...new york city.........SPRING 1997

In the spring of 1997 may son Andrew and I went to New York city on a field trip with his grade school.  I wasn't a camera buff but I was able to get some nice photos just the same with one of those Kodak throw aways. The trip itself was loads of fun and I was able to get photos of the tragic 9-11 twin towers....who would have known?  In future blogs I will pull out more photos of the trip.  By the way, the pics were taken from the Empire State Building..top and a ferry going to Ellis Island.  see ya........jimmy

Flowers....giojimmy 2011

...sunflower sensations

...rocky

INTRODUCTION TO onthedoorsteps.blogspot.com

Actually this is a " re-introduction" to my blog.  When you go to this site, don't forget there are older posts you can access.  They go back to when I started this blog, so if you click on older posts you can go back about a year.  There is a lot of "stuff" I think you might like.  I would like to point out to you some of the "stuff".

1.  You have free access to my two Ralphy books.............Ralphy to my Rescue and Ralphy's Tail.  Find that particular blog and you should easily be able to see both books in their entirety.  They are really a lot of fun with some interesting commentary and wonderful pics.  Please see them and give me some feedback either by email  (onthedoorsteps@yahoo.com), facebook, or the blog itself.

2.  Although it is not free, you have the information on this blog to purchase my book  ...on the Doorsteps of Heaven   at either authorhouse.com or amazon.com.  You will be surprised at how good of a story it is.  If you have read the book and liked it, again please let me know via email, or you can post a comment on facebook so others can get a feel for the book.

3.  I have been having fun learning how to take pictures, so 99.9% of the photos have been taken by myself.  Some have been "photo-shopped" for effect, and hopefully you will enjoy them too.

4.  By scrolling around, you will see I have 2 YouTube editions of my own.  It is something new for me, but it was fun to do.  One is "At the Zoo", pictures I took at the Detroit Zoo,  and "Burt Lake...Michigan Leisure", also pics I took while at Burt Lake in northern MI.  I thinks you will like them.

5.  There are at least 2 slide shows with lots of pics.  One called digital flowers and the other butterflies and friends.   

6.  At the lower part of the blog you will also see a section of books I have read, restaurants  I enjoy, and great places to get groceries.  

All and all,  there is a lot of interesting avenues you might be able to take when getting on this blog.  I do a little bit of writing and thoughts for certain pictures and hopefully you might be able to get something good out of it.  So please, if you ever get the time, go to
onthedoorsteps.blogspot.com......................see ya  jimmy

...nothing in common?

"...the gift of life is given to us so we can enjoy all the other living things about us....taking them for granted isn't a crime, but it is a shame..."

....great Saturday afternoon

...fly by day

pics..............jimmy

...autumn pics

Burt Lake...Michigan Leisure

Music MoJazz Label
Norman Brown   "After the Storm"............pics  jimmy

...completing the mission

It doesn't take too much effort to find beauty in the flower above, but to discover beauty in that flower after it has come to its natural end might be difficult.  In fact most people define beauty as something new or youthful.  The sight of a young woman or man is pleasing to the eye, but to see them 60 years later...is not.  In order for humans to evolve on an emotional level, it would seem that we should take another look at the flower below and witness its own unique look as it proudly stands tall and alone against the elements.  It once was a glorious flower, colorful and full of life, and true to its mission in its short life it successfully did what a flower is supposed to do.  There is true beauty in completing the mission.  There was a time when I was young and maybe even pleasing to the eye, but my youth has escaped me and the rust is beginning to show.  But just like that Black Eyed Susan, I too have a purpose in life to accomplish and hopefully those I know and don't know will not look upon me in the years to come as and old and wrinkled up man.  With a little bit of luck,  others will see me as the person who I am inside...not outside.  What  and who we are is in our hearts and not what we see when we look into a mirror.  So now when I see this worn out flower, I truly see its beauty and give it the respect it has earned.  Love others and yourself.  Peace......jimmy.

...September Expressions

...my friend

Detroit Zoo 2011

Music by Simon and Garfunkel
from the album Bookends..............pics giojimmy

...what was I thinking?

...life events

Hey....it's Ralphy here.  I know you haven't heard from me in awhile, but I am still here.  I'm thinking of going to college, but not quite sure yet.  Just an idea.  Knowledge is a wonderful thing, but knowing stuff doesn't always come in a college classroom.  Life experience is the best teacher and what we do with it is how we become who we are.  So I guess I will just contemplate my life right now and let you do the same.  Ciao...............Ralphy

...colors

...fall fun 2011

With summer nearing its end for 2011, it is fitting to welcome in the fall season.  Word out is that Michigan's apply crop is absolutely fantastic, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to hit the many apple orchards available to us.  Apply cider, fresh made donuts, pumpkins and of course apples.  Honey Crisp has been a super popular apple of late, and rightly so....very crisp and sweeeet!!!  I like all kinds, but I think my favorite is Golden Delicious.  They are sweet and tart, crisp, good eating, and great in pies.  Don't forget to catch the fall colors and right now all kinds of sunflowers are blooming.  Catch it all...........before the frost and snow come to visit.  Peace............jimmy