Here, in color

Same photo, but in color

It is September 11th. I am thinking. I am thinking of what it would be like to go to work in my normal way on a normal day and in an hour or so have it all come to a screeching halt. A cowardly (and I repeat, cowardly) attack from an enemy that we let into our world.

I am thinking of loved ones left behind. My brother is a fireman and an EMT. He would have jumped right into it. He would have run up those stairs (perhaps with fear) but with a determination to save lives. To help those in need.

Where have we progressed since then? Have we progressed? Or are we just sitting ducks until the next sinister attack from out of the blue?

There will always be hate and greed. I'm not so keen on fighting in the name of religion. I don't know if we will ever understand one another.

I do know this. We cannot live in fear. They win if we live in fear. I will walk tall today. I am an American. There is much blood soaked into this country's soil. It is strong enough to hold all of us up and above the ugliness that the world rains down upon us.

I seriously doubt that they are finished. Besides. If it isn't one group it will be another.

Two barns

Still have not found my battery charger for my camera, so I am digging back into my archives. I made this photo a b&w and smudged the edges. Still have the boxer. He went to the vet tonight for a check-up. He does not have heart worm. He is now supplied with medicine for every month (just like we do with the others). He will return for shots when the pocketbook has time to recoup. Puppies are set for their 3rd round of boosters and rabies shots next week. Then it will be back to Slade for his round of shots. This vet guessed him at 1 year old. He is only 63 pounds. I could have sworn he was 90. He is one strong canine.

Not to forget Sable, she has a cough. The vet was kind enough to prescribe medicine for her without seeing her. The pharmacy she sent me to (Giant Eagle) will give us her antibiotic free. How cool is that?

Torrent

Rustic red barn

If that is indeed a hex sign, it is a simple design. I liked the contrast of the rustic red barn against the bright green grass. This was taken today on my drive.

I went to 8 schools today. Most of them I have never been to. I believe I have been to about two of them - many years ago. I know my older sister taught at one and took me with her on the last day of school. I think it was in the early 70's.

I most certainly picked the wrong day to go. I read the paper this morning. They are on the verge of a teacher strike. I met up with some very unhappy people today. And, they didn't take to me very well. After 12 years of providing service to my area schools, I am certainly not used to people looking at me with suspect in their eyes. I called each and every school and informed them this morning that I would be stopping in today to get the serial number from our equipment. And, still I was treated like the enemy. Except for the last two. The second to the last was a Career Center and is not involved in the teacher strike. The very last one I timed my visit with a torrent of rain so forceful there was nothing but pity in their eyes for me.

It was raining so hard when I was in this tiny town I actually thought that perhaps they were getting a mini tornado. I almost skipped it. But, I had 8 schools on my notebook paper and I couldn't stand to be this close and not get the serial number of the last one on my list. I could have driven back to the school on a sunnier and much prettier day, but since Mr. Joe Taxpayer pays for my mileage and my time, I don't care to waste it. So, I got soaked to the skin.

And, I got a migraine. My daughter and I noticed a few days ago that my windshield appears to be covered with some filmy oily substance. The wipers would only smear it. I felt like I was looking through blurry glasses the entire time I drove today. Certainly a headache in the making. All is well, now. I took Imitrex around 4 p.m. and it kicked in by 5.

Farming Ohio

A farm in Ohio

Farming is hard work. I got up with the cows this morning. Actually, I had a touch of insomnia and awoke at 4 a.m., and have not been back to sleep. I have been up for 20 hours and I am a bit whacked in the head. I had one beer and it feels as though I had six or more.

We met family for dinner in Canton. I have my sister staying with me. So darn much fun. My cheeks hurt from laughing.

The above photo was taken after I left the little school near Sugarcreek this morning.

Time to find my pillow.

Just around the bend

Scenic route 250

Warmer weather is just around the bend. I am looking forward to some sunny days. It's been wet for a while, now. Very wet. I was digging around my patio's spout to relieve some of the water pooling around my sidewalk.

I hope to get some seeds in the ground this week-end. Is it too early for that? I don't know. I figure "What the heck?" If I don't do it when I have a free week-end, they will sit in their bright colored packages for years and never get planted.

I gave my hydrangea the sulfur mix I bought at the garden center last year. I worked it into the soil all around it. My fingers are crossed. Think blue, think blue, think blue. Purple would be great, too!

Recently a former classmate's father passed away. I usually like to read the obituaries to see where my classmate is living, now. This is how the obit. started out...

On Sunday, April 22, 2007, the world lost one of its greatest men, Mr. John Doe...

Give me a break!

Old Barn

Old abandoned barn in Coshocton County

This was from two weeks ago. A set of photos that I guess I more or less forgot about and neglected to post any of. I did do an Album on my Photo Album page. If you want to see more of those photos the link is on the right column of this blog.

This was the set where I said a black lab ran along side my car. He was so very friendly and I was going so slow I was able to take a couple "shoulder shots" of him before I moved ahead because I didn't want to encourage him to chase cars and I most certainly didn't want to hit him. Or, her.

It was very picturesque that morning. The previous two days had brought snow and an ice storm. Like some crazy fool I decided to take a long route and drive on some half paved county roads to get to my destination. A little school out in the sticks that was on a two hour delay, so I was able to take my time. The morning weather allowed for the fog to form off of the snow and created an eerie, mysterious and romantic backdrop for most of my photos.

It ain't colorful, but it has it's own beauty. Our Ohio winters. You just have to keep looking until you find it. In the meanwhile, I'll drink my hot chocolate and cuddle under a blanket. We do hear birds singing in the trees in the mornings, though. Wind howling at night and birds singing in the morning. All is right with the world.