Time for Christmas trees and arts and crafts shows!

post #407
        It's a bit busy these days around here.  My car died and I had to buy a new one just to get home from where I was. There was an unexpected vacancy in the Laurel Gorge Cultural Heritage Center's Arts and Crafts Fair, yesterday, and I had to make some hasty preparation to be ready for it. The Morehead State University Arts and Crafts Festival, held every year on the first Saturday of December, with over 100 vendors, will be going on next Saturday, Dec. 1. This means more preparation, both in the items needed to set up my 10 x 10 space, and then to have the right things ready to sell. I do enjoy seeing people I know in this area.  There was Thanksgiving, of course, but since my son-in-law loves, loves, loves to cook, he did most of that, and the two families joining them brought food as well. Quite the feast! The four young kids/friends had a great time, too.  
       They also were all together yesterday, at another friend's Christmas tree farm, and so, guess what, today the tree was put in place and decorated! I will start with a few photos of that event, from this afternoon:

sweet symmetry not done on purpose

       I did take a few photos at Laurel Gorge. The Center provides a history of the area in addition to wildlife information and nature trails, which are lovely to use. We were kind of packed in the two museum areas, but it all worked out.

These dulcimers are made from a variety of woods, and are works of art. I can't believe that I didn't know before that the age of the wood contributes to the quality of the sound -- old is better! Some of the wood Matt Maggard uses is over 100 years old, and comes with a story that goes back that far. Gayle Maggard plays them, and, I believe, has a group that plays together.  I didn't have time to find out everything I wanted to know -- or to take the best possible photos.  I hope these few photos at least give a flavor of their work and enthusiasm.

the underneath of one of the dulcimers

Here, in my gallery/workspace, is some of the work in progress for Saturday's Fair. If I ever end up with no more envelopes, no more paper to cut and fold, no more copies of the photos I use, no more sleeves for the photos, all at the same time, I would be tempted to quit and call it even. But somehow I don't see ever coming out even like that..... In any case, if anyone reading this is near Morehead, come by and see me on Saturday at MSU's Laughlin Health Building between nine and four.  Then stay around for the Hometown Christmas and then the annual performance by the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m.  This year there is a choral number, with a large choral singing section.  Friend Molly Carew is singing in it, and says the music they're doing is truly beautiful. She never imagined being able to perform with a full orchestra!

       Next week I will share some snow photos that I never used last year. As I write this, there is a big storm in the midwest -- I hope everyone is safe and warm.  Somehow, those first storms of the season are often not taken seriously enough. 
      Talking about taking seriously enough, of course I continue to hope that sanity will prevail on the subject of climate change. We should be having a global imperative to get a grip on what work is required. When will enough leaders realize that we need to do a lot to protect our future? Right. Now. 
       Well, we don't need just to protect our future. We need to guarantee a livable future.

reflections about reflections, especially in Chicago

post #406
       After my quiet last week, here are some photos of hustle and bustle, or "life is not always quiet in the country."  For one thing, I went on a last minute trip to Chicago recently, to watch my son do one of the things he loves about the law -- working in front of a jury.  But it obviously was not a good idea to take photos of that, so instead I let myself be amazed by the tall buildings in Chicago, which loomed over all of us. The trial was on the 19th floor, and the open area had floor to ceiling windows. Nice! (especially because there were no windows at all in the courtroom, which was also not that spacious. But interesting nonetheless!)  
        So, Reflections I:

looking east toward Lake Michigan

I was trying to figure out how to show how this building reflected all the images around it. It was riveting, to me. Otherwise it looked like a perfectly ordinary building.

On the walk from courthouse back to the hotel, there were the reflections in tall buildings along the river.

And some sidewalk helpers

the changing light from the 15th floor of the hotel

and the city life below

     Meanwhile, back in Kentucky, the best days of the fall came and went. But second best days aren't that bad. Then there were the elections of Nov. 6, and voting -- in our Volunteer Fire Department.  I think our precinct had over 300 voters, 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.

on the way to the polls

Everyone has to drive to the polls -- our homes are spread out!

voter in training, with long term voter

one last fall photo, under the sun

        Reflections II:  I give thanks for everyone who believed in our democracy enough to vote; I am not happy that anyone was kept from voting by arbitrary restrictive rules.  That is the truth, no fraud about it. I am of course very happy more women ran for office and won.  Diversity is healthy for the quality of all our lives and our nation.  While I'm at it, may I add that I am stunned that anyone would think that the horrible fires in California are not influenced by climate change.  The image that comes to my mind is rows and rows of heads in the sand.  Not wanting something to be true is not a great way to handle changes that desperately need our attention and our vision.
      

Last Sunday got away from me!

post #?

To all my loyal blog readers/viewers -- it seems I got so busy taking photos last Sunday that I didn't post a blog! That's a first! I guess since it is Friday Nov. 16 as I write this that it makes more sense for me to wait until Sunday now when I can do a better job and get back on schedule.  Yes, those of you kind enough to ask about my welfare, know I would say here were I not planning to do a post.   (I don't whip these weekly beauties out.... they take some time.)

I had 123 viewers in Poland yesterday! I couldn't tell from the stats that there wasn't a new post...

I will promise right now that there will be some photos of the tall buildings in Chicago, some voting moments, some late fall views, and, after asking permission, a few photos from where I was last Sunday.  

Again, thank you to all who visit this blog of mine. I do enjoy sharing my work with you.

fall photos from former falls

post #404
      Some years are better than others. It just happens that way.  I'm talking in this case about the fall foliage. This past week, when this year's leaves were trying their best, I ended up in Chicago for a few days and didn't take photos. Therefore I think this year is a good excuse for showing some of my favorite views of this season over the years. Enjoy!

nearing the end of the season, in the evening light

winter preparations at Dail and Ethel's

lingering and late, at the pond

Even the simplest looks lovely.

the driveway

seen from the road along the ridge

hillside graves

Pearl's place, on my ridge

on the driveway

deep in the woods

along the ridge

        Well, that's enough to get the idea!  
       The main thing this year is the beauty of democracy. This might sound sappy, but we have the opportunity to join all our colors together by voting, by bringing more women into the political life of our nation, by walking the walk and talking the talk of tolerance and fairness.  I dream of no more lies and meanness, no more manipulation by fostering fear, and no more ignoring to our peril the changing climate. I certainly don't want my tax dollars used to pay for the military to go to the border for a problem that only exists as a pre-election diversion by those who worry they are about to lose an election because of increasing incompetence.
        I write this as much for the people in other countries who look at my blog as I do for my fellow citizens. I want the world to to be reminded that Americans haven't totally lost their tolerance for diversity -- which has made our country strong since its beginning. We haven't totally lost our bearings. 
        My deepest thanks go to all who have been working hard to get out the vote, and to all who will accept the work needed to make democracy work, by voting on Tuesday.