Sand Dollar

This is one of my most favorite pieces of jewelry. It's a sand dollar ring made by a local crafter. Love how it makes my long fingers look a bit more in proportion!

I See You

My husband, at age 47, got his first pair of glasses today. They're just for distance vision, but he's trying to get used to them. Funny how in your mid-forties things don't work like they used to anymore!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Fell back on my previous Kodak Z612 today for this shot in the pouring rain. (Didn't want to harm my new [Canon] baby!) Could be two more days and four more inches of the wet stuff. Enough already!

Life IS Good

My '79 Super Beetle came out of its winter hibernation today. Needs some new struts and shocks, but pretty soon it should be back on the road. As the sticker in the window declares..."Life IS Good"!

Merry-Go-Round

This merry-go-round sits outside what was formerly one of the elementary schools in town. Currently the building functions as our town hall. Sadly, the equipment is locked in place now, likely causing many a mom to breathe a sigh of relief. I remember how dizzy I used to get on these!

Almost Bloomed

This daffodil along the bus path at school is so close to blooming! Almost looks like a yellow periscope!

Grate

I finally got brave and decided to start experimenting with my new Canon. Found this grate outside my school and liked the pattern, along with the stray rock sitting there. I think I'm going to like this camera once I learn all that it can do!

Winter's Back?

The rain we got yesterday finished off as mixed snow and rain. This is what my windshield looked like this morning as I started off to school. Kind of interesting! (Even though it was in the high 60's this weekend, March and April are still winter months here!)

Dreary Morning Sky

Another 2" of rain has fallen in the last 24 hours. What a wet winter and spring it's been! Hard to get energized when the sky looks like this.

Vinca

So it's raining again. As I was searching for something to shoot this afternoon, I happened upon the vinca in one of my garden beds. I just raked here this weekend. I love that it keeps its deep, green tones, even after being covered with snow all winter long. It will look even better once it sports its pretty, light purple petals!

Jelly Beans

I enjoy jelly beans this time of year. I bought some of the "gourmet jelly beans" for fun, and I have to say I like some of the flavors. But then there are flavors like caramel corn or buttered popcorn or Dr. Pepper. The latter is best as a soda only! What is your favorite flavor of jelly bean?

Golf Anyone?

My husband is a land surveyor. While working around the state, he has come across many a stray golf ball and picked it up. He offered up his collection today (of which this is a small portion) for me to shoot. Mind you, although I'd like to, I do not golf. But as I sorted out the ones I wanted in the photo, I began to notice the number of balls that carried a special endorsement of a product, company, destination, or cause. I found it fascinating the variety of logos found on these golf balls, but it also got me to thinking- what does this say about the game of golf?

Purple Crocuses

Remember the crocuses I uncovered last Saturday? It's amazing what a week of above normal temperatures and sun will do! Such a nice surprise!

Emerged Tulips

My second graders have a Journey North tulip garden. We planted Red Emperor tulip bulbs in the fall (along with other schools throughout the country and world). Then everybody waits for spring's arrival as the tulips first emerge, and then bloom. As you view the Journey North data, one can literally watch spring's "journey north". I have been doing this for over 6 years now. This is the earliest emergence, to be seconded only by the spring of 2006. Wacky weather!

March Sunrise

I was out walking early this morning with camera in tow. I was enjoying shooting the before-sunrise pastel colors in the sky. Before I knew it, the sun was up!

Wrought Iron

This morning I got out for an early morning walk. I passed this interesting wrought iron gate at the entrance to a local cemetery down the street. This weekend I learned, at a local genealogy meeting, that there is apparently a federal law stating that all cemeteries wherein a veteran of the Revolutionary War is laid to rest, must be enclosed by a wrought iron fence. Interesting!

Kitty Toes

Our cat likes to recline on the couch during the colder months and bask in the heat from the wood stove. (Once we measured him at over 3 feet long when totally stretched!) Love his cute, little toes!

Roots

In addition to considering myself an "experienced amateur photographer", I also consider myself an "experienced amateur genealogist". I started back about 7 years ago researching family medical history, and I was bitten by the genealogy bug! During my research I've learned a lot about my ancestors, as well as history in general. It's been fascinating! This gentleman is my great, great grandfather, John Dyer. He fought in the Civil War. This photo was taken sometime before he died in 1917, thanks to the good fortune of having had a professional photographer in the family at the turn of the century. John was what genealogists refer to as a "roadblock"- I had many clues, but given his common name, I hadn't uncovered conclusive evidence of when or where he died. Finally last spring I happened upon the information I was looking for- a copy of the death certificate from the veteran's hospital where he died. It brought many pieces of information and possible leads together with one simple document. Now I can look at his picture with a sense of accomplishment...and knowledge.

First Crocuses-2010

Raked out the garden beds today. I was hoping to find some crocuses underneath all those leaves. Peek-a-boo!

Tabletop

One of our tables is covered by this creation made by my grandmother, likely 50 years ago. I think this might be an example of tatting, though I'm not sure. I love the contrast of it against the dark wood. I also love the reminder of a beloved family member every time I look at it.

Newest Addition

The latest addition to the family. It just arrived today! Researched the price, performance and popularity, and decided that this was the best pick. I hope to read up over the coming weekend and start shooting with it soon! (Thanks to those who voted on my blog poll!)

Barberry

I probably should know what kind of bush this is, but I don't. It has some nasty-looking thorns protruding from it too. Spotted it on a chilly morning walk today and was drawn to the red.
P.S: I've figured out this is barberry!

Big Old Burl

This burl is growing on the side of a tree across the street. I searched the term online and found out that a burl is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. Apparently burls are highly valued and sought after by woodworkers and the like. A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. Aren't you glad that humans don't respond to stress in a similar way?

Sap's Running

Every year these sap buckets get hung up on the maple trees near my house in early to mid-March. Spring can't be far away if the sap's running. I can just smell that maple syrup now!

Swinging Bridge

This swinging bridge is in a nearby town. It was built back in 1892 for mill workers to cross the river on foot from new housing to a mill on the other side. It's now on the National Register of Historic Places, and was renovated in 2006. Would you believe during high school my husband rode across this bridge in a VW Bug with some buddies? Unbelievable!

Bugged Birch

This birch tree is in my back yard. As the number of woodpecker holes signal, it must be rotten and riddled with bugs! It's bark looks so aged and brittle.

Moon Dog

We learned in digital photography class this week about the "blue 60"- the hour before dawn and dusk where you get rich, blue tones in the sky. I couldn't resist the "moon dog" either!

Lazin'

My daughter loves to read, thankfully. What a great habit to develop as a teenager!

Lamp

I've had this lamp for many years now. I love its textures!

Time For a Change

After the 4" of rain that's fallen in the last few days... I think it's time for a change.

Peace Rock

So I came home from a bad day at school with a throbbing headache, and in search of a "pic of the day". No sooner had I told my husband that I was "off to my happy place" (ie. shooting pictures), than I looked down one of my garden beds and saw this. The drenching rains of the weekend have taken the snow, and exposed a leftover "garden rock". I found the message rather ironic!