Sometimes we look at sights in nature but don't really see. While hiking in the woods the other day, it became a realization that we need to open our heart and eyes to see the beauty of the simple things in nature with each season. There is so much order and purpose in His creation. God has given us awesome beauty in this world to see and enjoy... if we would but stop to see and feel it. Join us as this blog is about stopping to see the real beauty around us...to touch and feel it... "Through the Lens".

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Thursday, February 24, 2011

A Simple Day

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It was a simple day to do simple things. It began early with the folks arriving to work on the bathroom remodel. That’s when we noticed what a beautiful day it was starting out to be. Plenty of sunshine and temps hovering around 72 degrees…..just perfect.

Stephen was off today and wanted to spend the day doing something fun together. Nothing big….just simple. We decided to drive to San Marcos for lunch. We always seem to migrate to San Marcos for a good meal as well as a fun environment. From there we decided to drive through Callaway Gardens to see what was happening. We hadn’t been there for several months and felt it was a perfect day to take a leisurely drive through the Gardens. We stopped and walked through the Discovery Center and enjoyed a wonderful exhibit of photography by Patsy Epperson. DSC_0464 

She is a nature photographer and we really enjoyed her work. We thought about our good friends Darrell and Judy Patterson as well as Mike and Peggy Everingham as she had many shots of the coast along Maine. Just beautiful.

On our way home we stopped in the downtown area of Pine Mountain where we found a unique soda shop. Stephen had a fountain milkshake and Mike and I had ice cream. Yum!! We didn’t count the sugar because we know it would have been a no, no but you gotta splurge once in awhile.

Now we are back home sitting out on the patio just enjoying the ending of a really nice simple day in the life of……

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We hope you had a great day as well!!!

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. ~John Muir

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Daytona 500

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Today as we watched some of the Daytona 500, Gerri started telling me about her memories of the race.  You see, she was born in Daytona and  remembers when the race used to be on the beach itself.  It actually started on A1A South and turned onto the beach.  As the event grew, Bill France Sr.  started the planning for the speedway in 1953.  Gerri’s dad knew him and would talk about the process of building the speedway.  The track itself was built in 1958 and the first race was in 1959.

Gerri’s dad and brother would enter the infield as early as possible and they would all tailgate and watch the race.  She remembers walking the pit row and seeing many of the big name racers.  One of her best friends was Pam Roberts, daughter of Fireball Roberts.  He died as a result of a race in 1964.

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A few years ago, we had the privilege of spending a week in Daytona and touring the speedway.  There is a museum in the building that is well worth the time to visit.  You can learn a lot about the race and its history at the museum.

Travor Bayne, a 20 year old, won the race today.  What an incredible feat for him!

Beautiful Weather… Just to Relax

What a grand and beautiful day it has been. In fact it has been really nice weather all week. The temps today got into the mid 70’s with lots of sunshine. Gerri & I spent a lot of the day outside just enjoying the beauty and watching the birds at the feeders and the bird bath. We sat on our patio in our chairs and just enjoyed the sunshine and birding.

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The birds really enjoy the bird bath as well as all the feeders we have for them. It is so nice to be able to enjoy just being out in this great weather and relaxing. We even have daffodils up and blooming… a little early but they sure look good.

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We hope the weather has been good for you and a touch of spring in the air. Take care, stay healthy and be safe.