With all that has happen in Haiti and the prevalent TV coverage, it is been difficult for most to focus on much else. I trust that we all have taken pause and given thought to not only what we can do to assist but to also give thanks for those that are living.

While driving to Nashville recently, I noticed a series of beautiful cascading ice formations on the mountain cut thru’s on I-65. As I passed by the first couple, I thought how majestic the ice formations were. It gave me pause to think just how many times had I witnessed Mother Natures “natural art” on my many winter trips to Nashville and not stopped to capture the beauty. Each and every year I have passed by, I thought what a beautiful photograph it would make but never felt comfortable enough to stop along the interstate. The thought of speeding semis passing by within inches and the potential of becoming  a “hood ornament” can be a very negative and daunting thought to the creative process.

I am not sure exactly what the difference was this year, but the urge to stare passing bumpers in the face took over. Of course it was not as death defying as it might appear.  While traveling south I noticed a rest area with a series of ice formations close to the re-entry road to I-65.  Maturity (old age) does have a way of taking away some of the thrill to walk on the wild side but it can provide you with the necessary experience and thought process to let you see how to  “walk semi close” to the wild side. It felt empowering to “stare death in the face”, so I chose to stop a couple more times, always taking notice of the passing Semi’s.

So with that said, I give you one of Mother Natures’ wonderful winter creations … a natural ice sculpture.

As I indicated last week ……

A) I am currently featured in Dimensions Weekly Magazine.
http://www.dimensionsweekly.net/entertainment011110.html

B) A book of my first year of blogging – Postcards from My Miss-Adventures has been publishes . The link to the book:
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1065856 

From the semi-frozen tundra of  Tennessee …

Chill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~ dK~ 

I left Nashville as the snow began to fall and headed straight for, as Chris Berman from ESPN would say, the “Frozen Tundra!” Most that knew me said, “What are you thinking?” I was trading in the mid-teens and 20′s for the single digit and minus below temperatures of Chicago and Peoria. The invitation of instructing at a workshop, good friends and SUSHI was just too good an offer to turn down…..why not?

As I flew into Chicago-Midway I was a little anxious having heard all of the stories related to the snow and traffic.  As I traveled west I realized that the roads were manageable and the many inches of snow was everywhere but on the highways.  Heading to Peoria and out into the farmlands of Illinois, I began to take in all of the majestic beauty of the snow covered country side. Camera in hand and a little extra time for exploring, I got off the freeway and headed on to the side ways and by ways.  Every curve I took offered a new vista with a new photographic opportunity. I felt like a Florida kid (which I am) that had just been given the keys to a candy store. SO much snow … SO little time!!!!  The jewel of the journey was finding the city of Odell with historic Route 66 and its massive fields of windmills, farms and historic gas stations and to my delight …. All covered in snow!!!!! It did not seem to bother me that the temperatures where in single digits until I jumped out of the car with no jacket, gloves or hat. Can you tell I do not SNOW well?

On my return to Chicago, I had the opportunity to take a little time to tour the big city and consume, orally and visually, all that the city had to offer including Chicago style Hot Dogs and SUSHI! Of course the best thing visually about the city, the skyline view with snow from Lake Michigan!!! It was the “icing” on the trip! 

Two great things that have happened recently for me worth mentioning
A) I was featured in an article in Dimensions Weekly Magazine.
http://www.dimensionsweekly.net/entertainment011110.html

B) I published a book of my first year of blogging – Postcards from My Miss-Adventures. The link to the book which is can be purchased:
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1065856

From the frozen tundra of Illinois to the semi-frozen tundra of Alabama …

 Chill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ……
~dK~

With the temperatures we have had this week, you have wonder what “global warming” is all about. I left Huntsville and balmy temperatures in the mid-teens to come to Chicago where the lows have been in the minus single digits and 4 to 8 inches of snow on the ground. What was I thinking? 

If you are any connoisseur of college football the last two weeks have been the ultimate buffet. Bowl games every day … and on some days two to three. Of course the premier bowl game came Thursday evening when two undefeated teams, the University of Texas and the University of Alabama (Roll Tide) squared off for the National Championship. No matter what your allegiance, you have to admit it was a very exciting game with many ups and downs.  It was not until the last couple of minutes of the 4th quarter that the out come of the game was really decided. It the end … the University of Alabama’s Crimson tide prevailed. For the SEC and the state of Alabama, it left us extremely proud and jubilant. 

 What better honor than to go undefeated (13-0), have one of your players win the Heisman Trophy for the first time in school history (Mark Ingram) and for the football team to be crowned the National Champions. It was quite the week for football junkies and the state of Alabama!!!

I would be very remiss without saying,  “Sweet Home Alabama……… Roll Tide Roll!”

I look forward to coming home to warmer climates

All My Best ……
~dK~

Best wishes and Happy New Year! I can only begin where I left off in 2009 wishing you good health and much success for …… 2010.

There is so much that could be said and so much that could be written. How does one begin a new decade without reflecting back on all that happened in the previous one? We are talking about 10 years and all I can really think about is where did 2009 go? It has been a decade to remember and a year not to forget. I spent the New Year in 1999 in San Diego, celebrating the beginning of a new decade and my official retirement after 25 years with NASA. How times flies. It does not seem possible that it has been 10 years since I started on this journey that I call self-employment but I do know it has been one great experience. Here is to the next 10 years.

As we welcomed in a new decade, with New Years celebrations, a very special astronomical happening occurred, the rare phenomenon of a Blue Moon. A Blue moon is the rare appearance of a second full moon appearing in a calendar month. It happens every 2.5 years. The first full moon took place on December 2.  A New Years Eve Blue Moon is even more of a rarity in that the last occurred in 1990 and the next will not take place for another 19 years, rising to help ring in the New Years celebration on December 31, 2028. The old expressions, “once in a blue moon,” or “twice in a blue moon”  are expressions most comely used when referring to something that is rare, special or absurd but not impossible and can be traced back to writings that date back to the 1500′s.

It is truly incredible that we would welcome in the New Year and a new decade with such a memorable and magical occurrence. It might just be a sign of wonderful things ahead!!!! Nothing says New Years better than Champagne and Fireworks. The capture below, all though not from this year, brings back fond memories of past celebrations.

Can you believe it …… 2010!! 

Enjoy ……………..
~ dK ~