Discover Challenge

Home Away From Home

sandyjwhite Autobiographical, Discover Challenge, Nature, Photography, Photos, Reflection Tags: 2 Comments

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My husband and I have been visiting Estes Park, Colorado
and nearby Rocky Mountain National Park since 1981.

We were there in 1982 a few weeks before the Lawn Lake flood
in the park, which sent water barreling down the main drag
of Estes, while creating an alluvial fan and small lake within
RMNP.

We were there in 1991 when RMNP turned 75 and again in
2016 for RMNP’s 100th anniversary and our 40th year of
marriage.

We witnessed the devastation of the September, 2013 flood which
transformed the alluvial fan and recreated a small lake in RMNP
after all those years.

Just like our own lives, RMNP continues to evolve. Nothing can
remain the same.

The mountain vista view in this photo is one of my favorite places
within the park.

The wood bridge rails have been replaced with railroad ties, which
don’t have near the same ambience, in my opinion.

Nonetheless, each time I stand there and gaze into that picture
perfect mountain postcard, I know without a doubt that I am
home again.

Inspired by Discover Challenge: Finding Your Place

Discover Challenge: Here and Now

sandyjwhite Autobiographical, Birds, Discover Challenge, Nature, Photography, Photos, Reflection, Writing 13 Comments

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HERE AND NOW:

I am fortunate

To have free time
To put pen to paper

I am thankful

My mind is still intact
As I inch closer to my
Seventh decade of life

I am happy

To have an outlet for
My creative endeavors

I am humbled

To share my thoughts
And images
With others

I am hopeful

New ideas
Will keep coming

I am excited

To see the arrival of
The first hummingbird
This fall

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Discover Challenge: Open-Minded

sandyjwhite Autobiographical, Discover Challenge, The 1970's 4 Comments

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If I had a nickel for every time
I put my foot in my mouth,
I could have easily retired
in my thirties.

More than once, my razor sharp
tongue came within a hair of
slashing my own throat.

In 1972, the first companywide
meeting I attended as a new hire
with Selection Research, Inc. (later
to become The Gallup Organization)
included fifteen or so male associates
and myself.

As we circled the table with introductions,
I stated my name, briefly described
my job responsibilities and proceeded
to announce I was SRI’s token woman.

Lucky for me, CEO Don Clifton had
a sense of humor. He chuckled, rather
than issuing a reprimand or escorting
me to the door.

He was open-minded in looking beyond
my naiveté to see the potential lurking
below the surface.

Don afforded the same consideration
to innumerable others, always open to
the diversity of people and cognizant
that talent comes in a multitude
of packages.

via Discover Challenge: Open-Minded