Hello Readers, I hope everyone is having a great month of November.
Today, I am joining with Lens-Artists and Amy’s theme of WAITING (here)
For my take – I have 10 bike photos from my growing collection of bike images. Sue Judd (here) has a series called, “What is it about Bicycles?” and Sometimes I think of her posts when I see bikes waiting for their owners.
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As I wind down this post, here is a song that I have enjoyed this month – too bad it came with bad news. TobyMac’s 21-year old son, Truett, passed away in October (cause of death not revealed yet). And I guess a couple of years ago, TobyMac wrote this “Scars” song to encourage his son… and to remind him that God was always there for him – to “look up” and remember where our help comes from.
I LOVE the message here – especially the line “lift your head up” –
We’ve all been there
Scars come with livin’
You are not alone
We’ve all been there (been there, been there, oh), oh
So lift your head, LIFT YOUR HEAD
Lift your head to where your help comes from
Yeah, you, you’re not alone…”
LIFT YOR HEAD UP….
So as noted, I love the ending of the song where it twice says, “lift your head up” – because this is a topic that also comes up in yoga: we make sure we lift our head to let energy flow to the brain better.
We stretch the neck and open the pathways to let life fill us up and flow through our veins. Seriously, some argue that looking down all the time blocks energy – clogs the throat chakra – and leads to imbalance. I guess the throat chakra also connects to times when someone feels like they “need to shrink” because they have been hurt – or might show imbalance if someone rambles too much – well — an energy imbalance can happen if we have clogged pathways – so remember – LIFT YOUR HEAD UP…. also remember that we don’t go to A yoga class because we are already super fit – instead – we do yoga to get stretched – we find a yoga for us so we can stretch and open the body. If you go to a class or do yoga at home – you can do little stretches to open the throat – lift the head – and gently stretch the neck.
That leads me to one last photo for this post. It was a photo I had in mind for last week’s Lens-Artist’s challenge (here) which had the theme CREEPY…. I don’t think the team will mind me adding this “creepy hand” photo here:
CARE TO JOIN in with the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – or to get more info? Go here
Thank you for dropping by….
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Yvette, I love these waiting bike photos and your story behind them! Yikes, definitely spooky hand / yoga photo and great holding of the position. Here’s to stretching that neck and looking up! 😀
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Thanks for the comment AP – and congrats again on your book and series Oskar’s Quest
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Great idea for waiting Yvette 🙂 yes a creepy hand for sure
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Thanks bb
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What a great take on the theme for waiting!
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Thanks so much Lisa – I have a few folders and was not sure when I could use the bike idea – and I am glad it worked here –
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thank you (and sorry for the wait in reply)
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by the way – I cannot comment on your blog right now – tried a different browser – tried from the reader – etc.
not sure – but I will try again – hmmmm
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oh no!! Will check it out!
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Nice shots, Yvette. I love the blue bikes.
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Thanks Jill – and I think more cities need to have bikes available like that
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I enjoy these bike waiting photos and stories, Yvette! They wait day and night and everywhere. Such a cool way to express waiting!
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Thanks Amy and I like that line your added – so true – bikes do wait day and night and everywhere 🚲🚲🚲
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I like photographing bikes too. Have an awesome one from Paris recently. Wish I could share it with u!
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Oh a bike from Paris? Now why does everything have a nice sound to it when you add Paris? Well I will look out for the photo on your blog someday
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I have to wonder just how thin the individual who is riding that black bike is. That seat is minuscule!
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You are so right – the seat is one of the thinner ones – or minuscule as you say! And Sorryless — I actually Think I have a photo of the guy who owns the bike – I will check and see – he is slender and super tall!
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Dude would have to be slender. LOL
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Great set of bikes, Yvette, and thanks for the mention!!
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My pleasure sue! And hey–/ “what is IT about these bikes ?” Hahaha – good series
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😊😊
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I like the bikes and the creepy one.
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Many thanks
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I remember back when I took yoga classes how often the teachers would encourage us to lift up our heads. Such good advice to facilitate energy flow within and to learn how to face life ahead. Good reminder. I like the bike photos, too. Probably more of the point of this post, aren’t they?
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Hi ally bean! and the funny thing is that yeah – the bikes were the start for the post and the theme – but I think the meat here really did have more to do with lifting the head- ya know? And my goodness do I have to watch it with looking down on my phone – like right now have my hands high so my chin is up –/
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Fantastic post, Yvette 😁 I loved the shadows of the bikes and stands on some of them!
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Thanks so much – 🚲😊
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Wonderful bike photos. Mine is now officially waiting for spring to come and the town to sweep the sand off the street (or the Canal Path to open for the season).
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Thanks for sharing that about ” waiting for spring” because it reminds me that in about 100 days we will be talking spring ….. ahhh
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There’s an optimistic outlook 🙂
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Wonderful take on the theme 😀
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Thanks su
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Haha, how I had a great laugh here 😀 – love your waiting bikes, and for me…the CreepY hand…! You have a great sense of humor and feeling, Yvette. Beautiful shots and all the shadows of the bikes too – awesome. I bet Sue loved this…
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Hi leya – I think sue Judd liked the post… and glad you liked the hand – cheers to not being too late
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Cheers to us!
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Just right for the “waiting” theme, Yvette. My husband’s a cyclist, but his job has kept him so busy lately that his bikes have been waiting in the garage all too long and of course the weather’s not much help either this time of year.
I was saddened to read about Toby Mac’s son right after it happened. I love his songs and his heart for the Lord. Move/Keep Walkin’ is one of my favorites.
Happy Monday!
janet
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Hi Janet – I bet your husband will use his bike more in Arizona –
And tony mac’s music reminds me of art students -and I can se so many of them singing his songs –
But his last two albums have really appealed to me personally – especially “the elements” collection and the elements song says “he will go swinging – if he goes down” ugh – so good – and I like the Move one you mentioned – and speaking of Move – the song “everything” puts a pep
In my step!!
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I have a friend who writes picture books almost exclusively about people and their bikes. In places like Vietnam and Cambodia where bikes are crucial for business and agriculture. Hand shot is super – I can see where you couldn’t resist!
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Those Picture books sound interesting – and too bad biking is not more of a thing here in true US it could help
People “feel” so much better – without reading it – people are becoming so stagnant and they are not using their bodies enough –
No wonder so many feel like crap! Well
That and the high sugar and carb consumption and the prescription drug use (I guess the United States uses 70% of the worlds prescription drugs – something like that…)
So… someone has trouble Sleeping? Before the meds – let’s have them bike to work and eat some good fats and proteins and get off the immune suppressing sugar (sorry to rant )
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Great pictures, Yvette, and a lovely song – very moving in view of the tragedy that’s just hit the poor man. ❤
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Thanks alli! And tragedy indeed – I also took it hard because my son is close to the age of his son- and I also enjoy his music and so I guess we relate to the musicians we like…
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We do, and you can’t help but feel for him, especially if we have kids around the same age. I wish him peace and strength at such an unbearable time.
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Hi alli – I have a few more thoughts about this topic – but so hard to really someone’s situation – but one thing that came up in our circle was how his son sang (rapped) on four albums with him – and the discussion about the dangers of fame and “perceived bigness” as a child – it can funk someone up – leads to lots of unsettledness and neediness I adolescence – heck – fame and a feeling of status can mess with adults and I feel bad for children who have it on their plate – and again – not knowing much about their situation – just a general statement –
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Oh you’re so right, Yvette. Fame is a much heavier burden today than it was when I was a kid. Everything is so hyped up nowadays, and the resulting pressure would be enough to blow even the soundest mind, let alone that of a youngster. It seems that modern life in general piles the pressure on everyone, and I pity the children growing up in such a stressful and demanding world. I deliberately steer my daughter away from as much of it as I can and encourage her to follow her own path. I’ve been lucky and it’s worked. She can’t stand the culture of celebrity-worship and the obsession with appearances. Instead, she’s quite a little character now. She’s learning to sail, she adores pirates and tall ships, her favourite music is sea shanties and she wants to be a maritime historian. But I know it’s really hard to bring up grounded and balanced kids in this world, so it must be exponentially worse for those already in the public eye. I couldn’t agree with your points more, Yvette. The lad’s rapping is very telling. Very sad.
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Awesome bicycle pictures especially those in B&W and shadows!
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Thanks a lot YC
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Enjoyed your themed response this week Yvette. Bikes demonstrate a great example of waiting!
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Thanks Tina
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The bike photos are interesting and so are the shadows of the bikes altogether or the bike racks as well. You capture very interesting shots Yvette!
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Thanks so much Linda – and I do thank blogging for giving me a reason to look For photos of everyday throngs like bikes!!
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Yes the ordinary things are worth capturing – I meant to say that I liked that expression too. I love old jargon and long-gone expressions and I still use them when I can. 🙂
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Haha -and isn’t it funny how these old phrases come back to us at random times
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Yes, and I like pulling those archaic words and phrases out sometimes – it is fun. My boss is a wordsmith and likes to collect odd words and phrases and use them in his speech/writing. Some are quite unusual. When I still worked on site, we exchanged Christmas presents and one year I got a subscription to this guy who used to do an e-newsletter with oddball words/phrases. The author has since passed away and now all his columns are available gratis on his site – here is the section of the site to see an index of some of his expressions which he elaborates on:
http://www.word-detective.com/backidx.html
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Great set of bikes waiting! We never realise that everything in this universe waits for something! 😀 Great show!
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Thanks 🚲🙃
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Hi Yvette – I love all of the bikes. As I’ve told you before, you have a great gift for street photo composition. And attention to details that tie the photo components together. I’ve only dabbled in Yoga, so I appreciate hearing more about the reason for keeping your head up. I spend a lot of time at my computer looking down-ish…I need to look up-ish! Great song. When you mentioned lift, it reminded me of one of my favorite books – Lift by Quinn and Quinn. Have you read it? I think you’d like it. Happy Tuesday, I hope you’re having a wonderful week!!
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Hi Shelley – I think all of our devices have us looking down too much – even reading a regular book can – and thanks for mentioning that book – I will check it out and get back with you
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You’re right, even a good book does that too! I hope you like the book!
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Great series. Thoughtful and innovative. Well done!
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Thanks
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Wonderful waiting-bicycle photos. I’m especially fond of the shadows that bicycles make when the sun is out. Biking and yoga – what a great way to live. Yes, spooky hand! Ha ha.
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Thanks for the comment – and I am not too into cycling but I do like grabbing pics – I like walking more than biking
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Me too. I live in the mountains, so biking would give me a heart attack. And in the city, it’s way too dangerous.
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lovely bike photos, Y! such great representation of ‘waiting’! lovely song but there’s sadness in it. thanks for sharing 🙂
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Hi – I agree it is a bit sad …
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Bicycles now? Challenging. I did a few posts on hydrants of the world a while back. Enticed by an artist friend in Penang who started drawing hydrants because she’d never paid attention to them… 🙂
I will pay more attention to bikes?
21? Way too young. Way too sad.
Liked the shadow hand though. Does the shadow say “Stop the Tramp”? 😉
Take care Gigi
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Hey – I look forward to any bikes you find – although keep
Doing what you do because your art and travelers street shots are rocking it!
And did just get a nice photo of a hydrant – it was smack in the middle of a sidewalk – so odd – I will link you when I post it – and wishing you a great day
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A great day back at you. Lemme know if you want the link to the hydrant post…
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I would love the link to it – I was more meaning that I would “link you” when I started the photo I have of the hydrant in the middle of the sidewalk – but if you share your link – I will make a post in December and link up – you gave me an idea…
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Will look for the post this afternoon. Have to rush out to pick grandson at school. My turn on Fridays… 🙂
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Actually I did two posts on hydrants. Here’s the first one:
https://equinoxio21.wordpress.com/2017/08/22/hydrants-evil-or/
And the second:
https://equinoxio21.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/breaking-news-hydrants-invade-asia/
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Thanks
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Sorry about the name, Yvette. I got confused with another E-friend. 🙂
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🙃🙏
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I promise it was the computer that deleted the comment you put on the my post “Mysterious Woman”, I promise it is the fault of the computer…..
You said -well done. So I have to respond here, thank you for the read and comment.
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No worries at all sir Spaniard – it is just nice to connect again and wishing you a great day!!
🙏😊
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I’m the one wishing you a great day, here is 10:15 p.m. Time to rest after a long day that actually was a good one which lately is rare.
Your day is starting, so….all the best for my angel.
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Love those bike photos. The concept of them just waiting to be used is interesting to think about. I like it!
Once, when I was running a marathon and really struggling, going up Heartbreak Hill in Boston, a spectator called out to me “Keep your head up”. That made me smile and completely turned my mood around. It’s great advice!
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Laurie – thanks for the stir about runninng and the tip to keep the head up! This yoga teacher named Candy often shares some of the science connected to body functions and she recently talked about the way the parasympathetic nervous system connects to the eyes! I know all
About flight and fighting and parasympathetic vs sympathetic –
But the way she talked about the eyes connection and how our immune system dumps in the eye area – and the need to keep the neck open and to allow for optimal flow –
Was another reminder to “keep the head up” and I wonder if the tip you received was by someone who knew the science connected to how we feel when we lift the head – biologically and the psychologically (because confidence postures change affect)
Ok – enough rambling – but such an interesting topic!
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I never heard about sympathetic/parasympathetic. I will have to do some research. I learned so much from yoga teachers over the years. They must go through some intense training! Makes sense.
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Hi 1 thanks for your comment – and not all
Yoga teachers are the same – I actually am
Very picky about who I spend a yoga class with – and cannot stand the ones who talk too much! Candy wings it and I went to her classes years ago – took a long break and this fall her power yoga has been just what I needed – whew! And I forgot about how she adeptly drops nuggets from her learning – like how warrior 2 increases the good hormones and works like a “confidence posture” and fascia talk!
Anyhow – when I teach about the parasympathetic nervous system in psychology classes -/ we remember the parasympathetic nervous system as “rest and digest – feed and breed” whereas sympathetic connects to responses of flight of fight (or freeze) –
Dr martelli (aka magnesium mike) has some good info on it! I will maybe post about it in December and if I do I will let you know – happy running
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Lovely series of bicycle captures – I particularly like the shadows in many of them. My favourite is Photo #3.
Thank you for the song – and for the reminder to Lift our Heads. Such a tragedy about his son – I can’t even imagine.
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Thanks for the nice comment and number three was a quick photo while going to my car after chatting with jennie – and I think the bike rack and shadow steal
The show there – eh?
And here’s to keeping our heads up! God bless ❤️🙏☀️
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I really enjoyed your response to the waiting challenge. Waiting bicycles….so much promise of future movement.
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Thanks so much!
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Very interesting post, Yvette. I suspect you noticed the songbird because it was singing? Or you just noticed it sitting in the tree? The shadows in most of the photos add an entirely different dimension to the picture.
I was reading through the other comments and of course “lift your head up” resonates with many readers. I have not thought about the concept of energy imbalance when looking down. My thing is Bikram Yoga addict. Hopefully this balances out staring down at my laptop🙂
The creepy photo is actually a cool photo, in a creepy way. A fun and interesting post on many levels.
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Hey! Was thinking about you this week -!
And love the creepy in a cool way! Ha
And the Bikram yoga sounds awesome – and I say whatever works for you is key! I have different seasons of what I am in mood for – lately I have been doing power yoga twice a week and then have times I only do gentle or yin.
What angers me is that many folks assume yoga is “a certain way” and then avoid it – but if we look at yoga as breathing and stretching the body – maybe more folks will not fear it or pigeon hole it –
Anyhow – thanks for the comment and cheers to lifting our up enough to balance out the times we need to look down 😊☀️
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Hi Yvette, I started Bikram about 5 years ago to do an activity with my daughter. I continued and she did not since she had a baby and is pregnant again. You are right how people assume many things about yoga. I like the various types of yoga, especially yin. It helps me on many levels. I realize I am preaching to the choir🙏☀️
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well preach away – and I am glad whenever we can mention it because too many people are missing out on what can help them… and hope you have a nice day
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I’ve been gone, and I am not back. But this visit to your post has been so therapeutic. Your joy and your peace have been a gift this morning. Beautiful imagery as usual.
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Well
You brought cheer my way though your visit my friend – 😊💥
And thanks for the nice comment – love you my brother ❤️🙃
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I love your images of the bikes waiting Yvette and thank you for sharing the Toby Mac song It’s so sad what happened with his son – may he rest in peace 🕊
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Hi – thanks for the nice comment – and agree- may he rest in peace 🕊 and prayers and good thoughts for his family and friends – ugh
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That’s a lot of bikes. Sue would be envious, I’m sure. 🙂
Many thanks for the much-appreciated follow of my blog.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hi Pete – Sue did like them – but she has plenty of her own too- so not envious – just happy for me !
Ha
And looking forward to
Connecting via blogosphere in the coming year.
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I’m a fan of shadows and I like the creepy hand 🙂
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thanks 🙂
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Somehow, bicycles are more interesting by themselves than with people on them! I love these photos.
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Thanks for following and reading my blog. Your support is appreciated. Bicycles are the most efficent form or human transportation — difficult to comprehend when peddeling up a steep hill.
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Hi – yes – up hill is tough – and it is my pleasure to follow and I enjoy your posts (when i am able to be online!1)
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