Learn, adapt, and change

If you take the bike trail from Piqua, to Troy (Ohio), you will cross this bridge. On the southern edge of PIqua, this bridge has been repurposed to be a walkway for bikers and runners .. and people like me, trying to stay close to Mother Nature.

I don’t know the history of this bridge, but I believe it is special. It’s not beautiful, like the Robert J Shook Bridge that is about 4 miles to the south. It is functional, but its not unique in it’s structure .. many bridges use this design. 

So what is so special about this bridge?

Its has stood the test of time .. it’s weathered many years of heavy loads. It has been repurposed and by doing so it has stayed relivelant.  

I have spent my career doing this. Going to school at nights, taking on special projects, learning on my own time by reading and tinkering. Learning is the key to adapting .. and adapting is the key to dealing with change and moving forward.

What we have here is a key to a long and happily life: Learn, adapt, and and be willing change.

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Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab. 

Curves in the road

Photo by Teresa somewhere between Urbana and Piqua, Ohio.  

When I was young, I remember being told that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The reality is the road we call life is not always straight. Health, money, relationships .. the good and the bad - curves in the road. I believe a bit part of life is how we respond to the crazy curves puts in our road. They often enter our field of vision when we believe we are least able to take them. Perhaps at a low point, we we feel down and depressed. 

Adapting, not simply accepting, is one of the keys to taking the curves. When I was learning to drive, I recall a habit I had of accelerating as I entered into a curve. The instructor would remind me to slow down before I entered the twist in the road. Learning to corner: how to use the breaks, and how to accelerate out of the curve is empowering. It allows us to move forward gracefully, and find more happiness. 

Enjoy the day, and the drive!  

 ~ Rick

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Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab. 

Thistledown

A week ago this was a beautiful, flowering Milk Thistle. The bees and butterfly’s have taken their turn, now it’s thistledown ... natures seed dispiseral mechanism to assure the next generation. This is beautiful.  

~ Teresa

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Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab. 

Finding peace

This picture speaks to me deeply today. Sometimes when I can’t sleep due to stress or a mind on overdrive, I reflect on scenes like the one captured in this photo ... nearly still water, a clear, warm and embracing sky. It is peaceful, while holding the promise of a warm sunrise. The promise of another day, and another adventure.

The news of the past day was full of sadness and loss. Embrace those you love, and find peace in experiencing today! We can do better, together. 

~ Rick

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Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab. 

Blue Heron surprise

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 

Saturday morning Teresa and I took a walk on the bike path along the Great Miami River just south of Piqua, Ohio. It was shortly after sunrise and there was not much bike or runner activity on the path. We saw a couple deer, and a squirrel. I was looking for this blue jay that has been in the area recently. I didn’t have any luck with that. We did see a beautiful cardinal, and a dove or two. 

On the way back to the car, we cross a bridge over the river. As I came around the corner, I saw this beautiful Great Blue Heron. It was flying crossing the river, just south of where I was clearing the trees that line the banks of the river. I didn’t have any time to setup for the picture. I was pleased with how it came out. I lost it in the trees after one shot. 

~ Rick  

Update: I love this shot, it’s not something I would frame and hang on the wall. I just don’t have time to frame a good shot. I hope you enjoy! 

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Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.