What does a squirrel gotta do around here to get some eats?

Good thing I quit smoking this sounds deadly. But you guessed it, what a rush!

Lighting is horrible on this one, but, I would like to express my surprise to see this hair-do, or hair-don't. Is that a rug?

I really miss these guys. The neighbors must really enjoy my antics. One side to the other, stop shoot, start, stop , run to the other side, and cuss. What makes our hobbies so fun. We ignore the time and hassle because we enjoy it?

"Hey baby, wanna go out". I'm sure that's what the male Peacock is saying while I'm taking this photo. She really didn't look like she was going to give it up. But who knows, he has all day to change her mind.

Went to the Zoo this week, Wednesday. To my surprise it started to snow, not just flakes but giant heavy flakes of fluffy snow. I could hear thuds when they hit the ground. What a beautiful day. I really enjoyed the loneliness. Not that I don't enjoy my children, but it was very peaceful not having to dig in the pockets for soda money. Not once did I hear "I don't want to see the lions I want to see the birds". I was where I wanted to be at all times. If not, I moved to the place I would rather. The wife thought the picture I took of the seals was very nice, almost like a statue. I finally told her.

Must be dinner time. Sometimes I want to make them a plate. They always show up and look interested. That's more than the kids will do.

"The Crave"

This is what it feels like to quit smoking!! Body is going 100mph, mind takes a while to catch up. Sometimes, I say things way before I have a chance to analyze the data.

Did I just say her ass was fat? Yes, that was out loud!. Think fast Brian, no I didn't, I said the grass was flat. Howbout, I got gas in my hat. Crap I'm busted.

Long weekend

Longweekend, its what a shift workers life revolves around.
Constantly checking the calendar to see if your luck would put the event on your" longweekend". This word triggers the same emotions in us, shift workers, that "Christmas" and "birthday" trigger is small children.
Its the time you've always wanted and it happens once a month. Yes, once a month.
I had time to transplant my babies and this "longweekend" just started. Think I planted a little early this year?
My wife has been complaining about


























needing her windshield wipers replaced. So "longweekend" you are here. I, of coarse, gave her enough time to attempt to replace them herself. As long as she tries, I have no problem doing anything for her . The kids are the same, as long as they attempt to help themselves I will offer them assistance.
I see way to often , people that ask for handouts simply because they will not try.
The fence post picture, also a result of "longweekend". Time to relax. I thought it would come out a little better but no complaints from me. I might adjust the color or contrast in a future "longweekend" and make something of it. Until then, I will let time adjust my opinion of it. Sometimes the future brings a different look and feel. Maybe physical adjustments will not be necessary if the mind can be tricked into viewing pleasure. The first look might bring disgust, the third starts the mind's natural tendency to seek out more of this feeling, resulting in joy.
























Mr. Pickleman,

The true self sufficient cat. He does not need the handouts we give. Long hours he spends awaiting movement in the field. He then decorates our doorstep with the fallen soldiers. Maybe I misunderstand his sufficiency, as he might need salt or garlic. One never knows.
I do know, certain photos, that I have no patience to let time alter my view, need immediate attention. This pic was a smidgen bland. The color was weak, the fix, completely remove color. Still not pleasing. Ah, add blur. Yes, leave the mind wanting something more out this photo instead of giving all.























In my recent attempt to quit smoking I have to admit I have done great. My first day without smoke Jan 5th. My last day of breathing tainted air Jan 4th. The problem, I have replaced my nicotine habit with calories. The damage-- 15 lbs in 16 days. At this point my arteries are cursing my lungs.
I have never had an issues with weight, I could lose or gain whenever I wished. I will see once the "crave" leaves if I can still manage to curb the intake. Until then I will eat good.

My family

Me!! The leader of the Tards. A very bad picture, being I had the flu when this was taken. It does show my greatest joy, besides my family. Giant flatheads Mmmm. Nothing can get your heart pumping like a 45lb catfish pulling your arms towards the water. Oh yea, baby.

Meet my lovely wife Dana. She looks like a Kitten but growls like a tiger. She definitly keeps the group together. I have said many times if it wasn't for this one I would be dead by now. I have no idea what she saw in me, I have no charm, feelings, or manners. I guess I'm pretty good looking, huh.

One of the reasons I go to work every day. My youngest daughter Jaden is 13. She is laid back like me, nothing bothers this one. She is very sensitive and thoughtful. If she has a dollar in her pocket she will spend it on you. But if you give this one an inch she will take a foot. For some reason Jaden is mine, we tend to mesh where the mother and her collide.

The second reason I go to work everyday. My oldest, Taylor, she is 15 and loves making fun of everything I do. She is a bit of a perfectionist, A lot like her mom. I have no idea where she got the dimples, I hit her a few times when she was small, I must have left dents. She doesn't realize it but she acts just like me, I dont want to break her heart and tell her, I'll let her read it.

The electric shot

Another tough photo to catch. How are you supposed to know the lightning is gonna strike? Oh well, take a hundred photos and hope luck is with you.
Night is a little easier than day, you can set your shutter speed slow and pray. This will give you about 3 seconds to capture one.
Oh well another 12 hour shift better get crackin. I'm gonna need lots of sleep since I have an employee that bands for me and always gives me a hard time. Never wanting to do his work and so on. I have to say I have been very impressed with his talents. He sings, he writes and he plays an instument. I dont think he dances, at least I couldn't see him dancing. Who knows, until a couple of weeks ago I would have had an issue with someone that told me he could sing. Sometimes we never quite know what we are dealing with.

The closest I have come to date of stopping the wings on an insect. I was close, damnit.

Before I started taking pictures I thought this would be an easy task. How hard could it be. Well, aiming for one, focus for second would be the toughest. The most obvious would be finding an insect when you want one. The rest you could have the camera do in auto, if there is enough light. I believe this one I could have stopped the wings if I would have upped the shutter speed a little. But no telling now, the wasp is long gone.

Well I must be going I have a 12 hour shift to look forward to. Just wanted to put something out there for all my followers.

Various pictures

Welcome,

I should start out explaining the picture, my neighbors dad died last week. I am familiar with the loss of a loved one and believe nothing you say will help. The ones in mourn just need time alone to compose and collect.

I had created a few different sympathy cards by afternoon and had liked this one the best. It is a shot of a knockout rose I had taken early mourning in the summer in my front yard. I could have easily photoshopped the fly out, but the sizing was not good. No matter how I cropped, the picture did not look good as a 4" by 7".

I finally agreed with myself to settle on a picture of a rose with a bubble that I took later in the evening. I like the bubble picture but not as much.