Cricket’s Thoughts

When I saw the look on her face, with a camera in her hands, I recognized the feeling immediately. She was lost in another world.

I am never going to get my camera back, am I?

It was clear from the start that she was completely at ease with a camera in her hands, almost as if it were a part of her.

For the next several hours, I never saw her without the camera in front of her face, concentrating on the world through her lens.

Unless of course, she was walking away, looking for the next shot.

Since I already had 347 shots of the back of her head, I thought I might as well wander off and find a shot of my own. (I figured she had to run out of memory or battery power sooner or later.)

I grabbed a quick shot of some of our flooding around here. I love the way the creek drops off, making a miniature waterfall. One of these days I will get better at water shots, but it sure aint gonna be today.

All of the sudden, the kid decides to grace me with a look at her face and a cute lil grin. What did I do to deserve it? I’m a great mom?

Nope! She was about out of natural light and battery power. 🙂

You won’t be seeing the pictures Haley takes here on my blog. She wants her own domain to post pictures and stuff she writes.

How did I know that was going to happen?

Sometimes, no words are needed . . .

Running into the wind, the sun setting on my back
tears blurring the winding trail beneath my feet
hoping I can run hard enough this time
to escape from what, I do not know

My pulse pounding in my ears
drowning out every thought
but not the emptiness

Wondering how far I have to run
before it all begins to subside
afraid it is me I am running from

The sweat pours down my face
gasping for air, for one little breath
searing pain races through my muscles
reminding me I am still alive

Craving peace and tranquility in my life
praying God will send an angel to my soul
to put all the broken pieces back together

Then I see it there
one little dandelion
just defying the wind
daring me to make a wish

Sometimes I see the world in black and white, with huge looming challenges blocking my view of the world.

Soon though, I see the guardrail keeping me safe, keeping me from wandering too close to the edge.

Then the storms begin to clear . . .

And once again, I can see the beauty all around me.

Huh Haley? What do you mean you aint in the mood to have your picture taken today? What am I gonna take a picture of in the middle of Batesville, Mississippi for heaven sake? A dang water water spigot?

Awwww… C’mon! Just one picture?

Nope, forget it Mom. It aint a picture taking kind of day.

Okay fine. How about a Starbucks Coffee sign? Oh wait a minute. Lord have mercy they are open, let’s go have some coffee!

Okay kid, you leave me no option but to call this day Grab Bag Day Friday Photos, cuz now I am taking pictures of an open sign.

How stupid is that?

Okay wait a sec, I kinda like this lil baby bloom starting on this tree.

Ya know I still wonder about this railroad crossing signal. Have you ever seen a train come through here? Nope? Me neither.

Okay, I may have reached my limit on pictures of train tracks.

Ya know what Haley? This lil pavilion would sure look better if there was SOMEONE in it! Like YOU maybe? 🙂

Never mind … This bird is begging to have his picture taken.

Okay this picture sucks, but this lil guy was a zillion feet over my head on the highline wire and he was singing at the top of his lungs.

If ya keep looking back, you are gonna run into something in front of ya. Be aware of what is behind ya, but keep your focus forward.

It’s true. The very best things in life, really are free.

If you try to explain to the officer that the light was NOT red, it was just a little pink, he is gonna crack up laughing, but he is still gonna give ya the ticket. The judge isn’t gonna fall for it either, so ya might as well go ahead and pay the stupid fine.

When the water is cold, sometimes ya just gotta close your eyes and jump in or you are gonna get stuck watching everyone else have fun.

Laugh more often, especially at the stupid things in life.

Someone once told me that the definition for insanity can be found in doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results. I do my best to keep this in mind with everything I do.

If you are going to love someone, do so with your whole heart.

It is easier to find tranquility in your heart if you live your life by the serenity prayer. Change the things ya can. Forget the things ya can’t change, and make dang sure ya know the difference between the two so ya don’t waste a lot of time.

Some people just weren’t meant to be city folks.