St. Matthew’s Church, Kalispell, Montana
I featured this photo several years ago and decided to share again. It was taken in broad daylight, but I added a starry sky background for artistic expression.
Showing posts with label perspectives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label perspectives. Show all posts
December 24, 2016
December 14, 2016
Photo of the Week - Gentle Creek Flow
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
I have a basic step-by-step system for editing an image. But one of the variables is the crop. I usually leave the photo as it was shot. Sometimes, I will do a panoramic crop to emphasize the subject matter. And every now and then, a square crop tells the best story.
For those who wonder, I’m doing okay. My heart is not into blogging and chattering about this and that. My weekly photos will have to suffice, and I continue to post them for your enjoyment.
Priorities remain vastly different than they use to be in the past. I’m not the same person that I was a couple of years ago. For example, this is no longer my favorite time of the year. It is simply a time to endure. I count my blessings and carry on.
November 30, 2016
Photo of the Week - Noah "Bud" Ogle Cabin in Spring
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
It was bittersweet to visit this cabin and photograph it with Pris, my sister-in-law, this past April. My husband and I visited had a memorable photo shoot here not long after we met. That was way back in the ancient film days, many decades ago. Per a Facebook post, this cabin may be gone as a result of devastating wildfires in the Smokies and the Gatlinburg area. So far, I haven’t been able to confirm its status from a news source.
The impacts on historical structures and park acreage are very sad. But the impacts on human lives are even more so. Heartbreaking stories are now unfolding. Lives, homes, businesses, and jobs have been lost. Please pray for the people of east Tennessee and help if you so feel inclined.
November 25, 2015
Photo of the Week - Fall Canopy Over the Little River
Tremont area, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
It is quite difficult to place oneself in front of a scene like the one shown in this photo and not feel a profound sense of gratitude for all of the earthly beauty that God has created.
Tomorrow is the first Thanksgiving without my sweet Mr. Jim. And the day will also mark 11 months since his death. My life has changed drastically since that time. Courage has been my watchword. I have persevered and given thanks for blessings, grace, and prayers.
May you count your blessings and find comfort in their abundance too.
November 18, 2015
Photo of the Week - Golden Coat of Leaves
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
During a recent photo workshop, the leader pointed out a lovely tree that bends along the Little River. Its location is not far from the Townsend entrance into the park. Small in stature and nestled among a tall canopy of other trees, it would easily be overlooked the vast majority of the year. Cars rush past. People do not stop. However, for a few days in autumn, this graceful specimen is dressed in a golden coat of leaves and reveals its tender beauty.
There are so many lovely creations in our world that are unnoticed. It is most tragic of all that we may disregard the tender souls in our midst. The busy holiday season is now rushing along and your attention will be scattered here and there. Schedules will be filled with decorating, cooking, and shopping tasks. In a non-attainable, Pinterest world and with a materialistic outlook, it is easy to lose sight of the reason for the season.
In the weeks ahead, will you remember the people usually forgotten and ignored? Do you know people who are hurting this year, who are living alone, who are trying to get by on a day-to-day basis? Are they hidden in plain sight within your community, neighborhood, or circle of acquaintances?
Will you take the blinders off and not miss their beauty? Will you take the time to reach out to them and show them grace?
August 11, 2015
Trying to Shine in a Dark World
Antique Archaeology, Nashville, Tennessee
I continue to struggle in my solitary, dark world. Some days I do well. Other days I sink. As an introvert, it takes a lot of bravery to venture out and do things like traveling and attending photography workshops and tours. And once I get to my destinations, I feel out of place and have difficulty connecting with others. There is not much common ground except for photography.
By the second day at the recent Nashville trip, I was wondering in my hotel room at night why in the world I was there. There were a few moments of grace later on that provided the answer, including special counsel by Ricky Skaggs, a man who truly walks in the light. Since I feel pretty much shunned in my everyday life now, I am surprised when somebody actually notices and acknowledges my presence.
June 17, 2015
Photo of the Week - Mountain Landscape Layers
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Life is pulling in me in a lot of different directions right now, and the task of post-processing of my Wyoming images keeps getting pushed down on the priority list. But in-between today’s arguments with the billing office of University of Tennessee Medical Center for non-payment of some of Jim’s radiation treatments in October 2013, I was able to edit a photo for feature posting this week. This landscape is one of many beautiful scenes around the old homestead where the 1953 movie “Shane” was filmed.
And yes, it appears that I won the argument with hospital. They were sending a collection agency after me for nonpayment of about $1000. Until today, I got absolutely no warning or any prior notice that there was an outstanding medical bill. The letter from the collection agency was totally out of the blue. Gee thanks, guys. The hospital claimed that the insurance policy (Medicare supplement) had denied payment twice. Well, based on my discussions with the insurance company, the claim had never been submitted at all! I’m now told by the hospital that it was a computer error. And, the bill is in the process of getting properly submitted for insurance payment.
A couple of hours got wasted this afternoon, wrestling with this issue. However, it was worth it to save myself $1000 that I didn’t owe. And, I was proud of myself that I was able to get through all of the phone calls without crying. It was a first.
June 12, 2015
A Study in Brokenness
This is a heavy post. Fair warning. If it gets too deep or troubling, merely click on out and go search for a fluffy blog topic. No hard feelings. My long-time blogging friends know that I have a helpful spirit. Sometimes, I succeed. Other times, my efforts fall flat. It’s like target practicing. Hits and misses.
If there is only one hit out there in blogland with this post, then my mission is accomplished…
It’s no secret that I am broken. Broken in heart. Broken in spirit. And I have been struggling to put the pieces back together. Some pieces stick when I glue them back. Some fall off, taunting me, and shattering some more. This chapter of my life values stubbornness tenacity as a virtue!
February 8, 2015
Grieving and Compassion - Rambling Thoughts
This is another long post and not a particularly happy one. Fair warning. Click out if you are looking for entertainment. If you want decorating ideas or recipes, scoot along. There are plenty of other blogs that can provide such amusements.
I have learned much in the past two years. My education will continue as I venture along the journey of widowhood. Most significantly, it has been startling clear that people generally have no idea what to say or not to say when life tragedies strike, such as cancer or death of a loved one. Goodness knows, I have made many verbal blunders in the past, and I now painfully see the errors of my ways. One achieves a whole different perspective when the coin is flipped.
Human vulnerabilities and sorrows make people very uncomfortable. As a result, they will frequently engage their mouths before they engage their brains. If you are at a loss about what to say or not say, a simple Google search provides valuable assistance. Here are a few articles to help get you on the right track:
January 5, 2015
Living in an Alternate Universe
The calendar shows
that it is January 2015. There was no
“happy” celebration of the new year. I
turned the page and said to myself, “Yep, there you are. Like it or lump it.” (I do a lot of talking to myself now and
expect that practice will continue.)
I’ve been living in
an alternate universe for quite a while.
I have long since forgotten what it is like to have a normal life. I occupied cancer world for over a year and a
half. It was a marathon. Now I am trapped in the obstacle maze of widowhood,
finding my way in a new, solitary life.
How am I
doing? About as well as expected. Quite simply, it sucks. If you are a widow, you understand. If you are not, you don’t understand.
November 11, 2014
October 13, 2014
Funny Photography Assistant
I sure could have used this dog to help me with the photo challenge's "still life" theme!
September 11, 2014
September 9, 2014
Thank You
Thank you for all of the heartfelt condolences.
I greatly appreciate the outpouring of love from my blogging family.
September 6, 2014
Remembrance of Mom
Knowing her fun-loving spirit, we are sure that Mom is dancing an Irish jig right now in heaven. We loved her. We will miss her.
July 21, 2014
Anniversary Celebration!
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To Mr. Jim:
We’ve been through thick and thin, enduring some tough times lately.
But we have rejoiced during many incredibly fun times.
I couldn’t have picked a better person to share the past 33 years.
In the journey of life, you have been the ultimate adventure.
You are my love, my best friend, my everything.
Forever!
July 4, 2014
Happy 4th of July!
Above is a snapshot
from my trusty iPhone, taken right before sunset the other day. (Can you see where Marty managed to do two
photobombs?) I put out the little flags
in the flowers beds at the beginning of the week, and they will remain there
throughout the long holiday weekend. That’s my home office on the right, and you can catch just a glimpse of
the hummingbird feeder hanging from a glass pane. The foster holly is scraggly on top, unfortunately, because I am too short to do a proper trimming job. The daylilies have been spectacular this
summer. Some varieties are done for the
season, but a few are still going strong with blooms.
July 3, 2014
It's Mr. Jim's Birthday!
Oh yeah! Like the little pup up there in the photo, Mr. Jim is going to celebrate his birthday with enthusiasm! This one is the big seven-oh.
June 30, 2014
Another Birthday!
Number 62 has arrived! I am always grateful for every year spent on this earth. I may not party too much today because I'm not feeling well at the moment. And I'm so lazy that I even borrowed a stock photo from Getty Images (properly credited, of course). Haha, what a cute dog!
May 26, 2014
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