Category Archives: Challenges

early morning moonlight

Challenges, Photography, teaching, Weather, Weekly Photo Challenges, Wordless Wednesday, Writing, , , , ,

Tuesday morning I was up early with the puppies, I glanced eastward and caught the moon rising as it was greeting the new day. The January Light is getting a bit longer each day and a few minutes earlier and the moon would have gone unseen. I am thankful for being in the right place at the right time.

my first photo…..

Two days later the moon is obscured by dense cloud cover and it is lightly snowing painting the landscape a fresh coat of white.

It’s a school day and we are on a field trip tramping in the light snow along a planned route to highlight the Underground Railroad.

photo from inside the house, a few minutes later. a new day is dawning, bringing with it light, #JanuaryLight

It’s gonna be a great day, I know it and I can feel it. So I’d better jump up, jump in and seize the day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, one early morning after another.

What did you notice this morning? Or yesterday

Christmas morning: timing is everything

Challenges, Family, Life in General, Photography, Weekly Photo Challenges, Wordless Wednesday, Writing, , , , ,

It’s Christmas morning and the puppies and I are the only creatures stirring. Ivy is content to lie beside me and stare out the window into the yard. A few minutes ago, Fern awoke and needed to go outside. Fern has discovered squirrels and enjoys keeping our yard safe.

This morning when I awoke after a fitful sleep, I peered out our bedroom window and was greeted by this morning’s sunrise. A few minutes earlier, or later and I would have missed it entirely. Timing is everything in life.

This past year has been full of twists and turns and I am full of gratitude. Timing is everything in life from waking at the right moment to getting the care one needs at the precise moment. I am thankful.

I don’t know what tomorrow has in store for me, but I do know today is a day to savor and share with family.

For unto us, a savior has been born and he is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2: 11)

It’s a day to remember what the day is really all about.

Today is going to be a great day, possibly the best day ever. So I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Carpe diem! Making the Days Count, one day at a time, using timing to my favor.

What greeted you the moment you awoke this morning?

W-squared – chance

Science, Teaching and Learning, Wordless Wednesday, Writing, , , , ,

I caught this sunset by chance. I had stayed late to watch the 7th grade girl’s volleyball team and the game had gone late – they won in three thrilling sets – and I was late leaving for the day. 

Sometimes, things happen by chance, or for a reason. Or both. Today is going to be an amazing day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time. Sometimes by chance, sometimes by choice.

W-squared – sunrise

Learning, Life in General, Science, Wordless Wednesday, , ,

Last Friday’s sunrise. I was fortunate to see it. I was placed in exactly the right place at the right time, by chance. That’s how life happens. I was on my way into Chicago and I pulled over to the side of the road to take the photo. I missed last Wednesday’s wordless post, but I haven’t missed making the days count since and I won’t stop.

I was asleep this morning when the sun rose, but it rose anyway, and tonight the sun will set and maybe I’ll see it, maybe I won’t. But it will come up and in between those sunrises and sunsets, I’ll be making the days count. Making the Days Count, one day at a time.

What are you doing in between the sun rise and sunset?

W-squared – Clouds

Photography, teaching, Teaching and Learning, Weather, Weekly Photo Challenges, Wordless Wednesday, Writing, , , , ,

School is back in session. Tomorrow is day 4 with students and day 7 overall. It’s better with kids. Trust me.

thunderstorms clouds – to the west (right) there weather is clear.

I snapped these photos Friday as my wife and I were out for dinner. A line of thunderstorms formed north and south of us as the sun set, but they went north and south and it did not rain on us. Good thing.

the center of the panorama is this cloud – the sunset lit it up perfectly. Perfectly

School is a lot more fun with kids, so is teaching. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, clouds form when you aren’t looking, they are just there.

What has made you stop and notice, lately?

W^2 Home of the Brave

Science, Wordless Wednesday, Writing, , , ,

A nest of paper wasps has made a home at the corner of the garage under the eaves up north at the lake. The wasps aren’t bothering any humans so the humans will leave them be, so they can do their job in the environment.

Making the Days Count, one day at a time, letting nature do its job.

What have you observed in the natural world lately?

less words for a Wednesday

Photography, Teaching and Learning, Wordless Wednesday, , ,

Happy Wednesday! It’s the final Wednesday in July and the back garden is in full bloom. Late July and early August are the most colorful months of B’s garden.

It’s been a summer full of hard work, reflection, and good amount of rejuvenation and restoration.

This morning as I began my day, as I skimmed through e-mails, I was inspired several blog posts for Wordless Wednesday. I decided to post a picture for word less Wednesday, but I can’t do it without words, so I’ll do it with LESS words. Perhaps next week will be a true wordless Wednesday.

Last summer, B found pictured coneflower and brought it home for our garden and planted it. Monday morning, I was surveying the garden and discovered them. I love the brilliance of coneflowers and how they bring bright color to the garden in mid-summer.

I’ve been working on a new post for several days, but I am wordless at the moment, so I’ll press publish and jump in to the day because today is going to be a great day, I know it and I can feel it. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, one photograph, one memory of summer to hold on to in winter.

What stands out to you in a garden?

Day 31 – Flying the Flag

Challenges, country, Family, history, Photography, Writing, , , , ,

Yesterday was the Fourth of July. Independence Day. We spent our day as we usually do – parade, lake, dinner, then fireworks.

My wife reminded me to fly the flag the evening before, but I didn’t put the flag up until the yesterday morning.

flying the flag…
and a smaller version posted in the mail box

It was a beautiful summer day. I got to ride in the boat and watch my daughter enjoy tubing. My daughter towed me to and from the boat on her tube. But, no water for me, other than a shower until I get the green light in a couple of weeks to swim and get in the lake.  I’ll have to wait until later in the summer when my incision is fully healed.

the flag flying on the boat as Olivia follows behind on the tube

The day was a wonderful day to remember Thomas Jefferson’s words; Continue reading Day 31 – Flying the Flag →