End of Month Collage

I decided at the end of January to use a collage of the month's photos as my pic of the day. I am enjoying playing around with Picasa 3's collage maker. There seems to be an endless array of options. Tonight, I found the option that allows you to set your main picture without having to continually shuffle the pictures until you get the center just right. I selected the two most important men in my life as the central picture.

Bleeding Hearts

I have been feeling as though my pictures are mundane and that I don't have anything interesting going on around me. Then, look what showed up in my camera lens today....WOW
Bleeding Hearts are among my favorite flowers and they are at peak in my garden at this time. Not sure if it is their color, their dropping habit, or just what it is that allows them to be in my top 10 favorites.

New Friend?

This squirrel and his brethren hang out at the bird feeders all day. I wish someone would really invent a squirrel proof feeder.

oops I was caught

The little guy and Dad were playing catch on the patio and I was strolling through the yard taking pictures. A few minutes before this one was captured they were squealing and giggling and having big fun. But alas, little guy has a radar for when I want a "priceless" candid and always turns away or changes his expression.

March 27th: RAINY DRIVE

The first half of our return trip looked like this, at least we didn't cross paths with anything severe and it did clear off about half way home. As I have been updating this I realize that we did have a really good trip. The little guy will be a traveler like his mom and dad. Wonder now where and when the next trip will be.....

March 26th: Joy

My little guy and his 91 year old great uncle. I think they bonded well this trip and made Uncle's day when the little guy wanted to sit in Uncle's lap to watch cartoons. They giggled over the Roadrunner like two wild and crazy guys.

March 26th: Snuggles

The poor little guy was just too distraught with all the pollen to enjoy the outings we attempted while on vacation. At this point, he had a meltdown to end all meltdowns....little ones can surely throw some horrendous tantrums.

March 25th: Azaleas

I think this photo says it all......azaleas

March 24th: Spring has Sprung

The view down the street from my aunt's house and the following is just a portion of her front yard. During the week we were there the azaleas were nearing peak as were the dogwoods. The pollen was unreal.

March 23rd: Sunset

Sunset from Opelika, AL. First extended family vacation with the little guy. Everything is going well so far, but boy is the pollen thick....

Violets

I transplanted several wood violets into a flower bed several years ago little knowing that these darlings are really invasive. That has taught me to do some checking before transplanting. But I do love these little jewels.

Tree Damage

A shot of across the treeline at the local state park. This picture doesn't even begin to show the extent of ice damage.

Just Another Old Barn

This old shed belongs to a farmer friend of my dad's. I wonder what kind of stories it could tell?

Closed

At this time of the year, I become very frustrated with things that are beyond my control. I have always turned to nature to meditate and help me ground myself again. This afternoon I ditched a meeting and went to a local state park only to find that it was closed due to damage suffered during the severe ice storm we had in January. Many of the roadways and trails are still blocked. Needless to say I wasn't allowed in and didn't get to commune as I expected. Oh well, that is just about how everything in my life is going now.

Regional Science Fair Awards

I was going to post this picture several days ago but other things moved me first. My students competed quite well at the Regional Science Fair held last weekend. I wasn't able to attend myself but my mentee Matt stepped in and carried through for me. I feel I have trained him well. Of the top 4 places in the senior high division 3 were former students of mine. I hope I had some influence upon how well they did.

I used Picasa 3 editing to blur the student's name.

Foggy Morning

I couldn't decide which picture showed the extent of the fog the best so I cheated and made a collage of all of the foggy morning pictures. We don't get fog to this extent often and there were a number of people who were driving without headlights. "there oughta be a law" wait a minute there is...What is going on!?!

Latin Names

One of the first Latin names I learned was that of the American Robin, Terdus migratorius.

I am not certain of the meaning of the first part of its name but the second refers to its migratory habit. Robins are yet another sign of spring, soon the grass will begin to green and the lawn will need mowing. Until then I will be satisfied with the warming temperatures and other lovely reminders that spring is on its way...hope it lasts a good long time.

Acer rubra

Most people never take the time to note that trees flower too. Unless of course they are noting the showy flowers of cherry, dogwood, or a variety of other orchard growing trees. But maples oaks and hickories also flower. The red maple flowers in early March here in the south. I will try to capture images of the fruit produced by this tree later in the spring.

Yet Another Trip to the Doctor

My little guy was diagnosed with strep throat on March 5th on the 10th we went back because he was still sick and not getting better. His antibiotic was changed. Then on Thursday, the 12th he when he got out of bed he could not walk. A third trip to the doctor resulted in a shot and a diagnosis of reactive arthritis. Not better on Friday and of course the doctor would not talk to us on the phone so we went back in to see him on Saturday. But of course there was no fever, and he was able to walk with his heels touching the the floor. The little guy was giggly and happy and playful like normal. Today's diagnosis: on the mend no reason to think there will be a recurrence of the arthritis etc. All is well....let us pray that is true.

March 13: Snow and Blooms

Neighbors yard covered in snow on March 13 while the Bradford Pears are in full bloom. Crazy weather!

Teachable Moments

I was trying to explain what macro photography is to a ninth grader on Monday. Sometimes a picture is really worth 1000 words.

March 11 -- Bubbles

We blew bubbles Sat. on the deck...he felt well that day. The weather was gorgeous. I guess part of being a parent is constantly second guessing oneself but would he have gotten as sick as he is today if we hadn't played so hard over the weekend?

Teasing the Cat

Once again we were outside on this lovely day, it was actually Sunday, teasing the cat. She loves to swat at sticks, grass, string, or fingers. She is a good kitty loves my little guy tremendously. Since their last run it he is more respectful of her claws and less terrorizing. I am sure she appreciates that.

Ahhh Sunrise

Mother nature flat put on a show this morning. One of the benefits of having daylight savings time is that I don't have to get up at an unsightly time of the morning to witness the beauty present this morning. As I pulled out of the drive I noticed awesome colors and so drove the open route to work. I stopped at the highest point (nearly ran the stopsign due to watching the sky.) and photographed the sunrise. And check it out I wasn't the only one enjoying the view. I didn't even see the bird among the scrubby shrubs. (dwarf sumac)

Neighbor's yard

The temperatures the last several days have reached into the 70's for highs and the lows have remained in the 60's. Ideal temperatures to cause the grass to begin growing and become luscious. Our neighbor maintains a gorgeous lawn year round. Many golf courses could only hope to look like his yard at its peak.

Collection

I have a large collection of Westmoreland Old Quilt pattern milk glass with a few pieces of Blue Willow blue & white glassware mixed in. My first pieces were purchased at an antique store in Little Rock, AR on a trip with my aunts. I don't find many pieces that I don't have anymore but on occasion they show up. I get very excited when that happens, but of course they have to fit my budget and be in mint condition. They are gorgeous pieces of history.

Spring Beauty

One of the first native flowers to bloom in the spring in Arkansas, United States, is the Claytonia virginica (Spring Beauty). These flowers are sun lovers. For the next couple of weeks if it is sunny and reasonably warm, they will be open with their bright faces absorbing the sunlight. Think I will play hooky from work some this upcoming week and join them. (shhhh don't tell my boss)

I provided a link so that you can read more about these little beauties if you would like. I have seen these little guy way up into Illinois. If you have these plants or something like them please comment. I would be interested to know first hand what their range is. Another link here.

Paperwork, Paperwork, Paperwork

Not sure what's up with the orientation here. Today, I spent the morning organizing and finalizing the paperwork for Regional Science Fair. This may be the closest to perfection the students have ever been on getting all the details just right; only, three laggards out of 35 students. Regional Fair is next weekend. Wish us luck!!!!!!!!!

March 4, 2009

I love old barns...It was terribly gloomy today but I risked stopping on a major roadway to shoot this barn because all the farm equipment isn't visible. Hope to revisit and take additional shots throughout the year as the seasons change.

Tying Shoes

When I was learning to tie my shoes my dad always told a little rhyme to assist me in remembering the steps involved. He would say, " Make a tree (the 1st loop), Rabbit runs around the tree (wrap the second string around the loop), Jumps in his hole (fold the string into the loop), And now you see two rabbit ears"( pull the loops out evenly). I am of course sharing this "story" with my little guy. He loves hearing the rhyme and will untie his shoe if I forget to tell the "story."

Happy Birthday

Today was my little guy's fourth birthday. He loves his V-tech game. The most fun though was the video of him opening his birthday card. Check it out.....We will officially celebrate his birthday on Saturday. I suppose I have always known that today would be bittersweet as it is also my dad's birthday. Dad passed away two years before the little guy came along and never knew him. I like to think that he is somewhere watching him grow. Will I always feel this way? There are two times a year that are the worst for me (when I miss him the most). Those times are throughout the Christmas Holidays and on his birthday.

Shucks...video has had an hour to load and it hasn't worked....oh well.

Childhood Memories Shared

One of my fondest winter memories from childhood is the making of snow cream. Dad would set a big pan out on the roof of the pumphouse (yes we used well water) for snow to collect in and then Mom would make the snow cream in the afternoon. We would eat the snow cream and drink hot chocolate made up from scratch.

Yesterday I was able to share that memory with my little guy. He kept referring to the cream as snow soup because it was pretty watery by the time he had used the mixer to combine the ingredients. That batch of snow cream may be the best I ever had.