tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18613073169326913612024-03-17T23:03:32.322-04:00Summit MusingsFayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.comBlogger665125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-79996094856709064612017-01-01T18:09:00.002-05:002017-01-01T18:09:22.491-05:00Best Photos of 2016 - JanuaryBest wishes for a healthy, happy and creative 2017. Many of us are glad to see the end of 2016, but are uncertain of what the new year brings. One thing that always makes me happy is to observe nature and try to capture the best of what I observe through photography. I take photos most every day and have selected my favorites here from January 2016:<br />
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Red-bellied Woodpecker - this photo reveals how it got its name--not always evident in most photos:<br />
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Red-bellied Woodpecker showing off its flashy cape and hood:<br />
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Pileated Woodpecker, a rare visitor to my yard. Here it shows off a striking red Mohawk:<br />
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Blue Jay--striking markings stand out against the snow:<br />
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Some closeups of the small Downy Woodpecker:<br />
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Last January was a snowy month so it was a real pleasure to feed the birds and capture them on camera. If you enjoyed these photos, check back in a day or so for the February favorites.<br />
Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com204tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-87091118322283089862016-08-21T06:31:00.000-04:002016-08-21T18:31:58.876-04:00Mountain Soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSG_tPTdkE87sLMMfPXRQY9Ee7ugfUMmrXXOExj1Cakv1kckXprJOAevEbX3mQUv9Sq8iRSzM_fVrb4ShNIuwehaaT4MFv4Y44qe701hpi5nB7NxsnyWJG8yIMssitfUOsePLvHxLChgw/s1600/Holler+Faye+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSG_tPTdkE87sLMMfPXRQY9Ee7ugfUMmrXXOExj1Cakv1kckXprJOAevEbX3mQUv9Sq8iRSzM_fVrb4ShNIuwehaaT4MFv4Y44qe701hpi5nB7NxsnyWJG8yIMssitfUOsePLvHxLChgw/s320/Holler+Faye+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
(Photo: mid-1960s-home on Cow Pen Creek, Pike County, Kentucky--visiting my family from college)<br />
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This past weekend the new season at Actor's Theater opened with <em>Fire on the Mountain</em>, a musical about the joys, struggles, and sorrows of coal mining families in the Appalachians. With each familiar tune--<em>Dark as a Dungeon</em>, <em>Single Girl</em>, <em>Where the Soul of Man Never Dies</em>, <em>Which Side are You On?,</em> <em>Bright Morning Stars</em>--I returned to my childhood. It was a childhood shaped, like many others, by growing up in the coal camps of eastern Kentucky.<br />
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(Photo 1958: Keyser Holler, Pike County - one of my childhood homes)</div>
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The grainy photographs of the miners, their families, and the coal camps that served as backdrops for the play were quite familiar to me--Joe's Creek, Big Shoal, Little Shoal, Keyser, Coal Run. In the late '40s and '50s, these camps were home. Coal companies cut narrow roads up the hollows along the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, hardly more than walking paths since very few people living there owned cars. Next, they threw up small three-room--for the most part--houses to rent to mining families. We moved around often in these camps, always looking for a bigger house or one with a barn and some land to farm on the side. And, finding a house with a roof that didn't leak was also a big plus!<br />
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(Photo 1950s: my dad, Dennie Lowe - by this time he had to leave the coal mines because of black lung disease)<br />
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Daily life was all about coal. My earliest memory was around four years old. It was seeing my dad leave the house before daylight wearing his miner's hat with its carbide light turned on in order to see to walk out of the hollow to meet up with other miners. He carried dinner and water in an aluminum pail. At four years old, I worried that he wouldn't come home, especially when he and my mother had been arguing at breakfast. In mining families, the arguments were often about earning enough money to support a family and the dangers of going into the mines. However, in the evening my dad did return--after dark. He'd wash his face, eat supper, and go to bed only to start all over the next day.<br />
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Saturdays and Sundays were special for mining families. On Saturday my dad got off work early and got paid. He'd wash all the coal dust off and put on clean clothes. Then, we kids were allowed to walk with him and my mom to a little general store--there were always these stores near the mining camps--to buy staples for the week. Oh, it was exciting because we'd each get pop and a candy bar and that one night we'd have bologna sandwiches for supper. Each week my dad paid on the running account we kept with the store, never quite coming out ahead.<br />
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After electricity came to the camps in the early '50s, music was an even greater joy to all of us. After supper on Saturday night the whole family gathered around a big upright radio, sometimes neighbors who didn't have a radio would join us. We always listened to the Grand Ole Oprey, singing along with our favorite performers. And, we stayed up late because there was no working in the mines on Sunday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiUJ0Tzx-i45y8MV2P6Biwk2ZYErOg4J6pjGAuYi_cgdlgHAr7rR5tBnjsD2yWlhClTAumvvFrTykT4DXEn3XZnTibvsIYMQ8vvdP1LYM3fe5HlOouaeOSQxAxU5ZYWKIJWvprI01RuE/s1600/Holler+Freewill+Baptist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiUJ0Tzx-i45y8MV2P6Biwk2ZYErOg4J6pjGAuYi_cgdlgHAr7rR5tBnjsD2yWlhClTAumvvFrTykT4DXEn3XZnTibvsIYMQ8vvdP1LYM3fe5HlOouaeOSQxAxU5ZYWKIJWvprI01RuE/s320/Holler+Freewill+Baptist.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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(Photo: early 1960s- my parents Dennie and Bonnie Lowe leaving their church)</div>
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On Sunday, the music continued. After breakfast, straightening the house, and starting Sunday dinner we could relax--Sunday was the only day of rest. We listened to Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadian Band on the radio, walked to a nearby church, and then in the evening sat on the porch or by the fireplace singing together out of old hymnals we always had around. Sometimes we sang the old mountain ballads like <em>Barbara Allen</em> or <em>Knoxville Girl</em>. These tunes were handed down from our Scots-Irish ancestors.<br />
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(Photo 1960s - left my brothers Thurman and Truman and sister Margaret; right my brother Thurman and me and our white charger!)</div>
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(My brothers worked in the coal mines, but like many other men left eastern Kentucky to find better jobs in the industrial north. Here they, along with some of my uncles and cousins, would travel to Michigan and New York and work as migrant fruit pickers--cherries in Michigan and apples in New York. Most came back home to Kentucky by Christmas.) </div>
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We lived this way, with only minor changes, until I graduated from high school in the mid-60s. Like the stories told of other mining families in <em>Fire on the Mountain</em>, our lives were molded by coal mining. My dad left the mines in the late '50s with black lung disease. My older brothers took his place until they were old enough to find other work in Ohio, Michigan, and New York. I was the lucky one, escaping to a better life though education. However, I always remember that I have, and will always have, a mountain soul.<br />
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(Note: this is an updated post from 2007. I have just read<strong> <em>Hillbilly Elegy</em> by J.D. Vance</strong> about his growing up poor in eastern Kentucky and the "Rust Belt" of Middletown, Ohio. I wanted to write my own hillbilly elegy.)Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com136tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-12034663877703982342014-10-06T01:18:00.003-04:002014-10-06T01:18:46.420-04:00Catching Light -Mykonos, Good-bye Greek Isles<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Linking to </span></em></strong><a href="http://nfmemes.blogspot.se/"><strong><em><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> Nature Footstep Inspiring Photography: Catching Light </span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span style="color: #3d85c6;">.</span></em></strong></div>
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In June I finished a tour of eight European countries, Austria to Turkey and mostly along the Dalmatian coast with a brief cruise of the Greek Islands. Mykonos was the last island on the cruise before ending the trip in Athens, Greece. I chose Mykonos for this "catching light" post because the day we spent on the island offered countless opportunities to photograph brilliant light--blue skies and sea, white cube-shaped houses glittering in the sun.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #3d85c6;">(Click on collages to enlarge.)</span></em></strong><br />
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Here are some of the best sights from my tour of the harbor and town, including the lime washed cubical buildings with their blue accents and flat terrace roofs:<br />
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Mykonos has many churches, most very small. In the past churches were built on sites to avoid paying taxes--example the small sanctuary middle left. The large free form church is the Paraportiani and is quite unique as it is a blending of five churches each with different architecture:<br />
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Here are some common sights walking along the harbor: fishing boat, the Alexandria Restaurant by the sea, an old anchor, fresh seafood (including octopus which is pounded and then hung to dry from fishing boats before preparing) and a playful dog making a pest of himself on the beach:</div>
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Streets are narrow and paved with flat stones that are painted white all around. The white-washed buildings are accented with colorful doors, windows, and balconies. Blooming bougainvillea, oleander, hibiscus, and fuchsia tumble over walls and balconies.<br />
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The windmill is a classic symbol of Mykonos. At one time the windmills were used for grinding grain. Now they are part of the character of the island. Notice the Barbie pink scooter lower right!<br />
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These final shots are of the setting sun over the Aegean Sea as we walked back to our ship along the harbor:<br />
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By this time I had been away from home for 21 days so was getting quite homesick. Still, I'm glad to have these memories of sparkling white light against the blue Aegean Sea.<br />
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Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-9844932271759152882014-09-01T12:09:00.000-04:002014-09-01T12:09:57.300-04:00Catching Light - Goodbye Summer, Hello FallSeptember 1 - a quiet Labor Day here in the U.S. and a favorite holiday because it's not too early to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall. I see the first hints of fall around the lake at Bernheim Forest. Brilliant skies reflected in the lake, grasses along the water's edge just turning and catching the light. A quiet and welcome time of the year. Enjoy. <strong><em><span style="color: #e69138;">(Click on image to enlarge.)</span></em></strong><br />
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Linking to <a href="http://nfmemes.blogspot.se/"> Nature Footstep Inspiring Photography: Catching Light </a>.</div>
Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-51358671333366763752014-08-25T00:48:00.001-04:002014-08-25T00:54:25.317-04:00Catching Light - Big Sky SwedenSlowly getting back into blogging after a long absence by participating in "Inspiring Photography-Catching Light", a very intriguing meme hosted by Monica at <a href="http://nfmemes.blogspot.com/"> Nature Footstep </a>. Looking for--and capturing--the light in all its surprising variations is both a challenge and a pleasure for most photographers. Especially when I travel, I'm always aware of the different light wherever I am, looking for something that I would not see at home. For this week, I'll show you examples of the light in the landscapes of mostly southern Sweden, captured on a trip from Stockholm to Malmo (2008).<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">(Click on images to enlarge.)</span></em></strong><br />
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This first dawn photo was taken through the airplane window. According to the "you are flying here" map we were just south of Reykjavik, Iceland, flying over Aberdeen, Scotland and about two hours from landing in Stockholm. The light of dawn is always a welcome sight after a long night flying:<br />
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The view from your hotel window is always the luck of the draw. Sometimes you get the blank wall, the air conditioning units, or parking lot. Other times--as I did in Stockholm--you get beautifully lit architecture on the water. This is a night view of the Stockholm City Hall with its gold capped tower and Three Crowns, the official symbol of Sweden (by the way, the Nobel Prize ceremonies are held in the Gold Room of this building every year):<br />
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After a few day's sightseeing in and around Stockholm, my tour group began a long drive through the farmland of south central Sweden. The light was so clear, the clouds just huge and appearing so close to the rolling grain fields along the highway. The farm buildings in this region are painted with Falu or Falun Red, a color resulting from mixing copper ore castings into the paint. This color has been commonly used in Sweden for hundreds of years:<br />
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Many of the farms lay along Lake Vattern, a long finger lake which feeds into the Baltic Sea and the second largest lake in Sweden. Here I loved the sky's reflections in the glassine surface of the lake:<br />
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In small villages and towns along Lake Vattern we saw many gaily painted and trimmed cottage homes like this one in the traditional Falu Red, which looked wonderful caught in the sunlight:<br />
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And finally, late in the day we stopped at a family owned inn in Toflahom for the night. This was our twilight view of a small lake from the dining room window. The next day we had just a short drive to Malmo where we took a long bridge/causeway across the sea to Copenhagen, Denmark:<br />
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I must say the light surprised me in Sweden. I expected weak, watery skies, but got brilliant almost painterly light instead. If you too find chasing light with a camera fascinating, be sure to check out Monica's link above.Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-29935740158703932242014-08-18T16:18:00.000-04:002014-08-18T16:18:42.357-04:00Catching Light - Mykonos at DawnAfter a blog re-design hiatus of eight months, a new meme, "Inspiring Photography-Catching Light" hosted by Monica at <a href="http:nfmemes.blogspot.se"> Nature Footstep Memes </a> has inspired me to get posting again. So, please ignore the signs of "under construction" on my blog and enjoy the breaking dawn light as my cruise ship, the Lewis Crystal, came into the harbor of the Greek island of Mykonos (June 2014). All these photos were shot through my cabin port holes. That "crackling" is from salt spray on the glass. <br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #ffd966;">(Click on images to enlarge --I'm still trying to figure out how to manage larger photos in my blog template. :-)</span></em></strong><br />
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I started shooting before dawn, sun rising over the open sea:<br />
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Here you can see ghostly outlines of the Mykonos harbor and its lights through heavy fog:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WUkfovTRevAJJ4vdP6uJhkQb-4ahaYqW2-rw5Wz3acVqaD70iHDB-PSk2Qeap95cGOQ84nPe-oogFtosH1lwVg3aokZ6VeE-YV4M17Uv3cWxeWROLlQsnzIpgOakkc1zF4uiSk5oHg8/s1600/PM+MY+Harbor+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WUkfovTRevAJJ4vdP6uJhkQb-4ahaYqW2-rw5Wz3acVqaD70iHDB-PSk2Qeap95cGOQ84nPe-oogFtosH1lwVg3aokZ6VeE-YV4M17Uv3cWxeWROLlQsnzIpgOakkc1zF4uiSk5oHg8/s1600/PM+MY+Harbor+3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br />
A favorite shot in this series, the little red tug boat that could -guide our ship into the harbor:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpdVAGFFHqUHkhouxSZBz6kDC8_qmf8ZkMiCgyOqsV1W0xwSm5Se6RWMFerbMu086pfofQQodFqU3N32Cqwz05QeVcCA-DieS57lb1-qLlMg6ECgjUYF9ASv8cSgr9kdPFEIYWvgqSdk/s1600/PM+Red+Boat+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpdVAGFFHqUHkhouxSZBz6kDC8_qmf8ZkMiCgyOqsV1W0xwSm5Se6RWMFerbMu086pfofQQodFqU3N32Cqwz05QeVcCA-DieS57lb1-qLlMg6ECgjUYF9ASv8cSgr9kdPFEIYWvgqSdk/s1600/PM+Red+Boat+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Shadowed structures on the dock:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fieBxcIOPL5nv6o_cAk2wA-ij9RkAY06WbhYeog8LD14almm05Ubn0jimkpqUI6nWLFRPnnef8fzNZVRLuQYKEuOb0rxblwoJ3qiCxMDyGr8Pj-4oNEGJ80s_RRJDo6gyUuht0ANThM/s1600/PM+MY+Harbor+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fieBxcIOPL5nv6o_cAk2wA-ij9RkAY06WbhYeog8LD14almm05Ubn0jimkpqUI6nWLFRPnnef8fzNZVRLuQYKEuOb0rxblwoJ3qiCxMDyGr8Pj-4oNEGJ80s_RRJDo6gyUuht0ANThM/s1600/PM+MY+Harbor+1.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Views: of the waterfront before fog fully lifted, sunlight just starting to hit the buildings:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tBGJLYnJUT88Nqf7N2ZSiK_JxECXu3yGOU__TKpqqxx4jH7nQCECwkzlEkz3oQEXPRGX760heHiLeQTHpE_OQ4mcrWUQSbCrNc-uv_Jy1G-cyYea6TM9X9bwXPX25pOSRjfTOKHnbz0/s1600/PM+MY+Harbor+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tBGJLYnJUT88Nqf7N2ZSiK_JxECXu3yGOU__TKpqqxx4jH7nQCECwkzlEkz3oQEXPRGX760heHiLeQTHpE_OQ4mcrWUQSbCrNc-uv_Jy1G-cyYea6TM9X9bwXPX25pOSRjfTOKHnbz0/s1600/PM+MY+Harbor+5.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Golden dawn light on the harbor:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-0Zmd1M-Tie9vGcPckEovZfMo9iNfbMZp8r5G4e4vD5Fsv2IS0Ih3CPgdNQbn05EUysUS1KNeOZincVtmBrYVFQZ91KsQvvDtYoh2NA-ZjeWKvX4UIATdht68Tlq8i1PnOaYS371w94/s1600/PM+MY+Harbor+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-0Zmd1M-Tie9vGcPckEovZfMo9iNfbMZp8r5G4e4vD5Fsv2IS0Ih3CPgdNQbn05EUysUS1KNeOZincVtmBrYVFQZ91KsQvvDtYoh2NA-ZjeWKvX4UIATdht68Tlq8i1PnOaYS371w94/s1600/PM+MY+Harbor+7.jpg" height="253" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Hope you enjoyed my attempts to "catch the light". Be sure to go over to Monica's place at <a href="http://nfmemes.blogspot.se/"> Nature Footstep Memes </a> to link to more light shots. Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-16142329413667688112014-01-20T08:37:00.001-05:002014-07-04T20:21:00.621-04:00Mosaic Monday - Swiss Travel Dog<br />
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While on a somewhat blogging hiatus over the recent holidays I was trying to come up with some fresh post topics for the new year. Here's my first effort: <strong><span style="color: #783f04;"> Dog a Day</span></strong>. Whenever I travel I miss my dog(s) that are left at home. So, not far into the trip I'm looking for dogs to pet and photograph no matter what country I'm traveling in. To begin this series I give you the<strong><span style="color: #783f04;"> Swiss Bernese Mountain Dog from a 2008 European trip.</span></strong><br />
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Spotted this grand dog at an outdoor café in the historic center of <strong><span style="color: #783f04;">Lucerne, Switzerland</span></strong>. The Bernese is as much a symbol of Switzerland as its red cross flag <em>(flying from buildings in top left photo</em>), chocolate, and fine timepieces. The<strong><span style="color: #783f04;"> Reuss River</span></strong> runs through the historic city center and cafes and shops line either side of the river where the Swiss enjoy the outdoors. The flower decked wooden<strong><span style="color: #783f04;"> Chapel Bridge</span></strong> spans the river and provides a beautiful walkway. This wooden bridge is one of the oldest in Europe, built in the 1330s. The inside bridge roof is covered with very old paintings. Middle right photo was taken from a cruise boat on<strong><span style="color: #783f04;"> Lake Lucerne and is the classic Swiss landscape of small wooden farmhouses and chalets nestled into the steep mountainside</span></strong>. Lower right is a shot of the<strong><span style="color: #783f04;"> cloud-covered Alps</span></strong>. I took this pic from the summit of<strong><span style="color: #783f04;"> Mount Pilatus</span></strong> near Lucerne. Getting to the summit involved thrilling rides in a cable car, ski lift AND aerial gondola! Think you'll agree that the view was worth the effort.<br />
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So, I hope you enjoyed this first Dog a Day post. If so, come back next week. Who knows where we'll go-Russia, Italy, France, New Zealand? <br />
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Linking to <a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.com/"> Mosaic Monday </a><br />
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Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-26380416392050091112014-01-08T16:47:00.005-05:002014-01-08T16:47:57.964-05:00Best of 2013 Photography - May, June & July<br />
I'm a bit behind with spotlighting favorite photos/subjects from 2013. So, today I'll share my picks for <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">May</span></strong>,<strong><span style="color: #38761d;"> June</span></strong>, and<strong> <span style="color: blue;">July</span></strong>:<br />
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In May I became interested in photographing the many beautiful historical churches in Louisville so that I could participate in the weekly InSPIREd Sunday meme where we share interesting churches and other places of worship.<br />
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It happens that many of Louisville's historic churches are Episcopalian. As I went around town taking photos of them, noticed that they all had red doors from the grandest cathedrals to the simplest stone churches. Learned that the Episcopalian red doors symbolize many things, but primarily sanctuary and the Blood of Christ and His sacrifice. This great example is Advent Episcopal in the Highlands of Louisville:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWrZP9mfSPzaZ7dULM5XhxSyg_FN6kwgpw3d4oDwsaT9Lkp8Q8qGJqoxqH6O5h1O3q23EQKHL4woratkXvv-kX1N3qE4kg6vPvVyuUtOC5HxjlypkFSxr8gt6y71N4ZK_0kDTOzWXkpQ/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Advent+Door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWrZP9mfSPzaZ7dULM5XhxSyg_FN6kwgpw3d4oDwsaT9Lkp8Q8qGJqoxqH6O5h1O3q23EQKHL4woratkXvv-kX1N3qE4kg6vPvVyuUtOC5HxjlypkFSxr8gt6y71N4ZK_0kDTOzWXkpQ/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Advent+Door.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong><em>June</em></strong></span> </div>
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For June I'll go back to one of my favorite spots for photographs -- Beargrass Creek from the Belnap Bridge in Cherokee Park. In particular, I love getting shots of this wonderfully gnarled old tree in all seasons and times of the day. Here a touch of pure summer fun with the inner tube swing hanging out over the creek. BTW, this is my reminder to you that summer will return, although you may not think so in the frigid cold of this week!<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong><em>July</em></strong></span></div>
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July was not the greatest month for photography here at Summit Court. First, it was the start of several months of ongoing problems with internet/DSL and my computer's performance which kept me from blogging on a regular basis. In addition, it was a time when I was dealing with serious health and caregiving issues for my elderly family members. On the positive, however, it was about this time that I started getting interested in attracting birds to the yard and trying to ID them. So, I chose this collage of Chet in his favorite spot--lying by the front door and peering out at the birds. He has taken a very laid back stance on his Roommate's new obsession with birds!</div>
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Picks for August - December still to come! Am finding that going back though photo archives is a great way to see what happened in 2013. You?Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-25319804467978148832014-01-04T09:03:00.002-05:002014-01-04T09:03:56.497-05:00Best of 2013 - April Photography - Spotted Pony and Sunny Yellow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For the April pick of best photos of 2013 I chose this friendly spotted pony at a riding stable out in eastern Jefferson County. I went back later in the year and was pleased to see my friend still in the pasture.</div>
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And just for the benefit of all my friends who hate this bitter cold winter weather that we're currently experiencing, how about some sunny yellow? Hang on! The forsythia will be blooming before you know it! </div>
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<br />Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-77941846830904097132014-01-01T23:26:00.000-05:002014-01-01T23:29:34.878-05:00Best of 2013- March Photography - Fraidy Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikulCMADf1NDUGZsi5bW7Ja-YhvZhbCt3UdM3xWe_m6VV_3jzRwyGLLoVTvBME9HYA0cNdBHIXRdPRG5teFW6-iGLzJFPq08X_qNP2GlPL5spxxATHGMKWGc624eE76928f5XTl76As6w/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Chet+Thunder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikulCMADf1NDUGZsi5bW7Ja-YhvZhbCt3UdM3xWe_m6VV_3jzRwyGLLoVTvBME9HYA0cNdBHIXRdPRG5teFW6-iGLzJFPq08X_qNP2GlPL5spxxATHGMKWGc624eE76928f5XTl76As6w/s400/PicMonkey+Collage+Chet+Thunder.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chet here, folks -- Happy New Year from me and the Roommate. We almost didn't make it under the wire with our greeting because we're having DSL/internet problems AGAIN. Luckily the red light stopped blinking long enough for us to send out best wishes for 2014 to all our blog friends. You all are GEMS!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Roommate chose these photos of me in my literary thunder shirt as her favorite photography subject for March 2013. Personally, I thought there were better photos of me, but she does the picking since they're her photos. Anyhoo! The back story here is that when I was just a little more than a year old (March 2013) I suddenly lost all my happy-go-lucky Chetness and started being afraid of loud noises and flashes. We tried me wearing this thunder shirt, but it didn't work. Now when the sky turns the least bit grey the Roommate gives me a little green pill. Still haven't figured out why she likes to call me Lindsay Lohan. . .</div>Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-44677645393887615662013-12-31T09:23:00.000-05:002013-12-31T09:23:32.222-05:00Best of 2013 - February Photography - Gothic Gatehouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtxcI8ZPZkLZRGFYWo5cLQEa3PP0BANqPBJd55dVunv9nxepvznJuhv_mS0LNi3iKDlW_iEkg3BXQz3zDMyFtiiUkPNiWAyzrUCboKOhGj3CTQk-xBI4ifdmDeIemTN7vknaPBHbhy6Q/s1600/LR+Gatehouse+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtxcI8ZPZkLZRGFYWo5cLQEa3PP0BANqPBJd55dVunv9nxepvznJuhv_mS0LNi3iKDlW_iEkg3BXQz3zDMyFtiiUkPNiWAyzrUCboKOhGj3CTQk-xBI4ifdmDeIemTN7vknaPBHbhy6Q/s400/LR+Gatehouse+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Continuing with a look back at favorite photos/subjects in 2013, for February I choose the Crescent Hill Reservoir and Gatehouse.</span></strong> This fabulous gothic "castle", built in the 1870s, houses the valves which control the flow of water for the Louisville water reservoir. This 110 million gallon basin holds water pumped from the Ohio River to be filtered for the city's drinking water. </div>
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The gatehouse is ornamented with many gothic architectural details such as the huge water urns on each of the roof points. An elaborate iron fence runs all around the reservoir. The path goes all around too and is a favorite walking, jogging and photography site, especially at sunset when you can catch this golden light--if you're lucky!</div>
<br />Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-84107310559356714822013-12-28T19:44:00.001-05:002013-12-28T19:49:05.652-05:00Best of 2013 - January Photography - Pastel Skies<br />
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In this last week of the year I always enjoy looking back over the last 12 months and reflecting on what the new year may bring. First "looking back" will be of the subjects and themes I've explored each month in the photos I've taken. Almost every day I take a few photos --some I'm really happy with the photo or the subject, others not so great. At least this January-December review will provide some clues of what was catching my interest as the year went on.<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><strong> For January I chose "Pastel Skies"</strong></span>--just a few quick photos of a soft early morning sunrise. Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-78352778332074209542013-12-23T20:44:00.002-05:002013-12-23T20:48:32.019-05:00Christmas Memories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrjFWYJjSDqIq-zYoFwF7H1mGE0EVm8zNcxXthdiwX13O_eB5P_lUbMgHIink3pU-3XXvsnLLfyCz-ydMxs8DCobVb89cryAg5aOlxnkK1v2SAdF80X0nqx134kM0asyMzkAHg8ZuXh4/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Dog+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrjFWYJjSDqIq-zYoFwF7H1mGE0EVm8zNcxXthdiwX13O_eB5P_lUbMgHIink3pU-3XXvsnLLfyCz-ydMxs8DCobVb89cryAg5aOlxnkK1v2SAdF80X0nqx134kM0asyMzkAHg8ZuXh4/s400/PicMonkey+Collage+Dog+Christmas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This month I've been posting examples of the Canine War on Christmas on Facebook. Here's an example of the war on the homefront. Frank and Zack the Crazy Border Collie are getting in their packages and endangering the much treasured old German glass tree ornaments. (circa mid-1980s)<br />
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Happy Holidays, Friends. Will see you again after the new year.Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-49688403587550290372013-12-13T13:06:00.000-05:002013-12-13T13:06:09.485-05:00Friday Fences - Snowy Kentucky<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsL32qjBnEAL24rnmcjm9Tj4ZdO8KXvmt5V0i496IZAavYtksIBa3jl6-gz6eoVJZE62HPbLZdJX3hUELtc75sBKbQaMetRdg-pEsaaH-X_MiuBNWS4XBjKbsLIwnAMG2v0Df5I_Oddk/s1600/PM+Snowy+Fence+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsL32qjBnEAL24rnmcjm9Tj4ZdO8KXvmt5V0i496IZAavYtksIBa3jl6-gz6eoVJZE62HPbLZdJX3hUELtc75sBKbQaMetRdg-pEsaaH-X_MiuBNWS4XBjKbsLIwnAMG2v0Df5I_Oddk/s1600/PM+Snowy+Fence+3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvAVqENHkAqNc42W__Geq07TWzv_akV8hK0XiB598hbV6MnUjYzPySTN9umb5aJkJX8P1h0dEEcuS1eKEEH1oj80RXlKdcHZFfs-mGdUjCRQxZQL_ltxFEUKX8fVRyGeM680koVLek3Q/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Snowy+Fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvAVqENHkAqNc42W__Geq07TWzv_akV8hK0XiB598hbV6MnUjYzPySTN9umb5aJkJX8P1h0dEEcuS1eKEEH1oj80RXlKdcHZFfs-mGdUjCRQxZQL_ltxFEUKX8fVRyGeM680koVLek3Q/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Snowy+Fence.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a><br />
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While driving from Shelbyville to Louisville on U.S. Route 60 in the early afternoon on Wednesday, I spotted this wintery scene that could be a great holiday card from Kentucky. May be biased, but I think Kentucky is beautiful in all seasons. :-)<br />
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Linking to Friday Fences at <a href="http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/"> Life According to Jan and Jer </a>.</div>
Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-62720829581437064592013-12-10T18:14:00.006-05:002013-12-10T18:14:46.587-05:00Wild Bird Wednesday - Mean Girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Yzo3d2bdJi7a4aoTR3dSHjRLIbHLtQ907m-kZqxSwoj0BkAzupHgBM1izfLtP8FiWI1bnOLMqoltM5yKolD-pQ0-PFp4DTY1OBftfqHoqx-rGI8NsmTVWtxQX33YSsnZLSoaYdQisLQ/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Mean+Girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Yzo3d2bdJi7a4aoTR3dSHjRLIbHLtQ907m-kZqxSwoj0BkAzupHgBM1izfLtP8FiWI1bnOLMqoltM5yKolD-pQ0-PFp4DTY1OBftfqHoqx-rGI8NsmTVWtxQX33YSsnZLSoaYdQisLQ/s400/PicMonkey+Collage+Mean+Girls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6aKtrpzaefN1ti3WDSpKqRzLSI7ZUL6X9v1Ptb6lVppy5maEoo_IhJ4eF1zAnrUF4IkFb0Hh8g3k2wHhNS4VfNBEI6E3L5jQyrXFzGtNUKH5A4S4W0G0nrii1ondjqpl337YIMlAW0k/s1600/PM+Dove+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6aKtrpzaefN1ti3WDSpKqRzLSI7ZUL6X9v1Ptb6lVppy5maEoo_IhJ4eF1zAnrUF4IkFb0Hh8g3k2wHhNS4VfNBEI6E3L5jQyrXFzGtNUKH5A4S4W0G0nrii1ondjqpl337YIMlAW0k/s400/PM+Dove+A.jpg" width="373" /></a></div>
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Who would think this sweet-faced<strong><span style="color: #0b5394;"> mourning dove</span></strong> deserves to be called a "mean girl"?! For sure, I didn't know until recently. They have been visiting the yard for a while--since I started scattering feed for the ground foragers. A lot visited, but they were very calm and non-aggressive.<br />
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Then last week, in preparations for the ice, snow and bitter temps we're experiencing right now, I set up this platform feeder and supplied it with some bird delites like peanuts and nutty suet. Wow! what a bunch of bullies--especially when a half dozen tried to crowd on the feeder at one time. Lots of pecking and wing flapping going on. So far, they've managed to intimidate a lot of the birds--and squirrels. That is except for the tufted titmouse and blue jay. Both of them can stand up to the mean girls! In the meantime, I'm cancelling the post titled "Peace Conference" that was planning. . .<br />
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Linking to: <a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/">Wild Bird Wednesday </a>.<br />
<br />Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-91546512951028724272013-12-03T23:47:00.000-05:002013-12-03T23:47:11.837-05:00Wild Bird Wednesday - November Yardbirds<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z3aGlTjf_awRaCy4dPXBiFFUCLGvy8IJljxd-hALyjLaJDVaOAnGkB8oS6L5XBxCa-bqlyoEZve00Lhb9kscjYO45q6fX_eT3v8nDRKwFDSKUnFcUlHvNkaHCHmBTr13TbuiWTeCvjc/s1600/PM+Titmouse+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z3aGlTjf_awRaCy4dPXBiFFUCLGvy8IJljxd-hALyjLaJDVaOAnGkB8oS6L5XBxCa-bqlyoEZve00Lhb9kscjYO45q6fX_eT3v8nDRKwFDSKUnFcUlHvNkaHCHmBTr13TbuiWTeCvjc/s400/PM+Titmouse+3.jpg" width="351" /></a></div>
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This past month I've tried to keep a record of all the different birds that have visited the bird buffet or just roosted in the now bare trees just long enough for me to get some not so great photos. The tufted titmouse is a frequent visitor and doesn't stay still for picture-taking. Maybe should be renamed the blurred titmouse!<br />
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Here are others spotted in the yard in November:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaI9LBPet_QihgVu0r7hcm5If133MB9NF3a06GlXSveghKQPmG5Or73AptP51vjAoc4Y3yWaQdFGAzE1UEQ8-MTNFDD4EWu1XEVXhtXUf1DvG8gpj7P-TQKJGGO1UnLlPqTvZYOwVPWpw/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Snow+Buffet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaI9LBPet_QihgVu0r7hcm5If133MB9NF3a06GlXSveghKQPmG5Or73AptP51vjAoc4Y3yWaQdFGAzE1UEQ8-MTNFDD4EWu1XEVXhtXUf1DvG8gpj7P-TQKJGGO1UnLlPqTvZYOwVPWpw/s400/PicMonkey+Collage+Snow+Buffet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Clockwise: northern male cardinal and house sparrows, cardinal, blue jay <em>( first snow of the season)</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGIs9_E6kXXbovEnAQVn9KOQa9A31iG_g7BKNGId0J_tH7_YjP6cfF5FGyWCHXpyVYqLB6t4eKn5AfU71DnY95WtJU5GPmRasoY9QIDcWjtYzorLS40r_nuVd2AEd4oWuZYOAXiXDYl8/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Yardbird+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGIs9_E6kXXbovEnAQVn9KOQa9A31iG_g7BKNGId0J_tH7_YjP6cfF5FGyWCHXpyVYqLB6t4eKn5AfU71DnY95WtJU5GPmRasoY9QIDcWjtYzorLS40r_nuVd2AEd4oWuZYOAXiXDYl8/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+Yardbird+1.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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Clockwise: mourning dove, cardinal, hawk (no idea which kind), the black-eared Chetbird, Carolina wren, Carolina chickadee</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctg_MrqGlpuD4KVD7VJmcdPpGkRMHSoajtJE4WRKulenZrCpAGcH48IDu1HFkWJ4up0EfDdutPg2o2xSZ2SpXOgvEaLWJE_2CP8JtjtFhgpNGX7YOL6TUl-0AqZGWCACnzLaagR4y-OI/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Yardbirds+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctg_MrqGlpuD4KVD7VJmcdPpGkRMHSoajtJE4WRKulenZrCpAGcH48IDu1HFkWJ4up0EfDdutPg2o2xSZ2SpXOgvEaLWJE_2CP8JtjtFhgpNGX7YOL6TUl-0AqZGWCACnzLaagR4y-OI/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+Yardbirds+2.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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Clockwise: male house or purple finch, trapeze artist, juvenile European starling, dark-eyed junco, mourning dove, northern mockingbird</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FcyCrKGpJ-NJ_hyphenhyphen54KvPh_gJF9Wl5Z2lzlsVwMxirJjb9tQzsknfbzxU0cBr4pkfeNiiNoeUn24glZJj2r51ZI2BjdmeZWMq_GDTcUxzmweRCsezU5jCkK3TU8wWaLvgJd4r-gKgdoc/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Yardbirds+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FcyCrKGpJ-NJ_hyphenhyphen54KvPh_gJF9Wl5Z2lzlsVwMxirJjb9tQzsknfbzxU0cBr4pkfeNiiNoeUn24glZJj2r51ZI2BjdmeZWMq_GDTcUxzmweRCsezU5jCkK3TU8wWaLvgJd4r-gKgdoc/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+Yardbirds+3.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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Clockwise: brown creeper or downy woodpecker, another woodpecker - hairy or ladder back?, hawk, white-breasted nuthatch, American crow, red-bellied woodpecker<br />
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I'm still learning about how to ID the birds that visit--get right maybe 50% of the time. Just wish I'd started with this interest a long time ago. Could spend hours watching them out the window--and sometimes do!<br />
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Linking to: <a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/">Wild Bird Wednesday </a>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6E0d0ekp-GTRx8c4CbUkYUlPdE6sdaHu-QisL31BwsFe6n16oDCIIUsIXJmO204O3j9PFak-8p0_nbxPwv60h91nM3ZInKtzsTW0HjsvuIhRw_VKd8FGyWlZfE5UeQ44mUNdbeBU7bMk/s1600/PM+Purple+Finch+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-36907128619222267552013-11-24T17:42:00.000-05:002013-11-25T06:32:57.553-05:00Mosaic Monday - Tree Hieroglypics<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_RmB2WXUwGP6_dXTptfcUUyxi3Y7hpZ1ieqTihjGTzRXLJGbwhAyq_LOzj3MmpbIL8WdrfMRXlH6nKmYMFChO2okhIqQ9LR98npgQUthET2i7CDcksYwzYzzow3rYbWjIruDTkuxlQQ/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Heiro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_RmB2WXUwGP6_dXTptfcUUyxi3Y7hpZ1ieqTihjGTzRXLJGbwhAyq_LOzj3MmpbIL8WdrfMRXlH6nKmYMFChO2okhIqQ9LR98npgQUthET2i7CDcksYwzYzzow3rYbWjIruDTkuxlQQ/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+Heiro.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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Recently I found this interesting tree in Cherokee Park whose trunk was decorated with many "hieroglyphic" carvings. In the lower right the traditional symbol for love, but what do you make of the rest? I see something definite in each carving. What about you? Can you also see a face in profile in the leaf shadows on the tree?<br />
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Linking to <a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/"> Mosaic Monday.</a> <br />
Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-7274869384443787792013-11-18T00:00:00.000-05:002013-11-18T00:00:10.293-05:00Monday Mosaic - Late Fall on Beargrass Creek<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRU_EOQoEMUctmL_E4JFcA3pxp68k2tmcKPBd8SXIP2jO2eDD8yqgkd4O6SoPL_XrD3LWl7qt7p-nYZbVvfiwyqiwe_tLnpA2v9IWN6pTww1THNIDRWj8XvODrQbmRY4ohAN_NEI2arD0/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Beargrass+Fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRU_EOQoEMUctmL_E4JFcA3pxp68k2tmcKPBd8SXIP2jO2eDD8yqgkd4O6SoPL_XrD3LWl7qt7p-nYZbVvfiwyqiwe_tLnpA2v9IWN6pTww1THNIDRWj8XvODrQbmRY4ohAN_NEI2arD0/s400/PicMonkey+Collage+Beargrass+Fall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Each season I try to get some photos of this twisty-trunked old tree on the banks of Beargrass Creek in Cherokee Park. For the fall shoot most of the colorful leaves had fallen by the time I made it to the park last week. Instead of being disappointed, learned an important photography lesson: focus on what's in front of you and you'll always find great subjects. In this instance, found all these different small shells on the creek bank and even on submerged leaves. Serendipity!<br />
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Linking to <a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/"> Mosaic Monday.</a><br />
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Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-18348553263515693942013-11-10T09:03:00.002-05:002013-11-10T09:03:58.999-05:00InSPIREd Sunday - Historic Methodist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ5S2u6NzoTTsvmvgPQofZawx0j71BwzdgyM3G2jfaumgCPRxleenAyMYcGt77EKnYVGW18VUwgk-ps4-YqWBRgQdabRka7exSPowulBGbqF-ZS6vmfSmMKsk7HJQeYQh237IYYEwHpc/s1600/PM+Methodist+Spire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ5S2u6NzoTTsvmvgPQofZawx0j71BwzdgyM3G2jfaumgCPRxleenAyMYcGt77EKnYVGW18VUwgk-ps4-YqWBRgQdabRka7exSPowulBGbqF-ZS6vmfSmMKsk7HJQeYQh237IYYEwHpc/s400/PM+Methodist+Spire.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfx4buxm3fHpEjO-FtAuQkUQAjjitaXZddSAtGveid3QG5hxIhfAUF7C_GnsgeewgJ8pyrRI_uNN8IZQJhGTtIEdHNgUXzIzJOCc84kP0zO3mbGHAjOl5m7RxZtIQBZ7SzXAQxCgznxWI/s1600/PM+Methodist+Sunflare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfx4buxm3fHpEjO-FtAuQkUQAjjitaXZddSAtGveid3QG5hxIhfAUF7C_GnsgeewgJ8pyrRI_uNN8IZQJhGTtIEdHNgUXzIzJOCc84kP0zO3mbGHAjOl5m7RxZtIQBZ7SzXAQxCgznxWI/s400/PM+Methodist+Sunflare.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the former<strong><span style="color: #741b47;"> Middletown Methodist Church</span></strong>, which is my neighborhood. The church was built in the late 1800s in the gothic architectural style. The spire and windows are especially distinctive. The church is listed on the national historic register and is now a community center. <em>(I took these photos yesterday in the afternoon sun, as you can see!)</em><br />
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Here are a few more views:<br />
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Linking to <a href="http://inspiredsundaymeme.blogspot.com/">InSPIREd Sunday </a>.<br />
Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-9902127154407888362013-11-08T01:09:00.001-05:002013-11-08T01:25:33.370-05:00Friday Fences - Locust Grove Split Rail<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_mN40t7zhiIjgM_8SXmm1g3g8rLxNli34S2MO2nvkzFGCEXR35U0JNqHVuPNwDW7S6ew4D58fLrH4E_2Cqz5KpnW0JkYSxB4Si9OkdfxdBB9l8DAR5ij2VGznNR4tJv5oYlFvWNnEvo/s1600/Fence+Field+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_mN40t7zhiIjgM_8SXmm1g3g8rLxNli34S2MO2nvkzFGCEXR35U0JNqHVuPNwDW7S6ew4D58fLrH4E_2Cqz5KpnW0JkYSxB4Si9OkdfxdBB9l8DAR5ij2VGznNR4tJv5oYlFvWNnEvo/s320/Fence+Field+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Re-visiting <strong><span style="color: #990000;">historic Locust Grove farm</span></strong>, owned by the family of George Rogers Clark in the early 1800s. Clark was founder of Louisville, a Revolutionary War hero and explorer on the western Lewis and Clark expedition. The farm is about 20 minutes drive from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. I've used these photos of the split rail fence before, but thought they might be interesting in a collage to see how the rails would look side by side when shot from different perspectives.</span></div>
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Linking to Friday Fences at <a href="http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/"> Life According to Jan and Jer </a>.Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-29179481515461913172013-11-07T06:39:00.000-05:002013-11-07T06:39:25.893-05:00November Gratitude Mosaics - F for Films<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaV-vCfgMNVfr-yS2VDIpRY1tp93DINJM1JosDMbtVdlSd7VooPF8DMAT8nVuDJGe_VngpFZ75GZFmP4zKJGnapVHOrQWas2RkfDcyKb9VfOtv5uuo2AGSZo5mwAxFx7JBM9fmoWf76ho/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Films.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaV-vCfgMNVfr-yS2VDIpRY1tp93DINJM1JosDMbtVdlSd7VooPF8DMAT8nVuDJGe_VngpFZ75GZFmP4zKJGnapVHOrQWas2RkfDcyKb9VfOtv5uuo2AGSZo5mwAxFx7JBM9fmoWf76ho/s400/PicMonkey+Collage+Films.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: orange;">November 6</span></strong></div>
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Today for the November gratitude alphabet,<strong><span style="color: orange;"> F is for Films</span></strong> - good movies entertain, inspire, challenge, and teach through their characters and events. They can take you to places in the world you may never see for real and visually amaze. Every year I try to see the important films when they are released in the theaters. And I enjoy "helping" choose the winners for important awards like the Academy and Golden Globes. This year hasn't been a great year for movie going for many reasons, but the ones above I've seen and loved for different reasons. Well, except for <strong><span style="color: orange;">Anna Karenina</span></strong>, which totally irritated me because it was almost like a comic opera.<br />
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Second--or maybe first--way I watch films that I've missed on the big screen is to rent from Netflix and watch on computer in the hidey hole/den. This is my favorite place in the house, especially with the owner of those little black--or white speckled now--legs to keep me company:<br />
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Here's a sampling of Netflix viewing this year:<br />
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In films my taste runs to history and politics in troubled parts of the world--<strong><span style="color: orange;">Of Gods and Men, A Woman in Berlin, Salmon Fishing in Yemen</span></strong>. I watched <strong><span style="color: orange;">In the Land of Blood and Honey</span></strong> because it's about the Bosnian-Serb war in the late 1990s and I hope to visit Bosnia in 2014. If you love photography, highly recommend <strong><span style="color: orange;">Everlasting Moments</span></strong>, the story of a Swedish woman who escapes a brutal and impoverished marriage by learning to take pictures. Just as with books, like British police procedurals--<strong><span style="color: orange;">Vera, Foyle's War, Rebus, Endeavour Morse, DCI Banks</span></strong>. And just for the heck of it, throw in Jane Campion's<strong><span style="color: orange;"> Top of the World</span></strong> set in New Zealand<strong><span style="color: orange;">. Annika Bingtzon</span></strong> gave me a little Swedish crime. And<strong><span style="color: orange;"> In Treatment</span></strong> gave me Gabriel Brynne as a troubled therapist--yumo! And finally, do I even need to mention BBC Masterpiece Theater period dramas like <span style="color: orange;"><strong>Downton Abbey</strong><span style="color: black;"> and</span> <strong>The Paradise.</strong></span> Of course, loved them. </div>
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It's a good thing that this project is falling in November. I'm one of those year in review people, taking stock of the past year and figuring out what's ahead for 2014. By the time I finish this gratitude alphabet won't have anything to do for December and January!</div>
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Linking to November Blog a Day at <a href="http://www.myanderings-myanderings.blogspot.com/">Myanderings </a>.</div>
Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-88911744843193089672013-11-06T07:09:00.001-05:002013-11-06T07:09:26.148-05:00Wild Bird Wednesday -the Red Head<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuApIIQuSM6agT4gIthvDLdArM_L5kr3p379OB9Xu9xVUyKHDUQheKU7_fUP3aPrSit8J7DajCjTrGs3QEzmBN-gs-XSa5XuMtFWZhEq1-zhd_dH34miD71QKRJSWehrw57CKVwXUzmc/s1600/PM+Woodpecker+1A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuApIIQuSM6agT4gIthvDLdArM_L5kr3p379OB9Xu9xVUyKHDUQheKU7_fUP3aPrSit8J7DajCjTrGs3QEzmBN-gs-XSa5XuMtFWZhEq1-zhd_dH34miD71QKRJSWehrw57CKVwXUzmc/s400/PM+Woodpecker+1A.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Red-bellied Woodpecker</span></strong> - visited the bird buffet a couple of days ago. A most welcome customer. Understand that he likes dried meal worms which were on the breakfast menu that day. I'm most happy to hold my nose and put more out if he'll visit again!<br />
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Here are a few more views, including a shot of his bell<em> (second row left)</em> so you can kind of see where he gets his name.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRkSu25Oo6hhnjwTU7EdU-AlbH7reyK-ltxrjFAuk-PPBrbkRjD55_CPmRIOCC2oeULDP8Pdm9VUYrColnUGxqbdsJ1LA1woAGIvsoMgiXoqtzEUVG-tVMxIqIXb3ZNVt4br5KAyvrIA/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+Woodpecker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRkSu25Oo6hhnjwTU7EdU-AlbH7reyK-ltxrjFAuk-PPBrbkRjD55_CPmRIOCC2oeULDP8Pdm9VUYrColnUGxqbdsJ1LA1woAGIvsoMgiXoqtzEUVG-tVMxIqIXb3ZNVt4br5KAyvrIA/s400/PicMonkey+Collage+Woodpecker.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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Linking to: <a href="http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/">Wild Bird Wednesday </a>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6E0d0ekp-GTRx8c4CbUkYUlPdE6sdaHu-QisL31BwsFe6n16oDCIIUsIXJmO204O3j9PFak-8p0_nbxPwv60h91nM3ZInKtzsTW0HjsvuIhRw_VKd8FGyWlZfE5UeQ44mUNdbeBU7bMk/s1600/PM+Purple+Finch+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-87381523019252228652013-11-05T17:40:00.001-05:002013-11-05T17:40:40.414-05:00November Gratitude Mosaics - E for Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDxcBJy1RhHryWk9SgWiSJdVunBLkrLOGUAqoI-OO0XF0N9hfNHCp_FvmiMX0HNkBQYHYcjawYJKYmUIdaLGjXQgOFrqYfU2e6gJ1dXCE0XhytXyJ0UVjYpugDPSU03NrfIhigTDHcNw/s1600/PM+ED+Mullins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDxcBJy1RhHryWk9SgWiSJdVunBLkrLOGUAqoI-OO0XF0N9hfNHCp_FvmiMX0HNkBQYHYcjawYJKYmUIdaLGjXQgOFrqYfU2e6gJ1dXCE0XhytXyJ0UVjYpugDPSU03NrfIhigTDHcNw/s400/PM+ED+Mullins.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: orange;">November 5</span></strong></div>
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How timely that our newspaper has a front page article with some pretty bleak statistics about the poverty and trauma experienced by children in Kentucky on the day that I would be writing a post on how grateful I am for the education and lifelong learning experiences that I have had all these years. According to the front page article, half of the state's children live in poverty. Sixty years ago I would have been one of those statistics. Thankfully, through education I was able to escape that life of poverty and build a very satisfying, economically secure, and sometimes exciting life.<br />
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My love of learning began at <strong><span style="color: orange;">Mullins Elementary in eastern Kentucky</span></strong>. I was thrilled to learn how to read and be able to check out a book every week from the school library. And then there were making "pigtails (cursive "e")and other letters of the alphabet. Early on I also discovered that I liked to write and by the time I was in high school a few teachers praised my writing and encouraged me to do more. When I looked through the <strong><span style="color: orange;">Mullins High School</span></strong> annual, my picture wasn't in any clubs or after school activities. I did win the English award from the senior graduating class and was voted girl "most likely to succeed" from the senior class. That probably means I was an original nerd!<br />
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By the time senior year came around I was determined to continue my education despite having no money. And thanks to encouraging teachers and student loans, I was able to move away from home and enroll in college. I earned <strong><span style="color: orange;">undergraduate degrees in English and home economics and a master's degree in American literature from Morehead State University</span></strong>. Those were heady times and I loved everything about student life. And, to this day, I feel like education is like an insurance policy, or a survival tool that can't be taken away from you. Even after I started working, I still wanted more education. I became interested<strong><span style="color: orange;"> teaching adult basic education and volunteer leadership development </span></strong>and earned further credentials in these areas.<br />
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After graduating from college where I earned a<strong><span style="color: orange;"> secondary teaching certificate</span></strong>, education was still the focus of my work. As you can see below, I've ranged around: <strong><span style="color: orange;"> middle and high school English and reading teacher, Peace Corps volunteer teacher in the West Indies, adult learning center director, consultant for the Kentucky Department of Education, and volunteer development trainer for Kentucky Farm Bureau.</span></strong></div>
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And finally, when I retired in 2006, I didn't stop learning. Only then I could be very selective about what I learned and how I did it. It was then that I got interested in<strong><span style="color: orange;"> technology</span></strong>. Truth be told, it was <strong><span style="color: orange;">blogging</span></strong> that got me hooked so I started learning about<strong><span style="color: orange;"> computers</span></strong> in order to natter with social media friends every day! :-) I've taken classes in special interests such as <strong><span style="color: orange;">watercolor painting, writing and gardening. I do international learning vacations as often as I can afford. Lately I'm trying to learn digital photography and birding.</span></strong></div>
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I feel like I will not need to write a memoir by the time I finish this month of gratitude mosaics! When you start trying to figure out the things in your life for which you're grateful, it leads to a lot of navel gazing and some REALLY long posts! If you're still reading, thanks. There will be some lighter subjects coming up!</div>
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Linking to November Blog a Day at <a href="http://www.myanderings-myanderings.blogspot.com/">Myanderings </a>.</div>
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Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-43423922278289824722013-11-04T14:37:00.000-05:002013-11-04T14:37:46.627-05:00November Gratitude Mosaics - D for Dogs<br />
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<strong><span style="color: orange;">November 4</span></strong></div>
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My love affair with dogs began in earnest in 1983 when I bought <strong><span style="color: orange;">Zack the Crazy Border Collie</span></strong> from a local farmer for $6. He was just a little black and white butterball in the litter. Apparently his mother, a working girl border collie had her head turned by a handsome black lab on Friday night. . .Anyway, I brought Zack home to an apartment that did not allow dogs. We got evicted, forcing me to buy a house which was great. For 16 years Zack led me for a merry chase as you can imagine. Border collies are not meant to live in the 'burbs!<br />
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In 1985 I adopted <strong><span style="color: orange;">little black Frank</span></strong><em> (named for Frank Sinatra because he had one blue eye)</em>. He showed up at my friend Sherry's basement door on moving day for her. We were just sure he was a valuable dog so advertised finding him but nobody claimed. Took him to vet for his first well baby check and found out he was blind in that blue eye and full of worms. But he and Zack were great buddies. He lived for 15 years.<br />
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In 1991 I moved from Frankfort to Louisville and rescued <strong><span style="color: orange;">Dan the Golden</span></strong> <em>(I named him for former Vice President Dan Quayle because, like his namesake, he was very handsome but not so smart).</em> Dan was collateral damage in a divorce. When I picked him up from the young family that owned him he was tied to a dog house in the middle of a bare yard and stunk to high heaven. Luckily, he fit right in with our pack and lived for 12 years.<br />
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And then trouble came in the form of <strong><span style="color: orange;">Willie the Pit Bull Mix</span></strong> in 1997:<br />
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Willie and his sister Hallie were found by the dumpster at a Ben Franklin Store by a friend. She asked me to come over and LOOK at him. I did, bringing along a milk crate just in case. . .He climbed in that milk crate and in just a few months turned our home into a battlefield. By the time he was a year old he was the alpha dog. I was at my wits end because I had never dealt with this canine rivalry. However, by 2002 he became an only dog with Zack, Frank, and Dans' deaths from old age and disease. He thrived as an only dog and was my good companion for 14 more years. I called him my Goodwill Ambassador for Pit Bulls.<br />
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Finally, when Willie died in April 2012 I immediately adopted <strong><span style="color: orange;">Mr. Personality Chet</span></strong> from the Shamrock Foundation<em> (his former name was Bubbles for the big ones on his butt</em>). I don't need to say much about him since he appears regularly on this blog and Facebook. He's a thoroughly modern dog who embraces social media. When he and I have disagreements, he takes to social media to tell you all what he's having to deal with and get some advice. I absolutely adore him because he's so stinkin' cute and funny. Here are some of his baby pics:<br />
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My goodness! If you're still reading this I'm amazed. Of all the areas of my life that I'm grateful for, living with these five dogs is right up there. They have been a constant source of joy, humor, and companionship for most of my adult life.<br />
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Linking to the November Daily Blog at <a href="http://www.myanderings-myanderings.blogspot.com/"> Myanderings </a> and <a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/"> Mosaic Monday </a><br />
Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1861307316932691361.post-9776888068998169982013-11-03T14:38:00.001-05:002013-11-03T14:38:37.639-05:00November Gratitude Mosaics - C for Coffee<br />
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<strong><span style="color: orange;">November 3</span></strong></div>
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Continuing with the alphabet of gratitude for November - today it's coffee made my own way. For many years I've used this odd coffee making contraption, the Toddy Coffee Maker, to ensure that I can have a fresh cup of my favorite brew any time of the day without resorting to instant (yuk!) or brewing a pot and then wasting if I'm only in the mood for one cup.<br />
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Here's how it works<em> (starting kind of at the bottom left)</em> 1. insert the rubber cork in the bottom of the white "jug" and then place that round "buff" pad in the little well inside the jug. 2. next add about a pound of your favorite coffee and then fill the jug with cold water and cover. 3. let steep about 24 hours, either out on the counter or, when it's really hot, in the fridge. 4. After the steep time, pull the plug and allow the "coffee extract" to drain into the glass container. As the extract drains through the "buff pad" all the bitter oils are captured so you have incredibly mellow coffee. 5. Store the coffee extract in the fridge for over a week. 6. When you're ready for a cup of coffee deliciousness like the one in the big photo, just mix equal parts coffee extract, water, and milk. Microwave for about 3 minutes. Of course, if you don't use milk or cream, just tinker with the ratio of extract and water to get the right strength. And there you have it--a perfect cup of coffee any time, no fuss, no waste!<br />
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You may not be surprised that a coffee lover would also have a thing for the perfect coffee mug or cup. Mugs are my souvenirs of choice when I travel or go to arts and craft fairs. The lower right I bought at the Saint James Art Fair, and the brown at the Te Papa, the national Maori museum in Wellington, New Zealand.<br />
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Linking to the November Daily Blog at <a href="http://www.myanderings-myanderings.blogspot.com/"> Myanderings </a>.Fayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10227397761350236459noreply@blogger.com10