could have been any given afternoon

post #439
         Such is what I see just wandering around. If the light is OK, then there are many temptations.  This first photo shows the chicken yard, seen on a recent post as well.  I've now added a photo of the two ducks in there with them.  Both look happy and healthy, so it's just weird, but not harmful.  

       However, there is this pond close by where the ducks could be swimming and showing off their beautiful selves in the beautiful reflections.... O well. (Please notice the hint of cardinal flowers on the lower left of this photo.)

cardinal flower and attendants:

(R, fun to realize that we each saw the same possibilities for this same cardinal flower!)

     
        Later, along the way during a drive to visit some neighbors, I stopped a few places to explore some shapes hidden from the road:

from the family cemetery on the top of the hill along the road

different light, though only twenty minutes earlier

Back at the chicken yard (see fence behind), there's a new chair, back and all. The rest of the tree is now firewood.

           I would hope that some of the monies designated to build a useless ego-driven wall in the wilderness can be liberated to help out instead our near neighbors in the Bahamas.  They are continuing to experience such a nightmare after being under a horrible hurricane for days.  Food and shelter seem to be a more urgent and compelling use of funds. A bit of kindness in the world would go a long way.  Just sayin'. 

Memorial Day at the McDaniel family cemetery

post #390
       FIRST -- a decision I made today about my blog! I'm going to go on summer mode! For a while I will post only every other week! After more than 6 years of doing it every week! I feel like a kid getting away with something, except I really get into working on my blog posts. I still love working with my photos and making a story each week. Now I will see if I can also enjoy doing the other photo tasks that I'm not doing those hours when I work on my posts....

      SECOND -- Memorial Day weekend was two whole weeks ago, so I decided today I should show a few photos I made there. I didn't make many, and wasn't totally happy with the ones I did make, but now that some time has passed, I need to swallow my pride and share at least a few of them in honor of this annual gathering at the McDaniel family cemetery. I am an honorary family member, having known some of them since I first came to the ridge over 50 years ago. One year I should join them but not eat or talk, just take photos. However, as much as I like making photos, that wouldn't be as much fun as the visiting -- and eating.

ARRIVING

EATING

CEMETERY

VISITING

THE VIEW

TRACTOR TRAINING

THE GARDEN, and LEAVING -- until next year

 Thanks to all the McDaniels, as ever, and I hope I have given at least "a flavor" of the occasion.  If anyone doesn't like one of my photos, please feel free to tell me and it can be removed.  In the meantime, enjoy and I'll hope to see you around soon.   And I will be back with another post in two weeks, June 24th!!!!   

beautiful moments by chance

post #361
        I have been busy this week reviewing all the photo notecards I make as I prepare for the Arts and Crafts Holiday Market coming up December 2. This process includes looking through my images so far in 2017. What did I find but some photos made in a favorite place off of Mauk Ridge where I sometimes go to make quick check to see if anything's going on. That's where this summer I found the unexpected discovery of this year's best milkweed plants. 
        At the moment my best way to share that place during another check is on this blog, so today I'm sharing from there today. Reviewing one's work can have its own reward.

the drive in

five photos, showing from left to right, sharing the misty cover

        This "stop by" took only 15 minutes, around 7 p.m., in mid May. There I was, with the quiet, the peace, and the beauty of the evening mist. I must not have had time to stay longer; indeed it was the last week of my photo class. I don't take for granted that I will discover hidden beauty, but I do try to stay open to being available for possibility. These images of mine show as much about Appalachia as those other photos that claim to define this place. 

        For the Americans who read this post, have a safe and loving Thanksgiving. For those who read this in other countries, please know that many, many, many of us here are trying to steady the current turmoil our government is fostering. We are doing this by speaking out, by voting, by persisting, and by renewing our commitments to a caring community that turns away from all the lies and greed driven nastiness. Please hold us in your hearts.

nearby: walks, neighbors, my pond and Clyde's apples

post #349
        Time for a little catching up, before tomorrow's eclipse, though I don't plan to take photos. Surely there'll be enough. I look forward to being present, sharing the experience with my son-in-law and my granddaughter on a quiet open area on a hillside above their home.

        OK, first photo. I had a good visit with Jean last week, and food (!), and a new view from her kitchen table of that barn that's being repaired:

      This second photo is of Gary and his grandson who was visiting from West Virginia. They stopped by on the four wheeler! Their visit was an unexpected treat:

       My daughter and I went to Clyde's to show him some photos I took this spring of his apple orchard. This was my best photo of what's going on there now: winesaps on their way to being totally ripe. I get to return there soon since Clyde had to be in the next county helping his son with a building project by the time we arrived.

     Now some photos from the evening walks I've been taking near where I live. The woods feel different here than where I used to live, four miles away. Now I pass fields and more fields:

a quiet, secluded cemetery along the way

        I wish everyone a safe day tomorrow, with no eye damage.  We're not in totality, but we're scheduled to be free of clouds. Neighbors here drove south to Tennessee yesterday to do it right! I'm happy for them.  
       I want to give a shout-out to all the scientists who love their work and who are so excited about this eclipse. The obvious question today is that since we seem to have no problem trusting scientists for the research about the universe, why is there any question about doing research about the earth's climate!  Anyway, thank goodness for our dedicated scientists. And for curiosity.

my peaceful pond

     One last photo, from this summer's cousin camp here -- Audrey in orbit.....around a son.....

Third annual memorial tribute to Garry Purnell

post #344
      Yesterday's lovely weather was just right for the two hour morning ride on horses, four wheelers and carts along the ridge and over to the Purnell home place and back to the cemetery. I wasn't able to be there for most of it, but I did get to walk out to the family cemetery on the hill by myself while the ride was underway. I came back over later to visit with these neightbors/friends. And, luckily, some food remained, and kind fellowship that I really admire and appreciate.

seeing the barn on the far hill -- the barn that Jonathan is working to reconstitute

Gary's brother, sitting on the red bench, seen from the barn

Two barn photos, on its steady way to renewal:

Several family and friends photos:

I happen to like this photo a lot.  We are all sitting around a table outside. Kathy, as an avid photographer yourself, I hope you like this photo as well.

 
    

Jonathan and Ty's daughter, Natalie

Garry's grandson, Ethan

providing some field time after the pavement traveling

beautiful Bella

         Should anyone want to revisit posts of this event from past years, here are two links: 2016  and 2014.  I particularly recommend reviewing this last one --- of the funeral and first passage to the cemetery, on the hill. (Garry passed away in December 2014, but the memorial rides take place near his birthday.)