A hidden sunset

We had to take a short drive on Monday evening. It has been very wet, cold and stormy. The sunset was masked behind these heavy, dark clouds.

The news for the past 48 hours has been filled with photos of the storm damage north of us. The more disturbing news came from Texas, where 26 innocent victims lost their lives to a madman. This included children, the youngest only 5. Such a sad day. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. The madness has to stop.

~ 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.

©2017 Rick Cartwright

Salmon, salmon and more salmon

Bellingham, Washington: This is the view looking out into the Bellingham Bay. It is a very short drive north to the boarder to Canada. I wish I would have taken the drive over to Vancouver.  

On this particular trip, I was traveling with two co-workers from Henny Penny to visit Wood Stone. They make Stone Hearth Pizza Ovens. I can’t say enough about the quality of the people at Wood Stone. This trip was amazing: Great people, great food, and great conversations. 

The highlight of the trip was the salmon. I had the most amazing salmon. I love good fish, but this was just amazing. This is dinner on the 1st night. I had salmon three times in two days. It was great. 

 I can’t wait to go back. This is on my short list of places to visit again, and very soon. I’ll take that trip to Vancouver this time. 

 ~ 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.

©2017 Rick Cartwright

Space needle

The Space Needle was built for the the 1962 World’s Fair. It is unique, and stands out in the Seattle skyline.

I was in Seattle for a conference.  We arrived at the hotel late in the evening, and I was very tried. At this point in time, all I wanted was some sleep. When I travel, I almost always take a look out the room window before going to bed. The view exceeded my expectations.! The Space Needle at night is stunning.

The best photos often happen like this .. be curious, and look around. Night photos are difficult, especially with nothing but an iPhone. This came out much better than I expected. 

~ 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.

©2017 Rick Cartwright

Silence and nature

"In order to see birds it is necessary to become part of the silence." ~ Robert Lynd

My guess is that if yout take. a two minute walk, you will see a sparrow. They are very common here in Ohio. I love how she blends into the tree and becomes part of the scene. I didn’t even see her at first. There is something to be said for silence, including seeing nature. It’s all around you! 

~ 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.

©2017 Rick Cartwright

Free Bird

Lets start with a nostalgic moment: On November 23, 1974 Lynyrd Skynrd released Free Bird as a single. It was released a year earlier on their debut album. When they played Free Bird it live, it would usually go for 13 minutes, to well over 14 minutes. I was in high school. I loved this song. 

I remember the sad news in 1977.  I was in college, but at moment I heard it, I was on a date. A tragic plan crash took the life of lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist and vocalist Steve Gaines, backing vocalist Cassie Gaines, and others.  

This is still one of my favorite songs. The YouTube video is from 1976 .. it’s from a live performance. 

I took the sunset picture with the migrating birds a few weeks ago. It reminded me of this song. I was also reminded of this: We often feel trapped or constrained by our circumstances. More often than not, we limit ourselves with self-doubt and fear. I love how the birds do it. They just ‘go’ and ‘do’. 

After a long journey, I don’t think they look back and question their progress .. they just do it again. A few months later, the journey is repeated, in reverse. 

I am in awe at the accomplishments of so many of my friends and others that I know. Some of them have beat amazing odds in the most difficult circumstances. So many of them feel overwhelmed by the daily grind and the challenges. They go and do, when it seems impossible. They are my hero’s. 

~ 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.

©2017 Rick Cartwright