Waning Mum

It's sad to see the outdoor flora waning with the advance of colder temperatures. Perhaps the winter weather will provide beautiful shots just the same?

Fall Ornamental

I think this is a form of decorative cabbage, although I haven't been able to substantiate this online. I shot it in at a nearby hotel where it adorns the now sparse perennial beds. Love the shades, though, especially in a month where everything here seems to be taking on a dismal brown or gray hue.

Frosty Start

First, full disclosure. This is a "cheat post". Not photographed today, but yesterday. Honestly, though, it's been so hard to post daily since school has started. School and home life are both incredibly busy this fall, and I send my apologies to my followers, as well as those whom I "follow". I have found it immensely difficult to leave the number of comments that I used to, although I wish I could. I hope that none of the people I follow will take it personally. I will continue to try and check in whenever I can.
Regarding this photo... frost has definitely set in here. This poor rose bush outside my school took a direct hit yesterday. The rose hips looked more like sugared candies than frozen seed pods. Supposedly these are edible, and are apparently a great source of Vitamin C. Not this week!

Indian Corn

I love the shades and patterns found in Indian corn, found plentifully this time of year. I did some online research and discovered that, although bland-tasting, Indian corn is actually edible as well. I also found that this type of ornamental corn is grown specifically for decorative purposes. However, other varieties of colored corn are also grown, ground into cornmeal, and used in foods like tacos, corn chips, etc. Interesting!

Camp Rock

This is one of my memories from childhood. It's the rock from camp that was always used to hold open the back door of the family camp due to the extreme non-plumb quality of the floor! The camp is on a lake that was formed by glaciers, and many granite boulders (much bigger than this) are strewn about the shores. I have no idea where this rock came from, but it's clearly been worn very smooth and round! It's an odd memory, but when we gutted the camp for recent renovations (weird as it may be), I just wasn't ready to part with it.

Fungus

It's a spooky kind of day...and this fungus is pretty scary-looking. Artistic... but scary!

Pumpkin Festival

Visited a nearby Pumpkin Festival this evening. There were THOUSANDS of carved pumpkins. Some looked alike, but many were quite individual. Quite a sight!

Waning Moon

"Mom, I think you're getting just a little carried away with the moon!" These were the words of my daughter this morning upon seeing my latest moon shot, captured early this morning before school. I'm afraid it's another phase (no pun intended) much like my spring flowers and fall leaves. This one shows features in a new light. Sorry- I still find it fascinating, and hope my viewers do too.

Fall Rain Gauge

A big rain storm blew through last night, leaving "ye olde" CoCoRaHS rain gauge full and drenched this morning. The beautiful maples made a pretty background for the gauge cover.

Dollar Bill

Although this is my 292nd post, this is day#300 of the year. I never thought I'd make it this far! If only this bill just had a few more zeros on it!

A Little Light Reading???

Ordered two new professional resources last week that arrived on my doorstep today. Both target struggling readers. I'm excited to dig in- hoping for some new tricks to add to the bag!

Stained Glass Window

I love the artistry involved in stained glass windows. I particularly love the way they diffuse light. This shot of a window in a local church doesn't do it justice, but I was equally impressed with the workmanship on the outside, so decided to share it.

Got Mistakes?

I've got the solution!

Boo!

I shot the pumpkin lights from 2 weeks ago during the day. The sun almost makes it look lit up! Oh ya, and I went back for a do-over on the moon. Shot it at a much faster shutter speed. I'm much happier with take #2!

Full Moon

My daughter and I drove to an open field in town to get this shot. Little did I realize just how bright (photographically speaking) this moon would be! If I were to do it over again, I'd use a higher shutter speed. My students were showing some "lunar effects" today. Glad that this will be somewhat behind us before Halloween arrives next weekend!

Practice

I went out yesterday and purchased one of these colorful, spiral-bound index card holders for each of my 2nd graders, on which to write high-frequency words for them to study. The thought behind it is that they can practice with an ed. tech., parent, or high school volunteer. Every time they read the word pretty much automatically, we add a sticker to the card. Once they get 10 stickers on a card, they get to rip it out and take it home. Second graders LOVE stickers! I hope it will be motivating. And people wonder how teachers can possibly use so much of their own money in the classroom? If it gets the job done...

Fading With Fall

Caught this bee on my aster this afternoon. We had our first frost last night, and this little guy was moving so slowly. Sadly, he and the aster will soon be fading with the advance of fall.

Gravestone Art

So I realize some of you will find this post just plain creepy! This decorative arch was made from a gravestone rubbing. I bought it at a regional genealogical conferences last year from a vendor who creates decorative, sculpted artwork from the beautiful (yet possibly creepy) images carved on old gravestones. This image was found on the headstone of a small child who passed away during the 1700's. The skull is a little spooky-looking, but the wings symbolize the little girl's "flight" up to heaven. Hey... Halloween's just around the corner!

Marvelous Maples

I hope people aren't tiring of fall leaf shots. They will only be around for so long, you know!

Subaru Love

Almost two months with the new car. Yes, the commercials are right- it's Subaru love!