Winter’s Bee

Winter’s Bee knows no rest.

Her instinct is to work.

Does she feel the cold piercing wind?

A breath upon her back.

Do her wings quiver at its touch?

Does she understand season’s end?

She must.

Why else would she continue to build?

To Bee?

It’s what she does.

She knows no other focus.

Winter is coming.

Work must be done.

Before, it is too late. For her….and for us.

Did you know that without a bee’s pollination human life could cease to exist?

It’s true.

But does she know that?

She gets no thanks from us.

We swat. We swerve. We avoid the BEE at all costs.

But truly? She doesn’t want to bother us.

She yearns to complete her purpose.

Saving lives.

Because really? The Bee is our unstung hero. Heh.

I think we could learn a lot from this fascinating creature.

Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams. – Ashley Smith

Nov 15

An Instagram of Moments

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. – author unknown

Bowing my head, I say a quick prayer for the safety and protection of my family. It’s something I do when I see the clock displaying the same numbers. I don’t even have to think of their names, their order, or their faces. It all streaks through my head in rapid-fire succession.

My heartfelt desire is to remind God (and myself) how very much they mean to me. How very much I care for them, and only want the best for them. Maybe, it’s my way of tipping the universe a little more their way. I’ll take the bad karma, just give them the good stuff.

It was in a moment I almost lost them all….could have lost them all.

A terrible car crash when they were less than a mile from home.

Our lives changed when the truck didn’t yield.

Our lives changed when the Jeep rolled, and glass shattered.

Our lives changed in the aftermath of the twisted metal.

It is by the grace of God, and the fervent timely prayers, I still have them in my life. I truly believe that. I wasn’t in the car that day, but I remember every bit of those precarious hours.

A year passes, and all too often, time makes the memories a little dimmer. The emotions not as deep, or strong. I suppose it is nature’s way of keeping us from living in the past. But when it does? I grasp vigilantly at all that I am most thankful for. That I don’t want to EVER fade. I don’t want to lose the overwhelming feeling of gratefulness to have these precious lives spared, so they can continue to live, love, and laugh each, and every day.

I don’t have to remind myself how quickly life can change. I know. I know how we must capture every memory we can, and cherish them with all our heart.

So, I give you my moments. Moments of my most precious cargo, I am so humbly blessed with.

My beautiful young step-daughters; vibrant, and high-spirited.

Embracing the world with their joie de vivre. Be careful……..it’s catching.

My oldest daughter, Sydney.

Not just a pretty face, but a beautiful heart too.

She has the uncanny ability of celebrating her youth with great enthusiasm. I have no doubt this will continue long past her youthful years, and be as exuberant as ever.

See, these times are unforgettable, and I don’t want to miss a single one.

I know I must irritate the dog turd out of my husband when I make him pull over for a sunset, or when I make him pause, with fork in hand, so I can take a picture of his desert before he eats it. How many times has he and the girls heard….hold still……I just need to get this ONE shot……probably more times than any of us could count.

But you know what?

It is sooo worth it.

Family.

They blow my mind.

And I have Instagram to thank. A place that holds these photographic minutes of days passing by…..

All too quickly.

Moments.

Isn’t it time you took one?

Or two?

This post is written in response to the Weekly Writing Challenge: In an Instragram. Click over and check out other moments from changed lives.

Nov 9

Weekly Photo Challenge: Renewal

I’ve wanted to post about this area for some time. It’s called The Bishop Arts District, located in Oak Cliff, Texas. This is just a tad to the southwest of downtown Dallas. They have several art mural projects for 7th street and Oak Cliff.

I find these art murals completely fascinating.

One is to raise money for local artists, and the other is to beautify the walls with graffiti designed to show something more….

A more beautiful place to look at.

A more dedicated community to the arts.

A more giving use of talents, and outstanding vision from these local creators.

A wonderful, and artistic display which varies from children to adults.

It is as impressive as it sounds.

I ventured to this area to capture the wall art. But, I realized something……these murals are not just eye candy. They are a renewal. A renewal for a plain wall, to go from drab, to fab. A creative, and colorful endeavor that spreads cheer throughout the neighborhood.

My hope is you enjoy them as much as me. Aren’t they amazing? A real photographic trip. Heh!

Click on any photo to enlarge and display a gallery slide show.

Want more renewal? Check out The Daily Post on WordPress for this week’s Renewal Photo Challange.

Do you have an arts neighborhood?

Nov 5

Weekly Photo Challenge: Geometry

When I first read the weekly challenge, I thought phhhhhhhhhfttttttt!

Math, yeah right, like I am going to attempt that.

But then! I read the words patterns and rhythms: shapes, art, and subjects. And I thought, “Okay, maybe….I overreacted.”

No need to break out the calculator embarrassing myself with figures and numbers.

What I can do is take you downtown. To one of my favorite places….Fort Worth, Texas.

There are some interesting shapes for sure………

The Convention Center is a great shape. This gal knows how to work some curves. Heh.

Then, you have unique.

A blend of stature, revere, and holy beauty. I didn’t catch the cross reflections in the glass building (far left side) until I uploaded this image. It is magnificent.

In steep tradition, Fort Worth uses bricks to pave the street known as Main. It gives such an antique feel to the surroundings. Reminds me of history, the covered-wagon kind. Standing still on the brick, I can almost hear the clop of hooves…..

Another beautiful blend of old and new with reflection. Ah, poignant!

And here, in Sundance Square, we can measure our moments with a little style.

After that, we can admire the natural glow of sun-spheres on our lovely Texas State Flag.

And this? This is the view at the end of Main alllll the way down to the charming Fort Worth courthouse.

So there you have it, not just a mishmash of numbers, but a heartbeat of where the East ends and the West begins.

Want more geometry? Come see what they are sharing at the The Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge.

Oct 22

Travel Theme: Couples

In my former life, I was a professional photographer that got to capture many happy couples; engagements, weddings, and families.

Then, I retired.

No, really!

I think….

At least for now…….

And I guess it wasn’t really that much of a former life (last month). But whenever it was, this is what I did, and I share you with you three of my wonderful couples, which is the theme from Where’s my backpack? this week.

I hope you enjoy these glimmers and shimmers of romance.