Can't Forget the "Pants on the Ground Series...



Found heading west on Jackson near LaSalle one May afternoon.



What power keeps the pants up; thus averting humliation?

The tension between the bluejeans "waistband" and the widest part of pelvic girdle; occasionally assisted by

quick and subtle flick of a discreet finger, to re-establish the link and keep the "cool" of the wearer.

I thought about asking one of the young men, but then thought better of it. Lesson: there may be a nosy photo blogger out hunting for fun blog-fodder! Keep your pants up! In the third shot, I loved the contrast of the "pants"-guys and the young woman with the red shoulder bad--worlds and worlds apart on the same May afternoon in 2012 on Jackson, near LaSalle.

Pants....and one dress.

During the Chicago Teachers' Union Strike last fall, I was out shopping for images with my camera. I liked the way this accidental composition fell together.

Favorite Captures of 2012

This Yellow-Shafted Flicker on the suet feeder outside my old home-office window. Quite an elegant bird.

Magnificent Urban Vistas...

This shot of the newly completed Trump Tower in Chicago is from a guest contributor. One of the little pleasures this year's been the skyscraper window views and city street scenes--a change of attitude for sure.

Everywhere you look in and around Cincinnati, you can find an interesting view. This was taken on a clear and lovely day from the top of the iconic Carew Tower; it's set where the Licking River joins the Ohio.

With the Westerly Light...

like a flame on the old stone wall. One of my favorite photos from the Cincinnati trip.  Just an ally-way in Covington, Ky., a block from the river, across from the the baseball park. Sounds of the cheers rang ghostly and eerily across the river on that June evening in 2012.

La Belle Riviere... the Ohio.

In June, Hubs' and I took a weekend get-away to visit my birth place, Cincinnati, OH. It is a city of history and character, with architecture and art. There are modern-day diversions and photo-ops, too.

Portrait of Two Young Designing Talents...

Oddly appealing candid portrait of the younger set of kids. They used it for a while on FB.

Sad Demise of a Treasured Cast Member...

I just learned of the passing of Munchkin, an intrepid little cat from Omaha whose job is to announce and/or close the Halloween Celebration on my blog. Munchkin was a faithful friend to her owner. Munchkin will continue to appear, posthumously and seasonally. Rest in Peace, Little Munch'.

Reflection in "The Bean"

L'il Pearl and Blonde-Guy came to town for a visit in May. There was time for my son and I to take a long walk around the city on a sunny day! Too bad Pearl could not join us; she was still in CA with school.

April: I Started Working in the City Again...

This is what I see each morning as I take my notes on our morning financial information call.

A Warm Early-Spring Day...

...brought our neighors' granddaughter Alice, with her mom and sister, for a visit. Driveway drawing with fat pieces of chalk resulted in some great baby war-paint!

I Found a Box of Old Slides...

Among them, this treasure of a photo of my Mother (age about 40) at the Munich Oktober Fest of 1959

Twin Birthday

A bright spot in a bleak winter was the photo array from Molly and Micah's Music Themed Third Birthday!

Still in California...

The Design Center in West Hollywood the day before we came home. We walked many miles with the kids. I simply liked the way this arrangement worked out, with colors and array.

Now, Some Favorite Photos from 2012..

A carnivorous flowering plant as seen in an exhibit of tropical plants at the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena CA.

...and One Last Sad Event Remembered....

My favorite of Hubsy's high school friends; I knew her best, after all. Just as we returned from California last January, we got the horrible news that Bonnie slipped away in her sleep. Not a bad way to "go", it is said. But you can't imagine from this photo how lively and full of mischievious humor she was. Rest in Peace and you are missed, Mrs. P.

My Father Bedridden in a Nursing Home...

This photo of my Dad, age about 3 months, with his father; it was taken in the spring of 1920. I visit nearly every evening, which means I don't post as much now.

In Addition, Hobbes Developed....

Stage 2 Kidney Failure.  Sounds dire and it is, but it turns out, it's treatable! She's nearly 20; she's getting better medical care than we are. Worthwhile, since she is the best cat ever! We infuse her with saline water every 2 days. The house looks like a vet clinic.

Scotchie...A Good Cat

A victim of feline diabetes and only about 13 years old, we were shocked and saddened by her loss.

Making Good Progress in NC...

Tho we have not visited our other son and his wonderful young wife, we have an adventure ahead. They were able to purchase a home this year; we plan a visit with a truck-load of furnishings for them. Photo-Ops and Fun! Can't wait.

Beginning to Sum Up 2012 in Photos...

In early January we visited the California Kids, taking many happy memories with us. Hi, Kids!

PartyTime Again...

 Glowing blue and golden sunset on our way to the party for ...

 FlowerGirl and Hubsy. There was a houseful of her girl-cousins and lots going on....

 The High Empress and Creator of Die-For Desserts, my sister-in-law, produced these incredible examples of All-that is Delicious. She can make the cake look better than the one in the magazine and you can imagine you good they taste...

Party Maverick, age 7



Bella, nearly 3 now



Maverick lives up to her name

 The cake is cut, soon to be served.

Party-Madonna and Tired Fussy Bella

Too old for the children's party, too young for the dance

I've been a little busy lately....

But I noticed this new art display in the lobby of a downtown Chicago building at Wacker Dr. and Adams Street near the train station.  In this photo, they are in the process of installing glass or plastic faux-poppies in the lobby. The brightness is cheerful on a cold Chicago morning!

Nov. 10: Hubsy and FlowerGirl Joint Birthday's...

Report to follow soon. 

Hervhey, Rest in Peace...

Back beyond the playhouse, near the fence, is the resting place of Flower-Girl's first pet, the hamster Hervhey. He did pretty well, since he lived nearly 3 years. She was devastated when it happened in September, but then recovered enough to decide it would be OK to wait and tell me the sad news on
Halloween.

Halloween Gathering....2012

 Flower Girl's grown a lot this year. Hadn't seen her for a while; it is noticable how tall she  is growing.

 Flower Girl, with her Grandmother and her school-friend. FG is dressed as LagunaBlue of Monster High, whoever that is. Her friend appears as a Vampire Princess, tho the dress was so pretty! Too bad it's black.

 Flower Girl's pretty Mom wore this funny hat out when they all went Trick or Treating. We older people stayed and passed out candy from the base-camp. 

 She's about to demonstrate how to stuff a Twix in your mouth. Flower Girl has a sense of humor like 9-year old boy...

 Adored Uncle Hubsy put on Laguna's wig, but only when I promised I wouldn't post any photo's on the Blog.  lol.

 Edie the Dog, after a long Trick or Treat walk, collapsed.

Near time for us to leave. Her friend became over-tired and needed to be taken home to sleep. The energizer-bunny, above, keeps on ticking. Next there was a demonstration of nose-picking...Ok, that's it.

The Halloween Report will be Filed Soon!

People of the Texas State Fair 10/21/2012

                                                      Say it with me: "Don't Mess with Texas!"

                                                                         Yellow Accents

                                                 ...and looking darn cute doin' it, too.

                                                                      Rope Guy Again

                                                                         Blowing lots of bubbles.

                                                                            Spirals Again!

                                                                        Catch o' the day #1

                                                                 Consider the Proud Grandparents. Catch #2

Just because