Happy New Year Near and Far!

I hope everyone has a safe New Year's Eve, no matter whether you are partying or spending a quiet night at home. Here's to leaving 2019 behind and moving into a brand new year 2020. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy Independence Day America!

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims' pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!

I captured this image last evening during Hendersonville's Freedom Festival Fireworks Show. I love the reflection on the water. Thank you to all the men and women who died so that we could live in this great country free. God Bless America. Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July! ENJOY!

Christmas Season

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon will be here. Rocking around the Christmas tree, it's a happy holiday. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Silver bells, silver bells, it's Christmas time in the city. I'm dreaming of a White Christmas with every Christmas card I write. Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh. I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus under the mistletoe.

Just a few of the opening lines from the Christmas Carols you are listening to this holiday season. Note the word "Carols" as my name means 'joy'. How appropriate. The most magical time of the year is upon us. I hope you are enjoying the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, wrapping the gifts, baking Christmas cookies and decorating the Christmas tree. Here's a vintage barn bedecked with a Christmas wreath. ENJOY!

The Meaning of Thanksgiving

THE TRUE MEANING OF THANKSGIVING

The true meaning of Thanksgiving focuses upon relationship. Thanksgiving is a relationship between God and man. Upon their arrival at New Plymouth, the Pilgrims composed The Mayflower Compact, which honored God.

Thanksgiving begins with acknowledging God as faithful, earnestly giving Him thanks, in advance, for His abundant blessings. “. . . In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Thanksgiving is an attitude of the heart that reinforces an intimate relationship with God.

I found this meaning online and wanted to share this with you all. I sometimes feel we, as Americans, have forgotten the path that brought us here to this great United States. Perhaps we have forgotten God, faith, friendships, relationships. To embrace those in need and less fortunate. To know that every person, no matter the color or nationality, is welcome here in this great land we call America. So for this one day, I wish for you a bountiful feast with friends and family and more in an effort to thank God for all the riches he has bestowed upon you and yours. Be safe, be happy and God Bless you in your journey no matter where the road takes you. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Merry Christmas to All

I wish everyone a wonderful and joyous Christmas with loved ones and friends alike. 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!

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm not talking turkey here. I'm talking Happy Thanksgiving to everyone wherever you are, whoever you are sharing this holiday with. Eat lots of turkey and mashed potatoes and don't forget the pumpkin pie. Here's a little Turkey image to get you in the mood. ENJOY!

Dem Bones, Dem Bones

Just in case you didn't know where that infamous Halloween holiday originated from, here's a little back story I thought I would share.

Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31. 

It's roots haled from aged European traditions originating from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. 

People would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.
In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III deemed November 1, as a time to honor all saints. 

It was later declared All Saints Day and incorporated into some of the traditions of Samhain. 

The evening before was known as All Hallow's Eve, which we now celebrate as Halloween.

Halloween today is a day long activity for some with trick-or-treating and carving jack-o-lanterns. 

Around the world, as days grow shorter and nights colder, 

we usher in the season with parties, costumes and even a few spooks.

Here's a few scary creatures I photographed at past Halloween parties back home in Louisville. Starting off slow, here's the head of a large skeleton figure displayed in a front yard.

Now I've never seen a pirate skeleton until I happened on this guy hanging off a house in a rope cage. Interesting!

This guy has seen better days! And it appears he got caught up in a cob web before he got caught up in a rope hang. EEK! These last two characters are a tad bit more scary. So, if you're a scardy cat then, STOP. Don't go any further.

Is it me or does this guy have really, really long fingers and awfully large hands?

If this guy were in a fashion show, he'd win the prize for best cape. Just so you know, I have a whole slue of creepy photos, and I mean seriously creepy creatures, and some sinister ones, too. If you wish me to post them, however, you must ask, as I didn't want to creep you guys out. Meanwhile, maybe I'll get home for Halloween and shoot some more pics. Provided the weather is nice and I actually can work it into my schedule. Take care. BOO! ARG!

Happy 4th America!

As I sat on the lawn near the end of the boat launch, I watched as one after another the fireworks lit up the night sky over Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, Tennessee tonight. Each firework leaving a trail of light as it rose in the sky, then bursting open and spewing out in streams and falling gently to the ground, they lit up the water in the foreground. What a beautiful sight. God Bless America. Hope each and every one of you have a wonderful and safe July 4th. ENJOY!

Merry Christmas

Did Santa leave everything under the Christmas tree that you wished for? I sure hope so. I just wanted to stop in and wish everyone a wonderful holiday. I captured this image at the Franklin Christmas Parade several weeks ago as Santa Claus was passing by in his sleigh with his reindeer. Have a very Merry Christmas everyone. ENJOY!

Oh, Christmas Tree

The Holiday Season is officially at a fever pitch. I hope you have finished your decorating and are well into shopping and wrapping and baking. Have a fantastic weekend. This photo was taken with my iPhone 7. Not bad, huh. 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

Japanese Magnolia, Bernheim Arboretum

As I made my way back to Nashville from Louisville, after a brief visit with family for the Easter holiday, I stopped for a visit at Bernheim Arboretum. I love to capture images of the Japanese Magnolias in bloom in early Spring. It was sad as frost had pretty much obliterated a great deal of the blooms. I walked around the trees snapping an image here, an image there. This particular bloom, as you can see, had a bit of frost bite too. I love to photograph flowers with a beautiful blue sky in the background. Sometimes I even position myself so that the perspective includes that gorgeous blue sky. It seems to give your image a boost. Have you been enjoying the beautiful Bradford Pears that have been in bloom for the last few weeks? Here in Hendersonville they were gorgeous. The Dogwoods should be in bloom soon it not already. I hope you are having a wonderful week. We have strong storms coming through late today. ENJOY!

New Year's Eve Wishes!

May light always surround you. Hope kindle and rebound you. May your hurts turn to healing. Your heart embrace feeling.

May wounds become wisdom. Every kindness a prism. May laughter infect you. Your passion resurrect you.

May goodness inspire your deepest desires. Through all that you reach for.

                                                                                                       D. Simone

HAVE A PROSPEROUS, HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
ENJOY!

Merry Christmas to All

May the blessings of the season be yours. ENJOY!

Rejoice the Season

Years past, winter enveloped the landscape with snow and ice and biting winds.

Bundling of coats and scarves and gloves was in order when venturing out of doors.

A chilly afternoon was abound as I captured images of the season's beauty.

As we approach this holiest of weeks, packages are wrapped and tied with bows.

Halls are adorned in greens and reds and pines are decorated in golds and silvers.

Season's lights twinkle brightly illuminating the darkest of nights.

The day draws near for all to gather together in the warmth of our homes.

Gift giving, glasses clinking, smiles beaming, carols singing surround us.

It is the holidays for one and all.

With Hanukkah past, Christmas and Kwanzaa draw near.

CHRIST IS BORN, REJOICE AND BE GLAD!

Happy Independence Day!

Stopping by briefly to wish everyone in America a Happy 4th. I am a tad bit under the weather so I won't linger. Just wanted to wish everyone a 'sparkly' holiday. ENJOY!

Memorial Day Weekend

As I sifted through my archives in search of an image to share with you today, I happened upon these beautiful Hydrangeas from last Summer blooming around the chamber offices in Saugatuck, Michigan. If there were a flower I could fall madly in love with and have an affair, it would be Hydrangeas. They bloom in various shapes and sizes and colors. Oftentimes, they are variegated which adds to their charm. Something about the Hydrangea screams 'Americana'.

Memorial Day weekend is approaching! Do you have great plans for the weekend? After all it is 'the official start of Summer'. Public pools around the nation officially open for the season. Teeny weeny bikinis are seen at every turn whether it be at the beach, the lake, the park or the pool. Inner tubes are hauled out of storage, pumped tight with air and ready to throw in the water for sun bathing. Is that the smell of sun tan lotion wafting through the air? Did somebody check the burgers and hot dogs on the grill? All of the ladies are rushing about preparing side dishes for the cookout. There's baked beans and old fashioned potato salad or perhaps you would prefer roast corn or fresh green beans. How about a big slice of baked Apple Pie and can I have a smidgen of fresh whipped cream. Or maybe a scoop of vanilla ice cream is more your speed. What is that popping and cracking sound. Ahhh, the neighborhood kids are shooting off firecrackers. What do you say we scare up some folks and play a game of softball or touch football. We could always just throw around the Frisbee. Maybe Dad will drag out the horseshoes for a tournment. Has anybody seen a movie at the drive in theater lately?

Whatever you decide to do on this long holiday weekend, I wish you loads of fun,

delicious food and great times with your family and friends. Be safe.

ENJOY!

Happy New Year!

To all of my friends and followers across the States and the globe, Happy New Year! Be safe. ENJOY!

'Tis the Season

Holidays are known for many things, the least of which is all of the decor and finery displayed throughout the season. The traditional Christmas decor would not be complete without a beautiful tree to adorn a room. As I made my way out of Gatlinburg in October, passing through Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, I made a stop at The Christmas Place. The Christmas Place is the largest Christmas decor shop in the eastern United States.

At least a dozen trees or more were decorated in various themes displayed throughout the store. Tuscan, Christmas Carol, white and blue, and well, you name it they had a tree for it. But the traditional red and green and gold Christmas tree always pulls me in. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving for those of you in the States. I have a tad bit more decorating for the holiday to do and then I will be done. Have a wonderful weekend all. ENJOY!

Linking back to Stonegable Blog.