Family, friends, and fun………

After almost four weeks on the road I finally got home Monday afternoon and it has been non-stop since hitting the ground. Yesterday morning I got a delightful surprise when Fred Sisson called and said he and his wife Ronnie were driving through and would love to visit. They came by the house and we had a great time. I first met Fred, a long time legendary Nikon NPS tech rep, in the late 60’s when I attended a Nikon School taught by him and the late Dave Brady. I was so impressed by Fred that I decided on that very weekend that I wanted to be a photographer for the rest of my life. Many years later when I joined Nikon NPS myself, it was to take the position as the tech rep for the entire southern U.S. which Fred has vacated. Can you imagine that?! I had the pleasure of working in NPS for 6 years with Fred until he retired three years ago. It was great to swap stories and hear about how much fun he was having in retirement. Fred is, and always has been a man of many talents, great photographer, musician, ace Morgan sports car builder and mechanic, as well as a master neon sign maker. Fred is also one of the most thoughtful and humorous men I’ve ever known, to say I’m a fan, is an understatement. It was so great to see him and Ronnie…..

Then my grandchildren, Cassidy and Cade came over and I took a break from work and we watched a movie together, it was great to spend time with them again after being absent from home for so long. I always enjoy cuddling up to a good movie with them. It has been so unseasonably cold here I was even able to have a fire in the fire place.

Then late in the day my dear brother, Tom Patrick was passing through on his way to the Smokies for some shooting and we had dinner at the Cracker Barrell north of Corbin and shared some inspiring stories about what God was at work doing in our lives. It was yet another great time
with a wonderful friend and brother.

I share all this to magnify what great gifts God gives us. I love cameras and bags and shooting but truly God’s greatest earthly gift to us is family and friends. I still hold on to the great quote at the end of It’s A Wonderful Life, “Remember no man is a failure, who has friends.”

Thank you father for the joy of friends and family, my cup truly runs over……..

blessings,

the pilgrim

And now a few more images from the past weekend:

Tomorrow: Packing for Photo Trips…….