Glass Rose

We've had this paperweight around the house for years.

I never thought about taking pictures of it until the other day.

A few of the combinations of camera angle and lighting yielded surprising results.

Perhaps I will think more often in the coming year

of the inherent beauty and art

in everyday objects.

In other words,

everyday objects may become

my photographic subjects

more often.

County Fair

The County Fair is always a lot of fun;

from the food to the rides to the concerts to the farm animals to the arts & crafts,

it is history and tradition with a huge dose of wooHOO thrown in.

Taken 1 September 2010.

Palm Sky

Palm trees are one of my favorite subjects.

I should probably number palm tree related posts in series to keep track,

but I fear the number might climb too high.

This photo was taken in Garden Grove, California, October 2010.

Clip-Art and Courthouse

Old courthouse framed by the arch of a modern structure

and in vertical line with giant paper-clip art installation.

The courthouse is also reflected in the tall glass entryway of the newer building.

This courthouse was also featured a few months ago in THIS POST.

Here is a closer look at The Clips from a different angle with a different background.

I didn't catch someone standing next to them for scale, but the nearby benches provide a clue.

I'd guess they are at least twenty feet tall.

Taken in Colorado Springs, Colorado, July 2010.

Christmas Sunrise

The sky and the clouds speak for themselves.

Taken from the street in front of our house as the sun was beginning to rise on Christmas morning 2010.

Tree of LIFE!

Lest anyone take me for a grumpy ol' Scrooge,

I thought I might share a few holiday pics.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

to one and all!

May you find the time to

peacefully and happily

enjoy family and friends...

...good food,

clean fun,

cheerful fellowship,...

...and a truly inspired

beginning

for a blessed and joy-filled...

HAPPY  NEW  YEAR!!!

All the best to everyone.

PS: I titled this post "Tree of LIFE!" because for us that is what the Christmas tree represents.

Yeshua (Jesus) came to bring LIFE and to point us to His Word,

which begins with a couple in a Garden,

in the middle of which was

The Tree of Life.

CELEBRATE LIFE!

Cherry's #7 - Classic Cars

I didn't take notes, so I can't tell you any details about this great old car, but it sure is fun to look at!

Taken at Laguna Seca, September 2010.

Street Art #8: Colorado Springs

The latest in the Colorado Springs Depot Arts District Street Art Series.

Trees After Dark

The flash on the branches with the dark sky behind evokes other natural images

such as lightning, roots, veins.

The result manages to be interesting but slightly disturbing.

Angel Behind Bars

This angel does not seem all that perturbed about being behind bars.

In fact, she is strumming happily on her stone guitar.

I guess angels are only confined if they want to be, maybe.

This stone likeness of a celestial musician looks out upon passersby from a side-yard at one of the shops in Zona Rosa, a shopping district in Kansas City.

Taken near sundown on 21 October 2010.

Scarred Tree

This is a close-up of a place on a living oak tree where a branch was removed long ago.

The shapes, textures, and lines evoke an odd sense of beauty triumphing over pain.

Even though the trauma is clearly evident, there is still an abiding affirmation of natural dignity.

As a side note, my comment about beauty triumphing over pain reminds me of a song by a talented young band called Superchic[k]. 

The song is called "Beauty From Pain."

You can read the lyrics HERE.

When I read the lyrics again, I could almost hear the tree itself singing.

Mystery Chain

I'll be honest.

I am not even sure what this is.

It is part of a automobile engine.

That is all I know.

Tickle me or torture me.

You'll not get any further information.

I just thought it would be a cool picture.

Y'all be da judge(s).

Vintage Lace and Table

The warm natural sepia tones are inviting, then the intricacy of the lace and the grain of the old oak table draw the eye, warm the heart, and ignite the imagination.

You can almost hear the cloth and the wood speaking to you. 

Right Angles After Dark

Colors, Lines, Textures, Geometry

This is taken looking straight down into a candleholder lantern sitting on a wicker table.

Here is a side view of the lantern:

Wet Leaves

Without getting too lost in the actual details of this picture,

take in the textures, the lines, the sense of movement even though the subjects are still,

the subtle play of the light on the dampness of the leaves.

It's like one of those paintings where if you stare at it long enough

you can see other hidden, subliminal images.

Or maybe it's the fact that I'm listening to Louie Prima sing "Piccolina Lena" while I'm typing this...

Peeking at Tea

At a local Chinese restaurant I took the opportunity to peek inside the teapot.

We were drinking - oh - something like Jasmine Orange Spice Pomegranate Raspberry Essence of Oak Barrel Green Tea with Acai-berry aftertones - it was aromatic and delicious.

I dig how the tea bundle is all nestled cozily in the undulant wire strainer.

Taken sometime in October 2010.

Oh.

I forgot.

Digital.

The metadata informs me that this particular photo was snapped at precisely

12:08pm on 1 October 2010.

Can't hide from metadata.

Spigot

Early morning light casts long shadows!

And the naturally neutral palette provides an unretouched vintage look.

Taken at 7:00am on 28 September 2010.

Vortex Flights

Looking straight up from the bottom of a stairwell on the corner of a parking structure in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida, 4 August 2010. 

Street Art #7: Colorado Springs

The colors and the shapes are vibrant and exciting, but the real surprises are in the details.

I would have loved to watch this being created,

to see how the layers appeared from bottom to top.

Taken in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the Depot Art District.

18 July 2010.

London Bridge, Havasu

While I was in my archives looking for pics of the pups, I ran across this photo of London Bridge - at least the part of it that is now hanging out in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

For a fuller story of how parts of the original London Bridge came to retire in Arizona

CLICK HERE!

This pic was taken in September 2006 with my first digital camera - an Olympus.

Bossley and Shadow

Shadow, the Australian Shepherd, and

Bossley, the Pug.

BFFs.

Inspired by Ken Mac's recent retriever post at his fantastic site:

(G)REENWICH (V)ILLAGE (D)AILY (P)HOTO

"Boy's Best Friend" Post

I searched my archives to find a few pics of my current two favorite best friends.

A couple of years ago, our human best friends and we each adopted a young dog on the same day.

They took Shadow home, and we took Bossley home.

The two dogs have the most extraordinary friendship I have ever witnessed between two dogs.

They love each other utterly and unconditionally.

As soon as we speak Shadow's name, Bossley is anxious to hop in the car and go for a visit.

When we turn onto their street, he can hardly contain himself.

I think they remember being "convicts" together at the ASPCA.

They are just awesome.

Period.

Brighten the Corner

It's just a tabletop and a carpet pattern;

but the warm tones, the size differential, and the geometric lines grab the attention.

Well, at least they grabbed my attention;

hence this photograph.

Taken in Garden Grove, California; 14 October 2010.

Grass Bouquet

Looks like fireworks.

Or maybe hair.

This is a spray of grass in the midst of the well-designed landscaping outside of the P.F.Chang's at Del Monte Center in Monterey, California.

The lines, colors, and textures are what caught my attention.

Determined Sprout

Besides the straightforward organic nature of this shot, and the contrast of the green against the mundane grey of the background, and the geometry of the perpendicular lines, and the textures, and details like the rusty nail and woodgrain...

I see a living parable of triumph over adversity, determination to find and embrace the light, hope for life in the midst of challenges, and a tiny beacon of cheer surrounded by dull circumstances.

Reflected Palms

Simply a stand of palm trees reflected in a car window.

Taken in Garden Grove, California; 14 October 2010.

Handy Canon PowerShot A590.

Shadow Tongs

Taken after dark illuminated only by my backporch light.

You almost miss the actual tongs in the picture because your eye is drawn to the Shadow Tongs.

Pines in the Fog

Not a terribly uncommon sight in Monterey, California;

but always uncommonly and mysteriously inspiring.

And there was LIGHT

Fluorescent light, that is.

Looking straight up from my desk, this is what greets me.

It's not really helping my tan.

Cherry's #6

Another great hot rod from Cherry's Jubilee 2010.

Taken 12 September 2010 at Laguna Seca.