Faith, Family, Life and Work
Welcome to my "blog". This isn't BlogSpot or WordPress; it is my own developing blog system that I will be tinkering with over the next few months. My goal is to share news and views relating to my faith, family, life and work. I hope you'll enjoy what you read and see here. Thank you for taking the time to visit, and if you'd like to comment, please use my Contact page. I am currently converting entries from my old blog over to this one. Thus, over time, you will see growth in the blog archives.
When You Get Blogged Down
November 3, 2008 in Faith , Nightscapes
What have I been up to? One of my projects has been editing my church newsletter,
The Source. Heaton Christian Church started The Source
about a year and a half ago. Our vision was to create a newsletter that would draw greater intestest
and readership by involving our readers as contributors. We've had some success at this; many people remain
bashful about writing, but those who have dared to try have blessed others by doing so. It is a simple effort; we
use Microsoft Publisher for layouts and don't have access to full-bleed printing. Yet we strive to improve it
each month. If you think you'd like a free subscription, open the issue pictured at left, and you'll find subscription
information on page 2.
My other major project has been contract photography work for a client in Unicoi County, Tennessee. I'm not quite ready to share the body of work with everyone, but I am particularly fond of this image. It's a view of Erwin, Tennessee taken shortly after moonrise from Cliff Ridge. Looking eastward, the lights of Erwin and Unicoi glow in their pleasant mountain surround. In the lower half of the photo (30 second exposure), light trails reveal a dual between a CSX train beaten to a road crossing by a passenger vehicle. The image is more fascinating blown up, but this is all I can show right now.
If I'm absent from my blog, chances are, I'm just blogged down.
Another Wild Rhododendron
June 29, 2008 in Floral
Week before last, I wrote about the rhododendron atop the Roan Highlands. But down here at the 3000' level, on the side of Buck Mountain, we have another variety of the rhododendron bush. And this year, they are blooming like I have never seen before. In the past five years we've lived here, the rhododendron in our wood might have been good for a few blossoms right along the tree line. But this year, the rhododendron slick is sporting hundreds of white and faint pink blooms like this one.
I thought I would go online to determine which rhododendron we have.
I found this rhododendron
search at the American Rhododendron
Society. After looking at that, I think it may take awhile to figure out
which rhododendron are growing in our wood.
Spring in the Roan Highlands
June 20, 2008 in Landscapes , Floral
The Appalachian high country is in bloom! And arguably, one of the most beautiful areas is the Roan Highlands, encompassing a range of high peaks from Hump Mountain to Roan High Knob. I have been so fortunate as to have this week off and have been able to spend a few hours on and around the Appalachian Trail that spans this section. To begin, I'll introduce a view just a couple hundred yards from Carver's Gap. (Click on the images for larger views from the Gallery.)
The rhododendron are beautiful; each year, their blossoms seem to take on a different character. Some years, the blooms are the size of softballs; this year, they are smaller, more baseball-sized. I don't think the bumblebees care; they are ever-present. You'll hear a steady hummmmmm around the towering shrubs as no short supply of bumblebees go about their work.
While I love the Rhododendron Gardens (accessed on a two mile spur road from the juncture at Carver's Gap of Tennessee Highway 143 and North Carolina Highway 261), in the past three years I have taken to the sights available to hikers of the Appalachian Trail, starting at Carver's Gap and heading northeast. A fairly easy trail takes one to the top of Round Bald, then Jane Bald, and then Grassy Ridge. The picture below is a panorama, taken from the southern side of Engine Gap towards Jane Bald.
Engine Gap is the only place that I have found the rare Gray's Lily. In fact, I only found one in bloom this year. Plenty of Golden Ragwort graces the gap, creating a true field of gold.
Looking south, you see ridge paralleling ridge—a breathtaking view into mountainous North Carolina.
The world's largest natural rhododendron garden is over on nearby Roan Mountain. Yet here, wild flame azalea shrubs, with blooms flooding the orange spectrum from red to yellow, abound. Most visitors to the Roan Highlands are unaware that these outstanding azalea hide just on the backside of Round Bald.
Regardless of the season, windswept pines and hardwoods show the rigors of life in scathing winds.
The last two days have been no exception; both the baseline breeze and sturdy gusts have made photographing
delicate flowers a challenge. These trees remind me of effects I've seen in Bonsai.
At the very least, their forms evoke personification.
At day's end, I enjoyed the double treat of an excellent sunset and the rise of a nearly-full moon. By the way, the weather this week has been outstanding, and almost frigid. The mountaintop lows were easily near 40° or under. The great thing about weather like this, though, are the deep blue skies and lack of haze.
Catawba Rhododendron
June 15, 2008 in Floral
The blossoms of the massive and world famous rhododendron garden on Roan Mountain are nearing
their peak (and on Round Bald, at peak). We enjoyed a picnic at the garden tonight; the children,
especially Tommy, really enjoyed hiking around the trails. It is really so nice up there. It's
cool, slightly breezy, and has truly interesting flora. If my schedule permits, I'll take a few
dozen more images up there this coming week. Check back!
Promises for the Overcomer
May 4, 2008 in Faith
In the book of Revelation, a prophecy directed to the seven churches in Asia, Jesus gave many stern admonitions to those early Christians. His admonitions touched on their moral issues and failings, yet He followed each with a promise to those who overcame. Meditate on these promises:
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)
He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. (Revelation 2:11)
To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. (Revelation 2:17)
To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations. (Revelation 2:26)
He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. (Revelation 3:5)
Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. (Revelation 3:12)
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21)
He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. (Revelation 21:6-8)
Are these not incredible promises? The rights, the privileges, and the gifts promised by God to His children for being overcomers seem too good to be true! No king, no billionaire, no celebrity on earth can even dream of this sort of treatment. Never for a minute doubt the depth of God’s love and the extent of His plans for you.
But when you go back over Jesus’ warnings to the seven churches, sadly, you can see things haven’t changed much. (Read Revelation chapters 1-3.) Unfortunately, Christians often permit the very world that Jesus overcame to unduly influence them for evil.
We get it backwards sometimes; Romans 12:21 reminds us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Since sin has no place in eternity, how can it have a place for Christians now?
Take the following, then, as encouragement. Yes, as Christians, we still have struggles with sin. Sometimes, we surrender to monumental habits, even addictions. Know this: God wants you to be an overcomer and experience victory over sin in your life.
When you became a Christian, God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in you. His power is inside you, that same power Who was present in Creation and Who raised Jesus from the dead. You are in a fellowship of other believers, other overcomers, who are ready to come alongside you to help you overcome too. And Scripture reassures us this: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Sin and rebellion are not in God’s eternal plan. It is God’s will for His children, Christians, to overcome sin, and He provides us the means to do so. It is a work that He does in inside us, making us like Christ, changing us, struggle by struggle, victory by victory.
Will we become perfect in this life? Is it faithless for me to say with a sigh, probably not? For it seems that the more one overcomes, the more one sees in his heart that also needs to change. Yet you will also find that success breeds success.
Are you tempted to gossip? Overcome! Does a habit control you? Overcome! Are you sometimes a dishonest person? Overcome! Do you yet fall short of the glory of God? Overcome!
Discouragement, despair, and unbelief do not come from God! No, encouragement, faith, and total belief come from the Lord. He believes in you. Never give up. Be an overcomer!
Winter's Final Surge
April 15, 2008 in Landscapes
My daughter Erika and I took in what I think will be winter's final surge this spring.
One of the joys of mountain living is having ready access to the Appalachian peaks and
ridges. On the mountaintops, winters linger, springs are tardy, summers are cool, and
autumns are perfect for hiking.
What we found at Carver's Gap and Round Bald was a mix of wind-driven ice and about three inches of powdery snow (drifted into two to three foot drifts on the east side of the ridge). The conditions were fantastic; temperatures hung in the twenties; the wind was steady and strong; and the fog was intermittent.
We recalled the time we were up there before, when the winds must have been gusting over sixty MPH. Erika was four; one burst of wind caught her and carried her about twenty feet, dropping her into a drift.
I have truly enjoyed having a FujiFilm FinePix S5 Pro digital camera this winter. This camera is built in a Nikon D200 body but has Fuji's unique sensor which optimizes dynamic range, capturing 12 stops of latitude. The power of this is evident in snow pictures: the white of the snow retains detail, yet the dark areas remain strong as well. You can view full size versions of the images below in my Winter Wonder gallery.
Of course, it's springtime at our house (a few trees are budding; lots
of flowers have appeared). Down off the mountain in Johnson City, Tennessee,
all the trees are green with nascent leaves. I made a point to explain
to Erika that our drive down the mountain was like driving from winter
to spring.
Blast from the Past
April 1, 2008 in Landscapes , Nightscapes
Back in April 1997, I had the opportunity to photograph Comet Hale-Bopp,
an outstanding stellar event that delighted earthlings for months.
Jog your memories and view the full size photograph by
clicking on the image at right.
Grassy Ridge Vista
March 15, 2008 in Landscapes
As I continue to add past pictures to my online galleries, once
in a while I want to highlight an image here on the blog.
This photo, taken from Grassy Ridge, exemplifies scenery from the southern Appalachian mountains.
Ah, life above five thousand feet! Everything is pristine, clean, clear, and wild.
Autumn 2007
October 26, 2007 in Landscapes
In spite of having a 200 year drought in east Tennessee, the fall colors have been beyond our expectations in many locations.
It's been interesting, because you'll find a browned-out mountain, and then you'll go another mile and encounter
ridge after ridge arrayed in the full range of warm colors, from maroon to bright amber. I've identified a few of my
favorite shots from this season and saved them in the Autumn 2007 Gallery.
Drought
October 26, 2007 in Faith
During the past couple of years, our region has been experiencing record-breaking drought. This fall, it has become so serious that many small creeks are empty, and there are reports of springs and wells going dry. For the first time in memory, people in the South are having to conserve water. Atlanta may be in serious trouble by the first of the year as it drinks the last drops from its resevoirs. This hit close to home; my parents' spring also dried up about three weeks ago; thankfully, they were within the reach of the county water supply; $3,500 later, they have running water in their home again.
Drought. As I have prayed about this, the question has entered my mind, "Do we think that we don't need God?" It's a question directed at the church. Throughout the Bible, God established that part of His being Lord of all is being Lord of the weather. So down here on earth, we're blaming ourselves for global warming or the climate change, but I haven't heard anyone ask God for rain. It's time to humble ourselves and place our belief and trust in God again. Asking the Lord for rain and help with all of life's needs used to be common prayers. The jury is still out as to whether the activity of man has caused the climate to change. But that doesn't mean we can't ask God for divine intervention. Perhaps in this journey of prayer, we'll see where repentence is needed, but it all must start with turning to the Lord.
Pray in faith, realizing our utter need for God and His provision. Ask God for rain.
Retouching Pauline Oakes Smith
September 21, 2007 in Retouching
This past week, I retouched a family photo of Mrs. Pauline Oakes Smith, which you can see by visiting my
Retouched Photos gallery.
It was the biggest challenge of its kind for me yet! One of the great rewards for this kind of work is helping a
family preserve a treasured photo, as was the case for the Smith family. This was the only photo they had of
their mother from the era in which it was taken.
Bible-Based Toys
July 31, 2007 in Faith
Retailer Wal-Mart will carry a line of biblical action figure toys
called Tales of Glory, starting in August at 425 of its stores.
These faith-based toys are created by one2believe,
and this is a great opportunity for we Christians to vote with our dollars
and demonstrate our interest in toys rooted in Biblical stories.
Not all Wal-Mart stores will carry the toys, and if you have trouble finding them,
don't hesitate to ask Wal-Mart management to add them to their toy departments.
If all else fails, one2believe retails them online at their
online store.
They also carry other figures, like Messengers of Faith and P31 Dolls (based
on Proverbs 31).
Freedom
July 4, 2007 in Country
In America, we cherish our freedom. There isn't a person living
here who doesn't have a relative or friend who has sacrificed his or her
life to protect this nation or to secure the liberty of other nations around the world.
Yet the world remains hostile; there remain those who seek to dominate and oppress
others. In our ever shrinking world we grow incresingly aware that what we have
in America is precious; our government is not domainated by a manic dictator; it doesn't
prevent us from worshipping the Lord freely in churches; it allows us to speak
openly about it, even when we disagree with how it does its job. We have
been this kind of nation for 231 years. While we celebrate our freedom and honor
those who, since our founding, have fought to keep us free, let's ever be
on watch for threats from without and within, ready to take up whatever battle
need be, to pass the joy of liberty to generations beyond.
Independence Day Celebration!
July 3, 2007 in Nightscapes
On July 3, 2007, Pepsi-Cola and the city of Johnson City hosted the
22nd Annual Independence Day Fireworks Celebration.
This event attracts thousands of people to the grounds of Freedom Hall Civic Center each
year, and the fireworks display never disappoints. The weather was perfect: cloudless sky, comfortably
cool at sunset, and a light breeze. The show was fast-paced, running for 20 minutes starting
at 9:55 p.m.
Please visit my lastest gallery addition, Fireworks 2007, to see some highlights from the show.
The Light Shined in the Darkness
June 14, 2007 in Landscapes
The newest addition to my landscape gallery
is this sunburst shot from two weeks ago.
I am ever so awed by the miracle of light and being able to see the illuminated world.
When God created the Earth, He enveloped it in an atmosphere of gases and water. It is
a living canvas that He continuously paints for our pleasure.
Epson V750 Scanner Test
May 28, 2007 in Equipment
I come from a family of photographers; none of us are famous, but we all have had a passion for photography at one time or another. My grandfather left us with a collection of over 5,000 slides. He had hundreds of family photos and thousands from trips across the United States. Several dozen images were winners in local camera club contests. My Dad picked up the hobby after World War II; my older brother Doug and I both have shot our share of slides and negatives.
Now with the Internet and age of digital photography, we believe the time has come to unlock and share the treasures of these photos that date back to the 1950s. We will concentrate on family pictures first, but we will also digitize works depicting the postwar era and showcase pieces that stand out on their own merit.
This project requires a tool to convert slide and negative films into digital copies. When we first discussed this project last year, I bought a Nikon Coolscan 5000 ED to see how it would do. It would scan only one slide at a time, but the results were nothing short of amazing. Nikon made a batch feeder that could scan a stack of slides at a time. However, as I looked at this harder (online forums), I learned that many users of the batch feeder had issues with cardboard mounted slides jamming. All of Grandpa's slides are in cardboard mounts.
Enter the Epson Perfection V750-M Professional Scanner. I found a review at photo-i that showed comparable results between the V750 and the Nikon Coolscan. While the Coolscan had a slight upper hand, the V750 could scan 12 slides at a time on its flat bed (no automatic machine eating our slides to worry about), and the whole setup would cost half of the Nikon with a batch feeder. Exit the Nikon on eBay.
The picture at right is my first test scan using the Epson V750. The original slide was shot on Kodachrome 64 using a Pentax K1000 with a 50mm lens. The original was also underexposed. The new scanner is capable of magnifying film grain (4,800 dpi); thus, I am satisfied with the resolution. I am also pleased with the color output using the basic Epson software. (This image is from one of Kassi and my western trips. In August 1996, we made a loop through the northwest that included Yellowstone National Park.)
While I don't intend to write a "review" on the Epson scanner, I will say that I am very pleased with what I see so far. And I haven't gotten to try the SilverFast software that came with the scanner yet. From what I've read, the results may be even better with it.
