walking out

  

whatever I say should have some bearing

does it matter now

my thoughts in line, scattered, oppressed

ideas seem to flow when I let them

is there control here, out there

can you relate when you crucify

will I transform them to fit your dream

though I sit and watch mine fly

altered mood

my own zone

the breathing just got easier 

He has been here

 

Solitude has been my best friend through life. 

 It has not disappointed me.  It comes to me when in great need,

and it leaves when ready.   It's never desperate for changing,

but vanishes when asked.  It won't argue, nor judge.

Solitude can leave me smiling.  It is never lonely. 

It's having a chance while starving for compliance. 

Have I said too much?....

 

The more you push me down, the more I press on. 

The more you insist, the less there will be to give. 

Handle my love with care and everything will be yours to hold.

The easiest thing in the world to be is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don't let them put you in that position.
-- Leo Buscaglia

It is easiest to be myself. As others look and make their perception based on what they see, almost always something new comes to pass that makes them question. How easy it is to make assumptions. We clarify if only for our self, the road that is sometimes lonely yet sometimes needed, how to go on. Lots of people talking, few of them know.

 

 

 

     that's me in the corner                                  

     trying to find my way out                                  

     learning that I can't see where

 

     consider this

 

     the world stays still

     in everything that I know, believe, act

 

     consider again

 

     the spin in my head

     in just about every dream

     comes tumbling down

Abundance

If we possessed every virtue, but lacked humility, those virtues would be without root and would not last. -- St. Vincent de Paul

At times, I take a step back and look around me. I see things that I never dreamed of when young, and the sense of luck and fortune enters my mind. I step back in another direction and know everything I imagined has indeed showed it's face. And yet stepping back for another view, I see that the simple things have stayed the same for me.
The world and it's beauty that have always showed the path for my outlook, shines. Yesterday, I smiled when seeing that my flowers overtook this statue that has been adorned with color since my childhood. It is the same smile of those early years, the same beauty of color, the same statue. In abundance? Definitely.

My garden bursting into Life

 

I've been taking pictures of butterflies the past week while in my garden.  These insects have been fluttering around minding their own business while I stand in wonder looking at their perfect beauty.  So light and airy, they bring my garden into a life of it's own. 

 I see them as extraordinary in their own right, peaceful in our midst. 

Watch me shine

Sitting in wait

Looking beyond

While beautifully placed

Freely smiling

On the grounds of just being

It breaks thru the silence

Speaking loudly

Seasons change

But watch me shine

If only for now

For tomorrow, I've yet to endure

Kelly's flip

I will have to say that Kelly's first time in my kayak was an experience for her. :) As I was putting her in the boat, I kept hearing her say "I can't do this!". I just laughed and told her "just do it!". Little did I know that as soon as I turned my back, she was in the water. As I jumped in to make sure she exited the boat, I saw her on her back laughing and saying "I told you so!". She didn't want to get back in, but she tried again. After being more patient this time, she did well and enjoyed a little paddle in the cove. She proceeded the next day to venture out more into the lake with me. It was a fun time. :)

High Museum of Art, Atlanta

NEW PHOTOGRAPHY

Taryn Simon

 

 

Ron Williamson

A former baseball player, he served 10 years of a death sentence for a murder he did not commit.

There is always something new to learn after visiting the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.    The other day was no exception.  The new exhibition on display consisted of 4 contemporary photography artists.  The one in particular that stood out to me were the works of Taryn Simon, a New York City-based artist.  One of her projects called Nonfiction,  included photographs documenting international regions in turmoil.   The pictures were very interesting, though sad of the destruction.  The other series that stopped me in my tracks were The Innocents.  They were photos of men  wrongfully convicted, imprisoned, and then subsequently freed from death row.   The primary case of wrongful convictions were mistaken identification.  They were exonerated through the use of DNA evidence.  This series of photos were taken at the scene of misidentification.    Each one was bold in their look of emotion and left me wondering of the path they went getting to that point.  I plan on getting the book containing all the photos and reading the stories behind it.  I thought it interesting.

 

Butterflies

The butterfly is a flying flower. The flower, a tethered butterfly.

- Ecouchard Le Brun

What is more graceful than a flower? A butterfly of course. :) On this particular day, I had two of those beautiful insects land on my hand. I watched them closely, admiring their beauty. It made me think of all the pictures of butterflies I took in my garden looking through a lens. On this particular day, I just watched it sitting there at close range. I think it was saying, "just look in the moment before life passes by".

Thompson Weinman Dam

Obstacles/Rapids:

Mile 3.5 - Thompson Weinman Dam - This lowhead dam poses a serious, dangerous threat if you go over it. There are no buoys to mark the dam so unless you know it is there, it is very easy to paddle right up to it's lip without realizing you are about to go over a 20- foot drop. After going beneath the Ga 293 bridge, keep to the left bank. Safety boats will direct you to the portage path. A TRIP OVER THIS DAM (RE:WATERFALL) COULD BE FATAL.

The above message was on our map for June 28th of the Paddle Georgia Trip. As I was preparing that morning for the 18 mile paddle, I read this paragraph on our map for the day. Needless to say, I was a little apprehensive, but sure that we would find this place and get around it becaue we were with 300 other people that day. We did just that and took pictures in front of it after we portaged around the dam. But I'm still thinking about that place 2 weeks later and keep wondering why there are not any buoys or warning signs posted in that area. Yes, we were fine because we were aware of it, but what about someone just getting out for the day and paddling this part of the river? I have found a web site for the Etowah River and plan on posing that question. We had caution signs along the river at different times for sediments and debris in the water, why not a sign for this dam??

May angels lead you in

So what would you think of me now,
so lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that,
now I'll never have a chance.

Sometimes one just knows. While up in Pittsburgh last week for the family reunion, I noticed my cousin watching me and looking like he wanted to talk. I had spoke to him earlier about basic family catching up, but this was different. I felt he wanted to discuss something we had both experienced. I was correct with my instinct. I finally saw the opportunity to approach him as he sat in a lounge chair with an empty chair next to him. As soon as I sat down he started talking. I just smiled and was ready. I had been waiting to talk with him about this for a long time. He had lost his only brother, as I had lost my only sister . Him and I are the same age and both our siblings were two years older than us. We both have a remaining sibling, but I always wanted to know his inner thoughts of losing his brother that was so close to him growing up as my sister was to me. There was a connection that I knew he would understand. As we sat there, it seemed as if we finally shared something that was needed for both of us. It was time.

And if you were with me tonight,
I'd sing to you just one more time.
A song for a heart so big,
God wouldn't let it live.

May angels lead you in

Artist: Jimmy Eat World Lyrics
Song: Hear You Me

Paddle Georgia 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Dan and I just returned from our week long trip down the Etowah River.  This was a project of Georgia River Network.  It was 120 miles total of 7 days on the river.  We camped each night and kept moving from the Dawson State Forest to downtown Rome Georgia where the Etowah meets the Oostanaula to form the Coosa River.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this picture, Dan and his friends left their kayaks to swim in the cool waters of the river.  What fun they had going over the shoals!  It was amazing to see how quickly friends were made on this trip.  Each wanted the other to finish the 120 miles of hard work paddling in rain, intense heat and strainers that filled the river the first few days.   

 

 

Here we are the last day on the water after going over quite a rapid before Lock and Dam Park in Rome.  As you can see we are smiling.  The week had gone fast and I for one didn't want it to end.  My thought was continue on down the River to Mobile and into the Gulf!  I guess I'll have to save that trip for another time.  :)

Come back Kelly!!! :)

"I can't wait to tell you guys about the whole trip! the only thing standing in my way is about 16 more days and an ELEVEN HOUR FLIGHT home. (ps...no one told me it would take longer to get back....yipes!) " Kelly 6-14-06

Kelly has been studying abroad in Italy since May and I am missing her. The group of 35 students, along with their professors from Emory, have been moving from city to city every few days with the Italian studies program. In general, they will have participated in 270 tours to towns/sites when it's all said and done. According to the school, this is "an academic ‘outward bound’ program engaging faculty and student participants in a discovery of Italy and of one’s self. " I will have to say that from her calls and emails, she definitely is discovering herself along the way.

I can't wait to see her! I look forward to the many pictures and the stories that she will have of her journey when she comes home the first of July.

I can't wait to see you Kelly!! :)

State Finals

 

We had a great time at the state tournament a week ago.   I have been waiting to post the team picture on here but  haven't received that yet.    Our team did really well and won 4 out of 5 matches.  We ended up tied for 1st in our group.  Our team had one set more than the other  1st place team and we couldn't move on to the next phase.  I assume we will try to be there again next year. 

Overall, the weekend was a lot of fun.  We had nice dinners in the evening and good conversation along the way.  It was an experience that we all will remember.  :)

Tennis anyone?

Winning at tennis was excellent, but character off the court is more important. J. L. Atlanta Journal Constitution May 9, 2006

Today our USTA team is heading to Macon GA for the weekend to the state tournament. Should prove exciting, fun and maybe play some good tennis along the way! We have been waiting since last August when we won our division to head to this tournament to show our stuff. Hopefully we will come back with having a good time being there as a team and watching those who excel give us inspiration.

CRBI Canoe-a-thon, Race and Environmental Fair

This past Saturday was the 6th annual Coosa River Basin Initiative's Canoe-a-thon, Race and Environmental Fair in Rome, Georgia. The Canoe-a-thon and the race were 13 miles on the Oostanaula River. It was nice to see over 120 people participate in this event to raise money for the River. Dan had a great time participating in the adult kayak group and took 3rd in that event! He was only a minute behind the first and second place winners who were in their late 20's. I would say for a 12 year old, he did excellent. Dave and I took first in the mixed tandem canoe category while our friends in this picture both took first in the men's single canoe and women's single kayak.

The day was beautiful, sunny and full of nice people to talk with after the race. Along with that, it was nice to know that money was being raised to keep the river maintained.

Let the river flow. :)

Tommorrow

"When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you."
-Lao-Tzu

I think we all need to be ourselves in this life we have. Valuable time can be wasted when we compete with others in things that shouldn't matter as much. I tend to follow my own way in areas that are important to me. Sometimes this raises eyebrows, sometimes not. We all have the ability to choose, but at times stand still in which direction to take.

When I falter, I raise.

When I doubt, I regroup.

If I compare, I lose sight.

Tomorrow, I will start over.