If I Could Go Back - Thirty Word Thursday

Yarn, a big heart, and 39 grandchildren.  

If I could go back to my childhood,

I’d hug my Grandma

and tell her how much

the homemade mittens

meant to me.

Grandpa died when I was three and Grandma never had much.  But every year at Christmas she had something for everyone of her 39 grandchildren.  Mittens, pillow cases, hats, scarfs, and whatever else she could make.  I can only imagine that she felt somewhat sad that we didn't get as excited about our gifts as she wanted us to be.  It's too bad it takes growing older ourselves to understand and appreciate what she did for us.  Her sacrifice, our reward.  Wish she was here so I tell her that now I understand how nice those gifts really were.

A Shining Star - More Than Thirty

I am shamelessly violating the entire premise of 30 Word Thursday.  More than one picture, over seventy words, but not near enough to really recognize the star that shines in our house.

Every star has its night to shine.

Our daughter had hers last Friday.

A second year player

she plays hard and smart

always giving her best.

A little recognition for

competing at state cross country last October

after a lot of miles and hard work to qualify.

A little more recognition for

recently competing at state debate.

She’s smart and she likes logical arguments.

Ending the evening as royalty

being selected as

Queen of Courts!

Franklin

Thirty Word Thursday challenge from http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/

The premise of 30 Words Thursdays is simple...
Take an image (preferably one you shot, or have permission to use).
Write 30 Words about it. No more. No less.
Post it each Thursday.

My wife found Franklin hiding behind a chair after Christmas.

He now sits in his chair in our living room reminding us that in today’s fast paced world; simplicity wins!

I Want Summer - Thirty Word Thursday

I long for the days where the 

grass is green and trees have leaves.  

Days where we can find new trails, 

with cool running streams and other 

gifts from God.

Merry Christmas!

A child has been born for us,

a son given to us;

authority rest upon his shoulders;

and he is named

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace

Color Out

Over the past year my wife and I have been participating in a weekly photo blogging challenge hosted by Erin at http://treasures-found.blogspot.com 

The premise of 30 Words Thursday is simply to post a picture and describe it in 30 words; no more, no less.

This week one of the bloggers who frequently post to the 30 Words challenge ( http://jackofallbrews.blogspot.com/ ) issued his own challenge so that he could have the opportunity to grow in his knowledge of photo editing.  I decided I'm going along for the ride.

Photo  Challenge 1) Black & White

Starting out simple:  take three color photos and change them to black and white format. Ideally these will have a different tone or impact when changed to black and white.  Other photoshop effects are allowed but the  biggest change should be the removal of color. Show the before and after pics for comparison.

Photo taken with a Canon Rebel T1i, edited with Picasa tools

I chose this photo because of the extreme color in the original.
I like the contrast created in the B&W.

Photo taken with a Kodak Easyshare M753 early in the morning on landscape setting.

I chose this photo because it is one of my all time favorites.
I like the way the sky became really bright in the B&W.

Photo taken with a Canon Rebel T4i

I chose this photo because it's a reenactment
of the Boston Tea Party
I like the way the B&W take us back in time.

Acting Out

How many times have your heard your friends

talk about their children acting out?

When the students in our school

“act out”

it’s a great thing that’s fun to watch!!

Give Thanks

Gifts from God!

There are not words to describe

the ways God has blessed my life.

My parents, my wife, my children; 

they are among the best of these blessings.

My Favorite Vacation Spot

An indescribable place

of peace and tranquility

exists along our west coast.

Pull over,

take a short walk,

and find yourself amazed

at this different world

in the California redwoods.

Deer Hunting

My wife and I went on a little deer hunting trip.

We drove around a while and got a couple of 

great opportunities to shoot some deer 

with our Canon.

Time to Move Forward

Months of advertising, mudslinging, “facts”,

and promises all to find a seat in this building.

The seats are now assigned and

the time is here

to do the right things!

Golden Boy

A new Henry Golden Boy .22 rifle,

half a dozen eggs, some hedge balls,

and time with my son on a Sunday afternoon.

I shot what he shot.

Scrambled eggs!

Coach-Cam

Got a call from an old friend and it made my day.  

As one of my daughters former coaches 

he was the subject of the coach-cam on a regular basis.

Senior Shots

The school year is flying by and 

the reality is starting to hit home 

that we will soon be empty-nesters.  

Yet another reminder as we shot 

senior pictures Sunday.

Rim Rock Classic

Run at The University of Kansas home course the Rim Rock Classic includes top runners from Kansas and neighboring states.  My daughters race included 282 great competitors.

The Rim Rock course features two covered bridges, several big hills (including suicide hill with a steep downhill incline and a turn just before you get to the bottom) and is the toughest course area high school runners will face in any year.  It is also the site of our state cross country meet.

Varsity Blue girls race start line.

My daughter (left side of the red group) finished in the 103rd spot in the field of 282.

Varsity Blue boys race start line.

Hometown Hero's

In small towns all across our country

people give of themselves

to serve their communities.

The service they provide

is often free

but the danger and challenges

are very real.

Jody retired from firefighting in 2012 after 46 years of service to his community and still continues to serve on the fire board. His dedication to the fire department is inspiring to those of us who have had the opportunity to serve with him.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration website 71% of the fire departments in the United States are fully volunteer and another 16% are mostly volunteer. 

These volunteers are your friends, neighbors, and family members who train on their own time to provide services including; fire fighting, search and rescue, emergency medical services, hazmat response, and public education.  They are on call every day and every night and they and their families make many sacrifices for the good of others.

Left to Right - Retired Chief Buenger, Retired Chief Earhart, Chief Romine,
Retired Firefighter Getsinger

Boston Harbor

Coming into Boston on a high speed ferry,

they lined me up for this photo.  

I don’t have a panoramic camera, 

simply cropped a normal photo 

into what you see.

Buildings of Boston

Last week I discovered a collage really doesn’t give you a true taste of Boston 

so please bear with me as I share several photos these next couple of weeks.