A few more images from my weekend in Acadia National Park.
Tag Archives: Art
Wispy Flower
Balls of Yarn
My wife has been working on an afghan, and has wanted me to take some pictures of her balls of yarn. I finally had the time to do it. I like the effects that have been created.
Katahdin Stream Falls
Here are a few pictures of our Trek up the highest point in Maine. Mount Katahdin located in Baxter State Park which is in the wilderness of northern Maine. I will save the story of our ascent up the mountain for another post. However I hope you enjoy these few photos of Katahdin Stream Falls was about a mile into our journey. The first photo is the original and was taken quickly, due to me being in conquer the mountain mode. I didn’t take the time to set up my tripod, to get some good long exposure waterfall shots. The next two I had a little fun in Photoshop and created a watercolor and HDR photographs.
Our New Family Portrait
The other day our 6 year old drew our family. Apparently she wants a dog. We had a dog when we lived in North Carolina, but we were moving and in a state of flux, so we gave our Lab to a nice local family. Our eldest was two at the time, but still prays for him to this day.
Small Town Life – Delivery
If Small Town Life has taught me anything, it’s that food is the only way to react to anything. This spring has been a time of going out and coming in life. There have been several deaths in the church and my family and around town and basically, the whole town reacts with food. They make freezer meals and bring them over or just come with a meal that’s ready for that night. If someone dies, you won’t have to cook in that house for a month. 
Of course, we had a baby this spring and that same thing happened. FOOD! It’s awesome
Truth: What else can we do when we want to support those who are going through something? Either a new something or a sad something or whatever. Food delivery is standard because it helps in several ways.
1. Usually, food is delivered in throw away containers. This means, if you have paper plates, no dishes. As a new mother and also someone who has dealt with a death in the family and severe illness in the family, I can attest to the awesomeness of not having to do dishes!
2. Having food delivered saves money. When you are dealing with a new expense of some kind (a baby or a funeral or hospital billls), having food delivered saves money. Maybe not alot of money but some and every little bit helps.
3. It is one less decision that has to be made. Have you ever been in the situation where one more decision will throw you over the edge? After having a baby or deciding on someone’s end of life wishes, deciding what to have for dinner is just one more thing and it might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
So, to all those ladies who organize meals for people in the church or community – keep on keeping on. If you are one of the people in the crowd – sign up. That one meal makes a world of difference to those who are hurting, busy, or just plain overwhelmed.
Small Town Living – The Inverse
The inverse of the awesomeness of knowing everyone in town, being an integrated community, is that everyone knows everything. There are no secrets. I had jury duty a while back and realized how hard that must be for the local court system. How can you find objective jurors in a town where everyone knows about the case already because they are all integrated?
It reminds me a bit of that movie Mystery Alaska where the town goes after some guy in the beginning of the movie in court and… well, I forget the story line but it’s hilarious how tight knit the community is. They are not going to be pushed around by an outsider.
It’s hard to keep to yourself in a small community. You can’t NOT invite people to a party. They are going to find out. You can’t keep anything small and to yourself, everyone will know. There is talk.
Recently in our little town, there was a land war over a piece of property. It became a huge community issue. Something that wouldn’t make the local news in a city was a major issue that was discussed in the opinion section of the newspaper every single day and indeed, is still being discussed over and over in the local coffee shop, the city counsel and homes all around town. The players were well known community members and what should have been a personal property issue became a community dividing conflict. A rift developed between the sides. It still exists. Somehow, it felt like a huge family feud! I was amazed at what passion was behind an issue that barely effected many of the opinion stating contributors in the local paper.
But that’s part of being in a small town
. It’s true what they portray in movies about these kinds of things – they can divide and indeed conquer the beauty and harmony of a small community.
Small Town Living – Gladys
In this town there is a lady – let’s call her Gladys – who knows everything about everybody. She grew up in the depression and post depression era. 
There are three generations of her family living in town. Her husband and her lived in the same house for a very long time and when they sold it, she left a long letter explaining the lifestyle and nuance of each and every neighbor for the next owner. She knows everyone and all their gossip from back until the 30’s. It’s amazing. Recently she was in the shop and (mind, we are not a big shop) she literally could not leave as everyone else who came in had to be spoken to and visited with.
This is true for so many of our little town people. They have lived her forever. They know everything about people. It’s amazing!
Truth: Most likely I will be this lady some day. I’m probably never really leaving this town. It’s my home. I love it here despite the fact there is nowhere to shop and no where to eat out. It’s my town.
I am Gladys…
Daughter # 3
I often sit and wonder how it came to be, that 3 of gods finest were sent to be with me.
So wise, so bright, so beautiful – all the qualities that they share. So thick and brown, one shiney blonde and a mop of curly hair.
Three sets of eyes all mysterious brown – but of slighty different shades. The time and effort that must of went in when my three girls were made.
My eldest child – My pride – so beautiful and wise beyond her years
My second born – My Princess – so pretty, pure and fair
My baby girl – My Blessing – from the moment I saw her face, I knew she’d fit in perfectly and now everythings in place.
I have three girls so perfect – but I have blessed them too, with the gift of having sisters to share in all they do.
narelle taylor
poem found at poemhunter.com
Small Town Life – Drive Me Crazy
Driving in a small town can be so frustrating. If you cut someone off accidentally, most likely you’ve offended your next door neighbor’s cousin or your doctor or someone else that’s going to make you regret it later. 
You rarely see the road rage you do in large cities though. I’ve never been flipped off in my town by some angry driver.
You can always tell the out-of-towners in a small town. Besides the fact that their car doesn’t fit the culture of the town, they are driving crazy slow looking down each street trying to find something. They usually end up in the drive through for McDonalds because they are afraid of the hole in the wall places that line the main street.
Worse yet must be the embarrassment of being pulled over in this town. EVERYONE KNOWS YOU! You will not escape being asked what the incident was or why you were spread eagle on the hood of Officer so-and-so’s squad car. 
Just something to think about if you ever move to a small town.
Life and Photos by Andy 