Today is one day every year we get to take a little time out.  Some of us soak it up and enjoy a nice peaceful day, all the worries and decisions waiting until Monday morning.  Some of us have to keep doing what we are doing and don’t have that luxury.  It doesn’t matter which or what you do with the day, all that matters that you earned it. You may not be famous or rich but the look in those eyes from your kids is all the fame and wealth I need for right now.  So here is to all those dads out there that earned today.  For providing  for your family the best way you know how, you earned those pancakes today dad and hopefully bacon too.

As a little gift from one father to all the rest out there, here is photo of my kids with a big chicken I made them stand next too.  Its good to be the dad.

In the beginning the years moved slowly.  Seasons would change from spring to summer then to fall and the harvest and finally to winter for a much deserved rest.  We never thought much farther ahead than the next growing season.  As we got older those seasons sped up and turned to years.  Our families grew like the crops.  Those years turned into decades and time seemed to move even faster.  Our children started there own farms and families.  We no longer looked forward to what was growing in our fields, we looked forward to what was growing in our hearts.  Our growth had changed, what had provided for us, the fields, the crops and the machinery were still there.  Those things would always be there for us.  What those things provided for us was the foundations for our families and the ones we love.  Slowly, as the decades added up to become a lifetime we started to take pride in those years.  We told stories and shared our experiences with the little ones.  Maybe the time will slow down for us in the end, maybe not, but those foundations will still be there for those who come after us.

Today, a brand new book published by Quirk Classics is hitting the stands.  “Android Karenina” is the latest novel from Ben H. Winters and Leo Tolstoy.  They bring Tolstoy’s classic “Anna Karenina” into a totally different light.  Not to worry if you enjoyed the original the love stories are the same, they just added androids!  Yes, those steampunk fantasies you have late a night have come to 19th century Russia.  Do not worry, I will not judge you.

In honor of this publishing event Quirk Classics is giving away 25 Quirk Prize Packs.  These packs include various books from the Quirk library and a really cool “Android Karenina” poster.  But wait, there’s more!  Well that’s what they said, its a surprise if you.  Winning one of these prize packs is very easy, all you have to do is follow this link, mention my blog and you will be automatically entered to win fabulous prizes!  Good reading and good luck.

I have been working on a series of photos, currently it is a mix of both traditional and abstract photos of the bridges in the greater Tampa Bay area.  Recently I had my second outing to another bridge.  The subject is a fairly new bridge just outside of downtown Clearwater.  I arrived just before sunrise, there was just enough light that I could make my way down to the shore and then to the underside of the bridge.  Thanks to the placement of the bridge these photos are mostly abstract, without a boat there was no good way to get a broadside photo.

As I walked down the sandy area I start to notice some foot prints thankfully leading in the opposite direction that I was going.  I started to think of all the nefarious things that live under bridges. I am talking about trolls, ogres and politicians here people.  This has turned into serious business now.  I was going armed with only my camera and my whits, and that’s not much.

I finally got under the bridge, snapping photos here and there.  I get what I think are some good photos, curves, angles and such.  I even find some interesting graffiti, remnants of the before mentioned trolls and politicians.  The sun comes up and I get some shots with parts of the bridge in silhouette.  I am starting to feel good about this little trip.

As I am standing there I hear voices right behind me.  I jump and turn around.  No one is there thankfully.   My heart is racing now.  The voices were coming from walkers on the bridge fifty feet above me.  Then I started to think that this might not have been a great idea and decide its time to head back.  I had what I came looking for and as an added bonus I am taking a heart condition back with me.  I took one more look and start heading back.

I made my way back down the rocks and to where the water meets the sand.  Following my footsteps back, snapping some final photos as I go.  Remember that heart condition? Well as I got a little closer to my truck it got a lot worse.  It looks like a police cruiser is sitting right behind my truck.  I am going to jail! Or at least that’s what I kept thinking as I walked closer, I mean I must have been trespassing right?? Well there were no signs, so now I don’t know.  My heart is racing, how was I going to explain what I was doing?  Step by step I walk closer, I was trying to come up with stories of why and what I was doing.  The police officer looks up as I walk by and just nods as I walk by.   So much worry for nothing.