Trump Parade

One of my favorite things to do, especially on a cool, autumn morning, is grab my camera & a coffee, and go shoot some pix. This morning brought me a unique opportunity! The local Republicans organized a Trump parade and it was launching not far from my house.

The air was cool but not crisp, the sky was blue, and people were in a festive mood. Say what you will about Trumpsters, but they're always fun to be around. (You don't see anyone throwing a Biden parade or flotilla, do ya??)

They came with their cars, trucks, and motorcycles decked out in support for the President, the USA, and law enforcement.

The parade route was a big loop around Tulsa, starting at the community college south campus, traveling north on the highway, then west to loop around downtown. They would return by a different route, thereby pretty much encompassing the whole city. Organizers estimated about 2 hours to make the run.

I ran into some friends and enjoyed chatting with them.

I loved how the morning sun was shining through the flag.

This photo doesn't show the size of the crowd, which actually increased after I took this. As they were driving out, I asked a police officer what his estimate might be. He said it looked to him to be between 300-400 vehicles total.

I met some ladies who said it was on their bucket list to be part of the RNC, especially this year. They finally got picked as representatives and were so excited! Then it was canceled due to the pandemic. They were extremely disappointed and hope to get to go next time. Although they really wanted the Trump experience. 

Before the parade started, the organizers called everyone to come near the stage. He said "We're Republicans. And we pray and say the pledge before every event." The crowd cheered! He led us in prayer for the President's health and speedy recovery, for the election, for the nation. Then, hands on hearts, 100s of people said the Pledge of Allegiance.

Lots of red in this crowd!

 Not sure who Hazel is - a Democrat convert? -  but she loves you!

Back in the day, like waaaay back, like before Christ, there was a nation who wanted to be like their neighboring countries. Everyone had a king but them. Dummies didn't get it that their King was actually the Creator of the Universe! So they raised their voices and said, Give us a King! and God heard them and was not pleased. You should go read this story in 1 Samuel 8, but I'll give you a quick synopsis:

Samuel appointed his sons to be leaders over Israel (first mistake - sons aren't always the ideal heirs of a leadership position; nepotism at its worst). They fell into a classic politician's trap - enriching their own bank accounts by taking bribes, maybe even from lobbyists, and perverting justice to remain in power. The elders went to Sam and said, your kids are crap, give us a King like all the other nations.

Samuel went to the Lord, who said, give them what they want but warn them what it will cost. The way verses 11-17 describe it, well, gee - makes me think of socialism.

But the people refused the warning and here's what they said in vs 19-20: We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

In other words, "we don't want to do anything; we want the government to take care of us."

God gave them what they asked for and Saul fit the bill. He was tall, and good looking. In fact, the Bible says there wasn't a better looking man in all of Israel. A regal, handsome guy like that would make a great king!  Sadly, he turned out to be one of the worst.

1 Sam 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Our flag has red and blue in it. Democrats and Republicans both have a voice on November 3rd. So even though this post was about the Trump parade, what's really important is that you vote. But make it an informed decision. Vote for what the man stands for; know what the people behind him intend to push. Don't be swayed by outward appearances. If you can do that, then come Inauguration Day, no matter who's taking the oath of office, you can be at peace knowing you did your part and God will take care of the rest.

Sunflowers & Hummingbirds

Two years ago, I read about a large sunflower field in Lawrence, KS. It was too late in the season to see them, so I hoped to go last year. However, the weather wasn't kind to the fields last year and the flowers didn't bloom well. The owners have a Facebook page to keep the fans alerted to the flowers' progress (click here https://www.facebook.com/GrinterFarms).

This year looked promising but we only had a one day opportunity to see them ourselves. So last Monday, I grabbed the Canon, hubby picked up the coffees, and Khaleesi the Afghan Hound hopped in the back of the SUV. Off we went on a little road trip.

The field was not quite what I expected. I was imagining acres & miles of big, beautiful sunflowers. (The farm is 40 acres, which is nothing to sneeze at.) Sometimes my expectations are a little unrealistic.

One of the fields was blooming but "not mature" as the lady at the little store said. The other field was just beginning to pop.

But we always make the best of things and have a good time no matter what. I did manage to snap "a few" pix, as you can see. 

The flowers had their backs to the parking area this day and I didn't want to trudge all the way to the other side in the semi-muddy field to get a facing shot. (But thinking back on it, after driving 4.5 hours, that was kinda stupid!)

It's funny, but in my search for the perfect, flawless, flower, it seemed to me that each one has a personality!

Just like us, each flower was in a different place on its life journey. 

Some rose above the others. 

And some were broken.

Some, even though they were growing up among flowers who were further along, didn't let that discourage them. They kept growing, trusting the Creator's plan for them.

They steadfastly keep their faces towards the sun, trusting it to strengthen and nourish them each day.

There's a little story going around social media that on cloudy days, sunflowers face each other, to share their energy. It's very sweet, but experts say it's not true. They face east for the early morning sun and track it all day, facing west as the sun sets. In the morning, they repeat the process. However, when they mature, they remain facing east all day.

 

Here's a little bit of fun information from the internet......

"Sunflowers are more than just beautiful food -- they're also a mathematical marvel. The pattern of seeds within a sunflower follows the Fibonacci sequence, or 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144... If you remember back to math class, each number in the sequence is the sum of the previous two numbers."

I never found the "perfect" sunflower for my picture frame.

But, I did find an entire field of happy faces!

Speaking of big smiles...

The hummingbirds have been really active this summer!

We have so enjoyed watching their aerial antics.

I still haven't gotten the great hummer shot, but the last one in this series might make you smile.

"You lookin' at me?"

An Art Doll Tour & a bit of Reminiscing

 I did as promised in the last post. Yesterday morning, I got up early to photograph the wild horses. I didn't want to get up early, but I did.

I traveled south to see if the Shetlands were in their pasture. Unlike me, they were sleeping in. I turned north in search of the hundreds of wild horses I saw last fall. First of all, I had a hard time remembering exactly where I had seen them. Out yonder thar, the countryside tends to all look the same. After driving several miles in various circles, I spotted them. But they were too far even for my telescopic lens. This was turning into one of my infamous bison hunts!

So my Saturday project turned into finishing what I started Monday - straightening up and reorganizing my multipurpose room. My husband put up a long shelf for my display of art dolls and I got them arranged. Not as many fit as I had hoped! I thought while we're here, I'll just give you a short tour.

In the photo above are mostly dolls I've made. There are a couple that were gifts or won in club door prizes. The two biggest ones in the center are called Pas de Deux. They were the first dolls I made in the first workshop I took shortly after joining the local club. (link here).  I finally have a place for them! They take up so much room, they've had to hide in the closet for awhile.

I really like this little ensemble above. It's a piece of the old fence from our yard, crowns given to me by friends, and one of my favorite artist's creations - a beautiful fairy I received in a holiday gift exchange. She adorned the top of our Christmas tree that year.

These two mischief makers are from club friends. The little lady below is something I made in another workshop. It's one of my favorites.

Since I joined Tulsa Dolling Dames 11 years ago (!!!), I've only made 25 dolls. Eight of those reside in other homes. Seven of the dolls in this collection are from other artists, won in drawings or received in gift exchanges. Oh yes - there are still 5 in various stages of completion. Maybe this time next year, they'll be added to the shelf!

Unless you're into this hobby, you wouldn't know that there are amazingly talented artists who are well known and quite respected in this field. Their work fetches hundreds of dollars. Our little club has been so blessed to host them personally in workshops. The dolls pictured here are made from designs by Patti Culea, Barbara Schoenoff, Cindee Moyer, Sherry Goshon, Paula McGee, Diane Little, Arley Berryhill, and others.

And since we're touring my room, I'll introduce the Guardians of Ephemera...
The black bear is a souvenir from the Smoky Mountains (one of our favorite vacation spots), and the little penguin & meerkat are whimsical gifts from my husband.

You may have noticed a running theme in these photos - crowns & sparkles!

I wasn't sure I'd like all the dolls on display, but I had to give up the notion of decorating this room tastefully. Now I enjoy all the color and remembering fun workshops, satisfying times of creating, and meeting new people who inspired, shared, and became precious friends.

I used to love visiting the home of our club founder, Jean. She had art of all kinds in every possible space, but mostly art dolls. I spent many a happy Saturday learning at "Jean's Magical Doll House."  I think I may be developing one of my own!

Trying to Get Back in the Saddle

Earlier this evening, I was rummaging through my blog. I confess (without sounding conceited I hope), that I enjoyed reading some long-ago posts.  I'm really glad I wrote them because it's like looking through an old photo album or journal. A reminder of good times and some thoughtful introspection on coming through difficult times.

I want to write something new, but I'm coming up blank. Can't imagine why. We're over half-way through this year and it's been pretty interesting, to say the least.

Last year, I heard there was a huge field of wild horses not far from here. I ventured out one evening to see if I could spot them and get a cool picture. These are the photos that I never got around to posting. 

I noticed back in the spring, when we realized the pandemic wasn't going away anytime soon, I kinda lost some mojo for anything creative. I haven't been out with the camera at all this summer except for some real estate jobs. I did manage to make a small art doll and start two more. But my physical & creative energy has kinda suffered from all the global drama. 

Blogger has changed and I can't see how to delete photos or move them around yet. I would put the above one last in this post.  

I must be getting old - I don't like things changing all.the.time.  Not a helpful attitude to have in 2020!

So I need to motivate myself. Make a plan. I could venture out early next weekend and try getting some better shots of the horses. I also saw a pasture full of Shetland ponies not far south of here. 

Well, that was my weak attempt to get back to blogging. It can only get better from here, right?!

A Look Back

Last night, I was looking for something in my [crazy huge] file of pictures, and came across a folder from 2012. It was when we traveled back to Ohio for my dad's funeral. These are just a few photos from that trip that I always meant to edit and post.

The photo above was taken at the cemetery where my in-laws are buried. [It's not their monument; I just thought it was an interesting shot]

I've just finished the prequel book from The Hunger Games, which caused me to watch the movies again. The pictures above and below remind me of District 12. [not all of The Valley looks like this, by the way.]

I know this house below. At one time, it had so much potential. It's now abandoned and gradually disintegrating. The Ohio Valley has so much natural beauty, so much potential to be more than it is. It grieves me to see it dying.

OK, enough with the depressing black & white foggy look!

My bro-in-law is the Chief of a small town volunteer fire dept. His dad was Chief before him. This station is very active and beloved in the community.

The volunteers participated in my dad's service and also hosted a reception afterward. The family will always be grateful for this and the number of times they came when my dad needed help.

Later, we got a private tour of the station. Since then, they've been blessed with a brand new truck.

One of my favorite pictures ever is of my sister and her new husband on their wedding day, standing in front of the fire truck, all dressed in white. Her gown looked like something from a Disney movie, which made for fantastic contrast against that workhorse red machine.

Just those odd shots I like to do.

I think my photography has improved a bit in 8 years. Next time I go back, I want to do another photo shoot at the incredible old cemeteries there. You don't see anything like them in Oklahoma and I think I can do a better job of capturing those images than I did in 2008 (link here). Thinking that trip might happen next spring....

Hey, it was nice to get back to blogging again!