Christmas is Past!

So Christmas is over for another year! All the preparations, all the shopping, all the big dinners, eating too much, and all the family times together playing games with the children. Sometimes I wonder who the kids really are? Great as all these things are, they are soon over, and we are left with the cleaning up, and discarded wrapping paper to get to the recycling bin.


For many, Christ wasn't a part of their Christmas, and it would have been replaced with an 'Xmas' or another seasonal name. That is fine, and is a personal choice, but we are faced with another of those reminders now, of what we do with our lives in the coming year. New Year 2010 is a time to look back on the last year, and look ahead to the next. What will we make of that? A believer, or not, we usually find the better part inside us, and want to make the new year different, and hopefully our 'resolutions' will be kept! For our sakes, and for others.   
We are faced with another of those life's choices at a time like this. Do we try to be better people or just leave it all as it was last year? When we look back, we see things which we could have done differently, with the benefit of hindsight. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but we don't get it until it is too late!

This year, let's take the opportunities when they come our way, learn from the past year, and don't make the same mistakes again. Sounds easy, but fraught with danger. Take care as you step into the new year, and if you have a faith, then hold tight. It might be quite a journey!

Wide Eyed Christmas Fun

What have adults done to Christmas? We have done it a great dis-service by making it so commercial that we miss the whole point of the season. There is much rushing around, preparing our home for dinner guests, cleaning, shopping- sometimes at the last minute, and even trying to fit in that all important Christmas Carol Service, where we try to get into the spirit of the season, but all the while are worried that the turkey might be burning!

On the other hand, what about the children? Not a care in the world, except that they might dare to believe they will get the present they wish for. They are too young to be 'commercialised' or brainwashed by TV to believe that Christmas cannot be enjoyed unless they have 'everything to make themselves look good'. They know they look good anyway, and they are right. Take a look into the eyes of a child and see the fun and love, yes love, of the season. Our children today are innocent to the trappings of 'our adult' Christmas for a while, and we should enjoy it with them. They are the link to the original child of Christmas, who was born in a lowly stable of loving parents who had nothing much to give, except love, and they lavished their love on this, their baby, loaned to this world for such a short time. In that short time, this baby changed the course of the world's history, and we should be thankful.

Our children today, have the same wide eyed and loving view of the world. Who knows, some of our children might also make a difference to our world. We owe it to them, and our world, to allow these young lives to stay children for as long as they can, and as long as we can let them. They will end up like us all too soon, caught up in the trappings of our man made commercialised Christmas season.

To see more of my work, go to: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/dmmclean1/Christmas2009funandmischief#

Caring Teacher Loses Job

I came across the following news item today, and couldn't believe my eyes! The short version is that a well meaning teacher has been dismissed because she asked if it would be ok to pray for one of her pupils who wasn't feeling well. No, she didn't actually pray, she ASKED if she could pray! She was dismissed because "The Oak Hill Short Stay School and Tuition Service in Nailsea, North Somerset told the teacher that sharing her faith with a child could be deemed to be bullying."

"Olive Jones was dismissed from her job as a home-visit teacher after she spoke about her faith with a girl's mother.

The maths teacher gives lessons to children who are too ill to attend school.

When the girl did not feel up to the November 25 visit, Mrs Jones spoke to her mother over a cup of tea and asked whether she could say a prayer.

The teacher - a mother of two herself - said when the woman told her the family were not believers, she did not go ahead.

But Mrs Jones was later let go after the mother complained the teacher's comments had distressed her and her child.

The Oak Hill Short Stay School and Tuition Service in Nailsea, North Somerset told the teacher that sharing her faith with a child could be deemed to be bullying." End of quote, as reported by Sky News 20 Dec 2009.

I am not sure how you define bullying in your house, but ASKING if you can pray for a sick child is not my definition of bullying. Where do these people come from? How does a teacher lose her job for caring? Even if the child's family were 'non believers', what possible harm could it have done?

Our nation is fast losing any credibility it once had as a 'God fearing nation', and more's the pity. We allow changes to happen around us, and especially as the season of goodwill approaches. My observation is that the 'silent majority' are the ones expected to 'compromise', 'change', 'understand other's views', and 'make allowances' for any and all other groups. Except for the normal, middle of the road, Christian believers who make all the concessions, but see no movement from those others in return.

As you can see, this really made me fizz. I don't know who you are, Olive Jones, but for what little it is worth, my opinion is that you should keep praying, keep believing, and hold the Faith. You did nothing wrong in asking if you could pray for a sick child. I wish there were more like you, and more who would dare to stand behind you in support!

Happy Christmas, yes CHRISTmas!!

It's Christmas for a reason. Not 'Happy Holidays', nor 'Season's Greetings' and certainly not 'Yuletide'! It's CHRISTMAS. I usually go along with the PC frantic society we live in, and have come to try to respect other's views and opinions. Unfortunately, this seems to have become a one way street. What's wrong with celebrating the birth of the Christ? It is widely accepted, that Jesus did live and die in the Bethlehem and Jerusalem area in the middle east. Most other world religions even acknowledge it, so why can't we?

Sometimes I think we are ashamed of the 'Christian' association. I worked with someone, who during an open discussion about Christmas with some other work mates, uttered the unbelievable words, 'let's keep religion out of this'! He was serious! I would go as far as to say he was intelligent, and very clever and even learned. But he didn't want religion getting in the way of the Christmas season!

I accept the whole Christmas thing. The tinsel, the family meal, the giving and receiving of gifts, the singing of the old carols and the reading of the old testament passages, which lead up to the Gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus. There was an archbishop on TV recently, who said we should be 'embarrassed' by some of the carols, like 'Away in a Manger'. Sorry, but give that man his P45! If we have people in the established church who are clearly embarrassed by the church's teaching, then he is in the wrong job! By the way, I do not mind, and will even respect those who do not hold to the teaching of Christmas, as relayed in the Bible, but please then do not put up the Christmas tree, make the Christmas Meal, give Christmas gifts, sing the Christmas Carols, or say 'Happy Christmas' just for the sake of it. At least either embrace the whole season of Christmas, or have nothing to do with Christmas. It will still be Christmas whether or not some people decide not to take part in the celebration.

A few years ago, we had the pleasure of having good Pakistani/Muslim neighbours, and every year we exchanged gifts and Christmas cards. They showed more tolerance and respect for this Holy Christian season than some in the church. I fear the biggest threat to Christmas, and indeed the whole Christian ethic and moral value, is from within. There is indeed a 'fifth column' at work which if left unchallenged will result in a lot of our moral fabric being altered beyond recognition. There are some important things in life which you don't miss until they are gone!

How Fortunate Am I?

Sometimes I can't make up my mind whether I prefer being outdoors taking landscape photography, in all kinds of weather, or being in a studio taking portraits of really good subjects. On this occasion, the decision was easy. These are just two examples of the impish fun which shone from my little guests. More can be seen on my Gallery at www.picasaweb.google.co.uk/picsmphoto

I believe I am spoiled in that I have been allowed to practice many times on my own family. First my daughters when they were young(er!) and then on to my four terrific grandchildren, who all humoured me over the years to the point where I feel at ease in the company of much younger ages! Perhaps that says a lot about my own mental age :-).

Breaking down barriers is the first step with younger children, and although Mum is always on hand to make sure behaviour is at its best, she seldom has to step in to take over. One of the secrets, if not the biggest secret, in taking portraits of children is having a bit of light fun. This makes everyone feel at ease, including the photographer, and especially the all important subjects. In this case, as you can see from the images, we had a very relaxed and easy session. To think that you actually get to do a job you enjoy as much, and in such good company, is very rewarding!

Names of subjects are not important in this case, but what is important, to me, is the willingness of parents to trust their most treasured possessions into the care of an almost unknown photographer, in the hope that he will do justice to their children, and show them at their best. In this case, this was not difficult. My thanks go to the parents who care enough to want a good, and permanent photographic record of their children for the future. It feels good to be a part of that memory making effort. Of course, as I said earlier, none of this would have been possible without the support and willingness of my own family down through the years, as they humoured their Dad, and eventually, Granda.

I am available for family photography in my local area, and you can get in touch with me through my email address, pics-m_photo@mypostoffice.co.uk and I will get back to you as soon as my schedule permits.

As my own wee 'flower' would have said to me (as she said to many others), 'you don't know how fortunate you are'! Oh yes, my pet, I think I do.....

Flowers and Drugs

It is a short distance between the natural innocence of a flower, to the unnatural misuse of a drug. This is the way of the poppy and heroin, and there is also a relatively short distance between talking about legalising this offending drug, and it actually happening! This is the way of most lawmaking. It is a crude but effective process. The 'learned professors' make studies and proclamations for their own benefit in the hope they will become well known, and as they do, they sow the seeds of the future. For us! It is we, or our children, who will reap the whirlwind of the thoughts which have been sown. In this case, the sheer suggestion that hard drugs should be legalised, where society can control the use and habits of the user!

In another,earlier time, Scotland would have been above this kind of suggestion, but not now. Why? Because we have a serious drug problem, but instead of taking the tough option of ridding our streets of this drug by the already available lawful means, we propose to add more to our streets, but by legalising its use. There is something basically wrong, and even offensive about this suggestion. You don't have to be too clever to realise the flaw in the argument. Making something legal, doesn't make it right! Or to put it another way, two wrongs don't make a right!!

Scotland's morality (am I allowed to say that? Some would say morality should not come into this, or anything... but that's for another time) and legal system was above reproach, and the envy of a watching world. Not now. We have become the laughing stock of emerging nations, who seem better placed to recognise bad law (and bad morals) when they see them.

Will legalisation reduce drug use? No, because we will be the ones, lovingly providing the service. Will legalisation eliminate the drug black market? No, because there will always be those who do not wish to be part of any 'drug program' and who still think they can control their drug use. This in turn will feed into the lawless behaviour of the illicit drug user.

Who would benefit from hard drug legalisation? Only the drug users, and they will be ever grateful for their free supply of their drug of choice. Heroin, cocaine, ecstacy, marijuana, why not let the users choose for themselves, and then we can pretend we are helping them to 'get clean' as we continue to feed their habit. It's not rocket science, and in the meantime the authors of the original studies are rich and beyond reach of the legal system they have helped to create. Of course our country will never be the same again anyway!

Do you remember the children's story of the 'Emperor's New Clothes'? Sound familiar? And we have the nerve and temerity to laugh at the simplicity of the fable. Who is laughing now?

Gordon Brown Can't Spell!!

What a revelation! Gordon Brown, the UK Prime Minister, can't spell, or at least made some mistakes in a hand written letter to the grieving family of a fallen soldier. It seems we like to kick a man when he is down. Like joining in to add a punch when the person is already reeling from everything else going on in his life. Don't get me wrong, I am no great supporter of the PM's policies, but this tells me a couple of things. Firstly, our PM took time to write by hand. Not a safe, impersonal, spell checked computer letter run off when it is needed to sign. No, a hand written letter, mistakes and all, to each and every family of one of our servicemen and women who have fallen in the line of their duty. Had computer generated, 'word perfect' letter been used in this circumstance, we would complain, and in my mind, rightly so!

This also tells me the mindset we have fallen into. Not that the family do not deserve a letter from the PM, and even spelled correctly, but that we overlook the heart, and go for the jugular! I wonder what the fallen soldier would have thought? For my part, I would rather have a Prime Minister with a heart and a desire to do the right thing, than one who is cold, calculating, and got all his spelling right in a piece of computer output, checked for his convenience by spelling software.

Like all other like minded people in our country, I deplore war, and the need to wage warfare. It is a wart on our civilisation that men and women still die in conflicts around the world, but let's try to separate in our minds when a well intentioned action, from the heart, is really an insult, whatever the spelling! Gordon Brown, like us, will not ultimately be judged on his spelling!

I'm Worth It??

A calm and serene scene of yachts in a summer sunset on the River Clyde. Another gentle reminder of a lovely person, who added so much, to so many lives she touched over a span of 57 years until 2007. This very special lady was loved by all who knew her, helping many people along the way, and none more so than her husband and family of two daughters and four grandchildren. She was a stalwart of her local church, a member and helper of toddler, nursery and school committees, associated with the WRVS, a tireless and ardent fundraiser for Cancer Charities and her local hospital Oncology Unit, where you will find this framed print hanging in the reception area in her honour, but never did I hear her utter the words, "I'm worth it"! How I have come to loathe the TV advertisement which has taken this slogan as its own. What kind of arrogance says that "I am worth it"? Our worth is not something to confer on ourselves, but something to be given as an unrequested honour from others who see fit to bestow it! It is in their eyes only, not ours. May we be preserved from being so proud of ourselves and our abilities, that we do not see the worth of our neighbour's life. I believe the more worth we give to others, the more will be returned to us, and without asking for it! Then, and only then, it really is deserved!

Ayr Headland Sunset-Sale

You will want to have a high resolution copy of this photograph, and it can be yours in a 10" x 8" size for a mere £25 including post and packaging within the UK. Many families will have spent a happy summer holiday on these sands, and this will evoke many happy memories to a lot of people, old and young. Why not order a copy, get a nice frame of your choice, and hang it in your lounge for all to see. It will also give you the chance to talk about your holiday memories! Other sizes can be ordered by arrangement.

I heard it again today on the news. Another sad loss of dedicated military lives on the battlefield of Afghanistan. It is reported by the media, and politicians as 'in theatre' and our troops are using 'intelligent weapons'. Is it just me, or are we trying too hard to sanitise war, and what it is? Our troops sign up for lots of reasons, but the one common factor is bravery when they are assigned to be deployed to a war zone. Not a theatre. They use their own skill, and weapons of war, not intelligent weapons.

I am not anti war. I believe there is a time when we must defend ourselves from various threats, and if not on our own soil, then on foreign soil. This has always been the case, but let us see it for what it is. It is not sanitised, or clean. It is war. Loss of life. Severe injury. Loss of limbs. Loss of sanity. We, or at least our government, send our troops into situations around the world where they may come up against others who will fight to keep their own idea of what is worth fighting for. They fight with a completely different set of rules from our 'civilised' society. They may not have any rules to speak of at all. I don't think they see themselves deluded into thinking they are in a 'theatre' or using 'intelligent weapons'. No, I think they have a better idea of what war means, and they are very realistic about loss of life and limb.

What makes the difference? Perhaps one of the reasons is that we are fighting for a principal, or to protect a way of life. They, on the other hand fight for their belief in their 'God' who will reward them in the life to come by their martyrdom. How can a war like that be won, except that the true God is triumphant? What kind of God would you rather have, and believe in, a God of war and martyrdom, or a God of Love and Justice? There are some battles here which may be won and lost, but I have no doubt whose 'God' will ultimately win the war!

Choices

It's getting to that time of year again for deep sunsets and the occasional vibrant rainbow. Anyone who has read any of my blog or followed my thinking will know that this time of year is special. Rainbows show a promise, and sunsets show the day is ended, or almost ended. The sunset is our warning of the end of the daylight.

Sometimes I wonder what we are doing as a society with the days we have at our disposal. Do we use them wisely? Unlike the animal kingdom, we are blessed with the ability to make choices which rise above our basic instincts. We can choose to let things happen around us. Things which make a difference to the lifestyle we have come to know and respect, and which may even alter things in a way that would be detrimental. In other words, we choose to do nothing.

We live in a multicultural and diverse society, and that can be a very good thing. However, has it ever struck you that the very vocal minority air their views without fear, and with the express wish to change things in their favour, when the silent majority is just that. Silent. We choose silence, rather than defend our moral traditions. We are encouraged by law and modern morality to show compassion, tolerance and to compromise for the common good of all. These foundations are deep in the British and Scottish mindset, and put there for the most part by sound religious history and teaching. In our effort to compromise, we must be sure we don't throw the baby (very apt at Christmastime) out with the bathwater!

Politicians are agreed that we face 'tough choices' ahead because of the credit crunch, and I would equally suggest that we also face tough choices if we are to maintain, or even keep some of our mainstream traditions. It is said often that religion has caused many wars and divisions. The truth is that religion (or more correctly, faith) has united more than it has ever divided!

There is a district, or area in Port Glasgow, called 'Boglestone'. When I was a young boy, living in Port Glasgow, this stone was located on the outskirts of the town, and on the road to Kilmacolm some 4 miles away to the south. Over the years, like most towns after the war, fast growth took place, and my home town was no different. Soon the 'Boglestone' was overtaken and surrounded by new houses, and new families. The history of this stone was either not known, not taught, or forgotten.

The stone you see in this photograph, which was taken in 2008, is only a part of the original, which was at least twice as high, and not so clean. It has been sanitised to fit in with the newer, cleaner surroundings.

A 'Bogle' is an old Scots word for a ghost, or spirit, and these ghouls were believed to live in and around this stone monument. When some "unco' happy" Portonians would pass this area, on foot, or perhaps on horseback, the drones and wails and screams of the ghosts and whigmaleeries would ambush the weary and tired traveller, and render him a quivering wreck. The stories of these well oiled locals seemed to grow with the telling, and soon this stone was the talk of the towns in the district. The reputation of the locals may have weakened, but the reputation of the stone seemed to grow! It became a fearful area, and not one for the children, or women, or sensible people to pass, especially at night. What those witches would do to an unsuspecting person was anybody's guess!

In fact, we now know that the strange noises which came from this 'Bogle' stone, were the noises of the wind whistling through the cracks and crevasses of the broken rock. Mind you, there is no knowing what these sounds would have done to the minds of any well inebriated rough Portonians on their way home after a hard day's heavy work in the busy shipyards, and a night on the town afterwards.

We seem to be easily influenced and affected by some things which happen in our lives, and we let false impressions take root against all common sense which should be quite obvious. Some things don't change even with the passage of time. Something of the spirit of the Boglestone lives on in all of us! Sad, isn't it?

Why a pile of stones at the top of a hill? There can be a few reasons. In past days, when climbing to the top of a big hill or ben, the walker would carry a stone or a rock to leave with all the others which had been left by previous folks. This made the area, the official peak, or summit. This then had the result of making the height of the peak even greater, and every so often the maps would have to be reprinted to reflect the change. Then there is the cairn. An old Scottish tradition of making a 'mark' of significance in an otherwise desolate part of the landscape. This might have been used as a sign of respect, or for worship of old gods of the past. There are many many cairns on peaks of hills, Corbets and Munros in the Scottish hillsides, each one a remarkable achievement, because each person who climbed to the top, carried one stone! The combined effect is a cairn, or altar. The more who took stones, the bigger the cairn and the higher the peak became. It is a bit like making the hill artificially bigger!

Sometimes we try to make ourselves bigger than we really are. Just like the cairn does to a hill. I think we can be guilty of talking ourselves up, or even worse, talking others down to make ourselves look better. I once worked with a man who swore often in 'normal' conversation. It turned out that he thought it made him seem a bigger man than he really felt he was. In fact, he didn't need to do that because he was a very nice person underneath, but he couldn't see it himself! And don't we love to exaggerate? To make our stories bigger helps to make us feel bigger too, doesn't it? We all do it, and can become quite accomplished at it too! Do we need to do this? No! Our friends, those real friends and family, will accept us for what we are, and are not impressed by inflated accounts of our lives. I know from experience that smaller folks with big hearts, are much nicer to be around than big people with a 'larger than life' story to tell! We have all been close to someone who didn't need to talk themself up. Their life did all the talking for them, and we are happy and even blessed to have known them, to have loved them, and better still, be loved by them. Sometimes one of those 'little' people can make those 'big' people look very, very small! We all know someone like that, don't we?

Oh yes, the photograph! It's of a 'cairn' overlooking the River Clyde estuary south of Largs, and towards the Arran hills.

During the normal course of a family life, some holidays stick in the mind more than others. There are the holidays before the children arrive, with their own special memories which can never be repeated, nor should be. Then there are the times away with your family when they are young and depend on you for their fun, their support, and of course their income. These holidays are different but still very special, and can never be replaced, nor should be. Lastly, there comes the time in your life when you can go on holiday together with your loved one, but without the children. Just like the first holidays you enjoyed all those years before? Not quite! They are different because by that time you have lived your life all the more, and you understand each other so much better, and that life you have lived has enriched your love such that you can almost anticipate the feelings and emotions of your husband or wife. Simple things become great pleasures, and an easy approach to life seems almost natural. You might wonder why this photograph? It is of Kynance Cove in South Cornwall, and is a reminder of holidays together, where long walks along deserted coves and sands, before dawn, were possible. And catching a sunrise over the sea in the still morning coolness would take your breath away. Staying in an old farmhouse is possible, not the kind of accommodation which would have suited you all as a family previously, but which now stretches your imagination. Long, glorious sunsets, slow coastal walks, ice creams, cream teas, talking to complete strangers as you explore bays and coves, who just seem to share your same interests, and who perhaps have also left their children at home for the first time. Wind and rain, yes glorious rain as you walk across moors where you encounter many fields of unattended horses and ponies, and cows! Quiet candlelit dinners. Cosy lunches interrupted by noisy and happy children, when your conversation always turns to your own grown up children and their children too. Yes, you have grandchildren now, and it isn't long before you will be needed once again, to love, support, and just be there for them as you did for their parents before. This is an oasis of time in a hectic world. A time between busy family needs and responsibilities, and it is as if you know it, and so this kind of holiday is special. Irreplaceable. Nor should be!

The spray carnation, and the snowdrop. Such simple and unassuming little flowers, either blooming in mass production, or growing for a few short weeks in early spring in out of the way places. Most people have a soft spot for the lowly snowdrop, and check the flower stands at any supermarket where you will see more buckets of budget priced carnations than anything else. Why our love of these humble flowers?

The most likely explanation is that these little blooms trigger memories somewhere in our deepest thoughts. A child's first posy to be given lovingly to their Mum. A stumbling way to say, "I love you". A memory of a long brisk winter's walk in the countryside when you come across a small wooded place laced with these wild little drooping headed flowers. Who can resist the urge to uproot a bunch or two of these snowdrops as a memento, and replant your memory into your own garden, or flowerpot at home. Perhaps desperately wishing to keep the feeling of that day alive for a little longer? Perhaps "snowdrop" could even be a pet name given to, or received from, a very special person.

Maybe the carnation was a buttonhole for you at a special occasion, or graced your Mum's or Gran's home every time you seemed to visit? Perhaps they were there because of a promise made many years before, and if only those soft gentle heads could speak, what a happy, yet sad story they would tell. The colours can be important too. The pure white of the snowdrop, can only speak of purity. The purity of a precious memory. Then there is the soft yellow carnation. Open and inviting, the colour invoking a vivid memory of a loved one, radiant in a dress of the same shade, with just a hint of gentle perfume. Yes, we can be blessed with memories, and especially good memories!

Cold and sinister, and so close to home! Hardly noticed against the bleak gray and overcast sea and hills, they come and go regularly for refitting and refurbishment. The deep waters of our lochs make for a perfect home base, and is a sad reminder of the fact that 'nation wars against nation' and that we live with the political decisions made on our behalf by men (and women) in high office who play their own version of 'war games' on our behalf!

Of course the other side of the coin is that we are an island nation, and therefore open to invasion from the sea. In this age of global terrorism, we do need to protect ourselves, and in the best way possible. That's where the nuclear submarine comes in. Like or loathe them, these vessels and their brave occupants help to keep us safe, and are a necessary evil. The alternative doesn't bear thinking about, so next time you see one of these forboding looking submarines off our shores, spare a thought for the men and women who risk their lives in a submerged tin can in the name of 'peacekeeping'.

The tall and majestic peak of Ben Lomond, the most southerly munro in Scotland, sits on the east side of "the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond". There are many mountains and lochs in Scotland, but none that surpass, or share the sentiment, or romantic overtones of this beautiful area, just a few short miles to the north of the city of Glasgow. The Ben and Loch have been the subject of numerous songs and poems over many years, and a visit to the shores of Loch Lomond, with an uninterrupted view of the neck and shoulders of this tourist attraction, will show why.

We all have our favourite places to visit, and this is one of mine. It doesn't matter that the view is the same, time after time, or that the weather is rain, hail or shine, it still draws me back, and to the same place at Duck Bay. As a family, we have picnicked there, played games, paddled and swam in the icy cold waters, yes even in summer! We walked the shores, ate in one of the local restaurants, and yes even climbed all the way to the peak of the Ben, over 3,000 feet up a long and winding track. Our children learned to walk there, and felt the first rush of cold water, as they sat in a rock pool of one of the many small tributaries feeding the main body of water. In the days before we had a car of our own, we would borrow one from one of our 'better off' relations and pile in as many as we could, and still close the doors (those were the days before seat belts, and passenger limits which exist today). Those were happy and carefree times, and perhaps made the foundation for happy family experiences, which in hindsight would become the reason for going back, even though my own family are grown with children of their own now. I suppose it's a way to try to relive, or reclaim a part of a bygone time.

"Making memories, out of gardens, from each tiny seed we'd sow" ... taken from a family poem written in warm reflection of a Granda who didn't have much to give, except his time and love. Oh well, when it comes to making memories, some things just don't change!

This very special sunrise was taken at Cocoa Beach, Florida in 2006. This will serve to balance out the sunsets already shown in the blog. It's nice to think in life we can have many sunrises, or new days, or new beginnings, where we can decide to change the way we do things, or even live. As time passes, we can become a better person, as life dishes out good and bad in what is sometimes unequal measure. I think it's how we react to, and deal with life's problems which makes our sunrises significant, and meaningful! Let's be thankful for all the sunrises we get in this life, because really, we only get one sunset. Now that's an incentive to make us appreciate our many sunrises.

More often than not, as the sun sets in the west of Scotland, over our rugged hills, the beauty is masked by rain or mist, and so the sunset is lost. However, there are times when the sky is cloudless and clear. In these circumstances, there can be no better place to witness the beauty of the colours of the setting sun. No filters or Photoshop colour trickery was used in these images, and yet they appear unreal. It is amazing the sights which can be seen from your own window! There is no need to travel the world for scenic majesty. It is right here in our own home town if only we open our eyes and minds to seeing them. This reminds me of the old saying, 'there are none so blind as those who will not see'. There is a real need for us to open up to what is around us. Close out your mind the bad stuff, and become more aware of the good in our creation, and in those around us too.

Rainbows are notoriously difficult to catch, and expose correctly. That's my way of saying, of course these photos could be better, but like you, I have no difficulty in seeing their beauty. They are elusive, and appear and disappear quickly, but when they are at the peak of their intensity, they are breathtaking. I fell under the spell of the rainbow about 21 months ago. Before then, I liked them and saw them in the sky, but didn't fully appreciate them. That changed. Life makes some things more significant to you than others, and such is the case for me, with rainbows. Every one tells a story, and has its own place. Each one is unique!

The road to Inverary, Argyle, wends its way from the west through the famous, and aptly named, 'Rest and be Thankful'! This place is steeped in Scottish history, and if the hills and rocks could talk, what stories they could tell. I have visited this historic town many times, and driven the same road, but each time the scenery looks more majestic. The lochs, hills and valleys are magnificent in any weather, and in all seasons. In all this beauty, there is a hamburger stand on the viewpoint at one of the most picturesque points, and to say it is out of place is an understatement. Having said that, he was doing a roaring trade when we were there. As a reminder of the ruggedness and steep risings of the hills, we passed the site where an RAF Tornado came down while on a training mission just a few days before. It is no coincidence that this area is used extensively by the RAF, but also serves as a reminder as to how unforgiving these hills are. In that respect, nothing has changed in Scottish history over the centuries. During Clan 'wars' these hills were not very forgiving, even then. In these modern times, visitors are attracted in droves to the beauty of the area, and climbers and airmen use it to test themselves against the steep, rugged craggy rock faces, and some will lose their lives in the process! To preserve the security of the visitors and tourists, we also need the risk-takers. Such is the strange world we live in.

Rock Pool at Wemyss Bay

Anyone who knows the area around Wemyss Bay, or indeed the West Coast of Scotland will also know of its rugged beauty. This is a relatively calm image, but the scene can so easily change within hours, if not minutes. This image was taken a short walk from my own flat. I am spoiled for scenery to enjoy and photograph at any time of the year, and try to make the most of what I believe to be a magnificent part of God's creation. I am happy to be considered as a creationist, and cannot subscribe to the theory (yes it still is a theory) of evolution. Darwin did a 'job' on us all, and drove a wedge between human 'thinkers', but more so the church. Oh, I do believe that our Almighty God may have used some of the other parts of his creation to finish his work, but I cannot believe that we evolved from some single cell, and kept evolving until we get to mankind. Where did the single cell come from? If it came about as a result of some gasseous accident, then where did this gas come from? Evolution does not, and cannot explain how the first cell came out.... from nothing!! Wow, what a great, creative God we have!

My Rainbow

This photo encapsulates my hope for a brighter future. It was taken just two weeks after losing my wife of almost 38 years to one of life's most feared diseases. A lot of what you will read and see is directly due to the influence she had, and still has, on my life. This is a 'rainbow of hope' and a reminder that although some days are very dark and overcast, sometimes, just sometimes, a rainbow appears when you need it. Another reminder that life goes on meantime, but that we will meet up again sometime in the future. You will have gathered by now that we both had, and I still have, a faith to help me believe in a much brighter future, and a better place than this. I do not believe that we are here by an accident, or even the design of nature alone. Surely there is some arrogance in the argument that we control our own destiny totally, and that we have arrived at this point purely by evolving from a lesser state. I accept science, and the pursuit of knowledge, but sometimes think we are chasing our tails as we try to prove there is no God. There is a lot of evidence that there is a God, but no evidence that there is not! Of course the very nature of mankind is to continually try to prove something which by its own nature cannot be proven.

Starting a Family Photo album

My overriding wish is that you find a pleasant blog where personal photographs are displayed, and some thought provoking opinions are expressed. These opinions will be in the mainstream of thought, held by the majority of our nation, but not always spoken in our ever increasing PC society. These thoughts are my own, and not the viewpoint put forward by any political, or religious society.

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This is my first attempt at blogging, and especially entering the scary world of exposing my photography to the world! Like many others, I am using this medium to showcase my photographs taken for family and friends' pleasure, and at the same time as a way to express my own opinions of events in the local and national news. You may not agree with all my views, but like you, I am entitled to express them within the confines of the law of the land.

The UK, and Scotland in particular, is home to many moaners, groaners, gripers and whiners, and I would not want this site to degenerate into that kind of expression of life. Instead, it should be a positive site, thought provoking, and at worst a source of constructive criticism. To me this means seeing something you think is wrong, but also being big enough to present an opinion as to what you think could be done to change the situation, or even right the wrong.