My Reflections As I Shutter Along .....

Blogger Burn Out

2012-01-05T19:19:00.000-06:00

We all have heard the term, blogger burn out. But what is it? I think it has personal meanings to whom ever is feeling that way. Lost interest..... blogger burn out. Lost inspiration..... blogger burn out. Nothing to say.... blogger burn out. Blogging, blogging, blogging.... blogger burn out. I think that is where I am at for the time being. Things may change in an instant though! :-)

"Burnout is nature's way of telling you, you've been going through the motions your soul has departed; you're a zombie, a member of the walking dead, a sleepwalker. False optimism is like administrating stimulants to an exhausted nervous system."

Sam Keen

So bloglings, until I get my mojo back......... have fun and enjoy!!

Jenny and Shirley

2011-12-07T17:06:00.000-06:00

Watch this moving video of two elephants reunited after 20 years. The Dallas Zoo had an elephant, also named Jenny, who was alone for 20 years after they had sent one elephant to another zoo for mating. There was talk about sending her to a zoo in Mexico , but the outcry from animal lovers prevented that. Now, finally, there are 2 more elephants. Can you imagine the loneliness these animals felt to have been isolated for so long when they are naturally loving toward all members of their troop. At least now they each have companions to spend their days with.

Jenny and Shirley were elephants at the same circus when Jenny was a calf, and Shirley was in her twenties. The two lived one winter together, but then were separated twenty-two years ago.

It's very rare for elephants to display this kind of emotion in captivity, and it's probably the first time such a thing has been documented on film.

Just remarkable! And absolutely worth the watch....

Jenny and Shirley Reunited!

A big awwwww........

Imbalance........

2011-11-29T18:48:00.001-06:00

Imbalance.

I feel some imbalance in my life once in a while. Well ok, quite often, but now it feels normal to me.

But the imbalance for this post is our weekly FMTSO challenge. Imbalance in photography, which can be summed up as the lack of proportion or relation between corresponding things. Shots with strong points of interest on one side of an image and ‘emptiness’ in another area. Misproportioned.

I went into my archives for this one. I don't know why, just started looking at these shots from a trip I went on in October of 2009. I went along the lake shore (Lake Michigan) up to the Mackinaw Bridge and up into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Now they aren't the best as I just had gotten my camera that year, I shot totally on auto everything! So lots of editing to bring up the images in the night scenes. But hope you enjoy what I have chosen to showcase for this challenge.

Manistee MI

Ludington MI

Little Sable Point Lighthouse - Ludington MI

Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse - Manistee MI

Crazy people walking out on the pier in Manistee during a storm.

Hope you all enjoyed!

To see what FMTSO is all about visit here......

To see Imbalance from around the world go here...... (most people won't link up with My Town Mr. Linky until Friday though) so visit often!!

Have a great weekend bloglings!!

Symmetry

2011-11-17T17:53:00.000-06:00

The challenge for FMTSO is Symmetry.

To see Symmetry from around the world click here.

I am hoping a few of these may have come close to representing symmetry.

Have a fantastic weekend bloglings!!

You've got a friend ..........

2011-11-15T18:57:00.001-06:00

"I get by with a little help from my friends." ~ John Lennon ~

"One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives." ~ Euripides, Greek playwrite ~

"Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together" ~ Woodrow Wilson ~

Strange and Unusual Signs About Town

2011-11-04T17:07:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday once again bloglings!

Our challenge for FMTSO was Strange, Unusual or Spooky signs. I did find a few. Take a peek.

ok, we'll go over there to get fed...........

a trip to the cemetery, yes souls here.........

many went quick..........

some without a name........

North is that a way.......

is this a sign...........

a natural sign...........

well are they suppose to fly then??

All of my strange and unusual signs I found while out and about today.
Have a great weekend!

Pink Arrow Pride on the Today Show!!

2011-11-02T17:19:00.001-05:00

If you are a regular visitor here you may remember me talking about our Pink Arrow Pride football game. How the whole town gets in the spirit and supports the ones in our community fighting cancer. And........ at our game this year, 2011, The Today Show made an appearance and it was featured today on the show. Here is it!! and WOW!! it is very powerful. Kudos to the Today Show on the presentation and special kudos to my town and surrounding community for all they do for others.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Creepy Crawlies!

2011-10-27T16:12:00.000-05:00

Our challenge this week for Friday My Town Shoot Outs is Creepy Crawlies. I found three good shots from my archives.

The first is a bug on one of my flowers around my house this past summer.(I think this bug is laying an egg!??)

This one is from a birds of prey photo shoot I went on. They also had a few reptiles there.

This is not from my town, but from Artprize 2011 in Grand Rapids. (about 18 miles from my house)

To look at Creepy Crawlies from around the world, go here.

To see what FMTSO is all about, visit the main blog.

Have a great weekend bloglings!!

Thinking..........

2011-10-22T12:42:00.000-05:00

Well I guess it is that time of year. The time of year google tells me that I have to pay so I can receive email and upload images, etc. I did pay last year, I think it was $5.00 or something. Maybe more, I really don't remember. I have decided not to pay for their upgrade this year. I am deciding how to proceed with this blog. I do have a couple other blogs that I have not been doing anything with at all. Maybe I can start using them for the images. Does any one know for sure? And do I need to use a different email for those blogs? If you have any info it would be appreciated. This blog I am going to do something different. No more images for this one, but other thoughts and discussions that will keep you all thinking and entertained in some sort of way.

so stay tuned bloglings.........

:-)

Traces of Love

2011-10-14T08:02:00.002-05:00

for our latest FMTSO challenge, sweets in your town.

I have to say that I did not take this pic, although I wish I had! there is a photographer at the hospital that takes pics of all the newborns.

(my new grandbaby!!)

I Hate to Admit it ......... but Fall is Showing up in Michigan

2011-10-08T06:58:00.000-05:00

It is that time of year........

It is beautiful, lots of gorgeous colors, soft blowing breezes, cozy warm sunshine.....

Fall is showing up in Michigan. A fantastic time of year, but it also means winter will be following close behind.

the leaves on the trees are beginning to change colors..........

and with the warm breezes,leaves are beginning to fall.........the sound of rustling leaves as you walk......

a popular spot in Lowell........ where the Flat and Grand Rivers converge.........

a favorite spot for many............ Fallasburg Park ...............

Many weddings take place at the park. There is a nice pavilion and throughout the park many scenic serene areas to enjoy. Many also use this park for portraits, graduation pictures, wedding shots, etc.

Join in seeing sights from around the world here...........

Have a great weekend bloglings!!

FMTSO Stairs

2011-09-29T19:52:00.000-05:00

This week I am showing stairs from Inspiration Point. This awesome scenic outlook is on your way up north ( when you live in Michigan, anything north of where you live is up north ) on M22.

This magnificent scenic outlook is between Arcadia and Watervale, along Lake Michigan.

going up.....

and up.....

at the top.....

at the top..... here it is 241 meters above sea level. beautiful Lake Michigan.

enjoying the view.....

going down.....

if you are ever visiting Michigan, the Great Lakes and this scenic outlook is a must see

for more stairs around the world visit here!

FMTSO main blog is here.

Have a great weekend bloglings!!

Thought for Today ......

2011-09-20T17:02:00.000-05:00

A simple way to look at the Debt Ceiling.

Let's say You come home from work and find there has been a sewer backup in your home and you have sewage up to your ceilings.

What do you think you should do:

Raise the ceilings, or pump out the crap???

Your choice. Vote wisely Nov. 2012

Friday My Town Shoot Out - The Letter T

2011-09-17T19:10:00.000-05:00

Our theme for this week is the letter T in your town. The first two shots are not from my town, but from the town I just moved from, Grand Rapids.

tread - to set down the foot or feet in walking; step; walk. (taken today Sept. 17, 2011)

team!!

too much fun - our neighborhood block party Sept. 10, 2011. the local fire dept. came out and let the kids (and the big kids known as adults) run through a huge spray of water!

touchdown! lots of them. Lowell won 42 to 7. our Pink Pride game Sept. 9, 2011.

Have a great weekend bloglings!

go here to visit the letter T from around the world

Pink Pride!!

2011-09-15T19:25:00.001-05:00

I have mentioned on here before about Lowell's Red Arrow Pink Pride game. It was held last Friday. And oh what a game it was!! Lowell won 42 to 7. Great game and it was a total sea of PINK!!

A few weeks before the game the town turns into shades of pink.

Then......... we have the game!

Pink Arrow Pride will continue to focus on accomplishing the main goal to continue awareness for the treatment and cure of many forms of cancer.

We will also continue to support the efforts of the Lowell Area Community Wellness Organization and their work to help those struggling with cancer and provide education programs.

I will tell you, driving around town and seeing all the pink gives you a sense of pride and great accomplishment, compassion. And instead of just talking about it, out little town of Lowell does something about it!! Go Pink Arrows!!

3200

2011-09-11T17:16:00.002-05:00

3200 flags for 3200 people that lost their lives. 200 of the remains have not yet been identified 10 years later.

no words.........

Taking a Break ..........

2011-08-29T17:24:00.000-05:00

Hi Bloglings!

As you can see I have not been blogging lately. Just so busy with family and life this summer. I haven't even taken the time to visit you all. But, from time to time, we all may feel the need to take a breather from blogland. I will still be doing my duties as administrator of FMTSO. Sarah and Rebecca will be helping out there also with the Spotlight Photos.

I may pop in from time to time so beware!!

I thought I would leave a little laugh for you all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The English language has some wonderfully anthropomorphic collective nouns for the various groups of animals.

We are all familiar with a Herd of cows, a Flock of chickens, a School of fish and a Gaggle of geese.

However, less widely known is a Pride of lions, a Murder of crows (as well as their cousins the rooks and ravens), an Exaltation of doves and, presumably because they look so wise, a Parliament of owls.

Now consider a group of Baboons.
They are the loudest, most dangerous, most obnoxious, most viciously aggressive and least intelligent of all primates.

And what is the proper collective noun for a group of baboons?

Believe it or not ....... a Congress!

I guess that pretty much explains the things that come out of Washington!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'll be seeing ya soon!!

Emu from Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park

FMTSO Match it!

2011-08-18T17:38:00.000-05:00

This weeks challenge for Friday My Town Shoot Out is just that ..... a big challenge. It is called Match it! Match your favorite quote with a scene from your town. So first I had to settle on one favorite quote. I have a few.

My quote - "Live for today for tomorrow my never come"

I don't know if anyone famous has coined this or not. It is just one of my favorite quotes or sayings and also a good thought to live by.

This sunset was taken back in July. We have the best sunrises and sunsets here in Michigan. The symbolism in the pic for me is the road that gets smaller and smaller and goes out into oblivion. Hence .... Live for Today for Tomorrow may Never Come!!

I have icons on my sidebar for FMTSO and the FMTSO Mr. Linky sites. Check them out and see Match it! from around the world.

Have a great weekend bloglings!!

It's just dawned on me !

2011-08-16T18:04:00.000-05:00

My dog sleeps about 20 hours a day.

He has his food prepared for him. He can eat whenever he wants.
His meals are provided at no cost to him.
He visits the Dr. once a year for his checkup, and again during the year if any medical needs arise.

For this he pays nothing, and nothing is required of him.
He lives in a nice neighborhood in a house that is much larger than he needs, but he is not required to do any upkeep.

If he makes a mess, someone else cleans it up.
He has his choice of luxurious places to sleep.
He receives these accommodations absolutely free.
He is living like a King, and has absolutely no expenses whatsoever.
All of his costs are picked up by others who go out and earn a living every day.
I was just thinking about all this, and suddenly it hit me like a brick ...

I think my dog is a member of Congress!

FMTSO ~ Rust ~ Rusty ~ Rustic ~

2011-08-12T19:57:00.000-05:00

Our challenge for this week is Rust, Rusty or Rustic. Hope you enjoy what I found......

I went to a Birds of Prey photo shoot at the end of July. This was in Holland at the Outdoor Discovery Center.
The Birds of Prey Education Facility was established in 2006. It is home to a variety of rehabilitated and unreleaseable birds of prey including hawks, eagles, owls, falcons and vultures.

They look like a rust color to me.

They are both hawks. I cannot remember what kind though.

Along the Grand River is a park called Michael McGraw Park. Walking the trail along the river you will come upon this chair to take a rest in. It is very rustic looking don't you think? And it is big enough for a giant!!

I got eaten up by at least a trillion mosquitoes to get these shots for FMTSO!!

FMTSO Shooters Choice

2011-08-05T08:15:00.002-05:00

Today the challenge from FMTSO is Shooters Choice. I have three images to share. See if you can guess what the theme is in each??

If you guessed the color RED, you are a winner! WooHoo! I am not sure what you win but just a feel good feeling all day long...... :-)

To see all the shooters entries for today visit FMTSO Mr. Linky.

Have a fantastic weekend bloglings!! I have my 40th class reunion and my birthday tomorrow. My daughter is getting married next Saturday and then my son and his new wife are having a celebration for their marriage the 20th of August. (they were married back in April in Vegas - where I met JarieLyn and Gayla. Fun!!)

So help me out with Spotlight Photos!! Send me emails with your favorites for the next three weeks!! Send me a copy of your favorites/with their names or tell me which person and what photos. Even if you are not a shooter join in suggesting your favorites.

Timeless .....

2011-08-01T18:22:00.000-05:00

FMTSO Pink

2011-07-28T19:49:00.000-05:00

The challenge for this Friday is the color Pink in your town. I thought .... no way!! I will not find any pink besides flowers, which we are trying to avoid as it would be too easy. But when I went out shooting I found a lot of fun Pink in my Town of Lowell. Gilda's Club in the background.

Since 2008 there is a yearly tradition in Lowell called the Pink Arrow Pride.

Pink Arrow Pride 2008 was the brainchild of Lowell’s football coach, Mr. Noel Dean. A football game was played, in rare pink jerseys, the sound of a thousand donated pink thunder-sticks was in the air, and the stadium was virtually a sea of pink. Through the work of numerous dedicated volunteers and the support of our community, The Pink Arrow Pride raised $93,000 for charities.

The Pink Arrow Pride experience not only raised the level of awareness about cancer and its devastating effect on families, but provided an opportunity for Lowell’s varsity football team to demonstrate that life is not just about winning football games, but that there are more important values of family, kindness, honor, and service. It was once said that “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." We believe that, as a community, we witness that expression at the Lowell Pink Arrow Pride 2008 thru to the present.

This sign and poster of the Pink Arrow Pride is in front of Gilda's Club and Senior Neighbors.

From here I went to Ball's Softee Creme. This dairy queen is full of flowers. A beautiful place to sit and enjoy your ice-cream. I went here just to get some fresh shots as I did a post on this place last year. I remember, no pink flowers, but I did find other pink while I was there.

Pink neon lights under the eaves.

There is a play area with a pink slide and a pink door on the building.

They have many bird houses amongst the flowers and tables.

The Pink in my town!!

The next two images are not part of the Pink shoot out. Just wanted to show them to you all.

Softee Creme is so gorgeous and a relaxing place to be.

Gilda's Club and Senior Neighbors.

In 2009 the community of Lowell took on a tremendous goal of raising money and totally renovating the Senior Neighbor building that would become the home to Gilda’s Club. Gilda’s Club is nationally recognized for its free cancer support community. They provide numerous programs and activities to individuals and families who are fighting cancer. Gilda’s Club is renowned for their motto, “In this together. Learn. Share. Laugh.”

Have a fantastic weekend bloglings!!

Heather Lane Pottery in Ada Michigan

2011-07-27T18:12:00.000-05:00

On my days off work quite often I will load up the camera equipment and take off for the day. No destination planned, just go at whim and where I end up no one knows. Not even me!! I think this day I was on my way to Grand Rapids for some reason or another. Most likely for shopping in one of the bigger stores that we don't have in our quaint town of Lowell. I drive through Ada quite often on my way to Grand Rapids. There is a covered bridge in Ada I have photographed quite often.

The many times I have driven through Ada I have noticed this brightly painted building and have always wondered what it was all about. But have never stopped. Well, the other day I did stop and take a peek and am so glad I did. I just love this place!! Heather Lane Pottery.

(overcast day so pic is a little dark)

"When new customers walk into Heather Lane Pottery, owner Susan Hathaway always offers a tour of the working studio. She points out the seasonal designs in the front room, the colorful garden stakes and planters in the Garden Room, and the Lake Michigan-inspired pieces in the Cottage Room." ( taken from Heather Lane Pottery website )

as you walk in .....

tile valances

garden collection

the cutest bathroom vanity ever!

The Blessing Bowl is their best selling item. It is the perfect gift for weddings, birthdays, graduations, retirements, etc.

But, it is the back room that Susan loves for people to see. That's where she works with a small team of artisans transforming ordinary clay into extraordinary pottery.

artisan painting sunflowers

the room where it all happens

artisan painting bowl

artisan at work

Be sure to visit Heather Lane Pottery when in Michigan. All of the items are food safe and can be used to serve both hot and cold food. On your visit if you see something you just love but it is maybe just not quite the right color or has the saying on it you would like? Well, just let Susan know and she will have it made just the way you envision it.

There is just so much more to show and say about this studio and gift gallery my post would go on forever and ever!!

Well worth the stop in and I am very glad I did!!

Sunday Fun!! Riddle of the Day .....

2011-07-24T15:12:00.000-05:00

Arnold Schwarzenegger has a big one.

Michael J. Fox has a small one.

Madonna doesn't have one.

The Pope has one but doesn't use it.

Clinton uses his all the time.

Obama is one.

Mickey Mouse has an unusual one.

Liberace never used his on women.

Jerry Seinfeld is very, very proud of his.

Cher claims that she took on 3.

We never saw Lucy use Desi's.

What is it?
Answer below! (this is pretty good )

The answer is: 'A Last Name.'

You didn't think I'd post a dirty joke, did you?

"The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans are suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you."

Rita Mae Brown

My Reflections As I Shutter Along .....

Blogger Burn Out

Jenny and Shirley

Imbalance........

Symmetry

You've got a friend ..........

Strange and Unusual Signs About Town

Pink Arrow Pride on the Today Show!!

Creepy Crawlies!

Thinking..........

Traces of Love

I Hate to Admit it ......... but Fall is Showing up in Michigan

FMTSO Stairs

Thought for Today ......

Friday My Town Shoot Out - The Letter T

Pink Pride!!

3200

Taking a Break ..........

FMTSO Match it!

It's just dawned on me !

FMTSO ~ Rust ~ Rusty ~ Rustic ~

FMTSO Shooters Choice

Timeless .....

FMTSO ~~ Pink ~~

Heather Lane Pottery in Ada Michigan

Sunday Fun!! Riddle of the Day .....

FMTSO Pink