Snow Day in the South

It snowed last night - 8 inches. Usually, it melts quickly down here in North Carolina, but the temperature has dropped into the low 20's and won't get much warmer tomorrow. To top it off, we got sleet on top of the snow, then another layer of snow, so it's really trecherous outside. I'm debating whether to go to church tomorrow. I told numerous people I'd be there to take pictures, but I'm worried about driving. Streets don't get cleared very quickly around here, and they may be very icy in the morning. I don't want to chance anything happening to my new car.

I've been inside all day working on pictures on my computer. The picture of the cardinal was actually taken yesterday, before the snow hit. We haven't seen many birds at the feeder lately, but with the snow, I've already seen more than usual. The Chicadees found the feeder and so have the Sparrows and Cardinals. It's fun to see them, and I'm hoping to get some more pictures. I actually saw a Robin yesterday. Couldn't believe my eyes - it seems way too early for them to be coming back. They may not migrate much further south, so it might not be such a rarity.

Tonight is the Miss America Pageant. I've been watching that beauty contest most of my life. It used to fall on the weekend of my birthday in September, but now it's in January on a cable station rather than a major network. Times have changed. There was a back-stage preview on last night which was fun to watch. There are some very pretty girls in the pageant this year.

This weather makes me want to bake something. Homemade bread with a pot of chili just sounds right on a cold winter's night. Think I'll go do that.

New Toy

This looks just like my new car, only mine is dark gray. I'm hoping it was a good choice. You never know whether you get a honey or a lemon when you buy a car. Time will tell.

I'm not sure whether it is one of the Toyota recall cars. I don't think so, but I'm not sure. I'll have to check the list.

The president gave his State of the Union address. Same old campaign balarkey. He doesn't seem to understand that the American people do not want the health care bill he's been trying to ram through Congress. They can see it for what it really is - a power play.

Car Shopping

This old red Chevy looks just like my very first car - only mine was blue. What a thrill it was to actually have my own wheels way back then. That was in 1968. I was out of high school and working in downtown Chicago - the Loop. Hard to believe that was 42 years ago. The time goes so fast. There have been a lot of cars since then too.

Well, I'm looking for a car again. Like the first one, this will probably be a used car. After having a Dodge mini-van, I really would like something that has a little height to it. I like being higher than the average sedan. My husand and I looked at Honda CRVs, Jeep Grand Cherokees, and Honda Elements. I really like the Element, but my husband didn't. The CRV is pretty nice too - less roomy but practical. I'm not sure why he didn't like the Element - he didn't think it had enough power, and it's a bit more expensive than a CRV. I like the fact that it has plenty of room for hauling "stuff."

My husband is also thinking of GM cars, like Chevy Malibos and Impalas. He's always been an American-made car person, but Hondas are really good. He sold them for a while, so he knows what they're like. He's also sold Jeeps, and knows them. In his opionion they are so-so. They don't get the gas mileage the Hondas do.

From what I understand, if you want good gas mileage, the Toyota Prius is the way to go. One of my girlfriends has one, and every time I ride in it, I'm impressed. I love the quietness and comfortable ride, and the fact that it gets 40 to 50 miles on a gallon of gas is just what I need with gas prices so high. I think I may try one just to see how it handles.

I got frustrated tonight, because for every car I like, my husband has a reason not to want it. This is supposed to be my car. I want it to be what I want. My two picks right now are the Element and the Prius, and doggone it, I'm got to get I really like!

Road Trip

I'm ready for a road trip, but first I need a new car. I doubt this one would get me very far. Saw this machine at the Spencer Train Museum here in North Carolina. They have a nice display of classic cars - it's not just trains.

My husband and I actually went car shopping today. I'm looking for a small SUV. I drove both a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Honda CRV. I liked them both, but the CRV gets better gas mileage than the Cherokee; much more practical.

I need to get something soon, my old Alero has 131,000 miles on it, and it's beginning to give us trouble. I already have a couple trips planned for the spring. The first is a trip to Charleston, SC, for the annual spring LWML Joy Event, and the second is my yearly trip to the Grandfather Mountain Nature Photography weekend. I've been to four of them now, and really enjoy myself. The one thing I have to get for that is a laptop so I can see the pictures I've taken during the day. There is always a friendly contest (no prizes), so I need to be able to pick out my best shots.

I have an old laptop that might be salvagable. I'm hoping I can put in a new hard drive and get it running again. I don't need much - just something to run Lightroom on (even Picassa, for that matter), and Word. I don't even need Internet access. Having a portable computer would give me the freedom to head over to Barnes & Noble and sit with a cup of coffee and write. Perhaps I could be inspired surrounded by books and people.

The day is winding down, and so am I. Busy morning at church taking pictures for a new congregational directory. I'm learning about portraiture as I do it. This is a good place to get my feet wet. Posing people is a lot different than shooting ad lib on the streets. I beginning to think that I might not be too bad at it.

I'm in the middle of a book, "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society." I'm enjoying it. It's actually a tale of World War II as told to a writer by the members of the above-named society. I'm about half-way through and will snuggle down on the couch with it as soon as I finish writing here.

Not much to say tonight. Apparently, we're in for heavy rain tomorrow. There are flash flood warnings all over the TV. Good day to have lunch with a friend and discuss we've both read.

Old Friends

I heard from an old friend today thanks to Facebook. I was apprehensive about joining it, but it has turned out to be a lot of fun. I have re-connected with people I haven't seen in years. The person who contacted me today was an old roomate, adventure pal, and bridesmaid. I'm really glad she sent me an e-mail. When I go back home, I'll have to look her up.

It's so easy to lose track of friends, especially if you move away. You have to make a concerted effort to keep in touch. Our lives get so busy that we don't take the time needed to drop a few lines and say Hi. Even with the ease of e-mail, we don't keep up like we should. Of course, the older we get, the more people we know so it becomes more difficult to stay involved in everyone's lives.

Yet, it's worth the effort. Those who are ture friends will hang in there. The relationships take up right where they're left off, even if it isn't often that you communicate.

Having my friend contact me just made my day!

Change

Life is changing once again. It's never what you expect. I'm re-arranging closets and rooms, making space for a returning child. Both kids will once again be living at home.

No deep philosphical thoughts tonight. I'm tired, but I do want to write something each night. This is my on-line journal.

I got a copy of "The End of Overeating" by David Kessler from the library. I had seen it at Barnes & Noble, and it seems intriguing. I've been battling the bulge all my life, and I'm back up again. I have to lose weight, but it's such a struggle. It just never ends. If I even let up for a little while, I gain. Sometimes it is so depressing. So, I'll read the book and see what he says. I've read so many books. How many time have I been on Weight Watchers - I've lost count. I always lose weight if I stick to the program. Unfortunately, I always seem to give up at some point and never really get to where I want to be. I can't quit trying though.

Difficult Day

There are days when there is just saddness in the air. This is one of them. Life isn't always very easy, and sometimes it gets pretty bad before it gets better again. I can't explain in a blog what is going on, but I guess this too shall pass.

Just as the potter shapes his creation, then fires it in the kiln to harden it, so we too are being shaped by our Maker's hand. Often we feel as though we are spinning wildly, but God knows exactly what He is doing. He is the master potter, and we are but clay. We are spun, pushed, pulled, and finally fired -- it feels like death. But, when we have cooled the polish is visible to all who see us.

Poetry Day

I need a touch of color
to brighten up my day.
The skies outside are leaden
Overcast and gray.



I always written poetry - not a lot, but I try it once in a while. Maybe I'll try posting some of them here. Not sure anyone will ever see them, but why not?
The picture was takens along the Profile Trail up at Grandfather Mountain. It'll be a while before I can get back up there. Love to see what Grandfather is like during winter, but I don't have a dependable car. Oh well...back to poetry. Here's an old one...

Dream --
Specks dancing in a beam
of window light
I reach ... they scatter
Floating off fingertips
Again and again.
I reach -- hoping
Fingers touch emptiness
I close the blind.

Dulcimer --
Dulcimer tune
Hummable ditty
Speaks in a language
Not heard in the city

Music of the mountains
Filled with heartache and joy
Telling a tale of love
Time and distance don't destroy.

Me --
I'm not the me I planned to be
I'm not the me I want to be
I'm not the me that others see
But I'm working on the me I need to be.

Oh enough of my corny poetry for tonight.

Political Upset

Scott Brown has won the senate seat that was Ted Kennedy's in Massachusetts by a margin of seven points (as of 9:30 p.m.). The Obama administration has been dealt a major defeat.

The American people are angry with this administration, and they are speaking out. If the democrats try to ram that health bill through congress before Brown is sworn in, they will seal their doom for the future. The American people don't want this bill. That's why they voted Brown in. Eyes are being opened, and the change Americans are getting from this administration is not what they voted for.

I can't wait to see what John Hammer has to say in Thursday's Rhino.

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Today, Greensboro celebrated what would have been the 81st birthday of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. I was at the parade in Greensboro today to take pictures for the Rhino. It's the first time I've done so, and I found it surprising that so few white people came to watch.

I think Rev. King would have been disappointed that in the nearly 50 years since he gave his "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington, D.C., there is still such a separation between races.

And yet, African-Americans have come a long way. This country elected an African-American president, Barack Obama, in 2008. That, indeed, is a dream come true. While poverty is still a major issue in the black community, African-Americans are now found in all corners of business and politics. I don't have the percentages of, say African-Americans in government, but when looked at from the perspective of the percentage of the American population as a whole, I think they have done fairly well. In 2000, the percentage of African-Americans in the U.S. population was 12.3%. When you think about it, out of 300 million people, that's a relatively small number. A census will be taken this year, so more accurate figures will be forthcoming.

I wonder what it would have been like if Rev. King hadn't been murdered back in 1968? Would people be judging others by the "content of their character" rather than the color of their skin? Or, is it human nature to look on the outside first? I think it's human nature. Our first judgment about anyone of any race is outward, because we can't know a person's character until we have spent time with them. We need to spend time with each other.

There is hope for the future. Racism is taught, and if we don't teach it, it will fade and die. I know my children don't share the same prejudices that I grew up with, and I can only hope that I have set a good example for them. They, in turn, need to set a good example for their children. The song from the Roger's and Hammerstein musical "South Pacific," talks about how people learn hatred of others - "You Have to be Carefully Taught." How true. That song was written in 1949, and although it was not written about African-Americans per se, the message still holds true.

I also had some good conversation with one of my fellow photographers who was also covering the parade. He's African-American and was able to fill me in on the neighborhood as well tell me who many of the people and groups were that marched in the parade. It was a good day.

January 17, 2010

I need a road trip. Haven't been anywhere since last September. It's been nearly a year since I took this picture on Oakracoke. I can't go on the club's trip this February. They're going to Costa Rico. Far too expensive for me. If I had money enough for a trip like that, I'd be heading to Europe. I can't even get to the mountains. My car isn't dependable anymore. It's frustrating to be so poor.

I can get around town though, and tomorrow I'm shooting the MLK parade. I've been trying to find out the parade route, without luck. I know where it starts, but I'd like to find out where it ends. I'd like to park closer to the end if it's where I think it will be. It will be easier for me to get home that way.

Started taking pictures at church today. It went well, but it's going to be a challenge getting pics of all the congregation members. We'll probably have to call people and have them come at times during the week. At least I got started.

Now it's late, and I need to get to bed. End of post for today.

January 16, 2010

The second day of my blog. Hmmm....what to write about.

Of course, the people of Haiti immediately come to mind. The scope of the tragedy there is incomprehensible. Watching the news broadcasts from there only give part of the picture. As a photographer, I know that a picture just gives you a small sense of the reality taking place. I pray that the massive outpouring of help from all over the world will begin to get through to the people.

On a happier note, I start taking pictures of the members of my church for a new directory tomorrow. I've put off starting the project because I really didn't feel I could do it well, but last Sunday I bit the bullet and announced that I would begin tomorrow. Spent some time at church today getting the room set up. I hope that it will go smootly.

I'll also be taking pictures at the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade Monday. Those pics will be for the Rhino. I've had great fun taking pictures for the paper. People are always so friendly and nice. I've enjoyed getting to know the people of Greensboro.

January 15, 2010

This is it. I have started a blog. I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this, but I have had friends tell me I should start a daily photo blog about Greensboro. Well, there is already a blog out there that does that, so I won't crowd their territory. I think my blog will just wander for a while. I will put one Greensboro pic out here, however - just for fun.

I do need to get my camera out every day. Often it sits idle for days, though it won't this weekend. I'm starting a major project for my church, and Monday I'll be shooting pictures at the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade here in Greensboro.

Of course, the major concern on everyone's mind today is Haiti. I've sent out invitations for all my friends to join the Lutheran Haitian Mission group on Facebook. The needs in Haiti are overwhelming in light of the earthquake there this week.

So, this is my new adventure - a blog. It's different from Facebook, in that I can write all I want. Whether anyone reads it - well, we'll see. I think it should be fun.