NH.com Photo Contest

I enter a photo for NH.com fall's photo contest.  If you like my photo please vote for me :).

Sack Lunches

My blog I share my photos but sometimes I will post what I consider a thought provocative post. Ellen, my friend sent me my below post, I wanted to share with my readers. Have a wonderful day and remember honor our servicemen and women.
I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.

'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.

'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time...

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base.'

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.

'This is your thanks..'
After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room.

A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base.

I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base.. It will be about time for a sandwich.

God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.

As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country.. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'

New York City Skyline and Giant's Stadium View From New Jersey

Bob and I attended our class reunion held in our hometown, East Rutherford, NJ, last weekend, what a great time we had.


We had a beautiful view from our hotel room over looking New York City skyline and Giants Stadium with a football game soon starting. You can see the lighted bill board plus a plane flying over the stadium with banner.

Giants won:
Giants 17, Bears 3

Fall's Show Starting In The Lakes Region of New Hampshire

A busy time for me most of the summer and fall, needing to get back into the swing. I found a few hours last week looking for the start of fall in the Lake Region of New Hampshire. If you are in our area check out http://foliage.visitnh.gov.ns1www.silvertech.net/index-flash.html

Florida Vacation, Birds, Fishing and Sunset

  Beautiful Sunset

Fishing on Dora Canal

Blue Heron Take At Dusk

My husband and I visited family, my sister and Jean. A beautiful area showcasing birding, fishing and sunsets.

We left New Hampshire with summer weather and returned home to fall.......love fall season in New Hampshire.                                       

A Few More Sunset Photos

My husband Bob took this image.

I found a pretty spot, Highland Lake in Andover, NH. A few weeks ago, I saw a gray Heron and I was too late to photograph a pretty sunset. I decided to give it try again this week and while there were no clouds, no gray Heron, the sunset was still beautiful. I will return to Highland Lake.

Romantic Sunset On Webster Lake

Last night I wanted to take sunset and decide to give it a try on Webster's Lake in Franklin, NH. Arriving I saw a young couple sitting on the beach taking in the sunset..."sigh" to be young again!!!

Hidden Scenery Photography

Pittsburg, New Hampshire

Lancaster, New Hampshire

Christmas Trees Growing On The Side Of Mountain (Beloin Tree Farm in Bedford, NH)

I was in the Bedford area photographing when we passed Beloin Tree Farm and I notice Christmas trees flourishing on the side of mountain. On the returned trip home we passed again, I had to stop and take a pictures of this beautiful scene. I want to returned during the winter and take another image.

The Christmas season is not that far away. Check out their site.

Andover, NH Woods and River Magic Hour

Last night on the way home, I stopped to photograph covered bridges located in Andover during the magic hour. I turned and saw a view with shadows showing in the woods and the river in the distance. Playing with HDR and Orton filters this is what I came up with.

First Day Of Summer Photo Of My Yard

Dodging my sprinklers, I ran behind the bench and looked up spotting this view. I ran inside to retrieve my camera so I could capture this shot...I might add staying dry in the process.

Play Ball!!! New Hampshire's Fisher Cats Baseball

Bob, my husband and I were invited to attend a Fisher Cats game.

What a fun evening watching the game, eating hot dogs, popcorn, watching the wide-eyed children participation in between innings games and the finale fireworks. Thank you Mike and Tom for great evening.

Sabbath Day Falls, Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

Last weekend my Meet Up group NEPE, visited waterfalls located on the Kancamagus Highway. The weather was overcast and drizzling, perfect weather for photographing falls.

Sabbath Day Falls is one of outstanding falls in the area. There is a short hike to the falls.

Feeding Wildlife Concern and Information

A man feeding the fox, was sitting on the ground to left about 3 feet from the fox feeding and photographing.

New Hampshire and surrounding New England states, if you are lucky, you can view wildlife and enjoy wildlife. My favorites are moose, deer, bear and other beautiful animals live and run free in our area. I live in New Hampshire, I love viewing and photographing wildlife and birds but respect my distance, reading and educating myself about their habits and etc.

Please read this link to educate yourself hikeSafe - Wildlife Fact & Fiction I am posting this information out of concern after I viewed a man sitting on the ground about 3 to 5 ft from a fox feeding and taking pictures as he threw out food trying keep the fox close for pictures yesterday. Something could have frighten the fox and in an instant could have turned on the man who was feeding him. Tourist enjoy our wildlife but with a safe respect.

See you in New Hampshire, you will love visiting our state as you can see reading my blog!!!

Wildflower Fields

Last weekend was Lupine and a field of wildflowers on the side of the road, Rt. 302 in Bath, NH. So pretty!!!

17th Fields of Lupine Festival, Sugar Hill, NH 2010

David Dodge Fine Arts and Graphic Designer, allowed me to take his image while painting the lupine. Check out his beautiful site Dave Dodge Fine Art

One of my favorite events to photograph 17th Annual Fields of Lupine Festival, June 4-20, 2010.This the Lupines are really putting on a great show.

I am always trying to out do myself with new pictures each year, as I learn more about photography. Experimenting with new lens and a new camera, my Canon 7D is always interesting seeing the results.

To see my series of the Lupines, you can check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/bpdphotos/sets/72157624117311477/

Important Words From Tom Golaback

Tom was a close friend to my children and to us.

"Melanoma cut Tom's life so short. At his funeral mass today, Tom's brother Mike made wonderful euology and the most important message at the end of the euology was that Tom asked Mike to make sure all his friends and family took the time to check any changes in markings on their bodies, have annual skin scans (which take about 10 minutes) by their dermatologists and to wear sun screen. In honoring one of Tom's last wishes I am passing his and Mike's message on to all of you and hope you pass it on to everyone your care for. Rest in peace Tom; you will always be in our hearts."

Posted by Frank Pinto spreading Tom's request to have annual check ups and use sun screen protection. Please spread the word in Tom's memory, thank you from Tom's family and friends who loved him and will miss him.

YouTube - Bring him home - Colm Wilkinson

Collin's Company Axe Factory

Funny I have passed this mill quite often, visiting our daughter and son in law in Connecticut and never really looked at the potential photographical benefit. Collin's Company, Farmington River.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collinsville_(Canton,_Connecticut)

I had a problem locating myself for decent shot. When I return I am going to give it try shooting from the bridge.

My Flower Gardens and Yard

Fungus - Mushroom Growing On A Dead White Birch

Minature Yellow Iris Taken Right After A Downpour.

Thanks Shawn for the help. Blood Root.

I am working on flower gardens and my yard. I decided take a few marcro images to share.

You Got Mail!!!

I don't think I have ever seen so many outdoor mail boxes lined up in the one area. I love the artistic feel of this image.