Monthly Archives: August 2018

Photography

Johnson City Tennessee

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We recently took a quick trip to Johnson City, TN. It has been on our list for awhile because we love Yee-Haw beer.  But we finally had a good reason to go. It was work related, so at least the gas was paid for!

Dinner and a Beer (or two)

The first place we went was, of course, Yee-Haw Brewing Company. They have a great in house bar and they share space with White Duck Taco Shop.  Yay! Beer and food all in one handy place.

Bangkok Shrimp®
Lamb Gyro
Yee-Haw Eighty
The bar at Yee-Haw Brewing in Johnson City, TN

Downtown

After eating, we decided to walk around downtown a bit and see what else is happening in Johnson City. As it turns out, not much. But it was a Sunday evening. We will try to go back on a Saturday and catch a show or something. Prints are available of the images below – here.

A classic ghost sign on the side of a building in Johnson City, TN
Numan’s Cafe & Sports Bar is located in downtown Johnson City, TN
Window reflections and a view inside
Ghost sign on a building in Johnson City, TN
Atomik Comics and Blue Moon Theatre Company side by side
Capones in Johnson City, TN
Campbell’s Morrell Music store on the corner of Commerce and Market Streets in downtown Johnson City, Tn.
The Johnson City Tennessee sign located in downtown Johnson City, TN.
Empty buildings on the other side of the train tracks in Johnson City

Dessert

I had a hankering for ice cream but there did not seem to be any ice cream shops. I admit, we didn’t look really hard. We headed back to the White Duck to see what they had for dessert. They had two desserts and both were yummy!

Coconut Macaroon Pie w/ Salted Caramel
Mexican Chocolate Pot du Creme w/ Pistachio Nut Crunch

We will definitely go back to Johnson City, Tennessee!

 

 

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Weekly Photo Challenge

Places We’ve Never Been

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SP’s Weekly Photo Challenge last week was places you’ve never been. Some of us went to new local places and some went further away. All were cool places worth a visit.

Inside Cazzy’s Corner Grill by Andreas Koschan
Solitary Bee Hotel in Waterton Canyon by Leticia Vickland
Inside the Three Rivers Market Co-op in Knoxville, TN
Inside the Three Rivers Market Co-op in Knoxville, TN
Empty Greenhouse by Mary G. Thames
Some of the many chocolates inside Kilwins Chocolates in Knoxville, TN
The fudge display at Kilwins chocolate in Knoxville, TN
Inside Cruze Farm Ice Cream in Knoxville, TN by Sydney Osborne
Soft serve at Cruze Ice Cream in Knoxville, TN
The bar at Yee-Haw Brewing in Johnson City, TN
Photography

Purple Plants

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Purple is my favorite color. Purple flowers are always a draw for me.

Lunaria

One of my favorites is the Lunaria Plant , Honesty, or Annual Honesty. I love that this plant looks so different in the spring then it does in the fall and winter.

Purple Lunaria by Sharon Popek
Purple Lunaria Flowers
Purple Lunaria by Sharon Popek
Purple Lunaria flowers with a rusty lawn ornament

Tulips

Tulips are another favorite. I love it when the sun shines through them, creating cups of lights.

Tulips by Sharon Popek
Purple and White tulips and spring flowers.
Cups of Lights by Sharon Popek
Purple Tulips with the sun shiny through

Irises

We have a lonely Iris that pops up every year. It is by far my favorite.

Purple Iris by definition
Deep Purple Iris. It’s like purple velvet.
Inside Iris by Sharon Popek
Inside a purple Iris.
Photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

Jewelry Up Close

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SP’s Weekly Photo Challenge was Jewelry Up Close. We got some great entries. We received some super up close and personal images and gorgeous not so up close images. Some of the images told a story and a few were just pretty.

A black and white of jewelry with blue highlights.
Blue beads and crystals with silver.
Sydney’s week in jewelry
Conan’s dogtag
Pearls, silver, and gold
Blood red and up close
Sort of up close and personal with jewelry.
A portrait in black and white with collage work
A sepia tone finish on this one
Beads and baubles hanging by Tatiana
Pearls laid out in a shop window by Tatiana Travelways

Stay tuned for images from the next challenge – Some place new.

Photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

SP’s Weekly Photo Challenge

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SP’s Weekly Photo Challenge was to pick a national day from this calendar and create repetition. Some of the group members did great stuff. I sort of flubbed because, well, reasons (excuses).

National Ice Cream Day by Ann Alison Cote
National Avocado Day by Sharon Popek
National Beer Day by Pete Eby
National Beer Day by Pete Eby
Makeup Day by Mary Thames
National Ice Cream Day by Ann Alison Cote
National Ice Cream Day by Ann Alison Cote
Laundry Day (not really) by Jeanne Thomas

 

Photography

Water Art Wednesday

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It’s Wednesday! A great day for me to share some water art and photography.

Sailboats Reflected

This image is one of the first images I put up for sale on Fine Art America. It’s a favorite of mine and many other people love it as well. It was early morning and the fog was rolling out across the calm water.

Sailboats reflected by Sharon Popek
Sailboats reflected on water.

Seán Heuston Bridge

This is from Dublin, Ireland. A sunny day with calm water on the River Liffey. The Seán Heuston Bridge like many of the bridges in Dublin, has had several different names, including King’s Bridge and Sarsfield Bridge. The bridge is now for tram and foot traffic only.

Seán Heuston Bridge by Sharon Popek
Seán Heuston Bridge is reflected on the River Liffey below.

 

Serenity on the Water

The sun was setting and the water was calm. A single boat sat just past the lone tree on the bank.

Serenity on the water by Sharon Popek
Serenity on the water

Prague Skyline at Sunset

We took a sunset cruise and as we went by the historic city, I fell in love.

Prague Skyline at Sunset by Sharon Popek
Prague Skyline at Sunset

Winter on the Lake

I was visiting my parents in December. The sun shining through the trees created the most amazing shadows. The wind blew the water just enough to create a  very slight ripple. Definitely a favorite of mine.

Winter on the Lake by Sharon Popek
Winter on the Lake

Water Goddess

A composite created from photos and some experimental Photoshop work. I love the colors and mood of this image.

Water Goddess by Sharon Popek
Water Goddess
Photography, Signs

Saturday Signs

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I don’t know why people are so fascinated by signs. But most people I know seem drawn to them. Especially if they are old or vintage. When I travel, I find myself drawn to them. Whether it’s a shop sign, a large sign, a small sign, or a road sign. I will take a photo of it. Some signs tell a story, a history of its location. Even if its just a one word sign, the color and shape can say a great deal about the shop or restaurant or even the area in general.

Maybe people are drawn to a certain sign because it’s got a place in their memory. Maybe they drove by that sign on the way to school every day. Or maybe it represents a happy memory of weekend trips to town.

Americana Signs

The still hanging sign on the very closed Tallassee Store in Tennessee.
I love this Puckett’s sign. A guitar at the top and a fork at the bottom. Food and music, the best combination.
Drugstore sign in Williamsburg, KY.
The sign for the Noshville Delicatessen in Midtown Nashville, TN.
There has been a funeral home at this location in Loudon since 1916. It is currently owned and run by the McGill family
Glyndon Hotel Sign is a cool old sign on a hotel with a rich history in Richmond, KY
The JFG Building in Old City section of Knoxville, TN. I’ve aged and toned it to give it a true vintage feel.
An old cafe sign I found in an alley in Nicholasville, KY.
Bijou Sign vintage style Grungy has a Topaz filter, texture, and some toning work
A simple sign in downtown Murfreesboro, TN. But eye catching with the dark blue against the light metal. A very vintage feel.
The sign is still visible from the C.W. Harvey Grocery store in downtown Lenoir City. The ghosts of yesteryear.
City Glass & Mirror is located in downtown Clinton, TN. Faded and chipped but still readable the sign drew my eye.
Hoskins restaurant sign
Comic Life
Lays sign
Laughing Jackalope
Keeton’s Jewelers sign. I have a thing for clocks on signs. This is a favorite of mine.
Aunt Sarah’s Pancake House
Oliver Hotel Sign
Jellico Motel and Restaurant sign. Memories of Americana and road travel in its hay day.
The Mighty Tennessee
Smith’s Restaurant in Lancaster, KY

Signs from Around the World

Some signs don’t need to say anything
Graffiti in Dublin, Ireland
Vienna Ice Cream
Pub
Aro Souvenir
Restaurant & Cafe
Chairs and Sofas
Railway Station
Bar & Beer Sign
People walk down the street in Havana, Cuba
Cine Yara
Bar Floridita in Cuba
Cuba, Photography

Be Resilient!

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What does that mean? Resilient means “able to withstand or quickly recover from a difficult situations”. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “If you fall, get back on the horse.” I’m not sure that’s always the best idea. Sometimes, it’s better to find another horse or better yet, stay off the horse altogether. When I say resilient, I mean get up, dust yourself off, and find a better way to do it.

Starting Over

I have recently lost my job of 6 years. I loved my work. I loved the people I worked with. But I knew that I would not have stayed, even if my job had not been eliminated. They were making a lot of changes. And I while I often enjoy change and a challenge, I knew that these changes were not for me. Sure, I am sad and scared of what the future holds. But I also know that I have gotten up and dusted myself off before. At that time, I got back on the horse. This time, I’m going to find a better way to get there.

Inspiration

Several years ago, I traveled to Cuba on an education tour. I recently started looking at some of my photos. Some of these you have seen before. But some are new. I enjoyed the country.   I keep reminding myself of the wonderful, optimistic, resilient people. If these people who face such hardship and difficulty can be so compassionate and optimistic, why can’t I?

People walk down the street in Havana, Cuba
Cuba is known for the vintage cars.
People are getting their day started in Havana
Yellow and green dominate the buildings on this side street in Havana
Cuban Market with fresh produce
Downtown Havana Evening Sales
Havana Bay is home to many historic sites, this guy might be one of them
Plaza de San Francisco in Havana, Cuba, is home to the Basilica and Monastery of San Francisco de Asis
Basilica and Monastery of San Francisco de Asis in Havana, Cuba

Those classic cars you see? Many of those are pieced together by handmade parts. Parts the drivers made themselves because they had little access to outside supplies.