Ruby Tuesday Too - Steel Horses II

 I have to admit that I have never ridden a motorcycle in my life...ever. I also have to admit that I am fascinated by the current variety of machines that are available.

The Bikes Blues & BBQ rally was in town recently and it is an opportunity to photograph some awesome machinery. There was plenty of Ruby Red around the community during the rally.

Ruby Tuesday Too - Fenders

Ruby Tuesday Too

Retired & Restored

Ruby Tuesday Too

Birds of a Feather 

I took a short photo-walk around Rogers, AR the other day. I came across these street sculptures. Three of them are part of one display and the fourth is an individual piece. I found them humorous and photogenic.

 

Ruby Tuesday Too

Recently I spent the evening doing one of my favorite things, attending a minor league baseball game. The Springfield Cardinals were in town to play the local Northwest Arkansas Naturals. I had purchased a new lens for my camera and was excited about trying it out, even if it meant shooting through the protective netting.

I like shooting sports because of the action and the chance to get an exciting image. Here, the runner is almost picked off of first.

 The shortstop bobbles the ball and the runner is going to be called safe. The home team had trouble handling the ball all night long and it showed on the scoreboard as they lost 7-3.

The home team brought in a relief pitcher with a side-arm delivery, but it was to no avail. The visitors were just too good on this night.

By the 7th inning the crowd had thinned out enough that I didn't feel guilty about moving into the premium seats behind home plate in order to get a few good photos. I still had to shoot through the netting, but I think it adds a little atmosphere to the photo.
I have to say, I like the new lens. I just have to get familiar with what it is capable of doing and dial in the correct settings. Hopefully I'll be ready for football season in a couple of weeks. The first high school home game is September 15.

Ruby Tuesday Too - Christmas in July

I found this little fellow in a place where I keep some of my pencils. I don't know how he got there. This Santa ornament is over sixty years old. He has always belonged to me. When I was a child, my mother bought a small tree for me to decorate in order to keep me from pulling the big tree down on myself. I am sure that all of the ornaments were either paper or plastic. I still have a few of these in a box of Christmas ornaments. It is a reminder of much simpler times.

Ruby Tuesday Too/Wordless Wednesday

21!!!

Would someone please tell me where the time goes. Last week our oldest grand daughter celebrated her 21st birthday. That just isn't possible. It seems like only yesterday that she was just a bably.

 

When did this little bundle of joy...

turn into this incredible young woman. The journey has been remarkable. One one level I would turn back time and watch it all over again, but on the other level, I can't wait to see where her journey is going. Thank you Lord for grand kids. They are a very special blessing.

Ruby Tuesday Too

We spent the week of July 5th on vacation in Branson, MO. Our middle granddaughter was involved in a national dance competition. Over a period of 5 days she had five or six performances. When the lights dimmed and the curtains fell, she placed 4th overall. It was a great week.

Ruby Tuesday Too

Tiny Dancer

Recently my wife and I attended a dance recital. The ages ranged from this tiny dancer to seniors in high school. I will be posting more images soon. One thing that impresses me is just how much work goes into these dances and then you are simply amazed at how talented the contestants are on "So You Think You Can Dance. I know I can't dance. How about you?

 

Ruby Tuesday Too

This rose is actually a salmon color. It was my mother's favorite rose and my dad planted several of them around their home in Tulsa. Mom passed away in 2003. After Dad passed in 2009, I transplanted this rose to our home in Bella Vista. In 2015 we moved into Bentonville, so I dug it up and brought it to our new residence. Every time I see this plant bloom it reminds me of the love that my parents had for one another.

So what happens when you have some back light from the morning sun and you add a little front fill light with your flash? I think you get a more dramatic image, but that's just me.

Have a blessed day.

Ruby Tueday Too

Three blocks from our house is the City Community Center. The center includes a walking trail, large fitness center with indoor pool and water park, as well as soccer fields for under 8 teams. The walkway from the parking lot into the building has a huge landscaped planting area, with a multitude of seasonal flowers. I typically go to the center three days a week to work-out and do some "aqua-cardio". The other day I spotted these beauties in the planting area, so...a short trip back to the house to get my camera and had a short portrait shoot of these flowers.

Wordless Wednesday/Ruby Tuesday Too

Ruby Tuesday Too

Who ya gonna call?

Ghostbusters!!!

Last week there was a film festival in town. The Bentonville Film festival was organized by Gena Davis. The primary purpose is to focus on the role of women in the film industry. Why Bentonville was chosen as the host city is anybody's guess. Still there are lots of activities that take place. One of the films that was screened was the original Ghostbusters. Coke got into the act by building this display on the town square.

 

Ruby Tuesday Too

Yesterday we took a look at Bentonville in Black & White. Today we see Bentonville in Living Color.One of the major changes in Bentonville was the opening of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The museum is now several years old and is considered world class. The Museum has acquired another property and is in the process of developing an artists workshop and display space that focuses on contemporary art. Right now, there is no time frame for completion.
These image represent graphics that have been painted on buildings close to the downtown square. I suppose you could call it controlled graffiti or cartoon graffiti.  I admit that I do like it better than the spontaneous, uncontrolled artwork that usually adorns railroad cars.

Ruby Tuesday Too

Up and Over

Ruby Tuesday Too

We're headed toward March Madness and the end of basketball season. That means one thing...Baseball is on the way!!!

Ruby Tuesday Too

Red is a favorite color among those build and fly airplanes and no plane is more famous than the "Red Baron" This one is on display at the Oklahoma Science Museum in Oklahoma City, OK.

Ruby Tuesday Too

Yes, I know that Thanksgiving is still a couple of days away, but this is just a reminder that my annual Christmas Music Marathon begins Friday morning. For the past five years I have posted a Christmas thought and a seasonal music video every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas. So, when you have your fill of Turkey and you've done all of your Black Friday shopping, stop by here to get a dose of the true meaning of Christmas .



And because that Hope did come down, we can now have Victory in Jesus. Have a blessed day and a Thankful week.

Ruby Tuesday Too

Hanging On

 The last leaves of autumn are hanging on for dear life. This past week wind gusts have exceeded 45 mph and the temperatures have dipped near freezing. Even the most hardy trees will soon release their leaves and settle in for a long winter nap. I managed to capture a couple of final images of the Fall of 2015. Have a blessed week.

Ruby Tuesday Too

This is one of those objects that looks really cool in the flea market booth, but one has to wonder, "What on earth will I do with it when I get it home." If you have enough storage space, I suppose it could be used as a seasonal front porch decoration. Add a bale of hay and a couple of pumpkins, top it off with a few potted mums and you have an outrageous fall display.