Category Archives: Macro

Can’t Fight this Feeling

July 25, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

I can’t fight this feeling any longer
And yet I’m still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show

I tell myself that I can’t hold out forever
I said there is no reason for my fear
‘Cause I feel so secure when we’re together
You give my life direction
You make everything so clear

And even as I wander
I’m keeping you in sight
You’re a candle in the window
On a cold, dark winter’s night
And I’m getting closer than I ever thought I might

And I can’t fight this feeling anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for
It’s time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forever

‘Cause I can’t fight this feeling anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fightin’ for
And if I have to crawl upon the floor
Come crashing through your door
Baby, I can’t fight this feeling anymore

My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you
I’ve been running ’round in circles in my mind
And it always seems that I’m followin’ you, girl
‘Cause you take me to the places
That alone I’d never find

And even as I wander
I’m keeping you in sight
You’re a candle in the window
On a cold, dark winter’s night
And I’m getting closer than I ever thought I might

And I can’t fight this feeling anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fightin’ for
It’s time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forever

‘Cause I can’t fight this feeling anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fightin’ for
And if I have to crawl upon the floor
Come crashing through your door
Baby, I can’t fight this feeling anymore
Ooh
-Written by Kevin Patrick Cronin
-Performed by REO Speedwagon

Thought I would pick this song cause it was from the same year as “I Want to Know What Love Is”. It was #1 from March 9 – March 23 of 1985. REO Speedwagon was the first concert I ever went to. I’m told I slept through almost all of it.

But Thursdays are for flowers. Time for more Pella flowers!

Still more Pella flowers left to share!

Flowers, Lensbaby, Macro, Road Trip

When I’m Alone

July 18, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

I turned my back
You were gone in a flash
Like you always do
You’ve always gone off
Somewhere else

And when the phone rang
And I thought it was you
And I sprung like a kid
Who just got out of school
But it’s almost
Always never you
Never you

I scream like a child
My insides went wild

When I’m alone with you, you make me feel, you make me feel
When I’m alone with you, you are the one, you are the one
When I reach out and I only grab air
And it kills me to think
That you never did care and it’s hopeless
You’ve always run off somewhere else
I’m throwing a tantrum
Why are you such a phantom

When I’m alone with you, you make me feel, you make me feel
When I’m alone with you, you are the one, you are the one

When I’m alone with you, you make me feel, you make me feel
When I’m alone with you, you are the one, you are the one

Reminds me of home
When you’re around me
Next time you leave
Don’t go without me
No, don’t go, no!

When I’m alone with you, you make me feel, you make me feel
When I’m alone with you, you are the one, you are the one
-Written by Julian Emery, Elisabeth-Maurus, & James Lawrence Irving
-Performed by Lissie

I’ve recently been watching “Loudermilk”, a great show about the recovery community, and the third season features Lissie as a musician that gave up on her music dreams. It really got me into her music lately. And the music of Ben Rogers. Who is also great as an aspiring musician.

It is a show that has been of the air for a few years now, but I recommend it. It is currently streaming on Netflix.

But Thursdays are for flowers. Time for more tulip pictures from my trip to Pella.

Still more Pella tulip pictures left to share.

Flowers, Macro

I Want to Know What Love Is

July 11, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

I’ve gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I’m older

This mountain, I must climb
Feels like a world upon my shoulders
Through the clouds, I see love shine
Keeps me warm as life grows colder

In my life, there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
Can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far
To change this lonely life

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me (hey)

Gotta take a little time
Little time to look around me
I’ve got nowhere left to hide
Looks like love has finally found me

In my life, there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
Can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far
To change this lonely life

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me

I wanna know what love is (I wanna know)
I want you to show me (I wanna feel)
I wanna feel what love is (I know, I know, and I know)
I know you can show me
Let’s talk about love

I wanna know what love is
(Love that you feel inside)
I want you to show me
(I’m feeling so much love)
I wanna feel what love is
(And you know, you just can’t hide)
I know you can show me

Oh, I wanna know what love is
(Let’s talk about love)
I know you can show me
(I wanna feel)
I wanna feel what love is
(And you know you just can’t hide)
I know you can show me
I wanna feel what love is (oh, I wanna know)
I want you to show me
-Written by Michael Jones
-Performed by Foreigner

“I Want to Know What Love Is” a great, great song! It was #1 on The Billboard Chart on February 2 and February 9 of 1985. Let me tell you, 1985 was just one banger after another.

Look at this list of #1s:

Like a Virgin – Madonna
Careless Whisper – Wham!
Can’t Fight This Feeling – REO Speedwagon
One More Night – Phil Collins
We Are the World – USA for Africa
Crazy for You – Madonna
Don’t You(Forget About Me) – Simple Minds
Everything She Wants – Wham!
Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears
Heaven – Bryan Adams
Sussudio – Phil Collins
A View to a Kill – Duran Duran
Everytime You Go Away – Paul Young
Shout – Tears for Fears
The Power of Love – Huey Lewis and the News
St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion) – John Parr
Money for Nothing – Dire Straits
Oh Sheila – Ready for the World
Take On Me – a-ha
Saving All My Love for You
Part Time Love – Stevie Wonder
Miami Vice Theme – Jan Hammer
We Built This City – Starship
Separate Lives – Phil Collins and Marylin Martin
Broken Wings – Mr. Mister
Say You, Say Me – Lionel Richie

In a power house line up, you might want to know which of these power house songs was #1 overall in 1985. Here is the Top 10:

10. Take On Me – a-ha
9. Crazy for You – Madonna
8. Money for Nothing – Dire Straits
7. Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears
6. Out of Touch – Daryl Hall & John Oates
5. I Feel for You – Chaka Khan
4. I Want to Know What Love Is – Foreigner
3. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham!
2. Like a Virgin – Madonna
1. Careless Whisper – Wham!

Now you have had a taste of the walk down memory lane I go down every Sunday morning listening to KIOA.

But Thursdays are for flowers and it is time to continue looking at my tulip pictures from Pella:

Still many more tulip pictures from Pella to share!

Animals, Art, Black & White, Flowers, Linda, Macro, Nature, Teresa

Reiman Gardens II

July 5, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

Seems like a good day to share the rest of the images from my trip to Reiman Gardens with family back in October of 2023.

It is always a good day when it is spent in a garden. Especially one where I don’t have to do the weeding!

Flowers, Holidays, Macro

Pink Houses

July 4, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

Today is the 4th of July, so I must wish you all a Happy Independence Day!

And You Left Me There Cryin' Wonderin' What I Did Wrong

I hope your day is filled with good food and friends and parades and music and fireworks and not having to go to work!

+++++++

There’s a black man with a black cat
Livin’ in a black neighborhood
He’s got an interstate runnin’ through his front yard
You know he thinks he’s got it so good
And there’s a woman in the kitchen
Cleanin’ up the evenin’ slop
And he looks at her and says, “Hey darlin’
I can remember when you could stop a clock”

Ah, but ain’t that America for you and me?
Ain’t that America? Somethin’ to see, baby
Ain’t that America? Home of the free, yeah
Little pink houses for you and me
Ooh yeah, for you and me

Well, there’s a young man in a t-shirt
Listenin’ to a rockin’ rollin’ station
He’s got greasy hair, greasy smile
He says, “Lord, this must be my destination”
‘Cause they told me when I was younger
Said, “Boy, you’re gonna be president”
But just like everything else those old crazy dreams
Just kinda came and went

Ah, but ain’t that America for you and me?
Ain’t that America? Somethin’ to see, baby
Ain’t that America? Home of the free, yeah
Little pink houses for you and me
Ah, yeah, baby, for you and me

Well, there’s people and more people
What do they know, know, know?
Go to work in some high rise
And vacation down at the Gulf of Mexico, ooh, yeah
And there’s winners and there’s losers
But they ain’t no big deal
‘Cause the simple man, baby, pays for the thrills, the bills
The pills that kill

Ah, but ain’t that America for you and me?
Ain’t that America? Somethin’ to see, baby
Ain’t that America? Home of the free, yeah
Little pink houses for you and me, ooh
Ooh yeah

Ain’t that America for you and me?
Ain’t that America? Hey, somethin’ to see, baby
Ain’t that America? Oh, the home of the free
Ooh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Little pink houses, baby, for you and me
– Written and Performed by John Mellencamp

Once again, not exactly a love song. But a great song! And often completely misunderstood.

But Thursdays are for flowers! This flowertography session was taken in Pella!

Still… so many pictures to share from my trip to Pella to photograph their tulips!

Flowers, Macro, Naima, Nature

Waiting for a Girl Like You

June 27, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

So long, I’ve been looking too hard
I’ve been waiting too long
Sometimes I don’t know what I will find
I only know it’s a matter of time

When you love someone
When you love someone
It feels so right, so warm and true
I need to know if you feel it too
Maybe I’m wrong
Won’t you tell me if I’m coming on too strong?
This heart of mine has been hurt before
This time I want to be sure

I’ve been waiting for a girl like you to come into my life
I’ve been waiting for a girl like you, you’re a love that will survive
I’ve been waiting for someone new to make me feel alive
Yeah, waiting for a girl like you to come into my life

You’re so good
When we make love it’s understood
It’s more than a touch or a word we’d say
Only in dreams could it be this way

When you love someone
Yeah, I really love someone
Now, I know it’s right
From the moment I wake up ’til deep in the night
There’s nowhere on earth that I’d rather be than holding you tenderly

I’ve been waiting for a girl like you to come into my life
I’ve been waiting for a girl like you, you’re a love that will survive
I’ve been waiting for someone new to make me feel alive
Yeah, waiting for a girl like you to come into my life

I’ve been waiting, waiting for you, ooh
Ooh, I’ve been waiting
(Waiting) I’ve been waiting, yeah
(I’ve been waiting for a girl like you, I’ve been waiting)
Won’t you come into my life?
Written by Lou Grammatic & Michael Leslie Jones
Performed by Foreigner

I recently added Foreigner’s album “4” to my vinyl collection, so this song off of it seemed apropos.

Time for what is essentially the last flower pictures I took in 2023. Taken in my yard.

Last picture I took of Naima.

This is the last of the dedicated flower posts from flower pictures I took in 2023. There are a few 2023 flower pictures that will creep into other posts, but next Thursday we will start in on flower pictures I took in 2024. Starting with Pella.

Animals, Flowers, Macro

Don’t You (Forget About Me)

June 20, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett 2 Comments

Hey, hey, hey, hey
Ooh, woah

Won’t you come see about me?
I’ll be alone, dancing, you know it, baby

Tell me your troubles and doubts
Giving everything inside and out and
Love’s strange, so real in the dark
Think of the tender things that we were working on

Slow change may pull us apart
When the light gets into your heart, baby

Don’t you, forget about me
Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t
Don’t you, forget about me

Will you stand above me?
Look my way, never love me
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down

Will you recognize me?
Call my name or walk on by
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down, down

Hey, hey, hey, hey
Ooh, woah

Don’t you try and pretend
It’s my feeling we’ll win in the end
I won’t harm you or touch your defenses
Vanity and security, ah

Don’t you forget about me
I’ll be alone, dancing, you know it, baby
Going to take you apart
I’ll put us back together at heart, baby

Don’t you, forget about me
Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t
Don’t you, forget about me

As you walk on by
Will you call my name?
As you walk on by
Will you call my name?
When you walk away

Or will you walk away?
Will you walk on by?
Come on, call my name
Will you call my name?

I say
La, la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
When you walk on by
And you call my name
When you walk on by
-Written by Keith Forsey & Steve W. Schiff
-Performed by Simple Minds

On Monday I watch the Brat Pack documentary BRATS with Teresa. I’m not going to full on endorse this documentary unless you are in a certain age group. But it did put me in the mood to watch some Brat Pack movies. ST. ELMO’S FIRE. ABOUT LAST NIGHT. For example. But I thought for this Thursday’s journal title I would use the song from what is by far AND I MEAN BY FAR, the best Brat Pack movie. THE BREAKFAST CLUB.

But Thursdays are for flowers. This flowertography session is small and you might think it is really all butterflies, but butterflies are just self-propelled flowers. Duh!

This collection was taken in my yard:

I think there is only one more day of 2023 flower images left to share!

Animals, Birthdays, Black & White, Flowers, Macro, Shannon

Possibly Impossible

June 13, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

Today is Shannon’s birthday so I need to wish her a happy birthday.

Happy birthday Shannon!

I hope your birthday is filled with soap and/or broom making and not that many stings from bees. But maybe a few. We still need to hit that restaurant in Milo!

+++++++

Lay down
Wait for the rush of light
And just trust what’s not in sight
And try to breathe
She says
Calm waves
Shorten the amount of time
Between vex and solidified jolts of grief
And He says
Poor Babe….are you poor like me?

Slow down
Find a place inside your mind
Mix proverbial rum & wine and try to sleep
She says
Sometimes…even the angel on one side
Gets filled with pity and wasted time and starts to speak
And She says
Poor babe….are you poor like me?

It’s possibly impossible to give you enough advice to give you peace
It’s possibly impossible to let you be

It’s the same pain
It’s just a different day
There’s nothing I can say to make it bleed
Same plan
Your shortened attention span
And your textbook search for men make it seem..
Like….poor babe…why am I so mean?

‘Cuz It’s possibly impossible to give you enough advice to give you peace
It’s possibly impossible to let you be

Shine
Don’t you care?
Start to feel the affects of time
It wasn’t just a line
Start to face your choices
These laid courses aren’t so cut and dry
Guess you may start to define “what’s a meltdown?”
Let me offer you my time
After all it’s not a dime..and that’s what’s cheap

Poor babe…are you poor like me?
Poor babe…are you poor like me?

It’s possibly impossible to give you enough advice to give you peace
It’s possibly impossible to let you be
It’s possibly impossible to give you enough advice to give you peace
It’s possibly impossible to let you be
-Bonne Finken

Since it is Shannon’s birthday today, it seems like a good idea to use a song from one of her favorite artists as the title for today. Bonne Finken is a mostly local/regional artist that Shannon interested me too many moons ago. This isn’t a romantic love song. It might be a friendship love song. I guess you can interpret that how you want. That is both the scary and great thing about art. There is the artist intention and then there is how the audience interprets it. This is what Bonne wrote about the inspiration for the song:

This song was written for a good friend of mine. She was struggling – and kept coming to me for advice – and when I gave her advice – she kept not taking it. There’s only so many times you can watch someone slam their head against a wall…and talk to them about how to make their head stop hurting… Some people yell or walk away. I wrote this song.

Bonne is playing the Waukee Arts Festival on July 19. I might just have to go!

But Thursdays are for flowers. This is a continuation of the flowertography collection I shared last Thursday from my yard:

Next Thursday’s flowertography collection was also taken in my yard. We are almost out of flower pictures I took in 2023. But don’t worry! I’ve been taking plenty in 2024!

Animals, Flowers, Macro

The Reason

June 6, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

I’m not a perfect person
There’s many things I wish I didn’t do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so, I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I’ve found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you

I’m sorry that I hurt you
It’s something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That’s why I need you to hear

I’ve found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new

And the reason is you
And the reason is you
And the reason is you
And the reason is you

I’m not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I’ve found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you

I’ve found a reason to show
A side of me you didn’t know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you
-Written by Daniel B. Estrin / Douglas Sean Robb / Chris Light Hesse / Markku J. Lappalainen
-Performed by Hoobastank

I can’t claim to be a big Hoobastank fan. Or even a Hoobastank fan at all. But recently one of the best shows on television, WE ARE LADY PARTS, released their second season and this song plays an important role in the season. Incidentally, if you aren’t watching WE ARE LADY PARTS, you are watching television wrong. Just flat out wrong.

If you don’t know what it is about, here is the premise taken from the Wiki:

An all-female Muslim punk band in the UK takes inspiration from London’s rich and diverse collection of cultures. Friendships, relationships and cultural differences are navigated as the band seeks musical success.

That just barely scratching the surface. Not only is the show brilliantly written, funny, and tugs at the heartstrings, the music is top notch. “Voldemort Under My Head Scarf” and “Bashir With The Good Beard” and “Glass Ceiling Feeling” are Christopher D. Bennett Certified Bangers. (CDBCB for short.)

I’ve been thinking of getting a Lady Parts shirt, but not sure how many people would get it or think it is appropriate. But I’ve been assured by at least one lady that I can pull it off. I guess I don’t know how much it matters what other people think as I am pretty far into my personal villain era and no point turning back now.

But Thursdays are for flowers. This flowertography session was held in my yard last September:

Still about 20 more pictures from this flowertography session left to share.

Animals, Flowers, Macro

A Girl Like You

May 23, 2024 Christopher D. Bennett Leave a comment

I used to travel in the shadows
And I never found the nerve to try and walk up to you
But now I am a man and I know that there’s no time to waste
There’s too much to lose
Girl, you say anything at all, and you know that you can call
And I’ll be right there for you
First love, heartbreak, tough luck, big mistake
What else can you do

I’ll say anything you want to hear
I’ll see everything through
I’ll do anything I have to do
Just to win the love of a girl like you, a girl like you

People talk and people stare, tell them I don’t really care
This is the place I should be
And if they think it’s really strange for a girl like you
To be in love with someone like me
I want to tell them all to go to hell
That we’re doing very well without them you see
That’s just the way it is and they will see
I am yours and you are mine, the way it should be

I’ll say anything you want to hear
I’ll see everything through
I’ll do anything I have to do
Just to win the love of a girl like you, a girl like you
A girl like you, oh yeah

Now if I seem a little wild, there’s no holding back
I’m trying to get a message to you
I won’t take anything from anyone
I won’t walk and I won’t run, I believe in you
London, Washington, anywhere you are I’ll run
Together we’ll be
Inside, outside, got my pride
I won’t let ’em take you from me

I’ll say anything you want to hear
I’ll see everything through
I’ll do anything I have to do
Just to win the love of a girl like you, a girl like you
A girl like you, a girl like you
A girl like you, a girl like you, oh yeah

I’ll say anything (I’ll say anything)
I’ll take anything (I’ll take anything)
I’ll say anything, almost anything
Except goodbye
I’ll say anything (I’ll say anything)
I’ll take anything (I’ll take anything)
I’ll say anything, almost anything
Except goodbye
-Written by Pat Dinizio
-Performed by The Smithereens

One of the reasons, besides my staggeringly lack of musical talent, that I was never asked to join a rock band is because I would insist that we covered at least 4 Smithereens songs every show. Then another 5 Butthole Surfer songs. I would be a difficult bandmember to work with.

But Thursdays are for flowers! This flowertography collection was taken in Valerie’s zinnia patch:

I have one more collection of pictures from Valerie’s zinnia patch left to share!