Shortest Day Approaches

It is a true statement:" Time waits for no man." Where it goes is an enigma for sure. Winter begins in less than a week. Christmas Day comes in ten days. New Years arrives in just over two weeks. It makes no matter whether I'm ready or not, so the past few days found me at the lake and sitting at a picnic table with my health snack. I got my cardio walk in and just enjoyed the nearly perfect weather. That part changes tomorrow as the first of several cold fronts arrives and kicks the temps back down to a more normal winter level right on time.

Two weeks ago, I watched the cormorants begin flocking and flying their 'V' formations over the lake. They have been happy campers but know with their keen circadian rhythm that the coldest weather this season is about to arrive. Currently, when the cormorants or pelicans or sea gulls or egrets can't been seen, I can usually find them in their second or even third place were they hang out because of the change in fish whereabouts. In a way, they are just like us. They are creatures of habit. But the call of the wild beckons to fly south. They will be back in the spring after they disappear and can not be found in any of their favorite trees or log branches in the water.

A feather floats with the leaves on the water's surface.

A man walks his dog near Winfrey Point

White Rock Rowing Club sorts gear on one of the club's docks.

Click on any picture to enlarge. It's okay. You won't break anything.

The Big One!

Most of the past few months has been focused on the subject matter of  leaves. In fact, there were a few post  written about it on this blog. It's not an exciting subject to some, but overall, it is key subject matter from the most basic definition of landscapes.

With the flooding rains in May, it was just a give me that the foliage was going to be super this fall and it was hoped  that the colors would survive the later returning drought after the flooding rains of the spring. One never knows what will developed. All one can do is to base future events outcomes  on past events of weather during a season based on  seasonal averages. Sometimes it works. Other times, the odds favor the house (mother nature).

While last week was pretty much the end of leaf hunting, Murphy's Law always plays its hand late. Today, the king of leaves turned up almost right under my foot. Guessing, it had to be 8 1/2 inches across and 6-inches in the stem to tip width. When I had put the tape measure to it, it turned out the be 11 1/2 inches across and 7-inches stem to tip. It sure was the largest sycamore tree leaf that I have ever found.

With 2-4 inches of rain, wind and another cold front due from Thanksgiving thru Saturday,  Most likely, the colors will fall for sure with this weather system. Some of the bright colors have already dimmed a bit since the last threat following last Monday's rain and wind. This bout will surely bring the leaves down and the color will be gone for another season.

I've made a third trip to one tree to capture the most unusual bark that I have seen. Today, I had just shot a couple of images  to see how the lighting was going to come out, but I have decided that it's not the lighting so much or all the normal things that jinks an image in a technical way. This trouble in capturing the bark as it really looks is in the tree. The tree is not ready to reveal its true beauty just yet. So, if I have to go back four time or five or even six times, As a photographer, it's worth that effort to catch the true beauty of another living thing--the subject tree.

While I almost forgot to shoot the tree that produced the massive leaf, It is within itself an unusual tree that I had not noticed until today. It's a sycamore that was hiding right in the middle of the ring of sycamores that I had been shooting this month. I'm always amazed at nature.

11 1/2 inches by 7-inches

The tallest tree is the sycamore that has been hiding in plain sight and produced the massive leaf.

Katie, the Mute Swan at White Rock Lake, that was so sick, seems to be enjoying her normal quality of life once again.

The Peak Colors Stand

Well, even with the heavy rains overnight and gale winds at times, the colors at White Rock withstood the night. Although there was evidence of standing water in the low areas and leaves everywhere, the colors were full and bright.

It took a search for where the birds had gone. A few mallards were found swimming in the standing water at Preservation Grove and the stone tables. The pelicans were up at a fairly good altitude riding the wind currents.

There were more people at the spillway for obvious reasons. The waters were in a mad rush over the upper spillway. Down the spillway run and into all three channels in the flood basin continued to carry water where it rushed over  the step down spillways nearly as fast as the upper spillway rush. White Rock Creek on its way to meet the Trinity was full and the currents were swift.

All in all, nature gave us a few more days to observe the beautiful colors over the upcoming weekend before the growing season gets stopped with the first frost maybe next week. In the meantime, here are a couple of shots from the afternoon beauty.

The White Rock Mist

Even the beaver was packing away twigs for food later.

At times it really got misty. It looked like smoke a couple of times.

Plenty of colors left.

Mockingbird Dogs It Up In Style

Going past the entrance off Mockingbird Lane, just before the turn into the Big Thicket at White Rock, the old dog park is no more. The  new dog park is more than  just more. It's fantastic. There really isn't any comparison between  what was the old and what now is new. Even the dogs are happier! Really!

I parked in one of the few spaces along E Lawther Drive before the first marina and walked back over the foot bridge to the trail entrance just before where W Lawther and E Lawther meet on the trail side. Two things were really popping out at first sight. Since Amy opened the White Rock Paddle Company about five years ago--the days when she wore her pink ball cap--the canoe, kayak and paddle board rentals have skyrocketed. As I approached the foot bridge ramp, dodging one bike after another (it's decision point there, were you must decided to go left or right because otherwise, you are going to hit a solid stone wall).

I counted 23 people standing in line to rent equipment. As I looked toward the open waters of the lake, there were  more  on the lake than what was in line. Now, it's only fair to say some of those were private kayaks and paddle boards. Most of the canoe-looking craft were actually bass boats with fishermen in them. Never-the-less, it is also fair to say that people are enjoying White Rock Lake like I have never seen before.

At the apex of the walk over the bride, looking toward the dog park, the new open water area that is collared off from where White Rock Creek flows into the lake, under the Mockingbird Lane bridge, was filled with neon green tennis balls and dogs chasing them all over. It was so obvious that the dogs were enjoying the time of their lives. I was a bit more than just stunned at how obvious it really was. Dallas Parks and Recreation must be commended at a project that is without reservation, a hit!

The newly revamped and ungraded Dog Park on Mockingbird  at White Rock Lake

The dogs were having the time of their lives! It was that obvious.

09-28-15: edited to add enjoying and to delete have

Book Covers

Sometimes, I get blown away by the simple question. Then, it occurs to me that comfort zones for people limit their ability to expand their horizons. A recent experience was noted when someone who watched me photography various things around a fairly popular spot at White Rock Lake. She came up to me as I was getting ready to leave. "Can I ask you a question, sir", she called out. I stopped as she walked over to where I was standing. She ask her question. I tried to give her the best of answers and not be silly. Her reply was, "I would never have guessed that in a million years."

We talked for nearly a half hour about photography and landscapes but mostly about graphic arts in so many businesses. Book covers, CD covers, albums, e-books were just a few uses that she had never thought about. Then, as if another drive kicked in, under a head of auburn hair tied back in a pony tail with grey roots along her temple. At that moment everything began to fit together, she could see the full picture as it was intended. When I showed her the in-camera image, she said that she had done some writing but never did  much with it afterwards because she didn't understand the full process of the publishing process. Selecting an image and putting it together with her manuscript, she could complete the process of e-book publishing as a start with minor software additions to her computer.

An old Sycamore tree that is one of my favorites from year to year.

It was a reality check for me in that you think most people looking at a picture could relate it to how images are used, but they don't.

Just A Few Old-Man Philosophies

My cardiologist is fine tuning my meds again for a number of reasons but the biggest reason comes as a result of my weight loss from the cardio walks and  regaining the strength  again to ride my bike. Also,cutting out all sugars and eating much more garden style without being a vegan or total vegetarian has really helped..Do you know how many ways you can cook chicken? It's amazing. The cows would be happy in the Chick-fil-A commercial.

My appointment today was way to early for me. At one point in life, I was a big morning person, but throughout the years--especially in retirement-- I have been know to wake up, take my scheduled meds and go back to bed until the sun is much higher in the sky. But, early voting started on Monday and I wanted to vote after the visit to the doctor.

At the polls, I voted for 2 Republicans, 2 Democrats. The rest of the voting went to Libertarians and Green Party. I voted for one amendment and against all the rest. Not, specifically because I liked the candidate or the ideal but more because I have been unhappy with the  leadership, the work being done in congress and the basic attitudes inside the Beltway. So, like my old history teacher hammered into my brain years and years ago (the talk of term limits was being discussed even then for you 20-30 something readers) you do not like how things are going in the political arena, you vote the bums out. Yes, I know.....your voting isn't going to change a thing. Well, what you have to understand is that this is a joint adventure. And, there are plenty of others that are thinking that way, too. That's why the political pundits have their  half-moon table discussions following up-set elections as a moderator ask the question: what happened, do you think? Democracy is still the best system in the world. Yes, I still did my pumping-arm action and yell, as I left the polls. "Oh, that felt so good!" This year, there were something like 8 or 9 pages of people voting and 7 or 8 pages of amendments. So this year, it really did feel good!

Here is another little thing that changes my vote at the polls. If your candidate called me on my house phone during the year, your candidate lost my vote with that call. Ain't technology, great? It's a two-way street folks. I signed up years ago for the "do not call" list. I know, there are loop-holes for organizations and others. Here's the thing. It is a DO NOT CALL list. The government advertised it as a DO NOT CALL list and that is what it means. You call me, you get no money, you get no vote! You get the dial tone as a bonus. Of course, 90% are robo calls but they understand that dial tone!

Early Voting Is Officially Underway

Those are holes from a pellet gun or worse!

A key lock on a railing at one of the scenic overlooks at the dam.

The two out-of-pocket pictures come from things I noticed on a cardio walk after the voting and waiting on the pharmacy to call that my scripts are ready. It was a perfect fall day, warmer than normal.

Mother Nature's Fall Prunning

A line of severe thunderstorms stretching from Mexico to Canada moved through Dallas late yesterday afternoon. The squall line only lasted about 45-minutes but it was a long 45-minutes. Winds were at hurricane force when the bow-echo came through. Over 140,000 people were without power, even today. Roofs came off buildings in Arlington, brick walls collapsed in the stockyards in Ft. Worth. Trees in University Park fell across streets and in Lake Highland, trees fell on houses. Very large trees fell on houses, in fact.

The last time that I saw rain come down in a horizontal pattern was during Hurricane David when it struck the South Carolina coast in 1979 but, yesterday, it came down that way here in Dallas. Today, I went over to Whole Foods to get some pistachio. I had to go around the block because Dart Police had the crossing at Blackwell and Greenville closed. After getting the cholesterol-lowering tasty things, it was on to White Rock for the first time in several weeks. In June, I had posted a blog post on the Cremation of the Big Oaks at White Rock. I wanted to see how much damage had occurred. Into the short trip over to the lake  it didn't take long to see that the damage from the wind was more severe than I had thought. In the course of three miles, I came across three houses with big trees laying across  their roofs. At the lake on the west side, there was damage to two of the trees that I had written about. On the east side of the lake, the damage was even more severe. One tree at the Stone Tables had been completely uprooted with the cement post barriers still in the root system and sod.

I'm not a tree-hugger but I hate to see beautiful old trees with so much character taken out in such large numbers. It was only 90 days ago that another storm had take out a massive old oak on the curve just east of the stone tables. And the one taken out Thursday was not the only one at the stone tables. There are also some wooden tables south of the shelter house at the stone tables and a big tree branch covered at least three of those tables.

The parking lot at Winfrey Point was covered in leaves and twigs like carpet. Along the drive down toward the parking lot of the ball diamonds were a couple of big branches that were hit as well.

Take a look see.

House # 1 damage

House # 2 damage

Stone table area with another big tree at the road and behind here  that was felled by the storm.

Peaceful Turtle Creek: It's National Hot Dog Day

While I make fun of myself for visiting White Rock Lake as much as I do, I go there as a photographer because there is always something going on. I've seen a fire department pumper run into the lake. I've seen divers pull a stolen car out of the lake. I've seen a sail boater flip in the middle of the lake and watched a water rescue that ended in success. I've also seen paddle board accidents and just plain stupidity end with tragic consequences.

I've seen a steam-powered boat on the lake; dogs on sail boats having as much fun as their owners, wildlife, snakes, monk parrots, American bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, pelicans, seagulls, ducks, swans, geese, coyote, horses, etc.,etc.

There is no question that White Rock is also a very pretty place and a crown jewel of the city park system. Bikers, runners meet regularly to bike and run alike. Visitors come and take pictures from the docks. Several rowing clubs hold meets on the lake and sailing clubs give lessons as well as hold regattas. The city put several million dollars into the dam and spillway a couple of years back so people can safely watch the waters cascade after a heavy rain. People fish. People picnic; even eat Hot Dogs the year round and not just on National Hot Dog Day, which is today, in fact. The culture center offers many events during the course of the year. All-in-all, White Rock is worth the trip to exercise with a cardio-walk and a place where one can meet professional photographers and hobbyist. It's a direct path to the Gulf of Mexico via its confluence with the Trinity River down stream past the dam. That's always an awesome feeling when you see water flow past your position in stream or on shore.

Having said that, when I want to think and reflect (especially during this time of year remembering my son and mom ) it's done along this stretch of paths on Turtle Creek in Uptown. Everyone has that special place for such personal reflection and thought. Mine is here.

While the traffic sounds are around you, they fade into the background as you walk. The heavily traveled  Katy Trail carries most of the bikers and runners along  and upon the ridge to the left. At White Rock, you would be getting "ON YOUR LEFT" over your shoulder as bikers zipped past. The solitude here is priceless. Across the street at Lee Park, provides areas where you can bring back the tempo of the day with statues, benches and rose walks that Jerry Jones and wife made possible. It's not that far from Jerry's house either as Highland Park, Uptown and Turtle Creek all overlap like a lotus bloom on  a lily pad.

Turtle Creek, Uptown Dallas

Gone Barefoot'n

Some things just lend themselves to a camera's lens.

 The nice thing about White Rock Lake is that there are many docks that give visitors a close-up look at wildlife, especially this time of year when little ducks are being hatched. The birds are also nesting and going out and coming in to feed their hatchlings.

The reeds grow in certain areas and not in others. Where there are reeds, not only are their some water moccasins but also red-wing blackbirds, various species of ducks besides mallards and turtles. In short, there are multiple examples of wildlife compressed into  small areas. Not only do the boardwalks give a clean view of the lake  off-shore, the boardwalks also provide a walk-way to observe nature close-up.

Here are a few shots with a little twist.

Shoes and socks at the edge of the lake. No owners in sight!

One of the boardwalks along a reed patch



A male Red-wing Black Bird in his courtship dance.



30/05/2014 updated

The Character of Nature

On my way to the doctor my phone rang. My appointment was delayed for a couple of hours. It was a beautiful morning. It was a rare mornings look at some old friends that have stood guard over the lake for nearly a hundred years, or more.

The texture of the bark is amazing



One of the Twisted Sisters (Not the song)

See archive for past writings and pictures on this topic

It's Not Whether You Win or Loose, But How You Play the Game.......

The previous post began the trek that let to these pictures. In that post, I wrote about the best bologna sandwich made in Dallas. It had been a while since I had one and while I was at the Parkit Market, I had the deli make one to go. I grabbed a coke from the cooler, got checkout by one of the Todora men, wished Ann a happy 92nd birthday via her son, John, and headed out to "the rock" to eat my lunch in fresh air with a great view of the lake.

After eating my sandwich, I had started home when I spotted a large motor coach in the parking lot of the Filter Building. Taking a detour to check out the bus, it soon came together the reason why the bus was there. It turned out to be an interesting set of images on another activity going on in the metroplex besides the Greenville Avenue St. Patrick's Parade or the totally different spin on being green in the Stockyards in Ft. Worth. This one was more solidly based in character and in building a solid foundation for life. This one is about not whether you win or loose, but how you play the game overall.

When I came around the curve at the filter building heading to the parking lot, the first thing that I saw was a very comfortable driver waiting  for his team charge to finish up for the day so that he could drive them back to their lodging for the night. What one could not readily see was that transporting the Creighton University women's rowing team to the SMU Invite isn't just about chartering a motor coach. It's also the behind the scene logistics of moving multiple rowing vessels that travel with the team; both leading the way and bringing up the rear of such a trip.

The driver had been driving for the team for a decade. He has taken the team as far east as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has been to the west coast's Pacific Northwest, although he says that the team usually flies to those locations now. Never-the-less, getting a team to where it should be is not as simple as a comfortable bus ride down the road. It takes yet, another team of drivers or rowers if you pardon the pun.

I have a hunch that this crew--this Creighton University women's rowing team, is quality and top notch whether they win or loose because they know how to win where it counts; building character and building a solid foundation for life.

SMU swept the event.

Team Spirit Starts with the Driver! 

The BlueJay is Creighton says my niece.

The behind the scene part of the meet; moving vessels 40-50 feet down the road is not an easy task especially in wind.

 

Good Signs After A Hard Winter, Thus Far

A few days ago, I went to check on the hive of bees that had swarmed in late fall along a trail were I do my cardiac walks. I was somewhat concerned that the coldest winter in 40 years might had taken a toll on the hive.  At first, I grew more concerned as there were not any bees coming and going from the hive. In the fall the bees had covered the entire knot-hole on the tree trunk. Soon, I began to see bees coming out of and going into the hive. In total there were not that many bees, but the hive was alive and well and the bees had survived the winter thus far. There are pictures in the archive if any of you  missed the initial post.

My second concern of winter's wear on wildlife were the Monk parrots that have an established colony of 70 to 80 birds. Today, I saw four. They looked very healthy and somewhat less noisy than in the past, but the missing birds of the colony were every evident. Most likely, more did survive but several people were telling me today that they had been looking for the Monks, too, but had only seen the same four that I had seen. In the past, I have read reports from New York and San Francisco that  had large colonies thinned out by mother nature but the strong had survived hard winters in the most unusual of places. I'm hoping that the WRL colony of Monks will venture back to the lake as the weather becomes more favorable toward Spring. While the little parrots are noisy, they are part of the character of the lake and missing them completely would be a loss no one wants to see.

The early part of the this coming week, it's time to see the cardiologist again. Last week, because of the ice and sleet and snow, the day before, I had cancelled my appointment because driving was not going to be worth the head aces. As it turned out, the weather was right on target and it was a nightmare avoided. This coming week it is going to be in the 70s. Spring is barking for the calendar to turn March!

Monk Parrots

Last falls colony numbered in the 70-80s. Today, there were only 4 sported.

 16/02/2014. Corrected for displacements.

It's A Bit Confusing Since the Pope's Unexpected Seagull Arriving

 This past week, Pope Francis released a couple of doves from the Vatican's balcony only to have a seagull attack one of the doves, which escaped and flew away as intended. Some were upset by the turn of events, but if you have been around seagulls, they can be aggressive because they are what I call, little scrappers!

While all-white Dover make for beautiful and peaceful settings at weddings, funerals and many other symbolic events, I actually like the seagull. No, not because of the "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" work, but because they are beautiful birds in their own right. In fact, when you look at their feathers on their tails and wings, it isn't hard to see the beautiful feathers depicted in pictures of Angel Wings. In fact, they look exactly like the Angel Wings that I have seen in paintings.

Maybe, just maybe, Angels gave the seagull their beautiful features. Take a look.

Angel wings ?

Tail feathers and wing feathers

Just a bunch of big while pelicans riding thermals

Never the Same Thing

The main thing that I like about White Rock Lake is that there is something always different going on or happening. There are several venues, but when collectively lumped together on a trip around the lake, it always will generate something different.

Over the past few years, there has been a car pulled from the lake; a fire truck and a few drownings, which are never something you want to see or hear about but it happens none-the-less. A steamboat has been seen and heard on the lake.

A coyote, many red-tail hawks, a pair of American Bald Eagles, a few more snakes than are necessary, egrets, blue herons, pelicans, seagulls, woodpeckers, ducks, geese, monk parrots, make up some of the wildlife that can been seen,

Traditional outdoor weddings are frequent on both sides of the lake. This past summer there was a Celtic wedding complete with wood-framed alter, straw wreaths and hemlock sprigs. A British Car show with rows of Rolls-Royce, MG ,Triumphs, Austin Martins to name a few. Meetings, Rowing Club lessons, also make the list of events.

Today, however, classical violin music was coming from the Winfrey Point House. What made it somewhat unusual, was that it was a memorial service for  one of the Lake residents. Fitting? You bet. There would not be a better place to hold a memorial service and why not?  These are only a few reasons why this lake is the crown jewel of the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department and a great section of the city to enjoy. Over the last couple of years, the growth and use of this lake has continued to increase. So when you are there, pick up after yourself and leave the lake a better place than what you found.

Today, I also saw my first bike rider riding his bike while both hands were on his phone as he was texting.  I hope this doesn't start a trend. Think about it. Texting while driving is bad but texting while bike ridging must be worse.

Just a couple of simple images for today.

One of two of my favorite Sycamores that have massive trunks



One of many seagulls seen today

 27/01/14 correcting construction

Don't You Wonder About Somethings?

I've seen balloons flying high in bundles in the Dallas TRACON before. I've seen daily sonar soundings released by the National Weather Service.  Sometime, just go outside, pull up a chase lounge and look at the sky for a while. You will be astounded  at what  you see overhead. Sometimes, it is things that you need to think about for a while. Like, your first weather balloon from the weather service. I had not seen one in actual flight until this past October, but knew what they were from seeing one firsthand up close as a kid. But, then, there are other things  I still wonder about some of those. No UFOs mind you, but as they say in midtown Manhattan, "You'll have that from time to time. Yes, you will".

Today, in between  the drugstore and the grocery store, I came across these. Don't you wonder sometimes?

From Flag Pole Hill looking east as the rain moves out and 60-70 degrees returns to Texas tomorrow and Sunday.

Better stuck here than in one of many airliners that criss cross at low and at high altitude across the Dallas area.

Something New for the New Year

Today  was my  first trip out in the past five days. The cold isn't good for the heart at my age. That's what I am told at any rate. It was a trip to the drug store only to find that I must go back again tomorrow for one medication that was out of stock. So, while out, it would be a chance to get lunch and make a trip around the lake for the first time in 2014.

The ceilings were very, very low lending themselves to that feeling of gloom and doom. A mist was falling just enough to keep the intermittent wipers on their highest setting.  It was almost, at times, like there was trying to be fog. In fact, a couple of landmarks at the lake had their tops covered in fog. Since fog is defined as a cloud lower than 50 feet, the credence to ceilings being low was upheld.

The old entrance to The Big Thicket had been undergoing a bit of construction that looked very much like some kind of sign, but at years end, it was not yet determined. But, today, there were several new signs-- long needed-- marking not only the Big Thicket, but the cut-off to the pump and filter buildings on the west side of the lake and a new nautical and Big Thicket route marker. In fact, they look really nice, even covered in the fine droplets of water.

Someone today was complaining on Yahoo that there was only one picture to a story they were commenting on. Someone else commented that [they]  "assume you know what the word gallery means. Did you click it on?" I realized that people still have trouble navigating on the web, so I will remind every one that you click on one of these images and it opens in a more viewable condition. Try it! It doesn't cost anything!!

Nice New Sign



Gloom and Doom Winter Day

One of the television stations were doing a piece on the re-make of the dog-park. A million-dollar redo. The bike and pedestrian bridge is blocked off at the east end and the trail is blocked off at the west parking lot entrance. That's a lot of ground being made ready for construction. The jewel of the city park system is getting her crown polished up. Looking good!!

A totally new sign that was needed. It sits at the end of the bike bridge with the back to the dog park across the water and at the foot of the Big Thicket Hill off Mockingbird.

 

The Story Tellers of White Rock Lake

If trees could talk, there are a few trees at White Rock that have probably seen it all from  their growth  stand. It occurred to me not long ago that another severe ice storm like we just dodged, or straight-line winds could bring these old story tellers down to the ground and reduce their massive, scared trunks to firewood.

There is a story about the old Pecan tree that stands on the Cole farm in Highland Park that is decorated every year. KERA has run the story as fillers many times over the course of its creation. But  people that live around the lake; regular visitors to the lake or even a one-time visitor visiting family here in Dallas looking for some place neat to sight see, also notice some of these old haunting trees with their rabbit-holed trunks. Their twisted, sometimes sawed off, even bent, and mangled branches have their own character that are just as old as the Cole pecan tree, if not older in some cases.

The project sprang up when I was looking for something of significance to shoot at White Rock Lake. First, one thinks of buildings. Some good, some bad, but they have been shot over and over and over .Eventually, the list came to be titled, "old trees"  The odd thing is that during the summer, when leafed out, it's easy to miss some of the character of the tree itself. But, in late fall and early winter when the leaves start to fall and branches are bare, one can see the real beauty of the tree from an age stand-point. The character just blossoms.
Here are just a few of what I found today.

The trunk is split from the base up the trunk for nearly 15-feet.I would guess that a lightening strike hit the tree more than just once.



The trunk is straight but it has been mutilated by weather, disease or lightening.

Another tree that has overcome lightening strikes, wind damage, and who knows what else.

These old trees have a ghostly character that only age can bestow on this old story-teller. The wood would be interesting to inspect. Old wood like this is filled with so much character, no wonder people search the planet for old trees like these for a variety of reasons. Many, just walk by the old tree and never notice its character at all.
 

Unusual Road History

It began as a note to myself while the construction on the White Rock Lake Dam and Spillway was underway about two years ago. That note said that I should remember to do a post on the dam and spillway after the construction was complete.  My attention had been drawn to an unusual  piece of granite that was inscribed some time in the past. It was just sitting there along  a sidewalk partially leaned up against a wrought iron railing. It looked a bit odd compared to the typical historical marker that the State of Texas uses to mark historical points of interest. One of those was about 15 feet farther up the sidewalk that gave the history of White Rock Lake Dam and Spillway but the white granite marker was even more interesting to me. It also had a half-mooned bowl that could be a water fountain or  who knows what else. It was just plain cool. The inscription was indeed historical and it was clear that the marker was going up at the dam and beloved spillway that has drawn people to view the dam after a major rain storm for years. It is an impressive site.


"Central National Road of the Republic of Texas was created by the Texas Congress on Feb.5,1844 to establish a five-man commission to select a right of way, see that it was cleared, and supervise the building of necessary bridges." 1

1."CENTRAL NATIONAL ROAD," handbook of Texas Online (http://www.Tsha.online.org/handbook/online/article01),accessed November 24,2013.Published by the Texas State Historical Association.

Placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution

The history of White Rock Lake

The new renovation to the dam and spillway

If You Love Numbers, Today is 11-12-13

Before the Arctic cold front roars through North Texas, a trip to the grocery store was a chance to put down the book and run by the lake on another beautiful fall day. And since one grocery store is on one side and the other on the opposite side it was not a chore.

I've always been a good shopper. Saving money at the grocery store is not a task for me. It's a competitive  experience. But, it also helps to know pricing and marketing techniques. For example: a simple can of black pepper. On a normal day, I will pay $2.29 for 1.75 ounces. It's not a good price for pepper but it's a good price compared to what else is available. Since I was going by a particular store where I shop maybe once or twice a year, yesterday, I was hungery  for sizzle steaks and onions. Sizzle steaks are not a popular product here in Texas. It's basically a northern thing and stores up north slice, bag (two pounds at a time) an quick-freeze.

So, I stopped at the store where I seldom shop. No only did they have the aforementioned, they also had the biggest can of black pepper you could believe for $1.99. Four ounces! A bit more than double from what I had been getting at 1.75 ounces.

I bought a bag of sizzle steaks in bulk. They are not true sizzle steaks but they come as close to what I cook that I have found in Texas. They need to be sliced about half again as thin to be true sizzlers. Also, the shoulder blade cut roast were packed two in a package for half the price that I had been paying from my regular store.  There were several items that were what I would consider way out of line. But, I found enough that I'll be back again with a list in hand. I get a kick out of the Walmart commercial where the guy takes the woman with her Kroger receipt in hand on a comparison shop on how much she could save.  Of course you never hear about the items where Kroger was much cheaper (and they can be on many things) than Walmart! And you never will. I've found things at Kroger where they were a bit higher than some stores, but shopping is an art and you must watch deals, know prices and follow the rules of avoiding  certain areas of the store.  

What makes me irritated the most is when a store advertises turkeys! Oie Vey!

 One store listed a price per pound, but only if you purchase $50.00. Another had their little twist to get you in the door. I found my turkey for $0.59 per pound but I had to dig for it in the freezers. But my irritation  comes from a sign that says 10-15 pounds here and 16-22 pounds here. I found mine at the very bottom of the 16-22 pounds.  It was a 10 pounder! Don't you just love that part of holiday shopping?  But, with a hard freeze tonight before our first frost, I can slow cook the roast today. That puts steam in the kitchen and warms up the house with warmth in temperature and in smells! Oh! I'm also making yeast rolls  today, too. That will really add to the smells of fall and pre-holiday days.

At the lake, what appears to be the wedding alter from a Kelt wedding over the weekend stood out against a deep blue sky.

A Pagan Wedding Alter with sprig of  Hemlock

 

The straw wreath

The Overview.
Yes, it was hand made and made with modern screws and power drivers!

Carnac at Luxor

No, there will not be pictures of trips to Carnac. This is about being able to wrap one's mind around the equation of 3200 BC + 2000 AD = 5200 at a time when modern man is just now able to have the technology in machines and tools to do what the Egyptians did 5200 years ago by hand.

At a time when social media is being used in not the best ways and the world is so focused on teen idols that lives the life their teen followers wish they could, while at the same time pouring their money into the products of these stars that allow the stars to have what they have at such a young age blows my mind. One example is that of Justin Beiber, with a reported $100 million in the bank and still a teenager. Carnac seems so constant.

Having said that, the fortunes these teen idols have amassed still does not blow my mind like the way Carnac has in the past, or still does today.

Every art student should tour Carnac before beginning their careers. Did I just say that? Indeed. It's more about the time element of when Carnac was begun than what it is; more  inspiration than awe. Mix it all together and what can be poured out  will be a billet of life. One with a focus on forging a relationship between man and his creator and how short this life really is in terms of years. That is the great motivator. The focus. The object d'art. The canvas for life's work.

Another thing that blows my mind is how light can make or break an image.

It seems to me that more residents at White Rock decorate more during the seasons

Seeing horseback riders at the lake are still a joy in this fast-paced world.