While waiting this morning for the Cardinals, Woodpeckers, Chickadees, and Mockingbirds to wake up, today's sunrise peaks out and lights up a select group of fence row trees (and if look beyond, you see tree tops aglow as well). Pretty cool?

Is there not just something peaceful...about a reflecting sunset...on the simple architecture of the steeple...atop the Oak Ridge Baptist Church of Hudson Oaks, Texas?

Down by the boat docks this morning...after a big 4" rain...these guys all have their head underwater... that is except for the one guy that obviously has been hanging out with the marina dog too much...do ducks have ears?

Damn you, you ol' buzzards...sitting around, all perched in your tree like you're waiting for something dead to happen. Get a life! (instead)

The one (and only) good thing about West Texas blowing into town last night is the dust makes for a beautiful sunrise.

Something is peculiar about 77° and kids playing in the lake in the middle of January...even for the typically mild winters of North Texas.

It started with…oh wait, first a lead in: A typical Sunday morning routine of mine when driving to church is to plug my iPod (iPhone actually) to the truck stereo and get to singing with a playlist simply labeled “Sunday”. Of the hundred or so gospel/Christian music owned, the songs in this playlist are my favorites. This list numbers 24 songs as of today, and is populated with “standards of the faith” as much as it is with more contemporary songs that stir my spiritual soul.

My Sunday mood usually determines the songs that get played (my commute to church is obviously not 24 songs long…or even half that). Interestingly, if I’m needing some lift, “standards” get played. If I’m confident in where I’m at that particular day, I lean towards the “contemporary” songs. Either way, I know the lyrics (but believe you me, I can’t carry a tune in a handbag).

Also know this: Denton Bible devotes the first half it’s service to their music ministry. They have wonderful musicians and vocalist that give their talented all each Sunday. The music and singing truly is a fellowship that binds the congregation. Oddly, or maybe not so much on second thought, the songs at church follow a similar pattern as my listening to the “Sunday” playlist (I have a feeling my church has influenced me a whole bunch more than vice versa).

So here’s the funny thing. Besides an indicator of my mood, what do you think it is when the gospel song you listen and sing to on the way to church just so happens to be the same song we as a congregation sing in loud and glorious unison during the service?

Could it be a divine elbow to the ribs? Perhaps a message or blessing? Or is it a mere coincidence?

Whatever you call it is, it’s a goosebump-moment; a warming feeling in you heart; a comforting smile upon ones face. And with that, your hand is raised in praise, for truly “it is well with my soul”.

Leafless trees silhouetted against a sunrise or sunset do it to me every time. This, along with news from home gave some calm to the end of an emotional day...

That she is a stately (Post) Oak with a true stature of magnificance...even in the winter. And especially when seen standing in front of a beautiful sunrise glow.

Here's one reason I have for not doing personal trainers. Why is it, more times than not, these guys act like they have little time for this and something better awaits them elsewhere? All us poor plokes out here want to do is try to fit back into last summer's clothes....

"Yup...you guys are taking too long! I'm outta here! Go ahead and keep doing what your doing..."

From her previous owner, the Princess Zoey put on one of her sweaters tonight. She ran about with the other in her mouth, then settled down with it as a pillow. Ya know, I think I have a few fond memories I could do that with as well...good night Zoe! Sweet dreams!

Can this be an accidental, on-purpose coincidence? Scotch (along with the occasional Kahlua for merely the aroma most certainly) and books of garden design and photography...all on the same shelf. Can life be any grander?

It’s about getting re-acquainted with the banker all over again…and the unsettling disruption to my morning coffee routine.

It's only gonna get messier...

“Maybe I wanted to hear it so badly that my ears betrayed my mind in order to secure my heart.” – Margaret Cho

With so much going on at daybreak - geese flying, fishermen fishing, the sun a rising, a chilly nip to the morning air - am I the only one that likes to, as the day awakens and a sunrise warms your face, plug in the headphones and listen to the "String Quintet In e Major: Minuet"? Oh yeah, see there, I figured as much....

Realizing it’s not the same as “being there” with the London Philharmonic Orchestra iPod version in your ears, the sun in your face. Go ahead: give this a listen nonetheless…all the while giving The Daily Cap picture a stare for the next 4 minutes.

See what I mean? Maybe kind-a-sort-a? (and this YouTube version even has birds chirping):

This guy ended up being great entertainment this morning, giving me several minutes of watching his song and dance...as if he were trying to attract just that right lady-bird or something

And this guy was quite the smoothie, strutting along the shoreline through knee-deep water (to him), not once poking at a breakfast swimming by, and showing considerable tolerance of my early-morning photography antics for at least 15 minutes

I'm still trying to find something wrong with this morning's sunrise, and I just can't...not even on this, a Friday the 13th