View allAll Photos Tagged TRUSTWORTHINESS
"His activity is glorious and splendid,
and his righteousness endures forever.
The works of his hands are truth an justice;
Trustworthy are all his orders.
They are always reliable, now and forever;"
Psalm 111:3+7+8
Do you still remember the photo of the death railway near Kanchanaburi in Thailand?
Here we are again at this place. To be more precise, I'm still standing in the same spot. Only the train has now moved in my direction.
Luckily for everyone, it drives very slowly at this point. Good for me because so I was able to quickly change the lens on my camera, change the setting and get back into position. But even more fortunately for the passengers sitting on this train, because the wooden structure looks no more trustworthy up close than it does from a distance (as you can probably see here). 6 trains cross this viaduct per day (3 in each direction). This is the first one of the day, because at seven in the morning there are hardly any tourists here and it is much more relaxed.
Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to ask the train driver whether he agreed to the publication of this photo. However, since he greeted me warmly as he drove past, I assume it's okay.
Könnt Ihr Euch noch an das Foto von der Bahnlinie des Todes in der Nähe von Kanchanaburi in Thailand erinnern ?
Hier befinden wir und wieder an diesem Ort. Genauer gesagt stehe ich sogar immernoch an der selben Stelle. Nur der Zug hat sich inzwischen in meine Richtung bewegt.
Zum Glück für alle fährt dieser an der Stelle sehr langsam. Gut für mich, denn so war ich der Lage schnell das Objektiv von meiner Kamera zu wechseln das Setting zu ändern und wieder in Position zu gehen. Doch noch mehr als das zum Glück für die Reisenden, die in diesem Zug sitzen, denn die Holzkonstruktion wirkt aus der Nähe nicht vertrauenerweckender als aus der Distanz (wie ihr hier vielleicht erkennen könnt). Pro Tag überqueren 6 Züge dieses Viadukt (3 in jede Richtung). Dies hier ist der Erste an diesem Tag, denn morgens um sieben sind hier noch kaum Touristen vor Ort und das ist deutlich entspannter.
Ich hatte leider nicht die Gelegenheit den Zugführer zu fragen, ob er mit der Veröffentlichung dieses Fotos einverstanden ist. Da er mich jedoch beim Vorbeifahren sehr herzlich gegrüßt hat gehe ich mal davon aus, dass es in Ordnung ist.
more of this on my website at: www.shoot-to-catch.de
Count on Me
Bruno Mars
HBW😊😊😍
With heartfelt and genuine thanks for your kind visit. Have a wonderful and beautiful day, be well, keep your eyes open, appreciate the beauty surrounding you, enjoy creating, stay safe and laugh often! ❤️❤️❤️
Le plus intéressant... | Ma carte | Mes classeurs | Mes albums
Tourcoing | Nord (59) | Hauts-de-France | France
Ataraxia (Ἀταραξία "tranquility") is a Greek term used by Pyrrho and Epicurus for a lucid state, characterized by freedom from worry or any other preoccupation.
For the Epicureans, ataraxia was synonymous with the only true happiness possible for a person.
It signifies the state of robust tranquility that derives from eschewing faith in an afterlife, not fearing the gods because they are distant and unconcerned with us, avoiding politics and vexatious people, surrounding oneself with trustworthy and affectionate friends and, most importantly, being an affectionate, virtuous person, worthy of trust.
AI genareated portrait experiment
Best Mamgu Ever | Underworld
youtu.be/xz3NClrFD8E?si=hXLTDgh127S4HqwN
Topic: AI
Humans Find AI-Generated Faces More Trustworthy Than the Real Thing
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA provides a measure of how far the technology has progressed. The results suggest that real humans can easily fall for machine-generated faces—and even interpret them as more trustworthy than the genuine article. “We found that not only are synthetic faces highly realistic, they are deemed more trustworthy than real faces,” says study co-author Hany Farid, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. The result raises concerns that “these faces could be highly effective when used for nefarious purposes.”
“We have indeed entered the world of dangerous deepfakes,” says Piotr Didyk, an associate professor at the University of Italian Switzerland in Lugano, who was not involved in the paper. The tools used to generate the study’s still images are already generally accessible. And although creating equally sophisticated video is more challenging, tools for it will probably soon be within general reach, Didyk contends.
Source: SCI AM, FEBRUARY 14, 2022
Which face is real?
Our world has changed
… adapt your skills:
www.whichfaceisreal.com/index.php
More information:
theconversation.com/can-you-spot-the-ai-impostors-we-foun...
It appears good stuff happens only in the afternoon, an hour or so before sunset.
A quick drive-by of Patriot Rail's DQ&E headquarters at DeQueen, AR resulted in trustworthy intel that a crew was headed for Dierks to bring a train west. Sure enough, I arrived coincident with them starting up this three-unit consist, sans Patriot Rail stickers, including ex-CMER/CWWR GP38-2 D-28, and GP40s D-24 and D-23. Here, they've just tied on to a cut of cars and have some work to do before heading for DeQueen. You can just make out the conductor on the ground, behind the tree to the right.
After about 30 minutes of back and forth, they'll start west.
By the way, the one train west out of DeQueen for interchange with Kiamichi at Valliant, OK is apparently a night move.
Colton Dixon - "All That Matters"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlRaXtV4bTA
And I heard a great voice, coming from the throne.
See, the home of God is with His people. He will live among them; They will be His people,
And God Himself will be with them.
The prophecies are fulfilled:
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; Mourning no more, crying no more, pain no more,
For the first things have gone away.
And the One who sat on the throne announced to His creation, "“Behold, I am making all things new! Write, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelations 21: 3-5
Creating this cyanotype was an inspiring, meaningful process for me which deeply relates to my healing journey. The flowers were gathered along the road we live on and I “patiently” waited while I pressed them. I placed this cyanotype print where I see it each day and it is a beautiful, helpful reminder that though I was alone, without necessary support for most of my life, things are different now (though it feels like I’m still “back there,” alone and “not allowed” to accept help). I am grateful for the ways—one of them is creating cyanotypes—I can cope and help my body and brain learn that I now have some support and help. I can’t do this alone and there are a few trustworthy people who are willing to be together with me throughout this challenging process.
If you’d like to see more images of the process of creating this cyanotype, you can check out my Instagram stories titled Cyanotype.
Koraes Library in Chios island, Greece. The painting is an identical copy of the original exhibit No. 665 of the Museum of Fine Arts of Marseilles, by an anonymous painter of the 19th century’s French school, entitled "Woman of Chios".
The women of Chios, according to testimonies of the time, were beautiful, happy, well-dressed and social.
Then, in 1822, they were sold as slaves in the slave markets of the East or raped by the occupying army and then strangled. Not every woman. Those over the age of forty and babies under the age of three were slaughtered or strangled. But the men also had worse luck. By orders of the Sultan, everyone was killed, even babies, with the exception of those aged 4-12, who were sold into slavery. However, the Chios massacre moved some of the Europeans and contributed to their subsequent decisions to help liberate the country from those who committed so many atrocities against it. A country so small in size, but also so big for culture, since it gave birth to democracy worldwide, as well as the art and philosophy of Western culture. The massacre on the island of Chios was an attempt of annihilation against the Greek people. Despite the fact that Chios is an island, at that time it had gathered 2/3 of the population of the Greek territory. Specifically, the population of Chios was 117,000, due to the developed trade, while the rest of Greece was less than 70,000. After the massacre, only 10,000 remained. The aim was to exterminate all the inhabitants, who were found excluded, unarmed and defenseless on Chios island. With the onset of the catastrophe and the fastest possible rhythms, teams of fanatical rioters gathered on the island, who, all over the island, grabbed, raped, slaughtered and burned, taking with them the heads of the slaughtered (without tongue and ears), which would provided them with the remuneration by their principals. The commander of the conquerors also promised amnesty to those who surrendered and declared allegiance to the Sultan or embraced the Islamic religion. But it was a trap for the trustworthy Chiotes, dramatically increasing the number of dead and captives for the slave markets. Those who survived were because the time of the massacre had to end under international outrage.
During the same period, the heroic fighter Konstantinos Kanaris from the island of Psara, managed with a few men and two boats to set fire to the flagship of the conquering fleet, killing 2,000 soldiers of the massacre and the Admiral himself!
The afternoon DeQueen and Eastern (DQE) train from Dierks to DeQueen passes under US Highway 71 in Lockesburg, Arkansas. Leading the charge are three former Texas, Oklahoma and Eastern geeps, ex-CMER/CWWR GP38-2 D-28, and ex-PC GP40s D-24 and D-23.
This chase was the result of a quick drive-by of Patriot Rail's DQ&E headquarters at DeQueen, which resulted in trustworthy intel that a crew was headed for Dierks to bring a train west. Sure enough, I arrived in Dierks coincident with them starting up this three-unit consist, happily, none of which sported a Patriot Rail sticker. After about 30 minutes of work, it was off to the races.
I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.
The Lord upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.
It’s quite common to find old shrimping vessels washed ashore and left abandoned in parts of South Louisiana.
This Lafitte Skiff could possibly still be in use…..but doubtful.
After years of shrimping/fishing for a living ….. it must be tough for the boat owners to have to retire their trustworthy and tested boats and finally put them to rest.
Good thing is the more they deteriorate…..the more they sink….. the more photogenic they become…
I’ll surely be checking on this gal for many seasons to come…..
Thanks for stopping in.
Love to receive your comments and feedback
Have a great weekend !
Taurus is an earth sign represented by the bull. Like their celestial spirit animal, Taureans enjoy relaxing in serene, bucolic environments, surrounded by soft sounds, soothing aromas, and succulent flavors. Taurus is ruled by Venus, the enchanting planet that governs love, beauty, and money. Taurus’s Venusian influence make this earth sign the most sensual of the zodiac: These cosmic oxen are enchanted by any physical manifestation of comfort and luxury. Pleasure is a necessity for epicurean Taureans and they feel most content when pampered. (Taurus governs the neck, so neck caresses are especially irresistible to these bulls.)
It's true that in their perfect world, Taureans would spend all day bathing in a tub overflowing with essential oils. At the same time, these earth signs know the value of a dollar. Taureans aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and work hard to earn big rewards. They're ambitious, focused, and resilient and they feel most secure when steadily putting money into a savings account.
Cosmic oxen are all about return on investment (the bull is also the symbol of Wall Street), and Taureans know how to play the long game in both professional and romantic pursuits. Security is paramount for Taureans and any threat to their stability will be sure to have a celestial bull seeing red.
As a sign, Taurus is fixed, an astrological quality that reflects Taurus’s steadfast, loyal nature. Fixed signs are excellent at maintaining systems and Taureans prioritize consistency and reliability in all areas of their lives. It must be noted, however, that Taurus does have a bit of a reputation: What a Taurus perceives as dedication is often regarded by others as stubbornness. Accordingly, these bulls may end up lingering in unhealthy situations — whether relationships, jobs, or homes — longer than necessary just to prove a point. Despite their occasional obstinance, however, Taureans are dependable partners, soothing their friends and lovers with their trustworthiness and devotion.
for everyone who wants to support Ukraine resisting against the war of aggression started by Russia:
Relief funds started by German charities:
www.tagesschau.de/spendenkonten/spendenkonten-133.html
(you can find your national ones for example using the websites of public broadcasters)
You can donate to the military here:
or
If you can afford it, please help!
Also, please help share the information.
Trust only well known charities or those endorsed by trustworthy sources.
Trying something new. The ol' trustworthy Olympus OM-D E-M5 decided to call it quits, and OM Systems recent announcement failed to entice me, so I'm giving the Ricoh GR III a try. It's going to take some getting used to.
Some believe in your innocence
Some heard you are caring
Some say you are kind hearted
Some think you are trustworthy
Some see you doing good things
Some feel your mercy
But why is your heart so heavy and full of sins?
Vor einigen Jahren hatte ich das Glück, eine Ziegenfarm in Frankreich zu besuchen – ein Ort, an dem die Milch für einen der legendärsten französischen Ziegenkäse gewonnen wird. Eine Freundin hatte uns den privaten Besuch dort ermöglicht. In einem hellen, luftigen Stall lebten rund 100 weiße Ziegen und ein Bock, der für den Nachwuchs sorgte.
Kaum hatte ich den Stall betreten, wurde ich von ihnen umringt. Mit sanften, warmen Blicken und einer herzlichen Verspieltheit knabberten sie an meinen Haaren, meinem Anorak und sogar an meiner Kamera. Ihre Zutraulichkeit und ihr liebenswertes Wesen ließen mein Herz ganz weit aufgehen. Es war ein Moment voller Freude, Liebe und unverfälschter Begegnung – ein Erlebnis, das für immer in meiner Erinnerung bleibt. Danke Dadou und Alexander!
A few years ago, I was lucky enough to visit a goat farm in France – a place where the milk for one of the most legendary French goat cheeses is obtained. A friend had made it possible for us to visit there privately. Around 100 white goats and a ram lived in a bright, airy barn, which took care of the offspring.As soon as I entered the stable, I was surrounded by them. With gentle, warm looks and a warm playfulness, they nibbled on my hair, my anorak and even my camera. Her trustworthiness and her lovable nature made my heart soar wide. It was a moment full of joy, love and genuine encounters – an experience that will remain in my memory forever. Thank you Dadou and Alexander!
Did you know that, aside from symbolizing longevity, peaches also safeguard health? Yep. Holistically speaking, the fruit is considered as medicine for everything from rheumatism to colds to nurturing the soul.
A "Peach Girl" in America is a vessel of joy and kindness, like a peach's healing medicine is to the soul. People are excited when they see her coming and are sad to see her go because she brings life through her words and heart.
She is also diligent with her work ethic, and very trustworthy - for she keeps her word and follows through on a commitment, no matter how small it may seem.
The [1 Hundred.] Sweet Peach Tee & Shorts Outfit is a perfect blend of comfort and sass. The sexy combination of its cropped tight tee (with its fun graphic peach print), and its hot little denim shorts will certainly catch a lot of attention.
This [1 Hundred.] Sweet Peach Tee & Shorts outfit fits Maitreya, Legacy (+Perky), and Reborn (+Waifu) mesh bodies. Its Fatpack comes with Blue, Blush, Lilac, Pink (shown), Tan, and White colored tees to choose from.
Taxi to Mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Leather%20and%20Lace/73/16...
A magpie doesn't have to be up to anything to look shifty.
Maybe it is their reputation that a is engrained in my mind, but Magpies always look to me as though they are on the go and up to no good.
This particular one wasn't seen to carry out any mischief. t was photographed at Old Moor as few days ago.
✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧
The Invitation
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream
of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own,
without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own,
if you can dance with wildness, and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us
to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations
of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine,
and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes!"
It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children.
It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.
~ Oriah Mountain Dreamer
✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧
EXPLORED! THANK YOU!
76/365
For Filipina Flickrites! ;)Versions/Renditions
My version of Carms Handle With Care
Friends, check her whoa stream! Carmi =)
I'm tuning my love antennae to people who are more trustworthy, and who are worthy of my trust.
xoxo
The Fork-tailed Drongo, also called the common drongo, African drongo, or savanna drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis), is a species of drongo in the family Dicruridae, which are medium-sized passerine birds of the Old World. It is native to the tropics, subtropics and temperate zones of the Afrotropics.
For starlings and meerkats, the fork-tailed drongo, a songbird with glossy black feathers and garnet-red eyes, is like the neighborhood dog: a trustworthy pal that's always on the alert and ready to warn you about dangerous predators.
Except when it's lying. Because sometimes drongos, which are about the size of a scrub jay, make false alarm calls, causing their listeners to drop whatever juicy morsels they were dining on and flee the scene. Meanwhile the deceptive birds have swooped in and made off with their victim's meal.
Indeed drongos are notorious among wildlife observers for their thieving ways. But sometimes the birds call "hawk" too often, they discover that no one's paying attention. When this happens, the clever birds deploy another trick: They imitate their victim's alarm call or that of another species. The discovery reveals that drongos are paying surprisingly close attention to their target's responses to their calls - perhaps even employing a type of sophisticated cognition that researchers usually reserve for humans only.
This lovely Fork-tailed Drongo was photographed in the Laikipia Plains of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya.
This is Dan Tamarkin, owner of Tamarkin Camera. Tamarkin Camera was started by Dan's father, Stan Tamarkin, on the east coast, and moved to Chicago when Dan took the reins over from his father. Tamarkin Camera has been in business for 50 years, an amazing accomplishment.
Dan is known worldwide as an expert on Leica cameras. Even though Tamarkin Camera competes with branded Leica Stores around the world, there is a devout following of customers who go all the way back to when Dan's father Stan ran the company.
Since Tamarkin Camera was the closest Leica dealer to me when I decided to use a rangefinder camera, I drove to Chicago and asked to see "Dan Tamarkin", having seen his ads in various camera magazines. The staff disappeared and went to retrieve Dan upon my request, and he quickly appeared. There was a twinkle in his eyes that accompanied a quick and sincere smile. I knew instantly there was something special about Dan, but little did I know that he would become one of my dearest friends, and a friend for life.
Dan has since become like a brother to me, and someone for whom I have deep respect. He is honest, trustworthy, intelligent, hardworking, humorous, thoughtful, caring, and as unique a human being as I've ever known. He would do anything to help a friend. Also, he doesn't suffer fools lightly -- one of the reasons I love him so much.
I made this photograph of Dan while we were in Boston together during an International Leica Society conference. He was concentrating on an image he had taken and had no idea I made this photograph.
Boston, MA
2019
© James Rice, All Rights Reserved
To some they are weeds. To others, they are wildflowers. As the sun set, I stopped along the frontage road to Interstate 10 and snapped a few snapshots. I tried a couple with the phone and a couple with my backup camera. This is from the camera. Everybody shoots the wind turbines out here. A tractor-trailer rig driver tapped the airhorns as he or she passed by eastbound.
Someone in a BMW with all of the windows tinted followed me around out here. They may have been shooting photos of me or pointing a gun at me. All I could see was the tinting. When I left, the person followed me for a distance then peeled off. Did they just leave the dispensary a few hundred feet away? No idea.
…People are overwhelmingly good and trustworthy and moderate. ...most people are moderates. The fanatics or the crooks — I'm guessing that's one or two percent of the population. But they make a lot of noise. …Jon Stewart points out that you hear more from the extremists because the moderates have stuff to do.
— Craig Newmark
Journalism grade images.
Source: 3,000x2,000 16-bit TIF file.
Please do not copy this image for any purpose.
I recently told you about my unexpected experiences on an evening walk, which ultimately led me to the Prince George Tower on the Ungerberg near Neustadt in Saxony.
I would of course like to show you this little tower. The photo was taken during a break that I needed to stabilize my circulation before I could tackle the 132 steps to the viewing platform.
I didn't count the steps myself, by the way. As I entered the tower, a young woman came towards me who did this on the way down. I spontaneously adopted her counting (she made a very trustworthy impression on me).
Incidentally, an observation tower was built on this spot in 1846 so that people could see over the treetops. But just two years later the tower was destroyed by arson. In 1883, a stone tower was built, although it was only 18 m high. It was not until 1973, during a renovation, that the tower reached its current height of 33 m.
Vor kurzem hatte ich Euch ja meine unerwarteten Erlebnisse eines abendlichen Spazierganges geschildert, welcher mich schlußendlich auf den Prinz Georg Turm auf dem Ungerberg bei Neustadt in Sachsen geführt hat.
Ich möchte Euch dieses kleine Türmchen natürlich auch einmal zeigen. Das Foto entstand in einer Pause, die ich gebraucht habe um meinen Kreislauf zu stabilieren, bevor ich die 132 Stufen zur Aussichtsplattform in Angriff nehmen konnte.
Ich habe die Stufen übrigend nicht selbst gezählt. Beim Betreten des Turms kam mir gerade eine junge Frau entgegen, die das auf dem Weg nach unten erledigt hat. Ich habe Ihre Zählung spontan übernommen (sie machte auf mich einen sehr vertrauenswürdigen Eindruck).
An dieser Stelle wurde übrigens bereits 1846 ein Aussichtsturm errichtet, damit man in der Lage war über die Baumwipfel hinweg sehen zu können. Doch bereits zwei Jahre später wurde der Turm durch Brandstiftung wieder vernichtet. 1883 wurde dann ein Turm aus Stein errichtet, der allerdings nur 18 m hoch war. Erst 1973, im Zuge einer Renouvierung erlangte der Turm seine heutig Höhe von 33 m.
Decades after his last adventure Johnny Thunder set out to find the last artifact of Gyatso. He was joined by his trustworthy gang of friends. And together they braved traps, curses, and evil Lord Sam Sinister!
From left to right:
Babloo first met Johnny in the jungle. Now he acts as cultural interpreter.
Teddy is a new addition to Johnny's team. He's a wealthy business man who helps fund their expeditions. His only requirement is that he be allowed to come along!
Max Villano, after many years of losing to Johnny finally decided to join him and helps clear routes for the expedition.
Mike has grown a lot since he first crossed paths with Johnny. Now he's a dependable member of the team and the best at hunting for their dinner.
Harry Cane is a little older, but he'd just tell you he's a little wiser. Their faithful aviator he's the go-to pilot for the group.
Johnny Thunder is the leader of this gang of adventurers. He never goes anywhere without his trusty pick-axe and always hopes there are no scorpions around.
Elisa Cane is Harry's daughter and his protege. She's been learning how to fly from her old man. The rest of the team is more comfortable when Harry is at the helm, but Elisa's begun to prove herself to them.
Gail Storm definitely, most certainly, does not have a thing for Johnny. But she's never left his side and is always pointing the camera at him as she records their adventures.
Dr. Charles Lightning has never had his fill of exciting and continues to travel with Johnny. He's go to catch phrase when asked if he's ready to retire is "There's never Thunder without Lightning!"
People in the UK are increasingly turning their backs on the church for several key reasons:
1. **Secularisation**: British society has become more secular over the decades, with fewer people seeing religion as central to their identity or daily life.
2. **Generational Change**: Younger generations are less likely to be raised in religious households and are more sceptical of organised religion.
3. **Perceived Irrelevance**: Many feel that the church no longer speaks to modern social issues or reflects contemporary values, such as gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights.
4. **Scandals and Distrust**: Publicised scandals involving abuse and cover-ups have damaged the church’s reputation and trustworthiness.
5. **Cultural Diversity**: With increasing cultural and religious diversity, Christianity is no longer the default faith for many, leading to a broader range of spiritual or non-religious world-views.
These factors contribute to declining church attendance and affiliation in the UK.
Shrewsbury, England.
The Invitation
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain! I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day, and if you can source your own life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”
It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.
It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.
by
Oriah Mountain Dreamer
copyright © 1999 by Oriah Mountain Dreamer.
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
And if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love,
For your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow,
If you have been opened by life's betrayals
Or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain!
I want to know if you can sit with pain,
Mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with JOY, mine or your own;
If you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you
To the tips of your fingers and toes
Without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic,
Or to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself;
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.
I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore be trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty everyday,
And if you can source your life on the edge of the lake
And shout to the silver of the full moon.
It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair,
Weary and bruised to the bone,
And do what needs to be done for the children.
It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the center
Of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside
When all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself
And if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.
[Oriah, Mountain Dreamer, Indian Elder]
Within the near-constant variability of the British summer there is one trustworthy feature that can be relied on… the presence of clouds. And normally they are racing along due to the obligatory gale that marks the July/August holiday season. And moving clouds and expanses of sea are the perfect ingredients for a long exposure cliché. And that is the grey summer image I present to you today. You may have seen very similar photos on the web already (it is a cliché, after all). As expected, on this occasion there was a gaggle of other ‘togs in front of the lighthouse taking a near-identical photo. The few “normal” tourists who ventured out must have been very fed up with the constant tutting from the snappers as they walked into the scene.
*** A small aside – does anyone know the collective noun for photographers? ***
Eigerøy lighthouse.
I just cant get enough of this lighthouse i am so lucky to be almost a neighbor of. Not just the lighthouse but the surroundings and the barren desolate landscape formed by the rugged and stormy seas.
This is taken this summer on a dead calm beautiful day.
Taken with the trustworthy old Nex-6 and the 10-18mm F/4 OSS.
As I faced (and continue to face) very intense, life-long mental health struggles that can be very disabling, challenging and disturbing for me, I remember spending many evenings outside at home just watching and photographing the sky as a way to try to help myself stay alive and survive. Seeing, watching, taking note of, and eventually capturing the clouds I saw seemed to naturally become one of the many ways I coped with my own intense, heartbreaking and disturbing reality. I appreciated the beauty, the colors, the variety and uniqueness of what I saw in the clouds, and how the clouds seemed to tell a story—and sometimes I could relate to the story I saw in them.
Through multiple devastating and traumatic experiences, the Bible had been misused and God misrepresented as I was treated in unhealthy, harmful and destructive ways by others. This resulted in my time spent reading the Bible (something I’d faithfully done for multiple decades that—in the past—had been safe and uplifting) becoming an extremely overwhelming, very difficult encounter which caused me to engage in intense self-criticism, self-condemnation and self-harm. But I wouldn’t give up on God—deep down I trusted His faithfulness and goodness rather than the human harm I’d experienced (though this harm was extremely wrong, intensely painful and deeply devastating). I’m thankful God didn’t give up on me and continued to communicate His care for me, perfect love for me and His understanding through His creation by showing me stories in the clouds.
The clouds seemed to tell a story I could relate to—in a way I could visualize my own experiences in the formations, light, darkness and colors I saw. It was like being able to relate to the story I saw portrayed in the clouds was a way God showed me He sees me, the brutal truth of my devastating experiences, my understandable thoughts and behaviors due to my traumatic and harmful personal experiences and that He still cares for me when I feel abandoned, used and misunderstood by some people that I once trusted who were no longer trustworthy.
We all have a story. Perhaps you can relate to parts of my personal story. And it is my hope that somehow, sometime, in some way, maybe you can find some hope in your story.
________________________
You can see more images and find out more information about my CLOUDS zine here: amandacreamerphotography.com/2022/08/27/photo-project-clo...
Get your copy of my CLOUDS zine here: www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2289133
Excerpt from ottervillebaptist.com/church-history/:
Otterville Baptist Church
In the spring of 1858, Rev. William Haviland, the pastor of nearby Burgessville Baptist Church, came to Otterville and held gospel meetings. As a result, a church was established and became part of the Regular Baptist Missionary Society of Canada. In 1865 the present-day property was purchase and a one story building was built on it. From the beginning until 1928, Christians from Otterville and Springford joined together when finances were lean and separated when each could support their own pastor. In 1904 the original building was raised to allow a basement to be dug and the wooden exterior was replaced with brick.
In 1927, Baptist congregations across Ontario and Quebec were faced with a controversy about liberal teaching at their Clergy training college. The issues involved the trustworthiness of Scripture and the reality of Christ’s miracles. Otterville was among the many churches who consequently joined a new Union of Regular Baptists with a new Seminary.
Despite the uncertainty associated with the beginning of World War II, the Otterville believers planted a new church in Tillsonburg, sharing their pastor for Sunday afternoon services. It was in this same period that they also began to support foreign missions to Africa. Otterville Baptist Church and the new congregation, North Broadway Baptist Church, continued to share a pastor until 1956. When two Baptist denominations joined together in 1953, in part to provide a stronger support base for missions, Otterville Baptist Church became part of the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches of Canada.
In 2018, our congregation celebrated the 160th anniversary of the founding of the church and God’s faithfulness to past and present generations in the communities of Norwich Township.
I have seen many hood ornaments on classic car shows but this is a new one to me. It belongs to a Delage D6-70 (see photo in the comments). What a shame that cars don't have hood ornaments anymore, I would love to have this one, although it probably looks better on the elegant Delage than it would on my trustworthy but not so very elegant Audi. :)
#AbFav_LOVE_❤
MESMERISING aren't they? OP-HEARTS or POP-HEARTS? LOL? Best not 'jiggle' it about!
If you and your mate master these values, your love will, in all probability, last a lifetime.
1. The couple in love is committed to always putting each other first in their relationship with each other.
2. The couple in love is committed to democracy in their relationship.
3. The couple in love is committed to ensuring their mutual happiness.
4. The couple in love values absolute trustworthiness and integrity in their relationship with each other.
5. The couple in love is committed to caring and unconditional love for each other.
6. The couple in love is committed to being mutually respectful towards each other.
7. The couple in love values their mutual sense of responsibility for each other.
A special day, but don't forget, Valentine... love not just ONE day... but 365?
Have a day filled with love, M, (*_*)
For more: www.indigo2photography.com
IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
Valentine, KITCHEN-GADGETS, red, prickers, utensils, kitchen, tools, wood, studio, hearts, colour, square, "Nikon D7000", black-background, "magda indigo"
Birds' eye view of the city of Hyderabad from Golkonda Fort.
Photo was taken during sunset.
Hyderabad (Telugu: హైదరాబాద్, Urdu: حیدرآباد, pronounced [ˈhaiːd̪arɑːbɑːd̪]) is the capital and the most populous city of the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is known as the "City of Pearls" and the "City of Nizams".
Hyderabad has a population of over 4 million. The city has been classified as an A-1 city in terms of development priorities, due to its size, population and impact.
Hyderabad has developed into a major hub for the Information technology industry in India. The city is home to the world's largest film studio, the Ramoji Film City as well as the Telugu Film Industry, the second-largest in India, known popularly as Tollywood. It is also a sporting destination with numerous sporting venues and stadia. Various national and international games are conducted here, and the city is the home of the Deccan Chargers, Indian Premier League team./wiki
Psalm 111 :5-10
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are steadfast for ever and ever,
done in faithfulness and uprightness.
He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/20.0
Focal Length: 24 mm
ISO Speed: 125
Borexit. Hopefully a good day for the UK. It has to become better after the years of this narcisstic clown and notoric liar, who betrayed Britain as well as the EU. This guy (with his gang) has done lasting damage to my trust and sympathy for British politics, which I had for such a long time But who will follow? Anybody trustworthy´in sight? The Conservative Party seems to have become dominated by selfish career-people. Not to compare to real "right honourable" MP's and PM's long ago... And Labour?...sigh...
photo shamelessly stolen from Marijke B.'s stream. Bedankt, Marijke, for your outstanding collection!
"Dear one, don't you like
your darling ? Kindly speak
Think of our yesterdays,
Eskimo kisses and impish plays
Our moments together
Was truely sweet all through
O ! I recall those days of joy
Why you stay aloof, growing shy ?
Hey ! Why is this change
In your looks, you seem to range,
All your thoughts in a strange,
I think, mysterious trench."
"No mystery dude ! my mind
is not of an enigmatic kind
You have known me well enough
from long past, a poor stuff.
Leave me now, don't try to capture
With your flirty words anymore
As you did with me before
In your usual ways of cajolery.
Though weak and fragile
As you men describe all agile,
Smart and trustworthy female,
No more wish I to partake in your sail.
I know men, young and old
Are all alike, of one mould;
Equally conceited and bold
In their ways to gain and hold.
To lure poor women
With their fake affection
And fabulous description
of their beauty, a subversion.
Above all, man's judgement
Propaganda and comment
About women as fragile and weak
As born dependent and meek.
Who can stand their orgy
And tread that path craggy
As he transcends often and on
Barriers of morality known
O! insidiousness of man !
His beastly pursuits inhuman
Shown in his gestures, lovely
Promises are all pretentions only
No woman of honor and sanity
Not even the gullible one
Would dare to fall in love
With the so called man even for fun."
Lend an ear dear fellow souls
Mere mortal bodies with myriad goals
The senses portray divergent views
As perceptions screened on the mind
Love is often mistaken,
for love of objects the body need,
need of subjects for the mind to feed,
the 'feed' to satiate your greed.
Infatuations, fleeting passions
out of lustful fascinations
Distressing crave to yearn
what that you wish to own
Make one seek selfish means
Heedless of other's pains
Treachery with a smile
ditch with utter spite
Love is not to blame
fuel is not the flame
In the raving fire
As in every pyre
Burns the sandal logs
along with the corpse
- Anuj Nair
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© 2017 Anuj Nair. All rights reserved.
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________________________________________________
© 2017 Anuj Nair. All rights reserved.
All images and poems are the property of Anuj Nair. Using these images and poems without permission is in violation of international copyright laws (633/41 DPR19/78-Disg 154/97-L.248/2000).All materials may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any forms or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording without written permission of Anuj Nair. Every violation will be pursued penally.
Taken @ Hotel Del Salto
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Overland%20Hills/160/154/84
Lucifer loves taking many forms
Trustworthy eyes hide the devil horns
Praying on the weak got you feeling tough?
Praying on my knees, have you had enough?
I held my hands in the air and you held a knife at my back
You always say that you care but actions speak louder than that
Broken promises, broken point of view
Broken thoughts on all that you put me through
All that aside, I kept trying with you
You crossed the line trying to break me too
Really nothing else left that I can say
Lie every time you look me in the face
Believing you is my biggest mistake
It's about time we break the ties, set 'em ablaze
‘Faith has a lot to do with the simple fact that there are trustworthy lives to be seen, that we can see in some believing people a world we’d like to live in.’
-Rowan Williams, Tokens of Trust: An Introduction to Christian Belief. London: Canterbury Press, 2007, p. 22.
Taken back at the end of April (25th) this year 2018 in my garden on honeysuckle leaves.
I think this is probably E.pertinax.
I always think to those of us with a penchant for insect photography that these eristalis hoverflies are as trustworthy for a shot as our dear old robin is to those preferring birds.
I like this species anyway but they are invaluable as subject matter to get back into ' macro mode ' after winters lean period and they are normally very obliging as long as you approach carefully and not startle them.
The image will enlarge slightly.
Excerpt from www.gohk.gov.hk/en/spots/spot_detail.php?spot=Tai+O+Kwan+...:
Tai O Kwan Tai Old Temple on Kat Hing Back Street of Tai O was originally built in the Hongzhi reign (1488 - 1505) of the Ming Dynasty. It was rebuilt in situ in the 6th year of the Qianlong (1741) reign of the Qing Dynasty. The main ridge of the Temple is with Shiwan ceramics including characters of Yeung’s Military Family.
The Temple is dedicated to the worship of Kwan Tai. Kwan Tai refers to Guan Yu (courtesy name Yunchang) who was a famous military general of the State of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period (220 – 280). He was reputed as "the enemy of ten thousand people", and is the paradigm of mightiness, loyalty and righteousness. Kwan Tai is widely glorified and worshipped for his wisdom, trustworthiness, benevolence, righteousness and courage.
The Temple is also popular for its strong association with Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade during Tuen Ng Festival when the deity statue of Kwan Tai is invited to participate in the water parade and related ceremonies.
Tai O Kwan Tai Old Temple was rated Grade 2 historic building in 2010.
This is an exhibit at the National Quilt Museum.
Artist?
A dragon represents leadership qualities in Chinese culture compared to the burning destroyer icon of Western culture. The Chinese dragon has been a symbol of the Emporer since ancient times. My guess is that the Chinese characters around the Imperial blue and yellow colored dragon with brushes and key in its claw describe qualities of leadership, of power. The quilter writes of these leadership qualities: "gentleness, trustworthiness, able to carry a secret, romantic, equanimous, purposeful, just, forgiveness," etc.
In the tapestry of life, there's a timeless wisdom that echoes through the hum of everyday moments. It's a sentiment akin to the reliability of an old pickup truck, weathered by time but steadfast in its purpose. In a world often enamored by the allure of novelty and extravagance, the enduring value lies not in the gleam of newness or the abundance of bells and whistles, but in the assurance of reliability. Like that dependable truck that has weathered storms and traveled miles, there's an inherent beauty in things or individuals that stand the test of time. In the quiet moments of need, it's the steady engine of reliability that carries us through, proving that sometimes, the truest luxury is found in the unwavering constancy of something or someone we can count on.