Day 41

Tonight's image comes from the Woodlands Mall near the waterway.

Day 40

What the heck is this?

A 9 LED flashlight. One of the small ones. I turned it on this evening and just liked the lights and the blue ring.

Tonight I'm relating more to the blackness, but hope you enjoy the light.

Day 39

My journey home.

Stepping out of the building, wandering towards the parking garage, meeting this light play. Encouraging, pulling me towards my goal -- home. What will happen when I step on this path? Will I be transported to a peaceful place away from all the chaos, pain, suffering and misery I see around me. I don't understand. Why do people make life so hard.

Day 38

This is Bela and she is taking care of her two kittens. I posted a picture of Miss Grey a while back -- this is the same mother. She has a very striking facial coloration. She may appear calm and serene, but don't you dare get close or put your hand in as you'll likely be flayed by some very sharp claws. Do you know people like that?  They are still good, but please give them their space -- parking , freeway lane, grocery line, heck for that matter any line. Just don't get in their way and you'll be just fine...

Day 37

My view this morning. That's a waning moon at the top of the image. There is something refreshing about a new dawn -- and even better when it's not raining. Although at times that can be welcome. This past Easter weekend I heard some words that really struck home. "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." You can find that somewhere in 1st Corinthians in the 13th chapter around verse 1. My hope and prayer is that the words I espouse are backed by real conviction, charity, action.  It's sometimes very easy to be all touchy feely in the moment, but when it comes down to it, down to real adversity, you know, where the rubber meets the road, will I be there. I've had some chances for that and I hope I've been there for those in need, in their time of need. And offer up my apologies when I've not.  Those who know me know that I'm far from long winded. But geez I sure hope I'm not a tinkling cymbal...

Day 36

Chunky Brown was the star tonight. His caretakers are Jeff and Anna. Somehow we got Chunky to sit still for more than one second and I was able to catch this image. Most of the other ones were blurs as he tends to jump around "like a squirrel" as Anna puts it.

Jeff and Sean helped deliver some baby furniture for Heather and Andrew. My job was to try and stay out of the way -- and take images with my camera of course... And just for the record, Jeff and Anna are terrific, you really should get to know them. So, Anna leaves the apartment for a few moments and Chunky starts whining like his best friend just left forever. This is one nutty dog! 

This is Anna and Chunky. Now I understand why Chunky and Jeff can hardly wait until Anna returns!

 And just to be fair, here is Jeff with Chunky.

Day 35

You may wonder why I chose this image of a flashlight for my post today. This is not any ordinary flashlight. This is one of those special self generating electrical power type of fancy flashlight with a single LED light. You see the coil of copper wire, the small metal magnet. What you do is shake the flashlight and as the magnet goes back and forth through the coiled wire then electricity is generated. Just turn on the switch. It really works. Believe me I tried it. Really.

But is all as it seems?

I think of the word: faith. And the thought that faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true.  So you could have faith that shaking this flashlight in fact generates electricity. Except by definition you'd be wrong. This flashlight does not generate anything. In fact, this is a facade, a fake. That's not even a magnet. The copper wires are not even attached to anything. There are two watch batteries that provide the electricity and when they are depleted, there will be no more light.

Here's a closer look.  You can see the two ends of the wire are just taped and not connected to anything.

What do you have faith in? Is it true? Look not to words only, look for the fruits of another's actions. I always like to say, "the proofs in the pudding".  A true friend will be there in time of adversity. They won't stab you in the back or betray you. They will forgive quickly.They may even tell you hard things and pray they won't lose your friendship over it.

Just as with this flashlight you will find others who will pretend to be your friend. Look deeper and know that in tough times true friends will be there.

There do exist flashlights and radios that you can generate electricity using the principles that this fake pretends to use. Understand that the application of those principles generate the electricity you use in your home, recharges your car battery -- you know the generator/alternator that can be real expensive to replace if it goes out.

Day 34

Today Angel and I took a day trip to Bellville, Brenham, and Navasota TX with the hopes of capturing some images. We'd hoped to get images of balloons in Bellville, but too much fog this morning. So we decided to go on an adventure for the day.

SO, we went to Brenham and visited the Blue Bell Factory. The flowers are out in full force.

And went in for Ice Cream of course.

Here is a Kayaker getting out of the Brazos River just under the 105 Bridge just west of Navasota and just North of Washington on the Brazos State Park. She was literally up to her knees in the mud, but as you can see had a fun time anyway and enjoyed the humor of the moment.

We also met  Mr Walter Williams who had been fishing since the crack of dawn.Wish we had more time because he was full of stories and took us in like a long lost friend. Shook his had before we left. He said come back anytime.

We then visited Navasota. These are the tracks on the west side of town looking to the south.

Day 33

Northshore Park in the Woodlands this afternoon. Jenn wanted to study and asked if I'd like to tag along and take some images.  Twist my arm, yes!  These two images have a commonality, can you guess my mind? 

A sense of loneliness, battling life as best you can -- stoic, purposeful, and yet at times a pervasive loneliness. Perhaps a chance to strut your stuff -- need friends, companions for that. And we find them. Work, school, church or religious groups, neighbors, team mates, fellow parents as we live vicariously through our kids.

Sometimes we soar and are on top of the world.

At other times, just kinda hanging out trying to relax and be left alone.

And yet in the most unlikely places we still can show our own inner beauty and recognize that within others. I found these back behind the freeway in a spot where few would go and fewer would even see anything beautiful. I didn't notice these until I was very close.

Day 32

So, I was moping around all day. I was home just a few minutes and decided to head off to the The Woodlands and Market Street.  I stopped to capture these images just outside Tommy Bahamas. These two kids were having a blast in the colored water jets.  This is one of the few times I've put my camera in full manual mode.  I wanted to keep the background dark to emphasize the water. I had the shutter speed between 15 and 30 to blur the water -- kids as well. Needless to say, getting out for a walkabout and having fun with these images boosted my spirits. 

OK, I had a lot of fun so I'm posting a few extras tonight. Enjoy!

And a final two...

Day 31

This is a view a see many days walking onto campus where I work. I like the reflections of the overhead translucent tiles and the sky -- which is what I was trying to capture in this image taken on my BlackBerry. But I also like the tunnel effect at the bottom of the image. I took this on a whim coming back from lunch. Good thing because this is the only image I took today. I'm totally exhausted and fell asleep on the couch and didn't wake up until 9:30.

Too tired to care about much right now. Except you -- of course. See you tomorrow.

Day 30

Tonight I took a walk in the little park behind my home.  I selected this image because I really like the colors. This was just before sunset began and the light was fantastic. I've always enjoyed nature and its beauty. And even in Houston there are some beautiful wondrous things. I would say the same in your neighborhood no matter where you live. OK, I'd really like to live in the Rocky Mountains somewhere -- someday...

And tonight I was chatting online with Rhea about kids and so I'm going to add another image I took tonight of my youngest. She joined me on my nature walk tonight. Thanks for giving me moral support Jenn! She is my sidekick in photography and she really does a fantastic job. Maybe we can talk her into a blog of her own.

And I send a "Thank You!" to each of you who have journeyed with me so far.  I didn't realize how time consuming and at times difficult to take an image, post it and then try to make some comments.  At times what I write comes quickly and easily -- other times more difficult and at times too personal. You may read and think, gee that doesn't sound all that, but as we are each different, this for me has been a bit hard. A few postings have touched on the edges of some very deep personal thoughts and I don't have the courage to lay it all out -- yet. Another thing that strikes me is that no matter what I experience and feel from the lows to the joys, there are many out there who have it much worse and perhaps much better. I acknowledge those and also each of you.  My association with each of you has helped me become who I am -- an impatient son of a ...oops, just kidding. OK, I am working on that patient thing. For those of you going through dark times please join me in the celebration of beauty. You are the beholder -- seek and you shall find.

As you wish

Day 29

The last of the day's rays were trickling through the blinds giving just a hint of highlight to the violet beads adorning this candle holder. Don't know why, but I was drawn to the gold, violet, white, and blue hues. The lines are clean -- guess that's the engineer in me. Well, no great words of wisdom, sentimentality or wandering reflections for you this evening. Just thinking of enjoying beauty when and where it exists.

Day 28

Did you notice this heavenly visitor tonight? The sky is clear and the moon full. However bright, the real source of this light is our sun making our moon a cold lifeless body matching my morosity tonight.Sure, I can reflect others' light but unless I add my own internal light there seems to be this hollowness giving way to a morose emptiness. When I get feeling this way the words to an old familiar song kickstarts me and reminds me there really is much to be grateful for as these words call out to me,  "Count Your Many Blessings".  During Church services today I was struck by the reality of so many struggling to get through life. It struck me equally as hard that a simple thing act of a kind word or deed can sometimes make a world of difference in helping someone overcome their own moroseness, their own struggle within. Perhaps a bit of reflected light can help kindle a bit of warmth, a sense of hope that yes, tomorrow will arrive and it will be brighter than this night.

Day 27

Today I went to the Mercer Arboretum & Botanical Gardens to take some family portraits for the wonderful Hardy family.  During the shoot the kids noticed that we had an interloper and I now have its image for you. We never know who we'll meet during our daily trek. Take time to enjoy new friends. Take time to enjoy old friends. And if you don't have any, then find someone and enjoy their friends. Life is too short to put your head in the sand.  Believe me I know. That's why I've tried over the past two years to reach out again and take a chance on being friends -- trying on that unconditional love thing. For the most part folks are receptive -- only been burned once. I think the bad experiences help us to appreciate the good times. With any luck you too can pull a rabbit out of the hat.

Day 26

 

Today we visited the Transco Tower. This is in the Galleria in Houston in an area referred to as Uptown.  This is the tallest building in Houston.   My daughter, Sherylin, works in a building just blocks away from here.

Update: This is now called the Williams Tower  and is the tallest building in Houston outside of Downtown. (Thanks to Donnie B for pointing this out to me.)

I moved next to the building and looked up. Tends to play havoc with your balance looking almost straight up.  This is the SE corner of the building.






 

Just to the south of the tower and across the lawn is a waterfall display.

This image gives you an idea of the size.

Inside of the waterfall display.

Towering high in shades of blue

Does someone pass judgement on me?

Or am I just an inconsequential speck on a green lawn.

Just an ant blending with a few brave souls hoping to soak in

Some warmth recovering from a cold winter.

Ah, blue skies, rushing water,

A good friend.

Spring.

Day 25

Bummer. Fortunately this father and his two sons were fine. As I was walking to my car I heard the squeal of brakes and the sound of an impact. I went to the edge of the parking garage and was met with this view. They rear-ended another pickup. There didn't seem to be much if any visible damage to the other vehicle.  How often do we find our selves out of control and end up in a big wreck? At times like these count your blessings. Remember, things can be replaced. Your loved ones can't.  Give your loved ones an extra squeeze tonight.

Day 24

It's amazing what you can see in nature. The pattens that you can just make out. Words or images can appear and make you wonder...  For instance, while walking in Cullen Park during lunch this image jumped out at me. Can you see what I see?  Do you see a heart with T+C in the middle?  Click the image to view a larger version. That's what I see: Tom + Collette. How many movies have you seen the young infatuated couple engrave their initials within a heart on the tree. Could this be the remnants of such an act many years ago or perhaps just something that nature provided awaiting me to finally see. Either way I smiled today. That makes it a good day.

Day 23

I stopped by Norman's desk on the way out tonight. These CD's caught my eye as the light played across them. I captured this image with my BlackBerry. How often do we notice the glimmer of light within the cluttered mess of our lives? To some is given an iridescent inner beauty. Others reflect that of another. Enjoy beauty where and when you find it. It is precious. For no particular reason this was a difficult day for me. This small item called to me and brightened by soul. Remember the small things.

Day 22

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." This monument commemorating the US Constitution resides at Bear Creek Park along War Memorial Drive and Eldridge.

First written in 1892 by the Socialist Minister Francis Bellamy. The words, "to the flag of the United States of America" were added in 1923. In 1954 President Eisenhower urged Congress to add "under God", giving us today this 31 word pledge.  I find it interesting that by adding a few key components a socialist idea can become a proper ideal of God fearing America. There is hope for us yet in our current predicament.

(reference http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm)

(Update: Another reference seems to indicate some question as to who really authored the original pledge. Reference http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bfc_pledge.html )