Y’all Come Again Ya Hear? On Topaz Tuesday

While us girls were rockin’ in Ocean City last weekend, my boys were in Martinsville at a NASCAR race.

They asked me if I wanted to go and though I can think of much better ways to spend a weekend than with a bunch of guys watching cars go around a track so I politely declined and they put no more effort into convincing me. They hopped in the car and didn’t look back.

I don’t have good memories of NASCAR races anyway. I went to a few while we lived in Phoenix and it was – well – torture. And the last time the boys were at a NASCAR race, I almost died here at home. I know I have a penchant for hyperbole, but I’m deadly serious about that one.

I did watch the end of the race on television yesterday knowing that my boys were there and having the time of their lives. The husband texted me, “100 laps to go, good times!”

I wrote back, “I hope kyle b doesn’t beat jeff g!” Jeff Gordon is my favorite race car driver even though I don’t normally watch racing, I can pick his car out from a crowd any day.

The end was actually really exciting. I was yelling for Jeff from my kitchen.

The boy kept sending me photos and the quality of the photos from his phone was amazing. The files, of course, were smaller. I went to look at the properties but there weren’t any settings to show you. I was impressed with the wide angle shots. I converted this to HDR (still having fun with that Topaz Adjust) because it’s Tuesday!

I thought this subject matter was perfect for this type editing. That’s all I’m gonna say about that.

Here’s another wide angle. His phone is pretty impressive. There must have been a crash. It’s why all those guys are there isn’t it? I’m kidding so please don’t write me about that comment.

Guess where I’m going next for spring break? First person who guess right (and who I haven’t already told) will get a beautiful surprise.

p.s. I stole(d) the title from my friend Bob…please check out his site and play along with him on Topaz Tuesday! Hi Bob.

March 30, Celestial Dew

Life In The Suburban Fast Lane

Miss Yvonne and I ran into each other this weekend while we were walking our dogs. As we walked together we wondered how long it had been since we had last seen each other. She lives right across the street but our lives are so busy and take such different paths that we hardly ever just “run” into each other.

Here she is running away from me to retrieve something she dropped.

Actually the last time we saw each other was at bunco a few weeks ago. It reinforced the point that unless we make a point to see each other that we would pass our neighbors like strangers in the night.

And while we make it a point to get together once a month, when we do get together, we realize that even in that a short a period, we have missed some major happenings.

Things like job loss. We’re laughing here, but not about that.

And like moving away to Texas when you thought you’ve moved for the last time and bought your home last year.

All the things you hear in the news, about normal people suffering…a note to our elected officials, it’s real life you’re messing with busters.

It’s out of my system now.

Neighbor Kaishia had a story for us…

Before I tell you about it, I wanted to say that I loved her dress. She came right from work and had on this retro designed dress that was just really pretty.

And when she had the flowered wrapped gift in her hands, the patterns were overwhelming and I became really dizzy.

Okay…Neighbor Alonzo (husband of) was driving out of our little subdivision and was stopped by a police man and questioned thoroughly about who he was, where he lived and why he was driving an Audi.

Neighbor Alonzo replied that he lived in the neighborhood, that he was a lawyer and was a on the Governor’s board of military advisors (among other prestigious boards), and yes, it was his car.

After producing all the documents that backed up his story, the policeman then told Neighbor Alonzo that he was speeding and that’s why he was stopped.

But he never gave him a ticket.

Now Neighbor Alonzo is a very laid-backed guy, but the one thing I love about Neighbor Kaishia is her animated hot blooded I’m-not-taking-it personality. I love it because it’s so American, and ummm…I was once told I was of a similar disposition.

That policeman should be happy that he stopped Neighbor Alonzo and not Neighbor Kaishia. He was one lucky troooper.

So that’s what happening here in our quiet little slice of America. Cheerio.

March 29, Untitled

I noticed the tattoos on this boy’s arms but didn’t know what they were until I reviewed my photos.

I won’t editorialize, I’ll just say that I’m starting to like his music.

This is my entry for this week’s iHeartfaces photo contest. The theme is Dramatic B&W.

Round II

So I’m still recovering from two weeks ago when I was exposed to this band called Hawk Nelson.

And amongst the screaming and booming speakers, this young man with the weird hat came out to the center of the crowd and said, “You need to get off the fence. You can decide to live for Christ or not. But it’s time we got of the fence and made up our minds.”

Because of that, I’m here in Ocean City, MD, far from home with three teenage girls who begged to go see them again.

How could I say no?

Photos are for SOOC Saturday. Posted on Spiritual Sunday.

I should have brought ear plugs…I never learn. By the way, it’s a good think I didn’t come to Ocean City to go to the beach. It’s 42 degrees…

March 26, Hopping Ranunculus

This is of no photographic value what-so-ever…

but it’s photo-journalistic value is to show you how a boy keeps himself occupied during an equestrian meet.

Aperture – f/5.6
Shutter – 1/500 sec
Focal length – 300 mm

See the focal length? I took this photo without having to leave my chair. Have a hopping weekend.

There’s Something About Ella

I first wanted to thank you for coming by at the beginning of the week only to see horse bottoms.

Here’s another one.

There’s just something about girls and their horses that just makes me sigh. It’s like extra sweetness on the lemon meringue slice of life.

It makes getting up at 4:00 am tolerable. Almost…somewhat…kind of. I was actually up since 1 am, worrying that I wouldn’t get up at 4 am so not much sleep for the equestrian mom that day.

The barn dads showed up around 10:30. But he did make the sandwiches so I’m giving him lots of grace.

The girls took so much tender care with their horses, I was so touched. It was pure and raw love.

Just look at that. How sweet is it?

Do you remember Ella, the difficult horse that the girl only started riding a little while ago? She was another reason why the equestrian mom was up all night.

Well she was a doll. She was a dear. She was perfect.

Well…she was perfect except when she broke in the first class, bucked in the second class and then peed like – well – a race horse in the finale for at least three minutes while everyone else was getting judged.

Come on’ Ella, can’t you just hold it for five minutes? Gees.

Other than that, she was perfect.

She did get her leg massaged by the girl before the meet. Ella has a large gash from a barbed wire fence on her leg. It happened a long while ago but it was quite ugly. I really think this girl is going to be a vet. Or a cowgirl.

Even with all the work, the girls took time to play.

And there were special times like this. That little Afton is adorable. And I have a photo of her horse Mighty peeing as well which I won’t show because well, Mighty is a boy.

So we all survived another glorious season of girls, horses, competition, life and manure.

The “Fun Meet” comes next month. This one is competition just for fun. The girls will ride their favorite horses and race against each other, jump as high as they can, and leap on and off the horse.

Oh my, I see more sleeplessness in my near future.

Posted on…

Hosted by Cecily

March 25, Coming Soon…April Showers

Loving Thursdays…

Texture – SkeletalMess
Fresh & Colorful Action – The Fantastic Pioneer Woman
Define & Sharpen Action – by the same Fantastic Pioneer Woman
Burnt Out Action – Get Totally Rad
Photo – Lil’ ole me in the rain, on my knees, on the wet ground.

I can’t remember the opacities…sorry.

I used my long lens so I can get some great bokeh…I’ll have to tell you about my long lens next week. It’s the cat’s meow.

March 24, Corner View ~ National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC

at night, in HDR…

 Happy Typical Architecture Wednesday.

Just have a happy Wednesday…

Properly Coiffed

As I sit here in my running clothes and unwashed hair, I think…these horses are pretty well coiffed. It must have taken hours for the girls to braid these tails this way. It was like watching a horsey beauty pageant. Sort of.

I just wanted to share some photos of horses’ bottoms from last weekend’s festivities with you. You can thank me later.

Happy Mosaic Monday on Tuesday.

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