Self-Reflections

I've been granted the opportunity recently to take some time for self-reflection. It's been a truly enriching experience. My walking has ramped up to near pre-broken foot levels, I'm trying out some new photography techniques, and I've met a number of really interesting and loving people over the last six weeks.

I-565 Sentinel, Huntsville, AL (f/20, 13.00s, 39.00mm, ISO 100)

As an example, before yesterday, I've personally witnessed only two occasions of raw courage wrapped in selfless sacrifice with a dose of truth in order to help someone else. Yesterday, I saw the third example of just that behavior and it was stunning. That kind of thing re-opens the mind to the reality that love is more powerful than fear, and in spite of the risks, it's worth it.

I'm grateful for this period of self-reflection, and I'm looking forward to the attempt at bringing it back to the grind of the workaday world. Tomorrow will bring what it does, and I'm looking forward to the unfolding.

Pushing Through

I've been living under the belly of the whale for a little less than a week now.  I'm not really sure why, but I think it might be due to tiredness. At any rate, there's nothing really for it but to push through, so that's what I've been up to the last several days.

It's Not Always Blue Skies and Sunsets, but if You Keep Putting One Foot In Front of the Other, the Storm will
Eventually Break - Walk On - Huntsville, AL

It's not been all gloom and despair.  Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to visit Little River Canyon Preserve near Fort Payne, AL.  In addition to getting a mild case of food poisoning (I'm pretty sure) and practicing sleeping in a tent during a sleet/rain storm, I did manage to capture some nice vistas that nature put at my disposal.

Grace High Falls - Little River Canyon, AL

I've begun to experiment a little with a Digital SLR coupled with a tripod and telephoto lens. The animation above is the result of some of those photos, and I have to say that I really like it as a first attempt.  More to follow on that stage of my photographic skill set because I have A LOT to learn, but I'm looking forward to it.

Little River Falls - Little River Canyon, AL

The main falls in the canyon was also spectacular. I found that I had to pinch myself to make sure this was only about an hour an twenty minute drive from where I'm staying while I'm on my sojourn down south. Stunning and accessible. That's a powerful combination, and I may have to schedule a return trip (without the food poisoning, thank you).

At any rate, I'm feeling better now, and though I don't know what will happen tomorrow I'm looking forward to the adventure of the journey.  Till then....