Several photos, to celebrate blog renewal day....

   So far, I am able to do this next post!  Wonderful.  It is the first of May, chilly out, multiple birds still at the feeder, gun control being argued on the national news, and time to look to art and to reach out to each other to make sense of  what comes our way.

 

These tulips hail from Bergen, in Norway, where I was almost exactly a year ago.

at a birthday party for an extended family member in my neighborhood

talking things over

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4-H competition, several years ago, both are winners, in Elliott County

This fine fellow is named DON KEY OATTY.  He lives happily in McCreary County, KY.

I hope that you share with me the joy in how we see both the greens of spring and the sorrow of the harm left behind after storms, floods, winds, and fire.  Even the cruelty we humans sometimes show each other --   seen in the harshness toward those we do not understand -- is shocking when it leads to killing each other or punishing people simply for being different.  It isn't as if there is only one way to live on this earth.  Can't we practice kindness instead?  Tolerance? Over- come our fears of differences? Imagine what goodness can do? 

It's good to share a few photos and some concerns. Thanks for listening and looking -----  Ann

the wider world

post # 437
       It has been weeks since I've said much about the world outside the downstairs of my house or the physical therapy location.  However, while I have been busy healing from a small break in my left foot, I've not stopped being concerned about all that is evolving in the public arena. Being preoccupied is not an excuse for accepting the current chaos threatening our perceptions of what is normal.  I stay somewhere between brooding and distress. I do know that history will not be kind to non-action at a time like this.
         I have not accepted that anyone could deny that we are facing global consequences for what is happening with the world's climate. To not even encourage all the research possible about what could happen is folly. What has become of our backbones, to our brains, or to our souls to not take on this challenge. I live in coal country, and yet even programs that take on how we could do better don't even get a chance of support in the current government. I grieve for what we are ignoring despite our children and grandchildren whom we all supposedly love and care for. 
         In addition, I have absolutely no way to understand the separation of families at our southern border. Those young children are paying a huge price for the inability of grownups to communicate and do the work of compromise with compassion. It is seriously evil that records aren't even being kept about where the kids end up and whom their parents are. If nothing else, this is again cruel behavior by so-called adults bent on bullying and domination, and, might I add, greed.
          Of course I like many others am appalled by the constant lies from the president, and others, and his constant need for attention.  He seems willing to keep up constant chaos in order to feel that his life has meaning. I have met other people who also have this disorder, but they are not in a position to inflict so many people. For example, there is no way the discussion of how many people would be injured this week by some retaliation by our military wouldn't have --- early on ---- discussed how many people could be killed by it. Yet T. would have us believe that he did a generous thing by calling it off at the last moment. If it were true that he was not told, he should have fired all the members advising him for their incompetence, but instead he prefers to throw them under the bus so he can "look good."

          I know that I have had more time than usual to stew on this stuff, so thanks for reading this far -- I've said nothing for weeks, and now this. So, before sharing the two photos at the end of this post, here is a shout-out to other people who have had the "no weight bearing allowed" experience like I have had. And also here are some stories.
           It seems there are friends and family who had it and didn't complain loud enough at the time for me to hear them clearly, like my son, his son (age 8!), my college friend (Liz), my Martha's Vineyard friend (Patty), a local friend (Ginny), the manager of the Rowan County Arts Center (Ashley), my niece, and more. Patty had 8 months of not bearing weight, Ashley was a teenager who chose not to follow advice well so she went swimming with her boot, etc. (She now admits that was a very bad idea.) My niece has two small children and a demanding full time job but also family support.
           I've been hearing additional stories, usually from strangers of all ages who simply saw my boot and shared about how hard it had been for them. I know I got off easy, but by now I really know it. I could drive! I have insurance! I had help from family and neighbors and friends! I had many fewer obligations than I did when I was younger! And so forth. (BTW, I no longer have my boot, which I call my very own story starter.)

          I do want to share two photos today, because they are light-hearted and fun. Humor is essential, no matter our circumstances. 

       First, I've known this sweet rescue donkey for many years, but somehow I didn't pay attention to his name, until yesterday. (By the way, these photos have NO political meaning, honest.) Say the name aloud to figure it out:

Meet DonKeyOatey!

     Then, second, as a companion photo, there's this friendly moment during a walk that I once took in Alsace, France, with the youngest daughter of the French family I had lived with for a year in high school as an exchange student:

 
        with kisses and brays to you all -- Ann
        

Favorites, 2016, part 1 of 3

post #316
       Hello to all during this mid December with its extreme cold weather in so many places. Here in eastern Kentucky, we have not yet had more than a few snow flakes, and schools have been able to meet every day this month. Who knows what lies ahead! Hey, that weather comment sort of mirrors our election, so I should add "and who knows what lies are ahead." (That is just how my mind works. It doesn't mean I think the current political transition is funny. Not.in.the.least.)
       My plan for this week, New Year's weekend and the first full weekend of January is to do a review of favorite photos this year, ones I have made. I won't be posting on my blog next Sunday, mainly because it is a busy time for everyone and who would have time to read it!  And, quite frankly, perhaps my loyal readers need a break as well!

        Today I have pulled some of my favorite portraits in 2016, and they will be showing up  chronologically. My apologies if this turns out to be confusing in any way. I don't like to give full names of anyone, unless they are used to publicity, because we all know who we are and there's no need for anyone else to know someone's full name, i.e. I'm a privacy nut in a world that can feel trusting and way too transparent. Anyway, enjoy!

Peg's rescue donkey

Bonnie and her trucks and garden and wonderful sense of humor

Jamie at work in our hay

    Both children who follow were at a rally for equality, held at the Rowan County Arts Center in Morehead.

      

my grandaughter, waiting for her teacher dad to be dunked, at a school fundraiser picnic, not sure if the whole thing is OK

up close and personal with a pre-schooler

Bill and June, both looking like their wonderful selves

the featured artist at the Kentucky Folk Art Center in Morehead last summer: MARK FRANCIS

my poet friend, Melva, with her chocolate, at the Fuzzy Duck in Morehead

another skilled artist, only 5 years old, my grandson, Will

Will's dad, my son, Eric, and a repaired ankle that barely slowed him down at all

one of many photos I like of Will's sister, Audrey, in school

the beloved and incomparable doctor, Ed Scott, because he was about to retire

   This last photo was taken of Will and Audrey and their maternal cousin, Avery, by their dad, who commented on the family Instagram that grownups seemed now no longer totally necessary! Avery has been staying with them for a couple of wonderful weeks while Avery's young brother had some surgery.  
     Actually, it's family that is wonderful. I find a good way to end this post is by sharing a Christmas moment on this blog. And with all best wishes and thanks to my viewers, no matter where in the world you live.

 

"What Catches My Eye" exhibit

post #267
            Well, I am biting the bullet, so to speak, and doing a photo exhibit all of February. Making a public display. Sharing what I see with whomever braves the weather and has time to stop by.  No snow photos, but a little bit of ice (one of the photos from last week's blog post).  My biggest sized images, a few from digital, a few from when I was using slides. In advance I thank my neighbors for letting me hang them on a wall, and I thank my artist friends, like Taral, Jennifer, Wayland and Ash, who these next two weeks will help me pull it all together.          
         There will be a poster, a postcard and some local news information. However, I am writing about this today because my blog has always been about photography and Appalachia, and showing one's art in a local public forum is about both those things.
         LOCATION: Rowan County Arts Center (which used to be the old Courthouse) on Main Street in Morehead, Kentucky
         DATES: February 1, 2016, through leap year, until March 4, 2016
         RECEPTION: Friday, February 26, 5 - 7, probably with some words spoken by the photographer...and questions, by anyone who comes, answered or at least discussed.
         HOURS OPEN: 10 - 4, Monday through Friday, and by appointment on the weekends.

        In the meantime, here are a few more photos from last weekend's adventure in southern Kentucky -- besides the pond images I shared last week. Enjoy!

porch decor

VIEWS FROM THE HOUSE, with signs of recent weirdly warm weather:

VIEWS FROM WITHIN THE WOODS, on the way to the pond, travel by the "mule".


 

This is really how it looked.

ENTRANCE SIGNS: 

Pretty good sample of photos for the middle of January! Thank you, Peg, for your hospitality and your great talent driving that mule. (Sorry not to have made a good photo of it.)  Next time....