Part 2
for this week's theme.
The beach might have been a wash, but the sun
was out last weekend.
And it was hot!
107 degrees means fun in the water...
For more on the "series" theme, check out Carmi's page . . . SMILES
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Thematic Photography 202: Series ~ TS Debby
This week's thematic challenege was not a challenge this time.
I have a tendancy to snap a many pictures in a row.
We finally found a weekend to visit the beach.
We knew Debby was churning way out in the Gulf, but all weather reports
didn't have her showing any signs of arriving until the afternoon we were
to come home.
We arrived on Friday.
On Saturday, her feeder bands started showing up.
After four attempts of sitting and reading on the shore,
I gave up!
But we still had a great time!
Sunday's bands of rain brought heavy winds.
(Not one correct weather report was found on this one.
She kept 'em guessing!)
Where we stay, has a yard full of pine trees. Watching them sway was amazing.
Jumping each time a limb broke and landed on the roof, was a little nerve wracking.
Transformers popped, but not the one we needed. So thankful.
We rode to the next town over to get out and see the rest of the bay.
Our beach spot is Mexico Beach, which is at the mouth of
St. Joe Bay.
The water was practically flat.
But as we drove through the rain and calm waters of the bay, we passed the
road that leads to the point dividing the bay and the gulf.
Within in quarter mile the calm turned into these pictures.
I have always been curious about being at the beach when a tropical storm came in.
And I had my chance that weekend.
It was amazing.
As I loaded the bird photos, I came across a second series of that day.
I have to share, the waves were amazing:
Click on them to see a larger view, the sea mist is pretty cool
TS Debby was quite a character to meet!
Wanna see more in this challenge? Check out Carmi's site: Written Inc.
Toothbrushing and Love
I remembered that I had used the Andy Griffith Show as part of a post, once upon a time, a long time ago (2008). Thought I would share seeing how we lost someone that was such a part of my childhood, and really even my adult life - thats to the availability of reruns... thanks for letting me visit the past for just a bit...
I was thinking the other day about something DH and I have noticed over the years – we have to explain and reiterate a lot more than our parents did, or maybe we really don’t remember well. But the more we talked and reminisced, we KNOW there were many things that did not have to be beat into our heads.
We came to a conclusion though: our generation had The Waltons, or Little House on the Prairie or Leave It To Beaver or The Andy Griffith Show . . .show that encouraged good character. Integrity.
Today the evening news is followed by Entertainment Tonight or
I guess if we had new versions of The Andy Griffith Show, it would be more like this:
I sure am glad that I can watch all unbeeped shows on Netflix, for hours and hours. Sure do love Andy Taylor marathon afternoons.
I was thinking the other day about something DH and I have noticed over the years – we have to explain and reiterate a lot more than our parents did, or maybe we really don’t remember well. But the more we talked and reminisced, we KNOW there were many things that did not have to be beat into our heads.
We came to a conclusion though: our generation had The Waltons, or Little House on the Prairie or Leave It To Beaver or The Andy Griffith Show . . .show that encouraged good character. Integrity.
Today the evening news is followed by Entertainment Tonight or
I guess if we had new versions of The Andy Griffith Show, it would be more like this:
I sure am glad that I can watch all unbeeped shows on Netflix, for hours and hours. Sure do love Andy Taylor marathon afternoons.
Smiles!!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Thematic Photo 200: Beachy Abstract
Playing along with Carmi's theme: Abstract
Check out the post and join in the fun here!
Sometimes I think I am to concrete and I make things harder than
they need to be. Sorta like this theme. But as other's inspired
me, I realized I might have a quite a few pictures in
the files that might meet the bill.
But I am feeling beachy, so I left out all the river shots, of strange shadows
and goofy holes in trees and sticking with a few different shots
from a few beach trips.
Sparkler fun! You would think there was a bonfire in the middle of all this,
but no, just 3 or 4 kids with sparklers on the beach.
And the jelly fish came from the sky . . .
Shadows of squid fishers...really, they were fishing for squid in the marina.
Not sure why this caught my eye, but this feather, at Easter, sticking
up out of the sand, just seemed somewhat out of place.
Wishing you all an out of the box weekend!
Smiles!!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Small Town Hero
I live in a county with a population in the neighborhood of 100,000. Directly north of us, and interwoven in our mutual edges, is a community hovering near 30,000 – Lee County. The majority of the working force in that community works in our town, or owns businesses in our town.
We are close in many ways.
Families live and work across these city and county lines. So celebrations cross those lines too. I heard at church, tonight, someone say if you researched, every seventh person will somehow be related to you. I believe that is especially true in this area. If not by blood, then purely by association.
This was recently apparent as a small town singer hit it big. While he is not the first one, after all Luke Bryan and Buster Posey are both from the little town just across the way, and lets not forget Ray Charles, Ray Stevens and Patty LaBelle from our side of the fence; his journey rocked this area and the country.
Lee County shined bright with the journey Phillip Phillips set out on earlier this year. Leading up to last weeks win on American Idol was an adventure for even those that might not have ever met or known him personally. He has sung at local events for quite a few years now. If you don't know him, then you know his sister. Or his cousin. Or his father. Shoot, I pass the pawn shop everyday on my way to work. By some reactions on FaceBook that might have put me somehow in line to be a part of his stardom - it does not! I am just kidding. But with some of the hoopla, that is not really that far fetched.
For weeks, businesses have had signs up cheering on Phillips, reminding folks to vote, keeping his name ever present. The attention and energy almost seems strange with as quiet and unassuming as he seems to be. The celebrity status has not seemed to be his goal in this journey. And while I am not a fan of American Idol, I tuned in to watch the final. I am so glad I did. As emotion overtook him and he showed the world what was a priority, I enjoyed seeing values displayed in an area that seems to be a lot about reaching that celebrity status and fame.
Phillip Phillips graduated in 2007. The same year this gentleman graduated in the same class, in the same county.
This gentleman, three days after the excitement of a local’s American Idol win, lost his life to an IED in Afghanistan.
At some point, each week, I hear a reference on the news to the number of American casualties overseas. Sometimes I say quick prayer for families without names in unknown areas of the country. Sometimes I don’t really even hear the report – too busy too distracted or not wanting to imagine the emotion – avoidance.
It is interesting, though, when it is someone from your community, it feels very different. It settles in to your heart and thoughts. There is a connection, even without a known connection. He IS from our home town. HE is a young man. A husband. A stepdad. Parents are hurting. A young wife is dealing with something beyond me. He is a part of our community.
Soon there will be a homecoming service for this Hero. The plans have not been finalized, but the first words of plans have begun to surface on Facebook. His wife has planned a service with family and the closest of friends, but she wants “AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE to line the streets holding flags and signs” along the way from the church to the cemetery. 11.4 miles between the two sites. The thought of people, shoulder to shoulder, showing up to support to that family, showing support to those in service, stirs deep into my being. The Chamber has received word that the Patriot Guard Riders will be escorting the family – and a 1000 at that. That touches a in that coner of my being where patriotism and respect resides.
To the best of my memory, this is the first soldier to return for his homecoming service to this community. Others have died that have lived in the community, at some time in their past; but not brought back to be laid to rest here.
I wonder, did someone today receive such a call? Yesterday? What about tomorrow. I know, everyday people lose loved ones, and lose them in tragic situations. But it does make me slow down and think of those that have loved ones in harms way and KNOWING each day there is a greater chance that their door will be the one being knocked on.
As I drove to work this morning, many businesses still had signs displaying their cheers for small town American Idol winner. This afternoon I passed several that offered honor and thanks to a small town Hero.
"Leesburg is proud of those who carry guitars, microphones and baseball bats. But we HONOR and Salute those that wear Dog Tags.......Rest In Peace Lance Corporal Steven Sutton. Fallen in the line of duty serving in the USMC in Afghanistan on Saturday at the age of 23." McKinney (Facebook)
We are close in many ways.
Families live and work across these city and county lines. So celebrations cross those lines too. I heard at church, tonight, someone say if you researched, every seventh person will somehow be related to you. I believe that is especially true in this area. If not by blood, then purely by association.
This was recently apparent as a small town singer hit it big. While he is not the first one, after all Luke Bryan and Buster Posey are both from the little town just across the way, and lets not forget Ray Charles, Ray Stevens and Patty LaBelle from our side of the fence; his journey rocked this area and the country.
Lee County shined bright with the journey Phillip Phillips set out on earlier this year. Leading up to last weeks win on American Idol was an adventure for even those that might not have ever met or known him personally. He has sung at local events for quite a few years now. If you don't know him, then you know his sister. Or his cousin. Or his father. Shoot, I pass the pawn shop everyday on my way to work. By some reactions on FaceBook that might have put me somehow in line to be a part of his stardom - it does not! I am just kidding. But with some of the hoopla, that is not really that far fetched.
For weeks, businesses have had signs up cheering on Phillips, reminding folks to vote, keeping his name ever present. The attention and energy almost seems strange with as quiet and unassuming as he seems to be. The celebrity status has not seemed to be his goal in this journey. And while I am not a fan of American Idol, I tuned in to watch the final. I am so glad I did. As emotion overtook him and he showed the world what was a priority, I enjoyed seeing values displayed in an area that seems to be a lot about reaching that celebrity status and fame.
Phillip Phillips graduated in 2007. The same year this gentleman graduated in the same class, in the same county.
This gentleman, three days after the excitement of a local’s American Idol win, lost his life to an IED in Afghanistan.
At some point, each week, I hear a reference on the news to the number of American casualties overseas. Sometimes I say quick prayer for families without names in unknown areas of the country. Sometimes I don’t really even hear the report – too busy too distracted or not wanting to imagine the emotion – avoidance.
It is interesting, though, when it is someone from your community, it feels very different. It settles in to your heart and thoughts. There is a connection, even without a known connection. He IS from our home town. HE is a young man. A husband. A stepdad. Parents are hurting. A young wife is dealing with something beyond me. He is a part of our community.
Soon there will be a homecoming service for this Hero. The plans have not been finalized, but the first words of plans have begun to surface on Facebook. His wife has planned a service with family and the closest of friends, but she wants “AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE to line the streets holding flags and signs” along the way from the church to the cemetery. 11.4 miles between the two sites. The thought of people, shoulder to shoulder, showing up to support to that family, showing support to those in service, stirs deep into my being. The Chamber has received word that the Patriot Guard Riders will be escorting the family – and a 1000 at that. That touches a in that coner of my being where patriotism and respect resides.
To the best of my memory, this is the first soldier to return for his homecoming service to this community. Others have died that have lived in the community, at some time in their past; but not brought back to be laid to rest here.
I wonder, did someone today receive such a call? Yesterday? What about tomorrow. I know, everyday people lose loved ones, and lose them in tragic situations. But it does make me slow down and think of those that have loved ones in harms way and KNOWING each day there is a greater chance that their door will be the one being knocked on.
As I drove to work this morning, many businesses still had signs displaying their cheers for small town American Idol winner. This afternoon I passed several that offered honor and thanks to a small town Hero.
"Leesburg is proud of those who carry guitars, microphones and baseball bats. But we HONOR and Salute those that wear Dog Tags.......Rest In Peace Lance Corporal Steven Sutton. Fallen in the line of duty serving in the USMC in Afghanistan on Saturday at the age of 23." McKinney (Facebook)
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