Swift Sunday
August 30, 2009
Howdy again,
Sunday is here and is moving very swiftly towards Monday and the work week. I have spent yet another lazy weekend although I got out and about Saturday morning and went to the zoo for another visit, more to come about the zoo trip. The past few mornings have been so nice with cool breezes and very mild temps, but as the sun rises higher in the sky so do the temps, so when they rise I stay in. Spent some time watching the little league world series and supporting the team from the San Antoni area, although they lost to the team from California I say these young people are champs for playing as far as they did. The future players of major league baseball.
As I said in the opening I went to the zoo here and again had a good time and tried out a new lens to my kit. Still learning how to handle it but so far it works great, now I have to pay for it.
As I walked through the zoo I began remembering all the good people who I have met there over the years. I have been going to the San Antonio Zoo for some twenty years now since my active duty days at Fort Sam Houston. I have met some very caring people working at the zoo in all kinds of weather, caring for the animals and keeping the exhibits clean and presentable for the visitors. They work some long and hard hours for not a lot of money, they risk injury and maybe at times their lives for the care of their charges. They work so very hard and endure many hardships to keep these animals well.
As I have been talking of these wonderful people and remenber some that have been friends for many years, none work at the zoo now, they have moved on to take care of family or in the case of one special friend were forced away from the zoo. This friend is the one I like to share my thoughts with you for a few minutes. I met her one weekend after an early visit, I had taken a photo of her while she was doing her job and I liked the photo, she was so business like and serious I thought she might like to have a copy of the print. So on this visit I kept my eye out for her and gave her a 8×10 print, she must have thought I was crazy for doing this and at times I think she must think I am still crazy! She was so young and has so much energy, she worked so hard and has so much life, her eyes are so bright.
Over the last couple of years the road of life has gotten real bumpy for her, with a change in jobs, difficulties at the home front and recently being diagnosed with breast cancer. Having had surgery a little while ago and now undergoing chemo treatments for the past couple of months she has dodged all the pot holes in life’s road so far and I believe she will get around all the pot holes that are left in the road. I feel that her road will smooth out very soon and she will again cruise through the travels of life on a super highway in a Rolls with the top down and a cool breeze in her face. I pray for her and wish for her and all who suffer from illness that their roads smooth out and they again can enjoy their travels on the road of life!
I have no digital photos of this special friend handy at this time I feel out of respect for her it would not be the right thing to do to post a photo of her with out her reading this. But as she was one of the great keepers at the zoo I shall post photos of the animals that she was such an important part of taking care of and for training the current keepers at the park. So in other words the photos presented here today are for this very special lady who will always have a special place in my heart and mind.
May this week ahead be a good one to you all, may your troubles to be small and your smiles be big! Until the next time my family and friends take care and keep a smile in your heart.
Love, Peter
San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo, "Looking back in time"!
Reflecting Saturday
August 15, 2009
Hello all,
I hope that the weekend is treating you well so far? As I sit at the house thinking of something different to do, I have been thinking of lost friends and family. I guess with the passing of my Aunt in July and the reopening of doors to other members of my family since that I have been thinking. As you all who come by and visit this blog know I have cats as companion’s.
I have been thinking of my first fur friend since settling in Texas, Mr Bronx. Back in January I parted with him when cancer was found in his lungs. This was the right thing to do for a good friend who never asked me for much except some food, water and my companionship. Funny thing he never asked for anything except in such a quiet and dignified way to be loved and respected. I tried to to that, sometimes I failed, most times I did it right. He came to share my life in 1995 during my birthday, he name came about because I saw a Bronx Bus map on an end table and being from NYC it seems the right name for him. We grew together from a small apartment on the south side of San Antonio to the house I am in now. He met me at the door each day, or stood in the window each night I returned from the bus yard. The only thing he ever wanted from me was to step outside and sniff the air and eat some grass, he always came back, always giving the place we shared a state of grace.
I have been thinking of him and the other companion’s I have shared my life with, Ms Brooklyn, Cibolo and her kittens Ms Marion and Blacky. I am still graced by 3 of Cibolo’s kittens, Seguin, Connie and Miss Selma (you have seen their photos here).
But for some reason today my mind flashes back to Mr Bronx, I want to celebrate his life and what his life has done for mine. It may sound crazy to celebrate a cat’s life, but then what around us is not a little crazy, so indulge me for this entry and let us celebrate his life and all the lives of family, friends, pets and companion’s who we have lost today. I do not have photos of all the family I have lost thru the years and will have to did out some Cd’s to find the photos of my companion’s who are lost (that be a later time and later entry). I just wanted to share a few photos of my friend Mr Bronx who stayed with me for a long time, we came together in October of 1995 and departed our friendship in January of 2009. I hear a story of a “Rainbow Bridge” where old friends meet and play together in God’s Garden, a place where I can share my friend Mr Bronx with my grandma, mom, grandpa, Aunt Rachel, Aunt Lucy and Uncle Pete. The place we someday will share stories and hugs with all that have passed on.
Of the hundreds of photos some film, some digital I would like to share the following with you my family, friends and whom ever. I am getting softer in the heart as the years pass under my feet and before my eye’s, I am not sorry for it but rejoice in it that I can share life with you. I just wanted to share this life moment with someone, thanks for taking a moment to share life with me! Love, Peter
Mr Bronx always there, always a friend.
Always willing to pose, he grew up with a camera in his face.
Our last day together, I think he knew!
Two old friends say so long for now. RIP Mr Bronx
South Texas Shooters (Photography That Is!) 