The look on your face after you realize you just did something really foolish! Well someone's face. Those humbling experiences that are forever embedded in our minds to remind us we are not perfect.

Maybe it’s just being silly around the pool and jumping in, only to realize you landed on someone’s head. Or swinging a gate open with zest to allow your first girlfriend to pass through first like the gentleman you are, only to have it bounce back in her face and give her a big red mark on her forehead. How about giving one of your children the lecture of a lifetime. You know what I’m talking about; you are done hearing excuse, you blast him or her with, you are the parent and you know what you are talking about. You throw in everything to get a lifetime of lessons all in one great lecture; the evils of lying, stealing, meanness, deceit, maybe even a little adultery and lust for when they get older. And don’t forget bearing false witness, you’re on a roll now, wammo, zap, ka zam,wow. You are blasting him like a sergeant to young snotty nosed recruits. And than, you suddenly realize, you guessed it. He was right this time, it was his sister that did it, all along.

Well, I’m going to give you my biggy, imbedded with steal rivet in my planning room of prideful acts. The big wall that keeps me from throwing caution to the wind and charging up to a microphone in a large auditorium filled with people, telling everyone just what I think of the school cafeteria and those darn dress regulations, and Mr. Brown’s silly toupee.

We were at June Lake on a summer vacation. I was a proud 14 years old, and full of myself. It was the last day and along with about 10 other friends, we were all at an outdoor evening dinner. There were two picnic tables put together (I can remember this like it was yesterday) we were having chicken and mashed potatoes. I remember that because I had my mouth full of mashed potatoes. And than it happened; a sudden sneeze came, mouth full of mashed potatoes and an immediate need to sneeze. I held my mouth shout. But that didn’t stop it, in a nanosecond the sneeze re-directed itself through my nose. Yes I sneezed out my mashed potatoes through my nose. Splattering everyone like a drywall man turning his splatter nozzle to the blank wall in front of him. It was incredible; the look on their faces suddenly became frozen in my mind for eternity. I got up and stumbled over the canvas side curtains, pulling down the electric cord for the lights above. All the lights went out. The nightmare ended with my escape to my cabin.

Well that’s about enough from me, now it’s your turn. Is there anyone out there brave enough to share some embarrassing moment in their life?

Science may have found a cure for most evils: but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all - the apathy of human beings.

- Helen Keller

Ok, this is just my Sunday rambling. I have always felt a little day-dreamy on Sunday afternoons. Perhaps it is a carry over from when I was working full time and Sunday was a good winding down time. Before I go any further, let me explain my photo. This is the inside of my brain on Sunday afternoon. A lot of empty space with a few large pockets of more empty space searching for an open skylight and a chance to escape.

This brings me to my profound thought for the day. The need to be heard, for someone to listen to you, to hear your opinion. And more importantly for someone to care about you. Whenever we have a need that can be identified, someone will find a way to make money at it. I’m think about programs telling us to please text in our “vote”, or “opinion”. Hmmmm – let me think; I just send in my opinion to “Star Search America” (don’t try looking it up, it’s made up) now I can imagine the producer, host and the contents all gathered in the back room reading all these opinions. And than they come to my “Text” - A sigh goes out, as the wisdom of my text cuts through the chill in the stagnate air. “Who sent that text?” The cry goes out, that person is so wise an profound in their thinking. Hmmmmmmmmm. Wake up Verydave. The truth is all those texts generates money as the charge for testing is transferred from your bank to theirs. The only pondering that occurs is whose turn is it to take the money to the bank.

But this brings me back to our need to be heard. Being heard and the real meaning, being cared about.

is as important to our souls and well being as food is to our bodies. Have you every caught yourself formulating your opinion in your mind as someone else is trying to share theirs? I have, partly because my mind has to work so hard to line up the air bubbles to have any hope of makes sense when I begin to speak. But also because we are both hungry and I’m being a little piggy.

Now comes my challenge to myself; when my little granddaughter is trying to tell me about the caterpillar she saw yesterday, and my mind is working on my grocery list or whatever- stop being a little piggy and listen.

When I sit next to an old person (someone even older than myself) stop thinking about the latest opinion you heard on your favorite talk show and ask that person what they think, or how is their day going. You just could be feeding the hungry.

Which reminds me- how is your day going, and what do you think???

Photo; Nikon D200, lens set at 16mm, F-13, 1/250 sec,

Very Grateful

If you have a full fridge, clothes on your back a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are wealthier than 75% of the world's population.

If you can go to your place of worship without fear that someone will assault or kill you, then you are luckier than 3 billion (that's right) people

If you currently have money in the bank, in your wallet and a few coins in your purse, you are one of 8 percent of the privileged few amongst the world's population.

The person or persons who live in this trailer, would probably be one of the few such privileged people in the world. Where does that leave us?

photo; Trailer with hammer and sickle sticker was taken in Baywood, California

Nikon D200, len @27mm, F-5.6, 1/40sec

Fun House

I saw this house while we were spending some time in Carmel. This house was actually at Pacific Grove.

I couldn't help but wonder who would live in a house like that. Are they crazy or are they on drugs? Or maybe they just know how to live outside the norm just a bit. They dance to a different beat. They know how to have fun on a level I've never been able to reach....

They may be very educated, fun loving well adjusted. Your teacher, dentist, or friendly grocery clerk. I let those thought go through my mind -- for just a few seconds. Than I said, "Naw, they are both crazy and on drugs.

But it was a cute house.

Your thoughts always welcome.

image; Nikon D200, F-6.3, 1/160 sec. lense 18mm

thoughts of steadfastness

Along a winding dirt path, the blind Belisarius carries his young guide. The boy has been bitten by a snake, which remains coiled around his bleeding leg. With his right arm wrapped limply around Belisarus's neck and his eyes closed, the youth balances precariously between life and death. Belisarius's eyes are also closed, but guided by his stick he moves forward with determination and purpose. He raises heroically against the spectacular sunset, a monumental figure creating a powerful outline against the sky.

Belisarus was a popular Bysamtome general of the Roman Empire whose promising career was sabotaged by the jealous Emperor Justinian I. He was blinded and reduced to begging. The prominent helmet hanging from Belisarius's belt emphasizes the general's heroic past and underscores the injustice of his fall from favor.

Have you ever felt wronged? Passed up for a promotion, falsely accused, ousted by some family member of loved one? Or have you ever felt defeated and beaten down by what you feel are unfair circumstances? I sure have. Too fat, too poor, too short, too old, too young, lacking in the necessary advantages needed to win.

this can be a truth or a perceived truth, does it really matter?

What matters is our attitude that can move us back up the hill.

I saw this painting an became captivated by the images. I read the caption and couldn't stop thinking about Belisarius and his steadfastness to stand strong and keep doing what his heart told him was the right thing to do.

I just wonder if he wasn't following his faith in God. Where else can you get the strength to persevere under such difficulty?

Your thoughts welcome.

What was the most fun time of your life

I thought I would start out by posting a picture of me when I was about 5 yrs old. And this is maybe the best time of my life that I can remember. Yes there are certainly many milestone events in a persons life. A lot of firsts; The first time you rode a bike the first time you kissed a girl, the first time you got married. I know, I skipped a few things there! But You get the idea. But for me it was the first six years of my life and we lived in a house my dad build next to a creek and next to some woods, and Oh yes, next to Mr. Dunn's field.
I am about 5 year old. I have my best friend "Ginger" ( a collie) with me. I have my cowboy outfit on, complete with a pair of politically incorrect six-shooters. The world was there for me to explore and I was ready for any trouble that might come along.
I could go on and on about why I think this was the best time of my life. But I would like to hear from you.
Please make a comment.