Friday's Fence

This fence was found on a side road between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.  We had arrived at the condo before it was ready (no surprise - we are ALWAYS early), so we decided to head to Gatlinburg to explore.  On the way, we spotted a sign that said there was an old church off the parkway, so we headed out to look for it.  The fence was a bonus...this is the view approaching it.

 This next one was taken as we passed it...

 And this last one is on the return trip - just had to get that last shot!  I love this kind of fence!  I am not sure it does much more than define the property...but it sure does that in a pretty way!

Linking to Friday's Fences.

Carolina In The Morning

Nothing could be finer, Than to be in Carolina in the morning.

No one could be sweeter than my Sweetie when I meet her, In the morning.

When the morning glories flowers, twine around the door Whispering pretty stories I long to hear once more

Strolling with my girlie honey

Where the dew is pearly early in the morning.

Butterflies Bumblebees all flutter up and kiss each little buttercup thistle at dawning.

If I had Alladin's lamp for only a day, I'd make a wish and here's what I'd say

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning.

Linking to Thursday Theme Song.

Wednesday's Birds

A quick trip to take my mother to the oceanfront last week - not much going on there.  Tourists have gone home, and it was pretty quiet.  But, I did see a few dolphins playing in the water, and the usual assortment of water birds along the shore.  This fellow was attempting to eat something that looked like a Cheeto - without much success.  He finally dropped it and went on his way...

The best I can do for identification is "some kind of brown gull"...pretty sad, isn't it?  When I start trying to ID these birds, I get swimmy-headed!  There are simply too many of them, and so many look similar.

Linking to The Bird D-Pot and Wild Bird Wednesday.

Tuesday's Barn

Sometimes the barn shots just leave a lot to be desired...so playing with them is the best thing I can think of to do.  I couldn't get close to this barn, but I loved the shape, and the fact that it was still a working barn.  So here you go...

However, to be honest, I think the pickup truck kind of ruins the whole antique thing, don't you?

Linking to Barn Charm.

Monday Mural

This mural is entitled "Watching From The Past", and is 30' wide by 10' high.  It was completed in March of 2005.  It features red wolves, which were listed as endangered in 1967.  In 1980, when the last of the wild ones was placed in captivity, the red wolf was declared extinct in the wild.

A captive breeding program with 14 animals saved these beautiful creatures from the brink of extinction, and now there are approximately 250 red wolves in captivity and in the wild in the US.  There is a pair of them on St. Vincent's Island, off the coast of Apalachicola, FL, and 22 captive breeding facilities in the US.

 Hidden in this mural are 2 pairs of eyes, 2 mice, and 1 squirrel.  The wolf eyes appear to follow you as you walk beside it.

I did manage to find 1 set of eyes!

Linking to Monday Murals.

Sharing on Sunday

Sometimes the muse simply doesn't visit me...and I am left wondering if there is anything I can say that is worth taking the time to write, or worthy of being read.  I wander through my photos, and through my mind, looking for something that will inspire.

I am not a person who accepts anything less than doing things well - not from myself, and sadly, not from others.  I am trying, at this ripe old age, to learn to draw, and paint.  I have been doing oils for a while, passably, but not well.  Lately, I have tried my hand at watercolors.  In an effort to learn to accept myself, with all my imperfections, I am sharing some of my efforts with you today.  You have to know this is not easy for me.  I do not like for anyone to see my lack of ability.

The model

My drawing

But, there is a lesson for all of us here.  God loves us, in spite of our imperfections.  He sees beyond my pitiful efforts, all the way to the inner person who sincerely wants to do well.  He knows every inch of me and accepts me as I am.  He wants me to grow, and try, and learn...but He loves me where I am.

Art Class efforts - my first watercolor.

I am struggling now with the desire to give up watercolors - they are too hard, I can't do it well, I will never learn.  Watercolors dry too fast, I haven't figured out the technique...the list of reasons not to try goes on and on.  Maybe I should try acrylics, or go back to my oils.

The still life I set up and did by myself at home...

And then, I realize...those are all excuses.  And these excuses are just another way to avoid doing what I need to do - practice.  I am never going to succeed if I don't try.  And, when I look back at these, they really aren't awful - they aren't particularly good - but they aren't awful.  And I realize that my life is a lot like that.  I haven't been awful - not particularly good - but not awful.  And, I will never be any better if I don't practice.  I need to practice being in God's Word on a daily basis, and praying daily, and striving to follow Him.

I guess that was worthy of being written, and read, today.  I hope it blesses someone.

Linking to Spiritual Sundays.

Goats!

Driving around Pigeon Forge, we took quite a few narrow, winding roads, looking for barns and fences.  One was so narrow, we were afraid we were going to have to back out if we met someone!  I looked down into the ravine at one point, and saw these guys, resting along the creek.

What are you lookin' at?

There was a fence across the stream a little farther up, but I couldn't see the farm, so I am not sure where they came from.  It looked like pretty rough terrain to me...but then, I guess goats don't really mind the hike!

Linking to Camera Critters.