He can’t remember how long it took him to learn to do this. I was impressed with the height and ease in which he tossed the dough. We had parent conferences until seven PM so got to go out to lunch. I headed down to the South Side to the bank and stopped in the Blue Grotto Pizza shop on the corner of 19th and Carson. Thom B came by. Told me, “…they really care about their food which is a good thing.” I waited for a slice of Pizza Margherita and you can see by Andrew’s hand that the slice was ENORMOUS!. It was also delicious. It was when I was leaving that I saw his tossing the dough and photographed his expertise. I asked if it was okay to blog and he said, “Sure.” Would have been good to have a tripod and cable remote but the soft capture still conveys the story of his skill. A rhythmic series of the pizza dough tossing is an idea for a future post. Could be in the People at Work series, too.
Category: People at Work
Master Craftswoman of Crochet in Porec, Istria

Photo Credit: Matthew S. McGrath
Porec, Istria, Croatia. Summer 2008. While visiting Matthew we drove to Istria from Zagreb and had many adventures. I bought the large pink doily and some of the little pieces for the women in my knitting group from the same timeframe. I declared her Master Craftswoman of Crochet and not sure if there are various levels but was thinking along the lines of say, Master Gardener. But then Master could sound masculine so added the Craftswoman part. Another post I will show you her kitchen that I photographed. She invited us in. I wish I had purchased a few more items when there. Photographed by Matthew S. McGrath. (I was in the original photograph but I cropped myself out!)
Firefighter on the 62 Street Bridge- People at Work Series
It was mid July. The sun was dropping and I was on my way home. I stopped to photograph the huge American flag in the middle of Etna.

The light, the breeze, the undulating shadows. I pulled over to the side of the road and took quite a few shots. And then as I started back home, I was the first person on the scene of an accident on the 62 Street Bridge. I could hear sirens and a tow truck arrived, a Paramedic truck and the Etna Firetruck all made their way by me to the scene as I sat. I photographed the back of the firetruck through my windshield as I sat and sat. I missed being in the wreck cause I was photographing that flag blowing in the breeze. Watching the light. This Etna firefighter helped the line of traffic turn around on the bridge and find another route home. Before I did the K-turn, I asked him if I could photograph him and I think he said yes! Ahhh the men who save us. Thank you. He’s said, “It’s going to be awhile before anyone gets out of here.”
and one of the flag shots from the middle of Etna that saved me from being in the accident!.
Tending the Veterans Rose Garden- Washington PA
Custom Framing for 30 Years and He’s Not Even 50 Yet!
That’s what he told me. And he’s been in business for 25 years! I went over to Panza Gallery in Millvale and owner/artist Mark Panza was busy busy busy. He really didn’t need me there Thursday afternoon but he was gracious. Kept on working. I broke his concentration at first by showing up and wanting to shoot him for the People at Work Series, even though we had talked about it on the phone, when it is actually happening it might not be so convenient.
Let me tell you I have a new understanding of why custom frames are not inexpensive. Lots of steps and precision, measure, measure, measure. Concentration, strength, math, craftsmanship. Thanks Mark for allowing me to capture you working. And remember he’s open Wed-Friday 10-5 and Sat 10-3.








