December 29, 2017

The first three pictures show some of the effects of Hurricane Irma, which hit the hardest on Pine Key above Key West.  I saw the tree from a distance and it looked as if it were a very tall Christmas tree with the bottom branches removed.  The branches were removed... by the hurricane.  Someone put a silver star on top of the tree and based on that it is next to a fire station, we think we know who did it.

The third picture is of a house that the hurricane demolished, but the houses to either side were not affected.  Some houses were build to withstand hurricanes and some were not.

Trash removal still has a long way to go.  As they remove trash along side of the road, there is more there the next day.  The holidays has interfered with the process.  I believe that part of the problem is, "Who pays for it?"  Local, State, or Federal governments... 

The forth photo is of a Palm tree that was not damaged.  I like the contrast in the photo and it is a picture of hope.

The last two pictures is the view at which I am looking as I type. I am sitting at the table on the right.  

I will not tell you that I woke up at 5:30 to 71 degrees and a slight breeze.  Back to reality on Tuesday.

December 27, 2017

Let me think about this...

Today, Cumming, GA   36 degrees, rain/snow

Today, Key West, FL     80 degrees, sunny

Can you guess who is on their way to Key West?

Here are a few pictures from this past year.

The first picture is of a tree in our backyard, next is of the 'original' Coke Box that is in a country store in Ellijay, GA. near all the apple orchards that are there.  The third photo is a fish at the Georgia Aquarium and then a macro shot of a flower that was on our front porch.  The last two photos were taken at one of the highway rest areas in New Hampshire.

Admit it.  You like the last photo the best.

December 20, 2017

 Merry Christmas!

 

The birth of Jesus Christ is where it all began.  

We celebrate His birth.
           We celebrate His life.
                    We celebrate what His did for us. 

 

“for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  – Luke 2:11

“…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”  – John 10:10

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,”  -- John 1:12

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,  --  Romans 8:1-16

One must accept Jesus Christ’s payment for the penalty of our sin, which He did by dying on the Cross.  This is salvation, being saved, being born-again.

December 17, 2017

One of the few problems with digital photography is that one can have sooo many photos on their device, the computer, the cellphone, or the external hard-drive that they can become forgotten.  I read that when re-organizing your photos, one should start with most current files.  Their reasoning was that they felt that these were more important and fresh on your mind, which makes it easier to organize.

I am in the process of re-organizing and believe me, it is a process which takes much time.  The reasoning to start with the most recent is great advice, but what I am finding is that I am enjoying going back to look at the older photos, which bring back very nice memories.  Admittedly, it slows the process but it increases the joy of taking pictures.

Here are a few photos from December 23, 2008.  Nine years ago!  And, I remember taking these.

The moral... whether you use a camera or a phone, take pictures so you can enjoy the memories.

The first picture is of one of the different street lights in Cumming, GA and the others are from the Lake Lanier lights.

December 10, 2017

I cannot promise that these will be the last of the snow pictures.  the snow livens up the landscape, which is very blah this time of year.  Here are some scenes from yesterday.  The 'snowmen' are Ray and Linda's "His and Hers Snowmen." 

December 9, 2017

This photo is different.  I call it Photo-Art.  (Click on it to enlarge it)

First, I need a name for it.  Please respond with suggestions.


Secondly, I took two pictures, did some post-processing, of which I will not bore you, and merged them together.  The background picture of the sun and clouds was taken when I was practicing for the 2017 Eclipse and the other picture is a colorful pictures of some weeds taken along the Big Creek Walking Trail then converted to a Black and White photo.

December 8, 2017

This says it all.  Welcome to our backyard in Cumming, GA on December 8, 2017.

The first picture is what is on the other side of the fence in the picture above.  The following additional pictures are of the front and back of our home and shows the snow flakes falling.