Teachers are pretty awesome. Okay, I'll admit I didn't think that so much when I was in school either; especially when they assigned all that homework. But as a parent and an adult that lives in the real world now, I see that they were and are still pretty awesome.
This morning I learned about something the retail chain, Big Lots is doing to show their appreciation to teachers. They are having their Teacher Appreciation Day. Teachers can receive 10% off during their special day at Big Lots. Here are more details on how you can save at Big Lots today if you are a teacher
Betterphoto
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The unwelcomed guest
Back in July, we took a family camping trip to Mt Pisgah. It was the first time we had camped at the campground up there. It is a really nice campground and we will be camping there again.
When we go camping we like to go hiking and enjoy the beautiful world that the Lord has given us. Time out in nature is a true pleasure for me. I could easily live deep in the woods. Of course you would have to come visit me to hear these stories rather than just read them on this blog.
One afternoon we decided to stop in at the Cradle of Forestry just north of Looking Glass Falls. We had went by there many times in the past, but had never stopped to see what all was there.
In 1898, the Biltmore Forestry School was opened and in 1968 it became a historical site. The site is impressive. Being true to their history, there is an informative and fun educational building that is designed to teach not only about trees and animals that live in the forests, but also about the products that we use every day that come from the woods. Did you know that crayons come from the forest?
The Cradle of Forestry also has two trails you can take. The site closes at 5 and we got there later in the afternoon, so we only had time to take one of the trails. We selected the Biltmore Campus trail that shows how life at the school was back in the late 1800's.
We do a lot of hiking and have hiked many trails, but I will tell you this was a very nice, easy paved trail that would be a wonderful journey into the woods and back in time for anyone. Just plan on getting there earlier in the day than we did so you can enjoy both of the trails. In fact hats off to the Forestry Service and the Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association for how well maintained the whole site was.
We had just really started on the trail and was enjoying the old buildings and learning more about life back when the forestry school was in session. We made it to the second stop and went through the old ranger's house.
After we left the ranger's house we headed up the slight incline towards the next stop. There was a steep drop off to our left and a rock wall to our right. The width of the path was all there was between them.
As we made our way up the hill, Dwayne was a step ahead closest to the drop off. Sarah was in the middle and I was right at the wall. Dwayne got slightly ahead of us, because I was actually touching the wall and commenting on how much I would love to have it. It came about chest high on me and would be awesome to use in portrait sessions.
Just as I finished saying that I wanted that wall, the whole woods erupted into the most distinct noise. Dwayne reached back and started pushing us back. I grabbed for Sarah to pull her back and started back tracking myself.
We had came up a gate keeper and he was not a happy camper. We knew it was a rattlesnake, but I had no clue where he was. I have been attacked by a wild turkey and a raccoon an have came across wild boar before while out in the woods, but not knowing where this snake was made me a little uncomfortable.
Dwayne said when he heard him start rattling that he saw something black on top of the rock wall (yeah the one I was wanting so bad - still do, just without the snake) go up the hill. The snake stopped rattling. We took another step closer and he started right back instantly.
I finally saw his rattle, but he was so dark to the eye that I could not see his head at all. I finally did when he stuck his tongue out.
Being the photographer I really wanted to get an image of this snake. BUT as luck would have it I only had my widest angle lens with me. Call me chicken all you want, but I was not going to get as close as I needed to in order to get the image I really wanted. If I would have had my long lens.... yeah I know starting to sound like a fishing tell.
I titled this post The unwelcomed guest, but the snake was not the unwelcomed guest. We were. We were visitors in his home. Now I don't care for snakes, but I have learned to respect them and understand their importance. I still don't like them. But we were intruding on his property and we were the one that did not belong.
During the whole experience, we kept our distance. We did not harass him in any manner; well other than actually walking up on him and disturbing his nap on the rock wall. We weren't real happy about that either.
We did not stay long; letting him have his territory. We turned around and went the other way on the loop for a little while talking about how big he was and the warning signs posted about rattlesnakes being in the campground. We also talked about of all the trails we have been on, we come across our first rattlesnake in the wild on probably the best maintained one we have ever been on.
We will have to finish the loop another day. Hopefully without meeting the gatekeeper again.
When we go camping we like to go hiking and enjoy the beautiful world that the Lord has given us. Time out in nature is a true pleasure for me. I could easily live deep in the woods. Of course you would have to come visit me to hear these stories rather than just read them on this blog.
One afternoon we decided to stop in at the Cradle of Forestry just north of Looking Glass Falls. We had went by there many times in the past, but had never stopped to see what all was there.
 |
| The kitchen inside the ranger's house. |
In 1898, the Biltmore Forestry School was opened and in 1968 it became a historical site. The site is impressive. Being true to their history, there is an informative and fun educational building that is designed to teach not only about trees and animals that live in the forests, but also about the products that we use every day that come from the woods. Did you know that crayons come from the forest?
The Cradle of Forestry also has two trails you can take. The site closes at 5 and we got there later in the afternoon, so we only had time to take one of the trails. We selected the Biltmore Campus trail that shows how life at the school was back in the late 1800's.
We do a lot of hiking and have hiked many trails, but I will tell you this was a very nice, easy paved trail that would be a wonderful journey into the woods and back in time for anyone. Just plan on getting there earlier in the day than we did so you can enjoy both of the trails. In fact hats off to the Forestry Service and the Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association for how well maintained the whole site was.
We had just really started on the trail and was enjoying the old buildings and learning more about life back when the forestry school was in session. We made it to the second stop and went through the old ranger's house.
After we left the ranger's house we headed up the slight incline towards the next stop. There was a steep drop off to our left and a rock wall to our right. The width of the path was all there was between them.
As we made our way up the hill, Dwayne was a step ahead closest to the drop off. Sarah was in the middle and I was right at the wall. Dwayne got slightly ahead of us, because I was actually touching the wall and commenting on how much I would love to have it. It came about chest high on me and would be awesome to use in portrait sessions.
Just as I finished saying that I wanted that wall, the whole woods erupted into the most distinct noise. Dwayne reached back and started pushing us back. I grabbed for Sarah to pull her back and started back tracking myself.
 |
| This is the full frame of the snake. Sorry, I wasn't getting any closer. |
Dwayne said when he heard him start rattling that he saw something black on top of the rock wall (yeah the one I was wanting so bad - still do, just without the snake) go up the hill. The snake stopped rattling. We took another step closer and he started right back instantly.
I finally saw his rattle, but he was so dark to the eye that I could not see his head at all. I finally did when he stuck his tongue out.
Being the photographer I really wanted to get an image of this snake. BUT as luck would have it I only had my widest angle lens with me. Call me chicken all you want, but I was not going to get as close as I needed to in order to get the image I really wanted. If I would have had my long lens.... yeah I know starting to sound like a fishing tell.
I titled this post The unwelcomed guest, but the snake was not the unwelcomed guest. We were. We were visitors in his home. Now I don't care for snakes, but I have learned to respect them and understand their importance. I still don't like them. But we were intruding on his property and we were the one that did not belong.
 |
| Crop in of the image above of the timber rattler. His head is on his tale. |
We did not stay long; letting him have his territory. We turned around and went the other way on the loop for a little while talking about how big he was and the warning signs posted about rattlesnakes being in the campground. We also talked about of all the trails we have been on, we come across our first rattlesnake in the wild on probably the best maintained one we have ever been on.
We will have to finish the loop another day. Hopefully without meeting the gatekeeper again.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Help our school
I'll have to be honest and say, I don't have $500,000 to give to Sarah's school. As bad as the school needs it and I would like to give it to them, I don't have it. Do any of you?
Fortunately, there is something we can do. We can all vote on Kohl's Cares for George Hildebrand Elementary School. Each of us can give up to 5 votes for Sarah's school.
We have an up-hill battle against much larger schools, but I know we can do it. I am not asking for GH to be #1 in votes, 20th will be just fine. I wrote an article on how this works and it includes a link to be able to vote for GH.
GH does need your help. Many of the families in the community do not even have computers in their home. Many more have no internet access. Since this is an online voting contest, that makes it hard for many of the parents to vote for their kid's school.
Kohl's is a favorite store of mine to shop. They have the clothes I like in the size I can wear. Plus, the staff is usually very friendly. Thanks Kohl's for doing this. And no I am not getting anything from them for saying that.
I appreciate your help with this.
Fortunately, there is something we can do. We can all vote on Kohl's Cares for George Hildebrand Elementary School. Each of us can give up to 5 votes for Sarah's school.
We have an up-hill battle against much larger schools, but I know we can do it. I am not asking for GH to be #1 in votes, 20th will be just fine. I wrote an article on how this works and it includes a link to be able to vote for GH.
GH does need your help. Many of the families in the community do not even have computers in their home. Many more have no internet access. Since this is an online voting contest, that makes it hard for many of the parents to vote for their kid's school.
Kohl's is a favorite store of mine to shop. They have the clothes I like in the size I can wear. Plus, the staff is usually very friendly. Thanks Kohl's for doing this. And no I am not getting anything from them for saying that.
I appreciate your help with this.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Charlotte got beat bad
Some will blame Mathis for this defeat, but it ultimately boiled down to those in Charlotte not voting. Thanks to McAlister's, ten cities are winners.
Longview defeats Charlotte to become Tea Town USA
The 2010 McAlister's Deli Tea Town USA challenge s over and the winner is Longview, Texas. Longiew defeatedthe second place vote getter Charlotte, North Carolina in what turned out to be a heated contest.
Find out how Charlotte is still a winner in this contest.
Longview defeats Charlotte to become Tea Town USA
The 2010 McAlister's Deli Tea Town USA challenge s over and the winner is Longview, Texas. Longiew defeatedthe second place vote getter Charlotte, North Carolina in what turned out to be a heated contest.
Find out how Charlotte is still a winner in this contest.
Vote for your favorite park
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| Upper Falls at Linville Falls off of the Blue Ridge Parkway |
Parks in running for $100,000 grant from Coca-Cola
Almost 50 parks in North Carolina are in the running to win a $100,000 grant from Coca-Cola. The Coca-Cola Live Positively "Vote for Your Favorite Park" contest allows Americans to support their favorite park and help the park win the money at the same time.
Read more of the article about the contest and how you can participate to help out your favorite park.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The tea just got sweeterr
McAlister’s Deli’s Free Tea Day just got sweeter
On July 29th at every McAlister’s Delis nationwide is Free Tea Day. Not only will patrons be able to receive a free glass of the tea that McAlister’s is famous for, but they will be able to help out a good cause as well.
see how you can get a free glass of tea
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Charlotte in battle over tea
Battle for Tea Town USA
The battle between Charlotte, North Carolina and Longview, Texas to be named Tea Town USA is heating up with only one day left. Voting ends for the contest being held by McAlister’s Deli on July 29th.
read more about this friendly battle
The battle between Charlotte, North Carolina and Longview, Texas to be named Tea Town USA is heating up with only one day left. Voting ends for the contest being held by McAlister’s Deli on July 29th.
read more about this friendly battle
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Local farmers market provides options without the work
A summer delight is fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the garden. For some people, that means working the land ad growing their own fruits and vegetables until they are just perfect for the picking Local farmers markets provide the same opportunity of selecting fresh fruits and vegetables that are just right for those that do not grow their own and even those that do without all of the dirty work.read more about the Hildebran Farmers Market
Monday, July 26, 2010
School in hunt for school supplies
read more...
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Photos that are out of this world
As a professional photographer I love looking at incredible photographs. One of the few sites I visit on a daily basis provides me with images that are often out of the world. It is the NASA Image of the Day page.
I am a big fan of NASA and the images they post on there are simply out of this world. I often set out on my deck at night and look up at the stars and just wonder what amazements awaits up there. NASA's images feed my curiosity. Like this one of the Seagull nebula as seen in this infrared mosaic from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer known as WISE.
Would that not be cool to see in person? The ones I love to see the most are the ones that the astronauts create while in space. They just fascinate me. We have a beautiful world that we live on and I love exploring it and creating images of its beauty. The view from up there is well... out of this world.
You can see Earth in this self-portrait of astronaut Garrett Reisman during a spacewalk. What you actually are seeing is the reflection of Earth and part of the space station in his visor.
My Canon photography friends are going to love me, but something else that is neat is that the astronauts use Nikon equipment while up in space just like I do here on Earth. I have known this for a while, but a recent article by NPR shared some new images from the new Nikon D3s that recently just arrived to the space station. I can say that even though I may never get to create images from outer space like you see from NASA, their images simply inspire me.
Each morning I check the new image of the day from NASA and I await the next shuttle launch. Which is scheduled for November 1st. Each night I look up into the night sky and dream of photos that are out of this world.
I am a big fan of NASA and the images they post on there are simply out of this world. I often set out on my deck at night and look up at the stars and just wonder what amazements awaits up there. NASA's images feed my curiosity. Like this one of the Seagull nebula as seen in this infrared mosaic from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer known as WISE.
 | |
| Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA |
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| Image Credit: NASA |
My Canon photography friends are going to love me, but something else that is neat is that the astronauts use Nikon equipment while up in space just like I do here on Earth. I have known this for a while, but a recent article by NPR shared some new images from the new Nikon D3s that recently just arrived to the space station. I can say that even though I may never get to create images from outer space like you see from NASA, their images simply inspire me.
Each morning I check the new image of the day from NASA and I await the next shuttle launch. Which is scheduled for November 1st. Each night I look up into the night sky and dream of photos that are out of this world.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Listen to the weatherman
This summer has been hot! No doubt about it. With the heat we have definitely had some rough thunderstorms. Each time the weather comes on the news and it is one of those days where storms are popping up everywhere; the weatherman always say to seek shelter when one of these storms arrive, but not under a tree.
A tree will provide some protection from the rain and keep us some what dry; right? So why should we listen to the weatherman? Here is why.
For almost a week, we had some sever thunderstorms each day. Last Tuesday we were all in the living room during one of these storms when we heard a streak of lightning. It was clear it hit something close by, but we were not sure what it had hit. The next day we found out what it hit.
The tree has multiple split all the way up and down the trunk. Bark was blown off a good twenty feet. The big crack you see here is large enough for me to slide my hand into it. If someone would have been near this tree at that moment, it would not have been good.
According to the National Weather Service, there has already been 16 lightning fatalities in 2010. North Carolina is tied with Wyoming for the second largest number of lightning fatalities so far in 2010 with two. Georgia is number one with three.
So when a storm is approaching, listen to the weatherman; seek shelter inside and definitely not under a tree.
A tree will provide some protection from the rain and keep us some what dry; right? So why should we listen to the weatherman? Here is why.
For almost a week, we had some sever thunderstorms each day. Last Tuesday we were all in the living room during one of these storms when we heard a streak of lightning. It was clear it hit something close by, but we were not sure what it had hit. The next day we found out what it hit.
The tree has multiple split all the way up and down the trunk. Bark was blown off a good twenty feet. The big crack you see here is large enough for me to slide my hand into it. If someone would have been near this tree at that moment, it would not have been good.
According to the National Weather Service, there has already been 16 lightning fatalities in 2010. North Carolina is tied with Wyoming for the second largest number of lightning fatalities so far in 2010 with two. Georgia is number one with three.
So when a storm is approaching, listen to the weatherman; seek shelter inside and definitely not under a tree.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Just a thought - airplanes
You can say I love adventure.
So it is really no surprise that the idea of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane just for the adventure makes sense to me.
Now if you jump out of a perfectly good plane just for the adventure and you are the only one on board...
Well, then you wouldn't be using that plane anymore.
Just a thought...
So it is really no surprise that the idea of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane just for the adventure makes sense to me.
Now if you jump out of a perfectly good plane just for the adventure and you are the only one on board...
Well, then you wouldn't be using that plane anymore.
Just a thought...
Sunday, July 4, 2010
One Nation Under God - In God We Trust
It is July 4th; our nation's birthday. I have spent the day as most of you, spending time with my family and cooking out. It has been a great day.
But I will admit I did spend some time today thinking about our country. We are lucky to live in the USA. We have freedoms and opportunities that most in this world cannot even dream of.
Yes, I know that things have been tough the past couple of years. But still, we are a lot better off than any other country.
Still, I am troubled by some things going on in our country. Our country was founded on Christian principles, by God fearing people. God has blessed our country over the centuries.
Now it seems that our country is trying to move further away from God. First, it was taking prayer out of schools and we have seen how well that has worked. There is more violence in school than ever before and school systems are having to layoff teachers because they do not have the funding necessary. Yet we have the money for special projects that benefit only the select few and not our future.
Lately, there is a movement to take the words "In God We Trust" off of our money and the words "one nation under God" from our pledge of allegiance. We are one nation under God and we had better put our trust in God or our country is going to be in even worst shape than it is currently in.
We must fight to protect our nation's heritage and our rights as God fearing Americans; like those that built this great nation.
Only the first two verses of our nation's anthem are commonly known; take a look at the last verse:
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us as a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
May God Bless America!
Google's Rube Goldberg 4th of July celebration
read more
Welcome to the porch swing
Welcome to the porch swing. This is where we can sit awhile and share some stories and talk about what is going on in the world.
I grew up spending many hours sitting on the porch swing with my Granny talking and enjoying the time together.
I a mom, wife, professional photographer and writer, as well as a servant to the Lord. I care about those around me and hope to make the world a better place. Occasionally, I have something to say.
Feel free to join me here on the porch swing any time.
I grew up spending many hours sitting on the porch swing with my Granny talking and enjoying the time together.
I a mom, wife, professional photographer and writer, as well as a servant to the Lord. I care about those around me and hope to make the world a better place. Occasionally, I have something to say.
Feel free to join me here on the porch swing any time.
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