17 Sunday Apr 2016
Posted in Art, Music, Uncategorized
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.
05 Saturday Mar 2016
Posted in 80s, Personal Musings, Retro, Uncategorized
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”
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.”
13 Saturday Feb 2016
Posted in Personal Musings, Seasons, Uncategorized, winter
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.
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)
The Rollers
Wired Up
Caves
Eclectic Assortment
Posted by t - That's Me | Filed under Art, Craft, Painting, Photos, Pictures, Uncategorized
11 Friday Dec 2015
Posted in Personal Musings, Photo, Photos, Pictures, Seasons, Uncategorized, winter
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.)
I did find a little spot with a few trees that had to suffice.
13 Friday Nov 2015
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.)
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.
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.
24 Friday Jul 2015
Posted in Emerald City, Seattle, Wallingford
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.
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.
Posted by t - That's Me | Filed under Uncategorized
02 Saturday May 2015
Tags
Bleeding Heart, blooms, blossoms, Caves, Dandelion, Fern, flowers, Forget-Me-Not, Fronds, macrophotography, MorelMushroom, Spring, wildflowers
HUH?!
15 Saturday Nov 2014
Posted in Elephant Rocks State Park, Photo, Pictures, Seasons
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.
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.
But 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).
Maze Walker 