Here Comes the Sun . . .

Do-do-do-do . . . During the recent heavy rains and snowfall I had to have in 'indoor' project to work on. The plan was to use the stamps I had been saving and gluing them on a less than attractive picture frame. I wanted to frame trip maps. This is the result. I had all the supplies with the exception of the frame. Luckily, a few weeks back when we were at the dump, we found three frames just sitting there waiting for us. This is the result of my rainy day fun. the supplies more supplies the first layer almost finished on the wall with my map of lower Manhattan

Rain, Rain, Go Away . . .

. . . come again another day. Noah, where are you when we need you? We are drowning down here.

Vertigo and I'm Not Talking About the Movie

I am not superstitious but I might change my mind today. I went out for lunch (as opposed to staying in the office) and had an attack. I was eating lunch and all of a sudden the room was spinning. I just knew that I needed to get out to my car and close my eyes and sit still. It was so loud and noisy and crowded in that restaurant I wasn't sure I would make it out alive. I could hardly walk a straight line. I finally made it to my car and then spent 20 minutes trying to get hold of TOM. By the time he got there to rescue me the sensation had passed and I was able to drive home. He followed me in case I needed him. Earlier in the day I thought about taking the afternoon off. Well, I got the afternoon off, but not for the reason I thought. TGIF even if it is Friday the 13th.

Say a Little Prayer for Me

First, I have no idea how they came up with this name for a towing company. Second, this guy needs as many prayers as he can get, just after I snapped this shot he started to merge left and almost took out the car in front of me. Third, I hope he is not the only tow available if I ever need one.

Hiking in Pine Mountain

We went up to FDR State Park today. We got a late start tho and it was 11:45 by the time we got there. The sun was high and the temperature was climbing. We hiked about an hour out and back. We got back to the visitor center about 1:30 and ate lunch overlooking the valley. There was a fire burning off in the distance so it was a bit hazy. Vine wrapped around a tree Blue sky Woodpecker Condos Beautiful green moss White flowers on the trail Trumpet vine Bloomin' tree Light at the Visitor Center Lunch

Really Tired Today

Had a vertigo attack last night right after dinner. I was just getting my jammies on so I would be ready for Lost and whoosh, the room was spinning. Luckily, I had some phenergan in the house but I 'lost' about three hours of my evening. This is the second attack I've had in the last six months. I guess I need to get an adjustment (or get TOM to do it for me). Needless to say, I stayed home from work but I didn't stay in the house all day. I finally got some clothes on around 1:00, grabbed my camera, and hit the road. I went over to Ft. Mitchell and the military cemetary. Then I headed over to Seale (where we lived when we first moved here 20 years ago. After that I headed back to town and took a stroll on the River Walk. I got a good shot of a Grey Heron stalking his prey. I didn't get the money shot tho...just missed it. The river was running high from all the rain last week. Quite a few guys were down fishing, but I don't know if they were catching anything. Just enjoying the day, like everyone else. It was a beautiful day in the valley (mid 60's) and it was good to take a walk and clear my head. We are supposed to have more of the same tomorrow. But back to the Heron. I've got my eye on you Shad Sushi

Quesdilla for Dinner

Needed a quick dinner for tonight, but it had to have some nutritional value and that means black beans. I love black bean and cheese quesadillas and thought that I would share them with you today. First pull out the quesdilla maker and warm it up. Spray with Olive oil. Open a can of black beans, rinse and drain. You wlll need two whole wheat tortillas (these are multi-grain and they don't hold up so well). Place one tortilla on the maker, use 1/3 cup of beans. Today I also added portobello mushrooms. Top with about 1/2 cup of low fat mozarella cheese. Put on the top tortilla and press until cheese is melted. Cut quesadilla into triangles. Serves two. Mix some fat free yogurt with fresh cilantro as a dip. Add a tablespoon or two of salsa . Bon Apetit

Whirly-Gig in Alabama

We got this whirly-gig kit from my mother about 15 years ago. It has been sitting in the garage collecting dust. TOM finally decided to put the darn thing together. So here are some shots of the process. The first coats of paint: The finishing touches: Proper placement is important: "It works"

Little Inhabitant

I managed to get a few shots today when I was out for lunch. Just a few minutes before I stopped, I hit the brakes and the camera flew to the floor. I was worried I damaged it. I would have been really p-o'd. This little guy was at lunch too.

A New Truck

I finally talked TOM into a new (used) truck. Let me tell you, it was really a tuff sell. He really hates spending any money these days. I have been working on him for about 6 months. But today, the deal is sealed. We have been actively searching for about 2 weeks. Let me tell you, if you are looking for a used truck and you find one you like you better move on it fast. We lost out on one because we moved to slow. Taking me for my first ride Sitting in the drive on day 1 First ride for Cricket Note: Lady was in the bed of the truck too, but she wouldn't calm down for a photo.

The Siblings

The last of the feline peeps are Goldie and Squirrel. They are brother and sister. Another brother, Ed, has been missing since last 4th of July. We miss him. Goldie likes to snuggle, but does not like to be held. She is a sweet girl. Goldie and Ed were twins. We also owned their mother, Magic, who just wandered into our lives one day. And four years later she wandered out. She still lives in the neighborhood and stops by to visit once in a while. Squirrel is a total tom cat. Lazy and amiable, although he looks a little grumpy in this photo. He did not like the camera flash. As a final memorial to all the animals that have passed through our lives and not mentioned in previous posts. Felines: Snowball, Simba, Wednesday, Rags, and Gizmo. Guinea pigs: Winnie and Fatso. And finally, the best dog ever: Nova.

This Cricket Doesn't Chirp

This is my Cricket. She came to live with us the first spring in our current home. It was raining and she was hiding in the culvert that runs under the driveway. She was only a couple of months old and I thought she was the cutest dog ever. Our older dog, Nova, needed a playmate and we were done moving. We decided to keep her. It took a few days for us to name her. I finally selected Cricket when I saw her jump straight up (and she responded to it). It was almost as if she was telling me she liked that name.

Is the Lady of the House Home

We got Lady about eight years ago. My youngest son (is there pattern here) was doing some volunteer at a local animal shelter. Lady had been brought to the shelter earlier that week, she had been found wandering down the middle of the street. She was very dehydrated and I think she suffered some brain damage. She loves to play catch tho. She's a good girl and I am glad (most of the time) that the boys talked me into bringing her home.

My Peeps

I live with a lot of people. They do not all walk upright on two legs, but they each have their own unique personality and add to the richness of my life. Today I would like to introduce you to Kat. She is the youngest member of our family (she actually belongs to my youngest son). She followed him home three years ago and has been with us ever since. I am probably more a cat person than a dog person. They are independant and not as 'needy' as dogs. Kind of like me : ) Ahyhoo, this is Kat. As you can see, she likes to read.

Roadside Memorials (8)

I went for a short drive yesterday and found this memorial. I am not very happy of any of the shots. Guess I will have to go back and try again : ) The family had recently placed Valentine on the site. Additionally, there was two angels, pin wheels, and balloons. Christian Brooks Webb 3/31/1993 - 5/9/2007 Photo Taken: 2/20/2009 Location: Lee Road 246, Lee County, AL

Camera Practice

Because it has been sooo cold and windy I haven't been able to go outside and use the new camera. So, I have to take pictures of stuff in the house. I am almost to the point of photographing the pilates reformer and the treadmill. I guess I could shoot the animals, but I have done that so many times already that's it's not new anymore. Anyhoo, I started snapping my jewelry frame and this is what came out of the camera:

Tent City

I went out for a walk by the river today at lunch. The sun was shining and the sky was blue. A great opportunity to get some pratice with that new camera : ) As I was heading back to the campus I looked down and saw a small tent city. I saw only one inhabitant, but there was three tents, a clothes line, and a bike. In a less than desireable situation, people are surviving. They were making the best of it. They have a place to live and food to eat and transportation. They have proved that people are resilient and can overcome adversity. I hope some day, they can come in from the tent.

The No Name Post

Been kind of in the dumps the last few days. Not sure the cause, I just know that I am not motivated to do anything, except blog, watch movies, read, and take snaps. Maybe it's because my oldest son is turning 30 this week. I don't freak out when I have another birthday, so why should I freak out about him having another birthday? Anyhoo, we had a b-day celebration for him today ... surf and turf, cake, and ice cream. I have been spending a lot of time with my camera lately. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. I guess in some respects it's a good thing, it doesn't talk back, it doesn't ask questions, it doesn't get bored while I take pictures, it doesn't care how long we're out. The camera represents an escape from the mundane; the daily grind. Go to work, come home routine. I am excited about one thing this week ... I purchased a new camera. A Nikon D80. I was looking at the D90, but had a hard time talking myself into spending $1300 for a camera. Anyhoo, it should be delivered by Wednesday. That will give me plenty of time to get comfortable with it before we go on vacation in May. Speaking of vacation, I have to finish making our hotel reservations. We are booked at Curry Village while we are at Yosemite. I have to make a reservation for SF, as well as get tickets for Alcatraz. Because I seem to be all over the map in this post today, let me include a snap that has absolutely nothing to do with anything I have written here today. This snap was taken on our sculpture walk a week ago. I guess it actually does fit the post, at least the first part. Apron Strings Sandra Graves

P.S. I Love You . . .

I noticed on my way to work the other day that a couple of the memorials I snapped previously had been decorated for Valentines Day. To view the first photos, click here.

Street Sculpture

It was a beautiful morning so I decided today would be a good day to take some snaps of the down on the Sculpture Walk in Columbus (also known as Broadway). The Unity Peace Tree is one of my favorites. I do not know the name of the sculptor. Each of the leaves was created by a child and attached to the tree. Enjoy : )

Sourthern Traditions

Chik-fil-a and church

Roadside Memorials (7)

Three Crosses Roger Jeremy Black; 8/3/1985 to 9/7/2004 Lee Leon Woods; 2/26/2004 to 9/7/2004 Phillip C. Woods; 1/1/1992 to 9/7/2004 Photo Taken: 2/4/2009 Fort Mitchell, Hwy 165N, Russell County, AL Unknown Photo Taken: 2/4/2009 Fort Mitchell, Hwy 165N, Russell County, AL