Photo-A-Day: March 31, 2014 - Faux

My wing-back is a wonderfully comfortable reading chair with lovely natural light from the large window behind it.  However, that window also means it can be a chilly place to sit, so I often cover up using my soft, warm, faux mink blanket.  Unfortunately, the result is often that I don't get much reading done when I'm under it, as it is a guaranteed nap-inducer.

Photo-A-Day: March 30, 2014 - Fast

Looking down to the water from the bridge over Deception Pass in Washington, it amazing how fast the water is moving.  Of course, this would have been more effective had I found the video setting on the new-to-me camera.  I've found it, now that I'm home.  I figure that's a good reason for making another trip North.  Either way, it was beautiful. 

Photo-A-Day: March 29, 2014 - Train

My trip to Washington was nearly over.  As we were headed to the airport, I was lamenting to Jody that the one shot I'd not found was that of a train. I looked and noticed the tracks next to the freeway and commented, "Wouldn't it be ironic if a train were to come by right now."  Seconds later, Jody said "Train coming on the right." Through a rain-dappled window, at 65 mph, I found my train.  The universe doth provide.

Photo-A-Day: March 28, 2014 - Nostalgia

My friend Jody had this photo of the two of us, taken in 1990, on her fridge in California. It was heartwarming to see it is now on her fridge in Washington.

Photo-A-Day: March 27, 2014 (#2) - Inspired by Walker Evans

Walker Evans (1903-1975) was one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. He was known for his elegant, crystal-clear photographs.

My photograph of this abandoned house, was inspired by Walker.

Photo-A-Day: March 27, 2014 (#1) - Something I Made...

....or, in my case, several things I am currently making.  The 7-Up blanket is over half finished, the Calder blanket is recently started, and the Admiralty Bay moebius is finally underway.

Photo-A-Day: March 26, 2014 - Pattern

As long as I have been crossing bridges, I have been looking up to see the pattern of their structure.

Photo-A-Day: March 25, 2014 - Soft

I love the fog.  I love mist rising from the ground.  Add the two together, and you have a magical, soft morning.  This was taken traveling up Rt. 5, north of Mt. Shasta in Oregon.  To be honest, it was more luck then skill since we were traveling at 65 mph; no slowing down.  But sometimes, the lucky shots are the best ones. 

Photo-A-Day: March 24, 2014 - One of a kind

Sculpture is a medium that speaks to me and there was something very special about this dog, with a tennis ball in its mouth, and the boy looking thoughtfully off into the distance.  The piece is located in Langley, Washington.

Photo-A-Day: March 23, 2014 - #2 I'm Loving...

I am loving having a good zoom lens that allowed me to capture this heron placidly walking through the marsh of Crockett Lake next to Admiralty Bay on Whidbey Island, Washington.

Photo-A-Day: March 23, 2014 - #1 Abandoned

It wasn't as easy finding a good shot of an abandoned building as I'd have thought.  However, this one in Anacortes spoke to me.

Photo-A-Day: March 22, 2014 - Morning

Every morning while staying with my friend in Washington, I would arise early and take a walk through the woods around her house.  I loved the wee pine cone--maybe, 3/4" long--and the way the light was just starting to catch on the pine needles.

Photo-A-Day: March 21, 2014 - Full

I awoke at 3 a.m., not knowing what had disturbed me.  Then, I heard it.  It was the sound of owls calling to one another.  I arose from bed, picked up my camera and took this shot of the two-days-past full moon through the branches of the trees.  It was so bright, it light the sky around it.

Photo-A-Day: March 20, 2014 - Letter

As with horses returning to the barn, we were getting close to the end of our journey and anxious to arrive.  Therefore, slowing down was not an option.  Thus, the reason as to why this shot of the famous Rainier Brewery "R" in Seattle is just a bit blurred.

Photo-A-Day: March 19, 2014 - Cropped #2

On the road, near Mt. Shasta, is Castle Crags.  I just happened to catch this shot as we were going away from it.  I am so grateful for a good zoom lens and the ability to crop.

Photo-A-Day: March 19, 2014 - Cropped #1

While planning my trip to Washington, I mentioned that I needed to buy boots.  A few days later, a package arrived in the mail.  There was this adorable pair of leopard-print boots; the sort of thing I love but would never buy for myself.  However, there was no note as to who sent them. 

For several days I wondered whether I should send them back or try to contact the shipper.....  Finally, I received a message from a dear friend asking whether I'd received a package.  Yes, she was a sender of the boots and laughed when she realized she'd forgotten to have a note included. 

But all was well, and I wore them happily while wandering through the damp and slightly muddy woods.  I wanted my friend Tina, to see them on me, so I took this shot and cropped it down for best effect.  Best of all, when I came home last night and went out to run errands this morning in a heavy rain, I could slip on my very cool boots!!

Photo-A-Day: March 18, 2014 - Marbles

Years ago, I did stained-glass work.  One shop, from which I bought my glass, had a whole bucket of these wonderful, solid glass marbles from Mexico.  How could I resist?  Put them in a very heavy glass bowl, and they are the perfect stress reliever.

Photo-A-Day: March 17, 2014: Today's Weather

It was a beautiful day the road, headed for Whidbey Island, Washington.  The sky was blue, the temperature very comfortable, and Mt. Shasta appeared cloud-like in the distance.

Photo-a-Day - March 2014 - Day 15: Beautifully Ordinary

The drive across the Richmond/San Rafael bridge made be ordinary, but the view is always beautiful.  

Photo-a-Day - March 2014 - Day 14: Photographer's Choice

In front of the San Francisco Legion of Honor Museum is a fountain.  It has a single, tall spout of water in the center of a large round pool.  On this beautiful day, I found the play of sunlight on the water to be just fascinating.

This is the full shot and shows you how large is the pool.  The bird flew through the shot without my even noticing it until I'd downloaded the photos.

Photo-a-Day - March 2014 - Day 12: Photo I Don't Like

I loved this sculpture which is in front of the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco.  Unfortunately, it is located in the parking lot.  Getting a picture of it from the side meant also getting a whole lot of cars in the shot.

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 11: Something Good

Every morning, I open my front door and greet the day.  I started watching this squirrel scampering amongst the branches of the tree.  Then it stopped and put its head down and was absolutely still.  I grabbed my camera.  After all, how often do you see a squirrel taking a little nap.  It was definitely good.

 

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 10: Far Away

Long ago and far away - The three weeks I spent in Paris were beyond wonderful.  I remember every single day spent there as though it was yesterday and would go back in a heartbeat. 

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 09: Rectangle

On March 4th for the prompt of "dish," I talked about the Bjorn Winblod plate my parents bought in Minnesota.  I mentioned that my Mother had done a drawing of the figure on the dish.

Here is that drawing, done in India ink with a dip pen, on silver paper.  I had it re-framed a few years ago and love the look of it.  Unfortunately, it's a dark room so the shadows are from my chandelier. 

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 08: Tower

One of my most memorable experiences was spending a week in England.  Although I was there on business, I did as much sightseeing as possible.  Most of the week, I was outside London in a wonderful town called Sonning-on-Thames.  However, I did spend Friday night through Sunday morning in London itself, with Saturday morning being spent at the Tower of London.

I particularly love this photo as it includes both the Tower and one of the towers of Tower Bridge.

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 07: Fly

Sometimes serendipity gives you something you didn't even know you wanted.  Leaving Arizona, I saw this pyramid-shaped building in the distance and decided to photograph it.  Just as I pressed the shutter, a plane came in for a landing.  I loved the combination of the two, and the late-afternoon light.

March 06: Spines

The books spines of some of my favorite authors; Mark de Castrique, Phillip DePoy and David Dickinson.  They are being appropriately guarded by the best librarian, Nancy Pearl.

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 06: Chair

Many years ago, I worked for a company that moved into a wonderful old building in downtown San Francisco.  Our phones weren't yet working, so I befriended an elderly, semi-retired gentleman whose office was next door.  His office was filled with solid oak furniture that you just knew he had bought new in the 1940s, perhaps.    I told him how much I loved his furniture and if he did decide to fully retire and would be interested in selling any pieces, I'd love to know.

About a year later, we were informed our building was being torn down--such a travesty--and we all had to move.  Coming back from lunch one day, I see my coworker moving a captains chair into our office.  When I ask, she whispered, "He's giving them to us!".  In return for hugs from Kate and me, Mr. Thomas gave us a four-section barristers bookcase and a pair of captains chairs.  Kate, bless her, decided since I was the reader, I should take a bookcase and that we split the chairs.

Kate and I have lost touch, and I'm certain Mr. Thomas has long passed on.  Yet, each time I pass my bookcase, now filled with cookbooks, or look at my chair, I send the thoughts of love.

 

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 05: Begins with "i"

For all the years I've driving down this street, I don't know that I've ever seen this shop open.  It has stock, and hours posted.  I was even there when the sign said it should be open, but it wasn't.  Now, out of curiosity,  I'm going to start paying attention.

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 04: Dish

Years ago, my parents took a vacation; just the two of them.  They did this every other year, leaving my sister and me with my grandparents.  That may be part of why their marriage has lasted 68 years.

Anyway, in about 1957 they went to the Black Hills.  On their way, in a small gift shop in Minnesota, my mother saw a small plate that she just loved.  She paid $7.00 for it, which was a lot to her, at the time.  That little plate served as a candy dish, an ashtray, a plate for cookies, celery, carrots and many other things.  She even did an India ink drawing of the boy in the center.

After I left home, she knew I'd always loved it, so she gave both the plate and the drawing to me.  Curious, I turned it over to see whether there as an indication of the maker.  Oh, yes there was.

The plate bore the signature of Bjørn Wiinblad, who later when on to design for Rosenthal and Nymolle.  What's interesting is that his is the only signature on the plate; no other markings.  

The plate is now on the stand and mom's drawing has been archivally framed.  I still love both pieces.

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 03: Baggage

Years of business travel taught me to pack very light.  These are the only two pieces I usually use for a week-long trip.  They even worked for winter trips to Canada.   The bottom is a very-expandable computer case with lots of compartments, even one for clothes.

The top is actually a diaper tote but has a ton of pockets and lots of room.  My purse, along with everything else I could possibly need on the plane, all fit in the red bag.

When I'm not traveling, the red tote is my crochet bag.  It goes almost everywhere I go.  My purse and crochet, crochet case of hooks, etc., and camera on the inside, Kindle in the front pocket, drink bottle in one end pocket and collapsible cane (if needed) in the other end pocket.  I'm ready for anything.

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 02: Chest

Found many years ago in a small antique shop, my solid cedar chest is filled with scarves and wool for needlepoint.  It is also stacked high with quilts made by my two grandmothers, a blanket, and the crocheted blanket that came with T.S. Elliot when I adopted him.  It's a piece I absolutely love.

Photo-a-Day - March 2013 - Day 01: Yellow

This crafting tote was given to me by the husband of a fellow charity yarner after his wife had passed.  Although I passed all the knitting items on to a friend, I kept and use the tote in her memory.  Filled with yellow yarn and with two of my stained-glass lamps, I felt it was the perfect photo to represent "yellow."