Grand Haven Beach, Michigan

The picture here is of Grand Haven's public beach. My mother and I stopped there on our way home from a wedding in Mt. Pleasant. It was so good to wiggle my toes in Lake Michigan sand.
It was also wonderful to see cousins that I hadn't seen in years. I really need to get home more frequently.

I also had a great time in Chicago with my mother and friends. Sitting for hours with good friends on the patio at Lou Malnotti's in Naperville is just about a perfect way to spend a beautiful summer afternoon. Going downtown on the Metra and photographing Chicago's amazing architecture from a Wendell boat is a great experience. I highly recommend it to everyone who visits Chicago. Be sure and take the combined tour that takes you up the Chicago River then out into Lake Michigan. The Chicago skyline is gorgeous. I only wish I could have come back for the evening tour to see the lights of the city. Well...maybe next trip.

Tea Party

Boy, I opened a can a worms today when I sent out an e-mail to my Liberal "friends." A number of them told me to take them off my e-mail list. I have rarely sent political e-mails to people I know don't agree with my political views. Now I know why.

The e-mail raised some legitmate questions about President Obama, and the person who was asking them was a responsible person, Lou Pritchett, an executive with Procter and Gamble. I wonder why his comments raise such ire with liberals?

It's indicative of the vast divide there is in this country between liberals and conservatives. The picture above is of the Tea Party rally in Greensboro on Tax Day, April 15th. It was peaceful and well organized. The people who turned out were normal, every day citizens who are concerned about their country. They are hardly the right-wing radicals the left describes them as being.

Changes

My quiet evenings will change starting tomorrow. Daughter and grandaughter are moving in. They'll be living with us - I have no idea for how long. The marriage isn't working and they are now officially separated. Here in North Carolina a couple has to be separated for a year before they can divorce. A lot can happen in a year.

I feel a great sense of sadness. There is so much in the world that just isn't right. Dinner with a friend tonight was another tale of woe. Her family has been experiencing a great deal of hardship, and there seems to be no way out.

My job hunt has produced absolutely nothing. I've been out of work for a year now. I get no replies to the resumes I send out. It's so disheartening.

Random Thoughts Late at Night

Just finished reading Sarah Palin's book, "Going Rogue." I liked her before, but I really like her now. She's the kind of common sense voice that America really needs. It's too bad she didn't force the issue about being herself in the presidential campaign. I think it would have helped McCain. I doubt she'll make that mistake again. If she does decide to run for president in 2012, I've no doubt she'll the call the shots herself. If she gets to North Carolina, I plan on going to hear her. At least she's now a commentator on FOX, so we do get to hear her thoughts on the political scene.

Working on the pictorial directory I'm doing for church. It's coming along pretty well. I need to get the addresses into the book set up. That's going to take some work.

Shot pics at the NC Marathon last Saturday in High Point. The fastest man in the marathon was disqualified because he had only signed up for the half marathon. When he took a wrong turn, he decided to complete the entire marathon, but because he had signed up for it, the win didn't count. Bummer...he was four minutes ahead of everybody else.

More pics to take this week. Arbor Day tree planting and ribbon cutting of the new urban greenway. Then Saturday, Bunny Day at the Natural Science Center. That should be fun.

Now it's late - need sleep!

Babysitting

I babysat for the munchkin today. How quickly she is growing! She's growing, not only physically, but mentally. Her vocabulary and understanding are taking leaps and bounds. You can see her imagination at work when you play with her. It's amazing to watch a little person's personally develop. Such joy to be a grandmother.

I've become a nervous Prius driver. The psychological ramifications of all the negative news about Toyota does have an impact whether I want it to or not. Every strange move the car makes has me wondering if it's going to take off and accelerate on its own. Apparently, a lot of people are have thoughts like mine. There has been a spike in complaints about unintended acceleration in Priuses since all this stuff began airing. It was reassuring to read, however, that a lot of it is psychological. It's a phenomenon that happens frequently. Young medical students are guilty of it when they study a new disease. Suddenly they have all the symptoms of that disease. Now every Prius is a potential runaway. Still, it has made me far more aware of how I drive and what the car is doing.

I'm learning to drive my Prius so that I get optimal gas mileage. It is changing my driving habits - for the good, I think. I used to make jack-rabbit starts, but now I ease up to speed and try to drive with my foot off the gas pedal as much as possible. The screen on the dash shows me what my miles per gallon are, and it's fun to try to get it well over 40 mpg. Today I was in the 47 mpg range, just by managing my driving more carefully.

I still like the car, and just pray I don't have any "unintended acceleration" incidents to deal with. Just to be on the safe side, I've practiced putting the car in nuetral while its moving. It's different from a regular shift, so it does take a bit of practice. I haven't tried shutting the car off while driving as yet. I just have to remember to count to three slowly while holding in the start button should an incident occur. For now, though, I have to relax and just drive again. It is a fun car to drive.

Where Is Spring?

I keep looking for jonquils like these. Usually they're popping up by now, but it's been a real winter here in the South. Spring should get here soon, I hope. Maybe the extended daylight will help. Daylight Savings Time starts next week - the 14th. I hadn't realized it would be here so soon.

This week I wrote an article about getting your house ready for spring. I need to follow my own advice - vacuum furniture, clean ceiling fans, paint a couple rooms. I'm looking forward to warm weather so I can open all the windows and air the place out.

But...it's still cold tonight. I'm sitting here with a sweatshirt on. Come quickly spring!

The past couple days have been busy ones. I've sat at this computer for hours working on pictures for our new church directory. I made three dozen phone calls this afternoon trying to get members to stop by my make-shift studio and have their picture taken. Hopefully, those who said they would come tomorrow will actually do so. It's going to be my last Sunday taking pictures. I've done it for two months now. Time to put the book together.

My job hunt hasn't gone very well. I keep sending resumes out, but I swear they disappear into some dark hole. There are so many people out of work. Nobody needs an old lady like me.

The camera club I belong to opened its yearly display at Greensboro's Central Library last night. We have a great display of photos by club members. I believe there are 40 in all. There are a couple of my favorite shots on display.

Father-Daughter Dance

This is one of my favorite pictures of my father and me. It's how I'll always remember him. We're doing a polka at my wedding, and it's one of the happiest times of my life. I'll never forget it.

How my father loved to dance! He should have been Fred Astaire, sweeping his Ginger Rogers, my mother, across ballroom floors. Instead, he spun paint brushs across walls and ceilings and drapped wallpaper in rooms other people would dance in.

He danced when he could. At weddings, he never sat down. Women always wanted to dance with him. They would come up and ask him to dance when my mother would tire. He never did, and he seldom refused. His delight in dance was too great to say no. Polkas, waltzes, fox trots, the Indiana hop - he knew them all. My mother never seemed to mind. She understood him. It was the dance, not the woman that mattered.

Maybe there's a ballroom in heaven, and he's dancing tirelessly there. Oh how I miss him!

Go Red

February is American Heart month, and Greensboro kicked off its GSO Go Red campaign on Friday in Center City Park. The kickoff was supposed to have been on the 5th, but bad weather prevented it. Yesterday's event went off without a hitch, although it was a bit chilly.

The Heart Association's campaign is near and dear to my heart - literally. As a person who has had a mild heart attack and now has a stent holding open one artery, research is important to me. Hubby has an artificial valve, so heart research is doubly important in this family.

I urge anyone who reads this blog to support the American Heart Association and give generously to its cause. Many people don't realize that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the country. With all the publicity about women and breast cancer, most people think that breast cancer is the greatest problem women face. Not true; its heart disease. So, do all you can to stay heart healthy. East right, exercise, know your numbers: cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides. Keep them low and stay healthy.

Today was the Greensboro celebration of Chinese New Year at the Cultural Center. It's the year of the tiger, and the colorful Lion Dance welcomed the new year in. Chinese music and dancers entertained an appreciative audience, and a Chinese buffet was available for lunch. It was a great opportunity for very colorful photos.

Greensboro is filled with interesting activities. Next weekend is the Seafest at the Natural Science Center. Children will be able to see creatures that live in the oceans, and taste exotic seafood. Should be a fun day.

The Bachelor

Okay, did Ali make the right choice leaving Jake and going back to her job? We'll find out next week when she calls him in the Caribbean. Why do I watch this show? Guess it's the romantic in me. Every woman wants to find her prince charming I suppose - we all love the fairy tale.

Took a little road trip today. I've wanted to see what IKEA is like, so hubby and I gave my new car a test drive. We made a brief stop at Bass Pro Shop on the way down. We need a full day to really explore that place. Bass boats are way beyond our means, unfortunately, not to mention the fact we don't have a car that will pull a boat. I always envisioned us fishing when we retired. That's a vision that probably won't come to fruition - like so many of my dreams.

IKEA is quite a place - huge. We wandered through it, but didn't buy anything but lunch. The meatballs are good. I did come home with a couple jars of ligonberries, but that's all.

Stopped at the Toyota dealership in Salisbury where I bought my car. I had forgotten to take my cd's out of the Alero when we got the Prius. They were waiting for me. The ride home was uneventful.

We're in for more winter weather tomorrow. I doubt we'll have book club. The members are older (I'm the youngest), and they won't want to drive in bad weather.

I have my next real estate assignment, as well as three photo opps that are coming up. The polar plunge out to be fun to see. There's also the Chinese New Year festival and a Seafest at the Natural Science Center. Gives me fun things to do.

Weight Loss

I put the strawberry picture up to remind me of what I have to look forward to in the spring. Have to have something delightful to look at since it's gray and gloomy outside. We missed the major blizzard, with its two feet of snow that blanketed Baltimore and DC. We were fortunate to just get rain and keep our power. That's enough winter for my taste. After all, this is North Carolina!

Grandchild spent the night last night. She went to bed easily, but woke up at 1:30 a.m. and wouldn't go back to sleep. I sat next to her bed, rocked her in my lap, and finally gave up at 3:30 a.m. and brought her into our bed. It was deja vu - her mother used to climb in bed with us when she was little.

I picked up a book at the local used bookstore - Julia Cameron's, "The Writing Diet: Write Yourself Right-Size." Perhaps it will help me get started on taking off the weight that I've re-gained. Her theory, and I feel she's right, is that there is an underlying emotional cause for over-eating. Cameron asks the question, "What if I gave myself food for thought instead of food itself?... If I can write about something, I can handle it - and often with grace." How right she is.

One of my main ways of dealing with issues in my life is to write about them. I've kept a journal for many years, working through the problems in my life. That's what this blog feels like - my journal. I guess it is, although, like my journal, nobody reads it. That probably has more to do with the fact that I haven't told anyone I'm blogging. I keep wondering if someone will accidentally stumble upon my musings, but there are so many blogs out there that the odds of that happening seem pretty slim.

There are a lot of weight-loss blogs on the Internet. Starting one of my own seems kind of silly. It makes more sense to continue my "Daily Reflections," and see if by chance someone comes across it. Should I decide to write with a definite audience in mind, then I'll have to focus more closely on what I write. Then too, I'll have to carefully censor what I write. I do that anyway in case I decide to open my thoughts to friends and relatives.

There's a lot of dumping of thoughts on Facebook, but the posts are short and sometimes silly. There isn't room for reflection, but it isn't designed for that. FB is a social networking site, and it's been fun seeing what people are up to. I've enjoyed re-connecting with old friends and classmates. The blog, however, is where I can probe more deeply into my own thoughts, questioning what is making me tick.

Right now, however, my ticking is running pretty slow and I think I'll go take a nap.

The Ground Hog

Our local ground hog, Woody, did not see his shadow Tuesday, so spring is on its way. But...you'd never know it today. We've had snow, rain, freezing rain, sleet, and are due for more snow tomorrow. Yuk!

This has been a week for getting in touch with old friends. My former roommate and I found each other on Facebook, and talked on the phone for a long time. It was as if the years had rolled away and we had just seen each other a few days earlier. Now we're planning a reunion in Gatlinburg in the fall. We hope to get a couple more of our friends to join us.

I almost have to laugh at President Obama's latest request. He's asking people to turn off their TV's and get their news from newspapers. He contends that cable TV is inaccurate and biased. Could it be that he is smarting from the criticisms he has been receiving from both the conservative (Fox) and the liberal (CNN) media? What makes him think that newspapers are any less biased? The man is lashing out at people who don't agree with him. He just doesn't get the fact that people don't like his policies, and even the liberals are beginning to see him for what he really is - an extreme left-winger whose agenda is socialism. In Obama's mind only government can solve people's problems. The more the government can control, the better. Amerians do not want government controlling their lives. It's far too invasive as it is.

On the conservative front, there is a Republican senator who is holding up all of Obama's appointees. Normally, I would agree with the senator, but this time he is holding up appointments so that his state, Alabama, can get lucrative defense contracts. That's wrong. It's okay to hold up appointees if you don't think they're fit the position, but not because of pork for your state.

Ice On The Way

We're expecting freezing rain tomorrow. Yuk! I finally got out of the house today after spending the whole weekend inside. I do have to go out in the morning. I'm supposed to shoot pictures of the groundhog at the Natural Science Center. Sure hope the roads aren't too bad. Nobody can drive on ice. Groundhog won't see his shadow tomorrow.

Other than that, I don't have much to write about tonight. Hubby has been under the weather with a bad back. I had to go buy him a heating pad today. That and Tylenol seemed to help.

I read three books in the past three days. The last one, "Home Safe," by Elizabeth Berg was about a woman my age learning to deal with her life after her husband dies. The setting was Chicago (Berg lives in one of the suburbs and knows the area well). Reading about the city made me a bit homesick. Our weather this weekend has been very much like Chicago. I need a new book to read. I have plenty - just need to decide which one it will be.

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.