Day 54 of 365, Beauty & Strength

Day 54 of 365, Today's Photo Challenge was 'Something Icky'.  I will talk more about that topic later in the post.  I want to put that off a bit because something beautiful is just simply,...more appealing.  The first picture posted is of a Japanese Magnolia.  When I saw this tree today, it was beautifully and gloriously loaded with big white flowers.  I was attracted to it and I have lots of photos in my file to prove it.  The image that you see has been edited till the cows come home.  The original capture was very pretty, as shot, but I kept fiddling with photoshop layers to add a touch of lagniappe.  I like how it turned out.  For the vintage camilia, I did the same thing...tweak, tweak, tweak, layer, layer, layer.  I wanted to soften the image so that it would have a hint of an aged effect.  I like flowers, so I would consider top two pictures to be pretty.  Now, for the not so pretty...check out my elephant and my old post pictures.   Those images are not particularly what one might call pretty.  When I was challenged to photograph something icky, I did not straight off think of elephant hide.  But, as I was reviewing my files, I decided to used this capture as my 'something icky'.  I captioned that image with the title, 'Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize...Poor Baby'.  Obviously, the poor elephant's skin looks pretty decrepit.  Then, check out the image of the brown post with the rope around it.  It has a certain character, perhaps...but, pretty?..nah. 

Now, I am not trying to put down elephants and old posts.  Stick with me, I do have to make a point.  Actually, I would like to make an analogy.   These two brown, weathered, rugged images have a characteric in common.  For me, one word comes to mind immediately.  That word is strength.  Do you know someone who might have weathered skin from age or a lifetime of hard work?  You might think of them like the elephant because they are loyal, steady, dependable & strong.  Or, perhaps your elephant is not so weather beaten by age or sun, but you consider them an elephant, none the less.  Strength does not always mean physical muscularity.  You might know an elephant with admirable strength of character.  When you see them, in your mind's eye, you see a force of will power, determination & fortifude.  This kind of person, man or woman, is said to have 'backbone'! Wishy washy, noodle spine?  No, no!...not the elephant. When an elephant sets his/her mind, you might just as well take it the bank.  Yes sir, I have several people who are elephants in my life and I am deeply grateful.  If I need help, they are the first ones to 'be there'. 

As for the rugged post which is rooted deep and solidly into the earth, I am reminded of a song from about a decade ago or longer.  A Contemporary Christian Group called 4 HIM sang a song titled 'For Future Generations'.  Here are a few lines of the chorus which talks about standing strong (rooted deep and solid) for what you believe in.  ...

So I won’t bend and I won’t break

I won’t water down my faith

I won’t compromise in a world of desperation

What has been I cannot change

But for tomorrow and today

I must be a light for future generations

Lookin’ in the eyes of the children

Knowing that tomorrow is at stake

When the choice is up to them

Will they have the strength to say

We won’t bend and we won’t break

we won’t water down our faith

We won’t compromise in a world of desperation

What has been we cannot change

But for tomorrow and today

We must be a light for future generations

I have never thought that I wanted to be an elephant.  Actually, who has ever wanted to be called an elephant?  "Not I", said the little red hen.  But, the more I think about it, I would do well to aspire to be an elephant in today's world of turmoil.  The world needs more people who are steady, loyal, strong and dependable.  So, how about it?  Of the four images, how many depict beauty?  Perhaps, in a certain way...I might say, "All four".  What do you reckon? 

Live After Five - (Concerts in BR)

Hey y'all!  I gotta tell ya something. Live after Five is coming soon!  I really, really do not want to miss any of the concerts.  They all look great.  If you are in the BR area and interested, see dates and concert scheduling info here http://www.liveafterfiveonline.com/. 


Friday Nights,....After Five,... Live,... Hope to see ya there!

Day 53 of 365, Happiness for me!

Day 53 of 365, Today's Photo Challenge Subject:  Something that makes you Happy.

Here is a very general and quick list for me.  I journal each morning and one of the things that I make sure to remember are the things that make me happy.  Writing is very theraputic.  I write about everything such as family, health, finances, future, travel, praises, reflections, memories, goals, dreams, plans, schedules, complaints, hurts, wants, wishes... the list can go on until tomorrow so I will stop there.  I recommend writing your thoughts.  Yes, it is very theraputic.  It clears your mind and focuses your attention in a specific direction.  Everyone has something to say.  Some are just more vocal than others.  But, everyone has something to say.  If no one else will listen, your journal will.

p.s.  I wish I would have centered that text better, I wish I would have lined up the brackets.  Above all, I wish I would have spell Friendships, and not left out the D!  But, someone once made a very profound statement.  They even published a book about it titled 'Don't Sweat the Small Stuff'!  To that end, with exuberance I will proclaim, "Amen & amen!".

Now, I am off on today's adventure.  Please do me a favor...be well, be blessed  & tell your loved ones how much they mean to you.  To my loved ones, I looooove you with squeezes, hugs and sloppy wet kisses on the cheek!  There you go, get excited.

This is day one of a new Photography Group that I joined.  It is called Powerful Pink Tuesday.  So, I photographed a pink party favor that I found in the gift wrap and games closet.  I hope I can keep up with the Pink theme.  When the girls were young, I had an abundance of pink paraphalia to photograph.  Not only did I join Pink Tuesday, I joined Bokeh Wednesday, Gorgeous Green Thursday & Fence Friday.  I also joined Bench Monday, but I forgot to take a picture a bench yesterday.  So, I missed participation in the Bench Monday for this week.  uh-oh!  I'll catch up next Monday, hopefully. 

Day 52 of 365, Fluffydoos!

Day 52 of 365, Today's Daily Photo Challenge, Subject is Fluffy

I used another picture as submission for my photo challenge, but was reminded of this capture.  I took this picture of the little girl and her poodle at the Krewe of Mutts Mardi Gras Parade on Jan. 31, in Baton Rouge, LA. The Krewe of Mutts is a special event for the fancy pooches to parade and show off their owners...or, is it the other way around?!!! I hope to attend again next year, as it is a terrific, family friendly, fun parade.

The photo above was my favorite of the series.  Below, you will see the sequence in which the shots happened.  When she spotted me with my long lens, she could tell I wanted to take a picture of her pooch. O' there she went...!  She started trying to make her little doggy look at the camera.  Sweetly, she started calling her name to get it's attention.  Let's just call her 'Fluffy'.  Snapping her fingers, she said, 'Fluffy, look, look!'  She wanted to make sure that I got a pretty picture of  her Fluffy.  Fluffy was a bit confused, so she hustled and grabbed Fluffy up to herself.  Proudly, she turned her around to face me.  Can't you just see the love she has for pet?  I love how she loves her Fluffy.  Obviously, she wanted me to love her pet too.  Isn't that what we do with our family, especially our very own children or grandchildren?  We want others to appreciate their specialness, just like Fluffy!

'I Wasn't Ready!' Bloopers & Hillarious Outakes

"Uhhhh...What is buzzing over there?""It's ON ME!" 

"oooooh, She wuuuuuuuuuvs me."

NO WORDS NECESSARY...!

LOL!!!

I had a great time on this engagement photo shoot with this couple.  We got some beauties but I also got some doozies!  I think I got snap happy.  When I was going through the images, these hillarious outakes cracked me up.  I sent them to the then bride-to-be in a 'Bloopers' slideshow.  Thankfully, she laughed and loved them so much, she wanted me to send the slideshow to all her friends! 

For me, that fourth one 'Takes The Cake!'

Posted to participate in Fun Challenge.  To see more hillarious outakes, go to http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/

Day 51 of 365, Patiently waiting for Spring

Day 51 of 365, Look at my little froggy birdbath waiting soooo patiently for spring.  Almost, little froggy, almost!

Terry and I were gone yesterday, from 'can to can't'.  We are staying home today and completely veggin' around.  While Terry is effectively working the TV remote clicker, I decided to roam around the backyard to see if I could find inspiration for my blog post. 

Anticipating Spring!  The BEST time of the year! 

Goodie, goodie, lookie, lookie...my tree has leaf buds now!  And, then up pops one of those little clover flowers.  What is next?  Grass cutting season.  Getting the lawn summer ready is always fun because everyone is excited about coming out of the doldrums of winter.

Day 50 of 365, 'Crossing Over'

Day 50 of 365, In an earlier post, I introduced Jeanita.  A couple days ago, mom and I met with her for lunch.  (see day 48)  Well, today was a memorial service for her husband Claude.  It was held in their home church, a beautiful old Methodist Church.  I had never been there until today.  Terry and I actually arrived just before the start of the service.  As we walked in, we were greeted by the minister in her white robe.   All of the guests in attendance were quietly seated.  The choir was in place and ready to begin.  The above picture was taken as they sang a very beautiful traditional hymn.  The service was not sad because it was a celebration of a life well lived.   My heart was so full as they were talking about Claude and the way that he lived to serve other people.  Throughout his life, he ALWAYS made the people around him feel loved and special.  He gave of his time and devotion to kids, especially, all his life.  Because he was a football FANatic, he organized and coached little league football.  There were stories told about remembrances of Coach Claude.  If he knew a child wanted to play, but their family could not afford the expenses, he found a way to raise the funds.   It was even mentioned in his eulogy that when he arrived at the emergency room, he was greeted by one of his former players who said, "Coach Claude...!"  Yes, he had a big heart and was loved by all who knew him.  He is survived by his wife Jeanita and son, Ryan & daughter-in-law, Misty.  He adored Ryan, his only son.  I remember that Claude and Jeanita were ever so so proud of their son's baseball accomplishments.  Ryan was a pitcher for his varsity baseball team and went on to play at the college level.  As a lifelong sports fan, you can just imagine how happy Claude was to follow his son through his baseball career & glory days!  Yes, today was a celebration of a life well lived and remembered.

We went back to Jeanita's parents home after the service.  Here is Jeanita in black and white greeting two long time former work colleagues as they arrived.  All three ladies, including Jeanita, were my former work co-workers as well.  In 1985, Jeanita spoke for me to her bosses.  Of course, I was In Like Flint!  Jeanita had considerable influence within the company.  She was one of  the beloved 'Lillies'!  ('Lillies' was a pet name given to the original group of ladies who worked for the founder of the company.)  I worked there for 6 years, then decided to become a stay-at-home mom after my second baby was born.  I love all three of these ladies and I had such a nice time reuniting and reminiscing with them.  As we were leaving, Terry asked me, "Do you know who those ladies remind me of?" 

Terry has always thought this...He thinks that Margie looks like Jamie Lee Curtis, Kay reminds him of Kathy Bates and Jeanita reminds him of Bette Midler.  In my opinion, he is right on the button, not only in appearance but personna as well.  Margie uses proper grammar in her speech & her dialect reminds him of  Jamie Lee Curtis.   Plus, her cute haircut makes us both think JLC, as well.  Kay is honest and straight to the point like the wonderful actress Kathy Bates.  And, Jeanita has the bold laugh, smile and personality of "the divine M", Miss Bette Midler.  Jeanita is going to be A-OK! 

'CROSSING OVER'

When we left the fellowship, we headed to Lavonia to meet with Terry's work cohorts and their wives for dinner at Not Your Mama's Cafe & Tavern.  Food & atmosphere is super great there.  We were able to talk, laugh & comfortably visit for about two hours in this wonderful restaurant.  Those men are so funny and I loved visiting with their wives too.  There is always a funny story to be told when we get together.  We are in the first stage of perhaps putting together a group trip to Talledega in October!  Oh yeah, I am up for it & ready to roll! 

TBD..., (but I think it is going to happen). I have never gone to a Nascar Race.  So, I'm super excited!

Yippee -Yi -Yay - Coyote!!!

For today's image above, I think I will call it, 'Crossing Over'.  

I captured that image as we crossed over the Old Mississippi River Bridge.

I thought of The Bridge that Crosses the Great Divide!

Sunset on the 'Mighty Mississipp'