RRC: Fenced In

"A fence lasts three years, a dog lasts three fences, a horse lasts three dogs, and a man lasts three horses."

-German Proverb

RRC: Fenced In
Suggested by Linda, author of the blog, Mommy's Treasures

I know, I know... I am supposed to be on vacation, but, see, I love this theme, so I just couldn't resist! I took two of these photos, while on a trip to Plumas County, California, last year. It is an amazingly beautiful place in the autumn, so much so that we are planning another trip there this year! Anyway, the top photo is from my Plumas County archive, and hasn't been posted before. The church photo was taken in Virginia City, Nevada, but the other two are also from my trip to Plumas. Enjoy!





Now, be sure to pay a visit to all the participating Robins! You can find the list of participant's on the official Round Robin Challenge blog.

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #105: Nostalgia

"Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson. You find the present tense, but the past perfect."

-Owens Lee Pomeroy













EMPS #105: Nostalgia NOW CLOSED!
Let's take a look back in time this week folks! Show me the old fashioned and nostalgic! Old stoves, old refrigerators. If you have an avocado green tank water heater, it will do nicely for this challenge! I want to see the truly old. The older the better! I want to see not just old but truly NOSTALGIC!

Extra Credit: Share what your item means to you! How was it in it's hey day? Was the item passed on to you be a previous generation, or did you purchase it because of it's NOSTALGIC quality? Tell us everything!

**PLEASE READ**
This Monday Photo Shoot assignment closes next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM ET. Please submit your entries by that time by uploading your photo to your blog, journal or website, and then comeback here with the link that goes back to your entry. The link you leave must be to an entry which is specific to this week's assignment. A general link to your site will not work, and HYPERLINKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. Also, please include a link in your entry to this photos shoot assignment so that other folks can find us and participate with us. The more the merrier... right? ;)

Linking List for EMPS #104: Photographer's Choice 08/23/10


1. Freda

2. Greg

3. Jama

4. Jr, Cline

5. Karen



I will post the list of this week's participants right here, next week, in my "Gone Fishing" entry.

Okay folks, as you know this is our last Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot of the year! I will be back on Monday, January 3rd, 2011! Be good while I am away. I will be checking on things here and there, and dropping by with a greeting for you during the holidays, so don't forget to check in here once in a while... ok? Okie doke... See you back here on Monday, January 3rd, 2011!

-Carly :)

Don't forget, if you miss me, you can always find me on TWITTER or drop me an email at...

Onidnemonet@aol.com


:)

RRC: Express A Feeling

"Your world is a living expression of how you are using and have used your mind."

-Earl Nightingale

RRC: Express A Feeling
Suggested Lisa, of "Lisa's Chaos"

Yep, that's me! Now all you have to do is guess what feeling I am trying to express! Here is a hint; I am NOT upset/depressed/sad/mad/ or otherwise blue! For some reason, I always get that from people. I am not an overly emotional person, which is sometimes misunderstood in one negative way or another. Honestly... all is good! In fact, the day I took that picture I was in the Santa Cruz mountains, enjoying a day in the snow. It was magnificent. It was a photographers dream day! So, care to guess what I am thinking as I snapped a picture of myself?

DING, DING, DING My "feeling" was guessed correctly by Freda... It's "CONTENT!"

I decided to do the bulk of this assignment from a slightly different point of view. You see, I like to express through the subjects I photograph, how I am feeling at any given moment. I guess you could say, if I don't feel a certain way about something, I don't photograph it. For me, it's the difference between being a "point and shoot" photographer and an artist. I like the feelings that come from looking beyond what's obvious. So, below you see a small gallery of photographs, and how I felt when I took them. Let me know what you think!



















One last feeling to guess, courtesy of my kitty Dylan...



Now that you have seen my entry, go see what the other Robins have come up with!

Linking List, as of 12:00 AM Saturday, August 28th, 2010

**Welcome New Participants

Carly... Ellipsis
Posted!

Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

Jama... Sweet Memories
Posted!

Freda... Day One
Posted!

Linda... Mommy's Treasures
Posted!

**Holly...Easy Living The Hard Way

Ethos... Passion in the Moments
Posted!

Sandy... From The Heart Of Texas
Posted!

Sherrie... Food For Thought
Posted!

Rich... Rich Image
Posted!

Mary... Mary Tomaselli's Photos
Posted!

Dawn... Dawn Elliot Photography
Posted!

Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

Peggy...Who Can Discover It?
Posted!

Manang Kim... My Photography in focus
Posted!

**Maria... Maria's Space
Posted!

There is still plenty of time to join us for this week's Round Robin Challenge! Just visit the official RRC blog for all the details!

This is my last Round Robin Challenge for a while. I am taking some time off from blogging, but I will be back on Monday, January 3rd 2011 with an all new Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot. Hope to see you then! While I am away, Karen will be running the RRC all on her own! Be nice while I am away, because I will be watching!

:)

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #103: Billboards

"On my way here I passed a local cinema and it turned out you were expecting me after all, for the billboards read: The Mummy Returns."

-Margaret Thatcher






EMPS #103: Billboards. NOW CLOSED!
BILLBOARDS, personally speaking I love them, but not everybody does, so, I thought it might be a creative subject to tackle this week! Do you have a BILLBOARD near you that you find interesting or unusual?Great! Let's see it! Do you have a BILLBOARD near you that you find to be an awful eye sore? Show us the BILLBOARD and tell us why you hate it! One thing to keep in mind as you do this challenge, it must be BILLBOARDS you submit... not signs in general! Ok?

Extra Credit: Show us a BILLBOARD from two different categories.

**PLEASE READ**
This Monday Photo Shoot assignment closes next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM ET. Please submit your entries by that time by uploading your photo to your blog, journal or website, and then comeback here with the link that goes back to your entry. The link you leave must be to an entry which is specific to this week's assignment. A general link to your site will not work, and HYPERLINKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. Also, please include a link in your entry to this photos shoot assignment so that other folks can find us and participate with us. The more the merrier... right? ;)

Linking List for EMPS #102: It's All A Blur 08/09/10

1. Sandy

2. Jama

3. Karen

4. Greg


Okay guys, I will be looking forward to your BILLBOARDS this week. See you next week with an all new assignment and a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Don't forget to check back next Sunday for the BIG news!

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #102: It's All A Blur!

"The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play."

-Arnold Toybee









EMPS #102:IT'S ALL A BLUR! NOW CLOSED!
LOL. Believe it or not, that photo is actually in focus, it's the painting that's slightly BLURRY! And so you have your assignment this week! I want you to show me something BLURRY! But here is the catch, please find me something that is always BLURRY! Not just an out of focus photo you have in your archives. Again, you are encouraged to think outside the box. Go as far out on a limb as you like. One idea might be to show us... oh say... a metaphor. Such as your interpretation of the lines that BLUR between good and evil!

Extra Credit: Like last week, I would love it if you shared a little about what it was like to do this week's assignment!

**PLEASE READ**
This Monday Photo Shoot assignment closes next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM ET. Please submit your entries by that time by uploading your photo to your blog, journal or website, and then comeback here with the link that goes back to your entry. The link you leave must be to an entry which is specific to this week's assignment. A general link to your site will not work, and HYPERLINKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. Also, please include a link in your entry to this photos shoot assignment so that other folks can find us and participate with us. The more the merrier... right? ;)

Linking List for EMPS #101: On The Horizon. 08/02/10

1. Freda

2. Sandy

3. Jama

4. Greg

5. Carly (Hey, that's me!)

6. Karen


Okay, that will do it for this week. See you next Monday with an all new EMPS assignment!

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #100: Fun With Editing!

"Photography is truth."

-Jean-luc Godard











EMPS #100: FUN WITH EDITING! NOW CLOSED!
It doesn't get more simple then this. Showcase one of your favorite photos, using a photo editing program. Add frames, or thought bubbles. Anything goes! Just have FUN WITH EDITING!

Extra Credit: Add a caption to your photo!

**PLEASE READ**
This Monday Photo Shoot assignment closes next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM ET. Please submit your entries by that time by uploading your photo to your blog, journal or website, and then comeback here with the link that goes back to your entry. The link you leave must be to an entry which is specific to this week's assignment. A general link to your site will not work, and HYPERLINKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. Also, please include a link in your entry to this photos shoot assignment so that other folks can find us and participate with us. The more the merrier... right? ;)

Linking List for EMPS #99: Cemeteries 07/19/2010

NOW CLOSED!

1. Jama

2. Freda

3. Greg

4. Hip Chick

5. Duane

6. Carly, Hey... that's me! :)

7. Sandy

8. Karen (Submitted Via Email) Entry One and Entry Two

Note: I did my fun edited photo through a website called Photofunia.

See you next week with an all new EMPS assignment!

-Carly

Shamelss Self Promotion... But In A Good Way!

"Easy reading, is damn hard writing."

-Nathaniel Hawthorne

Guess what? The magnificent meme, Weekend Assignment, that I co-host with my pal Karen, has a brand new home! If you have always wanted to participant in a fun little meme of writing, come on down! If you just want done something different, or maybe meet new folks, or just shake things up a bit, boy do I have a meme for you!

The Weekend Assignment has been around for years, since 2004 to be exact! Started by John Scalzi, and passed onto Karen after the implosion of AOL Journals, the meme has lived to see another day. It is the same old meme, in a brand new place. Come on, flex your writing skills and hop on board. A brand new assignment will be posted tomorrow (Thursday) and you are invited to come and participate!

Everyone is welcome!

Grab a pen, or grab your keyboard, and come on down!

The Weekend Assignment (blog)

-Carly

Weekend Assignment #311: Cheese It!

"The poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese."

-G.K. Chesterson

Weekend Assignment #311: What is your favorite kind of cheese and why? Do you have it often or just occasionally?

Extra Credit: Is there a kind of cheese you hate?

MMMMMM...CHeeSe! I count my love for cheese right there with my love for Alan and the boys! Yes, that's right, the way to this girl's heart is with a wheel of cheese! Gouda, Parmesan, Ricotta, Swiss, Cheddar, Asiago, they are all my darlings. My love of cheese is so great that had Alan not loved cheese as much as I did, it may have been a consideration for not getting married! LOL. Nah, it's not that bad, I would have married him, but in complete honesty, he loves cheese as much as I do! It's a good thing,. :)

Hey, we both like to cook, and we do a lot of cheese related recipes. You don't have to use a lot of cheese in a recipe for it to taste good, we believe in moderation, but it does give an otherwise bland meal a little extra help. :) I don't know if I have a particular favorite, I like so many different types. I guess it just depends on what kind of meal I am serving. An example, if I am having a bowl of Tomato soup for lunch, I might grate up some Prima Donna Gouda to sprinkle on top. Or if I am making Lavender Chicken in Puff Pastry, I usually put some French Feta in the pastry and do a light Lavender/White Cheddar Bachamel sauce for the top. Delicious! :)

Extra Credit: Nope. No cheese I hate. Although there are some I don't usually use, such as Limburger. But hate? Hate is such a mean word. LOL.

-Carly

This Weekend Assignment is from Karen, of the blog, Outpost Mavarin. You can join in the fun as well. Just hop over to her blog, and get all the information to play along. We love comments, but it's even more fun when you participate by posting your own entry. Look for this week's assignment here on Ellipsis Thursday!

Weekend Assignment #308: Chick Flicks Or Guy Movies?

"Drama is life with the dull bits cut out."

-Alfred Hitchcock










Weekend Assignment #308: Chick Flicks Or Guy Movies?

This week, let's talk about our favorite films. Do you find yourself drawn to one type of movie over another? Chick Flicks or Guy movies, which do you think you watch most often? How often does your spouse, or significant other, choose the movie?

Extra Credit: Write a one paragraph review of the WORST movie you ever saw. :)

If you are new to the Weekend Assignment, here are our guidelines for participation...

1. Please post your entry no later than next Wednesday evening at 9:00 PM ET. I will be closing the assignment at that time, and no additional links will be accepted after that time. Also, please leave your full link in the comment thread. NO HYPERLINKS PLEASE!

2. Please provide a link back to the assignment. Feel free to display the logo below, along with the link, so other folks can find the assignment and participate along with us.

3. Don't forget to comeback here with the link to your entry.

4. If you can, please be sure to visit your fellow participants. Let's encourage each other!

5. Please encourage your readers to join us. The more the merrier... right?

Linking List for Weekend Assignment #307: 8 Days A Week.

1. Julie

2. Florinda

3. Karen

Don't forget, the Linking List for this week's assignment can be found on Karen's blog, Outpost Mavarin, next Thursday, along with assignment # 309!

See you in 2 weeks with an all new assignment!

-Carly

Weekend Assignment #306: You're A Famous Author, What Is The Name Of Your Book?

"If there is a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, you must write it."

-Toni Morrison









Hi Folks. :) Listen, just to get things off on the right foot, I do a couple things slightly different from Karen, so please read the full entry. :)

Weekend Assignment #306: You're A Famous Author, Whats The Name Of Your
Book?

Sounds easy, right? Oh, but hold on, there is a catch here folks! The book you are famous for writing must be from a genre that you aren't known for. As an example, if you really enjoy writing horror stories, make this assignment about a romance novel or a biography, or anything other then you usually relate to. If you don't dabble in writing very often, no worries, simply come up with a title for your fictional book from the genre you read the least.

Extra Credit: Write the opening paragraph of your best-seller!


If you are new to the Weekend Assignment, here are our guidelines for participation...

1. Please post your entry no later than next Wednesday evening at 9:00 PM ET. I will be closing the assignment at that time, and no additional links will be accepted after that time.

2. Please provide a link back to the assignment. (NO HYPERLINKS!) Because I will be sending your links to Karen for posting with her assignments, I need your link typed out, rather then put into a hyperlink. Doing so will save me a little work, and is very much appreciated! Feel free to display the logo below, along with the link, so other folks can find the assignment and participate along with us.

3. Don't forget to comeback here with the link to your entry.

4. If you can, please be sure to visit your fellow participants. Let's encourage each other!

5. Please encourage your readers to join us. The more the merrier... right?

Linking List for WA #305: Suddenly the Senses 02/06/10


1. Carly (Yep, I participated!)

2. Julie said (via comment)...
Good question. And I'm having trouble coming up with a good answer. Sometimes it's not one of the senses, but just a feeling - something I can't exactly quantify. And I have this feeling if I could I'd be a bestselling author. And I'm not, so that must tell you something! ;-)

3. Karen

** We know it was a shorter then usual time frame for you to complete the last WA, so if you need a little extra time, feel free to post your response along with the week's assignment. :)

Okie doke. That's it. You will find the Linking List for this assignment over at Karen's blog, Outpost Mavarin, along with your next assignment, next Thursday, February 18th! And I will see you right back here in 2 weeks, with an all new Weekend Assignment!


-Carly

From For Ellipsis

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #66: Under The Hood

"It takes 8, 460 bolts to assemble an automobile, and one nut to scatter it all over the road."

-Unknown






EMPS #66: UNDER THE HOOD. NOW CLOSED!
Here's one I think most of our male participants might enjoy. Simply lift the hood of your automobiles, and photograph the your vehicles inerds! Show me the engine, the spark plugs, the oil filter, the fan, you know, whatever you find UNDER THE HOOD! For those of you who don't own a vehicle, show us a part of your bike, skateboard, or even photograph your favorite pair of shoes to walk in!

Extra Credit: Choose a specific part of the engine, and point to it. Label it using your photo editing software. You know... like you see above.

**PLEASE READ**
This Monday Photo Shoot closes next Sunday, at 9:00 PM ET. Please be mindful of the date and time because I will close the comment thread right at 9:00 PM, in order to prepare for the following week's assignment. You have nearly a full week to get your photo, post it to your blog, journal or website, and comeback here with the link. PLEASE REMEMBER... the link you leave must be specific to this week's photo shoot assignment. NO HYPERLINKS will be accepted! It is a good idea to double check the link you leave, as it will be the one I use for the Linking List. You are responsible for it's accuracy. Also, if you play, please link to the assignment so others can find it and participate along with us.

Linking List for EMPS #65: Giving Thanks! 11/23/09


NOW CLOSED!

1. Fredamans

2. Suzanne

3. Karen

See you next Monday with an all new assignment!

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #63: Downtown.

"Farmers only worry during growing season, but towns people worry all the time."

-Edgar Watson Howe












EMPS #63: DOWNTOWN. NOW CLOSED!
Easy one this week! Grab your cameras and photograph the DOWNTOWN area of where you live! Big city, small hamlet... it's all good! But for this photo shoot I want to see brand new photos, so NO ARCHIVES this time around!

Extra Credit: Photograph your DOWNTOWN both during the day and at night!

**PLEASE READ**
This Monday Photo Shoot assignment closes next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM ET. Please folks, that gives you nearly a whole week to do the assignment, post it to your blog, journal or website, and comeback here with a link (NO HYPERLINKS) which goes back to an entry specific to this week's assignment. Please be mindful of the date and time the assignment closes. I turn off the comment thread at 9:00 PM, after that, NO ADDITIONAL ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED! Also, please be sure to link back here in your entry, so folks can find the assignment and play along!

Linking List for EMPS # 62: Autumn Fruits And Vegetables 11/02/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Suzanne

2. Ourhome School

3. Jama

4. Em Dy

5. Karen



Thanks so much for participating this week! I will see you next week with an all new photography assignment!

-Carly

NOTE: If you enjoy the Monday Photo Shoot, then why not try the Weekend Assignment? Just hop on over to Karen's blog for a new assignment each week! Here is this week's assignment...

Weekend Assignment #292: The Oldest Thing.

Ooh... And don't forget... check the Round Robin blog Thanksgiving weekend, to find out what our next RR challenge will be!

Round Robin Challenge: In Motion

From For Ellipsis

"All motion is cyclic. It circulates to the limits of it's possibilities and then returns to it's starting point."

-Robert Collier

RRC: In Motion
Suggested by Vicki of the blog Maraca and by Terri of the blog, Ways I see The World.

This time around, it's all about motion! I have to admit, due to my computer woes, I had to dip into my archives in order to participate. It's been a heck of a year between breaking my digital camera getting broken on January 1st, and my computer's display driver going out last month, but I have to admit, I did enjoy looking back on some of my better motion shots from the last few years. Here, have a look...

A second look at Jellyfish from the Monterey Bay Aquarium...

From For Ellipsis

Dinner at Johnny Rockets...

From For Ellipsis

A man surfing under the Golden Gate Bridge, near Fort Point, San Francisco. It was taken the weekend of the famous Maverick's Surfing contest, perhaps he was training for that!

From For Ellipsis

There are so many Monarch butterflies in the Pacific Grove preserve that you can just aim your camera up to the sky and capture a multitude flying this way and that!

From For Ellipsis

I just had to show one more jellyfish...

From For Ellipsis

Ok, now you have seen my "In Motion" photographs, be sure to visit the other great photographers we have in the land. Just follow the links below...

Linking List

Vicki... Maraca
Posted!

Terri... Ways I see The World


Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

Carly... Ellipsis
Posted!

Linda... Mommy's Treasures


Nancy... Nancy Luvs Pix
Posted!

Suzanne R... SuzyQ421's Photo Blog
Posted!

Jama... Sweet Memories
Posted!

Carolyn... Ford Family Photos


boliyou... Endomental
Posted!

Lana G... Above The Clouds
Posted!

Margaret... Facts From A Fact Woman
Posted!

Ellen b... The Happy Wonderer
Posted!

Teena... It's all about me!
Posted!

Peggy... Holmespun Fun Memes and Themes
Posted!

Michelle Rambling Woods ~ Taking The Road Less Traveled
Posted!

Annie... Annie's Home
Posted!

Duane... Meanwhile
Posted!

Hip Chick...Hip Chick's Photos
Posted! 10/04/09

Maria...Maria Tradgardsblog- Garden With Love
Posted! 10/04/09

There is still time to play along with the challenge, but if you can't this time, be sure to check the official Round Robin blog on Sunday to learn the topic of our next Round Robin challenge. Hope to see you for our next challenge. :)

-Carly

Feline And Furball Friday's New Home :) Hi Theresa!

From For Ellipsis

"Your cat will never threaten your popularity by barking at three in the morning. He won't attack the mailman or eat the drapes, although he may climb the drapes to see how the room looks from the ceiling."

-Helen Powers

From For Ellipsis

As you guys probably know, Steven, who hosts the meme, Feline and Furball Friday, lost his cat Pickle a couple weeks ago. While Steven takes some time off from things, Theresa will be hosting the meme for him. My kitties, and I, are rather excited that the meme will continue. While we haven't played as much recently as we would like to, we are hoping to do a little better about that in the future. So, we are so happy to be able to send a big shout out to Theresa...

HI THERESA! :) From Carly, Dylan and Hendrix!!!

If you want to show off your favorite feline, furball or feathered friend, and support Theresa as she takes on the meme, be sure to hop over to Theresa's blog on Fridays for all the fun!

Arizona Life Through My Eyes

Feline, Furball, Plus Feathers Friday

-Carly

Color Carnival #4

From For Ellipsis

"In our lifetime there is a single color, ans on artists pallet, which provides the meaning of art and life. It is the color of love."

-Marc Chagall

This is my entry for Martha's new meme... Color Carnival. Be sure to play along, it's just fun!

-Carly

The Wars We Wage In Our Own Minds: Rated PG-13

Christmas gift suggestions...
To your enemy, forgiveness
To an opponent, tolerance
To a friend, your heart
To a customer, service
To all, charity
To every child, a good example
To yourself, respect

-Oren Arnold

EGADS! Here we go again! I am not sure where to begin, except to say, that it shocks me that anyone could possible believe that there is some sort of war Christmas! Where does this kind of thinking begin? Go back in your memory to about 20 years ago. Do you remember hearing anything about a war on Christmas at that time? Probably not. Let me tell you what I honestly believe here. I believe that some in America have traded their holiday spirit for selfishness. I see commentators such as Bill O'Reilly insist that there is some kind of war on Christmas, because most retailers choose to display a Happy Holiday's sign as opposed to the more specific Merry Christmas. All of a sudden, Happy Holidays has been twisted into FUCK YOU GOD!

Baby Bill, as Keith Olbermann calls him, is waging a war in his own mind. But that's his problem, our problem is the fact that some folks are willing to follow him into battle, and that is what he counts on. The Bush years caused a lot of separation in this country, and imaginary wars on God was one of the religious right's greatest weapons. Speaking as a Christian woman, who found out when she was 37 that she was also Jewish by heritage, I don't offend easily anyway. If someone wishes me a HAPPY HOLIDAY, I smile because someone has just wished me well. If someone wishes me a MERRY CHRISTMAS, I smile, because someone has just wished me well. If I happen to hear a HAPPY HANUKKAH, I smile because someone has just wished me well. GET THE POINT! Wishing someone well is just that... WISHING SOMEONE WELL!

Yesterday I decided to take part in the Blogger's Community Photo Challenge, the topic was Christmas. Sigh. Marie and Vicki are the hosts of the challenge, and it is up to their discretion to decide the topics, just as it is my decision to decide what the Monday Photo Shoot topics will be, and every three weeks it is up to me to pick a Round Robin topic. What happens on my blog, is my business. Period. Photo Challenge memes are voluntary. If someone doesn't want to do a challenge I come up with, for any reason, it's ok with me. As I said from the beginning, participation is appreciated, but voluntary. I feel the same way about other folks blogs as well. If someone wants to celebrate a specific part of the holiday season, I don't really see the harm, because after all, participation is voluntary. If you are offended on some level, sit it out.

I took part in her challenge, because I enjoy Christmas. I am Jewish by heritage, and Methodist by choice. I study about the Jewish faith to find out what I might have missed, and Alan and I celebrate that part of my life by recognizing and celebrating the holidays together. We celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas in our house to learn about each other. Even after 18 years of marriage, we are still taking the time to learn about each other. While I don't speak about my faith much on my blog, make no mistake about it, it is important to me, and guides me in many of my decisions. I don't speak about it because my faith is a personal part of my life that I consider just one more part of myself that simply makes up the whole of me. I don't care for labels, but if you really need to know, I am a, Christian, Jewish, Methodist, Democrat, Liberal, FemiNazi, Photographer, Wife, Fur Baby Mama, Woman, and hopefully friend who tries her best.

There are real wars being waged, with real men and women dying. Why do we need to insist that there is an imaginary one on Christmas as well? There is no war. It all reminds me of Salem, and the witch trials, where one person pointed a finger, and all of a sudden some bored folks who couldn't think for themselves caused an fashionable uproar. A deadly one. Think about it for a minute... do you see a parallel? As for Christmas being commercialized, well, that is also baloney. Look, it's all up to you, the individual, to decide how commercial Christmas is. It doesn't have to be if you don't let it be. You don't have to buy ornaments every year, or loads of presents, or partake in any commercial exercise at all. That decision is one of the easiest to make. Christmas is only as commercial as you decide to let it be.

When I dropped by the Blogger's Community Photo Challenge yesterday, it was to support some friends, and have some fun, and take a little time off from the cares of the world for a little bit, which if I am not mistaken, is the point of Internet memes. What I found in the comment thread was some sniping, and swiping, that really left me feeling a bit sad. I decided to not put my two cents in there, out of respect to those who run the challenge, and those who disagree with the topic. I don't believe it was my place. A question was asked of the hosts, and the hosts offered an answer. End of story. This, however, is my blog, and I felt like I wanted to say a little bit about the general subject, because I do so nearly every year, because nearly every year, the subject of the WAR ON CHRISTMAS comes up.

Sometimes it feels like we haven't really experienced the holiday spirit since 9/11. Remember how it was for a few weeks after that awful day? People looked you in the eye and said "thank you" and "please." They let you cut into traffic, and if you had less items then them at the grocery store, they let you go ahead of them. We weren't taking each other for granted, or wasting time on worrying about who was being politically correct. Suddenly, we were a little less selfish. We were all in the darkest moment of our lives as Americans, after the unthinkable happened, and we were all wondering, could it happen again? One of the most poignant stories to come out of that horrible day, was when two men were running away from the wreckage of a building that had just came tumbling down, one of the men stopped to help a man who had just fallen. One of those men was an Arab, the other man a Jew. "Brother," said the man, "will you run with me?" It doesn't matter who said it first. So I ask you, do we really need to embrace made up wars?

Here is my wish this holiday season. I am hoping folks will get a collective grip. I am hoping that friends will remember their friendships first. I am hoping that as we more forward in this country, we will remember that commercialism of holidays has more to do with your own values the anything else. I am hoping for tolerance and understanding, especially when someone has gotten on your last nerve. I am hoping that I can write from the heart and it would be understood, and if it isn't, then I hope that you will ask me... and not just come to whatever conclusion best suits your mood. As for me, well, I am going to celebrate the holidays and be happy, how you choose to feel is up to you.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

If I have offended anyone, let me know. If you have something to say, say it! I invite respectful dialog, tell me what you are thinking. Opinions, opinions.

-Carly
"Happy Holidays"
Holiday Fantasy In The Woods
Tilden Park
Berkeley, California
December 4th, 2008
Evening

Getting My Act Together, While Chasing Leaves

"The secret of all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious."

-Marcus Aurelius

I have been a bad little blogger lately. October, and the first part of November, have completely slipped away from me. But I am back now, and playing catch-up. Thanks for being patient with me, as I meandered my way through the loss of a pet, vacation, a nail biting election, a second AOL Exodus and the acquisition of two new kittens. It has all been something of a whirlwind! But now it is time to catch my breath, and get back to some serious blog jogging. My blogging plans for the coming weeks include some very overdue blog jogging, the posting of new photography, the major pimping of my favorite memes and the revamping of my sidebar.

I am thinking about completely changing my sidebar, so it reflects some of my newest photography and interests. I know my blog roll could use some work, so if you are a regular reader of mine, and you would like to be listed on my blog roll, leave me a comment with your name and blog address. If you are one of those who were a part of the AOL Exodus of 2008, I would appreciate it if you left me your new information, even if you think I already have it. It would be a big help in getting things organized. My goal is to have my sidebar done by the end of the year. Yikes! Can you believe it, we only have about 7 weeks left in 2008! Can you believe it? Ten, nine, eight, seven, six...

-Carly
"Golden Leaf"
Tilden Park
Berkeley, California
October 31st 2008
Afternoon

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #7: Furniture

"Arguments with furniture are rarely productive."

-Kehlog Albran

THIS PHOTO SHOOT IS NOW CLOSED! THANKS FOR PLAYING!

We had a wonderful turnout this week! Thanks so much for playing, I was so pleased you enjoyed the subject that much! Visiting all of your blogs and journals was just what I needed, good therapy indeed. Today, Alan and I are celebrating our 18th anniversary! So, I am taking a few more days off, but I will be back to regular posting later this week. Look for me on Wednesday.

Now, on to a new subject...

EMPS #7: Furniture.
Ahhh... is there anything better after a long, difficult day then to come home and sink into a favorite couch or chair? It's one of the best comforts ever! So, for this week, lets pay tribute to the comfy, well worn, furniture in our lives! Do you have a favorite chair, either indoor or out, that you love to escape to when you want to read a good book? Does your hubby have one of those old tacky... um... well lived in ... recliners only a guy could love? I know, you have a nifty orange futon that was well loved. Or how about a bean bag chair left over from the 70's, or a Barcalounger you may have won on Let's Make A Deal? Well this is your chance to show it off! Show me your favorite piece of comfy, cozy FURNITURE!

Extra Credit: It would be just nifty, if the furniture in question, has a few dents, bruises, or misplaced stuffing! That would mean it was loved, and has served you well. :)

**You have until next Sunday evening, at 9:00 PM, to submit your EMPS entry. After you post your entry, comeback here and leave me the link to that specific entry. And don't forget to link back to this entry on your journal or blog so other folks can play along as well!

Linking List for EMPS #6: Fences And Whats Behind Them 10/06/08

NOW CLOSED!

Wammy was the first to play, and shows us a display of beautiful quilts along a brown fence.

Judi joined us for the first time this week, and showed us a fence covered in snow.
Welcome Judi!

Gina also joined us for the first time, and displayed a series of fence photos, one of which held in a Giraffe! Welcome to you as well, m'dear!

Karen shows us the fence at Miko's Corner Playground! A great park for doggies!

Marie showed us a wonderfully rustic barn, during different times of year, which sits behind a fence in Old Bethpage Village, Long Island, New York.

Vicki attended a wedding on Lake Erie, and behind a fence at the reception, was a romantic sunset!

Jama found something absolutely creepy behind a fence! EEEEEKKKK! Perfect for the month of October!

Martha photographed a walkway between two fences that separate two tennis courts. I felt like I could just walk into the picture! It's seems to go on forever!

Connie introduced us to Chance, a Border Collie, who like to chase wild turkeys, bark at the deer, and run like the wind! He takes a mighty handsome photo while posing next to a fence. :)

Mary shows a sunset that seems to be held in by, you guessed it, a fence! :) Neat photo!

Vicki, also a new player and friend, photographed a fence line in Sandy Hook National Park. A peaceful place to be sure! Welcome Vicki!

Tammy has a natural colored picket fence in her garden, and behind it you will find some lovely spring bloom, and someone very, very special!

Nancy shows us a series of different kinds of fences, some with horses behind them, some with a puppy dog behind them, and one with a shadow waving hello! Hi Nance! :)

Laura has a happy little Scuba Duck that sits on her fence, and protects the yard. Good job Scuba Duck!

Kiva found some gorgeous roses, and a couple palm trees behind two different types of white fences. Excellent!

Ok, you know what to do! GO BE PHOTOGRAPHERS and GO GET THE PICTURE! See you in one week!

-Carly

Martha's A-Z Photo Challenge: "M" Is For Morning Glory

"I think it pisses God off, if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it."

-Alice Walker

I can't believe we have already arrived at the letter "M" in Martha's A-Z Photo Challenge! But we are indeed here, and I found it difficult to narrow things down to just one "M." I think I came across more items I could have used with this letter, then most of the other ones. If I hadn't narrowed things down, I would probably have a dozen or so pictures with this entry. Mountains, M&M's, Meat, Morning, Monkeys, Music, the possibilities were endless. In the end, I chose the Morning Glory that is growing in abundance along my garden fence this year. I am noticing it more, I think, because for my birthday we bought a really lovely garden swing, and I have been spending a lot of time out there reading. I love how the Morning Glory takes on a different appearance depending on what time of day you are enjoying it. And that color. I can understand why purple is a royal color!

Be sure to go by Martha's journal, "Perception" to see her "M" photo, and find the links to the other participants in her A-Z Photo Challenge. It's not too late to play along, so go ahead... go play! Its fun!

-OndineMonet
"Morning Glory"
Berkeley, California
September 15th, 2008
Morning

Martha's A-Z Photo Challenge: "K" Is For Kings

"Only kings, presidents, editors, and people with tapeworms have the right to use the editorial "we."

-Mark Twain

It's time again for Martha's A-Z Photo Challenge, and this time around we are on the letter "K." I was a bit stumped for this one! Hmmm... k...k... what begins with "K?" K-9? Nah. Kaboodle? Kit and Kaboodle? LOL. Nah, no one wants to see a picture of my Kit-n-Kaboodle, so, what to do, what to do? I know, how about KINGS? Now, which kings? Burger Kings? King Krab? Nah, how about the KINGS in one of my favorite card games, KINGS In The Corner? Yep, that's what you see here, two of the KINGS from the game. :) Happiness.

It's time for the letter "K" have you played yet? If not, you can see Martha's entry for the letter "K" and there also just happens to be where you leave your link as well. Just click the link below, to join in the fun!

Martha's A-Z Photo Challenge: The Letter K

-OndineMonet
"Kings In The Corner"
Berkeley, California
August 18, 2008
Afternoon