It's Always a Production

Thematic Photographic - Leaves Two

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:36:00 +0000

Leaving leaves behind this evening. But before we do I have just one more picture to post for Thematic Photographic this week.

Autumn 2007. This was the first fall my baby experienced here in the Land of Enchantment. Can't believe it was two years ago. We went out in the backyard for another first for her - a family photo. We took many pictures that day and this was one of them. This one must have left a more lasting impression on her though, because she talked about it for months and months afterwards..."Remember when we threw those leaves in the air...?"

Thematic Photographic - Leaves

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:32:00 +0000

This week Carmi's Thematic Photographic theme has been leaves. I've been mulling over whether to post anything or let it pass.

Then today Carmi, with a picture of fallen leaves, challenged us to shift our focus toward one who might otherwise not be seen or heard. I immediately thought of this photo which fit both challenges.

He is neither the oldest nor the baby. He is a middle child.
Sometimes, that is a difficult place to be.

Photo Hunters - Bags

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:17:00 +0000

Photo Hunters were in search of a picture of "bags" this week. This was a challenging one for me, until I stumbled on this picture.

Photo Hunters - Bags

Last fall, our family had a bake sale to raise funds for Free Wheel Chair Mission. We baked brownies and sold them outside our neighborhood drug store. Our goal was to raise enough money to buy one wheel chair for around $50. We were so thrilled when, at the end of our time, we had raised enough through the sale and donations to buy three!!

Bag it.

Skywatch

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Kailua Beach, Hawaii

Yesterday it snowed here in the Land of Enchantment. Brrrrr! I hadn't expected winter to arrive this early - was hoping it would hold out for a few more weeks. The cold and snow wouldn't be such a bother except that our heater isn't working, and won't be until Monday. Brrrr! So I pulled on a sweatshirt and tried to think warm thoughts. Ahhhhh....my mind took me back to a wonderfully warm day I spent at Kailua Beach this last summer. I would love to be back there until Monday. Who am I kidding? I would love to be back there until next spring.

Gaze at more skies - SkyWatch Friday.

Photo Hunters - Sports

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:41:00 +0000

I spent some time at Kailua Beach in Oahu, Hawaii this past June. It's a beautiful beach that's rarely crowded and has plenty of wind. The perfect place for windsurfers. I loved watching them seem to just fly across the waves. The power of the wind is an awesome thing. I captured these images, which fit well with the Photo Hunters theme of the week, "sports!"

Photo Hunters - Sports

Wind Surfers - Kailua Beach, Hawaii

More sports.

Photo Hunters - Twisted

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:38:00 +0000

Photo Hunters - Twisted

The Loretto Staircase
Loretto Chapel
Santa Fe, NM

The Loretto Chapel. Santa Fe, NM. When was completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft twenty-two feet above. Not uncommon of chapels of the time, when priests used ladders to climb into the lofts. But since Loretto was run by nuns, a staircase was needed. The chapel is too small for a conventional staircase. The sister prayed for an answer. Legend has it that a mysterious carpenter appeared and with only a hammer, saw, T-square and buckets of hot water for shaping the woord created the miraculous structure. Months later, the staircase was completed and the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks. The stairway confounds architects, engineers and master craftsmen. It makes over two complete 360-degree turns, stands 20’ tall and has no center support. It rests solely on its base and against the choir loft. The risers of the 33 steps are all of the same height. Made of an apparently extinct wood species, it was constructed with only square wooden pegs without glue or nails. When finished, the staircase had no handrails. The banister and balusters were added ten years later. It really is an amazing structure.

More Twisted Things

Photo Hunters - Upside Down

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:32:00 +0000

The Photo Hunters theme for the week was "upside down." Kids have a way of really turning your world upside down.

Immediately, these two picture came to mind.

Photo Hunters - Upside Down

TN Chick has more "upside down" at her blog and drop by Criz's place for a bunch "upside down."

Photo Hunters - Orange

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Haven't played along with the Photo Hunters in a while and frankly I've missed it. This summer really derailed life in many ways. I dislocated my knee back in June. Tore my ACL and meniscus and damaged the cartilage on my femur where my bones crunched together. The summer itself was consumed with the repair and a long recovery, with very little energy to do anything else, esp. blog. And I still have a ways to go yet.

But the end of August symbolizes the beginning of fall (even though officially it will be several more weeks before it's arrival). And I'm happily saying "good-bye" to summer with a renewed hope that I can come back to blogging with new vigor. Time will tell I suppose.

So I'm jumping (figuratively, of course) back into The Hunt and have found a photo I took of something "orange."

Photo Hunters - Orange

I saw this photo that I took last spring and it made me feel happy. I could use a little more happy lately so it seemed like a really good choice.

You'll find more "orange" things at the blog of TN Chick - the creator of The Photo Hunt. (for which I'm grateful) And also, if you'd like to find a place with easy links to many Photo Hunters' blogs, you can always drop by my bloggy and photographic friend, Napaboaniya. Her photo choice for orange is terrific!

20 years

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:52:00 +0000

Twenty years ago, I was just a girl and he was a boy and we got married, because God had taken three years to lead us together.

Today, twenty years later, God still leads us together, a little more each day.

I know him better and I love him more. I "get" him better and I love him more. I love him deeper and more passionately and with a clearer understanding of what love really is. I am convinced that even the worst thing in the world is vastly better if I am with him than the best of things by myself; and I would choose go with him to hell and back as long as we are together.

He gets me. He loves me. He knows me better than any other human being and he still loves me.

It's amazing. It's miraculous. It's a priceless treasure.

We are blessed.

Thematic Photographic - Laundry

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:14:00 +0000

Carmi's Thematic Photographic challenge of the week is laundry. Interesting and fun choice.

Although we have mountains of laundry around here, I couldn't bring myself to take a photo of it. The battle itself of trying to keep the laundry at bay is tough enough, I don't need photos of it to remind me that I'm usually losing.

Instead I've chosen this photo. We don't have a laundry line we have this.

My daughter jokes that around here when the tree starts to bear this kind of "fruit," we know Spring has arrived.

Photo Hunters - Entertainment

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:27:00 +0000

This week the Photo Hunters were in search of photos of "entertainment." So vast a topic! Was it a tough choice for me, you ask? Are you kidding me!? I have seven children. We have enough entertainment around here I should sell tickets.

Photo Hunters - Entertainment

More entertainment can be found here.

Photo Hunters - Utensil(s)

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 05:20:00 +0000

Photo Hunters - Utensil(s)

More Utensil(s).

Photo Hunters - Garbage

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:18:00 +0000

Finally back to Photo Hunters this week. It's been a while. Today's theme of "garbage" threw me for a loop until I stopped by Carver's Place. I realized that "garbage" could be a part of my photo without being the primary focus of it. Then my choice came to mind right away.

Photo Hunters - Garbage

This is looking down the street from the frontyard of the home where we stayed in O'ahu Hawi'i. It was such a quiet and lovely street. Can you see why this picture fits the theme?

More garbage to be explored.

Thematic Photographic - Cloudy

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:15:00 +0000

Fell off the face of the earth for a few weeks. First, as a result of doing something careless and dangerous, I took a fall and hurt my knee. Won't know the extent of the damage for another week when I finally have a follow-up appointment with the othropaedic doc who will review an MRI of my injured knee. I do know at a minimum, I dislocated my kneecap. Ouch.

Double ouch that I hurt my knee five days before I was expected to fly to O'ahu Hawai'i with my daughter and a group of her friends for a week in paradise. Wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it but I packed my suitcase and took my bum knee on vacation.

Which brings me to these pictures which I'm posting for Carmi's Thematic Photographic challenge this week of cloudy. These are all photos I took on my trip to Hawai'i. Even with a bum knee, it was an amazing trip.

Thematic Photographic - Dusk

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:53:00 +0000

I'm at the tail end of Thematic Photographic this week as usual. But I love Carmi's theme of "dusk" so much that I decided not to let this one pass.

Dusk is truly one of my favorite times of day. A peaceful time. The coolness of the day. The muted colors. The amazing sky. Ahhhhh. I just love to take a deep breath and take it all in.

I was going to try to pick a favorite one of these photos but I couldn't. Maybe you'll have a favorite - leave me comment and let me know.

Now I'm off to enjoy my favorite time of day.

You can enjoy dusk anytime of day, here

Photo Hunters - Book(s)

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sat, 30 May 2009 06:39:00 +0000

Believe it or not, this week's Photo Hunters theme of "book(s)" was a tough one for me. It isn't as though we don't have books to photograph. We definitely have a lot of book-lovers in our family and therefore a plethora of books. We have books everywhere! I just couldn't think of a creative way to make the theme interesting.

Then I remember this photo that I took of my kids last November during a brief stop while we were on a road-trip. Works well for the theme but is also a fun photo. Plus, the book featured is one of my all-time favorites.

Photo Hunters - Book(s)

I love this picture. My kids are characters.

I'll be really interested to see all the other books this weekend.

Some Gave All

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:07:00 +0000

these words feel inadequate,
but I will say them and will never forget
this sacrifice given freely so that I may be free...

thank you

Photo used by permission. www.fotolia.com

Photo Hunters - Plastic

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:32:00 +0000

The Photo Hunters theme of the week was "plastic."

Remember these old toys? Lite-Brite

You poke the plastic pieces through the black paper and the light from behind creates a beautiful picture. I had one when I was a kid. I can even remember the tune of the jingle from the commercial..."Lite-Brite, makin' things with light. Outta sight, makin' things with Lite-Brite." Hasbro has made an updated version but I found this original version at a garage sale and picked it up for my kids. They love playing with it as much as I did.

Photo Hunters - Plastic

More plastic things.

Thematic Photographic - Human

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Mon, 18 May 2009 03:08:00 +0000

This photo just spoke to me. What could be more human than napping the trip away, the sun streaming in, the landscape zipping by?

They do everything else together. Why not sleep side-by-side in exactly the same position?

Thanks Carmi, for the inspiration and encouragement to look at the human side of things.

Photo Hunters - Painted

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sat, 16 May 2009 08:58:00 +0000

Photo Hunters were searching for something "painted" this week. Should be an interesting full of diverse and amazing photos.

I chose this photo.

Photo Hunters - Painted

This was sculpted and "painted" by my cousin, Harry Benjamin. He calls it, "The Left Foot of Budda" and it stands outside his home and gallery, The What's a Pot Shop.

I especially like it for our theme this week because it appears that the toe nails have been painted red.

Please do stop by TNChick's Place for great links to all sorts of "paintings" this weekend.

Skywatch

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Fri, 15 May 2009 06:19:00 +0000

Sunset
Silver City, New Mexico

Skies - SkyWatch Friday.

What I want for Mother's Day

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sun, 10 May 2009 05:01:00 +0000

What I Really Want for Mother's Day

adapted by the song, Grown-up Christmas List by David Foster (music) and Linda Thompson-Jenner

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
and everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end

The Production

Without these guys, I wouldn't even be a mom.

Photo Hunters - In Memory

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sat, 09 May 2009 06:52:00 +0000

Photo Hunters - In Memory

...a quiet moment with the past...

Masonic Cemetery
Silver City, New Mexico
March 2009

Pay your respects at TNChick's Place.

Photo Hunters - Walking

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Sat, 02 May 2009 07:09:00 +0000

When I heard what this week's Photo Hunters was, I couldn't stop thinking of the chorus to that old Nancy Sinatra song:

These boots are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do...

And then this picture became obvious.

Photo Hunters - Walking

I know. They look intimidating, huh? Downright scary. They were modeling their most fierce "super hero" look.

So lookout bad guys!

One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you.

More walking over at TNChick's Place.

A Ring

jubys1mom@yahoo.com (PastorMac's Ann) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:55:00 +0000

When I saw these rings at Marty's Etsy Shop - Silver Pie Jewelry - I knew that I wanted one.

So I asked Pastormac if I could buy myself one. And he said, "Sure!" (like I knew that he would.)

The catch was that I wanted him to decide what would be stamped on my ring. I didn't want it say simply, "Married" or "Princess". I wanted him to choose what my ring would say. It would be more meaningful to me that way. At a glance I would see his message to me. You can imagine my pleasure when he told me his choice just a moment after I asked him.

Much like the message for me from the ring he gave me twenty years ago tonight, when he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Twenty years(!) ago when he slipped an engagement ring on my finger and promised to marry me. The message didn't need to stamped on that ring; and tonight just like that special night, it says the same thing to me, "beloved."

Marty was fantastic to work with and I would heartily encourage everyone to buy something from her shop.

She graciously stamped a message on the inside of my new ring too.

I'm so blessed that I said, "yes!"

Thematic Photographic, Love Thursday

It's Always a Production

Thematic Photographic - Leaves Two

Thematic Photographic - Leaves

Photo Hunters - Bags

Photo Hunters - Bags

Skywatch

Photo Hunters - Sports

Photo Hunters - Sports

Photo Hunters - Twisted

Photo Hunters - Twisted

Photo Hunters - Upside Down

Photo Hunters - Upside Down

Photo Hunters - Orange

Photo Hunters - Orange

20 years

Thematic Photographic - Laundry

Photo Hunters - Entertainment

Photo Hunters - Entertainment

Photo Hunters - Utensil(s)

Photo Hunters - Utensil(s)

Photo Hunters - Garbage

Photo Hunters - Garbage

Thematic Photographic - Cloudy

Thematic Photographic - Dusk

Photo Hunters - Book(s)

Photo Hunters - Book(s)

Some Gave All

thank you

Photo Hunters - Plastic

Photo Hunters - Plastic

Thematic Photographic - Human

Photo Hunters - Painted

Photo Hunters - Painted

Skywatch

SunsetSilver City, New Mexico

What I want for Mother's Day

What I Really Want for Mother's Day

adapted by the song, Grown-up Christmas List by David Foster (music) and Linda Thompson-Jenner

No more lives torn apartThat wars would never startAnd time would heal all heartsand everyone would have a friendAnd right would always winAnd love would never end

Photo Hunters - In Memory

Photo Hunters - In Memory

Masonic CemeterySilver City, New MexicoMarch 2009

Photo Hunters - Walking

Photo Hunters - Walking

A Ring

Sunset
Silver City, New Mexico

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
and everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end

Masonic Cemetery
Silver City, New Mexico
March 2009