I took this picture of my grandfather several years ago, right at the time I started getting into photography and right at the time he was diagnosed with malignant cancer. Doctors gave him 6 months to live. I remember this very moment, crouched down on ground taking this picture. I knew one day I would appreciate it when he was gone.
If It wasn't for my grandfather taking me out on the pathfinder and showing me all that nature has to offer, I don't think I'd be into photography, or half the person I am today for that matter. He had such a love for flowers and all of God creation.
You know that gut wrenching feeling you get in your stomach when you miss someone so much? yeah... that's me right now. where does that come from? why does it hurt? Life is setup in such a beautiful way. I'm blessed to even have known this man, let alone him be like a father to me.
It amazes me how the soul can be drawn to an image and help you recall the good times you've had with a person.


I'm reminded of one of my favorite psalms

psalms 103

15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.




so humbling, to think one day this world will remember me no more.

Beauty in the darkness

Haven't had much time to really get back into taking pictures. however, every now and then I'll catch myself using my photo eye. This morning I sat on my roof and took this picture. Through all the pain there is beauty that hides in the deep if you search for it.

How to tell time in 2010

Over the last 10 years I've made it a goal to get a new watch for new year’s each year. Regardless if I can afford it or not I've done it. Each watch I own holds special meaning, sometimes I know this meaning before I even put it on, and sometimes it’s at the end of the year. Every once in a while I’ll find myself slipping on one of these old watches for a day. Retiring an old watch can sometimes be hard. The symbolic feeling of getting something new in replace of the old makes it all worth it.
When I went today to find a watch, I had no idea what I was looking for. I put a few on my wrist, they just didn’t feel right. I asked the lady if I could see the black one in the far back corner. She sat it on the counter, and then I put it on. A smile stretched across my face. At that moment I knew it was it. In fact, I had an overwhelming confidence that I should buy it. Way over my budget …. I bought it! At midnight tonight I’ll press the middle button in and put it on my wrist. Normally, nothing magical happens, however tonight I have a feeling. A feeling this is the one. Not so much like neo in the matrix, but close. When 20 years have passed I’ll slip on this watch and have that same feeling.
Happy new year!
-Rodney

One word. Brilliance.

Noun 1. brilliance - a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted.