This year's annual 4H competition and sale, in Sandy Hook

post #351
      I was so excited this year to take my granddaughter to her first 4H day that I forgot my camera at the house! I am not proud. So all these photos were taken with my iPhone6s. In the beginning I was able to give T. the phone to take photos with. She may be only 6, but she is an ace. She did do some exploring with it, which was the whole idea. By the time we needed to leave, we were both tired, and I would have been more tired if I was using my big camera. It turns out I was coming down with a cold, which I haven't done for years. This is all very annoying, especially since I can't complain because it happens so rarely....

       Always start an event with a concession hot dog!

     
        Three photos by T.. I think the rabbits were her favorites.

   Sandy introduces T. to two handsome, well groomed goats:

    A small puppy was the center of quite a bit of attention, while we waited for the judge, who was a half hour late....

    Finally, the judging started, first the rabbits and then the hens.

 

       going for a better view of the cages:

   The goat cheat sheet, since the judge was likely to ask about goat parts:

     
          In the ring, with the judge checking her goat -- I don't know what question she got, if any, but she and her sister (on the right) received top prizes.

       This was the last ever competition for Jayla, on the right, since she has graduated from high school and has gone off to college, in Morehead. She later showed a sheep and a big black bull!

           As always, bravo for hard work during the year taking care of the animals. I know T. wants to come another year.  For all of us spectators, it's always fun -- especially when the weather cooperates and it isn't too hot. The left over rains from the hurricane showed up the next day.

more about equality, and news from the late August 4H event in Elliott County (part 1)

post #247
       I did stop by the Rowan County Courthouse on Friday morning, on the way to Winchester and before picking up someone planning to ride with me.  The temperature was hot, the place was covered up with reporters, and there had already been that first wedding license granted, now that the County Clerk, Kim Davis, has chosen to be in jail (in the next county) rather than resign or change her opinion about the conflict between her religion and the law of the land. Since licenses are finally being granted, there is no more picketing for equality at the courthouse, but it may happen that the clerk's supporters will continue some form of witness. No one wants Davis to have to do jail time, but the judge felt there seemed no other way to communicate the seriousness of the issues involved.
        Anyway, here are two photos from my stop-by. Everyone knows there is still a lot of learning going on and will be for years, but a lot of brave couples put themselves out there to help bring about more understanding and less fear. It is not an easy change, but one definitely needed as our nation continues the on-going struggles for equality for all Americans.  In even simpler terms I do feel it is mostly about love. Here's a shout out to my friend, Jennifer, for her energy and her total and fearless committment to equality.

Now on to 4H, and the annual judging and sales of the animals these students have cared for and learned from.  I think it is so fascinating what they learn by doing.

I didn't arrive until the showing part was under way.  It was sheep time; the rabbits and poultry and goats had already been judged. I walked around to take some photos of what I had missed.

 

a cage with three roosters, when usually it is two hens and a rooster

Many kids and adults were wearing this t-shirt for the event.  I asked this boy to hold still a minute so I could get a photo of all the words on his back.  He is a twin of the other blonde boy wearing the same shirt.

             OK, now the sheep, starting with the youngest 4Hers. The winners then go to stand in front of the 4H logo sign to have their photos taken.

  There seemed to be lots of sheep wandering around with the students they belonged to.

MaKayla is now a senior in High School and very skilled with her animals.  I thank her for letting me ask her for a quick pose.  I think this is my favorite of all the photos I made that afternoon.

     Next week a bunch more 4H photos!  Today I want to end with the fleeting photo I made when Jamie was already headed home with the bales of hay from our place while I was finishing last week's blog.  Thanks again, Jamie!  I love where I have been living all these many years. 

 

Photos have the first say on this third of May

post #240
       By first say, I mean, of course, what images most capture my fancy -- before I determine what will be in the week's blog post.  The verdict just now is that it's gonna be PEOPLE.  In my view, the change of seasons wouldn't be as beautiful without them. 
       Recently I showed the trillium on the rock photos. I saw them first with Karen and Doug on 4/18/15 (see post #238).  Today's photos are on 4/28, ten days later.  I am with Debbie and Lucy, all three of us way into photography.  

trillium still blooming, ten days later!

tricky lighting, patient friends

       I do prefer to show anything in context, a witness to where I am at the time and patient with the lighting.  This inclination of mine must have something to do with my over-active curiosity gene!

 These great guys cleared a majorly clogged drainage pipe during those days of heavy rain and saturated ground.  Jason and James, thank you for a job well done!  They are both juniors in high school.  Here is what it looked like before they were called to the scene: 

       My next people are gathered in a dry inner space -- within the rotunda of the Kentucky State Capitol.  My friend George Ella Lyon is being inducted as the next Poet Laureate of our state, for a two year term!  The Kentucky Arts Council orchestrates the ceremony; the governor speaks and six former P.L.s get to read a poem.  George Ella gave the main address, and soon after we all went outside because of a fire drill!  Congratulations to all, especially when poetry can rule for the day, Kentucky Writers Day, April 24th every year, the anniversary of the birth of Kentuckian Robert Penn Warren in 1905.
      

Frank X. Walker, the "retiring" P.L.

      Now two photos of George Ella -- I am sharing the first one EVEN THOUGH it is not what it could be. I love her expression, but I did not hold my camera still enough to capture it with the clarity I would have preferred.  However, she is acknowledging her family at the beginning of her remarks, and I think she looks loving and happy, so I am not able to dismiss this photo entirely.  The second photo of her could also be sharper, but it is the only one I took at that time.  (Gosh, honesty can be interesting but also difficult to own up to.)

      Last set of photos today: my neighbor Natalie was showing me her baby goats, especially this chocolate one.  She and I have just been to a community theater performance, but she was in her barn outfit in a flash so she could show me the new goat.  I love it.  Thanks for coming with me Sunday, Natalie, and letting me take your photo with the baby goat and the baby rabbits.

CUTE - and quick!

a week of just being where I am

post #195
       It has been the kind of week where even trying to take time this afternoon to pull together this post benefits from some dumb luck.  It is now 5 pm, and I think I'll make it this time....

        Here are photos from throughout the week: 
      

This year's hay fields seem particularly beautiful.  Some are already cut, but this one is not - yet.

    The milkweed starts again to be showy, and, to me, continues to be fascinating!

      Our son graciously brought his daughter here, from the west, for her summer visit - wonderful to see them both!  Luckily we have fiber optic wi-fi so that even from here he can do what needs to be done.

      Our grandaughter is staying for a whole week, though, on her own!

We've seen a deer along our driveway, and admired the neighbor's well-tended garden,

      and visited with our friend's rabbits:

 

      Then, after a few days, our daughter and her daughter came from the east, also for a week, which makes for a cousin overlap! This is "first time" wonderful.

    We have been swimming in our pond, watching a lot of hummingbird activity on our deck, 

 

AND yesterday all five of us here were on and in the Kentucky River, during a gathering in celebration of a wonderful man who died this spring, at age 100.  He would have loved the day honoring him.

 What a full and fine week. The last photo, below, is of one of the great-grandchildren from yesterday.   And all of us need to remember, as his great-grandfather would say: "be particular."