Stormy Weather

I’m just sitting here, looking out the window, wondering what is in-store for AR. Most of the state is under a moderate risk for severe storms which include the possibilities of tornadoes. After yesterday terrible disaster in Moore, OK, most of us are hoping we can dodge the bullet. OK is on the west border of AR. We know to well, what damage can from these monster storms.

I do enjoy following the Storm Chasers, just don’t want them to come to our state. I was on the Internet and watched the tornado go through Moore, OK. The news reporter was in a helicopter, following that storm. Letting people know where the storm is and where it is going is an important service for the public.

For now we are having heavy rains and some wind. I’ve been trying to work on some photos for an upcoming contest. However, it is hard to keep my focus on that and not the weather radar. The radar is pretty much lit up like a Christmas Tree with red, green, and yellow blotches. The above picture is one I’m considering to enter. I like the reflection of the modern SUV and the guy walking away with the old coke machine in the foreground. I would appreciate andy comments on this photo.

Hope everyone that is in the track for these storms will stay safe.

Swamp Trees

We took a short day trip to a small town called, Scott, AR. This is where the Delta starts. The land flattens out and fields of cotton, soy bean, and rice is grown in this area. Those who have read my other posts, know that I prefer mountains but this was a nice change.

On the way down we follow this lake and swamp area. A lot of large Cypress trees are there and made for some really neat photos. Trust me, I didn’t get off the road unless I could see what might be in front of me. I have noticed that while taking photos, my fears do disappear.

I like how this photo invites you to look past the large trees and to imagine what is further on the lake.

Another stopped we made was this field of yellow flowers.

I truly love how the sunlight is shining on this field. It was around noon, when the light is not at the best, but for me this worked well. It was wonderful to get out and just focus on taking photos. Need to do this more often.

 

I’m so Excited…..

Their promise was kept! The sun is back. It was hard to decide which title to use on this post: “Sunshine on my Shoulder” or “I’m so excited”! I went with my feelings.
For those who read my blog yesterday, I was getting down from a week of cold, dreary, rain. It is amazing what the sun can do for a person.
Now I’m full of energy and heading to the great outdoors. See ya!

Promises, Promises…

I told my husband that we should go ahead sell our home and move to Seattle. He gave me that “really” look and inquired why. For the whole week it has been raining and cold. Just like Seattle. At least this is how I think of Seattle. So if Arkansas is going to act like Seattle, why not move? Seattle is a wonderful city with so much to do. Your by or near the ocean, mountains and a rainforest. I have a friend who lived here but moved to Seattle. She has shared beautiful photos of the fog, rain and snow. She looks like she has adjusted to the climate.

I know, I’m giving my power away to the weather to determine my happiness. I know cloudy skies can make better photos. I’ve use the indoor days to research new trip ideas, update photos and made great meals. I know I need to enjoy each day, and I really do, may not sound like it, but I do. I just want some sunshine!

 Tomorrow, “they” promise spring will finally start. “They” promise the sun will be out tomorrow and it will be warm. Does that sound like an old song? Tomorrow is only a day away,  I can wait.

Paper Bark Tree

A couple of weeks ago, we went walking by the AR River. We have fabulous parks and trails down there. The city’s idea is to make a walking and bike trail from downtown to Pinnacle Mt.  lot of the trails will follow the river.

As we were walking we past by these small trees, I thought about the Birch Tree. We are to far south to have Birch Trees. When I lived in New Hampshire, I wasn’t doing very much photography and didn’t take many photos of Birch Trees. I loved the white bark with different designs that looked like someone have drawn on them. So, when I came to these, I made sure I took their picture.  I love the texture and these tree’s bark provided a lot of textures.

Today is a good day to be inside, looking over photos. It is still cold, and gusty winds of 45mph. It may be spring on the calendar, but someone forgot to tell March that. Supposed to be like this for the next two days. Yuck!

Spring? Maybe

They (weather people) say it’s the first day of spring. According to my photo of the daffodils, one would thinkg this is right. I enjoy spring in the south. We usually get to see the first blossoms coming out before our northern neighbors. Today, I will enjoy the outdoors as tomorrow and Friday has promise of cold rain, sleet and possible snow. Ouch!   But have no fear, these little, delicate flowers are hardy and are use to enduring snow during their blooms. I joked with my friend in Missouri, that we need to do away with Missouri, as it’s the state that sends us our cold weather.:)

The good news, this cold spell won’t last long and in a couple of days we will be back to wonderful temps. until summer hits. That’s another story.

Pinnacle Mt.

Arkansas doesn’t have real tall mountains but we are proud of the ones we have. We have a range called “The Ozarks” in northwest AR and in the west central, we have “The Ouachitas” However, Pinnacle Mt. is in my city and is a state park. When you first see it, one thinks, “oh, a volcano”, but it isn’t. There are two trails you can use to get to the top. I have to say, it has been a long time that I climbed it. I do go out and walk the trails that goes around the mountain.

With this photo, I tried some different filters and really like the way this turned out. Now that I have free time, I’m looking forward working on my photos. Let me know what you think.

Who’s Looking?

In Arkansas, we can have some nice warm breaks during winter. This photo was on one of those days. We decided to get out and go to Wye Mt.  Someone planted 7 acres of daffodils and they are now blooming. There are a few old buildings around there as well. This picture is of one of them that used to be a church but is now a community center.

I took several photos of this building and around it. As I got in my car and started to drive off and out of the corner of my eye, I saw the window. That little small voice, started speakng, “stop, take the picture, now!” I backed up and took some shots. I love it. The mystery of the image. Who could be in there peeking out? Or, should I go and peek in? I’ll let you decide.

True Friend

My friend, Ebby, gave us a scare last week. We know about her heart problems but what happen was a total surprise.
Coming home she greeted us as normal then she froze. Couldn’t move. What seemed like hours, she started walking. We got her in the house and call our vet and took her in.
He explain how her heart isn’t pumping enough blood to get to her back legs creating that frozen scene. Nothing can be done.
We brought her home and the next day she was back to herself, keeping an eye out over her domain. I went out to check on her and got this great picture of us.
She’s been with us for 14 years and is the best dog, ever! I don’t want this “chapter” to end but I know it will. So, I’m focusing on enjoying her each day and letting her know she is loved.

High Water

 I was thinking about what to write about and this photo came to mind. Look at this picture carefully. Do you see how high this river is? When I look back on what happen on this trip, I’m amazed that we survived it. We were in Jamaica on a trip with friends.

My daughter had been on this excursion a year early and highly recommended it. “Mom, it’s a nice lazy river that you float down. You able to see animals, birds and butterflies. It takes  a good two hours.” We like nature and being on the water so we decided to go.

When our bus pulled up to the river, it was wild. I begin to remember that this area was hit by a hurricane just a few days ago. Could this be the water from the rains they had? Hello!!  That should had been our first clue, don’t do it. We walked on down to the edge where the rafts were. Each raft was tied to a rope to keep the river from carrying them down stream. That should had been our second clue, don’t do it.

But no, the guides kept shouting, because the river was roaring, to us to get on. We did. There are two seats made out of bamboo that you can’t see in this photo. Once sitting down, you become aware that there is not many inches from you and the river. The rope was release and off we went. I remember telling Rusty that this isn’t how my daughter describe this. It was suppose to be slow, relaxing, and enjoyable. By that time, my knuckles were white.

As we raced down the river, I noticed people on the edge of the river, sitting in their boats, looking helpless at us. I realized that their boats were full of wares they had made and on a lazy river, would come out to sell these.  There was no way they were going catch us. We watched as a dog tried to swim out to us but wasn’t able to catch us either.

As we begin to feel a little more comfortable, Rusty got up and went to the front to steer the raft. This two hour float trip was set in record time. We did it in thirty minutes!  Sometimes being stupid can give you great memories.  Now that it is over, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.