Some gave the last full measure of devotion.

Like a lot of veterans, as I grow older I grow a little fonder of my military service. It’s not that I enjoyed my time in the military so much as I appreciate how it shaped my life and how much respect I have those who serve. I was drafted into the Army in 1966, during the height of the Vietnam war. After basic training at Ft. Bliss, TX and radio school at Ft. Huachuca, AZ and Ft. Gordon, GA I was deployed to Southeast Asia. When I came home from Vietnam, in May 1968, I was honorably discharged and sent home to resume my civilian life.

I was one of the fortunate ones. I didn’t see that much combat. I didn’t come home with PTSD or any other mental disorder. I didn’t face much in the way of protests and anti-war sentiment from people I came in contact with. Maybe it’s because I came home to Oklahoma and it was not a hotbed of political unrest. I did come home more mature but maybe not more focused on my calling in life. That didn’t occur until I met my wife.

The important thing is, I did come home. The opening photo is from the traveling exhibit of the Vietnam memorial wall. It contains the names of 58,281 service personnel who did not come home alive. They gave their last full measure of devotion to a cause that they may or may not have supported or understood. They sacrificed their future in the name of freedom that they would not enjoy. A soldier does not pick the adversary, the location nor the battle in which he/she is engaged. The soldier answers the call of his/her government and serves wherever needed. This country produces the finest fighting force in world and it is populated by the best young men and women on the planet. Thank you to the families of my 58,281 brothers and sisters in arms that laid down their lives in Southeast Aisa. Welcome home to those who, like me, were fortunate enough to enjoy life after service. Ameria, you’re welcome.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

The theme this week is Memorial Day songs remembering those in general or a specific person who served, pick songs you think that person might have enjoyed or songs that make you think of a your fallen hero. I give you popular songs when my brothers-in-arms served.

Ozark Dogwoods

Aww Monday

Monday’s Music Moves Me

This week at 4M is freedom of choice week and I have been listening to some Justin Johnson. Justin is a guitar player extraordinaire! His genre of choice is mostly Delta Blues and his instrument of choice is the Resonator Slide Guitar. He can play any guitar and I will feature a variety of his work. He is also a finger style player. Enjoy.

Check this guy out. You won’t be disappointed. Have a blessed week!

Mother’s Day 2023

Our Daughter with two of the three grand daughters.

My Wife and Daughter

Aww…some Monday’s

Above is an image of parents and grandparents forming a lane for the kids to run through before their soccer match. Our grand daughter and her husband are adopting a boy, so that will make us great-grandparents, but that’s another story. Last week I promised one of the commenters a tip for better sports photos. Below is the original image.

You will notice that the horizon (defined by the food truck) is crooked, there is negative space to the left and way too much empty space above the people. Go to your editing software and straighten the horizon. Next crop the image to eliminate boring space or distractions. Finally, sharpen the image and adjust the exposure if necessary. All three things have been done to the top image. Here is another example.

This is the image straight out of the camera. Again, there is too much boring space, too many distractions, and maybe a little too much blue. So let’s make some magic.

I cropped the image, sharpened the image and converted it to black & white for a little drama. Now all attention is on the subject. It’s really not that hard. Just spend a few minutes enhancing the photo before you post it. Have a blessed week.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

The challenge at 4M this week is to build a playlist of single word song titles, single name bands, or single name artists. Here ya go.

First up, with a one word song title, is Sir Elton John with one of his early hits, Levon.

Next on the list is the legendary band with only one member still living. Cream members Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker are gone and only Eric Clapton remains. The song, White Room.

Finally an artist that is identified by a single name is Jewel, the song is “You Were Meant For Me.”

Aww…some Monday

Monday’s Music Moves Me

Here it is once again Monday and this week’s music theme is whatever music moves you! Well a variety of music moves me. This past week-end my wife and I decided to purchase each other’s birthday presents. My birthday is in late November and my wife celebrates her birth date in early December and we are getting older and harder to buy for, so we went on line and purchased tickets to a Joe Bonamassa concert that will be here in early November. Here is a sample of what we are looking forward to experiencing. Have a blessed week.

More High School Boys Soccer

Aww…some Monday

I got a chance to photograph the local high school boys soccer match last week. Usually the girls play at 5:00 pm and the boys follow at 7:00 pm. On a chilly spring evening the late game can be not-so-much fun and darkness will impact the lighting. This week the boys got the early match. One thing you will notice about the boys match is they spend more time in the air. You will see the girls use a “header” on a scoring attempt near the goal. The boys will use the header to change the direction of play and control of the ball. Anyway, It was a great match but the good guys lost 3-1.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

The theme this week at 4M, “Music is Medicine for the soul.” Build a playlist with songs that is emotional soothing or pick song titles or bands relating to medicine.  Music is indeed medicine for the soul and it can soothe the soul, inspire the soul, even torture the soul. Music that comes from a spiritual, inspirational, or gospel background can draw the soul closer to the Creator. God can use music to show us how much He loves us, teach us about Scripture, and prepare us to spend eternity with Him. I love many genres of music, but the music that can truly make a difference in my life is the music that causes me to praise, honor, and worship the God of all Creation. Here we go.

Regardless of our opinion about the existence of God, His love, and whether or not we will spend eternity in Heaven, Scripture makes one thing very clear, “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him “the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philipians 2:9-11) The soul is eternal and will spend eternity somewhere. There are only two options and God has allowed us to choose our final home. I would encourage you to choose wisely.

It has been said that there is a God size hole in the heart and nothing can fill it but Jesus. We spend our entire lives looking for joy, peace, and contentment. The truth is, we were probably looking for Jesus.