Dad Tom’s Photography

SPARKS: ARE YOU A DREAMER?

Sparks

 

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

 

Sparks - Balloons Over Rockbridge, Lexington, VA

 

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

 

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.

 

DREAMS, HOPE AND REALITY

Sparks: Week #26

 

Sparks

 

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

 

 

SPARKS OF OPTIMISM

Sparks: Week #20

 

Sparks of Optimism

 

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.

 

BRIGHT & HAPPY EXPECTATIONS

Sparks: Blog Hop Week #18

 

Sparks: Week #19

 

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.

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.

 

SEARCHING FOR MIRACLES

Sparks: Week #16

 

Everyday miracles.

 

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.

A SNOWY SPARK

Sparks: Week #10

 

SNOW FALLS ON LONGHORNS

 

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.

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.

.

SUPER MOON SPARK

Sparks: #9

 

Sparks

 

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.

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.