Peering Thru The Rails

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Michael Doran

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Do you ever catch yourself peering out of a window (or in this case through wood railings) simply taking-in the scenery laid before you? That is what Carson does quite often, although I believe his real intent is on locating a resident squirrel or two…or three. We have more squirrels per square foot than prey to hunt them. They breed like rabbits, and create a nuisance. However, I do thoroughly enjoy watching the little ones play as they run, jump, twirl around tree trunks and fly from branch to branch.

Carson, our West Highland Terrier, is getting older. Just like me. He still alights from the deck like a crazy canine, but he is slowing a bit. This begs mentioning the blown knees he has endured-of which one had total reconstructive surgery. He is now a Platinum dog, if you catch my meaning. I, too, have had my share of setbacks which is not unusual for humans getting older.

For the young who may read this post, I was once young and agile, and oh…so daring. I won’t even talk about the stupid, but bravado acts I used to do when I was more virile. However, the spark is not gone: not by any means. It has flickered, though, for the past few years. Too many deaths, poor health issues, and negative job situations eventually take their toll. Besides, age coupled with experience changes us all. If young, you will found out. If older, you know what I am talking about.

Some people learn and grow, in spite of their personal issues, while some never seem to learn. These type of folk frustrate me the most…those who keep on doing stupid stuff that should have been mothballed twenty years ago or more. I can do nothing more than hope and pray that something (like a rock falling on their head) awakens them!

Today, we end the month on my beloved wife’s birthday. No man should ever be so lucky as I am. Not only did I wed the princess of my dreams, but have managed to hang onto to her for, oh, so long. I don’t deserve such a blessing. Should you ever find yourself wondering if endearing yourself to a mate for the duration of your life is worth it…just ask me and I will talk all night as to why it is so.

Falling for Color

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Michael Doran

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Autumn in the Midwest may not be as awe-inspiring as the hardwoods of New England or the Aspens of Colorado, but she has her moments here. Rather than grand vistas of hills covered with trees bursting with color, our foliage is a bit more subdued, but beautiful, nevertheless. Case in point is this simple Bradford Pear tree. The leaves are not complex, yet they produce complex colors, unlike the stately maples which positively reek with the same vibrant color all at once. And, the maple leaf is a legend-the symbol of our neighbor to the north.

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Same tree, but different colored leaves. Like a Dr. Suess book, this pear tree has red leaves and green ones, yellow leaves and red ones, orange and speckled, too! One tree, but with a variety of colored splendor. Don’t you wish the world had a bit more color and less grays? I do.

A Time for Everything

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Michael Doran

The folk-rock group of the mid 1960s to the early 70s, the Byrds, came out with a stream of hit tunes. Probably, the most famous being, Turn, Turn, Turn from 1967. This song was a reflection of the times when protests over the Vietnam War were rampant across our country. The melody and vocals of this hit song are unforgettable once you start to hum it, and the words cemented this song in rock & roll history.

Taken from a book of the Bible, Ecclesiastes (Greek for Preacher or Teacher), the words and wisdom of King Solomon force us to examine time and events, and their effect upon man. Although not written verbatim, but pretty close, the only major change comes in the last stanza where the lyricist replaces, “…a time for war, and a time for peace…” with ” a time for peace, I swear it’s not too late”.

The verse which best fits this time of year, the changing of seasons from Summer to Fall, is actually found in all of the verses because the dynamic revealed in each stanza is occurring somewhere in the world at this very moment. The cast iron planter above reflects several of the symbols found in the words of this section of scripture and song. Autumn can be so beautiful and the earth so generous. Thanks be to God !

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Won’t Go Down Without a Fight

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Michael Doran

The expression, “He (she, I) won’t go down without a fight”, refers to someone who refuses to quit under duress. The term can be applied in many ways to fight: by physical defense or assault, by using one’s wits, by the intellect (sound reasoning), through the legal system, by political posturing and use of power or by sheer willpower.

Most often we tend to admire the one who fights for what he believes to be right and true, and even on occasion we may respect someone’s tenacity even if we disagree with him. Do you ever think about yourself in this way? Have you had reason to stand your ground and fight lately? Ever? Regardless of the outcome, how did this stand make you feel: good about yourself or poorly? If you won, did you gloat or humbly move on? If you lost did you crawl under a rug or stand tall again?

At some point, and often at many junctures in life, we will have to choose to fight, run away or surrender. If the issue is just and you are called on to take a stand and fight for what is right, I hope you fight. That statement reminds me of Lee Ann Womack’s lyrics where she sings, “And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance”. I have reacted to fights in all three ways. Of course, I prefer to recall the fight the just cause and win scenarios best. However, I have learned from my failures…maybe even more so then the victories.

These Black-eyed Susans are fighting to bloom until the first frost stifles them. Sure, some have surrendered to the fading sun and cooler temps, but several are still hanging on. They want to share their essence for as long as they possibly can. That is how I want to live the rest of my life. You, too?

P U S H & P U L L

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Michael Doran

It is difficult to believe how quickly two years have gone by since Elliot was born…October 16th. With each passing week he increases his vocabulary, his skills, his appetite, and his independence!

Now that he has a baby sister, Elliot will go through the tough days of letting go of things which he thinks are strictly his. I think little Audrie will have a wonderful big brother, once he shares his grandparents with her. Haha!!

Matt, Ramie, Elliot & Audrie, September 17, two days after Audrie’s birth.

Priceless!

Night Moves or Locomotive Breath

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Michael Doran

Both titles are from songs. The first by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band and the second by Jethro Tull. However, this post isn’t about songs, but night trains and a special photographer by the name of O. Winston Link. The titles simply fit the subject rather well, and the songs were fun to listen to back in the 1970s.

This a lengthy post due to the explanations and sampling of Winston’s photographs. I have never shot glossy photos and shared them on the web so I tried various methods to keep off glare and shadows, and at the same time reveal as closely as possible the accuracy of the chosen photos. I sincerely hope I have done Mr. Link a justice by sharing his unique photography techniques and expertise. I recently came across Link’s book, Steam, Steel & Stars (published in 1987) at a garage sale! The excellent descriptive text is by Tim Hensley. It is a treasure.

If you like trains, especially steam-driven trains and anything related to railroads then this book is sure to please. Link was a successful commercial photographer in New York and loved steam-driven trains so much that he created a five-year project of shooting the Norfolk & Western Railroad in various settings-all at night in the late 50s and early 60s. During the 1950s and 60s, the N&W was the last remaining Class 1 railroad in the United States to utilize all steam-powered locomotives. Diesel-powered units were already becoming standard on most lines. Winston’s photographs not only capture the steam engines in many unique and well thought-out locations, but also give us a time freeze of Americana during this period. The book contains 90 duo-tone images. I have narrowed my selection to 9 plus a bonus shot.

Winston Link would go to great extremes to capture his scenes which remind me of moving Norman Rockwell paintings. He would spend weeks scouting out the exact location for his camera and series of flash spot lights-all the while maintaining his regular career. He traveled extensively throughout the N&W’s area of operation; parts of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Maryland. Below is the bonus shot which shows some of the challenges and means to capture these bellowing behemoths. His spot lights fired in unison were a unique invention and the master control was never out of his sight. Some shots required thousands of feet of cables running across streets, rivers, and on buildings. Passion would be a word to describe O. Winston Link’s love affair with steam-powered trains. He composed great images which not only show cased his beloved trains, but tell a story about rural life in America fifty-plus years ago. Winston can be seen on the left of the spot light photo, next to an assistant. After hours of setting up, there would often be hours of waiting for a train to rumble by. Link’s work has been exhibited in prominent art museums in America, England, France and in many private exhibits. In my humble opinion, O. Winston Link was a true artist, and a clever one at that. Interestingly, his book was printed in Italy. Thanks for taking the time to view this post. I hope you enjoyed it and will look further into Link’s photography.

Dawn’s Light

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Michael Doran

As the early morning light filtered through the leaves of our red maple tree and illuminated the wall, Carson was wakened from his slumber to greet the morning.

Now for a bit of breakfast followed by squirrel chasing, much sniffing around the trees, and a walk around the perimeter fence to look for intruders, it is time for another nap.

Wouldn’t it be fun to be Carson for a day!

Hope

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Michael Doran

Jim Fransen was a good man. No, let me correct myself. Jim was a great man. Here is why I believe this to be true.

When you saw Jim, you saw sunshine. When you spoke with Jim, you felt like he cared. When you spent time with Jim, you never felt a hint of arrogance or selfishness. Quite the opposite, he was a true servant-always eager to help out when needed. Jim worked hard and played hard, yet he maintained a balanced life. He loved His Lord, his family and his many friends.

However, Jim had one glaring blind spot by the name of Patty. Like a pair of comfortable shoes, Jim and Patty walked through each day as if they just started dating. No pretense or nonsense. They were simply two people very much in love.

Unfortunately, Jim is gone. He died of a heart attack just a few days ago. He had played basketball that day, the same as he did every weekend for many years. Patty lost her best friend in an instant. The clock stopped, and time stood still. No more Jim. No more Jim and Patty…at least not in this life.

There are countless memories and photographs to scroll through for years to come. But there is one thing more. There is Hope…the kind of Hope that keeps people struggling to stay alive when all seems lost-and they do. The kind of Hope which says, “I will be with you again, my darling”. And they will.

Most are familiar with the Apostle Paul’s most poignant verses in any of his epistles…the Love song of 1 Corinthians 13. This is where Paul talks about all of the meaningless things we can do, but true living comes down to three things: faith, hope and love. He concludes by stating that the greatest of these is love. And, I agree whole heartedly. Yet, during this time of loss and disbelief, Hope is what will bring Patty and others through the darkness of lonely nights and bitter tears.

For Jim and Patty loved one another without reservation. Jim, like Patty, had a faith in the Creator who offered him a gift called salvation…and Jim took it. He believed it and he lived out the exhortation to become more and more like the God who gave him such a gift of grace.

So, Hope is what is needed most during this hour and the season to follow. Hope in the reality of the resurrection. Hope that she and Jim will be joined together again in heaven. Hope that she will not be forgotten nor forsaken. Hope, that love wins the day-and it will. A reunion is on the horizon for those whose Hope is based upon the promises of Christ; that there is more to life than what we currently experience. I am Hopeful. I Hope you are, too.

Field of Yellow Dreams

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Michael Doran

We visited this sunflower field yesterday, along with some good friends. It is located approximately 15 miles west of the western edge of Kansas City, near Tonganoxie. The owner / farmer planted a million seeds this year! Ted Grinter and his wife have been growing sunflowers for 30 years and invite the public to view them for free.

To give you an idea of the sunflower’s size, look closely and several people are visible walking in the field of flowers. The average height to top of flower is close to 6 ft.. The subtle change in color (between each field image) reveals the change in natural light. When we arrived just before dawn, it was cloudy and had just rained. Nevertheless, as each minute passed the sky became brighter. We were hoping to catch the sun’s morning rays filter over and into this field, but even though that didn’t occur, the result is still pretty spectacular. What a sight!

Triplets ! The average diameter of these sunflowers is 8 to 10 inches (petal tip to petal tip). The round center averages 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Some leaves are larger than the flowers, and the stalks are 3/4 to 1 inch thick at their base.

For each sunflower cut and taken, the farmer asks for a dollar which is deposited in a container at the field (honor system). Ted reinvests this money in the following year’s crop…or becomes a millionaire if all are taken!

While the face of the flower radiates a sense of joy, the back is more like a piece of poetry as the green petals mimic the yellow. The flowers peaked last week and their beauty will begin to diminish as they slowly discolor and dry up. We, and many hundreds of lucky folk, were blessed to witness such an amazing sight-this field of flowers.

Morning Walk

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Michael Doran

Took a walk with the pup this morning and this is what we saw. Well, maybe only I saw this panorama as Carson’s eyes are usually focused where his nose is headed to…tree trunks, sign posts, bushes, unexplainable things which shouldn’t be sniffed, etc. As Carson looks ahead or down most of the time, I tend to look up a lot. Moments like this are worth the extra muscle effort it takes to tilt the head back with eyes wide open! Here’s hoping you have a terrific day filled with reflection of all that is good.

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