Orton Plantation Gardens...

Landscape view of Orton Plantation. Orton Plantation Gardens are located on Highway NC 133, 18 miles south of Wilmington NC. Walking the gardens with all the Azaleas blooming created a beautiful landscape. I spent two hour walking and enjoying the grounds.

WWII Submarine Memorial...

Visiting the USS North Carolina Battleship in Wilmington NC...I came across this memorial honoring the memory of 52 US Submarines that were lost in WWII. I can relate to these men and some of their experiences because I too served in the subsurface fleet. Completing the professional requirements for qualifications in submarines...earning my silver dolphins and proudly serving my country.

Scotland County NC Sunset...

The weather in NW Ohio has been difficult this winter....I'm ready for some warm weather! While visiting my folks in late January the weather was nice..it was 55 degrees when I took this sunset picture 2 miles outside of my home town of Laurinburg NC.

Daily Walk..

I didn't see anything exciting to photograph today while walking...I decided to share a picture taken in February at Providence Metropark in Grand Rapids, Ohio. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon...cold by the water. I was there to see the setting sun!

Job Search...Daily Walk..

On my walk today I can upon these three deer. These three deer actually approached me and stop roughly 40 feet away..it was truly awesome! We stared at each other for 5 minutes and that was after a park ranger drove her patrol car down the path I was walking and came between me and them. It's walks like these that really help me with my anxiety and stress as I struggle to find that rewarding job.

PhotoHunt # 101: I Spy

Was having a difficult time coming up with something that would fit the bill for I Spy. I knew if I was patient something would come my way that would satisfy this weeks PhotoHunt. Shadow our family cat was awaken after I got excited about North Carolina's Basketball dramatic win over Virginia Tech in this years ACC tournament.

Job Search...

This has been one tough week in the job search...my emotions are all over the scale. I have been walking and doing projects trying to get out of this funk that I'm in. I replaced an alternator on the family car and saved myself $200 skins...that was good...and replace the headlight on my daughters car. Walking Monday I took this photo of a snow angel I made to lift my spirits...made me feel good.

Job Search...Daily walk..

This morning walking I ran up on about 10 to 12 deer grazing, resting and managed to grab this photo. They were about 100 yards away making this photo difficult and I'm happy with the results.

Now That's Cute...

Our family cat sleeping in his favorite spot...not a care in the world!!!

Job Search:

I have been having a extremely difficult time with this layoff. Personal issues along with no job market makes for a very stressful time! It has been one issue after the other..so I take it one day at a time...pray that I will be resourceful in my job hunt and successful in my personal issues. Amen!

Stress Relief...

Completed this 500 piece puzzle as part of my regiment helping me regain my concentration and keeping my mind active during this trying time. My son contribute some time to this effort and I would say we have about 12 hours into it. The mountains on the right handed side were tough for me because of the colors no variation, no reference.

POW * MIA....

You don't hear much from the National Media about the Missing or Captured American solders in Iraq...a country under the control of the U.S. Military. There are 4 brave U.S. Army servicemen listed as missing/captured in Iraq:

Staff Sergeant Keith M. Maupin - POW*MIA 16-Apr-2004
Ahmed Qusai al-Taei: Status - POW*MIA 23-Oct-2006
Spc. Alex R. Jimenez: Status - POW*MIA 12-May-2007
Pvt. Byron W. Fouty: Status - POW*MIA 12-May-2007

As we near the fourth anniversary of the capture of Staff Sergeant Keith M. Maupin let us not forget the sacrafice these men are enduring and pray for there speedy recovery.