The Journey expands.

I’ve created my perfect job. The job description consists of two simple things:   1) Explore vibrant ideas and places in the world and 2) Discover, build and honor real places and tell people about it. In the USA, I’ll be spreading the notion- “I speak American!” This consists of having active appreciation and love of your place, our neighborhoods,acknowledging the passion other americans have  about their lives and how it contributes to our american essence, and celebrating our creative differences. Renew,restore,rebuild america, it’s worth the effort.

Finding common ground, 1

The Power to Learn

http://www.indiegogo.com/project/widget/48186?a=294016

The one legged pursuit of cat

The other night I was playing on the computer and Becky shouted that the cat was in the woods being attacked. We hear these horrible yowls and I jump in the truck to get down to the walking path below the house. We thought the coyote was getting another one of our cats. I throw open the door, jump out of the truck and promptly trip on a stump. I’m lying there in total pain, laughing. While I’m gimping along the beast is going to turn my cat into fur and bones! I want my leg back. Turns out the cat was just defending territory.Try finding a black cat at night without a light. It’s a trip.

Josh Grindstaff  grew up in Charlotte, NC. His father had moved there years ago to work and raise his family. When Josh was 21 his grandfather brought him to the Toe Valley to learn something about his roots. He took him to the Grindstaff cemetary on Halls Chapel Road. Told him of the land his family had owned as they rode down Grindstaff Road. And told him of the two German brothers that had settled in the Bakersville area around the time of the Revolutionary War. Josh now works as an R&D Chemist at Environmental Inks in Morganton,NC and a while back met the woman he wanted to marry, Leslie Starkey- a Canadian. So this weekend, Leslie imported her family and Canadian friends and Josh gathered his family and friends at Celo, NC. And they did this because Josh wished to marry his bride at his mountain homeplace, though he had never lived there. Some journeys are deeply known even though we hadn’t been there before.

Some have to take the long road.

I happen to be a follower of the bouncing orange ball. One has to be fascinated by the Butler basketball team and the ball gods. This team makes an incredible, improbable return to the NCAA Championship game after being there last year.The odds of them being IN the Final 4 back to back was 7500 to 1. To miss winning the championship last year by one final shot, then to miss just about every shot this year was beyond improbable. It is obvious: the Ball Gods will have nothing to do with a second tier basketball team. I did not count the bad bounces, the went in then back outs, the unlucky rolls; but it was very clear that the lid was on the goal for Butler.

It was a long trip back. It may have been their destiny as well as their desired destination. And it ended this year with one of the worst final games ever in terms of scoring. Yet what I saw was a team that continued to play their game, continued to honor their game as they went down in flames.I’d call for a do over, a mulligan, a second chance. I know they felt embarrassed but they didn’t play like losers. They did however lose a really big game when nothing would go their way. I hope they make the IMPOSSIBLE journey next. I hope to see them next year.

 

Opening Day

Hundreds of folks climb into their man trucks and make the annual journey for opening day of fishing on the Toe River.Craig DeBussey has been coming for nineteen years. His son, Connor has been coming with him since he was old enough to fish. They come every year for Conner’s birthday.This is the poem Craig gave to Eloise for her birthday. The River House is their one weekend annual home. The poem will be on the wall for all to experience.

Yesterday Becky and I woke early and went to experience the Washington,DC cherry blossoms. Every year thousands come to DC just to see the blossoms. We arrived around 7 AM and discovered that hundreds of others, mostly photographers and joggers (with dogs!) were already there. The city of Washington was given 2000 Japanese cherry trees in 1912 by the mayor of Tokyo, to celebrate the relationship between the US and Japan.  The National Cherry Blossom Festival has attracted 700,000 visitors annually. 

Be Inspired, Be Inspiring.

We have a guest posting today! C.S.Ling has been named one of the Most Inspiring Real Women. This is her statement:

Cheng Shun Ling Nature Photographer/Creative Director “I constantly keep myself inspired by doing the things that I love; which explains my creative and entrepreneurial odyssey into Photography, Design and Music. When I was 23, I penned my Life List, a list of things of wonderful things that I hope to achieve in my journey of life. 4 years and 19 items checked later, it has ultimately carved the life and career path that I walk on today. A year ago, I started To:MOM (To: My Orangutan Mother) initiative, to document the orphaned orangutans who lost their mothers due to destructive human activities in Borneo. This year, I will be staging a photo exhibition on Mother’s Day to raise awareness about the plight of the endangered Orangutans. With the support from National Geographic Explorer magazine, a series of exciting and educational activities will be held in conjunction with the exhibition to inspire the younger generation to care for our environment and safe-guard our planet. Keep inspiring yourself and eventually you will inspire others too.” You can follow her journey on Facebook: C.S.Ling Photography Mention RKJourneyman

 

It’s a New Day!

” The Heart of Egypt is beating.”

The journey of a nation is beginning to open. This is a milestone for the world, this is a proud moment for a proud people.