Beyond The Clouds

When life is overcast and cloudy, knowing that the sun will set, and then it will rise again the next morning makes me feel better.

I love this: just like the sun, we can start over every day. Sometimes the clouds prevent us from seeing the beauty of the sunset or the sunrise. Often the world feels out of control, but know this: The sun will rise.

And like the sun, we can rise and start every day fresh. Don’t let the day, the negativity of others, or the clouds overhead get you down.

We made it to our destination but there was not enough time left to get many photos. I did a time lapse from the deck, but it was cloudy. I am hoping for a clear sunset tomorrow or at least a couple of times before we have to return home. We have a lot of exploring to do.

The photo above is from the deck of our condo, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This should be a good place to capture some amazing sunset photos and reflect on life’s many sunsets and sunrises.

~ Rick

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Rick’s latest technology muse:

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Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

©2019 Rick Cartwright

Out to pasture

Driving near our home in Ohio we pass this tranquil scene frequently. It invokes a peaceful feeling, and both the horses and me enjoy the moment.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Put him out to pasture”? Sometimes this phrase is used when referencing someone that has retired. Most of the time when I hear this phrase used, the individual is over 55, and has moved on to the next stage of life for more negitive reasons.

I like to think of retirement differently. For me, it means opportunity. A time that allows me to focus on things I am passionate about. It has given me the time and space to learn new skills. While I was working, I would never have taken the time to learn videography and editing skills. I didn’t have the time to write two daily blogs. Now, I do that, and find room in my life to learn to draw (not very good yet, but I am learning).

Do I miss work? No! I believe I did some of my best work during the last few years of my career. I enjoyed it so much. That said, I do not miss work. I miss the paycheck, but not the work. I have done some consulting to keep my mind sharp, and I am sure I will do some more. But I don’t miss the stress and grind of ‘the daily job’.

Do I miss the people I worked with? Yes, certainly. That said, I stay connected with many of my closest friends. I meet up with some of them now and then to catch up and fill that void. I find joy in getting up every day, and starting something new. Being out to pasture can be filled with new experiences, every day. I wish I had done it even sooner.

~ Rick

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Rick’s last technology muse: The Next Wi-Fi

​Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

​Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

​©2019 Rick Cartwright

Snow, Santa and Christmas

To those that celebrate the day, I wish you a very Merry Christmas. May your day be the best. We had a full house for Christmas Eve. I love the look in a child’s eye when gifts are about to be opened. There is also an excitement when Santa is around. I took the photo of Santa at the tree festival in Utah early this month. The photo is from a few years ago. It just all fits together on this Christmas Day. Enjoy your day.

~ Rick

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Check out our vlog, which includes more pictures and video on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

©2018 Rick Cartwright

Look deeper ..

The photos today are not my best work, but they demonstrate something really important. First, the two photos:

Both photos were taken on the same day. It was cloudy and it appeared it was about to rain. I was about ready to head home, but just snappped a couple of photos .. because I could. I didn’t see the two ducks in the top photo. There is some weird stuff in the shot too .. some grass that is in the foreground.

If you look close, there is a very large bird in the second shot. At least I think it is a large bird, likely a turkey vulture or even a hawk. The thing is, I didn’t see this until I got home.

Teresa always tells me I don’t see things that are right in front of me ... that ‘guy’ syndrome I guess. But seriously, I think we often miss big opportunities in life because are are focused on the wrong things. Maybe we are in a hurry, or we are just not looking deep enough. Whatever it is, life will not stop for you .. stop and take it in. Enjoy the moment.

~ Rick

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Check out our weekly vlog that includes more pictures and video, find us on YouTube at tales.photos. Remember to subscribe!

Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

©2018 Rick Cartwright

Reflection and life

It’s hard to tell where shore ends, and the reflection begins. Sometimes life is like that too. I will tell you one secret .. stick your toe in and you will know if it’s real, and when you are about to get wet. :)  

I find myself looking back on life, as if it is a big reflection. I remember my childhood days, and find myself reflecting on my parents often. There are some good memories, and then of course, times when I feel I let them down. We all have moments like that. The reality is, there were many good times in my childhood, and I am grateful for everyone of them.  

Then I reflect on my early years with my wife. We had four amazing sons. I was not a perfect father in the early days, I tended to lack patience and focus. I was not bad, but I could have been better. As I have aged (and boy, have I aged), I have a lot more clarity about what life is about.  

Reflecting is good, but what is important is the the ‘here and now’. Stick your toe in and enjoy every moment.  

 ~ Rick

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 Prints are available for many of the photos on this site on canvas, metal or glass. They are stunning and you can purchase them for a wall at home. Click the link or the ‘prints and such’ tab.

©2018 Rick Cartwright