Driving Around

Waterfall Near Me

Waterfall by Brooks Gallman

The photo is far from perfect, but the place couldn't be more. Surrounded by nature, and the people you love. It really doesn't get much better. It took us about an hour to get to this spot, but for a small swimming hole equipped with a beautiful waterfall, it was worth it. Coming to this place got me thinking about all the places near to us we never visit. Often, we are surrounded by opportunities to visit places that people from around the world travel to, but take them for granted and never visit. This place is like that for me. I know it is there, but just don't take advantage of the blissful location created for us. Maybe the moral to the story for me is, maybe I should stop looking everywhere else and start looking around me. It is probably right here close by.

Workplace Prayer

Workplace Graphic by Brooks Gallman

The other day, I was searching for a prayer to say while I was at work. As I searched, I came across this workplace prayer and it really spoke to me. I guess after that, I was in a creative mood because I started searching for ways to graphically represent the words and with some creative help from the internet and my coworker, came up with this. I definitely like it and hope you do to.

Eye Catcher: Skeds

Sked by Brooks Gallman

Everyday, we pass things that draw our attention and today was no different. As I walked in to work today, I noticed these skeds (skeds often are used to rescue patients from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive events) rolled up on a cart. Since they are rolled up, they are taking on a tube shape and because they need to been seen by the emergency response community, they are bright in color, which, were the things that caught my eye. What peaked my interest though, was how often I see things like this and don't skip a beat.

How many things do we pass everyday that are common to us, but may not be common to everybody else?

Changing Of The Guards by Brooks Gallman

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."~Elmer Davis

 I am so thankful for liberty and freedom and the ability to live in a country that is predominantly safe. I thank God for the United States of America and for the troops that fought and continue to fight for this country. I have never served in the military, but the respect I have for our troops is really more than I can speak. If you are or have ever served in the military, I thank you and your family for your service. God Bless!

HorsePens 40: Boomslang Low

Joshua Reyes on Boomslang Low at Horse Pens 40 by Brooks Gallman

Located to the left of Slider and Cuts Like A Knife, sits Boomslang. To get to the low version of this you will need to go further down the boulder to the chalked up holds underneath. In the photo is Josh Reyes climbing out of Boomslang Low and even though this is probably his thousandth time to climb this route, the Alabama heat can definitely make an already difficult climb much more difficult.

Bocce Ball and Family

Bocce Ball by Brooks Gallman

It is tied nine to nine and we are going to ten. Pete, my older brother, is red and I am blue. Dad tosses the pallino, the white ball, and he tosses it close. It will go down to the last throw. I throw first, then Pete, after three balls each, I am closest. I position myself, lean over the concrete, and roll a safe throw. Now it is Pete's turn. I can see it in his eyes, he is going for the pallino. He throws overhand and hard and completely changes the game. 

Just about every time my family gets together, the guys gather around the grill outside and play Bocce Ball while dad cooks the food. I don't know why we do it, but I know almost every time we have a get together, we have to play Bocce Ball. This isn't the only thing we do, but it got me thinking of the things I will remember about my family and the things I will carry on to my family.

I think I will always remember and pass on the love and compassion we have for each other and the willingness to let each other know how we are feeling through most situations, even the tough ones. For Christmas, my family traditionally reads the story of Christ's birth and that is something I don't know if I can do without. When we get together, we usually eat, which is something I hope doesn't change and usually while eating, Matt, my cousin, Pete, Dad (sometimes), and I will try to stir up some funny conversation usually talking about smoking, cursing, and drinking. This is really funny cause my family is full of preachers, missionaries, worship leaders, and councilors and even though we don't have huge issues with some of those things, it is fun to talk about it and accuse Maw Maw, 85, of gallivanting, which she didn't do that then or now. 

Those are just a few things that I will remember. I am sure Bocce Ball will be remembered too, cause when you have close games like nine to nine, and it goes down to the last ball, you tend to remember when Pete hits the pallino and moves it right beside his ball that is blocking mine. Pete won and moved on to play the champ, Dad.

Noble Street at Night

Noble Street by Brooks Gallman

You ever think about what things looked like 20, 30, or even 50 years ago? Every time I go through an older town or a town that has been restored to a vintage feel, I wonder what it would look like back then. Maybe I got caught up with Back To The Future or something, but I feel like it wouldn't look like this. Pretty crazy thought, but what about us? Isn't it fun to go back in the past with photos? Sometimes I dig through the old photos and think about how it might have been had I lived during those times. Would I have been much different? Would life have been harder or easier? I guess like this town, it has had some good times and some bad, but we all change, even the towns.