Scene & Story - November 2017

Recently I attended a photo slideshow presented by Tim Ernst, an Arkansas nature photographer. For about twenty minutes you relax, listen to soothing music, and soak in the beauty of nature. The photographs were from his current photo book, Arkansas Beauty. Not only does he take amazing photographs, but after the presentation he has some great stories to tell about his adventures in the woods of Arkansas. Something he said this year stuck with me. He told us that if we don't get out there with our cameras, we're not going to take great pictures. So many of his photos were a result of being in the right place at the right time and then taking his time composing the shot. His words encouraged me to get out more at different times of the day. One morning I chose to go outside to watch the sunrise. It was worth the effort! The sun illuminating the clouds was breathtaking. It made me realize once again that even though I've lived here for over forty years, there are still new and beautiful things to see. I just need to get out there.

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If you would like to see a little bit of Arkansas Beauty,  just click right here.

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I'm linking with Scene & Story hosted

by Sarah and Lee.

Scene & Story - October 2017

I think we all know how peaceful it is to be near water. Recently I sat on this bench, swinging my feet and soaking in the beauty of Lake Carlton in the San Bois Mountains in Oklahoma. When I first sat down it was dark and chilly, but as time passed the sun began to rise behind the mountains. It wasn't a beautiful sunrise. The sky was full of dark rain clouds and occasionally a light mist fell. As the sun rose I watched a large flock of geese land on the water and slowly glide across the lack. I watched a father and son fishing from their kayaks. I looked across the lake and noticed autumn colors just beginning to show. I was calm, content, and happy.

This pictures looks peaceful, doesn't it? What you don't see in this picture is what was behind me. The fact is, a fall festival was happening behind me with thousands of people wandering around, carnival rides, food vendors, live music, and an antique automobile show. We were there taking part in the automobile show and were fortunate to be able to park our car near the lake. This was perfect for me. I was able to find peace in a situation that certainly wasn't quiet or peaceful. As photographers we can tell the story we want by what we allow in the frame of our camera.

"Photography is about finding out what can happen in the frame.

When you put four edges around some facts, you change those facts." 

~ Garry Winogrand

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I'm linking with Scene & Story hosted

by Sarah and Lee.

Join us each month as we choose a photo and tell a story.

Scene & Story - September 2017

Each evening as the day wears down, I sit and reflect on the events of the day and then write in my gratitude journal things I am grateful for. Sometimes the list is long and other times it may be only a few items. Always at the top of the list are my God, my family, my country, and my health, but many days there are things added that seem trivial, maybe even silly. I recently went to a museum that was full to overflowing with antique items and took this picture. Reflecting on just this one picture, I realized how much I have to be grateful for and that nothing is too trivial to write down. On this day I was grateful for . . . 

electric stove,
butter in a tub or stick,

vacuum cleaner,

washing machine,
dryer,
ready made clothes,
sweet smelling soap,
and a large bathtub.

Rarely do we give modern conveniences a second thought, unless they break or we're out of them! Seeing how those in past generations lived and what they had, makes me grateful I live in this century, in this place, and have what I have.

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This is a day late, but i'm linking with Scene & Story hosted

by Sarah and Lee.

Join us each month as we choose a photo and tell a story.

Scene & Story - August 2017

It’s just a simple bloom, but it made me smile. My mother had two cacti, one was a Thanksgiving cactus and the other a Christmas cactus. Every year they were loaded with pretty pink blossoms. After mom passed away we neglected to care for them properly. Between my dad, my sister, and I our care alternated between drought and drowning. A plant really only needs one keeper! Both cacti began to shrivel up and turn brown. I asked my dad if he’d mind if I took them home and tried to save them. They looked so bad he thought I should throw them out, but my heart just wouldn’t quite let me do that, so they came to my house this spring. One of them perked up, but the other was beyond help. I finally gave up on it and dumped it near the edge of the woods. Imagine my surprise when several weeks later I realized it was living and growing. Taking it out of the pot had evidently allowed the roots to finally dry out. I re-potted it and put it back on my porch. Not only is it growing, but I spotted this little bloom. It’s neither Thanksgiving nor Christmas, but I’m not complaining. It can bloom any time it gets ready.

I'm linking with Scene & Story hosted

by Sarah and Lee.

Join us each month as we choose a photo and tell a story.

Scene & Story - July 2017

I love this lake.

The water is still.
There's no one in sight.

It's quiet here.

All I hear are birds and frogs.

I have to dream about walking along it's banks

or dipping my hand in the cool water.

I dream of rowing a small boat across the lake to the opposite shore

where there's a pretty extension bridge and a garden.

But, dream is all I can do.

This is Marylake which is in front of a Carmelite Monastery

and surrounded by iron and rock fencing.

Even though I can't get any closer, I come here for the calm.

July was active and even stressful at times.

I needed to get away by myself;

to just stand and listen and dream.

I knew just where to go.

I'm linking today with Scene & Story hosted

by Sarah and Lee.

Join us each month as we choose a photo and tell a story.

Scene & Story - June 2017

It was on the ground under the shade of a tree, close to a small lake where geese played and swans glided across the water. It was waiting; waiting to be picked up and a wiggly worm put on its hook. It was waiting for its line to be cast into the lake where it’s red and white cork would bobble in the water until some unsuspecting fish snatched at the worm and the cork would quickly sink under water.

The highlight of many of my childhood summers included a week spent with my Uncle Harry and Aunt June. They had no children of their own, but each summer they welcomed not only me, but several cousins as well. Most summers there were at least six of us. I look back and wonder how they every survived the week!

Among the traditions of the week was fishing in the pond across the road from their house. It was in the middle of a cow pasture, but my uncle always mowed us a path to the pond. The boys would go looking for worms and then we’d all get our poles and hike down the path. I remember . . .

Uncle Harry patiently baiting our hooks,

casting my line,

watching the cork float in the water,

the smell of hot grasses,

cows mooing,

the heat of the sun,

the chorus of crickets and frogs,

straw hats,

itchy legs from bugs and chiggers,

the excitement when my cork began to bobble,

Uncle Harry with his camera around his neck taking our picture when we caught a fish,

and

the smell of frying fish for supper.

But, most of all I remember the joy of being with my favorite aunt and uncle and the love they gave us all. I miss them both so very much. I’m thankful for these childhood summer memories that came flooding back when I saw a pole, a line, and a cork under a shade tree.

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I'm linking today with Scene & Story hosted

by Sarah and Lee.

Join us each month as we choose a photo and tell a story.

Scene & Story May 2017

The month of May was a busy month with family times, beautiful garden strolls, and road trips. Needless to say I took a lot of pictures, but as I looked back through them one stood out above the others. It was taken at Springfield Botanical Gardens in a section which included the oldest cabin in Springfield, barns, a kitchen, a granary, and a one-room schoolhouse. The buildings weren't open the day I was there, but steps had been provided under the windows so you could peek inside. As I stood there with my face pressed to the window of the schoolhouse, memories flooded through me. First, memories of a scared little girl as she walked into a classroom on the first day of first grade and then memories of a smiling little girl as she met friends and fell in love with her teacher. The little girl was me and my first grade classroom looked much like this one. It was not a one-room schoolhouse nor did we have slates to write on. but my classroom did have desks, book shelves, and a world globe just like these. What really stirred my memories were the books scattered about. I remember some of these books like the one on the lower right desk, Someday Soon. I read that book. In fact, I have a copy of that book. Since I didn't go to kindergarten or day school, the first grade was where I learned to read. I still remember the excitement of learning to read simple words.

Run Spot.

Run, run, run.

Oh, oh, oh.

Funny, funny Spot.

In case you don't know, Spot was a dog belonging to Dick and Jane in a series of school readers. While there are many memories of my first grade, learning to read was the best!

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I'm linking today with Scene & Story hosted

by Sarah and Lee.

Join us each month as we choose a photo and tell a story.

Scene & Story - April 2017

Every year we wait and wait and wait! This young tree in our yard is always the last tree to unfurl it's leaves each spring. Every year it makes me a little nervous until I see those first leaves begin to form. We have a lot of trees on our property, but this one is special. It was just a little seedling when we got it. It was so scrawny that I never expected it to live, but it did. Maybe it lived because it was planted with love and care. Our oldest grandson, Jake, was only four when he helped Jerry plant the tree. I remember his excitement as he helped dig the hole. He held the tree straight as Jerry packed the dirt around the roots and then he gave it lots of water. It's been ten years. Jake has grown unbelievable fast and so has the little tree. Jake is taller than me and the tree is now at least 15 feet high. Each year as I wait for it's springs leaves I think of a little boy with a big smile and dirty hands helping his Gramps!

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I'm linking today with Scene & Story hosted

by Lee and Sarah.

You can see all those who link up on Sarah's blog.

Join us each month as we choose a photo and tell a story.

Some Days - Scene & Story March 2017

Some days aren't easy.

Some days are filled with chores and appointments.

Some days hold too many responsibilities.
Some days bring hurt and sorrow.
Some days anxiety can't be controlled.

Some days I need to hide and rest.
After a while, I'll be refreshed and smiling again.

"thank you nothingness
thank you clarity
thank you, thank you silence"
~ Alanis Morissette

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I'm linking today with Scene & Story hosted
by Lee and Sarah.
You can see all those who link up on Sarah's blog.
Join us each month as we choose a photo and tell a story.

Don't Judge - Scene & Story February

"You can't judge an apple by looking at the tree.
You can't judge honey by looking at the bee.
You can't judge a daughter by looking at the mother.
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover."
You can't Judge A Book By The Cover
lyrics written by Willie Dixon in 1962
sung by Bo Diddley

You also can't judge a business by it's building. On the way to my daughter's house there is a not-so-impressive, dingy white brick building with a bright blue tin roof. All around the building is pottery and a menagerie of bright painted animals made out of metal. You can find roosters, giraffes, cows, pigs, or just about anything you can image. Although I've driven by many times, I've never stopped. The metal art, although it makes me smile, wasn't something I was interested in. But, when I was driving by recently I noticed the parking lot was full of cars. There were very few people wandering among the pottery and animals, so I knew there had to be something interesting inside the building. Curiosity had me turning around to investigate. I was certainly surprised as I opened the door and entered a fascinating gift shop. The building had been divided into small rooms filled with antiques, trendy clothing, jewelry, baby items, pottery, and home decor. Many of the items were beautifully arranged on antique furniture. It didn't take me long to realize why this little shop was so busy. The next time I need to take a break while traveling, I'll be stopping in to see what's new! As I drove away I wondered why I judge things without taking a deeper look. Getting past the outward appearance just might bring a pleasant surprise!

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I'm linking today with Scene & Story hosted by Lee and Sarah.

You can see all those who link up on Sarah's blog.

Join us each month as we choose a photo and tell a story.

I'm Stuck

I was all ready for this new year to begin. I'd truly had enough of 2016! I had plans for 2017. I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish and projects I wanted to work on. I was ready for the new beginning. Well, here it is February and I've just been stuck. Stuck at doing very little. Just like this little feather, I'm getting nowhere!

I don't know what really when wrong with my plans. It could be the upheaval our world is in. It's so discouraging. Or, it could be the awful virus that Jerry and I have had since Christmas. No matter what we do, we can't seem to shake it. We've both been to the doctor, taken steroids and antibiotics for sinus infections, and we're still under the weather. My attention span is short and my "want to" is gone!

I decided to really look hard at January and at least find a few things I've accomplished.

• I've kept up my daily Bible reading. I read the New Testament last year and now I'm reading the Old Testament which is much harder. I can't pronounce all those names!
• I've posted four times on this blog and twice on Focus On Life. Here's a link to the two posts I wrote over at Focus On Life, if you'd like to read them. More Good Than Bad and The Beauty Of Winter.
• I've gone on four photography outings and that's a very good accomplishment!
• I've read a lot. There's nothing wrong with that.
• I've worked seven jigsaw puzzles. Yes, seven, with a head that's pounding that's about all I can do when I can't focus on reading!

Looking at the whole picture, maybe it hasn't been too bad. I am doing something, but I just seem to be muddling through with no direction or real focus; just wasting time. As I begin this month, I'm hoping for more purpose and more direction. I'm hoping a mighty wind will come by, blow out the cobwebs (and the virus), and blow me back on course!!

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I'm linking today with Scene & Story hosted by Lee and Sarah.

Drop by Sarah's blog and check it out!

Join us each month as we choose a photo and tell a story.

Piano Love

Playing the piano brings me pleasure, but it hasn't always been that way. My earliest memories aren’t happy ones. It wasn’t the fact that I didn’t want to learn piano, I did. It wasn’t even the practicing. It was a very strict piano teacher. While playing scales she expected her students to keep their fingers in a curled position, letting one finger drop at a time to play the note. When I forgot and let my fingers relax, she would slap the top of my hand. For someone who was a rule follower that was traumatic, plus my hand hurt a lot. Thankfully we moved and this lady wasn’t my piano teacher for very long. It has been about fifty-five years since I took lessons from her, but I still remember her name and still get a bad feeling when I pass the street she lived on. In case you’re wondering, I never told my mom about the hand slapping. I didn’t want to admit that I wasn’t following the rules! My next teacher was totally different. No more finger curling! No more slapping! And so began the years of piano lessons and practice.

Playing the piano is healing to me, both spiritually and emotionally. When I’m angry I can bang it out, when I’m sad I can quietly play or when I’m happy I can make it rock. At the beginning of 2016 I began a piano project. I was singing in church one Sunday and realized that I didn't really read the words of the hymns. I didn't think about them. I just sang them. I decided that beginning on the first of January I would read the words out loud and play two hymns each day. It has become a daily time of worship for me and an amazing journey.

I will forever be grateful that my mom wanted me learn to play the piano. I’m even grateful that she insisted I practice. I fell in love with piano music. It brings me joy. It brings me peace.

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I have two good friends, Lee and Sarah, who once a month post a favorite photo from the previous month and tell the story behind it. Sarah is now hosting a link up for others to share their stories. If you're interested here's the criteria as explained by Sarah.

All you have to do is post a favorite photo from the previous month along with a short story about it on your blog and then add your blog to the link up once it goes live. The story can be anything you want it to be: why the photo touched your heart, the process you took to take it, a funny story, a fiction story, etc. Please visit the other link up participants and spread some love.

Even if you're not interested in posting a Scene & Story, you might want to drop by Sarah's blog and read the stories that are linked there. I know for a fact that Sarah and Lee are very good writers and photographers.