I hail from a large family. So, when it comes to Christmas time, it is usually massive. Just to give a reference, there are five kids and all of us have children. We celebrated the other evening and this was Mom’s tree prior to the distribution.
Last week it rained something fierce. In the end, we had around 5 inches of rain in about 24 hours. I was watching the lake and something just did not looks right. I went to investigate and thought that it was high enough that I believed it should be draining, but was not. I turned off the aerator and shortly after, the lake started draining. I forgot to turn it on and the calm following the storm made the lake almost perfectly still.
Where I grew up, chicken farming was a large part of the economy. When we first moved into the area, there were not so many, but not having zoning laws for the longest time allowed anyone that wanted to get in the business. Now there are chicken houses all around. I am just glad that I don’t have to do my chores around one of these.
I try hard to find interesting things of which to take photos. One of my favorite things to do is break a scene up into smaller parts. If it is a bridge, just one pylon or support. In this case, it was a tree at the intersection of two sidewalks. I was intrigued by the color of the moss and weeds growing from the cracks and the contrast with the bricks.
Winter is upon us and I am now thinking of vacation. Last year at the beach was good and I’m thinking the beach may be a good destination again. However, the decision will hinge upon what the kids want to do. We went walking on the beach one night and made it to the county pier. There is a stream, if you can call it that, that runs into the ocean by the pier. It made for some interesting night time shots.
I’m a little late today. That’s okay after yesterday. My oldest brother has decided that we need to take our dad on a hike through the Great Smoky Mountains. I’ll not bore you yet with details, but as part of that, we have begun getting dad out and working on strengthening his legs. So, yesterday (Christmas Day) we decided to take a little jaunt up Blood Mountain. We took the trail up the North side of the mountain. Arguably the hardest ascent of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. This shot is from the peak. All 4450 or so feet. Right around 2000 feet of ascent in a little over 2 miles.
Proud of you Dad!!! At 72 not too bad…
One of my favorite poems of Christmas
by: Clement Moore
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”
It’s that time of year again. The presents are snug under the tree. It’s time to start baking some cookies and prepare for a day of reflection on what it’s all about. It’s Christmas time again.
Today was a work inside day for me. It rained forever, so I was able to get some things done. That was until I looked outside at the lake and something just did not look right. I went to check it out. After taking a look, I decided to get the camera and take a short rainy stroll up the creeks. This was just one of the small waterfalls along the way.
I spent a couple of evenings around the Market Square area of Knoxville. The first evening, I barely made it out of Market Square proper and not at all along Gay Street. This shot is of the Regal cinema on Gay Street. The traffic was so bad that it took forever to get this shot with out cars driving along the street. I guess I could have waited until about 2 in the morning, but I’m not sure it would have been any slower then.
