Today is “Photo Friday.” Typically this is the day I share a handful of photographs without writing a lot of deep content. But you never know, sometimes even a short paragraph can carry exactly the message somebody needs. So don’t scroll past just yet.

Here are five photographs and five short stories:

A Good Handyman is hard to find

We knew, from the moment we agreed to buy this amazing home on Saint Patrick Street, that repair work would be ongoing. Hence the new roof over the kitchen. Hence a lot of other stuff.

This time all we needed was to A) have our crawl-space vents repaired so critters won’t get in this winter, B) get a mystery smell addressed and C) replace a few shingles on another one of our multiple roofs.

Handyman Cameron McCall to the rescue. Cameron is a motivated and personable young man working hard to make a living and build his business. We appreciate both his work ethic and his ambition. He is responsive, reasonable and reliable – and I will absolutely call him again in the future.

Some good words about recovery

Yesterday evening Rebekah and I walked to the Main Street library to meet and listen to local author and PA (Physician’s Assistant) Lisa Gennosa. Lisa’s book – “Incurable Hope” – tells the harrowing story of her son’s fractured life and long term struggle through addiction, multiple attempts at rehabilitation and eventual journey into ongoing recovery.

The combination of medical knowledge and personal experience gives Lisa unique insight into both how neural pathways are literally re-wired and how recovery is absolutely a workable path if – and only if – somebody is motivated to live again and to enjoy a positive future.

She is also a compelling cheerleader for hope. I ordered the book.

Sometimes the simplest is the best #Food

Complex cooking can be fun, but sometimes I prepare something simple and it is amazing.

I paired this flank steak, marinated all afternoon, with a combination of seasoned small potatoes and mushrooms. The entire meal – including preparation – took twenty-five minutes from opening the fridge to serving.

And that includes five minutes to create a balsamic reduction sauce in the pan while the meat rests.

Impressed on Saint Andrew

Taking a leisurely walk yesterday afternoon, Rebekah and I noted the impressive progress our friends the Chafins are making with their home on Saint Andrew Street.

I can’t wait to see what they are accomplishing on the inside, but – having just completed the sod, the front walkway and the exterior – they are already sending the strong message that our historic district is full with previously hidden treasures and that Tarboro is absolutely worth the investment.

Thanks. This community is grateful.

Night Vision on Main

Walking Max Thursday evening I looked up to notice how the facade at the front of the Post Office lines up with and compliments that of the Baptist Church.

Something about the columns, the steps, and the contrast of the illumination against the black sky caught my eye and so I grabbed the image.

Photography for me is not so much fine art as it is storytelling. I do not know much about equipment, or technique, or anything at all about printing and framing. I just know that when something speaks to me I want to share it.

And I am especially grateful to be living in a community where there is so much in the way of story and of beauty.

Have an amazing weekend, and I hope to see you in church – DEREK