Roses in Bloom

Last week Deb, Chloe and I packed a picnic

and headed out for the Botanical Gardens. After a bit of a hassle when we got there (keys locked in car)
Deb & Chloe enjoyed themselves while I watched Dwyane jimmy the door handle of my mother's car to retrieve the keys.

Here are a few of the shots I was able to take while waiting for them - before my camera broke.

(yes, the day just kept getting better)

Love the reflection on this one.

Isn't this lily lucious looking? Reminds me of a chocolate goody.

I think I'll plant some of these lucious lillies in my own garden.

This was ready to burst open. Some kind of a lily.

My favorite was the roses.

They were just coming to the

end of their full bloom and were a sea of beautiful colors.
This pretty deep pink rose made a nice landing pad for the bees.

Aren't we lucky that the Chihuly sunburst remains as a permanent fixture in the rose garden? I'm going to get down there some evening and shoot this in the twilight hours. It is stunning in person.


I'll have to get back down there next week.
It's a beautiful, peaceful place to spend the day.

Cheap Cheap Fun Fun

Just look how happy my little pals are. What made them smile?
I picked them up this evening and announced we were
going to have a pizza picnic at the park.
Quarter drinks (thanks Cards!) and a $5 hot 'n ready pizza
provided a perfect picnic, without any fuss or muss.

Try it sometime.
I promise it will bring a smile to your face.

Blessed

Last Sunday was a special day for our family.
We celebrated Glen's birthday
and Presley's baptism.
I turned Peyton loose in church with my camera.... an interesting perspective of things.
Godfather Joey, Presley, Jeff, Lindsay, and Godmother Katie.

I think she has that "control issue" gene in her.

She didn't like being on her back, and wanted to see

where that water was coming from.

Maybe if she pulled her mommy's dress down far enough

she could twist herself around.

Isn't she pretty in Chloe's baptismal gown?

Here's the whole clan who came to celebrate with us.

Gary, Lindsay, Presley, Jeff, Jade, Nicki, Rick, Sharon, Amy, Sara, Abby,

Gram, Joe, Grandma, Tim, Katie, Aaron, Linda, Steve, me, Glen, Grace, Cindy,

Peyton and Chloe.............whew!

Looking at this photo, I know how blessed we all are.

Of interest to me

While in the back alley of a downtown office building today, I spotted these two "otherwise occupied" structures.
The first one caught my eye because of the interesting textures.
The pigeons were icing on the cake.

The one below grabbed me with the contrast of the zig-zag fire escape against the white brick walls with the arched windows and straight vertical lines of the windows.

Just my inanimate posting for today.
Have a great weekend.

Hump day

Before the weekend arrives with a full schedule of events,
I wanted to catch up on the last couple of weeks.
My buddy, Peyton, broke his foot.
Did that heavy plaster cast and shoe boot slow him down?
Not for a second! He was a real trooper,
even showed me that he could still climb a tree.

I am happy to report that all bones are healed
and no more were broken in the process.

On to my niece.
This is Sara Liz, the one who made me an aunt
for the very first time. I have a special nickname for her
and a special place in my heart for her also.
She recently graduated from college,
going through school while her husband was in Iraq,
as she lived far away from any family at a base in Georgia.
She completed her first degree there,
came home, continued her education through her
pregnancy (young Tim had come back home),
had her baby (Sweet Baby Grace) over Thanksgiving break,
and graduated with a teaching degree
(while remaining on the Dean's List all four years).
Summa cum Laude.

I am very proud of her.Fate landed me a seat even with her row.

I made her pull out her "ropes" for this shot.

It's official.

See? She has the diploma in her hand.

She plans on teaching in the inner city.

It will be a lucky group of children who have her for a teacher.