I am a spirited blogger from Chelsea, MI who thrives on adventure, creativity and exploring the world through the lens of my camera (even if it’s my phone). When I’m not chasing sunsets and amazing views, I spend time with my heart dog Maizie. If travel, creativity and a dash of blunt honesty (with the occasional F-bomb) sparks your curiousity, you are in the right place.
The world is changed by your example, not your opinion. ~Paulo Coelho
Lead by Example
There are so many people I wish would take this quote to heart. Especially this year, as we watch people argue over how bad “other” people are, and how much “better” their own opinions are, rather than just making an effort themselves, to do the RIGHT THING, always.
No, you cannot force other people to believe the same as you, nor can you force them to do what you consider the “right thing”. However, it is always within your power to lead by example. Make it a good one.
Abandoned places are some of my favorite photographic subjects, and the Patriotic Palace was not a disappointment. Through the dirt and neglect, you can usually imagine what a place used to be, but there seems to be more mystery surrounding this one, an I have so far been unable to reconstruct it’s history.
When my family and I passed this Abandoned Amusement park on our way to Chattanooga, we made a note to stop and visit it on our way home. The Patriotic Palace is located on Interstate 75, exit 141, a lonely and sad reminder of….what? I’m really not sure, as I have been unable to find any specific information regarding this amusement park.
And not that I spent a crap ton of time on google or anything, but the few searches I did on this lonely little “amusement park” turned up nothing but posts by other people who stopped to take photos, just as I did, or stories of the adjacent Fireworks Superstore burning down in 2014.
If anyone knows the history of the amusement park side of this place, I would love to hear it.In the mean time, here are several photos
You’ve seen the ranting articles. The ones railing against the cost of youth sports, the toll they take on family time, the debates about whether a single sport should be year round and the arguments to support multi-sport kids. Then there are the articles about the parents. You know, those crazy sports parents. The ones that drive an hour and a half away 2-3 times a week for practice, that incessantly badger their kids to get in that mystical 10,000 hours, for perfection. Not to mention the ones that are truly crazy, and apt to be removed from the rink/field/court.
Don’t get me wrong – when your child is on a winning team, it’s exciting, and FUN. If your child is an integral part of said winning team, it’s positively intoxicating.
The articles argue the extremes. I may be considered one of those crazy sports parents, but when your child loves the game, how can you help but get wrapped up??
All of that said however, our family has never lost sight of all of the far more important things gained from participating in youth sports – the lessons, the sportsmanship, the responsibility and teamwork, but most of all, the pure JOY it brings your child. (If it doesn’t bring your child joy, please rethink your motives)
So for now just forget about the extremes, and take a look at what I think youth sports should look like.
Finesse Fastpitch – NSA World Series 2015, Chattanooga, TNTriStates 2015 – Coliseum FSC, Chelsea, MIChelsea Hockey at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI 2015Chelsea, MI 7th Grade Basketball, 2015Hurricanes Fastpitch, Dexter, MIHurricanes Fastpitch, Dexter, MI 2015
See those happy faces? THIS is what it’s all about.
Tiny Planets App – this fun little gem does some pretty cool things with your images.
Yes, I know how to use PhotoShop, but sometimes I don’t want to break out the “big guns” to play around with an image, and yet I want more than a couple of muddy filters.
I have used my most recent vacation pics as examples, check this out:
Coliseum Comets (Tiny Planet option)
Coliseum Comets Pre-Juv 2016 as a Tiny Planet
The city of Portland, Oregon at night (Rabbit Hole option)
Portland, Oregon – Tiny Planets App
Portland, Oregon in the daylight
Portland, Oregon – Tiny Planets App
A Geocaching site, taken as a panorama on my iPhone
iPhone Panorama, edited with the Tiny Planets App
And the “Video Planet” option that I have had mixed success with. Here is what it looks like using the Coliseum Comets
Look like fun and have an extra 99 cents?
Get the iOS version HERE . I couldn’t find an Android version by the same developer, but there are several similar apps.
