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

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

In the Sticks

By Joshua Kirton

I Wish I Were A Fish

I wish I were a fish in a dish.

By Joshua Kirton

Other Photos:

Iguana

As the Fog Rises

White Fences and Green Pastures

This picture was taken on a beautiful August morning in North Central Florida.

Photo By Aaron Kirton

Toad on the Lawn

Here is a toad I found out in the lawn. He stopped to pose for a few photos.
By Joshua Kirton
Other Photos by Joshua: Duck, Duck, Goose and Brown Anoles

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Red Stone Face

The saying says a picture is worth a thousand words. I am often curious what those words are. What words does this face say. I think they may be solemn, but encouraging once pondered. They may be words or wisdom from the ages, or words of reproof. What ever the words are let me know what this has said to you.

By Joshua Kirton

Other photos by Joshua: Mountain Goat and In the Beginning

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Ghostbusters

 There is something wrong in the neighborhood. Give them a call go ahead, but wait. Only if you need ghostbusting in North Central Florida. I found this little gem when I was out shopping last year with my wife. All I had with me was my cell phone camera, but was still able to get some good shots. Enjoy the laugh.

Post By Joshua Kirton

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Brown Anoles and the Meaning of Life

The Brown Anole is a native to Cuba and considered an invasive species in the US. This picture was taken outside my apartment in Florida. He is a cute and quick little guy. I doubt that he is aware that he is not wanted. To him the world is just bug and branches; sticks and stones. Oh to be oblivious to the implications of our existence, oh wait sadly most of us are.

Thought this ignorance is bliss for an animal of limited cognitive capacities, I find comfort in knowing: Who I am, Where I came from, and Where I am going. There is a child's song called, "I am a Child of God"(free mp3) sung by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. It succinctly states, "I am a Child of God and he has sent me here... teach me all that I must do, to live with him some day." Those few short phrases respond to questions posed by men searching for meaning for centuries all contained in a child's Sunday school song.

By Joshua Kirton

More on life: Family Focus

Purple Sunset

The thing about sunrises and sunsets is that there is no end to the colors that show up. I haven't seen many green sunsets, but that doesn't mean it can't happen (correct me if I'm wrong). This purple sunset was taken in Gainesville, Florida. One drawback to all the trees is that it is hard to find a good place to shoot a sunset. However I was able to catch this and several others through the trees.

This picture reminded me of a great quote by C.S. Lewis, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." More about Christ

By Joshua Kirton

Other posts with the sun: Sunrise in the great Smokey Mountains, Sunrise in Daytona,  and Windmills

Sunsets and Simple Things

"6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." Alma 37:6-7

Photo By Joshua Kirton

Another Good Post: The Parable of the Sower

Pretty Little Pink Flower

Pretty little pink flower sitting prim and proper.
Pretty little pink flower I hope I don't drop her.
Show the world your colors bright and true.
Be your self, sweet, delicate, and bright.
Turn yourself to the light to grow.
Pretty little pink flower what a sight.
I love how you found your place and grew.
Pretty little pink flower sitting prim and proper.
Pretty little pink flower I hope I don't drop her.

Poem and photo By Joshua Kirton
Other posts by Josh: Family Focus and Parable of the Sower

The Parable of the Sower

"Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.(Mark 4:3-8)"

Photo By Joshua Kirton
Other posts by Joshua: Focus and I Saw the Sign

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In The Begining

In the beginning, when the earth was new,
birds had no feet but only flew.
When they crashed upon their nose,
Mother Nature gave them toes.
Then they dined standing on the beach,
catching all the fish within their reach.
And when they fought for fish to eat,
Mother Nature stretched their feet.
"Nobody here can fall asleep!
So, you long-legged birds, fish in the deep.
Short-legged birds, fish near the shore,
And stop that fighting! You hear? No more!"
by Frank Asch
(More Bird Poems)

This Picture of a snowy egret was taken at Daytona Beach Florida By Joshua Kirton.
Another bird picture from the past.

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Gator Facts

Admire me from a distance. 

1. The average number of eggs in a Florida alligator nest is 35-50, but only about 15 of these will hatch...and only about 6 of those will live to be 1-year old.

2. Baby alligators are eaten by raccoons, large bass, birds...and of course, bigger alligators.

3. Female gators rarely reach 9' in length, while males average a bit over 11'. The largest Florida alligator (a male) is listed at 14'-5/8"...the heaviest one (also a male) weighed in at 1,043 lbs and was 13'10-1/2"in length.

4. Alligators in the wild, like the Everglades (or your nearest Florida park) can live to be 50 years old.

5. Florida alligators are also unbelievably fast for 10-15 yards. They have reached speeds of 20 mph chasing down prey. (That would be like playing tag with Usain Bolt.)

6. It has been recorded that a gator can outrun a horse for 30 feet. Unless you can move like Secretariat, keep your distance.

7. Although alligators are classified as reptiles, their closest relatives are actually...BIRDS, which are direct descendants of dinosaurs. (See if your science teacher knows that one!)

Photo by Joshua Kirton

Info obtained from florida-beach-lifestyle.com.
Another Gator Post

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Good vs Evil

Good and evil are real and constantly at war. If you take a look around it seems that dark people and ideas are pervasive in their attack against all that is good and pure. Though we must have the courage to stand against these evils we need not fear, because where there is light darkness cannot exist.

"23 And that which doth no edify is not of God, and is darkness.

24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

25 And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you; (D&C50:23-25)."

Stand up for what is true and right and do not be afraid of the dark. As soon as you bring light to bear on the subject the darkness is banished and the light grows. Dark can never win. God is almighty and will win in the end, will we be with him?

By Joshua Kirton
Other Posts By Joshu:How in the World and Eastern Great Egret

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Palm Trees and Summer Breeze

A nice breeze blowing through the air on a hot summer day is priceless. This is especially the case when you live in a subtropical swamp. There is beauty all around, but a cool breeze is the most beautiful.
This photo was taken at Lake Alice in Gainesville, Florida.
By Joshua Kirton

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Even Monsters Were Babies

Though I am not really saying an alligator is a monster they do become a large dangerous animal after spending time as a cute little gator. They start out only 10 inches long from snout to tail and can grow to a length of 14.5 feet and weight over  1000 pounds. So when is that line crossed between baby and monster. With animals the second your hand looks like dinner, which is unpredictable. Many of the bad things in life whether lies, temptations, or criminal behavior usually start small and grow into monsters. Don't feed the beast. Fill your life with good and starve the little monsters inside you. Though our personalities and actions are heavily influenced by our environment and genetics we do have free will, and can choose which path we want to start down. Do we want to become man eaters or life savers? Monster or angel?

By Joshua Kirton
Other Posts: Good and Evil, and Monarch Butterfly

Daytona Florida USA

This picture of South Daytona shows a few of the things that make America great. Here we see a beautiful land that has been harnesses by innovation and hard work. In this picture you can see the American flag flying proudly as heroes drive past in their red truck. Another detail that I love about this picture is the garage door of the house front and center. Each side is covered with the American flag. There is no other universal symbol of freedom that can bring hope to the hearts of people everywhere. God bless America.

Other Posts: Washington Monument and The National Mall

I Saw The Sign: No Profanity Sign

I found this bad boy in a small town park next to a lake in north central Florida. Some good advice. Nothing shows ignorance and a lack of respect for others more than profanity. Have you ever heard some one cussing up a storm and thought wow that person must be very well educated, and look how respectful he is to others? Keep it clean and show others that you can think about the words that come out of your mouth.
By Joshua Kirton

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