And, More Snow

This winter is turning out to be the snowiest that I can remember here in the Northern Virginia area. I've lived here for 40 years and remember some pretty awesome storms, like the one in 1996 which was about 2 feet or so and was eclipsed by the Dec. 19, 2009 storm. Today, we are having another snowstorm, the second blizzard of the season which is weird because we rarely get one, much less two. I'm hoping that the month of March doesn't bring another one.

I've been trying focus on the beauty of winter the past few seasons since my friend Jaimi pointed out some of it's unique features. I have to admit, the adventure has caused me to go from an extreme dislike of the season to enjoying it quite a bit.

I have been working with my macro lens this season during the recent snows, January 30, 2010, to be exact, trying to capture something more unique than just a landscape. This image was caught during the January 30 storm. It was still snowing as I was photographing. I call it "The Flake".

A Tribute to My Grandmother

My grandmother passed away yesterday after a life of 85 years. After I got the news, I cried abit and then realized that I knew she is in a better place and is no longer suffering with some of the things that come with age.

As I thought about my grandmother passing, a flood of memories of all the good times came back to me. My grandmother lived a very simple life, never learned to drive, always made the simple things of life seem like the greatest things in the world (and to me, they still are)and you knew she was a Christian and that there is a God, because Grandmother not only told you but set the example.

My grandmother never gave me large amounts of money or huge presents, but she did give a lot of love and attention- something as an energetic and active young man I needed. I remember getting $5 in cards for birthday presents or sometimes when I visited, she would have it hidden somewhere. When I would spend time at her house in the summer, she would take me downtown, by bus, to take us shopping and to lunch at McDonald's. It seemed to mean alot to her to do this, it did to me then and still does today. Each summer, we went to the family reunion where I got to see people related to grandmother, she had a brother and a sister and I would get to see her other children, my aunt and uncle.

As I look back, another memory that sticks out there, but I was awfully young to remember too much detail. I remember it being fun (and apparently, I drove grandmother crazy as a young child). Since grandmother didn't drive, sometimes she would travel by train to our house or vice versa. Once I got old enough, I would get to ride the train with her. And, I was at the age where I was into everything and liked to explore. I think I drove her a little crazy with my antics on the train (as I am told by family) The train rides were so exciting and adventurous. And, for me, it was so cool to travel the train with my grandmother.

And, she always took me to church. We went to Sunday School, then to church. Grandmother loved to have her grandson in church with her. She seemed so happy to have me there.

A favorite memory are the trains that would run in front of grandmother's house, day and night. She lived across the street, a small barely two lane paved road, from a B & O railroad line. When I would visit, I would watch the trains. When I heard a horn signal, I'd run to the porch and sit in the swing to watch the train go by. Fortunately, she lived within an eye's glance of the railroad signal so we always knew when there was a green light for the train to come. So, I would listen hard for the horn and often would try not to take a nap or a bath or do anything else which might distract me from seeing the train. I'd even sneak up in the middle of the night to see the trains go by.

Yes, grandmother didn't have much in the way of the material things of this world, but it's interesting to me that my most cherished memories of her and even my life as a child were spent doing some of the simpliest things. Even now, the simpliest things mean a lot to me. Her gift of love and a Christian example are gifts I will never loose, put in a closet somewhere, or even forget. I will miss her, but she is not suffering and is with her Lord. Love you Frye-Frye.

Winter 2010

Wow! Been a while since I've written anything. Winter snuck up on me this year with a snow storm on Sat., Dec. 5 and a major snow storm on Saturday, Dec. 19. We had nearly 20" of snow at my house--- it seemed like a whole lot more especially after shoveling it. I ended up having to pay someone to finish the job. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years is always a very busy time for my wife and I as we are involved with different activities at Ox Hill Baptist Church- so the season sometimes seems a blur - a beautiful one- but a blur.

My quest to find winter's beauty and enjoy it continues this season. As I said, there's been snow this winter which has added to the beauty. I seem to be fascinated with the trees that appear to be dead because they've lost all of their leaves and with the clouds as they seem to be beautiful against the cold blue sky. Maybe I'll feature images of them in other writings.

The image with today's writing is a log from at a local park that I think is beautiful. I like the rich wood tones, then the snow on top seems to just add to it.

Have a great day.

Merry Christmas

6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:6-7

6 For to us a child is born,to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, [a] Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

The Birth of Christ - Merry Christmas

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

- Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas - Silent Night

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and child!

Holy infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in Heavenly Peace,
Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Silent night, holy night, Darkness flies, all is light;

Shepherds hear the angels sing,

Alleluia! hail the King!

Christ the Savior is born,

Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face,

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth,

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

Silent night, holy night, Wondrous star, lend the light;

With the angels let us sing,

Alleluia to our King;

Christ the Saviour is born,

Christ the Saviour is born.

Words: Joseph Mohr, John Freeman Young

Music: Franz Gruber

I have always loved the silence in the night of Christmas Eve. Growing up, my parents would take me and my brother around the city to view the Christmas decorations. Although many of the lights and displays were incredible as people had put many hours into creating them, what got me the most what the silence of the night. The quiet of the evening which seemed to start at sunset. The crowds running to and fro, the hustle and bustle of the city, seems to stop. A gentle hush seems to cover the earth on Christmas Eve.

I love the Christmas Carol, "Silent Night" as it not only reminds me of the memories of my childhood but that Christ was born. He came to earth to live as man, then He died to save us from our sins. We can be forgiven of those sins, which we all do, simply by asking Him to forgive us and come into our hearts. Once we do that, in sincerity with all your heart and mind, He will forgive us and give us eternal life in heaven.

Celebrate! Christ's birth this Christmas. May you have a blessed Christmas. Merry Christmas.

Introducing Noah

I didn't think that I would be able to do it, but one look at his furry face and reading the profile, I had to check him out. Who is he? Noah. Actually, he started out with the name Sawyer given to him at the Rescue. So, I did. We planned to go to see him and the infamous Northern Virginia traffic made things more of a challenge than we had time. So, we rescheduled for Saturday.

I was scheduled to photograph dogs with Santa Claus at the Ashburn Village Animal Hospital on Saturday, so we went after I finished. That was a fun shoot and I was almost disappointed when it ended. But was anxious to possibly be adopting a dog too.

We headed to the rescue, Pet Connect, in Maryland. Found his home and went to visit.

He instantly knew to become friends with my wife first. She's the cat person in the family and so he did. He won her heart, then he came to meet me. It was hard on me because I still missed Mozart, but knew I needed to fill the "dog void" in my life.

Long story short, he came home with us. We changed his name to Noah. He is two-years old and a very playful puppy. He is mostly Black Lab, but has a bit of another breed in him. Not sure what yet and it really doesn't matter except for my own curiosity.

This photo of him was taken on his first day out in the snow after the storm ended.

Happy Saturday!!

I always look forward to Saturdays! The day I can get up early, enjoy my photography and get a few things done around my house.

Today, though, is different. I will be photographing dogs with Santa Claus at the Ashburn Village Animal Hospital where my dog's vet works. They take appointments from their clients and set up a two-hour block of time for photographing and add a Christmas party in the mix. I am excited about the event and have been for several months.

I lost my dog, Ruffgang Amadeus Mozart (1995-2009), a little less than month ago. Although, definately the hardest thing to do, I am planning to look at another dog later today. Hopefully, he will come home with us tonight. Not a replacement for Mozart, but a new addition to our family to fill the void where Mozart left off. He is 2 years old and a Black Lab Mix. We'll see what happens.

Merry Christmas!!