Dad Tom’s Photography

SPARKS: ARE YOU A DREAMER?

Sparks

I think this Spark says everything and needs no elaboration or explanation.

Once again I have selected one of dad Tom’s photographs for today’s Spark. It was taken July 27, 2018, the night of the recent supermoon. The moon came up over Mill Mountain and it’s famous neon star. (For more information about the world’s largest man-made star, see our post, Sharkie and Blue Visit the Star.) The photo was taken from our upper deck.

I’m fairly certain all of you know who Harriet Tubman was, but just in case you don’t: Born Araminta Ross (c. 1822), Tubman was an American abolitionist and political activist. To read about her on Wikipedia, click here.

Sparks began as a blog hop, created by our friend, Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). Annie currently is taking a well-deserved “break” from blogging (We sure miss her!), so there is no hop. However, many of us are continuing to post a Spark on Monday, as we totally agree with Annie’s vision: “I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world!”

SPARKS OF BELIEF & HOPE

Sparks

Do you believe in angels? Do you believe in a supreme being watching over you? Through the span of my life, I have fluctuated between “believing” and not believing. At my age, I choose to believe, as events in my life have shown me that unseen force exists. And there is comfort in that.

I was unfamiliar with Martha Beck, so I suspect most of you are as well. According to Wikipedia, Beck is a 55-year-old, American sociologist, life coach, best-selling author and speaker. She specializes in helping individuals and groups achieve personal and professional goals. Beck holds a bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies and master’s and Ph.D. degrees in sociology, both from Harvard University.

Today’s balloon photo is another of Dad Tom’s. It was taken recently at the annual Balloons Over Rockbridge in Lexington, Virginia.

Sparks began as a blog hop, created by our friend, Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). Annie currently is taking a well-deserved “break” from blogging, so there is no hop. However, many of us are continuing to post a Spark on Monday, as we totally agree with Annie’s vision: “I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world!”

We usually don’t post on Tuesdays, but we’ll be back tomorrow with Kitties Blue review of Cat Amazing, Sawyer’s favorite, new, interactive toy.

GLASSWORKS ART WITH COOPER MURPHY

Caturday Art

Cooper Murphy is the subject of today’s art. He had crammed himself into one of the cat tree cubbies on the catio. When dad Tom saw this, he snapped a few photos.

I went back to Painnt this week to create the art. I used the Glassworks filter and changed the hue in the Basic edits. Then I added the grain merge effect with Color Composition and the vivid effect with Coloring. The blue/maroon border was added with Picasa.

Here’s the original photo.

The arty version is our submission in Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art blog hop. To join the hop or find links to other art, click on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies

Here’s your early warning/reminder that tomorrow is the day to put on your best smile and snap a selfie for our blog hop. We look forward to seeing lots of our old friends, and with any luck, some new ones as well.

April 14, 2018 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop Dad Tom's Photography 16

DO THESE FEATHERS MAKE ME LOOK FAT?*

Wordless Wednesday

* With apologies to our friends, Da Tabbies O Trout Towne.

April 11, 2018 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Wordless Wednesday 28

DREAMS, HOPE AND REALITY

Sparks: Week #26

Today’s Spark is from Reverend Robert H. Schuller. He was an American, Christian minister, televangelist and author of many “positive thinking” books. Schuller was the host of the television program, Hour of Power, from 1970 until 2010 when he retired. He also was the founder of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. (from Wikipedia)

The photograph is by Dad Tom. This is part of the camellia bush in our backyard. It does not bloom this time of year but in November. Regardless, the photo made me think of spring, which is why I used to for today’s Spark.

I am joining Annie at McGufffy’s Reader for her Sparks blog hop. In establishing the hop, she wrote this, “I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world!” This is what makes Sparks so special and why I look forward to participating each week.

If you’d like to join the hop, click on the Sparks badge.

Sparks badge

April 2, 2018 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Sparks 11

SPARKS OF OPTIMISM

Sparks: Week #20

I was a pessimist growing up and well into my adult life. My reasoning was that if I never expected anything good to happen, I would never be disappointed or dissatisfied with an outcome. Conversely, if something turned out well, I would be surprised and delighted. A variety of things have occurred in the past 20 years that have influenced my thinking.

An optimist is a person who tends to be hopeful and confident about the future or the success of something. Though no longer a pessimist, I wouldn’t call myself an optimist. But I do try to see the silver lining in every occurrence, good or bad.

I was not familiar with Nicholas M. Butler before finding this quote. As you may not know about him either, here’s a bit of information from Wikipedia.

Nicholas Murray Butler (April 2, 1862 – December 7, 1947) was an American philosopher, diplomat and educator. Butler was the 12th president of Columbia University (1902-1945), president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

This is another of Dad Tom’s photos. It was taken just outside the catio.

I am joining Annie (McGuffy’s Reader) for her Sparks blog hop. In establishing the hop, she wrote this, “I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world!” This is what makes Sparks so special and why I look forward to participating each week.

If you’d like to join the hop, click on the Sparks badge.

February 19, 2018 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Sparks Squirrels 15

BRIGHT & HAPPY EXPECTATIONS

Sparks: Blog Hop Week #18

Dad Tom and I got up early last Tuesday morning to check out the Super Blue Blood Moon. Being on the east coast and with our view somewhat obscured by tress, we did not see the eclipse. (This photo was taken just as it started.) But Dad Tom got some pretty good photos from our front yard. Waiting to see if we’d be able to see some of the eclipse made me think about our expectations in life. As I searched for a quote to accompany Tom’s photo, I came across several that would have been appropriate. This, however, is the one that spoke to both me and the kitties’ dad. Maybe it will speak to you as well.

Often our expectations may not be met, but that is no reason to go forward with a pessimistic or negative attitude. And if you believe in silver linings, as I do, even a bad outcome can turn out to be okay.

If you’d like to join the hop, click on the Sparks badge.

February 5, 2018 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Sparks 18

SEARCHING FOR MIRACLES

Sparks: Week #16

When I stumbled upon this quote, I knew I wanted to use it for the Sparks blog hop. So many of us are dealing with loss and sadness, whether it be from the death of a human or a furry loved one. Many others are dealing with personal health issues or those of a family member or fur child. And many others are effected by the shutdown of the U.S. government or some other life-altering ordeal.

I believe, as I would, each of these individuals would like a miracle to alleviate their grief, suffering and sadness. So, I thought a reminder to look for the little miracles might be helpful.

This is another photo by Dad Tom. It was taken at The Falls at Hill Creek, West Virginia, this past fall.

You may be unfamiliar with John Francis Bongiovi, Jr. You probably do know of him however. He is more commonly known as Jon Bon Jovi.

Sparks is a weekly blog hop established and hosted by Annie at McGuffy’s Reader. In establishing the hop, she wrote this, “I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world!”

If you’d like to join the hop, click on the Sparks badge.

January 22, 2018 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Sparks 20

A SNOWY SPARK

Sparks: Week #10

We had our first snow of the season on Saturday. The first snow is always magical and somehow cleansing. Watching it fall can be mesmerizing, calming and restorative. I don’t know that these cattle feel the same way, but they made a good background for today’s “Spark.” The photo of these longhorns was taken by Dad Tom on Saturday. He was on Route 11 in Virginia near Steele’s Tavern.

He’s photographed these bovines previously, and one starred as our Sunday Selfie guest host on post #111, “Inappropriate Tongue Use in Selfie.”

The author of today’s quote, Susan Orlean, is an American journalist and author. She has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1992. She also has contributed articles to many magazines, including Vogue, Rolling Stone, Esquire, and Outside. Orlean is best known as the author of the 1998 book The Orchid Thief. It was adapted into the film Adaptation (2002), starring Meryl Streep.

If you’d like to join the hop, click on the Sparks badge.

December 11, 2017 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Sparks 17

SUPER MOON SPARK

Sparks: #9

The moon last night definitely was not hiding. It was the only Super Moon of 2017. And I trust the sun will come up again today. With the current state of affairs in our country, however, the truth is not always evident. I pray this situation will change.

I must thank the kittie’s dad again this week for his amazing photography. He took this photo from our front yard.

If you’d like to join the hop, click on the Sparks badge.

December 4, 2017 by Janet Blue Dad Tom's Photography Sparks 17

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

YESTERDAY

Many yesterdays have passed since
You gained your angel wings. Today
Is six months since you left us behind
To remember and mourn. Our hearts
Continue to hurt, and we miss
You as much as the day you left.
Giulietta whined from the catio
Yesterday as I worked in the yard.
I know you put her up to it. That
Was your way of getting me to,
Allow you to join me as I
Gardened. You were there with me
In spirit. With every meow
I thought of you and how much I miss
Your sweet face and disposition.
In these past few months, many friends
Have traveled your same path in your
paw-steps. I am certain you were
Waiting to greet them with purrs and hugs.
I pray you and your friends are laughing,
Frolicking and having fun together.
Picturing that makes me smile, but
Does not lessen my sadness at your
No longer being here to snuggle
And receive our love, care and kisses.
Fiona, please do not ever forget
You are still and always will be loved.

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

One year has passed since you flew away,
And I still think of you everyday.
I see your sweet face in my mind’s eye
And wish we’d never had to say good-bye.
It’s nice you’ve sent us kitties needing a family,
But my dearest love, we are now at capacity.
You thought it would take more than one cat
To take your place in our habitat.
We love Cooper Murphy and baby Sawyer dearly
But thinking either could replace you makes me teary.
You were one-of-a-kind and will stay in my heart
Until the day I join you and we’re no longer apart.
When once again I can hold you in my arms
And revel in all your love and feline charms.
Together with you and all who have passed.
I will spend eternity contemplating how blessed
I was to share my life with my furry children,
Each and every one of you one-in-a billion.

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

ONE OF A KIND

I don’t know how to say good-bye.
I thought you were invincible; though,
You used up many of your nine lives.
You ruled us all with an iron paw;
Never took “no” for an answer
And always got your way.
If not, you’d bark to signal your
Displeasure and sometimes raise a paw.
I always joked that you were bi-polar.
When I told people you were a calico
They immediately understood what I meant.
Today was unnaturally quiet in the house.
Can a home seem empty with eight cats?
I will miss waking up at night to find you
Sitting next to me and staring at me.
I will miss you yelling at us as you did
When you wanted breakfast and dinner.
I will miss watching you lounging and snoozing
On the porch settee on a warm afternoon.
But most of all I will miss your kisses!
When kitten Sawyer befriended you,
We suspect you were imparting your
Wisdom and secrets for controlling us.
Time will tell if he was a good listener.
But whatever he may have learned,
Neither Sawyer nor any other cat
Can or will replace you in our hearts.
Lily Olivia, you were one-of-a-kind.