Ruminator

Photo found on Google I don’t normally sing my own praises, but today I am here to announce something big. What I am about to mention is a joint effort between me and my wife. 6.9.21 I requested a payoff on our house. I wired the last payment to my mortgage company today. I no longer have a house payment or any other debt. A decade ago Marcie and I looked at the Dave Ramsey plan. We read the book, started a budget, and I even listened to his radio show for inspiration. We started on the plan and lasted only a few months. We tried again and drifted away from it. We had every excuse to not do it. It was too hard; we didn’t have enough income (ironic excuse), and we had emergencies come up that needed funding. The desire was there, just not the dedication. Almost two years ago we again looked at the plan with a new desire to stick with it. Like before, it was still very difficult. We also had the pressures like before, but this time we pushed through them. Following the plan got easier as...

Photo by: Mark Wilcoxson Last Friday I met with my Psychologist and as usual we had a great conversation about what things were troubling me as well as the things that were going great. One such topic I plan to discuss here. After a very emotional week for me, I discussed the three main impacts this past week held for me. While discussing the details with her, I mentioned two specific conversations I had recently. I was told by some “friends” that I am an over thinker. During our conversation, I provided the detail and the label I was given. She disagreed with that statement and diagnosis. As she described it (or I interpreted it) an over thinker is someone who harbors on a subject to where it affects them so much that it debilitates them. They will focus on a particular subject or issue and that exercise will affect other areas of their life. They may change their behavior, actions or lives because of it. She said if anything I ruminate. The definition of ruminate is ‘think deeply abo...

Photo by: Tim Bindner I struggled with writing this post today for many reasons. You will understand why by the time I am done. I have learned some things about myself by doing research and also with the help of Dr. Erin. I am the type of person who loves to research. I never decide until I have done the research. Whether it is buying something, going on vacation, or even the scary topic of politics. I read, learn and listen, then decide. I also research my beliefs, personality traits and the logic behind my thinking. I always question that and I am trying to figure out the why I think and believe the way I do, and who I am. My recent visit with Dr. Erin got me thinking about many of the traits that make me who I am. I also feel I frustrate those around me. I want to know why, so I researched. Most people have heard of narcissism. The traits involve things like; lack of empathy for others, inflated sense of importance, deep needs for excessive attention and admiration, self-importance,...

Photo by: Tim Bindner Recently I sold two copies of the picture above. Both customers wanted a 10×30 inch canvas print. I sent it off; it arrived within a week, and the prints were delivered last week. I have heard no feedback from the customers. From a court deed I could find that the Hoosier Homestead Farm was in Crawford County, Indiana changed names to The Tower Orchards, Inc. The plot of land had the original name from 1871 until July 18 th , 1977. The intersection of Highway 62 and Highway 66 (see picture) is where the above barn is located. This farm/orchard served as a farmer’s market for the local community for decades. Fresh fruits and vegetables were sold here, and many families stopped by after church to socialize. Paul Tower’s family home is no longer standing, neither is the original barn nest to their home. The land is no longer farmed or produces fruit or vegetables. However The Tower Orchard Packing House (above) and the Tower Orchard Barn remains. It no long...

I mentioned in a previous blog that as a child I had a ton of freedom to play and explore my neighborhood. This is not something very prevalent today for kids. Here is a story of one such memory I have. As a photographer I am drawn to clouds. The larger and more ominous they are, the more I love them. The reason I am drawn to them is that of my childhood. One early spring day, my buddy Jack and I headed out to a field next to my house to fly our kites. I had an extremely large roll of twine and my black bat kite. The kite was in the shape of a triangle, colored black, and had two enormous eyes underneath. These eyes looked at you as the kite flew above. Jack and I walked about ¼ mile from my house on a windy March day. Emerging from its winter nap, the grass had just began growing, so it was very low and was more brown than green. We found our perspective spots, tied the strings on our kites and let the wind do its thing. Within seconds the kite was at 10 feet, then 20 feet, then 100 f...