Monday, December 31, 2007

TIM-BERRRRRR...

After a week of dreary weather, the sun shined and the day warmed up.


Branch by branch the tree thinned.


First, a chip was removed to give the branch a direction to fall. And then, a cut along the back sent it on its way.


Thicker chunks were guided with help from below.


And soon, one of the twins took it's final bow.

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Twin American Maples...

We had two tree-mendous (sorry) trees in my yard that were hollowed out from squirrel inhabitants. It was a set of trees connected at the base where squirrel babies and puppies played and lived.

I worried with each heavy wind storm or snowfall that they would fall on my neighbor's or my own house.

Today will begin a five day series of the trees being removed. Each day has five photos. I hope you enjoy the shots.

The "twins" tower above the second floor of our house.


Precision cuts, and well placed ropes quickly strip the trunks...


...and send the branches below...


...to two waiting hardhats that move the carved wood...


...to the chipper!

Saturday, December 29, 2007

I need new subject matter...

Today was sunny and rather warm for late December. But I've been sick and haven't wanted to go out much. I'm looking forward to warmer weather. In the meantime, here are some ducks.







Speaking of new subject matter... next week I will do another 5 day sequence of photos. I had some big trees removed and got 25 shots to share. You will get to see the process from start to finish in 5 shot increments for 5 days :)

Friday, December 28, 2007

WIIF #45

Ms. A hung last weeks out to dry on the last day of guessing.

Here is What Is It Friday? #45



Tatman grabbed the golden ring off of this weeks merry-go-round! Way to go :)



The fine print: On Fridays I will post an image in hopes that visitors will leave a guess in the comment section. The following Friday (or when someone guesses correctly) I will post a wide shot of the item. Each Friday a NEW image, along with a link to the previous weeks post, will be posted.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Visit my mini city...

Click here and help my city grow!

Go back daily!

Tin star topper...

Ok, last shot from the holiday. I promise.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Raggedy Christmas...

Been a few years since mom put up a real tree. With all of the children out of the house it just isn't easy or practical. In the past few years I haven't even decorated around my house... been a bit of a bah-humbug too :(

But I enjoy seeing some of the old ornaments at mom's house.



Only 364 more shopping days for you Christmas hooligans! Have a belated Merry Christmas ;)

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Monday, December 24, 2007

Do I haaaave to take a bath?...



After playing in the rain and getting full of mud... yes, you needed a bath!

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Inspired by...

Inspired by Rachel's "Sunday Sign."

I saw this while visiting my mom.

Click for a larger image for an easier read.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Day 7... I'm not the only one with a soul...

Fitting too, that on day seven I show the eye of a Dog...God.



Two posts online that amused me...

It is reported that the following addition to the Book of Genesis was discovered in the Dead Sea Scrolls. If authentic, it would shed light on the question, "Where did pets come from?"

And Adam said: "Lord, when I was in the garden, you walked with me every day. Now I do not see you anymore. I am lonesome here, and it is difficult for me to remember how much you love me."

And God said, "No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will know I love you, even when you cannot see me.

Regardless of how selfish and childish and unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourself."

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased.

And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and he wagged his tail. And Adam said, "But Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and all the good names are taken and I cannot think of a name for this new animal."

And God said, "No problem! Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you shall call him DOG."

And Dog lived with Adam and was a companion to him and Eve and loved them.

And Adam was comforted.

And God was pleased.

And Dog was content and wagged his tail.

After a while, it came to pass that Adam's guardian angel came to the Lord and said, "Lord, Adam has become filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock and believes he is worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught him that he is loved, but no one has taught him humility."

And the Lord said, "No problem! I will create for him a companion who will be with him forever and will see him as he is. The companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know he is not worthy of adoration."

And God created CAT to be a companion for Adam.
And CAT would not obey Adam.
And when Adam gazed into Cat's eyes,
he was reminded that he was not The Supreme Being.

And Adam learned humility.
And God was pleased.
And Adam was greatly improved.
And Cat did not care one way or the other.


And...

Creation of Dogs

On the First day God created Dogs.

On the Second day He created man so that dogs would have someone to boss around.

On the Third day He created horses so dogs would have something to eat.

On the Fourth day He created Fields so that dogs would have some place to run around.

On the Fifth day He created tennis balls so that dogs could chase them.

On the Sixth day He created Fire Hydrants so dogs would have....

On the Seventh day, man could not rest, because HE HAD TO WALK THE DOG! Both found here.

Friday, December 21, 2007

WIIF #44

Between last weeks regular WIIF and the Bonus WIIF we had three winners:
mcf, tatman, and RC all did their part to get the deed done.

Here is What Is It Friday? #44



And we can get past the obvious part about it being wood ;)



I may be old fashioned, but I still love the solid wood hangers instead of wire or plastic.

Ms. AGot it on the last day! Just in time for a new one!

The fine print: On Fridays I will post an image in hopes that visitors will leave a guess in the comment section. The following Friday (or when someone guesses correctly) I will post a wide shot of the item. Each Friday a NEW image, along with a link to the previous weeks post, will be posted.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Day 6...

Final day of my eyes...

It is said that a person's soul can be seen through their eyes. It will be your job to let me know what you see through my eyes. I look forward to all of your observations.

Inspired by Italian horror movie posters.

Contrast, hue and saturation adjustments.

From Saturday through Thursday of this week, I will be posting my first photos taken with my new camera. I will also be playing with a few of the images in PhotoShop. I will list some of the steps taken to get the images in the state that you see them.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Day 5...

It is said that a person's soul can be seen through their eyes. It will be your job to let me know what you see through my eyes. I look forward to all of your observations.

What you see is what you get.


From Saturday through Thursday of this week, I will be posting my first photos taken with my new camera. I will also be playing with a few of the images in PhotoShop. I will list some of the steps taken to get the images in the state that you see them.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Day 4...

It is said that a person's soul can be seen through their eyes. It will be your job to let me know what you see through my eyes. I look forward to all of your observations.


Right eye duplicated and flipped (am I angry or sad?) Left eye cut in half vertically, duplicated and flipped. Color inverted and levels adjusted.

WOW! As per MCF's comment...


That is pretty freaky!

From Saturday through Thursday of this week, I will be posting my first photos taken with my new camera. I will also be playing with a few of the images in PhotoShop. I will list some of the steps taken to get the images in the state that you see them.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Day 3...

It is said that a person's soul can be seen through their eyes. It will be your job to let me know what you see through my eyes. I look forward to all of your observations.

Click for bigger image.

Macro with flash. No altering. What you see is what you get.

From Saturday through Thursday of this week, I will be posting my first photos taken with my new camera. I will also be playing with a few of the images in PhotoShop. I will list some of the steps taken to get the images in the state that you see them.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Day 2...

It is said that a person's soul can be seen through their eyes. It will be your job to let me know what you see through my eyes. I look forward to all of your observations.

Click for bigger image.


Sin City inspired... brightness adjustment, partial selection desaturated and darkness adjustment.

From Saturday through Thursday of this week, I will be posting my first photos taken with my new camera. I will also be playing with a few of the images in PhotoShop. I will list some of the steps taken to get the images in the state that you see them.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Day 1...

It is said that a person's soul can be seen through their eyes. It will be your job to let me know what you see through my eyes. I look forward to all of your observations.

Click for bigger image.

Duped image and flipped horizontally. Hue and saturation adjustment. Hold your hand over the top half, then the bottom half, then the right and then the left; finally view it as a whole.

From Saturday through Thursday of this week, I will be posting my first photos taken with my new camera. I will also be playing with a few of the images in PhotoShop. I will list some of the steps taken to get the images in the state that you see them.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Bonus Round WIIF #43b

Here is Bonus Round What Is It Friday? #43b



RC turns up the heat... er... cold this week for the win.



The fine print: On Fridays I will post an image in hopes that visitors will leave a guess in the comment section. The following Friday (or when someone guesses correctly) I will post a wide shot of the item. Each Friday a NEW image, along with a link to the previous weeks post, will be posted.

I had to post this!...

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Have a wonderful Kwanza and may all your days this holiday season be wonderful.

WIIF? #43

Last week, 'chele knew what she nose... I mean, knows.

Here is What Is It Friday? #43



mcf got the important part of his guess correct and tatman drove it home with the supporting details. Great guesses from both of you. This was one of those images that I thought would be harder than it actually was.

Starting tomorrow, tell me what you see through my eyes. I've been having fun with my new D80 :)

This was actually on either side of the cemetery gates from WIIF #41.



I'll try to put up a bonus WIIF tonight...

The fine print: On Fridays I will post an image in hopes that visitors will leave a guess in the comment section. The following Friday (or when someone guesses correctly) I will post a wide shot of the item. Each Friday a NEW image, along with a link to the previous weeks post, will be posted.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Testing...testing...1...2...3...

As of this Saturday I will be packing up the Nikon 8800. But photography WILL continue! I've upgraded and should get some insane shots with my new equipment.

From Saturday through Thursday of next week, I will be posting my first photos taken with my new camera. I will also be playing with a few of the images in Photoshop. I will list some of the steps taken to get the images in the state that you see them.

It is said that a person's soul can be seen through their eyes. It will be your job to let me know what you see through my eyes. I look forward to all of your observations.

On pink-ish pond...



Desktop sized.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Every county must have a duck pond...

Ducks + Lake = Photo Op



Lighting always makes it interesting. Oh, and it's desktop sized.

Monday, December 10, 2007

A few for the archives...

MCF had previously told you all about our visit to our friends house to see their new puppies. Here are a few more pictures for the archives.



After a day of play, brother and sister were pooped pooches.



What a great rescue from the pound. They are in a wonderful home and a family will get to remain together their whole lives.


I love a happy ending :)

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Might as well b...



Just needs a slight name change.

Friday, December 07, 2007

WIIF? #42

Anna locked out the competition last week. Who will win this week?

Here is What Is It Friday? #42



'chele knows a nose when she sees one and no one else knows what gave this nose away to her ;)



The fine print: On Fridays I will post an image in hopes that visitors will leave a guess in the comment section. The following Friday (or when someone guesses correctly) I will post a wide shot of the item. Each Friday a NEW image, along with a link to the previous weeks post, will be posted.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Winter warmth...

These tubes supply me with much needed heat on these cold winter days.

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Keep on keepin' out...





Or are they keeping something in?

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Where the Sidewalk Ends...

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

—Shel Silverstein


I always loved Shel Silverstein's poems as a child. And while walking recently I found the magical spot.

Monday, December 03, 2007

Of daughters and mothers...

Two from the backyard of b13: