These could be just boring little photos that were taken in hot sunlight. I think I do better with the camera either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. But sometimes you can’t pick the time of day that you are given opportunities to photograph. Light is what it is, and somehow the photographer has to find a way to make what is seen interesting.

This can be hard to do, especially when you don’t really have high end equipment. Over the years, I have come to a place where I am grateful for what I do have, and I’m always excited when I can add to my equipment list. No Nikon D3 on the horizon for me yet, but until then I plan to enjoy what I have right now. That is always the most important thing: enjoy what you have been given and don’t waste time looking around the next bend in the road for something better. “Better” always finds us in due time.

These photos were taken at Callaway Gardens over this past weekend. I took them and ran some Photoshop filters on them. My friends will notice that immediately and sigh, but I had about one minute to take both of these shots before I had to get my Dad inside a shelter so he would not get too hot. Given a choice between Dads and waterlilies: Dads win!

Then my mind drifted to Cocoa Joy and I wondered, “If Cocoa could give me something for Mother’s Day, what it would be? Would she give me a well-chewed sock (a friend gave her several pairs of socks for Christmas a few years ago, a half destroyed ball that no longer squeaks (we have a dozen of these), one of her prized leopard-spotted EEs (these remain her favorite toy because when she squeaks one, it goes EE, EE, EE!), some rouge pull toy that has seen better days or her latest favorite Hurl A Squirrel (We got it when we moved to the mountains)?”

My house is usually awash in dog toys. Fact is, I’ve given up trying to keep the dog toys in the toy bin because they are pulled out, played with for a few minutes, and then left in all kinds of strange places. The other night I got up to get a glass of water and halfway down the hallway, I stepped on a stuffed cow that began mooing at me.

Honestly, I don’t know what she would give me and I certainly don’t know what I would do without Cocoa. Maybe she would give me nothing more than what she gives me every day and that is unconditional love and acceptance. And for that very reason, she can have a house full of EEs, chew toys, deer antlers, and most anything else she wants. Nothing tops love and nothing means more than the joy she brings to my life.

And then there is Chipley. What would he give? I believe he would give kisses and lots of them forever and ever and ever! Kiss By A Dog!

C. S. Lewis wrote, “Do not let us mistake necessary evils for good.” I have always thought of thistles in this way. They are lovely and yet deceiving. They tempt us into thinking they are flowers or something of value to be used in a decoration. I guess people can be that way, too. They deceive and tempt us into believing things that just are not true. The pod or bloom is entrancing, but it contains sharp thorns and therein lies the danger.

“I want it said of me by those who knew me best,” said Abraham Lincoln, “that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.”

Many of you remember my Smyrna neighbor Opal. She’s a legend, and she is the person who taught me how to keep my yard looking nice, along with planting maple trees and blowing leaves out of my gutters. Cocoa loved Opal from the first moment she saw her, and she still does.

Every Sunday evening Opal would drop by the house and watch television with us. Over the years, we have cried together,  laughed together, and battled ice storms together. We have eaten ice cream together, celebrated Christmas and Thanksgiving together, and rounded up stray cats together. When I changed jobs and moved to northeast Georgia, Opal was one of the  reasons that I did not want to go. Where could we possibly find another Opal—someone who totally loved dogs, walked two miles a day, and baked awesome banana bread? Best friends can’t be replaced.

Sometimes on summer afternoons, Cocoa and I would walk down to see Opal and we would end up sitting on her carport and talking. It wouldn’t be long before other friends would drop by and join us.

Cocoa and Chip in Opal’s backyard waiting for me to return.

Here is Opal with Cocoa when she was just a couple of months old. I called her my “baby bean” as in a Cocoa bean. She was so chocolate.

When Cocoa was young, she loved to sit at the end of the driveway and watch for Opal. If you look closely you can see her and Betty at the left. They were getting ready to cut a dead limb out of a dogwood tree.

One of my favorite breakfast places is BJ’s located in the downtown area. Usually, I see people there I know—people who live and work in this community. Across the room in this photo is Dr. Bob and his wife Frances. We go to church together—what fun! The guy who is my dentist came in with his wife. As I was leaving, he said, “See you later.” Gulp.

I don’t eat like this way often. Even though I would love to have French toast and fresh sausage at BJ’s every Saturday morning, I refuse to do it. . . . just refuse it! (Be strong my waining heart!)

Breakfast and then it was time for a little county music on the city corner. Honestly, I want to do something fun and cool like this when I get to be this guy’s age.

Later, we all headed out to buy fresh strawberries. These are wonderful!

I noticed that fresh Vidalia onions are available. Here’s a secret. Don’t buy anything that does not have a label like this one. A few weeks ago, I bought an onion that said it was a Vidalia but it wasn’t. Morgan Farms is located in south Georgia—the real home of Vidalia onions! Don’t be fooled by big corporations that say theirs are Vidalias. Nope. Everyone in Georgia knows the difference is in the soil. And these onions are great when grilled outside on a grill with smoked apple wood.

And then there were peaches! These are from south Georgia, too, but the guy who owns Jaemor Farms made sure I knew theirs would be ready in two weeks! We’re having an early Summer!

Here’s my beautiful Cocoa Joy. She was with me every moment of the day. Well, not at BJ’s but she was with me the rest of the time. I can’t leave Cocoa behind.

I sort of like cow things so when I saw this little guy in an antique shop last week I paused to look closer. I also thought of Chipley, who totally loves cows, but I have no idea what the purpose of this jar is. The label just says, “Cow pot.”

I’ve fallen in love with portions of the Appalachian Trail. I know I’ll never hike the entire route. It is just not my thing, but I love reading the journals of those who do. And increasingly, I’m finding myself on the trail or near it. The Mountain Laurel is beginning to bloom on the southern portions of the trail. It is just awesome to see these plants dotting the landscape.

I haven’t been able to identify the wildflower in the above photo. I took it on Tray Mountain this past weekend.

I carried the pack, the cameras, water, sealed dog treats, while Cocoa . . . .

sniffed the appropriate trees and mile markers.

I think I would faint if Cocoa actually turned and posed for the camera. I’m still crazy about her eyes.

And here’s Chipley. He’s a really good looking dog even when he’s hot from hiking at Victoria State Park. Notice that he is shaved down to nothing and this is after two weeks of outgrowth.  After a recent visit to one of the neighboring streams, I  took him to the groomer, and he came back sheared to the bone! He was beginning to mat and after some discussion, the groomer looked at me and said, “He just loves the water far too much, and he’s also much too active for a “show dog” hair cut.” So for now, we had to opt for the “cool breeze” style.