Do You Know Where Your Children are at?

I took this picture in Saint Augustine, Florida and the first thing I thought was, "I wonder if these kids parents know they are in an alley with a sketchy looking dude with a bongo?" I doubt they knew, and if they did I imagine most of them would disapprove.
Children will make their decisions, and will defy the rules, but it is the responsibility of parents to do everything in their power to teach their children to reason and to make good decisions. Teach them correct principles, so that they can govern themselves. Dominion over your children will do nothing for them, but giving them the tools for reason will facilitate good decisions through out their lives.
I repeat, "Do you know where your children are at?"
Teach them well, so you can say yes or at least I kow where they are not.
Joshua Kirton
Other Postes: Focus and Duck, Duck, Goose

Ooops! Did Iran do That?

Many of us were very entertained by the clumsy neighbor Urkle in the television series Family Matters. I always loved when he broke things and let out his famous line,"Did I do that?" I was recently listening to the news and this image poped into my head. I photoshopped a few photos together to express what may be the reaction of the world in a short amount of time. This blog is called Picture our World, and usually focuses on pictures of the world as it is, this is a picture of the world as it could be. Just some food for thought.
Joshua Kirton

Pink Flower in Saint Augustine

No special story about this, other than it is a nice looking flower and scene. I took the picture in Saint Augustine, Florida on a trip with my family. It is a great city to go and enjoy the history, shopping, and the beach. If you look around where ever you are it is easy to find little bits of beauty.
Joshua Kirton
More Flowers: Hollyhocks, Framing a Flower, Incredible Hulk Flowers, A Flower for the Lady, and Purple Flower Power: Natural Beauty at it's Apex.

A Special Thanks

A special thanks to those who risked it all. A special thanks to those who now are locked in combat to defend freedom around the world. Many curse the futility of war, but we should not forget the goodness of those who answer the call to defend their homes, families, and the freedom of others. Among the ugliness of death and destruction the beauty of sacrifice and selflessness can be found. I pray that each young man can come home safe, and that the hearts of man may be softened.
By Joshua Kirton
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Posts from the past: Duck to the 9th Power, Mountain Goat, and Characters

Peace and Freedom: Red, White, and Blue

What a lovely site. The international symbol of freedom. Many people have been liberated from the grasp of tyranny as this flag approached on the horizon. The Flag of the United States, Old Glory. We can only pray that this flag flies over the land of the free and the home of the brave for many years to come. We cannot allow myopic banter about lackluster political maneuvers tear us apart. We cannot let others set up false dichotomies to pit us against each other. Reach out to your neighbor and use your freedom to bless the lives of those around you. Rather than fight your brother in hopes they will change their hearts, reach out with love and the word of God, which has the power to soften the hearts of even the most stubborn. Others may use their freedom and power to obstruct justice or prosecute a vendetta, but if we use ours to bring good into the world the bad cannot prevail. 

Joshua Kirton

Other Flag Posts: The Smithsonian Castle and Daytona USA

Purple Flower Power: Natural Beauty at its Apex

Purple is the color of royalty and this flower is truly clad in regal glory. Size matters so little when your natural  beauty overshadows the greatest creations of man. This little purple flower in its delicate frailty has power to bring awe to the heart of man.
Clematis jackmanii
By Becca Kirton

Snow Dusted Mountain Mirror

Here is a delightful photo by Michael Boman, taken on one of his many adventures inot the Utah wild.

Beauty Where You Least Suspect it.

This roadside photo shows that beauty can be found in anywhere, at any time.
 Teri-kai Photography www.terikai.com
www.carcampingnow.com
www.gardenseedlings.com
www.glfvirtualservices.com

Brown Pelican

This is a shot from my trip with my wife to Cedar Keys. It is worth one trip if you are near by, or if you want to lounge around a quiet town. This Pelican was floating just off the public pier. Joshua Kirton Other Posts: Jay Toad on the Lawn

The Capitol Building

This is where it all happens. The lies, the half truths, and the purely partisan bickering and fighting about all the issues that don't matter, while we the people face the real issues in our daily life. This is where they legislate away our freedom, while we use the little freedom we have left to try to earn a living for ourselves. The only way for a people to remain free is to demand their freedom from the government. When we surrender out rights and differ thinking to the government we quickly become slaves to those who claim to have a deeper understanding about critical issues, when the truth is they only have a deeper purse when it comes to deciding critical issues. 

Be wary and vigilant, but do not loose hope. I know this was a critical post, lambasting those who govern; however, I am optimistic that if we pay close attention and hold those who are supposed to represent us responsible, that out country can be a land of freedom and prosperity. Think twice about what you hear from any politician, and get the opposing view. Mull it over and make the rational decision, and do not be ruled by the passion of the moment. Allow your sense to feel out the issue and ideas discussed. Rash decisions make for big messes to clean up later. 

Joshua Kirton

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Other Posts: Focus, Tasty Turkey, and Duck to the 9th Power

Winter Wonderland

This is the Shed at my inlaws in Canada. We were there for Christmas and had a good time. I took this picture because I liked they mixture of white snow and the browns.
Joshua Kirton

The Smithsonian Castle

This is a picture of the Smithsonian Caslte which was built in 1847. Here is some info about the Castle. My favorite part about this picture is not the castle, but the tree infront of the castle the is lit up in the shadowy area of the photography on the right.
Joshua Kirton

Sunset: Bright Color Cliche

Sunsets are great colors, but provide very little creativity. I tried to make this one at least a little interesting with the tree line.
Joshua Kirton
Other Posts: I Wish I Were a Fish and Snowy Shack

Framing a Tower: The right Perspective.

This is a neat picture that I took in DC. I love the way the trees frame the clock tower. There are a lot of great pictures to be taken wherever you are, you just need the right perpective.
By Joshua Kirton
Other Posts:  Wasatch Mountains and Duck to the 9th Power

That Will Do Donkey

Here is a donkey. It isn't a flying talking donkey, but it will do.
Joshua Kirton

The Washington Monument

Here is some more from my trip to D.C. As you can see the leaves were colorful, and the skies were blue. Though I was there for a research conference, I happened to find ample time for taking in the sights, and shooting a few pictures. I cannot take full credit for the composition of this photo however, I saw a man with what looked like very expensive camera equipment set up and take a similar photo. I walked up quickly tweaked my settings, snapped the photo, and it took me less than a tenth of the time. It would be interesting to compare the results.
Joshua Kirton
Other Photos: I Wish I Were a Fish and Focus

The National Mall

I took this picture in November while I was in Washington DC for the Society for Neuroscience Conference. I am posting this picture in commemoration of finishing my master's thesis. If any of you have been wondering why there have been so few posts on the blog recently a long document detailing a year and a half of research had something to do with that. I was able to present it while in DC, and while there I was able to capture a few good pictures as well.

By Joshua Kirton
A few classic posts: Duck to the 9th Power and Duck Duck Goose
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Mount Timpanogos Sundance Trail

By Joshua Kirton

Utah Red

Here is some Utah red rock. I have heard people say that there is not a lot of color in Utah, but the colors that there are are beautiful enough to make up for the ones that are lacking.
Joshua Kirton
Other Posts by Joshua: Duck to the 9th Power and Poetic Beauty

Utah Farm

I discovered this little place on a bike ride with my wife. We went exploring and found a lot of fun places that day.
By Joshua Kirton

In the Sticks

By Joshua Kirton

Tranquility in Winter

Many people spend little or no time taking photos during the winter months, however, that is often when you can find some of the most interesting things in nature. This photo was taken on a very cold day. Although it’s one lone ragweed, it made for a good photo session.

Teri-kai Photography www.terikai.com
www.carcampingnow.com
www.gardenseedlings.com
www.glfvirtualservices.com

A New Perspective

We often cannot appreciate a situation in it's entirety unless we view it from all perspectives.
By Joshua Kirton

Antelope Island Causeway

By Aaron Kirton

Wasatch Mountains

By Joshua Kirton

Alice in Wonderland

This post has nothing to do with the beloved book by Lewis Carroll, rather this is a picture of Lake Alice. The wonderland where Alice can be found is Gainesville Florida. I'm not sure what kind of magic really goes on here, or if many people do any wondering, but I find life quite wonderful in this strange land. This wonder may have to do with my personal outlook, and the many blessings that the Lord has provided me with. As tough as life gets when we find the bright aspects and rabbit hole can be a wonderland. 

By Joshua Kirton

Other Posts by Joshua Kirton: What are you looking at? and Power, Love, and a Sound Mind

Water from the Rock

Exodus 17:6 "Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel."

Helaman 5:12 "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

John 4:14 "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."