Out of the blue...

...Uh Oh!  October Snow!

"October Snow"
Ambler, PA

Now THAT was certainly "Out of the Blue"!  My pooooooooor mums, R.I.P.  

--Kathy

Scavenger Hunt Sunday (#14)...

It's a SNOWY Scavenger Hunt Sunday!  Seriously?  What the heck, "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas Halloween"????   Thinking snow boots might ruin the whole effect of a few Halloween costumes if this all doesn't melt away by tomorrow.  Hmmmm, little Tinkerbells flitting around in galoshes...sooooo "What NOT to Wear".  Tis the year to go out as Sasquatch.  Oh well, Mother Nature is probably having a good laugh over this one...hope she's wearing a parka!

If you are like me and spending your day hunkered down by a fireplace, take some time to check out all the wonderful submissions to Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday at "Ramblings and Photos" .


And on to the hunt:



1.  Found Texture

So,  my Better Half has been bugging me for a few weeks to go check out this abandoned and falling down stone structure he spotted in the woods.  I don't like walking in the woods OFF a path.  It takes a particular skill to do that without constantly looking down and not stumbling. I must have missed that line when God was handing out talents. All I have to say about that is SOME people are more comfortable in hiking boots, and SOME in stilettos.  But I did tag along s-l-o-w-l-y and found me some wonderful texture when I had the opportunity to take my eyes off the ground.


2.  Home

Life is often a blur in my  home. A whirlwind of teen-aged girl activity...and hormones.  It's exhausting at times!  So many of my friends are empty-nesters and lovin' it, but I'm not ready for that yet and embrace the madness. I love the pre-party prep activity of teen-aged girls.  Brings back LOTS of memories, albeit sans "Aqua-net" and plum mascara.

3.  Cover

My church hosted a Civil War Encampment this past week.  I loved how these black lacy gloves covered this woman's hands.  I just found it a bit concerning that I have a pair of fishnet stockings in my drawer that are eerily similar.  

4.  The Tree (Kent Weakley Tree)

I have NO IDEA what a "Kent Weakley" tree is.  So I went with the tree that I've been obsessed with this past week.  I promise, this the LAST time I'll post a photo from my one-on-one photo session with my diva model tree...maybe.

5.  Macro/Close Up

I don't have a macro lens, actually I have NO lenses other than what is on my point and shoot camera.  So these macro challenges are always a REAL challenge for me.  Went for a stroll yesterday on Forbidden Drive in Philly (nope...not a red-light district as the name sounds!).  And this moss on the fence rail called out to me. I'm not usually intrigued by "mossy" things, and this is about as "out doorsy" as I get.  Pretty cool tho!

I want to thank everyone who have signed up to follow my little piece of the blogosphere.  I mentioned to a new follower the other day that I am always surprised that anyone finds what I post (photo or writing) interesting...so when I see a new follower, or that someone took the time out of their day to visit and comment, it literally puts a smile on my face.  It MIGHT even give me delusions of grandeur, haha.   It is so nice to meet (in the cyber-world sense) so many interesting, fun, talented and NICE people.  So from me to you a huuuuuuuuuuuge THANK YOU!

--Kathy

linked to:

What a difference a day makes...

"Autumn Wonderland"

Philadelphia, PA

So glad I got out to Forbidden Drive for a late afternoon stroll yesterday.  Forbidden? Only because motorized vehicles are forbidden on this pathway along the Wissahickon Creek in Fairmont Park.  I WAS planning on going there today.  What a difference a day makes...it's SNOWING, heavily!!!!  

I haven't even gotten the cobwebs brushed off my rake yet...now I need to dust off the shovel....CRAZINESS!

--Kathy

Fall is Falling...

...leaf by leaf

Yes, I WILL lay down in a cemetery for a cool photo!  I've learned the possibilities for embarrassing my kids are apparently ENDLESS!  Yippeeeeeee!  Altho, I think I might have given a couple of passers by a heart attack when they saw my motionless body prone amongst the tombstones.

"Last Man Standing"

Whitemarsh, PA

"Autumn's Blanket"

Whitemarsh, PA

I've got a VERY cool house.  Only the RED leaves fall on my white porch.  Interesting phenomenon!

  

Even the acorns that have fallen to the ground now lay emptied.  And a good thing. Just like us Northeasterner's are prone to flood the supermarkets to load our overflowing shopping carts full of bread, milk and Tastykakes when the word "snow" is even mentioned...so too must the squirrels do their squirrely equivalent.  They are calling for SNOW this weekend! Seriously?!?!?  I wonder if the squirrels have their Christmas decor up already like they do in TARGET!  Snow, hmmmmm....Butterscotch Krimpets or Peanut Butter Tandytakes? BOTH!

Enjoy the beauty!

--Kathy

Blowin' In the Wind...

"Blowin' In the Wind"

Whitemarsh, PA

I'm late to the party today.

I had an amazing photo session with a spectacular tree the other day.  Actually I was there to photograph a Civil War Encampment for my church, but the tree wound up being more exciting (sad to say).  I had planned on waiting awhile to post any photos from my tree adventure via Civil War non-lollapalooza. BUT...I've had a couple of days that I wish I could wish away that changed my outlook.  

I just got home from my "Parental Unit" visit.  Yep, a quick visit turned into an over nighter.  Not to get too detailed but I just want to say...getting old stinks!  And my dad is feeling the brunt of it right now.  I  took no photos of the glorious Lancaster County autumnal sights.  Nothing was interesting or inspiring.  Apparently my mood converted all the brilliant fall colors to dull grey.

But upon returning home I glanced thru my weekend tree photos and this one just called out to me.  A pretty strong wind was gusting this day, making these pods hold on for dear life.  Yet they all survived anchored to their branch.  The sky was brilliant and blue, belying the fact that a storm was brewing.  A bunch of pods hanging strong together, bending with the winds so they don't break...yep, I can relate to that.

So I just want to say to my mom and sisters...hang in there my pods.  And to our branch, our anchor, our dad...we love you, stay strong!

--Kathy

Scavenger Hunt Sunday (#13)...

It was an interesting Scavenger Hunt Sunday week for me.  I think the Photographic Gods were looking down kindly on me as it seems some of these prompts just magically appeared before my eyes.  A scavenger hunt without scavenging or hunting?  I am a total believer in karma, so I'm already dreading what next week's hunt is gonna take out of me! But for now, I'm just going to say "thank you" to those mysterious deities of the lens.

As always, I urge everyone to check out all the awesome interpretations of this week's prompts over on Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday at Ramblings and Photos.  Now on to the hunt!


1.  Under

If I didn't know better, I'd think Mr. Ed KNEW I had an "under" photo prompt this week...of course, of course!  

2.  Words

"Last Words"

St. John's Episcopal Church Cemetery, Whitemarsh, PA

My church is not only beautiful and historic INSIDE...but OUTSIDE as well.  I could spend hours walking amidst the cemetery.  One could just as easily be walking through the pages of an American History book.   Interesting how just a few "last words" can jump start one's imagination and transport you to another time.

3.  Fly

"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked.  "You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar." -- unknown

4.  Orange

And once more:  If I didn't know better, I'd think my Better Half KNEW I had an "orange" photo prompt this week...thank you, thank you!  I processed these in monochrome for an earlier post this week, but decided to save the "orange" for now.

5.  Always Look on the Bright Side

Can't find the bright side?  Look up!

For those who visit me regularly you can see I'm a little short on the commentary this week.  But I've been busy with some "things".  Thing #1 is home from Law School for a couple of days and I've enjoyed having my 6'4" lug putting indentations in the sofa and giving me some chuckles.  His sense of humor is a wonderful tonic.  Thing #3 had her first high school Homecoming Dance last night with all the requisite pre-dance teen drama, which also provided me some chuckles...mostly at her expense.  She does NOT appreciate my sense of humor sometimes, haha. Thing #2, if you are reading this....I MISS YOU!

Thanks for stopping by my little piece of the blog-o-sphere.  I do love comments, so feel free to leave some.  And I hope you all enjoy the "things" that make you happy.

--Kathy

linked to:

"Autumn Burned Brightly...

...a running flame through the mountains,

a torch flung to the trees." - Faith Baldwin

"Autumn Batik"

State College, PA

"I can not endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.  So I spent almost all the daylight hours in the open air."

 -- Nathaniel Hawthorne

An ALMOST perfect quote, except I would add.....with camera!

--Kathy

Thursday's Child...

"Thursday's child has far to go."

Instead of looking at how far I still have to go, this typical Thursday's Child is using Thursdays to stop and appreciate where I've been....and where 

I am at the moment.

I learned that I am a moron sometimes (actually, not a totally new lesson!).  A case in point where I need to slow down and take my own advice.  How fortuitous this happened today...on a Thursday so I could blog about my stupidity!  Never let it be said I don't recognize my flaws, or use them for a photo op.

Yesterday was a pretty bad day all around for me.  Lucky for me I have a pretty thoughtful Better Half who knew I'd be needing some spoiling when I got home at the end of the day.  Yep, I sure know how to pick 'em. Not sure my Better Half can claim the same thing!  Waiting for me upon my arrival was a home cooked meal of parmesan crusted porkchops and risotto (one of his specialties), a bottle of my favorite Cakebread chardonnay, a pint of my favorite Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey, and a hug.

What did "I" do?  I plopped on the couch and drank my wine.  I had no appetite and it wasn't until after 11 pm that I remembered the ice cream was in the freezer. Soooo, what the heck...I had a pretty nice mid-night snack.  The Better Half said he completely understood my lack of appetite, but will he understand my expanding hips?

I woke up this morning...Thursday...meandered downstairs and out to my sunroom and what to my wondering eyes should appear?  The most gorgeous bouquet of orange roses!  Geesh! I didn't even make it off the couch last night so I never even saw my Better Half's gift to me.  And he was considerate enough to not bring my faux pas to my attention.

Yep...today is Thursday and I appreciate where I am at the moment. And whom I'm with. So to my Better Half, thank you so much for just letting me be a lump last night. I know that is probably what first attracted you to me, haha!  If I haven't conveyed how much I appreciated it, will a public THANK YOU make up for it??? The roses were lovely and I had your dinner for a leftover lunch today....yum! But DANG!!!  My dessert is all gone.

Happy Thursday!

--Kathy

Out of the Blue...

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
fluttering from the autum trees"

--Emily Bronte

You just can't hide your true colors forever.  Eventually, they will always come out and burst forward.   And more often than not...those true colors are so much more vibrant than what you were hiding behind anyway.   Isn't it interesting this happens in the autumn of one's life?  So says the 51 year old!  Think I'll wear some red today and celebrate my true colors, which means....I'm going shopping for a new pair of leather boots!  

--Kathy

Scavenger Hunt Sunday (#12)...

TWELVE weeks of doing this?  Impossible!  You'd think the prompts would become easier after 12 weeks of practice, wouldn't you.  Truth be told, that is why Scavenger Hunt Sunday is my FAVORITE link-up, it always challenges me to keep my eyes open to view the familiar in an unfamilar way.   Some weeks are easier than others.  But it's right up my alley as my Better Half can vouch that I'm REALLY good at thinking in "unfamiliar" ways, especially when it behooves me! (Yes, I actually just used the word "behoove"!). Lots going on this past week, which equated to not as much time to devote to photography....bah humbug. But I feel a sense of victory in that I didn't have to delve into my archives for any prompt. So that's a big "BOO-YAH" baby!

If you have time I urge you to check out all the other Scavenger Hunt interpretations at Ashley's Ramblings and Photos.  And on to the hunt:


1.  Abstract

"Autumn Kaleidoscope"

State College, PA

"No wonder I'm dizzy, the world keeps spinning in circles!" - Galileo (kidding!)

 Disclaimer:  No Dramamine was consumed as a result of this photo.

linked to:

2.  Fire

I think I finally found me some "bokeh love" (I just have no idea how I did it!).  Just my luck that isn't the prompt THIS week!  But fire?  After burning my fingers on numerous matches while trying to take a photo....I opted to go the candle route.

3.  Seeing Faces in Strange/Unexpected Places

Okay you bugger, you scared the bejeezus outta me as I pulled into my garage and looked out my window to see if I was going to clear the garage wall without any mishaps (not that I'm prone to that or anything). You should NOT be hanging out on my window peering in at me checking my driving skills,  soooo totally unexpected I could have EASILY hit that wall!!!!  And if you think you are gonna win me over just because your colors coordinate so nicely with the coleus in my planters you can just think again!  Wait a minute, I think I have my camera here in the car somewhere, don't move....


4.  Round

Yeah, yeah, yeah...best laid intentions!  It will just take me a few minutes to blow some bubbles and take a photo in the backyard.  Do you know how HARD it is to blow bubbles, grab your camera, focus and take a photo while two dogs think those little round things floating around are their new chew toys?!?!!?   Let me just tell ya I finally had to resort to plan "B"... shoot my neighbors a nasty look for laughing at me, banish the dogs to the laundry room (after I chased them around the yard to catch them!) , decide to just keep the dang bubble ON the stick instead of going for the beautiful floating bubbles effect, don't breathe, move slooooooowly and shoot quickly. Bubble, bubble toil and trouble...I NEED the equivalent of a photographic sous chef!



6.  Star

I love stars.  They always remind me to never underestimate your ability to twinkle!

And there ya have it.  I had fun with this week's prompts...well, EXCEPT the grasshopper!  It literally was a stand-off scene reminiscent of "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" in my garage (hmmmm....no comment on WHO was the UGLY!) Proud to say I outlasted him, ultimately.  So happy to have you stop by my blog.  I love comments so feel free to leave some.   And I want to thank everyone who has been so kind to follow my blog.  It truly lifts my spirits whenever I see a new name and face sign up.  When I reach 50 followers I'm thinking of having a give-away....how does a beautiful grasshopper with spying capabilities sound?  

Enjoy your Sunday!

--Kathy

linked to:

Focused on keeping focus...

I have been reading alot lately on the merit and allure of "blurred" photos.  Hmmmmm, interesting concept for me since I've always been focused on keeping focus!  This applies to both my life and my photography.  A blurred photo is judged a failure and quickly dragged to the trash can, and any out of focus aspect of life I work to get back to 20/20...stat!  It has always just been that crystal clear to me.  But quite honestly, the older I get the more I realize life is a blur because it just never stops moving...and waaaaay too quickly at times.  Being blurred is probably closer to the natural state of things.  So shouldn't it be captured that way in photography occasionally without being deemed a bad picture?

"Frenetic Colosseum"

Rome, Italy

Two years ago Thing #2 was studying abroad in Florence, Italy.  Of course I HAD to make the ultimate sacrifice and make the journey to visit (because that is what a good mom does!)...and I HAD to take my sister along for the experience (because that is what a good sister does!).  And a good Better-Half just doesn't complain about being left at home. We started in Rome and trained it up to Florence.  Italy NEVER disappoints and we had a wonderful trip with lots of laughs, food and wine.  When I got home and ventured thru all my photos I was very disappointed with this capture of the Colosseum at night because it was so blurred and I had such high hopes when taking it.  Yet for some reason I never discarded it.  Not because I felt it had any photographic merit, but because it brought back memories of my sister and I dodging traffic in the middle of the Rome street TRYING to get a night shot of the Colosseum and laughing at all of our failed attempts while cars were honking at us idiot Americans.  I learned a few new Italian hand gestures that night, and to never trust Rome cab drivers....just sayin'.

After reading and pondering recent postings on the merits of blurred photos, I remembered this picture and re-visited/re-edited it.  Yep, there WAS a reason I didn't throw it in the trash.  I didn't realize what it was that spoke to me about the photo until I read someone else's perspective who TOLD me.  Sometimes it is nice to convey the action and frenetic pace in our lives, and sometimes that is best accomplished thru a blurred photo.  I would add my own caveat that it is even better to convey it in Italy!

Ciao!

--Kathy

Squirrels just wanna have fun...

This was the scene on my deck this morning.  Which got me to wondering...is this the squirrel world equivalent of waking up to a dorm room full of empty beer cans and a headache?  Not that I would know anything about that (that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!).  But I now realize that perhaps the morning quiet and stillness might be due in part to all the squirrels sleeping off their hangovers. It's nice to learn you are never too old to laugh at someone else's "morning after".

"I Can't Believe I Ate the Whole Thing"

Ambler, PA

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day.

--Kathy

Stuck in traffic...

"Rural Red"

State College, PA

So what are the odds of being stuck in traffic amidst cows, horses and farmland? Well, it happens way too often when the road leads to Penn State and Happy Valley on a football weekend.  And how fortuitous to come to a standstill during the golden hour, as the sun is starting to set and everything is bathed in beautiful honey tones! ALMOST makes you thankful that all those out-of-towner Hawkeyes from Iowa had no idea where they were going, which results in going NOWHERE....for awhile.  So happy the Better Half was behind the wheel, so I could be behind my camera and hanging out the window. Probably an all too familiar sight for Thing #3 from the backseat of our car.

Not sure anything is more perfect in red than a red barn dotting a landscape.....EXCEPT perhaps a pair of red patent leather pumps donning my feet!  I'm fairly confident Dorothy would concur on both accounts.

Happy Tuesday!

--Kathy

Morning Has Broken...

"Morning Has Broken"

Ambler, PA

--Kathy

Scavenger Hunt Sunday (#11)...

The Philadelphia Phillies Edition

It's Scavenger Hunt Sunday. And I'm pretty bummed because after Friday night's loss to the Saint Louis Cardinals, this is Philly's first Sunday of the off season. My least favorite season of the year. Bah humbug! So farewell to my boys of summer. I'm not very happy with you right now my Phillies, but you know I'll always love ya!

And on to this weeks prompts which were all taken at the Phillies playoff game vs. the Saint Louis Cardinals. You'll notice I applied my shopping credo to a few of these prompts:  Can't decide?  Just get both!

1.  Landscape

The landscape of a ball game at first glance.

But upon closer inspection, THIS is the true landscape of baseball.  Little kids with big heroes and big dreams.

2.  Black and White

America's past time.

3.  Blank Space

High atop the stadium blank space.

And on the concourse blank space.  Apparently no one wanted to tread on Philly's "All-Star Shortstops".



4.  The Color Wheel:  Complementary/Triadic

In the bullpen (red/green).

On the field.  In Philly, complementary colors (red/green) are complimentary!



5.  Food

Crackerjack...of course!

And....

I HAD to throw this one in as a warning to my Better Half. If you ever even THINK of wearing this to a baseball game you are OUTTA HERE!!!!!  If you are over the age of 10, this is definitely a "What Not to Wear" moment.   Where is this guy's wife?  Probably at the bar drowning her sorrows.

--Kathy

linking to: