Water Still Shots

With an urging from my girlfriend, my post tonight is from pictures that I took a couple of weekends ago of a water fountain that we passed by while on our way to Lynn's Paradise Cafe in Louisville, KY.  The water fountain is located in a triangular park on Baxter Avenue.  I took the pictures in Shutter mode with a higher ISO because of the evening hours and with a higher exposure.  I used a faster shutter speed in order to capture still shots of the water.

When I look at these pictures, the thing that I am left with is a quote from the book "The Color of Water" by James McBride. 

"God is the color of water.  Water doesn't have a color." 

Night Pictures of Franklin, KY

Tonight's blog will be short in comparison to some that I have posted in the past.  The pictures below were taken on March 27, 2011 in my beloved hometown of Franklin, KY.  For people that have followed my blog, you all know that on last week I took night pictures of the Louisville skyline using the tripod.  I did the same on this past Sunday...except that it was about 20 degrees cooler.  By the time that I finished taking pictures...my hands were numb.  However, I wanted to capture the blooming trees on the square along with the courthouse and nearby stores along the square at night.  Let me know what you all think....

In Remembrance

With a heavy heart and a tearful eye, I write this blog tonight.  Sometimes in this life, we follow the tracks of life that are laid in front of us, albeit pursuing a professional dream, raising a family, hitting the game winning shot, or simply just living life to the fullest.  While on this track of life, we do not pay attention to the passengers that got off the train or the towns / sites that you have past.  However, there are things that happen along the way that causes you to stop and reflect back to those passengers, memorable moments, or towns / sites.  It could be the demolishing of a historical gymnasium or building, moving to a new town or city, or the passing of a loved one.  This weekend, it was the latter.

This blog is dedicated to my neighbor...a woman who cared for me and my family more as a grandmother, although there was no direct blood relations.  Growing up alongside my brother, we were routinely in and out and around the house playing baseball, getting into mischief, or simply just hanging out.  She always kept an eye on us to make sure that we did not get too out of hand.  As we grew up going through elementary school, middle school, high school, and into college our accolades and endeavors always made her smile.  We were her babies.  For even my older and younger sisters and my nephew, she still cared for all as a grandmother.  She did this with anyone that she met.  I will miss the visits, the jellies (apple, plum, and strawberry), as well as the simple greeting.  I know that the void for her family can never be filled, but only with fond memories and the life lessons that she taught them along the way.  Just like my brother wrote to me when my father passed away, "[God] took [her] because [her] work has been done.  Be strong in faith and know God's love is everlasting."  As I said in the beginning, moments like this makes you stop and reflect back on the memories of the past and treasure them in order to continue moving onto the future along the tracks of life.  To the family of Mildred Spencer, my family and I send our condolences...she will truly be missed.  It will be hard not pulling into home knowing that she is not right across the yard.  And bruh, just remember, I am a phone call away.

The pictures of today's blog are probably not the best pictures that I have ever taken, but they were pictures that I took last month while walking in my neighbor's yard.  The first picture is of a tree in the back of the yard.  I took the picture in silhouette in order to capture the sunset.

The second picture is of a corner of a shed (actual shed in the last picture) that served as a storage area and also a garage.  I am not familiar with the history of it, but it served as the backstop when we were younger while playing baseball.

The third picture was of a clothes line that was in the backyard.  When I was younger, I remember the hanging bed sheets and clothes blowing with the spring breeze.  If the shed was the backstop, then the clothes line was first base.

The last picture has the shed, clothes line, and the tree.  Although the clothes line and the shed are gone, it is this image that I will remember when I pull into yard and reflect back while I am on this track...called MY LIFE.

Spring Fever

A couple of days ago was the first official day of Spring.  However, we have been fortunate to have had very beautiful days as of late.  It seems that "Spring Fever" is all around us with the trees a blooming, animals mating, and March Madness keeping us glued to the TV.  Anyways, today's blog is of some pictures that I have taken the last couple of days that I want to share.  I hope that everyone enjoys the beauty that is around us (large and small).  The first three pictures were taken at the Kentucky Horse Park and the last two were taken at the Yew Dell Gardens in Oldham County (which is a must see sight if you want to enjoy the Spring blooms).  I hope that I can still have the opportunity to capture the feeling that is...."Spring Fever".

The first picture is actually a picture that I did not like at first because  I felt that I did not capture the essence of the picture because I zoomed in on the goose that was flying away.  Hopefully, after this little explanation, you will see why I chose this picture as the first picture on the blogsite tonight.  When I walked up to the side of this little stream, the two geese were sitting on the side.  When got about 5 feet from them, this goose flew off and the other goose continued sitting as though I was not there.  What I did not realize was that the goose that stayed was sitting on eggs...protecting them.  I took another step forward and she rose up ready to defend the eggs, which is the second picture.

As I was walking along a road at the Horse Park, I was snapping pictures of a barn / stall located in front of me.  As I turned around, I saw that a horse that I had passed was walking toward my direction.  I looked and I saw the place where you tie up the horses (help me out if you all know the name of it) and thought it would make an interesting picture with the other horse in the backdrop.

As I said earlier, the last two pictures are of flowers and a budding tree at the Yew Dell Gardens.

Louisville Night Pictures

Good evening to all.  I hope that everyone has enjoyed a nice weekend of weather and a slate full of basketball games.  I know that I have been glued to the tv trying to watch all of the games.  Tonight, I want to share some pictures taken at night.  In the past, I had a hard time taking pictures at night...so it is a pleasure for me to share these pictures that I have taken recently with my camera.

In 2008, I had dinner at Rocky's Italian restaurant in Jeffersonville, IN.  While at the restaurant, I took a few pictures looking across the Ohio River at night onto Louisville's skyline.  Now, fast forward to this past weekend and while looking at a wikipedia search for Louisville, the picture they had was from the same perspective.  I figured I would try to take the same picture again, but this time using my new camera and also a tripod to minimize shakiness of the camera.  The first picture is taken on the west side of the 31-W Bridge (Clark Memorial Bridge).  The bright lights near the middle of the picture that are in a row are the lights from the Yum! Center.  The second picture is from the east side of the Clark Memorial Bridge.  The third picture is of the Super Moon from 3/19/2011.  The picture was taken on the Indiana side of the Ohio River.

The fourth picture is from a liquor store on Bardstown Road in Louisville, KY.  Don't worry mom, was just walking by the store.  I saw the reflection of the neon Louisville and Fleur-de-lis and wanted the picture.

The next picture is of a red door taken while walking along Bardstown Road.  I liked the shadows on the steps from a nearby light pole.

The final picture of the day is taken of fake flowers near Christmas lights at Lynn's Paradise Cafe.  I accidentally took this picture in a Portrait setting rather than more in landscape, but I liked the colors of the picture. 

Berea, KY

For the past year and a half, I have wanted to go to Berea and checkout the town, especially after walking through Midway, KY.  While in college, we competed against Berea College in some epic track meets and in basketball.  Probably one of the nastiest dunk that I saw was when my man Rob dunked on that guy at Berea our senior year.  Anyways, I have heard so many people talk about the beauty of the town...so we went.  And....I will have to say that Berea ranks as one of the loveliest places that I have ever been in Kentucky (hard to take the place of Bowling Green and Franklin).  We took a backroad to London, which provided nice scenery in itself on some windy roads going along the ridge tops.  When we got to Berea, we parked in Old Town and walked along the main street and headed toward the college.  Berea is well known for the work produced by Kentucky Folk Artisans.  You can see much of their work in the shops along the street in Old Town.  Before getting to the college, we walked through the college's EcoVillage.  The EcoVillage was extremely fascinating as seeing a sustainable community built with the idea in mind of being eco-friendly.  You hear of these places, but it was awesome seeing it in action (Ecowaste system, gardens, clothes lines, etc.)  After we walked through the apartments, we went up to the school.

For those that do not know, Berea College has a very gorgeous campus.  For some odd reason, I like the small college atmosphere.  I have always liked their ideals, principles, and foundations.  Founded in 1855, Berea College was established with the intent in mind that all persons regardless of race are equal.  After the Civil War (c. 1966), it fulfilled its dream as being the only school in the South that was fully integrated.  This dream of John Fee (founder) lasted until the State of Kentucky passed the Day Law (c. 1904).  The US Supreme Court Hearing Berea College v. Kentucky (1908) upheld the "right of the states to prohibit private educational institutions charted as corporations from admitting both black and white students." (Wikipedia.org).  Berea College became integrated again in the 1955 after Kentucky amended its law following the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954).  Berea continues to provide assistance to those who are in financial need.  Each student has at least 10 hours a week of work study which is used to help contribute to their financial aid package.

As we walked around campus, we crossed the street to look at Boone Tavern.  There, we were greeted by a hotel worker (Fred) who took us around the Historic Tavern and provided us with the history of the community, college, as well as the tavern.  Fred said that he created the tour itself because people were always asking questions upon entering or staying at the tavern.  If you ever have a chance, stop in to look at the tavern.  If you are lucky, you will get the tour from Fred.

We left the Tavern and continued walking back toward Old Town by going through downtown.  We went to a local Fudge Shoppe and had the best conversation with its proprietor.  She made us feel that we were most important people while we were there.  I will say that the Chocolate Malt was very filling and yummy on a nice warm late winter/early spring day.  She was the one who told me that "there are no ugly places in Kentucky, just people who keep messy yards."  Before leaving Berea altogether, we ate at the Dinner Bell restaurant that provided us with the desired nourishment before getting back on the road.

Below are a few pictures that I want to share from the trip to Berea.  As I said in the beginning, I really liked Berea after going through the town.  It is a peaceful and beautiful college town that has a lot to offer for someone who likes the small college atmosphere. 

The first picture was taken of the sign outside of the Boone Tavern Hotel.

The second picture is of a pillow with a B (for Berea of Boone Tavern...not really sure) on a chair in the lobby of the tavern.

The third picture of a sign on an old Car Wash / Car Repair Building in Old Town.



The fourth picture is of spring flowers located outside of the Boone Tavern.



The fifth picture is of a chandelier located inside of the old entrance at the Boone Tavern.



The bonus picture is of the Fudge Shoppe that we talked with the woman and ordered the chocolate malt and fudge.

Small Things - Louisville, KY

Good evening to all, I wanted to provide you all with a few of my pictures that I took recently while in Louisville.  As I continue to use the camera, I am trying to think more outside of the box when taking pictures.  The first picture is of a chandelier that was above the table we were sitting at in the Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown Louisville.  This picture is one of those lucky pictures and probably one of favorites from the pictures that I took that day.  I call this a lucky picture, because I had no idea how the picture would turn out or even a clue if it was focused correctly.  I sat the camera on the table to where I could not see the viewfinder (the camera looking up at the ceiling) and pressed the shutter button.  Once my girlfriend and I looked at the picture, we both automatically knew it was a good picture.




The second picture was taken at the Cathedral of the Assumption in downtown Louisville.  After leaving the midday mass, we walked around downtown and came back to take pictures.  If you have never been inside of this cathedral, I will recommend taking the time to step inside.  The view is merely breathtaking....very breathtaking.  The picture below was of a statue of what I think is the Virgin Mary.  At the urging of my girlfriend, I took the picture of the contrasting colors of the robe.  She liked the lines in the picture as well and the symbolism with the statue stepping on the serpent who is near the apple (Adam and Eve).  This picture is just a small capturing of the beauty of the sanctuary and the organ....wow.  I would really love to go back soon and take pictures, especially of the sun shining through the stained glass window.

The third picture was taken of tiles near an elevator at the Hyatt in Louisville.  We were walking along the Louie Link Sky Walk...it was freezing outside and well...I had forgot my jacket (sorry mom).  This picture captures the colors as they were hitting the wall.  I had to take a picture at an angle in order to get the light hitting off the tile...otherwise it was a dull picture.

The fourth picture is of the sign outside of the Church of the Assumption making the church as a historical landmark.  In taking this picture, I could not help for thinking about my friend Susan who loves fleur-de-lis.  I took this picture pretty much for that reason.  I did not think that the picture would have turned out as good as it did.  After taking this picture, I could not help for focusing in on the fleur-de-lis the rest of the day.

The last picture of the evening was taken looking up at a historical marker (from 1912) commemorating the site of Fort Nelson in Louisville, KY.  I liked the angle of this picture because it is a different perspective.  I liked the V representing the U in Kentucky.  This sign located near the Louisville Slugger museum and the Gault House can easily be overlooked....I think I did the first time we passed it.  I guess it shows how important history or events can go unnoticed and sometimes often forgotten.  I learned the Fort Nelson was the third settlement in Kentucky (after Harrodsburg and Washington), of which I did not know.  Fort Nelson was built in 1781 and named after the then governer of Virginia (since Kentucky was not officially at state at that time).  This marker and the park is built on what was then Fort Nelson.

Kentucky Roads On A Sunny Day

Hey there everyone.  Today I want to share pictures from my recent travels in Kentucky.  While driving back to London, I decided to take KY Highway 90 from Glasgow to Somerset.  Minus playing a basketball game in Cumberland County my junior year in high school, I have never been beyond the Tompkinsville intersection on Highway KY 90.  I love taking back roads to provide a change of scene from interstates and those who have traveled the Cumberland Parkway...I think you understand my point.  I took a whole lot of pictures as I stopped at various towns and attractions along the way.  The counties that I covered was Barren, Metcalfe, Cumberland, Clinton, Wayne, and Pulaski while on Hwy 90.  I know that with summer approaching that this route will be even prettier.

The first picture was taken in downtown Monticello, KY.  I have never seen a town where the center of the town is a statue and traffic goes around the downtown area (look at my KY 120 album to see what I am talking about).  When taking this picture, I was afraid that if I took a step back that I would have been ran over by the passing vehicles.  I took the picture of this Veterans statue using the silhouette setting on my camera.  My intent was to darken the statue and keep the background light.



The second picture was taken outside of Albany, Kentucky in Clinton County.  I had stopped to take pictures of the Hopkins School House (One Room Schoolhouse) and looked across the field and saw this barn.  I immediately started sulking because I did not have a camera lens to zoom in to get this picture.  I cut the original picture to take away the cable lines that were in the frame.  I chose this picture because it truly captures the essence of Kentucky as it borders the Appalachian Mountains.
 

The next picture was taken around Susie, KY in Wayne County.  While driving on KY Hwy 90, I saw this dilapidated home in the field and turned around to take the picture.  There was no other home near this site.  I took this picture in black and white to get the feeling of the home.  When looking at the picture, it makes me want to know when the house was built, who lived there, what was it like at its prime, did children live in the home, did they ever go sledding on the hill behind the home, and the history of the home.

I took the fourth picture on a barn at the Mill Springs Civil War Battle Site in Wayne County, KY.  I would love to go back to Mill Springs when the trees have bloomed because it was just simply gorgeous and peaceful without it.  The waterfalls off the hills at this site made it even more beautiful.  The park itself is closed until April, but it was still nice to walk through it.  I met a local woman who was walking around the park for exercise.  She was telling me of a nearby cannon that look onto Lake Cumberland.  During our conversation, she told me that she loved walking around the park for exercise, but also to enjoy God's Handy Work.  As for the picture, I am not sure how old the sign its, but I would assume that it is more than 50 years old, maybe even a 100 years old.  The sign was behind a home where Union generals stayed during the war.

Sometimes when I go to different places, I like take picture of historical signs so that I can look at them when upload my pictures rather than reading them while there.  This picture is of a sign on the porch of the Hopkins School in Clinton County.  When I initially took the picture, it was not one that stood out to me like the other ones above.  However, it was when I reviewed this picture on my computer that I felt that it was better than I had thought.

I apologize for this blog being choppy.  I could have went into more details about the trip, but that will accompany other pictures that I took during my journey :).  A special thanks to Melanie and her father for the suggestion of the signature / watermark on my pictures.