Pirates, Castles, and Horses... Oh, MY!

(see the post below)


Dad and I decided to check out the castle a little closer, but we were distracted by two very friendly horses. They immediately came running up to the gate when we approached. I usually don't mind going into a field with horses, but one of them immediately tried to bite me when we came to the gate. The horses stood and watched us as Dad and I quickly jumped the stone wall and went down to the entrance of the old castle. The castle was very small and was made up of one large room on four or five floors. The old ladders between floors were long gone, but you could still see where they would have gone. We were not in the castle very long when we had the strange sense that we were being watched. Was it the ghost of Grace O'Malley? Unfortunately - no.... Our two new friends (the horses) had decided to join us on our castle tour. The bite-ing horse just came right in, as if he had been invited. Dad quickly exited the building, but I was too distracted taking pictures. It was not long until I was trapped in the little dark room with the horse. The room was so small that the horse's butt almost touched one wall and his nose the other. I eventually got my new friend turned so that I could get out.... and I didn't get bit... but Dad and I laughed so hard that our sides hurt. I'm sure that the horses were a bit confused as to why we had invaded their own private fortified stable.

















.

Street art

There have been some interesting things taking place on the city streets during the arts festival. Last week there were several street performances that took place at night. There were not really parades, but rather were stories being told by actors in a creative way. For instance: One night last week we were in the city around 10pm and witnessed a flying race. Five "inventors" had created "flying machines" and were racing through the city's pedestrian center. The only problem was that they kept breaking down. Once one stopped they all stopped and started trying to sabotage each others machine. Oh... did I forget to mention that some of the flying machines were equipped with weapons? And that they would occasionally kidnap bystanders and take them for a ride? It was crazy and funny! We walked down the streets and watched the madness! here are a few pics!

Off to a fast start the vehicle in front soon lost the lead. Notice the child that has already been placed on the front of the flying machine!





Racing in luxury...





No doubt that this was the fastest of the group... it also had the most 'flair'.



(see next post!)



.

Back Online...

Yes! We are still here! Sorry for the silence over the last few days... we traveled from Amsterdam to Belgium for a few days, and we didn't have internet access while we were there! I have to admit that part of me was frustrated not being able to update the site... but part of me was happy to be away from the computer for a few days! We are back now and have internet again... but it is VERY slow and spotty... So - I'll tell you more about Belgium tomorrow!



.

Hello from Amsterdam!

Just a quick pic that Dee took yesterday. No... that is not an optical illusion... the buildings really are leaning! We will write more about Amsterdam soon!






.

10!

It is hard to believe... but this week Dee and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary! Wow... where did a decade go? We are usually very busy with work during our anniversary (and Dee's birthday), but this year we declared that it was going to be different! We marked out some time that we were going to get away and celebrate... stay tuned for some pics from The Netherlands!


Us on June 19, 1999





.

More from Portugal

Today turned out to be a really nice... and hot... day. I ended up getting lost (partly on purpose) in the old part of the city for a while this morning. I had read that there was a market set up somewhere in that part of the city... but did not know exactly where it was going to be. So... I wondered around the small streets until I started seeing people carrying things. I followed them like pieces of bread crumbs left in the woods until I came to the market. You could really find anything in this market... antiques... old shoes... rubbish... coins... toys... new clothing... I ended up spending a lot of time combing through piles of old books and coins that were baking in the sun. I didn't end up with any books... but I did find some coins... and some nice antique bottles for my dirt collection.

Here are a few of the pics that I took as I wondered the back streets of Lisbon...

"Enjoying the view"










I came across this tree when I was absolutely exhausted. I sat here under the tree for about thirty minutes listening to two old women talking in the door to the left.




.

Taking the plunge...

Well............. I can't believe that we are going to do it.... but we are!


(insert drum roll here.......)


In just under three weeks - we are going to hold our first public photo exhibition!


Wow... that is a scary thought! Our local library has a very large multipurpose room that is used for just about anything/everything. It is a courtroom (once a month)... a reading room... a concert hall... and even an art gallery. So... before I left to go back to the states I reserved this room for the month of February (yes - I picked the shortest month!). My plan is to hang/display photos that we took while in the States. We will have an opening on Friday the 6th of February 7pm to 9pm and then the photos will hang (and the room will be open to the public) for the rest of the month.

I went in to reconfirm that we do indeed have the room, and just talking about the details made me nervous. I don't really know why... but it does make me a bit nervous to have strangers and friends come look at my photos while I am still standing there...... But I also think that I need/want some push to evolve and... a reason to take more pictures. There is just something about being able to share what I see, and I think that it will be great to share our experiences in the states with our friends here.

So... there you have it... more details later...

Oh... and I have changed the timer on the top of the page to countdown to the show...



.

Hiya!

We made it to Ireland... and are back in our little house! It has been a long couple of days... but it feels so good to be in one place and not be moving! I'll update soon to tell you about our trip!

The civil war...

I have a confession to make....... I am a born and bread Southerner but I have never been to a civil war reenactment. It might come as a shock to many Yankees out there, but despite what the movies say we don't all spend our spare time reenacting the war (thank you - writer of the movie "Sweet Home Alabama").


When we decided that we were going to be back in the states for these six months I started making a list of all the things and places that I wanted to visit and photograph. Some of the things on the list were there for sentimental reasons, but others were there because I have always wanted to see or experience them. A civil war reenactment was at the top of the list. It is just one of those things that I think is truly 'southern' and would be a wonderful thing to photograph. So, when I saw that there was going to be a two day reenactment in north Alabama we made our plans and went to see the excitement. I was not disappointed! I actually went to both days of the two day event, and both days were completely different. One day the Yankees won, and one day the Rebels won. Both days, however, were scorching hot, and I could not help but feel sorry for the men, women, and children wearing the wool clothing out on the battle field.



Here are a few of the first pictures I am going to post. They were taken before and after the battle around the campsites.

















.

Spring pt.1

I grabbed my camera and ran out the door on a race. The clouds had cleared and the sun was setting quickly. I drove for about five min and then turned up a small little road that I have always wondered about but never ventured up. The road took me down in to a little valley where I saw a young colt running and jumping in a small rocky field. I jumped out of the car and took this shot right as the sun was going down behind the hill.

There is something so kind about a horse with its colt. There is a tenderness there that you don't really see in the other animals here. The mother is always watching as the colt dances around her... and always quick to nuzzel with her nose...

Behind the camera...

It is a funny thing to be on this side of the camera. What you see really never tells the whole story. You guys see the peaceful mountain lake, but you never see the 18wheeler nearly blow me off the road while I snapped the picture. You guys get to see the beautiful old building but never see the grafiti on the building next door. So.... I have decided for once to pull back the curtain and let you see what is going on behind the camera.


What you see:

Beautiful and sleepy harbor after a long day of work:







What you don't see:

Stinky (wet) neighborhood dog that has been pestering me for the past hour... wanting me to throw sticks and a plastic bottle for him to fetch.







What you see:

Beautiful 14th century Norman castle reflecting in a perfectly still lake.







What you don't see:

Neighborhood dog spraying me with the stinky lake water as he shook it off.






There is always something going on on the other side of the camera. I enjoyed the peace of the day... and I did enjoy my new little doggie friend. Here is the catch. What was the first thing Dee said to me when I picked her up after my little adventure? "Whew! What did you step in?"


Yes.......yes......... I did!


Now my friends, you know the rest of the story.

There will be dancing in the streets...

We have been back from our meetings for a couple of days now... but I wanted to share one last story with you. On Sunday last week I wandered the streets of Barcelona enjoying the blue skies, warm breeze, and sun-baked buildings. I wandered around the coin and stamp market... discovered an art market... and eventually ended up at the city's cathedral. There at noon I watched a timeless ritual play out in the middle of the square. The cathedral's bells echoed the midday hour off of the stone buildings as a small band begin to set up on the steps of the great church. A large crowd - although it was no larger than normal - was gathered in the courtyard watching and waiting. It was not long until the band began to play a music completely foreign to my ears. The high pitched music is native to Catalunya (the region where Barcelona is located). The crowd begin to move and I noticed a few older people starting to hold hands and dance. The ancient dance was nothing like you would probably picture. It wasn't full of flare or dramatic moves, but was simple in it's movement. Slowly other people joined in the dancing until a small circle began to form. Each person held hands slowly taking steps in and out and side to side so that in unison the circle moved and turned to the beat of the music. The dancing looked a lot like the Celtic dancing in Brittany, France, but had a unique rhythm to it. I stood there with a few other winter tourists watching the community come together in a moment of solidarity and celebration of their heritage. It was not put on for the tourists, but rather was done because it has always been done. The old and the young went on from dance to dance as other circles were formed around the courtyard. When someone joined in they simply took off their coat and tossed them into the every growing pile of belongings in the middle of the circle. I felt blessed to be a witness to this act of community... and I was reminded that the people of Barcelona have a proud heritage and language... and that despite being a minority people they continue to hold on to their culture.

Random Pics... Spain...

We are headed back to Ireland... but here are a few more pics from Spain:

It's a bird....It's a plane..... no.... just a bird....

Anyone who knew me when I was younger will know that I have a pet parrot. Paco is a beautiful green quaker that came to live with us when I was in high school. I'll never forget the drive home from the pet store. Paco tried to chew his way out of the paper bag he was in... and then let out a screech so loud that I thought I killed him. It is kinda funny... I don't remember him screeching in the pet store.... but.... boy does he love to screech first thing in the morning. The word "screech" does not really convey the punishing racket that he decides to inflict from time to time. Over the years Paco has learned to say all kinds of things. He can say in a sweet voice "hello baby I love you".... He calls dad to the telephone when it rings... calls and scolds dogs that have been dead for years.... calls my name....... and then says "wallace is gone"...... barks when he hears knocking.... sings several songs.... and will dance when the mood hits him. These are but a few of Paco's many talents............... he is still doing well, and still lives with my parents (sorry mom and dad).

I had to tell you all of that to explain this:
The other day I was walking around in a little market here in Spain when I heard the strangest and yet all too familiar sound......a blood curdling screech that seemed to echo off of the stone buildings. ... I wandered around looking... and then saw a flash of green fly into a palm tree. I ran over and found a pair of quakers nesting in the tree! What a surprise to see my little parrot in the wild! Now that I have seen them once I am noticing them all over the place! It is a little thing.... but it really made my day!

More Pics from Barcelona...

In the Cathedral...

On the road again....

Can you believe it? We have to travel away for a week of meetings and training. The cool thing is that we have had to come to Barcelona, Spain. I know that probably sounds really excotic... but most of the time we don't get to see a lot of the places we travel to. Meetings are held in a hotel outside of the city, and we are busy most of the day with meetings. This time, however, we decided to take the weekend before the conference begins tomorrow. We wanted a few days to see the city and to have some retreat time from the wind and rain. To be honest with you, I think that we needed a little down time for the two of us to be away together... A chance to goof off and have a bit of adventure together...

Now that the weekend is coming to an end and the meetings are about to start I am going to post a few pictures. We are really impressed with Barcelona. It has such a young feel to it, but still holds a lot of the old charm of the old city. The streets twist and turn like a maze leading to hidden courtyards, churches, grand boulavards, and eventually the sea. The buildings reach up four to five stories to the sky - blocking out sunlight and wind. Dee and I have enjoyed working our way through the maze of old streets.... getting lost... discovering old bookshops, coin dealers, clothing stores, and markets.


This place is such a photographer's dream. I have taken SO many pictures. I'll be posting some over the next few days.

Celtic Cousins...

Brittany France is a really cool place. This peninsula, a little arm stretching out towards Ireland, is the home to a unique and an awesome people. Historically they are celtic cousins with the Scottish, Welsh, and Irish.... and this fact has not been lost. This magical place feels so different from Ireland, but yet in some ways seems to have more in common with Ireland than with France. Needless to say... we have taken a ton of pictures while we have been here... and we have loved our little bit of time here with our friends.




A prehistoric Celtic Dolmen
This site is believed to have been used for pagan worship and burial.


The dolmen from the side... (click to make it bigger)






Dee inside the dolmen
You can see ancient carvings on the rock to her right



More pictures to come...

Today's Random Pic...

From the coast of Brittany, France:

Slowing Down...

There is a strange time after Christmas... a time where everything seems to slow down or shut down. Clubs and classes are stopped... shops are not open... and people go away to visit family. This time of year is usually a hard time for us... a time where we are missing family and going a bit crazy with cabin fever. This year we have gone to see some old friends who live on the continent. I'll be posting more over the next few days... so stay tuned...


A picture from our first day here... This area is known for the lighthouses...

Tradition!

It is that time of year again... I renewed my membership in the polar bear club by taking a quick dip in the ocean today. This little tradition all over Ireland is alive and strong in our area. People all over town postponed present opening and Christmas dinner long enough to meet up at the beach... strip down to swimsuits... and jump into the freezing north Atlantic. It was a blast. The best thing about it was the camaraderie on the beach after the swim and goofing off with some good friends. The temp on the sand was a warm 40 degrees F... I don't know about the temp of the water... but I know beyond any doubt that it was colder than on the land!

Relief and Retreat (part 3)...

Another pic from my mountain loch...

Relief and Retreat (part 2)...

Well supplied with all that I would need for the day I sat in the car trying to figure out where I wanted to go. The decision was not hard. I wanted to go to my favorite spot in all of Ireland... a small loch in the heart of the mountains. It is one of those out of the way places that most tourists never see.... hidden far off the main tour route. Discovering this place has been a bit of a process. We first went up the road a bit last Christmas when R & B came to visit... but we got distracted by sheep dogs working on the mountain side and didn't drive far enough to discover the loch. We drove a bit of the road this summer with Dena & T but stopped short again... Then this summer we went all the way to the loch with my parents. I am so glad that we did. The quiet beach, with its coffee colored sands, sits nestled between mountains in much the same way Loch Ness does in Scotland. That summer's day picnic with my parents is one that I will never forget. A quiet moment in time where we walked the shore... laid in the sun... and laughed... a moment that I will always be able to replay in my mind and heart. The loch and beach were quiet on Monday afternoon. The winter's sun (even at mid-day) was not high enough to peek over the mountains and warm the sands.... there were not any kids playing in the water... no sounds of passing cars.... only the occasional sheep call... and me sitting on the wet grass in my good jeans with my journal and an apple. It was the perfect place to feel completely alone... to be able to sing without anyone hearing... to be able to pray in a way (and place) that the ancient Celtic Christians once did.... to stand in amazement of the creation and the power of the Creator...................................... I don't know how long I stayed there..... but it was refreshing... and humbling........



(Stayed tuned.... for the rest of the story...)




You can see the sun peeking over the mountain in this pic. I took it right at 1pm.

Relief and Retreat...

Yesterday was amazing. It was a welcomed day of relief. In the midst of weeks of darkness and storms we had a spring day. This in and of its self would be amazing... but thankfully my schedule cleared itself and I found myself free from any work... classes... or commitments. Needless to say... I pounced! I grabbed a few good books... my journal... two coats... and (most importantly) a couple of cameras... and headed out for a personal retreat. I left the house without a plan. All I knew was that I needed to be outside and that I needed to find a quiet place to think, read, write, and pray. So... I started driving... I drove... and I drove... until I saw mountains... and then I drove some more. My music blared (thanks for the cd's Dena), my windows were down, and the car's heat was on. As I drove I became very aware that I had not eaten breakfast and I that I did not have any food in the car. I found a small petrol station and went in looking for a feast. Unfortunately, this was the petrol station that time (and the delivery man) had forgotten. There was a wall of shelves which contained basic household cleaning items and a wall that contained basic food items. I picked up a loaf of bread but put back the lunch meat when I saw the 'best by' date. I grabbed some Pringles, a Snickers bar, two apples, and a banana. I stood there with my goods and bread wondering if this was a well balanced meal.... the only other choice would have been an assortment of green peas that I would have had to drink from the can... I thought about it for a minute... and then I decided that my selection was balanced enough and left the canned peas for someone else to drink(sorry Josh).

(Stay tuned for the rest of the story....)

This pic was taken at my first stop of the day. I love the horses that live in this area. They live in an area free of walls and fences... and live a mostly free and wild life.