Inspiration Thursday

If you read this blog very often, you know that I have a love of photography and I have pursued getting better at this hobby since I retired nearly two years ago.  I have had a few successes.  I've even placed in some local competitions.  I like photographing wildlife, landscapes, street scenes, sports, and cars.  A conversation that I had with a professional photographer the other day really made an impression.  Regardless of how good we get and photographing certain subjects, don't ever forget to chronicle the family.  A couple of generations from now (or much sooner), no one is going to care about my images of a good high school football game, or a perfectly composed landscape filled with the colors of autumn.  The photographs that will survive and that future generations will actually pick up and view will be those of their ancestors.  I have a few photos of my childhood, some of my parents and grand parents, even a couple of my great grand parents.  They are very special images to me.  They recall good times with family.  Many people don't like to have their picture taken, but there will come a day when they would love to look back on the good times.

 These are my parents when they were dating in 1941.  This picture was taken at the Frisco Railroad depot in Henryetta, OK.  The depot, the building in the background and both of my parents are gone now, but this image survives to tell the story of a different time and place.

The oldest girl in this photo is my maternal grandmother.  The others are her sisters.  Again, the image was taken in Henryetta, OK probably between 1907-1910.

This is our daughter, her husband, and the grand crew.  There is no shortage of images of the grand crew.

There are even a few images of my wife and I scattered about in the archives.  The point is this, family is precious and memories are priceless.  Photos capture both.  Get a camera, aim it at the family and push the button.  You won't be sorry.  Have a blessed day.

Wordless Wednesday



Spiker!

Ruby Tuesday Too

This little red vase was a flea market find.  Unfortunately I did not purchase the item.  Every time I see this image I wish I had bought the piece.  It is both vintage and contemporary.  I haven't been to a flea market lately, but I feel the need to grab the camera and head out the door.  Have a blessed day.

Skywatch Friday

With our recent move, I haven't picked up my camera in almost a month, so I had to go to the archives to find a Skywatch image this week.  This image was taken in 2013.  I don't believe that this view exists any more.  I'm pretty sure that a grocery store now sits on this site.  Have a blessed week-end.

Inspiration Thursday

When you have a craving for comfort food, where do you go?  In the chain restaurant business, most people would consider Cracker Barrel the king of comfort food. I'll have to admit, they are right at the top of my list.  I can eat breakfast there any time, and their sausage is just the best ever.  However, if you were to ask our grandkids where they like to eat breakfast, the answer is probably going to be "Nana's House".  Whenever they come to visit, a good home cooked breakfast is a given.  The menu must include scrambled eggs, biscuts, bacon, sausage patties and gravy, and milk and orange juice. The fact that they get to help crack the eggs, make the gravy, and set the table only adds to the magic that is Nana's Kitchen.  The sign hangs above the kitchen window and it is all true, meals and memories are indeed made here.
What about your soul?  When it craves comfort, where do you go?  I go to The Rock.  The Bible tells me that God loved me so much that He sent His only Son to pay the price for my sinful behavior in order that I might be able to have an eternal relationship with my Creator.  In fact, the Holy Spirit is referred to as The Comforter.  I find comfort in His Word.  I find comfort in people that He has brought into my life.  But when life becomes a burden, I find comfort in knowing that this earth is not my home, and the place that He has prepared for me will provide eternal comfort, where there are no more tears, anger, sickness, hurt.  There is just joy in the presence of Lord.  Have a blessed day.

Wordless Wednesday

The Right to Bear Arms

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

After several weeks of packing, moving, unpacking, and settling in, I am almost back on schedule.  My blog has suffered significantly, so it is time to resume Scavenger Hunt Sunday.  Here we go.

Writing

Some people think that I have nice handwriting for a man, but the best looking handwriting I have ever seen belonged to my father.  Our handwriting does have one thing in common...we tend to fill the available space.

  

 Curly

I have always been a doodler.  Is that a word?  Anyway, I tend to doodle when talking on the phone.  It is something that my mother did.  I guess it was one way to practice my cursive writing strokes as a kid.  After I retired I bought some pens, pencils and paper so that I could explore a relatively new trend in crafting/art called Zentangle.  I really like this activity, I just haven't pursued it as diligently as I should.  There are lots of great example on Pintrest if you would like to see more.  At any rate, this is one of my more curly examples.

  

Pattern

As you may have noticed from the previous Zentangle, the art form is basically a collection of patterns that are

confined to a larger pattern or shape.  Most zentangles are done in black and white, but there are some who have done marvelous work in color. I can see where this might be a training exercise for tattoo artists.  I must admit, it is a relaxing pass time.

My View

As I sit here working on this post, this is typically my view when I come into the room.  I just purchased a 27" monitor and that is a great addition to my computer interests, that include photographic post processing. 

I'll admit, it's not the neatest workspace, but it suits me and I do tidy up a bit from time to time.  I'll be in "tidy up" mode shortly after finishing this post.

 Love

This is Valentine's week-end and the last prompt is "Love" so I am taking the opportunity to post an image of myself with the love of my life.  We've been married for forty-one years.  Obviously I didn't take this photo, but I choose to bend the rules on this last prompt.  We were on our Alaska cruise, celebrating our 40th anniversary when this image was taken.  It was the trip of a lifetime.

 

 

Skywatch Friday

A calm lake, a few clouds at sunset and you have a magic place to relax for a little while.  This is one of my favorite places in the spring and summer.  In fact, if you were to tell me to go to my "happy place", you just might find me here.  It's only a few miles from the house and I've some very good luck catching fish with the grandcrew here.  I'm sure we will make several trips here this year as well. Have a blessed and happy week-end.

Inspiration Thursday

Have you ever pursued wisdom or knowledge?  Most of us have at least made an effort to complete high school.  Some of us completed college and were awarded a degree from an institution of higher learning.  Still others pursued an advanced degree and fewer still have made learning their life long endeavor.  While knowledge about the world around us is worthwhile, if it came from text books it isn't true knowledge or wisdom.  That can only come from a single source.
The Bible tells us to get wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 4:5). One might ask, "Where do I start this search for wisdom and understanding?" Proverbs 9:10 tells us that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 1:7 also tells us that The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." So why don't people look to the Creator of the universe for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding? Proverbs 1:7 also tells us that fools despise wisdom and instruction. Why do we live in such a violent, abusive, self-centered society? Because we don't like to follow instructions.