Put your hand up if you have a mum…. Now keep it up if you love your mum…. Right all the people with their hands up, did you re…
Put your hand up if you have a mum…. Now keep it up if you love your mum…. Right all the people with their hands up, did you remeber it’s MOTHERS DAY this weekend ? Yeah it’s ok we forgot as well, but we love our mums and your mums too so we decided to do something about it. A Promo Code ! Get your mum in front of RedBubble, get her to choose something she likes and buy it for her. Use the promo code ‘mothersday’ when you check out and get free shipping. OR do what I’m about to do, and just choose for her ! Use the promo code and send her a suprise (albeit slightly late !) – Offer expires midnight this Sunday. Have a look here for some more great ideas, or send the link to your mum if you like. Finally – what does the homepage have to do with mothers day ? My mum likes flowers.
I just want to say thank you to everyone who had commented on my photograph, In particular, for “Mother’s love” / I was delighted how this…
I just want to say thank you to everyone who had commented on my photograph, In particular, for “Mother’s love” / I was delighted how this photo has turned out. I am also amazed on how this has affected so many people. Artemis 74, thanks for your comment about having to return to the picture again as it speaks so much to you. But that is the point, is it not? / How fortunate are we to have a hobby that can capture images that speaks more to people than just a nice picture. I wish I can give up my day job, but that is not the reality.
I’ve been quiet for the last few months.. / i havent stopped taking photos.. or making art.. / just havent had the time and/or headspace to…
I’ve been quiet for the last few months.. / i havent stopped taking photos.. or making art.. / just havent had the time and/or headspace to put it online here im writing this cuz i need to SEE where im at, hoping it will help me / ive got so many ‘things’ scattering/floating around my life / stress and changes, big changes.. that effects me and my kids / but its just me that have to make these decisions / mega decisions that WILL change everyone.. me and my three kids / i welcome advise, any type of help/assistance My ‘family’ structure has been crumbling around me / from June 2006 till Dec 2007 ive been to hell and back / my youngest of the four children i have has put thru tests i never thought id experience.. / sent me to the darkest saddest space that no one has sent me before / i’ve had to question myself.. my past and my future / testing my strength, provoking my weakness Ive been the tower of strength as long as i can remember / ive always been able to rise above all challenges / except for this time I accepted that i had to ask for help / only to realise there is no one to seek this help, or even guidance / except from strangers… / Relinquishing my pride, i seeked help from councillors, Parents Helpline / only to confirm disbelievingly that my options was minimal… i shutdown everything that makes me happy and smile.. / to attend to the family needs, especially the youngest / even simple things like taking photos at events, dancing and being with people, it stopped. / i didnt leave the house for NINE MONTHS, except to the corner shop, and councillors and doctors / i cried everyday, i worried everyday, i stressed everyday / one part of me screaming for help and support.. / Screaming from the inside, seeking on the outside / but nobody came… Nine months, uncanny.. its same length of time that a baby sits within my body / and coincidence that on the 9th month of 2007 (Sept), i discover a 4cm lump in my left breast plus other weird health issues (circulation) start to develop mainly on the left side of my body.. I take it as a signal from my soul to take care of ME, and i try.. / i scrape whatever left of energy i have, to nourish me / i hangon to my art, as its the only thing that keeps me positive / each card or tshirt that sells, is the lightbeam reminding me to not let go of my dreams.. my self esteem and confidence is in tatters, shredded / i realise though im known by so many / that i know no one, / no one real that can listen or help, or even just empathize / just hundreds of acquaintence, / its makes me laugh…sort of.. a sad laugh Options.. what are my options? / the answers sends me back to the frustrated dark stress corner / People ask me how i am… i answer with “I’m alive” / though many times i wish i would not wake up from the sleep that never goes deep enough to consider it as ‘sleep’ i make myself eat breakfast, vitamins / i set some house rules.. two pages of it, and stick it on the wall for all to see / i seek structure and help.. / i cannot believe that i have to spell it out to my kids about the situation / they are not toddlers.. they are 14, 15 and 17 / Every weekend there are some dramas.. / the moment i am to do something for self, to go out.. to attend my ‘work’ / some farkin drama would happen.. There’s not much of ‘me’ left.. / something has to give..or someone has to go.. / i send my youngest to the father.. / i accept defeat, for i will be totally destroyed, with no use for anyone / i dont want to enter the new year, with this hell / funny how my name means, heaven… i find the airfare to fly her to qld.. / the one way airfare costs me two months worth of what i make here at redbubble.. thankgod..there is that.. It was the weirdest christmas ever for me.. / i just felt so lost..though i was at home / didnt seem to effect the other kids.. they were more concerned with their girlfriends and boyfriends.. / i didnt get a card..i didnt get nuthing..not even a written note..nuthing / i hear my heart shatter..like a burst bauble.. / i cry in the shower…again, and tell myself to take myself out / finally i head into the city….on christmas night 25th Dec 2007 / my last outing was 9th March 2007 / I was having anxiety attacks on the inside…but i didnt backout, i was scared. / It disappeared after the second beer once i got to the venue.. i take myself, my other daughter, my son and his girlfriend, and his mate to the annual psytrance festival for new years..3hrs drive from here / i spend money on fuel and ‘holiday costs’ that i should be saving for other ‘important’ things, but i NEED this holiday.. i NEED to get some sun, go outdoors, dance and be around people i know.. / i trade my graphic design skills for the entry tickets for everyone / i ask the help from my old friends for transport to get us there and back Everything goes well… until new years eve, when once again, i get slapped with a reminder that my kids dont have any “CARE” about each other, or this ‘family’ that i’ve been holding up for the last 23years.. I cannot still comprehend how i ended up with such selfish, uncaring humans / I question universe and self about how our children are Reflections of Self.. / for i dont recognize these reflections at all.. / I push aside these feelings..and try to enjoy my time with my friends, and i plant the seed of Selfishness in myself, telling me to stop caring so much..even my children 2008 : / There is less tears, not daily anymore.. Even a few weeks without doubt and angst.. But there is a new stress.. Money. / With my youngest (14yo) gone, there is less money coming from Centerlink.. $100 pw less, and in March..everything will stop..as my 15yo turns 16, so everything will change/stop.. I have an appointment at Centrelink to tell me that i will switch to Newstart (Unemployment benefit) and no longer get any Parenting payment. It doesnt matter that i still have 2 kids living with me..for they will be on Youth Allowance ($190 pf each) i do my maths and realise that im in the midst of having a Financial hemorrhage / and my kids dont seem to realise how ‘bad’ things are..even though i tell them. i dont know what to do….. / my head feels like a vice is squeezing the life out of me / all the issues just swirl and swirl / i seek the light at the end of the tunnel / but i know its the oncoming train.. (pause) my nearly 18yo son tells me yesterday that “When you move out of here, dont bother getting a 3brm place, cuz i dont want to live with you anymore” and then he leaves the house.. We dont mention this again later in the evening, as there are guests in the house.. Today i enquired with him if he was serious..and he says yes..I says, “When are you planning on moving out then?” He says “When you move out and stuff”. And i replied “Im planning to move out in about 6 weeks time, so you better take this as a four week notice for YoU to move out” I feel so hurt, and confused. I’m walking on eggshells on how i can/should and could..act as a mother..and a person.. Who am i first? The person or the mother..? the hurt must be cuz i feel rejected as a mother, that they dont realise is their best friend..who is still on the journey of finding out the her person.. i put my hand out for guidance….
She carried for 9 months, bearing all the unbearable aches and pains, / but she bared it,........ she bared the biggest pain in her who…
She carried for 9 months, bearing all the unbearable aches and pains, / but she bared it,........ she bared the biggest pain in her whole life, to bring me into this world. / She gave me a life, how so fascinating and great is the fact, that we formed within a body of a mother, then that body of a mother gave ‘birth’ and life to a living being.. She spends countless years nurturing and raising, yet when the child is in their 50’s, / the mother’s job to the child, still is unfinnished!. as to the mother her 50 yr old child, still looks like a baby to her. / Oh how great mother are you, to be patient all these never ending years for you. Mother has never ending concerns and worries about her children. / Wether they are far or near, they always seem to be just there for her, right next to every heartbeat of hers. That’s why all mother’s are so so special, let them know you always and forever will love them, forgive them, if they said anything wrong to you, or caused you unnessary pain, as they did’nt mean to….... they still gave us the biggest choice on this earth to live and experience life.. Oh mother how i do truly love you, nothing and no-one can ever replace a mother. HAPPY MOTHER’s DAY!
Today is my Mother’s birthday. She would have been eighty-one years old. I wonder what she would have looked like, and how she would have…
Today is my Mother’s birthday. She would have been eighty-one years old. I wonder what she would have looked like, and how she would have felt about all the changes that have occurred in our world in the last thirty-six years. My children never had the opportunity to meet their Grandmother, my grandchildren their Great-Grandmother. None of them were to be blessed by her delightful laugh, nor were they to feel the strong presence of this wonderful and Magickal woman. All of us were robbed of her charm and beauty. On July 21st, 1972, my Mother was needlessly murdered in Phoenix, Arizona. It was called a random act of violence, kind of like a drive by shooting, just a gun that went off and a bullet that happened to fly through her kitchen window, penetrating her body and exploding deep inside her chest. She bled to death on the doorstep of her house, with no one to hold her hand and comfort her as she passed. The perpetrator was never captured. The detective who handled the case worked in frustration for many years, trying to solve a cold case that to this day is not resolved. I spoke with him not too long ago. He is retired now, but remembers the murder as if it occurred yesterday. He regrets that he could not bring justice to my Mother, and peace to the family that she was torn away from. Today is my Mother’s birthday. I celebrate for her, she who cannot celebrate. I remember her, the beautiful one who wiped my tears as a child, who comforted and consoled me when I was sad or injured. I remember the Mother who made me laugh, who took me on long road trips throughout Arizona, and to California, where her heart certainly belonged. I celebrate for the one who taught me to be who I am. Happy Birthday Mama!! April 14th, 1927 – July 21st, 1972 Posted 04/14/2008 A short edit here. Yesterday, the second rose of the season blossomed, from the same plant that my own birthday rose had come from. I was not able to cut it until today, and believe me, there were thorns aplenty. Here is my Mother’s very own birthday rose, bloomed just for her on her special day. /
MOTHER’S DAY CARDS: !http://images-2.redbubble.com/img/art/backingcolor:white/product:greeting-card/view:preview/1067514-2-happy-mothe…
MOTHER’S DAY CARDS:
I am thrilled to present the amazing finalists for the Mother’s Day Contest from both the Selective Coloring Group and the Childhood Gro…
I am thrilled to present the amazing finalists for the Mother’s Day Contest from both the Selective Coloring Group and the Childhood Group. You can see all the finalists below, then come check them out and you place your vote … one vote for per each group HERE. Big CONGRATULATIONS to all of you. Your entries are all outstanding and the cometition was pretty fierce. Here are the finalists from the Selective Coloring group: http://images-2.redbubble.com/img/art/size:large/view:main/1050993-1-from-god.jpg! Here are the finalists from the Childhood Group: !
For anybody who hasn’t had a chance to check out the winners of the Mother’s day Contest held for both the Selective Coloring Group...
For anybody who hasn’t had a chance to check out the winners of the Mother’s day Contest held for both the Selective Coloring Group and the Childhood Group you can see them HERE. These images really evoke such warm tender feelings and a true sense of motherhood. So much inspiration went into this contest, and it was very rewarding for me as well. While you are there, take a moment and check out the rest of my website and sign up for future news and updates. It is an interactive, resourceful, and informational site aimed to educate photographers on the art and techniques of selective coloring. Also, if you have time, sign my guestbook. I would love to hear your thoughts and if you have any suggestions on making the site even more useful and interesting.
TO ALL THE WONDERFUL MOMMYS IN REDBUBBLELAND HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY…MAY YOU HAVE A VERY HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE & H…
TO ALL THE WONDERFUL MOMMYS IN REDBUBBLELAND HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY…MAY YOU HAVE A VERY HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE & HUGS, SALLY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Well, after pulling up nicely from the Puffing Billy race a week ago, I thought I’d line up for the Mother’s Day Fun Run in Canberra on S…
Well, after pulling up nicely from the Puffing Billy race a week ago, I thought I’d line up for the Mother’s Day Fun Run in Canberra on Sunday. This particular Fun Run raises money for breast cancer research. I am happy to contribute to this cause, as breasts are WELL worth saving, in my humble opinion… Turning up an hour early to register, I discovered that there is but one word to describe this fun run. Pink. Pink ribbons. Pink outfits. Pink capes. Pink showbags. Even a pink completion medal… After a few mix-ups, my directionally challenged housemate arrived. He had originally suggested doing this run, which would be his first ever fun run, but now he was getting cold feet. I told him to put his shoes on. Bit frosty, these Canberra mornings… He wanted to chicken out of the ten kilometer run and opt for the five. I brought the big guns out early. Nothing like calling a twenty-three year old, six-foot three guy a girlie wuss to get ‘im fired up… Being blokey kinda men, we eschewed the 10 minute aerobic workout on offer, preferring a little manly stretching and macho talk. What is ‘manly stretching’? I have no idea. I guess it involves talking about football and not looking at anyone’s privates… We even resisted enthusiastic encouragement to have our faces painted in the face-painting tent. Doesn’t EVERY fun run have a face painting tent…?? We assembled around the start line in a clump of friendly, talkative runners and did the customary Packed Footpath Shuffle when the gun went off. About three minutes later my housemate said “Jesus you run fast…” and dropped off the back. Now, at this point I feel I must explain. My housemate is eighteen years younger than I am. He is three inches taller. He has teeth so bright he has been banned from smiling within five kilometers of Sydney airport to avoid distracting pilots of landing planes. He has a six-pack that is NOT hiding inside a blubber-based esky (which is where I keep mine – for safety, of course). In deference to his perfect looks, we shall call him Ken and hope that one day he finds his Barbie… So, to have this guy admit to being unable to keep up with a forty-something year old decrepit a mere three minutes into a fifty minute run. Well. Nice… Showing exceptional restraint, tact and diplomacy I replied “Shit mate, I’m only warming up!” and skipped off into the distance, singing Eye Of The Tiger to myself… The race is over two laps of a course. Half way through the second lap the field had spread out far enough that if I wanted to pass someone, I had to really earn it. I sidled up next to a guy a little older, leaner and harder-looking than myself. We paced each other for a kilometer or so – neither able to blow the other away. Some uber-fit girlie went streaming past us at one point. He looked at me and said “God, we’re just two snails slidin’ down a piece ‘a glass, aren’t we?” / “Yeah. Hand me my walking frame will ya?” / We had a chuckle. Not much of one, mind. We were both knackered from trying to beat each other. We both strode past the nine kilometer sign and I’d had enough. Giving him a cheerful wave I bolted, hoping like hell I could hang on for just five more minutes. I was glad he could not see my face. The wave might have been cheerful but my face looked like a badly deformed, overripe tomato… I crossed the line in fifty minutes – a little better than I’d hoped. Nice. I warmed down, had a stretch (manly, of course) and wandered back along the path to wait for Ken. A bright glow through the trees some twenty minutes later indicated to me that Ken was coming and that he was smiling. Or baring his teeth anyway. I popped the sunnies on and called encouragement as the polar-white grimace jogged past. When he had finished, we went and collected our pink showbags. Ken proudly wore his first ever completion medal for the rest of the day. He didn’t even care that it was pink and covered in flowers. He was a happy chappy. It was another great run. May I never have to stop.
Adventure 1 / Adventure 2...
Adventure 1 / Adventure 2 This is the last one; I promise! There used to me more ducklings, but today I only saw two. I wanted to do a comic out of this one because it was funny (read the captions below the images :P) / / / / Let’s race! / / / / Wheeeee! I’m going to win! / / / / I won! Mom did you see that? / other duck: Darn… / / / / Hehehe, guess we know who the rotten egg is! / other duck: Shut up… / / / / I’ve been working out these legs lately ;) / / / / Look how much bigger my feet have become! I paddle so fast now / / / / Mom let’s have a race to the top of the plank! / / / / Ready… Set… / / / / Go! / / / / ........ / / / / Um… Mom? / / / / Mom, play with me! / / / / Tickle, tickle, tickle! / / / / Tickle, tickle, tickle… / Mother duck: > . < / / / / Mother duck: (I was trying to sleep…) / / / / Mother duck: (Must not laugh, must not laugh…) /
!http://images-2.redbubble.net/img/art/border:noborder/product:mounted-print/size:small/view:preview/2252147-2-mother-natures-sculpture.j…
I am very honored and grateful!!
“Mother’s”, has been featured in the “All About Flowers” group. Thank you very much for this wonderful feature. I appreciate this so …
“Mother’s”, has been featured in the “All About Flowers” group. Thank you very much for this wonderful feature. I appreciate this so very much. What a great honor. / Ann
This is has been a wonderful, exciting week for me. Here are my features given to me by the wonderful moderators in the following group…
This is has been a wonderful, exciting week for me. Here are my features given to me by the wonderful moderators in the following groups: Recipes (along with photo) featured Fruit Pizza / / As well as a feature, the Recipes group has kindly used my photo as their newest challenge example! The Fabulous Prairies featured Eye Opener / Weekly Theme Challenges featured Upper Waterton Lake / As well as a feature this photo came in 2nd place in their challenge of the Canadian Rocky Mountains! / Canadian Rocky Mountains featured Old Blue / Retired and Happy featured Vermilion Lakes Drive / Canon DSLR featured Make Room For the Trees / Statues and Such featured Jet Statue – CBF Cold Lake, AB. / Top 10 placement as well as the Upper Waterton Lake photo, in Cottage Style placed third with the Cottage Style Banner / That’s not all. The group Flowers Only-Selective Coloring has chosen (no challenge win here) my photo Blue Mums as their avatar for the group for the entire month of May!! I can’t say how happy I am to have that honor, thank you!!! / To top off my excitement for this week, thank you to my beautiful friend Leslie for buying my Mother’s Day Card For My Mother On Mother’s Day With Love I just wish she were here to receive it. / Thank you so much everyone who chose me to be featured, for voting on my work in the challenges, for choosing my photo as your group avatar, and to Leslie for the sale!! What a happy feeling this leaves me with.
I am not a mother, and even though my mother is still alive, I choose not to participate in the celebration of Mother’s Day, for several …
I am not a mother, and even though my mother is still alive, I choose not to participate in the celebration of Mother’s Day, for several reasons. / Here’s someone who has expressed very well some of my sentiments, much better than I can at the moment. Agree or disagree, it matters not to me. We all have our point of view.
They say a picture paints a thousand words, so please accept this image as my wish for happiness and peace to all the Moms on RedBubble. ...
They say a picture paints a thousand words, so please accept this image as my wish for happiness and peace to all the Moms on RedBubble. Consider it a warm hug :)
Here it is Mothers day again. Hard to believe it was a year ago since I posted that poem. But in the spirit of the day….and to send wis…
Here it is Mothers day again. Hard to believe it was a year ago since I posted that poem. But in the spirit of the day….and to send wishes up to heaven…I’ve decided to post it again. Today is a day to honour all mothers… / Grandmothers, sisters..aunties and others, For embracing our body when fear took it’s hold… / Tending and caring when we had a cold… For encouraging talents even when not our best…. / And reminding us..we were as good as the rest….. For tenderly guiding when we lost our way…. / Peace, laughter and joy, all this I pray…. / For All Mothers today…on our special day. Happy Mother’s Day to all who mother, whether gaurdians, foster parents, dads , carers, daughters or sons…sisters or brothers! : ) Bless you all. Wendy xox
To all you mothers out there, hope your day is filled with love and lots of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To all you mothers out there, hope your day is filled with love and lots of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!http://images-3.redbubble.net/img/art/framecolor:mocha/framestyle:flat30/mattecolor:black/product:framed-print/size:large/view:preview/3…
I’ve been lucky to have “Transcendence” featured for the third time! / Thanks “All Oregon Group” for this honor!
Thank you everyone and “All About Flowers” group for the feature. / I truely appreciate this honor. !http://images-1.redbubble.net/i…
Thank you everyone and “All About Flowers” group for the feature. / I truely appreciate this honor.
I stopped and talked to guys for a while. “Unfortunately, I think you’ve made a tardy appearance. There was a wild shooting a few days ag…
I stopped and talked to guys for a while. “Unfortunately, I think you’ve made a tardy appearance. There was a wild shooting a few days ago. So there is no living soul left! All the elk crossed the ridge or left this place”, I replied them. They were two so-called hunters from Portland, OR driving their quad painted in camouflage as their clothes were too. One of them was wearing a silly red knitted cap. Each of them had a gun. I noticed they had canned beer on the bottom under their feet. That was illegal, of course. And I’ve seen some pollution in the form of empty beer and coke cans on mountain roadsides. Fortunately, their quad made a lot of noise that was frightening every single wild being. They also had powerful torches. I have to fess up I told them a shameless lie. I have seen some five doe-deer cows going to their hideout in the thicket as I was passing by just 20 minutes before I met those guys at the end of trail still available for a quad ride. I hate when somebody kills live beings just for having fun. I hate when any governmental organization sells permits/licences for doing that by explaining away with absurd reasons. I know some hunters as great guys, however, I cannot understand their hobby to kill anyway. Yes, they have no any fear for starvation!!! I was coming back from Taft peak on Schell Creek Range. The sunset was pouring its orange gold upon mountainside above the confluence of North and South Forks of Timber Creek. I was close to my vehicle when I heard and saw those two driving back. I could do nothing but I was hoping either the beautiful wild creatures won’t show up at night or the hunters will get drunk and fell asleep. That was a year ago soon after the hunting season has started. This time I was struggling up through a jungle of thick alder bushes and young bush-like aspens above the Lizzie’s Ponds. My goal was to climb the HIM (Hole-In-the-Mountain Peak), the highest one (11,306 ft.) in the East Humboldt Range of the Rubies and also the most interesting. That pentagonal Lizzie’s Hole, aka Lizzie’s Window, is a strong magnetic lure. HIM Peak has 4849 feet of prominence and comes in at #11 for Nevada peaks with the most prominence. I have to add that Wheeler is #2 on that list, and is higher (13,063 ft.), but just a children’s toy comparatively to the HIM. Well, a few thousand ft. Wheeler’s northern wall would be a big challenge, but nobody does that self-killing ascent because of the heavily eroded rocks. Another thing the paved road approaches Mt. Wheeler as high as slightly above 10,000 ft. Plus there’s a well-developed trail to the summit. I arrived to Clover Valley in the evening. Also you can click HERE for a map. My camping place is centered on that link. Click on map type and select either satellite or google satellite. Also you may select google panoramio. Then click on a thumbnail that pops up and then click again on bigger image to view a larger image. I drove my famous blue high clearance van. There were two front seats and a comfortable mattress behind. So I had a tent on wheels. I always was so proud of that invention even if there was nothing new invented. Generations of new settlers lived in their wagons. Anyway, I had to leave my tent on dirty Weekend Access roadside half a mile from a few other campers who all had 4WD. They were camping on a bank of mountain creek and some even at the Lizzie’s Ponds a few miles higher. It was the hunting season. All those campers were hunters, of course. I heard shots here and there time by time. I spent a cold night on a queen bed. I got up early and left at sunrise. No earlier – it was really cold. Going up and down on the intricate, bush covered and sometimes sloppy terrain was not an easy walk. Sometimes I even had to crawl. There was a basin shaped jungle of brushes, between two very steep shoulders (mountain ridges) going down from the main range. I heard shots somewhere behind me. I got out of that brush jungle and continued my way up. I know, there was an easier route around that jungle, but I’m an adventurous guy. That way you win sometimes, but sometimes not. That time I got wet instead of a reward. I have frightened a doe-deer cow. She ran away to the side of the circus making a loud sound galloping on the big hard rocks. “Go up, go up!”, I mumbled perhaps more to myself than to that graceful creature. My camera didn’t work to my big disappointment. I tried to make a few shots earlier, but the result was the same. It is “frozen”, I thought. (I still have the same camera: sometimes it works, sometimes not. It makes me more problems when it is cold.) That was an exhausting climb up a small steep canyon. There was a jagged ridge on my left and huge eroded vertical walls on my right. I had to be careful as the sun started to warm up the frozen rocks and some stones were falling down making sound and ricocheting away. The latter really worried me. Fortunately, I passed by the most dangerous place as the walls on my right now moved back and didn’t hang straight above my head. I was slowly approaching snowline. The sound of falling stones griped my attention again. But this time the sound was different, i.e. as if they were more sliding and falling down than just falling down from a high wall. I stopped looking at the huge eroded rocks on my right. The scale in the mountains makes problems even to experienced mountaineers. It’s not always easy to focus your eyes on something comparably small especially when echo brings some confusion on determining the direction of the original sound. Suddenly I stood stock-still of improbability and excitement. A few beautiful mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) were carefully and acrobatically nosing on steep rocks from… from… obscurity! I couldn’t see the continuation of their secret trail. Perhaps somebody has frightened them or maybe it was their usual tricky trail, but they appeared in the middle of pretty high rock and lowered down until they reached the side of the canyon bottom. The bottom had a form of huge chute at that place. Two goats, three, four, five… Five! They followed the leader, the huge bull, keeping a distance among them in a strict military-like order. “Fortunately, you are safe here”, I talked to myself. “No one lazy hunter climbs so high. They enjoy their gun shooting from the comfort of 4WDs. In the other hand how would they carry the hunted animal all long way down?” What a joy! My camera started to work after some attempts! I came down to reality soon. There was not realistic to use a tripod. The optical zoom is 3x and plus digital 4x. Nikon E5000. “What a children’s toy I have,” I cursed and swore deep inside. That was a photographic nightmare! I don’t wish to think of that. The goats made a nice curved trail well-defined by relief. However, they didn’t lose the height and finally got on the gentle ridge on my left and gone of my vision. I made a few extra shots and continued my ascent to the peak. Some 5 minutes later, my ear got wind of similar sound of stone fall again. Now I knew where to look. Another goat! I couldn’t understand why she was left behind by the herd and why she was standing in between on the middle of the steep rock and looking back. I watched her for half a minute. Oh my! She was waiting for and encouraging baby goat, the tiny lovely creature that was following shortly behind her! I stopped my breath watching that sensitive self-sacrifice dictated by powerful mother’s love. Probably somebody was hunting on the other side of the range too. Perhaps it was more important to the herd to safely escape than to take a great risk waiting for mother and her baby. That’s reasonable for the wild creatures as survival instinct dictates the rules. The mother could escape together with the herd, but what a powerful mother’s instinct. What a good example to human beings! Finally, mother goat and her baby both were on a safe place. I was so happy inside even if still breathless. I remembered that I have camera. Now I was closer as I climbed for 5 minutes or so and the two goats followed the steps of their herd. Even if so, it still was a photographic nightmare. I thought, “Perhaps I would kill a hunter if one would appear and made a single shoot”. I was still until the two cute viators evanesced from my sight. It took me another 10 minutes until I reached the footstep of the herd where they crossed the snowy bottom of the canyon right above me. They were excellent climbers and trail finders. The slanted crest of the gentle ridge now was not so ragged and it was the best itinerary to continue climbing the peak. Also I hoped to see the herd on the other side of the ridge again. I struggled hard on pretty steep snow slope and was close to the crest when uncertain power made me stop and look up. Wow! The huge mail goat, I’m sure the leader of herd, was looking down at me. The distance between us was about 30 ft. only. We both remained riveted to the spot for some 20 seconds or so. We were still holding our eye-tie when I desperately tried to turn on my camera. It didn’t work! The mighty guy slowly cleared off my vision. Oh that damn crocked camera! Suddenly, I caught myself focusing too much on small nothings. “What’s that? OK, if I got fantastic pictures… would that make a great influence either to the goats or to my spiritual world? Probably I’d simply raise up my nose of false pride…” Perhaps it was not such a great loss. Not at all! I was blessed to be so close to those cuties and somehow they new I wasn’t their enemy. Thanks God, for all that! Finally, I got up on the crest. It was an exceptional flat place on that ridge. A real nature made rest area. Moreover, a huge rock made a roof-like shelter. I saw the herd slowly traversing snowy steep rocks to the south. The baby walked safe in the middle of the group. Soon they got out of my vision. (Later, but not at that certain time, I thought they had used another shelter unseen and unknown to the strangers like me.) I made some shots and took some snacks and cold tea not stopping to view the eastern wall of HIM with a hope to see the herd again soon. Yups! It cannot be so, but I noticed the herd again. How can it happen? I couldn’t believe my eyes. The herd was approximately on the same altitude, but clearly too far away! First, physically they couldn’t make such a huge distance in such a short time. Second, I would notice them following their dramatic trail. I was out of myself, but made a few shots. A few minutes passed away until I slowly realized the fact that I see another herd. Moreover, the herd of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) What a trick! How silly I was thinking they had to be mountain goats. Then I saw no any single live being after 5 minutes of intensive looking. Full of impressions, analyzing in my minds and thinking of what has happened I continued up the peak that was still far away on the crest of the main range. The most dangerous part of the ascent also was ahead. The views were stunning and didn’t allow myself to thinking of fatigue. I won’t describe that entire exhaustive ascent until I was close to the peak. Finally, I was scrambling on the edge of moving thin stone platforms. The snow was soggy as it was sunny day and dark rocks accumulated warmth. Yes, I got wet again and my hands were freezing too. It would be a mistake to use gloves here. The platforms vere slippery, wet, and mossy. Very slippy. It was a huge dropoff on my left. The view was better on my right, but it also promised nothing good if I fell down. Indeed, crossing steep slope on the right to another ridge would be the right way to the peak. But not now without security: the rocks were steep covered with soggy snow and very slippy. The moving, eroded, and slippy edge was as wide as 3-4 ft. I had no ropes, harness, ice screws, rock hooks, nuts, carabiners… Nothing for my security. And I got stuck on the edge as the platform of approx. 5×2ft. and some 5in. thick roared down when I tested it with my hands. It left almost knife-like eroded edge. The peak was some 100 ft. away only. The critical distance was 30 -35 ft. only. I saw the other side of the range next to the summit. My camera was out of reach. I looked down and didn’t want to have a very short lesson on learning to fly. Somehow I remembered my close climbing pals who died in the mountains, Remy who remained handicapped for the rest of his life, Algis, who died on the slope of Elbrus… And my close friend Vyga who experienced his fatal fall when climbing soon after we started to plan our ascent to Denali (McKinley). I thought of the people I love too… The views still were stunningly beautiful! Well, I was in worse situations. But even by coming up to that last point I was balancing on the edge of sound mind. It is always very difficult to meet the sound mind and turn around, especially when a peak is within reach of one’s hand. It looked it would be easier to continue up. I was sure I wouldn’t take the same part of the route on my way back. Perhaps I would even go down on the opposite slope and then ask somebody’s help to bring me to the place where I left my vehicle. But none of “perhaps”, “maybe”, and “if” butters the bread. After the whole inner drama of feelings I took the right decision to go back. That was the first and only peak in NV that I left undone. I think I needed that failure. Later my pal Dean of Kennewick, WA (later he moved to Lehi, UT) has commented on that: “I can only commend your good judgment in stopping short on HIM. No mountain is worth taking too great a risk and I’m glad you made it back safely.” It is easy to say like that, but hard to do. I was stuck on a sharp edge of swinging eroded platforms as I said before. I was struggling hardily, slowly, trying not to loose balance even for a short second. Finally, I succeeded and got to a comparatively safe place again and made a few captures. It didn’t seem so dangerous looking up from that point. Anyway, I’ve done that peak following the same route a year later. Yes, then I came around that dangerous place, drove sedan and there was less snow on sunny day of September 23, 2006. Several summit entries were by mountain goat hunters! Damn them! They climbed on the western talus what was much easier to do. I’ve seen no any wildlife on my way back. Finally, at the very end of my descent, below Lizzie’s Ponds, I hiked down the remainder of the way on a partially bald talus in the center. I put on a baseball cap of almost white color. I thought, “Either I’ll be better seen to the hunters so that they don’t think I’m an elk or… become a better target”. Indeed I heard the shots on my left, on my right, and somewhere ahead of me. I felt as I was at war. Not a nice feeling! “That’s not honest”, I thought. “The hunters are so brave because they have guns and are absolutely sure any deer cannot respond with the same.” “So what”, I thought, “If a group of folds gather together? A gang of 15-20 lets say. All of them have an automatic gun, some sort of powerful cannon! Well trained and coordinated they hide away among the bushes and do nothing but wait until the hunters get up in the morning and start their entertainment. Later one guy safely raises up a construction of elk imitation and make a long “mewoooo” deer-like sound along. The hunters start shooting, of course, but the elk doesn’t fell down. “What a hell?”, the hunters should think and quit their shooting. Then, they make another attempt, of course. The “elk” now makes another long loud “mewoooo”. Soon ten other elk imitations raise up with a wild “mewoooo” from ten different places. And then, wild cannon shooting starts above the hunters’ heads. Psychologically, that is called an effect of improbability. Another effect is when one sees what somebody else arranged for him to believe and that kills his sound mind. Just temporarily, of course. (However, various cheaters often use similar tricks to help you spend your money. Be careful!) Somebody should film that scene. I just imagine how the hunters make a hurry-scurry, jump into their jeeps that hopingly roll downhill. Lol! What a scenario for comics!” Please consider that as a joke as I did. “You can’t take the child out of this woman!”, Polly replied to Von McKnelly’s comment Or, “I am a 10-year-old little kid, cleverly disguised as a “woman of a certain age.””, was stated by Lois It’s great to be a kid! Hello kindred spirits! Moreover, admiring or thinking of anything else rather than of attenuation and fatigue is one of my favorite tricks to stay fresh in the mountains and under difficult situations too. Also I have to add I successfully crossed the barrage fire. The day was nicely closing. I had to drive to Wells for gas first. I started my long drive back on road 93 in the dark. I don’t love driving in that huge area full of wildlife at night. Fortunately, I came back safely, and didn’t leave any single animal killed on the road. I’m glad I’m a bad hunter. :))) —-—-——- Click HERE to view the parent image to this story. Special thanks to Rosie for her gentle push to tell this story. Click HERE for her beautiful image of mountain goats and HERE for another lovely image of bighorn sheep
Lithuania CLICK for VIEW or COMMENT !http://images-3.redbubble.net/img/art/backingcolor:white/product:greeting-card/view:preview/...
Lithuania CLICK for VIEW or COMMENT
Muttergottes-Stern (“Moth…
Muttergottes-Stern (“Mother of God’s Star”).” is featured in All About Flowers FEATURES NOVEMBER 2009 /
im sure this will interest many …..i have yet to see this movie so maybe others will have a view… click here...
im sure this will interest many …..i have yet to see this movie so maybe others will have a view… click here
RedBubble is a great place to find art, design, photos and writing from over 80,000 talented people.
On stunning greeting cards, awesome t-shirts or beautiful prints to hang on your walls.
It’s really simple. If you’re not happy with your purchase for any reason, we’ll fix it.
Since February 2007 we’ve shipped over 333,100 items to more than 70 countries around the world.
Sign up for your free account, upload your work, join some groups and share your creative genius with the world.