Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 31: Rock

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 31: Rock

In 2003, I visited Oregon with a friend.  One of the places we went were the Oregon Caves and they were fascinating.  The caves are unique in that they are marble, yet filled with stalactites and stalagmites, and formations called flowstone.  If you are in the area, they are definitely worth a visit.  

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 30: Refuge

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 30: Refuge

I'm so blessed to have a den, a snug, in which I take refuge during the first part of the day.  It has a sofa, rocker and a large window facing trees and wind chimes. It's filled with books, my computer, a glider on which is occasionally--rarely--exercise, and a television.  Why yes, I am watching Doctor Who.

My afternoons and until bedtime you'll find me tucked into a corner of my sofa where I read, nap, crochet, stream programs and can still stay in touch with my Facebook family.    

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 29: Grow

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 29: Grow

I love nature in all it's colors and beauty.  I delight when my Christmas cactus finally decides to bloom, and when the gardenia and camellia bushes, planted by the original building owners, come into bloom.  Oddly enough, one of my favorites is the mossy ground cover because I absolutely love it's bright color and velvet appearance. 

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 28: Window

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 28: Window

'nuff said.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 27: Sun

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 27: Sun

I love and am proud of all the needlepoint I've done.  Even so, this piece is a particular favorite and makes me smile every time I see it.  Part of that is due to finding the perfect picture mold, which reminded me of the sun's rays, and the mottled mat, reminiscent of a cloudy-night sky.  Thank you, Heather and Creative Framing Gallery, for your fine work in making this a perfect piece.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 26: Together

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 26: Together

It's a bit of a cop-out, but it truly does make me smile when I walk into my bedroom, mid-morning every day, and find Tigger and T.S. Elliott cuddled up on the bed together.  It's so nice that they are buddies.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 25: Watch

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 25: Watch

A family of Hamilton-watches wearers.  All three are ones we wore for years; all three still work perfectly.  One the left is my dad's, the middle watch is mom's, and on the right is my first good watch.  None of them are currently being worn as we've all moved to watches with much larger faces that are easier to see and that don't need winding.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 24: Stripes

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 24: Stripes

I was going to my car, wondering what I could do for this prompt that would be slightly different when I noticed the heating elements stripes on my car's back window.  Then I realized there was also the reflected stripes created by the inside of our garage door.  So there you have it:  stripes reflected in stripes.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 23: Electric

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 23: Electric

After a serendipitous find of something wonderful for "eclectic"--so NOT today's prompt--I realized the word was "electric".  Fortunately, I came to a red light and was there long enough to capture this photo.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 22: Corner

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 22: Corner

There's nothing to say about this except that I was attracted to the contrasts of light and shadow, grey and green, hard and soft.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 21: What I Do

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 21: What I Do

On most afternoons,
      I read and enjoy my daily can of Coca-Cola,
             crochet--sometimes with sparkly yarn, but usually for charity,
                     watch British mysteries--
                               you thought it'd be Doctor Who, didn't you?--
                                         and always have my camera at the ready.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 20: Something I Saw

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 20: Something I Saw

I love all the wonderful murals on unexpectedly comes across.  These two were on a wall in not a wonderful part of Richmond, CA.  Fortunately, there was a red light long enough to capture these.  You never know where you'll find art. 

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 19: Delicious

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 19: Delicious

Sometimes you want fine dining, and sometimes you just want a really good ham sandwich with macaroni salad.  This was DELISH!!!

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 18: Shadow

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 18: Shadow

There are those days when you feel as though you are living only a shadow of your life. At least my hair looks good.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 17: Ready

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 17: Ready

Finally!!! We now have a burrito shop in my neighborhood.  Every now and then, I do love a carnitas burrito with rice, re-fried beans, tomato, cheese, sour cream and lettuce.  Yes, I am a wimp; no avocado, salsa or hot sauce for me, please.  There's nothing better than seeing my all the fixings together, set to be rolled, bagged and definitely READY to eat.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 16: Two Things

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 16: Two Things

It was a wonderful blessing to be introduced to the works of Shakespeare by a teacher who really knew how so to do.  Even before opening a book, we would see a movie of each play, then we would watch the movie again while following along with the text, we would then read and discuss it in class and, finally, see the film again. The reward, at the end of the year, was going into New York City and seeing a stage production.  From this, I learn to truly love Shakespeare.

When, in 1986, I saw an advertisement for this pair of Romeo and Juliet candlestick holders from the Franklin Mint, how could I not have bought them.   They are much beloved and treasured by me.  And, because everything in my house is secured with Quake Wax, you also see on of my many class candlesticks as well.  Sorry, that does rather take it to 3 things, doesn't it.  

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 15: Sheep

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 15: Sheep

I had NOTHING for this prompt.  Fortunately, my friend Kathi Taylor lent me one of hers. 

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 14: Parking

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 14: Parking

It's not often I have the opportunity to look down on parking garages, but I particularly liked it being a rainy day, that one roof had cars while the other was empty, and catching the break lights, and their reflection, on the street.  You never now what you may find while visiting the dentist. 

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 13: Circle

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 13: Circle

They're everywhere.  All you need do is look. 

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 12: Organic

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 12: Organic

In spite of rain and cold, this lovely trumpet flower retains its perfection.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 11: Water

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 11: Water

In a heavy rain, the roof of our building creates our very own waterfalls.  They're rather pretty, unless you have to walk under them. 

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 10: Mundane

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 10: Mundane

Another trip to the post office.  More boxes of books and squares for charity blankets--this time for Hurricane Sandy victims--are ready to be mailed.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 9: Paper

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 9: Paper

This charming paper-covered box was once filled with chocolate truffles from Joseph Schmidt Confections.  They were known form making fabulous chocolates until they were acquired by a subsidiary of Nestles in 2005 and then closed in 2009.  Very sad.  People still wistfully remember Joseph Schmidt's shop in San Francisco.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 8: Starts with "T"

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 8: Starts with "T"

After having been burgled a couple times, and thieves taking my televisions, I was determined to buy a set they couldn't walk out with.  So in 1987, I bought this huge, 27" floor console model.  Who knew is was going to be such good set.  Twenty-five years later, it's still working perfectly.  Not being a gamer, or sports fan, or action-movie fan, it serves me perfectly well. 

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 7: Street

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 7: Street

If you have to go to the dentist for a tooth extraction, at least you can make it a photo opportunity.  Of course, it's also nice that his office is on the 12th floor. 

It was from there I captured this photo of the street below with his newly rain-wet surface and three still retaining their bright fall colors, even though this was taken the week before Christmas.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 6: Dance

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 6: Dance

Normally, I would come up with a photo on my own.  However, when this prompt arose and I had absolutely nothing, I knew where to turn.

My cousin, Karla Nickolson, is a professional photographer.  Although no longer working as such, one of her assignments was to the Colorado Ballet.  How could I not want to show off her work?

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 5: Chimney

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 5: Chimney

One the left is the most interesting local chimney I could find.  The inclusion of the upright bricks, for no apparent reason, caught my eye.

The two on the right are from Sonning-on-Thames.  Now those are chimneys!  Each chimney provides the venting for multiple fireplaces.  I wonder how well they drew the smoke?

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 4: Castle

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 4: Castle

In a house filled with whimsey, such as mine, the challenge was not finding a castle, but selecting one.  then I remembered this.

Yes, it is a Kirk's Folly broach.  What makes is particularly fun is that it not only has a moat with turtle, but that the draw bridge actually drops open.
  

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 3: Heart

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 3: Heart

Ms. Sara N. Dippity had a hand in today's photo. This was my other great note card find, also at 50% off. The best part is that the box is hard cardboard and can be used for other things later. Perfect!

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 2: Something New

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 2: Something New

Yes, I do love note cards.  I don't write them as often as I should or would like.  When I found these, on half-price sale, I just had to buy them.

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 1: Today

Photo-a-Day - January 2013 - Day 1: Today

The Jeep and I headed West this morning, through the tunnel toward Mt. Diablo.  I drove to Tahoe Joe's where I met my wonderful friends, the Carriveaus (l-r; Justin, me, Carol and Ron).  After lunch we went over to the Century Theaters and saw Les Misérables--yes, I cried.  It was wonderful.  I finally headed home, back through the tunnel, stopping briefly to see the light at the Mormon Temple before they take them down.  It was a lovely day with good friends.