My First Gallery Showing!

Ok, ok, so it was at the fair. And there were a lot of other people's pictures, too. But my pictures were In Public being seen by a lot of people. It's the same thing.

This was the first fair I've entered anything in since childhood, and it was lots of fun. The whole family acquitted themselves well with their entries; I even got a special award! Which was very thrilling until I saw that everyone else had gotten more special awards than me. However, I'm behaving very maturely about it---unlike my niece, who has gone around with her THREE special awards draped from her person and hung in her hair.

Hmmph.

So, because I know you're dying to see what I entered, I will show you all my entries.


What's that?


You want me to tell what ribbons I won with each picture?


Oh, I don't know. It seems so.......boastful. I'm really a very humble person....


Well, since you're begging so hard, I guess I can mention it. But only because you asked!


Category:  Clouds/Sky        First place.

 Category: Sports      Second place.

 Category: Child/children     Third place.

 Category: Agricultural           First place.  
 

 Category: Holiday         First place.
 

 Category: Seasons         First place.

Category: Historical        First place.

 Category: Portraits         First place.
 

 Category: Sunset             First place.

Category: Scenery          Second place.

Category: Person/persons         First place, plus special award.

Category: Wildlife       First place.

Category: Action           First place.

Category: Water/ocean/river/lake         Third place.

 Category: Architectural           First place.

Category: Inspirational      Second place (to a stupid SPARROW picture! By my own SISTER!).

And, my personal favorite.....Category: Western          First place.

It was lots of fun entering. And---let's be honest here---getting lots of prizes. I'm already planning next year's entries, starting with "accidentally" breaking my sister's camera---right after I get my own, of course. Ooops, sorry, that slipped out. I mean, it doesn't matter whether I win or lose, I just enjoy the artistic process and sharing my work with others.

Maybe I can grow some prize-winning maturity by next year....

Vacation Bible School: Day 1?

This week is our church's Vacation Bible School and I have been busy as usual gearing up for its fun, chaotic craziness. I was in Plentywood on Sunday and again Monday morning chasing down the last few million details. Then a dash home to pick up Caleb and we were ready(ish) for showtime.

But instead spending the evening wrastling young'uns, I had a leisurely evening at home catching up on chores and even doing some reading.

Why, you ask?

No, I didn't break my leg as I was fantasizing about earlier that day.....we were under a Tornado Watch. 

As VBS coordinator, it was my call whether or not to cancel things due to the Severe Weather Warning and Tornado Watch. Most of our staff (myself included) have to travel quite a ways to get to the church, and I felt it was safer not to be out on the roads under the circumstances.

The storm came and went with no significant damage around here, though it did produce a tornado about a half hour south. And I got to enjoy an unexpected evening off, PLUS a beautiful nature show in my own backyard.

As the storm passed, the evening sun produced a huge double rainbow to the east.

 On the other side, the sun was coming out from under a massive cloud shelf.

 Later that evening, the setting sun lit up the receding storm.

 Yes, indeed, I do think this was more restful than an evening of VBS. But now I can be extra revved up for tonight---and hopefully no more tornadoes!

This is a picture some lucky person got of the tornado yesterday. I bet it gave them a thrill---there's not a lot of places to hide out here!

P.S. The rest of Vacation Bible School went splendidly with no other weather malfunctions. We had a great, enthusiastic group of kids, and of course, my team was amazing as always. What a blessing!