Week 24 The Day I Declared My Independence

On July 4, 1776, America declared her Independence from England.  The founding fathers stepped up to the table, took the feather quill, and put their names on a piece of paper saying they were no longer British and would not be ruled by their mother country.  They would break their ties with all they had known and forever be recognized as Americans.  They knew it was treason to swear allegiance to another county.  They knew their was no going back once their names were inked on that great piece of Unites States of America paper known as the Declaration of Independence, that Thomas Jefferson worked so tirelessly to pen.  I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for these men, a range of emotions, I suppose.   They had fought long and hard to come up with a document to serve the greater good.  None agreed with everything on the paper, Ben Franklin, confessed there are several parts of the Constitution that he did not approve, but he came forward signed his name and the remaining hold outs followed with their signatures.  Down the road, their love of the new world would cost many their fortunes dying bankrupt and penniless.    War was not cheap for a newly formed nations and some gave all.  This July 4th I take time to remember their contribution and thank them for their sacrifice. 

I myself have declared my independence and broke from all I have known.  I know their will be consequences and maybe even war but it's a new day and and a new place in life and I look forward to it just like the founding fathers.   After all, it's for the greater good!

How rednecks have fun on July 4th.

Week 23 - Where I wish I Was

I have not forgotten about posting I have wanted to post I have them written in my head.  What I don't have is a picture.  I have not really done any shooting in a while.  I did get to go to a photography conference on Saturday and picked up a few tips.  The speaker was a real let down but I really love just being with other photographers.  Most of them are much better than I am but we all love to talk about our passion.  So, I thought I would dig and old photo and practice a little photoshop and dream.  I would really love to go back to Oakland but it is way too hot maybe in the fall. 

Oh, and on a sad note, we were cleaning up Mike office and a piece of paper had fallen behind the desk it looked like it had been shredded but a bad kitty. He liked to sneak in and amuse himself by shredding paper of all things. We still miss kiki!

Week 22 Monarail Monday

I have decided it is Monorail Monday.  No, I am not at the happiest place on earth although I could have been last week but had other commitments.  I am pretending today I am at the happiest place on earth.  I have a love hate relationship with Disney.  If I am there I hate it and if I am home I love it.  I love what it used to be and hate what it has lost.  The monorails run about every 10-15 minutes so you waste time standing and waiting or you happen to be at just the right spot at the right time which rarely happens to be but this time it worked. Thanks to photoshop I can remove the people and make it magical!

Week 21 - Oh How We Miss Arnold

Delayed grief, when Arnold first disappeared and we didn't know what happened to him it was really hard to accept he was gone and easy to pretend he "could" show up at any second.  Then when we knew he was dead we were in a mad run and really could not slow down to grieve it was easy.  We just kept running here and there and it was in the back of our minds we could not dwell on the thought. 

Now, things are slowly going back to normal and I am trying to go through and clean up my computer and I keep running into photos and the bestest kitty ever.  My heart just hurts a little more as if it is the day we found out all over again.  The other day the dog pack and I went out and we were coming back in and I accidentally called his name.  Sometimes I still think I see him in the shadows outside because deep down I want him to come marching his indignant self back home like this hiatus was all my fault.  I still close the door of the morning so he cannot escape before daylight.  I still remember how snugly he felt when I picked him up and how he loved to head butt you.  I am comforted that we had a great last day together.  I can't bring myself to put up his bowl, although I did get rid of the food and cat treats and a few of his least favorite toys.  I did wash up all his blankets so they would be fresh for him.  I am waiting for the day I quit looking for him and quit being sad when I think about him!

Week 20 - How I missed Memorial Day

Memorial Day, a day off from work (check), grilling (check), eating, homemade ice cream (check),  napping(check), working (check), snarking, snapping, ignoring, bickering, pretending, pouting, protesting(check),  (check), (check), (check), (check), (check), (check).   Typical holiday, but not the intended purpose of the holiday.

In my defense, I did an obligatory FB post to thank those who served and remember those in my family that had honored their country with their service and all this took less than 20 minutes but I spend the rest of the day immersed in other things, some I enjoyed, but most I did not, and I failed to remember the "Days" intended propose, thus, how I missed Memorial Day. 

Memorial  Day, used to be known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end (thanks wikipedia for the great info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day)

In the past, it was a southern traditon for families to gathered at the grave of loved ones and remember, honor, clean up and plant flowers at the final resting place of loved ones that had died. We had a reunions at the graves of the the patriarchs and matriarchs of the family on the last Monday in May.  We gathered and shared fond memories of the dead, introduced the children and new comers to their ancestors and heritage and we renewed our relationships with the living.  However, we no longer honor the dead or the living for that matter and somewhere along the way we lost our heritage, culture,our tradition but more importantly we have lost something that sets us apart, our southerness.  We traded tradition for convenience and comfort.  It was hard to clean graves in rural hard to reach cemeteries in the summer heat.  Why take our nice cars up that muddy road.  We have lost our sense of community and of family.  We lost our sense of who we are and where we came from.  We have lost the appreciation for the struggle of those gone before us because life is so much easier now.  Somewhere along the way we forgot and do not care to be reminded. 

I am not sure what I will do with this realization now that I have it. I have until July 4th to see if I can process and decide if this is how I will continue. For now, with all my southerness, I honor my g-g-g grandfather, Miles P Penney, Company F. 6th TN Mounted Infantry, (1830-12/25/1877), a Union soldier.

Week 19 - Dude Look Behind You!

WOW! What an amazing time at Bear Trace!  I have fallen in love with the golf course.  Actually, I have fallen in love with driving the golf cart.  I have always loved driving anything with wheels, go carts, motorcycles, four-wheelers and now golf carts.  I love to drive and if something interests me I stop or slow down take a picture if not I keep driving.  I wave at the animals and notice things most would pass up without a thought.  No freeway traffic and I am not burning up any gas.  Really, how great is that?? The golf course is peaceful because everyone is quiet and concentrating on their game.  On this night, the weather was absolutely perfect and I mean perfect it was too hot and not too cold and no breeze was needed.  I just drive around and feel the wind in my hair and think about nothing absolutely nothing, well occasionally I think why wont this thing go faster but most of the time nothing.  Most of the people do not go to a golf course to do this but who cares what others do on the golf course.

Week 18 Memphis

Finally a little peace and quiet.  It rained a frog chocking pour down for the 4 of the 5 hour drive to Memphis, surprise.  We arrived around noon Memphis time and checked in and went to eat at Corky's BBQ.  I don't even like BBQ and thought it was awesome.  The banana pudding was the best thing I have ever tasted plus it had a little carmel drizzled on it.  I licked the bowl.  No kidding shamelessly licked the bowl. 

Then it was off to where else, Elmwood cemetery. I had to visit Shelby, why else does one go to Memphis?  I have to say, I do not enjoy Memphis at all.  I am not sure why but their seems some sort of bad vibe in Memphis sort of creeps me out. 

Not even the nasty phone calls because I accidentally left the alarm on or the traffic delay could ruin the trip.  That was all a piece of cake!