Little Princess

+++

Thanksgiving Blessings

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know I am fully aware of my many blessings. Two of my many blessings are pictured above. The photo is not new, but it remains one of my all-time favorites.

Here's hoping that YOU have a Happy Thanksgiving every single day of the year. We have a lot to be thankful for.

Peace.

+++++

Centenarian

+++

International Treasure

+++

The Warmth of Indonesia

The warmth of Indonesia had nothing to do with the 90-degree temperatures and everything to do with the grace of her people. This father and son are a typical example.

+++

Home Sweet Home

I am home now for a brief while. Once again, I've learned a lot....mostly from the people of the land I visited. Whenever I travel to a less prosperous part of the world, I am struck by how different my life is in the land-of-plenty.

The photo above is "Home Sweet Home" for a family in Indonesia. I had the good fortune of meeting them. We could not speak a word with one another because of our language barrier. However, we spoke in the form of smiles, gestures, bows, and on my last day -- hugs.

Each and every time I have an experience like this, one thing gets my attention loud and clear. They are no less happy than any one of us. In fact, I am certain that they are happier than some of the people I know here in the States. I'll spare you the reasons.

Several times during my visit, I was reminded of my friend Woody. He had been visiting Togo, Africa (bordering Ghana). Woody had been speaking with a man from Togo. The man asked how things were in the States. Woody's response was that the recession was making it tough on many of the citizens in the States. The man's response?

"Our country has never known the wealth of your recession."

(My farmer friend)

The people of Indonesia are among the kindest, most gracious people I have ever met. They have very little in material wealth, but they have riches in other ways. God bless them.

+++

Little Hindu Boy

A five-year-old boy and a 3000-year-old Hindu temple.

+++

Beautiful and Proud

I am told that the people of Bali are among the longest living people on earth. There are many, many people 100+ years old. Now I know why. Their diet is sparse and they are very active. When I saw this beautiful lady, she had just walked the length of her village with a twenty-five pound bucket in each hand. She stopped for a moment to take a breather and I asked her permission to photograph her. That amounts to me pointing at my camera and then to her. She accepted graciously. Why wouldn't she? I think she looks absolutely magnificent.

+++

Little Boy from Bali

+++

The Little Prince

+++

Fire Light

+++

My Little Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for blessing me beyond measure. Please forgive me for forgetting how blessed I am. Please help me do a better job of blessing others. I know "the way is narrow", but with your help, I can find the way. Thank you, Father.

Dan

(but you knew that)

+++

Mondo Fern

You didn't really think you were going to get travelogue photos from me, did you? I'm too spellbound by the details at this point. And this specimen is not a little detail. In fact, this guy was at least 8' long -- a monster fern. Monsterous Ferniferous (a botanist I am not).

It didn't take me long to notice that everything grows big in Indonesia. Including the spiders. I saw an enormous web this morning - must have been 3' x 4'. I am not kidding. While I was admiring this amazing and intricate web (over my head), I failed to notice the spider sitting in it -- dead center. He was bigger than my hand. Yes, I snapped a photo of him. I'll spare you the visual. It's creepy. I'll save it for my Halloween 2010 post.

+++

Ticket 2 Ride

+++

Equatorial Editorial

+++

Island Color #2

+++

Island Color

+++

Whistling Face

OK OK. Now I'm done. It's time for me to drop it and move on.

I have a mentor that goes crazy when I don't take my photography seriously. He's a brilliant photographer. However, I'm not wound the same way he is. I need some balance and whimsy. In fact, I try NOT to take myself too seriously. This "face" exercise would drive him insane (if he knew I had a blog*). For me it's an exercise that keeps my eyes tuned up for more serious things. I'll be on assignment in Indonesia soon -- the subject matter will be far more serious. I'll be ready for the transition thanks to this whimsical little exercise.

* I actually keep my blog pretty quiet, believe it or not. Those of you that have found me have found me mostly by osmosis. Nevertheless, I'm delighted that you found me. This will be our little secret. :-)

+++

Oh! (Surprised Face)

+++

A special thanks to Hindsfeet. She turned me on to the quote you see at right. You should check out her blog. She's a brilliant writer... and thinker.

Happy Face

On second thought, perhaps this is Evil Happy Face... or Creepy Happy Face. What kid WOULDN'T be creeped out by this? Maybe it's just me (a childish adult).

Tomorrow: OH! Face (Surprised Face)

+++