Gossamer Flashes

Kuskokwim 300 - OR - There Was a Musher Had a Dog and BINGO Was His Name-O

2012-01-29T09:25:00.000-08:00

My husband loved this sled dog.

Loading the dogs...

to take to the site.

Someone holds the lead dog while the rest of the dogs are linked up. The lead dog is a facinating creature as he remains so calm while the others bark and jump about. I was told that the lead dog is experienced, older and more mature than the rest of the team.

This race is being held on a frozen river or ice road. Temperature was about -30 degrees with windchill. Taking pictures was a chore for the camera and point and shoot cameras cease to function in this weather. My hands nearly ceased to function in this weather.

This musher participated in the Bogus run which is half of the distance.

A real musher.

I love these hot pink booties. I don't love the devil eyes from the flash.

This song was sung at a school program the morning of the race.

This is what the end of the race looks like.

"The Kuskokwim 300 is the most highly-regarded mid-distance dogsled race in the world, annually attracting the top mushers in the sport. The race starts and ends on the Kuskokwim River in Bethel, Alaska, and is run on and adjacent to its namesake river.
Often referred to as the "Kusko 300", or "K-300", the race has been held every January since 1980, and commemorates an early mail route that once tied the settlements along the river to the outside world. Top mushers and hundreds of sled dogs participate in the race for a purse of $100,000, the largest offered by any 300-mile (480 km) sled dog race.
The race is renowned for its often difficult weather and trail conditions. The inaugural race saw a fierce blizzard with dangerously low windchills for the first half of the race, followed by a freak thaw and rain for the latter half. Three separate K-300s (1991, 1999, 2008) earned the nickname "Kusko-Swim", due to strong winds, rain, and deep overflow on top of the river ice.
Staged from January 15 through 17th, the 2010 Kuskokwim 300 was won by musher John Baker of Kotzebue, AK in 47 hours, 56 minutes, and 22 seconds, nearly an hour-and-a-half ahead of second-place finisher and two-time Kusko 300 champion Martin Buser, also a four-time Iditarod champion. It was Baker's first K-300 victory."

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for us and we were pleased to be there.

Yukon Delta Visit

2012-01-28T21:27:00.000-08:00

When we finally made it to the frozen tundra on the Yukon Delta....

we were happy we knew "sign" language because our Yupik is non-existent.

Everyone has heavy duty outer wear to buffer the elements.

Our children have their water hauled in once a week. Sometimes flushing, washing and bathing have to be done sparingly. The grand kids like to let us know when the water truck and the "poop" truck come to perform their weekly services. There goes the "poop" truck.

The buildings can't sit directly on the ground so, everything is built on pilings.

The weather is harsh and the elements wreak havoc on buildings.

A 4-wheeler ride in sub zero temperatures does not look like fun to me but it is one of the many ways that folks get around.

The natives are very friendly.

The sunset over the frozen river ...

is breathtaking.

These methods of transport......

are taking a vacation for the winter.

The only way to get to this destination is by boat, plane or hovercraft.

It looks like this ship has seen it's day.

This is used to navigate the river during the summer months, after, break-up.

There are taxi cabs all over town.

The fur ruff is a must to keep out the wind.

I am not used to tomatoes being $4.99 - $5.99 a pound.

Pop' s little helper.

Exotic fruit makes it's way to the frozen north.

They can take a torch to that cheese grater of a walkway and melt the snow and ice away.
What an adventure it was to visit.

Little Eskimo's

2012-01-26T20:28:00.000-08:00

The long plane ride...

and really long layover...

were quickly forgotten when we got to give hugs and kisses
to our little Eskimo grandchildren in Alaska.

Quotography - Sadness

2012-01-24T20:43:00.000-08:00

For more quotes and photographs go here:

Fly for 5 hours Wait for 10

2012-01-18T06:58:00.000-08:00

We flew from Salt Lake to Anchorage

Ordinarily I get pretty worried about flying but today I decided not to worry.

Some people seem to handle winter better than I do.
I'm layered up and this gentleman thinks shorts are all weather wear.
He's one tough dude.

Part of the decision not to worry was made when my left hand seat partner was a young mother with a 14 month old child. They started out the morning in New York and boarded the Delta flight in Salt Lake City. The little fellow was a trooper. His need for a diversion took my mind off of any flying concerns I might have had.

-3 degrees Fahrenheit in Anchorage at 8:30 pm

So what do you do in an airport when you arrive at 8:30 pm and your next flight doesn't leave until 6:40 am the next morning?

For a while you can watch planes get ready to depart.

Watch your spouse surf the internet.

Watch the same plane get ready to depart.

Make abstract art out of the airport windows and benches.

Watch your spouse pace...

and pace...

and sleep...

watch other people sleep....

marvel that there is a McDonald's wherever you go....

play with the lighting in the airport halls......

because you are so fascinated with the lighting in the airport halls...

get braver about watching other people sleep and then eventually, get a little sleep yourself.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2012-01-16T13:19:00.000-08:00

1. Stacked up

2. Winter Wonderland

3. Sweet

4. Hole

5. Frozen

Friday's Fences #16 - Josie's Cabin

2012-01-15T20:18:00.000-08:00

"The Josie Morris Cabin is the final destination of the Tilted Rocks Auto Tour. Josie established her homestead here in 1914. She raised and butchered cattle, pigs, chickens and geese. She canned vegetables from her large garden. Her source of heat for her cabin was wood, her water came from a spring, and light from an oil lamp. Josie lived a 19th century lifestyle well into the 20th century. For Josie, the benefits of isolation she experienced living here were solitude and the beauty. The risk of such isolation was a mortal accident. In 1964 Josie suffered a broken hip while feeding her horse on frozen, slippery ground. Shortly after Josie's accident she died at the age of 90."

Quotography - Winter

2012-01-15T19:04:00.000-08:00

Go here to see more photographs and quotes:

Quotography - A New Year

2012-01-09T20:14:00.000-08:00

For more quotes and photos click on the buttong below.

I won as a top 3 pick this week

Statues

2012-01-08T19:41:00.000-08:00

Stockton

To Malone

A few weeks ago I needed a statue photograph for a contest so, I took my camera with me on a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah. I told my traveling companion that I needed to find a statue and she spotted these statues at the Energy Solutions Arena. I used to enjoy watching John Stockton play basketball. I'm not a sports fan but I thought John appeared to be a player and person with a lot of class. He was fun for me to watch.

I had not seen these statues before and I was in awe of the sculpture's ability to capture detail.

These statues were also at the E Center.
I am at a loss as to know what they represent but I think they are pretty artsy.

I had never been to the "This is the Place Monument" which my traveling companion suggested that we visit. Once again I was impressed with the sculptor's ability to create art that had the capacity to tell a powerful story.

Skipping Christmas

2012-01-07T16:54:00.000-08:00

I just realized that I said, "Christmas, coming soon," and then I skipped it.

Well, we didn't really skip it but I tried really hard to make it happen. In spite of my efforts to alter tradition we had a lovely Christmas eve dinner and the annual reading of a new Christmas story. Last year our granddaughter asked if she could read the story, surprised, we said, "Yes." She amazed us with her reading skills so we asked her to be the reader again this year. We were not disappointed. We have another granddaughter that lives far away and she is a great reader too. We have to listen to her read over the phone :-) Next year we will have another reader so we will be in good shape. We'll just have to buy more stories. We will also have to plan to stay home for Christmas or we will miss the stories.

I remembered that I skipped Christmas when I received notification of our book club choice this week. My husband and I did not put as much effort into skipping Christmas this year as Luther and his wife but our plans were foiled just the same. So, we made some adjustments and still had a wonderful Christmas, no skipping and all.

Family

2012-01-02T20:27:00.000-08:00

I've just returned from a "getting acquainted" session with my youngest niece. She is a sweetheart and steals the show and hearts of those who are around her. She has more far away family that miss her so, here is another peek at our littlest family member.

Weekly Top Shot

2012-01-02T19:35:00.000-08:00

I have noticed that this time of year generates collages of the previous year's pictures. Being an infant in terms of, all thing Photoshop, I need a lot of help when it comes to displaying multiple pictures joined together. I have longed have a collage of my own and my wish is now a reality. Someone posted a link to a site that makes collages out of multiple pictures, like magic. I would love to give credit to the person who shared the site but I can hide my own Easter eggs so, I may never remember where I learned about Mosaic Maker. If you are Photoshop challenged like I am, you may enjoy this site.

I didn't give a great deal of thought to the pictures I was grabbing because I was so excited to make the collage. It looks like my subconscious is mostly interested in food and beautiful landscapes.

Go here to enter your top shot:

2012

2012-01-01T07:27:00.000-08:00

Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.

~Henry Ward Beecher

My goal is to face the new year with the attitude of looking back only to learn, not to despair over things that might have been or things I wish I had done differently. This includes the resolve to not despair leaving a vacation setting where the sun shines consistently and the temperature is 30 degrees warmer on any given day, in the winter, than where I reside.

I'll have the pictures to keep me warm :-)

The Sun Sets on 2011

2011-12-31T22:37:00.000-08:00

It's been a great year for our family in so many ways.
We look forward to what 2012 brings.
Happy New Year!

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on,
with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.
~Hal Borland

For Auntie Cheryl

2011-12-30T10:11:00.000-08:00

Hi Auntie Cheryl

I am growing up in black and white and color.

I'm still happy and so cute but I really don't know that yet, everyone just tells me so.

I'm too busy exploring and learning to think about much else. I love you and miss you.

Oranges

2011-12-29T09:09:00.000-08:00

Yummy hand picked oranges. A first time experience and very delightful. It is so fun to be somewhere warm and sunny :-)

Merry Christmas - Coming Soon

2011-12-23T22:49:00.000-08:00

Friday's Fences - Boots

2011-12-22T20:48:00.000-08:00

I found this fence on a drive during warmer weather.

Go here to see more fences:

For Grammy Great and Grandpop

2011-12-18T21:42:00.000-08:00

This mother wanted a nice family picture for a Christmas card.

She had a vision.

The vision included children sitting nicely where they were placed.......

and smiling sweetly.

Sometimes the smiles happened................

and sometimes they didn't!

So watch your mailbox, Grammy and Grandpop, because in the end, with a little help from a friend, we got a good one :-)

What a Spread

2011-12-10T21:13:00.000-08:00

Dinosaurland - Dinosaur National Monument

2011-12-09T19:48:00.000-08:00

I found this long neck dinosaur behind a fence. I thought it might be a great addition to Friday's fences.

There is nothing like a billion year old smile.

What I've Learned

2011-12-08T19:57:00.000-08:00

I took some candid pictures of a mother and her sons.

When I took them to her I offered to take some more, formal family pictures, if she would like.

She indicated she might consider taking me up on my offer.

A day or two later she called and said she was interested in accepting my offer.

She said she was getting married on Saturday and wondered if I would photograph her wedding. She said that she had a family member with a point and shoot camera that would be there but she really liked the quality of the pictures I had given her and hoped I'd oblige.

I reluctantly said I would help her out. This is a hobby. I am an amateur with no low light experience, which is exactly what I found when I arrived at the appointed hour.

I turned to my husband who has all the faith in the world in me, (he has always believed that I can turn straw into gold) and said, "What am I going to do?' He calmly said, "Learn from it."

I did learn.

Lesson 1: Act like you know what you are doing even if you don't have a clue...........

everyone doesn't need to be in a panic.

Lesson 2: Go with what you know and if that isn't enough use Auto.

Lesson 3: Keep shooting with the intent that you'll actually get something of interest.

Lesson 4: Think more about making the bride happy than your fear of failure.

Lesson 5: With a prayer in your heart, divine intervention and someone who believes in you,
total disaster can be averted.

Follow Your Heart

2011-12-08T06:44:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel like you should follow this kind of advice, but you seem to have

temporarily misplaced your heart?........................Perhaps it's your ears that are missing?

Everything will come out right because I've heard:

It will all be okay in the end

and if it's not okay,

it's not the end.

Mellow Yellow Monday

2011-12-05T20:10:00.000-08:00

I thought this was a cute yellow handbag.

I like the reflection of the orange post on the bottom of the bag.

Friday Fences

2011-12-02T22:22:00.000-08:00

My husband took me for a drive the other day and I spotted this home with a fence. Initially we drove past the home and then I had a flash of insight, I envisioned how I would process a photo of the house. I asked my husband to please back up. He's good about requests like that. Picturing the photo in my mind before I captured the image was a new experience for me. It was kind of fun.

Go here to see more fences:

Oops!

2011-12-01T20:53:00.001-08:00

I spilled a little water so, I decided to make a picture of it.

I think it turned into a pretty neat abstract.

The Jewel of Autumn

2011-11-30T21:16:00.000-08:00

I look forward to pomegranates making their appearance at the grocery store every fall. They are so delicious and healthy. "During their 4000 year history, pomegranates have been symbols of prosperity, hope, and abundance in every time period, and part of the world. They have inspired historical leaders, brilliant authors, and famous artists. Their presence has been recorded in history, mythical lore, and artistic and literary symbolism, and classic art." If you follow the link there are even examples of arts and crafts using pomegranates. A pomegranate doesn't last long enough at my house to be turned into art :-)

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2011-11-27T14:24:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin waiting to be made into a pie.

Fall foliage.

Uninhibited candid joy.

My husband loves to go metal detecting. He unearthed this old spoon that has seen better days but now has unusual character. Perhaps someone used it to eat from china like this?

Rule of thirds.

Go here to see more:

Frosted Leaf

2011-11-26T10:21:00.000-08:00

We are pretty much out of flowers here so, I hope a leaf will meet the requirement for macro flower. It's been chilly but the sun chooses to shine today and that make me happy. Love the light!

Friday's Fences

2011-11-26T09:46:00.000-08:00

This was the most interesting thing I've seen inside a fence for a while. We live far away from a camel's natural habitat so people lined up the day after Thanksgiving for a camel ride :-)

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T17:48:00.000-08:00

The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.

~H.U. Westermayer

Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men;

but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.

~E.P. Powell

The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! ~Henry Ward Beecher

Dear Lord; we beg but one boon more:
Peace in the hearts of all men living,
peace in the whole world this Thanksgiving.
~Joseph Auslander

Water Drop

2011-11-23T18:55:00.000-08:00

I've seen several water drop photos and they facinate me. I decided to try one today. If there are instructions on how to capture waterdrops I think I need to find them. I still have much to learn but it was fun to try.

Blue Berries

2011-11-21T20:00:00.000-08:00

Each week, for the past month, as I walked into church I would look at this bush (that I had never noticed for the previous 16 years) and think to myself, " I should take a picture of that." I nearly waited until it was too late. The perfectly smooth berries had begun to shrivel. These pictures make me smile. I love the color and texture of the photographs. What makes you smile?

Give Thanks

2011-11-21T17:54:00.000-08:00

Gratitude is certainly a skill worth developing.

You can boost your physical and mental health with a dose of gratitude.

If you are looking for something to be grateful for you might find a forgotten treasure.

Go here to see more photos with quotes about being grateful.

Thank you for another Top 3 win.

Autumn and Wire Fence

2011-11-20T18:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, the threat of snow made for a dreary and overcast day. It felt like a my last chance to snap a photo before winter said, "Hello." This morning we woke up to a blanket of snow.

Happy 2nd Birthday

2011-11-19T21:19:00.000-08:00

This was a car themed birthday and this two year old knew

exactly what to do with his cars and motorcycles.

Varooooooom!

Yellow Macro

2011-11-16T20:29:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I went looking for fall color and found this courageous flower,

hanging on for dear life.

Autumn by the River

2011-11-16T19:56:00.000-08:00

I like trees because they seem more resigned

to the way they have to live

than other things do.

~Willa Cather, 1913

Even though it feels more like winter than fall here it was fun to go back through some photos that I took a couple of months ago. Trees fascinate me as they seem to have personalities all their own. This tree appears to be standing watch over the river in an attitude of gratitude for the never ending water supply from which it can drink.

Boats in Black and White

2011-11-14T20:42:00.000-08:00

A Boy and His Dog

2011-11-07T18:44:00.001-08:00

This is my favorite photo of the month because it reminds me of our youngest son. He recently left home for two years and he had to leave behind his faithful dog. The dog is trying to make sense of his world. The dog was used to sleeping with our son so, he has taken up sleeping next to my husband. Recently my husband was out of town and the dog needed someone to sleep with. I am the mom who will let her son have a dog, but I am not the mom who will let her son's dog sleep with her. I told the dog that he had to find a place to sleep. My husband was between trips and had left a suitcase on our son's bed. The dog looked around and made a bed in the suitcase. He slept well all night.............. so did I.

I am honored to have been picked for the Top 3 last week. I am excited about sharing the joy this week.

Orange and Green

2011-11-04T21:27:00.000-07:00

Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.
~John Lubbock

Sun on Cotton

2011-11-03T17:48:00.000-07:00

Life is not so much about beginnings and endings as it is about going on and on and on.

It is about muddling through the middle.
~Anna Quindlen

My photo was chosen as one of the top 3.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T18:43:00.000-07:00

Boo!

Autumn's End

2011-10-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

The news tells us snow is on the way. I want to enjoy Autumn a little longer.

I guess I will have to do it by flipping through the Autumn picture folder.

The only thing constant is change :-)

Mirror

2011-10-28T22:34:00.000-07:00

I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs

because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it.

~Author Unknown

Family Fun

2011-10-24T20:57:00.000-07:00

I know there is sun on his face but the look is priceless.

All these kids have beautiful eyes!

I haven't had time too look at all of the photos from this adventure

but I had to post something before I take a short leave.

Photography - The Mountain

2011-10-22T21:18:00.000-07:00

I think when you begin to think of yourself as having achieved something,

then there's nothing left for you to work towards.

I want to believe that there is a mountain so high

that I will spend my entire life striving to reach the top of it.
~Cicely Tyson

Fall Flower

2011-10-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

I love macro photography!!
This is what's left in flower department on the mountain
but I think it has a beauty all its own.

A River in the Desert

2011-10-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I forget to see the beauty in the desert.

Perhaps it is because my thoughts are much like this one:

A desert is a place without expectation.
~Nadine Gordimer

Maybe I should expect more, more often.

Thought

2011-10-20T21:34:00.000-07:00

We went for a ride today looking for beauty. We were not disappointed. While I'm looking for captivating scenes and objects my mind wanders here and there. I think this quote sums up my fragmented musings for the day. I decided this capture was the perfect place for a thought to rest.

White on Purple

2011-10-20T03:13:00.000-07:00

Fiona and Moose

2011-10-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

This is Moose.

This is Moose and his person.

This is Fiona.

This Fiona and her person.

Moose, Fiona and their persons like to go walking.

Moose and Fiona love to play together. They are the best of friends.

There is nothing like a good round of wrestling to make puppies happy.

Pink

2011-10-18T06:03:00.000-07:00

The Grasshopper

2011-10-17T15:59:00.000-07:00

Aesop's Fables
The Grasshopper and the Ants

In a field one summer's day a grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. A group of ants walked by, grunting as they struggled to carry plump kernels of corn.

"Where are you going with those heavy things?" asked the grasshopper.

Without stopping, the first ant replied, "To our ant hill. This is the third kernel I've delivered today."

"We are helping to store food for the winter," said the ant, "and think you should do the same."

"Winter is far away and it is a glorious day to play," sang the grasshopper.

But the ants went on their way and continued their hard work.

The weather soon turned cold. All the food lying in the field was covered with a thick white blanket of snow that even the grasshopper could not dig through. Soon the grasshopper found itself dying of hunger.

He staggered to the ants' hill and saw them handing out corn from the stores they had collected in the summer. He begged them for something to eat.

"What!" cried the ants in surprise, "haven't you stored anything away for the winter? What in the world were you doing all last summer?"

"I didn't have time to store any food," complained the grasshopper; "I was so busy playing music that before I knew it the summer was gone."

The ants shook their heads in disgust, turned their backs on the grasshopper and went on with their work

Don't forget -- there is a time for work and a time for play!

Go to Maco Monday for more close up shots.

Mt. Timpanogos Temple

2011-10-17T03:34:00.000-07:00

I stopped at the Mt. Timpanogos Temple the other day with my daughter .

Our son and daughter-in-law were married here nearly 14 years ago on a rainy spring day.

Rain on a wedding day means "the meteorological conditions were such that

rain fell on the same day as your wedding. Nothing more."

Today was a perfect fall day for

taking pictures.....

and reminiscing......................nothing more.

Rearview Mirror

2011-10-16T14:51:00.000-07:00

"Sunprise"

2011-10-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

When I finally figured out how to get my cell phone pictures onto a card and off the cell phone I found a "sunprise."

Another Rainbow

2011-10-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Another trip without a camera and a spectacular view. I may become best friends with my cell phone.

Tomboy

2011-10-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

There is a treasure trove of yellow in the garage. Here is my favorite of the day.
Click on this link to see more yellow.

Saturday Evening Ride

2011-10-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

Last night we stopped by Taco Bell and then headed East.

Nightfall was spectacular............

however, I had to capture it with my cell phone because I forgot to take the big camera along.

Mellow Yellow Monday

2011-10-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

While traveling home from the city I stopped up the canyon to capture some of the Fall yellow.
I couldn't resist adding these brightly colored jackets into the mix as they sped around the corner.

Sweethearts

2011-10-03T19:57:00.000-07:00

These two are about to wrap up 59 years together.

Newlyweds become oldyweds,

and oldyweds are the reasons that families work.

~Author Unknown

Love one another and you will be happy.

It's as simple and as difficult as that.

~Michael Leunig

Shared Interest

2011-10-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like having someone share your love of photography.

It's a generational kind of thing.

Even if you aren't old enough to handle the camera you can grasp the concepts.

Checking out your captures is always interesting.

Thanks Grandpop for taking time to show me the ropes.

Happy Birthday

2011-09-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

I am missing this little buddy, he turned three this month. I was going through some old pictures and found this photo that was seriously underexposed. I loved it so I decided to play with it.

Sadly, I don't know how I got this. I was processing and hit an action when I thought I was flattening the image. It is another "Lost Chord" experience, but I think it is interesting.

Happy Birthday little man you are so much bigger now!

We love you and miss you.

Mellow Yellow Monday - Fire Pit

2011-09-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

I came outside to find this glowing yellow conflagration.

Okay, conflagration is overkill but you have to admit it is a

pretty impressive fire for the container.

In the end yellow turned to red and orange.

It was a short-lived flash in the pit.

Go here to see more yellow.

Red Barn

2011-09-26T17:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Feet

2011-09-25T16:15:00.000-07:00

These are some of the happiest feet I know. They are constantly dancing, running or walking. There is a bounce in the step of these little feet that shout joy and happiness and sometimes stomp out demands. I hope these feet never lose their happy beat.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

2011-09-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Wide Expanse

2011-09-21T20:45:00.001-07:00

For Grandma and Grandpa

2011-09-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

This young man is leaving home in nine days to serve a two year mission

for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He will learn about himself and others.

He will be getting used to extreme changes in temperatures and have opportunities to serve others.

He will be called on to share his love for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He might get homesick or he might not :-)

His family will miss him and look forward to hearing about his experiences as he keeps the mission rule that requires him to write home weekly.

Here is a thought as you spread the gospel of Christ:

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians.

Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.

~Mahatma Gandhi

Be thou an example of the believers.

Often, because we are human, we fall short.

Just love people where they are.

I Heart Faces - A touch of Sun

2011-09-19T17:11:00.000-07:00

Go here to see other entries.

Macro Flower Saturday

2011-09-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

Go here to see a bouquet of flowers.

Macro Monday

2011-09-12T19:13:00.000-07:00

I noticed this lanky specimen while taking photos of a human. I had to interrup the business at hand as I don't know when I will come upon another Praying Mantis.

Even a bug looks good with a little backlight.

I wonder if bugs have thoughts and what they might be. Did you know that a praying mantis eats insects, lizards, snakes and even small birds?

Depending on the species a praying mantis can grow anywhere from 2 to 5 inches. If the female is hungry she will eat her mate and the brothers and sisters tend to eat have each other for dinner as well.

Some people keep them as pets. I won't be one of them :-)

Prospective Missionary

2011-09-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

This young man is waiting for a mission call from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Door knocking will be a part of his future.

These are two of those spontaneous pictures

that just happen and then become favorites

because of the stories they tell.

He'll be saying good-bye to family and friends

but he will keep his sense of humor at all times.

He will rely on the word of God from the

Bible, Doctrine and Covenants and

The Book of Mormon, another testament of Christ

Last but not least, he will remember to write to his mother

every week so she won't worry about him.

At the request of this young man's friend I loaned my camera so she could take a few photos.

I did not take this last picture but I was allowed to edit it.

This photo shoot was a two thumbs up event.

Princess Party and a Tomboy

2011-09-10T23:21:00.000-07:00

This little tomboy was invited to a Princess Party. She was not impressed. It took a lot of talking to get the tutu on along with all of the other accessories. Her mother wanted a picture of the event so I volunteered to snap a photo. The little princess got all dolled up one more time, danced around for a minute then stood in the doorway looked at me and was finished. The costume just came flying off. For a tomboy I think she makes a beautiful princess.

Bokeh - Saturday on Thursday

2011-09-08T16:45:00.000-07:00

People Bokeh for a change.

Field of Yellow

2011-09-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

A week ago this field of sunflowers was alive and full of color. Yesterday when I check again it was fading quickly in sever places. I'm glad I can stop time for a moment when I look at this picture.

Best Friends

2011-09-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

Here are some additional pictures from the senior photo shoot.

These are fun girls. They are determined to enjoy, to the fullest, their last year of high school.

I think modeling could be in their future. They are gifted with grace and poise.

Go Utes.

They are multi-talented.

Thanks for a great time!!

A good friend is cheaper than therapy.

~Author Unknown

Friends

2011-09-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

These cute girls asked me to take their Senior pictures. They came with a plan and showed me how to have a good time......more to follow.

Sunbathing

2011-09-01T09:11:00.000-07:00

More Fishing

2011-08-31T08:43:00.000-07:00

My husband always says,

"A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work. "

~Author Unknown

Abstract

2011-08-30T08:01:00.000-07:00

I really don't do abstract stuff. I need life spelled out, predictable, symmetrical, lined up and concrete. This is so, not me, that I think it might be an undiscovered part of me. I just wish I knew how I did it. I just hate it when I have a "good accident" and I don't know how to make it intentional.

Cannon

2011-08-29T20:28:00.000-07:00

I really don't know why I like this photograph. Maybe because it makes me think about Mr. Fishwheeler, my spouse, and his love for fishing. I don't love to fish but I never say no to eating the catch. I love omega 3's in the form of Trout, Macinaw, and Salmon.

Night Light

2011-08-29T08:31:00.000-07:00

No matter how fast light travels

it finds the darkness has always got there first,

and is waiting for it.

~Terry Pratchett

Black and White

2011-08-28T20:42:00.000-07:00

I keep finding new challenges so it seems that I am doing a weeks worth of posts in one day. I like black and white photos. Someone said that you can see the soul in a black and white photo. I wonder if that is the case because you are not distracted by all of the the color options and have only to concentrate on the essence of the object or person. Can you hear and feel what this sunflower has to say? It may be saying, " I like my yellow petals better, it looks like I'm just wearing a slip."

To see more black and white photos follow this link:
http://blackandwhiteweekend.blogspot.com/

Velvet

2011-08-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

I took a treck to a sunflower patch and lost all track of time.

I didn't know there where so many creatures hiding in all that yellow.

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.

It's what sunflowers do.

~Helen Keller

Head on over to Mellow Yellow to see what others found this week.

Steinaker State Park at Sunset

2011-08-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

When my husband said he needed to see how the boat motor was working I was "on board," so to speak. I hadn't thought about taking a panoramic photo for a long time but when I saw this, I couldn't resist. It was a beautiful evening.

Ladybug

2011-08-27T21:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't seen many Ladybugs this summer. I was pleasantly surprised to see a few today.

Spicified Truck

2011-08-27T21:38:00.000-07:00

Today I went looking for something to shoot. I found a field of sunflowers next to this truck. I shot my fill of sunflowers and then couldn't leave without some photos of the truck. Some things just look more interesting when I use the Topaz filter - Spicify.

Mellow Yellow Monday

2011-08-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

On a drive home from Utah County a few weeks ago, we took a back road and this plant caught my eye. While blog hopping I found this Monday challenge and thought these yellow flowers would qualify for submission.

Wishing

2011-08-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

I wish that I was up on the mountain, lying on the ground, looking up at these :-) instead of cleaning house. The Forrest stays clean except when man appears and leaves his/her traces, like at my house.

Family

2011-08-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

And thank you for a house full of people I love.

Amen.

~Terri Guillemets

There's no other love like the love for a brother.

There's no other love like the love from a brother.

~Terri Guillemets

Let your love be like the misty rains,

coming softly, but flooding the river.

~Malagasy Proverb

Love is a symbol of eternity.

It wipes out all sense of time,

destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.

~Author Unknown

Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons.

~Author Unknown

Bee Bokeh

2011-08-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

I am having an adventure finding photo challenges. It makes me think about the different options while photographing and it allows me to see the creative work of other photographers.

Bokeh is the way the lens renders out of focus light or aesthetic blur. I love the way the blurred colors blend.

Fun at the Fair

2011-08-12T07:47:00.000-07:00

I missed most of the fun during the fair this year because I was out of town. When I came home this blue bottle was in the windowsill. Apparently it is supposed to live there until next year when the owner will take it back to the fair and get a free refill. That is a marketing ploy I have not heard of. At least it's an interesting bottle to look at.

Curling Ribbon

2011-08-11T07:38:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like running the edge of the scissors along the little ridges of ribbon to make it curl. It is fun every time I do it. Simple pleasure.

Ranch

2011-08-10T19:38:00.000-07:00

FLY

2011-08-09T06:11:00.000-07:00

Just before going to bed last night I noticed two flies were camping out in my kitchen.

They were not at all disturbed by my presence.

It was as if they were already tucked in and sleeping,

comfortable on their leafy green cots.

Smiles

2011-08-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

Clock on the Bathroom Wall

2011-08-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

I needed a card for a wedding gift so, I made one using a picture of our clock on the bathroom wall.