Life: Through the Lens

As winter begins to show it's face, all I want to do is sit by the fire, under a lap quilt, and read.  The alternative to that is to go to a fabulous book store, browse the shelves and take in the scent of paper and ink...and coffee. The Kindle - fire  may be calling my name...but there's still nothing like the touch and smell of a "real" book. Who's using a Kindle or iPad to read these days?

My least favorite color seems to be the predominant color in my favorite season.  Only in the fall do I gravitate to the color orange.  It's everywhere.  Orange makes the ordinary more dramatic, don't you think? And only in the fall do you find such unusual vegetables:).  I've never been able to draw, or mold, or create anything which involves fine motor tools, so I find it amazing someone can create these masterpieces out of a pumpkin. Trying to eek out the last days of a truly beautiful autumn, I sort pictures and ignore the cold draft from the north wind.   What's your favorite season?

Not just "it's about time I posted," but "it's about time passing so quickly and there not being enough hours in the day!" When I looked at the date of the last time I posted I was amazed. August was full of health issues, September was frantic getting back on pace with my teaching schedule, October just howled past... and now it's November. November. So it's time to give thanks. We were able to get away for a week last month, enjoying time in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and rediscovering the peace and serenity which come from being outside in the woods, and by the water. It was also our anniversary so it was time to reconnect with ourselves. Lovely:) . Time was also spent with friends who enjoy photography and the out-of-doors as much as we do. A good time was had by all. As I try to get on top of my life I would also like to thank all of you for stopping by and checking in, even if I didn't have up-to-date posts. Times are ...

The 2001 Gratiot Community Airport Open House was another fun event for our community. We didn't have as many visitors as other years, but it was also a very busy weekend. Everyone trying to plan those end-of-summer gatherings, and excursions. We also had a little weather fly in the first day of the open house, but it did little to dampen the spirits of this group of aviators. I found myself taking the same pictures, however, that I do every year. We've been married nearly 26 years, and have attended countless airshows, open houses, events and informal gatherings of pilots and their aircraft. How many jets can I take photos of from how many angles? How many people wandering the tarmac? And how many photos do I need of the same group of planes and pilots which come every year to many of these gatherings? I think anyone who takes a lot of pictures, whether a professional, semi-professional, amateur or family-album-keeper variety of photographer, needs to really stretch his/h...

I've been a bit under-the-weather lately, but wanted to wish everyone a joyous weekend - the last one in August! Find something to do which makes you smile:).

Isn't it amazing how many people take their little idea and turn it into an empire? We talk about those entrepreneurs out there...those people who not only have the vision but know how to carry it out. There was a television program a few months ago highlighting Michigan entrepreneurs, and low and behold I recently found myself walking into the brainchild of one of these talented idealists. Sweetie-licious Bakery Cafe is a delightful blast from the past. When you walk in to this bakery in downtown DeWitt, MI you are engulfed in the aroma of fresh pastries. Cookies, muffins, and the famous pies. The decor is definitely 1950's - with all employees wearing aprons, pearls, cute and perky headbands, and wide smiles. Pony tails? Sure:) And curls. An EZ-Bake Oven is perched on a partition, vintage cookbooks, aprons, pictures and other memorabilia are tastefully displayed around the shop. The woman who founded this well-known empire is Linda Hundt, and she has been featured on...

I do know we're not even close to Halloween, but I was in the mood to play today. It's been an unispiring summer so I had to dig through a number of folders before I found something to "do." I took this picture last year after a member of our photography club created a splendid haunted house photo using this exact house. The deserted house is on my work route, and I shot it from a number of angles. Photoshop and I have a rather tentative relationship. I can remover color from a photo and create a basic black & white. I can then increase constrast and play with light and dark...but I still can't change colors within a photo. This is something I had in mind to do with this shot, actually. I want to learn to change the dark windows to earie light. However, I remembered another site I've had fun experimenting with so decided to go there... Picnik. Basic usage is free, and there's an upgrade which only costs $25.00 a year. Very reasonable for all th...