Thank You, Kind Stranger — in 55 words
Photography | Posted by Jannie on 6 January 2011 @ 5:55 PM 48 Comments
Me with iPhone last Sunday
asking The Husband and Child
to pose by the cypress.
Stranger pipes up,
“Hey, want me to take one
with all three of you?”
“Sure!” I jumpingly grin.
“Just don’t run off with our phone,”
The Husband jokes.
Stranger laughs
then taps the screen,
his simple kindness
rippling through
our lives forever.
That was a life-slice in 55 words for The One, The Only, G-man.
Post a 55, let G-Man know and he’ll write interesting things on your blog.
Photos taken on Red Bud Isle, Austin Texas, Sunday, January 2nd, 2011, around 4:00 p.m.
(Top photo by Kind Stranger, aka Kenneth-the-freshwater-quality guy. The other 2 by me.)
Posted with love and thankfulness.
Jannie
xoxoxo
xoxoxo
On 6 January 2011 at 6:24 pm
Daisy said,
How nice that he took your picture! It’s a really nice one too! All three pictures are very pretty. I hope you’re having a good week, Jannie.
Hugs to you.
On 6 January 2011 at 7:03 pm
Betsy Wuebker said,
Beautiful! Just gorgeous! What a magnificent tree. The lighting in the photo is magnificent on the water. You all look great! Happy New Year! xo
.-= Betsy Wuebker´s last blog ..In Three Words- 2011 =-.
On 6 January 2011 at 7:28 pm
Monkey Man said,
Ahh, for the kindness of strangers. What a lovely family and a beautiful tangle of roots.
My 55 is HERE .
.-= Monkey Man´s last blog ..Revealed – 55 =-.
On 6 January 2011 at 7:37 pm
G-Man said,
Great photo, and awesome story Jannie Funster!
I LOVE kind stranger 55’s…
Thanks for the great poster earlier this week.
And thanks for playing today!
Have a Kick Ass Week-End…..G
On 6 January 2011 at 8:15 pm
dustus said,
Would have stunk if the stranger took of with such an awesome phone. Nice pictures it takes. Cool how you recount the moment in 55
On 6 January 2011 at 8:29 pm
Jannie said,
Dearest Daisy, except for a bit of an allergy-induced hed-ake I am having a super excellent week. It WAS really nice. He and Jim then chatted for a while. Yes, I think it turned out very nice. It was our first time at that park. Hope you are having a great week too!!
Dearest Betsy ahhh, thanks. A lovely impromptu moment captured forever. A soft Texas winter day in a small park with 100 dogs and 50 people.
whoooo-hoooo!! (and we DO look great, don’t we?! I say most humbly.)
Dearest Monkey Man, those roots captivated me. The tree is at the very very tippy point of the small isle. Lovely spot, passed by there 5000 times, was firs ttime to stop. And we got a parking spot right off!
Dearest G-Man, who art the reason for the 55 season. I had the pix and the words just spilled out after I uploaded them to my blog. Writing is good. And fun! You are SO welcome for the boxing poster, it was a hoot to dream up.
Dearest Dustus, yeah really. I’ve got all my contacts, notes and a lot of songwriting ideas on that phone. That phone can take good pix in strong lighting, but it can be a bit finicky if light is coming from behind. Thanks so much for your nice words.
xoxoxo
On 6 January 2011 at 9:04 pm
Moondustwriter said,
Those roots remind me of a short story I just wrote on my blog.http://moondustwriter.com Which thinking about it you little one may enjoy. Do you mind if I copy the pic – it would be excellent
Jannie – I cant say this too much you are a darling, funny sweet and a little spicy
Love from the Moon
you will like this
Friday Flash 55
.-= Moondustwriter´s last blog ..No Escape FlashFiction =-.
On 6 January 2011 at 9:17 pm
Alice Audrey said,
The same thing happened for Mr. Al and I last summer. We were at the top of Harney Peek in South Dakota taking a bunch of pictures and a lady who had climbed up there ahead of us and was resting offered to take a picture. There are so few of them with both of us in it. It’s a treat.
On 6 January 2011 at 9:19 pm
Liara Covert said,
Love the way you remind us life and awareness exist in everything from an iphone to a piece of entangled wood. Everyone is invited to feel the joy, resonate appreciation and realize how beautiful experiences are the only outcome for those who focus on seeing the good within. How and what you see inside yourself reflects back.
.-= Liara Covert´s last blog ..Sense the universal message =-.
On 6 January 2011 at 9:49 pm
clean and crazy said,
that was a beautiful slice of life, thanks for sharing!!
.-= clean and crazy´s last blog ..flash Fiction Friday- our moments- again =-.
On 6 January 2011 at 10:22 pm
brian said,
nice. so cool the stranger helped out as it is a treasure of a shot…and nice root structure on that tree…
.-= brian´s last blog ..one shot- reading your mail =-.
On 6 January 2011 at 10:55 pm
Moondustwriter said,
here’s the URL see if your sweetie likes it
I didnt know you were in Austin – I have to make a trip there (hopefully) would love to see you if I do
hugs
.-= Moondustwriter´s last blog ..No Escape FlashFiction =-.
On 6 January 2011 at 10:58 pm
Jeanne said,
Jannie,
Don’t you just love when strangers offer to take a group shot? Awesome!
Great pictures. Awesome tree roots.
Jeanne
P.S. I swear everything you do is brimming over with love and thankfulness.
On 6 January 2011 at 11:46 pm
hedgewitch said,
That’s an awesome bald cypress–got to be really ancient, and lovely pics of the family and young ‘un playing amongst the roots like they were monkey bars. Great 55.
On 6 January 2011 at 11:59 pm
A Daft Scots Lass said,
Great photos and great 55.
On 7 January 2011 at 12:09 am
Talon said,
Lovely shots! Lovely family! xx
.-= Talon´s last blog ..The Escapee =-.
On 7 January 2011 at 1:52 am
desk49 said,
And so the deed was passed on
and must be passed again
Yes kindness is not something
that is just one-way my friend
.-= desk49´s last blog ..Ghost or Not- =-.
On 7 January 2011 at 3:15 am
SnaggleTooth said,
The tangled roots remind me of some Mangrove trees n others I saw in swampy, southern Florida awhile back. Aha I see Hedgewitch ID’d it as a “bald cypress”
Great family shot for the classic collection! I must say I’ve also met n befriended a many pleasant, helpful stranger, n like to be one myself!
I suppose you could use a timer were there no available strangers. That one tho- knows a good pic when they see it!
Good 55 – Happy Friday!
I see BB went to the park too…
.-= SnaggleTooth´s last blog ..Snow Shore =-.
On 7 January 2011 at 4:15 am
Lynn said,
That was lovely of the stranger to offer to do that and you got a great photo out of it. A nice day all around. xo
On 7 January 2011 at 6:40 am
Eaton Bennett said,
What an interesting place to get the kind stranger to take the shot, amazing tree roots. Have a great weekend.
)
On 7 January 2011 at 8:21 am
Mama Zen said,
That was really nice! Awesome pictures!
.-= Mama Zen´s last blog ..Mad Minute =-.
On 7 January 2011 at 8:24 am
jerry said,
Very Very cool picture…very very nice man…very very superb 55…your phone takes pics like these…really amazing.
On 7 January 2011 at 8:25 am
Strummed Words said,
Awesome tree roots! Lovely stranger. My 55
.-= Strummed Words´s last blog ..Friday Flash 55- Breathing Machine =-.
On 7 January 2011 at 8:55 am
Jannie said,
Dearest Moon — Spicy — I like that!
A bit saucy too, am I, do you not think? 
Hey, maybe I’ll read your short story to Kelly tonight.
Dearest Alice Audrey — that’s so nice! I’m thinking of all the timer photos I will set up on tripod once I get my new camera. Watch out then, I’ll be showing y’all so many family pix!
Dearest Liara, I agree so much on how we see ourselves reflects back. Smiles begetting smiles. Frowns perhaps begetting frowns. I LOVE those tree roots, and that little park.
Hey, Dearest Clean & Crazy — thanks! Life is so beautiful sometimes you just have to marvel and be grateful for such joy.
Hey, Dearest Brian — beautiful day, beautiful photos. Beautiful life.
MOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE COMING TO AUSTIN!?!??!?!?!?!? OMG! OMG! OMG! can’t wait!!! WHOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! REALLY?? You will love it here!! And we will have SOOOOOOOOOOO much fun!!!!
Ahhhh, Dearest Jeanne, well, I was a bit cranky last night due to an allergy-induced headache. But I am fit and fine as a fiddle today, and back in grateful happy mode!!
Hey, Dearest Huidgewitch! Thanks a bunch. Our river here, the Lower Colorado, which is broken up by dams into Town Lake, Lake Austin and lake Travis must have a million cypress trees on it. So lucky!!
Dearest Scots Lass — hey, welcome back! So great to see you. Thanks for your welcome words! I’ll be over in a bit to check out YOUR 55!
Hi Dearest Sweet Talon, I know! How lucky Kenneth offered to take that shot. Just one, but it’s perfect!
Dearest Desk49. Paying it forward is ongoing. And going, and going. So many treasures and simple pleasures here for the taking.
Hey, Snaggle. It will be fun to get a spring / summer pic in that spot when all is green again. yes, a timer an ideal plan! The iPhone photo taking does not supply such a feature, but my new camera will. Did you know you can now get a 14mpxl for $200!? Saw the Kodak at Office Depot. Santa is a bit late, but that’s okay, worth waiting for.
Dearest Lynn, yes, it is so nice to get out and about on a Sunday in our fair town, swell spots to visit that the summer heat makes too torturous. I LOVE Austin! And my life!!!!!
Dearest Eaton, hi! Yes, so lucky he offered. Usually when I ask someone to take a pic it does not come out so well, but this shot flowed like sunshine on a nature day, whooo-hoooo!
Dearest Mama Z — thanks! So lucky, a nice pic for a poster to frame methinks, put it alongside a summer shot in the same spot.
Dearest Jerry, very very nice to meet you! Very very nice comment. Very very nice to blog and have fun sharing and receiving.
Dearest Strummed Words — ahhhhh, you a guitar singing person too?? Ca’t wait to check out yoru blog! Thanks for your welcome words, whoooo-hooo!!
xoxoxoxo
xoxoxoxo
On 7 January 2011 at 9:42 am
Fireblossom said,
You get to meet my Moonie sista? Give her a hug for me, won’t you please?
On 7 January 2011 at 9:58 am
gautami tripathy said,
Great photos! And such a kind stranger!
Here is mine:
curtain of pebbled path
.-= gautami tripathy´s last blog ..I write footnotes here =-.
On 7 January 2011 at 10:41 am
yvonne osborne said,
The roots remind me of a pile of bones. The kindness of a stranger is never forgotton. Congrats. on this and on being first!!
On 7 January 2011 at 10:43 am
Patti said,
The world is full of kindness when you least expect it. Had the same thing happen once while on vacation in NYC (that city of “rude people,” you know). I was sick as a dog, all bleary eyed and looking my worst. A man offered to take our picture in front of the Rockefeller skating pond, the big tree and holiday decorations behind us. He took the picture (in which I looked like someone had propped up my dead body for the occasion), handed back the camera and said, “Merry Christmas. I hope you feel better.”
On 7 January 2011 at 10:48 am
vered | blogger for hire said,
I LOVE it when strangers suggest to take a photo of all of us. We have so very few of these photos.
On 7 January 2011 at 10:59 am
Carmen Henesy said,
What a beautiful place that is. The tree looks so ancient and gnarled but you all look young and invigorated! What a nice man to offer to take your picture but, then, don’t you always do that as well. I do, myself. I’m leary, though, after seeing someone in Europe run off with a fellow cruise passenger’s very expensive Nikon.
.-= Carmen Henesy´s last blog ..Flash 55 Friday – The Way We Were- 1 – Aloha – January 7- 2011 =-.
On 7 January 2011 at 12:30 pm
Glenn Buttkus said,
Kudos all around, dear zany one.
When I am out and about, and
I see a couple holding a camera,
or a family, I try to be that kind
stranger. The smile you share
will garner you emotional gold.
Your whole persona seems to
be making lemonade out of the
damned things, and we who visit
and continue to deepen our affection
for you, the Pea, Jim, and BB,
have our days enriched and
our hearts tugged by all your
wonderful shenanigans. May 2011
be just as great, as much fun,
and as endearing as last year.
.-= Glenn Buttkus´s last blog ..Presence of All Colors =-.
On 7 January 2011 at 12:32 pm
Glenn Buttkus said,
I guess that would be making
lemonade out of the “damnedest”
things. Slow fingers make great
typos, oh yeah.
.-= Glenn Buttkus´s last blog ..Presence of All Colors =-.
On 7 January 2011 at 12:46 pm
sheila said,
Beautiful! Beautiful tree too! See, you just never know strangers. Turns out sometimes they can be very nice. Beneficial, even!
On 7 January 2011 at 1:09 pm
joanny said,
A great photo of your clan, love the story and the tree roots, fantastic.
cheers,
joanny
On 7 January 2011 at 1:15 pm
Jannie said,
Fireblossom. I know!! I know!!! I still can’t believe it could possibly be freaking true this wonderful lady could be coming to AUSTIN!!! I’m as excited as I would be at meeting you or any others of my favorite bloggers!! Whoo-hoo. Pinch me. The hope of meeting our Sweet Moon has me on The Moon.
Gautami! yes, and yes indeed!! THANKS!
Yvonne! Yes. And I had to think a bit about me being “First” Yes, the olde yahtzee. how quickly I do forget.
Thanks, the tree at that moment reminded me of roots of love. And the Stranger gave it wings for me to share with you all.
Dearest Patti, and you are a kind soul, I know! Speaking of bleary-eyed and looking “worst,” that’s ME today!
Oh, how perfectly wonderfully beautiful of the Rockefeller photo. Do you have it posted on your blog?
Ahhh, Vered, that is so nice. I bet you all look so awesome together. And maybe one day I’ll get to meet you all in person, and see that awesome pretty uncluttered house of yours, and your roses!!
Oh, and let you make me donuts, cookies and such. 
Hey, Carmen “young and invigorated” I’ll take that!! Thanks. And do you know the line in Joni’ Mitchell’s song that goes… “Oh, the rogue, the red red rogue. He gave me back my smile, but he kept my camera to sell.” ? Always liked that line, song and artist. Funny I only really discovered her in 1994. Great art never dies. Hey hey, my my .
Glenn, I think I oughta post on Monday the 1:07 video I took about 10 mins before Kind Stranger took the photo. THANKS for that inspiration in your post. I wanna be the kind stranger. And have been on occasion — but I can always do more, and better. Oh, I remember — I did an AWESOME down at the park for some people over Christmas! And man, what a freaking nice digital camera they had! I’vebeen addicted to the sound of that shutter ever since.
Orr lemonade, I like it. Will go great with the devilled eggs I plan on making in a little while.
Sheila, I bet if I saw you on the stree, or anywhere, and I didn’t know you and had never met you via blogging, you’d be one of the nicest strangers going!!
Joanny, we are a clan, aren’t we??! House of Funster. I think I need to design a tartan and crest.
hmmmmn, ideas, ideas. Oh, and great to see you again, red-dress dancing art lady! 
xoxoxo
xoxoox
xoxoox
On 7 January 2011 at 2:48 pm
Claudia said,
awww – what a lovely pic of the three of you..and how kind of this stranger – and glad he didn’t ran away with your iPhone…smiles
On 7 January 2011 at 4:43 pm
Arts Web Show said,
I’d never trust a stranger with my i-phone (if i had one)lol
It’s a good phone camera to have taken these shots.
It is nice when someone does a random selfless deed like this
.-= Arts Web Show´s last blog ..Song called Dark days- singing and beat boxing =-.
On 8 January 2011 at 12:33 pm
Laura Hegfield said,
Wow Jannie!!! Those tree roots are amazing!!!! Such a beautiful series of photos!
On 8 January 2011 at 7:13 pm
secret agent woman said,
I love when someone offers to take a photo like that.
.-= secret agent woman´s last blog ..Looks like its going to be a long winter =-.
On 9 January 2011 at 12:45 pm
Jannie said,
Dearest Claudia, howdy! Thank you. Glad I got to keep my iPhone too!
Dearest Arts Web, well, I’m a fast runner so I was willing to take a chance on catching him should he have bolted.
Dearest Laura, why thanks so very much. I thought those were some of the most incredible rots I’d ever seen indeed.
Dearest Secret Agent Woman, it was a moment I’ll cherish always.
xoxoxo
On 9 January 2011 at 8:03 pm
Alice Audrey said,
I’ve got the timer and the tripod, but I can never round up the entire family. Teenagers tend to go every which way.
On 10 January 2011 at 9:17 am
Paige von Liber said,
haha, loverly photo, looverly family, loverly Texas. See anyone has just got to love it
I did a 55 & posted it yesterday
And what does one have to do to order your new CD? oh, I see click on the handy dandy button…
click click–Loverly’ist
.-= Paige von Liber´s last blog ..Huh! WhatdayaOH-No =-.
On 10 January 2011 at 12:38 pm
J.D. Meier said,
I seriously like the tree and its gnarly branches. I’m not a tree-hugger, but I’ve always been a tree-climber (well, OK, so I slipped in a few hugs as I climb my way up.)
I’m also a fan of water, so trees by the water make perfect scenes.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..Five-Minute Thinks =-.
On 10 January 2011 at 2:36 pm
Jannie said,
Hi, Alice Audrey! yikes, 2 teens, and I can barely even manage a 68-year-old and a 9-year-old to post. I guess just set up your camera on tripod and wait for them to get in general vicinity, then dangle candy under their noses to entice them to a pose?
Hey, Paige! And another fine Texas showcase post I just put up about the Laguna Gloria. Austin is so pretty! Yes, lots of Texas is! Ahh, will have to click over to read your 55. 55 are such a hoot!!
Dear J.D. I’m a total water fan too!! I even drink some daily. When I have room in my system from all that coffee.
You are SO funny — sneaking in some tree hugs too. 
xoxoxoxoxo
On 10 January 2011 at 6:50 pm
Kavita said,
Aww.. how sweet is that! Aren’t we just lucky to come across such kind strangers every now and then!?!
Very lovely pictures!! I soooo miss Austin and Texas!!!
.-= Kavita´s last blog ..Encore… =-.
On 12 January 2011 at 1:22 am
Hilary said,
Hi Jannie – Happy New Year .. wonderful pics .. love the one of you taken by that kindly stranger, and then the roots – love those tangly, gnarled twisted pieces of life .. What a glorious place the Red Bud Isle is – lots to look at, walk around etc .. Here’s to a great year .. gosh BB looks as those he’s been caught in the headlights with his champagne bottle .. and flowers for the New Year .. BB is so clever .. cheers and luvs from uz .. Hilree xoxox
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Confiscated Booze- Rock Dust and Turkeys what do they have in common =-.
On 14 January 2011 at 1:11 pm
Chris said,
Lovely lovely lovely lovely! You all three look wonderful, and I love your sweet words. xx
On 15 January 2011 at 9:25 am
Jannie said,
Kavita!! You lived in Austin!??! How cool!!! Come back, come back. We’ll party down!!
Dearest Lovely Hilary who graces my page and my heart, Yes, BB is on a fresh flower kick these days! Actually, he’s out buying tulips as we speak. He tried force-blooming some but they were duds, plastic I think from an old playset of Kelly’s. He’s fine now tho, after a great sadness at the duds.
Chris! Chris!! Chris!!! I am ashamed a bit that you “beat me” to a blog visit. I guess we have been thinking of each other! Hope all is super-well with you. Yes, and I printed that pic out and glued it to a couple valentines sent in parcels yesterday.
xoxoxo