Tag Archives: Friends

A Minimal but Cool Thing

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New leaves emerge from a volunteer Red Oak in my fence row.

New leaves emerge from a volunteer Red Oak in my fence row. One of these days the tree or the fence has gotta go…but I will wait till that one day comes.

It is with H-U-G-E appreciation that my newest blog friend, the friend that has me doing fun stuff in learning, seeing, and experimenting with a camera, that I share this link: JunsJazz Images and Inspiration Issue #7.

I am humbled being associated with an outstanding group of photographers in all  JJ’s online digital magazines. And at the same time I am excited to be one of the featured photographers.

Issue #7′s theme is minimalist photography. Gee, I never thought of myself as minimalist (if you’ve ever conversed with me you would know kind of what I’m trying to say) until JJ captured a number of my photos. Yup…he’s right alright. I am a photographing minimalist.

JunsJazzImages is one of a handful of my “following” blog sites I check before the WordPress Reader or my email alerts me of a new post. If you are at all interested in photography, JJ’s website will do your talent a world of good.

Thanks JJ for letting me share a moment with you on your stage.

The Veterans Daily Cap(s) (316)

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The Veterans Memorial, Hickory Creek Town Hall at sunset. Thank you Vets.

The U.S., POW/MIA, and the flags for the five branches of the military fly all day, every day at Town Hall.

 

The Court Daily Cap(s) (283)

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Finding public art in Fort Worth is much easier than you might expect from a place called “Cow Town”…..

Finding a pickup basketball game is sometimes harder than you might expect from a place known as “work” (aka “Hacker’s Court” during the lunch hour)…Hey! is that an artful railing on that back wall?

 

The 5-Minute Daily Cap(s) (191)

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These guys just like me I guess…they keep getting in front of my camera

A heavenly peek-a-boo over the lake

A conversation between friends on a deserted island….

Nature’s bounty….

Timeless wrought iron elegance….

The loosely rhythmic arrangement of Cedar Elm leaves

 

The My Dad Daily Cap(s) (188)

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Sometimes life follows a straight line. Sometimes the path is an array of color.  And then sometimes you have to paint over the holes in life and just keep going….

For if we stop or skip over any one step of our journey, we might miss out on friends gracing us with sweetness, giggles, and Cowboy princesses….

And the teaching of life experience between the family generations may wane. Thanks Dad for everything that you are – a gentleman, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, and life model. Hope you had a great birthday today. Wish I had been there with you to eat cake.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Fleeting Moment

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Sorry y’all. I got started and didn’t really want to quit on this challenge….

A fleeting moment….

My kids…some 30 years ago. Wow.

FD and FSoIL – wading in a cold stream during Christmas vacation a few years back

My father-in-law while opening his Christmas gifts last year (oh how I hope he doesn’t see this…)

A hot air balloon makes an emergency landing down the street…

An approaching storm

The guys at our 35th high school reunion last fall…oh my how time has fleeted

A brown bear (with a blond strip down her back) in Canada last fall – I was ready to flee in a heartbeat

My brothers and Dad after a shore lunch in Canada last fall (they didn’t know I took this photo…and I’ve often wondered what they were saying to each other)

Bald Eagle looking to snatch something….

A young couple…taking in the moment

Kids at the water’s edge….

A pending happy family reunion at the airport

In passing one should take in the view….

You’ve got to be quick…and lucky sometimes

The respect and silence is humbling….

Another fleeting magic moment…

The Maiden Piper Daily Cap(s) (131)

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The maiden flight of a radio controlled minature airplace this morning…a whole lot of excitement amongst the pilots

There were other minature aircraft taking flight prior to the this one….

I overheard these two talking…this is a true 1/3 scale minature of a Piper Cub…

Don’t ask me what they’re doing….I thought we were going to have a sling-shot takeoff there for a minute….

A guiding hand during taxi….

Ready, aim,….

Take off!

Her underside catches the early morning sun….

No tricks…straight forward flying and easy turns this morning

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to “the ground”. Please remain seated until the aircraft has come to a complete stop at the gate. Be careful when opening the overhead bins as contents may have shifted during the flight….

The Backyard BBQ Daily Cap(s) (120)

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Gang...it was the Royal Scotties, my Canon, and The Daily Cap(s) that took a back burner to slow-grillin' a rack of Raspberry Chipolte rubbed spare ribs, Broccoli-Dill slaw from scratch, glazed baby carrots, handmade guacamole and blue corn tortilla chips, and....

Grilled Corn on the Cob and always a few jalapeños make their way to the grill - love my new Char-Griller 'Akorn' Kamado Kooker grill (pizza and biscuits cooked on it last weekend). Deb, OFNi Sarah, and Jerry this afternoon got feed after their quick weekend road trip. I had no idea it would take me all afternoon....

The Catapulting Daily Cap(s) (111)

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Many came out to watch the company "catapult" competition at noon. Four teams competed - they had restrictions to follow in building a catapult. The goal was to launch five projectilse approximately 30 feet to a target for points, all within a time limit. It was fun!

A father and son team...with a bicycle wheel catapult

Line up the shot...

...pull the trigger

We had the Sergio-Jericho team...with a wood slingshot catapult (complete with a stained finish) that shot the ammo backwards as much as it did forward...look out camera guy (me)

The fine tuning didn't help much...

Setting up for the shot...

These guys ended up winning the competition...but not before making precise measurements of the counterbalance weights for their catapult.

3...2...1...FIRE! A weight-drop catapult design

The other father and son team took a few seconds to play in the sandbox (where they had to set their catapult)

This was the "flinging half-wiffle ball" catapult....

...with a pull chain

Competition was fierce, concentration was intense...fun was had!

Winners were woo-ed, champions were crowned, bonds were bound, and noses were picked ("come on Dad, hurry it up why don't cha") ... LOL!

The Lake Daily Cap(s) (97)

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Is it...a family that fishes together, stays together (despite the smell)?

Is it...the family with the most (and biggest) poles, catch the most fish (or at least look the best in not doing so)?

New foliage on an immature Honeylocust catches the last bit of setting sun

Looky here who's on the run from me...my turkey buddy (or perhaps he is my buddy that's a turkey)

You know they know who I am (or have seen me enough times) when they stop 30 yards from my truck and sing (gobble) a duet for me. That was pretty cool despite them being just a bit "pitchy".

Saturday Down By the Lake

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Indian Paintbrush

Just hanging out, standing on a log, having a conversation, taking in the morning sunshine...no big deal

I swear, these guys never stop fishing and eating...and they stay so dag gum skinny!

A Saturday morning demonstration

The morning dew on a spider web

Yup, my pant knees got wet for this shot

My turkey friends trying to sneak by unnoticed this morning...my good friend Doyt got to meet/greet them with me this morning.

The Odd Daily Cap(s) (83)

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This morning's sunrise

The regular crowd shuffles in....

Rippling at the shoreline

And then at lunch...after 30 some years on not playing competitive basketball...I try to keep up with guys about half my age (it was not a pretty thing) (thanks JoeM for taking my camera off my desk and sneaking a few photos...thanks a whole lot)

After all these years I'm still try to show a left-handed game...

And a right-handed game...

Regardless of the handedness, I'm just not very good any more (not that I ever was). But you know last year at this time, there would be no way I could have gone 3 games with these punks. Thank heavens for the tonnage-loss program! Now if only I could do something about the stiff and soreness aftermath...

 

The Airport Daily Cap(s) (70)

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I love people watching at the airport…but please excuse the fuzzy iPhone pictures…you’ll get the idea

Taking pictures at the airport of incredibly baggy bell-bottomed (and high water) pants....

Taking pictures at the airport of the we-didn't-mean-to-both-wear-white-coats ladies....

Taking pictures at the airport and appreciating the fact I'm not the only one that travels with more than one hat....

Taking pictures at the airport of a way-cool, smiling-making "welcome home" sign....

Taking pictures at the airport of others taking pictures at the airport...

Taking pictures at the airport of one worker needing to escort the other with an oversized parcel....

Taking pictures at the airport of a couple old(er) guys waiting for someone (just like me!)....

Taking pictures at the airport of a kid's dad not willing to help out with the backpack....

Taking pictures at the airport knowing the 48 degree temps outside the terminal will make this girl wish she had longer pants....

Taking pictures at the airport of a bouncing baby boy and a plaid-boot styling mom....

Taking pictures at the airport of the guy really confident in his masculinity...

Taking pictures at the airport of others happy to see each other....

Taking pictures at the airport of a profiling shady character....

Taking pictures at the airport of the kid with bigger and more luggage than the parent....

Taking pictures at the airport of a hyper kid....

Taking pictures at the airport of someone a bit anxious and someone not so much....

Taking pictures at the airport with the reverse camera....

Taking pictures at the airport of FD coming through the gate...

My FD, the Internet Sensation

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Go check out the FD! Tiff’s webseries acting debut is online as of this past Thursday. Episode 1 (11 more to go) introduces the cast of characters. For those of you that don’t know my “Favorite Daughter”, she’s the one in the gray sweater/gray shirt…that says “I’d rather chew glass” right at the start. And after watching, if you’re so emotionally moved and/or financially inclined, there’s their “kickstarter” page link right below the video….

Personally, I think Tiff did an outstanding job, but then what else would a “pops” say? She’s always had a natural Lucille Ball quality about her acting, as well as a Meryl Streep when it comes time for those Academy Award winning roles! What she does with this character is so completely out-of-character of her personality, I laugh to myself (and others) each time. You go ahead and just watch it…see for yourself. Go ahead…do it, I’ll wait……………

I bet cha you’re gonna agree with her old man on this one. Chip of the ol’ block that gurrrrl is, huh? (probably more likely I’m a chip off the ol’ daughter’s block…not that I live vicariously through either of my kids or anything)

Episode 1 was the group introduction, now each subsequent webisode will now focus on each character.  I will keep y’all posted as each episode is released, especially the one that is the FD’s character.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: turn down the volume or use your headphones…the dialogue is street-worthy and the language is colorful.

We were Boxing

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Yes, reluctantly I admit I’ve been around a while. I have seen things,  experienced things. I have appreciated many things and regretted things more than I ever thought I would. But after yesterday, the first-time thing I was a part of was  Boxing Day. And I am glad.

Dear friends Ettore and Oona invited us to a Boxing Day celebration last night. Since Oona is a Brit, this holiday is very much a part of her heritage. But regardless of the occasion, our two friends always welcome us into their home with a warm embrace. They are the epitome of a gracious host. Last night was special.

Unsure of what a Boxing Day night of celebration held in store (but I do now), we readied ourselves for good food, conversation, and fun at the very least. The evening was an absolute delight. Seeing our friends surrounded by their long-time friends – no, that should more appropriately read as ” their long-time family” – did nothing more than keep a smile in my heart all evening long.

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To be jolly

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Now if you just so happen to watch the video, and you don’t catch yourself smiling, then I’ll come see you to massage that hardened heart of yours. It is, after all, the season to be jolly. So be it! Stop it with the political moaning, employment groaning, life-is-not-fair bellyaching, and the unsociable Facebooking for but a few minutes…and sing a Christmas song, for crying out loud, that might make others smile for all the right Godly reasons.

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35 and counting

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What a grand weekend! And boy howdy did I take a bunch of pictures!

the uncooperative guys at the 35th

The milestone 35th reunion happened at Hays High School. Despite a losing effort for the current Indians on the football field (losing to Garden City), those of us alumni able to attend the homecoming and reunion had a fabulous time…not just one evening, but two!

Our class of 190-something produced about 45 of us over the weekend. We all showed up to enjoy ourselves, the time spent with good friends, and to poke fun at the aging habits a handful of us seem to be developing. Better yet, little grief was taken on the thinning noggin, chubby cheeks, and the mid-section bounce that seems to have graced my curb appeal. I guess it is what it is, huh?

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