A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.
Today we had the first ice storm of the season. Autumn had been unusually warm, and most of the trees still had leaves that had not fallen. That proved to be disasterous. The frozen wet leaves were more than some trees could handle, and we lost many more limbs than usual. One of our favorite … Read More “The price of missing autumn” »
Monday’s child is fair of face, Tuesday’s child is full of grace, Wednesday’s child is full of woe, Thursday’s child has far to go, Friday’s child is loving and giving, Saturday’s child works hard for his living, And the child that is born on the Sabbath day Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay. … Read More “Wednesday’s Child” »
We went on our first light hunt of the season last night. Things in our neighborhood are starting to sparkle, and the house across the lake has its large Christmas tree outlined in lights, with strands trailing from their deck all the way down to the water. We figured it was time for the rest … Read More “First Light Hunt” »
Yep, too many random connections lately to make them all fit together into a coherent post. This past week included trips to Charlotte for business, rehearsals galore, a disappointing Furman football game, and a concert at the Peace Center. I look at this week’s schedule, and it includes more rehearsals, a children’s pageant, and office … Read More “Crazy HOLIDAY Season” »
Sometime back we were hosting a Super Bowl party and I needed a quick chicken chili recipe. I found this one online, and it’s about as simple as you can get. Just brown the chicken and throw in some cans of stuff… INGREDIENTS: 1 to 1 1/2 lb chicken tenderloins, cut in 1/2" pieces … Read More “Chicken and Black Bean Chili” »
I had to drive to Columbia today for a meeting. I love the fact that I-26 has not been over-developed, and that there are long stretches of farmland and forest. Unfortunately, the scenery can be hypnotic, and I’m forced to look for ways to keep me alert. With the falling leaves giving better visibility, I … Read More “Too Close for Comfort” »
I don’t like to consider myself a leader. There are far too many people who have their act together much better than I. Yet, so how I keep finding myself in charge of things. Some of these positions I have sought out, such as choir directorship and as administrator for a school district. Some have … Read More “Leadership Overload” »
I really blew it this morning. The morning’s scripture was from the Book of Mark. And they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great glory….Watch, therefore – for you do not know when the master of the house wil come, in the evening, or at midnighht, or at cockcrow, or in … Read More “Advent Antonym” »
I‘ve been seeing this TV ad for a couple of weeks now. The scene starts with a deserted holiday table – all the guests are in another room singing and listening to someone playing the piano. The guests are so distracted that they don’t even notice the family dog helping itself to their meal. The … Read More “Hallmark must be kidding” »
It’s gotten to be a perennial complaint. Christmas decorations are up in the stores even before Halloween rolls around anymore. Certainly as soon as the spooks and goblins are done, the Santas, elves, and reindeer appear. In the process, Thanksgiving loses out to mass consumerism. There’s a very simple explanation – retailers can’t market gratitude. … Read More “Muchas Gracias” »