Ruminator

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography December 28, 2019, I headed to Lapping Park to meet my buddy Mark at 8 am.  Mark had contacted me the evening before and needed to do some maintenance on a geocache and invited me and my camera along.  I accepted the offer. As I pulled in the parking lot, I could see Mark’s Jeep well before I arrived.  I pulled up next to him and both of us slowing got out of our vehicles, with synchronized groans of stillness and soreness.  He had hiked 6 miles the day before and yesterday I was on my second day of hiking (today was the third). We grabbed our stuff and headed in the woods.  I have been here many times, but only hiked a small section of the trail once before.  I was excited to partake in a new local trail.  The temperature was a rarely warm 54 degrees for this time of year and there was an ever so slight mist in the air.  The smell of decaying leaves and wet trees filled my nose.  Mark was bundled in a long sleeve shirt and I was in my t-shirt. Soon ...

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography Today is Friday, December 27, 2019.  I am off work and decided to go on a short hike.  I hit up my old standby Mount Saint Francis.  I needed some time to myself.  I had a decision to make. Our area is unusually warm for late December, with the temperature already at 52 degrees at 8 am.  I parked and headed my usual route.  The air was crisp and cool and today as I would later discover I was alone with my camera and my thoughts for almost all of the hike.  After a few days of “family” time, I had to get out and release all the anxiety and stress that built up from following holiday traditions. I recently bought a new camera and after using a few outings I have decided to change directions with my photography.  I needed today’s hike to work out the details and decisions in my mind.  This is a benefit nature always provides me.  A way to cut through the fog and clear my head. I have decided to shot most of my pictures in a style and repl...

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography I have been asked a few times by my friend Troy and a few others about my photography.  Troy has inquired about particular photos and asked me what I was feeling when I shot, what I am trying to convey and even what was my mood or emotion of a particular photo?  I read an article the other day that got me thinking about this so I decided to write about it. This is about photography so move along if you have no interest in it. Simple questions when it comes to my photography can be easily answered.  Especially for those who follow me on Instagram.  I love nature, especially trees and leaves in the fall and winter, love architecture, and love street photography (though I am still really new at it).  What I dislike is shooting people, particularly posed.  A great street shot is one thing, but family, senior, portrait, kid’s photography bores me.  I also have no desire to shoot wildlife such as birds or any other basic animal seen often.  I like what I lik...

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography I wavered on writing today’s post. I am thinking it might lead to a judgment of me or a possible misunderstanding of my point.  Ultimately, I have decided to go ahead and write about a breakthrough in my last therapy session and what internal struggles I have as a result of this discovery. On Friday the 13 th (a wonderful day and movie series), I met with Dr. Erin.  We discussed my father’s death (December 17, 2007) and my cousin’s death (December 19, 2009) and how these two events have led to my lack of joy for the holidays, especially Christmas.  Thanksgiving was big for my father and he was like a kid around Christmas.  He loved all aspects of Christmas, the religious reason for Christmas (most people forget), the decorations, family get together, and especially held great joy giving presents. Erin and I discussed my wife’s grandfather’s recent death and how I managed to get through the visitation and funeral.  I was there in body but elsewher...

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography I recently finished the audiobook called Hiking Through: One Man’s Journey to Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail . It can be purchased through Amazon here . This post today is a part book review and part insight on why I find the Appalachian Trail so alluring and seductive. The description on the Amazon site about the book in part states “ After Paul Stutzman lost his wife to breast cancer, he sensed a tug on his heart–the call to a challenge, the call to pursue a dream. Paul left his stable career, traveled to Georgia, and took his first steps on the Appalachian Trail. What he learned during the next four and a half months changed his life–and will change readers’ lives as well ”. So let me start with the book. Listening to this I imagined what it would be like to hike this 2176 mile trek through 14 states. Paul experience rain, sleet, snow, high winds, bitter cold, sweltering heat, and even picture-perfect days but he f...

Recently I was looking for ideas for blog posts and was challenged by a reader to write a top ten favorite television shows.  Through clarification questions, she said these shows could be old or new, canceled or still running and I could even add shows that I liked a few seasons of then maybe didn’t care for later seasons.  She also asked for a ranking, but I am unsure I can do that as my top four could rotate at any time based on my mood.  I am also including mini-series.  These are in no particular order.  Click on the title to watch the trailer to each show: Justified – This show ran six seasons, and ended perfectly.  The show was so well written, acted and the cast was perfect.  Growing up in Kentucky is what drew me to this Harlan based story, but the acting of Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins kept me interested.  For once the main character, or hero, was flawed.  He didn’t always win every battle but ultimately “got his man”.  This is a great show to binge.  The wild we...