Christmas Night

The snow in Atlanta falls sometimes on the planta's...

Silliness aside, it was odd to see the snow...I thought I left it behind...

Home Again, Home Again

Flew home yesterday.  Imagine my pleasure at seeing another "sundog" from the 'plane.  It is dfficult to tell in the photo, but it had the makings of a triple....clouds from above often have an alien kind of look, don't you think?  Good to be home...and I have a memory card full of photos :)

Christmas Past

Over the years I amassed quite a collection of Santa Bears.  They became an integral part of my decorating...when I was still decorating. This was taken in the early '90's.

Deja Vu

I have been busy the last several evenings...I need to get all the wrapping done so it can be mailed south.  I have a similar picture at the beginning of this blog.  The next night I broke my ankle slipping on ice and spent that Christmas in a rehab nursing home and the next 3 months home waitng for it to heal.  This year shall be different.

The green splotchy areas are disguising certain items.  After all, one never knows who might be looking. 

PS:  Not all the consequences of that fall were bad...Viv.."meeting" you was one of the best  :)

Snow Angel

The day I had my head shaved in readiness of chemo hair loss, I was given this angel.  Since that day just over nine years ago, she sits on my desk in front of my computer and is a constant reminder of all my blessings.

Oh Noooo!

Where the heck did I store the snow / ice scraper for the car?

Christmas Scenes

Remember when I went to Frankenmuth in July?  And I told you I took a bunch of  Christmas themed pictures?  Yup...been saving them.  Never let it be said that I am predictable...(which, of course, I really am).

Fascination

Perhaps you have noticed I post a lot of this type of photo.  I have always been fascinated by nature's paintings.  I have been known to pull over to the side of the road just to sit in awe of a great rainbow or a great sunset...Sometimes to appreciate the "simple" things is to appreciate the greatest gifts.

Standard Time

Dark comes earlier now, and it seems to catch the day by surprise...she doesn't always seem willing to go gracefully into the dark...

Last Glow

The sun was setting, low on the horizon but it still had the power to blind...

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

It was pretty chilly last night.  Went out to get the trash can this morning and saw this...leftover rain water turned into ice...first ice of the season (in my neighborhood).  I guess I should find my winter jacket and have it ready...

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving...a traditional holiday here in America.  There is much gathering of friends and family on this day.  I, personally, give thanks for all my many blessings on a daily basis.  Today is no different.  For those of you who do not "celebrate" this day, perhaps you will also give thanks for those things you are most grateful for.  I don't think giving thanks is merely an American or Canadian tradition.  I believe it is something that we should all practice.

Getting Ready

Every year around this time our snow maintenance company comes around and puts these around the complex.  The theory is that they will stick up out of the snow and show the crews where to plow/snowblow.  Every year before the snow flies, any number of these have disappeared...knocked down by wind or pets, pulled out by the kids.  I'll let you know how it goes when the snow comes....

Reflections

When you wouldn't mind sitting waiting at a light, you never catch it...had to take this on the fly...have been trying for a week...the water in this "pond" has been still for a number of days...morning and evening. 

PS:  I like my canted pics that I get when I am taking on the fly...but then, my view on life is slightly skewed, also  

Wrong Country

I was amazed to see this today...I mean c'mon...I-275 is a long way from France...and as you can see, they make skirts for the French.  I had to cover up the phone number so you wouldn't all be wanting to call and pester them for skirts...I am thinking black pencil skirts....maybe even make black capri's on the side...think Audrey Hepburn. 

Between the Dark and the Daylight...

Mother Nature has been offering some beautiful gifts lately...I wish I could do her justice...

Soupy

Although the weather peeps kept saying the fog would be to the north, it was pretty thick around where I live..I guess the proximity of the golf course...as I was on my way out of the complex I decided to take a few shots...ya never know what the camera might see.  This one was maybe 40 feet from me.  I couldn't  even see the golf course across the road.  I do like ghostly, foggy views.

Yet Another...

...Sunrise...sorry folks...but I do have this thing about sunrise/sunsets (hmmm  sounds like a song title).  After voting last week I walked ouside and this was in the sky to greet me.  Doesn't matter which camera I used, nothing can compare (hmmm  another song title) to the reality of nature.  I considered cropping out the lamp post, but I didn't want to lose the bit down in the corner....

What Do It Mean...?

Snagged this one the other day...I am still pondering the meaning.  Is it a room somewhere?  Or is it the name of a business?  Is it a secret code?  If you are a member of the right group you will know where it is and when it is open?  A girl could lose a lot of sleep over this...I won't...but a girl could.

Windstorms

With all those windy days we had in the midwest last week, trash day became Obstacle Course Day.  The trash gets picked up early here, then the wind had fun with the empty trash cans...it may not look too bad, but those cans that are by the curb farther down?  They were actually moving targets.  I did make it out to freedom without damaging any of them.

I Was Once Told...

...that I helped someone look at life from a different point of view....or something like that.  These fronds on the red ornamental grasses growing in front of the office remind me of woolie caterpillars....albino woolie caterpillars...

Early Morning

I have never been a "morning person" so I don't often have photo ops like this.  Had to stop this morning and grab some shots...started my day off with serenity.

Catching Clouds

'Nuff said...

Date Night

So the other day a friend and I hit Hine's Park to see what we could see.  This couple showed up with another couple...I think they were on a double date.  I tried to get all four in the same shot, but the other couple was checking out the salad bar while these two waited for the hostess to get them a table.  I wonder where they hide their credit card...

Detour

If you look close (or click on the picture to see it enlarged), you will see the image of a bicycle just above the word "Detour".  Yes folks, we even have detours on our bike paths...The barrels and signs are EVERYWHERE!

Imagine...

...my disappointment on seeing this sign...no ice skating for me today...

Cupcakes?

I love the way only the tops have turned on these "burning" bushes.  they remind me of cupcakes...of course, that could be because I happen to be a bit on the hungry side as I post this picture.  What do you think?

Error

You know how sometimes your camera sneaks in a picture when you aren't paying attention?  This is one of those pictures.  I think it is kind of cool....sort of an art photo...  I love it when the unintentional shot becomes something more than a mistake.

Island In the Lake

On the way back from the Atlanta trip last June, I spotted this island...I really should get a map and figure out exactly where it is...but I kind of like the mystery of it all. Wonder what they grow down there...fish food?  Glad I don't live there...motion sickness...either I would never leave or I would never get back to it.

Wake Up Call

The battery on the smoke detector in the "computer room" decided to die this am...shortly before 4:00 am. The periodic beeping invaded whatever dream I was having, became a part of it, then finally brought me up to conciousness...after sneaking around trying to figure out which alarm it was, I grabbed the step stool from the garage and yanked the dead battery.  It shall have a nice burial in my "hazardous materials waiting for Hazardous Materials Drop Off Day box".  I shall be headed out to buy 9 volt batteries....sigh...

PS:  Comp room is the only one with a tray ceiling..had it been any other alarm I would have had to drag the ladder in..small favors ...

Impatient

Waiting for dinner....

PS:  no dogs were starved in the making of this photo...

The Keeper

More from the apple orchard visit.  Not sure if this guy is keeping guard over the porta-johns to prevent rioting by the skeletons, or to keep the lines in order on crowded days, or to make sure everyone uses the hand sanitizer when they come out...but guard he does. 

Drunk Duck?

Went to the cider mill a week or so ago...there was a great kids area including this duck race game.  You pumped the water into the trough by way of an old fashioned pump.  This little guy could not stay upright...think he drank too much hard cider...lucky he didn't drown.

Little Tin Soldiers...

Ok...so they aren't tin and they aren't little...but it looks like they are guarding the liberty bell, of course it isn't the REAL liberty bell...yeh yeh yeh..its ALL fake...

Back in July I was at Bronner's Christmas Store...open everyday but about 3.  Periodically you will be seeing scenes from there...After all, its only 103 days 'til Christmas (and somedays there is a dearth of photo ops).

PS:  I sat my bad self down on the bench, but those two boys totally ignored me...sigh...

Sundog

Yesterday was the apple orchard visit..quintessential autumn activity here in Michigan.  We looked up and the sun was surrounded by what appeared to be a halo..in fact it is called a sun dog...Had never seen one actually surround the sun...Now I have to wonder...when there is a ring around the moon...is that a moondog?

Not Any More

These are no longer "standard" equipment, but I remember them well...as a child, ours was wall mounted.  (Viv, I was ready to post this the other day and saw your dial phone...freaky)

Colors

Just because I like it...

Finally..

I found some artwork I liked for my oh so long empty bedroom wall.  These are the tools I used to get them up on the wall.

Hair

So I colored my hair last night.  Anyone who knows me knows that we never know what color wll ultimately shine.  I was a bit concerned after it dried...swear..pinkish and orangeish but in the light of day, its mainly normal.

Date Night at the Depot

Had reason to stop by the Home Depot last week.  Homer, here, was the best looking dude in the place...well...I do think that guy in the paint department is kind of cute...but...

I See The Moon...

...and the moon sees me...

It's a start..

True That...

I spotted this a few days ago.  There is sooo much truth in that statement.  Had to shoot it.

Getting better

On the whole, the sculptures popping up around town are far more interesting than in the past...  although I am still amazed at some of the prices....30K for this one..

Babies

Got together with the girls from work last week for a baby shower for JW (green sweater).  It is her first.  KJ is having her second.  They are due within a few days of each other later this month. 

Up, Up and Away...

I don't know why I have this fascination with clouds.  When I was a kid we used to lie on our backs and watch the clouds go by overhead...looking for shapes, enjoying the summer afternoons.  Flying home from Atlanta I decided to get some pictures from ABOVE the clouds.  Maybe I should just do a "cloud" blog...

Junk Heap

The first thing I noticed when Justin dropped me off at the airport was this "junky" penguin.  He is very cool and made out of old scrap metal...Not sure Atlanta is the place for penguins...especially in the heat they have been having...

Suspended...

Most of the flowers in the area of my patio are fairly terminal, but I was able to find one bud that wasn't totally gone.. don't ya just love the way this looks like it is suspended...

Trying "P"

So I went out today and spent a few minutes playing wth the new camera.  

Here are a few close-ups

!!FUN!! 

Who would've thought hostas could be so cool?

Thanks for the tip on "P", Viv.