Sometimes we look at sights in nature but don't really see. While hiking in the woods the other day, it became a realization that we need to open our heart and eyes to see the beauty of the simple things in nature with each season. There is so much order and purpose in His creation. God has given us awesome beauty in this world to see and enjoy... if we would but stop to see and feel it. Join us as this blog is about stopping to see the real beauty around us...to touch and feel it... "Through the Lens".

Our Friends

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Just Good to be Here

 

                             450px-McCosh_Grist_Mill_Randolph_County_Alabama

                                      McCosh Grist Mill taken February 2011

Gerri and I had heard of about an old grist mill in Alabama and decided we wanted to go see it.  It was built near the turn of the 19th century by slaves and in 1976 was added to the National Register of Historic Places  in November 21, 1976.  So I Googled the location and we set out on a day trip adventure.  We drove about 30 miles out in the “country” as the smooth pavement we were on turned into a rough pavement.  A few miles further it turned to gravel.  We started wondering hmmm, where the heck is this taking us.  Soon the gravel turned into a single lane dirt/mud road surrounded on both sides by trees and no trespassing signs..  NOW we were a little concerned…is this the way, did we get lost, and even, how safe is this?

              DSC_4943

About the time we were thinking of turning around??, a car came up behind us.  I stopped and asked them where the grist mill was and they said just up ahead, so we let them in front of us and we followed.  What the heck am I doing, we are out in the middle of NOWHERE following 2 young guys drinking beer and we don’t know anything about them.

Well, we got there to find the old mill had burned to the ground a few months ago and all was that left was a few rock frames.   DSC_4937

We got out of the car and did some exploring while the 2 young guys got out and jumped into the large creek and went swimming.  After we explored for a while and took some pics of the area,

                           DSC_4938

                          DSC_4941

                          DSC_4942

we eased our way to the car and started our way out.  As we were leaving, two truck loads of young guys veered off the mud road to get past us.  Being a friendly sorta fellow, I waved as they passed, but they didn’t seem to appreciate our being there.  I guess there was a swimming party to be had, after all, it is very hot out.

I can honestly say, we were glad to see the paved road again and be back in civilization.  We did enjoy the exploration and seeing the area where the old mill was.  I guess we both had thoughts about the movie “Deliverance”….just no banjo picking.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Country Roads

              DSC_4919

It was just one of those Sunday afternoons.  You know the kind, the weather was just right.  It has been unbearably HOT lately but today….not so much.  The temps were only in the mid 80s but the best part was the humidity was almost nonexistent.  A really beautiful day.  So after church we decided to take a drive in the country armed with our camera….just in case.

            DSC_4912

                      DSC_4920

            DSC_4928

            DSC_4910

We drove about 10 miles south on highway 219  and just picked a nice looking country road to turn down.  From there we just drove slowly enjoying the sunshine and beautiful country scenery.

            DSC_4929

            DSC_4935

 We would see another road and turn down it and so on until we really had NO idea where we were.  Awww, lost in the Georgia countryside on a beautiful day!! 

            DSC_4903

I hope you enjoyed your Sunday as much as we did!!

            DSC_4901

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. ~Confucius

            DSC_4936

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Great News

 

       DSC_0803

                                Looks like a need for a little Crowd Control

GREAT NEWS!!  Mike and I received the news last Friday concerning his recent prostate biopsy.  All 12 cores came back benign.  We are so thankful and appreciate all the wonderful comments offering special thoughts and prayers.  We were always hopeful but you never know for sure until the “fat lady” sings.  Needless to say we are delighted with this news and thankful to God.  It was a long week of waiting.

With the temperatures nearing 100 we have not been doing anything blog worthy.  We have mostly  been staying inside where it is much cooler.  Today Mike decided to take me out for lunch and that was certainly a special time together.  After we finished eating we just sat and talked for quite awhile.  Simple pleasures!

                  DSC_3967