Most regular readers to this blog know I am a bit bonkers about photographing sunrises and sunsets. So for a change in scenry, I happened across this early morning sunrise photo on Saturday while driving through Flower Mound. Nothing like an inspirational glimpse at God casting His morning light on the steeple of His house. And I doubt He minds much with the red hawk sitting on the cross of His house of worship either. Continue reading Morning light
So Monday was Halloween…not enough Trick-or-treaters gave us a surplus of candy this year. That is not a good thing for my ongoing tonnage-loss efforts. But the yearly fun thing about Halloween is a friendly competition done between OFB TR and his daughter, and my OFNi, Tara.
Each year these two go at it with a knife, pottery tools (I assume), and a few candles. They have themselves a pumpkin carving contest…just the two of them.
And each year my OFSIL Sue sends pictures to the family for an online vote as to determine a winner. So I’m told, the loser is supposed to buy the winner a bottle of Crown – and apparently they are on an IOU system thus far.
Every year we get these fun times for sure. Thanks for sharing your talents yuze guys!
So it is I’ve become a great uncle for the 11th time (I think). All is well!
Did I mention that on my recent excursion to the left coast, I took one day to do a 10-mile bicycle ride?
Well technically, it was a 10-mile ride on 2 different bikes…but both required moving my legs in a circulation motion, if that counts. (and you know it does)
I have long wondered whether a recumbent bicycle (the bike where it feels like you’re dragging a#$ on the pavement) is a ride enjoyed. Those particular bicycles have always been a source of curiousity for me.
I’ve never taken a “test drive” with one.
That is, until last Friday….
Yes, call me liberal if you must. Call me a nut because you want to. You’ll probably be wrong in whatever you say (and I won’t add any polictical adjective here either), but know it won’t change my mind. I love the left coast…from San Diego to San Francisco (and probably beyond if I ever get up that way).
So can the politics for just a minute and tell me…how could you not? Unless of course the earth got to moving way too much under your feet – hey, wasn’t that a song?
Halloween is one week from Monday. I’ve got half a bag of candy ready to dole out…come on by. I usually have candy left over each year. Last one here gets the most (and best) candy!
With my street address I need to go prowlin’ for a couple of pumpkins for craving get kids to the door. Little did I know when I bought this house years ago that location-location-location needed to be considered. My street is the primary in-n-out for everyone and homes on my block are only on one side of the street – not a bad setup really except the for the day, or maybe it’s just for the one frightful night in 
October.
Kids, it seems, already have a shopping savvy in them wanting to work both sides of a street for their free candy. So it is the Jack O’Lanterns that get trick-or-treaters to my street, and has them excited, or scared walking up to the door.
The many years of doing 8-12 funny, scary, crazy pumpkin cravings for Halloween night with FD and FS were suddenly paled in comparison to a “Top 10 Halloween Events” watched on, of all things, The Weather Channel last week (follow that link above for a bit of craziness celebration).
A guy could get used to this pretty easy… Omelet from Cora’s Coffee Shop this morning; beach sitting in the afternoon: Continue reading Toes in the Sand
Sunday…I took a trip to The Great State Fair of Texas!
What a glorious day it was – breezy, upper 80°, and when you’re one of the first to arrive, parking was easy, convenient, and close to the entrance gate!
Each year the State Fair is an intentional destination. I wouldn’t be completely honest if I said my primary reasoning going is for the Auto Show.
I go for the people watching!
I go for the live entertainment on stage (several venues around the fairgrounds)!
I go for free ice cream cone and the give-away bread sampling at the Dairy/Grain Building!
I go to marvel at the wonderful Art Deco buildings scattered about the fairgrounds!
But mostly, I go for the traditional food of the State Fair as well as each year’s must-have foods!
There are many comforts….
9/26/2011: Hwy. 121 southbound through Grapevine, North Richland Hills, and Hurst Texas (yes, I was tailing him for about 5 miles for the photo)
It’s always a trying day when the Royals go to the groomer. As much as they like Suzanna the Groomer, they still tire by the end of the day. After all, the spa can be as exhausting as it is refreshing….
Admittedly, this type of photography has a long way to go to get better, but I keep trying every chance I get. The problem is, it doesn’t rain that often in Texas anymore…when is a guy supposed to practice the craft in that case?
I can only think of a handful of things that can top a Kansas sunrise (or sunset).
What a grand weekend! And boy howdy did I take a bunch of pictures!
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?
It has been a while since it last rained in Texas,. Now when it comes…quick, grab the camera. With lake levels down 25%-35%, it certainly is a recordable event these days….
And as the preacher said the other day: “Lord, please bring us rain. Not for me – I’ve seen it before…but for my grandkids please”.
Thanks God! The 1.4″ last Friday helped a bunch!
Then again Sunday you gave us another drink from the heavens, be it ever so brief and small, it was, nonetheless, welcomed!
Our 35th high school class reunion starts tomorrow and goes through the weekend…and look what I found in the back of my closet! Continue reading “This weekend is it!”
So it is that I got through the remainder of the pictures taken on the Canadian fishing trip last weekend. This was a really fun trip y’all. It is a time when all 3 sons got to spend some quality time together. Mostly, the three of us got to share the trip (and time) with Dad.
At this stage in each of our lives, we find ourselves pulling back together as a family. Our bonds seem to become stronger each time we are together. The joys, concerns, troubles, enjoyments, ribbings, teasings, adventures, journeys, trials, tribulations, risks, and sorrows we seem to share with each other more. What better people to share those with, than with family?
Something special was afforded me on our Canadian fishing trip this time. Not only did the four of us (dad and sons/brothers) get to spend time together, as a photographer I got to snap over 1500 photos in 5 days.
But perhaps the best part of it was when long-time guide Brian (Parker) at Halley’s Camps/Kettle Falls came up to me at the end of Fishing Day 3 with a proposition. It was one I could not refuse….
21 