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.

365-34 

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!

365-28 Holding on

Some of the green is holding on in spite of a frost every night.

365-27 "Detail of copper door"

I'd like to learn how to clip the corners on photos, but don't have the proper software for it.

Here's my first attempt at a vignette.

365-26 "Seasons of Life"

In 1840, William Snodgrass erected a log building about 300 yards from his house for specific use as a schoolhouse and a church. Three separate school buildings were to occupy the same level, one-acre site over the next 100 years or so. The log school was succeeded by a frame building with board-and-batten siding of white poplar, painted a dark red, which was in turn succeeded, in 1871, by the 23' by 26' white frame schoolhouse now on the campus of Fairmont State University.
We discovered the schoolhouse when we were letterboxing. 

365-24 "Old Copper Doors"

364-23 "Splashes of Yellow"

There are still trees with lots of color here in West Virginia.

365-22 "Foggy morning at the lake"

I love this time of year with pleasant days and cool nights. It creates some beautiful foggy mornings like the one today.

365-21* Orange

The 365 Project assignment this week is "Orange". Believe it or not, I have several images that qualify and had trouble choosing. It's kind of like when prospective sponsors approach a Compassion International table at a concert or Compassion Sunday. There are so many needy children! Yet God seems to draw people to the child He wants to pair them with.

While I was at the MercyMe/Phil Wickham concert this past Sunday, I gathered up all the child packets in which the child was wearing orange. I chose the brightest. 

These child packets are reserved for concertgoers, but there are many more whom you could sponsor....and make a difference in a child's life. Just go to the Compassion web site and choose a child....by country, gender, age - even a specific birth date.

365-20 "Flames in the Sky"

We often take the beauty of God's creation for granted, especially when we've lived in an area for a while. I love the fall colors and have come to realize that a lot of people have never experienced them. So, here you are, friends in the temperate climates!

365-19* "Simplicity"

The photo assignment for this week was to catch the emotion of simplicity in the expressions of people.

Hmmmm.

People are not my best subjects. They move. They often don't cooperate. So I found an object with one leg and something that resembles arms.

365-18 "Reflections of Blue"

I am on day 5 of a headache, so I've not ventured out much for photographs. Today I've chosen one of my shots from our trip to Montana this summer. I am going to imagine sitting on the shore of MacDonald Lake, sipping sweet iced tea, and gazing at the peaks.

365-17 "Reflections of Gold"

The western sun highlights the yellow leaves, yielding a golden glow.

365-16 "Waxing crescent"

They say you are good at what you like.

I beg to differ.

I've always liked science, but have never been very good at it.  Take the lesson in elementary school on Phases of the Moon. I still cannot remember which name goes with which phase. I'm grateful that I can look it up on my iPhone StarWalk application, though.

So, here you have it: "Waxing Crescent."

365-15 "Take me back to Italy"

Some of my very fondest memories are from our trip to Europe last year. My favorite country was Italy, perhaps because my maternal grandfather was Italian....but he would have said he was Sicilian. Italians identify themselves with their province more readily than their country.

I've been trying to learn Italian, but have a hard time being faithful to continue my education. I wish the Italian program I'm using didn't have so much about ordering beer and wine!

I like the idea of wine, but I haven't really found one that appeals to my taste buds. I should really take advantage of the free tastes they offer at Olive Garden, where we went after our very long shopping trip to Cabela's, a popular sporting goods store in our area.

365-14 "Twenty-seven million"

Part of my work with  Compassion International is to volunteer at Christian concerts where the child sponsorship program is being presented. This week Tenth Avenue North came to Morgantown, WV. Their burden is for the children all around the world caught up in the human trafficking trade. I was shocked to learn that there are 27,000,000 slaves worldwide. Compassion is working to free children from slavery and poverty in the name of Jesus.

This is not a great photo, but the message is important. You can sponsor a child here

365-13

There is a lake near the beginning of our road which is host to a fishing club. The associated buildings are used for celebrations, picnics, and parties. I've conveniently hidden the sign, but this particular building is actually one of the rest rooms. Perhaps not on the level of the rest rooms at Shoji Tobuchi's theater in Branson, but appealing to the eye just the same!

365-12

"Camouflage and adaptation"
aka a short science lesson

With the new season comes change in temperature. Some of us are better adapted than others. I grew up in South Florida and would have thought this to be winter weather and thus bundled up. Now I just don a light jacket or something similar...if even that.

My Dalmatian, Dana, does not adapt well. She sheds year-round. Her job is to populate every dark object in her environment with her white hair. Years ago, a pastor's wife was walking behind me and declared, "Theresa, next time consider a coat color other than black." That coat is probably 20 years old by now and it still hair on it.

Dana gets cold easily, even inside. I bought one of those cuddly fleece blankets with a cute snowflake print and it has been claimed by Dana. It suits her well and provides adequate camouflage, don't you think?

365-11

The oars are stowed away, as are the beach towels and swimsuits. The boats wait patiently for their owners to brave the weather and go fishing. It's quiet and serene and perfect for an amateur photographer to nose around, looking for a photo opportunity.

365-10

My favorite photo subjects are the things which God has created. I find that I have to get more creative in finding those things as autumn chill replaces summer warmth. 


These marigolds are holding on, though, and I seized the opportunity for an outdoor photo with some color in it.

365-9*

"Signs of Life"

After several weeks of no rain, the grass here in West Virginia was browning fast. We usually begin to feed hay to our horses in late October, bur we started in mid-September.

Then the rains came. The grass has greened. The ground sloshes under your feet. And the mushrooms seemingly pop up overnight. Life has returned!

This photo took several tries...like 15! I think  the result is worth it.

365-8

My Mom has told me that if I add any more Teddy bears to my collection, there won't be any room for my family in my house! I've lost count, but I think they number around 150.

This bear's name is Clive, named after C.S. Lewis. I began reading Lewis's works about the time Clive joined my household.

365-7 "Tea with Mom"

Emily, my maternal grandmother, was English. My mother, Lucy, passed on the love for tea with sugar and milk to me. I have many fond memories of drinking a cuppa in the afternoon while I was living at home. Mom, now 96, is in a nursing home, so those days are gone. Mom has given  me many of her English bone china cups and saucers and I treasure them. One must drink hot tea from a bone china cup with saucer. There simply is no other way. It simply does not taste the same from a mug.

I have added to my cup and saucer collection a little bit. When we were in England in May of 2009, Kevin chose a set from Harrod's in London as a gift for me. We also purchased some English tea bags, which have turned out to be my favorite.

365-6

I'm going to confess right up front. I'm not in the habit of taking my camera everywhere I go....yet.

This is a photo I took on our trip to Montana this August. While my husband and son hiked to a glacier, I accompanied my in-laws on a boat tour of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. I was looking for some fascinating photo subjects and the wake of the ferry boat caught my eye.

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365-4

I am not one who decorates for much more than Christmas, but my friend Gail does! I'm getting in the habit of taking my camera with me wherever I go. Good thing - because I had neglected to take any project photos today. We attend a small Bible study group at Gail's house, so I was pleased to see that she had decorated for the season when we arrived tonight for our kickoff cookout. So I get to continue with my seasonal theme after all!

 

365-3*

The assignment this week is "Books". What could be better than a photo of photo books for a photo project? These are from our trip to Europe in May 2009.

365-2

Our pear trees are heavy-laden with fruit. Unfortunately, they are not worth eating unless you can them...or are a horse or bear!  Since I am neither species and don't do any canning, I just photograph them!

365-1

The first of my 365 photo project posts is of an early fall sky. Some of the trees in my area have shed their leaves already. The change in weather created a nice background to the skeletal trees.

365 Photo Project

I am participating in the 2010 Mommytography 365 Project! For this year long project I will be posting an image a day, to get me out shooting, using my camera and learning new things with it daily. Anyone interested in photography can join, no need to be a Mommytographer. We have teens to adults, male and female, as well as people from all over the world. Come join the fun!

The Simple Life

On our recent trip to Montana, we passed through a small town called Circle, named for the cattle brand of a local ranch. As we approached the town, population 593 as of 2003, we passed a man riding a horse along the highway. Now here was a bonafide cowboy!


We pulled into the Circle Sinclair service station to gas up and discovered that the station was still  a full service station. I couldn't believe that they still existed.


As we waited for our fuel to fill, the cowboy trotted his horse into the station. He dismounted and led his horse right up to the door. At first I thought he was going to take his horse right inside, but he didn't. He tied the reins to the door handle and emerged a few minutes later. The proprietor followed him out and started to chat.


"How many horses you gonna break this year?" (Please read this with your very best Montana drawl.)
"Oooh. Four 'r five..."
"Weeel....you must be doin' a good job."


That's all I heard of the conversation because the cowboy - complete with lasso, hat, boots, and belt buckle - had wandered over to the side of the building to a bench, horse in tow. He sat down and enjoyed his Mountain Dew and a snack. A couple minutes later and he had mounted up again, heading his horse farther into town.

I found myself envying his way of life.


Why do we lead such complicated lives? A lot of people around the world are happy with their lives, even though they don't have the possessions and conveniences we have here in the United States.


I especially saw this when we took a Jeep tour in Spain, one of the highlights of our trip to Europe.


One of our stops was to a traditional goat farm where they made the most delicious cheese. Maria and Pepe care for over a hundred goats every day. Pepe spent his mornings milking the nannies, then herding them and the billies out to pasture, where he spent the remainder of the day.

Pepe and Maria

We even tried our hand at milking

The cheese rounds

Every day, Maria takes the milk and forms it into cheese in their cheese house, using traditional methods. The cheese is completely organic and resembles a mozzarella. Since it's not pasteurized, they cannot sell it in the neighboring town of Istan. Their product is well known, however, and the locals come to the farm to purchase.

Some days I find myself longing for a simpler lifestyle.

Bookmarks, greeting cards, and posters

It is such a famous scripture we often don't even realize what it means...or stop to think about it. Children memorize it. Posters are made from it and hung on walls. Artists paint and draw images to go with it. It is printed on bookmarks and stuck in our Bibles. Greeting card companies print them on sympathy cards and we buy them for our loved ones.

Yet it seems to have lost its meaning for many of us. Including me, of course. (After all, they say that when you point your finger at someone, there are four fingers pointing back at you.)

But this morning this scripture came to life for me again..

I attended a Walk thru the Bible seminar last weekend and not only did I learn, but I also had a great time doing it! This morning, I was reviewing my seminar notes. I had even dug through my basement to find my notebook from the seminar I attended in the '80s. I had worked my way up to Psalms in my review and I came across a page in my old notebook about applying scripture to your life. The table headings are: Read, Visualize, Memorize, Ponder, Pray, and Worship.

The example was Psalm 23:2-3, which reads "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides quiet waters, he restores my soul."

Now most of us would immediately visualize sheep. (These particular sheep I photographed in England.)

Most of us also probably don't have any real experience with sheep.

Including me!

But I do have experience with horses. When I got up this morning, I did what I always do: go to the kitchen for food! My mother always teased me about that. "Theresa's feet hit the floor in the morning and head for the kitchen."

Anyway, I did just that. When I got to the window over my sink, I spotted a large white mass on the ground where there is normally nothing but grass. Curious, I opened the curtains and gazed out.  It was one of my horses, sprawled out, enjoying the warm ground on a very cold spring morning. A little to her right was her pasture mate, lying down but upright, contentedly nibbling on spring grass. They were absolutely enjoying the peace and quiet of the morning.

Yet I've always been amazed that such majestic, huge animals flee at the slightest perceived danger. They weigh over 1000 pounds, but they are prey. Their instinct is to flee for their lives.

Before me were two creatures, calm and peaceful as could be.

Then it struck me. This is the calm that God offers. This is the peace, the contentment, the security.  We might be surrounded by dangers, seen and unseen, but God is with us. He leads us beside quiet waters.

How do we get this peace?

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3

So now you've read it. You've visualized it. You've probably memorized Psalm 23 at some point in your life. Now ponder over it and Isaiah 26:3. And when you're done, pray for a steadfast mind and a trusting heart. Ask Him to give you peace. Then praise Him for it!!