Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 30: Photographer's Choice

Although a large, pink hydrangea is lovely, what makes this photo my choice is being able to take it.  

No longer having an income, being able to obtain things which allow me to do the activities I love has become a real challenge.  However, I am blessed by the angels in my life.  Some of my angels have sent me yarn for charity crocheting, some have made books by my favorite authors available to me, one sent me a painting by her husband that touched my soul, and one is providing me with additional asthma inhalers. And there are others.

A new angel remembered that I had desperately been wishing for a new camera.  My little PowerShot SD100is, bought for $25 on eBay, has been great but it has a permanent dark spot on the lens that I have to frame and crop around.  Not always idea.  My angel is a professional photographer.  She and her husband were going through all the equipment and realized they had a camera they no longer use.  Thanks to them, I now have a Canon Powershot SX10is. One thing I love, that I've always wanted, is that it has a 28-560mm zoom lens. 

This photo was taken from my very dirty second-story window down to the patio below.

Thank you to all my special angels.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 29: Zone

It was hot.  It was getting dark and I as tired.  Yet I was determined to find a "zone" sign.  Driving along a narrow, windy road up in the hills, I knew I was in a school zone yet the only such sign I'd seen had been covered in graffiti.

Suddenly, up ahead, I saw it.  That was the sign for which I had been looking.  However, it wasn't until I downloaded and looked at the shot, I realized the shape of the tree limbs behind it.  Perhaps it was my fatigue, but images of creepy movies started running in my head.

Happily, I am now home, tucked safe in my own cozy apartment and all is well. 

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 28: Red

You don't need to go far to find red in my house.  Along with blue and green, it is everywhere.  Even some of the most basic things are red.

As I arose this morning, I looked into the drawer of my night table.  There as my red calculator, ChapStick and inhaler.  I think they go perfectly with my red flannel sheets, decorative pillow slip and red satin nightshirt.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 27: Into the Sun

As the song says, "It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) Sun-Shiny day.".  Unfortunately, it's also going to be the start of several hot days. 

Standing in the shadow of our Trumpet bush, helps keep things just a little bit cooler.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 26: Empty

 All gone!  I drink one Coke each day with lunch and I enjoy every single drop of it.  Seeing this empty box makes me sad.  Seeing I still have another 12 pack in the cupboard, makes me very happy again.

 

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 25: Sharp

The bristles of this kitty brush are very sharp.  Too sharp, really, for my kitty's skin.  Instead, I use this brush for pillows and the upholstery on which my boys sleep.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 24: Negative Space

 

According to the Art History Glossary, "The simplest way to describe it is as: "space where other things are not present."   On one hand, this is a photo of our plum tree full of fruit.  On the other hand, it is an arrow pointing to the sky.  Don't you just love nature?

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 23: Last

Imogen Robertson is an English author of historical mysteries.  Her series is one I particularly love.  

Her newest book, "Circle of Shadows" did not disappoint.  I'll post my full review soon on my blog "It is purely my opinion," but suffice it to say I found this to be an excellent read.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 21: Train

The Montclair Egg Shop in Oakland, California opened in 1974 and has only changed hands once.  Ed, the original owner, is still around, but sold it in 2000 to then-manager Miguel Barron, a business student at SF State who started washing dishes at the egg shop as a teenager.  It is, by far, my favorite breakfast spot with my favorite being their Sweet Cheese Crepe--a crepe filled with cheese, topped with bananas, strawberries and sauce.  However, their omelets are also wicked good.

In addition to staff that has been there forever, a gas fireplace that's perfect for chilly mornings and excellent food, it's eclectic decor is a delight.

Vehicles are a particularly theme with trains taking a predominant role.  This Amtrak train, which runs along the back wall behind the kitchen, is only one of them.  And run it does, back and forth, along with the ski lift gondola.

The quote below the train is from Henry David Thoreau:

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."

There are many more wonderful things to be seen, and tasted, at the Montclair Egg Shop.  Join me there.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 20: Wind

It's a well-known fact that I love wind chimes.  So much so, that when I saw this wind chime/mobile in a shop near the Russian River, I knew it was meant for me.  An indoor wind chime is a wonderful thing.

Note:  You may have to press the "Play" icon on the bottom left to start the video.  Don't forget to turn up the sound.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 19: Inspired by Man Ray

Man Ray (1890-1976) was an American modernist artist who spent most of his career in Paris, France. He was a significant contributor to the Dada and Surrealist movements.  Several of his photographs were of a woman with a mask.

While at the Tower of London, I took several photographs of their displays of the death masks of the kings through history.  What I had forgotten, was that in one the reflection of a fellow tourist superimposed itself over one of the masks.

I'd say that surreal enough to quality as inspired by May Ray.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 18: Street

My faith in Oakland has been bolstered.  Last Tuesday, I submitted a problem notice to the City of Oakland.  We had a pothole on our street that was in danger of becoming a major issue as the surface had broken to the point where you could see the sewer pipe beneath it.  I received a confirmation saying my notice had been accepted but that they were very busy. 

Imagine my delight and surprise when I drove down the street on Thursday and found the hole had been filled and patched.

Yeah, Oakland!

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 17: Centered

When I first moved in, I was overwhelmed by the white walls and complete lack of architectural features in my 1968 apartment.  Even the kitchen, with it's lack of backsplash, really bothered me.

eBay was my friend.  I decided on a slightly country French theme for my kitchen.  Within one month I had a set of decorative plates over the corner sink, numerous copper molds over the two doors and counters, and assorted other items.  But there was still that backsplash.

Finally I found a woman who had a hand-painted sign saying "Bon Appetit".  Unfortunately, that one had a large rooster on it.  Not being a rooster fan, I decided to chance it and sent an email asking whether she'd do a custom design. 

I was thrilled when it my piece arrived.  Custom colors with wine and grapes.  Okay, so she was clearly not a wine drinker as the glass is the wrong shape, but who cares.  The most amazing part?  This delightful custom sign came to me from Tennessee for $22, including shipping!  Now my kitchen has the perfect backsplash and person touch for which I was hoping. 

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 16: Every Picture Tells a Story

Of them all, this is my favorite photo of my dad and me.  We just adopted a new cocker spaniel puppy and I was less than certain about it.  I love that my dad came down to my level and, in his shelter, reassured me that Corky was very nice and it would be just fine.  He was right.

More than this incident, I always knew my dad was, and still is, there for me.  We didn't always agree, especially during the turbulent 60s, but I have never questioned that I am loved. 

Happy Father' Day, Daddy!  I may not have been able to see you this year, but I could hear your voice and tell you how much I love you.  May I have a few more years where that is true.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 15: Wire

While at the DeYoung Museum, several months ago, there was a small alcove by an elevator with numerous wire sculptures.  As much as I loved the gold and copper wire pieces themselves, I was fascinated by the shadows they case on the concrete walls behind them. 

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 14: Texture

One of the many things I love about crochet, is the breath of pattern and textures one can make.  Did you know that crochet is the only fiber art that cannot be done by machine?

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 13: Pull

One of the first things I do each morning is to pull open the front door to greet the day.  Today will be lovely.  It's 56 degrees right now, but we're expecting a high of 77 degrees and partly cloudy.  I can work with that.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 11: Push

We live in an age where the majority of our communication comes via pushing keys; telephone keypads, television remote keypads, and certainly, computer keypads.  How sad it is to think how little time we actually spend sitting down and talking with one another, face-to-face.

We have gained instant communication and the ability to connect with people throughout the world.  We have lost the intimacy of sharing ideas and/or thoughts with another person.  We've lost being able to watch their expression and touch their hand.

Although both methods of communication have their benefits, I'd like to see us have a bit less of the former and a lot more of the latter.  How you do feel about it?

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 10: Mood

to many people, a cloudy day is somber and depressing.  To me, it is peaceful and relaxing.  The world is a bit more quiet and there is a restfulness to it.  It's a perfect day to read and crochet.  But then, every day is a perfect day to read and crochet.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 09: Curl

T.S. Elliot's very long tail has a natural curl at the end.  And yes, he is eating on the dining table.  It's a special cat that eats at the dining table with a cloth and crystal candlestick holders.  Take heart, there is a plastic mat under his dishes.

His buddy, Tigger, is very overweight--we have food issues in this house--and the only way to ensure Tigger didn't eat his food and then eat T.S.'s was to separate the food bowls.  Since I almost never use my dining table any more, I figured someone should enjoy it. 

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 08: An Animal

Driving around Petaluma, I looked over and saw this little one quietly grazing.  I couldn't help but take his photo.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 08: An Animal

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 07: Bright

The glorious bright pink of these rhododendron flowers really stand out against the dark green leaves.  That I took this when it was nearly dark helps as well.  It's nice to have a friend with an abundant flower garden.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 06: Before and After

I refuse to let things go to waste, especially yarn.  When someone gives me a bundle of spaghetti yarn, I look at it as a challenge.  As with a maze, you start at one end and work your way through to the other.  The end result?  It took 4 1/2 hours, but I now have this nice, neat yarn cake ready to be turned into something wonderful.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 05: Environment

Without my glasses, I am relatively blind.  My distance vision is, to say the least, very poor.  Imagine my surprise, while showering this morning, I looked out the window and saw bright purple off in the distance and up in my neighbors tree.  Morning Glories, wondered I?

Once dressed, I put on my glass, went outside and looked.  Yes, Morning Glories!!!  They made me smile, take a deep breath and realize that, in spite of the past three fairly tough years and occasionally noisy, annoying neighbors, I really do love my environment.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 04: After Dark

the lights on our building turn on automatically creating a warm glow.  It welcomes us home and keeps safe.  The warm yellow also provides a love contrast to the deep blue of the sky and, just peeking through the railing, the full moon.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 03: On My Table

There is nothing more wonderful than spending time with a friend, especially if that person is a new friend and someone you want to know better.

Barbara and I shared stories of where we lived and places we've been.  She is far more traveled than am I.  She  is also a professional photographer.  Even in the time we spent together, she gave me a hint on looking at something from a different angle that resulted in a photo I love (you'll see it one day).

It was also delightful trying out a neighborhood restaurant to which I'd not yet been.  It's nice to see our neighborhood improving and reflecting the different cultures who live here with an Indian restaurant and, now, a Japanese restaurant.

All together, it made for a very delightful afternoon.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 02: A moment

when I noticed that the darling girl standing in front of me in line at the post office was wearing fingernail polish that exactly matched her snow cone, turned into a delightful conversation about Picture This! with one of my fellow line-standers.

Photo-a-Day - June 2013 - Day 01: "B" is for...

the light blue berries of my Juniper bush against the beautiful blue sky. 

I have always love the small of Juniper.  My last place had a large hedge in front.  My favorite shower gel is "Juniper Breeze" from Bath and Body works.  When I discovered they were discontinuing that scent, I bought dozens of bottles of both the gel and body creme. 

I hated leaving my Juniper, when I moved, so imagine who delighted I was to fine a huge bush right outside the door of my new, current home.