255: Apple Blossoms and Rain Drops

Apple Blossoms and Rain Drops

252-4: Legend of the Dogwood

As the Easter Season approaches the Dogwoods bloom.

There Is A Legend

At the time of Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus nailed upon it, sensed this.
In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering Jesus said to the tree:
" Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross--two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."

The pink dogwood is said to be blushing
for shame because of the cruel purpose
which it served in the Crucifixion.

The red dogwood, called the Cherokee, bears
the color to remind us of the blood shed by our Savior.

AS I see it..
There is no Biblical basis for this legend but it does tell a beautiful story about a sad but wonderful event. As this legend may not be true it becomes even more amazing that God, during his creation of the world, foretold and illustrated this life saving event.
And now you know the rest of the story..

251:Tulip

I was "forced" to get out today so I decided to get a shot. Anyone tried to photograph a tulip in a hurricane? As a naturalist I prefer to shoot thing where they are.

Tulip among the Pansies

250: Delicate II

Delicate II

This representation is actually larger on the screen than it is in real life. When ever I see thing like this and recall rough mountains, I am overwhelmed by the range of GOD' creation.

249: Delicate

Delicate

Photographers Woe

I had a new experience today while making this image. Yesterday I gave my daughter a hint on a possible shot involving the full moon. The more I thought about it I began to envision a similar shot that could be taken in my area. I left well before moonrise to find a suitable location. I found a suitable location several hours before moonrise and got everything set up for this fantastic shot.

As I sat patiently (yea right), I noticed some wild flowers. I have been working on an improved method for lighting macros. This seem like a good time to experiment. I got thing set up with my backup body and started making a few exposures. After a short time I heard sirens. In a minute a rescue truck turned up the lane where I was. A fire truck followed, then a ambulance. They all came to a screeching halt at my truck. Seem a passer by saw me laying down on the ground taking picture and reported it to 911 as a possible dead person.

Before it was over there was a rescue truck, two fire trucks, An ambulance and ambulance support supervisor, a gaggle of Volunteer firemen, not to mention a couple of deputy sheriffs. One of the deputies, who has "harassed" me several times in the past walked up and said: "Oh, its you. Is there some way you can take pictures without causing a commotion."

The question is how does one explain to a bunch of rednecks, why one would want to lay down in the middle of a field and take a pictures of a weed!!

But there is more. By the time of moon rise, a total cloud cover had moved in and I got no full moon image. Now you know the rest of the story.

Disclaimer:: None of this was my fault, If anyone is to blame it is my daughter, even though she is 2000 miles away.

248: Energy

Over the years I have been involved in several discussions about how power poles and lines destroy many photo opportunities. In this time of high energy cost and generating plant disasters it seemed appropriate to address the issue of photographing power poles and lines.

POWER

In this I see both man made power and God's power. Which is better?

247: The Old Ways

It seem the old ways have been set aside for newer stuff. Sometimes it is good others I think not. It seems many churches have relegated the congregation to an audience rather than encouraging them to participate in worship.

The Old Way

246: Jeans

I may be getting old, but a nice figure still catches my eye.

JEANS

245: This Old House

Most art reflects something about the artist. In this case it is a two step process. The first step is the image reminds me of the old gospel song that became a pop hit, This Old House. The song in its gospel context sort of reminds me of my self.

This Old House

This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once knew his wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As they fought the storms of life
This old house once rang with laughter
This old house heard many shouts
Now he trembles in the darkness
When the lightnin' walks about

CHORUS:
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the windowpane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints

This ole house is a-gettin' shaky
This ole house is a-gettin' old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold
On his knees I'm gettin' chilly
But he feel no fear nor pain
'Cause he see an angel peekin'
Through a broken windowpane
CHORUS

This ole house is afraid of thunder
This ole house is afraid of storms
This ole house just groans and trembles
When the night wind flings its arms
This ole house is gettin' feeble
This old house is needin' paint
Just like him it's tuckered out
But he's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
CHORUS

This ole house dog lies a-sleepin'
He don't know I'm gonna leave
Else he'd wake up by the fireplace
And he'd sit there and howl and grieve
But my huntin' days are over
Ain't gonna hunt the coon no more
Gabriel done brought in my chariot
When the wind blew down the door
CHORUS

244: Shelter

Some have Shelter, Some are close. But, many are far away.

Shelter

243: New Blossoms, Old Barn -- revisited.

The red in the first image has become a little "strong" to me, so I decided a black and white image might be in order. It wound up being heavy on the contrast but at least that rusty red is toned down.

New Blossoms, Old Barn II

242: Sure sign of Spring

First appearing Daffodils are a sure sign spring is near. I used to judge by Crocuses but my bad gardening over the years have let them disappear. I am sure glad I have a better gardener for my life.

Sign Beside My Steps.

Note:my new close up flash arrangement does no work well (a little harsh for my taste). Either back to the drawing board or remake the old one I used last year.

241: New Blossoms, Old Barn

Well the winter dulls are starting to fade away and the beauty of spring is coming.

New Blossoms Old Barn

240: Hospital Hallway

I do not like hospitals, they make me feel very uncomfortable. This sort of expresses my feelings about them.

The Hospital Hallway

239: Lonely Tree

Lonely Tree

238: Straight

Is anything straight anymore??

What's Straight

237: Coffee Shop With a View

Some times mistakes seem to work out. This is a single image with bad reflections, to the extent of being another self portrait.

Main Coffee on Main St.