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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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!!

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 !

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...

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

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...

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 !

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...

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'...

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

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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

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...

"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...

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!

Getting Acquainted...

We have a friend across the street that tends to another neighbor's horses. She invited me and my wife to go down to the pasture with her this evening - one, so I could take some pictures that I'd been wanting to do and two, just so we could experience the closeness of the animals. My wife has been around horses a good part of her life but me well, I've never really been a "horse person" - that is to say I don't ride horses and I've never actually had much to do with them aside from the occasional petting across the fence. Don't get me wrong, I think that horses truly are magnificent animals but throughout my lifetime I've just not had that many opportunities to ride or actually get acquainted with them. At times like today though, when we watched as she fed and watered the horses and then just found a comfortable spot to sit and watch the young ones gallivant around while Mom and the others kept a watchful eye I could just feel the power and gracefulness of each animal there.
I may never ride a horse but that's ok with me I guess. I do plan on spending more time at the pasture when I can and I'm sure, taking more pictures but really I think that I'd just like to hang around.

Colors, Lines, Curves and Chrome!

One of the things that I look forward to in the spring and summer are the car shows- especially the ones that are a part of a bigger celebration. You know, the ones with lots of food and preferably live music.
Now I'm no gear head (and I use the term with the utmost respect for those of you that are) but I do enjoy just looking at the cars. The colors, the lines, the curves and the chrome all capture my attention as I cruise the parking lot admiring the endless hours of work that I know goes into each and every one. Even though I do have some appreciation for the the horsepower it's more the look on the owner's face as he or she explains how many coats of paint the final masterpiece took or the stitching in the upholstery or any number of personalized extras that make it as unique as any fine automobile could be!
These people are true artists in their field and art in whatever shape or form is what I'm all about.

But On The Other Hand...

As I posted below sometimes after sitting and becoming immersed in my surroundings the colors all seem to fade. I can't say what the difference might be but on some occasions the complete opposite happens and the colors just seem to get brighter and brighter!
These leaves, for example, were from some unknown ground cover that I've waded through on countless hikes never really paying much attention to it. On this day, however, I happened to notice it . The more I looked at it, the green just seemed to get greener and greener. The sunlight shining off of the leaves made the furrows of each leaf deeper and deeper. But the most interesting part I think, was the blackness underneath it all - that unknown region of life that lived there.
For those that can let your mind wander once in a while, the woods and I guess the just the outdoors in general is a great place for travel without ever leaving your seat!

The Shadows...

Sometimes when I'm out in the woods I become engrossed in the feel of the woods. When I'm fortunate enough to find a good resting spot I'll plop myself down and and just slowly take it all in. Eventually the colors all seem to fade and the shadows and their movements take over. What was once a colorful scene has become a kaleidoscope of darkness and light bouncing off of one another, constantly changing and morphing from shape to another until it seems that I'm no longer in the same place that I found so tempting...

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

I've already decided that I couldn't do my mother justice with whatever I could write about her. There's too many things I could say - too many things I should say. She, in all probability, won't see this for some time. She's long given up on computers and all that goes along with them so I'll have to wait for her next visit to our house to show her. She does, however, give me constant encouragement for my photography and every now and then I'll update her digital frame with some of my photos. (All the while listening to her tell me how I'll be successful at it some day-she just knows it!)
As a matter of fact, I can't remember a time in my life when she hasn't encouraged me. I firmly believe that if not for her prayers, encouragement and love down through the years (and there were a lot of years that I needed it) I would be nowhere near the person I am today. Thanks Mom, I love you.
This photo by the way, was taken last year at the capitol building in Jefferson City, Missouri. We traveled there so she could be presented by the Missouri Catholic Conference with the 2009 Citizen Recognition Award for her tireless efforts to abolish the death penalty. I couldn't have been prouder to know that she has fought for what she believes right to the point of statewide recognition. That's the type of person she is- that and much, much more...

A Member Of The Orchestra!

In my last post I mentioned the tree frogs that I like to listen to out back. Today I happened to run across this photo of one of the members of the orchestra while looking for something to post. These guys(gals) are really cool. They've got the fine art of camouflage down pretty well, don't you think? Occasionally one will somehow find it's way into the house (although, I don't know how...)and sometimes even climb up the nearest house plant.
One night I darn near broke my neck avoiding what I thought was a leaf until it hopped about three feet to the left! They're not much over an inch in length so I really didn't give it much thought until it did hop. Anyway, I like them so when one does come in for a visit I do my best to accommodate it. Hopefully they'll be around for a long time- I can't imagine a summer's night out on the patio without them.

Sweet Music...

I think that the one thing I love most about the warmer months are the evenings. There's no real way to explain the feeling that I get when I sit out on the patio at the end of the day and just relax. Don't get me wrong- a winter evening can be beautiful especially when there's snow on the ground but really, the sun going down on a winter's day just signifies the end of the day whereas a spring or summer sunset seems to be bringing on a whole new part of the day.
I think that I could sit outside and listen to the crickets or the frogs off in the field for an eternity. Probably another one of those things that goes back to my childhood I imagine. We had a pretty large family and sometimes just to escape the heat of the house we'd spend many a summer's night out on the front porch just talking or listening to the sounds of the night. Sometimes we played games until it was too dark to see and then we played a little longer usually until someone ran into someone else and ended up with a bump on their head! But I've got to tell you.When the sun sets and the birds give one last short song and the crickets and the tree frogs start in-that's sweet music to my ears.

The Privacy Fence

Recently we and our neighbors decided that the short section of old privacy fence between our properties had to come down. It wasn't very stable and it didn't even run the length of the property. They have a little girl and that fence was really just an accident waiting to happen. So reluctantly, I helped. I say reluctantly because along with the fence we had to take out the shrubs and vines that had intertwined themselves between the privacy fence and the wire fence that had been installed years ago -probably before the privacy fence. ( I wonder if there's a story there...)
Anyway, these vines and shrubs provided an abundance of greenery that, along with the weathered wood backdrop made for some nice photos and the occasional portrait setting.
Well it's gone now. So be it. I guess that the good thing is, is that we have good neighbors like them and we don't need a barrier between us.
And you know, some days it even seems a little sunnier than it used to...

Princess Mia

Mia sure is growing quick. As all children do, she just seems to be getting bigger and smarter every day! She's quickly becoming part of our family just as all the kids do that my wife baby sits, some more than others. But she does have an edge. Living next door we tend to see quite a lot of her.
She's my sweety, though. Let there be no doubt about that -that is, unless my wife asks her whose girl she is then all of a sudden she's her girl and no amount of begging from me will change that. But when Mom or Dad comes to pick her up there's no real debating whose girl she is!
Fortunately for us there's enough princess in Mia to make us all feel special. And we do...

Look Out Below!

I can remember when I was a little boy playing outside, usually with my cowboys and Indians or my army men. My brothers and I would have the best time finding things that fit the scenery for our miniature worlds. Gravel would easily be boulders, tiny twigs would be logs and leaves could be anything from rooftops to blankets for the weary warrior resting just before the ambush!
I still like to look as close as I can at the ground beneath me- just to see what there is to see. There really is a whole other world down there. And yes, it is fascinating! You never know what (or who) you might find if you look close enough.

The Absence of Color...

Some subjects just seem to scream black and white! Although it may be hard to tell by my photographs, I am a huge fan of the B/W photo. Someday I hope to become a more accomplished photographer in the black and white field.
There's something about the mood that a B/W photo sets that's really an amazing thing, especially considering the absence of color.
Now I won't continue to try and talk about the intricacies of B/W photography like I really know what I'm talking about. Usually, as in a lot of my pictures, I just get lucky and I'm happy with it. There are plenty of B/W photographers out there though, so check them out. They're not hard to find but once you do they're definitely hard to leave!

It's Here!

Yes it is, it's here! It's time to start getting my hiking fix once again. I am definitely ready to start getting back out in the woods and seeing what there is to see. I know that the winter time has it's share of awesomeness in the woods and I guess that I got a pretty fair share of winter hiking in but man there's just something about the woods in the spring and summer months. Getting out in it and and being one with nature is a heck of a lot easier when the temperature is comfortable.
This photo is exactly what I'm talking about. Having the time and patience to see all there is to see. Some days I think that I could find me a spot and stay there all day and never get tired of the things I see. Hopefully I'll be blessed with enough spare time this summer to get out in it and find as many new sights as I can snap a shutter at!

April Showers...

I'm pretty sure that it's not just me when I say that the seasons are changing. I don't think that we can really depend on the old adages anymore like April showers bring May flowers or out like a lion, in like a lamb (and vice versa). It seems like when I was a kid you could hang your hat on those things. These days, though, it's 70 degrees in December, 95 degrees in June and the rainy season is now the icy season. This April we've gotten relatively no rain to speak of (yet, anyway) and although we are loving the warm sunny days, in the back of our minds we know that it's probably not a good sign.
I'd like to say that we're doing all that we can to help reverse the effects of global warming but the truth of the matter is even though we recycle and try to do the other things that we feel are necessary I know that we're a far cry from doing all that we can.
Now, I'm no expert on global warming and I'm really not trying to get on my soapbox but I do know how much I love this planet and all it's beauty. So let's all work together on this one and hopefully we can get things back on track and hopefully it can be in our lifetime!

Just Inside!!

Springtime in southwest Missouri, as in most other areas of the U.S., means baseball. In 2005 we got the Springfield Cardinals, the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. It was a chance, once again, for the area population to root for a team where the players have the opportunity to advance to "The Bigs".
Way back in 1932 the St. Louis Cardinals moved a team here until it relocated to St. Joseph in 1946. Along the way such players as Stan "The Man" Musial, Dizzy Dean and Pepper Martin got their cleats dirty in our town before becoming legends of the game.
Most in the Springfield and St. Louis organizations consider this team an extension of it's predecessor displaying championship banners from the 30's and 40's!
Anyway, this was definitely one of those lucky shots. I was actually hoping for a big hit and had no idea where the ball had frozen until I later viewed the shot! I'd like to say that I planned it that way but you know I'm not that way.
So here's to the upcoming season and the Springfield Cardinals - Play Ball !!

Happy Easter!

You know, I thought about doing a post with a real springtime kind of picture or maybe a sunrise or even some flowers blooming. It's been (other than really windy) a very nice day- spring is definitely here!
My wife, son and I arose especially early and went to a sunrise service at the Cowboy Church. It was our first visit but I'm sure, not the last. It was a simple, down to earth kind of service that we really enjoyed followed by a pancake breakfast.
Later in the morning my wife and I went to services with our respective mothers followed by dinner at my sister's. I'm still full!
With all of this going on I can say that I'm very fortunate that I have a family that does not lose
sight of the real reason that we celebrate Easter.
Mathew 28:6- He is not here; he is risen, just as he said.