tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286094222024-03-13T01:08:18.225+00:00Gordon's RamblingsStanding on tip toe just to see ...Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.comBlogger758125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-19092242944044731372021-09-12T14:12:00.002+01:002021-09-12T14:29:09.984+01:00Leadership - Coaching - Mediation<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Cjm3Qm1nwJqCCoPitDwWXJucbfCLu7IwzezPBBIaRbgJf2b3d9ByIHiOHVrFXL9y29dtkCYDJjeUyPlPuikhVZy8J-1hr3JbT2m3MDVpasART7M2YcecI4hehjZRxTqa6_pJ0w/s1579/IMG_1553.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="1579" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Cjm3Qm1nwJqCCoPitDwWXJucbfCLu7IwzezPBBIaRbgJf2b3d9ByIHiOHVrFXL9y29dtkCYDJjeUyPlPuikhVZy8J-1hr3JbT2m3MDVpasART7M2YcecI4hehjZRxTqa6_pJ0w/w590-h208/IMG_1553.JPG" width="590" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Today has been a day of planning and preparation. At the start of 2022 we are heading out on a new adventure and my time as head of service with Renfrewshire will come to a close. Throughout my time in senior leadership I have sought to encourage others to grow and flourish. Our aim as we take on this new challenge is to continue on that journey, one conversation at a time.</p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif">With significant and extensive experience in strategic leadership and management in the public sector I recognise that how we develop and change in complex environments is key to ensuring high quality service delivery. My skills have been extensively tested in leading and engaging in many complex and challenging situations. I love supporting people in their own growth and have invested heavily in sector leading approaches to professional learning. As an experienced registered mediator, I have significant background in resolving employment disputes in the workplace and in relationship challenges in a broad range of contexts. As an educationalist I have wide ranging skills in educational management, additional support needs, curriculum development, life long professional learning and resource deployment. I have worked in schools and local authorities in Scotland for over thirty-five years and am well equipped to support leadership development, coaching, mentoring and mediation. </span></p><p>If you would like to start a conversation about how we might work together in any of these areas then please drop me an email: mckinlays.net@gmail.com </p>Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-63255167404672441952021-08-01T07:38:00.000+01:002021-08-01T07:38:05.612+01:00Getting to Yes<p> I concluded my MSc dissertation about two years ago. The focus of my research was around the destructive nature of workplace conflict and the confidence and competence of managers in engaging well when things go wrong. </p><p>The principles behind much of the thinking on mediation and negotiation is rooted in the work of the <a href="https://www.pon.harvard.edu/">Harvard Programme on a Negotiation</a>. In particular the work of William Ury (along with a Roger Fisher and Bruce Patton) and in his book “<a href="https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/embed?asin=B008YUNDJS&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_5Y712VF4T70YQTCF0KD7">Getting to Yes”</a> establishes a very accessible approach to principled negotiation. In this video he talks about his publication, “<a href="https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/embed?asin=B00OFLDT8A&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_FY78AERP7GNXVDXH32CK">Getting to Yes with Yourself</a>”. </p><p>The talk is fairly lengthy but makes some really interesting points about the internal conflicts we all face. The biggest challenge may not be the person on the other side of the table but the one on this side. We tend to be the ones that get in the way of our own growth and flourishing. As quoted by Teddy Roosevelt: </p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #101010; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>“If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month”.</i></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #101010; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I would, therefore, recommend this talk for anyone wanting to reflect carefully on how we observe and understand our own behaviour and thinking.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fghb0-hL5Hw" width="320" youtube-src-id="fghb0-hL5Hw"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-10598726371268526942021-07-27T08:30:00.000+01:002021-07-27T08:30:08.414+01:00VUCA<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXqfzhdH2Ym1Qc9yeUQ7RMVfPPCnGh01mPGqxxPuOiP-jMTsnQNds7CHV8PKpAB8mzKMNhR6OVhYIayaXIjXu-OF5JmljcLwycLlE17Cee6h1FccPcbb71tZA2Ax2c3ZDQiZRrw/s4032/IMG_3705.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXqfzhdH2Ym1Qc9yeUQ7RMVfPPCnGh01mPGqxxPuOiP-jMTsnQNds7CHV8PKpAB8mzKMNhR6OVhYIayaXIjXu-OF5JmljcLwycLlE17Cee6h1FccPcbb71tZA2Ax2c3ZDQiZRrw/s320/IMG_3705.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br />There has been a significant period of time since I last wrote anything in this blog. As a result of a number of recent decisions (which I will reflect on separately), I am thinking that now would be a good time to start to put some thoughts down and share them here. Some of these reflections relate to my thoughts on leadership development along with issues such as engaging well with conflict and how we can all become better at being reflective and reflexive practitioners.<p></p><p>For a number of years I have used the acronym VUCA as an introduction to a leadership development programme. This was originally coined in a research paper by the US military and stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. I recently managed to find a copy of the original paper, “<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA251129.pdf" target="_blank">Translating Vision into Reality: The Role of the Strategic Leader</a>” by Richard Mackey in 1992. Whilst much of the paper seems a little dated in 2021, the term itself could never e more relevant. </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">As we emerge from the recent crisis, strategic leaders are very aware of the challenges they face in their roles. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">For the past eighteen months many of us have had to focus on crisis management with very little time, if any, on thinking seriously about the future. Perhaps now is a better time than ever to reflect on how we lead well in a VUCA world. Will you join me on the journey?</span></p>Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-40086990959267672412017-06-10T07:41:00.001+01:002017-06-10T07:41:33.689+01:00Edges<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtCUtakfNK82eMPUfG9BW07F0E2HeZbJtuWkMNUCUiuRrlMv7Lz_REAqtyRBp9yh5dD4zER8GgPn60CT9e5jDbZW7aMjkGOSwTqTLvOFYlnWTVhqEnxAQ5_ZRZ50q128vPAuK1Q/s1600/078-S4+2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtCUtakfNK82eMPUfG9BW07F0E2HeZbJtuWkMNUCUiuRrlMv7Lz_REAqtyRBp9yh5dD4zER8GgPn60CT9e5jDbZW7aMjkGOSwTqTLvOFYlnWTVhqEnxAQ5_ZRZ50q128vPAuK1Q/s320/078-S4+2016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Edges are exciting. The division between land and sea brings with it a sense of change. The end of term brings anticipation of something fresh. The closing of a book provides opportunity for reflection. Completing the To-Do list results in satisfaction at a job well done (this is, of course, a theoretical point). Endings provide the launch point for new beginnings. A question is raised about what is over there. What is on the other side? Is this a boundary fence or a gate to something new?<br />
<br />
This blog has been lying dormant for a number of years. It became stale. There was nothing to say but it was still being said anyway. So a decision was taken to reach an edge and stop. It is now time to start again. There is, perhaps, the mark of an ending and another mark of a beginning. Perhaps it is time to explore what lies beyond.<br />
<br />
The gap in writing does not imply a gap in thinking. There has been much exploration. The edge of blogging has not been the edge of learning and growth. Time spent looking over the edge has allowed new horizons to be glimpsed. Dipping toes in water encourage thoughts of what might be. Squinting in to the sun can allow questions to be asked about what might be different. A year of coaching has helped provide a focus for the future. Much reading and reflection will result in new studies in the autumn. Interests and involvement has shifted and will continue over coming months and years. This time has not been wasted.<br />
<br />
There is a short quote that has served as the strap line for this blog for many years:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<i> "standing on tip toe just to see"</i></blockquote>
These words come from a paraphrase of Romans 8:19. There is a sense of eager anticipation. What might be found out there beyond what can be seen? Like a child stretching up to look over the wall, regaining a sense of wonder might just bring something new. Let's see what can be seen over the edge.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-3838248190633412522014-08-31T06:57:00.000+01:002014-08-31T06:57:00.280+01:00Desktop Wallpaper for September 2014<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/14892987900" title="Desktop Wallpaper for September 2014 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Desktop Wallpaper for September 2014" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3865/14892987900_3770f756cf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Here is my desktop wallpaper for September 2014. The original shot was taken in Corisa and the image created using fd Flickr Toys. If you like the image then please feel free to download and use it yourself.<br />
<br />
Over the past few years we have started taking our main holiday during this month. It makes for a long summer but is a wonderful release when it gets here. During last September we took a 14 night cruise around the Western Mediterranean on the P & O Ventura. We didn't really know what to expect when we got to Corsica. What a beautiful island. You will find more pictures of Corisca and the rest of the cruise in my <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/sets/72157635535905905/" target="_blank">cruise Flickr album</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-73944696928982402332014-08-10T06:56:00.000+01:002014-08-10T06:56:31.737+01:00Desktop Wallpaper for August 2014<br />
<br />
Months go by and it is August already. This photo was taken last August from North Berwick of the Bass Rock. The wallpaper image was created using <a href="http://bighugelabs.com/" rel="nofollow">fd's Flickr Toys</a>.<br />
<br />
If you like the image then please feel free to download and use it.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-74165493050158717412014-06-30T20:29:00.001+01:002014-06-30T20:29:27.418+01:00Desktop Wallpaper for July 2014<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/14543469584/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>
Here is my desktop wallpaper for July 2014. Please feel free to download and use it if you like it.
The original image was taken in July 2013 on the beach at Scoughall in East Lothian. We will be heading back there in a couple of weeks time. This year, for the first time in many years we will not be leading the SU camp there. This time has come to take on a supporting role. We are really looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges this will bring.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-31888710656470556182014-06-30T20:26:00.002+01:002014-06-30T20:26:53.727+01:00June 2014<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="534" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/14358121959/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
I have now completed six months and 181 photos for the 2014 photo a day challenge. Some of the pitcuyres for June have been a wee bit dull but at least I am still going.<br />
Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-9045952875969021322014-06-03T07:12:00.001+01:002014-06-03T07:23:49.598+01:00Listening to the rain<iframe src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/11727861565/in/photolist-iSmmDK-5ktSaP-4TFGY4-4o35Fe-5sWW9Z-eu7tpX-fw8DNY-wDbAa-wDbA4-5AT6NJ-eu7EHH-csA2HW-cszTzs-cszWLw-VWzQC-VV9Dt-VWug3-VWopY-VWP9g-VYyqG-VYtyJ-VYmXh-kLFN7Q-jvMRt6-joXWBV-5tM9LN-jEaxrx-KasfY-4opX9m-KK9gY-6ML8mF-67k7pn-6CqREx-4o7f3d-8G1FXr-55Lxuj-547F8z-54bhPh-54bxN7-7fzoF2-8G1yHM-8G4HTL-8G4UeN-4XPzqT-4ZE5rb-38XJda-67k6mF-7c6U9V-LhnJ8-4mzArM/player/" width="640" height="425" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Its raining<br />
<div>
A soft gentle patter</div>
<div>
It's quiet at this time of day</div>
<div>
And warm enough to have the doors open</div>
<div>
There is a chance to listen</div>
<div>
And hear</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To often we rush to noise</div>
<div>
And activity</div>
<div>
Just take a few moments</div>
<div>
To listen</div>
<div>
And wonder</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0Clarkston Clarkston55.78247 -4.288818tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-50070363737082409982014-05-11T07:52:00.003+01:002014-05-11T07:52:49.427+01:00Desktop Wallpaper for May 2014<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13930601078" title="Desktop Wallpaper for May 2014 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Desktop Wallpaper for May 2014" height="360" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5315/13930601078_927158aa16_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The desktop wallpaper for May 2014 is that iconic photo of the Forth Rail Bridge from South Queensferry.<br />
<br />
Click through to Flickr to get a high quality version. If you like it then please feel free to download and use it.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-56005737767637161082014-05-11T07:50:00.000+01:002014-05-11T07:50:15.994+01:00A photo a Day - Catching Up<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13892254907" title="Mosaic for April 2014 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Mosaic for April 2014" height="534" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/13892254907_38a3b83faf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Despite evidence to the contrary I am still up to date with the photo a day challenge. What I have completely failed to keep up to date with is posting each of the photos here. Part of the problem is that Flickr has broken the link to Blogger. Seemingly "nobody used it". So as the only person who used the feature I have been floundering a little. Once I get a couple of days behind I tend to forget for another few. As a result we have a gap covering most of April and a chunk of May.<br />
<br />
All the photos are on my Flickr photostream. THis is where you will find all the rest of the photos from the challenge this year.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-2539278298297497822014-04-13T08:52:00.000+01:002014-04-13T08:52:44.007+01:00Day 100 of 365<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13763526233" title="Day 100 of 365 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Day 100 of 365" height="213" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/13763526233_abb38751cd_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
I have made it through the first 100 days of the photo challenge for 2014. There have been good days and bad days. There have been days when I have taken the time to think, compose a shot and edit it properly. There have been many others that have just been a quick snap with my iPhone.<br />
<br />
Today's shot is nice. I am quite pleased with this closeup shot of a dandelion in the back garden. It was taken with my new Lensbaby Fisheye lens. It allows me to focus in on objects that are only about 1mm away from the surface of the glass. <br />
<br />
You get a very different view of things when you get in close. Sometime seeing the wide open horizon is what we need to see. At other times a very close view can give a very different perspective.<br />
<br />
A photo a day for 2014.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-55087873651176623872014-04-13T08:49:00.000+01:002014-04-13T08:49:07.658+01:00Day 99 of 365<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13742383103" title="Day 99 of 365 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Day 99 of 365" height="320" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7089/13742383103_5d83df9bcb_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
You can tell it has been one of those days when I am taking photos of my dinner. A handmade burger from the Handmade Burger Company is, however, a good way to end the day. Let's leave behind the fact that I have rushed from one thing to the next. Forget about the busy-ness of it all. Enjoy dinner. <br />
<br />
A photo a day for 2014.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-13709905880000111642014-04-13T08:47:00.001+01:002014-04-13T08:47:02.228+01:00Day 98 of 365<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13715041903" title="Day 98 of 365 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Day 98 of 365" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/13715041903_7d9d7cdf34_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Another photo of Abbey Bridge in Paisley<br />
<br />
A photo a day for 2014.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-63325760497230573642014-04-13T08:45:00.001+01:002014-04-13T08:45:31.769+01:00Day 97 of 365<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13699084945" title="Day 97 0f 365 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Day 97 0f 365" height="320" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/13699084945_a7af47d788_n.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
I love this section of a poem by Robert Frost<br />
<br />
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,<br />I took the one less travelled by,<br />And that has made all the difference"<br />- Robert Frost<br />
<br />
What path we take makes a difference.<br />
<br />
A photo a day for 2014.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-58170056978653223192014-04-13T08:25:00.000+01:002014-04-13T08:25:00.488+01:00Day 96 of 365<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13669156985" title="Day 96 of 365 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Day 96 of 365" height="213" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/13669156985_d43843c44b_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Blue sky<br />
Fluffy clouds<br />
A quiet Sunday afternoon<br />
Watch them passing by<br />
What can you see?<br />
What shapes come and go?<br />
Where will they lead?<br />
<br />
A photo a day for 2014.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-73037094300945657382014-04-13T08:23:00.000+01:002014-04-13T08:23:05.490+01:00Day 95 of 365<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13649228184" title="Day 95 of 365 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Day 95 of 365" height="240" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/13649228184_2c5f090b5b_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
The Minar<br />
Our favourite curry house<br />
Friendly staff<br />
Good food<br />
A chance to talk<br />
A chance to listen<br />
<br />
The sharing of food is such a blessing<br />
Don't rush away<br />
Stay awhile<br />
Let's eat and talk<br />
<br />
A photo a day for 2014Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-70454643040548500342014-04-13T08:20:00.002+01:002014-04-13T08:20:23.060+01:00Day 94 of 365<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13621900723" title="Day 94 of 365 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Day 94 of 365" height="240" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/13621900723_fff171541c_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
We will cross that bridge when we come to it.<br />
I cross this one every day.<br />
What bridges will we need to cross today?<br />
Some, like Abbey Bridge in Paisley, are easy to cross<br />
We barely notice the passing<br />
Just another step<br />
Another section of the road<br />
<br />
Some are scary<br />
Narrow<br />
high<br />
They can make us feel insecure<br />
Vulnerable<br />
Unsure of our footing<br />
Uncertain<br />
<br />
We need to step out<br />
Take the first step<br />
Put our faith in the bridge<br />
It will hold our weight<br />
<br />
A photo a day for 2014Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-51271877443884758742014-04-13T08:15:00.002+01:002014-04-13T08:15:52.016+01:00Day 93 of 365<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13608230224" title="Day 93 of 365 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Day 93 of 365" height="213" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/13608230224_1631748d28_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Do you ever feel the need to hit the <escape> key? There are days when it all gets too much. There are times when the pile of action required becomes unmanageable. On occasion it can seem like the best option. Hit that key and get out of it. </escape><br />
<br />
Stickability is required. <br />
(I don't think that is actually a word) <br />
Perseverance marks us out. <br />
Keep on keeping on. <br />
Don't give up.<br />
Some things are worth the fight.<br />
One foot in front of the other.<br />
Don't hit <escape></escape><br />
<br />
A photo a day for 2014.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-67752341726749375992014-04-13T08:11:00.001+01:002014-04-13T08:11:17.318+01:00Day 92 of 365<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13584690353" title="Day 92 of 365 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Day 92 of 365" height="320" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/13584690353_e7ea322811_n.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
It will be a wee while yet before the blossom on the cherry tree in our garden bursts in to bloom. For just now we have to be satisfied with the fact that the buds are forming. Keeping an eye open for tiny buds allows us to look more closely and think about what might be if we give it time.<br />
<br />
A photo a day for 2014.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-34270482889143138502014-04-13T08:09:00.001+01:002014-04-13T08:09:24.239+01:00Day 91 of 365<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13565166105" title="Day 91 of 365 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Day 91 of 365" height="213" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3706/13565166105_0784cf5c65_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
No April fools joke for me on the 1st of April. I never was any good at them so they are best left alone. It is awlays better to know what things to leave behind!<br />
<br />
You can just about see this farm outbuilding from our house. With a nice long lens, however, it becomes possible to take this. It was a rather dull and damp day today so the photo was converted to black and white in order to make it a little more interesting.<br />
<br />
A photo a day for 2014.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-77586749866780261962014-04-13T07:45:00.000+01:002014-04-13T07:45:02.233+01:00Desktop Wallpaper for April 2014<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13724156413" title="Desktop wallpaper for April 2014 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Desktop wallpaper for April 2014" height="281" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/13724156413_5198d5b859.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I have been uploading a photo to Flickr as a desktop wallpaper every month for the past few years. There is quite a collection of them now. This one was taken on the beach at Skegness in April 2012 while we were attending Spring Harvest. The image was created with <a href="http://bighugelabs.com/" rel="nofollow">fd's Flickr Toys</a><br />
<br />
If you like the photo then please feel free to download the original and use it yourself.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-86736624115326103132014-04-13T07:42:00.000+01:002014-04-13T07:42:48.868+01:00A photo a day for 2014 - March<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13543210973" title="March Mosaic by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="March Mosaic" height="320" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/13543210973_e1d7fb1665_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
That is three months done and I still haven't missed a day. I have come close. A few of the shots were rather last minute. I am still going, however. I am even beginning to catch up with the posts to the blog, although I haven't said very much on some of them.<br />
<br />
The mosaic was created using fd Flickr Toys. This is a great wee set of online image tools which I have been using for years.<br />
<br />
A photo a day for 2014.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-68513327907504133312014-04-13T07:39:00.003+01:002014-04-13T07:39:48.437+01:00Day 90 of 365<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13543281434" title="Day 90 of 365 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Day 90 of 365" height="320" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3745/13543281434_5875c154a7_n.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
The kids bought lovely tulips as a present for mothers day. They are a lovely bright reminder of spring.<br />
<br />
A photo a day for 2014.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28609422.post-53234565578830700582014-04-13T07:38:00.000+01:002014-04-13T07:38:06.674+01:00Day 89 of 365<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon_mckinlay/13517084953" title="Day 89 of 365 by Gordon McKinlay, on Flickr"><img alt="Day 89 of 365" height="213" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3723/13517084953_a307a2bd5b_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Daniel is getting so big. He is now five months old. Being a grandparent is the most amazing thing ever. <br />
<br />
A photo a day for 2014.Gordon McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09368986277791607721noreply@blogger.com0