Unedited Me. Finally

It's Been A While

2009-11-30T16:32:00.008-05:00

So I'm posting a little drivel and some pictures from a recent road trip to Maine.

Drivel: three dolled up Flamingos. Feather'd crowns and sparkly beads and heels. This little ornament adorns my sister's Pink Bathroom Pink Flamingo Tree ... (I have one too ... but mine is currently hiding in the kitchen drawer)

A fresh water marsh in Gardiner, Maine.

The 'big beach' at Kennebunk, Maine.

Water rushing through a sluice, Gardiner, Maine.

I have no idea where the time goes or why I don't have my camera with me every single time I leave this house. I miss way too many good picture opportunities.

Got to get myself in the habit.

Halloween Past

2009-10-17T14:16:00.013-04:00

I'm still sorting through the thousands of digital images I have on both my pc and the in-house server. It's quite an interesting and fun project but does take lots of time.

Here are a few pictures from Halloweens Past.

Our 2008 store bought (or perish the thought) cake!

Emily and Buzz! 2008

A decorated boat, Pickering Wharf, Salem MA 2007

Full Moon rose while we waited for the train. 2007 Salem Depot

2007 Aye Matey!

2003 A very scary witch to be!

October 2003 from this ...
... to this ....

Happy Halloween!

2009-09-12T14:29:00.006-04:00

I'm slowly, but surely, organizing my digital photos on the PC. I have been making new folders, giving more meaning to labels ... ie: 2007 Emily Bday or 2008 Salisbury Beach, that sort of thing. Labeling by year and event works well. At least, it appears to work well. But I have years worth of photos that are just 'there' waiting patiently to be sent to a folder or have their own folder.

Today, I was sorting and came across a few ... that I thought I'd post. Nothing terribly special, just some shots, that at the time of the taking were interesting to me. For some reason.

2008 Late afternoon in late summer at the golf course.

2007 'shrooms growing in the lawn

2008 Early fall afternoon sky

2007 Organic Twins

2007 Bee or wasp nest fallen from the eave

2007 Garden Snake

2009-09-11T07:01:00.004-04:00

Today and always, God Bless America

I went to bed with 9/11/2001 on my mind and I woke thinking about that horrible day. Like all of you, I can tell you precisely where I was, who I was with, what I was doing when I heard the news and how for a brief moment in time we believed that the news we were hearing was about a horrific crash and not a terrorist attack.

At our office, there was a scramble to locate a television of any size and condition so that we could see with our own eyes ... and when we finally got a tiny portable TV to work, the shock sank in.

Today I was hoping to post a remembrance of one of the victims or heroes of 9/11/2001, the day America was attacked; I was late getting over to Project 2996, http://project2996.wordpress.com/ and so I won't be getting one done today.

However, we can all go over to Project 2996 and browse through the list of names, memories, tributes posted by and linked to other bloggers.

Today I offer a prayer for the victims, heroes, and families of those directly affected by the attack and I offer a hope that America and her citizens will remain vigilant against oppression and terrorism and work together to keep each of us safe and secure in the knowledge that we are a great country of many.

God Bless America. Today and always.

cross posted @ Flamingo Feathers.

Storm Clouds Over The Merrimack River

2009-08-30T08:31:00.011-04:00

Looking inland following the Merrimack River

Across the River to Plum Island

Facing out to sea

Our group cooking on a grill, facing inland

Facing inland as clouds form

Along the horizon, barely able to view the skyline of Newburyport

Facing out to sea at the mouth of the river as it goes out to the Atlantic. Local fishermen surf fish on both sides of the river. This, the Salisbury side and directly across the river, Plum Island.

One week ago today as New England dealt with the thunder storms of Hurricane Bill -- who fortunately stayed way off the coast -- we were at a Mexican Feast at Salisbury Beach State Reservation http://www.essexheritage.org/sites/salisbury_beach.shtml with our friends up visiting from Florida.

Great food prepared by Norma and Wendy, lovely way to spend the afternoon ... but a bit wet around the edges.

Two BackYard Beauties & Cape Ann Golf Course

2009-07-11T20:58:00.008-04:00

Queen's Tiara Iris

Lacy Ruff Iris

Cape Ann Golf Course

This is part of the view from the fourth hole at Cape Ann Golf Course. Yes, the clubs are there purposefully. The lighter color at the line of the horizon are the dunes of the 'back side' of Crane's Beach.

The sun was shining, the ocean breeze was constant and if I hadn't been golfing I could have been birding. Today was an amazing golf day.

Off to the left out of sight I could see the Crane Estate's castle ... and then as your eyes pan right you see the great marsh, an island and then further off the picture to the right the mouth of the Essex River, Conomo Point and the Essex salt marsh.

To golf here at this course today was like being on vacation. Add to that my playing ability today -- shocking how well I played!

Ta! Daaaaah!

2009-03-28T09:26:00.007-04:00

The very first picture from my new camera. Put the battery in, turned the camera on, pointed and voila! Mac is the subject for that moment.

Tiffy, the cockatoo who came to visit me at work last week. He rode in on his owner's shoulder and then had a nice visit with me while his owner took care of some business.

Snowdrops, I think. These were found the other day on a walk out with my sister. We were at Bradly Palmer State Park looking at one of the old houses there.

Second floor sun room. That's what I want!

The carriage house has fallen to ruin, but I understand that a lease has been signed for this property.

There you have it. Some first shots from the new camera. These are all fully automatic shots. Now I've got to get myself back into the swing of working manually.

Nope. No pictures yet.

2009-03-23T09:45:00.006-04:00

A junco looks for sunflower seed in the snow, February 2009. Taken with the Polaroid point and shoot.

In fact, if you want to see anything from me ... you have to visit my other blog, Flamingo Feathers (link in the side bar) for now.

I'm halfway through the manual that came nicely packaged with the camera.

There is a lot to learn about the camera ... forget the photography part ... I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

It's Here!

2009-03-13T17:59:00.003-04:00

At long last, I have a new camera. One that I am sure will on the one hand frustrate me as I go through the learning curve, and on the other hand will please me no end once I get the hang of it!

A Canon EOS 1000 set on auto shoot for the moment. I've not had time to fiddle with adjustments or to flip through the manual, but in a week or so when I've not much to do but lay around recovering from a bout with the oral surgeon, I'll have plenty to read!

So don't lose that blogger link just yet! I'll be posting pictures and simple lines of explanation again soon. When AOL bumped us, I opened this blog as my photo blog and my other as my writing blog.

Stay tuned. Please?

"C'est la vie!"

Good News!

2009-03-02T09:52:00.002-05:00

I've had an interesting few months what with dental woes, all this snow and 'that darned camera' I broke. Well, it wasn't me, exactly, because the problem was a defect in construction, more or less, I guess.

I digress!

Good News! The box store that my first digital camera was purchased from honored my extended warranty (worth the little bit of money in my case), sent the camera out for repair, sent it on to Nikon, who advised them no repair can be made and I have been authorized to purchase a new camera!

Of course, this purchase must take place at the box store I made the original purchase from just under four years ago ... but that's okay! I have a nearly $500.00 credit and with the stash I've got put aside, I may just be able to move up to the camera I've been hoping for.

"Which one?" you ask. I dunno. I was all set for a Nikon digital SLR and then a Cannon Rebel and then back to a Nikon ... so I am going to shop a bit and then decide.

... and here's a little something for your winter pleasure ... not that we need any more reminders, or anything ...

True Love Isn't Just For Valentine's Day

2009-02-15T10:41:00.002-05:00

My daughter holds hands with her boyfriend while waiting to board the charter buses delivering them to Junior Prom. May 2007.

These two? Love each other purely.

And. They demonstrate to others just how love should be.

Camera On The Road to Recovery

2009-02-06T12:38:00.003-05:00

Well, I am hopeful. I dug around until I found the almost four-year-old paper work for the purchase of my camera and discovered that the warranty does not run out until May 18, 2009!

This is one time I'm glad I purchased the extended version. Nikon will fix or replace my camera and I am very happy about that. I should have something to work with ... my old baby or a new one ... in about two weeks.

In the meanwhile, here is a file photo from last winter, just around this time.

Bethel Maine, home to Sunday River Ski Resort

Wishing It Were Fall

2009-01-24T08:32:00.000-05:00

2009-01-21T08:42:00.003-05:00

Last year's shot of an Eastern Bluebird. For the past few years during late January, early February, a small flock has stopped by our back yard for a day or two. Still waiting for them .... in 2009.

January 2007

2009-01-19T11:06:00.006-05:00

There isn't much of a difference in how the front yard looked last year at this time and today. We've had lots of snow over the last couple of winters.

Purple teddy bears make for easy siting on the white snow. Grrrr

What?

Winter Blues

2009-01-18T12:48:00.004-05:00

Today's Old Fodder

On the Capen Road in Gardiner Maine, last year, this porch entry was buried under the snow slide from the porch roof. Clever of the resident to just make an opening through ...

I Broke The Camera

2009-01-15T15:33:00.005-05:00

.... and I am very sad.
I cannot help out the economy just now.
.... and also very mad.
At me.

I guess I'll just have to keep digging through my folders for new fodder for this page.
I guess I should, because it has been an age.

:::sigh:::

Fanueil Hall, Boston MA on a sunny summer day.

Change in The Air

2009-01-05T15:39:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks! A brief note to let you know I am changing this blog to require word verification process to post a comment.

A little Gremlin has been in to visit and I don't feel like bothering with the nonsense that comes from the solicitors that stalk the blog-o-sphere.

In a while, I'll change it back, but for the short term ... a little more effort ...

Sorry.

Snowing Too Much for You?

2008-12-31T18:14:00.006-05:00

Here's some color to bring to the long, cold, dreary days of winter.

Paaarrrrrtay Boat!

My friend's twin daughters.

A Baltimore Oriole trying to hide from me.

A dew-kissed African daisy.

Snow, Snow, Beautiful Snow

2008-12-27T10:49:00.003-05:00

Yes, I am a snow lover. It's pretty, it's bright, it lights up the greys and browns of winter. This is the pump house of the tree farm just down the road from us. I love this view ... and I see it every day on my way to work.

In any of the seasons this snippet of country scenery gives me a slight smile ... the view changes so often due to light or snow or leaves ... making it one small pleasure in each day.

During our real storm of the year, not quite winter yet, but just before the official start, we received 10" of snow in our area.

Slim Pickings This Week

2008-12-05T21:04:00.004-05:00

... but not for this goldfinch. Typically the male goldfinch is beautiful yellow and black and the female is exactly this color ... all year long. I did read an article somewhere that stated the male goldfinch tends to look more like the female once the cold weather sets in. I've no idea if this article was full of fact or fiction and I've no idea if this bird is male or female.

The picture, however, is the only decent one of a couple of dozen and at that, it could use some work. :::sigh:::

Some weeks are just like that.

Goldfinch at the thistle feeder.

Bradley Palmer State Forest & The Ipswich River

2008-12-01T15:59:00.005-05:00

View toward the Ipswich River from the parking area on Wheelock Street. The buildings barely discernible to the right are the home and offices of Foote's Canoe Rental.

A different angle out to the field.

The Ipswich River as it meanders under the wooden bridge on Wheelock Street. Now that I think of it, it might be Wheeler Street. Darn. If I don't right things down ....

Today was an unusual weather day. Here we've gone from bone chilling cold to warmer temps with rain and then into this afternoon -- 49 degrees, no sun, but lots of clouds and as you leave town and head into Ipswich following along the river and heading to the coast, the mist rises off the river and gives the drive an ethereal quality.

Not sunny and bright, but pretty just the same.

Since I Was Out & There Was Christmas Music Playing

2008-11-29T22:29:00.004-05:00

A hint of spirit hit me as I drove through the Village on the way home from errands. I actually stopped and took three shots ... all the while freezing and knowing they wouldn't turn out all that well.

So be it. But an interesting thing happened. The trails of light ... resemble folk art style reindeer. Or cookie cutter reindeer.

Being honest here I'm actually glad the town has the lights up and in working order. Every year we have a tree and menorah lighting ceremony and every year the Christmas tree is missing lights. So maybe, just maybe this year ... the lights will go on ... all at the same time!

Hey! Everyone! It's Time For Dessert!

2008-11-26T21:16:00.005-05:00

Pumpkin pie, easy as can be -- I had lots of help, her name is Emily!

I opened the oven and what did I see?
Why! An apple pie, calling to me!

Fresh from the oven, its scent fills the air.
Amy & I made it! Enjoy it! We'll share.

Happy Thanksgiving folks! May you have much to be thankful for and may you be blessed with good health, meaningful days, friendship and love.

The Capen Road

2008-11-16T19:36:00.012-05:00

Being a late fall day, after a night of tremendous rain and high winds, the gloom that comes through in the pictures was, in truth, the day. The sky maintained its ominous dark clouds and smatterings of rain could be felt off and on.

I'm sure there is a story behind this relatively small, but intriguing waterfall system. As I drove along The Capen Road (because it is not referred to as Capen Road, but in true Mainer fashion is referred to as The Capen Road) I spied this stream flowing downhill and then over a man-placed wall which created a waterfall. The stream then flows around trees and islands of duress to another retaining wall with a spillway smack in the middle of the expanse.

From this spillway the water flows under the bridge and at the other side of the roadway flows over or rather through, another spillway. The stream then continues on down through the woods where it eventually supplies a small lake.

I'll have to stop one day during the Spring and speak to the old farmer who lives just two doors up the road from this fall system. I'm guessing that it may have been built to provide electricity or run a saw mill some time in the past.

I was not going to walk the woods today. Too damp, too wet, too cold! Although my sister thinks a nice spring walk is in order, I'd prefer the fall walk without the black flies and mosquitoes. I do keep wondering why I've not noticed this stream before. The Capen Road is a back road I travel to my sister's house from the interstate ... in order to shave off a few miles, minutes and downtown traffic. Such as the traffic is in a small community.

Further along the road ... some cattle ... this breed I've seen at the fair in early fall but cannot recall the name.

This May Be The Last Golf Day

2008-11-12T19:37:00.006-05:00

Today's blue sky was just beautiful and the day was warm when the clouds allowed the sunshine to reach us. The air was crisp and clean and brrrrrr, cold!

Going to seed Cat-O-Nine tails.

My drive on my sixth hole today. Maybe the last good one of the year.

Time to move on to other spaces and places and photos of late fall.

Golf Course ~ Bittersweet

2008-11-05T13:46:00.005-05:00

As the end of golf season approaches here in the Northeast we continue to golf on what we New Englander's call nice days. A nice day here could simply mean the temp is above 40 degrees or it's 20 degrees but the sky is blue or the sun is shining.

Today while my sister-in-law and I golfed I brought the camera along to take a few pictures of the bittersweet that grows throughout the golf course.

My pictures don't do it justice but it is so lush and beautiful this year with vibrant orane outers and red, red centers on the berries.

Grapes of Maine

2008-11-01T17:39:00.008-04:00

Nope. Not a bird. Hopefully that theme has flown the coop for a while.

These are the concord grapes my brother-in-law grows in his garden. The vines have finally gotten to the point where an expansion or a move will be necessary.

He brings many bunches of grapes to the VA hospital where he volunteers and shares them with the patients and other volunteers.

The left-overs are here for the wintering birds.

But they look yummy enough to eat!

I've posted these photos here http://womenon.blogspot.com/ and here http://flamingofeathers-kathy.blogspot.com/ as well.

Check out Women On. Things can get lively over there, although generally you'll find me hiding in a corner, I am trying to spread my wings a bit. Once bitten, twice shy.

Duck, Duck, Goose!

2008-10-24T08:26:00.002-04:00

Shaking a leg at the passersby ... silly goose.

Watch Out You Turkeys!

2008-10-17T17:35:00.000-04:00

In our town, it is not uncommon to find a flock, large or small, wondering about a front yard.

Sauntering through a front yard.

Run, run, run as fast as you can! I can't catch you, but the hunter man can!

As Seen On The Golf Course

2008-10-15T13:39:00.000-04:00

You just never know what you'll see on the golf course. Usually, the wildlife is plentiful and interesting. Today's feature presentation is a Great Blue Heron that spent some time stalking me.

It kept creeping over in my direction and when I would look, it would stand stock still until I moved on.

Now it is coming directly at me and I was wondering if it was going to go into attack mode ... but it didn't.

It started to bend forward and then straighten up and then bend forward again.

Lo & Behold! BRUNCH! It wasn't stalking me, it was stalking its meal.

Then it walked into the pond with this little mole and washed it off a couple of times.

Eeeuuuwwww!

Yummy! At least, it filled his tummy.

Yup ... see that fat neck?

Following My Own Blogs

2008-10-08T20:38:00.000-04:00

Now I've got myself here in this blog, I'm following myself on my own two blogs. Go figure. But that way, I won't misplace the links.

I've got a ways to go before I sleep, I think.

Well, Well, Well.

2008-10-08T20:32:00.001-04:00

Here I am with my Unedited Me Blog and no where to go. I'm probably going to delete half the old posts and eventually transfer the few I keep to my other blog. :::sigh:::

I don't enjoy having to make decisions, choices or moves so quickly. Must be my age.

Or something.

Anyway, I'm here. The move to Blogger was as easy as eating a banana. Pretty easy, huh?