Best of 2019

I dedicate this collage to the last year of a decade. I hope you had a great 2019. Here are a few top images from my year. This year brought many, many changes. I welcomed all of them with open arms. One can't survive in this world without accepting change. I hope you enjoy a look back. ENJOY!

Sailing on the Lake

This beautiful sailboat was plying the waters on Percy Priest a while back. I had to snap a few images as I am an avid sailboat lover. I've only ever been on a sailboat twice in my life. Once in the Atlantic Ocean and once in the Gulf of Mexico. The Atlantic was on a sunset cruise out of Key West many years ago. The second was the Gulf of Mexico while visiting relatives. A strong storm came up between us and the dock. Thirty foot swells overtook us. I headed for the galley to minimize the rocking of the boat up top. Both experiences were ones I'll never forget. Not many sailboats sail on Old Hickory Lake. However, Percy Priest has a marina called Hamilton Marina which has a separate area for nothing but sailboats. So you can find the sailboats out on the water at Percy Priest often. I wouldn't trade Old Hickory Lake for anything. Living on the lake makes life so much more enjoyable. Perhaps it's the different scenes you take in as day turns into night. There's never a dull moment on the lake. And you never know what will fly in and stay awhile. Have a wonderful night. A holiday weekend is approaching. I love three day weekends. Gives you time to slow down a tad more than on a typical weekend. Back soon. ENJOY!

'Deck the Hulls' Christmas Boat Parade

Tonight was Hendersonville's 'Deck the Hull's' Christmas Boat Parade on Old Hickory Lake. Everyone gathered as night fell at Mallard Point Park. Cars lined the edge of the lake in rows waiting and watching as the first boat came up the lake channel toward the park. This was one of the first boats hailing a real Santa waving at the crowds along the lakeshore. He's a tad skinny. Don't you think!

As the boats neared the boat launch at the park, they turned around and paraded back to the marina. When they turn and are headed back is the perfect time to get images and I was in the perfect place to do just that. I love this huge inflatable Santa Claus on this houseboat.

Here's a close up of Santa Claus, the inflatable, on the houseboat. Don't you just love him. The real Santa Clauses were yelling Merry Christmas to the crowds on the shore.

Here is the first image with blue lights lit up instead of red. It's amazing how the blue lights show more than the red ones do.

This Santa Claus was a much better one and he was real. You can't see him very well, but he was a jolly 'big' guy. Love this Christmas tree on this houseboat too. Tonight was a balmy 38 degrees. Last year is was in the mid 20's and BRRRR. I hope you are having fun this holiday season. My decorating is done. My shopping is done. My wrapping is done. Ahh, let's relax. ENJOY!

Two Ships that Pass in the Night

Quoting from an age old saying, "Two ships that pass in the night." I wanted to share this sailboat and cruiser as they passed each other on Old Hickory Lake last year during the Christmas Boat Parade. I had never been to a boat parade so you can just imagine my excitement in spite of the 25 degree temperatures. I hope to get to this year's parade which is coming up in a few weeks. I also hope there's even more boats in the parade, as last year was the first year they had brought back the boat parade here in Hendersonville. What fun. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Don't overdue yourself eating leftover turkey or putting up those holiday decorations. Back soon. ENJOY!

Christmas Boat Parade, Old Hickory Lake

Just a few of the boats as they glided along on Old Hickory Lake tonight for the Christmas Boat Parade. The boat parade was held for many years and then it was cancelled. Last year they brought the parade back, but I didn't make it down to the shore.

The only sailboat that launched for the parade. This photo didn't do it justice.

One of the many Santa Claus's perched atop the boats. I think one of my favorite things about the parade was the lights reflecting on the water. It really added a dimension I wasn't expecting.

You can't see them, but there are quite a few folks standing on top of the roof of this houseboat next to Santa Claus waving and shouting, 'Merry Christmas.' And I kept shouting back with other folks on the shore, 'Merry Christmas.'

Here is my favorite boat of the Christmas Boat Parade this year with Santa Claus and his Reindeer. I would have taken more images, but it was a balmy 29 degrees tonight and so cold. Brrrrr! ENJOY!

Linking to Foodie Friday & Everything Else

Sailboats on Old Hickory Lake

One of my favorite things to photograph are sailboats. I have long had a passion for these free spirited, take me where the wind blows, boats. This is the yacht club on the south side of Old Hickory Lake. Many a sailboat calls it home.

It was late in the day as I made the drive around Old Hickory Lake north to my home in Hendersonville. I decided to make the ten minute drive back to the yacht club before leaving the south side of the lake. The sun was at a fairly decent descent so the light wasn't too awfully harsh. There was a subtle hint of Fall color on the trees in the distance.

Fall in middle Tennessee was subdued due in part to lack of rain. Drought is slowly creeping from southern Tennessee to middle and northern parts of the state. It is more severe in northern Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. This time last year it was a monsoon from a hurricane that came up from the Gulf in October and the remnants of the storm brought rain across the northern most part of the South. ENJOY!

Burnt Cove, Deer Isle

It has been close to a decade since I journeyed to the beautiful state of Maine for an adventure. Maine is situated in the northeastern part of the States. Over the course of a week in August of 2008, I drove along the coast of Maine. First, I stopped in the quaint small town of Camden, situated along the Mid Coast. I walked around the harbor and shopped in Stonewall Kitchen, and even drove way up to the top of Mt. Battie to take in a view of the entire Mid Coast scenery.

Then I pulled up stakes and drove farther northeast to Downeast Maine. I made the Barncastle Inn, just outside of Blue Hill, my base. From the inn each day, I would venture out trekking to various locales in and around Downeast Maine, such as Deer Isle, Mt. Desert Island and Acadia National Park. I spent a day in Bar Harbor and took in the harbor walk along the coast. Just as I was finishing my walk on the approach to downtown Bar Harbor, I caught the last of the tourists as they boarded the beautiful tall ship, Margaret Todd, as it set sail for an evening sunset cruise.

I visited the small island of Deer Isle, just south of Blue Hill, where I photographed the foggy harbor of Stonington with several tall ships cruising through. One afternoon, I made the short drive from Blue Hill to Burnt Cove on Deer Isle to photograph this precious little inlet with its colorful New England homes situated on the coast. The sailboats sat idle as the buoys bobbed up and down. The fog hadn't quite burned off by early afternoon so what fog was left added just the perfect amount of charm to the whole scene. It was simply gorgeous.

Believe it or not, this image and all of my Maine photographs were taken with my old Pentax camera, which had no automatic settings at all. It was all manual. You really had to know your stuff when it came to settings. None of this digital camera stuff at that time. It was several years before I transitioned to digital. I will be back with more images from my Maine adventure. ENJOY!

One Seasons Ends, Another Begins

Fall is bringing a change in the leaves. Do you see it there?

Soon there will be yellows, oranges and reds. A new season is upon us. I wrap my arms around it relishing in all its glory. ENJOY!

Barn, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Several years ago I paid a visit to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and on my visit I captured several images of this beautiful old Barn sitting in Boat Yard #1 on the museum grounds.

I remember the day well. It was a sweltering 90 degrees, but the humidity wasn't painfully bad. And aside from the heat, wished I could be right there at the Maritime Museum taking in the Chesapeake Bay on the beautiful Eastern Shore of Maryland in the small town of St. Michaels. Before I leave you today, I wanted to mention I finally got around to changing my hometown on my profile. I guess you could say the transition is official, I'm a Tennessean. But you and I both know, I am Kentucky woman at heart. ENJOY!

Linking to the Barn Collective

Vintage America

Lately, I have been posting my fair share of birds and waterfowl images. But last week I got to thinking about all of the wonderful places I have traveled over the past few years. There is rarely a place we travel daily or on a vacation that we don't find some historical artifact in some form or fashion.

Without the rustic, vintage, historical . . . without the rusted, aged, weathered . . . without these artifacts or historical places throughout America, my world would be far less interesting. On every occasion, no matter whether it is a day trip, a weekend or a longer journey, history surrounds us, and fortunately, I have embraced the vintage and historical factions in my travels. Throughout the states of Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Michigan, Massachusetts and Virginia, I captured these images whether it be Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall. ENJOY!

Linking to Wednesday Around The World

Sailboats, Percy Priest Lake

The afternoon light was emitting a warm blue. The perfect light of the day, we outdoor photographers long for, as it settled over Percy Priest Lake Sunday. Walking along the shores at Seven Points, several sailboats were off in the distance floating aimlessly along the water.

A little something you may not know about me, but I will share. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for sailboats. Always. Today is a copy cat of yesterday's weather with perfect blue skies, warm temps and tons of sunshine. I could not be happier especially since I took the day off and I am headed outdoors. ENJOY!

Burnt Cove, Deer Isle, Maine

Sometimes in life we find ourselves in the midst of major controversy and upheaval. I found myself there these past few weeks. 

Some days I ask God why. Others days I say to God I will endure. Each day brings a new beginning and a hope for a better day.

When I seek strength and courage, I oftentimes look back at better days. And today I found refuge in a familiar place,
where I spent a good deal of time one midday in the Summer of 2008 capturing several images of this beautiful place called Burnt Cove, 
on remote Deer Isle, in Down East Maine.

My dream is to get back to Maine this year. Yet, I have a daunting task ahead of me.
I will find the strength and courage I am looking for, as I know it is within me.
The problem is whether I can find a way to help those around me better understand.

I realize more each day this is a difficult task to achieve . . . to find understanding.
This is where I find myself today. This is where I remind myself to step softly and pray for grace. 

And there it is . . . my resolution I made nonchalantly at the start of this new year. 
To be more kind and graceful. 
I have come full circle. 

Knowing I can be strong and courageous. 
Praying that I can find the grace to help others better understand.

How amazing life can be.  One can find what one needs from within.
But one cannot always find the words to help others better understand.

Thank you for allowing me to share this with you today.
You, my dear friends and followers, are also my refuge. ENJOY!

Sunset, Kent Island, MD

As far as confessions go, I seldom make any. However, I will confess I seldom photograph sunrises or sunsets. In my earlier days as an photographer, I did make more of an effort. However, I believe sunrises and sunsets are best reserved for the gorgeous vista or an unusual moon like the Harvest Moon. Having said that, on my first day out on my trip to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I arrived at my hotel fresh from dinner and realized that the sun was setting over the marina. So I grabbed my camera bag which was still in my car and ran for the patio at the hotel.

It was a very warm, humid Sunday evening on Kent Island. The hotel and marina situated on Kent Narrows, both sit on the north side of the main highway just after you cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The first place you stop once you're over the bridge is Kent Narrows. It was a busy area with hotels, restaurants, the marina and the like. I snapped several images of the boats with the sun setting behind them to the west.

This particular marina is called Mears Point Marina. There was a fort that once stood on this island called Kent Fort which was the first and also the oldest English settlement in the state of Maryland. Surely being right across the bay from Annapolis, there's a ton of naval heritage here.

As the sun made a quick retreat in the western hemisphere, I turned to the north and saw this image of the saltwater marshes in the bay looking back at me. The serene blue waters seemed almost magical. I only snapped two images, but I'm glad I did because that blue water draws me in every time. This is also the first time on this trip that I saw the saltwater marshes, right here in this spot. Little did I know I'd fall in love with them. No matter where I found them, be it Assateague or Chincoteague, or here on Kent Island, they were beautiful. Hope your week is off to a great start. ENJOY!

Linking to Scenic Weekends