Several weeks ago, we had rain; and then it rained and rained some more. That led to me taking photos of some beautiful Teal Waters. While I was walking around, my wife was standing on some rocks. When I got near her, she pointed out how they had a rainbow sheen to them. I set out to capture the rainbow. Sounds easy, but everyone is after that pot of gold. I was pleased with this one.
At least all the cold weather provided a little fun with the camera. There are several roads that follow the base of cliff’s near home and with all the rain and cold, there were some pretty big icicles. Just a short way down the road is a seasonal waterfall. After taking this photo, I decided to climb to the top and see the icicles there. Probably not the brightest idea I have ever had, but I found the top of the waterfall.
I made a quick stop in downtown Fairmount the other night to get shots of the Christmas Ornaments. My youngest decided to brave the cold with me. Most of the time, she was running around looking at the other lights, but for this shot, she stood patiently beside me.
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.
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.
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.
Thanksgiving every year is family reunion time for our family. It is a time of feasting, fun and fellowship. Along with the feasting happens to be dessert. I believe the reason dessert is last is because you are supposed to save the best for last. I missed some of the desserts because I had to make a getaway with these five cupcakes. They had “Photograph me!!!” written all over them. So, I ran like a mad photographer and set up the lights for a little fun food photo shoot. It was not until I began taking photos that I realized I had gotten four green and one orange. So, they became the little pilgrim family and their neighbor…or black sheep.
Several days ago, I walked outside after it had rained. There was just enough water left to bead up on the trim of the van. Landscapes are great, but I’m really getting into some of these other realms of photography.
