Growing up, I thought the ball players who could hit baseballs out of the ballpark were the coolest people ever. I’m still fascinated today.
On Sunday, I came across this old, falling apart baseball while hiking near my house. The city ball park is near my house but I am more inclined to believe a dog brought this ball to its final resting place.
It helped remind me that baseball (and softball) season is finally approaching. Hopefully, I’ll be able to attend my first-ever St. Louis Cardinals game this year.
La Nina’s presence is definitely being felt. Lately, the weather has been unpredictable with 60-degree weather one day, followed by snow the next. I’ve loved the warmer winter — I hate being cold — but I’m ready for a more steady climate.
The local high school fountain.Cedar WaxwingDark-eyed JuncoEastern MeadlowlarkCedar Waxwing
It’s been gorgeous weather for the most part this week. The temperatures are in the 60s, the sun is shining and the first flowers are blooming. What’s not to love — well, excluding the mosquitoes now biting me?
Here’s 5 reasons this week was so interesting:
1. There’s storm chasers, then there’s us — damage chasers.
A rainbow appears after the storm.
A severe thunderstorm passed through Arkansas County on Wednesday causing power outages to more than 1,000 people. There was not a lot of damage but there were a few accidents including a tractor trailer blown off the road. My co-worker and I teamed up (she drove since I hate to and I took pictures) to get damage pictures.
We first headed to take pictures of the tractor trailer and fallen power lines on a nearby busy highway. However, we got stuck in traffic.We eventually snapped a picture with our long lens and tried to take a short cut. However, we barely made it through one flooded section of the gravel road before we saw the above. We turned around.
This skunk apparently didn't like the flooded gravel road either. We saw him scurrying away as well.We snapped a picture of this busy Entergy worker.Finally, we had this amazing view to our right as we headed back to the office with the rainbow on our left. Not a bad way to end our storm damage trip.
2. Salvaging airplanes
A former Southwest commercial airplane is dismantled.
For work, I visited a local business on Tuesday to snap pictures of the last stage in their work. The company is a parts distribution company that dismantles commercial aircrafts at the end of their life cycle before repairing and reselling the parts. The stripped plane is then sold for recycling. On Tuesday, the recycling company was in town to tear the stripped plane into smaller pieces. Why is destruction so fascinating?
In this photo, Southwest pilots land a commercial plane in 2011. The plane was one of the three taken apart on Tuesday.One plane nearly complete with two left to go.
3. Watching the sun set.
Ducks rest near Stuttgart as the sun sets in late January.A red-tailed hawk flies high in the sky.
4. Blooming flowers.
One of my favorite times in the year is when the flowers begin blooming.
5. Photographing new birds.
Belted KingfisherCommon GrackleOK, I've already crossed Snow Geese off my bird list but these coupling birds were too cute.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney
On Sunday, my congregation was tasked with one simple assignment — to start the new year being a better person. It’s never to late to live up to our dreams and expectations — we just might get a later start then we meant too.
It really struck a nerve with me, especially since the visiting priest was able to phrase the message in a witty, down-to-earth sermon. It reminded me of who I always dreamed of being and had me thinking of how I had drifted from this ideal persona.
I would like to be thought of as kind, approachable and truthful. I want to be known for my morals and to be able to give whenever I can. It’s easy to be a ditzy blonde, which is a generalization that can sometimes be said about me. So, this year I am going to work on being more knowledgeable, less gossipy and more helpful to others in need. Continue reading “A better me”
A Red-Tailed Hawk soars through the sky on the last day of 2011.
2011 ended and 2012 began with a bang. I was able to scratch off more birds off my list of those to see with the help of my family to identify some of the birds I saw. I’m slowly learning that identifying the birds I take pictures of is the hardest part of my new hobby. Hopefully, it’ll get easier as time goes by. Still, feel free to correct me if I do misidentify a bird.
An American Robin perches on a branch near my house on Dec. 30.American Coots swim away from the road in a flooded field on Dec. 31. It's a frequent sight when I head to Wynne to visit family.A Northern Cardinal hops around gathering food beside House Sparrows near my back door this morning.A snow goose, Mallard duck and American Coots swim around my uncle's pond in Jonesboro on Jan. 1.
I brought my camera outside with me on Halloween night since the birds were making a ruckus that night. I decided I would bother taking a picture if a bird or two landed right in front of me.
European Starling
Well, a Northern Mockingbird did. An European Starling also landed on some telephone wires near me, which I considered was acceptable to photograph as well.
I have to admit, it’s tough identifying the birds, but its also exhilarating when I finally do figure out the names. Of course, I have to get a second opinion on my tentative discovery, but so far I’ve correctly identified the birds.
A picture is worth 1,000 words. For me, a picture helps to correctly identify what I see. I have a horrible memory so it helps having something to go back to refresh my mind.
Yesterday, I was sitting on on my back steps when this wasp fell in the leaves beside me. He kept trying to climb up on a leaf which would then tilt over knocking him to the ground.
I spent this evening trying to identify him. I think I have him identified as a red paper wasp (Polistes carolina). I’m still checking to make sure, but what do you think?
I bought my first set of fine china in high school at a local antique shop. It was the Marywood pattern (2181) in the Noritake Contemporary Fine China, which has a blue floral band with a platinum trim (see above).
My purchase included a set of four and I immediately fell in love with the pattern. The pattern, which was sold between 1971 and 1996, was already discontinued when I made my purchase. However, I’m still looking at ways to purchase more.
Even if I can’t find more, the pattern is still one of my favorites and its great to now be able to use them in my own home.
I previously worked as a news and sports photographer. Recently I have been enjoying wildlife photography. My approach toward bird photos is similar to sports photography. I attempt to capture mostly action and hopefully a unique perspective.
Memos for Me 