COLOR MY WORLD??

Recently I painted (with the help of a son) the ceiling and walls in the living and dining rooms. The color was changed from a darkish mauve/plum to a neutral beige. I had a purpose for the change.

I take lots of digital photos and have quite a few favorites. However, since they are digital, the only place they can be seen are on my computer. Someone dear to me thinks FILM is the only way to go because you can have the prints forever. Yes, I agree there are no prints but at the same time, think of all the money one saves by not purchasing bad prints just to get a few great ones! In an effort to compromise, I started printing out some of my favorite shots.

I went a step further and turned my newly painted [but bare] living room walls into my private, one-woman photo gallery. I purchased some cheap, black frames and matted them identically. Now I can rotate favorite pictures in and out. That was all wonderful until I realized all my favorite photos are very neutral colors. Tan, black, rust.... throw in some blue from a sky and some green from a field and you just saw all the colors of my gallery prints. I started noticing things around me.... most buildings are neutral tones, skyscrapers are neutral, most cars are now white, black, silver, beige. What happened to purple, yellow, orange, and lime green? So I set out yesterday morning with the intention of taking photos of C O L O R to replace the 'drab' in my frames.

Farmer's Market is always a great place to find color.

The fish store is halfway between my house and the farmer's market. After the visual treats at the market, we stopped at the fish store. I needed to put a few more fish in my aquarium and rarely venture to the store without my camera.

Look at the color on this little guy!! I think he's some sort of shrimp.

This guy seems to smile. Yes, I know he isn't colorful, but his face was irresistible. So expressive. He looks wrinkled and wise.

This fish amazed me. He reminded me of a rainbow. On his tail there are reddish orange colors and by the tip of his nose we've gone through the entire spectrum of the rainbow... red, orange, yellow, green tints, blue, purple, and ending with white. AMAZING!

Yesterday was a good day. My faithful sidekick was celebrating his birthday. We spent the day doing things he enjoyed. Ended it with a wonderful birthday dinner. Many more happy ones, H... or at this age perhaps I should just wish you more of them??? Just kidding... I was honored to be the one to help you celebrate.

Until another post...

A DARK PERSPECTIVE

Although the local "powers that be" have fallen short of declaring us in a full-blown drought, it is early June and we have already experienced temperatures far higher than normal, with an accompanying rainfall total far fewer inches than is average for this time of year. The grasses along the highways and interstates are crisp and devoid of chlorophyll. The heat is on! There aren't many outdoor adventures planned in the heat of the day. I had my camera sitting in the passenger seat as I ran errands, necessitating some frequent pull-overs to snap a shot or two. This fountain has been going for a couple years. It is in a townhouse development which is failing to develop given the economic reality of the area. But the fountains remain inviting nonetheless.



There was a Balloon Festival and Air Show in a community south of Dallas. Wishing to digitally capture a Balloon Glow remains on my list of wanna-trys. Saturday night seemed the perfect opportunity. Except for one tiny little thing; it was too windy and it was called off. Being in the middle of a field, there was no way to call ahead to inquire the status of the event. So we drove to the venue to learn it had never materialized. No problem. Turned around and headed east to a charming town. Waxahachie, Texas. Location of one of my favorite county courthouses in all of Texas. Turned the adventure into one of capturing night shots of the town square as it lit up.

A pub on the square featured live performances. The stage is located in the front window. This young musician had just taken the stage as we walked by.

I continue my love affair with alleys. It amazed me that one light could illuminate so thoroughly. (I rarely use a flash; all these photos were taken using the available ambient lighting.)

For a small town I was amazed at the activity in the downtown square. Music could be heard wafting from several venues, local plays were being performed at two different locations on the square, a wedding was in full swing in the upstairs of another storefront as evidenced by the guests who spilled into the street when in need of a smoke or some fresh breeze. (Mind you, the temperature was 88 degrees at 10 p.m., but cool compared to the 98 high of the day.)

An hour after the first shot... and from the diagonally opposing corner.

As always, I was accompanied by my favorite fellow adventurer. It was a night time adventure that was altogether unexpected, but well worth the time spent. Memories were made and laughter was shared.

Until further adventures...

HAPPY 95th BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA!!

June 6, 2010 is a very special day!! It all started June 6, 1915....

My maternal grandmother, shown here by herself and then with my only brother, celebrated her 95th birthday today.

Grandma is my only surviving grandparent. I think she looks remarkable for 95 years old. I know at times she is in pain, unable to hear, unable to see well, and at times her mind doesn't cooperate with what goes on around her.... so it seems rather cruel to wish her "many more" happy birthdays. So I just wish her a wonderful year.

Until I think of something new to post...