tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74235452024-02-29T01:25:25.163-06:00Just Some Thoughtsabout life and the things I love... my church, my family, my music, <br>Paint Shop Pro (the poor man's Photoshop), reading and writing to name a few.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.comBlogger344125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-46792250473072058042017-11-01T13:44:00.000-05:002017-11-01T14:06:29.757-05:00<div data-contents="true">
<div data-contents="true">
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e1f50" data-offset-key="5cba4-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5cba4-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="5cba4-0-0"><span data-text="true">Grief has been a part of my life since I was a very small child. I lost my father at a very early age, I never knew my mother's parents, barely knew my paternal grandfather before he passed away and so many others. There is also the grief and pain that comes not only from physical death or dying but of the hurts and heartaches of everyday life. I doubt that I am unique, I'm sure I've lost less than many people, including my mother who was orphaned by age 7. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e1f50" data-offset-key="aciht-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="aciht-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="aciht-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e1f50" data-offset-key="adj0t-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="adj0t-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="adj0t-0-0"><span data-text="true">For many years I thought I had to be sad forever over sad occurrences in my life. I bore loss deeply and tended to stay lost in it, as if that would change anything, as if any of those who were missing from my life would have wanted me to do so. I was just an old soul who felt things very deeply. Now that I'm old, my soul is more child-like and I find joy in nearly everything in my life, even in sorrow. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e1f50" data-offset-key="ecrp8-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ecrp8-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="ecrp8-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e1f50" data-offset-key="9po5d-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9po5d-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="9po5d-0-0"><span data-text="true">I know now that I can remember the good and still honor the memory of all that's been lost. I can feel pain until it isn't there anymore and replace it with gladness that whatever is missing was there for me at all. I am grateful that the world has been so patient with me. I am grateful for so many things, so many experiences, so many people that have filled my life to this point. It is with that viewpoint that I find great appreciation for the following words: </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e1f50" data-offset-key="23aqg-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="23aqg-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="23aqg-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e1f50" data-offset-key="at02k-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="at02k-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="at02k-0-0"><span data-text="true">“What's lost is nothing to what's found, and all the death that ever was, set next to life, would scarcely fill a cup.”― Frederick Buechner </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-80088862158570268122017-10-29T19:19:00.001-05:002017-10-29T19:19:46.025-05:00<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" style="background: #eeeeee; color: black;">
<tr> <td bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <div align="center">
Enneagram Test Results <table bgcolor="#dddddd" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="4" style="background: #dddddd; color: black;">
<tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/enneagram/type1.html">Type 1 </a></td> <td>Orderliness</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">70%</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/enneagram/type2.html">Type 2</a></td> <td> Helpfulness</td> <td width="50">||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">66%</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <a href="http://similarminds.com/enneagram/type3.html">Type 3</a></td> <td> Image Focus</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 46%</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/enneagram/type4.html">Type 4</a></td> <td>Individualism</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 42%</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <a href="http://similarminds.com/enneagram/type5.html">Type 5</a></td> <td> Intellectualism</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 62%</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/enneagram/type6.html">Type 6</a></td> <td>Security Focus</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 66%</td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <a href="http://similarminds.com/enneagram/type7.html">Type 7</a></td> <td> Adventurousness</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 38%</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/enneagram/type8.html"> Type 8</a></td> <td>Aggressiveness</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 50%</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><a href="http://similarminds.com/enneagram/type9.html"> Type 9</a></td> <td>Calmness</td> <td width="50">||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 58%</td> </tr>
</table>
Your main type is <b> 1</b> <br /> Your variant is <b> social</b> </div>
</td> </tr>
</table>
<a href="http://similarminds.com/test.html">Take Free Enneagram Personality Test</a><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://similarminds.com/personality_tests.html">Personality Test</a> by <a href="http://similarminds.com/">SimilarMinds.com</a></span> </div>
<br />Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-10469782567445134302017-08-18T16:00:00.002-05:002017-08-18T16:00:17.522-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8t1LmVhYR1jM0ocBVlWqU-bBNfvIIYN3quT1O_rcu9L4l_Qg0mZnrxxWXDFjqRF02F20imPJRj5cas0G4d1_MDewAY_tUDiT_VS50ZM1F8Aq73hVQf8mzGYh0bRQQJfo0zcW/s1600/jfk_civil_rights_address_1963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="760" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8t1LmVhYR1jM0ocBVlWqU-bBNfvIIYN3quT1O_rcu9L4l_Qg0mZnrxxWXDFjqRF02F20imPJRj5cas0G4d1_MDewAY_tUDiT_VS50ZM1F8Aq73hVQf8mzGYh0bRQQJfo0zcW/s320/jfk_civil_rights_address_1963.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkcivilrights.htm">JFK Civil Rights Address 1963</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><br />Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-69062960830070538202014-02-09T17:55:00.002-06:002014-02-09T17:55:40.277-06:00Borrow Lenses Camera GiveawayClick on the link below for a chance to win a Sony a7R (body only), Nikon Df (body only), or a
Canon 6D (with a Canon 24-105mm f/4.0L IS USM AF Lens). Get 10 friends
to sign up and you'll be entered to win one of many bonus prizes available as well.<br />
<br />
This link gives me credit for sending you and the possibility of winning one of the bonus prizes.<br />
<br />
Good luck!<br />
<br />
<a class="RLink" href="http://bit.ly/1bLeH0D">http://bit.ly/1bLeH0D</a>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-57032531836277080532013-12-17T14:56:00.001-06:002013-12-17T15:05:00.359-06:00Hazy Skies Giveaway<a href="http://is.gd/smyj71">Hazy Skies Giveaway</a><br />
<br />
Camera lens giveaway and a $200 shopping spreeMarshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-3612697627015962332013-10-26T19:52:00.001-05:002013-10-27T03:20:16.104-05:00What Do You See?There's a lot going on in my life right now. I'm in Indiana again, visiting the home where I grew up, wanting to be here in October one more time while the colors are so flashy and the air cool and crisp. Sweater weather!<br />
<br />
Of course things never go the way we plan. The colors really haven't started changing yet, at least not to the extent that I wanted to see and experience. When I got here, the yards were still green and people still mowing in late October. Maybe it's global warming slowing down the seasons, delaying the inevitable cold which finally came the other morning along with a nice snowfall... an inch of the pure white stuff but it didn't last long and was gone by mid-day.<br />
<br />
Then Mom had a spell with her heart later the same day. We ended up calling an ambulance to take her to the hospital where she spent the night and most of the next day making sure she wasn't having a heart attack or anything severe. Her blood work and EKGs were normal throughout her stay, indicating she was just suffering from angina, probably caused from stress or trying to do too much. Heart pain!<br />
<br />
I think most of us know heart pain, I know I do, but not the physical kind Granny was having that day. My heart has hurt for emotional reasons, like missing my granddaughter Anna and others I've loved who have passed away or are gone from my life for different reasons. Most people suffer that kind of heart pain in their lives and I'm sure Granny has too. I know she has. I saw it etched on her face as she lay in the hospital bed, sleeping.<br />
<br />
As I looked at those lines on her face, I knew that some might say she's just old and wrinkled, but that's not what I saw. I saw lines that told me how much she suffered when she lost her mother as a little girl, then her father just a year after that. I saw lines that show the worry and care she must have felt as she carried her own children and gave birth, praying she would be there to raise them and see them into adulthood, unlike her parents. I saw lines from the deep pain and grief she had to feel as she watched her young husband, the father of her first three small children as he slowly died of cancer, fearing that they were nearing her fate of being orphaned at an early age. There were more lines from the hurt and worry she felt as she watched her fourth child, her second daughter go through the agony of losing her first two children, twin daughters as a result of a complicated pregnancy and premature birth. Some of those lines came from concern and worry and grief over Anna and the hurt she felt for Anna's mother Jamie, my daughter and her granddaughter as she said a final goodbye to that sweet and irreplaceable 16 year old child. Certainly some of those lines came from caring for her second husband, who depended on her later in life as he dealt with Alzheimer's and other health issues. There are lines that surely came from the pain of losing each of her siblings that grew to adulthood with her, as they passed away one by one until she was left alone, the last remaining member of her generation. There are lines for each of her friends that she's lost along the way, either to death or distance caused by old age. There are lines that must come from pain that neither I, nor others know anything about, pain she's kept to herself, hurts and difficulties in her life known only to her. Some of those lines come from being strong through difficult times and being strong for others... doing the best she could, always working hard, always providing, always too proud to ask for help or assistance.<br />
<br />
No, I didn't see old age or just wrinkles when I looked at her face that day in the hospital. I saw love, I saw experience, I saw the woman who shaped my life. I only wish everyone could see what I saw.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-42613642329565999872013-08-10T12:38:00.006-05:002013-10-27T03:20:48.690-05:00Soon to be 90 - Aged To Perfection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
My
family held a birthday party for my mother last weekend to celebrate
her upcoming 90th birthday. We came from near and far, mostly far as
only Mom and one of my brothers, his wife and son still live in the area
where we grew up. There are still cousins there but the majority of
mom's direct descendants came from Florida, Louisiana, Texas, the
Carolinas and Missouri to honor her on this special occasion.<br />
<br />
We held the party at my brothers home and had over 100 people join us for hamburgers, hot dogs, just plain fun as the kids climbed trees, rock piles, took pictures, hiked around the farm and pond area and even the adults enjoyed the games that were set up. We took many pictures, including shots of each of the four descending family lines. We had all four of her children, all but one grandchild, all but four great grandchildren and all of her great-greats were there. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUg-UIXnYY-S3-Y_43JJbkGXKP4f_sTlRDT6GB3sK8Z1hlmwc4vE3zJK5_SwptNgL7wIFokj8eTTLRU7QBSrQaT3OVpTZXFaZKIxH2cgVOIKR8LSCkz5wQ76WQfSf1Hp-xw57/s1600/985e-small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUg-UIXnYY-S3-Y_43JJbkGXKP4f_sTlRDT6GB3sK8Z1hlmwc4vE3zJK5_SwptNgL7wIFokj8eTTLRU7QBSrQaT3OVpTZXFaZKIxH2cgVOIKR8LSCkz5wQ76WQfSf1Hp-xw57/s400/985e-small.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's mom looking out at us lined up along the lane to my brother's house, singing happy birthday to her as my younger sister drove her in.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRg8UKgNxpwZzkWGptDTwp283OCqyV-W1PMCrdgh37f-3474qY58oVto3Hgk9GzZL7ZK0YX8i9cF1OljChK_bqfaXSI7EApxBnpfL_M8OLc-c4clRRD9MY3j8Rm-ZPXtaaKhag/s1600/998e-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRg8UKgNxpwZzkWGptDTwp283OCqyV-W1PMCrdgh37f-3474qY58oVto3Hgk9GzZL7ZK0YX8i9cF1OljChK_bqfaXSI7EApxBnpfL_M8OLc-c4clRRD9MY3j8Rm-ZPXtaaKhag/s400/998e-small.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Many of the grandkids greeted her, some in tears, some in humor as she and granddaughter Missi, show their kindred spirit in the photo above! This photo was a favorite on Facebook!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4vlp_7-SGQAIQypAMkV_uGbMN5TAnleDgE-VLikHRKTz0mW2aF2xE4zKRk4fo8-jolU7odYZ458xNi3GETRj3D__hAY4IXxt-KGO35-xD5SSbMqrqKyUbynuNhqluJMSju75/s1600/1037e-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4vlp_7-SGQAIQypAMkV_uGbMN5TAnleDgE-VLikHRKTz0mW2aF2xE4zKRk4fo8-jolU7odYZ458xNi3GETRj3D__hAY4IXxt-KGO35-xD5SSbMqrqKyUbynuNhqluJMSju75/s400/1037e-small.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a picture of the photo quilt my sister made for mom for this occasion. It is massive and full of memories in the form of pictures from family and friends over the years.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmISfN8ETzV6bWa-IhCHPZIinNA_D9XpJqbvb-KTjtUwkpKibYDApKUPg-VN19n8ZUescX9YtKHPbxHxi2NQJoq70OuCVJZC_hBK8Nji9Kge7vj5AQqQSObqQ6_kuQiag4go6/s1600/1165e-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmISfN8ETzV6bWa-IhCHPZIinNA_D9XpJqbvb-KTjtUwkpKibYDApKUPg-VN19n8ZUescX9YtKHPbxHxi2NQJoq70OuCVJZC_hBK8Nji9Kge7vj5AQqQSObqQ6_kuQiag4go6/s400/1165e-small.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a picture of Mom with each of her four children. From left to right as you look at the photo are my sister Robin, mom seated, me on her left. Brothers Jim and Alan are in the back.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsmlWbpx_1Hs6r2xZXYo0ARTtN2v6bdN9uaZKDxhsAUVKrH3FwfyMTK1ON5Nsy6UU6p5JE2efjTTNsp_Na9vMYw1FH5wqZT4YkoX4G6vqUIg6A_vlkm2PMdaUwtlGoXWbNidt/s1600/1173e-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsmlWbpx_1Hs6r2xZXYo0ARTtN2v6bdN9uaZKDxhsAUVKrH3FwfyMTK1ON5Nsy6UU6p5JE2efjTTNsp_Na9vMYw1FH5wqZT4YkoX4G6vqUIg6A_vlkm2PMdaUwtlGoXWbNidt/s400/1173e-small.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a picture of her entire line of descendants, in-laws and a couple of future family members as two of her great-granddaughters are engaged to be married. I'm sorry we couldn't all be there but we were close, closer than I thought we would be in the beginning of the planning process. There are so many more pictures that I could post here, but these will do for now. </div>
<br />
So happy 90th Mom. Your family loves you!Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-81472462601502818192013-02-02T15:33:00.001-06:002013-02-02T15:37:30.257-06:00Six Word Saturday<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Super Bowl weekend; food, fun, football</div>
<br />Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-60869741522655510592013-01-26T14:07:00.001-06:002013-01-26T14:09:15.123-06:00Six Word Saturday<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
aging gracefully, not in my vocabulary</div>
Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-25302383720467520362012-09-21T12:10:00.002-05:002012-09-21T12:13:14.034-05:00Wild Olive Tees - Giveaway<a href="http://www.wildolivetees.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i51.tinypic.com/vwpsg3.png" border="0" alt="Wild Olive"></a> Be sure to head on over to Wild Olive Tees. They have a wonderful collection of t-shirts, hoodies, etc., in women and children's sizes and are hosting a giveway through midnight, Sunday, September 30th.<br />
<br />
You can find the details here: <a href="http://www.wildolivetees.com/pin-it-to-win-it/">Wild Olive Tees - Pin It To Win It</a><br />
<br />
Although this giveaway centers around Pinterest, you don't have to have a Pinterest account to enter, so head on over and take a chance!Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-4365114048108451222012-09-07T17:49:00.000-05:002012-09-10T07:38:07.204-05:00Friday PhotoI've really dropped the ball again with posting. I have taken a number of photos but not as many as I had planned on when I got the new camera. Life just keeps getting in the way. Anyway, just in case anyone happens by, here are a couple of new pictures I decided to use for Friday Photo. <br />
<br />
This picture is actually from last week. I took some photos of my granddaughter, Sarah Grace, before she left for school the morning after we celebrated her 16th birthday. I loved her shoes, specifically the color and took this shot of them. I did do a slight color boost but that's the only edit made.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQrEM4j85B-JJh7xjFTdA_6-nagM2oK__oslPM8Ffro-fr8c7WMLLahbv_lBsGSCPVAvIkjptZnPHjD1Hrf4ZdxILKtHy8taojROmhYxEx7MSGuqd-C3RPWhy2KjbW13f_KGg/s1600/IMG_0699_e2_sarahshoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQrEM4j85B-JJh7xjFTdA_6-nagM2oK__oslPM8Ffro-fr8c7WMLLahbv_lBsGSCPVAvIkjptZnPHjD1Hrf4ZdxILKtHy8taojROmhYxEx7MSGuqd-C3RPWhy2KjbW13f_KGg/s400/IMG_0699_e2_sarahshoes.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
And just so you can see how lovely Sarah is, here is one of the photos I took of her.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdLi2QOELJX0MBEou3KGoh9PT0HBsY48Ff3JhFTmWAlFEifit617vfRRcug6nPraZXS9WnQmI7KBYn4xdmcc5E5ORkY-QH586q0o-m4EUNSRSDcgNlPXCD7EMgBO-lqyWlh62/s1600/IMG_0696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdLi2QOELJX0MBEou3KGoh9PT0HBsY48Ff3JhFTmWAlFEifit617vfRRcug6nPraZXS9WnQmI7KBYn4xdmcc5E5ORkY-QH586q0o-m4EUNSRSDcgNlPXCD7EMgBO-lqyWlh62/s320/IMG_0696.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
<br />
This one is unedited.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-58803640367060222862012-07-20T16:30:00.000-05:002012-07-20T16:30:19.458-05:00Friday PhotoI am displaying another group of older photos this week, even though I did manage to take some pictures this week. I just haven't had the time to sort through them to see what I might use and honestly, most of them were taken in a dark restaurant at a luncheon I attended and the quality is probably not the greatest. Good memory photos but not great photography, poor lighting, people with eyes half open, blurred faces, you get the drift. I know a couple of them turned out okay but I'll leave them for another day.<br />
<br />
Here are some closeups of flowers I took in Tennessee back in May. You can tell that it was already hot and humid and that the flowers were beginning to suffer from the harsh summer weather. All of these were in a bed at a nursing home where mom and I visited with my cousin's wife who had a bad stroke a couple of years ago and will probably never leave the home. At least she is in a nice environment and well cared for.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jmY50DkVV_l3-Buc2gxW8S7uWzoL2QT_YaM4P3WLEM3hf-1USjJSVtLx5U3oAe1AnyE5GWA2Rv7kARuBvRVt0gDqZDBKT105_OdUdjCdffdJuufH5KztGgBigx2NH3AvikO3/s1600/IMG_0260e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jmY50DkVV_l3-Buc2gxW8S7uWzoL2QT_YaM4P3WLEM3hf-1USjJSVtLx5U3oAe1AnyE5GWA2Rv7kARuBvRVt0gDqZDBKT105_OdUdjCdffdJuufH5KztGgBigx2NH3AvikO3/s400/IMG_0260e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSD3PwVVoOm1kF_GnpbHLxP-QjNEG0pUdKG3Y2j71O9fgiyCIu4USFWukyFR09BcHnDCq1Q1tMohq3ich7mhgggKfBd7HqhhGDDmp4E864nTf-hjk3Rf7n7TEExiQzzj_3xIcA/s1600/IMG_0261e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSD3PwVVoOm1kF_GnpbHLxP-QjNEG0pUdKG3Y2j71O9fgiyCIu4USFWukyFR09BcHnDCq1Q1tMohq3ich7mhgggKfBd7HqhhGDDmp4E864nTf-hjk3Rf7n7TEExiQzzj_3xIcA/s400/IMG_0261e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvrBCy-J8iZJ4wNkVD7Q0nkeA83zhtLm6aUa9mZf3GTOvFtH3AohPfkjaKCoinYPUP-xQ8N1_isn9dSHI0Rp7umQD4wuMa08pIeya2iGjVGaWjYZt_c1YC_nzD0xsAU2FUdrV/s1600/IMG_0262e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvrBCy-J8iZJ4wNkVD7Q0nkeA83zhtLm6aUa9mZf3GTOvFtH3AohPfkjaKCoinYPUP-xQ8N1_isn9dSHI0Rp7umQD4wuMa08pIeya2iGjVGaWjYZt_c1YC_nzD0xsAU2FUdrV/s400/IMG_0262e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-1546973708893063072012-07-13T14:23:00.000-05:002012-07-13T14:24:48.003-05:00Friday PhotoMy original intent when I started this series of posts called Friday Photo, was to post a picture or pictures from something I had taken the week of the post. Unfortunately, I haven't always been able to do as I intended. Unfortunate because that means I'm not taking pictures as often as I would like and therefore not getting the practice in with the new camera. I hope to do better in the coming weeks.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, here is a picture I took back in May on my trip to Tennessee with my mother. I've posted pictures of the old Forbus General Store a few times on my blog but this one was taken with the new camera. I'm putting two versions of the photo on here today. The Forbus General Store has been photographed by some well-known, read much better photographers than me, and published in some fancy magazines. You can generally find a table full of local fellows playing a card game called Pig. <br />
<br />
This version was edited to slightly lighten and sharpen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q64IuD0_uwNvBHYgqQ5bjhgIKqKKyshrFvahWNMpd4jJc46LCKXv-UzMLm1hdKxYv2jUrIbYpG7bPhffYy-uoK0WkrHY4L48xUqLggpp81i6Y_9lv25FtksZ23B4akfPZeBR/s1600/IMG_0254e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q64IuD0_uwNvBHYgqQ5bjhgIKqKKyshrFvahWNMpd4jJc46LCKXv-UzMLm1hdKxYv2jUrIbYpG7bPhffYy-uoK0WkrHY4L48xUqLggpp81i6Y_9lv25FtksZ23B4akfPZeBR/s400/IMG_0254e.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I ran a quick retro action on this version of the same photo. When I visit the area where my mother grew up, it seems as though I'm traveling back a bit in time. Although they have all the modern conveniences of the rest of the world in this area, things are a bit slower paced and gives the feel of bygone days. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDWKJ7jXpPOVKigEljzLlO0d1JX_x0Ice7cLJefy31Rgze3CsgXIdzyFAlY2skkJ0dEVaVV4wrXB5oqfNFYqz-Hi_ORTFom6sCKzKH6i0HclTum7phYorvAPJmJ_yxJF-xaJF/s1600/IMG_0254e_retro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDWKJ7jXpPOVKigEljzLlO0d1JX_x0Ice7cLJefy31Rgze3CsgXIdzyFAlY2skkJ0dEVaVV4wrXB5oqfNFYqz-Hi_ORTFom6sCKzKH6i0HclTum7phYorvAPJmJ_yxJF-xaJF/s400/IMG_0254e_retro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's a beautiful area with much to see and experience if you enjoy mountains, scenery, fishing, boating and photography. Dale Hollow Lake is nearby as well as several parks and recreation areas, both on the Tennessee side and across the state line in Kentucky. I know for a fact that some of the best people in the world have called this area home.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-17031265714424846982012-07-10T08:31:00.000-05:002012-07-10T08:31:11.061-05:00Friday Photo (on Tuesday)This is the photo I wanted to post on Friday but life got in the way and I forgot about it until today. This 'tricycle' sits across the street from my house, holding a potted plant in a beautifully landscaped area of my neighbor's yard.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI66UuCKs25xILK-cTGcrTrUH5VVZcgYU7KHCj_dtuvY-fSaaSBWqgLYwAPRLwtBNq1C1I6p6i49I1ODNzEFvLqZZbusnudlU7eYDZTUvU4Rc5vpSxaQGxxJmY1OkBKcoQfH30/s1600/Image0535_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI66UuCKs25xILK-cTGcrTrUH5VVZcgYU7KHCj_dtuvY-fSaaSBWqgLYwAPRLwtBNq1C1I6p6i49I1ODNzEFvLqZZbusnudlU7eYDZTUvU4Rc5vpSxaQGxxJmY1OkBKcoQfH30/s320/Image0535_crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-46265169896433970632012-06-29T13:27:00.000-05:002012-06-29T13:27:12.245-05:00Friday PhotoThis week I chose to post pictures of some of my wind chimes. I like wind chimes but I'm picky about what I will hang. I've had the three pictured here for several years.
All of these were taken with the new 70-300 lens and again, they aren't necessarily great photos by any stretch of the imagination but I'm still learning the camera and playing with the lens.<br />
<br />
I am mostly shooting on auto but do sometimes switch to manual and adjust the settings. I need to practice more but it is so hot and I committed to participating in an exercise / movement group this month and by the time I finish with that, I'm tired and it is scorching hot. The motto in that group is no excuses and I guess I need to make that same commitment to shooting pictures. I need to get up earlier and find some good locations to catch the early morning sun. There are several really neat places and older houses in this area that I could photograph. I just need to get out and do it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP5Cto0IdDyqfpzBJvc8BGsnt-qTLirXXDXlAfAD-H7xLDaTObh7GknoEs4VKLfxMy1-qeJxBrM_iVxFbqMlY7U_f_6jiAbPJjoR4LtD2kK525tc-GaPYJuAkkqAnVBpUjPhq/s1600/EOS60D+021e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP5Cto0IdDyqfpzBJvc8BGsnt-qTLirXXDXlAfAD-H7xLDaTObh7GknoEs4VKLfxMy1-qeJxBrM_iVxFbqMlY7U_f_6jiAbPJjoR4LtD2kK525tc-GaPYJuAkkqAnVBpUjPhq/s400/EOS60D+021e.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I like the bokeh effect on each of the first two pictures. It comes from the lens. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This chime gives off a soft, joyful metallic tone. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAxZbPcKYTFs9IUzKmmRob7rYhhTC-1aJZcAdVeaeCAlvBeLWEaltcUHrca_9RKQoFSx8b5bqsGnz8r5jJMqFttPmLeuA9UzC8MzGnE_eEYZ0FpjWT-gML9Z8rHYOkS50-X32/s1600/EOS60D+019e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAxZbPcKYTFs9IUzKmmRob7rYhhTC-1aJZcAdVeaeCAlvBeLWEaltcUHrca_9RKQoFSx8b5bqsGnz8r5jJMqFttPmLeuA9UzC8MzGnE_eEYZ0FpjWT-gML9Z8rHYOkS50-X32/s400/EOS60D+019e.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love the colors of this chime. It has a delicate, tinkling sound when the butterfly isn't stuck inside the bell.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I guess I need to set it free! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUN2Zwj4D5wXG5d5lKBW_VW1QelzR_V3Yg0ulFLUpRUk9MgzGtUymHfyHGinZpEXEL5FKUzlXkPEGLqgwe-QJpqzaFpq6mgXPdtWiqGpTHI3cawDtmznpsxUyqkIOxNf4PrFe/s1600/EOS60D+020e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUN2Zwj4D5wXG5d5lKBW_VW1QelzR_V3Yg0ulFLUpRUk9MgzGtUymHfyHGinZpEXEL5FKUzlXkPEGLqgwe-QJpqzaFpq6mgXPdtWiqGpTHI3cawDtmznpsxUyqkIOxNf4PrFe/s400/EOS60D+020e.jpg" width="267" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Although this isn't a beautiful wind chime, I love the woody tones it gives off when the breeze catches it just right and causes it to sway back and forth. Each of the different sizes of hollowed out wood gives off a different tone and I find it soothing to listen to. I don't like loud, clanging chimes so this one is perfect for me! </div>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-79649106477358591432012-06-26T15:00:00.000-05:002012-06-26T15:00:37.970-05:00photoDUDS SuperBeth Birthday Bash and Giveaway<span class="gentext"><span class="gentext"><span style="color: #e5033d;">Come celebrate with photoDUDS SuperBeth Birthday Bash and Giveaway! <br />Join the party with chances to win OVER $4,000 in prizes
<br />Enter to win at <a href="http://www.photoduds.com/Pages/super1.html">http://www.photoduds.com/Pages/super1.html</a></span></span><span class="gentext"><span style="color: #e5033d;">
</span></span></span>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-38323719749210748352012-06-22T00:08:00.000-05:002012-06-22T00:08:10.522-05:00Friday PhotoI can't believe I've already purchased another new lens. I got a 70-300 Telephoto lens that I've been playing with a bit. I got a really good deal on the price at Amazon and with a credit from a gift card I had there it just seemed like the thing to do. I'm posting a couple of shots I took the day I got the lens, nothing special as I didn't even leave my yard that day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFcOimk2TVyC1PFSyB6Ncv6hsz5c9x7hgM95qo3jvz6grpscdarRqfdXCbMf0wl8iNNlPhaXIh3xG5YD-NYgTnCImjS9rNqKnQubiBP-PLZH6Vm36dKiiwxrubNCapbxS0FiX/s1600/IMG_0401e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFcOimk2TVyC1PFSyB6Ncv6hsz5c9x7hgM95qo3jvz6grpscdarRqfdXCbMf0wl8iNNlPhaXIh3xG5YD-NYgTnCImjS9rNqKnQubiBP-PLZH6Vm36dKiiwxrubNCapbxS0FiX/s400/IMG_0401e.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
The first picture is of a house across the street from where I live that I've always loved. I like the style, the color, the landscaping... there's not much about it that I don't like. It's hard to believe how close the house looks in the photo, knowing where I stood to take it. I can't wait to get a chance to use this lens at one of the bayous or at the Wildlife Refuge. I would love to get a shot of a gator that looks close up without actually having to be close up!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmtaccz4KivRbeBRF1N-DPmztZ_VbFi3VdTsxVNthIhyUEVEvQdeVsk3cGeedc4RVq2nkZH2Azk9y-n4C9LAuGyBMrtII18nc4zbE1LG0ZlEziKUHqrsSkkMEQxpDUM6y3QXe/s1600/IMG_0406e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmtaccz4KivRbeBRF1N-DPmztZ_VbFi3VdTsxVNthIhyUEVEvQdeVsk3cGeedc4RVq2nkZH2Azk9y-n4C9LAuGyBMrtII18nc4zbE1LG0ZlEziKUHqrsSkkMEQxpDUM6y3QXe/s400/IMG_0406e.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
<br />
This picture is of a little figure that sits near my front door. While this isn't really a great photo by any stretch of the imagination, I like the bokeh the lens produced here. It gives me hope that I might capture some really good shots with this lens if I just keep trying. Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-46044504674834464602012-06-15T15:12:00.000-05:002012-06-15T17:37:28.409-05:00Friday PhotoGinger and I made a trip to our local Wildlife and Refuge Center at Black Bayou this week. It's one of my favorite places to go. It's hot out there right now and trying to get there when the light is right for taking pictures is hard for me. It's not that far away, but nothing is a straight route in Louisiana. Most roads wind and meander around rivers, bayous and creeks. Very little is laid out in neat squares like you see in the Midwest, where I originally hail from.<br />
<br />
My friend Margaret and I used to eat lunch there when we were still working and before she passed away from cancer. It was the most peaceful place to be and we saw lots of wildlife and plenty of the natural, swampy snake and gator infested waters of our area.
We also stopped at a couple of other locations along Bayou Desiard for some shots. Not surprisingly, I chose pictures from that outing to post for today's Friday Photo.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin83PVacGWrnV88iFTMpFobXEZH6sSHYKoOMn6TXdeg6s4xwm_N5mxiQL2vjABUyxM_sIYHxnuIHjwOgCQLkDQcXdY0L-DFinhPY0OZI1P9oQDMMh6kHv9ZEpo6SA0bI_Lmo7e/s1600/IMG_0337e_fc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin83PVacGWrnV88iFTMpFobXEZH6sSHYKoOMn6TXdeg6s4xwm_N5mxiQL2vjABUyxM_sIYHxnuIHjwOgCQLkDQcXdY0L-DFinhPY0OZI1P9oQDMMh6kHv9ZEpo6SA0bI_Lmo7e/s640/IMG_0337e_fc.jpg" width="427" /> </a></div>
<br />
This first picture is of Ginger sitting on one of the benches on the pier where Margaret and I used to have lunch. We saw several boaters and some fishermen (and women) while we walked the pier. I encouraged her to jump up so I could get pictures of her and liked this one where she is reacting to the sun in her eyes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIhWRIhHY-FxLxbWAg0B5s4CvVdKYKrC40_X0hA-px5o-ib9x53mCj7c73JmepytPlYGpw99_dtCDwdM2-TewNT9UwJZvBkjY9JVEMC_NX8My2ya9Y8dgfmcB4dEW9EgOs2pG/s1600/IMG_0384e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyLqJomopt1LgEtPntW1mcwbeVJbpjEG8DW7wP2p1e-l0RIBtXbpSk5N6IwWrldZiVLVcuSnwoeHJG2YHYUUEglThmU479JeGxElGnEDZaNW_MF3BHCJc13xvwob8_S9kNtdU/s1600/IMG_0366e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyLqJomopt1LgEtPntW1mcwbeVJbpjEG8DW7wP2p1e-l0RIBtXbpSk5N6IwWrldZiVLVcuSnwoeHJG2YHYUUEglThmU479JeGxElGnEDZaNW_MF3BHCJc13xvwob8_S9kNtdU/s400/IMG_0366e.jpg" width="500" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is a picture of the arboretum, which sits near the Learning and Welcome Centers. I just think it is a neat structure. There are so many talented photographers in our area who take pictures here that I feel what I'm posting doesn't do justice to what's there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIhWRIhHY-FxLxbWAg0B5s4CvVdKYKrC40_X0hA-px5o-ib9x53mCj7c73JmepytPlYGpw99_dtCDwdM2-TewNT9UwJZvBkjY9JVEMC_NX8My2ya9Y8dgfmcB4dEW9EgOs2pG/s1600/IMG_0384e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIhWRIhHY-FxLxbWAg0B5s4CvVdKYKrC40_X0hA-px5o-ib9x53mCj7c73JmepytPlYGpw99_dtCDwdM2-TewNT9UwJZvBkjY9JVEMC_NX8My2ya9Y8dgfmcB4dEW9EgOs2pG/s640/IMG_0384e.jpg" width="425" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This picture was taken on Bayou Desiard behind the CenturyLink building where I used to work before I retired at the end of 2003. It was CenturyTel back then. I used to walk this road back to the Wildlife and Fisheries buildings on the other side of the bayou for exercise or as a getaway from office routine. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This young man, along with some other people who I assume were family members or friends, told me he was fishing for whatever he could catch. He said the only thing he had caught up to that point was a turtle, which he released. There were always lots of turtles in the water and sunning on the stones that braced the embankment for this small bridge when I walked down this road a few years ago. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's not uncommon to see fishermen (and women) along the roadsides here, fishing in the bayous or even seining the ditches for crawfish when they are in season. I've had some wonderful conversations with a few of those people, most of whom were very pleasant and interesting. I certainly enjoyed talking with this gentleman and his group today.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-87822569229299042862012-06-08T17:43:00.000-05:002012-06-08T17:44:51.137-05:00Friday Photo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvUG6wIwdnXJusBwGBW69ALhPFjXHBGxTCY4UmA1zHB67LcodVBPH_xmYLDVy-nF0HRiQJRc66lkCao2BUVyACTmSO72yfmQNPof5KbSYT-XvhPtSVjCW4AJzWKbx0UF1ki_L/s1600/223972_4215900435701_1902737301_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvUG6wIwdnXJusBwGBW69ALhPFjXHBGxTCY4UmA1zHB67LcodVBPH_xmYLDVy-nF0HRiQJRc66lkCao2BUVyACTmSO72yfmQNPof5KbSYT-XvhPtSVjCW4AJzWKbx0UF1ki_L/s320/223972_4215900435701_1902737301_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I chose this photo that I took with my iPhone for this week's Friday Photo. One of my neighbors actually grows this pretty little garden on the outside of his fence near the road. I assume he does that since his back yard is quite shady most of the day and this location would get a lot more sun, necessary for growth.
I've tried my hand at gardening a few times, but never achieved anything close to this. I think I'll ask Mutt for advice next year.</div>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-40780294368543744642012-06-01T10:29:00.000-05:002012-06-15T15:13:57.010-05:00Friday PhotoI chose the following pictures from my annual Memorial Day trip with my mother to visit the grave sites of our family. Over the years, the trip has taken on a much slower pace with mom often sitting in the car while I walk to the markers of family members to place flowers and take pictures. I leave Louisiana and head to Muncie, Indiana, where I grew up and we visit cemeteries there to decorate my dad's grave, my step-father's grave, my Dad's parents grave site, and the sites where her two sisters are buried. The Friday before Memorial Day, mom and I load the car and head south to Tennessee where she grew up and many of her ancestors and family members are buried. We visit several cemeteries there. The two pictures I chose are from that trip. The first one was taken at the cemetery where her parents, four of her adult siblings and two siblings that died early, one at a young age from illness, the other at childbirth along with my grandmother are all buried.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8i6ljb4yFKdZp4AS4vGHIULavKiuBaxkSLLgrtMPnYBnA7dlYN3rz8MJUMhJJAF3Xh7dkHOEbcng3OXExp-nfLfr3wSDOIlljVZBy5_NATbOtzBnFMyLGnaLHw14y6RlYQ49r/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8i6ljb4yFKdZp4AS4vGHIULavKiuBaxkSLLgrtMPnYBnA7dlYN3rz8MJUMhJJAF3Xh7dkHOEbcng3OXExp-nfLfr3wSDOIlljVZBy5_NATbOtzBnFMyLGnaLHw14y6RlYQ49r/s400/IMG_0194.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I swallowed hard as I took a series of pictures of mom walking the row where most of her family members are buried as she is the last remaining member of her generation. I wondered what she was thinking and how hard it must be to be the one left behind.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPL0Cq9YWrRDgSLc4cqfFcdRQkBNHUkNncD1eqtCtfRofa2p8KFxTag6qhMUvUFtU6RQrW28ri-ujaP_WzqRzy4iSXCan9iH034zoM9mG4mZxtB4-tuPjR9p5HlQ7Nz-Kmvg3J/s1600/IMG_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPL0Cq9YWrRDgSLc4cqfFcdRQkBNHUkNncD1eqtCtfRofa2p8KFxTag6qhMUvUFtU6RQrW28ri-ujaP_WzqRzy4iSXCan9iH034zoM9mG4mZxtB4-tuPjR9p5HlQ7Nz-Kmvg3J/s400/IMG_0264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This picture has meaning to me as the woman pictured with my mother, the widow of one of my cousins, had a really bad stroke a couple of years ago and suffered serious damage as a result. She and mom were close years ago and always liked to visit when they got together later on. Rae always recognizes mom and finds a way to communicate, by nodding or pointing until we are able to determine what she is trying to tell us. Rae's son brought her to the cemetery on Sunday, but this picture was taken when we visited Rae at the nursing home on Monday. She had us take her outside where she and mom carried on a long "conversation".<br />
<br />
This trip means a lot to me but I'm not sure whether we'll be able to make it again. It's hard for mom and very tiring but she manages well despite the infirmities of her age and likes visiting the family still in the area. <br />
<br />
<br />Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-26543917875443839972012-05-26T06:47:00.001-05:002012-05-26T06:58:15.424-05:00Friday Photo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ltGHVHgHCX7BVHhi7NRhhr4B8xOntCQC7KormKkWDUFt__KDGSbjE0fv4bZCG43FSO9HfIGBx8bv3lk7Xb9tYSU45ot9SnvPH-XzXxZMlCqGkYtccDL2nGvWDFeBvsW90sA5/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ltGHVHgHCX7BVHhi7NRhhr4B8xOntCQC7KormKkWDUFt__KDGSbjE0fv4bZCG43FSO9HfIGBx8bv3lk7Xb9tYSU45ot9SnvPH-XzXxZMlCqGkYtccDL2nGvWDFeBvsW90sA5/s320/IMG_0041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My second granddaughter, Emily, graduated from high school last week. I spent Friday night with my daughter's family so I wouldn't have to drive over so early Saturday morning for the ceremony. Since I was there, I was able to go with her and her mother to feed horses at the stable of a friend who was out of town. Emily plans to work with horses / animals after she graduates from college and since I took senior pictures of her at this same farm last fall, I felt it was appropriate to include these pictures. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIohC-cN6Ae7lQIfwnb9UxuxNXj3KRXoMWHItTJvmKnSrLT2xErgGaH_xrVFDqOGxQo24ChIJo2sD33zdcgj76SfsXTOcHeSBrFu_waH19oAgQhIdKH2n5OGLwuwRdJo0mp7j/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIohC-cN6Ae7lQIfwnb9UxuxNXj3KRXoMWHItTJvmKnSrLT2xErgGaH_xrVFDqOGxQo24ChIJo2sD33zdcgj76SfsXTOcHeSBrFu_waH19oAgQhIdKH2n5OGLwuwRdJo0mp7j/s320/IMG_0059.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This photo leaves a bit to be desired as far as composition but I liked how the horse had kicked up the dust as he entered the stable to be fed. I like the action.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-1dGFsft3WYJwl8bQ6eRPHrCwr7xlvsBxT15inPsD5a-xTX0Pn34hjPW2WH7xjAO2XdIEKrhPDP9dcfKZQVDUQp08hY6RHqWbCXYCZz1FgCGFTmAXUDkSmn7XT6g6rjVkQ0X/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-1dGFsft3WYJwl8bQ6eRPHrCwr7xlvsBxT15inPsD5a-xTX0Pn34hjPW2WH7xjAO2XdIEKrhPDP9dcfKZQVDUQp08hY6RHqWbCXYCZz1FgCGFTmAXUDkSmn7XT6g6rjVkQ0X/s320/IMG_0085.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and last but certainly not least, my granddaughter receiving her diploma. I didn't get as good a shot as I thought I would but I did get a far better shot of Emily than I got of her sister Erin last year with my old equipment. And after having the camera and lens for less than a week, I quickly realized that I really need a more powerful zoom for this shot. Maybe by the time youngest sister Sarah graduates from high school in two years, I will have added one to my gear.
I'm proud of you Emily. Love you!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All of these photos are SOOC (unedited).</div>Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-12336031185810659422012-05-18T10:33:00.001-05:002012-05-20T12:51:54.306-05:00Friday Photo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJqkFHMMnEaw96kk8VfFC48OO8Z13Prc_KDDoZYTV4QPfO7uS6lTWo7Uu4R-MYiviEUtemkEete8aRFp8NT__LP6IaNS2lMo8n2eVOIz1jH7sKLx2Zsm-y0SHnQh2XgcL8mdK/s1600/EOS60D+027e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJqkFHMMnEaw96kk8VfFC48OO8Z13Prc_KDDoZYTV4QPfO7uS6lTWo7Uu4R-MYiviEUtemkEete8aRFp8NT__LP6IaNS2lMo8n2eVOIz1jH7sKLx2Zsm-y0SHnQh2XgcL8mdK/s320/EOS60D+027e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I have a new camera... one with bells and whistles and really much more camera than I am comfortable handling at this point. I decided that as part of my effort to learn to operate the camera to the best of my ability, I would start posting at least one picture a week here on this poor old, sadly neglected blog.<br />
<br />
I just got the camera on Wednesday. It is a Canon EOS 60D and I have two lens. The kit lens that came with the camera (15-135mm) and I purchased a 50mm lens. I opted for the 1.8 as opposed to the 1.4 because of the cost difference. If I were more serious about photography or thinking about a more professional quality I would have gone with the 1.4 as it would give me far better use and more control of available light. The 50mm will let me take portrait type pictures which is what I typically shoot. Since the camera is not a professional level camera, I think the compromise in lens quality is a realistic one. The zoom lens that came with the camera will be very helpful to me tomorrow when my granddaughter Emily walks across the stage to get her high school diploma. She won't look like she's ten miles away like her sister did last year in the photos I took with my old camera. I just hope I'm up to the task and that the lighting isn't so bad that it won't matter.<br />
<br />
So obviously, I chose Ginger as my first subject since she was the only one available to me. I hope to have a decent picture of two of Emily and the other girls that I can choose from for next week.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-86351719538091393612011-08-25T13:13:00.004-05:002011-08-25T13:20:41.606-05:00Six Months<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C12JeEqyS74xSCR813vwLL-Ik0Zf0Qm0c-R6-l5MViEWpXz4ZOZbHLU1PXg5EqNPnfnQsehA2kDAJEeQgj14lPB-uni9IzJmtY2fbNgV-Z99y4djEY4H1wgC9jxjr5e01Ez0/s1600/anna+mommy+at+hospital.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C12JeEqyS74xSCR813vwLL-Ik0Zf0Qm0c-R6-l5MViEWpXz4ZOZbHLU1PXg5EqNPnfnQsehA2kDAJEeQgj14lPB-uni9IzJmtY2fbNgV-Z99y4djEY4H1wgC9jxjr5e01Ez0/s400/anna+mommy+at+hospital.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644858994235473074" border="0" /></a>
<br />Six months ago today, my granddaughter Anna passed away. It is hard to lose a grandchild but even harder when the hurt is multiplied by having to watch your own daughter go through the pain of losing her child. I know how I feel, but honestly, I can't even begin to imagine the pain my daughter suffered at saying goodbye to one of her own children at only 16 years of age. I don't want to turn anniversaries of Anna's death into sad recounts of hurt and pain so what I would like to do is tell you how courageous Anna was but even more so, I would like to tell you how courageous her mother was.
<br />
<br />Anna was born with multiple disabilities, devastating disabilities. We've all read about children like Anna who have been abandoned or shoved here and yonder because their parents or other caregivers couldn't face the situation or deal with the reality of what it's like to have a child who will never meet society's expectations for a happy or successful life. I'm not judging those individuals, I can understand better than most why that happens. Our family has walked in those shoes and I would ask all of you to not judge them either, but to pray for them and their children. In that vein, as strange is it may sound, Anna was lucky, she got the perfect mother for her and her situation.
<br />
<br />I watched my daughter's heart break many times over the years. Grief has always been a part of the relationship, starting early on with realization that she had lost the child she anticipated. I know she must have visualized many times how beautiful Anna's life was going to be... the thought of those first milestones, sitting up, walking, talking and looking down the road to the first day of school, friendships and someday even dates and cars and college. Would she want to wear her mother's wedding gown someday or insist on one of her own. A few short weeks after Anna's birth, all those dreams were dashed.
<br />
<br />I can't recall a single day that Jamie ever said why... why us? why Anna? why me? I watched her from the beginning roll up her sleeves and learn how to advocate for her daughter. She found the services necessary to properly care for a child with multiple 'un-abilities' and made sure they were in place throughout Anna's lifetime. I watched her fight for nursing care, schools, camps, whatever she could find that would give Anna the best chance at having the best life she could have. No matter how many times the family picked up and moved, Jamie made sure that Anna's services were kept intact as much as possible, fighting different state and local guideines everywhere the family went the first six years or so of her life.
<br />
<br />Over the years there were multiple surgeries and procedures, therapies and special equipment. Wheelchairs, in-home nursing and yes, the dreaded short bus were all a part of their lives. Yet Jamie always treated Anna with love, dignity and respect. She took great pride in her. She found the silver lining in having Anna as her daughter and showed all of us who only thought we loved our children unconditionally, exactly what that meant.
<br />
<br />This day, I still feel the hurt of Anna being gone. But she lived a life that counted and she gave us all she had in her to give. The last year of her life was by far the most difficult as we saw we were losing her piece by piece and the struggle she made to continue on with us, fighting every step of the way with all that was in her. She was certainaly a most courageous child but why wouldn't she be... look at her mother!
<br />
<br />Fly free Anna... we love you and miss you every day.
<br />Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-57207805468134528032011-08-05T08:53:00.003-05:002011-08-05T09:05:24.378-05:00Big Picture ScrapbookingBig Picture Scrapbooking is hosting a free summer festival of big ideas that will run for 12 days beginning August 15, 2011. Each of the 12 instructors will showcase their individual style and offer downloads of a daily word and template for their class.<br /><br />There is a scrapbooking kit that can be purchased for the class but it is not required. I use classes such as this one to get new ideas and to rekindle my creative spark. It's free, there will be a few freebies, there's little required of me beyond participation and if I don't follow through or don't gain any useful tips or inspiration, I haven't lost anything but perhaps a bit of time.<br /><br />Just click on the picture below to read about the festival.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/summerfun11.php"><img src="http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/images/2011SummerBadge.gif" alt="Big Picture Classes" /></a><br /><br />I'm not associated with Big Picture Scrapbooking, nor is their any requirement to make a post regarding this class. I just thought I would throw it out there for anyone who might still visit this blog that would have an interest.Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423545.post-18773439218944790132011-05-22T13:21:00.008-05:002011-05-23T16:58:03.678-05:00I'm A Winner and Didn't Know It!I occasionally write an entry either here on the blog or in the comment section of The One Minute Daily Writer in response to the daily writing prompt. The idea behind the site is to encourage people to write creatively in a manner that doesn't require a large investment of time. I enjoy writing and find that this method forces me to think quickly and grab words that I am more comfortable with and like, instead of opting for elaborate descriptions that don't ring true because I tend to overthink them if I take more time. <br /><br />Here is where my entry for April 6 was recognized and my brief writing to the daily prompt <a href="http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/search/label/Marsha"><b>Move</b></a>.<br /><br />This is the actual entry I made in the comments section of the OMW Blog.<br /><br /><br />Today's Writing Prompt: Move<br />Write about a move you've made, or are planning to make.<br />One-Minute Writing of the Day:<br />Writer: Marsha<br /><blockquote>In my mind, I'm always moving... big bold moves, life changing moves but in the end, I find the only move I ever really make is from the recliner in my den to the chair at my computer desk.</blockquote><br /><br /><br />As a winner, I get to display this winner's button on my blog! I'll add it to the sidebar later.<br /><br /><a href="http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr226/cbethblog/OneMinuteWriterButtonWINNER.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Thanks C. Beth for the recognition and for hosting the <a href="http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/">One-Minute Daily Writer</a>. Sorry it took me so long to realize that you had recognized me as a winner!Marshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14441971526798781978noreply@blogger.com0