Tag: weeds

Shades of Gray from Grayson Co, TX #877 – Ah, Two steps forward three back

150422jwloylake6122 copy copy

And so it goes. I thought I was back to producing images. I was mentally ready, but the physical body, not so much. I was having a lot of pain just lifting a camera to my eye. So a trip to the rheumatologist for a cortisone injection. I have had them before and they always gave immediate relief, but this time, not a bit of relief. So off to an orthopaedic surgeon who found a large tear in my rotator cuff. Long story short, I now go in for surgery this Friday and will not be lifting my camera for six to eight weeks.

So, a time for reflection, reading and watching the grass grow. We will see ya when I am back in the saddle.

en theos ††† jim

IMAGES OF SMALL THINGS FROM THE BIGGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS #751 – IF YOU ARE GOIN’ TO GROW, SOME DIRT GOT TO BE THROWN!

13-09-03 bible plant_4964 copy copy

but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. “And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”      Mark 4:19-20

 

IMAGES OF SMALL THINGS FROM THE BIGGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS #730 – LIVING LIVE BY THE DROP!

13-09-20 waterdrops_0824 copy

Hello there my old friend
Not so long ago it was till the end
We played outside in the pourin’ rain
On our way up the road we started over again

You’re livin’ out dreams of you on top
My mind is achin’ oh lord it won’t stop
that’s how it happened livin’ life by the drop

Up and down the road in our worn out shoes
Talkin’ ’bout good things and singin’ the blues
You went your way and I stayed behind
We both knew it was just a matter or time

You’re livin’ out dreams of you on top
My mind is achin’ oh lord it won’t stop
that’s how it happened life by the drop

No waste of time we’re allowed today
Churnin’ up the past, there’s no easier way
Times been between us,a means to a end
God its good to be here walkin’ together my friend

Livin’ our dreams
My mind stoped achin’
that’s how it happened livin’ life by the drop…DOYLE BRAMHALL

Hello there to my old friend Doyle. Don’t ever think that you are forgotten! en theos monos

IMAGES OF SMALL THINGS FROM THE BIGGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS #729 – WE ALL BLOOM AT DIFFERENT TIMES!

14-04-08yelloflow_4286 copy

“In the hope of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.”  
–  Albert Schweitzer  

Live the stage that you are in! en theos monos ††† jim

IMAGES OF SMALL THINGS FROM THE BIGGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS #728 – TAKE THE TIME TO TAKE A LOOK!

14-03-29whiteflower_4226

“When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else.  Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower.  I want them to see
it whether they want to or not.”
–  Georgia O’Keeffe

I find it just a little ironic that Ms O’Keeffe painted flowers while living in the midst of a desert. Perhaps we can learn as much from what she saw as what she thought!

Take time to see † en theos monos ††† jim

IMAGES OF SMALL THINGS FROM THE BIGGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS #719 – HEY, YOU, GET AWAY FROM MY FLEABANE!

14-03-29whiteflower_4180

One of the early bloomers here in the desert Southwest is this nickel sized prairie fleabane daisy. It was a challenge trying to catch an in focus image of this possessive little spider in our 35mph wind gust. I was fortunate to have gotten focus during a short lull in the wind. This little bee decided it was a good landing spot as well. The spider said no, and chased the tiny fellow along on his way.

It’s a jungle out there, go take a peak!  en theos monos ††† jim

IMAGES OF SMALL THINGS FROM THE BIGGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS #705 – SPRING BRINGS LOCOWEED

14-03-07locoweed_3609

Locoweed, the common name of a number of different plants that poison sheep, cattle, and horses on the Great Plains. Some, such as the poison larkspur, are poisonous in themselves. Others are poisonous because they concentrate selenium that exists in the soil. Among these are the milk vetch and white locoweed. The poison affects the nervous system, causing an acute or chronic disorder called loco disease.

Loco is the Spanish word for “mad” or “insane.” The symptoms of loco disease include staggering, falling, defective vision, nausea, constipation, and loss of appetite. Affected animals may suddenly jump for no reason, or run into obstacles. The acute form may end fatally in three days. Animals suffering from the chronic form of the disease may waste away for weeks or even for months.

I think I first heard of locoweed from the old TV series Rawhide. Trail boss Gil Favor and ramrod Rowdy Yates (played by Clint Eastwood long before “Make my day” fame) encountered all kinds of pitfalls and challenges driving the herd from San Antonio TX to Sedalia MO.

Little did I know how common locoweed was and I could have inspected the mysterious plant right in my backyard of Odessa TX. I was probably more interested in having a “cool” name like Rowdy, Sheb or Wishbone instead of plain ole Jimmy.

Be aware of all that you have in your backyard. † en theos ††† jim

IMAGES OF SMALL – THINGS FROM THE BIGGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS #652 – & SOME DAYS, YOU GET TO BASK IN THE SUN EVEN WHEN IT’S COLD

14-1-6dogwalk2_9643 copy

 

It was a very chilly start yesterday. Sixteen degrees, but the sun chased away the chill and by late afternoon the field was warmed by the sun.

Enjoy being in the light! ††† en theos ††† jim

IMAGES OF SMALL THINGS FROM THE BIGGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS #635 – A WARMER VIEW

13-09-14 fuji walk_0454 copy copy

“When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else.  Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower.  I want them to see
it whether they want to or not.”
–  Georgia O’Keeffe

So, I give this view for you, whether you want it or not. Winter is hard and I really miss the West Texas flowers. So, I may be journeying back to the warmer seasons for a while……stay warm ††† en theos ††† jim

IMAGES OF SMALL THINGS FROM THE BIGGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS #634 – THE LOWLY DANDELION

DSC_0005 copy copy

This stellar dandelion flower was made in New Mexico last summer. It was being warmed by the waning minutes of the golden hour. Additional warm tones came from a small gold reflector used for fill. The specular highlights were provided by a small creek reflecting gold in the background

Here are some interesting facts about the dandelion flower:

    • The dandelion is the only flower that represents the 3 celestial bodies of the sun, moon and stars. The yellow flower resembles the sun, the puff ball resembles the moon and the dispersing seeds resemble the stars.
    • The dandelion flower opens to greet the morning and closes in the evening to go to sleep.
    • Every part of the dandelion is useful: root, leaves, flower. It can be used for food, medicine and dye for coloring.
    • Up until the 1800s people would pull grass out of their lawns to make room for dandelions and other useful “weeds” like chickweed, malva, and chamomile.
    • The average American recognizes thousands of logos for commercial products, yet recognizes fewer than five plants that grow in his/her area. Dandelions are most likely one of those familiar plants.
    • The name dandelion is taken from the French word “dent de lion” meaning lion’s tooth, referring to the coarsely-toothed leaves.
    • Dandelions have one of the longest flowering seasons of any plant.
    • Seeds are often carried as many as 5 miles from their origin!
  • A not so fun fact: Every year Americans spend millions on lawn pesticides to have uniform lawns of non-native grasses, and we use 30% of the country’s water supply to keep them green.

Find some warmth in your day. Visit the golden hour. Blessings ††† en theos †††jim