Day 31 - 1/31/2011

Well, I can't believe it--I've made it through the first 31 days of the 365-day photo journey.  Many of these days have seen overcast skies, which hasn't presented the best backdrop for a photo shoot.  Still, I've managed to take plenty of photos and post at least 31 of them.  Along the way, I'm learning (or should I say relearning) what it means to take a good photo.  I have really enjoyed watching my fellow 365ers snapshots of their journey, and I'm learning so much from you.

Thankfully, the camellia bushes are full of buds and some of those buds are beginning to open.  Although it was another overcast day, I was able to take a few photos that turned out okay.  I did have a little problem with the lighting (I can't really control the flash very well with a point-and-shoot camera), but I was pleased with the amount of detail and the shallow depth of field that I achieved in several of the shots that I took.

I am really looking forward to some better weather, but I think we're in for quite a few more of these overcast and rainy days before we see much sunshine.

Day 30 - 1/30/2011

I drove up to the country this weekend to visit my boyfriend.  I had hope this would be a nice relaxing weekend, but that wasn't exactly the case.  We did get to get out and explore the country side a bit, and I took some cool photos.  However, Saturday evening became long and stressful due to a family situation with my mother.  Thankfully, all is now resolved, and I am finally posting my weekend pics.

We rode down Hwy 34 to where one of our fellow 365ers lives, but we didn't make it as far as her house.  Sorry, Laura!  I had hoped to stop by to say hi, but we were running late by the time we got to Leroy.  So, I snapped a few shots of the old Leroy US Post Office then moved on down the road.  I took a few more photos before we headed off to dinner at one of my favorate spots to eat when I'm the area--The Harbor Restaurant in Gilbertown.  My sweetie and I love their fried catfish.  The catfish was a little off that night, but still good eating.  Anyway, I stopped along the way and took some more photos.  There are so many beautiful and quaint churches, old barns, etc., along the road, not to mention just some beautiful scenary.  It's even prettier when the grass is green, instead of the lovely brown stuff we've been gazing at for months. However, I only have room for one scene today.

I didn't get to see where the new post office resides.  I'll have to check out it's new location one day.

Day 29 - 1/29/2011

St. Stephens Visitor Center and Museum

Prior to Mississippi becoming a state in 1817 St. Stephens had been the eastern most city of the Mississippi Territory. Upon Mississippi gaining statehood, Alabama became its own territory and St. Stephens its capital. Alabama's first Governor, William Wyatt Bibb, presided over the first meeting of the Territorial Legislature at the Douglass Hotel on St. Stephens' High Street. After taking the oath of office, swearing to uphold the constitution, the next order of business was to create the charter of Alabama's first bank, The Tombecbee Bank. "The sitting of the first legislature at St. Stephens was right. For here, where McClary hoisted the American flag, was the beginning of Alabama." (Peter J. Hamilton, 1899)

In 1853 the Alabama Legislature authorized construction of the St. Stephens Courthouse to serve as governmental headquarters for Washington County. When completed in 1854, the courthouse was home to the probate office and record rooms for the entire county.

The St. Stephens courthouse served the county seat for 53 years until the county seat was moved to Chatom in 1907.

The St. Stephens Courthouse is now open to the public as a Visitor Center and Museum. The St. Stephens Courthouse features fully restored siding, beaded board and heartpine flooring throughout, and much of the original 1853 windowpane glass. The museum displays portraits of early St. Stephens residents Thomas Eastin, William Crawford and Temperance Crawford (painted by Thomas Sully, a well-known artist from Philadelphia, and one of the foremost 19^th-century portrait painters in the US). Also on exhibit is a large dugout canoe of the prehistoric Indians, a collection of ancient fossils from local limestone deposits, and artifacts from the historic town of Old St. Stephens and Fort St. Esteban.

Day 28 - 1/28/2011

Many of the Spring Hill College students drive cars on campus, some of them quite expensive cars;  but you will also see other students, and faculty, who peddle their way around.  In the past few years, Spring Hill's campus has become primarily a walking campus.  So, one either walks across campus or rides a bicycle, unless you are fortunate enough to have a golf cart. (Okay, I will admit to driving my car to a meeting if the meeting is all the way on the other side of the campus.) As a result of so many bikes on campus, we now have quite a few bike ramps placed here and there for the campus communities' use. In fact, anyone parking a bike on the sidewalk instead of in a bike ramp will be fined.  Even the College's president, Fr. Salmi, rides his bicycle to work most days, leaving his presidental parking space empty.  I've never noticed, I wonder if he has a presidential bike space.  Hmmm, maybe I'll have to find out.

Day 27 - 1/27/2011

Mardi Gras King Cake

Baby on the King Cake (before we hid the baby)

Alex & Joan - the birthday boy & girl

Margo got the piece of cake with the baby in it.

Today we celebrated two birthdays.  Alex's and Joan's birthdays were actually earlier in the month, but my co-workers decided to wait to celebrate their birthdays until today because I was out for a week with my mother.  It has been our tradition over the past couple of years to celebrate the January birthdays with a Mardi Gras King Cake.  We let one person hide the baby so that no one else in the office knows where the baby is hidden.  The one who gets the slice of cake with the baby has to buy the next King Cake.  This time Margo got that piece of cake.  Okay, Margo, you get to bring in the next King Cake.  Can't wait!  Want a piece?

Day 26 - 1/26/2011

The Grotto, Spring Hill College campus

Day 25 - 1/25/2011

Sodality Chapel - Spring Hill College

Sodality Chapel - Spring Hill College



Sodality Chapel - Spring Hill College

 It was a dreary, rainy day on campus, but the campus has so many beautiful buildings and scenes worth photographing come rain or shine.  I wasn't able to get out during the middle of the day, but I was able to capture a few shots after I got off work, just before dark. The gardens near the Chapel and the old chapel itself are not only picturesque but it's a peaceful place with three or four benches where students, faculty and staff can go to eat lunch or just enjoy the scenary and pray.  I haven't yet seen the inside of the chapel.  I hope to take a look-see and perhaps get some photos to share with you soon.

Day 24 - 1/24/2011

Stairwell leading up to the 3rd floor of Quinlan Hall - SHC Campus.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

Day 23 - 1/23/2011

Pheres Pickett welcomes me with her usual smile.



Jack Granade, Sunday School Director, making announcements.


This morning I went to Sunday School and church for the first time in several months.  It's been rather difficult to get mother and me ready, so I've just stayed at home with her.  It was nice to see so many of my friends and their smiling faces and to receive all of the warm hugs from my Christian brothers and sisters.

Day 22 - 1/22/2011

I didn't know anyone still used a clothes line these days.  I bet they didn't hang clothes out today though--just toooo cold!

Day 21 - 1/21/2011

Nurse, Mother, Tina, & Mary Stewart

 Mother was admitted to Allen Memorial today for rehab.  The staff at Allen was so friendly and welcoming to her and to us, her family.  We already feel like family. I am so thankful!

The facility even has cats, dogs, birds, and a pot-bellied pig.  Two of the little dogs are small like our little darling Bridget (Angel and Abbie).  I know she is going to fall in love with them.

It's obvious that I didn't take the picture above, since I am in it (I'm the gorgeous blonde on the right  lol).

Sign placed on her door to welcome her to Allen Memorial.



Phyllis Crocker, Cheryl Kirkland, Regina Dunnam, David Barnett

After spending all afternoon at Allen Memorial with mother, my brother and my sisters got together at Aztecas for dinner.  Regina (Sista #3) hadn't eaten all day, except to nibble off of mother's plate.  She fell asleep at the table while the rest of us were talking.  It was so nice for all of us to get together. It's so rare that we get to do that, since Sista #3 lives out of town.  Once again, I added a photo into the day's blog that I didn't take because it deserved to be part of today's photo journey.

So, even though I wish mother was at home with me tonight, I know that she is where she's supposed to be.  She is with people who can take care of her much better than I can right now and who will show her lots of love.

Day 20 - 1/20/2011

Once again, I was unable to take any pictures today.  It is now 11:32 p.m., and I am exhausted.  I spent the night at the hospital with mother, got to work at 11:15 a.m. worked  until 4:30 p.m., and then left to go meet the social worker at Allen Memorial.  I left there at 8:00 p.m. to come home, feed the dog, eat, gather mother's clothes and other belongings, fill out paperwork (which I haven't done yet), and post my PODs.  Well, I'm afraid I need to cheat again and post a photo from a previous day--Day 17.  I promise to get back on track tomorrow; although, tomorrow is going to be a rough day, since mother will be admitted to a skilled nursing facility tomorrow.

I lost this tree during Hurricane Katrina.  When the tree snapped, my daughter almost lost it.  She went to the door to look outside because she feared that the tree might have landed on her car.  To our amazement, the tree had fallen right towards her car, but didn't land on it.  Instead, the leaves on the tip top of the 40-foot tree (or however tall that super tall tree was), lightly brushed the side of her car, but that's all.  I don't think it even caused a scratch.  She hadn't had the car very long and was in tears at the thought that her new car was still in one piece and wasn't flat as a pancake.

The tree stump has changed a bit since Katrina took its top off.  Lines have weathered its top and it's now marked with extra holes in it made by yours truly, me.  I drilled holes in the top of it and filled them will stump remover.  I thought that would be cheaper than having to pay someone to come out and grind it up.  Well, some of the stump has deteriorated, but the majority of the stump still remains in the middle of my yard as a reminder of that fierce storm that ravaged the Gulf Coast.

I hope that this photo will suffice for today and that things will go well with my mother so that I can rejoin my 365 photo journey tomorrow, January 21, 2011.

Goodnight all!

Day 19 - 1/19/2011

This is actually a photo taken on Day 17 because yesterday (Day 19) I was at the hospital or at work (without my camera) all day long.  I even spent the night at the hospital with my mother so that perhaps she wouldn't feel so disoriented, so I was unable to capture any of that day's moments in a photo.  I did take quite a few nice photos on Day 17, so I hope you don't mind me sharing one of them today.  I didn't want to skip a day on my photo journey (although, technically I guess I did; but it was for a good reason!).

Day 18 - 1/18/2011

My Mother

Mother has not been doing well for about a week or so.  Today I took her to see the doctor for a check up and she was admitted to the hospital for test.  Get better soon, mother!  Bridget and I love and miss you!!!

Day 17 - 1/17/2011

I wish I knew the name of this bush, but I don't.  During the summer when it's in bloom, the bush has foilage of large green leaves with pink flowers.  My mother loves this bush.  We have tried to get a cutting off of this bush, but haven't had any luck replanting it. During the winter months, this bush takes on a whole new look--it looks almost like weeds.  Upon a closer look, the furry flower buds looked like a bunch of cotton balls full of bird seed.  It was a neat discovery.

Day 16 - 1/16/2011

Bridget, my sweet Pomeranian

I am late posting Day 16 because I have spent most of the past couple of days taking care of my mother.  My selection of photos is also limited because I can't get away from the house, so my choice of subjects is my mother, my dog Bridget and my boyfriend (who didn't really want to be a candidate lol) or the dead leaves and grass in my yard.  I took a cute picture of mother and Bridget, but unfortunately parts of it were not in focus. So, I chose this photo of Bridget.  She is such a sweet little thing, but in this pic, she looks like she's charging off on some larger-than-life mission.  Maybe she was; maybe she was going to keep mother company or was wanting me to let her go outside to do her business.

Maybe I'll get to venture out a little bit father today.  Praying that mother's day improves.  So far, it's not a good day.  If you believe in prayer, please say a prayer for her.  Thanks!

Day 15 - 1/15/2011

Mother (Helen Jean Barnett) & Darnell Timmons (Mother's hairdresser)

Today was a rough day for mother.  Everyday things that use to be so easy for her were difficult, if not impossible.  She always looks forward to going to the hairdresser each Saturday.  And Darnell always makes her smile.  She greets her at the door with, "hello beautiful."  That just makes mother's day!

And that makes my day!!!  :-)

Day 14 - 1/14/2011

White carnations & purply lilies - arrangement from my Kelly-girl.

After taking my daily photos, I had some fun with my sweetie's new toy (Nikon D5000).  Here's a photo of him and his new toy.  We may have to go out tomorrow and play with his new camera.



Melvin & his new Nikon D5000



Day 13 - 1/13/11

My shadow as I was leaving work.

Life seems so busy sometimes that I feel like I'm passing myself coming and going.  Hmmm . . . Maybe it wasn't just a feeling. . .

Day 12 - 1/12/2011

Becky Shirley - BFF/co-worker

Becky worked with me in the Office of Academic Affairs for 3 or so years.  When an opening came up in the Science Division, she abandoned me (just kidding) to work on the other side of campus.  We have remained good friends and go to lunch together almost every day.

Today I took a picture of my lunch buddy who was waiting to pick me up for our lunch excursion to Raisin' Cane's.  We are proud Caniac Card holders, and Becky used her card today to get one free chicken finger box for me.  It was sooo yummy!  Next week it will be my turn to buy.  So, what's for lunch tomorrow, BFF?

Day 11 - 1/11/11

Today was the first sunshiny day we've had in a while, but the photos that I took during the middle of the day didn't seem to compare to the ones that I took this evening at twilight.  I recently read an article that talked about the special effects of taking pictures at sunset and twilight.  So, when I left work today I thought I'd see what kind of pictures I could take. Since I normally leave work this time of year when it's completely dark outside, I don't usually have the opportunity to take many pictures at this time of day.  It was neat to see the outcome of my photos.  I took about 40 pictures through out the day and froze my little fingers off doing so (SHC has a million and one photo opportunities) and, one again, I really had a difficult time picking out a POD.  I picked a couple for publishing that I thought might be photo worthy.  As I get more confident in my photographic ability, perhaps it will become easier to pick that one special photo as a POD. 




Library Courtyard, SHC Campus at twilight



Looking out over the city of Mobile from the Spring Hill College campus at twilight.

New Hall Lawn (SHC campus) at twilight



South side of the Burke Memorial Library (at twilight)




St. Joseph Chapel (SHC campus) at twilight





Bridget - my Pomeranian

 Bridget came up to me while posting my pictures, and I just couldn't resist adding her cute face to the mix of photos.  Well, tomorrow is a new day, and I'm looking forward to what the lens of my camera will find.

Day 10 - 1/10/2011

This morning started off rather difficult for me, to say the least.  But God sent me a rainbow yesterday and this afternoon He showed me this peace lily as it is getting ready to bloom.   Even through these trials, I have the peace of my God within me.  It's awesome that God even shows us His presence in the nature around us.  My God is an AWESOME GOD!   Do you know my God?

Day 9 - 1/9/2011

Today has been such a cold and dreary day; this photo seemed to capture this dreariness so well.  It's kind of strange that when I took this picture, although it was definately cold, the sun was actually shining brightly through the clouds.  Anyway, I pointed my camera up through the trees and clicked the button; I never expected to get this effect.  I thought it was kinda cool!  (I actually started the day trying to get a picture of a bird's nest.)

Day 8 - 1/8/2011

Kelly and Kayleigh

Amanda Courtney, Cathy Moody and I hosted a baby shower for my precious daughter Kelly today.  So many of our family and friends came out to make it a such a special day for Kelly.  She received so many nice gifts for Kellyanne Elizabeth.  Her niece Kayleigh was a great helper as she opened her presents.

Day 7 - 1/7/2011

Presents for wrapped for Kelly's baby shower.

Cheese ball made - check!  Lem'n dill dip in the fridge - check! Punch bowl and platters set out - check!  Presents wrapped and ready to go - check!  I think I'm ready for Kelly's & Kellyanne Elizabeth's (my grandbaby-to-be) baby shower tomorrow.  Now to get my mother in the bed and get some shut-eye.  Goodnight all!

Day 6, 1/6/2011

Nandina domestica berries, aka Heavenly Bamboo

This is about the only colorful thing in my yard this time of year--my Nandina bushes.

Day 5 - 1/5/2011

Today was my first day back at work, and I wanted to capture a picture that said "Spring Hill" or presented my work/office.  I also wanted to think about taking a good photo, which was a little harder since I have forgotten some of what that even means.  It was a dreary day outside, which didn't help my picture taking efforts as a newby photographer.  I took pictures inside and outside, but I still am not sure that I accomplished much.

Anyway, here is my attempt at Day #5.

SHC - Lucey Admin Bldg w/Cupala

My poor withered plant that hadn't been watered since I left for Christmas break.

SHC logo in the Rotunda - normally black/purple and white, but not under this evening light.

SHC - Lucey Admin Center and Quadrangle

I took several other pics, but didn't think they were worth publishing (the jury is still out on these :-) ).  Normally, I will only publish one photo per day, but I was trying to get a feel for the who, what, when, and where, kinda thing.  Ya know what I mean?