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Maze Walker

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Maze Walker

Author Archives: t - That's Me

For the NW Folks – a Snippet into your Grandson’s World

17 Sunday Apr 2016

Posted by t - That's Me in Art, Music, Uncategorized

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Tags

Choir, Chorus, Collinsville, Greg Gilpin, High School Choir, John Leavitt, Kurt Bestor, Little Wheel a Turnin', O Captain My Captain, Prayer of the Children, Walt Whitman

Wish I had thought to record the pre-Contest Concert 2 days prior as they rocked it that night (tears-to-the-eyes beautiful). But these are still pretty darn good.



Contents of a not-so-much-a-Jewelry-Box, Box – Series: It’s the 80s and “I am (NOT) Loved”

05 Saturday Mar 2016

Posted by t - That's Me in 80s, Personal Musings, Retro, Uncategorized

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Tags

80s Trends, Before Facebook, Before the Internet, Fashion Accessories, Fashion Trends, I am Loved Pin, I am not loved, Pins, Relationship Status, Vintage

Walking through my bedroom, a mottled red box that is on most occasions unconsidered caught the corner of my eye, and acquired attentiveness yet further as I opened it up to peruse its contents of yesteryear. My yesteryear, but also interwoven with the yesteryear of others, directly or indirectly.

Before there was the Internet and Facebook where one could indicate their relationship status, there were these little pins. “I AM LOVED”

I am Loved
I am Loved_NOT

Back in the 80s when these came out, the trend was that a person wore these right side up if they had a boyfriend/girlfriend.  Mine was infinitely upside down. Teen angst sneered at mom when she tried to plea, “But you are loved, because we love you very much.”

“Geez, Mom! You just don’t get it.”

The Hawk and the Little Red Bird

13 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by t - That's Me in Personal Musings, Seasons, Uncategorized, winter

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

finch, hawk, hunt, little bird, porch, predator, prey, red bird, sparrows

That moment a hawk flies through the air space of your front porch on a sunny yet chilly morning in mid-February. I’ve seen hawks around before. I’ve even seen them in my yard. One was actually chased away by several sparrows of some variety who had taken up residence in my little oak tree this past summer. The hawk had landed on the tiny patch of ground I call my front yard. I figured those smaller birds were in parental mode, protecting their young. I mentioned the occurrence to an acquaintance shortly thereafter but was adamantly advised that hawks do not go after other birds. I can now confidently say that that is not the case.
Front Window

This morning I saw through the curtains a mottled tan blur, and more distinctly above, long feathered wings back-dropped by the white tongue-and-groove ceiling of my porch, of what I was certain to be a hawk. A hawk on a mission. I dashed to where I keep my camera near that same front window, and while digging the camera from its bag I was simultaneously peering out the window and saw a small reddish bird. It was about the size of a house finch, but more mauve-like across its entire body, sleek, and with a long-ish tail. This little bird was sitting on the lower railing at the end of my porch, earnestly looking around, hopping in near circles, oblivious to my presence as it notably had a more prominent danger at hand. It then darted off the protective railing in the direction around the side of my house and swoosh, the streak of a hawk jetted after its prey. I ran outside but they were no more to be seen. I don’t know which would prove to be the victor of this morning’s game of life.

Note:  The cover image is not my own photo.  I was unable to get a picture of either bird.

Image

Enchanted Journey in a Midwest City

04 Thursday Feb 2016

Tags

Adventure, angles, Art Deco, Artwork, Caverns, Caves, City Museum, Craft, Deco, kaleidoscope, Mosaic, Museum, perspective, photography, Re-purpose, Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse, Sculptures

Always before, I was with my children.  Amazing as those times were, I was busy being a parent. And I didn’t have a camera.

I gave myself a personal day to play, paint brush in one hand and camera in the other.  I pondered posting of this magnificent, somewhat hidden treasure.  But then I realized I don’t have a big enough following to worry about what I like to think of as a secret in the city. City Museum, St. Louis, MO.  They craft and make with donated items, re-purposing at the very core in oh so cool ways.

Anyway, a couple weeks ago I got word that they were repainting rollers they re-purposed to the likes of spindles along stairway and balcony railings.  Art Deco painting. Yeah, baby!  And they were opening it to the public, via paid general admission, during an announced date and time. Yes! Yes! Yes! However, being the responsible adult I generally am,  duty called and the moment was lost. The first time for them to be repainted in 20 years. So when I heard there was to be another session, I informed my client I would not be working that day, no matter what. I am soooooo glad I took my camera. (If you haven’t guessed, there are some pictures.)  The rollers got me there, but then……

Did I mention the caves and 10-story high slides, and constructs of wire and other mediums forming human habitrails throughout?  Yes, any time you see a big spiraling wire structure, people are able to travel through such, sometimes several stories above ground.

I didn’t even go to the outdoor MonstroCity, though you can see snippets of such through a couple windows. Next time.

But until then, I hope you enjoy the pictures. (Categories:  The Rollers, Wired Up, Caves, Eclectic Assortment)

(Click on images to enlarge)

The Rollers

City Museum 02-03-2016 006 (2)
City Museum 02-03-2016 014b
City Museum 02-03-2016 018
City Museum 02-03-2016 017 (2)
City Museum 02-03-2016 016
City Museum 02-03-2016 002 (2)
IMG_4519
City Museum 02-03-2016 034
City Museum 02-03-2016 093
City Museum 02-03-2016 015

 

Wired Up

City Museum 02-03-2016 090
City Museum 02-03-2016 092
City Museum 02-03-2016 066
City Museum 02-03-2016 067
City Museum 02-03-2016 086
City Museum 02-03-2016 093
City Museum 02-03-2016 106

Caves

10-story high slides.
10-story high slides.
City Museum 02-03-2016 049
City Museum 02-03-2016 055
City Museum 02-03-2016 052
City Museum 02-03-2016 058b
City Museum 02-03-2016 060
City Museum 02-03-2016 056

Eclectic Assortment

City Museum 02-03-2016 037b
City Museum 02-03-2016 094
City Museum 02-03-2016 084 (2)
City Museum 02-03-2016 098
City Museum 02-03-2016 039 (2)
City Museum 02-03-2016 021
City Museum 02-03-2016 104
City Museum 02-03-2016 101
City Museum 02-03-2016 103
City Museum 02-03-2016 043
City Museum 02-03-2016 105b
City Museum 02-03-2016 097
City Museum 02-03-2016 048
City Museum 02-03-2016 035b
IMG_4523
City Museum 02-03-2016 028
City Museum 02-03-2016 045
City Museum 02-03-2016 036
City Museum 02-03-2016 100
City Museum 02-03-2016 033
City Museum 02-03-2016 099
City Museum 02-03-2016 009
City Museum 02-03-2016 001b

 

Posted by t - That's Me | Filed under Art, Craft, Painting, Photos, Pictures, Uncategorized

≈ 8 Comments

On a Foggy Winter’s Morning

11 Friday Dec 2015

Posted by t - That's Me in Personal Musings, Photo, Photos, Pictures, Seasons, Uncategorized, winter

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Tags

Construction Zone, December, Fog, Foggy, Hard Hats Required, Trees, winter

There is a field to the side of the road near my work destination that I knew would look way-cool this morning. I actually went a slightly different route, just for that reason, as I wanted to take some pictures. Unfortunately, due to the weather conditions, pulling off on the side of the road screamed of an accident waiting to happen and the only other way to get a vantage point was restricted, as I didn’t have a hard hat with me. (Yes, I actually have safety glasses in my car.  I have a hard-hat, too, but alas, it was at home.)

Hard Hat Required
In the way of my photo op

I did find a little spot with a few trees that had to suffice.

Fog 12112015-trees

My Little Oak Tree

13 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by t - That's Me in Gardening, Photos, Pictures, Seasons

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Tags

Aging, Autumn, Oak Tree

In the Fall of 2003 I bought my house where a small stick less than a foot high stuck out of the front yard.  I was told it was an oak tree. (See the red arrow and red circle next to the garbage cans in the picture below?  Yeah, I know you can’t see the stick, but that’s where it is.)

Little Oak Tree

And the following summer, it remained a tiny stick, though it sprouted 3-4 leaves for the season. (If you look really hard, you can see it where the second arrow points.)

One of my neighbors, for the next several years would laugh at my stick.

Then one year, my little oak tree shot off like a rocket. Each year growing taller, and its branches broadly reaching outward.  It started keeping its leaves through the winter, changing from green straight to brown.  I’ve had beautiful bowed branches in the winter under the weight of snow.

November 16 2014 - Oak Tree and Snow

Even in small dustings.

It always bypassed the beautiful colors of autumn.  And I was always a little bit sad about that.

This year’s autumn, however, produced a new layer of beauty.  Not vibrant red or golden yellow or fiery orange.  No. But a beauty that reminds me of ones’ life journey, worn with aging through the challenges met yet the warm glow of life coursing through the veins.

I love my little oak tree.

(Click on individual pictures to enlarge)
112b
119b
DSC02960b
111b
Dark Veins - Dark Vini

Fairies in the Emerald City

24 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by t - That's Me in Emerald City, Seattle, Wallingford

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Tags

Fairies, Fairy Garden, gardens, Minniatures, photography, Photos

A recent cherished visit with family in the Emerald City presented a bonus visit to a tiny and magical Emerald Land deep in the heart of….. Okay, it was a casual stride across the narrow street in a charming neighborhood of Wallingford, followed by the ascension of several steps.  Such steps have been the pathway to the residing place of the creator of a local known Christmas Holiday display adored by so many in recent years. This summer, Fairies have taken up residency in a much more secluded manner.  It appears they are quite happy here and are making plans to expand upon their established real estate in a most Eco-friendly way.

Click on the images for larger viewing.

Emerald City Fairies_04
Emerald City Fairies_10
Emerald City Fairies_07
Emerald City Fairies_12
Emerald City Fairies_14
Emerald City Fairies_11
Emerald City Fairies_01
Emerald City Fairies_03
Emerald City Fairies_02
Emerald City Fairies_06
Emerald City Fairies_08

Image

Squish, squish, snap…., slither

21 Sunday Jun 2015

Before the sun awoke from several days sleep blanketed by heaps and mounds of gray and dismal clouds, I ventured over to a charming little park known by few and squished along the soggy grounds feeding my soul through a plethora of colors, shapes and textures.

A week’s rain, too, had the lake expanded, and walking nearer, a startled water moccasin slithered, retreating to the safety of the water’s depths. I missed getting a picture of the snake as I was too busy making sure there were no others where I strode. Rumor has it there has been a snake swarm sited at the lake. Yep. I took a walk on the wild side.

087 - Tone Down
027 - Tone Down
019 - Exposure
095- Tone Down
046 - Exposure and Color Balance
076 - Tone
048 - Exposure and Color Balance
045 - Exposure and Color Balance
075 - Tone and Exposure
006 - Exposure and Color Balance
089 - Tone Down
056 - Exposure and Tone

Posted by t - That's Me | Filed under Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Forget-Me-Not and my Bleeding Heart cuz I’m Frond You, or… You can just Blow Me

02 Saturday May 2015

Posted by t - That's Me in Gardening, Macro Photography, Photo, Photos, Pictures, Seasons, Spring

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Tags

Bleeding Heart, blooms, blossoms, Caves, Dandelion, Fern, flowers, Forget-Me-Not, Fronds, macrophotography, MorelMushroom, Spring, wildflowers

HUH?!

Fern
Fern
Dandelion
Dandelion
New Fern Fronds
New Fern Fronds
Roll 'em out (Fern Fronds)
Roll ’em out (Fern Fronds)
Bleeding Hearts
Bleeding Hearts
Forget-Me-Nots
Forget-Me-Nots

Pink Elephant… Rocks

15 Saturday Nov 2014

Posted by t - That's Me in Elephant Rocks State Park, Photo, Pictures, Seasons

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Autumn, Boulders, Elephant Rocks State Park, Fall, Fungi, Fungus, Granite Rock, Missouri State Park, Pink Granite, Pump House, Rock Climbing, Rock Quarry, State Park, Tree Climbing

My teenage son and I decided to take an impromptu trip to Elephant Rocks State Park. I began to ponder the outcome of the trip as it began to rain and then further began to sleet on the drive there. As it turned out, the precipitation stopped just before our arrival, the wind lessened, and the sun came out.

I have fond memories of this place as a child growing up.  Tomboy that I was, I would climb and leap about with abandon. Now, walking and climbing about the park as a not-so-very-active 50+ year old, I found myself singing, “The Old Gray Mare,” to my sons embarrassment.

Hover over images below for brief description.  Click on any image below for larger view of all images within gallery.

Perspective
Perspective
Sooooooo Big - 2010
Sooooooo Big – 2010
Sooooooo Big - 2014 w/ Teen Angst
Sooooooo Big – 2014 w/ Teen Angst
Pump House Ruin
Pump House Ruin
King of the Mountain
King of the Mountain
Fungi
Fungi
Pump House Ruin
Pump House Ruin
Daughter at Rock Quarry - 2010
Daughter at Rock Quarry – 2010
Elephant Rocks November 2 2014 006copy
Tree Climb 4 years after 2010
Tree Climb 4 years after 2010
Tree Climb 2010
Tree Climb 2010

Sorry bud,  I can’t fit through there now.

Crawl on my knees on that hard rock floor to get to that albeit way cool spot on the other side…, are you kidding me?

No, my boy, I have to go around this other way because my ankles can’t handle the impact of that 1 1/2 foot jump down.

Elephant Rock Cover ImageBut I am thankful that I am still able to climb and do what I can. And, seeing the trail for the blind, I am thankful I can see the many splendors there is to see. And it made me so happy that my teenage son willingly, no, he actually wantingly, went on this impromptu excursion with me and me alone, knowing I can’t get around like he can (any more).

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