Playful Affection

"I'm glad ewe are my friend."

Native American

It seems appropriate to post this picture, since yesterday's was one of a cowboy. =) There just happened to be an authentic Indian Pow Wow today down the road from where I live.

Sunset Singer

The setting sun salutes a man and his song.

Morning Fog

Mother Nature leaves her foggy signature on a typical rural landscape in south Nashville.

Eye To Eye

"Created" meets "Creator" as this portrait comes to life on canvas. It is as if their eyes meet in mutual admiration. Meanwhile, the "real" lady modeling for her portrait (off- camera) waits with patient anticipation to see the final rendering.

In The Background

There comes a time to fly, even if you're a turkey.

Breakthrough

For you city folk, this is a hay bale . . . err, roll. They are huge and can be seen scattered over most any field in rural Nashville awaiting their time to become winter food for hungry livestock. This one obviously tried to make a run for it right through the fence. =)

Art In The Shadows

Bright sunlight paints its work of art on a blank wall just begging for a little creativity.

Last Visit

My last post was a reminder that fall is on its way. With every new beginning, comes an ending. And so it is with our friend, the butterfly. She surprisingly rests upon the arm of a friend, ready to make this year's exit, but not before she says "Goodbye."

Fallen Leaves

A Sunday stroll through downtown Franklin reveals the first signs of fall. A few brilliantly-colored leaves lay scattered across the brick sidewalks, a sure sign that a colorful new season is making its arrival.

Nashville Stop

Whether visitors arrive by car, plane or cycle, for a taste of southern cooking and Music City history, the Loveless Cafe in Nashville is on their list.

Keyboard Crooner

Totally lost in the music, he plays and sings as if no one is listening, and yet everyone is.

Reaching For The Sky

Wild grasses in a field of green create an artistic rendering against an early evening sky.

Showtime Jitters

Time for the show and time for friends to support each other.

Long Way Back

A 1965 Ford Convertible invites me on a cruise down Memory Lane.
Wanna hop in for a ride?

Night Lights

The flashing lights and whirling rides of an amusement park stir the darkness with excitement.

Soul Strings

Beautiful music happens when guitar strings resonate with impulses from the heart.

Mom, I Want To See, Too!

Nothing like the wind in your face for a sense of adventure and freedom. When you are a colt, you long for the day when you can see over the fence just like Mom.

Still Standing

Evening shadows reveal the beauty of old age.

Sky View

Architectural beauty always entrances me. Take for instance, this ingenious way to bring the outside in as you stroll through the grandeur of the Opryland Hotel in Nashville.

Sunset Silhouette

A ferris wheel waits for its time to shine when darkness falls and the lights come on!

Persistent Perseverance

When you want to reach your goal enough to overcome any obstacle, then you can! Such is the case with this sprout actually breaking its way through the pavement to experience life itself.

Design In Orange

The end of summer is near.
We'll soon say goodbye to one of it's most popular motifs, the beautiful butterfly.

Within Arms' Reach

The unified offering of comforting compassion soothes the soul. I snapped this photo downtown in Nashville's only open-air church service especially for the homeless.

Mystery View

While I'm on an urban roll, I'll share this window view. (No, it's not a stained-glass window. There is, in fact, no glass at all. Give up?) Look closely. A skyscraper supplies the blue and white stripes viewed through wrought iron in an open window in the outdoor garden area of the Nashville public library.

Urban Attraction

When walking down a city street, every step leads to the possibility of a picture in the making. A fence, a lamp post, a doorway, a stone wall, even a tree. Put them all together and you have urban art. I love it!

Evening Glow

A setting summer sun illuminates towering silhouettes in a field of wild grasses.

Up or Down?

Sometimes taking a moment to look up reveals a whole new perspective. Such is the case while viewing multi-level balconies from a lobby at the Opryland Hotel .

From Another Time

An auto from the past rolls in to visit a beautiful home from yesteryear in downtown Franklin, Tennessee.

Lobby Light

Sometimes we miss the subtle beauty around us, even inside a building. Here, late afternoon light works its magic through a window with the aid of a brightly-colored bench casting it's shadow in the lobby of a local shopping center.

I'm Back!

After a two-month hiatus from my blog in which I concentrated on the photo contest for the Nashville Tennessean and the opportunity to be featured in their new book about Music City, I am back. What a wonderfully challenging ride that was! During that time, I ventured into the world of photographing humans as well. So, I have lots of new photos to share with you. I hope you will enjoy them!

American Country

Old Glory proudly adds her colors to a country sunset.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Hay There

Ms. Cow graciously ceases her munching to oblige me and my camera.

Someone's Home

The countryside keeps its secrets in abandoned homes hidden in its hills and valleys. Lying in the thickets and overcome with weeds, they are left to die. Someone once called them "home," but we will never know their stories.

World of Wonder

So much to explore! Where do I start? No better place than on a bridge to determine your direction.

In The Spotlights

The setting sun produces a show of light behind a budding star.

Ready and Waiting

As the afternoon sun calls it a day, two rockers invite sweet repose.

Take Your Pick

Nothing better than home-grown fruit straight from the farmer's market. Now for the strawberry shortcake!

Electric Clouds

The open spaces of the countryside reveal an interesting display of the ingenuity of man to harness energy vs. the natural beauty of God-given light at sunset.

Ray of Hope

Darkness falls as the evening sun bids goodnight from the western sky. One last ray of light peaks through the shadowed flowers hanging on my porch. With the promise of morning, daylight will return in all its glory.

Bird Patrol

A bluebird sits atop this sign, seemingly watching for the horse to cross. Now tell me, where else but in the country do you have signs for horses? I love it!

Ready. Set. Go!

For those of us who never knew that blueberries don't actually grow in plastic boxes at our local grocery store, this is how they actually look as they ripen on the plants out here in the country. Shown here are the "three stages of yum." I'll have the one on the left, please.

Welcome Lights

The warmth of home reaches through the darkness to offer peace and rest at the end of a very long day.

Behind The Scene

Mom and baby colt peek through the nursery fence at the barn. Soon he'll be in the pastures out front. . . . . the perfect picture of a spirit running free.

Country Road

How about an evening stroll in the country? Relax and let it take you anywhere you want!

Straight From The Heart

No series on country living would be complete without the mention of country music. Though it was born deep within the hearts of country folk, it is the voice that speaks for us all.

One Stop

Where else but in the country can you get your gas from an outdated pump, pick up the groceries on your list, say hello to your neighbors and sit down for a home-cooked meal all at the same place?

All American Barn

I have chosen this photo to begin my "Life in the Country" series because I couldn't think of a better one than a barn which proudly displays the symbol of life in this country.

Let's go!

Since I posted the cowboy's photo yesterday, it seems appropriate to give him a horse. In fact, this inspires me to share a few more photos typical of country life. Stay tuned . . . .

Ready To Ride

That faraway look in a cowboy's eyes never really leaves him. The lure of adventure always runs deep within his soul.