I was trying, without any success, to take pictures of the Hummingbirds yesterday. The rain,plus the speed of the Hummingbirds, was highlighting the short comings of the (auto)focusing capacities of my Powershot SX10is. So here is the best of the worse for you on this gray day.
Small Town Honor
The original photos, to those shown above, I took in a small town a few county or two from our place. The above photos show the Spirit of small town America and their way of showing Honor. In just a few short years it will celebrate its 200th year as an incorporated city!
There is a back story as well to the display pictured here but that is for another post. Have a Happy and Safe Fourth and Happy Birth Day USA!
A Wordless Wednesday
Light After The Storm
In one of my last posts I spoke of several conversations not-so-distance past and the topic of someone close to our being who had died. One of those conversations was with someone who had lost her Daughter recently. I have suffered the loss those close to me but never someone who, in a very real way, was a part of me. Though I am effected greatly in the loss of those within my sphere this Lady was invested in the life lost completely body, mind and soul. In other words if this was a poker game, and the chips were down, she was all in.
In the conversation she told about some of the flowers in her garden and pointed out a Rose bush her Daughter had giving her. Below is a photo I took of a Rose bush the daughter gave to her mom several years ago. As I looked at this picture I decided to look up the meaning of a yellow rose. One interpretation had these among its meanings: A Promise of a New Beginning, Welcome Back and Delight.
After this brief but life enriching encounter I came away with a new perspective on this mystery we call life. I cannot go into detail about the conversation but I can tell you I have a lot to learn about giving Grace and accepting it.
For Now, We Mourn
This past Winter, as The Bride and I walked about our place, we found an old homemade clothes line post along the side fence line. At the time we both were dealing with, in our own ways, the death of my Mom. As we looked at it I personally felt comforted. I cannot put into words why this was, and is, so.
I thought of this photo when I read the headline “For Now, We Mourn” about the Firefighters who died in Arizona’s wildfire. Though all loss of life is not to be taken lightly, I am at heart a six-year-old kid who wants to become a Firefighter, so this some how felt personal. So in that spirit, this for all the loved ones of the Firefighters who lost their lives in the wildfire in Arizona. May you find Peace and always remember those you loved were and are hero’s. Just ask any six-year-old.
The U.S.A.F has a motto for their Firefighters that I feel fits those who died in service of you and me, past and present, and that is: “The Desire to Serve, The Ability to Perform, and the Courage to Act”
A Dragonfly Hanging Tough
I was taking a few pictures of one of the Button Bushes on our place late this afternoon. As I was about to head back towards the house a dragonfly happens by. I hoped he would land close so can get a few shots of him. He obliges and I start taking several captures with my zoom since he is about eight or so feet from me. Just as I got about six or seven captures the wind shows up. I keep shooting thinking he will fly off anytime now. On top of that I have never seen one like him so I may not get another chance if he is not a native. He does not fly off and I am amazed at this since the wind was quite brisk. Below are three photos of this amazing little Dragonfly hanging tough!
I took the above pictures with my Canon Powershot SX10is
A Little Something Till The Next Time
This little Long Horn Grasshopper nymph was a surprise find when I went to take a picture of this leaf. I did not want to scare it off so I had to take the shot into the-sun but I am happy with the result and the guest poser. I guess it is time to get done what needs to be done. So here is a little something till the next time!
Silent Strength Stands Before The Coming Storm
Yesterday started out hot and muggy but with a sunny disposition. As I was winding up my day I headed home in hopes of getting there before the coming storms. I arrived home and was at the computer looking at some photos I wanted to post when the storm showed up loud and proud. It was amazing to watch and the sound track was pretty rocking. In the mist of the arrival the lights flickered and then blackness. With candles and some LED flashlights fiddled about till bed time. And since the electricity did not come back on till sometime in the AM there was no new post.
Today the storms of last night got me thinking about some discussions I have had recently. You see it was six months ago that my Mom died. I always knew, in theory, that was inevitable: Death is a sure thing and it touches everyone. In conversations with others I shared most of that difficult journey. I learned though sharing that I was not alone. We all have suffered lost, some recent some not so, that has changed us. If we are wise we share our sorrow, not out of weakness, though maybe in it so we can gather strength. It through the people planted in the Garden of our life, and it is as beautifully as any garden anywhere, that Hope and Healing blossoms forth.
We may look and feel a little older, and some of the luster of life has faded, yet strength is built through the storms of life. And because of that there is within us a silent strength that stands ready before the coming storm.
“There is peace even in the storm”
―Vincent van Gogh, The Latters of Vincent van Gogh
 May God give you…For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.  Irish Blessing |
The Day Greets The Queen
Well, um, actually the day greeted this Queens Anne’s Lace I found up the road from our place. I also discovered it is also called the Wild Carrot and the modern carrot we eat today was more than likely cultivated from this plant. Yes you can eat the tap-root but I am not sure about the rest of the plant. Just a bit of nature trivia to start your day and may it be a great one!
Pretty In Pink
Daffodil Hill Photography 