Ruminator

Photo by: Tim Bindner Friday, November 20th, the plan was to be picked up by Mark, we drive to O Bannon Woods State Park , and hike the Breeden Ridge and Potato Run Trail. It didn’t happen. I received a text from Mark on Thursday evening after verifying the time we were to meet and he responded, “ I forgot a plumber was coming in the morning at 8:30am ”. We agreed to meet after they finished him and head out for a hike. At 9:30am I got a text that the plumber was still working on the issue and advised to “ go ahead ” with my plans to hike. I geared up, hopped in my car and made the 20 minute drive to the park. Along the way I had called my wife, told her where a map was and that I planned on hiking the above mentioned trails. I was nervous as this was a 5+ mile hike; it boarded hunting areas (it is deer season), there were large sections with no cell service, and the terrain was difficult. I was told “ to be careful ” and I proceeded on. As I approached the entrance of the park, ...

Photo by: Daniel Milnor Today I received an interview reply from a photographer/writer/photojournalist, and self-titled creative evangelist, named Daniel Milnor.  He is a fairly new discovery for me, but his work, especially his photography, has quickly elevated his status to the top of my favorite list of photographers. When researching or looking for various topic coverage on YouTube, I am often lead down the rabbit hole that allows me to discover new topics/people/genres.  On one such trip, I came across this video featuring Dan.  After watching the video, I searched for more on the channel and then found Dan’s own channel listed below.  I was hooked. So why does Dan rate as my favorite photographer?  Honestly, it is the fact that he not only has a true purpose with his photographs, but takes the time to educate his listeners/viewers on how and why he took the photos.  As you will see below Dan studied photojournalism.   Dan did and still enjoys his photography on film, though he h...

Photo by: Tim Bindner I am a simple man.  The things that excite me most likely are mundane or ordinary to others.  Today’s post is about one of those experiences I had, and it was quite exciting and enjoyable to me. I ran into a friend’s husband at the grocery store early Sunday morning.  I said good morning, he responded in the like, and soon thereafter his father, who was also there, told me they could “ finally ” harvest his crops on Friday.  On Monday I reached out to his wife and asked if in the spring and Fall I could come take pictures of them planting and subsequently harvesting next year.  She said “ of course, but my aunt and uncle are harvesting this week ”. Jump ahead to Tuesday and immediately after work, I met my friend and former co-worker up at the local school that boarders her property.  I climbed into her pickup truck and we began our drive to Laconia, Indiana to meet her aunt in uncle who was harvesting “ beans ” also known as soybeans. Laconia has a population of ...

Photo by: Tim Bindner As the wind gusts, we made our way from street to street and block to block.  The temperature was great, but I felt like I was in a tornado. They forecast the winds to gust up to 40mph today, and the rain would not let up until after 9am, so Mark and I decided on this Sunday morning to meet in downtown Louisville. Our journey started at the Ohio River, where I took shots of The Belle of Louisville, some iron steps on a pier, but eventually we decided to “get off the river” and head in town to avoid the wind.  This was my first time downtown since before COVID-19 and the protests.  I was not sure what to expect, or what I would see.  Most businesses were not boarded up, but as usual the city was dead on a Sunday morning. Mark and I meandered from block to block, with no proper direction in mind.  We went where our ideas took us.  We passed Hotel 21, the Louisville Bat Factory, The Louisville Science Museum, and many hotels and Distilleries. The clouds eventually op...

Photo by: Tim Bindner Today I want to talk about hate.  It will be a rant, so tune out if you prefer, but I have to get this off my chest. These past few years the world I live in seems to not only be more hateful, but society promotes that hate.  The recent Presidential election is a true testimony of that.  Regardless of who you voted for, I have seen people on both sides of the fence get very mean and angry at others.  I have seen if you voted for Trump unfriend me.  I have seen if you voted for Biden; you think I am a racist.  Jesus’ people! This hate spills over into other areas.  Society has promoted not only the right to share your opinion, but to force others to hear your opinion whether they want to hear it.  I know people that are not having family over for Thanksgiving because of the election and who they voted for, and some of those same people thinking COVID-19 isn’t real.  I saw one person post on a friend of mine’s site that “they act like COVID-19 is as bad a Tuber...

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography I recently spoke to a friend who is currently struggling with her life.  I tried to offer her some advice based on my experiences, but I am not an expert. My friend called me after I received a text from her saying she was not having a good day.  She was struggling at her job, feeling lonely because her child was getting older and pulling away, she is single, and the recent elections and social media is dragging her down.  She said working from home is something she wanted, but realized she needed to be around people.  She also “thrived in chaos”, but now realizes she struggles when being super-busy. We have talked a few times since the election, and though she voted differently than I did, we had intelligent and unemotional conversations why we voted for who we did.  A rarity these days.  She knows I have struggled with mental health, and I ensured her I have experienced all the same things she is going through at the moment.  I think it helps to hear...

Photo by: Tim Bindner Saturday morning, I headed out for a short hike at Mt. Saint Francis. My legs were recovering from the previous day’s walk around Cave Hill Cemetery, so I went somewhere close. I made the 4.02 hike, but learned some things along the way. It was still dark when I arrived in the parking lot. My car was the only one there, and I liked the thought of being completely alone. As I walked a familiar route down toward the lake, the 38 degree weather invigorated me. My lungs filled with the cool air and boosted my energy. As I got closer to the lake, I could see steam rising from the lake, and quickly captured this shot above. I again chose color to shoot today, due to the beautiful leaves that provided me with a perfect canvas upon which to shoot. Today I brought my older model Fuji XT-1 camera with my $25 vintage lens. I felt it was appropriate and hoped this older camera and lens would provide me a fresh look to one of my favorite trails. The trails weren’t...

Photo by: Tim Bindner I woke up Friday morning October 30 th , grabbed my camera and headed off to all places a cemetery.  For those who know me, or don’t, you must know I have a powerful allure to cemeteries.  I am sure it might be a subject for my therapist, but I am not fascinated with death, more of the history that cemeteries provide. I drove to one of Louisville Kentucky’s true gems, Cave Hill Cemetery.   This 296 acre area has over 120,000 people buried in it (as of 2002) and many famous people have this as their last resting place, with a few more to come.  Muhammad Ali, Colonel Sanders (Kentucky Fried Chicken), George Rogers Clark, Senator Georgia Power, Nicola Marshall, Enid Yandell, Jeptha Barnard Barney Bright IV, and Susan Look Avery all rest here.   I have it under a good authority that Mayor Greg Fischer (Louisville), and John Schnatter (Papa John’s) will also eventually be buried here once they pass away. I pulled into the main entrance at 8:10am and parked along the lo...