I was always busy chasing the next adventure.

That changed because of my sister.

My younger sister Cheryl is a talented glass artist. For eighteen years, she built and still runs a successful Etsy business. Like many artists, she supplemented her income with housekeeping work. Late last year, her life changed in an instant when she was struck by a neighbor’s car. Her ankle was shattered, and the physical demands of housekeeping are no longer possible.

I wanted to help, but I don’t have a large nest egg to fall back on. What I do have is a lifetime of photographs and a sister who knows Etsy inside and out.

So we became partners.

Together, we opened this shop to share the places I’ve been fortunate enough to experience and photograph over the years. Cheryl helps guide the business side of things, and when I’m gone someday, the shop will belong to her entirely— a source of income built from a lifetime of adventures and photographs.

If you’ve enjoyed my work, I’d be honored if you’d consider making a purchase. Every order helps us grow this small family business and helps Etsy learn that people value what we’re creating here. And if you’re happy with your purchase, an honest review means more than you can imagine.

We’re currently offering a 50% Friends and Family discount through this link:
photographybykumiski.etsy.com?coupon=FRIENDSFAMILY50

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for supporting independent artists and small family businesses.

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Fishing!

I got an invitation from a subscriber, a Mr. Larry Alloway, to come and fish his private pond in Christmas, Florida. How gracious was that? How could I refuse? Fantasies of suicidal fish filled my head. Thursday morning, I was 20 minutes early, armed with a three- and a five-weight.

The pond was small, the fish were not nearly as suicidal as I had fantasized (no surprise there). I could not catch a bluegill, didn’t even get a strike from one. I did, however, catch two largemouth bass, one of perhaps a pound, maybe a tad more, on a gurgler, and a dinker on a caddis fly imitation meant for those fussy ‘gills.

Larry got a real one, using a plastic worm.

All too soon, the morning was toast, and it was back to the salt mines, as my father used to say. Thank you, Mr. Alloway, for a most pleasant morning.

I believe the chances of my fishing next week are close to zero due to circumstances out of my control, so I will take another bye week. At least I’m letting you know this time.

That’s the Soiree with Alloway report. Thanks for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go walking! Stay active!

John Kumiski – https://spottedtail.com – https://www.etsy.com/shop/PhotographybyKumiski

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, ©John Kumiski 2026. All rights are reserved.

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