Tag Archives: sunshine

Time to Wake Up

Posted on by

IMG_1955 (4).JPG

Wake up ! Not just to sunrises, but to the injustices and corruption taking place in DC and other governments. To the violence and poverty in Chile, Haiti, Brazil and beyond. To the ravages of war all across the globe. The abuse of the elderly, the weak and the little ones. Global warming (regardless of the causes). The loss of human rights in many countries and cities. Greed which knows no boundaries. Poverty.

Also, wake up to the many wonderful people and acts of kindness and generosity taking place throughout the world. People ignoring old prejudices and bringing about harmony. Pulling someone out from the gutter. Speaking up for shared and well-grounded values. Loving one another regardless of differences. Honoring God. Putting others before self.

We must be aware of what is going on around us and become agents for change. We can all make a positive difference. Watch another sunshine and wake up to another day full of opportunities. Certainly challenges await, but as Winston Churchill stated, “Never, ever give up”. Defeat is not inevitable. Victories in so many areas will and are being won.

Bless as you have been blessed. I certainly have been. I seek forgiveness for not doing more, but I still have more life to live to make amends. Pressing on.

A Walk Around a Lake

Posted on by

Saturday, we had a break from the extreme hot weather which has blanketed the Midwest for quite some time. So, after performing some yard work, I hopped on my scooter to a nearby small lake which has a walking trail full circle of the lake. It was midday and sunny so I didn’t think I would see anything worth taking a photograph of. However, I grabbed my Canon with little expectation other than to enjoy the scenery.

IMG_9023

Cattails are always a pleasant plant to come across, especially before they cotton out. The contrasting browns and greens are enjoyable to observe.

IMG_9020

Much to our mutual surprise, this kit and I saw each other at the same moment. I was fortunate to have my camera ready and took this shot before this little beaver submerged into a wetland area. Beavers are amazing builders and fun to watch.

IMG_9029

In spite of the midday sunshine, this lone drake was happily bobbing atop the water. Ducks are also fun to watch as they often turn upside down looking for food with only their tail feathers showing!

IMG_9010

Toss in a patch or two of yellow flowers and I concluded a well-enjoyed walk around the lake with expectations exceeded.

 

 

 

 

Destination Unknown

Posted on by

6-8-15 003This image comes to you as the result of nature’s generosity…this morning’s sunrise. We have had an abundance of rain this Spring and very little sunshine so this sunrise was a pleasant sight.

Tomorrow, I leave for a vacation with my wife. I don’t know where we are heading! This trip is her gift to me for my birthday. Cheryl decided to make this trip a surprise and has planned all of the itinerary and made all of the reservations without me discovering anything which would give away our destination. I am pretty confident we are not heading to Greenland or Antarctica because I don’t have to take a winter coat. I don’t think we are heading to the Mohave Desert or the Great Rift in Tanzania because I am not taking short pants or swimming trunks.

Funny, but I have anticipated this trip as much, if not more, than most due to the element of surprise that it presents me. Usually, we tag-team on making all of the plans for our trips, but I have purposely not wanted to know even though several friends and family members could barely contain their knowledge concerning this trip. I found this aspect funny. I will learn of our destination(s) tomorrow when we receive our airline tickets…perhaps I won’t know exactly where we are visiting until we actually land and get the rental car (burro or lama)! Either way, I am excited and grateful for this gift. And, I am blessed to be traveling somewhere with my best friend. Heck, I don’t care if we simply go to another state next to Kansas, as long as we are together. Well, maybe I would be a little disappointed.

Hopefully, upon our return, I will have learned where we went. If not, then I probably should have stayed there. Ha! In the meantime, enjoy the sunshine, appreciate the rain, and be thankful in all things. I am grateful for Carson who will be holding down the fort while we are gone.

Point of View

Posted on by

7-30-14 010I’m curious as to what captures your attention when you first view this photograph. I know what I see, and it isn’t all that clear. However, I still like the variety of colors and shapes found in these flowers, regardless of their clarity (something in extreme focus). My point of view from a photographer’s perspective is affected by light, angles, distance, movement, camera settings, and much more. As applied to me personally, my point of view is affected by my state of mind, stress level, amount of sleep, pain level, happiness level, relationships, events, trials, schedules, etc.  Below are two more examples of the same perspective dynamic, with each image taken from the same location and within a few seconds of each another. The difference is in the focus aspect of my camera (depth of field). This was purposely done to emphasize what I wanted to be in focus: Carson or the flowers. I could have chosen to make everything in these images clear, but that would not help me in making a rather simple point. And, my point is…………………………………. 7-3-14 018How we view life and respond to it can be boiled down to what we focus on. The clearer our perspective (point of view) usually results in an objective response while the opposite generally holds true. Namely, out-of-focus perspectives result in very subjective and often overstated or inaccurate responses, and often create problems.7-3-14 017I was reminded of this dynamic when I listened to a wonderful song by Johnny Nash from 1972. The lyrics go like this: I can see clearly now, the rain has gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds which had me blind. It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sunshiny day. I encourage you to listen to this song as it will put a smile on your face. May all your days be filled with lots of sunshine and your perspective clear.

Nature’s Jubilee !

Posted on by

???????????????????????????????
Frozen tundra awakens from her slumber
Spring bursts forth like a volcano

Life erupts from seeming stillness
Darkness to light; drab to refulgent

Winter’s browns transform into a kaleidoscope of colors
Wild and free, fragrances flow across the sky

Grass greens, trees bud and flowers sprout
Rains come, sun shines and birds nest

Sowers sow, bees pollinate and the earth responds
Grains top the stems of reeds and seeds appear

The earth rejoices, and God smiles
Nature’s jubilee is on full display