Thanksgiving Soap Box

Hunched over, that is how many people will be feeling tomorrow.  Big eyes will have many thousands of people piling on a plate full of food.  Only later to be wondering why, oh why, did I over eat again this year.

This holiday is a little different for me, the movie Blind Side is heavy on my mind.  I think of that boy who when invited into a families home for Thanksgiving; went and sat at the dining room table.  A boy who was starving, a boy who had no family, a boy who was lacking in education and love.

What will you truly be thankful for, and will it be petty?  Sorry to be so blunt, but think about those who don't have; don't blame them, but truly wonder if maybe they weren't so discouraged, and beaten down, maybe they woudl be able to rise above and do better.  Maybe if they had a little hope.  Maybe if someone just cared a little, it would make a difference.

I am going to be thinking about those who want to have nothing more than a family, those who want to have a Thanksgiving which is traditional.  Traditional in the sense of a turkey, a table, and people who care about them.  The traditional picture hangs in my mind.  A dining room table, food of abundance, and people of familiarity in each chair.  Yet, currently, all of that is nothing but a dream, a picture on the cover of a book. 

What will you be thankful for?

Giving Thanks

This may not look like your typical "Thanksgiving Feast" that is because this particular meal was prepared for those who traveled to Jamaica in January 08.  But, it is that time of year once again, time to give Thanks, time to over eat and hate ourselves and then nod off in a slumber. I am going to be going to a nursing home tomorrow with a friend of mine to deliver two centerpieces.  I think we take for granted having people to surround ourselves with this time of year.  There are many people out there who don't have that option.  People who on a daily basis watch those who reside near them, receive visitors, friends, family come and keep them company even for just a little while.  During this time, day in and day out; they have no one to come and talk to them.  It breaks my heart how lonely that must be.  I hope to be able to be that visitor for two people tomorrow.  Maybe, it will help them realize they are appreciated, even by a complete stranger.

Book Cover

I am hoping to take the images of this Belly Dance Troupe, which were taken in 2008, and put together a small coffee table book.  I am debating on using this particular image as its cover.  I love the angle of her body as she is moving through her choregraphy, I like how her arms are open and almost welcoming.  The expression on her face is also pleasant and I would like to think this would be quite eye catching as a cover.

Thoughts?  Anyone?

Theme...Wind

This was another image used for class; the theme was Wind.  I liked how the wind had whipped the clouds into their formation.  Thankfully the image was convincing enough where the instructor agreed.

Class and Framing

I used this image, which I had forgotten I had taken, for my digital photography class.  We had to utilize the composition technique, I used this image for the technique of framing.  I was really happy with the result, and the instructor really liked this image as did other students in the class.

Trails I Have Traveled

All I can tell you...was this picture was taken in TN.  I was on our Fall Outing, which many people thought was going to be rained out.  Turned out, the weather was perfect, a nice cloudy day which served as a beautiful filter to the sunlight.  This lovely river was not far from Machine Falls, but we took the LONG way to get to it.  After climbing a rock wall, clinging to trees which were rotting and puling out of the ground; we found our way.  The bridge ahead was a welcoming site; how we were going to get to it at this point was still a mystery.  A good day spent outside, a challenging hike which resulted in a good day and good pictures.

View of a Truck Stop

This was taken shortly after I woke up at a truck stop somewhere probably in either Indiana or Illinois this past July.  I was pulling out slowly when I caught the truck up ahead sitting and getting ready to pull out.  In my side mirror I saw the truck pulling out; both on their own adenda's, both at work with their own duties.  Each serving a different purpose, for different people, yet could be found at the same place at the same time.