Farabee Photography

Yeee-Haww !!!

2011-10-04T22:20:00.001-05:00

Well now that summer's over maybe I'll get back to business and start sharing some of my photography again. I'm not going into all that can't think of anything to write again - that's gotten pretty old to me and I'm sure it must be to you.
Sooo, here's a photo from the bull rides at the fair back in August, Just something a little different. That was a lot of fun hanging out by the fence and getting close enough to feel the bull's breath at times not to mention avoiding the occasional string of flying slobber that always seems to hang from a freshly rode bull's mouth.
I was fortunate to have an expert close by that was not only friendly but full of all kinds of information about the ins and outs and the dos and don'ts of the bull riding circuit. He was one of the official score keepers and a past rider himself. Unfortunately his name is one of but many casualties of my lack of "do something on this blog" and too many days have passed for me to remember but he was a heck of a nice guy. Hopefully I'll run into him again some day but for now I'll continue to graze through my photos from the bull rides and other affairs that I was lucky enough to be able photograph and get back at this blog as I can...

Joi De Vivre...

2011-08-22T21:47:00.000-05:00

I should, by now, have a whole barrel full of photos to choose from and well really, I guess I do. I've had a lot going on lately.
A couple of months ago I was asked if I'd be interested in taking some photos at one of the Fair's concerts..."we can't pay you but...free parking, free admission, free rides for you and your family and backstage access." I couldn't really turn that down could I? By the time the fair got here ( that's the Ozark Empire Fair just so you know...) I was the official Fair Photographer for all events and any other goings on that I felt photo worthy.
It was awesome and I'll definitely get some shots up from that but not today. I'm sorry, I don't mean to lead up to a letdown but that particular story doesn't go too well with the photo I chose so it will just have to wait. This photo grabbed me and I chose it to be the honored guest at tonight's post and since it really has nothing to do with the fair's bright lights, fast rides and the constant roar of crowd noise it can wait. But the fact that the fair story just kind of popped out before I started thinking is probably a good sign for my brain to fingers process. Maybe not such a good sign for my brain to sight process. (...you'll have to figure that one out for yourself)
What I'm really doing here, I think, is testing the waters to see if I can write something that might get (and keep) your interest for a few minutes. For whatever reason the writing process has eluded me these last two or three months. I know that I could just post a photo but that's not what I want to do here and one way or another I'll get past this tree in the road. ( actually you can insert whatever roadblock you choose that might work better for you to envision my struggle ). At any rate, I'm recovering from abdominal surgery right now and I'll be off work for a few days so hopefully I can grab ahold a little of that joi de vivre that one needs to effortlessly put forth the words that create a picture show in the minds of their readers. (How'd that sound to you?) By the way, that's a hummingbird moth in the photo. Aptly named for their resemblance to a hummingbird at first glance. And oh yeah, I do know what joi de vivre means.

I Won't Look Back...

2011-07-24T21:37:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry to say that I don't really know what's going on in the rest of the country as far as the weather. I'm pretty sure that it's hot though, wherever you are. (Although, I think that I did read that Seattle has actually been below normal temperatures lately.) But to be honest, I've quit watching the weather. It has literally been the same broken record for weeks now. Have I mentioned that it's hot? I have friends around the country so I like to see what's going on in their part of the world but I can't bring myself to even turn it on these days.
To make matters worse, as a lot of you might remember, I started a new job back in November so I no longer have the luxury of a summertime vacation unless I let it build for a year and a half and to be honest I hope to be relying more on photography for an income than a 9-5 (or in my case, a 7-3:30) as soon as possible. My bones are starting to feel the effects of crawling, squatting and kneeling on concrete and steel for over thirteen years.
I've always said that if there's anything that I truly feel that God has spoken to me about, it's photography and just as soon as I know what direction I need to take it I'll take that road and I won't look back...

Driven...

2011-07-20T21:12:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that it's been over a month since my last post! To be honest I think that it was getting a little too much like work and although I know that if I was working for a magazine full time (that would be sweet, wouldn't it?) I would have to be on time all the time. But I don't and a brief respite was definitely in order.
I think that for now I'll just post when I feel the urge to and not put that whole Wednesday, Sunday post thing back into play- for now at least. I really, really like doing this and for it to start making me feel rushed and pressed to come up with something just kind of takes the pleasure out of it.
I see that this post looks a lot like the two or three before it so I'd say that some good stories or some sort of deep thoughts are in order at least every now and then. (I won't be pressed...) so I'll see what I can do about that.
I guess that I'll leave it with this photo of this awesome little beetle, possibly a relative of the ladybug. I watched it for quite some time as it wove it's way in and around the stems and leaves of this plant. Now that was a driven individual...

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T20:09:00.000-05:00

Well I know that I've been MIA for the last three weeks and that seems to be an inescapable by product of doing photo shoots. I really don't like missing my blog spots- any of them but the editing on these photos is very time consuming as I'm sure most of you know. That plus running my tail off at work all day and well... I actually fell asleep at the computer the other night right in the middle of editing. Quite the shock when I came to, staring at the monitor. I think that maybe for a split second I thought I was at the wedding!
This on top of the fact that a couple of times I tried, I mean I really tried to get something posted but this antiquated (soon to be replaced) computer of mine has developed so many tics that I eventually gave up. Some days I just don't have the time or patience.
So being the fact that it is Father's Day and I am in the middle of grilling a couple of nicely sized steaks, I'm taking what I've got and running with it. I hope to get back with the posts on a more regular basis soon. But I guess, at the same time, a few more of those paying gigs wouldn't be too bad either! Hopefully I'll be able to maintain a nice mix of both because I love doing this blog and I hope that you love seeing it...

...On Honor's Bright Crest

2011-05-30T19:29:00.001-05:00

"They are dead; but they live in each patriot's breast, and their names are engraven on honor's bright crest."
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Thank you to all who serve and have served so that someone like me can state my beliefs and thoughts to the world without fear ...

...That They May Move Forward

2011-05-23T22:09:00.000-05:00

Well here I am, back at it on a Monday night. So sorry that I've missed a couple of posts but I've actually been pretty busy with photo shoots and of course the editing process that accompanys these events. I did the engagement photo shoot of Ashley and Jacob that I mentioned last ...uh, time(was that last week?) and yesterday I did a shoot for a promo pic for my friend Eddie's band which, by the way, is called Last Days. They are a Christian/ blues trio and I believe that they're on their way.
I've got two weddings coming up in a couple of weeks so I'm starting to feel somewhat like a professional these days.
All that aside, I've been watching the news on the tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri which is, for those of you that aren't familiar with the area, about an hour west of us here in Springfield. These clouds are what I believe to be the remnants of the storm as it moved east into our area. I won't ramble on any further. I'll just ask for you to pray for the victims and the city as a whole so that they may move forward and get this behind them.

The Cuts Are on the Floor...

2011-05-15T22:33:00.000-05:00

Recently, I was honored to be able to do an engagement photo shoot. I say that I was honored because as I stated before, I'm always honored when someone chooses me to capture their special moments. But this time I was especially honored because the bride to be was at a wedding that I did last summer and actually saw the photos I did and still wanted me to do her photo shoot! (I thought that was pretty awesome) I know what you're thinking but the wedding will be in Minnesota so I guess that I lost out on that one.
At any rate, we decided to do the shoot at Close memorial Park- a very beautiful park that I sometimes go just to see what there is to see and named for Cephas Major Close who is an active volunteer at the arboretum there. [ahr-buh-ree-tuhm] - "a plot of land on which many different trees or shrubs are grown for study or display." There's a little dictionary lesson for those of us that are just a tad behind.
So while we were shooting at the park we decided to get some shots here at the Gray/Campbell Farmstead located in the Nathanael Greene Park section . I guess that it"s technically two different parks separated by the Japanese Stroll Gardens ( pretty cool in it's own right...).
But I just thought that the idea of being newlyweds in a one room cabin (or actually a log kitchen as it turns out separate from the main house) would make for some pretty good shots.
I'll be finding out soon enough, I guess once the editing is done and the cuts are on the floor...

Happy Mother's Day !

2011-05-08T19:20:00.001-05:00

Although there are probably hundreds of stories I could post that showed my mother's love for me I'm not going to talk about any of them. I kind of feel like that might take something away from the other stories I hold so close to my heart and really no matter what the story might be, a mother's love is no less or no greater in any given situation. I still see it today in my mother with me and all six of my siblings and in Brenda with Brendon and my older sons Dustin, Brandon and Dillon. Some days it might not be more than a gleam in her eye but it's there and I'm proud to be the recipient or even just to witness it. I shudder to think where I might be today without it all these years. I love you Mom and Brenda for your mother's love. Happy Mother's Day...

Bring On the Flying Monkeys...

2011-05-04T22:06:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, hiking is not all sunshine and daisys. More often than not, hiking can be a very dangerous pastime. Now I won't say that I never get into any tight spots because occasionally I do. But not of the white water rapids - cliff hanger type of situation. As a mater of fact it's been years since I've gotten myself into anything that was more than an uncomfortable situation.
Three or four years ago when we vacationed in the Smoky Mountains I had the opportunity to hike up the mountainside to view a particular waterfall and let me tell you, that got real uncomfortable real quick. I wasn't really used to hiking straight up! Even there alone in the woods on the side of a mountain hundreds of miles from home the closest I came to any sort of danger was of the imaginary sort. You know bears, mountain lions, rock slides (I even gave a quick thought to the flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz)- none of which ever materialized outside of my imagination.
Mostly I only have to worry about slippery rocks that might lead to my backside getting wet, poison ivy, mosquitoes or spiders. And particularly spiders that tend to make their web across the trail that I've chosen to take a nice relaxing hike on. There's nothing more unsettling than to be trekking along when suddenly you find yourself with a mouthful of cottony web and a spider skittering across your face only to disappear somewhere between your eyes and the closest branch! As much as it gives me the heebie jeebies, once I've convinced myself that the elusive arachnid is far from my person I can't help but laugh a little bit at what I must have looked like walking along only to suddenly break out into the herky jerky! Personally, I'll take the bears, mountain lions and rock slides over a spider in my hair any day. And oh yeah, go ahead and bring on those flying monkeys too...

Where It Needs To Be...

2011-05-01T20:45:00.000-05:00

To be honest, I had reservations as to whether or not I should post anything (even remotely) relative to rain, storms, clouds or any kind of precipitation but these clouds were too magnificent to pass up.
We've just had torrential downpours all across the U.S. and if that weren't enough there have been record numbers of tornadoes that have resulted in hundreds of deaths.
The weather systems are changing . I think probably for good. This seems to have been the norm for the past two or three years and actually it seems to be getting worse each year. I fully expect it to happen again next year and the next after that and the next after that. I would like to be wrong on this but I just don't feel wrong. I can only hope that we can somehow get better prepared.
There are those that are quick to say that we are in the End Times and maybe we are- I sure don't know nor do I pretend to know. I've read that the prophesies of the Bible have been showing themselves for hundreds of years and for hundreds of years people have cried out that the end is near. That's a debate that I don't care to get into. I am a Christian and I follow the Christian belief as best I can but I won't try to predict the end, I'll only prepare myself for ever life brings by having my heart where it needs to be...

A Sheltered Life?...

2011-04-27T22:02:00.001-05:00

I sometimes feel like I've led a pretty sheltered life. It just seems as if there's plenty of things I've never seen or done. Not really big adventure type things like go on safari or travel around the world but things that are just ordinary by a lot of people's standards. A lot of people's. I've never flown on a plane. I've never seen the desert. I've never ridden a horse and I've never owned a Harley. But I guess I don't know if sheltered is actually the word that I'm looking for. After all, I grew up gallivanting around the countryside, exploring caves, rivers, forests and spent many a summer skinny dipping in the the quarry ( forbidden territory by the way ). Me and Jimmie ran the streets for quite a few years usually sneaking out after dark to do so. We actually snuck all the way to St. Louis when we were fifteen and hitch hiked back from Rolla ( 100+ miles ) when the water pump blew on his '57 Chevy. I've snuck off to the movies and snuck into the drive-in ( in the trunk, of course ). Geez, now that I look back I did a lot of sneaking. Well... it wasn't really as bad as it sounds. A lot of my earlier adult years were filled with road trips just to go somewhere and I guess I probably found myself in more "situations" - good and bad - than I care to expand upon. So yeah, sheltered isn't really the word I'm looking for
There's still plenty of time to do these things if I actually feel the need and it's not as if I've scratched them off of my list. But I guess if I never get around to them that'll be ok too. Because now that I look back I think I had my share of adventures. And really, I think that maybe I've still got a one or two left in me...

He Has Risen!

2011-04-24T16:39:00.000-05:00

And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.
Mark16:6

The Legend of the Dogwood Tree...

2011-04-17T21:36:00.000-05:00

Two thousand years ago, few trees in the Middle East were big enough to construct anything. However, one tree was valued above the others for its thick trunk and fine, strong wood. When the Romans came to rule over Jerusalem, their government used this same timber to build the crosses for executing criminals. A group of workers were assigned to gather wood for the crosses. Before long, every Roman official knew the best wood came from these gatherers of execution wood, so those workers became popular.
One day, the wood gatherers received a special request. An officer of the Roman court came and said, "The King of Jews is to be put to death. Deliver an extra-large cross made from your finest wood." So, a fresh tree was cut from the forest of the trees with thick trunks and fine, strong wood. An extra-tall (and extra-heavy) cross was quickly made and delivered.
Three days after the death of Jesus of Nazereth, the chief wood gatherer got alarming news. "All of our finest trees are withering!" the messenger whispered. The wood gatherer hurried to the forest and saw that it was true.
Several years later, the chief wood gatherer heard that, every spring, many people visited the old forest that had once made his job so easy. Despite his advancing years, he set out to discover why. He saw the remains of forest, now like a salty bottoms, with only a few trees still standing tall, bare, lifeless and rotting.

But what was this? As he drew closer, his feeble eyes could make out the people walking among thousands of beautiful, flowering bushes. Seeing one of his own workers there, the old man said, "No one could ever make a cross out of this twisted wood. Our finest tree has gone to the dogs!" He noticed the beautiful white flowers, each blossom looking as if it had been burned from the touch of a miniature cross.
As told to Ben Baston by his grandmother, Louise Brown.

There Is A Legend

At the time of Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus nailed upon it, sensed this.
In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering Jesus said to the tree:
" Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross--two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember." The pink dogwood is said to be blushing
for shame because of the cruel purpose
which it served in the Crucifixion.
The weeping dogwood further symbolized the sorrow.
The red dogwood, called the Cherokee, bears
the color to remind us of the blood shed by our Savior
Of course I didn't write this. Sometimes as I'm looking for inspiration I'll look up information on my subject. As I read this I figured to inject my post with various pieces of the legend as it's written here but the more I read the more I knew that I couldn't leave out a single word. So here it is I hope you enjoy it for what it is - a legend and nothing more. There is no biblical truth to it but it is a nice story.
I found it here at http://www.promiseofgod.com/dogwood/ . Go there if you like. You'll find lots and lots of "inspirational stories and poems". I'm looking forward to going back...

Little Bit of Non Conformity...

2011-04-10T22:34:00.000-05:00

Those of you (us) that are old enough and those of you that just like to go old school once in a while and catch a 60s or probably even a 70s movie might recognize this place. It's the place where the hero (usually a long haired type that just can't seem to conform to authority in whatever manner the movie finds necessary to make it attractive to the younger audience that it's aimed at) and the beautiful girl (probably a flower child or at least one in the making) finally become well, acquainted.
Now, I've seen my fair share of such movies... now wait a minute, before you go jumping to conclusions I'm talking about epic films like Easy Rider, Macon County Line, The Getaway (Steve McQueen wasn't really a longhair but he was definitely a non conformist ) and Bonnie and Clyde ( non conformists? really?!). I knew when I decided what this post would be about that I had to be careful what I said! Most of these movies at this point would fade out into glittering sunlight until it was nothing but a blur of pixels and we'd be left with an awesome soundtrack by someone like the Allman Brothers, Ten Years After or maybe if it was a real hippie movie, Jimi Hendrix.
These were my teen years and I guess that these movies had a bit of a hand in how I looked at life, at least for a period of time. They most assuredly had a hand in shaping my musical tastes, probably the length of my hair, maybe the clothes that I wore, I suppose a little of how I liked to drive and I guess, well I don't know maybe, yeah probably, probably even a little bit of non conformity. I don't know...what ever!

Guarded By Peacocks...

2011-04-06T22:51:00.000-05:00

Peacocks always remind me of an old woman that used to live near us when I was growing up. We always thought that the woman was very eccentric to say the least. She lived in what we referred to back then as a mansion. It was ( and still is ) a very large and very ornate home, not really a mansion but a very nice home to say the least. It sits on a couple of acres sectioned off with an iron fence all the way around it. You know the kind - the kind that looks like it's made up of spears.
The lady that lived there back then had peacocks that roamed the property and whenever one was startled or for whatever reason at whatever hour you would hear that peacock call from blocks away. There were a good amount of trees on the property so that the sound seemed to reverberate before it trailed off and gave it that sort of eerie feeling - especially when young children were out after dark and needing to get home.
The lady that I speak of, as it turned out, was not necessarily as eccentric a she was more in a state of dementia. She was known to have quite a bit of money to her name but yet she lived mostly in her kitchen so that the oven could be her source of heat. It was cheaper that way. I remember that the house was full of stuff such as newspapers, clothes, boxes and tons of things that I can't clearly remember. We now know that to be what we call hoarding and it's a type of mental illness. She had more cats than what would now be a legal amount. These days the ASPCA would be called in to relieve her of probably, most, if not all of them.
It's funny how we looked at others problems back then, or should I say, didn't look at them. People were called eccentric, funny, off kilter or just plain old weird but we just left them alone to live out there lives in the manner that they were accustomed to. At least that's how I saw it as a young boy and that's how I remember it now. Maybe there were agencies involved in most cases but I know that there weren't any involved with her. Hell, her own family never came around until after she died and that, of course was only to sell off everything. That's pretty sad...
There's no real point to this story, I guess. Only that any time I see or especially hear a peacock I immediately think back to a little old lady that lived in a mansion all by herself with her cats and her stuff and her chair in the kitchen of her dimly lit home. A home that that was guarded by peacocks. Man, that little old lady sure was eccentric...

Snake Hunts

2011-04-03T22:11:00.000-05:00

When I was growing up I had a fascination with snakes. A lot of boys I knew liked snakes but not the way I liked snakes.I wanted to be a herpetologist. My friend Mark and I had regular snake hunts and we did this with regularity all through spring and summer. Fortunately for us there were ample woods and fields to hunt in and the snake population back then seemed well, bountiful I guess.
I had built several snake cages and had them all filled shortly after the beginning of Spring each year. We caught the every day variety of garter snake pretty much whenever we wanted just to go find a snake. But some days fortune smiled upon us and I would come home with any of several varieties that unfortunately, I haven't come across in several years. Back then it was no big feat to catch a milk snake (and no- no, they do not milk cows I don't care who's grandpa saw it with his own eyes!), a corn snake (mostly named for the fact that they are often found in the rows of corn hunting field mice), a bull snake, blue racers ( there again, they really don't go any faster than any other similarly sized snake and as far as I know under most circumstances they certainly would not chase you!), a green snake (which are so good at camouflage that they may have been in the vicinity but my snake spotting eyes probably aren't as skilled as they once were) or even a hog-nosed snake. Now a hog-nosed snake is an awesome snake. They do have a little turned up snout thus the hog-nosed part. But they will also spread out their neck similar to what a cobra might do as a form of defense. Which is kind of weird because there are no cobras where hog-nosed snakes live so how did they even know? But when this doesn't work they'll roll over and play dead and quite convincingly I might add. If you doubt that you may look it up.
So today as I came across this and two other blacksnakes on my walk through the woods I was once again taken back to my youth and the snake hunts. I'm not so sad that the days of the snake hunts are gone but it has been particularly saddening to me throughout the years that the species that were once so plentiful around here have either moved out due to the ever growing population or have just slowly dwindled in numbers so that any sighting would be considered a major event in the world of herpetology.
Personally, I hope it's just my eyesight...

Life Worth Living...

2011-03-30T21:33:00.000-05:00

Another whirlwind of a week.(and it's only Wednesday!) It took the three of us most of Monday night to finish up Brendon's science project for the science fair. Don't get me wrong, we do not / will not do Brendon's work for him. This was mostly cutting and pasting while he rewrote several notes that apparently needed to be handwritten instead of typed. He has a few advanced classes one of which is science and sometimes I wonder just how far advanced they are. ( and yeah, I'm bragging on him a little...)
Anyway, as I noted last week, I've been trying to drum up some business and so far I've netted a couple of weddings, two senior pictures, a family portrait and three hopeful shoots. I've decided to try and get an ad on craigslist and put together a cd montage for prospective customers to check out too. This, I think, would be a good move for business.
Oh yeah, then there's the Missouri Life magazine assignment I got last week. That was a very neat shoot with a couple of high school girls that have their own apparently very profitable, chicken farm. But that story will have to wait until another time. Right now I've got to find some Beatles music for a friend at work. Hey, I've got to say- anyone who likes the Beatles is alright by me!
But as for this photo it's just a scene that I felt was relaxing to look at and I seem to need that more and more these days. But if this is the kind of excitement that my life will be filled with then I say bring it on. Bring all you got because that's the kind of stuff that makes life worth living...

The Beginning of a Great Friendship...

2011-03-23T20:59:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was one of the best days I've had in a long time.That's not to say that I don't have good days by any means. I do. I have plenty of good days. Like my friend Glenn says, "Every day is good, somes just gooder'n others!" I sure like Glenn's outlook on life.
But yesterday was an extra special day for me. I attended the launch party for the April issue of Missouri Life magazine in which my very first published works are found. That's right, I am now a published photographer! (yay for me!) And yes, I was invited. Sorry, I don't mean to sound so vain. It's just that this is a point that I've been working towards for some time now and I'm actually what you might call ecstatic about it.
The party was up in Columbia, Mo. and that's about am three hour drive from Springfield but everyone that I talked to about it (and I mean everyone) said it was the right thing to do. You know, put a face with the emails. Leave a good impression. Give them something to remember. ( I'm pretty sure that they couldn't forget this mug!)
Every one of the magazine staff that I met was very friendly and also very encouraging about my photography. As a matter of fact, I left the party with another assignment and that in itself is very encouraging to me. I stayed the hour and a half that the party lasted and then it was back home for me. It's a good thing that I like to drive because that trip was twenty percent meet and greet and eighty percent drive time. You probably could have figured out that last percentage.
At any rate it looks like the beginning of a great friendship between Missouri Life and me. May it last many years...

It's Spring!

2011-03-20T21:00:00.000-05:00

Man, this is what I think springtime is all about! The grass is turning green, the trees are budding and the sky is blue. Today was exceptionally great for the first day of Spring! The temperature was somewhere near 80 degrees, there was a (mostly) light breeze and the sun was shining. We raked up the dead leaves from last fall and winter and I trimmed a couple bushes to start them out right for the soon to be revealed displays of color.
With this kind of weather and the occasional rains we've been getting the full array of colors will be upon us and then unfortunately, in a blink of an eye it will be gone. Which is too bad because I seem to have quite a few offers to do family portraits or senior pictures this time of year only to lose them to the suddenness of summer's entrance onto the scene.Then it's "well let's wait for fall" and it's the same all over again. I don't blame anyone because I know how fast things can pass without getting done. At least some part of my fence can attest to that.
I have quite a few offers to do photo shoots and the time is drawing near to get them going so I'll just have to be a little more agressive this year and bug the crap out of these people until they set a date and we have a plan. A plan...hmmm, that sounds like a pretty good idea...

Fences...

2011-03-16T21:55:00.002-05:00

The fence around our back yard actually consists of four different types of fencing that were there long before us. There's the chain link that faces the front of the property (you know-proper appearances), the wire fence on the west side (this might be called high tensile fence, I'm not sure), old wire fence on the east side (again, high tensile?- I don't know) and the ever popular barbed wire fence in the back.
Now, I don't really get the barbed wire in the back. That's where the field is. There are no cattle or horses there, no open trails (it's not that big) nor is it close enough to any thoroughfares where any stray pedestrian might want to cross over into our yard. But what is there is 'possums, armadillos, the occasional cat and last but certainly not least - skunks! Barbed wire will not keep any of these out, nor has it.
The other problem with that back fence, is that it not only doesn't keep critters out but it doesn't keep one particular critter in- our dog Tabasco. Tabasco is a chihuahua and he doesn't require a very large space to start with so even two barbed wire fences is not enough to hold him in when he's ready to go around to visit his true love Piper. Piper, by the way, is a Great Pyrenees/Bull Mastiff mix so he comes up to about her ankle. Just thought you might like that visual.
To put a stop to Tabasco's escapades I finally decided to put chicken wire all along the bottom edge of the back fence and that has seemed to stop him. Piper's owners have had to add an electric fence to put a stop to Piper after she discovered that being almost six foot tall when standing on her hind legs she could easily make it over the fence.
It's a sad sight these days. Tabasco sits at the edge of the fence and watches Piper's every move as he always has only now he knows that that's as close as he's going to get. Piper keeps her distance, having learned her lesson the hard way. I think that maybe I'll throw Tabasco over the fence once in a while just to see if he'll get tired of that giant paw swatting at him or being wallowed around by Piper's great big ol' slobbering mouth.
But you know what? I seriously doubt that he will...

A Good Sittin' Spot

2011-03-13T20:35:00.000-05:00

This photo isn't exactly a great photo. It could use a little more color probably. The trees could definitely stand some leaves on them and maybe the grass could be a little greener to be well, a little more pleasing to the eye.
But what makes this a photo something I wanted to show you is the fact that I spent some time there yesterday afternoon - just sittin'. I wanted to hopefully share a little of me because places like this are what makes my life a little bit easier. Somewhere that I can just sit and listen to the sounds of the birds chirping and the wind breezing through the trees with the sun's warmth spreading over me like an invisible blanket. I value my alone time. Probably because it gives me a chance to clear my head and some time to just have a nice casual conversation with God. You know, maybe to tell Him how cool this spot is and how thankful I am for the warm Saturday afternoon that gave me cause to go out and find this spot in a season where warm afternoons are rare. Actually I've been near here more than once and possibly even took it in from another angle but this day I saw it in an all together different light and it called out to me. Most likely because I needed it to call out to me. It called to me before I even saw it but I knew it was there and I knew just how to get to it.
It's going to be one of my favorite sittin' spots I'm sure. And if I get caught up and stay too long to go forward and find some good shots well, that will be ok too because I'll be a better person for having spent the time there. Having a good sittin' spot is essential. So go out and find yourself a sittin' spot, open your heart and listen to what it can tell you...

Almost Here...

2011-03-09T22:11:00.000-06:00

Another seemingly exhausting effort to get something posted again tonight! This heap of a computer pretty much does what it wants when it wants, I think. The time when the machines take over the world is drawing near! (ok, whatever...)
So anyway, back to reality. No big story here tonight. I've just been getting antsy for warm weather and the miracles of spring to get here. So when I came across this photo I could feel it drawing me into it's warmth and I didn't really want to leave it so I decided to share it in hopes that it warms you like it has me.
Hang in there, springtime is almost here...

You're Somewhere Else...

2011-03-06T20:28:00.000-06:00

Well, I guess that daylight savings time is just around the corner and to me that's just another reminder that spring is upon us. The temperatures are fluctuating daily which means that eventually I'll start leaving my jacket at work, not remembering that I brought it that morning when the chill in the air required it.
I noticed a willow tree the other day that had just a hint of green to it. Honestly I'm not sure if that's too early for a willow or not. They seem to always be the first to show their color.
Willow trees, for some reason, always remind me of my childhood. I don't remember ever having one in our yard. I don't even remember any of my friends having one either but somehow they affected me so that they made some sort of implant in my memory. Something to do with just being a kid. It's funny how our memories are shaped. I'd have to say that probably most of our memories are due to direct incidents- I suppose that's kind of an obvious statement. It's those memories that are more of a feeling than that of a person, place or thing that affect me the most, I think. It's a certain smell. Not necessarily one that you can identify like the oatmeal cookies that make you think of your grandmother but one that flits past your nose so quick that your not even sure you smelled it and suddenly you're somewhere else.
It's the way the sunlight comes through a window for a moment. But it only takes a glance at the combination of light and shadow somewhere in that brief moment and you're somewhere else.
It's the rolling of a cloud, the brush of a breeze on your cheek or the rustling of leaves and in an instant you're somewhere else.
If you're lucky you can reach out and grab that feeling and hold onto it. Most times you can't hold on very long. But if you hold on tight and dig deep enough maybe you'll get a taste of that memory. For me, it never seems to get down to anything tangible but just to have the memory of that feeling is enough I guess... for now.

Down Life's Highway...

2011-03-02T21:24:00.000-06:00

I've spoken before about my friend Larry and his on going encouragement. Recently Larry set me up with the publisher of Missouri Life magazine. I should probably explain that better. Larry writes articles for Missouri Life and he mentioned me to the publisher,Greg Wood, who in turn gave Larry permission to give me his email address. After exchanging a couple of emails and checking out my blog Mr. Wood forwarded my name on to the editor, Danita Wood (his wife) who in turn put me on the list of photographers to contact. I'm not sure what the list's official tag is but there were other photographers on it and they did contact me so I'm calling it the contact list for future reference.
Twice I was asked about possibly having any photos of certain areas and twice I did not. Therefore I did what any aspiring photographer would do and I went out and traveled the highways and byways and got shots of the requested sights.This, my friends has paid off! The upcoming April issue will feature photos from yours truly! This is awesome to say the least. I can only hope that this is just the beginning- for Missouri Life magazine and whatever else the good Lord brings my way. By the way this roadside sign just caught my eye and I had to stop and look at it for awhile. I mean the message is clear but I just really like it's setting. Out in the middle of nowhere it's just a quiet reminder for those who care to take the time and read it as they're speeding off down life's highway...

Not Much To Say...

2011-02-28T21:08:00.000-06:00

Not much to say tonight- fighting the ever oppressive cold/flu bug. I just wanted to get an architectural photo in. I haven't posted one in quite a while.
This is the state capitol building in Jefferson City, Mo. I've got to say, I am in awe every time I see it! The work that must have went into a building of it's magnificence is awe inspiring to say the least.
I'm not going to go into all the different types of architecture in the world. I'd love to see them all. I won't go into how one style is better than another or one particular region's buildings are greater than another's. Or how a certain architect or even a sculptor's works has made his country the envy of architects around the world because well, for one, I don't want to seem any more ignorant than I might already and like I said, I haven't got much to say tonight...

I'm Not Falling For It...

2011-02-23T21:23:00.001-06:00

Well the warm weather has brought out some early crocuses (or is it crocii?) Nope it's crocuses or just crocus - I just looked it up. However you want to say it, they're here a tad too soon. Sorry to say it but spring has not sprung, not yet anyway. I'm afraid that there is going to be a lot of spring sprunging in the next few days and then all of a sudden the realization that winter is still here will fall upon us again like a giant frozen snowball!
March is just a few days away and that will mean the official springing of the aforementioned spring season but most of us have seen a good dumping of snow in the month of March and some of us have even seen it in April.
So I'm not counting my spring flowers just yet. I am not falling for it! I'm too ready for it to get here so I'll not be the one to put on my shorts and go to Lowe's to buy planting soil and a variety of flowers to put out only to get a slap in the face by mother nature's north winds. So for now, I'll play it safe. My winter clothes are staying right where they are and my gloves and boots are right by the door to the garage where they always are-every winter...

A Lifetime of Memories...

2011-02-21T19:31:00.001-06:00

A couple of years ago my mom began to have trouble with her legs. That is to say, she began losing strength in them. As far as any of her doctors can tell us it's due to spinal stenosis. Without looking it up I believe that I'm correct in translating that to a narrowing of the openings in the vertebrae causing pressure on the spinal cord.
My mother has basically been on her own for almost thirty years so you can imagine how it has affected her. She can no longer drive herself anywhere so although all of her children take turns bringing her dinner to her, doing her grocery shopping and taking her to her doctors' appointments she gets no real joy from any of that. Sadly, so many times we are in such a hurry that it seems that we neglect to do the important part and that's just spend time with her. Don't get me wrong - I'm not placing blame because I'm as guilty as anyone. You've read about my constant hurries here and there. I've complained about it more than once. Never any time... never.
So Saturday I decided pick her up and just go for a drive. I tried to take her to places that I knew she hadn't been in years. Not so much in town as places in the countryside,somewhere away from it all. Somewhere that I like to think is maybe a little closer to God. So we drove. We drove wherever the road took us and although it was only for about three hours she talked and I listened to a lifetime of memories.
I'm sure by the look on her face as I later left her house that it was an afternoon that maybe gave her a measure of joy that she hadn't had in a while. I hope so. Don't get me wrong. I'm not patting myself on the back for doing something that I should have done long before this but I believe that we'll be taking drives a little more often. After all, there are a whole lot of spots in the road in a lifetime of memories...

And Then All At Once...

2011-02-16T22:03:00.000-06:00

Well, I feel like I missed out on a lot of photo opportunities with this last snowfall ( I guess snowfall is putting it lightly ). Anyway, I just didn't get the chances I would have liked to to go out and get in the woods. I would have to say though that even if I wasn't working fourteen hour days I probably couldn't have gotten in and out of the places that I would have liked to go. And if I even wanted to give it a try I really couldn't have because our four wheel drive vehicle is in the shop getting new head gaskets, strut mounts and brake booster. I'm also getting a water pump and a tune up just because. Thank goodness for tax refunds.
All of that aside the snow has gone and the temps are soaring near seventy degrees! I'm sure that this will be short lived and everything will be back to winter soon enough. Some time back I started noticing how fast the years were passing. It seemed that winters dragged and summers flew by and then all at once another year had gone. But in the last two or three years it seems like even the winters are flying by. Now, I won't complain about that but I'm pretty sure too that it won't mean that the summers will slow down and last forever. I tend to lean towards a personal heaven for those of us that are blessed enough to go and maybe that's what my heaven will be like - orange sunsets with warm breezes blowing fields of waste high grasses and the sound of cicadas, tree frogs and the occasional night bird singing out it's last song for the day- only to be followed by orange sunrises with warm breezes blowing tree blooms spreading their fragrances across the land and the songs of a hundred song birds singing good morning - day after day after day...

Change Can Be Good

2011-02-13T21:48:00.000-06:00

This weekend we took a well deserved trip to Branson for a couple of days and nights to just get away and relax. This past week I've put in a couple of twelve hour days and a couple of fourteen hour days and I was plain old beat. The limousine business generates a lot of sales from the shows and the big one in Vegas is Monday so that always means a big last minute rush to get things done. Not really sure why it turns out that way- the show is on the same date every year but yet that seems to be the modus operandi of most of the manufacturers that I know of. If you've followed this for very long you'll know that Brenda babysits. That's probably all I need to say about that.
Anyway, back to Branson. Branson has gotten the reputation of Hillbilly USA and really I guess, in a lot of ways their chamber of commerce seems to want it that way. Can you say tourism? But actually Branson is a very diverse town. This photo was taken at the Branson Landing, a riverfront conglomeration of retail stores, restaurants and well, more retail stores. I'm no expert on the area by any means and I've only been a couple of times in the last couple of years. Although we hit a lot of the stores I mostly followed Brenda around and just turned where she turned. It's a husband thing I guess.
But this weekend I got the opportunity to go back after dark and do a little photography around the fountains. The whole Branson Landing thing is pretty new. Finished in May of 2006 ( or at least that was the grand opening ) it's become a major attraction of the area.
I remember "back in the day" when I used to go down to waterfront and just watch the boats go by. Some days I would be lucky to see twenty people on the shore. Although I'm all about the days of yesteryear and the simple life I guess that this is a good thing. I believe that change for the most part, can be good - whether we want it to be or not...

Look To Your Own Backyard...

2011-02-07T21:59:00.001-06:00

Well, the Superbowl kept me from getting home at a decent time last night. Actually, it wasn't necessarily the Superbowl but the Superbowl party at my brother's house. So I just decided to postpone this post until tonight. As it turns out it looks like I'll be working a few late nights this week so I'll just show you this photo of blizzard left overs. Unfortunately the blizzard was just a tease for me more than anything. I thought of several places that I wanted to go to shoot but none of those places were accessible to me (or anything else for that matter) so I did the best that I could with what I had and that being my backyard and immediate surroundings. I believe that there is a saying that goes something to the effect of "...look to your own backyard first...". I don't know it in entirety unfortunately but I like what it implies. So, not wanting to make this a long essay I'll just leave you with that.

Make It Through Safely...

2011-02-02T21:36:00.000-06:00

I guess that I need a T-shirt that says "I survived the blizzard of 2011!" Holy moly what a snow storm this has been huh? Don't get me wrong- I don't say that lightly. We were blessed to be able to have had our electricity stay on and really no ice to speak of. There are hundreds of thousands across the U.S. right now that are doing their best to try and stay warm as the temperatures drop well below zero.
That really gives me an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. Here in southwest Missouri back in 2007 we had an ice storm that left our household without power for nine days.There is no way I'll ever forget laying in bed that night without any lights or heat listening to the sound of limb after limb creaking and snapping and falling with a great whooosh! All but a couple landed in the yard with a thud, leaving what looked like grenade holes( yeah, I know -that's quite an exaggeration but hey...). The couple that didn't land in the yard managed to cave in our patio awning but fortunately the house itself was spared.We made it for those nine days and the moment the power came back on it was nothing short of jubilation!
We knew then and we know now that God had spared us any real hardships during those nine days and I pray for those in the middle of this storm to be able to hold on and that they will make it through safely...

It Sounds Pretty Awesome...

2011-01-30T21:13:00.000-06:00

Last week I mentioned that I was out taking photos to be considered for inclusion in a tourism piece on Joplin, Mo. for Missouri Life Magazine. I'm not employed by the magazine by any means but thanks to my friend Larry, I am one of several photographers on their mailing list that they contact looking for photographs that may fit their stories.(No actual assignments yet...)
This is Grand Falls or a piece of it anyway. This area was awesome and I have no idea why I didn't know about it before. I know for sure that I'll be back in the summer to get a better look at it!
At any rate, I'm in the middle of going through some photos I shot this weekend for another article that led me down some of Missouri's smaller yet no less amazing highways to points (Gray's Point to be exact!) that even I had never heard of before. I can't begin to tell you what a great afternoon that was. That afternoon in itself was enough to re energize me and give me that push that I needed to go forth and shoot photos and capture moments in time for future generations to enjoy. Well, it sounds pretty awesome anyway...

Somewhere You Want To Go...

2011-01-26T20:20:00.000-06:00

This dang computer keeps dropping the site and even as we speak the music that I'm listening to from this blog is malfunctioning so I'm just going to make this short and sweet.
Here's a morning fog photo that I took last winter. I really like this one. It definitely sets a tone - a tone that I can relate with some days for sure.
Anyway, hope that you like it too. Find yourself a good song that you think fits it well and click on it to get the full effect and just let your mind wander. Hopefully it will take you somewhere that you want to go...

A Little Harder To Come By...

2011-01-23T21:59:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to say that I hope everyone has had a good weekend. I know we had a pretty relaxing one for the most part. I got to go on a road trip to Joplin to get some photos to be considered for inclusion in a tourism piece.This isn't one of them by the way and I won't go into all of that now but maybe next time I'll give you a little piece of some of the sights I found there. We were invited to dinner by our good friends Brian and Heather. It's good to have friends that like to eat I always say. And on top of that we ran into Mark and Patty. As I told Brian, I've known these two since before I had whiskers. ( Actually, before I could grow whiskers! ) It's awesome to have such good friends as we do. Sometimes I get so caught up in the business of everyday business that I forget how lucky we are to have the quality friends that we do have. I know that in years past I've referred to more than one individual as a friend only to look back later and realize that they were only acquaintances. I guess that as I get older having someone that I can truly call a friend is probably a little harder to come by than I once thought but their friendship means so much more than it ever did with any of my acquaintances...

"If You Don't Have Anything Good To Say..."

2011-01-19T21:32:00.000-06:00

I guess that I'm in a post holiday funk. I seem to find it harder and harder to write about something and it takes forever to decide on a photo to post. I think that it happens to a lot of us. You know, the big let down after all of the hoopla of the season. The festive holiday season is over and now it's just winter. Cold and blustery and...cold. I don't know, it hasn't really been a problem before but for some reason this year it is. As usual there's one hundred and one things going on in my life and most everything needs attention now and what can't be reckoned with now needs a lot of thought. I need a good hike to clear my mind or at least to give me some space to let it all run it's course and get equal attention so as to maybe get everything lined out. All my ducks in a row, so to speak.
Well I promise not to let this blog become dark with my complaining so for the near future if I don't have much text to go with the photo ( oh, there will always be the photos! ) then just know that I just don't have much to say. I know that it will all come back around. Actually it's pretty hard some nights to come home from work, have dinner, help with the dishes, try to get some quality family time in and then sit at this computer and and hope to have something entertaining to talk about in addition to what I might think is a quality photo and still get to bed at a decent hour. See, there I go already. So as I'm sure most of our mothers have told us throughout our lives... "if you don't have anything good to say..." well, you know the rest.

Thank Goodness...

2011-01-16T21:49:00.000-06:00

Well guess what? Yesterday was my birthday-yaaaay! So that being said, the yaaay part I mean, my official celebration is over for this year. We went to dinner tonight because yesterday was such a hectic day starting with the busted water pipe then Brendon's bowling tournament and getting dinner to my mom and a small list of errands that we just wanted to get a shower in and settle back. Birthdays sure aren't what they used to be...thank goodness!

A Case Of The Shivers...

2011-01-12T21:31:00.002-06:00

Oooh, it's cold outside! I'm not too bashful to admit that I do not like the cold! Is there maybe a possibility that it has to do with getting older? I mean, my joints don't hurt or anything like that. I don't have a job that keeps me out in it. The most that I absolutely have to be out in it is the short walk across the parking lot at work. The car stays in the garage ( I'm pretty thankful for that ) and the porch is mostly covered so I don't usually have to clear off any snow or ice ( maybe once in a while ) so really, I'm not overly exposed to the elements so much as to really have reason to dislike the cold so much.
I think maybe it's the psychology of it all. My son Brendon has absolutely no problem with the cold and snow- especially the snow ( see the February 10, 2010 post ). I myself like to sit back and relax all snuggled in on cold winter days. Yesterday I came home from work to find Brendon outside in what was somewhere around 14 degree cold jumping on the trampoline. As it had snowed some the previous night the blanket of snow that covered the trampoline's um, the uh... "stretchy part" was exploding with every jump he made. Not until I got the camera and had taken a few "action" shots did I notice that he was jumping in his socks! 14 degrees and snow! He was right though. You can't jump on the trampoline with your shoes on. I should've know that I guess.
Anyway as for me all of this talk of frigid temps is giving me a case of the shivers. I think that I'll go get my heavy winter socks and put them in the dryer to get them all nice and toasty before I go back to snuggling up on the couch. It's supposed to get down to zero tonight!!

The Man...

2011-01-09T21:45:00.000-06:00

This is my nephew Justin. Justin has served in the military for, I believe, eight years now. That's really pretty sad on my part not knowing how long he has been protecting our country I guess. It just goes to show how much we can get wrapped up in our own little cocoons and take it for granted that the rest of the world is running fine without us. We all know how that's working out. Fortunately there are men and women just like Justin that don't feel that way and they're out there making sure that we can stay in our cocoons all nice and snuggly.
Anyway, I know that I can't really state too many specifics as to his service in the military so I'll just say thanks Justin. You're the man, we're all proud of you!

Plenty To Say...

2011-01-05T20:42:00.000-06:00

Well once again it's a new year! Happy New Year!! Obviously my resolution was not to not miss any more posts. I've kind of decided that it was an unofficial hiatus of sorts. Pretty short lived hiatus but still...
So here we are in January again and other than the usual holiday fare nothing much new to actually start this new year out with.
I didn't win the $330,000,000.00 in the mega millions lottery so I guess that life will continue to go on as planned. Although, I did have some pretty big plans... Could you imagine that? That's over a QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS !!! How is it, I wonder, that we can give away such massive amounts as this but we sometimes can't manage to get enough donations to feed and clothe our own starving citizens? How is it that a professional sports figure earns millions upon millions of dollars and our troops have trouble even finding a job once they've left the service, not to mention the mere pittance they receive in exchange for putting their lives on the line daily and way too often losing that life.
Well, that's a subject that could go on and on and at least for now, I'm not willing to spend my time complaining about the things that I can't change. I don't mind letting you know how I feel about it though - you can always count on that. But what I don't want is to make this blog about what's wrong with the world. There's plenty of folks out there who are more than glad to do it for me.
So happy new year to all of you. I don't make resolutions but I will tell you that I'll try really hard to get back to a regular schedule of posting. I like to think that there are those of you that actually look forward to my posts so I'll try not to disappoint. Maybe I'll find better subjects to talk about in the future. Who knows, maybe I'll win the next powerball jackpot and then I bet I'll have plenty to say...

The Christmas Spirit...

2010-12-26T21:55:00.000-06:00

Well we made it! We made it through the all the wrapping paper, the endless bowls of candies, breads, cakes and pies, the Christmas dinner(s) and the family get togethers. Oh I know, the season's not over yet and I'm not saying that I want it to be. New Years' is just next week but to be honest with you, that hasn't held a lot of excitement for me in quite some time. When I do stay up until midnight or later it's either at this computer or lying in bed trying to sleep but not yet getting there. So anyway, the rush of Christmastime is over. I'll be taking the Christmas CDs out of the car and putting them back in their spot until next year. Probably some time this week the tree will come down and if I have time, the outdoor lights will be taken down and rolled up as best as I can ( I'm not even going to discuss how that usually turns out...).
It's funny how Christmas starts to take a hold of us and day by day we start getting into the "Christmas spirit". Slowly all of the gift buying, the candy making and decorations that adorn our houses builds to a crescendo until the day comes and it's here! And then with just the tick of a few very short hours it's over. But you know as well as I do that it doesn't need to be over and really, it shouldn't ever be over. Look at old Scrooge and even the Grinch. They learned to live like Christmas was everyday so surely we could too. I tend to think that as each year passes I've been able to take a little Christmas spirit and tuck it away to be used at my discretion at any given time and place, each year adding to that which I've stored from the years before. I can only hope that the people that know me(and maybe even more so, people that don't know me) have been able to see that in me.
At any rate, the new year is coming and that means that another year has passed. They sure do seem to fly by any more. One of these days I'll tell you my theory on that...

Christmas In My Heart...

2010-12-22T22:27:00.002-06:00

Several years ago we began going to the Children's Mass at St. Agnes Cathedral on Christmas Eve with my mother. We used to go to the Midnight Mass but I don't have to tell you, that makes for an awful long Christmas Day when you're up early with the kids. And besides, the Children's Mass is at 5:00 and that's plenty of time to go out for Chinese food afterward. I guess that that in itself has become a little Christmas tradition of ours too. I'm not sure but I think that it might stem from the movie "A Christmas Story" and if you're familiar at all with the only movie that I know of that's played over and over for 24 hours you'll know that the Bumpus' hounds break into Ralphie Parker's house and make off with the Christmas turkey leaving Ralphie and his family with the only restaurant that's open and that being the aforementioned Chinese restaurant. (whew...) So yeah, that's become a little tradition of ours.
I guess that there's a few things that have become a Christmas tradition for us now that I think of it. Charlie Brown Christmas , The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, not to mention actually watching A Christmas Story over and over (and over). We have to listen to the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi while we're decorating the tree, we have to.We find ourselves getting out the movies of Brendon when he was four years old and singing Feliz Navidad at which Brenda always tears up. And every Christmas Brenda makes tons of candies, cakes and breads that get distributed to our friends and neighbors. But all that aside, I do enjoy the Children's Mass. It's always an amazing experience of sights and sounds. But most of all it let's me feel Christmas in my heart and that's where it should be...

On Your Best Behavior...

2010-12-19T23:27:00.000-06:00

Better watch out, better not cry, better not pout I'm telling you why! Santa Claus is coming to town! There's less than a week to go kids and I don't think that I've gotten to bed before midnight in the last week so I'm not going to stay up late tonight.(although, it's 11:15 now). The new job has me up before 6AM and I'm just not getting enough sleep with all of the Christmas goings on uh, going on. So you know what you need to be doing.(he's making a list and checking it twice!) There's still time to be good (gonna find out who's naughty or nice...) and I'll be back on Wednesday hopefully all rested up. But for now, goodnight and I sincerely hope that this Christmas season is finding all of you well and on your best behavior!

Now That's Magic...

2010-12-15T23:42:00.001-06:00

I really wanted to just jot down a few words tonight. I knew I couldn't skip it again this week but I've had a little trouble lately finding the words to write. I went and finished (yes, I said finished ) my Christmas shopping tonight and I'm sure that it was past midnight by the time I got to sleep last night so I momentarily gave the idea a thought.
But then I thought about Christmas being just around the corner and what an opportunity it would be to write something profound about world peace or helping the needy or volunteering our time or just plain ole being good to each other.
And I guess all of that is good to get up on our soapbox about but as we all know it's not supposed to take it being Christmastime to be good to each other. We're supposed to always be that way. "Love one another..." that's how it goes, isn't it? It was never supposed to be that hard to do.
I suppose though that I am thankful to those that at least use this time of year as an excuse to shed that rough exterior that they carry around all year long, if only for a few days, and show the world some compassion.
So now that I have spread the message of love thy neighbor- however inadvertently it came about- I just wanted to show you Kierra. When you hear about the magic of Christmas I'm sure that it conjures up all sorts of images but this photo of Kierra seemed to sum it up pretty well for me. There is nothing more special than a child and there is nothing more wonder filled than a child's mind. We're very blessed in that Brenda has been able to help raise several children through her baby sitting and I'm very blessed to be able to get the chance to play with them all and watch their faces when they've discovered something new and even lend an ear once in a while when one of the babies actually tries to explain it to me. I've often thought that if I were to suddenly go deaf I think that the last thing I would want to hear would be a child's laughter. Now that's magic...

Just A While...

2010-12-12T20:40:00.000-06:00

Well here it is - my annual first snow photo. That's right, we woke up this morning to a thin layer of the white stuff. The unfortunate part is that the temperatures are dropping to single digits and that just seems to take all the fun out of it! I always said that if I didn't love the Ozarks so much, I'd move to a far warmer climate and just visit once in a while. But I'd never do that. This part of the country is awful special to me. Anyway, the snow obviously presents a whole new batch of photo opportunities and that's something I can really appreciate. I just don't get the opportunity to travel much what with everything we have going on and that can be a real problem for a so called "outdoor photographer". I have quite a list of places I like to frequent in the immediate area and they're some pretty awesome places but eventually burn-out can set in and sometimes, as much as I hate to admit it, it starts to be the same old thing.
So when snow comes it changes everything and makes it fresh again. It's amazing what even the smallest amount of snow can do to a landscape. It makes the drab colorful. It makes the stale fresh. It breaks up the colors of the forest and gives everything a crisp edge again. It just kind of makes all the old things new, at least for a while. And that's all I need to recharge my batteries and remember why I love doing this so much -just a while. Because after all, we're only here for a while...

Brittany

2010-12-08T21:34:00.000-06:00

It seems like it's getting harder and harder to decide what to post. I don't know if I'm getting more critical of my photos or maybe the words just don't seem to come some days and I'm too focused on my writing. After all, I am trying to develop some sort of writing skills to go along with whatever I decide to post.
At any rate, it really should not have been that mind twisting to come up with a photo that I thought you might enjoy. In the last post I referred to a recent shoot for senior pictures and this is one of the results of that shoot. This is Brittany and I (with the aid of Bridgett of course) was privileged to do her senior pictures. I've known Brittany since she was a little girl and she sure has grown up fast! I think she must have been in about the first or second grade when I started working with her dad, Larry. Although I saw Larry at least five days a week I would only see Brittany occasionally so that every time I did see her she was one or two grades further along. Now, all of a sudden, she's a senior in high school! I'm sure that I don't have to tell you that that's just another reminder of how fast the years go flying past us. Well she's got five younger sisters that are all growing up just as fast and (yes, I said five) hopefully I'll do their senior pictures and who knows, maybe I'll be shooting their weddings too...

Back In The Day...

2010-12-01T21:16:00.000-06:00

These horses caught my eye recently when I was doing a photo shoot for some senior pictures. The landscape that day was spectacular to say the least adding to what, I think, was a very good session. Scenes like this always make me think of past eras when it was not uncommon to wander upon a herd of wild horses. When it was far from unusual for a man (or even a boy) to go out and find his next means of transportation. Kind of like an old west car lot if you will.
You know, I'm one of those people that from time to time likes to imagine how I would like to live back in the days before all of the "modern marvels" crept their way into our society. Before things got so complicated. I like to tell people how I would love to have been back there- back in those days. Well, I guess that a large part of that is true, but I'm not really so sure that I would want to go back and actually live in those times.
It would be cool -to an extent. There's not much I do enjoy more than being away from the hustle and bustle. Having a place with lots and lots of acreage (I couldn't put a number on how many acres I'd really want) is what I've wanted for what seems like a very long time. That, unfortunately doesn't seem to be in my financial near future. But to be honest, I like modern conveniences. I like having a warm car in the morning. I like a coffee pot that has my coffee ready 15 minutes before I get up. I like my digital camera... I really like my digital camera! And I like sharing my thoughts via the internet with all of you that check out what I have to share a couple of times a week.
Back in the day will just have to remain back in the day and maybe from time to time I'll be able to go back by way of some awesome vacation or who knows, maybe even one day I'll own lots and lots of acreage and I'll have my own herd of wild horses that I can just go sit and watch and think about the good ol' days...

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Berry!

2010-11-28T20:38:00.000-06:00

Occasionally I get to photograph a wedding and being as I'm not actually a "wedding photographer" so to speak, more often than not the wedding is of a friend. I'll have to say that I'm starting to enjoy them more than I used to. I've done a small handful in the last 2 or 3 years and they really are getting easier. The fact that I've been able to enlist the help of my friend Bridgett has made a world of difference. She really knows what she's doing I'll have to say.The aid of an assistant can be the difference in a good set or a really good set of wedding photos.
All that aside, these are my friends John and Debbie Berry. They tied the knot November 20, 2010. I should say that I felt honored to be asked to do their wedding. I really mean that. For someone to trust me to take photos of what will be memories of a lifetime well, there's just not another word that conveys how I feel about that. Thanks John and Debbie for putting your trust in me! May your life together always be filled with laughter as it is here. I know that it will be just for the simple fact that I know you have God in your hearts!

Congratulations to you both and I wish you nothing but happiness...

From Thy Bounty...

2010-11-25T19:43:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm plenty full of turkey, ham, smoked pork and all of the usual assortment of casseroles and veggies. Not to mention more desserts than "Man vs. Food" could manage to eat in his usual allotted time. (It's a television show- you'll just have to look it up... ) So, I just wanted to say "Happy Thanksgiving" to everyone.I hope that there's never been a moment on this blog that I haven't conveyed how thankful I am for all of the blessings I have in my life...

A Place In Our Hearts...

2010-11-21T19:54:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure which I like better, the big red barn with it's loft full of hay and the rope and pulley hanging out over the hay loft door or the old weather beaten, run down barn with it's boards that no longer hold any paint (or many of the nails for that matter). Barns have always had a place in American literature and therefore a place in our hearts.
There's the barn with the loft that became the secret hiding place for many a child that grew up out in the countryside where the neighbors were few and far between. A secret hiding place to escape the daily chores or maybe even the switch for trying to escape the chores!
Sometimes the barn was the next best thing to a ride at the county fair when the rope acted as a swing for a young daredevil to launch him/herself into a mountainous pile of hay below, oftentimes resulting in the acquisition of a new cast on one limb or another.
Then there were those times that the old barn acted as a hide out for some outlaw that was on the lam. Of course more times than not he was the victim of an over zealous law officer who happened to catch his girl giving the aforementioned outlaw the eye which resulted in his unfortunate and untimely incarceration which, in turn led to his escape (with her help of course). All of this culminating in a showdown at the barn that, unfortunately but most probably, led to the barn burning to the ground after the lantern is knocked loose from it's perch during the scuffle between "good and evil"!

Whew! All that being said, you can't deny the romanticism of the barn. Now I know that there are plenty of other situations that the hay lofts of America might bring to mind but I won't be going into all that here. It's not that kind of a blog...

Ol' What's His Name

2010-11-17T21:11:00.000-06:00

Once again I'm at a loss. I've got a great site for bird identification - The Cornell Lab of Ornithology; All About Birds. For those of you that are interested you can find it at :
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1189 Just in the browse for name and/or shape section there are over 400 different bird pictures!
I'm pretty sure that I've scanned every picture therein in hopes of identifying this particular bird. But nooo. I haven't been able to even come close as far as I can tell. I know that I should know what it is. I've seen several around. As far as I know, it's probably one of those that is so common that the site doesn't bother identifying it. Surely you know what that is! Everyone knows what kind of bird that is! I mean, come on...
But I don't. I can't find it at all. So I guess we'll just skip the formalities and move on. This particular "bird" here made him/herself known to us last Sunday evening when it decided to try and fly through the window not once, not twice but over and over and over again. Now I understand the "clean window" thing but what makes a bird fly repeatedly into an obstacle that it obviously cannot pass -whether it can see it or not? This photo was taken as it was resting in between kamikaze attacks. Maybe it was planning a new strategy, I'm sure I don't know. But apparently, if it was, it decided against whatever new approach it might have come up with because the bombardment repeated continuously until dark.
Maybe, even in the bird kingdom there are a few crazies out there. Maybe once in a while a bird has had all it can take for one day. And I suppose that maybe there are some things that are just enough to make a bird cuckoo...

Just To See What There Is To "C"

2010-11-14T21:22:00.000-06:00

This is Commercial Street at sunset. I, like I'm sure a lot of you are, am very attracted to the older architecture in my town. I'm compiling photos from around the Springfield area in hopes of doing a photo book in the near future. You know, not something from a major publisher but one of those web sites that you can do the layout and they send you back a nice book. I've done one so far - a compilation of different subjects- and was very happy with the results.
But anyways, as I was saying, this is Commercial Street at sunset. Obviously Commercial Street is in an older part of Springfield. There's a lot of history on Commercial Street. At one time it was the dividing line between North Springfield and Springfield. This was way before my time though and I don't intend on giving a history lesson about this particular subject just now.
I do remember being dragged by my mother in and out of various stores and agencies back in the 60's and that it was a pretty busy area back then. In the 70's and 80's it's reputation grew as a more shady part of town, getting most of it's publicity for the hole-in-the-wall bars that lined the street and for the unsavory characters that frequented them.
But now thanks to the North Springfield Betterment Association there has been a major overhaul of the area and it is quickly becoming an attractive place to frequent. As a matter of fact, the building in the photo was once a firehouse ( probably had more calls on the block than not ) but now those windows are the view from somebody's loft. Lofts, coffee houses, clothing stores and yes, a bar or two line the street now and people actually come to C-Street as it's more commonly referred to these days, just to roam around and see what there is to "C"!

And So It Is...

2010-11-10T21:29:00.001-06:00

Well it's up and at 'em again for me. Started a new job Monday and I'm once again amidst the ranks of the employed. I wasn't really unemployed for that long and don't think for a minute that I'm not thankful! But when the lady called Friday afternoon and asked if I was ready to come to work on Monday what I really wanted to say was "No, no probably not this Monday. I'll need a couple of weeks to go hiking and get in some quality photo time. I'm still working on the man cave and there's the spare bedroom to get back in order once the last remnants of the guy room have been transported out back to become a part of the aforementioned man cave. I've got some senior pictures to do and a family portrait sitting lined up and I really need to do them at the right time of day- lighting's very important you know. And maybe I'd like to sleep 'till 9:00 a couple more times. No, this Monday is probably out of the question. But I'll tell you what. Call me back in two or three weeks and we'll have a deal."
But I didn't. I said Yes, ma'am I sure would! And so it was and so it is. Up at 5:30 and off to a new beginning...

Sorry I'm Late...

2010-11-08T20:15:00.000-06:00

Alright. I've decided that I'll no longer apologize for missing or being late with a post. I mean, sometimes it's just unavoidable. Sometimes I just can't help it. Sometimes I just have too much going on. I need a break, a little rest, a breather- you know, a time out... aw what the heck. I hate it when I miss a post! This blog has grown to be such a part of me that I actually feel like I've left a friend behind when a Sunday or Wednesday has come and gone and I didn't share some part of myself with the rest of the world. That's what we do you know, we photo bloggers. These photo blogs that some of us are fortunate enough to be a part of - they're just extensions of ourselves or maybe I should say our inner selves. A window to our souls if you will and sometimes we like to give a little glimpse of what's going on inside.
Well anyway, I am pretty tired tonight. Last night I was just busy. Busy, busy, busy. But tonight I'm tired. So tired that I think I'm just rambling.(I wanted to say "rambling, rambling, rambling" here but I wasn't sure if you'd catch the humor or just think that I was delirious!) So I believe I'll just leave it at that. You can take it for what it's worth and know that I only speak for myself and I'm not the voice of photographers everywhere. But the next time you look at a photograph, really look at it and ask yourself who you think it is behind the lens. You may make a new friend without ever meeting them...

One Way or Another...

2010-11-03T21:06:00.001-05:00

I happened to be watching TV the other day when I came across Roger Ebert on one of the channels. Roger Ebert, as many of you might know, is one of the most (if not the most) powerful film critics ever. He's also a screenwriter and an author of over 15 books - the latter of which I did not know. He was apparently talking about his career as a writer when he made the statement that inspiration does not come to you before you begin to write. It comes to you during your writing. In other words, you just have to jump in and get started and let it come to you.
This is interesting to me in the fact that many a time I've sat at this computer and tried to put something of interest down to accompany my photo only to sit and sit and sit waiting for the right words to pop out of my fingertips through the keyboard and onto the screen.
I like to write. Actually, I always have it's just that it kind of got pushed aside for a lot of years - that is until I started this blog. Don't get me wrong, my real passion is for photography. I don't know what I'd do without it. But the writing is starting to push it's way through and I'm liking it.
Recently my friend, Larry Whitely gave my blog a look. Larry as a matter of fact, is a writer himself. He writes a column that's published in over 3,000 newspapers, he has a syndicated radio show and he also writes for six other magazines and web sites here in Missouri! Not to mention that he's one heck of a nice guy! I guess the reason that I'm telling you all of this is just to say that Larry sent me an email that was so flattering and was so encouraging that I've kept it and I often go to it and read it for inspiration. I'm currently looking into a few publications to submit my work. What the heck, huh? Maybe that's my niche, maybe not. But I'm going to give it a try. I do believe that the good Lord has given me this option in life and intend to do my best to give it all that I've got in return. One way or another, it'll come...

The Witch's House

2010-10-31T21:29:00.000-05:00

When I was a boy growing up I had to walk to school. From the second grade through the sixth grade I walked the same route every weekday to and from school and yes, it was uphill both ways. I'm sure that it wasn't as far as it seemed back then but then again, maybe it was. At any rate the highlight (or lowlight) many of those days was the passing of the witch's house that sat on the corner (don't they always?). This particular witch's house was a tiny rock house that sat back on a fairly small lot that seemed to always be overgrown with weeds and was thick with overhanging trees.
Now one might think that the reasoning behind the popular belief that this was a witch's house was already apparent. But actually an old woman did live there and she actually did resemble the conception of what a witch might look like. She was old (ancient to us), she had long gray hair, her dress was loose and drab and occasionally she would even scream at one of the children that ventured too far into her yard on a dare.
As I've looked back through the years and recalled the little old woman we called the witch and her dark little house I've often wondered what her story really was. Was she having a blast scaring the bejabers out of all those kids year after year or were they really driving her crazy with their endless taunts and ventures onto her property just to claim the right to say that they did? I'll never know but I do know that one day she just quit being there. Rumor had it that she had died. Maybe she did, maybe she didn't. I personally have always hoped that she just moved to a more friendly neighborhood. I guess that I'll never know but I do know that on one particular day on the way home from school I looked up just in time to catch her gaze as I passed her house alone. I could barely muster a shaky "Hi" as I hurried my step trying not to freeze and not daring to look away.
Then she said the craziest thing I could've ever imagined. She stared straight into my eyes and and as a grin spread across her chin she said..."Hi" right back at me. A few days later she was gone...

Time to Start a New Chapter...

2010-10-27T22:47:00.000-05:00

Well today I attended the auction at my former place of employment. Everything went-some stuff at way more than I thought it would and some for pennies. I was there for twelve years but I guess that's really nothing compared to the 18, 24 and 27 years that my friends worked there. I thought that I would retire there -after all, building limousines is a pretty neat job. At least it's no longer a shock. We've known since April, I believe. We've had all summer to digest it and now it's come to fruition.
During these past few months I've relived a lot of the good times and the bad too. I seems though, that at a time like this the good times are what you lean on to pass the day. Some how it makes you feel more like you've been a part of the history of the company.
At one point this morning I decided that I'd bid on some shelving that had been part of my personal work space for the last twelve years. Not just a rack or two but my racks! The place where I had written down figures from a measurement that was integral to the building of some specific model. The place where I had hot glued my yellow velour sun (with sunglasses) cut from the material that a yellow painted car with gold tint destined for Holland was completely upholstered in. Yes-completely! The place where once a year at Christmastime I attached my Santa (actually it was the sun dressed as Santa) and his reindeer Rudolph (with walnut carved antlers). The very same racks that held my son's yearly Mighty Mites picture from first grade till now until I got too worried that it would get torn and put it on the lid of my tool box.The shelves that I hot glued my KC Chiefs arrowhead to. The arrowhead that was made of vinyl and had once been taped to the back of an Oakland Raiders fan's jacket just to cover his logo. It actually pulled part of that Raider logo off when he pulled the arrowhead off of his jacket. That didn't set too well at all!
But you know, I got to thinking about it and the more I thought about it the more I decided that it was best just to let it go. I guess it's time to start a new chapter... or maybe even a whole new book!

Sights and Sounds...

2010-10-24T22:35:00.000-05:00

I hope that when you all check out my posts, you also turn up the volume and listen, at least for a while, to the music that I've added to my blog. More often than not I try to match the music with the photo. Sometimes it couldn't fit any more perfect and then other times it just kind of compliments the photo. Music, as many of you that follow me regularly know by now, is a very, very important part of who I am.
As I've stated before- I like most any kind of music depending on my mood. Sometimes the mood dictates that I listen to something that compliments my being for the time and other times I have to listen to something that changes my whole outlook for the day. The funny thing about the right song at the right time is that you can shut your eyes for a moment, if only for a brief moment and see in your mind's eye pictures that you'll never be able to capture with a camera.
And inversely so the right photo, when it's just right and everything comes together, will play you a sound so incredible that no matter how hard you try, you probably won't even to be able to tell what kind of instruments are playing!
What I guess I'm trying to say is, I'm so thankful for the sights and sounds I see and hear everyday. I'm so thankful that God has blessed me with what some people have referred to as a talent and a way to share it with people all over the world...

Those I Know and Love...

2010-10-20T22:31:00.000-05:00

Last week I was able to get some really nice "fog photos" mainly ( if not only ) because Brenda woke me up early enough to let me know that it would be a great chance to get out and get some really good shots. Later that day my neighbor told me that she had seen how foggy it was when she got up and just knew that I was "out in it" snapping away. My sister has called me more than once to make sure that I was somewhere that I could see the beautiful sunset in case I wanted to get some shots. A buddy of mine called the other day to see if I had noticed the unusual cloud formations that were hanging overhead.
Over and over friends and relatives have called because of something extraordinary that they saw and immediately thought of me. I can't explain what an awesome feeling that is to know that the beauty in God's world has made them think of me! And what's more, they want to share it with me. How cool is that ? I'm telling you, that's something that goes very deep. I can only hope I continue to make that parallel with those I know and love and those I will...

The Full Experience...

2010-10-17T18:53:00.000-05:00

Every year I manage to come down with the flu (or whatever it's called these days) and fortunately it's only once a year. Unfortunately, more years than not it comes in the latter part of winter. I say unfortunately because this year it came in the first part of the season- as in yesterday and to me that just means that I'll probably get it again before the "cold and flu season" is over. I don't know, I guess that I might just figure that my one encounter with the dreaded aches and pains is over and out of the way for the year and I can sit back and cruise through the rest of winter. I can only hope!
At any rate it's only the 24 hour thing and my time is just about up. My achyness is turning to sleepiness now so I think that I'll try and catch up on what I didn't get last night. I need to get out and explore in the next few days and I need to feel good when I do it so I can take in every last sight and sound - you know, get the full experience...

Still A Little Foggy...

2010-10-13T22:47:00.002-05:00

To be honest with you, I'm pretty tired of trying to get this post up. We decided that we needed a new computer and ever since then I've been trying to figure it out! The type on this keeps changing sizes on me and it took forever to just to get my picture sized right. I really don't know if the font is right ( it was preset ) and I have no idea if the picture will be centered correctly.

All that aside, I awoke to a great foggy morning Monday- actually Brenda woke me up to let me know that it would be a good day to take pictures. Usually, I don't get very far before the fog starts to lift but this morning it lasted for hours. As a matter of fact I drove from this spot at Valley Water Mill (see my labels for previous posts from there) a few miles through the "pea soup" just to find out that the spot that I had in mind was just on the other side of the fog bank. It was one of those perfect days for photography and I took every advantage of it.

I promise to post more from this day but for now, I'm anxious to see how this format has turned out. I'd say wish me luck but by the time you're reading this it will be too late for luck. Either way, bear with me and I'll get it figured out. It's all still a little foggy...
(By the way, I did have to go back and change the font and I need to figure out why the photo size is off... oh, brother)

The Magic Kingdom...

2010-10-10T16:15:00.003-05:00

The mighty Bullfrog. These guys are awesome! I mean just check this guy out- he's the ruler of his world. At least until a water snake comes slithering through or an owl or hawk comes gliding overhead. But actually bullfrogs have been known to devour the occasional snake or just about any other animal that it can fit into it's gaping mouth. Really though, he must be doing something right. I would guess from my vast knowledge of bullfrogs (you're buying this, right?) that this one is at least 2-3 years old and in his sometimes violent world, that's a long time! I found this one at Compton Hollow in an area where a small stream trickled over the trail and pooled into a uh, well... a pool.
The pool itself caught my eye well before the frog did. It was what I call one of those magical spots that I could have played in all day long when I was a kid. The trickling stream formed a nice little waterfall and pushed the tiny waves back under an overhanging tree that enveloped most of the pool allowing only a bit of sunshine here and there, depending on the time of day. There were minnows that tapped at the surface once in a while, catching something probably not much bigger than a gnat. I would guess that the pool was probably 3 or 4 feet deep in the center but not much more than 6 or 8 feet wide making it the ideal world for this frog to keep an eye on not only his next meal but those that were interested in having him for dinner!
I could go on about this bullfrog and his little kingdom but mainly I wanted just to let you know about the spot and how there's magical places like this all around us... we just need to look for them.

Just Bad Luck...

2010-10-06T21:33:00.004-05:00

I want to make this clear right off the bat- I do not like spiders. The mere sight of one of these eight legged arachnids ( I suppose that's being redundant but I want to make sure my point is clear) makes my toes curl. I've had way too many encounters with these creatures to ever change my mind!
Just in the past few days while we have been cleaning shelves and moving machinery at work to get ready for auction I personally have had my hands mere fractions of an inch away from several, what seemed to be very large, brown recluse spiders.
Then there was the time that I was lifting an overhead door at another warehouse and as I got under the door and pushed up I smashed a black widow in the palm of my hand. Fortunately she was face down at the time. Brrrrr-dang, that still gives me the shivers.
Now, some spiders are definitely not as creepy as others. Any of the fuzzy kind just seem a little more cuddly than others. Did I really just say cuddly?! Anyway, like that little black fuzzy jumping spider that you find on your house plants. That's what I call them, mainly because I probably won't ever study spiders long enough to know all of their names. Those come the closest to being as cute as a spider can be.
I've heard that the Japanese say that it's bad luck to kill a spider and of course we could all say "Yes it is... for the spider!" And I'm really very big on the whole live and let live thing but it's too hard for me to think about the fact that I'd better get it before it gets me and that always seems to win out. As a matter of fact this whole post has brought to mind the fact that my neighbor pointed out a spider on the ceiling last night and I somehow let the moment pass and now as I look up, it's gone. Well, hopefully he didn't run into the ol' gal in the photo here because, apparently she doesn't do well with others. (Maybe that's why they're called Crab spiders.)
Doesn't she know that that's just... bad luck!

Not Just Yet...

2010-10-03T16:44:00.003-05:00

Wow! I'm telling you, Brendon rarely slows down. Actually he's bouncing off of the walls most of the time usually while quoting some obscure line from a TV show. Until recently, I thought that it was just him but the more I get to know his friends and more importantly, his friends' parents the more I see that it's just a growing thing and I'm now sure that all sixth grade boys are as nutty as a pecan pie!
He's a good boy though. He rarely gets anything less than a B grade in his school work( and that includes his advanced courses he's taking this year), he's doing great in football (that's another story for later) and when we do get his attention long enough for a conversation he says things that make us stop and wonder if there were a few years we might have missed.
My favorite time with him though, is bedtime. I always try to go in and set on his bed with him where we talk about anything from our favorite sports teams to what was on MSN's homepage for the day to that girl that gave him the silly band that's shaped like the word ROCK. (he hasn't given me much info on that subject yet...) He drives us nuts most of the time these days and as I'm sure any of you that are parents could attest to it seems like it will never end. But the truth of the matter is we know that when it does end so will this age and I'm not quite sure that either one of us is ready to let that go just yet...

Right Where We Wanted to Be...

2010-09-29T21:38:00.002-05:00

Well the sedum has bloomed and that's always a sign that the end of summer is near. Yes, I know that it actually has officially ended but as long as the temps are relatively nice
I don't really consider it over. The last few nights have been pretty cool and the days have not really been what you would call hot so maybe I should just resign myself to the fact that "fall has fell" and start getting out the long sleeves.
Fall and I have a sort of love-hate relationship. I never want summer to end but I get sooo tired of all those days that are so hot you just can't seem to get the will to get those extra projects done.
I guess that like other areas of my life right now I just need to move forward with the changes and embrace them. Fall is a sort of magical time and we can draw a very close comparison between the seasons and our lives. With the dying off of one phase the beauty of another emerges and before we know it, we're right where we wanted to be all along...

Greener Pastures...

2010-09-26T19:49:00.002-05:00

There was a very nice full moon the other night and the field behind the house ( sounds like a scary movie doesn't it?- The Field Behind the House...) anyway, the field was all lit up and the layer of fog had just settled over it. I suppose that that could be sort of scary but to me it was beautiful. I felt like a cat or some other nocturnal animal staring out over the moonlit pasture watching carefully for any kind of movement.
Whenever I take night photos of the field I always get this glow from the city lights. So according to the moon's light I get varying degrees of color in the night sky but it always seems to work well with the scenery. Although, I would prefer a nice dark blue, starry, moonlit sky.
I'm worried that someday this field will be little more than subdivision plots with the glow of streetlights and kitchen windows that never changes no matter how bright the moon is. That, I think, will be the day that the Farabee household packs up and moves to greener pastures- literally...

Getting Refocused...

2010-09-22T21:24:00.004-05:00

I can't begin to tell you how busy this summer has been -as I've said countless times before. I'm not looking for pity here it's just that it does seem to be an effective lead-in for some posts. And what I'm leading to here is the fact that I've had little chance to go hiking this summer so I haven't been able to savor the great outdoors as much as I'd like, much less get many good photos from the trail.
My lack of spare time has been a sort of mixed blessing, so to speak. We were notified last spring that our company at which I've been employed for the last 12 years will cease operations at this facility and I'll soon join the ranks of the unemployed. The blessing part is that we have been able to get a lot of hours in for the last 5 months -the mixed part is that I haven't been able to enjoy my favorite past time as much as I'd like.
I'm a firm believer that God puts us where we need to be and I think that if I had more time and space I could back that up with more than one instance from the last 12 years. So we'll just see where he needs me next.
Meanwhile, I don't plan on being unemployed for long ( I have a fall back plan if I have to) but hopefully I can save a spot or two during my time off for some long needed nature communing where I can get "focused" again. Get it? Focused...

Shall We Gather At The River...

2010-09-19T19:44:00.003-05:00

Last week I attended an event that I know I'll never forget. I've mentioned once or twice about our attending the Cowboy Church and how we truly think that we've found our place to worship. The people there are probably the most sincere and genuine group of people I've ever met and I knew that the very moment I entered the building. As I've said more than once, I've found myself looking more and more for that "small town" feel - you know, the Mayberry thing and it's definitely there.
I could go on about that but it might take me away from what the big event was or maybe I should say is because it's only the beginning for some.
Last Sunday we had our baptism at the river where there were over 30 people baptized. I can't name names or show other faces because I haven't got their permission to do so (although I can tell you that that's Pastor Scotty on the left there) but one generous soul donated the use of several acres of his land (there were over 400 people in attendance) . Several individuals donated their time to get the areas in shape for company and their time to make sure that the land was left in as good of shape as it was to begin with. I believe we had 3 lines for some of the best home cookin' I've ever had the pleasure to sink my teeth into and our ears were treated to a trio of bluegrass bands that kept the toes tapping even in the chow lines.
My heart was full that day. I can't remember the last time I felt so good about the people I was with or what we were doing.
The 10:30 service we go to (hey, I like to get a chance to sleep in at least once a week!) has an excellent speaker that, along with the announcements, gives us a little food for the soul, so to speak. Each week he has a story that is guaranteed to touch your heart but the part that touches my heart the most is when he says "...you're not just coming to church... you're coming home."
I believe I have...

2010-09-16T10:05:00.002-05:00

Jeff didn't post last night. He's been too busy. That's not an excuse, just the truth of the matter. I decided (his wife) to post this to/for him. Brendon is playing his last year of Mighty Mites football. Jeff has assumed the role of head coach instead of just assisting, so we're even busier than usual. In the fall, we get so busy with games and practice. Then we try to fit in watching all the Chief's games and actually making it to a couple home games each season. It seems like a whirlwind time for us every year. This picture is one Jeff took of him and Brendon. Arrowhead used to have an annual open practice so fans could go and be part of the fun. The guys in Jeff's family would make it a big event with tailgating, parking lot games, autographs, etc. They looked forward to it each year. Brendon was so proud just to be there and be a part of it all. He loved it as much as being at a real game. I guess I say all this to let you see a little of what kind of guy Jeff is. He believes in keeping the traditions alive. I never knew Jeff's dad. I only know stories. If there is anything I've learned that he wanted to pass down to his sons, it was the love of family and football.....

A Sense of Curiosity...

2010-09-12T21:20:00.003-05:00

The other day my son Brendon and I were taking a drive somewhere or maybe we were coming back from somewhere (sometimes I don't know if I'm coming or going) and as is often the case here in the Ozarks we were treated with a beautiful view of the hills that make up our part of the Ozark Mountains. Now I'm not generally a very good judge of distance when looking out over the landscape but I do know that generally speaking, we can often see "for miles".
I enjoy this part of living in the Ozarks almost as much as anything else. So as we were driving along I did my best to check out the scenery as best I could without diverting too much attention away from the road.
"Brendon," I asked."Do you ever look out across the forest and pick a spot and wonder what's at that exact spot in the woods?"
"No."
"No?!" I guess it took me off guard because I really thought that everyone did this.
"No, not really."
So I began to try and explain to him how I feel about being in the woods and how the unknown excites me. So much that I feel like I have to know what's there. What's around that next bend or in that wooded area up ahead.(especially the wooded areas!) I told him about how, as kids, my brothers and I (and our neighborhood buddies) would hike and explore all summer long, no matter how many times we had explored it before. We actually camped down on the creek on spots that were 3 or 4 miles from home when we were just kids! We were probably Indians in a war party or maybe cave men hunting a very dangerous T-Rex! And sometimes, maybe more often than not, we made the trek back home somewhere around dusk and still felt like we were explorers.
Times have changed, though and what was once normal behavior for kids has become probably a little too chancy to attempt. So as much as would like Brendon to have a little more explorer in him maybe it's just as well that he doesn't- for now, anyway.
Don't think for a minute though, that I won't continue to try and encourage his a sense of curiosity about places and people and things because once we quit being curious we become nothing more that just sediment at the bottom of the puddle...

Ethereal

2010-09-08T21:55:00.002-05:00

Ethereal (ih-theer-ee-uhl)
-adjective
1.light, airy or tenuous: an ethereal world created through the poetic imagination.
2.extremely delicate or refined: ethereal beauty.
3.heavenly or celestial: gone to his ethereal home.

The word ethereal immediately came to mind when I was finished with this picture. After looking it up and reading the various definitions I feel like it is a proper description. So let it be your word for the day. Say it a few times to yourself, get the feel of it rolling off of your tongue and see how it makes you feel to say it. Ethereal-I like the way it sounds, I think. Or maybe I should say methinks...

You Say Tomato...

2010-09-05T23:31:00.002-05:00

We don't really have the time to plant any kind of real garden but we do manage to get out some tomatoes each year. This year we planted Romas and boy have they been deeelicious! We did get them out a little late so some, like these, have had to ripen on the back porch. This batch not only got the appropriate sunlight but the rain storms that passed through washed them down and gave them that "take me now" look!
I'm of Scotch-Irish descent but when I was a kid my grandpa used to always tell me that there must be some Italian blood in me somewhere (he always pronounced it I-talian) because of my love for pasta - especially pasta with tomato sauce. "If it ain't the spaghetti kid," he'd say and I know that I'd puff out my little chest, proud as I could be with my title. Well, these days I have to fight back the urge to see just how much spaghetti my belly will hold (I'm sure that it would be way more than it should) and some of these tomatoes even went on a couple of very tasty salads. But for the most part, when you say tomato, I say...spaghetti sauce!
By the way, sorry for missing my mid-week post all together this last week but the aforementioned rain storms came with some pretty heavy lightening so for two nights in a row the computer was off. I've posted a two-fer tonight and I hope that, if nothing else, these photos will make you plan your next meal to include something tomato-y...

There's Just A Little Hippie In Her...

2010-08-29T22:11:00.004-05:00

This evening our neighbor Faith had a treat for us. We had to go for a drive though, to get it. "Not far", she said. So we loaded up and took off. Faith teaches in one of the many rural schools around this part of the state and so she's blessed with a beautiful scenic drive through the countryside every morning on her way to work. Not far was right and after about 20 minutes we arrived at a huge field of sunflowers. What a beautiful sight it was too! Now I'm sure that in other parts of the country a field of sunflowers isn't such a find as this one was but around here it's a rare sight to see. This great big blanket of yellow definitely set itself apart from the rest of the countryside.
Every now and then Faith wants to be a little ornery with me and she'll call me something to the effect of a hippie.( I assume that it has something to do with the length of my hair.) Now I know that a lot of people consider hippies as a dirty unkempt lot. But for the most part, my memories of hippies have always been more of the peace, love, why-can't-we-all-get-along types and that's the way I prefer to remember them so don't try to go and change my mind with any 30-35 year old Time Magazine articles that might point to the contrary.
Anyway my point after all of this is to say that I think maybe Faith may have just a little hippie in herself (whether she likes it or not) because anyone that sees the majesty of a field of sunflowers so much so that feels the need to share it is, well, just a really good soul. Thanks Faith, for the surprise.

Over and Over...

2010-08-25T21:11:00.002-05:00

Whew! Last night I woke up around 3:00A.M. and could not go back to sleep. Sometimes when I lay there at night I start to go over things that I need to do, or I'm in the middle of doing or I'm planning on doing or any one of what seems like a hundred things I should be doing and they all just roll over and over in my mind. I guess that's a side effect of the busy life style we lead. I've not been able to get out and enjoy a good hike as much as I was able to last summer. I got spoiled, to say the least. I know the therapeutic value of getting out and relaxing against a tree in the woods while a cool breeze whispers past and clears my head and I know that that is exactly what I need. Maybe soon- the temperatures are down, just right for that cool breeze...
Anyway, I finally got to sleep- shortly before it was time to get up for work. And then came that really weird dream...

Peace...

2010-08-22T17:16:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to say that I hope you're having a nice relaxing Sunday. Usually I'm filtering through different photos trying to see what I want to post and how I can relate my thoughts relevantly. But today has been an unusually relaxing day so I seized the opportunity to get something posted early and not be at it up into the night.
So, no deep thoughts today except maybe this one- peace be with you and yours...

Molly Hatchet

2010-08-18T21:13:00.004-05:00

A little while back the fair was in town and as always (other than the photo exhibits) my first interest is who's playing the concerts. Believe me, I've seen my fair share of concerts. As a matter of fact, I've seen so many concerts I occasionally forget seeing someone that "I think I'd like to see." Springfield still gets quite a few concerts but it seems that the venues have changed to smaller places- some with very limited seating. It's just not the same but then nothing is, I guess. Maybe I work harder than I used to so I don't like to stand for too long at a time, maybe I can't stand being crowded as much as I used to or maybe-maybe I'm just getting older. So when a band comes to play somewhere that I can sit semi comfortably and still have a good view and it's someone that rocks, I'm all about it! This someone was Molly Hatchet and yes, they rocked! Southern style.
I know that most of my favorites qualify for the oldies stations these days but I've gotten used to that. I still like a lot of the bands that are hitting the charts now. I've probably said before that I like anything from smooth jazz- Dave Koz, Boney James, Euge Groove to metal -Five Finger Death Punch or Mudvayne but I'll always have a spot for the music that I grew up with. That's the stuff that takes you back and the older I get, the more I like to go back.

Night Clouds...

2010-08-15T22:34:00.002-05:00

We live on the north side of town so therefore any night shots I take to the south will reflect the lights of town. On this particular night the clouds from the south kept forming and breaking up all the while taking on an eerie glow from the city lights. I took this shot as the moon was trying to peek out from behind the clouds casting it's light into the dark night sky as it seemed to be the catalyst that caused the clouds to melt before my eyes.

League Champions!!

2010-08-11T21:51:00.006-05:00

Back last spring, knowing that school would soon be out and Brendon would have the whole summer to "get bored " Brenda and I began to try and figure out what he could do to pass time and keep busy. His best friend would be gone for the summer (at least most of it) and his options being the only child left at home didn't exactly excite him. There would be the occasional swim day and other odds and ends of things to do but no real plan for the summer.
For the last two or three years I've tried to talk him into joining the ball team that some of his other school friends play on but never got too far.I've always known that Brendon could play baseball because of the time he and I put into pitching, hitting and just playing catch. So this year was his year! I guess he was a little nervous being it was his first attempt at organized ball but he took to it like a fly to honey.
I have to be careful here or I'll go into details about the time he stole that extra base and barely avoided the tag. Or how he grinned from ear to ear when he got his first hit. Or how his good eye ( that's always what everyone yells-good eye!) got him walked more than any other batter.
But to make a long story not quite as long, his team, the Bulldogs, went 11-0 and won the league championship in a very close 1-0 championship game!
I'm a very proud dad to say the least!

Some Sort of Understanding...

2010-08-08T22:01:00.003-05:00

I was digging around my pictures tonight for a little project I'm doing and I came across this. I believe that it's an Angelwing Begonia but I'm not in the mood to research it tonight. That's not important anyway. It was the photo itself that caught my eye. To be more specific the depth of the photo. I may not be using the correct terminology but that's what I'm calling it-depth.
This was taken several years ago with my Nikon FG 35mm film camera. I swore, as I'm sure many of us have, to continue to use the film camera once I got my digital but it seems that that has been an empty promise to myself. I miss the qualities of the film camera but honestly, I've been able to teach myself what I've learned so far by the trial and error method ease of the digital. I've amassed over 16,000 pictures in the last couple of years and and I just could not afford that in film. Much less the hassle of all of the over/under exposed pictures.
This photo grabs me and makes me look at it every time I pass it in it's folder and I'm always happy to stop and study it's subtle differences from the digital photos I now spend so much time on.
I think though, that I'll get out some of that film that's just sitting in the camera bag and grab the Nikon and see if I can transfer some of what I think I now know about photography and maybe, just maybe I'll fall in love with the film camera again and see if there can't be some sort of understanding between the three of us where we can all get along together.

Sabatia Angularis

2010-08-04T20:42:00.002-05:00

Otherwise known as Rosepink. I don't really think that that name needs any explanation. I mean, just look at it. You know, I've been asked more than once how I manage to get the pictures that I do (and yes, I do take that question as a compliment!). Really to me it seems easy.When I'm walking through the woods I don't necessarily look for subjects - I let them look for me. And when they do find me some will let me know by the slightest of movement that might catch a ray of sunlight. Some subjects may embrace a wind that momentarily bends and molds it into something that it might not ever be again. And some subjects like this Rosepink make it very easy just by being there. A flash of color! All of these things catch my eye and make me look at them.
So the next time you're in the woods just let the woods speak to you. It will introduce itself to you and when it does , you'll definitely be glad you met...

There Was That One Time...

2010-08-02T00:24:00.003-05:00

Alright, I know that the date says Monday and I've often stated that I post on Wednesdays and Sundays but just so you know, I started this on Sunday- so cut me some slack.
The reason I made a point of this is to let you all know how important this blog is to me and that I feel that I owe it to those of you especially that follow my blog. I really appreciate you and your comments so I just feel that I should do my best to be here when I say that I'll be here.
All that being said, kind of a neat old truck, huh? Do you ever look at an old rusted out vehicle and wonder what kind of stories it could tell? This particular truck wasn't in a junk yard per se but it was keeping company with some other ol' boys that I'm sure had their fair share of stories from days past. Probably one or two of them were pretty fast in their time I'd bet. And I'd bet too that it's a good possibility that Mom and Dad never really appreciated that fact as much as Junior did! But I'm thinking that this old truck here was more than likely just a good hard working farm truck that never really got out and cut loose. And I would imagine that that was just the way he liked it. Probably lived a good long life that way. But on the other hand there was that one time that Grandpa let Junior borrow it - just that once when he had that extra special date with that extra special girl...

One By One...

2010-07-28T19:39:00.002-05:00

These days of 90 plus degrees I just felt that a nice cool pool of water would be appropriate to maybe cool down the senses a little. Kind of makes me reminiscent of the hot lazy summer days when I was a kid and all we really had to do was go down to the creek and splash around for a while. The thing is - that creek wasn't out in the country, it ran through town. Our part of the creek actually ran just outside the city limits but still it journeyed a ways through the neighborhoods and even past a few businesses.
My point is that now, I probably wouldn't wade in that creek much less play in it. That's if there's even enough of it left to get the bottoms of my shoes wet. I suppose that that's just a side effect of progress. Well that's progress I can do without. Little by little I catch myself thinking back to the secret places we had as kids and wondering if they're even still there, much less a place that I'd like to revisit. I'm thinking probably not.
If we're not careful, one by one these places that we've all held near and dear to our hearts will be gone...

Just a Glance Away...

2010-07-25T21:08:00.003-05:00

Sorry, I seem to be at a loss for words tonight. I've been sitting here thinking (and thinking) about how I can relate some story to this photo and I just can't think of any. So I'll just tell you a little about the picture itself.
I actually got to set this one up. I had an idea in mind, I waited for my chance and I took it! It came out just as I pictured it too -cool. I was looking for a contrast of nature and civilization and how the two can coexist. Roadsides (as I hope is evident in this photo) are a perfect example of this. Fortunately for those of us that like to get out and travel the highways and byways there's always some reminder that nature is just a glance away...

Communing...

2010-07-21T21:30:00.002-05:00

I went out to Compton Hollow the other day when I was actually fortunate enough to have some spare time. I'm telling you, that was a much needed commune with nature. Sad to say, but I haven't had much of that this summer. I prefer to commune when there's a nice breeze and it's a cloudy day-a really dark cloudy day. Almost stormy even. That really seems to motivate the creative juices as they say. It just really gives me a feel for the woods. A feeling that you might have gotten when you were a youngster being read your favorite fairy tale
But nature wasn't so accommodating on that day. It was sunny - sunny and hot. So hot that the sweat rolled off of my forehead before I got fifty yards down the trail. But I dug it! I dug it a lot! I have to make time for these hikes. I got spoiled last summer with all of my free time to hike and wander around the woods and trails. But I'm promising myself that I'll get out more if for no other reason than just to commune...

The Ozark Empire Fair !

2010-07-18T22:50:00.002-05:00

Well, the fair will soon be upon us here in this part of the state. Sure there's lots of other fairs and carnivals in the region but none as big as the Ozark Empire Fair. Of course, I've been going since I was a kid. Man, I remember those days. I remember how the fair has seemed to change as the years have passed too.
It used to be a whirlwind of rides and cotton candy. The heat didn't matter and the more the rides would spin the better.
These days the only spinning I do is on the Ferris wheel and more than likely it's at night after it's cooled down some. Brendon tries his best to get me on some of those whirling dervishes but I'm telling you-it's not happening. I have plenty of fun watching him and everyone else from my view at the top- on the Ferris wheel.

Hotter'n a Firecracker...

2010-07-14T21:56:00.005-05:00

As is the norm for this time of year- it was hot! "Hotter'n a firecracker" as I've often heard the old timers say. I believe someone told me today that the heat index was 105 degrees. I don't know about you but I don't give a hoot if it's the heat index or the "real" temperature-if it feels like 105 degrees then it's 105 degrees!
This photo just looks like a hot summer night to me and to be honest, I've been wanting to find a good time to post it. It's really nothing special as far as "special" goes but I like it and for the most part I guess, at this stage of the game that's what matters. I mean, if I don't like it how can I expect anyone else to. So, I hope that you do like it and I hope it reminds you of an end to one of those days that was ...hotter'n a firecracker!

Brenda

2010-07-12T21:45:00.002-05:00

Some people just don't like their picture taken for one reason or another. I usually don't understand why. I know that they have their reasons that they think are valid and I respect that. But one reason that I like to photograph people is that we're all different and therefore we all bring something different to the world to look at.
Imagine that world that we often hear or read about where everyone is the same. God made us different for a reason - but that requires more than a couple of paragraphs in a blog to go into.
I often catch myself just staring at people for no other reason than to study their faces and to try to figure out what kind of a person they really are- is it a front that their putting on or am I seeing the real deal?
This is my wife Brenda. She doesn't often allow me to take her picture and for the life of me... I can't understand why...

Got My Head In The Clouds...

2010-07-07T22:50:00.003-05:00

Funny, I had decided to have a post about my head being in the clouds lately and the first thing that I noticed (after 2 days ) was that I titled my last post Harry Independence Day instead of Happy Independence Day! (Oh yeah, I changed it!) Man, that's almost as embarrassing as it is funny. Where were all the comments on that one? Oh well, hopefully many of you thought that it was just something too deep to understand! I kind of doubt that, though.
With this sudden revelation of absent mindedness I really can't think of anything else to say about my condition as of late so I'll just leave it alone and hope for a clearer day tomorrow...

Happy Independence Day !

2010-07-05T17:32:00.004-05:00

For the past 3 or 4 years we've been on vacation during the week of the 4th of July. Sometimes we were able to catch a fireworks show like the one in Jay, Oklahoma and sometimes we were just happy to be in a cabin somewhere like the Smokey Mountains.
This year, due to the economy, we stayed home. Our neighbors across the street invited us, along with some other friends, over for the traditional hot dogs and burgers, cole slaw, baked beans and potato salad. Oh yeah, and the ever popular homemade ice cream!
We were able to watch Springfield's annual "I Love America" fireworks display from another friend's property thereby avoiding the major traffic jams that were to follow.
It occurred to me though, that we hadn't really been fair to our son Brendon. After all, it has been a few years since we've actually set off fireworks ourselves and he is almost eleven!
So tonight we're set to put on our own show. We have great neighbors all around and I know that they will be able to appreciate the value of letting a boy shoot off a few rockets and smoke bombs all of his own...

Aaayyy...

2010-06-30T22:07:00.004-05:00

Some time back around May of 2009 I posted a picture of this guy. The more that I looked at the photos I took of him the more I wondered about his story. I mean, just look at him-he looks like he's been there and back. Just an adventure waiting to happen. I thought that he really seemed to fit in a different generation so I figured that I could enhance that image a little and maybe take him back to another place and time. Somewhere that he seemed to be a little more comfortable in.
But really, I don't know him at all except for a couple of minutes of conversation and a few quick shots (camera shots that is). I hope that I'm not doing him any injustices when I say that at the first moment I saw him I thought that he could easily have the original Fonzarelli - or at least taught him the ways of cool!

Still Jammin'...

2010-06-27T21:28:00.003-05:00

When I was just a kid (and I mean a kid) I used to lug my older brother's bass guitar, or whatever piece of equipment he felt that he could trust me not to drag, to band practice with him a few blocks from our house- that is, before he had a car. I guess he was around 14 or 15 when he started playing music. You know G-L-O-R-I-A - Gloria,
The Midnight Hour, Magic Carpet Ride all that. Yeah, he's that old. But I know you can guess that I'm not that far behind him or I wouldn't be remembering those songs. As I got older I did a little sound and lighting work and eventually got the bug myself and started playing in bands. There is absolutely nothing like it! I'm not sure that I could explain even if I wanted to because, like they say- if you don't know you wouldn't understand.
Due to some unforeseen circumstances in my life my path strayed from the rock star destiny I was so sure that was to come and I've not made it back-yet. Maybe someday- maybe not. I can't say for now but I do love my music and I don't go a day without grooving on something that just seems to fit the day (or the minute!). Music -it's in my blood. Always has been and always will be...
By the way, that's my brother David in the middle with the glasses-still jammin' after all these years.

The Obedient Plant

2010-06-23T21:22:00.003-05:00

Sounds weird doesn't it? That's actually what it's called though - that or False Dragonhead. (I personally like that one better) Physostegia virginiana is plentiful in these parts as well as two-thirds of the rest of the United States. I found this one while hiking in the Sac River Woods. It was the lone one of it's kind in the immediate vicinity thereby creating a striking contrast to the patch of yellow from all of the black eyed susans in the area.
The plant is called the obedient plant for the fact that each flower is on a swivel of sorts and can be bent right or left and continue to grow in it's new position. This makes it especially popular in floral arrangements.
Just thought that it was a really cool flower and wanted to share it with you.

Happy Father's Day...

2010-06-20T18:57:00.003-05:00

I hope everyone found some way to celebrate their fathers today whether he's here with you or just in your heart...

Golden Crowned Kinglet

2010-06-17T21:07:00.002-05:00

This little guy here is a Golden Crowned Kinglet. I'd never even heard of one, much less known that that they are native to our region. I guess part of the reason for that is that the bird is barely longer than my thumb.
This one has a story. One day just as I was approaching our front door to go out-WHAM! something crashed right into the storm door window. I looked out to see this guy laying on my porch- out cold. I'm sorry but I had to laugh for a second, thinking about the window cleaner commercial. "Just like on TV !" I said.
Quickly, though, I turned my attention to the unusual looking bird to see if it was hurt. After a few seconds of blowing in it's face ( that's as close as I was coming to CPR) it's little eyes squinted up at me and then, more like a cartoon than real life, those eyes seemed to bug out and it flew away. The flight was a short one though as it skidded across the lawn- more reminiscent of a fighter plane going down than the delicate landing of a tiny bird. To make matters even funnier than they already were (sorry, but it was) the little guy raised up only to stagger sideways a few steps and fall over.
This time when I picked it up it's eyes were open and watching me a little more keenly than before. Well, to make a long story just a little shorter it perched on my thumb for several minutes and when I put it down to get the camera it stayed until my return to pose for several close-ups. After I had my fill of all the different angles I put the camera down and this guy voluntarily stepped back up onto my thumb for a few more minutes and as suddenly as he appeared, he left- this time testing the flight controls from one tree to another.
I'm happy to say that he only pooped once and I'm pretty sure that was at the time of the a fore mentioned bugging eyes...
Anyway, I was happy to be of assistance.

Don Tucker

2010-06-13T20:37:00.002-05:00

This is my friend Don Tucker. There are so many stories or just stuff that I could tell you about him but that could fill a page pretty quick. I just wanted to pay homage to him not because of his generosity to those in need or because of all of the good times that we've had or because of the many phone calls I got from him just to see how life was treating me and my family (always ending with "I'll talk to you later brother...") but because yesterday my friend Don lost his life in a auto accident at the age of 58...

I'll talk to you later brother.

Catching A Buzz...

2010-06-09T20:17:00.002-05:00

I'm sure that I said before that getting a good lightning picture is half patience and half luck. I guess this one was a lot of both. The other night a storm came in and at first there were only flashes off in the distance. But just as I was about to give up and go to bed a bolt lit up the sky- no, not this bolt- I wasn't that lucky. I set up the camera in the general direction of that first bolt and waited... nothing. Nothing that is except the flashes that I kept seeing out of the corner of my eye. Naturally I decided to try my luck in the direction that was getting all the action and, you guessed it, nothing - nothing except the flashes in the direction in which I was previously pointed!
Well, as I'm sure you can guess this went on for some time but finally I captured this beauty. I was just in the right place at the right time.
I love doing this. Talk about a rush! But when you're standing out in the elements feeling the wind whip around you all the while chasing lightning bolts and the air suddenly flashes so bright that you're temporarily blinded - that's catching a buzz!

By the way, can anyone tell me what the dark specs around the bolt are? I thought at first that it was dirt but I'm pretty sure that they're directly related to the lightning...

Live and Let Live...

2010-06-06T19:39:00.003-05:00

Along with the summer fun comes the summer pains-the scraped knees, the poison ivy, the sun burns and the insect bites. Not many of them though, as painful as a wasp sting. Man, those things hurt! I'm hoping not to jinx myself when I say this but it's actually been a few years since I've felt the sting of an angry wasp. Maybe that's because I don't really panic and start a personal war and try to swat it with whatever's handy when I come in close proximity of one.
I've found that a little shooing motion (not too close) or better yet totally ignoring the buzzing insect will generally cause it to lose interest in my business because I think that it's better to live and let live than to fight and get stung - any day of the week!

House Guests

2010-06-02T22:02:00.003-05:00

Here's another photo of one of the tree frogs that populate our back yard and the field behind. This is one that happened into our house one evening and found it's way onto one of the many house plants that we have. Like I said before, I have no idea how they can manage to get into the house without being detected as they do. I think it's pretty cool though when one does find it's way in. I'd like to be able to leave it and let it sing it's song all night long but in the confines of these four walls as opposed to the great outdoors well, let's just say there's no need for a microphone and somehow the sweet night music seems to turn to a whole lot of noise!

Let Every Nation Know...

2010-05-31T19:28:00.003-05:00

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty."- John F. Kennedy

Thank you to those that have, are and will lay their lives on the line for this very idea...

Taken With A Grain of Salt...

2010-05-26T21:59:00.002-05:00

Every year Springfield hosts the annual Arts-Fest near the downtown area on historic Walnut Street. I love going to this. Each year I try to talk with as many photographers as possible in hopes of picking up a tidbit of information that I can apply to my own technique. Man, are there a lot of tidbits out there! By the time I leave I can honestly say that I've heard so much about digital versus film and black and white versus color and the hundreds of editing programs that are out there that I just feel like crawling back into my camera and letting the shutter fall where it may. I guess that I have my own style -to an extent anyway and maybe I'm looking too hard for concrete answers. I think that styles evolve and develop with time and of course everyone's photography is unique to themselves.
So maybe I should just relax and let it come as it may. For the most part I feel satisfied with my work and as time passes I'll get more comfortable with my style and hopefully it will be recognizable as my work.
As I was leaving the Arts Fest I came across these musicians and I stopped to watch , especially this man. As I watched him I began to think about how he had probably been playing for years and although I'm sure he enjoys listening to other fiddlers he more than likely just takes it all with a grain of salt because he knows what he likes to play and he knows how he likes to play it!