I am thankful for friends and delighted that in this restricted year Cindy and I were able to spend some time with a few of our friends both old and new. I think I can add food to this section because often seeing friends also means great times around a table. In a year that limits engagements and travel I have been blessed by good friends and the sharing of a bit life together.
Thankful .2 /
I am eternally grateful for the Church. The Church is an important portal through whom God chooses to make himself known and, so, essential for grace and mercy, for salvation and peace and much more. Often, because of flawed and faulty people, poor theology and misplaced priorities the Church suffers but it also endures, can blossom and is yet in this world a singular force for good, a voice for those genuinely disadvantaged, poor and broken. God’s people provide a place of healing, service and kindness. The Church is simply God’s people gathered or scattered seeking first His Kingdom and referencing first His grace. It is also often represented by a building known by the same name and while occasionally confused for The Church, a building is a neutral thing and a constant reminder driving around of the great numbers of people who profess to believe beyond what they can weigh and measure. And that is good. I am thankful for, enriched by and blessed because of the Church.
Doors of a small church building in the middle of the Shenandoah Valley somewhere!
Thankful /
One of the things I am grateful for is the ability to travel. I simply love going places and seeing, learning about and experiencing new things & different places. Both history and geography have always been fascinations of mine. Perusing maps, looking at images of places, and reading history were part of my life from a very early age. And I still get a thrill from being places where history occurred. Our time living in Williamsburg, Virginia was a constant source of amazement. Touring battlefields, the Wright Brothers’ shop, Edison’s lab, the training center for the Tuskegee Airmen or the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde still is thrilling. No matter how many times I have been, standing on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg is awe inspiring and sobering. Reading a sign in Hot Springs, Arkansas, that talked about baseball’s early stars converging there for informal spring training was amazing. And it was just a sign. Top all of that off with the stunning parks from Alaska to Florida to Maine and Montana. Photography is one of the ways I interact with all of this and the photos bring back clear memories that nothing else does. I am thankful to be able to travel, have the health right now to enjoy it, have a companion that I love and love being with and am never tired of planning the next place. I need to go hitch up the trailer right now, New Mexico is calling!
I am also glad this type of accommodation is no longer the norm. These very early cabins at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park each held two families with a shared sink and toilet in between the two tiny rooms. Cindy and I last stayed in one like this about five years ago near Baxter State Park in Maine. The bed filled the room and the small bathroom was added later on brick pillars. But we were traveling!
Overflowing /
This is a good week to consider, as are the other 51, the many ways we ought to be grateful.
“From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” John 1:16 NLT
Flame /
Handmade candles in a craft gallery on the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Trail out of Gatlinburg, TN. There are a lot of potential stops on this 8 mile loop.
Barn Two /
This bucolic scene was not. I took this across four lanes of busy traffic from the parking lot of a restaurant and shooting over a gas station and several buildings along the other side of the road. I really thought I had exactly what I was looking for - and it is close. I loved the tree in the right corner and the reflection it cast on the barn. What I did not love and did not see taking the photo were the power lines that crisscrossed the shot. Still my colorful hill was not too bad and the barn had character with the bonus tree reflection.
I have two variants of this barn as well.
Another impressionist photo simulation this one with a nod to E. Hopper. I really like this.
From the sketch book of Leonardo da Vinci
Barn One (Three Photos) /
I was in prime barn territory last week and was looking for a specific photo. I did not quite find it but I did shoot two that I liked if not exactly what I envisioned. So Barn One today. Yet to add another layer of interest - to me, I did some extra work in Topaz to make then more unique and I was happy with both results. So Barn One has two bonus adjustments at no extra charge for viewing.
This one is found on the Blue Ridge Parkway and in view one it is close to as shot with some opening of the shadows. Tomorrow, Barn Two!
This is an “impressionistic” version that I really like.
This is to represent an older, faded western US photo. Not sure how I feel about this one but definitely is not my favorite.
Torrent /
This is a portion of the lower Crabtree Falls just off the Blue Ridge Parkway on Route 56 East. The trail to the top is 1.8 miles and the reward of both the view and the upper falls are well worth the climb. Crabtree is also a dangerous place if you ignore the signs, over 20 people have died here falling off the slippery rocks. Cindy and I stopped here for a brief walk just after the area recieved over 5 inches of rain.
Great White Egret /
Saw this fellow while I was waiting for pelicans to appear in the bay. They didn’t. But this Great White posed and I took my first bird photo with manual focusing. Not sure if it was more sharp than the auto but I was more sure that what I wanted was sharp and not just some random branch.
Stark /
It was a foggy, misty morning as we traversed the Cades Cove loop road. This tree that appeared out of the mist as we neared caught my eye, and the camera came out.
Refreshing Joy /
“Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.” Philemon 1:7 NLT
Seige /
At this point on the Vicksburg, MS, battlefield in 1863 the Confederate forces held off an attack on the lines by the Union and when the Union troops withdrew with significant casualties Grant allowed a siege to begin a week into the battle on May 25th and it lasted until Vicksburg surrendered on July 4th, the day after Lee withdrew from Gettysburg in defeat. These are the twin events that the successful defense of the Union turned on - two long and bloody years of war had passed and two more to go but the outcome was decided on these two fronts.
"I'm a man of means by no means, king of the road"... /
The side of this business in Hot Springs AK has advertised different things. You can barely see the faint outline of the painted over Coke sign under the 10 cent cigar. Who does not want a ten cent cigar? At at the top you see the inspiration for today’s title “Rooms”
Roger Miller’s song, “King of the Road“ released in 1964 continues to rattle around in my head for reasons that baffle me. I never even had the album. But ask me if I know about “Dang Me” or “England Swings” or “You Can’t roller Skate in a Bufffalo Herd” and sadly, or fondly, I remember.
Here is Roger singing KotR, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk_hPTN50UE.
and a live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKF-712iz9w
or a combo including: “…Buffalo Herd” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6WjfuxfIiw
Enjoy.
Ramsey Cascades GSMNP (three variants) /
One of my favorite areas of the park is near Tremont. There are several waterfall, nice hiking trails and an easy 2 miles or so of road hikes. And this stunning cascade only about a 15 minute walk from the parking area. It attracts many photographers who perch on the single bench along the road or set up tripods near by. I chose to clamber down from the road about 25 feet to get a different perspective. Not sure what I achieved but I still like the photo. The whole cascade extends a bit more off the edge to the left and quite a bit more on the top. Still the colorful leaves that coat the rocks add a nice dimension to the scene.
I have three different photos here: first one is a compact scene to give a bit of emphasis to the cascade in context, second one is a vertical focused on the water & leafy rocks and the third is a more full view from my uncomfortable spot of the edge of the cliff. Do you have a preference? Why? Comments are open.
Do Not Be Deceived By Appearances! /
No matter how it appears this flag is steel because of the men and women who upheld its values and their willingness to do whatever it takes to keep it strong. Thank you to the veterans of America’s military services: Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force and the new Space Force. Except for the latter I have known and still know fine men and women in all of those branches and appreciate deeply what they mean to this flag —- and what this flag means to them.
Little Pigeon River /
It is early morning on the river near Boyd’s Creek just north of Sevierville, TN. The campground was OK but packed in and a bit noisy where we were but what a great view. We stayed here waiting for our next place in the GSMPN.
Desoto Falls /
Sometimes the angle is just not there, but then you find an old half concrete pipe in the side of the hill that sticks out abut 2 feet from the side and about 30 feet over the drop area and, there it is. Desoto Falls at Desoto Falls state park is actually a bit distant from the main park. Campground was nice and busy and the rain was off and on both days we were here but we still enjoyed this Alabama State Park in the Northeast corner of the state.
Rise Early /
“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 NLT
Moose Rules #6 (3 photos) /
The movie is not yet out but the offers keep coming in. I am thinking of endorsing this remarkable invention, a pie you can carry in your hoof. Is that not spectacular. As lead spokesmoose, I will get a lifetime supply of these ingenious creations. I don’t think they know how much a moose of my stature can eat!
I also had to pose for numerous photos with my fans. This pretty lass gave me a great big hug when I was here for another possible product to endorse. The Driver has a review coming on Thursday for this place and I will be sure to add some better perspective to his account.
Another job, since I have not yet chosen who will be privileged to be my agent, is reading scripts. I cannot tell you the number of roles I am considering.
I have not yet been told when my movie is coming out but I will let you all know so you might get in line for some of my personal appearances. I plan to show up at them in my new, 1948, yellow Lincoln convertible. It unexpectedly has not yet been delivered.
I am including a photo from The Driver cause he gets cranky if I don’t and I just don’t need any negative vibe around my ascending film star status right now. But why did he pick a different perspective of Mount Denali and all I can see is Ms. McKinley. Another poor choice by the Driver.
Great new invention, just imagine what my Mooseyness will add to this package.
Yet another fan photo. Watch for some more info on Thursday.
Safe Place /
On the southern end of the Natchez Trace you can take a short drive to the town of Rocky Springs, MS. Don’t plan on finding a place for lunch, or gas or actually anything unless you are there the last Sunday of a month in the morning because there is still a church. And a safe. All that is left of this once large (1000 plus people) and thriving town are a few bits of foundation, a cistern or two and two old safes with no doors. Changes in the trace, travel, roads and both war and disease gradually eroded the town until the 1930’s when the depression caused the last people to leave. The nearly 200 year-old church is the only structure there and it was hard to reach in the rain. A fence closed off most of it and a muddy hill was also effective in keeping me away. So this shot is all I got and the safe. It was a lonely place, in the rain, no one around and just felt eerie.
