Gone Fishin'. I think.

One of the great things about taking photos, in my opinion, is formulating a story based on the photo taken.  In any given scene, particularly in environmental landscape shots, I let my imagination run wild in placing context (real or imagined) into the scene that I have just invited myself into.

Take this photo for example:

This shot was taken last fall (2011) when Lisa and I traveled to Florida to visit her family as well as celebrate our ten-year anniversary.  We stayed at a hotel on the Atlantic Ocean in Cocoa Beach which provided us a great opportunity to stretch our legs on the beach in the morning hours.

One morning as I came upon this scene, I recognized it as someone attempting to catch fish.  (Yeah, duh, the fishing poles gave that one away!).  But what intrigued me was the empty white tube in the center.  Where WAS that fishing pole?  As there was no one in sight, two potential scenarios were going through my mind:  1) the fishermen was back at his vehicle fetching the third fishing pole; or 2) a large aquatic predator took the bait from that middle pole, the fisherdude ran to grab the pole to reel in his prize catch, the fish decided enough was enough and the fishermen was dragged out to sea.  Swimmin' with the fishees.

My common sense told me to believe the first scenario.  My creative imagination wanted me to believe the second.

Today I am grateful for our God who created us to be imaginative...not afraid to let our minds wander a little every now and then.  I'm also grateful to our God for giving us opportunities to take walks on sandy beaches, observing the beauty of creation around us.  His handiwork, for his glory.

Even if the fish won.

You Smell That? Part II

Today was a special day -- Lisa and I were able to spend some time together running around town doing some shopping for groceries.  We were on the lookout for a few things to get us prepared for Thanksgiving as well as an upcoming party with friends.  To be honest, I only had one thing on my mind:  to find the ingredients to make a couple batches of Chex Party Mix.

I have memories of my mom making that great snack even when I was a little kid.  Who knew that taking some cereal, pretzels, peanuts, spices and baking them in the oven would make for a tasty treat?  My mouth and tummy are both equally thankful!

Here are just a few shots of the deliciousness!

** See the square pretzel in the lower right of the above photo?  See all that goop crusted on it?  OH MY -- that's the BEST!  (Can anyone say 'butter?')

Our kitchen was busy tonight -- my wife made homemade pasta sauce with fresh meatballs and italian sausage from Whole Foods. Yummy in the Tummy...

You Smell That?

There are certain smells in this world, at least ones that I have experienced first hand, that tend to be engraved in my little 'ol olfactory system.  These smells, in turn, trigger memories -- memories from my upbringing, childhood, and growing up in a small community, in a small, wooded subdivision.  Fall would be a time of raking of leaves into a pile, jumping into them as though you had no other care in the world.  We would walk through the nearby wooded lots on the way to the bluff, allowing the fallen leaves to spread before our footsteps like a carpet being laid before dignitaries...something we were far from being.  But it certainly was a moment then, and is a memory now.  A good one.

Fall is my favorite season of the year, hands down.  Even though it signals the decay of all things green and the approaching winter season (blaaahhhhh!), autumn ushers in so many sounds, colors...and smells.  The other day I was walking through a park in Indianapolis when those same sounds, colors and smells approached my ears, eyes, and nose...sensations that brought me back to those years far gone.

It was simple, really.  Just walking along a paved path, with a golf course on the left and a pond on the right.  But before me a canopy of leaves making their change, trees signaling a call to dormancy, really.  Mother nature, God the Creator, actually, orchestrating another act of his power...and grace.

A Path Before Me

I'm Learning from Fifth Graders...

For the last two months I have been working twice a week with some Hamilton Heights fifth graders in preparing music for their annual musical.  When I volunteered to help a while back, I new I would enjoy my time with them.  Looking back, however, I had no idea how much of an impact the kids would have on me.

Forty-seven kids.  Here's what I've learned:

1. Even at their young age, they can judge you the second you walk in the door.  They know who's "real" and who's not.  For some reason they thought I was cool.  Suckered them in on that one...
2. When they embrace something, there is no letting go.  Every single kid is volunteering their time.  It's extra-curricular, after school, no credit.  Just for fun.  That says a LOT about who these kids are.
3. It says even more about their parents.  My wife and I do not have children and I can't pretend to know how hectic it is for parents to shuttle kids from place to place to place to place.  I applaud these parents for embracing this experience for their sons and daughters and investing themselves in the experience along with their children.  It is a memory that neither will soon forget.
4. For the last nine school days we have been rehearsing at the high school auditorium.  I don't care who you are.  EVERYONE loves to be on a stage!
5. Having their own microphone has to be the best thing since Nintendo DS. 
6. For the past thirty-some years, Hamilton Heights School Corporation and the Elementary School has supported and produced a fifth grade musical.  Hats off to them and Mr. Perkins who established such a great tradition.  Mrs. King and Mrs. Carley are doing a fabulous job directing this year!
7. Lastly, the fifth graders have taught me the joy we receive when we embrace something new and creative.  When the kids arrive at the high school and get off their bus, they all RUN to the front of the auditorium, eager to engage and perform.  Directing them from the pit, I can see sincere joy emanating from every eye and facial expression.  The kids "get it."

I hope it lasts.  I pray the kids will carry these memories and experiences far into their adult lives so someday they can turn to their own fifth grade son or daughter -- and encourage them to engage in a musical that will forever change their lives.

I know they've changed mine.

The Water Was Wide

As the snow was beginning to thaw a couple of weeks ago, I decided to head to Koteewi and take a hike OFF the trails.  (Rebel, I know!).  The way the park is configured with the river running through it (reminds me of a movie I recently watched), there was a vast area of terrain that I was really interested in exploring.  This large area of land is situated at the bend in the river, which also causes this area to be underwater once the river rises from the snowmelt and spring rains.

Even though I know countless people had walked these woods before, part of me felt like an explorer – discovering this new “frontier” for all of Hamilton County!  (I tend to think a lot when I hike – sometimes strange thoughts occur to me.)

At the bend of the river I saw many signs of the power that rushing water can have.  Trees were uprooted, stacked one on top of another against still-standing timber.  This image of the tree branch being “caught” in the grips of another tree is certain evidence of the power that water has on items it grabs in its wake.  I converted it to black & white in order to contribute to the starkness that the still-dormant scene provided my eyes.

I’ve been reading a lot of photography books over the winter and one author explained that we should approach shooting photos as a way to tell a story .  As I was pondering this potential shot, my mind started racing…How long has thee limb been there;  How high was the water when it got snared; How in the world did the limb get snagged around three different trunks; How far upriver did it travel???  All kinds of questions…a story in my mind’s eye.

An interesting thing occurred on the hike that told me I would actually be a HORRIBLE explorer. HORRIBLE.  I’ll explain later.

Memories…

Well, with the turn of the calendar toward March tomorrow, I thought it would be a good idea to go through some old photos and post some that would inspire my thinking towards the warmer weather that MUST be around the corner…somewhere.

At this time last year I was vacationing down in St. Augustine Beach, FL.  My parents were on their annual month-long excursion to the south with their fifth-wheel….I needed a break from the weather and some health issues I had….and our schedules coincided nicely.  It was a good, relaxing time – in addition to being just a couple months after I purchased my D80. 

So, in honor of that trip and the desire for warmer weather “up north”, I post these photos.

I stayed at Anastasia State Park, located right on the shore.  Just a short walk from the beach was this pier, full of fishermen trying for their daily catch.  It would’ve cost me $2 to walk out on the pier.  So I’m cheap. 

Just a stones throw away from the campground stood this amazing lighthouse.  The palm branches in the foreground just make me feel a warm and fuzzy inside!

 

 

Frozen Fog