Lady of Lake Seminole

Callaway Gardens

2011-10-22T09:17:00.002-04:00

This is a bridge on the golf course at Callaway Gardens - taken in color and converted to black and white.

Chapel at Callaway Gardens

2011-10-10T21:34:00.001-04:00

The Cross at the Pulpit in the Chapel at Callaway Gardens.

Abstract Stained Glass

2011-10-04T09:34:00.001-04:00

This is a section of the stained glass in the Chapel at Callaway Gardens. Presented (and photographed) in an abstract style.

Callaway Gardens Chapel

2011-09-28T18:25:00.001-04:00

This is the chapel as seen across a small pond. It was still early morning, with a bit of fog and a bit of light in the trees.

Callaway Chapel - Abstract

2011-09-20T12:59:00.003-04:00

This is the same, basically, image as previously. However, with this image I played a little. It is simply a bit of play with twirls hither and thither.

Chapel at Callaway Gardens

2011-09-15T14:04:00.002-04:00

There is a beautiful chapel at Callaway Gardens - Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel. I got to sit in there almost by myself for over an hour. This was during our workshop with Marti Jeffers in the spring of 2011. It was my birthday and I enjoyed the beauty and serenity.

Iconic Callaway Bridge on Golf Course

2011-09-06T10:54:00.002-04:00

This is a bridge on the golf course at Callaway that is often shown in photographs. It is an HDR image from three photographs taken at wide angle.

Callaway Chapel

2011-08-30T22:38:00.004-04:00

Here is a picture from the Chapel at Callaway Gardens. Mitch and I were fortunate to participate in a week long workshop back in April, with Marti Jeffers. What a great experience, shared with several other participants who we had never met and an old friend. It was also a wonderful way to celebrate my birthday.

Lucky

2011-08-30T21:26:00.002-04:00

The image that shows as my profile was recently published in our local newspaper. I felt privileged that they selected a picture of mine for their kick-off of a new style to the paper.

SoFoBoMo/Decatur County Courthouse

2010-05-13T20:39:00.002-04:00

Last year I participated in the SoFoBoMo (http://www.sofobomo.org). This is where you publish a book of your photographs by taking the pictures and publishing within a 31 day period. It was a lot of fun. I took pictures of the courthouses in the small counties around us. It was also HOT! in June when I did this last year.

I am eager to participate again this year. However, I am rethinking my photograph collecting with an indoor theme. I haven't yet decided what my book is going to be about but I have signed on the dotted line to participate. So, we'll see . . .

This is an image from last year. It is the Decatur County Courthouse.

Wormsloe Avenue of Oaks

2010-05-03T19:48:00.003-04:00

This image has been used numerous times by many photographers. However, on a recent trip to Wormsloe, I just had to take this photograph. Maybe it is a cliche' but having been there . . . it is beautiful.

Dandelion

2010-04-16T21:44:00.002-04:00

We did some macro work this week. My husband was shooting Azaleas and they were pretty. However, when he brought this in I was excited. It was fun!

New Beginnings

2010-04-07T21:26:00.003-04:00

A month ago I had occasion to meet my parents at the cemetary where my maternal grandparents and my brother are buried. My Mom and Dad will eventually have burial sites there as well. We went to trim some shrubbery and do some clean up. I took a few pictures, not really sure why, just did.

I recently entered this image in a small contest on a photographers web site. The contest was based on what Easter means to us.

One of the things that is really important to me about Easter - these stones do not mark the end of a life. They mark a beginning . . .

Spring is a beginning . . .

I am in a beginning mood. Part of that is based on my feelings about these stones . . .

I want to make difference before I get to this point. I want to be sure to have lived not just existed.

Join me . . .

Of course, tomorow is my birthday. That certainly gives one pause. Happy Birthday to me!

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T22:12:00.002-05:00

May you have a Happy New Year. May you have beautiful sunrises and friends to share them with.

This was taken on Tybee Island, Georgia.

Christmas Focus

2009-12-28T14:07:00.002-05:00

Before we took the ornaments off the tree and put everything up, I took out my lens baby and took some photographs. I liked these two because they show the different focus of Chrismas. . . focus on Jesus Christ and focus on Santa Claus. I struggle with the two. I do focus on Jesus Christ . . . He is after all my reason for the season.

With family, two daughters and one grandson, it is easy to get caught up in Santa Claus and lose focus otherwise.

I hope you had a good Christmas and that you have a peacefilled New Year.

Cloudland Canyon Fog

2009-12-08T19:40:00.003-05:00

This is another image of Cloudland Canyon. It was an early morning with a fog rolling through the valley. It was a beautiful morning! You can see the sun on the mountains in the distance.

Contemplation of Thanks

2009-11-25T09:04:00.002-05:00

I am, like a lot of people, busy this week preparing for Thanksgiving. At the same time, I am contemplative . . . thinking of the things I have to be thankful for. This image is of our dock . . . come, sit with me awhile and give thanks.

Mountains to the Beach

2009-11-15T14:50:00.003-05:00

This past week, I went to Holmes Beach, Florida. I was near there to speak at a luncheon and since I had to drive down the day before I was to speak, I took the opportunity to go over to the beach. The beach is where I get renourished - salt air and salt water feed my inner self. As it turned out, a storm was moving in from off shore. There was not much color in the view so I converted this image from color to black and white.

Cloudland Canyon & Turkey

2009-11-10T21:33:00.004-05:00

Here is another picture from Cloudland Canyon State Park. The image was taken from across the canyon from where we stayed in a cabin.

Then on Thursday we went to DeSota State Park in Alabama. As we were driving over there I caught sight of some turkeys in a field. This turkey was one of several. The cool thing is it was almost completely white.

2009-10-30T21:11:00.002-04:00

Mitch and I went to Cloudland Canyon State Park in northwest Georgia this week. I had been told it was lovely place, yet I was still surprised at how beautiful it was. The color -- fall leaf color -- was outstanding. Here are a few images from Monday, at an overlook near our cabin.

Monarchs at St. Mark's Lighthouse

2009-10-24T13:01:00.002-04:00

If you saw Mitch's blog (http://fishponddrain.blogspot.com/), you are aware we went down to the St. Mark's National Wildlife Refuge this week. The Monarch butterflies take off from here and migrate down to Mexico. I had not been to St. Mark's at this time of the year before, though we at one time we were frequent visitors. Here are a few images from my perspective.

Sunset Cove

2009-10-12T18:33:00.004-04:00

Last week, Mitch and I went up the road just a short piece. There is a small inlet which has a few houses around it. This is an image from the sunset hour.

We are still having summer temperatures much of the time, so the "hot" feeling from this image is as it should be.

Swan

2009-10-06T12:28:00.003-04:00

I am a fan of black and white pictures. I am not sure why, since I love making quilts and using all the colors of the spectrum in them. Still, I am a great fan of black and white.

This image of a Swan was taken at Bok Tower, near Winter Haven, Florida. I hope you like it.

Somesville, Maine

2009-09-28T13:03:00.002-04:00

In the fall of 2007, we took a trip up to the northeast United States. One of the places we visited was Somesville, Maine. Since it was in the fall, and here in southwest Georgia it actually felt a bit like fall this morning, I decided to post this photograph.

Becky

5 Year Celebration

2009-09-22T10:18:00.002-04:00

We went to Destin, FL, and Panama City, FL, to celebrate last week. I go to the beach for renourishment or celebration. This time it was to celebrate five years of my being cancer free.

This is an image as we crossed over a bridge. The crystal green water at Destin is always beautiful.

Crescent House Valdosta, GA - Church

2009-09-05T18:37:00.002-04:00

Last September, my husband had to go to Valdosta, Georgia, for some training. While there I went to the Crescent House. It is an "ante-bellum" style house in the downtown area. On the same property is an old schoolhouse building and this small church.

Bank's Lake - South Georgia

2009-09-01T11:45:00.002-04:00

This image was taken last year at Bank's Lake, near Valdosta, Georgia. It was early morning. I looked at the house in the woods and thought what a wonderful place to live.

Fun

2009-08-25T08:54:00.002-04:00

This was some fun I had a few weeks ago. This first picture is the photo as taken.

This second image is one worked in PhotoShop, having some fun.

I am not a fan of a lot of manipulation in PhotoShop, but this was a lot of fun.

Pink Pig

2009-08-16T21:49:00.006-04:00

A few weeks ago, we were riding around the country side, here in southwest Georgia. We came upon several pink pigs. Thought one of them might brighten your day.

White Egret at St. Augustine Alligator Farm

2009-08-09T07:47:00.001-04:00

Mitch and I went to the Alligator Farm on our way back from south Florida a few months ago. I took four or five pictures of alligators and lots of pictures of Egrets and Herons.

Ray's Lake Sunrise - Earlier

2009-08-04T13:44:00.000-04:00

Mitch and I were up before sunrise in order to catch the sunrise. The image I posted last week was after the sun had actually made way over the clouds. This image is taken a bit earlier in the same morning.

Opposites attract, or so the saying goes. Mitch likes the other image, it is brighter and warmer. I like this one as it is moodier and quieter.

Hope one or the other is to your liking.

Ray's Lake

2009-07-28T21:28:00.001-04:00

This is a picture of some boat docks on Ray's Lake, a part of Lake Seminole. We have been trying to get up during the "approximate" middle of each month and take photographs around Lake Seminole. Some are on the lake, some on the surrounding area. This month we picked Ray's Lake.

The sun was rising but it was behind a cloud. The bottom of the sun was hitting the boat docks and the cloud kept the sun from hitting the trees. There was a very slight fog on the water. A fisherman who was launching his boat told my husband, "This is the best part of the day." It was a beautiful morning.

I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy this "best part of the day."

Hotel Rooms

2009-07-16T17:27:00.000-04:00

Seems to me I wrote about sitting in hotel rooms some time ago. Here I am again.

Tomorrow I am speaking in Winter Haven, Florida, at a ladies' luncheon. It is at a Christian Women's organization luncheon. I have been sitting here thinking about home and tweeting with my family. I enjoy these trips to speak with other women. I do miss home though when I come off by myself.

So, I decided to share an image from "home". This is a image taken over Lake Seminole on a day back in February 2009. We had decided to try and take sunrise pictures each month somewhere around Lake Seminole. This is a composite of three pictures, in order to get the right color.

It is nice to think of home when you are away!

Baby Bird at St. Augustine Alligator Farm

2009-07-07T13:52:00.000-04:00

Whew, I have been busy. I can not believe it has been almost a month since I posted anything. I have been working on my SoFoBoMo (Solo Photo Book Month) project and was only one day (I think) late. I had my images all ready but getting them into a PDF for posting on the web page (http://www.sofobomo.org/2009/) was very difficult.

Then I was also working on a presentation for a ladies’ tea at our former church. I spoke there on the topic “Passing on Our Remarkable Christian Heritage – May the Lord Find Us Faithful.” I use quilts as a motif in giving my testimony for a ladies ministry group. This time I used quilts as a motif for passing on our heritage. I had about a month from the time they asked until the time I presented, so that was busy. Plus it fell during the time I was doing the above project.

But, you know what, EVERYONE is busy. I don’t know how your life is but I can pretty well guess that you are busy. Enough about that!

During the month of June, on our way back from a Daytona Beach, Florida, my husband and I went through St. Augustine, Florida. We stopped at the Alligator Farm. There were lots and lots and lots of alligators. However we can see them at home almost any time we want to. (Yeah, why would we want to?)

Also in the Alligator Farm are LOTS of birds, mainly Egrets, some Herons. This picture is one of several that I took. I will post more later.

I hope you are having a good July. I am incredibly thankful that I live here in the United States of America. We have problems, who doesn’t, but I am glad to be here.

Creamed Corn

2009-06-13T21:21:00.000-04:00

This image is one that my husband shot, while I was creaming (scraping) an ear of corn. The corn is in – meaning that the corn crop is ready to be harvested, at least some of it. We went to the “corn cooler”, a place where the farmer’s fresh picked corn is taken for distribution. This is actually a commercial establishment, but individuals can go and get a few crates. We have gone there for the last several years and bought corn.

Then we sit on the back porch and Mitch shucks the ears. He then hands them to me and I run them across this “grater” to cut the kernels and then again to pull out the middle (just want to be sure I get all of the good stuff) of the kernels. It is hot and messy work.

I use a “grater” or “scraper” that was my Grandmother’s. I enjoy sitting there and thinking about her using it and now I am using it. While it is hard work, it is peace giving work for me to think about her.

I don’t get carried away by my recall – when the peas come in, I buy them already shelled. Then Mitch and I blanch them and put them up – freeze them.

I enjoy summer, fresh peaches, fresh corn, fresh tomatoes, fresh peas, and so on. I simply can not get enough.

However, the key to this is that in the middle of winter, I get the taste of summer, right out of my own freezer.

I hope you have memories that come to you this time of year and give you peace and pleasure.

Black and White Gardenia Petals

2009-05-25T11:20:00.000-04:00

Our Gardenia bush is so loaded that when it rains the limbs almost fall to the ground. Last week, I went out and took some photographs and am working with them. This is an image of just petals singled out. I love black and white pictures, thus I converted it to a black and white. I like this, though I am still working on other images.

It has been a blessing in our house this past week and a half. My house smells so good with the Gardenias in it. Also, when we walk outside, especially after a fresh rain, the blessing extends out over the yard. There are so many blooms they just “smell up” the yard.

I hope you are receiving blessings this week.

I do not have a Memorial Day image to post, but I must remind each of us that because of those who have given their lives for us, we can celebrate this day as we wish. Please, remember you are blessed because of the lives of others.

William and the Lizard

2009-05-19T11:27:00.001-04:00

Spring is a time for new beginnings and I love Spring. Children, baby animals and birds, new growth on trees, flowers, all of it, it is just all wonderful. New discoveries are made.

Here is a picture of our grandson and his first discovery of a lizard. William had no qualms about touching the lizard. Part of that is he hasn’t been hurt by one yet. However, a major part of that is his mom. I would find frogs, lizards, and eventually snake skins in her pockets or in her bedroom. William has a great role model for his years ahead.

Here is a toast to new things – William was two years old in March – so he is a part of the wonders of Spring.

I hope you still have the wonder of a small child in yourself!

Sunrise on Lake Seminole in May

2009-05-12T17:47:00.000-04:00

This is the April edition of the year’s sunrise images. We went to Sneads, FL, and shot back toward the east over the lake. So far all of our focus has been on the lake. I hope to move away from the lake in May to shoot some of the surrounding area.

Our area is an agricultural one and I think there are some beautiful sunrises waiting out there over fields and pastures.

After the 15th of May, I will be focusing on another project though. You can see it at my other blog, set up specifically for the project, http://swgeorgiacourthouses.blogspot.com. I have 30 days to take and publish in a book form 35 images. I have selected southwest Georgia courthouses as my subject. I signed on for this project in an effort to get me out photographing more.

I will still add photos here once a week, so please do come back and look.

I hope you are having a great spring. As you can see, it is beautiful here on the lake.

Baby Egrets

2009-05-05T19:27:00.000-04:00

On the theme of babies, here is an image of a couple of baby Egrets. This picture was taken at the Venice Rookery, back at the beginning of April.

There were two here together that the parents would come and feed. One of them was much more active than the other. Here you can see that one "trying out his wings."

I couldn't help but be amused. Mom and Dad go off and like most children he tries to see what he can get into.

Hope you are having great spring weather.

Baby Geese (and babies)

2009-04-29T11:40:00.000-04:00

Yesterday morning, we went over to Sneads, Florida, to take pictures of the sunrise. This was a part of our year’s commitment to taking sunrise pictures around our area.

There were two sets of Geese with babies. One pair had one baby and the other pair had two babies. I took several pictures of the Geese families. This one actually wound up with the two babies being together and no parents in the picture. This set me thinking . . .

Last week we kept our grandson as his mom had a work commitment that complicated getting the little man to daycare. The parent geese reminded me of my husband and me. We were everywhere that our grandson was. He could not (not that he wanted to) get out of our sight. He loves being outside, so we spent much time outside. Sometimes just being on the back porch was enough. However, he also wanted to go for an ATV ride, so he got to do that. He wanted to swing, so we did that. Whatever he wanted it was pretty much his time to do.

We introduced him to boating and took him on his first boat ride. He liked it a lot, but it was better when “Grandpa go fast”.

So, back to our geese. Let’s all watch out for our babies like they do. (See the second picture.) Keeping a look out for trouble and keeping them close to us as we guide their steps.

As I was taking pictures, the babies kept getting closer and closer to me. Finally, I heard a “hissing” noise and took my head out from behind the camera to see one of the parents “warning” me to leave. So, I did, promptly!

Have a good day, and watch out for others.

SoFoBoMo

2009-04-16T13:56:00.000-04:00

Is that it? Yeah, it is as good as any for the title.

I have signed up for the SoFoBoMo. What!? You ask, with both question mark and exclamation point. SoFoBoMo is short for Solo Photo Book Month

See further explanation here:

http://www.sofobomo.org/2009/

I considered a book last year, but just procrastinated, and procrastinated, and procrastinated. Did you understand I procrastinated?

This year I decided no procrastination. (Well, not in regards to the book. Other things? Yeah, it is still on!)

Okay, let us move onward.

I have a couple of ideas in mind. By the end of May, I must have decided what I am going to photograph. By the end of June, I must have completed my book.

Ah, yes, there is room for some more procrastination. Isn’t life good?

You may be seeking my regular photograph; usually I add one per week. Well, this comment is about the SOFOBOMO, yet to be determined. By actually posting this I am attempting some “accountability.” Now there is a word to love.

So, bear with me. I will keep posting my blog as usual. However, there will be extra blogs as I explore this new adventure. Come with me and let’s see what we find.

I certainly do not want to explore alone.

Which reminds me, why don’t you consider a SOFOBOMO of your own????? There is still time to sign up!

Relationships

2009-04-07T15:10:00.000-04:00

Some friends of ours recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. My husband and I were asked by their granddaughter-in-law to take pictures of the celebration. We were more than happy to do so. One of the highlights of the day was the cutting of the “wedding cake”. This couple had eloped and not had a “wedding”. Thus, there had been no “wedding cake.” For their anniversary, a beautiful, three layer cake was decorated with gold bows and a big “50” on the top. We did the usual “bride and groom cut the cake and feed each other”. I would venture to say it may have been more civilized than a newly married couple. These two people knew the ramifications of . . . whatever might have passed between them.

This week, my husband and I have been in Venice, Florida. We went to the well known Venice Rookery. It is a small bird rookery in the middle of civilization. We had a really good time taking pictures of Great Blue Herons, White Egrets, and Anhingas, just to name a few of the birds we saw.

As I watched some of the Great Blue Herons, I thought about relationships. So, here are three pictures about relationships. I think in all relationships, whether marital or friendship or even familial, there are several important methods of communication used. First of all (see the first picture), there is talking, where one is talking and the other is listening. Then, to make this relationship work well, you both have times when you are going in the same direction, i.e., have the same goals or outlook in mind (second picture). However, there are also those times when you need to be alone, to think for yourself, not to be together but to be “apart” (the third image).

My prayer is that you have someone to enjoy life with. Maybe it is family (spouse, brother, sister, etc.) or a friend (the true friend that understands these times as explained), both are important and each can understand us well enough to share life.

Anniversary Quilt - Our Waltz

2009-03-31T20:18:00.000-04:00

Lately, I have been struggling with my photography. Just a temporary difficulty I am sure.

I thought, in the meantime, I would post pictures of the anniversary quilt I made for my husband and me.

These pictures reflect the two blocks that were used throughout the quilt and then the complete quilt itself. The blocks are called “Cannonball” and “54-40 or Fight.”

The Cannon ball is also called a Snow ball.

The “54-40 or Fight” refers to the battle between between the US and Canada in the northwest regarding establishment of the border, in the early 1800's. A lot of people wanted the border set at the 54 longitudes and 40th parallel which would have taken all of Southern Alaska and British Columbia. Eventually the 49th parallel was used.

When used in the pattern as I did together these two blocks make a Tennessee Waltz patterned quilt.

I was amused when I realized that the anniversary quilt is made of two blocks that seem to reflect “fighting”. However, the first time my husband and I danced a slow dance together it was to the music “Tennessee Waltz.” When I saw this quilt pattern I just knew that I needed to make a quilt like this.

It actually was intended for our anniversary a couple of years ago. However, life got in the way “so to speak”. A wedding quilt needed to be made, baby quilts needed to be made, a “going away” quilt for our Pastor’s wife needed to be made.

Our marriage was going to last and the quilt could wait, though not be left undone.

Weddings, new babies, the loss of a friend’s presence, these needed to be seen to right away.

As has been for years, our marriage, it was our support and strength through all of these.

Sunrise over Florida Bay

2009-03-16T22:41:00.000-04:00

It is hard to know which is more beautiful: sunrise or sunset.

They each have their own merit. With a sunrise, you are greeting a new day, a new chance to . . . whatever it is that you are needing to do. Perhaps you need to forgive a friend, for you have been forgiven. Perhaps you need to mend a family relationship, this is vital to each of us. Perhaps you just need a new start.

Sunset – perhaps it means, “Whew! This day is over.” Perhaps it means: “. . . After all tomorrow is another day.” Perhaps it means, a fresh start . . . in the morning, with the sunrise.

All I know is: I love to see either one of them over the water.

This is sunrise from the balcony of our hotel on Islamorada, in the Florida Keys.

Please put yourself in this chair, I left it empty just so you could join me. I even brought you a cup of coffee.

Have a good day, whatever you new day means to you.

Sunset at Pine Island, Florida

2009-03-09T21:57:00.000-04:00

Last night I went to Pine Island, on the Gulf Coast of Florida. From there I could see an “uninterrupted” sunset. There were no condominiums rising in the distance. There were no evening lights coming on. There was just ocean and sun, with a boat now and then. I don’t get to see many sunsets like this any more.

Don’t get me wrong, I love living on the lake: the eagles, the osprey, the quiet in the middle of the week when the weekenders go home. All of it!

There is just something about sitting and watching the sun melt into the sea that is beautiful in a unique way. As I wait for the sun to go “down” I feel myself calming down, relaxing, taking slow breaths. There is nothing else to do. The sun dips slowly, ever so slowly, down toward the horizon. My breathing slows. I am totally focused on the miracle. The colors are incredible. I can feel them in my bones. Then . .

It’s gone.

However, just sitting here writing about it brings it all back. I hope you can breathe deep and enjoy it.

Black & White Calla Lily

2009-03-02T16:05:00.001-05:00

I realize that flowers are particularly glorious because of their color. There are some incredible colors in the world in flowers. I think of the various shades of roses. One can not merely say red, there are numerous “shades” of red, from bright to subdued. There are even roses that are classified as blue and purple.

Then there are lilies. Consider the Bible verses Matthew 6:28-29.
28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

They are as beautiful as roses and just as varied. Even some that are striped or spotted, with various colors in one bloom.

Yes, flowers have a glory all to themselves as far as color goes.

However, I couldn’t help but publish this Calla Lily. There is a beauty in its simplicity of form that I tried to capture in black and white.

So, in addition to God’s glorious work in color, consider His glorious work in form. I can but in my small way capture a representative image of His incredible, awesome work.

Lilies

2009-02-24T19:47:00.000-05:00

When I bought a pot of Calla Lilies yesterday, it was a whim. We were shopping in one of our favorite Publix Supermarkets and there the lilies were. They were absolutely beautiful.

I decided to get a pot of them and take them home to photograph. At one time, I would have thought this an odd thing to do, but it has become quite common place around our house. So, this morning, after a sunrise shoot, Mitch and I both spent some time photographing the lilies.

Here is one of my efforts. I hope you enjoy them. I hope that they give you the lift in your spirit that they did for me.

'Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not,
neither do they spin:
even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
~ Matthew 6:28-29

White Egret at Ding Darling

2009-02-18T23:36:00.001-05:00

These are such stately birds when they are stalking along the shoreline. We see them frequently near our home on Lake Seminole. However, this image was taken at Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. I like the clean look of this image. Just the bird and water. I do certainly wish I had gotten all of his tail.

Valentines Day

2009-02-10T16:18:00.000-05:00

A friend gave me a lens set to go with my new Lensbaby (a type of camera lens). I then went to the store and bought a pail of red tulips to practice taking pictures of, with my news lens set. I had a great time. Tulips to me are one of the signs of Spring that lift my heart. Taking pictures of tulips with a new lens from a friend – well, what a great time.

Thinking of friends and people I love brought me to this coming weekend.

Valentines Day is this coming weekend. This is a difficult day for many people. There are those who have never found that special someone to be with, married to, engaged to, or just “in love” with. There are those that may have found that someone but lost them, perhaps in death (we went to a funeral today and there have been several losses of friends in the last week). Perhaps that special someone they love is far away, I think of our men and women in the military or in service to the Lord as missionaries. There are so many reasons to be away from a loved one. Then there are those who are divorced, not by choice but whose marriage fell apart due to things they could not control.

Valentines Day is a “Couples Day.” And it can be very sad.

However, if you can learn to love yourself I believe you can be alone and be okay. I found the following quote today:

You cannot be lonely if you like the person you're alone with. ~Wayne W. Dyer

I have not learned this yet. I still sometimes do not like myself. I still sometimes think I am too . . . Though; I am more comfortable in this skin than I was as a young woman.

My Valentines greeting to each of you is:

Find yourself and be pleased with yourself. In essence, love yourself.

Buy yourself some tulips and enjoy the day!

Bit off more than you can chew?

2009-02-04T15:52:00.000-05:00

Do you ever have days when you seem to have bit off more than you can chew?

I sure do.

When we were at Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, I caught this picture of a Woodstork that had grabbed a hold of what looked like a Gar fish. In subsequent pictures the Stork actually ate the Gar. However, for a bit there it looked like a toss up as to who was winning.

This is how I feel sometimes in life. I get a hold of something, it looks good. It looks like something I want to eat or something I want to do, something I want to have, etc. Then I realize that it is much larger or more difficult or more time consuming or more expensive than I had thought it would be. And there I am, holding on to it because I can not or will not let go. What gets in the way? I truly want it and do not want to let go? Or maybe pride gets in the way? Or maybe stubbornness gets in the way? Maybe, just maybe, I do not know how to let it go, but I want to.

For some reason, I do not think I am the only person that does this. Do you want to know how I deal with it?

I have learned to pray about it. “God, is this really something I am to do? Is this really something you want me to do? Lord, what should I do with this?”

Sometimes, I get answers . . . right away. Sometimes, I get answers . . . but after I have learned the lesson that goes along with teaching. In some cases, I am still learning and have not yet had an answer.

Just a few thoughts to share, hopefully you are better at dealing with such things than I.

Focus

2009-01-27T10:40:00.000-05:00

Do you focus so much on where you are going that you fail to see the here and now? I sometimes do this. I fail to “live in the moment.”

This image was taken by a lens called a Lens Baby. It has a “sweet spot” where things are in focus. The rest of the image is somewhat out of focus, depending on several variables.

This image however speaks to me about living in the moment. I fail sometimes to see the trees where I am. I may not appreciate enough the love of my family or the love of my Lord. I may fail to hear my friends when they call out to me. I may overlook a need by one close to me.

Mitch and I got up early and we were sitting on a dock on another part of the lake as the sun rose. We went to take pictures of the sunrise. There were Coots, Herons, and ducks. A couple of fishermen put their boat in the water and took off, in the early morning fog. We also heard the cry of a Loon.

After the sun rose, we came home and had French toast for breakfast.

I am sitting here at my computer listening to a Brown Thrasher. Earlier, I heard Blue Birds. I just enjoyed a cup of tea, listening to the sounds of the morning.

Today, I am going to try and focus on the now. I am going to try not looking around that bend and wondering what is there and worrying about the “what if’s.”

Worrying about the “what if’s” is a major problem about not living in the here and now. Yes, you need to prepare for the future. You can, however, worry yourself, literally, to death by focusing too much on the “yet to come”.

My grandmother used to tell me, “Don’t go chasing shadows.”

Join me in the here and now. Enjoy the gift given to you today!

William

2009-01-19T20:12:00.000-05:00

A few days ago, Michelle and I were discussing how our family (the girls and my nephews) are programmed to “pose for the camera.” It is amusing how when I take out my camera or when my sister-in-law does the same, our children know to pose.

Here is a picture of our grandson, William. We were lucky enough to take care of him this past Wednesday. He is a treat! He can count to ten. He is learning his ABC’s. He already knows the “no” word, and he is not yet two years old. In the background is the box his Christmas gift was in. He is still enjoying the box. He goes in it, saying “goodbye” as he does. This is followed by “see you later.” He closes it up. Then out he comes. As for the Christmas gift, well who knows . . .

As you can see, he already knows to pose for the camera. I had forgotten to take my Canon so this is with a point and shoot. However, he immediately knew what it was for. As soon as Mitch took the camera out and pointed it at William, he posed.

I hope his smile is as contagious for you as it is for us.

Captiva Island Sunset

2009-01-12T20:12:00.000-05:00

The first day we were in Fort Myers, we went to Sanibel/Captiva Island. It was a nice drive. We also got some of our first pictures at Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve.

We then drove north on the road connecting Sanibel/Captiva, looking for a place to park and take some pictures of the sunset. While the gulf front is “public” land, there was absolutely no place to park. So I took several pictures while Mitch was driving.

This is a sunset from Captiva Island, taken while Mitch is driving south and I am shooting out the window on the passenger side. You can see some people have set up for a sunset viewing. (If you click on the image it will upload the complete panorama.)

It was an absolutely beautiful sunset.

I love sunrises as they bring a new day. I also love sunsets – they are so beautiful!

Hope you enjoy this one as well.

Sanibel Island Causeway Sunrise

2009-01-07T16:04:00.000-05:00

This week I am speaking at a Christian Women’s Connection luncheon, in Fort Myers, Florida.

Mitch decided to come with me and we came down early. We were going to use the trip as a short break together and get in some photography. It has been year’s since we were in Fort Myers. The last time was when Brandie turned sixteen and we went to the keys for a vacation. We came back up the west coast of Florida on our way home.

This morning we got up early as we were going out to Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge for a morning boat ride. On the way over, we stopped at the causeway going to Sanibel Island. We stayed there about thirty minutes and caught a few pictures of the sunrise. I almost missed it as I was taking pictures of gulls.

Here is an image from this morning. It was a beautiful sunrise.

Of course, I think all sunrises are beautiful. It means the opportunity of another day and that is grand indeed.

Happy New Year

2008-12-29T16:38:00.000-05:00

In looking for an image to post for a look forward to the New Year, I chose this one. It is an old one. I took the picture when we were in Savannah, Georgia, for a photography workshop.

Why did I select this image? It is of a sunrise. Just as the sun rises each day, with the possibility of a fresh start, so will we begin a new year on Thursday. Though each day gives us a new start, there is something special about a new year.

Second, I chose this image because there are people in it. In this case some really nice people who have become special to Mitch and me. However, it is for you to put your people in it. I pray for you loved ones to enhance your life in this new year.

Third, there is a horizon of the ocean. I likewise pray for you new and greater horizons, as much as you want or need.

Joy to you for the New Year!

Christmas Advent Wreath and Cross

2008-12-22T16:59:00.000-05:00

A number of years ago our then Pastor introduced the Advent Wreath to our Sunday Evening Service. This was quite different for us Southern Baptists, at that time. The Advent Wreath and its symbolism became a part of our family Christmas as our girls were growing up. We would have one in our home, even in the years when our Church did not. The meaning of the wreath and the ritual of it helped me many years in preparing my heart for Christmas.

Sometimes Christmas can become so busy that the peace and meaning of it gets lost.

This year we had a wreath at our Church. This afternoon Mitch and I went up and took some pictures of it. It was peaceful interlude in the busyness of Christmas.

In this image I find an appreciation for the Advent Wreath, as a preparation for the child to be born, and the cross, as an emblem of the child grown to be a man. Certainly the cross is not a peaceful image, yet it symbolizes for me a peace in my life for I have found Christ to be my peace.

I hope you are having a Merry Christmas, and that you find the peace of the season.

Coheelee Creek #2

2008-12-15T21:27:00.000-05:00

Today, Mitch and I again went to Coheelee Creek (see his blog http://fishponddrain.blogspot.com/). We had a really nice time. We left home before daylight and went by our favorite spot for breakfast. Bobby makes the absolute best biscuits I can get (that is outside of my Mom’s house). We got the requisite sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit and continued on our way.

Bobby asked where we were off to at that hour of the day. We told him we were off to Coheelee Creek. He said that was getting to be a habit.

We had stopped by his place the last time we went to Coheelee.

As Mitch mentions, we had a heavy rain the end of last week. This meant there was a lot of water coming through the creek. The sound of rushing water was so beautiful. It was very peaceful.

Cross Florida Barge Canal

2008-12-11T20:45:00.001-05:00

A few years ago, I worked for the Cross Florida Barge Canal. It was a project begun years ago, an effort to build a canal that would allow ships to cross Florida. It was supposedly for security purposes. See this for information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_Florida_Barge_Canal.

This past Monday, I went to Punta Gorda, Florida, to speak to a ladies’ luncheon group. As I was returning home, I went across the bridge and took this picture out the window over my shoulder.

It was a beautiful sunset. I just wish I had had time to stop and enjoy it.

My Thanks

2008-11-30T22:33:00.000-05:00

As I was looking through some photographs from last fall, I came upon this photograph of a Life-Saving Station on Cape Cod. While the photograph is interesting and it brought back some nice memories of our vacation, it brought to mind something much more important.

Mitch, my husband, and I got to spend Thanksgiving together. There were a number of years that we were very limited in spending Thanksgiving together. We might have supper with family, but Mitch would be working. Or, we might have lunch together with family, but Mitch would be working.

There are many people in the “life saving” area who do not get to celebrate holidays with their families. These include those locally such as law enforcement, paramedics, and firefighters. Then there are those that are defending our country, Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, Marines, and Navy,

To this I could add, doctors, nurses, and others in the medical fields.

So, to each of you who made my Thanksgiving with my husband and our family a nice day, I say thank you. May God bless each of you and your very special family.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T21:24:00.000-05:00

Those of us here for Thanksgiving.

Brandie, our daughter, and her son, William.

Michelle, our daughter, and William

One of the most important things about Thanksgiving is, for me, family. I thoroughly love having as much of my family around me as I can get. Each year this varies with family. A few years ago, I was going through radiation, so we decided Thanksgiving should be small. We were worried about the chance of my getting ill. Every so often my brother's boys, our nephews, would bring an extra guest or two, which was really great.

I also like it when we have friends around for lunch. A couple of years ago we had three extra couples for lunch. They were at our church helping us to build our church. It was such a treat to share lunch with them. We have invited people that we work with on occasion.

Thanksgiving, sitting around a dining table (or sometimes two or three tables) sharing food, laughs, life, is wonderful.

Another important part of Thanksgiving is being thankful to our Lord. Even though I try to keep caught up each day, this day just gives me an extra day to remember how blessed I am.

I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and that you are richly blessed with family and friends.

Beauty of the Earth

2008-11-24T11:34:00.000-05:00

Mitch and I spent several days last week in Lake Wales, Florida. We went to Bok Tower, a place I had heard of often but never visited. It is an exquisite place. There is the tower, which has a magnificient carillion. There is also a lovely garden. Soon the Camellias will be in bloom. There were a "gazillion" buds waiting to bloom. Here is a picture of a Swan. There were two of them in the reflecting pool in front of the tower.

Swans to me are just incredibly beautiful. I hope you have, and realize that you have, beauty in your life.

Country

2008-11-19T21:23:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite things is riding around looking at the country where we live. It is just beautiful everywhere you look. We live in a farm belt. There is always something going on, either planting, fertilizing, watering, or harvesting. Here are a couple of pictures of the sun setting over a wheat field.

I hope you enjoy the place where you live.

Great Blue Heron

2008-11-15T21:59:00.000-05:00

A few days ago, Mitch and I took our small john boat and went for a short ride on the water. It was a beautiful day and I wanted to see some blue sky and smell fresh water. I had not been feeling well and sunshine always makes me feel better. We grabbed a few shots of the autumn colors and I got a few shots of a Great Blue Heron. Here is one of the images.

Coheelee Creek

2008-11-13T11:03:00.000-05:00

Mitch and I went several days ago to Coheelee Creek. We actually went looking for fall color and there was not much of it yet. However, we love to go to Coheelee to photograph. There is a covered bridge and it has a nice stream. We walked further down the stream than we had been before. There was a four foot high bank covered with ferns. I tried to get a photograph but the sun is in the wrong place this time of year. So, a note went in my calendar for later, when the sun is in the northern route.

However, here is a picture of the creek leading to the covered bridge. It is just a peaceful, country image. Someplace where I could sit and while away a day (even without a book). I should point out that we were up before daybreak to get to Coheelee early.

I hope you are having a lovely fall where you are.

Becky

Sea Shells

2008-11-04T18:55:00.001-05:00

Mitch and I went to Fort Clinch, in Florida on the northeast coast, a couple of years ago. It was in January and we were celebrating our anniversary. It was freezing cold. However, to the beach we went. Cold or hot, the beach is one of my favorite places to be. There were a lot of shells and this pattern intrigued me, maybe because it reminds me of a quilt.

I also thought of election day when I looked at it. Our country made up of all different races, genders, beliefs, opinions. It has worked so far. May it work from now on.

Autumn Fog

2008-11-02T19:03:00.000-05:00

This is a tall ship at Mystic Seaport, Connecticut.

This is a man fishing on Stonington Point, Connecticut.

It is a beautiful time of year. The leaves on certain trees change colors, some to red, some to gold, even some to a peach color. The Red Cypress that are around where we live turn to their rusty, red color. So, it is a very colorful time of year. Another thing about this time of year is the fog. In autumn we have, at least around here, a greater opportunity for fog than during the summer.

These two pictures are a few pictures of “foggy” weather. They were both taken when we were at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut last fall. Being on the sea, it was incredibly foggy and very beautiful.

Savannah, Georgia

2008-10-30T16:53:00.000-04:00

Here is a picture of Forsyth Park Fountain, created in 1858 and restored in 1988.

This image was one of the first abstract images I ever tried, in camera.

Savannah, Georgia’s history began in 1733. General James Oglethorpe landed at Savannah, along with 120 passengers on the ship “Anne.” Oglethorpe named the area Georgia after King George II.

Savannah had her great times. She was a very wealthy city when cotton was king in the south.

Savannah also had very difficult times. In 1820 there was such an outbreak of yellow fever that a tenth of the population died.

Savannah has survived fires, epidemics, hurricanes and even tourists.

Here is the door to just one of the many beautiful old churches located around the squares in Savannah.

This last is one of the many gates that lead into private areas. You can tell the brick work has been around for hundreds of years.

Mitch and I have been to Savannah several times. The last time we were headed to Savannah we thought we had been there enough. Then when we finished the photography workshop we were there to attend, we decided we actually needed to go again. I hope we do get to go again. It is a beautiful city with lots to explore.

Keeping William

2008-10-25T22:15:00.001-04:00

A couple of days this week, Mitch and I had the privilege of keeping our grandson, William. His mom had to work and we were delighted to keep him for her. He is eighteen months old and learning so much so fast.

William loves hats! Actually base ball caps, hats not so much. So, we bought him a new “hat.” Mitch had not yet had the opportunity to really know how much our grandson likes hats. When we first showed the new hat to William, he was at his grandpa’s knee. William bent his head down. Mitch wasn’t sure what that meant. I told him, William wanted the new hat put on his head. Mitch put it on William’s head and William just grinned. He loves hats!

William also loves ceiling fans. I am not sure what the attraction is. I know as an infant he would just lay down under the fan and watch the fan go around and around. When Mitch turned off the ceiling fan, he found out that William wants it on. His comment was, “I need the fan.” He continued saying that until Mitch turned it back on.

Of course, we are remembering just how quick children at eighteen months can get in to stuff. I did feel my age somewhat once we were through.

We were so blessed. It was a lot of fun!

Yaaaay

2008-10-22T23:10:00.000-04:00

Our grandson, William, was working at a small activity table we gave him. When he would get the square object in the square hole, he would say, “YaaaaaY!”

Well, that was me yesterday. I had a “yaaay” day. I was in the right place at the right time.

We took our 16 foot Carolina Skiff, the “Miller Time”, and went for a ride. We rode up Spring Creek. We took the back channels by Silver Lake WMA. We rode over to Jack Wingate’s, a local “fish camp” as it is called around here. (We were going to have lunch there, but as we got off the boat Mitch remembered he did not have his wallet.)

Then we rode back home by way of the “big lake”.

It was a beautiful day. The sky was just an incredible shade of blue. The Cypress trees are turning red. Other trees are turning red and gold.

We saw a number of Coots that have come down for the winter. We also saw a number of Cormorants (they can go back home). They too have come for the winter.

We also saw a number of Anhingas, Great Blue Herons, and White Egrets. These are not unusual to see any time.

I had taken my small point and shoot camera, as I was really just wanting a boat ride. However, after we got going, there were several times I wished I had taken my bigger camera and a long lens.

It was a good fit. Yaaaaay!

Windows

2008-10-19T20:39:00.001-04:00

This window is on an old barn. The barn is on the Silver Lake WMA that I mentioned earlier.

This window is in the house where Mitch, Michelle (our youngest daughter), and I stayed in Churchtown, PA. We were there on vacation last year in early October.

Looking at these two windows started me thinking about the various kinds of windows. The one in the barn was probably used to load feed into the upper reaches of the barn. There was most likely a pulley system where bags or bales could be picked up and carried up to the top. So, it was a working window.

The second window, well, it was a working window. For me, though, in the short time I was there it was a dreaming window. I imagine for some young girl, in the past, it was a dreaming window. I sat there and looked out over rolling hills with Amish farms in them. It was a beautiful, peaceful site, which I enjoyed very much.

I have a dreaming, working window now. It is at the place where my sewing machine sits. I can sit there and work on quilts. While working, I can look out my window to see deer crossing our yard, foxes crossing our yard, or Blue birds in the bird bath. Some times a Fox squirrel will come sit in the yard. The sun comes up on this side of the house. It is a great window.

I hope you have a place to dream a bit while you are working.

Silver Lake WMA

2008-10-16T19:38:00.000-04:00

Last week, Mitch and spent an early evening at a recently opened wildlife management area, Silver Lake WMA. The land was owned by a paper company and then bought for preservation by government. It has several small lakes or ponds, along with some lovely woods. Last Friday evening, we went to take some pictures at sunset. We had tried to do this before, but we were a little late getting there. This time we got there as we wished.

The first image is from the barn. I wanted to be able to look through the barn and look at some beautiful maple trees that are changing colors. This is why we went at sunset.

The second image is from the woods. As we were driving through, I got the idea to try to make an abstract. Marti Jeffers, a photographer from Atlanta, taught me about in camera abstracts at a seminar that Mitch and I attended in Savannah. Time to try it!

Then the third image is from our Wednesday evening trip (last night). After our evening church service, we again went to Silver Lake; this time to take some images by moonlight. This image is of the barn, mentioned earlier. The image was taken, with about an eight minute open shutter. I then decided to make it into a black and white. Black and white seemed to fit the image better than color.

We really had a great time at this place. We have been there several different times and will probably go back.

Monday

2008-10-13T21:03:00.001-04:00

Today was a slow day, especially when compared with yesterday’s hectic schedule. I taught the Sunday School class. As always I really enjoyed it. It was the Senior Adult Class, which is the over 60 years of age in our church. We have three adult classes and this was the oldest one. Then I led the worship service, filling in for our Choir Director. That is a joy for me, though it is certainly a tense time. I sang the morning special music, “I Call it Home.” It is a piece I had been practicing to sing with my Dad but that had not worked out. Since I needed a song, at the last minute so to speak, I sang this one.

Our daughters tease us about being retired and never knowing if it is the weekend or not. This is not so! For us the weekend is the busy time.

We live in an area which is mostly made up of weekenders, those that only come in for the weekend. Frequently on Friday and Saturday’s we are visiting with friends who come in. We usually go out, at least on Friday nights, to dinner with friends. Saturdays we may go out again.

If I am having lunch with friends, it is usually to meet them somewhere on Saturdays. We’ll have lunch and visit and maybe stroll through antique shops.

Then Sundays are always busy. Sunday School and Church in the morning then again Church in the evening. Mitch teaches a children’s class on Sunday nights. I have choir practice on Sunday afternoons (pre-evening services).

So, we really do know when the weekend rolls around. For us that is usually the busiest time of the week.

Then, Mondays are time to relax and catch up around the house. That was today.

I hope you have time to catch up, be it a week day or a weekend. Just some time to relax is always important.

Washing Windows

2008-10-11T21:45:00.000-04:00

October 11, 2008

Washing Windows

Mitch asked me last night if a friend of ours had any windows for me to wash.

What he was referring to was the fact that I told one of the ladies at church I would teach her Sunday School class this Sunday. Then our choir director called and said she is not going to be in church Sunday, could I please handle the choir duties. That means that I will lead the church in singing hymns as well as come up with a solo to sing, because the choir has not practiced anything for Sunday.

Our joke around here, or at least Mitch’s joke, is to ask if anyone has any windows for me to wash, due to the fact that I can’t say NO to anyone. I am not sure how funny this is. Because it is painful!

In this case, I had agreed to teach this Sunday because the choir director was supposed to be here. I had filled in for her last Sunday, and thought I would be safe this weekend. I like teaching Sunday School, though I do like teaching Bible Studies a lot more. I like singing. I have even been known to say I would rather have music than food. Indeed if one could live on music that would be the case. So, I REALLY enjoy leading the choir and singing.

So, today, I have been “washing windows”. I had to complete my Sunday School lesson. Then, come up with a solo for the special music for tomorrow. Finally, we have a substitute pianist. That should really finish off my nerves for tomorrow.

So, let me say, God is good!

I get to teach God’s word tomorrow, prayerfully hoping that He will give me the words that someone needs to hear from Him. The lesson is partly on handling disappointments. I’ve had my share. Hopefully something in my words will echo in someone else’s life, making a bright spot in their day.

I get to sing for the Lord tomorrow. I always pray when I sing that God will give me a song that someone needs to hear. Tomorrow I am singing about home, about heaven. Surely that is a comforting thought for anyone.

May you find someone to provide a bright spot in your day. May you find home.

The Swing

2008-10-09T22:42:00.001-04:00

This is where I spend a lot of my morning coffee time, this time of the year.

During the summer it is frequently too buggy. The gnats here in southern Georgia would drive anyone crazy, I do believe. It is warm in the mornings in the summer, but not too warm to sit and swing. So, if I can grab a fan, I may just be here in the summer.

During the fall and spring, it is just the right temperature and the bugs are not too bad. You may have an occasional mosquito, but that you can live with.

During the winter, a quilt can be taken outside to wrap up in. In some ways that is a favorite time, because I always love wrapping up in a quilt.

This is also a great place for prayer time in the morning, sitting outside surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation. Frequently you have bird song for your morning hymns. You may have a Fox Squirrel that decides to “preach” to you, if you are lucky. Occasionally you may see a fox or a deer.

It is just a great place to enjoy a peaceful beginning to my day.

I hope you have a place to get a filling of peace for your day.

Traveling Alone

2008-10-07T20:52:00.000-04:00

Monday Night

It is interesting how lonely a hotel room can be.

When Mitch and I go out of town, and stay in a hotel, it seems we need at least three more rooms for the two of us. We always have camera equipment, a laptop, luggage (how much depends on how many days). There is hardly enough room for all our stuff in a single hotel room, even a really big hotel room. We have even begun trying to find state parks near where ever we are going. By getting a cabin in a state park, we get two bedrooms, a living room and dining room. It is great!

Yet, here I sit in a hotel, by myself, and the room seems HUGE! And, QUIET! which it never is with the two of us in one hotel room. I even think some times, when we are at a hotel, that I will go for a walk, so I can have some quiet.

I need to record this and read it the next time we go out of town together. “Hey, remember when you were by yourself and it was QUIET!” That ought to tell me.

The reason for my trip alone, I am speaking tomorrow at a women’s luncheon. This is the fifth such event where I have been invited to speak. The luncheon’s are for a national women’s Christian organization. I am thankful for the opportunity to give my testimony to a group of women.

Tuesday Night

I am home. It is great!

Living Today

2008-10-04T22:41:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful couple of days. Yesterday, we made a trip up the Flint River with friends. Left in the early morning, went by the new marina and on up the river. We stopped for lunch, just anchored near the edge. Food just seems to taste better on the water. Then we made our way back home. It was quite cool when we started out but by the time we returned home it had warmed up considerably.

This was the first time for our friends, going up the river. Also, going across the open water on the lake was new to them. We saw a few ducks, a couple of Canvas Backs. It is still early times yet before the ducks get here.

Today, I went to a family reunion. It was a side of the family that I had not met before, or at least I had not met most of them. While I go almost every year to a reunion of my maternal Grandmother’s side, this was my maternal Grandfather’s side. There were a number of new people to meet. It was nice.

Seeing the people there relating to each other, young and old, made me reflect on what family means to me. As I did, I thought about the amount of time I have to spend with my family.

I read a post today and the person mentioned “time in a bottle.” Could I bottle up time and just use it sparingly? Can it be a “condensed” version, so that it lasts longer than you think? I am not a greedy person, but I can tell you that sometimes I do get greedy with time. I want more . . . more hours in my day, more days in my week, more weeks in my month. You get the picture!

Instead I just have to make sure I don’t waste any of what I have!

One of the quotes in my inspiration book (the book I put together when I found out I had breast cancer) says, “You may be forced to die young, but whatever you do, don’t die early.”

So, please, make sure you are living every minute of every day.

A Beautiful Day

2008-10-02T22:36:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a difficult day. It has been thirty years since my brother died. When I realize he has been gone more years than he was here, it is most difficult for me. I still miss him . . .

I mentioned earlier in the week that the weather had been beautiful. We had opened up the house and enjoyed fall weather. Then summer returned. It was much warmer during the day and the night. And now . . . here we have fall again. We have opened the house back up. It is so nice.

I know we need rain, however the clear, blue skies are lovely.

As I sat here early this morning on my computer, I looked out the doors to see a Blue Bird taking a bath at the bird bath. I saw several of them later on as I was outside.

Today I made cookies, to take with us tomorrow on a trip up the river. I washed the swing that sits out in the yard. Allie and I went for a walk. We sat in the swing for a little while. I had a cup of tea while sitting in a rocking chair on the back porch. I have been reading Max Lucado’s “Come Thirsty”, and I sat and read while I drank my tea.

Mitch went over to the parsonage to work on it for awhile this morning.

Tonight we had dinner with some friends out of town. It was a lovely evening and we sat outside at the restaurant, instead of inside. It is such a treat to sit and visit and talk.

It was a slow day pretty much. It was however a most enjoyable day.

I hope you are enjoying beautiful days.

Please, you first!

2008-09-30T23:00:00.000-04:00

Today a friend and I were talking. She had someone who made three appointments with her, and didn’t show up for the first two and then showed up an hour and a half late for the third. She was very frustrated. I could sympathize.
One thing led to another and we began discussing the why’s.
I said that I think it is a version of selfishness or at the least self-centeredness.
We talked on.
I told her that I believe this is some of what is wrong with the world today. From the banking scandal to the car pulling out in front of you in traffic, I do believe that if each of us thought of others first so many of our problems would go away. Oh, I know, this is simplistic. But, isn’t life really simple? Golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Wouldn’t that show a decided lack of selfishness?
I believe it would work. I believe it could work.
I’ll try it, will you join me . . .

Remember When - Grandson Walking

2008-09-29T21:35:00.000-04:00

As a toddler walked across a restaurant, a number of years ago, Mitch asked the dad if he was glad the toddler was walking. The dad told Mitch that even thought he and his wife had been eagerly awaiting the time when their new daughter walked, they were rethinking the whole issue. Surely, any of you who have been involved in a child's life can remember that time: eagerly awaiting their ability to walk only to say, "What were we thinking?"

That is where we are now. Our news from the weekend, our grandson took his first independent steps. According to his mom, he took a couple of steps then set down. Then he got up and did it again. As all moms are, she is just delighted. She also sounds as if she thinks no child has ever done anything this wonderful before. (Of course that could be because the next thing he did was to stand on his head and look at her through his legs. Of course he is brilliant!)

I think one of the best things about this though is the sense of wonder in his mom's voice. Children can bring us such a sense of wonder. Her's is just beginning as he experiences the world around him.

This picture of William was created by his grandpa. He calls it "Out-of-bounds."

I hope you haven't lost the sense of wonder in your world. Look around you. Experience the taste of lemonade as if you have never tasted it. Look at a sunset as if it was the first one you have ever seen. Experience the wonder of it all . . .

End of Summer or First of Fall

2008-09-28T22:41:00.000-04:00

Fall or Autumn, depending on which you prefer, actually has been here (according to the calendar) for almost a week. The weather here has been just beautiful, cool nights and warm (not hot) days. We can actually open up the house and let the fresh air in. My husband is always surprised by how much better I sleep with fresh air in the house.

This weekend my daughter asked the question of why can't we have this weather all year. Sometimes I would agree with her. It is just so lovely. As with most things though, we really appreciate this weather because we do not have it all year. It is so beautiful to us because it is a treat, not an everyday meal if you will. Or so I sometimes think. Then there are the times when I just know I would never grow tired of weather like this. Perhaps not so much because of the "weather" as much as what it allows me to do: get out in the boat, work in the yard, swing in the swing in the yard, lay in the hammock outside. You get the picture!

Speaking of pictures, this is a sunset from our back porch as fall begins. Did I mention sitting in a rocking chair is another part of what this weather allows?

I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy this time of year and find some peace in the moment.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

2008-09-27T11:15:00.001-04:00

Last week we went to Gulf Shores, Alabama. It was a beautiful week. I gathered some sea shells and brought them home to do some macro photography. The white inside of the shell made them very difficult to focus on in some cases.

Technologically Challenged

2008-09-26T11:09:00.000-04:00

Okay, this is something I have wanted to do. So, we will see how this goes. Please be patient as this is my first attempt.

It is a beautiful day here on the lake. Yesterday as my DH and I sat and ate lunch, we saw a small fawn in our back yard. He just wandered around for a while.

The hummingbirds have left for the winter. We had quite a number there for a few weeks. I am not sure but what the love bugs drove them off. The love bugs would get in the feeders and the birds would naturally quit feeding.

The weather has been nice enough for the last week to open up the house. We have been doing spring cleaning in the fall.

I hope if anyone finds their way here they are appreciating the beauty of this earth where ever they are.

Peace to you.