Flat and Broken

Life comes at us in many different ways. Sometimes, it comes straight at us. Even though we can't see what is coming from the darkness, we try to follow the straight and narrow path as best we can. Other times, life throws us a curve. Many times, over and over again. You never know what is coming or which way it will come. If we can't adapt to the lines and curves life sends our way, we may end up flat and broken, in it's path.

Day by Day

Living day by day. So many people get by and cope, by doing that. Sometimes it's a necessary evil, living day by day. But, why must we cope or get by at all, when our lives are concerned and we are really in control. Life is meant to be lived, and lived to it's fullest! Living day by day is not living life to the fullest. It is a mere existence. There is so much life to be experienced. So many colors to see. So much beauty. So much love. What does it take to look around and see how much of the color, the beauty, the love, has passed you by? How much of your color and life have you lost, while it is still all around you? Live your life. Find out what is waiting for you.

Burs of Life

The burs of life seem to follow us like the burs we pick up in the woods. Some are more noticeable than others and can be quickly removed. Others are not so noticeable. They stay with us until we are ready to clean things up, remove them and move on. The burs are not always bad things, as with the burs in the woods. They are seeds from which new things can be grown. Knowing what will grow from them gives us our direction, and how we sow those seeds is what makes the differences in our lives.

Hidden Beauty

We find beauty in many things and in many places. Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder, as they say. We can spend a lifetime looking for it everywhere; and sometimes, do not find it. Even though there may already be beauty right under our own two feet.

The Inevitable

As the colors of Autumn slowly take over the woods and fens, we are reminded of, the inevitability of change. The change comes slowly at first, but it does and will come. We can't stop it no matter how hard we may try to wish it away. The colors change from bright greens to ambers, golds and crimsons. The air fills with a crisp new freshness. The mind and the senses can be overwhelmed, but the change will be beautiful.

Sunshine, On My Shoulders....

....makes me happy, as the John Denver classic says. With the warm rays of the late summer, evening sun warming the body, a walk through a field of sunflowers warms the spirit. Peace and contentment fills the air. Love and security fills the soul. Life is good!

Feelings of Fall

As the summer weather reluctantly gives way to cooler temperatures of early fall, color starts to return to the woods and fens. The mornings, evenings and nights become cooler and motivation returns to the inner spirit. Time seems to pass more quickly this time of year, as does life itself. Maybe it is because we are as reluctant to give up on summer, as nature herself, and resist the change. Seasons change just as lives change. Welcome the change.

Mother of Pearl

I don't know how long I've had this shell. It was given to me by my oldest aunt, who lived in Alabama. She was my gardening aunt and taught me a lot about how to grow things. Every year, when we went to visit the family, she would have plants from her gardens ready for me to bring home. My parents were not gardeners at the time, so it was up to me to find places for them and nurture them. She gave me this shell, which sat in the gardens at my parent's house, until they passed away and we sold the house. It then moved to one of my gardens, where it will remain. It has never lost any of it's color or luster.

Thanks Aunt Alphie.

Looking For A Sign?

Here are two of them. Good Morning World!

On the Right Path

The right path is not always easy. It may have many rocks and roots to stumble over. It is almost never smooth and flat. Most paths that we need to follow are uphill, making the journey more difficult. Strength from within puts us on the right path. It keeps us on the path to where we need to go. We must use that strength to stay on this path, no matter how difficult, because we know what is waiting for us at the top. Stay on your path!

Beam of Light

A small beam of light can illuminate details in dark places. The details start to become visible. The warmth and joy of the place is felt where it was not so apparent. Like love from afar.

Choices

We all make choices. Everyday. Choices about what to eat. What to wear. What to do today. Life and love. Some choices can be seen more clearly than others. How do we know what to choose when things are not so clear? Do we rely on instinct? On gut feelings? Sometimes the choices are already made. We just haven't realized it, yet.

Woodland Critters

One of the wonderful things about spending so much time in the woods is the wildlife encounters. Seems that every time I go out, I see something new. Sometimes it's the same animals behaving differently. Could be a new animal, bird or flower. Sometimes, it's a rock that just doesn't look quite right.

Down to the Details

Getting down to the details of something can be difficult. Even deceiving at times. The closer you look, the more you realize there is even more to see. Sometimes, the details don't even matter. It's the whole picture that counts.

Crossing Bridges

Life has many bridges we must cross. Sometimes we come to a bridge and hesitate. The bridge looks safe. The other side is where we want to go. There is familiarity and comfort on the other side. There may even be something we have been missing from our lives that is within reach, on the other side. We know we must cross this bridge, yet still, we hesitate. Why? So many questions to be asked before we cross. So many things to be resolved. Maybe we need someone from the other side to take our hand and help us across. That helping hand, that loving touch, can give us the strength we need to make the crossing. Sometimes faith must prevail over all the doubts and questions, so that we can take that hand and feel that love.

My Favorite Teacher

Having a daughter just graduate and getting ready to start a teaching career, makes you think about how important teachers really are to our future. I know several teachers and believe it is one of the most mis-understood and under appreciated professions out there. There are countless hours that are taken from teacher's personal lives to make sure that our children get the education they deserve; the education our children need to live their lives, better than ours. These children will be the people who take care of us, who find cures for the diseases that inflict us, who make the decisions to better our world. They need the best teachers we can find for them. With so many States looking to cut their budgets, teaching is the last place they should be looking!

As my daughter's graduation hat says, "If you can read this, thank a teacher"!

Long Time Friends

With the blooming Dogwoods, comes new hope for the rest of the year. Their bright colors bring a smile to the face and a joy to the heart. They help us through our days like long time friends.

Jack in the Pulpit

Can't imagine a better way to spend Easter Sunday than at one of my many places of worship....listening to Reverend Jack, preachin from the Pulpit.

Undecided?

Spring can't seem to make up her mind this year. Warm days then cold days. Rain then sun. Ahhh.....I guess it is Spring!

Spring Daydreams

Walking through the Fen yesterday was wonderful. Things are greening up nicely. The birds are returning and singing their hearts out. The sun is warm. And it's quiet there. As quiet as the nature around me would allow. Finding a stump or a downed tree to sit on to take it all in, leads to daydreams. Daydreams of the past and the future. Wondering what the future holds. Hopefully, the future is as bright as the Marsh Marigolds.

Good Luck Pam!

A lady in my latest photography class had agreed to shoot a wedding for a "friend". I don't know her except through the class, but she seems to be a very fun person to be around. Energetic, driven, and wanting to learn more about this art form called photography. I've seen some of her images and she has a very good eye (IMHO) for what she wants to convey. Her equipment is a bit limited, so I offered her one of my flashes and showed her how to use it. I also offered my help (as limited as it is) if she needed it.

Today, we met at the church for a little "scouting" session. Talk about atrocious light!!! Typical church - dark, stained glass, horrendous side lights. I had a gray card with me, so I showed her how to do a custom color balance setting. That made all the difference in the world! I suggested a few traditional and non-traditional wedding shots, and had her practice them. She did very well! I think she was a lot more comfortable when I left and had a better understanding of her equipment and what she was in for. I hope she does alright.

Understand this, I am not a wedding shooter! I have shot a grand total of ONE wedding in my life. That was for a friend's family back in the film days....with questionable results. My photography knowledge (be it, as it is) is beyond hers, so I offered to help. I love to help others and teach where I can, so I couldn't help but give her a hand. I hope she does well, for her sake and for the wedding party.

Good luck Pam!

RE-OPENED!

Friday was a great day for the people of this area. As I had posted back in November of last year, our County Park System was shut down and closed due to a very small levy's failure. Today, the Park System re-opened. It was re-opened through the efforts of many concerned citizens and groups. They have voluntarily offered to help maintain the parks and trails, and donations have been made to help ease the financial burden. We are, by no means, "out of the woods" yet. The Park System still needs more financial support that can only come from the entire community, not just a caring few.

Please visit our parks, if you are able, to see what these wonderful places have to offer and why they need to be preserved and open to the public. Also, when the new levy comes up on the ballot again, please do the right thing and vote YES for it. It IS the right thing to do.

For the People of Japan

Lighting a candle for the People of Japan.

Daffodils

Shining like sunshine, even on a cloudy day, Daffodils bring happiness to the early Spring gardens. They fight to survive the cold and snow that sometimes comes in early Spring.....bowing their heads, waiting for warmer weather, so they can shine even brighter.

Harbinger of Spring

The Harbinger of Spring has heralded that Spring IS here, on the day of the Vernal Equinox. Small and low to the ground, it hides it's beauty among the remains of last year's leaves. It can be easily over-looked and stepped on by those not aware of what might be found at their feet. Beauty must be found in small places, at times.

The Crocus Are Popping!

With every Spring, comes the same rituals. The sky clears and turns blue as the sun shines brightly and warms the earth. Then, one of those bright, sunny days, the crocus start to pop. They pop in all their various whites, yellows, purples and mixed colors, telling us of more good things to come. Welcome Springtime!

Lifting the Spirit

As winter slowly weakens it's grip on our area, an early Spring walk is called for. And to my delight, Spring color is found! With positive change, attitudes improve. Hope arises and things just don't feel quite as gloomy as they did a day or so ago.

Color Memories

Even though the colors in the plants are gone and waiting to be renewed, they remain in memory. The reds, yellows and greens are starting to reappear. Won't be long now!

interface

What do you interface with? Or should I ask, WHO do you interface with? Do your interface actions remain dull and gray? Or are they bright, vivid and vibrant? I much prefer a bright, vivid and vibrant interface that places itself in my memory forever.

Spring is coming.....someday

The ice forms on everything that is exposed. It puts that hopeful Spring frame of mind on hold for a few more days. Although the ice is beautiful, it does make life, and attitudes, difficult.

Spring is Coming!

All the snow is gone.....at least for now. The signs of Spring are starting to appear. These hopeful little daffodil sprouts might be in for a very rude surprise. I hope not. The groundhog has to be right.

Snow Dog!

What is it about dogs and snow? Even the oldest dog becomes a new pup again when they play in the snow. Throw a tennis ball into the mix and they'll run until they drop. AH OH! Someone just dropped a ball at my feet. Guess I'm expected to run too. Out into the cold!

Morning Coffee

A good cup of coffee is one of the simple pleasures in life. It helps warm you up on a cold winter morning and gets you moving into your day. There's something about the smell of fresh ground coffee that, in itself, is energizing. I think I'll go finish mine while I read the Sunday paper and get going with my day.

Winter Fishing Dreams

As the ice and snow blows and swirls around outside, my mind wanders to warmer times and places. Fishing for some is a hobby, a way of life, a passion. For me, Bass fishing is a mere hobby now. It is something that used to be a very important part of my life. With dreams of turning pro, to live on the road, on the lakes, catching bass and becoming known to fellow fishermen, was how I lived. Guess I'll just go through my gear and wait until the ice thaws so I can get out and dream again.

Cold Thoughts

It's cold outside. That makes things hard, in more ways then one. It's hard to stay motivated to do the things that need to be done. Hibernation tries to set in. The harshness of the winter environment makes me appreciate the coming Spring that much more. Come on Springtime!

Winter Greenery?

As the snow swirls outside and the temperatures drop, I find myself yearning for something green to photograph. As that is a near impossibility outside, I think to myself that I have all the green I need around me inside my house. Houseplants can make such a difference in the home environment, both physically and mentally. The different colored leaves; the different textures in the plants, makes for interesting imagery and can make the mind wander to warmer, sunnier climates. I feel better already!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The New Year is a time for new beginnings. These two little critters were born today, on New Years Day. So, as they grow, I hope all your dreams grow. I hope all your goals are achieved. Have a safe and very Happy New Year everyone!