I wasn’t sure I liked this picture until I made one alteration to it. Then it popped.
The second shot is more in line with the original photo. (Top 10 Nomination for the coming year).
Author: Timothy
I am a Christian, a husband, father, and friend, with the calling of an itinerant pastor. I also serve special needs kids in the public schools.
Axe Handle: Watuaga River
I took the time to give Andy a lesson on using an axe and the dangers involved, especially for men in their 50s. I’ve heard of men having heart attacks while chopping wood. Not sure if it’s true, but after I chopped some wood, I felt like there was some evidence supporting the theory.
Signs of the Past: Watauga River
Some might remember Gulf stations. That is where we got our gas for our cars. I just read up on the companies demise and T. Boone Pickens, a corporate raider (also think Oklahoma State Cowboys) was involved in it, and it went away in the mid 1980s.
And don’t take up skydiving.
Cold-War Architecture
I’ve looked at this building probably a thousand times, but the other day it hit me: the building looks like something out of the cold war with it’s big squareness of shape and antennas poking up everywhere. It may have helped that it was also a cold day. The building just seems, cold, boring, and a tad bit ominous.
It just so happens that it is the administration building for Frisco ISD. At least, that is what it says on the outside of the building. It may actually be a holdover from the cold war, or still being used like such a building. I’ve been inside it on several occasions, but never beyond the first floor. So, what is going on upstairs? Does it have a basement? Who knows? Let the conspiracy theories begin.
Baby in a Bucket: Watauga River
We all know how it goes: buy a child a present and they end up playing with the box. In this case, Annaleise was playing with the bucket used to bring her toys out to the cabin. It is cute enough just with that. But then, Annaleise adds the icing-on-the-cake cute.
A Real Hole in the Wall: Watauga River
Next to the cabins where we stayed in November, there is a small dam which has fallen into disrepair. The dam is now just a wall, with a hole in it.
BTW, for those who don’t understand the idiom, “a hole in the wall” is usually a reference to a small bar or restaurant that is considered a gem because of the services provided. It’s not something that you would look at and desire, but the service and food exceed the appearances. The idiom is lost because in our time, restaurants try to appear to be holes in the wall when they are not.
Top 10 Nomination for coming year.
In The Cabin: Watauga River
Getting a sense of a place is something I think many of us miss when we go on vacation. That is what I was aiming for in the following pictures, getting a sense of our cabin. This was on the eve of Thanksgiving, as we sat around with the family, enjoying our time together.
Retaining Wall: Frisco Athletic Center
I know, some might ask why I spent time taking pictures of a retaining wall. I liked the visuals that that I found with the wall. I hope you can see what I was looking for. The second and the fourth shots are the most visually appealing, in my opinion.
There is safety behind walls.
Red Velvet: Frisco Farmers’ Market
I am a fan of Red Velvet Cake, but at $8 a piece, they were a bit out of my price range. But what is a fair price to pay? I think if they had left the squiggly lines off the top, a fair price might have been around $2.
Local Honey: Frisco Farmers’ Market
The saying goes that if you eat the local honey, you will gain an advantage over all the local allergies. But, I believe that saying is more urban legend than scientific fact. I’ve used local honey in plenty of areas, but never noticed any advantage. If this is true, can I get my health insurance to pay for my honey?
One other urban legend I’ve learned about allergies: no matter where you live, it is the allergy capital of the world. I’ve lived in quite a few places, from South Carolina, to New Mexico, to Arkansas, to Washington, to New York City, and too many places in Texas. All have claimed to be the allergy capital of the world. How does one make such a measurement? How does one argue with such a claim? Why would anyone boast about such a thing?
Maybe I ask too many questions.
I would have bought some of the below product, simply because I’m a huge fan of honey. But we already had two bottles in the cupboard.
Top 10 Pictures from 2019
As judge by a panel of one, while sitting on my couch on a dreary winter day, sipping a beverage with my lovely bride next to me.
Number 1 Picture of the year
Yes, it’s of my favorite person.
This was taken on my birthday with the new 50 mm lens she bought me. Finally, a lens with a short depth of field.
Number 2
Sweet Annaleise is my second favorite picture of the year. It should have been obvious that children and grandchildren would be high up on the list. The following was a recent addition, and made it for the beautiful expression of her wearing her auntie’s dress. We are hoping to take a few more pictures of her wearing the dress before she outgrows it. Well, when she actually grows into it.
Just a question: Why can’t we start dressing our little girls like this again?
Number 3
I love this picture, especially how it came about. It’s a real contrast with the absolute beauty of a an antique fire truck, against the back drop of an antique garage. One is in mint condition, the other close to being condemned.
Number 4
This was monochrome magic in my book. The reflection of the sun, the sky, the Kamikaze. It just seems to be a “big” picture for me.
Number 5
On one of our Saturday morning dates, just before we headed out to Starbucks and Trader Joe’s, I had my lovely bride stand and smile. I love the color and the fact that it captures a bit of our living room.
Number 6
In the collection of photos on doors, I also added door handles. I love this one for color and the reflection in the glass.
Number 7
Shooting the 1936 Auburn Boattail was a lot of fun. I was attending one of Joey’s baseball games when Andy and I spotted the classic pulling into the parking lot. We had no idea what it was, and the research on it was just as much fun as taking the pictures.
Number 8
Wait, we are on the eighth picture of this post, and I finally add a picture of my boys? It happens.
I love this one because Joey was so excited about riding the Kamikaze. On the other hand, Andy was quite nervous about it, which I didn’t know until later.
Number 9
Pure romance and affection.
Number 10
This was another part of my big birthday, in which Heidi gave me a new lens for my camera, was was the simplicity the lens gave me with things like rocks.
Sudden Sunset
Totally unexpected. Glad I grabbed the camera. From our balcony.
Forgot this one…
Parting Christmas Shot
Remembering Stokely
Stokely went home to be with the LORD five years ago today. Here are few from the archives. You can read more about him here.
Getting the Selfie Right: Watauga River
Morning French Press
Guest photographer Heidi contributed this photo. She sent it to me as a subtle way of letting me know that I was to make French press coffee in the morning (Tuesday) instead of our regular coffee. The message was just a tad bit subtle because we are now having French press coffee this morning (Wednesday).
