12.29.2009

The Yearling

 

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The first photo is Odin on his first birthday, June 6, 2002. He was gangly, not quite shed out and growing like a weed. I still had no idea what he’d look like as a grown horse.

The second two photos show just how agile an itchy horse can be. I found that Odin used that one tree often to relieve his itches as it was coated with his hair. I caught him in the act, and managed to capture these two images though I was laughing so hard I could barely see out of my teared up eyes.

12.28.2009

Baby Jake

 

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In the early winter of 2002, I went to a horse auction, and outside were these people with a box of purebred Australian Cattle Dog puppies. I had never seen that kind of dog before, so I wandered closer. Of all the squirming and yipping puppies, Jake sat still and looked right into my eyes. That did it. I bought him. The next day, I snapped this photo.

12.27.2009

He’s Got the Touch

 

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I took these photos in early 2002 with the Nikon. My son Tim had already started avoiding photos of him, so I had to covertly snap a shot whenever I could. I will cherish these two photos forever as they capture Tim’s incredible ability to bond with animals. His “touch” is amazing.

12.26.2009

Young Horses at Play

 

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From the archives of photos taken with my first digital camera, a Nikon Coolpix, this is a wintery photo of Gunner playing with a young Odin. Gunner was 2 years old, and Odin was a long yearling. A friend bought Gunner from the same farm in North Dakota that Odin came from, and it was like the two horses knew it. They bonded immediately and were inseparable. Scenes like this one happened often, and I was glad to be able to capture the two at play.

12.19.2009

Lift Off

 

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I took this photo years ago with my first digital camera, a Nikon Coolpix. I went as nuts with that camera as I am with the one I use now, and I am so thankful that the technology has improved so much. That little, 1.2mb Nikon did a pretty good job for what it was.

After the Harvest

 

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12.05.2009

Beebe’s Fire Sleigh

 

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It’s that time of year. Folks spread their cheer by decorating just about anything for Christmas. Beebe found a great use for an old fire truck that is a sight to see, even without the lights on.

11.29.2009

Watchful Reflection

 

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I find this photo amazing in that the details of Saki in his reflection are as crisp and clear as the details on his body. Saki is quite an expressive dog. He rarely wags his tail, but his eyes themselves smile.

Pocked By Time

 

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I can’t imagine what this lawn ornament of St. Francis looked like new, it’s so pocked and worn by the weather. Yet, there’s those glass things in the bowl, untouched and shiny as new. Strange thing to see.

11.26.2009

Little Red: One Room School House

 

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The final group of photos from the pioneer village of Little Red is of the one-room school house. Even on a cloudy day, the room was bright and warm. It felt like a great place to be. I was surprised to find that the little blocks on the desk were actually hand-carved miniature buildings representing the town, laid on a hand-drawn map showing its layout. One back corner held several photos of articles and key people during the time the town was actually inhabited.

I loved visiting this local museum, and I cherish all the photos I took while there.

11.22.2009

Three Roses

 

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It was good to take my camera out today, the first time since taking all the photos of the Pioneer Village. I was surprised to see these roses still growing at a friend’s, especially since many nights have been down into the low 40’s. Their vivid color was a sight for sore eyes.

11.16.2009

11.15.2009

Little Red: Welcome Home

 

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Even scantily lit, the entrance to the restored Gordon House in the pioneer village of Little Red is filled with much to greet the eye and sooth the soul.  Yet, everything is functional. Except for the clock, that is. The real time was more like 3:45 p.m.

11.11.2009

11.08.2009

Little Red: The Town

 

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Sitting among tall, stately trees, the historical little town sits, complete with its town garden and late fall display of flowers.

Little Red: The People

 

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The Historical Society and the Master Gardeners today held an open house of the town of Little Red.  This local museum is an entire town from the late 1800’s that they’ve worked together to restore. People from both organizations wore period clothing and “acted” their parts rather well.

11.04.2009

10.28.2009

In Full Color

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Arkansas Fallen Firefighter Memorial

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The new Arkansas Fallen Firefighter Memorial statue is currently touring the state, on display this week in Beebe, before coming to its final home at the state capitol. It is unbelievably amazing to see the statue in person, to see the intricate details along with the overwhelming sense of the feats that the statue commemorates.

10.21.2009

From a Different Time

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When I saw this photo, I was reminded of the haunted house all the kids in the neighborhood used to talk about. One day, we all piled in a big brother’s car and went over to explore that old, abandoned house. The doorway was just as overgrown and just as dark over the threshold as this old dog house in my back yard. I imagine people and dogs long gone, walking in and out that door. I never went into the haunted house, and I’ve never poked my head inside this dog house either. It’s out of respect, you see, of a different day and time. A-hem.

October Growth

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It’s so amazing to me that there are still things growing. While the poke salad may be on its last legs, I found a new, weird white flower of sorts growing in the shade of the tree.

10.19.2009

The Tree at the Edge of My World

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There’s not many trees on my property. This one sits outside the pasture fence, right at the edge of my world, so to speak. It’s not a very picturesque tree, and it’s too young to be grand, but I enjoy its uniqueness. And, it redeemed itself and added a few grandiose qualities all on its own as the sun started to set. The sunlight, bright, fall sunlight, poured through the tree leaves to capture the color as it streamed through. On the other side, the sunlight splashed across the leaves through the sun’s own cloud filter.

10.17.2009

Odin Flies!

 

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I don’t know why I didn’t think to put the camera into video mode. If I did though, I would’ve missed these wonderful shots. Of all the things I think of when I see Odin, it’s his incredible power and beauty that always takes my breath away.

In the second photo, Odin was running up to me. The view through the camera lens is deceptive, and when he got close, he tucked his rump in and did a power slide. I was standing right by a large muddy area, so that slide sprayed me and the camera with mud! It was one of those moments that is the price you pay for a good shot or two.

10.13.2009

Wet, Gray Days Persist

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judsoniaschool I overheard someone say today that we’ve had 18 straight days of rain. It’s very unusual for Arkansas. Today was no different. It rained all day long from sunup until just about sunset when it slowed to a steady sprinkle. Water and mud is everywhere, like on this playground and building site for a new elementary school.