51-57/365 Days of Photos

57/365 ~ Silly Girls!!

Boy did I need to see my girls after this long week of loss. I really just needed to see their smiling faces. They always make me laugh, especially in these silly glasses!!

56/365 ~ “A cloud cannot cast a shadow unless the sun is shining beyond it”

Just loved the way the clouds were moving across the sky this morning. I found this view off Capps Road which is off Balfour Road up behind Kimberly Clark and the Water Treatment Center.

55/365 ~ There were no lies necessary at Vanessa's memorial service today. She did good while she could and we should all take a lesson from her life. Thank you to her father, her friend, Marcia, and her daughters and the minister for a very moving service celebrating her life.
(Sign on corner of 6th & 7th Avenues.)

54/365 ~ Jesus said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12

The sun setting on the steeple caught my teary eye on the way home today. What an exhausting day it was with all the breaking news and then just as I was heading home I saw Michelle's post that we had lost Lisa Thompson Anderson. I just couldn't hold back the tears any longer. Two beautiful people in one week. Such a sad week but this light shining down just when I needed it was a reminder that He is still in control and He is the light that we all need in times like these.

53/365 ~ Camera Club Meeting.

Tonight there were several members offering tutorials on stretching canvas prints, mounting regular prints and matting. I learned a lot and loved this format. If you are into photography and want to meet with more people who enjoy it, join us at the Chamber of Commerce on the fourth Tuesday of every month. www.cameraclubofhendersonville.com

52/365 ~ Bamboo's long life makes it a Chinese symbol of longevity, while in India it is a symbol of friendship.

Used the cross screen filter that Frank bought for me about eight years ago when I decided I wanted to get more into photography. I can't believe I've never used it before. It's really neat to see the color's of the sun's prism beaming through the bamboo.

51/365 ~ Just Dessert

Tonight I'm giving myself coconut cake for dessert because tomorrow I'm starting Weight Watchers again. My goal is up there and out there but I plan to somehow incorporate my weight-loss journey into my 365 project. Maybe it will be a new food I've learned to enjoy instead of desserts and chips; or maybe a path I've walked for my 30 minutes of daily activity; or maybe even a picture of me on the way down!

Updated Last Three Posts

Just wanted to let you know that I went back and updated the last three weeks of daily photos with my daily thoughts and journaling. It may take you a while to get caught up. Sorry about the delay, I will try to be better at posting on the weekends to catch you up a week at a time.

If you would like to comment, you should be able to sign in anonymously and comment. Or just email me at paularoberts33@bellsouth.net if you want to respond.

This has been a really rough week. I started Weight Watchers again and I must have prayed for patience because God is certainly sending the trials my way to test it. A wedding on Saturday took my mind off the shocking murder of a sweet friend of mine. The families at the wedding were so sweet and the reception was at Glen Cannon which provided a beautiful background to photograph all of their guests. I think they will appreciate that everyone that was there was photographed.

Today as I was leaving work I found out that another childhood friend, Lisa Thompson (Anderson) had died of complications from pneumonia. She and her brother, Chuck, are two of the people I remember most from when we moved from Penrose to Mills River. They were both so sweet to me. She leaves behind two small children and lots of sad family and friends.

Thanks for still reading this blog. I know I'm not the best at updating but it has served as a great way to keep up with what's going on in our lives for the last few years. Did you know you can click on the dates over to the left and eventually go all the way back to when I first started this thing? Wow. Hard to believe how much everyone has grown and changed.

44-50/365 Days of Photos

50/365 ~ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Tonight our community mourns its loss; but how wonderful it is to know where our friend rests and that we have a God who will comfort us. We love you and miss you already, Vanessa.

Note - it wasn't easy to post a photo tonight but two weeks ago Vanessa told me she had gotten into the habit of looking on FB each night to see the photo of the day and I just didn't want to let her down. What a beautiful, sweet person she was.

49/365 ~ Freedom is never free. ~Author Unknown

A trip to MR Motorcycle for an inspection turned into a quick ride on up to Black Mountain to visit the Western Carolina State Veteran's Cemetery. I remembered seeing it in Mike Dirk's photo when Kade Warriner died and had put it on my list of places to visit. I didn't expect to find his grave amongst the thousands there but I was drawn to this flag waving in the evening wind. When I got over to it, Frank leaned down and read the name and it was Kade's. Then the sun started to set and I felt such a blessing to be near the site of someone so brave from our community. You can see the rest of the photos from this trip by clicking here: Western Carolina State Veteran's Cemetery.

48/365 ~ I don't think I've ever seen a barn so bright and green ...

Taken near East Fork Baptist Church where I will be doing a wedding this coming weekend. Marianne Van Wingerden has asked me to help her again. After we checked out the church we just had to go back and photograph this great green barn. Had lots of fun. Here is a link to the rest of the photos we took that day: It Ain't Easy Bein' Green

47/365 The Sand Dollar

A memory captured during one of our trips to the coast. Walking around outside today, wishing for spring's permanent return, I caught a glimpse of this sand dollar laying on our window frame. Makes me want to get away ... soon!

Upon this odd-shaped seashell a legend grand is told, about the life of Jesus, that wondrous tale of old. At its center you will see, there seems to be a star, like the one that led the shepherds and wise men from afar. Around its surface are the marks of nails and thorns and spear, suffered by Christ upon the cross; the wounds show plainly here. But there is also an Easter lily, clear for us to see, the symbol of Christ's resurrection for all eternity.

46/365 ~ Sunset and fire on the mountain. World's Edge/Judes Gap.

I just had to go see it. It was my first time on World's Edge and the view is amazing. I just hate to see the fire's destruction. Praying all stay safe who are fighting the blaze as well as those who's homes are nearby.

"As of 5 p.m. today, the fire had encompassed 550 acres, and could triple in size as fire crews extend fire lines to navigate the rugged mountain terrain. Three bulldozers and about 75 firefighters were working the scene this afternoon, David Brown, fire information officer for the State Fire Service, said from his cell phone at the intersection of Coopers Gap Road and Burgess Road near the Sunny View community, where plumes of smoke were clearly visible. Crews from Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, Edneyville and Sunny View fire departments continue to assist in the operation, as is Henderson County Emergency Services." ~ Gary Clancy, Times-News, BlueRidgeNow.com

45/365 ~ A hundred hearts would be too few
To carry all my love for you. ~Author Unknown

Happy Valentine's Day. What kind of bug would you love? A lov bug of course - my card from Xyla and Harmony, so cute and filled with lots of lov bugs. Frank's is the Spongebob Heart Head card - they know the way to his heart - especially when combined with Ferrero Rocher Imported Chocolates. It's great to be grands!

44/365 ~ Family Tree

It's not a take on any of Ansel Adam's masterpieces but hey, it is b/w :). I just love this big tree hovering over the barn. Right now it looks domineering but in the summer its shade will be a welcome comfort. Perhaps that's how we see our parents through the years. As we grow, or change seasons, we start to realize they weren't there to rule over us, but to protect us.

37-43/365 Days of Photos

43/365 ~ Self Portrait
This is my photo of the day for February 12, 2011. I chose this photo because I was proud of myself for getting out of the house and riding even though I knew it was going to be cold; I was proud of myself for being willing to set the timer on my camera and jump in front of it; and I was proud of myself for remembering to take at least 12 good photos on 12 of 12 day for the second month in a row. This is me ... straight out of the camera!

42/365 ~ Everyone must believe in something. I believe I'll go canoeing - Henry David Thoreau

There is nothing, absolutely nothing
Half so much worth doing
As simply messing about in boats
~ "Wind in the Willows"

Found these boats dry docked and waiting for Spring's return at Beechwood Lakes. You can see more photos I took at Beechwood Lakes by clicking here: Beechwood Lakes

41/365 ~ "When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." -- Alexander Graham Bell

I think this is an appropriate saying because I made the trip today to talk to a new advertiser who will be carrying a product that an advertiser who is going out of business used to carry. We were kind of down about losing the old advertiser but I'm excited about the possibility of a partnership with the Watsons of Chesnee, SC and Columbus, NC. They are a really nice family and their showroom in Chesnee is just beautiful.

This photo was taken at an abandoned building just as you get into Chesnee off Hwy. 11. I took a few more pics on this little trip. If you would like to look at them, click here: To Chesnee and Back

40/365 - This Day in History

Today our local radio station, WTZQ, is running a Beatles' marathon in celebration of The Beatles' first Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964. Pictured are George Henry, Program Director, and Terry Wetton, Host of Local Artist Showcase, who added authenticity to this morning's broadcast with his British heritage and accent.

This was the date of The Beatles' record-breaking first live appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, at Studio 50 in New York City.

"Seventy-three million people were reported to have watched the first show. It is still supposed to be one of the largest viewing audiences ever in the States. It was very important. We came out of nowhere with funny hair, looking like marionettes or something. That was very influential. I think that was really one of the big things that broke us - the hairdo more than the music, originally. A lot of people's fathers had wanted to turn us off. They told their kids, 'Don't be fooled, they're wearing wigs.' - Paul McCartney, The Anthology

"A lot of fathers did turn it off, but a lot of mothers and children made them keep it on. All these kids are now grown-up, and telling us they remember it. It's like, 'Where were you when Kennedy was shot?' I get people like Dan Aykroyd saying, 'Oh man, I remember that Sunday night; we didn't know what had hit us - just sitting there watching Ed Sullivan's show.' Up until then there were jugglers and comedians like Jerry Lewis, and then, suddenly, The Beatles!


39/365 - Today's forecast: Sunny and Windy

This week's DPS 365 Assignment is "The Weather Outside" - Driving home from Brevard today, I took the backroads again and spotted this Silver Grass (at least that's what I think it is, if you know different, please let me know.) I thought the way the sun was shining on the obviously bent over golden reeds was the perfect way to show today's weather.

38/365 ~ Coin Laundry on Maple Street, just off 7th. I love finding the old store fronts and signage in Hendersonville. Some of them like this one were painted on but have stood the test of time. What I really get curious about are those that are carved in stone. Did they really think they were going to be there forever? That no other business would ever inhabit that building? The worst offenders are the banks - I'll post some of those soon.

This Coin Laundry (Currently David Huntley Office) is directly across the street from our Train Depot. Pretty handy for getting off the dusty trains when you were covered in suet from the coal burning engines.

Seventh Avenue East developed as a commercial district during the late 19th and early 20th centuries around Hendersonville’s first depot, established in 1879. The majority of the buildings are simple one and two-story brick commercial and warehouse structures in the typical pattern of buildings connecting to each other. There are thirty-two contributing structures.


37/365 ~ Super Bowl Sunday

What better way to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday than watching these cute little seven-year-olds playing a bit of flag football on a beautiful sunny afternoon?

The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League (NFL), the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather than the year in which it is held. For example, Super Bowl I was played on January 15, 1967, following the regular season played in 1966, while Super Bowl XLV will be played on February 6, 2011, to determine the champion of the 2010 regular season.

The game was created as part of a merger agreement between the NFL and its then-rival league, the American Football League (AFL). It was agreed that the two leagues' champion teams would play in an AFL–NFL World Championship Game until the merger was to officially begin in 1970. After the merger, each league was redesignated as a "conference", and the game was then played between the conference champions.

The day on which the Super Bowl is played is now considered a de facto American national holiday, called "Super Bowl Sunday". It is the second-largest day for U.S. food consumption, after Thanksgiving Day. In most years, the Super Bowl is the most-watched American television broadcast; Super Bowl XLIV, played on February 7, 2010 between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts, became the most-watched American television program in history, drawing an average audience of 106.5 million viewers and taking over the spot held for twenty-seven years by the final episode of M*A*S*H. The Super Bowl is among the most watched sporting events in the world, primarily due to mostly North American audiences, and is second to football's UEFA Champions League final as the most watched annual sporting event worldwide.

Because of its high viewership, commercial airtime during the Super Bowl broadcast is the most expensive of the year. Due to the high cost of investing in advertising on the Super Bowl, companies regularly develop their most expensive advertisements for this broadcast. As a result, watching and discussing the broadcast's commercials has become a significant aspect of the event. (From WikiPedia)

30-36/365 Days of Photos

36/365 ~ Spent February 5th with my two best buddies celebrating Melanie's (and Rick's) birthday. We had a wonderful time at dinner at Carrabbas and then be broke in Becky's new Crown Royal table and stools. Happy Birthday, Melanie and Rick!

35/365 ~ Patience. "No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." ~ Hal Borland

Ice coated Magnolia leaf found at Shepherd & Sons Funeral Home today.

34/365 ~ The Cat in the Window, Jordan's Lane, Hendersonville

Gentle eyes that see so much,

paws that have the quiet touch,

Purrs to signal "all is well"

and show more love than words could tell.

Graceful movements touched with pride,

a calming presence by our side --

A friendship that takes time to grow --

Small wonder why we love them so.

~ Author Unknown ~

33/365 ~ The Amaryllis is also known as the belladonna lily or naked lady. The genus has two species and the more famous of the two, Amaryllis belladonna, is a native of South Africa, particularly the rocky southwest region near the Cape. Thank you to Jean Owenby at Forget Me Not Florist on Asheville Hwy for allowing me to come in a photograph her beautiful flowers. And even though it was obvious she was closing up, she patiently let me snap, snap, snap until I got the perfect angle for this amaryllis.

32/365 ~ Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter. ~Ansel Adams

Today's story was fog and drizzle. I love lines and I loved the way these power towers disappeared into the fog. I'm sure if you're from Brevard you know where I am. I decided to take the back roads home today.

31/365 ~ Tulip Still Life

The theme for this week's DPS 365 Assignment is Still Life: Flowers. This is my first attempt and it probably sucks. I stole the flower from the arrangement at our lobby desk, propped it up on a frame on my desk, dropped my black coat behind and turned on the desk light and shot. The color of the tulip is spot on, so for that I am grateful. It's resting on one of my favorite photos of me and Frank so I like it just for that. Tada - 31 days in a row completed. Bring on February!

30/365 ~ Kisses for Mommy

A kiss from me,

a kiss to you;

a kiss for

everything you do.

A kiss for love,

for wrongs and rights;

a kiss and a hug

for a mommy who's smile is so bright.

You can see lots more of the sweet photos of Joanna & Ethan's family, including some of the cutest pictures of Frank ever taken (he and Xyla were having a cute-fest) by clicking here: Playing with the Seagles