Hey, Help! Can you untie us?

Copyright AJ Horton
Wouldn't it be nice to be in a cool little boat just doing nothing but maybe a little fishing, a little photography and a bunch of nothing?  It seems it's something even the birds enjoy.  Yes, it is important to take those times and get away from it all and enjoy doing nothing.  After all, we work and work and we deserve those times.  Sometimes, though, it feels that other obligations can tie us up and we can't do what we feel we deserve.  Sometimes it's overworking; sometimes it's our household chores; sometimes it's family obligations; sometimes it's just our own procrastination keeping us from enjoying the activities we enjoy.  Sometimes we just need to ask for a little bit of help to untie us.  We all need a little help from our friends/family every now and then.  Today these birds remind me of that.  They also remind me what a beautiful day today was.
I was not able to go out on my boat today, but I did enjoy time with family and sometimes that is the best!  Continuing to "tie" ourselves up with our loved ones is one of the most special activities of all! 
Thanks for looking.  Enjoy all your activities.  See you tomorrow.
(Please remember to like and follow along my blog.  Thanks.)

It's Friday!!!!

Copyright AJ Horton
Hey everybody, it's Friday evening!  The weekend is here.  The weekend is here!  Run!  Play! Enjoy!  Repeat!  The weekend is here!  Sally is enjoying her "weekend".   She wants you to do the same.  And that is just what we are going to do.
Enjoy your weekend.
Thank you for looking.  Run!  Enjoy!  Play!  Repeat!  See you tomorrow.

Thursday's Conquest

Copyright AJ Horton
Thursday's here, and for most of us the work day is over.  Now, there is just one more obstacle to conquer --FRIDAY!  I guess this log my friend is trying to lift is like Friday.  We were in Bennett's Creek, across from Merchants Mill Pond in North Carolina.  It was raining that day, but we're tough, and we were going to kayak.   This was a downed tree near our entrance and she decided it was NOT going to stop us.  She did really great and would have gone under the tree, but actually, her vest stopped her.  Not to be defeated, she tried lifting the tree.  Well, trees are heavy as you probably know, but she finally conquered and made it under and then helped me get under (I think I may have taken my vest off) and all was well.
The thing is, "Where there's a will, there's a way".  Don't know who said that first, but he/she was right.  We continued to enjoy our paddle that day even though more obstacles and more rain were in our path.  And when we finished our paddle, well there was yet another obstacle.  But that's another story.  We completed our goal for that day, I guess you could say it was our "Friday" and we made it though to the "weekend". 
No matter what obstacles Friday throws at you, you can do it.  Go under it, over it, through it - whatever you have to do to reach your goal.  Don't let anything defeat you.
Thanks for looking.  Conquer your obstacles.  See you tomorrow.

Wednesday's Angel Oak

Copyright AJ Horton
Behold the Angel Oak, well at least a small part of it. This tree sits on Johns Island near Charleston, SC and is free to visit. If you go to the website AngelOakTree.Org you will find that this live oak is considered to be more than 1500 years old!  You will find other information as well for visiting.  This tree is huge.  Live oaks are great trees for climbing since the limbs grow low to the ground.  The limbs on this tree are so big and heavy that no climbing is allowed for fear of breaking the limb (and yourself).
Why am I thinking of this tree on Wednesday?  I'm not sure.  I just like it.  Looking at The Tree makes me feel a sense of wonder and awe.  I am amazed that it has survived all these years.  It makes me happy to know that there are people who care about things like trees and preserving pieces of history.  I admit that I like trees.  I'm a tree hugger. And looking at this one, even just a small portion of it, makes me calm and grateful.
What makes you calm and grateful?  Think about it, won't you?
Thanks for looking.  See you tomorrow. 

Tuesday Dream

Copyright AJ Horton

 So much cold. So grey.  So much "indoor" weather.  I'm an outdoor person.  I want the outdoors.  I want the water, the kayaking, the blue sky!!  This particular photo was taken on just that kind of day on the Pacolet River in SC.  I know it may be a while before the cold goes away, but guess what?  I have some cold weather gear!  So, a sunny day may see me out on the water.  What a nice dream to have on a cold, grey Tuesday. 

Come on, dream with me.  Let's all get in the kayak and go down the river on this warm sunshiny day.

Thanks for looking and dreaming with me.  See you tomorrow.

Monday Brrrrrrs

Copyright AJ Horton
Happy Monday everyone.  I actually had another photo I wanted to use for tonight, but since a blizzard is upon all in the great northeast, I decided to bring a little of my own kind of  "chill" to tonight.  This also was taken near Asheville, NC near Mt. Mitchell.  It was cold on that day  I love that the ice forms thousands of little "ice falls" along the road.  I also love to stop by the side of the road and make photos.  Although I'm not a big fan of the cold.  I feel for the people having to deal with this severe weather.  I hope they are warm and dry.  I remember the day I took this photo was very cold and each time we stopped I stayed out as long as I felt comfortable making photos.  I was very fortunate that I had a nice warm car to get into when I finished.  There are those not so fortunate and I pray for them tonight.
No matter where you are, I hope you are warm and dry and safe. 
Enjoy today and have a better tomorrow.
Thanks for looking. I'll see you tomorrow.

Mountain Gazing Sunday

Copyright AJ Horton

Sundays are for relaxing, visiting with family/friends, looking at pictures, being comfortable, etc.  This particular photograph  is very comforting to me.  I made it on a trip to Asheville, NC.  We like to ride around and stop whenever we think there's a "Kodak moment".  I seem to have a lot of those when riding in the mountains.  This was in an October and it was cold near Mount Mitchell, but the beauty was worth braving the cold.  When you're in the mountains, the views' colors or "mood" if you will, can change in just a few minutes; the sky can go cloudy or the mist can come in and make you feel like you are on the edge or top of the world.  I just can't seem to find the words that relates how very good that feels.
I hope that if you haven't experienced that top of the world feeling that you will.  You don't have to be on the top of a mountain, you could be with someone you love, or just in your own back yard.  And wouldn't it be great if your own back yard looked like this photo?  I'm going to take that as a yes.
I hope you've had a great Sunday.  Thanks for looking.  See you tomorrow.