I am a pretty clueless guy so I did not know really how many photos I uploaded and shared, nor how many visitors and views I had. I checked to see what was working and to challenge myself on the things that were not. After viewing my annual report I am amazed that so many people dropped by my place and commented on my stuff. It humbles me I am very thankful for you all.
I want to Thank WordPress, and their dedication to bloggers of all shapes, sizes and flavors, for the vehicle with which I have shared a sliver of my world with quite a few folks. The WordPress.com statshelper monkeys prepared this 2013 annual report for my blog. Thanks again and here is to a wonder-filled 2014!
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 8,400 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
The Boy likes to work. He was bred to work and since we do not have livestock we play “L-L-A-B” with him to give him peace of mind that he is doing his job. Now you maybe asking what ” L-L-A-B” is, well that is ball spelled backwards. You see if we mention the word ball or spell it as it should be he lose his every-lovan’-puppy-mind! So we spell it backwards as not to strain his brain. The hardest thing for The Boy to do is simply put wait for us to throw the ball. He also is the cutest as he anticipates the next throw. So here is a picture of The Boy at his job and….wait for it….!
I went for a walk this past Wednesday down a public trail not far from where I work. The sun was high in the sky, though temperatures did not follow suit, I was out in pursuit of some new captures. The Winter season is never a good season for me but I decided not to wait for Spring but find new opportunities in this what I feel is a Season of Hope. Within twenty-four hours my Season of Hope hit a sudden and hard bump in the road. It could have been a wall but something has changed in me and I chose to walk this Season out in Hope even in the presence of a new chapter starting in my life. I urge all to count the blessing you have and my you find Peace in this, The Season of Hope. Here are two captures from that day.
I wish my beloved Golden Eye Stray would come back in and play well with the Pride but it is not to be. She has a very independent spirit and stubborn streak as well. I check to see if she is well often and worry when she is not where I think she should be. Yesterday she went with me on my quick walkabout to get some ice-storm pics around are place. After getting back to the house I took these on our porch. Even though I think she is cold I can see her Love and warm heart melts snow.
From the onset I want all to know I did NOT venture into the fray known as Black Friday. I also must state here I am somewhat baffled how Black Friday has taking over the last half of Thanksgiving. Now for those visiting my place for the first time, I do not usually get into such matters here but what I saw last night and almost yearly on the news has compelled me to step onto my soap box. Hard to do for one who has short legs but here we go!
I will start with last night’s revelation: I will never be able to enjoy the ride through my town feeling like a traveler returning to his peaceful town after a long journey.The Bride and I used to enjoy the trip down the main drag of our town on are way home after the family Thanksgiving gathering. There was just a few gas stations open and the traffic was minimal and moving at a leisurely pace. That change last night and I felt like we were driving home on a normal business evening in our town. It felt just like another day. I do not like it one bit but at least I can learn from it.
What lesson have I learned? The first is really a re-learning of an old lesson and that is that good things come to those who wait. I was reminded of that this morning when our new-to-the-outside cat Butterfly was hunting in the side yard. As I watched her I remembered the five moles and three mice she has presented to us this Autumn. If she did not exercise patience she, and we, would not have benefited from natures wonderment. I am sure the moles and the mice would disagree with that last statement.
Butterfly waiting and watching.
The second lesson I learned also came from that encounter: What really matters can be found in the ordinary. It is remarkably in the unremarkable. It is right before us and we can miss it looking past the now. People have died on Black Friday’s past and people have done ugly things to one another over things that have no real value! Stop looking for the next great thing because it is right here, right now.
I saw the Angel below in the Thrift shop I work at I thought it was crying. I felt it was a great metaphor for the uselessness to our community, family and friendships that this thing Black Friday has become. I now step off my soap box and join The Bride in enjoying the warmth of our home and the company of The Boy and our cats.
As I enjoyed time with old, and new-friends-to-be, this past weekend I took several shots of the fire in the fire-pit. And I reflected. Fire is a living thing and if used rightly it is a great tool and comfort but if not it is anything thing but. The same thing can be said about our time spent in this life’s fire. Looking into the fire I am reminded of something I have come to learn and share with others over the years: The difference between empathy and understanding is simple, Empathy is being in the pan and Understanding is being in the Fire. It is a subtle difference if you have never been in the fire but once there the pan does not sound bad at all! Right now I am still in the fire but I feel it is tempering me for the better and in a positive way.
This picture is the best representation of this weeks photo challenge at this point in my life. Faith, Friends and Fire.So enjoy the Hue of me.
I am once again trying my hand at Ese’s Weekly Shoot & Quote Challenge. Here is my contribution this week and the original photo I took is is below it.
I spent an hour or so just sitting in the side field on our place late this morning. It was extremely hot and I found a nice shady spot along the path back to the creek. As I sat there in the shade, with the heat and humidity pressing upon me, I feel in love with nature all over again. I took my camera with me but it was laid at my side more than not this morning. As I took in the sights I was also aware of the sounds. As a small Field Skipper butterfly passed by I could actually hear it ‘s wings flapping as it went by my head! It is amazing what one can hear when we quiet ourselves.
I also heard the wings and squeaky little calls of the Hummingbirds, which I had though had taken off south early.I thought this because I have not seen many the last few days at the feeders. Slowing down enough to really see, I became aware of just how muchTall Ironweed, Spotted Jewelweed and other nectar rich plants that we are blessed to have on our place. It seems the fields bounty taste better than my sugar-water!
Sitting there looking, observing and listen to things outside of me helped me as well. Nature is pretty cool that way! Here is a few I took of the bounty of Tall Ironweedwe have on our place.
If you look close you can see a Bee in the upper right quadrant.This is a Hummingbird Moth. Beside children probably the hardest thing to capture setting still!I know this is a picture of Hummingbird but I was able to get bit of the Ironweed in at the top.
I must confess I am a bit taken back by something I see from time to time at yard sales and the like: Family photos inside frames, lockets and such that are for sale. Maybe it is just me that finds that a bit odd but maybe it is a way for memories to live on.
Daffodil Hill Photography 