how my brain works

the heat is gone!

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

Finally, the heat has broken and we are enjoying cool days. I would say perfect days. The temperatures at night are in the upper 50s and the temperatures during the day are in the upper 70s. Perfection! Thank you Ma Nature for laying off the heat this week.

I shot this cat at the end of the heat wave during a photo outing with my friend Jim last weekend. The poor critter didn't want to move. The day was beginning to get hot and the cat was cool laying on the porch.

When approaching this shot, I decided that placing the focus on the feet while the head was visible in the background would be interesting. I like the way it elongates the cat by forcing the eye to start at the cat's feet. Your eye naturally wants to go to the cat's head. Paws + Head = Elongated cat.

Bet you didn't know I could control your eyes that way, did you? I'll bet that, after moving to the head, your eyes went back to the cat's rear paws. Let that be a lesson to you. I don't have to stop at controlling your eyes. I can control your mand and your body as well.

Watch this:

send me a pie, make me a cherry pie and send it to me

Did you suddenly have the urge to bake a cherry pie and send it to me? Internet magic is a powerful thing. I'll try to use it responsibly.

send Tim a cherry piiiiieeeeeee

i do know one thing

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

I don't know this man from Adam's house cat. He could be a crazy old coot for all that I know. I don't think that he is a crazy old coot. I'm just saying that I don't know much about him.

He seemed to have a cool sense of humor. But, who knows? Maybe he just liked pretending that he liked to laugh.

He seemed to know a lot about the farm. You never know, he might have been making up the answers to pull my leg. If he was pulling my leg, that could be evidence that he does have a good sense of humor. Still, I have no real idea. I only met him once and we only spoke for a few minutes.

He seemed thoughtful. However, how do you know if somebody is thoughtful or if their mind is just wandering. When he got that far off distant look, he might have been imagining himself on a beach in the Bahamas.

He gave the appearance of being an open and honest type. The problem is that I am part of a generation that no longer takes things at face value. We are jaded and doubtful of anything that we can't poke and prod to see if it is genuine. We have passed that attitude along to our children. To me, that is kind of sad…. not being able to take people at face value.

I wish that I were part of a generation that was filled with hope and had the ability to believe in people and causes and nations without needing a test of faith. Unfortunately, I am not and as a result, I believe what I can see and touch. And so, what can I tell you of this man without reservation? Is there anything that I can say about him and be sure that I am not wrong?

Well, I can tell you one thing for sure. This man with such character in his eyes and open expression on his face likes lemonade. That I know. He likes lemonade.

black eyes and other thoughts

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

Did you grow up calling black and yellow cone flowers by the name Black Eyed Susans? I don't think I have ever known them by any other name. In hind sight, several questions come to mind:

Who was Susan?

Who made up the name? Somebody had to have said "Black Eyed Susan" first and you know he had a specific girl in mind. You don't just name a flower like that out of the blue. What were the circumstances?

Why did she have a black eye? Did she fall down? Was she clumsy? Did somebody hit her?

If her name had been Deloris, would "Black Eyed Doris" have stuck over the years?

Why not a man? I kind of like "Black Eyed Chuck". That is a man's flower to be sure.

Sometimes I lie awake at night thinking of important questions like these. Issues that could change our understanding of the world. I hope you appreciate the work I do for you and the rest of Mankind.

morning walk

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

I have a problem. A sort of addiction. I crave the sunrise. Every chance that I can get, I drive to the same location at the lake and sit quietly while the sun peaks its head over the horizon. I've reached the point where I get really bummed when I can't go or when I do and the sunrise isn't up to par. Today was one of those days. I got up and out of the house, drove over to the lake, parked and waited. Clouds, too many clouds.

A few clouds lead to a brilliant sunrise but too many clouds just difuse the light and all the world gets is a dull glow the sky. Pretty, yes but, when I make the effort to wake up early and greet the sun, I expect to get some value for my effort. So you see, I do have an addiction. Averge sunrises are just not doing it for me any more. I need spectacular colors reflecting off of towering clouds and leading to lush reflections on tranquil water.

However, I remember my Father's wise words about birthdays. He says that it sucks to grow old old, but it is better than the alternative. A crappy sunrise is better than no sunrise. Besides, I have plenty of company… seems like there are a lot of people that like to get up early and meet the sun. Crazy sunrise addicts. Should be a 12 step program for something like this.

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Tim McMurdo

While at the farm on Friday, I noticed a Mennonite family visiting the farm. Being a typical outsider, I was amazed at how normal they were. The boys ran to the animals as fast as they could and climbed the fences. The family followed the same route around the farm as any other family. I thought, wow, inspite of our differences, we are all pretty much the same.

Then my evil side took over and I wondered what they saw in the farm. Wasn't it just like home? Farm animals and no electricity? I totally turned this family into a stereotype, even after thinking we were so similar. And then I realized there really were differences between us. They were polite and kind and I wasn't.

Somedays, I think my parents did not beat me enough as a kid.