Someplace

I took this photo this morning while visiting a potential wedding spot for my sister who is getting married next year. While editing photos, I was reminded of this quote, by Yogi Berra a famous baseball catcher.
I think it's a good reminder for all of us. :)

Happy Independence Day!

Went up in a hot air balloon the other day. :) Spectacular experience! This barn was so cool painted with the Stars and Stripes on the top and the Texas flag on the end. :)
I did a little tilt-shift edit using http://tiltshiftmaker.com/. I need to do some photoshop research and find out how to generate my own tilt-shift look. :)

This is my "Independence" photo submission in the July Epiphanie Camera Bags photo contest! 

Free Indeed

I love hot air balloons. One day I want to ride in one. This beautiful blue one flew past our house a little while back. I've heard it's so quiet up there. :)

This is my "fly" photo submission in the Epiphanie Camera Bags + My Four Hens photo contest! http://bit.ly/junephotocontest

Misty Morning on the Tracks

I entered the Epiphanie Camera Bags + Photo Card Boutique Picture It photo contest! http://bit.ly/ITqV5R

The Flag Still Flies in Joplin

A year ago a large section of our town was leveled by a tornado. Within days flags flew all over town, flags were propped among the rubble, flown from cranes and bucket trucks and fire engines. Today some of those flags still fly. This particular flag reminds me of the people in Joplin. A year later it is still blowing in the wind even though it only has half of it's stars and and a few partial stripes left. The people of Joplin, may have had their houses and businesses destroyed, and they may have lost family members or friends, but as time goes by they are rebuilding and healing. They are still flying. Even though this flag desperately needs to be replaced, I think it tells a story of this last year here in Joplin. A story of heat, wind, rain, and sun beating down on a swath of emptiness that used to be full of shady neighborhoods. A place that has changed forever. But there is new growth. Leaves are growing around the flag and to me that represents all the new growth in Joplin. Lots of houses and businesses are already built back up and it's neat to see all the new trees that have been planted.

After seeing this photograph a friend of mine changed a couple words to the last stanza of Frances Scott Key's poem and shared it with me. I love how it fit so well with my photograph and the thoughts we both had on the first anniversary of the Joplin Tornado.

Spring Daisies

 For a Beyond the Frame shot of this photo visit this link.

My Soul Shall be Joyful

Another design! I just love this orange Pansy. It just makes me want to be Joyful. Which is why I added that particular verse. Only it is Christ who makes me joyful not pansies. :D Thanks to Kim Klassen for the beautiful watercolor texture!