365-40 through 45 Creating memories

My goal with my family has been to create good memories. We've taken a lot of vacations instead of buying new furniture, for example. Our coaches were 24  years old before we bought new ones. Our dining set was our wedding gift to each other.

I guess that's why I love photography. I love to capture moments, whether scenes created by God or memories we've created for ourselves.

The other day I was driving along in the rain when the sun suddenly broke through. I hurriedly put the car visor down and fumbled for my sunglasses. I grumbled that the sun was blinding me as it reflected off the wet pavement. Then I turned into the store parking lot and behold! A gorgeous rainbow. I nabbed the first spot I saw, away from the crowded part of the lot. I was so glad I had my camera with me! It was a wonderful reminder of God's faithfulness.

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A promise remembered

365-41

No words!

This next photo is probably one of the worse photographs of me (except perhaps one of me eating with my tongue sticking way out!), but the moment is a treasure.

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A treasured moment

If you are a Sonlighter, you'll remember the elk dogs of Om-Kas-Toe. The Blackfoot Indian tribe were not familiar with horses, so when they saw them for the first time, they referred to them as "elk dogs". The animal was large like a elk, but followed man around like a dog.

I often refer to my Tennessee Walker, Courage, as an elk dog because he will follow me around. I never tire of looking at him!

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Elk dog

This dog is not the kind I would want to encounter in the wild. This one is actually at Cabela's sporting goods store, where we spent the afternoon of my son's 20th birthday. He looks very real to me! This image was taken with my iPhone.

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Nice doggie?

My husband generally walks our dog Charlotte each morning. It was so nice outside this morning, I took her myself. I was greeted by the moon, still full in the sky and close to setting. 

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Moonset

So, dear reader, make time to make some memories and to slow down and enjoy God's creation!

Practical Gifts

We have all received gifts we couldn't use or really didn't want....we've also given gifts to others which were perhaps "regifted". Here is an alternative....

You can make a difference in the life of a family with much less than you have. You can choose from a wide variety of gifts, from a chicken to surgery. It could even mean the difference between life and death.

And you won't miss that gift you didn't receive.

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We've lived in West Virginia for six years, renting a house on 23 acres this whole time. "Our" house has its quirks, like no toilet in the basement bathroom, but a urinal instead. (You read correctly!) It has, however, been a terrific blessing for us. What were the "chances" of renting a house on 23 acres in the country, where we could keep our three horses.

We've been searching for a house for a couple of years, but they are few and far between. Well, we've finally found a house on six acres! We've got a contract on it and are proceeding with jumping through all the appraisal and inspection hoops.

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Our new house

I set out to do a self-portrait with my favorite equine. All of the photos with me in them came out terribly. This horse is very inquisitive and quite friendly. This picture reflects his personality. He's one of the reasons we need a house on acreage.

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Tall, dark, and handsome

There is a government facility in my area that is located on 600 acres. The locals jokingly call it a wildlife refuge because it's a secure facility. A new hospital has just opened nearby and there is a large field in front of it. Apparently the grass was greener there on this particular day. This is only about half the flock! I tried to be unobtrusive, but they began to wander away as I approached.

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Transplants

365-30 through 36 Catching Up!

I'm behind in my 365 Project due to illness and lack of internet access, but I'm catching up today!

As I see it, the purpose of the 365 Project is to get you taking pictures every day, thus showing one's day-to-day life over a year's time. I started late in the year, so I'm taking a little artistic license and posting some old pictures. I'm sure you don't want to see my life over the last two weeks of illness and internet deprivation!

Life in West Virginia is quite different from anywhere else I've lived. For starters, we are overrun by white-tail deer. They are everywhere! My son has had five narrow misses while driving just in the last two weeks. I hope my reader is not opposed to hunting. WV DNR has actually opened the hunting season early this year due to the overpopulation. One of the reasons our car insurance is higher than other states is because of collisions with deer.

This photo was taken using my iPhone camera in a local park which I frequent for walks with a friend. The park has a very pleasant trail, part of which goes through the woods. One day we happened upon this buck. As you can see, they are difficult to spot, making them a hazard to unsuspecting drivers.

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Buck

My beautiful daughter has a six-month-old son. This picture is from when he was still inside Mommy. He is about -6 months in this photo. This was taken at her baby shower nearly a year ago.

I love the glow of pregnancy!

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The Glow of Pregnancy

We lived in Missouri for eight years. We've been in WV for six years, but I still miss some things are Missouri and its neighbor, Kansas. One of them is the Krispy Kreme store, where donuts are freshly made all day. We always made a quick left when the "Hot Donuts!" sign was flashing in the store window. We'd buy a dozen hot ones and sit and watch the donut-making process, our favorite part being the glaze "waterfall".

My husband's parents live in Colorado, so we visited them last Christmas, spending a week in the mountains. Of course Kansas City, our favorite Krispy Kreme city,  is on the way!

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Hot Donuts!

We spent the week before Christmas in Winter Park, Colorado. The ski area has a torchlit ski-down on Christmas Eve. My brother-in-law works and lives at the ski area, so we had a great view of the procession from his balcony at the base lodge.

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Christmas Eve bonfire

The procession itself is quite a spectacle! Skiers made their way down the slope, holding torches that light up the snow. Please understand that I don't have a fancy digital SLR! At first I thought there were drips of white goop on my lens, but upon further inspection, I realized they were the flashes from other photographers!

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Fiery Snow

Have you seen the movie Bucket List? Two older men set off of an adventure to do the things they want to do before they "kick the bucket". Well, I have become a little less adventurous in recent years, but decided to try snowmobiling. I rode on the back, sucking exhaust fumes while I careened through the snow on the back of the snowmobile with my Need-for-Speed Husband. 

I must admit that I'm glad I went. Not only did I get some gorgeous shots, but now I can add "Snowmobiling to the Continental Divide" to my bucket list, then merrily cross it off!

It was extremely cold at that altitude...not to mention the 60 mph wind blowing right through me! I was very bundled up.

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Michelin Woman

I grew up in South Florida and don't handle the cold as well as my Northern readers!

One of the things that I never did while I lived in Florida was go on an airboat tour through the Everglades. My sister and I promised each other in the summer of 2009 that we would go the next time I visited her. The time came a year later. It was exhilarating... even though we saw no wild gators! 

I intended to do a self-portrait with the Glades in the background, but neglected to use the correct setting on my camera. Sometimes mistakes produce interesting photos. That's my sister in the reflection, wearing a red shirt and blue hat. We often kid that we are twins born ten years apart!

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Self-portrait in the Everglades

365-29 "Let's Face It!"

"Let's Face It!"

a little ditty I wrote

"Let's Face It!"

written by me.

I happened upon this tree

and introduced myself.

I asked the tree who carved his face

and if it was an elf.

He did not reply to me

but motioned with a sway,

which I understood to mean

he did not want to say.

His countenance was friendly

so imagine my surprise

when he pursed his lips and started

to speak and sermonize.

He talked about his long life

and how he had been treated,

Of all the things he had missed

and how he had been cheated.

"How could this be?" I asked

and hoped for a reply,

But he had ceased to speak

and had begun to cry.

This tree was in the middle

of a vast and lonely field

Where no one could provide him

with any kind of shield.

He was open to the weather -

wind and ice and snow,

and all the other things that bring

a tree like him such woe.

I explained to him all the things

that I appreciate

about all the trees like him

that the Lord God did create.

"You provide men shelter

and beauty and some shade

Not to mention syrup

and other things tree-made."

The tree began to smile

and I was quite relieved

that he truly did like me

and really did believe.

"Let's face it," I continued,

"You are something to behold,

and I am very certain

you'll live to be quite old."

His branches began to quiver

as he began to laugh,

Then I promised him that I would speak

to all on his behalf.

So, dear reader, stop and think

of all trees do for you,

Let's face it - we cannot live

without them, it is true!