Cousin Madeline Visited Lately...

Obviously, we share some DNA. We both look like our Grandmother at this point. Cousin Madeline's been all over the world, Asia, Africa, Europe, you name it.  Exciting! We had such a wonderful visit!

Relaxing after a fun day: a haircut (since it's hard to find a good stylist in Turkmenistan) and a visit to my Dad at his nursing home.  (This entry may be of "family interest", rather than general--but feel welcome.) Grandmother's cherished china cabinet in the background.

Madeline set the table with flowers and a pretty cloth--she's especially good at stuff like that--and Hubsy grew all the delicious vegetables we ate.

The Faery Garden, 2012

Gentlemen's Day....

 Hubsy's, in the suburbs on an early morning last week, snapped this gigantic thunderhead cloud. I did not have my camera and was sorry I missed it---but he saved the day.

High on a turret of our classic old 1920's Chicago office building, our Executive contributor managed to capture this image of a falcon hunting from the ledge outside our conference room (with the views to die for!)

Thanks, Fellows!!!

The Twins: They are BigKids Now...

The event that brought Micah, Molly and their parents to our neighborhood concerned that big base fiddle the kids are playing with (carefully). Their Dad is a band director and music teacher at a nearby school district; he was on a mission to purchase a used instrument for his school, so the district would not have to pay for a brand new one....he puts in a lot of overtime!

The kids are 3-1/2 now, all trained, talking a blue streak and playing together so well that I'm told they prefer their own company to others, in some cases.  With little opposite gender twins, you might end up with a little girl who wants to play with trucks and shovels and a boy who wants to get his nails done with his Mom and sister. At this age, it's all about the same.....

One cute story has to do with learning potty etiquette: Micah was instructed that it is nicer if he learns to leave the potty seat "down for girls".....not to be left out, Molly allowed as how from now on, she will leave the seat "up for boys"

Molly, Sailing Along

At this point, the children know how to avoid the cameras, alas. Micah is quite good at, Molly not too shy today!

This is Pretty Amazing....

This is one interesting kid.   World's Most Serious Baby does it again.

The Birth of the 'Blog....

Once upon a time, probably the summer of aught-six, Hubsy and I rode a bike trail near Stevens Point, WI.
We passed thru a small, ordinary village with a tired-out mainstreet; we stopped at a convenience store for a snack--just the usual "long bike ride" break. Next door was an example of a typical Wisconsin small town low-end whiskey-and-beer tavern. With brick red wood siding. And this cool heart-shaped moth basking in the sunshine.  Contrast! Texture! Color! ....so i thought: take a photo! SNAP!  ...the rest of the long ride i kept thinking...."what can i do with this photo?"..."and others like it?" It was early-days for bloggers, so it took a couple more years, but this was where it started, in the po'side of a dusty northern WI hamlet, long ago.

Adventures in Blogging...3 Years and Counting.

 I love to find visual moments that only come along once, like this lovely misty sunset near the Missouri River in Sept. 2010.  I could photo-shop to "make it better" and maybe someday if I get time, I will.  For now, it's raw and interesting material....



"Me and My Monkeys" arranged by my young niece, Flowergirl.



 Aw, shucks. I'm a life-long sucker for rusticated country scenes from small-town America. This was taken early in the Blog in Mt. Carroll, IL.

Door and windows are irresistable. The more beat up they are, the more they speak of the history and the people who lived, worked and passed/looked thru them. This one is the door of a railroad shop in PA.

Art-by-Accident and meeting interesting people by chance!  This photo was found at the same PA rail museum when I happened upon a real professional photographer-artist, Colin Winterbottom. Wielding the camera with the intent of sharing photos on the Blog has opened my world to exactly the sort of experiences I want, featuring "photo captures", color, some trips and events.

But First..World's Most Serious Baby Turned Two...

Remember our neighbor's granddaughter from last December?  In July, she turned two-strong-willed, watch-out-world-years old!! Her favorite word might be NO! But she and her family came over one evening so she could display one of her gifts...

"Hello Kitty" pink boots. She loves boots, and will wear them to church if permitted. (it may be easier to permit the outfit than tangle with the mini-tantrum. She takes after her cousin Molly, somewhat. (of the twins)...

 but mostly, it's the age. Here's a newer attitude: she shows off a pretty smile! 

 ....and, No, she is not about to issue her sister a good swift kick with her new boots: they were both playing in the puddles of a recent light rain, or plant watering....

World's Most Serious Baby crafts her own wardrobe stylings, as well.       PS I'd like to give an update on a certain set of Twins, but my well as run dry with regard to recent photos. They are growing up and looking great after a fabulous summer. They are lucky: Mommy will stay home from work for this upcoming school year and be with them.