Round Robin Challenge: See The Music

From For Ellipsis

"A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence."

-Leopold Stokowski

RRC: See The Music
Suggested by Karen, of the blog, Outpost Mavarin

Barefoot In The Park...

Music... what would life be like if there were no music? Boring and sad I think. I took this photograph way back in 2005, just a few months after Alan gave me my digital camera. I was in Golden Gate Park, just soaking up all of the spring beauty of the tulip garden, when this lady walked past me, strumming on a guitar. Street performers are pretty common place in San Francisco, but this lady was so pretty, and her guitar playing was so soft, that it caught me off guard. It was a cloudy day, and her music was soft and ethereal. It was one of those moments that I found myself thanking God for the invention of the camera, because it was one of those moments you want to be able to visit again and again.

Thanks Karen. This challenge reminded me of a really nice day. :)

Linking List
**Welcome New Members

1. Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

2. Carly... Ellipsis
Posted!

3. Jama... Sweet Memories
Posted!

4. Monica... Click Shots
Posted!

5. Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

6. Valerie... Soulfully Blonde


7. Wammy... The Ellis Family Cincinnati


8. Sherrie... Sherrie's Stuff
Posted!

9. Nancy... Nancy Luvs Pix
Posted!

10. Jen... Phun With Photography
Posted!

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

12. Linda... Mommy's Treasures


13. Chris... Camera Obscura RRPC
Posted!

14. Robinella... Robinella's


15. Sandra... A Cappuccino a Day
Posted!

16. Mojo... Why? What Have You Heard?
Posted!

17. Molly Mavis... Visual Dialogues
Posted!

18. boliyou...endomental
Posted!

19. ChryseisViviennne... CV Photographs


20. Rita... Cashjocky and the Old Salt


21. Amanda... Amanda's Weekly Zen


22. Martha... Menagerie
Posted!

23. Alexa... Imagination Pounces
Posted!

24. Terri...Ways I See The World
Posted!

25. ellenb... The Happy Wonderer
Posted!

26. Connie...Far Side Of Fifty Photos
Posted!

27. Marina...Visual Chronicle
Posted!

28. Peggy... Holmespun Fun
Posted!

Remember, there is still time to play along with our current challenge. If you have never played before, and want to, just jump on in. This challenge will remain open until next weekend, if you can't play today. If you just can't make it this time, for any reason, but you would like to join us sometime, check the official Round Robin blog the day after each challenge to find out what we will be doing next!

-Carly

Scary Things

From For Ellipsis

"In Witchcraft, each of us must reveal our own truth."

-Starhawk, Spiral Dance

Happy Walpurgis Night...

Tonight we will carve a pumpkin, make some hot spiced apple cider, and pray a wayward ghostie or goblin doesn't visit our door. It's not Halloween, but it is Walpugis Night! April 30th, sits exactly opposite October 31st on the calendar, which means the veil between this world and the next is at it's most slight. It is also, according to About.com, "the last chance for witches and their nefarious cohorts to stir up trouble, before spring reawakened the land."

Are you scared?

Does this frighten you?

Bwahahahahahaha!

If you have known me any length of time, you know how much I love spooky, scary stuff. Autumn is my favorite time of year, and I embrace it fully! It has been cold in the Bay Area this spring, so it feels really nice to have something fun to blame the chills on. I still have a pumpkin sitting on the window seat from last autumn, so I will carve it and place it by the back door tonight. Why do I still have a pumpkin on my window seat? I always buy several extra pumpkins for cooking, and decoration and, of course, protection, through the long dark winter months!

A Little Too Scary...

Another confirmed case of Swine Flu was just announced in San Mateo County this morning. San Mateo county is just across the bay from where I am, on the peninsula. I suppose it's just a matter of time until a case has been diagnosed in Alameda County. I hope not. Sigh. I don't believe it is a forgone conclusion that I will get it, but it's a little scary anyway. The thing that worries me the most is that the CDC knows so little about it. Hospitals in the area have just been inundated with folks who believe they have flu-like symptoms. So much so, that tented triage units have been erected, at some hospitals, to handle all the folks coming to emergency rooms.

I don't know. I don't feel particularly worried. I carry hand sanitizer with me all the time. I have to, being a diabetic, I check my blood glucose several times a day and having a bottle of sanitizer in my purse is just apart of my life. I always wash my hands before and after I touch food. That's just been a lifelong habit. Does doing any of those things make me any safer? Maybe from some things, but this is airborne, so what's a girl to do? I know one thing, as much as I like spooky movies, I won't be watching Steven King's, The Stand, tonight!

What do you think?

Will things get much worse?

Should we all be panicking?

Is it a forgone conclusion that all of us will get Swine Flu?

How did it get so big, so quick?

Opinions, opinions. Tell me what you think. Will you be celebrating Walpurgis Night along with me? Does the Swine Flu worry you? Are you taking any special steps to protect yourself? Do you get annual flu shots?

Tell me what you think.

Walpurgis Night

Hospitals Inundated with Panicked People

-Carly

Welcome To The Light!

"Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved so far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.

-Senator Arlen Spector

WOW! I don't know about you, but I was shocked to hear Senator Arlen Specter's announcement this morning regarding his switch to the Democratic Party. It makes me wonder, will we be seeing more and more defections as time goes by? Has the GOP become an entity that is unrecognizable to it's own members? Is it really a clash of ideals that caused Sen. Specter to change sides, or is it due to the lack of clear and consistent leadership? Whatever the reason, Senator Specter, welcome to the light! Come on in, it's good to have you with us!

Opinions, opinions! What do you think? Will more republican senators follow Senator Specter's lead? Do you think he will be reelected in the 2010 election? And while we are on the subject of elections, do you believe that Al Frankin will ever be sworn in as the junior senator from Minnesota?

Arlen Specter



-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot # 35: Government Buildings

"We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us."

-Winston Churchill








EMPS #35: GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. NOW CLOSED!
For this week's photography assignment, I thought it might be fun to shoot some GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS! LOL. With a camera of course! Silly persons! Now, grab your camera, and show me what your local City Hall looks like, or if you live near the capitol of the state you live in, show me your capitol. Courthouses are good too. Any local GOVERNMENT BUILDING will do.

Extra Credit: Many times there are lovely gardens or public art on display in and around GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, so, show me what special feature you find in the area around the building you photograph! Statues, murals, Rose gardens... it's all good!

**PLEASE READ**
You have until next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM ET, to get your photo, post it to your blog, website or journal, and then comeback here with the direct link to your entry. Please remember, it must be a link specific to this week's photo shoot assignment. No hyperlinks accepted. Also, it would be just nifty if you linked back here to this entry, so other folks can play along with this week's assignment.

Linking List for EMPS #34: Earth Day. 04/20/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Wammy

2. Suzanne

3. Karen
And a bonus entry here.

4. Liz

5. Terri

6. Jama

7. Greg

8. Mike

Question of the Week: As a photographer, which do you prefer, indoor or outdoor photography?

NOTE: There seems to have been a problem with Ellipsis last week, some folks indicated that at times when they tried to access my blog, multiple IE windows opened unexpectedly. I have done some research, and found out that there is a bug in IE which can cause this to happen, regardless of what website you are at, but just to be sure I have done some template tweaking to try and resolve the problem. Everything seems to be working ok for now, but I want to know if it happens again. Please send me an email if you notice anything like that happening again.

Ok, go be photographers, I will see you in one week with an all new assignment.

-Carly

At The End Of The Day...

From For Ellipsis

"Every time you wake up and ask yourself, "What good things am I going to do today", remember that when the sun goes down at sunset, it will take a part of your life with it."

-Indian Proverb

Torture. When it comes to a subject as serious as this, I ask you, is there really such a thing as right or left, indeed, shouldn't it be right and wrong? I do not understand how anyone, regardless of political affiliation can say, "let's just move on," when it comes to this issue. An awful lot of bad things have been done in the name of each and every American. With equally bad results. It has been proven that torturing prisoners usually results in very little, if any, solid information. The tactic of torture does NOT keep us safe, indeed, it puts us in greater danger. Have we been safe since 9/11? Well, I don't think that we can say that just because there hasn't been a day like 9/11 since then that we are safe. I think we have been lucky, but not necessarily safe. You have to remember, the enemies we have now are a patient lot. Walking around with a cocky attitude, bragging about how safe we are, will eventually comeback to bite us... BIG.

Here is what I really don't get about the Bush administration authorizing "harsh interrogations"... why? Why resort to that? Why let Osama bin Laden win in his effort to change who we are, or were? Can you just imagine the moral victory we handed him? Not only did we never bring to justice those who attacked us that day, but we have given them a solid moral victory in knowing they have divided us as a nation. Sigh. Will prosecuting the Bush administration for war crimes divide us further? I hope not. I hope that regardless of what we have all been through, we can still see and know the difference between right and wrong.

I remember when the Bush administration tried to erase the word hunger, by calling it "pantry challenged." Sheesh. It was still hunger. It didn't work. And it is my hope that changing the name of torture to enhanced interrogations, won't work either.

It's Obama's first 100 days. So far he has given me a lot of hope. He has reversed many of the Bush administrations policies, and with each reversal, I can feel another brick being lifted off of me. Hope. It's a good thing. Are things perfect? Far from it. Do I agree with everything he is doing. NOPE. But at least I can see a future again. Life is getting better. Nothing really profound happens in the first 100 days of any administration, it's what happens from now on that really matters. I just HOPE he does the right thing.

Opinions, opinions...

If you are a republican, or a democrat for that matter, feel free to chime in. If you have known me for any length of time you know I welcome opinions, even if you don't agree with my point of view. So, tell me what's on your mind. Go ahead. Don't be shy.

Opinions anyone?

-Carly

Things I Think About While Surfing The Net...

From For Ellipsis

"The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a primeval wood, and the sound of outer ocean on a beach."

-Henry Beston

Things I Think About While Surfing The Net...

1. As much as it hurts, we must not let the Bush administration get away with torture. We have to move forward, I agree, but we must do so with justice. Those who ordered it, and those who manipulated the justice system, MUST be held accountable for the past, so we have the future we were promised when we were children!

2. I could really go for a hamburger right now, but I will settle for a nice ripe pear.

3. I found a cute little new scarf at Macy's the other day!

4. Gosh, we only had a few days of summer-like weather, now I am in the mood for autumn to be here. It's going to be a long summer.

5. I am worried about the two American journalists being held in North Korea, Laura Ling, and Euna Lee. The North Korean government is now saying they will be putting them on trial for espionage. Sigh. They are in my prayers.

6. I am also worried about the American journalist, Roxana Saberi, jailed in Iran. She was recently sentenced to 8 years.

7. Both of the two situations I just mentioned, is why we must not condone torture. We must protect the safety of those two women, by sending a message that no one in America is above the law!

8. On a happier note, the world of finance seems to be stabilizing a bit... at least for now.

9. If I could win the lottery, I would buy an apartment on Central Park West, so I can watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade go by my window.

10. I got a Twitter account, but I almost never use it. I must be old or something, but I just don't get it.

11. Turkey sandwiches with Sweet Potato fries for dinner. YUM.

12. Tri-tip roast with vegetables tomorrow night.

13. Keith Olbermann said last night, that he would pay Sean Hannity $2,000 per second to be water boarded. I really hope he takes him up on it!

14. I think Susan Boyle is fantastic! I am rooting for her to win Britain's Got Talent! You go girl!

15. Dylan and Hendrix get more beautiful every day. I am so in love with them!

16. I need some Starbuck's right now.

17. Meghan McCain is fabulous. She might be the best hope of the Republican party!

18. I am pretty sure. Well, I am!

19. Can you just imagine, winning a year's supply of Lee Press On Nails?

20. Monty, I will take door number 2.

21. I wonder who the serial killer will turn out to be on One Life To Live?!

-Carly

I Would Want To Know If My Dress Was Stuck In My Underwear

From For Ellipsis

"Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps it's brain."

-J.K. Rowling

Over the last couple weeks, you might have noticed something odd when you clicked on Ellipsis. Some folks have told me that on a couple different occasions Internet Explorer would suddenly begin loading page, after page, after page, and the only way to make it stop, would be to reboot! What a drag! I had it happen to me a couple times, so I feel your pain... I really do! I would feel so bad if that glitch drove anyone away, I have worked hard on Ellipsis in the nearly 6 six years I have been blogging. I like hosting the Monday Photo Shoot, and I think for the most part, folks have fun with it... right?

But how annoying would it be to have multiple pages opening in IE for no reason? What to do, what to do? Well, I did a little research, and I found out that the glitch is indeed in IE, not in Ellipsis. I also found out that many times it is attached to the Weatherbug widget. I did have that particular widget on my sidebar for a while, and I took it out last week, along with a couple other widgets just to be safe, but apparently it can happen randomly with any page you load, not just with my blog. I found many websites with folks reporting the same problem who have never visited my blog. Sigh. I don't know what else I can do.

(Insert Frown Face here)

I am going to try adding back my music player, and a couple other widgets that I am sure have nothing to do with the glitch. Please let me know if you have any difficulties accessing Ellipsis. It only involves the unexpected loading of multiple Internet Explorer pages. The only other thing I can think of is that maybe viewing me in Firefox might be best for the time being. These glitches tend to fix themselves in time, but as usual Microsoft is being of very little help! If it doesn't help, my only alternative might be to just close Ellipsis and start all over, which of course, wouldn't be my first choice, but ultimately, I don't want to annoy folks.

Sheesh!

Articles about this IE glitch...

Multiple Windows and Weatherbug
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/812942

Multiple Windows When Upgrading to Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931954



-Carly

Happy Earth Day 2009!

From For Ellipsis

"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect."

-Chief Seattle, 1835



Happy Earth Day! For this week's EMPS I asked you to show me what you most appreciate about the earth. When I tried to take on my own assignment, I found it wasn't easy to narrow it down, but when I really thought about it, I just had to photograph some flowers today. There is so much I appreciate about nature, but flowers are something I would miss very much if for some reason they were no longer a part of things. On the other hand, life wouldn't be worth living without organic fruits and vegetables! Oh my... delicious!

:)


Extra Credit: Here are my reusable bags, from Old Navy and the Virgin Megastore. I use them everywhere! It's nice to not have all those plastic bags everywhere, and save a few pennies on my grocery bill as well!


So tell me, how did you celebrate Earth Day? Better yet, there is still time to post an entry for the Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot! Come on... take the challenge!

-Carly

On The Last Day Of A Heat Wave...

From For Ellipsis

"One day if I do go to leave, I'll look around and say, "It ain't bad, but it ain't San Francisco."


-Herb Caen


It has been hotter then blue blazes here in the Bay Area this week! LOL. We have been breaking records right and left, but by this weekend, we will have chilly temperatures and rain! It is supposed to be as much as a 30 degree drop! LOL. Welcome to life in the Bay Area. As much as I daydream about living in other places, I know my heart will always be right here.

:)

ROFL... Earlier today, when I put in the quote, I completely misspelled the word "leave." Funny thing, when you put an "h" where an "l" should be, the whole sentence takes on an entirely new meaning! LOL. Go ahead, laugh with me!

;)

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot: #34: Earth Day!

"There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves, that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers of this planet."

-Brook Medicine





Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22nd, so, let's celebrate it together!

:)

EMPS #34: EARTH DAY! NOW CLOSED!
Next Wednesday, the whole world will reflect on ways we can help the environment. Here is what I would like to see from all you EARTH Warriors... show me something in the natural world that you appreciate in particular. Get your cameras out and find something THIS WEEK! Ordinarily I allow archived photos, but for this week I want to see something new, so, let's be mindful of this year's EARTH DAY, by getting out with the camera and focusing on the EARTH'S natural beauty and it's gifts to we humans. A gorgeous landscape. Flowers bursting forth from an organic garden. Fresh organic fruit and vegetables. A beautiful pristine shoreline, a grove of beautiful trees, or anything that shows EARTH DAY in all it's glory. :)

Extra Credit: Show me what you are doing to help out the EARTH. Show me your recycle bins, or the reusable bags you take on shopping trips. Anything you can photograph that you do personally to help the EARTH!

Note: I will be doing this assignment right along with you. Look for my entry on Wednesday!

**Please Read**
You have until next Sunday, at 9:00 pm ET to get your photo, post it to your blog, journal or website, and then comeback here with your link. Please remember, it must be the full link specific to this Monday Photo Shoot assignment. NO HYPERLINKS are accepted. I need your full link to be able to add you to the Linking List next Monday. Also, please link back here so folks can find the Monday Photo Shoot and play along!

Linking List for EMPS #33: Up Close. 04/13/09

1. Suzanne

2. Greg

3. Liz

4. Jama

5. Terri

6. Karen

7. Your EG Tour Guide

8. Mike

9. Carly (me)

10. Wammy

11. Connie

Question of the Week: Is there something you have always wanted to photograph, but just haven't had the chance? If so, tell us about it!

Ok, go enjoy the natural beauty of the earth. I am looking forward to seeing what you show me! I will see you in one week with a new assignment.

-Carly

Round Robin Challenge: In Flight

From For Ellipsis

"The air up there is pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn't it be? It is the same as the angels breathe."

-Mark Twain

Flying. Yuck. I don't think you will ever find me in an airplane again, but then again, if I won a trip somewhere mildly interesting, and I had a fresh supply of Valium, I could be persuaded. LOL. Gosh, the last time I ventured on a plane, I stupidly wore stiletto heels and a black sweater dress. WRONG. LOL. I was so tense that by the time I got to the east coast, I had severe cramps in both legs! That was in 1992 and I vowed "NEVER AGAIN." But all joking aside, as much as I dislike flying, I love photography more, so I could be talked into going somewhere as long as it would result in some interesting photography. Yeah... that would be nice! Until then... I will just leave it to the experts...

Go see what everyone else came up with! Just follow the Linking List below!

Linking List
**Welcome New Members!!

1. Carly... Ellipsis
Posted!

2. Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

3. Sherrie... Sherrie's Stuff
Posted!

4. Leslie... Empty Nest
Posted! 04/19/09

5. Terri... Ways I See The World
Posted!

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

7. Karen... In The Moment
Posted!

8.**Sandra... A Cappuccino A Day
Posted!

9. Wammy... The Ellis Family Cincinnati
Posted!

10. Mojo... Why? What Have You Heard?
Posted!

11.**rdl... When I Grow Up
Posted!

12. Jill... South Bay Soliloquy


13.**Butch and Angie... Snippets of Memories
Posted!

14. SC Momma... Sandcastle Momma
Posted!

15. Nancy... Nancy Luvs Pics
Posted!

16. Chris... CAMERA OBSCURA RRC
Posted!

17. Marina... Visual Chronicle
Posted!

18. Jama... Sweet Memories
Posted!

19.**Myfanwy... Sassa's Click Click
Posted!

20. Robinella... Robinella's
Posted!

21. Ellen b... The Happy Wonderer
Posted!

22.**Lana... Above the Clouds
Posted!

23. Rita... Cashjocky and the Old Salt
Posted!

24. Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

25. Teena... It's all about Me!
Posted!

25. Ourhomeschool... Through The Eye Of My Camera
Posted!


If you have an idea for an upcoming challenge, feel free to email either Karen or myself, and we will see to it that your suggestion is added to the suggestion pool. You can find a list of all the challenges we have played to date, listed toward the bottom of the sidebar on the official Round Robin blog. Who knows? Yours could be next!

-Carly

The Week In Review...

Which is Cheesier?


A display case with 500 different cheeses side by side?

OR...

A Republican tea party?

You decide!

:)

Tell me what you think! Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment thread for this entry. What's on your mind? Did you go to the tea party? Was it a good idea? Bad idea? Opinions, opinions.


-Carly

A Weed... Up Close (EMPS)

From For Ellipsis

"A weed is but an unloved flower."

-Ellen Wheeler Wilcox

One of the most interesting Round Robin topics of 2008 was "Weeds Can Be Beautiful Too." I had a wonderful time finding weeds, identifying them, and appreciating their beauty. I always learn so much from these challenges, so I think it is good thing if I participate every now and again with folks taking on my Monday Photo Shoot assignments. :) I found this weed in my yard just yesterday. It is a tiny little thing, smaller then a dime, but just kinda lovely and soft. :) It wasn't easy to photograph, because the wind has been outrageous this week, but the effort I put in was enjoyable. :)

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot: #33: Up Close!

"I have never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful."

-Unknown





NOTE: Before we get started, I want to remind you to check the link you leave after you post it in the comment thread. Blogger was a bit spotty last week, and more then one link never made it to me, so, just double check things before you leave.

EMPS#33: UP CLOSE! NOW CLOSED!
Easy, easy, easy... grab your cameras and show me something UP CLOSE. It doesn't have to be macro, just something you would like to show off at close range. A couple years ago, Elvis's friend Ernst graciously agreed to pose for me, see, that is him pictured there, so I know pets can be very willing subjects! Also good are flowers, candy, nails, fabrics, mixed vegetables, water, dirt, garbage, coins, people... the possibilities are endless! So go for it! Show me something UP CLOSE!

Extra Credit: Show me something you are photographing for the very first time. Something you never thought of photographing!

**Please Read**
You have until next Sunday, at 9:00 PM ET to get your photograph, post it to your blog, journal, or website, and comeback here with the direct link to your posting. Remember, it must a direct link which is specific to this EMPS assignment! No hyperlinks will be accepted, or added to the Linking List which will be posted next Monday with the next assignment. Also, please include a link back here to so other folks can play along with the assignment.

Linking List for EMPS #32: Spring Holidays And Observances. 04/06/09

1. Karen

2. Liz

3. Suzanne

4. Greg

5. Your EG Tour Guide

6. Connie

7. Jama

8. Karen

9. Mike

10. Terri

11. Laura

Question of the Week: What type of camera do you use most often? Is it an SLR or a point and shoot?

Ok, that's it for now. I will see you next Monday with an all new assignment!

-Carly

Happy Easter!

From For Ellipsis

:)

-Carly

Sunshine, Freedom And A Little Flower

From For Ellipsis

-Carly

Two Cloudy Skies

From For Ellipsis

"A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed... it feels an impulsion... this is the place to go now. But the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond horizons."

-Richard Bach

From For Ellipsis

I know I have displayed these two photos before, but I found them today in an archived folder and I just really appreciated how it felt to see them again. Both of them were taken on really good days. The first one was done off the Marin County coast, the second from a hotel room in Reno, Nevada. I was on the 17th floor, and a big storm was rolling in. It was stunning!

I am at my happiest with a camera in my hand.

:)
-Carly

Blue Skies, Smiling At Me

From For Ellipsis

Blue Skies

By Irving Berlin

I was blue, just as blue as could be
Every day was a cloudy day for me
Then good luck came a - knocking at my door
Skies were gray but they're not gray anymore

Blue skies smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies do I see

Bluebirds singing a song
Nothing but bluebirds all day long

Never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things going so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When you're in love, my how they fly

Blue days, all of them gone
Nothing but blue skies from now on

I should care if the wind blows east or west
I should fret if the worst looks the best
I should mind if they say it can't be true
I should smile, that's exactly what I do

-Carly

I'm Only A Cat

From For Ellipsis

I'm Only A Cat

Author Unknown

I'm only a cat and I stay in my place...
Up there on your chair, or your bed or your face!

I'm only a cat, and I don't finick much...
I'm happy with cream and anchovies and such!

I'm only a cat, and we'll get along fine...
As long as you know I'm not yours... you're all mine!

Bad Kitty Dylan

It was quite a week with my two little men! The weather has been just beautiful, so we have been discovering all kinds of things in the yard. Butterflies, and bees and hummingbirds... it's all so wonderful. To my surprise, Hendrix isn't terribly fond of hunting. He instead, enjoys sitting on the swing with me, but now when it comes to Dylan, it's a different story.

Dylan gave his mommy a huge fright on Saturday, when he decided to take a nap in one of the trees. I looked for him everywhere. Hendrix walked around the yard with me... mewing for his brother... but there wasn't a sign of him anywhere. Not even the sound of his bells.

I was sure I had lost one of my babies. 4 hours went by and still now little orange kitten. I was a mess. I had even called Alan at work, to see if he knew of any areas of the yard that might allow him a way out, but he was sure it was safe. Then, just about 5 minutes before a worried Alan was to get off work, I saw Dylan climb down from the lower branches of the plum tree and come running toward the backdoor. He had to have been up there the whole time, because I had looked in that area thoroughly, I just hadn't bothered to look up! LOL. Bad kitty! I was too happy to see him, to be too mad...but still...BAD KITTY!

:) By the way, if my blog looks a little strange over the next few days it's because I am working on a template for spring. Feel free to comment on what you see. Feedback is always welcome!

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #32: Spring Holidays And Observances

"Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's Party!"

-Robin Williams








NOW CLOSED!

EMPS# 32: Spring Holidays and Observances.
Very simple. Grab your camera, and show me, through your photography, anything related to the upcoming Easter or Passover holidays. A family dinner, an Easter Bunny, an Easter lily. Preparation for the holiday works as well. If it is related to the holidays, it's just fine. If you don't celebrate either of the two holidays I mentioned, you can choose any of the wacky holidays found at the link below, or, if you are just not in the mood for holidays, there is an alternate assignment below.

Wacky April Holidays

Extra Credit: Show me someone smiling. :)

EMPS #32a. FLOWERS.
Pick a FLOWER... any FLOWER! Real or fake... any FLOWER will do!

Extra Credit: Pink FLOWERS please!

**PLEASE READ**
You have until next Sunday, at 9:00 PM ET to take your photo, post it to your blog or journal, and then comeback here with your direct link. Please do not leave a hyperlink to your blog, it must be the full link to the entry specific to this Monday Photo Shoot assignment. Also, please include a link back here, so others can play along as well!

Linking List for EMPS #31: Footprints. 03/30/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Jama

2. Judi

3. Suzanne

4. Terri

5. Liz

6. Your EG Tour Guide

7. Karen Link #1 Link #2

8. Connie

9. Wammy

10. Greg


Question of the Week: In which season do you feel at your most creative?

Ok... Happy Holidays to all. See you in one week with an all new EMPS assignment!

-Carly

Green Creativity

From For Ellipsis

"We need a new environmental consciousness on a global basis. To do this, we need to educate people."

-Mikhail Gorbachev

There is an interesting exhibit at the Conservatory of Flowers, which began last November and will run through April 19th, The Golden Gate Express. It features a G-gauge train trip though San Francisco, featuring all the famous landmarks from Ghiradelli Square to the Transamerica Pyramid. The exhibit is to pay homage to the rich railroad past San Francisco enjoys, but there's an interesting twist, all the landmarks featured in the exhibit have been made by local artists using old discarded materials, which brings awareness to environmental issues, and encourages the creativity in finding new uses for old things. Mini blinds were used to make Coit Tower. The TransAmerica building is made from more than 1,000 keys from computer boards, Ghiradelli was made from brown switch plates, and the Golden Gate Bridge... monkeys. Little plastic "Barrel of Monkeys"... monkeys. LOL! How cool is that?

Here, have a look...

-Carly

Round Robin Photo Challenge: By The Numbers

From For Ellipsis

"It's clearly a budget, it's got a lot of numbers in it."

-George W. Bush

RRC: By The Numbers
Suggested by Jill, of the blog, South Bay Soliloquy


Tee Hee. Sorry, but I couldn't resist using a Dubya quote for this entry. I am naughty sometimes. Anyway, this challenge had me stumped until last Monday, when I saw this great little game of hopscotch taking place outside my therapist's office. It made me smile, because I haven't seen children playing that particular game in quite a while. Years probably. It's nice to know there is still something from my childhood, which was, you know, way back in the stone age of the late 1960's and early 70's. Sheesh that sounds like a long time ago. How did we ever survive as children without the Internets or iPods or... yikes... cell phones? LOL.

Thank you Jill for the great little challenge! I was looking everywhere for numbers, and when I finally found them, it brought back some really nice memories.

:)

Go see what Jill and all the participating Robins have come up with to meet this challenge round. Just follow the Linking List below...

Linking List

1. Jill... South Bay Soliloquy
Posted!

2. Carly... Ellipsis
Posted!

3. Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

4. Monica... Click Shots
Posted!

5. Leslie... Empty Nest
Posted!

6. Sherrie... Sherrie's Stuff
Posted!

7. Karen... In The Moment
Posted!

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

9. Jama... Sweet Memories
Posted!

10. Vicki... Maraca
Posted!

11. Chris... Camera Obscura
Posted!

12. Linda... Mommy's Treasures
Posted!

13. Marina... Visual Chronical
Posted!

14. Wammy... The Ellis Family Cincinnati


15. Karen... Georgia Angel


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

17. Connie... Far Side of Fifty Photos
Posted!

18. ellen b. ... The Happy Wonderer
Posted!

19. Terri... Ways I see The World
Posted!

20. Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

21. Molly Mavis... Visual Dialouges
Posted!

22. Mojo... Why? WHat Have You Heard?
Posted!

23. Jen... Cherish the Moments **Welcome New Member**
Posted!

24. Rita... Cashjocky and the Old Salt
Posted!

Be sure to check the official Round Robin blog tomorrow to find out what our next topic will be!

-Carly

Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

From For Ellipsis

"When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself."

-Jacques Cousteau


I told you last week about a day, Alan and I spent recently, playing tourist, well, this was just one more sight from that day, the sea lions at Pier 39. It was a really warm day and they were just sitting on the dock, soaking up the late winter sun. I had forgotten how much fun it is to just stop and watch them being sea lions. Simple. Happy. Life. I tend to see things differently when I am out with my camera. My camera allows me to have an extraordinary life.

-Carly

Lemon Water

From For Ellipsis

"We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons."

-Alfred E Neuman

Ahhh... that hit the spot!

I am messing around with Picasa today. I meant to get to it for months, but you know, something shiny would cross my path and I would get distracted. Here, you see, is an all new really big photo that doesn't look all fuzzy. Happy days are here again! I feel like I should be saying "testing... testing" or something! LOL.

So tell me, what do you think? Like the really big size?

-Carly

Quick... Turn On The Light!

"It takes a rather special kind of person to follow soaps. You have to be highly intelligent to understand them and think as a brick to want to."

-Alan Coran

CBS announced yesterday, on April Fool's Day, that they were canceling Guiding Light. Sigh. Although I haven't watched it for a number of years, I was still sad to hear that such a daytime gem was being thrown away. I loved so many characters over the years, especially in the mid 90's when I was absolutely hooked. One day I was just surfing, General Hospital had gotten dry as dust, and I came across Guiding Light. It drew me in with just one episode. It was so much fun back then. Reva had just returned, and she was a ghost! Jenna was a jewel thief, and Buzz was just plain sexy! Roger was probably the best bad guy in daytime, I still miss Michael Zaslow, and Nadine was the loveable airhead you just had to root for.

Sigh. Game shows have all but left daytime TV, instead they are replaced with litigation television and talk shows, so I wonder if the daytime drama has much of a future in general. I still miss Another World. I loved that show as well, and watched it up to it's very last episode. I always hoped that NBC would do a reunion show, maybe like a one week look back, but alas it was not to be. Sigh. Oh well, the decision has been made, so I guess I will revisit the light while it is still on. The last episode is scheduled to air on September 18th, 2009. I think I will give it a look see today, I wonder, will it draw me in with just one episode all over again? Probably.

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #31: Footprints

"I don't have a photograph, but you can have my footprints. They're upstairs in my socks."

-Groucho Marx

NOW CLOSED!

EMPS #31: FOOTPRINTS.
FOOTPRINTS in the sand. FOOTPRINTS in the mud. FOOTPRINTS on your freshly mopped floor. FOOTPRINTS in fresh paint. FOOTPRINTS in the butter in your refrigerator might indicate you have an elephant afoot. Set up the tripod, and the timer on your camera, and photograph his incriminating FOOTPRINTS. Little FOOTPRINTS, Big FOOTPRINTS. FOOTPRINTS made with shoes. FOOTPRINTS made with naked feet... it's all good!

Extra Credit: FOOTPRINTS that lead to someplace in particular.

**PLEASE READ**
The deadline for the Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot is next Sunday at 9:00 PM ET. You don't have to post your entry on Monday, just because it's called the Monday Photo Shoot. You have nearly a week to find your photo, post it to your blog, journal or website, and then comeback here with the direct link. REMEMBER it must be a direct link to the entry specific to this Monday Photo Shoot assignment. I cannot accept a general link to your blog or journal. Also, please link back here so other folks will be able to find the assignment and play along!

Linking List for EMPS #30: Things That Float. 03/23/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Liz

2. Suzanne

3. Jama

4. Karen

5. Greg

6. Coy (Here and Here)

7. Your EG Tour Guide

8. Connie

9. Karen (Welcome New Participant)

10. Terri

11. Wammy

12. Mike

Question of the Week: Which is easier to photograph, animals or children?

Very good job everyone, I will be looking forward to seeing your entries for this week's assignment. My schedule is going to be a little bit closer to normal this week, so I should be making the rounds throughout the week, as you post your entries. See you soon!

-Carly

How To Prepare A Perfect Beef Wellington

"Hey baby, do you like fine cooking? Cause you know what? I got a Swanson's Dinner in the freezer with your name on it."

-Jimmy Fallon

Well, it's been a long week, but I am pleased to say I got a lot accomplished, not the least of which, was giving AOL the boot! I am now a happy high speed customer of Comcast, and my goodness what a difference a few mbps makes! I have been hoping around the Internet with my foot to the floor, enjoying all the things dial-up just can't do. I finally feel like I am in the 21st century. Dial-up is just fine for folks who just want the basics, but I really enjoy a lot of things other then blogging. I like cooking, and I love being able to see cooking videos, without the buffering every 2 seconds. Alan and I had a YouTube date the other night. It's fun! We got our favorite snacks, a couple cans of soda, and spent the evening looking up weird stuff on YouTube! LOL. Hows that for a cheap date guys? LOL. I'm such a cool wife.

I am back to a semi-normal schedule next week, which is nice because I have some new photos to share. I will probably post a new entry each day, but I am still wrestling with some very unorganized closets in need of attention, but who knows? The weather has been just wonderful the last week or so, so I might just ignore the rest of the spring cleaning in favor of hunting the hillsides of Marin County in search of the Mission Blue butterfly. It's been my photographic goal for going on four years now... maybe this year will be lucky for me. For now, enjoy the above cooking video. It's Gordon Ramsay's recipe for Beef Wellington. I am making it for dinner. Delicious with a nice salad of mixed baby lettuces and pear vinegrette with candied pecans.

:)

Note: I have converted my AOL account to the free account option, which allows me to keep all my email addresses, so you can still reach me at the same old place... Ondinemonet@aol.com.

-Carly