.

2012-03-11T12:22:00.001-07:00

Another adventure scouting for spring color yesterday. We drove to Valley Springs, then on to some uncharted territory northeast through Paloma, continuing on Gwin Mine Road down to the Mokolumne River and the Middle Bar Bridge, then on up to Hwy 49 just south of Jackson. We stopped at the new access parking lot right across the bridge below Electra Road for a few shots, then back to Electra Road.

It is sad to report too little rain will most likely give far less color this year than the past few. We were early, though, and I only saw a few poppies, some spring vetch and a 2" lupine standing alone by the side of the road. We'll try to come back in a few weeks and see how much things have improved.

The water in the river is extremely low this year compared to last . . . down maybe 3' or more. Kayakers, beware!

Spring's the Thing

2012-03-10T18:10:00.002-08:00

Wow! It's here! Well, almost. Hasn't rained all that much and a lot of last year's dead grass can still be seen in the countryside and foothills. No blooming to speak of going on yet out in the wild. But here in luverly ol' Stockton, you can drive over to Delta College and feast your eyes on some beautiful blooms, including a newly landscaped (this is year two) "Meadow Garden." Not huge, but it gives you the flavor of hillside lupine and a lot of other flowers thrown in.

Enjoy and thank God for giving us "all things beautiful" to enjoy.

Photo Tips and Hints

2012-03-02T19:47:00.002-08:00

This should really get you motivated for March's photo challenge.

1. Find a boat, preferably an old steamer.

2. Find an old 8x10 view camera.

3. Mount it on the front of the boat.

4. Find a nice swamp.

5. Start looking for gators and dead bodies.

6. Be sure to tip the steam captain.

February Challenge Photos

2012-03-01T17:52:00.014-08:00

Thanks to everyone who sent their pictures for last month's super-dooper challenge: Doors and Windows.

Some of us traveled to the hinterlands for these shots, while others found their subjects close to home. Actually, you can find doors and windows wherever people have left their mark, it seems. In fact, you seldom leave home without them (if you're in a car or truck!). Their history is as old as civilization and they are mentioned numerous times in the Bible. Jesus even calls himself "The Door" in a figurative way in John 10, showing He is the door of forgiveness and everlasting life.

Thanks to Bruce for scouting out some old buildings and churches up in his neck of the Portland area woods. Many of these old buildings are on historical lists, dating back over 100 years is my guess. This might be a good future challenge idea.

Stained glass is an intriguing art form, developed centuries ago. It is still being used in modern buildings and homes.

You can see the rest of Bruce's wonderful old historical remnants here: Tomlin Anderson Photography

Linda's first entry is titled "Dementia Wars."

".... my mother in law was convinced that someone was coming in the back door and hiding in the basement. The only way we could keep her from trying to go outside (cement steps) or in the basement (NARROW cement steps hard for an able-bodied person) was to tie them closed. :(

Dementia is not a fair enemy.

I think old scruffy windows like this one that Linda captured add imagination and story-telling to whatever they're reflecting, even if it's a backyard with a few trees and a shed. A certain amount of reality is lost as the colors fade and mix with whatever is on the other side of the window. Almost like a triptych, but you're getting three pictures in one instead of separately.

Linda rightly labeled it, 'Full of Character.'

Ginnie says, "These shots were taken on the D40 while we were visiting the old copper mining town of Jerome, AZ. Reminded us of Virginia City, NV, but built on the side of a very steep mountain. Gravity has caused a lot of damage to the buildings. Was quite cold, but the reward was an uncrowded very pleasant day."

I'm still trying to figure this one out!

This was Don's second photo scouting trip to Harmony, the little 'town' just north of Cayucos on the coast. He sent me 5 pictures, one of which was 'deceptive' in some way. So I was expecting to see a reflection shot that had been 'rotated' horizontally and any writing would be 'right reading.' Guess this isn't it.

Don has an affinity for things old and rusty, like me. The colors, textures, contrasts and rarity of such items are amazing. You can almost hear them say, "Come over here, and I'll pose for your camera!" You're presented with a myriad of choices for composition, as well.

Barb and I drove to the Gold Country and hit a few towns on Hwy 49, including Plymouth. This stand alone old building is a few blocks west of downtown on the same street. There was a school right next door with kids playing outside during recess. What a contrast. I'd like to go back and get out of the car next time.

Our last stop for the day was in Jackson, late afternoon, so the east side of the main drag was bright and colorful in the sunlight. I couldn't pass shooting this black enameled door with the sky and buildings reflected in it. My first exposure was way overexposed. The meter was reading all the black and adjusted to it by either opening the aperture or lengthening the shutter speed. I was in Program (P) mode. So I switched to Manual (M) mode and got a more realistic shot with true blacks in it.

Doors Galore

2012-02-19T16:13:00.000-08:00

In the history of all things symbolic, doors are on my top ten list. How many times have we opened a door, closed a door, walked through a door, locked a door, caught a finger in a door or walked INTO a door? We're probably up in the hundreds of thousands over a lifetime.

Doors keep the weather out, keep the kids out, keep the dog out, and keep intruders out (hopefully).

Doors open for friends, open for kids and grandkids, open for strangers selling security systems, open for some fresh air and open to let out all the smoke from a botched chicken bake.

Our photo assignment for this month is 'Doors and Windows,' so it was a good excuse to head to the foothills and do some scouting. Shooting doors and windows is not as easy as it looks. If you're using a wide-angle lens, you have distortion problems to worry about. A lot of these pictures have had their perspective corrected in Photoshop. You simply click on Image, then Transform, then Distort and drag the corner points until everything lines up the way you want. It's a bit of a contrived look, but for me, the get-every-line-as-straight-as-possible guy, it was necessary.

So write your elected officials and demand that February is declared "Doors and Windows Month." Can you imagine a world without them?

Winter Challenge

2012-01-31T18:00:00.000-08:00

Well, everyone had two full months to think about, plan and work on their December/January photos with the 'winter' theme. So much of our outdoor landscape turns to a dismally dull display of dead leaves, naked branches and yellow-brown grasses, that we might miss those opportunities to capture the unique shapes, colors and weather that are part of winter's beauty.

Linda didn't have to brave the outdoors weather to find something to remind us of winter. Her 'candle and tree' photo emphasizes the warmth of home and the celebration of Christmas using a powerful minimalist style of photography.

Girl, I hope you live close to the nearest fire station!

Old Davy's backyard sunset shot is nothing nothing to brag about compositionally. But the cloud color was amazing (in real life - hard to translate it perfectly to the screen). Wish I had been out on Woodbridge Road taking sandhill crane silhouette at the time, but that wasn't going to happen. I used manual exposure and underexposed so the sky colors weren't blown out.

These spent cattails are still standing after 7 months after their prime at the Cosumnes River Wildlife Preserve, just north of us. Most of the others I saw had fallen over. I was shooting for a balanced composition here, using the oak reflection as added interest. I strengthened the contrast and blacks in post-processing and bumped up the red and yellow to give it an old Kodachrome look and feel.

Don's morning light photos highlighted dripping ice on a few plants. I'm pretty sure Don used his 60mm Nikkor macro lens that does a superb job when getting really close up and personal. The star-like patterns of the reflected sunlight are caused when the aperture is very small.

This thirsty orange-crowned warbler was caught while drinking at Ginnie's fountain. She has the luxury of being able to take pictures like this from inside her house, which is a plus when it's sometimes 18 degrees in Paso Robles!

And here's picture of a recent Paso Robles sunset in all its glory. Wow!

Thanks again to everyone who sent in their winter photos. Remember, I'm only posting two of those you sent, so please forgive me if you don't see your favorite of the bunch. It's hard to choose from all those sent to me.

Next month's theme - that's February - will be "Doors and Windows." Thanks to Ginnie for suggesting it. I don't think anyone will be at a loss for subjects on this one. Again: Your pictures must be taken in February. Black and white or color is okay. Post-processing to the max (artsy) is okay. People and animals in the shot are okay, as long as the theme is apparent. Keep the .jpg file under 400kb if possible.

Have a good time and be creative.

Color Blind

2012-01-15T14:54:00.000-08:00

I grew up in a virtually color-blind town in California. Racial slurs weren't part of my vocabulary in school or any other place for that matter. And I didn't hear friends or family using them, either.

One of the black families in our school had six children. Their father was the pastor of the New Light Missionary Baptist Church. All four boys were outstanding students and athletes, each representing their classes as Student Body Presidents.

John Parish, who filled the President's office during our senior year in high school, was elected Governor of Boy's State in Sacramento, then went on to Boy's Nation at the Capitol. This first picture shows a Kiwanis member speaking to the group while in Washington, D.C.. Note the two empty chairs by John. The story goes that John was so discriminated against by two boy members from southern states, they refused to sit by him during one of the meal times. This picture symbolizes that hatret. I still remember John's tears as he related some of the pain he experienced when he got back and addressed one of the classes we were in together. Pretty sad - to go so far away from home as a hero just to be treated like dirt.

I don't have firsthand knowledge of this incident, but it seems plausible after discovering this picture of the two empty chairs. What do you think?

Running From Dog

2011-11-17T17:18:00.000-08:00

Our cat Jack has the run of the yards and cul-de-sac and enjoys wandering around his little neighborhood territory. This meandering has its limits, specifically those residential backyards that board their burglar deterrent canines.

But last night's calm ended when the next door neighbor's dog jumped up on the gate door hard enough to open it. He didn't hesitate to target Jack and chased him over our fence with a crashing thud and clawing scramble that sounded like serious business to us in the house.

Barb ran outside, screaming at the poor mutt of a culprit, chasing him to the street and promptly heading next door to inform the folks of the heinous crime. Liz ran to the backyard and found Jack ready to jump the back fence, cowering in fear.

It was a born again experience for the old boy.

Your Best Shot

2011-11-02T15:33:00.000-07:00

Seasonal changes marked October with early rainstorms and shades of fall on the hillsides. The photo challenge was the most painless so far, but may not have been the best choice for stretching your creative muscles to the max. November's assignment: A window light portrait. Don't use a flash, just available light. If you want to fill any shadows, you can use a reflector. You can shoot any number of people (or pets), just make sure that your MAIN light is from a window. And this doesn't have to be a formal portrait: any candid will do, whether in private or public. Color or black and white will work, too. Humorous or serious, whatever.

The first in this series was taken by Cooper Guffey in Paso Robles and submitted by his grandmother, Ginnie. He had Addie pose for him and did a great job in the composition department! Bravo, Cooper. Keep shooting.

Bruce in Oregon found some colorful fare at the pumpkin patch. His grandson, Jacoby, had a great time, but Bruce didn't seem too thrilled. Hey, Bruce, at our age, pumpkins are just big orange squashes that are better off left in the field.

Don also found a pumpkin patch, but he didn't say which one, and didn't say whether he took anyone with him. Probably on Hwy 46 somewhere, just him and his Harley.

Ginnie says this about her Zinfandels entry: "Our little harvest was on the 23rd. We only got about 1/2 of the usual crop due to spring frost and summer rains which made the vines susceptible to mildew. So now fermentation is underway complete with a horde of fruit flies."

Ginnie's art group has been traveling to different places to paint on Fridays: "Last Friday's subject for the Friday paint-out was Atascadero Lake. Lots of honking and quaking there. Brought back old memories of Marty's duck that was released there." Ginnie, it looks like the leaves are just starting to turn there.

I'm trying to remember Marty's duck, but don't even have a foggy recollection. Most of us have other memories of Atascadero Lake -- good and bad -- and very bad!

Megen's entry is unusually weird looking - for a pumpkin. She says, "The cerebral pumpkin...who says Halloween is a brainless holiday???" Thanks, Meg, for shooting outside the box.

Here's another one of Megen's best pictures of October, even though she didn't formally enter it for the challenge. These expressions are priceless! Thanks.

Yours truly also has a couple of shots to share which you most likely seen already on my website. Our vacation to Paso in early October was a wonderful time -- seeing family, friends and favorite spots around the area. I planned to take sunset pictures at Spooner's Cove weeks before coming down, so that's where Barb and I headed the first night of our trip. The sunset was literally shocking to my senses as the sun disappeared below the horizon and the clouds lit up like cotton candy. This photo doesn't tell the emotional story, but is only a taste of awesome power of visual beauty that only reality can relish. I used a tripod and shot on manual exposure.

After leaving Paso, we drove to Yosemite, hoping to get a 'moonshot' at sunset at the Tunnel View. It was just rising while the sun was setting. God had other plans and it was raining when we drove in. But the pictures taken in the rain and mist gave the trees, mountains and rock faces a sense of rarity that I like more than the proverbial postcard Yosemite Valley photos. And sometimes it's just fun to get out in a drenched meadow, trying to keep your camera and lens dry and grabbing something you'll never see again!

Thanks to everyone who participated this month. I'm looking forward to November's portraits. Remember, the same old rules apply each month. Keep shooting. Keep smiling.

Dave

September Photo Challenge

2011-10-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who submitted photos for September's weird and woefully wacky F.U.N. challenge. My apologies for raising the bar a bit too high for us non-professionals. But we still had FUN, didn't we?

Ginnie's picture was taken in Paso Robles. Its title is "Fix or Repair Daily," which we all know is longhand for Ford, which is seen reflected in the window. Lots of color here.

Bruce trekked around to find a few covered barns to shoot in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. This first one is the Stayton-Jordan footbridge, erected in 1988 to connect people walking from one park to another in Stayton, OR. Placed over the Salem Power Canal, it was destroyed by fire due to faulty Christmas tree lighting, but was rebuilt in 1998. Massive and sturdy now, it looks like it will last another 100 years. I'm titling this picture, "Not For Fords."

This second bridge spans Crabtree Creek. Named the Larwood Bridge, it was built in 1939 and can be seen in Scio, OR. I like the way the shade on the bridge compliments/contrasts with the light rocks in the foreground, giving a nice balance to the shot. Title: "1939 Undercover Freeway"

Unfortunately, Kennedy Gold Mine in Jackson, CA isn't a F.U.N. kind of place by any stretch. The Forty-Niners hated the low wages (the clock started AFTER you were lowered into the mine and ended BEFORE you made your ascent from a mile down). They also hated the unsafe conditions and the fact that you'd lose your hearing after a few years. I found this turkey (?) feather and used it to contrast the "Freedom of Flight and (mis)Fortunes of Niners."

Once an all-moving collection of noisy machinery and clanging ore crushers, every piece of equipment is now silent at this mine. More than silent, it has been frozen by water and weather into a rusted and crumbling hulk of steel and wood. The Ichabod of the Sierra, the "glory has departed" to take its place in the history books and memories of old timers who still remember the operation back in the '40's. I've given this photo the title: "Nuts and Bolts"

Don was out chasing the wind a few weeks ago and heard a strange sound behind a hill on Hwy 46 West. The next thing he knew, a hot air balloon slowly lifted above the vineyards, newlyweds in tow (or basket). Thankfully, he had his trusty Nikon D300 with him and zoomed along behind the tracking vehicle. He was able to get this "down under" shot with the moon perfectly placed beside it. Great shot, Don! You won't get that one again! Both of his balloon shots bear the title: "Hot Air Balloon Chasing on an FXDL from the Highway Forty-six Farm Stand."

We're going to make October a lot easier on our "challenge" sensitivities by asking for Your Best Shot. So you can really submit anything you like. Just make sure it was taken in October. All previous rules apply.

• Must be taken by October 31.
• Manipulation is accepted.
• Any camera can be used.
• Creativity counts
• You can submit as many shots as you want, but only two of my choice will be posted.

Thanks and happy shooting!

Kick in the Pants

2011-09-26T19:03:00.000-07:00

Barb and I have been looking for this ad for years and finally found it tonight on Google Books website. In early 1966, she, Margo Maggiani and Mary Lou Hollywood were chosen to model for a MerCruiser ad photo shoot at Lake Nacimiento.
The ad was published in Popular Mechanics March 1966 special issue on boating. Barb is driving the boat, Margo is sitting by her and Mary Lou is in the back seat.
They didn't get paid in cash, but could choose color-coordinated outfits from Paso Robles Mercantile.
One exciting tidbit: Barb almost wrecked the boat after they told her to drive fast and close to the huge boat they were shooting from. She came a little too close and almost hit it. Barb's "Please don't tell the owner that I almost wrecked his boat" was answered by, "I don't have to: he's standing right here!"

Vintage Vision

2011-09-17T18:54:00.000-07:00

I've recently joined Facebook's "You Know You Grew Up In Paso Robles When . . . " where folks post vintage pictures of local people and places. It's great looking at all of those old memories and see familiar names and places before 'civilization' took its toll.

I thought it would be fun to find a Photoshop Elements plug-in that would imitate a vintage look and found a set of free plug-ins called Filter Forge Freepack 2 – Photo Effects. There are more than enough choices and settings to transform your picture into an instantly aged work of art. Check it out.

Yikes! Yowling Yellow!

2011-08-31T19:39:00.000-07:00

Ginnie's entry of a restored gas pump: "Shot on Main Street in Templeton last Sunday morning with our 'little guy' camera on AE. 2.8, 1/1000, ISO 80, Flash ON. " Jack says this is an authentic gas pump which sits in place at an old station at 7th and Main. The service station has been converted to the 'Burger Station' where you can order old fashioned juice-running-down-your-arm burgers and great french fries. Closed on Sundays the way everything should be."

Harry's entry of a tobacco field: "Yellow out this way means tobacco. From our home we can look about a 1/4 mile away to the next road over which is actually kind of on a hill. Just grabbed these in a hurry. When I smoked I guess it was Mellow Yellow-a trib to Donovan-but not any longer." Harry lives in Danville, KY.

My friend, Linda, in Lodi loves to take pictures, too, and submitted these two of her huge sunflowers. Or maybe it's the same flower. I think she had to stand on a ladder to get the closeup.

Megen had to go all the way to Las Vegas for this shot: "The view from the 49th floor of the Palazzo in Las Vegas...note the chardonnay yellow storm clouds. Yes, I enhanced the colors and the focus is distorted. But very fun!"

Don, you didn't say where this house is located. Looks like it's close to Disneyland. Also looks like an artist lives there!

More of Don's handiwork. I think this is close to Paso Robles. Safflower is my guess.

Yours Truly likes to shoot anything with clouds hanging around. This is the top of a Comcast Cable satellite dish in their yard on Tam O'Shanter Drive with the moon setting at sunrise. Taken with my Canon SD980 point and shoot.

Hopelessly drab, but I do like clouds after a summer without them. Had to change the color of the building from beige to yellow to qualify for this challenge.

Cousin Bruce got his poppy picture in right under the wire. Looks like a California Poppy living outside of Bend, OR. Doesn't look homesick, and I don't blame him.

"It's been a wet year this year. Hard to find toomuch yellow amongst all this green. This photo was taken in David's backyard in Bend."

Thanks, Bruce!

Thanks to everyone who labored for this assignment. I'll be posting September's challenge soon. Keep shooting!

First Bloomin' Sunflower

2011-08-05T19:57:00.001-07:00

Most of the sunflowers we planted in mid-June are now up and ready to blush in all their glory. The first one to see the light was this red one with bright yellow stamens. It is among a choir of mixed notes, some of which are about 18" tall and others about 6'.

The miniature agapanthus wimped out on us this year. A couple of them died, but this one is holding on, right in front of Agatha, whose porcelain portrait graces the backyard behind the flower bed. She is strikingly striking with her Mona Lisa smile and globular eyes. You wouldn't want to hang her in the living room by Uncle Tilden, that's for sure!

A Barn By Any Other Name . . .

2011-07-31T05:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Bruce, Don, Yours Truly and Ginnie for submitting their barn photos. We all win the grand prize on Internet notoriety! I found a poem online to accompany our efforts. A little corny, but who cares?

The first two pictures are of a barn that Bruce found. Turns out it is the famous Gribble Barn five miles from Canby, Oregon. You can Google it if you want. Thanks Bruce!

The second two photos are by Nighthawk Don, who always has stars in his eyes. These were taken in the Paso Robles area using long exposures. Thanks, Don!

The nexgt picture was taken a few miles south of Lake Tulloch by yours truly. It has been Photoshopped to death just for fun.

Last, but not least are Ginnie's entries of the octogon barn in San Luis Obispo. "The Octagon Barn was built in 1900 by Portuguese immigrants...see Wikipedia for the historical scoop."

There is an old barn along the lone countryside,
Where the roots of rural life deepened and never died.
The weather vane is rusty, the barn leans to the west,
And what we see beyond the old wood frame is best
Through the years it has become the symbol of toil,
Where footsteps remain undisturbed deep in the soil.

Nature had no mercy weathered by rain, sleet and snow,
Winds whipping and blowing to and fro.
Tree limbs brush the roof, the Milk River proceeds below,
Crows soaring above rafters, cawing with woe.
The barn standing so simple, embraced with time past,
An old dwelling full of memories that forever last.

Rain dripping down the eaves,
Rabbits burrowing underneath the leaves.
Walking with my mind back to days untold,
A path in which my father tread until he was very old.
Where children have played "hide-and-go-seek" without a care,
Hidden in the barn, unfound there.
Milking cows, squirting milk at the cats,
And then giggling at the goats wearing our hats.

Holding stable for a team of horses out of the heat,
Piglets, calves and chickens grown for meat.
Lifting of grain and hay to the hayloft up high,
Insects finding refuge beneath the humble floor lie.

In my youth we did many a chore,
As the soft wind whispered through the barn door.
And out behind that old barn for sure,
Was a good paddling or two that did occur.
There are some things learned cleaning out that barn muck,
Pride of work for an honest buck.

Remembering barn dances and a square dancer's call,
Sound of a fiddle enjoyed by neighbors and all.
Let's pull our hearts close to old fashioned days,
Rolling tumbleweeds, hay grain and cattle was the ways.
Barns built of logs and boards painted bright red,
Large and small to fit the farmstead.

New barns now are revealed on stretched out land,
With the blueprints drawn by a master's hand.
We thank the old timers for our heritage of yesteryear,
Building the barns that we hold so very dear.
Time takes us through endless stages,
Turning through the years a hundred pages.

A father passes on his fertile lands,
The old barn then rests from his calloused hands.
How we wish we could repay, a young boy running to find
Each manner and course of life that we now leave behind.
Yesterdays are not really gone, they’re with us every day.
During the passage of time, we value old memories in every way.

By Lorraine E. Watson, Phillips County

Ginnie claimed this was a 20 sock-stickers shot. She deserved all the pain she could get, since she didn't use her Nikon D40, but opted for her ol' Canon S3 point-and-shoot! (Just kidding, Sis. Great snaps!)

"Restoration of the barn began in 1997, when the barn was near collapse. Structural improvements have been completed. Current activity concentrates on bringing the Barn into the community as a fully permitted gathering space." - from Wikipedia

The American Barn

2011-07-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

The cool, crisp morning air was silent, except for the rising songsters' melodies and one dog barking. Hardly any traffic at 6:00 on Saturday, mainly pickups and a tractor. A dead opposum was grinning at me when I got out of the car on Brandt Road. I'll spare you the picture!

The "No Trespassing" signs limited most shots to "this side of the fence," but I was able to get out in a field for the barn picture with the blue flowers in the foreground. And I had to mount my camera on a tripod and use the 10 second timer while raising it 8 feet over my head for the Locke Road shots with the vineyards surrounding the 'barn.' The result: A 20% success ratio. Pretty good, I thought, since this is the first time I've tried it.

San Joaquin county probably has thousands of old and new barns. They may change a bit in style over the years, but the theory stays the same. Cover your valuables from the elements --- hay, vehicles, livestock, tack and stuff that won't fit in that little house you built.

My sister says, "I never met a barn I didn't like." That about sums it up for me as well.

4th of July Artworks

2011-07-05T17:26:00.000-07:00

This first serious attempt to shoot fireworks finds me in amazement at the artistic displays of color, form and contrast they provide. There was 15 minutes of non-stop action and my shutter really got a workout. I finally settled on 2 seconds at f8, with manual focusing, which is a trick in itself, trying to find infinity (it's a little back from the full stop point on the focus ring).

Hope you enjoy them, too. Use the slideshow feature at my website and the dark gray background option at the top center of the screen.

Roman Catholic Terrorist Oaths

2011-06-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

I was shocked to read some of the oaths taken by certain orders of the RC Church, including those of cardinals, bishops, Knights of Columbus and Jesuits. Supreme loyalty to the Pope demands agreement to persecuting and even killing all non-Roman Catholics! Is there a terrorist connection here? If not, why doesn't the RC Church condemn these oaths? If it has, please let me know.

"I do further promise and declare, that I will, when opportunity presents, make and wage relentless war, secretly or openly, against all heretics, Protestants and Liberals, as I am directed to do to extirpate and exterminate them from the face of the whole earth, and that I will spare neither sex, age nor condition, and that I will hang, waste, boil, flay, strangle and bury alive these infamous heretics; rip up the stomachs and wombs of their women and crush their infant heads against the wall, in order to annihilate forever their execrable race.
"That when the same cannot be done openly, I will secretly use the poison cup, the strangulation cord, the steel of the poniard, or the leaden bullet, regardless of the honor, rank, dignity or authority of the person or persons whatsoever may be their condition in life, either public or private, as I at any time may be directed so to do by any agent of the Pope or superior of the Brotherhood of the Holy Faith of the Society of Jesus." Jesuit Extreme Oath of Induction

"I, ___ ___, now in the presence of Almighty God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Blessed St. John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul, and all the Saints, Sacred Hosts of Heaven and to you, my Ghostly Father, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus founded by St. Ignatius Loyola, in the Pontification of Paul III, and continued to the present, do by the Womb of the Virgin, the Matrix of God, and the Rod of Jesus Christ, declare and swear that his Holiness, the Pope, is Christ’s Viceregent and is the true and only Head of the Catholic of Universal Church throughout the earth; and that by virtue of the keys of binding and loosing given his Holiness by my Savior, Jesus Christ, he hath power to depose heretical kings, princes, states, commonwealths and governments and they may be safely destroyed. Therefore to the utmost of my power I will defend this doctrine and his Holiness’ right and custom against all usurpers of the heretical or Protestant authority whatever, especially the Lutheran Church of Germany, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway and the now pretended authority of the Churches of England and Scotland, of the Calvinists, of same now established in Ireland and on the continent of America and elsewhere, and all adherents in regard that they may be usurped and heretical, opposing the sacred Mother Church of Rome.
"I do now denounce and disown any allegiance as due to any heretical king, prince, or state, named Protestant, or Liberals, or obedient to any of their laws, magistrates or officers....
"I do further declare that I will help, assist and advise all or any of his Holiness’ agents, in any place where I should be, in Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Ireland, or America or in any other kingdom or territory I shall come to and do my utmost to extirpate the heretical Protestant or Masonic doctrines and to destroy all their pretended powers, legal or otherwise....
"I do further promise and declare that I will, when opportunity presents, make and wage relentless war, secretly and openly, against all heretics, Protestants and Masons, as I am directed to do to extirpate them from the face of the whole earth; and that I will spare neither age, sex, or condition, and that I will hang, burn, waste, boil, flay, strangle and bury alive these infamous heretics; rip up the stomachs and wombs of their women and crush their infant’s heads against the walls in order to annihilate their execrably race. That when the same cannot be done openly, I will secretly use the poisonous cup, the strangulation cord, the steel poniard, or the leaden bullet, regardless of the honor, rank, dignity, or authority of the persons whatever may be their condition in life, either public or private, as I at any time may be directed so to do by any agent of the Pope or Superior of the Brotherhood of the Holy Father of the Society of Jesus....
"That I will provide myself with arms and ammunition that I may be in readiness when the word is passed, or I am commanded to defend the Church either as an individual or with the Militia of the Pope." Oath Taken by a Perspective Member of the Knights of Columbus

"Heretic, schismatics, and rebels to our said lord (the pope), or his aforesaid successors, I will to my utmost persecute and oppose." From the oath given by all cardinals, bishops, and arch-bishops

"Communists destroy churches because they are God's enemies; Catholic's destroy (non-Catholic) churches because they are God's friends...Against such men-founded churches...Catholics in Latin America should arise and wipe them out with fire." John J. Oberlander, in The Voice of Freedom, 1954, p. 20

Tree - Rhymes With Majesty

2011-06-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

Trees are wonderful creations that remind us of the majestic beauty and singular personality that only God can create. I find myself moved by this sentinel symmetry and will purposely seek and photograph those trees that say something more than 'seen one, seen them all.'

Trees are like miniature mountains that stand tall and point to heaven. But they add a living, breathing sense of glory all their own as they reach out to touch that light that gives them life.

We were given two arms to do the same - reach out to God who made us with praise, honor and worship before His presence.

Oregon Still Beautiful

2011-05-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

Visit Oregon when you have the opportunity. Just make sure it isn't raining.

Barb and I took a week in May to explore the coast and see Barb's old haunt, Pacific City where she lived in the late 50's. We also enjoyed seeing cousin Bruce and his family in Oregon City, just south of Portland. Thanks, Bruce and Penny, for making us feel at home and showing us around.

It took a full week to process all the pictures. Burnout has been achieved!

Sing

2011-05-04T20:32:00.000-07:00

"Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!
He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry." Psalm 147:7-9

The God of glory paints the landscape with fields of flowers this spring. It has become an annual tradition of awesome wonder, even for us dull-witted souls.

At The Speed of Finite

2011-04-30T20:39:00.000-07:00

One of the blessings of dying is knowing that lots of family will get together and talk about you. They'll laugh, cry, share and after it's all over, they'll eat a lot of great food and say their loving goodbyes before heading back home.

It was a good day for Mom's second memorial service. The weather was perfect, with blue skies and a lukewarm breeze. The kids played outside and the curmudgeons who hadn't seen each other for years felt the reminder of every wrinkle and color-starved hair. Time is flying as we speed down the tracks.

It will soon be our turn to arrive at our final destination.

Memorial/Reunion pictures

History Lesson

2011-04-19T18:33:00.000-07:00

The older the building, the more intriguing the story, especially when it's full of ancient machinery, tools and oddities that beg the question: "Man! What is that?"

A recent invitation to enter the bowels of a forgotten world was quickly accepted. Luke gave me the grand tour of the turn-of-the-twentieth-century shipbuilding factory, now turned into a metal fabrication business. The poor lighting was helped with all the holes in the metal roof, walls, and doors. Dusty windows, skylights, redwood framing and a smell akin to my grandfather's garage and shop in San Luis Obispo heightened my sense of deja vu.

Who knows how many people have worked here on the Deep Water Channel at the Port of Stockton. Years of lunchboxing it to Harrison Street either to draw plans, supervise, get your finger cut off or smashed while operating a machine, or wrenching your back when lifting parts for assembly --- it had to be a dirty job.

My dad owned a radiator repair business in Los Banos in the late 50's. Hands and fingernails always dirty, burn marks on his arms from soldering and welding, the look of a real man's man. These workers in Stockton were most likely as manly. There is an honorable side of grease and grime. God made us to work. Some of us like to get dirty in the process. We don't look down on those who don't. We just feel a bit sorry for them.

You can see the whole series of shots here: Dave Skinner Photography

Shooting Stars and Monkeyflowers

2011-04-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

Okay, all you flower lovers out there: Now is the time to head to the hinterlands and scope out God's handiwork while the grass is green and the flowers are wild. My favorite specimen is the Shooting Star for its striking shape and color. There are a number of species here in the Sierra. Can you believe there are 30 species of Monkeyflower in Yosemite alone! What a wonderful world we live in thanks to a wonderful God who coded flowers with the ability to vary within their genus.

We joined a ranger-led hike at New Melones Lake this Saturday and look forward to heading back to the area to hike at our own pace (a photographer can't have a good time if he's trying to keep up with the crowd). Maybe I'll see you out there, too.

How Wise My Bird-Brained Little Friend

2011-03-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

How wise my bird-brained little friend,
Whose fathers' feathers (brushed with blue
By clever choice and prescient will)
Display a blushing breast as well.

Conscious evolution thus proven for us simple skeptics.

Song of Spring

2011-03-05T16:32:00.000-08:00

Forgive my impatience, but don't we need a breath of forge-fired heat to replace the craggy winter cold?

And, yes, this is California.

Snow and Blackhawk

2011-02-26T09:38:00.000-08:00

Blusteringly cold today here in the flatlands. Snow and more snow at low elevations. We drove by Mt. Diablo on President's Day and saw a smattering of white stuff at the summit. But nothing has materialized here in the valley, although there my be some falling tonight.

Snow, snow, go away.
Don't come again, I hope and pray.
These aching bones are getting old
And absolutely hate the cold.

We met up with Don and Janet for lunch at Dean's Cafe in Pleasanton, then drove to Danville's Blackhawk Museum, a car-filled taste of eye candy for affectionados. Had a wonderful visit and browse (yes, it's a noun, too, folks) of rare, vintage vehicles. More proof of a God who granted creativity to those made in His image.

Barkleyville Barkers

2011-02-13T18:08:00.000-08:00

It was our first visit to one of the local dog parks. Barkleyville Dog Park is about an acre in size, and there is room for about 15 cars to park on a narrow strip of asphalt. No room for us, though. Three or four vehicles were illegally parked in the lot, making it difficult to turn around and leave. So we drove over the bridge to the north and walked back to visit with Liz, Angel and Thomas, who had been there over an hour already.

Thomas had his three dogs with him. They added to the 30+ that were already tearing up the place with their running and retrieving. There were three fenced areas: one for small dogs and one for large, with a play/agility course in between them. Both a fun-for-all and free-for-all experience combined!

The sun hid behind the storm front clouds coming in, so not a lot of color going on in the pictures. Except for the slobbering German shepherd that ran up to me (while I was kneeling for a shot) and planted a kiss on my face and gave me an unexpected glasses cleaning, I enjoyed myself.

I'll continue to prize my non-slobbering kitty cat, Jackson. Sorry, canines everywhere.

Wasn't Christmas Two Months Ago?

2011-02-12T18:40:00.000-08:00

In an effort to preserve the palm tree's prominence in Stockton, CA, and extend the Christmas lighting season throughout the year, three malls have donned blue lights on their palm trees.

Thankfully, this wasn't paid for with tax dollars!

Garage Art

2011-02-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

Barb and I bought a Barska spotting scope this afternoon and drove out Woodbridge Road to test it. Great little scope and it will get lots of use here in bird country. We only saw three sandhill cranes, a few ducks and a few flocks of geese. Starting to warm up here in the delta and the birds are heading north.

Then we meandered into Lodi for an A&W rootbeer - a tall, frosty glass of classic sweetness that burns your throat on the way down. The place will soon be closed for remodeling. The restaurant in Lodi showcases vintage A&W artifacts since the rootbeer dynasty started here in this little whistle stop.

In back of the parking lot, across the alley is an old garage that has hosted its share of graffiti and clean-up paint. I like old wood patterns, especially if there's rusty metal here and there. When I started working this photo (which was taken while I was holding my camera above my head, resting it on a chain link fence), I didn't notice the fairer sex in the picture. Can you see her?

Sometimes, the last thing we expect appears right there where we didn't see it at first. We're blind to the obvious sometimes, too. Especially when it comes to spiritual things: "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God . . . the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." I Corinthians 1:18 and 2:14.

God opened my mind and heart to receive His truth in the Bible, not my deciding one day to believe. I was spiritually dead (Ephesians 2), a card-carrying atheist, and running away from God. Like Saul on Damascus road (Acts 9), it would take a miraculous application of God calling me personally, convicting me of my sin and stupidity, and freely forgiving my sins through the substitutionary death of His sinless son, Jesus.

I was blind, but now I see.

Noah and the Pet Shop

2011-01-30T18:11:00.001-08:00

It was back to Coco's Restaurant today with Angel in tow for the first time. One of our favorite places to eat in Lodi, Coco's is always full of local old folks (especially after church) and young kids (cheap kid's menu). We were on the way to one of the city's reptile, bird, fish and insect stores. Our lunch included the senior chicken strips with broccoli, hamburger and fries and the junior chicken strips. Pretty cheap . . . only cost $30 with tip! Ha! Guess we should have gone across the street to MacDonalds for $15 (and free wi-fi for my iPod Touch).

We were hoping for bright sunshine today after the rain, but were rewarded with just a bit of afternoon sun. It will be back to the socked-in look tomorrow morning. We just keep the lights on at home and try not to think about the drippy wet drizzle outside. It's all under control, though. Not man's control as too many think, but God's providential supervision.

You're right, our lives are pretty boring apart from visiting overwhelmingly breath-taking pet shops. Breath-taking in the literal sense, where your initial inhalation includes a humid, stench-filled measure of oxygen, nitrogen and whatever else has been added by all these dirty creatures. But with a little patience, all is forgotten in a few minutes and you can enjoy the huge Doberman Pinscher, small golden terrier mix and juvenile rooster that greeted each visitor (well, not the rooster - he just did his own thing - mainly running from the bratty boys who chased him).

This is one CROWDED store with cages on top of cages, dozens of tarantulas and spiders in small clear plastic containers stacked behind the glass case by the cash register, parrots, other birds, large and small aquariums, lizards, geckos, and even large 3' monitor-type lizard. All in about a space equal to our living room and dining room combined. Yeow! Electric extention cords and lights everywhere. Pet food crammed here and there. Claustrophobic pets, beware!

It will be much easier to relate to Noah and his predicament now!

(all photos taken with iPod Touch - left the professional gear in the trunk)

A Tale of Two Twins

2011-01-20T18:25:00.000-08:00

Someone posted this photo on dpreview.com for a friend of his who wanted it critiqued. The first reply to his post says, "The picture looks like it has some potential, but it just doesn't say anything to me. Your composition follows the rule of thirds but for some reason it just doesn't look interesting. Not sure what you were going for." I have to agree that although it is somewhat interesting, there just isn't anything that makes me want to put it up on my wall. It tells a story, but leaves too much unsaid.

Now, this would have grabbed me.

Kick-Starts A Necessity

2011-01-15T19:58:00.000-08:00

These dark and dreary mornings, fog-filled drama under gray skies and cawing crows, demand strong coffee and a quick kick-start to get down the road.

This morning's sunrise looked more like a bright yellow-orange moon filtering through the haze. I turned off the Interstate at Turner Road to grab a shot before it got much higher. No solitary oak was available, and I stopped at the nearest turnout, an entrance to a gated winery. A long row of trees ran its border, north and south, but I couldn't brave the partly flooded field to get a better photo.

Then it was back on the highway, heading toward Cosumnes River Preserve where the water birds winter. The sun almost came out before I had to jump in the car and drive back to Stockton for breakfast with Barb and Angel. Nothing spectacular occurred, but I enjoyed the companionship of an elderly bird lover like myself and a batch of black-necked stilts.

Maybe I'll try again next Saturday.

Moon Rising

2011-01-14T20:09:00.000-08:00

My newest still camera sports a whopping .6MP sensor. That's nothing to sneeze at if it will take a picture like this, surf the Internet, and do thousands of other neat things. The 4G iPod Touch is an engineering marvel; an iPhone without the phone. It also has HD video. My first 'toy' in 6 years (Nikon D70), it is easy to carry and is a handy resource for a number of things, including Bibles, commentaries, survival info, political documents, sermons and music --- everything but added games, which I consider a waste of time, personally. Sorry, game lovers out there.

Oh, you can use it like a phone if you have the right application and Internet connection.

Who sits around in their underwear and comes up with this stuff?

[picture taken today at sunset of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center while Angel and I were waiting for Barb to get a prescription]

Neighborhood Watch Hawk

2011-01-08T08:58:00.000-08:00

Here is our neighborhood's resident Cooper's hawk perched in a tree two doors from us. Mr. Nonchalant, who was unconcerned about cars and people staring at it in disbelief. I had time to get dressed (it was before breakfast), change lenses and head for the sidewalk.

He seemed a bit concerned when I started clicking away. The heavy overcast and dark shadows forced me to bump up the ISO too much, but I had to pay the price to get a shot. He finally spooked and flew to the middle of the street, landing on the light pole. Then, off he flew across the railroad tracks on my second take (the first was too blurry).

This is the same hawk that I've taken pictures of in my own backyard pine tree and on the main road north of us where he was perching on another light pole at sunset. Amazing that the noise of the trains screaming through, the traffic, the fire station and the civilian hubbub don't scare him off. Seems that it would be a much simpler and calmer life out in the boonies.

Apparently, there are a lot more mice, rats, and edible critters in this neck of the woods.

A Fresh Beginning

2011-01-01T07:17:00.000-08:00

Our resolution-filled New Year's Day will be forgotten (along with any resolutions) by January 31. Human nature is beset by fear of pain and deprivation. Only the strongest will prevails against a bulging waistline or lack of exercise. And then, there are the will-motivators: the best being an annual check-up where your doctor gives you ultimatums (shouldn't that be ultimati?). Prayer helps, too.

My gloved fingers were stingingly cold yesterday morning when I visited the University of Pacific for another set of pictures featuring Burns Tower. I pretty much had the place to myself, which gave me the freedom to explore unfamiliar territory. This tower is so out of place compared to its surrounding architecture. It's like seeing the Washington Monument in the middle of Yosemite. Yet, it is strikingly attractive with its colored glass and simple design.

I scouted for the best reflections and found a few worth keeping. But notice the distortions in the glass. The Apostle Paul writes, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I shall know, even as also I am known." I Corinthians 13:12 Paul is referring to a piece of smokey glass or dull mirror surface, where the object in view is imperfectly seen. In context, he's talking about the resurrected body, further illustrated in chapter 15, "Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven." I Corinthians 15:49, ESV. This speaks of the first Adam and Jesus Christ, whom Paul calls, "the last Adam."

Sin has marred our view of heavenly things and the heavenly King; but the Spirit of God opens our eyes to glimpse their perfection, beauty and glory. There is coming that day when our faith will be turned to sight. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

Saying Goodbye to Kodachrome

2010-12-30T17:12:00.000-08:00

Those memorable Kodak moments captured on Kodachrome slide film are long gone, thanks to the overwhelming success of digital 'film' and personal post-processing on your computer. Today was the last day that this film was processed. Steve Curry was given the last roll to shoot. This was the choice for portrait takers, giving a ruddy glow to even the pastiest of faces. Landscape portraits were warm and dreamy with all of that saturated color. There was no blue or greenish cast to them. And the greatest miracle of this miracle film is that it doesn't lose its color after 40 years. Plenty of time to digitize all those old shots.

I assume this picture, taken of Grandpa Skinner throwing me to my dad at Avila Beach, was Kodachrome. Hey, I'm sure of it. And so it's over 60 years old. I didn't shoot too much of it because it was only ASA 25 (or ISO for you moderns). I switched to Ektachrome for a little more speed, but paid the price by trading the warm color cast to a cooler blue one. Not the best move, but it's ancient history now, set in stone --- on the acetate of each slide.

Park Ticket

2010-12-24T14:36:00.000-08:00

Angel wanted to test her playground skills today before going to her dad's for Christmas Eve celebrations. Stockton was still socked in at 11:30 and the playground equipment was all wet, so we took advantage of her photography skills. She got her canvas sneakers soaked traipsing across the grass, but got some good shots and didn't complain about her freezing feet until we got in the car.

Grammy stayed home and burned the chocolate chip cookies!

Starry, Starry Flight

2010-12-21T16:54:00.000-08:00

Starry, Starry Flight

In starry, starry flight between a blushing moon and earthy light —
Ghostly forms — both sign and seal of near and distant storms,
Slowly swim and glide below the jeweled span in which they hide,
Keeping midnight rendezvous with ancient lore and worlds to come.

**************************************

Last night's lunar eclipse was an extraordinary sight for mortals who happened to see it. I awoke at 12:30 a.m. and noticed the blinding moonlight from two hours earlier had disappeared and knew the eclipse was in progress.

I mounted my camera with the 55-200mm lens to a tripod and went outside in my PJ's and socks. Barb was right behind me. What a view!

After a few minutes, Barb said, "What is that?!" A flock of geese was gliding across the sky below the moon. There were about 14 of them. There was no way I could capture them since each exposure was at 3 seconds at f8. So I grabbed another picture of geese I had, worked it in Photoshop and added it to this picture to approximate the look and feel of seeing this flock right below a red-orange moon!
Like Ansel Adams said, "Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter." I had to add the geese, but what a night to remember!

Here's the original picture I used, and here's how I did it: Working in Photoshop Elements 9.0, I wanted to bring up the stars (there were only about 3-5 of them showing in the original). So I used the oval selector tool and circled the moon. Then I opened Levels and lowered the highlights and contrast to darken it quite a bit. Then I opened Shadows/Highlights (Curves) and lightened the shadows. This made the invisible stars come up. If I went too far, the black background got too light and blotchy, so I backed off just enough to eliminate that. While I was doing this, the dark moon came up to a more normal color. Had I not darkened it at first, it would have been blown out when bringing up the stars. Then I used Layers again to make the black really black.

I found a shot of geese in flight I had taken earlier, tightly cropped them and resized them to a size that would fit when I placed them on my 1100px wide worked copy. The geese were dark on a light sky, so I inverted the shot (Ctrl and "I" keys), which made the background dark and the geese light. I used the paint bucket fill to blacken the background, then used a color that approximated what I saw (kind of a grayish brown from the city lights) and painted each goose with it. Sometimes the paint would only fill 1/2 of the goose, so I used a slightly lighter color to do the other wing. Then I placed them on the worked copy where I wanted them, rotated them, flattened the layers, then used the Brush tool to color them further. I know they look painted, but that's the best I can do. I purposely left them very dark, just like in real life. Just a hint of city light.

I added the larger star on the left to give more balance and a few small stars near the geese (remember, there was a black square around them when I placed them on the working copy.

Guess I could have spent more time on it, but I'm happy with it as is. Interestingly, I could only make it a 84kb file due to all the black in it!

Old Sentiments

2010-12-18T15:29:00.000-08:00

Christmas cards and advertisements range the proverbial gamut from religious to ridiculous, as you can see in this sampling. Each conveys its message with excellent artwork, photography and color, hoping to attract the buyer who in turn wants to convey a particular theme or feeling. The Victorian era cards depict a wide range of celebration, usually involving children. Ruddy cheeked children. Big, dark-eyed children. Beautiful children. Really unreal and dreamy children.

I remember the winter when we got a brand new 1957 Ford station wagon. It was the first new car I could remember our family having in Paso Robles. The spartan interior and long lines will long be remembered. It may have been right after Christmas when this 'present' appeared. Can't remember.

And, of course, what would Christmas be like without using it to sell cigarettes or hard liquor? This was the perfect opportunity to lend an imprimatur to a number of vices, thus sanctifying their use and by implication, misuse. Shame on you, Ronnie, for keeping all your friends hooked on that nasty habit.

Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to explaining this unusual greeting. Were there pigs milling around the manger? Or maybe they would soon grace the Christmas dinner table. Or the couple who sent out this card looked like pigs, or acted like them or smelled like them or ? I really like the expressions, though! They look like a couple I'd really like to visit with.

Have you cut your own Christmas tree? We did that one year, but didn't drive to the mountains to do it. It was as close as a tree farm a few miles north of us.

My favorite trees have been the ones I've bought live and planted afterwards. The first one, an Aleppo pine, was planted in the early 90's in the backyard and grew along the ground before heading heavenward. About 20 years later, it took vengeance and came crashing down after a strong winter storm. Thankfully, it hit the house, but no major damage resulted. I'm still burning its remains in the fireplace!

Lights, Camera, Action

2010-12-11T16:00:00.000-08:00

We're always late getting the outdoor lights up at Christmas time. Since this is one of my least favorite things to do, Barb has taken the reins the past few years and faithfully tacks them up in rain, sleet, snow or slush. Today's mid 60's makes it a lot easier, and she enjoys trying to brighten a spot at the end of our cul-de-sac.

Our neighbors spare no expense in their decor, with lighted reindeer, blow-up Santas and tube lights around the edge of the grass. Sorry, but we draw the line with lights. Maybe a star.

Our heater has been broken for a week. Waiting for parts, installing a new thermostat, roof too wet to walk on - another fire will keep us toasty tonight. Thankfully, it hasn't been freezing outside. I'm hoping all the lights will warm us up a bit, too.

Once again, Jesus tells us, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12

When The Cat's Away . . .

2010-12-09T19:24:00.000-08:00

We were greeted with an unusually bright rainbow at work Tuesday morning at sunrise. The brightest anyone of us had seen. We oooo'd and aaaa'd while I kicked myself for not having my camera with me. Jan took cell phone photos. I was hoping a Stockton
Record photographer was up early enough to see it, too.

Then on Wednesday, I decided to take my camera just in case another 'event' might happen. Well, the event happened, but it wasn't nearly as bright and only lasted about 5 minutes, where the rainbow Tuesday was shining for a good 15. So these pictures are but a meager replay of the day before. But you can still see the double arc, just like before.

After the excitement, everyone got more excited as we put up xmas lights. Even Roy and Tasha came with stuff. Tasha wanted to play, play, play, but didn't like her Santa hat at all.

With morale boosted, we all worked harder than usual the rest of the day - even though the boss was out of town! Ha! Roberta, you missed all the fun!

True Peace at Christmas

2010-12-05T16:41:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS -excerpts from a poem by Henry Timrod (1828-1867)

How grace this hallowed day?
Shall happy bells, from yonder ancient spire,
Send their glad greetings to each Christmas fire
Round which the children play?

How could we bear the mirth,
While some loved reveller of a year ago
Keeps his mut Christmas now beneath the snow,
In cold Virginian earth?

How shall we grace the day?
Ah! let the thought that on this holy morn
The Prince of Peace -- the Prince of Peace was born,
Employ us, while we pray!

He, who till time shall cease,
Will watch that earth, where once, not all in vain,
He died to give us peace, may not disdain
A prayer whose theme is -- peace.

Perhaps ere yet the spring
Hath died into the summer, over all
The land, the peace of His vast love shall fall
Like some protecting wing.

Peace in the quiet dales,
Made rankly fertile by the blood of men;
Peace in the woodland, and the lonely glen,
Peace in the peopled vales!

Peace in the crowded town,
Peace in a thousand fields of waving grain,
Peace in thehighway and the flowery lane,
Peace on the wind-swept down!

Peace on the whirring marts,
Peace, where the scholar thinks, the hunter roams,
Peace, God of Peace! peace, peace, in all our homes,
And peace in all our hearts!

This Christ-given peace points not primarily to an inner contentment, but to peace with an all-just, righteous and holy God, who would condemn all except for His sinless Son's intercession on behalf of all who believe in and trust Him for that forgiveness and peace.

May that true peace be yours this season as we celebrate God's greatest gift to a spiritually dead and darkened world. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12

Rainy Day

2010-11-28T07:14:00.000-08:00

Weekend rain has put a damper on getting any exercise, except for walking through parking lots and to the refigerator for leftovers. The diabetes rate will triple in the next 40 years in America, unless diet and exercise are taken seriously. You think your insurance premiums are high now? Just wait.

Didn't the Roman Empire end this way? Not with a bang, but with a belch?

Double the Fun

2010-11-27T08:35:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving dinner was missing trumpet fanfare but little else as we sat at tables spread to the max with all sorts of traditional scrumptiousness. Robert and Becky hosted our small gathering of family and friends. Partly potluck, the goodies ranged from pecan and honey-glazed brie to Costco tri-tip. Even Angel had fun playing with the kitten and the piano. Not too many pictures taken, but I was having too much fun talking (listening) and eating. God has so abundantly provided, and we thanked Him for it.

I noticed that for the first Thanksgiving celebration in my long history, almost everyone was using an electronic device of some kind or another. Phones, cameras, iPod Touch, computer, even a Canon Selphy printer. It's all about making sure you're entertained during the entertainment, I guess.

Happy Thanksgiving–Old Style

2010-11-21T17:20:00.001-08:00

Let’s switch gears and nudge the nostalgia button. Our great-grandparents probably gave and received Happy Thanksgiving cards just like these. They were from a simpler time that shared a simple message with simple artwork.

Most of these cards picture children. Children with smiles. Children having fun. Children being children. May this Thanksgiving week bring back the wonderful memories of family and friends from bygone years as you make new memories with loved ones this year! May God's riches blessings be yours!

What is Truth?

2010-11-21T07:09:00.001-08:00

Today's sermon provides an unvarnished look at "Truth." Using Paul's second letter to Timothy, he unfolds II Timothy 1:13,14 in simple language, emphasizing the Biblical idea of singular, moral, spiritual and cultural truth. The sermon is entitled: "Retaining Sound Words"

We live in a world where most people invent their own truths based on subjective feelings, cultural norms and peer influence. But Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life." Do you know what that truth is?

Dr. Steven Lawson pastors Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama.

Asking the Questions

2010-11-20T15:06:00.000-08:00

I think my Grandfather Skinner had a love for the sea. Born in San Jose, growing up in Templeton and raising a family in San Luis Obispo, he worked as a delivery truck driver for Union Oil and often traveled to company storage tanks in Avila. He was a member of the San Luis Yacht Club and loved taking us grandkids to the beach.

He died in 1951, long before I'd even think of asking him about his life and what was important to him since I was only 5 years old. What was his favorite song? Where was the best place to fish? Did he read his Bible every day? Did he know the mayor? What was his greatest regret? Would he like to live anywhere else? How did he and grandma meet? What were his memories of serving in WWI?

Have you asked the questions yet?

Universal Off-Color

2010-11-13T16:31:00.000-08:00

With students meandering the sidewalks, skateboarding and walking here and there, the University of the Pacific in Stockton proved to be a great place to capture some fall color --- and a crime perpetrated by local neighborhood skater hoods who loped their merry way through the center of the campus.

Of the half dozen miscreants, one needed a quick hero fix. Spying a freshly poured concrete sidewalk repair, he pulled a quarter out of his pocket and wrote his tag line: BB W$, which probably translates into West Side Bad Boyz or some other inane moniker. He threw the gritty coin into a garbage can nearby, while one of his buds couldn't believe it and started dumpster diving. I got a shot of the graffiti and 'boyz', wondering if I needed to hurry to the car. A girl with a ready phone witnessed it also and called the authorities. Such is our brave new world where there will always be small mob/dare you mentality.

I should mention that most of us, including truly yours, were guilty of the same foolishness when we were young and stupid and needed someone else's approval and praise. And the difference now is . . . ?

Unfinished Symphony

2010-11-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

Many have dubbed former and next governor Jerry Brown's portrait in the state Capitol as an 'unfinished' work. Others say it is the best political portrait of the 20th century. I think it only fitting that he adds a second painting to the wall of governors. Something more realistic and detailed. Something to reveal every wizened wrinkle in his aging face. Something to reflect his hand-wringing trepidation after receiving the admiralty of a sinking ship.

May God direct his every decision and show mercy to us all.

Dark and Dreary - All is Bleary

2010-10-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

This fall's colors are starting to find their way to the front door. The backyard maples and frontyard birches haven't seen any change yet, but the house has been decorated to remind us that nature's glory will soon be seen.

Changes are also seen in the sky as this weekend's storm approaches from the west, blowing north as it plots a path along the coast. We haven't had the predicted rain showers yet (it's 2:43 p.m, Saturday right now), but it has been cloudy all day. Angel is playing with the cat and watching cat videos on the computer. All is quiet on the western front.

A few remnants remain from the summer roses - persistent blooms before the freezing winds and frost. Then it will be time to pull them out and plant another that hasn't been borer infected. I'm just not a rose lover type of guy. At least when it comes to babying them.

Mother Liz and daughter love driving around in the Rabbit.

Halloween is a low-key event here at the homestead. The true bug-eater that she is, Angel has no problem posing as a withered wretch before going to the church's big candy/game/music/fun evening Friday night. Adventure will be her forte as she finally decides on a life course. May God direct her, whatever her decision might be.

We're often caught off-guard in our expressions. We hate having our picture taken because of the few bloopers that caught us with our tongues hanging out, eyes crossed or worse. Here is proof that you can take a bad picture and make it a standout. Just depends on who's judging the contest.

Arroyo Where?

2010-10-25T18:48:00.000-07:00

Here we are in Arroyo Grande, the berg you usually whiz through when traveling north of Santa Barbara on the way to San Luis Obispo. We're visiting an ice cream parlor that lets you experiment with different mixes of ice cream (which is why it's called Doc Bernstein's Ice Cream Lab). Our friends, Tom and Linda are here with us (Linda's taking the picture) after a going to church in Paso Robles together, then zipping over to Morro Bay for lunch, then to Oceano to see the Train Depot (it was the Railroad Festival weekend on the Central Coast).

In this crazy world, friendship is becoming more important. My favorite composer, Edvard Grieg, said, "It is great to have friends when one is young, but indeed it is still more so when you are getting old. When we are young, friends are, like everything else, a matter of course. In the old days [our golden years], we know what it [really] means to have them." And as Selden said, "Old friends are best. King James used to call for his old shoes; they were the easiest for his feet."

Old Familiar Places

2010-10-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Although Dryden said, "All objects lose by too familiar a view," that can't be said about certain places we visit often. As the seasons change and people come and go, the experience changes as well. Our perspective skews a bit. We refocus our line of sight and find new details to give greater definition of the world before us.

We hosted the roaming gnomes, Don and Janet, yesterday by traveling to Sutter Creek. Granddaughter Angel in tow, as well. It was another hot day without much of a breeze. Those miners must have loved working the streams and rivers in the area during the summer as long as they were able to get their feet wet and stay cool. Don and I were boiling while shooting the Knight Foundery and environs. Not much water in the creek at this point anyway.

The girls let their eyes do the walking as they perused the antique/junktique stores and kept in the shade. The boy photogs didn't keep their 40 minute limit agreement, and were soundly trounced in the Ice Cream Emporium upon return from their labors.

Angel felt a bit out of place, which is normal for any ten year-old who is forced to tag along with a group of sexagenarians. At least she is learning that old folks can have a great time and laugh a lot, in spite of their decrepitude, a not-so-small pleasure God has given to the aged among us.

Taking That Risk

2010-09-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

After a Tahoe wedding, Karli and James invited their flatlander friends from the Valley to join them at their reception at the church. This allowed a number of friends to meet this tall, dark and handsome stranger who joined the Bruneel clan.

James is a fellow photographer who enjoyed shooting 4x5 film and making huge enlargements. He almost risked going into business with a large format printer (said he'd only have to sell 60+ prints to pay off the equipment). But providential paths led another direction and he is now managing a lodging establishment in Santa Rosa.

We often fall into life work that we were never specifically trained for, yet it becomes an all-consuming passion. We actually enjoy getting up in the morning and heading toward our rendezvous with hard work and diverse co-workers. We are rewarded for fulfilling our end of the bargain as the necessary cog in the machine.

Work is a God-honoring institution. Adam the gardener knew it. And so did Paul the tentmaker.

Spin Out

2010-09-19T14:17:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, Angel finally spent all of the birthday money given to her in July. A new toy craze is called Beyblade Super Vortex Battle Set, where spinning tops 'fight' in a plastic bowl. The longest spinner is the winner, of course. She and Barb played for over an hour, wringing the last ounce of 'oh, boy, a new toy to play with' out of it. The screaming and yelling reminded me of --- you guessed it! --- Yahtzee!!!! Now there's a game to hate when you aren't hard of hearing and you're playing with the Queen of Scream, Barbara. A nice quiet game of Scrabble is more to my liking, thank you.

As Satchel Paige once asked, "How old would you be if didn't know how old you were?" Some of us are still in the youth category and can muster childlike exuberance automatically. Maybe you're one of this number --- and you're probably a woman --- and you're married to a dull and humdrum of a man who just can't get excited about anything lately. He says it brings on migraine auras when he gets excited. It's a stress thing that he tries to avoid at all costs.

Curmudgeons of the world, UNITE! Maybe I could get excited about joining that group. Doubt it.

All Work . . .

2010-09-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

The enhanced work ritual of body-crushing overtime leads me to this conclusion: bis pueri senes.
Old men are twice children. That primal weakness that required regular naps after hours of play is repeated on the other end of the stick when work replaces playtime. Unfortunately, they don't allow napping during my ten-hour shifts!

Noisy Nostalgia

2010-09-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

The 5th annual Kingdon Airport Drag Races were held last weekend. This is a strip just north of Stockton that was popular for the local boys back in the 50's through the mid-70's, when everyone with a hotrod ran their cars down the 1/4 mile ---LEGALLY! It was a way to get speeding teens to stop racing on public roads. Like that would ever happen!

It was fun going to my first drag race. Hundreds of cars racing each other and over 100 classics lined up for perusal. And hundreds of people there Saturday morning while I was taking pictures. It was loud, smelled of burned rubber and alcohol and all very 'macho.'

Racing in and around Paso Robles when I was a kid was restricted to public roads only. The Atascadero Speedway was for hard-core daredevil guys who didn't mind wrecking their cars, I guess. Country roads were more for the 'don't touch my car - I just polished it' types, like me.

I was never into speed for the thrill of it after I sold my '67 Mustang Fastback in 1971 or so. Been there, done that. Life is short enough without mismanaging second causes.

Thank you, Lord, for preserving me during those years.

Balloons Galore and More

2010-09-05T05:43:00.000-07:00

The beauty of sunrise in the San Joaquin Valley is layered depending on the amount of smog in the air, whether there are clouds over the Sierra Nevada, or whether some man-made art gets in the picture. The hot air balloon lift off yesterday morning in Ripon certainly added to God's touch by painting the sky with bold and lavish colors.

Thankfully, they let the photographing hordes get as close as possible, which proves that these balloon people are extremely long on patience. I only had one of them warn me about stepping on a rope that was a safety hazard.

Shooting these events requires speed, agility and an eye for the bold and beautiful. Throw in the artistic and you're guaranteed some winners. Don't be afraid to zoom in close, shoot from the ground up and expect the unexpected. It will be pretty dark when they start firing up, so you may want to boost your ISO a bit. But remember to lower it as soon as the sun comes up (unless you've got one of those $2500 cameras without any noise at 1600 ISO).

The main thing when shooting is to try to enjoy the moment. Don't get so caught up in the perfect angle and color that you don't relish the noise of the burners, the smell of the propane and the expertise of the balloonists as they coordinate the dozens of volunteers who help them get their balloons off the ground. Talk to people. Be friendly. Smile a lot. Remember, you're not getting paid to do this. Although I did run into Clifford Oto, one of the photographers of the Stockton Record who was there on assignment. You'll see a few pictures of him at work in this series. Clifford has a blog, so he may comment on his visit: Clifford's Blog.

This is a two-day event that includes:

-- Pancake breakfast (with two sausage links, scrambled eggs and juice or milk)
-- Lots of vendor booths
-- National Anthem
-- Tethered balloon rides
-- Two running events
-- Wizard of Oz's 'Dorothy' and Toto
-- Professional kite performances
-- Skydiver show
-- Schaffer Tae Kwon DO demonstration
-- Air George helicopter landing
-- Cannon Acrobatics
-- Yes Company performance
-- Tri-tip lunch
-- Kite show and Candy drop
-- Desert Wind Dancers

And that's all done by 1:00 or so. This is a fund raising event for the Children's Hospital of San Joaquin.

I'll try to be there again next year - and take my rather-be-snoozing wife. She'll thank me in the end!

Okies and Okra

2010-09-02T19:54:00.000-07:00

Just about when you've forgotten you roots, along comes a bag full of okra from a friend, and you figure as long as it's deep fried and breaded you can enjoy it instead of having to pretend to like the greasy, snot-like drippings of having it presented on your plate in a boiled condition like you used to suffer through when visiting relatives in the mid-west or poor folk transplants here in Stockton about 35 years ago when you used to buy bags of groceries for the family that had just a little income and too many kids and lived in a hovel downtown, and that gets me thinking about how far away and long ago that seems and how painful that memory is in more ways than one.

Lord, forgive my ingratitude and selfishness.

Urban Forest

2010-08-29T19:39:00.000-07:00

There is something wonderful about being able to find silence, serenity and simplicity in a city park. Kofu Park in Lodi is a jewel in the city's park system. Huge grass expanses that drape the sides of sunken fields; multiple species of trees lining the crater's rim; a plethora of greens to enjoy --- all add to the pleasure of sitting on a bench under a spacious oak tree where you can breathe deeply and find a retreat from the weekly mayhem.

You won't be alone, most likely. The park is dog and people friendly as well. You will be entertained by canine antics and children rolling down the hills. And if you like baseball or soccer, you will be treated to these at certain seasons.

The city of Lodi will be adding an even bigger park next year. Tree planting will start in March, 2011. It will be a beautiful place in the years to come as those trees mature.

"God has given to us all things richly to enjoy." His creative genius has included a world of trees.

Hanoi Hilton Glory

2010-08-22T06:33:00.000-07:00

The following was written by Air Force Captain, Eugene "Red" McDaniel, whose plane was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967. His experience in the Hanoi Hilton proves both the depravity of man and the grace of God.

"Between the pressure and pain were monotonous gray gaps --- tedious hours of boredom, endless hours of doing nothing but think and wonder and sometimes worry. To combat the mind-numbing dullness, we invented elaborate mental exercises to while away the time. We taxed our ingenuity and mental resourcefulness with mind games, calculations, remembering, construction projects, planning vacations, thinking through adventures and fantasies, reliving history, composing poems --- anything to keep our minds alert and alive.

"On Sunday mornings, we worshiped the Lord together, tapping our clandestine worship through the walls. We found bits and pieces of scripture buried deep inside our minds and shared them with one another --- missing words, missing lines, passages paraphrased. We prayed together, through the walls, then we closed our primitive worship service facing the east, each man in his own cell, toward the Gulf of Tonkin where we knew U.S. Navy ships were waiting offshore, as we pledged our allegiance to our unseen flag.

"We learned to pray for our guards, Spot and Rabbit, Jawbone and Sweetpea, Slug and the others who inflicted such ruthless torture on us. We learned to share our sparse food, to tend another man's wounds, to find and share the courage and strength we needed to meet each day.

"We put together, as best we could, a makeshift copy of the Bible. It could never be called the Living Bible or the King James Bible. We called it the Revised Prison Version. We wrote down all the scripture we could recall on pieces of toilet paper stuck together with glutinous rice. Ink was a problem We tried brick dust and water. We tried blood and water. Finally, we tried cigarette ashes and water, and that worked. The V.C. gave us three cigarettes a day in the good times when they were feeling generous, and we found all kinds of uses for the tobacco . . .

[A few years later in 1969]

"At some point during the seventh night [of torture], I became dimly aware that I wasn't going to make it after all. All the positive thinking, optimism, and hope I had so carefully nurtured from two long years was exhausted. I was going to die. And death would be welcomed.

"As I knelt crumpled on the floor in my own blood and wastes, I found myself yielding control to God. I found myself surrendering my fate to Him unconditionally. There was no more human resolve or pride or tenacity of spirit --- just surrender to Him: 'Lord . . . it's all Yours . . . whatever this means, whatever You have in mind now with all of this, it's all Yours . . . .' God knew my breaking point. He knew exactly when the torture had to stop. And it did stop, at the threshold of death. He had a larger purpose for me. He had spared me at my shootdown. He had graciously allowed me the privilege of serving beside men of great courage --- to help them find strength, and to receive strength from them in turn. He had preserved me through two long years of torture and deprivation. He delivered me that seventh night, as well. Kneeling there, empty before God, I was overwhelmed by the sheer awesomeness of His presence and profound awareness that He was forging a deeper dimension of faith and commitment in my life to glorify Him in the years ahead.

"He was not ready for me to die. He would bring me through four more years of imprisonment, back to my home and family, back from the brink of the grave. He would give me back my health, and I would testify of His power to heal. He would help me to see His divine purpose in allowing me to suffer, and He would use me as an example that others might know of His power and turn to Him for life.

"To my amazement, I was put in a cell with Windy Rivers and Ron Bliss, two outstanding Christians. They didn't recognize me at first because I looked like a specter out of hell. My eyes wee sunken, my skin turning jaundiced, legs pitifully swollen, body caked with scabs and sores, and my hands dangling limply at my sides. But they rallied on my behalf, and lovingly nursed me back to health. They fed me, shaved me, washed my wounded body, and even helped me to relieve myself. Jack Van Loan, another prisoner, massaged my hands for hours on end over several months, slowly bringing back the circulation. During that time, my broken arm finally began to heal.

[After being set free]

"For me, the Vietnam War is not over. It won't end until we bring home those men who were left behind in 1973. The ordeal won't end until my questions about my country's honor are answered. America has forsaken some of her highest ideals: liberty, justice, loyalty, righteousness. It was these ideals that kept me going from day to day in my captivity. They are the ideals that keep me going from day to day now in my search for answers to some deeply disturbing questions about my country.

"I know that God will give unmeasured grace and mercy to those men still held in bondage, just as He ministered to me in the Hanoi Hilton. He has not forsaken those forgotten heroes in their quiet suffering. He shares in their sufferings as He shared in mine. God is in Hanoi, in the jungle camps of Laos, and in the boxcars of the trains that move our men from one location to another so they can never be found. Nothing can separate them from the love of God. He will hold them in the hollow of His hand."

Today, Captain McDaniel is the founder and president of the American Defense Institute and the American Defense Foundation in Washington D.C. Both are committed to preserving a strong national defense of America.

Long Live the Maestro

2010-08-14T18:14:00.000-07:00

My work routine can be extremely boring, which is why most of my team mates listen to personal radios. Since I operate a number of pieces of equipment, there are four of them posited in four different places. All cheap, flea market purchases, if I remember right.

Wearing earplugs all day forces some of us to crank up the volume. Thus, old hard rock blares at the folder and soft rock stirs the soul at the envelope press, while shipping may listen to Christian or sports broadcasts and I listen to Christian, news, talk, smooth jazz, or classical. Hector, one of the pressmen, plugs in his earbuds, so we don't hear his sports news. It must be shocking for a visitor to walk into the finishing department and hear Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor blaring in their right ear and Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze blasting in their left ear.

I ask myself, "Why am I the only one who grooves on Classical music?" Now that's an interesting term, "groovy." It sits on the shelf gathering dust, just like the records that gave it birth. Its current replacement? How about "Oooh, that bytes!" Slang changes --- classical music is here to stay.

There are still classical music radio stations! There are still aisles and aisles of classical CD's in the music stores. People still play orchestral instruments in real life orchestras. Even Stockton, CA, has a symphony orchestra! Composers still compose. Audiences still pay to hear them. They just don't utilize Mosh Pits, jump up and down and scream during the performances. It's not that they aren't emotional. Many movements bring tears and smiles. They save their yelling for the end. Kind of like many of us will do when we die and are freed from the sin and pain of this life as we enter the presence of our Creator and Redeemer.

God is the great composer of history as He "works all things according to the counsel of His own will." His encore will open with the theme, "a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away . . . and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Eternal bravos for ever and ever!

Note: Our three composers above are Edvard Grieg, Ludwig van Beethoven and Henry Purcell.

A Certain Sphinx

2010-08-10T19:42:00.000-07:00

There are a number of Sphinx moths in California, all with different 'first names.' They range in size, shape and color, interestingly, or strangely, as your opinion divines.

I found this guy (or girl) on an iris leaf in the front yard after work. It looked like a dead leaf from 6' away while I was watering. But leaves don't flutter when they get sprinkled, so I took a closer look. It's markings were striking on it's 3" wingspan, and I hurried to get my camera. There was no need: this wasn't a butterfly! This was a half-asleep moth. But it was in the shade and the shots were pretty bad.

After dinner I went out and put it in a jar to identify it using the Internet. It's called an Achemon Sphinx, looking almost identical to the east coast version, the Pandora, which is greenish. The California version is brown, with black (dark brown) spots and pink secondary wings.

After I.D.ing it, I put it on the grape leaves in the back yard to get some better shots. I had to force the main wing out to get the lower wing to show it's pink color. In about 5 minutes, the little guy started fluttering his wings for about a minute, then launched into the air, flying slowly over the grapes on the fence and into (and beyond) the front yard again.

Just then, a small white butterfly scurried around the tomato plants and finally settled on a green tomato. You have to sneak up on butterflies, just like birds and dragonflies. I was only able to get one picture before it skedaddled.

Life is full of unseen beauty, ready to show it off before your very eyes.

Swings and Rainbows

2010-08-07T20:07:00.000-07:00

The mornings are beautiful-
The breeze is cool.
Sprinkler spray drifts across the lawn,
Painting rainbows in the sunlight.

The empty swing is swaying-
I can almost hear the laughter.
I think you can, too.

Maybe there will be swings
And rainbows in heaven.
I think so. Do you?

Providential Mercies

2010-08-01T18:46:00.001-07:00

Our hour at the Micke Grove Zoo south of Lodi was just ending. Angel and Barbara were in the outdoor gift shop looking for that one item that Angel couldn't leave without. I was waiting for them by the pond next to the entrance, watching gall wasps bouncing by the thousands at my feet.

Suddenly a popping that sounded like firecrackers increased to an explosive crack, and a 2 1/2 foot branch from an oak tree came crashing down 15 feet in front of me. It stretched from the park across the street onto the sidewalk, grazing the zoo entrance. One boy was hit from behind while his sister was scratched on her arm. Thankfully, no one was directly under it, or they would have been crushed. The boy was able to walk to the ambulance and seemed to be okay.

The crowd came running immediately after it happened, wanting to help and make sure no one was trapped. The park employees were especially organized and able to keep people away from the precariously hanging branch, care for the young boy and get help directed to the location.

We thank God that no one was killed in this accident. You can see the pictures HERE.

The New Forestation Frontier

2010-07-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

It's the new architecture run amok in the city. They've taken the tree of the tropics and desert and used it as camouflage for a communications towers. Ditto the pine tree, Douglas fir, Italian cypress, and something that looks like a mutant avocado in the new plantings. All versions win a few points for disguising the obvious, but the despised palm tree is the worse choice here in northern California.

I took a picture of this one on Comcast property this morning on my Sunday morning walk. While exhibiting a glaring contrast to the conventional tower array, no one in their right mind will think it's a real palm tree!

The Word of God warns of those who are deceitful, especially those who say they are speaking for God, when really doing the opposite. 2 Corinthians 11:14 declares, "even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." The apostle Paul warns, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." The truth stands on a narrow line.

Be sure you know and understand what the true good news is: You were born under the curse of sin (Genesis 3). You will surely be judged for your sinfulness by a holy God (Romans 1). God graciously interceded on the sinner's behalf to pay the payment of eternal death for all who would trust His Son, Jesus, by faith alone (Ephesians 2). All who believe are adopted as sons and daughters of God, though once His enemies (Romans 5 and 1 John 3). All who believe will enjoy an eternity in God's presence (John 14).

Sounds like pie in the sky to most. But it is more like Jesus in the sky with glory! (Revelation 21)

Hope and Change

2010-07-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

Ten years ago today a little bundle entered the world of order and chaos. Angel Carmel couldn't negotiate the sucking routine and had to tube fed for two months in the hospital. She's wolfed her food ever since and likes to take the biggest mouthfuls possible now. We'll blame those first two months when she probably felt starved! Hopefully, her first boyfriend will end the drama.

Angel is bent toward being normal in a world that is anything but. A bit tomboyish, which will be a plus in a few years. She's a real bone and rock collector now. We'll see what this morphs into as well. A geriatric doctor or nurse would be okay with me.

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

Papa

The Power of Love

2010-07-01T20:34:00.000-07:00

If you don't see any other subtitled movie this year, be sure to rent As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me, a German film based on the true story of Clemens Forell [Cornelius Rost], a criminal prisoner of war in Siberia during and after WWII. An unrelenting will to escape and return to his family takes him on a surprising journey filled with poignant moments and extreme hardships. Great acting, music and emotional drama mitigate the frustration of reading subtitles.

You can rent this movie from Netflix or watch it online.

Your Hidden Heart

2010-06-27T15:50:00.000-07:00

We leave an indelible picture of ourselves when we finally get to leave this failing body behind. It may take various forms -- Frances Havergal's was poetry. But she realized that what others see is only a surface glimpse of a heart fully seen by God alone.

Frances was a prolific poet and decided cheerleader for the Lord whom she loved.

FINIS

by Frances Ridley Havergal
June 18, 1872

I have filled my book,
In odds and ends of time,
With fancies and reveries
And careless scraps of rhyme.

It is,—and yet it is not
A transcript of my soul;
For the passing gleams of light,
And the passing clouds that roll

Like an unwilled photograph,
Have printed their image clear;
And the echo of many a laugh
And of many a sigh is here.

But words are cold, dead things,
And little they tell of the heart,
Or the burning glow
Of the fount below,
Whence the glance and the cheek-flush start

I feel there is more within
Than may lightly be revealed;
What the spirit itself hath but dimly seen
To the pen may well be sealed.

Yes, I have filled my book,
And another will soon begin:
But no venturous guess may say
What shall be traced within!

Shall its songs be all of joy,
Or of deepest and keenest woe?
I dare not anticipate,
And I'm glad that I do not know.

Shall its yet unwritten page
Be filled by my restless hand?
Or shall I be called away
To the shores of the Silent Land?

One thing I would hope and pray,
That its record may brighter shine,
That an onward and upward course
May be traced in every line.

And that some of its words may cheer
Some troubled and weary soul,
Or point as a waymark clear
To the distant yet nearing goal.

Then I shall not begrudge my thoughts
Their robing of careless rhyme;
Or deem them a useless waste
Of the priceless gift of Time.

One Out of Seven Ain't Good Enough

2010-06-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

I use a stock photo website to submit photos for sale. An average sale is about $.50 to $1.00 each. After three or more years I've netted about $48, $18.50 of which I have to wait until it totals another $13.50, I guess. It has been more of an experiment than anything. When I first started uploading pictures, they took anything and everything. At this stage in the game, they've limited submission approvals to a small percentage when it comes to the kind of style I shoot. Only one photo was approved out of seven in my last upload.

I can understand their reticence: their servers are bulging with ridiculous, unsaleable material and they don't want to add more to their hard drives. And with the economy in a downturn, only VERY specific styles of pictures sell well. And I HATE those types of pictures.

So the experiment has ended for me because it takes a LONG time to work a photo to get it just perfect, then upload it, then go through all the hoops (info) they ask for EACH picture. If time is money, then I'm making a few cents per hour, hardly worth the effort.

Oh, the picture you're looking at of the leaf? It was rejected because it wasn't sharp enough.

Fully Set Toward Evil

2010-06-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

The Wild West is alive and well in Stockton, CA. Shootings, muggings, break-ins, murders, rape, you name it. It is so bad, local police officers are putting up signs around town advertising the fact.

Drifting from the moral and spiritual moorings of the past, America is reaping the rewards of a people who have no fear of God. There's a verse in the Book of Ecclesiastes that comments on our condition: "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." (Eccl. 8:11) Many get away with their crimes without being punished and when punishment is exacted, the penalty is inequitable and far less than "an eye for an eye." Crime pays. It's as simple as that.

There is still hope for our great nation, but it doesn't lie in education, jobs, or political parties. New hearts are needed. Hearts filled with a fear of and love for the God who gives life, the God who forgives the evil we do and gives a joy that is unspeakable.

Go Ahead and Park It!

2010-06-10T18:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks to copious private donations, the city of Stockton won't have to spend any money this year to support the summer concert program. The first aired last night in Victory Park as music (and dog) lovers enjoyed the Valley Concert Band at its finest. Great music and a docile crowd (except for the kids) added to the pleasure of listening to classic stuff (old and new) without too much distraction. The kids played in back of the folks, while people strolled with pups and partners here and there. Just bring a chair, a blanket, some friends, something to eat, and listen to the repertoire.

There will be a wide mix of performers, everything from polka to jazz to latin to classical to whatever. Sorry, no rap!

The Lamb of God

2010-06-06T14:11:00.000-07:00

When we lived in Paso Robles on Buena Vista Drive, our neighboring farmer, Mr. Houghton, would let sheep graze his alfalfa field at various times. I took this picture when some curious lambs wandered to the fence line, wondering who this creature was pointing a camera at them. Lambs portray all that is innocent in this world. God planned it that way.

The following is taken from Tabletalk Magazine, June, 2010 publication. The author is Iain D. Campbell, minister of Point Free Church on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. He is also a conference speaker and author.

The Lamb of God

One of the first references to a lamb in the Bible is in connection with the story of Abraham, when God tested him by requiring of him that he offer [his son] Isaac. On the way to the place of sacrifice, Isaac said to his father, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" To which Abraham responded, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." (Gen. 22:7,8).
Throughout the Old Testament, as God revealed His plan of salvation stage by stage, He continued to provide a lamb. When He was to redeem His people from Egypt, God instituted the Passover, and stipulated that "on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb" (Ex. 12:3), which was to be sacrificed and eaten to highlight the substitutionary death that would be the means of releasing Israel from captivity.
When He instituted a sacrificial system that was to be fundamental to Israel's religious life, God stipulated that lambs were to be sacrificed: "two lambs a year old day by day regularly" (Ex. 29:38). When the sheaf offering was given to the Lord at harvest time, God said, "On the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb a year old without blemish as a burnt offering to the Lord" (Lev. 23:12). Fifty days later at Pentecost, Israel was to offer "seven lambs a year old without blemish, and one bull from the herd and two rams. They shall be a burnt offering to the LORD" (v. 18). Throughout the Old Testament period, the blood of lambs stained Israel's altars, part of the elaborate ritual that showed the seriousness with which God took sin, as well as the way in which He was to deal with it.
Yet there was an inadequacy to each sacrifice offered in the Old Testament, an inadequacy evident in the fact that each sacrifice had to be repeated. The Mosaic law could never "by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near" (Heb. 10:1). God had to provide a better lamb, one whose sacrifice would end all sacrifices and whose blood would deal finally with sin. The answer to Isaac's question, "where is the lamb?" is ultimately answered by John the Baptist as he points to Jesus and says, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). The story of Jesus could almost be regarded as an elaboration of the promise in which Abraham said more than he knew: "God will provide for himself the lamb."
This theme runs through the New Testament. In presenting the good news to the Ethiopian eunuch, Philip the Evangelist expounds the reference in Isaiah 53:7 to Jesus: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth" (Acts 8:32. Paul encourages the Christians in Corinth to discipline themselves to holiness because "Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (I Cor. 5:7). And Peter reminds us that we have been redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot" (I Peter 1:19).
But it is John the apostle, in the book of Revelation, who really answers Isaac's question for us and shows us the glory of the Lamb of God's provision. The Lamb stands before the throne and among the elders who worship Him and who sing, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" (Rev. 5:6-12). It is this Lamb who opens the seals of God's infallible counsel (Rev. 6:1) and pours His wrath on an unbelieving world (v. 16). It is this Lamb who gathers His blood-washed redeemed (7:9) and shepherds them to the glory-fountains of heaven (7:14). It is this Lamb who enables His people to triumph (12:11) and whose Book contains the names of those who will finally be saved (13:8; 21:27).
Where is the Lamb of God's provision? He is in heaven's highest throne, where He receives His bride (Rev. 19:6-9). He is heaven's temple (21:22) and heaven's lamp (21:23). There, in that glory, His people worship Him (22:3). God has provided a Lamb for Himself. God is the Lamb of His own providing.
At the center of the drama of redemption is a Lamb, prepared to be offered, dying so that others will live, bearing away the sins of a people whom God determines to save. We are like sheep going astray (Isaiah 53:6); yet the one sheep, the Lamb, which never went astray, God is going to make into a sacrifice. And He will do this in order that straying sheep might be recovered and their sins removed forever. The Lamb of God will be treated as if He had never been holy, so that the lost sheep He came to save will be treated as if they had never sinned. [emphasis mine]
The biblical image of Jesus the Lamb of God is not just a convenient illustration: it brings us to the very essence and heart of the gospel, where the God-man is held accountable for the law-breaking of sinners, dies as their substitute, and provides a way of salvation through His own shed blood. That is the only gospel the Bible knows: the good news of a Christ, dead at Calvary for the salvation of sinners. God has indeed provided for Himself a Lamb for a burnt offering. Come, see the place where the Lamb lay!

The Silent Refugee

2010-06-04T20:29:00.000-07:00

Barb and I were invited to a neighbor's high school graduation party this evening across the street. Tons of food - a mix of Vietnamese and American. We've watched young Khoi Nguyen grow up, living under the roof of his grandparents and aunt and uncle. A smart kid, ready to go to Sacramento State after the summer break and major in Engineering. Wants to be an air traffic controller.

They had set up tables for about 35 people or more in the garage and on the driveway. The breeze had just picked up and the weather was beautiful. Our other neighbors joined in awhile. We two couples were the only white Americans attending. A dozen or more kids were jumping in the jumpy thingy. Tran had bought flowers and made her own arrangements for each of four tables. Just beautiful.

We sat with graduate Khoi and his cousin, Dino (who is finishing his second year of college in SoCal). We cajoled, encouraged, preached, and prodded. Khoi's hobby is a Honda. No girlfriend is in the picture. He'll live with another aunt and uncle in Sacramento. He's shy and has a wonderful smile and deep voice.

We also talked at length to another uncle (I think) who works for the City of L.A. The man is driven. Escaped Viet Nam with his family when only 14 or so. He has no reservations about telling those who have a welfare mentality to get over it and get to work, to get an education and contribute, to learn English and be a true American, and to come to this country legally.

He also talked about the other boat people and those who stayed, saying that for every one who escaped, one was executed who stayed. Then he started talking about "grandpa," the old man who lives in the house across the street. Grandpa is shy and talks very little. His English is hard to follow, so I hadn't talked much with him over the past 15 or so years he's been living here. But we learned that he is a math tutor, loves math, still studies math books all the time to keep up with his teaching. But we also learned that he was in President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu's cabinet before the country fell to the communists.

I did a quick look-see online when we came home and found this picture of him. It's not dated, but it looks like a reunion picture taken in the 90's.

Some of us could write a book.

Look, Ma! No Fear!

2010-05-28T21:11:00.000-07:00

There's just something about boyhood challenges and conquests. There is a little Teddy Roosevelt (who exclaimed what fun it was to charge up San Juan Hill and almost get killed) in most boys. They have a romance with danger. Blind to consequential pain and possible death, they charge into the dragon-filled abyss with abandoned excitement.

It is proof of God's existence, His mercy and watchcare that any of us survived.

Memorial Day

2010-05-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in your family history lay the remains of fallen, wounded, imprisoned, or unscathed soldiers --- but now all buried and forgotten, most of them anyway. Ours is the most thankless of any American generation. Lord, have mercy on the ignorant and grant a thankful spirit for the freedoms we hold in our country.

Back to Buckley

2010-05-15T18:12:00.000-07:00

I was hoping to get a few more shots of the Deep Water Channel again this morning before having to work in yard. Got there at 7:30 and left after 9:00. I was thankful for everyone's willingness to visit a bit. Patrick walks his 13 year-old dog, Oreo, here every day. Oreo has a degenerative joint problem and still is faithful in following his master even with the pain. The vet told Patrick it was congenital and there was nothing that could be done about it. The daily exercise is to prevent complete rigor mortis, I guess. Poor pup!

Lots of birds out compared to last Saturday. An osprey flew overhead while I was talking to Patrick. Salt and pepper raptor. A hummingbird let me get within 8' of it while it was warming up for the day. Wow! Saw my first grackle. It's strange, crackling calls give it away. It was being pestered by a red-winged blackbird who was protecting his chicks, I assume.

God's creation includes the best of beauty and ingenuity - all for the purpose of glorifying Him.

Peace Lily

2010-05-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

Off camera flash adds the unusual to the equation. Dare I say, 'weird and unreal?' Single light sources, including sunlight, can add unwanted or unusual shadows. For this shot, I placed the flash in back of the lily and colored the background in Photoshop.

This is a picture Angel took of Jack while I was holding the flash at different angles. She is getting more comfortable with focusing and composing, learning that patience and persistence are key.

Innocence Lost

2010-05-09T19:05:00.000-07:00

Science has now learned what thousands of years of motherhood discovered long ago: Kids aren't moral blank slates, written upon by externals alone, but come into this world as a moral decision makers, ready to exact vengeance as soon as possible.

So reports the Telegraph.co.uk.

A Shockwork Orange

2010-05-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

A Shockwork Orange

This color orange -
Yellow-wedded red;
Pumpkin skinned pastel;
Ignobly born
And little worn.

Sometimes redneck shocking;
Mid 60's model-frocking;
Cadillac's laughter, mocking;
Indespensible in green-grassed palettes;
Irresistible in Van Gogh's guise;
Primitive, but proud enough to play
That perfect part which God has chosen.

There's a reason it has no rhyme.

Wordydave - 2005

T.R.'s View of Certain Immigrants

2010-05-02T18:26:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting read from 1911:

THE AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY - VOLUME X - PUBLISHED: NEW YORK NY 225 FIFTH AVENUE BY THE SOCIETY - 1911

THE IRISH ELEMENT IN AMERICA - An Address by Ellen Ryan Jolly

About 150,000 men of Irish birth and descent were engaged in the Union armies during the Civil War. The first shot fired in that war was by an Irishman Patrick Gibbons at Fort Sumter. The first officer to reach Little Round Top [Battle of Gettysburg] was Col. Patrick O’Rourke, who fell at the head of his regiment. One of the first officers to raise the Union flag in Virginia was the gallant Michael Corcoran. The record of Phil Sheridan, son of Irish parents, is so well known that it needs no mention here. The Irish Brigade at Gettysburg under the gallant Col. Kelly made a charge on Pickett's men the flower of the Southland. Never was a greater struggle. The flag of Ireland was carried that day by the Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and there they stood a bleeding, fighting, struggling mass never yielding an inch until Hancock came to their relief, and like an avalanche swept the confederates from the field.

The 116th Penn. Regiment [my g-g-grandfather's regiment] also carried the Irish Flag under Gen. St. Clare Mulholland. In that war the flag of Ireland was carried by the 69th of NY, the 63rd NY, the 9th Mass., the 83rd New York, the 28th Mass, the 35th Ind., the 69th Penn., 116th Penn., the 23rd, 111th, and the 10th Ohio, and never did the green and gold of Ireland wave beside the starry emblem of this nation whose cradle we rocked but it brought forth curses from the brave fellows on the other side who knew that where that green flag waved stood brave men who did not know how to show their backs to any foe. From east to west the sons of Ireland poured into the armies of the nation.

In the history of our country the Irish have produced governors, senators, and representatives and judges and mayors galore. In statesmanship, in finance, in law and medicine, in educational matters, in science and engineering and construction, in business and athletics, everywhere and in every path of life the Irish element in our citizenship has attained eminence. Theodore Roosevelt has publicly proclaimed that the people who have come to this country from Ireland have contributed to the stock of our common citizenship qualities, which are essential to the welfare of every great nation. “They are a masterful race of rugged character,” he says, “a race the qualities of whose womanhood have become proverbial, while its men have the essential indispensable virtues of working hard in times of peace and fighting hard in times of war.”

The Irish of the present day are still marked by these sterling qualities. They love Ireland with a child's devotion to a tender mother, and they love America with the kind of love which makes them ready to offer their lives in the hour of danger which God grant may be far distant. I will close by expressing the wish of every true Irish Heart. God save Ireland, and God bless the United States.

Invisible Reality

2010-05-01T13:36:00.001-07:00

This double-vision glitch taken this week reminds me of that hidden portion of our lives. There is an outward reality, the world of physical senses. But there is also that inward, 'around-ward,' spiritual reality that we can't see or sense with our innate being. More real and certainly timeless, the Bible makes it clear that we are blind this invisible realm due to our fallen nature --- that universal bent of being that long ago disowned God, truth, and righteousness and traded them for self worship, lies, and sinfulness.

Jesus told a man he "must be born again [or from above, or spiritually] to enter [and see] the kingdom of God" (John 3). The Apostle Paul tells us all are born spiritually dead (Ephesians 2). God must awaken us to truth and true spirituality. We cannot see Him in a relational way until a conversion takes place, a new heart is given to us, and we are adopted into His family by faith.

By contrast, most other world religions deny any breach of relationship with the Creator. People are born innocent, perfectly able to obey God and earn their "salvation," however they define it. They view Christianity as a weak man's religion, one that depends on God for faith and obedience and salvation. They deny the reality that sin and sinfulness deserve God's extreme wrath because of His perfect holiness, teaching that if our goodness outweighs our badness, God will overlook the bad. This is not what Jesus taught, nor His disciples. If it were true, His death on a cross to pay for sin has no meaning.

Thank God for His mercy and grace in giving us what we were blind to and could not deserve. We say with the Apostle John, "What manner of love is this: that we should be called the children of God!" (I John 3)

Finger Friends

2010-04-28T18:16:00.000-07:00

We drove halfway down Electra Road last Saturday, scouting the hillside for wildflowers and other interesting attractions. Rafters on the river side of us received oohs and aahs from the peanut gallery while I found a few places to pull off the narrow road and do some hunting.

I let Angel use my old point-and-shoot. She's not yet to the "Wow! What a beautiful flower" stage at 9 years old, but she certainly can appreciate a beautiful bug - beetles in this instance. I showed her how to use the macro mode and away she went, trying her best to capture the little critters. This is the only picture that wasn't too blurry, and it is the best of the day in my opinion (including all the ones I took!).

Her camera was soon in my back pocket, then given to Barb after I pointed out a little creek filled with mica schist, milky quartz, basalt and other treasures. She's more rock hound than photog, still exploring all the options. Barb took this picture of her holding a few pounds of quartz (I think).

You can see more of this trip here: Gold Country Afternoon

Spring Promise

2010-04-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

Finally! The promise of spring has been fulfilled TODAY as Californians get their fingernails dirty doing yard work before the next rains arrive. Days like today make all of the hard work worthwhile. The grass will never be more lush and God paid the water bill. A few new flowers grace the birch trees. The poppies collections are still blazing in the backyard. And here I sit (after tackling the great outdoors) at this stodgy computer, processing pictures, updating the PR-USA.com page, reading and answering email, listening to Barbara clip and thunk the pieces of another puzzle, and not wanting to take on my next project: climbing up on the roof to cover a few more holes between the shingles! Ha!

The Stockton Record paid both granddaughter Angel and me tribute by publishing a few of our pictures in the paper. This was Angel's first attempt at taking 'real' photos with my Nikon DSLR at Oak Grove Regional Park after she attended the "Bug Fest" at the Nature Center. She's a point and shooter with an eye for simplicity at this stage, but I'm trying to get her headed in the right direction re: composition, exposure and focal length. Hey, at 9 years old, she's way ahead of me in those departments. I was still on the receiving end of picture taking at 9 years old. And film was expensive.

Today, the digital revolution will spawn a younger-than-ever generation of photographers who will capture the fleeting moments of their world with greater expertise than ever. One man's opinion.

In case you missed it (previous post), you can see all of these photos taken by Angel at: Angel's DSLR Debut. Mine can be linked from my main page.

Color Shift and DNA

2010-04-11T15:42:00.000-07:00

"Magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together," is a chorus from the Book of Psalms. From micro to macro, creation gives ample reasons to praise and extol Him who spoke the worlds into existence and perfectly placed our little orb the perfect distance from the sun to sustain life and created its prerequisite molecular structure to insure variety and order and calculated its grandly designed ecological balance to preserve and propagate living organisms and crowned it with conscious beings like you and me.

Sorry, Mr. Evolutionist, but DNA in even the simplest cell forbids any eons-long, chance-riddled, non-intelligent force credit for its existence. Ex nihilo, nihil fit, let alone the lowly amoeba.

Let's Eat Worms!

2010-04-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

Angel is your typical tree-hugging 4th grader, happy in the tall grass and tick-infested woodlands. She likes all things insect except spiders and will even eat a worm if given the chance.

I took her to the annual Bug Fest at Oak Grove Regional Park yesterday where she got some hands on education about critters. Hundreds of kids watched bug races, netted insects for identification, perused the Nature Center, heard presentations on a number of related subjects and had a chance to eat millworms (drenched in chocolate, of course).

We were overwhelmed with the hoards of kids and parents (and grandparents), all flowing through a diminutive Nature Center filled with stuffed animals, snakes, lizards, turtles, Indian displays, and other indicators of San Joaquin Valley life and history. Angel was fascinated by the model skulls and bones of little animals and deer and a pelican beak which you could handle. Collecting skeletal remains aren't my hobby, thankfully.

There is a full series of these park pictures here: Bug Fest Pictures And you can see Angel's park pictures here: Photog Angel.

Veni, Vidi, Vice Versa

2010-04-06T19:04:00.000-07:00

Stanford's shocking first half is now being countered by Connecticut in the second half. 44-31 right now reflects UConn's ability to reverse its mindset under extreme pressure - an ability we should all be blessed with. But alas! How weak and pessimistic and deflated most of us are when confronting the monster.

Ol' Jack lays there, completely oblivious to the reality of competition and being on the losing team. His kingly lifestyle robs him of all sense of poverty and pain.

Game over - UConn wins. Stanford will soon be flying home with nothing to be ashamed of. They came, they saw and they almost conquered.

Springing Bouquet

2010-04-03T20:05:00.000-07:00

We were invited to a neighbor's birthday party today where we knew exactly zero guests. I took my camera and willingness to make a new friend or two. The latitude of personalities at a gathering is always pretty wide. Sports fans (the two Final Four games were hosted in the living room), kid fans (talk a lot about their kids), shopping fans (here the conversation steers to what new store is being built and where), family scuttlebutt fans (where you hear stuff you probably shouldn't hear), and food fans (most everyone fits this category).

Then there are the kids, who like to herd it here and there, usually outside on the swingset or on their scooters, or just chase each other around. They don't mind staying out of the way of overbearing adults who spoil their fun as often as possible. I cornered all seven of them for a few willingly posed pictures.

It isn't hard to understand why portraits of the younger set are so much better than those of their parents. They have yet to lose that freedom to act naturally and feel overly self-conscious. And the more heads in the picture, the better the poses. They're still in the show-off stage of life.

God has so blessed parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents with these little ones. What an awesome responsibility we have to raise them with all the love, instruction, truth, godliness and prayer that we can, especially in a world as wicked as this.

God help us!

Crucified, Buried and Raised From the Grave

2010-04-02T20:02:00.000-07:00

Mark 15:24-47

And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. And the inscription of His accusation was written above:
THE KING OF THE JEWS.
With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'And He was numbered with the transgressors." [Isaiah 53:9]
And those who passed by blasphemed Him wagging their heads and saying, 'Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!'
Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, 'He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross that we may see and believe.'
Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour [3 p.m.]. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' which is translated, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'
Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, 'Look, He is calling for Elijah!' Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, 'Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.'
And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.
Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, 'Truly this Man was the Son of God!'
There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.
Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

Mark 16:1-15

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, 'Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?' But when they looked up, they saw that a stone had been rolled away -- for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
But he said to them, 'Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples -- and Peter -- that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.'
So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, as they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature . . . '

***************************************

Knight's Ferry Wildflowers

2010-03-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

We traveled to Knight's Ferry to see the Civil War re-enactors' event yesterday with our friends, Don and Janet. We also were privileged to see a flower show just east of the covered bridge. Don and I hiked hither and yon past massive boulders to scout out the best views, taking flower pictures on the way.

We were rewarded with a group of drunk and crazy cliff jumpers during our little adventure and are glad to report there was no bloodshedding or brains bashing while we took pictures of them!

You can link to this gallery by clicking on the 'Gallery' while mousing over the slideshow.

Rare Oldies

2010-03-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

There are old pictures that I took 20 years ago . . . and then there are OLD pictures that were taken decades ago, before I could press a shutter. Here is a young Larry with his cousin Ginnie.

I had a girlfriend in college who was accused of robbing the cradle. She was a junior when I was a freshman. Royalynn caught Okie when he was about 10 years younger than she was, I think.

Monte was everybody's favorite little kid and he was shown off a lot around the family circuit. Here's Grandma Grace, Royalynn, Judie and Grandpa Jesse admiring the perfect boy!

Bob Anderson was the quintessential good guy, his own man and the best barber in the family.

The Foxes and Skinners only saw each other in San Luis Obispo when visiting the grandparents. 30 miles was a long way away in those days.

God's Handwriting

2010-03-15T19:18:00.000-07:00

I am finally convinced today that spring has arrived with a furor in my backyard. The green is accented with orange, pink and golden honey bees. Thank you, Lord, for a glimpse of all that is beautiful in You, the Glory of Holiness and creator of creation's elegance. "In wisdom, you have created it all." Ps. 104:24 Emerson said, "Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing."

And as seasonal beauty reflects the fleeting nature of life, whether flower or face, all will perish. The glow of youth will be traded for wizened senescence, and life will return to dust.

This Sunday is Resurrection Sunday, a day to celebrate the sure and certain hope that the end of this life is only the beginning of the next as Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 15. It is historical truth, attested by personal witnesses (up to 500 at one time), martyrdom and a changed world.

I'd encourage you to attend a church this Lord's Day and hear what great things God has done.

Hatchery Wackery

2010-03-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

After a thirty-six year hiatus, Barb and I decided to revisit the local fish hatchery on Hwy. 88 a few miles east of Clements, CA. This is right below Commanche Dam on the Mokolumne River, where we enjoyed a church baptism event and picnic in 1975 or so. This is also the spot where thousands start a river tubing or raft trip down the river.

Angel was with us, so the adventure began. Beautiful spring-like weather. Not too many people out. We didn't see any caretakers or docents and you could take a self-guided tour of the place to see the hatchery, fish ladders and race tanks. And there was also a few gates (it's all fenced) that led to the river, where you could picnic, throw rocks and enjoy the kingfishers darting up and down the waterway.

Angel is a rockhound and spent most of her time picking up and examining anything that grabbed her fancy. Barbara chaperoned while I went on my merry way downstream at the water's edge to take pictures. Nothing spectacular, but we had a fun time . . . until we started back to the hatchery.

They lock the two gates to the paths to the river at 2:30 and my watch said 3:00. A 6' fence prevented us from getting back to the car and it looked like we were in a pickle.

I climbed the fence, leaving my camera with Angel, and ran/traipsed back to the hatchery to find someone to help. No one in the office. The door was locked. No one out working. A few families were still there, looking at the race holding runs. I went and retrieved an Army blanket from the car in case Barb would have to scale the razor sharp fence. Walking back, I checked the "Personnel Only" door to the hatchery building. Thankfully it was open and a lone caretaker was there, spraying brooms he had used to clean up with. I presented our plight and he said he'd be down to open the gate when he was done working in about 5 minutes. Great.

I walked back to find Barb wondering how this was going to play out. She saw the blanket and asked what it was for. "This is for you to sleep on tonight, sweetie." She wasn't amused.

The two prisoners were soon released and headed back to the car. Our next visit will be in the morning and we'll read ALL the signs.

You can see the rest of the pictures here.

Sun Drunk

2010-02-28T16:33:00.000-08:00

The backyard weeds are announcing the arrival of an early spring with all gusto. They won't mind next week's rain in the least and will imbibe to their drunken fill.

There is some personal pity on the chemical death of these brave and hearty characters. A little. Not too much. They have their chance. They're survivors whether I kill them or not. God made them tough and they have a reputation to preserve.

Jack doesn't like his picture taken. I try to pose him, and like all good cats he doesn't understand --- because like all good cats, he is pretty stupid and disobedient. The best cat pictures are when they are in the house sleeping. He's a beautiful kitty, actually, hardly any trouble, except when he throws up all over stuff outside and inside. Always been sickly, this one.

There is such variety in creation. And why not: the God of creation is infinite in power and wisdom. We can expect no less. And when we think of all the plant and animal species that have disappeared, our jaw drops twice as far!

"O, LORD, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." Psalm 104:24

You can see this series here: a;dlkfjda;dlkfjaldkfj;asld

Shutter Sloshing

2010-02-27T10:59:00.000-08:00

A pre-sunset break in the clouds found me fumbling for my camera and heading for the backyard rainbow captures. Rainbow drama is pretty rare around here. I was caught in a bad place at a good time, though, so there was nothing spectacular to report. It was just fun sloshing around the yard trying to find the best vantage points to use in framing.

This neighbor's dead maple tree offered the the greatest contrast and unusual perspective of the bunch. Trying not to include rooftops, I angled the view and zoomed to eliminate them. The bow isn't really over the top of the tree, but to the right, but, hey, art has a certain freedom of expression I like to use.

The front yard picture of our local crow population coming in to roost for the night had the other end of the rainbow in back of them. Here, I used my 55-200mm zoom and a house pillar to stabilize the shot (had to toss three or four others that were more out-of-focus, even with lens stabilization).

Overall, it was a another short experience worth capturing for my collection of short experiences. Sure beats sitting at the computer and writing about it!

Trees I Love To Hate

2010-02-25T18:31:00.000-08:00

It's all about indigenous and non-indigenous. It's like opening a zoo in Minnesota that features animals from Africa and India. It's like snow boarding in Los Angeles or crocodile hunting in Anchorage.

Enter the lowly palm tree, of which there are over two thousand kinds, but only two basic types are commonly known, the date palm and the coconut palm. Two-thirds of these specimens grow in the tropics, even though some have been planted in northern England. This is one hardy plant.

However, and that's a capitalized 'however,' planting a date palm that grows 100' high anywhere north of San Luis Obispo, California, borders on insanity. They look completely out of place in colder climates.

Granted, we plant non-indigenous trees here and there that can still fit the landscape and are marked with a sense of compositional attraction, like redwoods in the Central Valley or mimosa in the Santa Clara Valley. But to stick a giant, tousle-topped toothpick of a palm tree in the cool climes of northern California is just plain unnatural (sic).

Thanks to my friend, Don Dahl, for this photo he couldn't resist taking, since his dislike for palm trees only equals mine. Like he says, "There's nothing wrong with a palm tree that a chainsaw won't fix." Photo taken on an unkown street in the tropical paradise of San Mateo, California.

Weathered Windchimes

2010-02-21T19:05:00.000-08:00

I took this windchime down a month ago or more. Just too much noise outside during all of these winter storms marching through the valley. Attention all inventors! Design a windchime that turns off at night so you can sleep --- please. And while you're at it, design some sort of non-toxic, non-allergenic, non-habit forming, non-irritable, non-alcoholic, and non-fattening pill so we can sleep through the night without waking up everytime we turn over, everytime we have to hit the bathroom and everytime we have a bad dream. And speaking of dreams, it would be great if you could eliminate them all together. I don't need to be reminded of my insanity, depravity, and fears. Another pill for those would be much appreciated.

Pink is good.
Even on dark
And dreary days,
The plum and almond blossoms
Make me smile.

Little Pigeon Creek Baptist Church

2010-02-18T18:56:00.000-08:00

Abraham Lincoln's family moved from the Little Mount Separate Baptist Church in Kentucky to Indiana in 1821, the same year a new church building was erected in Pigeon Creek. Abe's father, Thomas, and mother, Nancy, were strict hyper-Calvinists, as were 20% of all American Baptists of the day. This eccentric branch of the Baptist churches (called Primitive and Hard Shell) emphasized the sovereignty of God to such a degree, that freewill was denied. Although they didn't hold to fatalism, they believed that the course of history, and therefore, the actions of men were divinely superintended to fulfil a predetermined end. There was little, if any, evangelism. They believed the elect would be saved apart from preaching the gospel to the lost.

Young Abe's church attendance was sporadic as he grew older, but there is little doubt about his religious education. When his mother died and a new matriarch replaced her, morality and godliness were lived to the fullest in his home. Hypocrisy was foreign. Life reflected a spiritual perspective in all that happened.

Lincoln never claimed to be a Baptist, or Separatist, or any affiliation for that matter. But he always held to the philosophy of "Necessity," which he defined as fate. History was set in stone. God was in control. But he sometimes questioned critical events (e.g. Civil War) with "why?" He believed he was on the political stage in obedience to God's decree.

I'm relating this information after learning that my g-g-g-grandfather preached to Lincoln in the Little Pigeon Creek Baptist Church, among other preachers. Thomas Sumner, born in 1780 was a hyper-Calvinist! That is amazing to me --- not so amazing to God who "works all things after the counsel of His own will." He was most likely a fire-breathing, greatly animated sort of fellow.

I wonder what he thought about the young, lanky, show-offish, and bookish Abraham Lincoln.

Blazing Worship

2010-02-15T20:15:00.000-08:00

Olympiad - quadrennial craze
Of winter - perennial daze
Of frozen lovers, blazing
worshipers of ice and snow.

Rumors of melting are swarming -
As the gospel of global warming
Spreads unholy, glacial terror
Around the world.

Keep those TIVO's rolling -
All that's ice will soon be roiling -
Let's pray we're not all boiling
While we watch old tapes of toiling
Boarders, skiers, and ice skaters strolling.

Wearing a Museum Piece

2010-02-10T17:43:00.000-08:00

Angel is sporting her g-great-uncle's 1950's vintage military jacket that I keep in the trunk of the car for emergencies. Saturday's overcast/rain/wind/cold demanded more warmth than her flimsy shirt could give, so while we were waiting for the Haggin Museum to open for a children's art show, she bundled up in it. Oldie, mouldy can be warm and huggy, too.

Poor girl hadn't heard about this event at her school. Either it involved only select classes, or she wasn't listening when they announced it, or it was a teacher option to choose the most promising students. She wants to enter next year, of course, having drooled over a number of pieces of 'modern' sculpture and ceramics.

Sometimes (maybe most of the time) we miss great opportunities. Keep those eyes and ears open. Your greatest work of art may be helping someone else or finishing that job your spouse mentioned a long time ago.