(Insert Raspberry Noise Here) Is RUDE The New Polite?

From For Ellipsis

"Learn young about manners, and you'll be through the whole dirty mess and nicely dead again before you know it."

-F Scott Fitzgerald

The Following Is A True Story...

Dylan's Mommy: Dylan, don't stick your tongue out, someone will think you are a republican, and besides it's rude.

Carly's Cat Dylan: Mommy, don't you know it's rude to tell someone when they are being rude?

LOL. Ok, so I may have used a small amount of creative storytelling here, but I did so to make a bigger point... Is America Becoming Rude Or Are We All Just Constipated?

From For Ellipsis

True Story. Elvis was an exceedingly polite cat. More then on person had remarked about his polite mannerisms, which made me proud, because I spent a lot of time with him, and made the most of that time by teaching him simple, yet polite behaviors. He tapped you three times on the arm or leg if he needed or wanted your attention. Every night at 10:00 PM he gently reminded Alan and I that our bedtime was imminent, he always covered his uneaten food with a white napkin, that he insisted upon having new each morning, he always picked his toys up before he went to bed, and if he couldn't cover his own poo, for what ever reason, he came and told me immediately so I could. You see, he knew his poo smelled, unlike a lot of folks recently. And you know who you are, Joe Wilson, Serena Williams and Kanye West.

So tell me, if I was able to successfully train Elvis to live not only politely, but with self-respect, then what's up with all the yelling, screaming, finger pointing, upstaging, threatening, stomping, accusing, lying, and generally behaving badly? Is Rude new Polite?

Opinions. Opinions. What do you think? Does it take more effort then usual for you to remain civil? Are you just a dirty look away from going "ape-shit?"

By the way... Kudos to Beyonce Knowles for being such a class act! Now there is someone with manners and class! Shame on you Kanye West! Whoops... there I go again being RUDE!

:)

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #55: Bugs

"We starve the rats, creosote the ticks, swat the flies, step on cockroaches, and poison scales, yet when these pests appear in human form we go paralytic."

-Martin H. Fischer








EMPS #55: BUGS. NOW CLOSED!
Ants, Cockroaches, Beetles, Sow Bugs, Earwigs, Pincher Bugs, Bees, Wasps, Fire Flies, Snails, Slugs, Banana Slugs, Spiders, Scorpions... no matter who you are, one of these things probably BUGS you. So, grab your cameras this week, and photograph the BUG and share it with us!

Extra Credit: Show us your BUG using the macro setting on your camera.

**PLEASE READ**
This Monday Photo Shoot assignment closes next Sunday, at 9:00 PM ET. So, you have until then to find your photo, upload it to your blog, journal or website, and then come back here with the direct link back to it. Please remember, it must be a direct link back to the entry which is specific to this week's photo shoot assignment. A general link to your blog will not do. NO HYPERLINKS ACCEPTED!

Linking List for EMPS #54: Archived Photos. 09/07/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Suzanne

2. Greg

3. Carly... Yep, I played too!

4. Jama

5. Duane

6. Liz

7. Patrick

8. Karen

Thanks so much to everyone who played. I really enjoyed all your photography this week. By the way, I am overdue to mention some of my favorite memes about the land. So, please consider playing along with the folks from my Meme List below...

Weekend Assignment (Karen) A New topic is posted each Friday.

Feline, Furball and Feathers Friday (Theresa) Friday is the day for pets!

Saturday Six (Patrick) A new topic each Saturday.

Sunday Seven (Patrick) A new topic each Sunday.

Color Carnival (Martha) A new round of color each week!

See you next Monday with all new photography assignment. :)

-Carly

Giggle, Giggle, Snort, Giggle... Jon and Kate + Hate

"More marriages might survive if the partners realized that sometimes the better comes after the worse."

-Doug Larson

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

Opinions, Opinions... isn't it about time that Jon and Kate... went away?! Who do you believe? Jon? Kate? Both? Neither? Do you really care?

;)

-Carly



By the way, if you just can't stand not seeing Kate Gosselin every day, she will be co-hosting ABC's The View, on Monday and Tuesday of next week! Oh boy! I think I will watch The Price Is Right instead! LOL

Remembering David And Lynn Angell

David Angell was unique among the comedy writers I've met. Like David himself, his humor was gentle and kind, yet deeply funny. He had a brilliant comedy mind, but more importantly he was a good man, and a nice person."

-Bruce Rasmussen, Executive Producer, The Drew Carey Show

From For Ellipsis

Three years ago, I participated in the 2,996 Project which paid tributes to the heroes and victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001. I requested to honor David Angell & his wife Lynn, both of whom were killed when their plane, American Airlines Flight 11, struck the World Trade Center.

David and Lynn Angell brought light and laughter to the world. I requested to honor the Angells, because I was familiar with his work as a comedy writer, producer and eventually co-creator of the sitcom Wings. I don't know how many smiles he may have brought me over the years... maybe a 1,ooo or so, and I will never get to thank him properly, but I can continue to send a BIG THANK YOU to the heavens, especially on this day, and share how much he meant to me, even though we had never met. A world with a little less humor in it is a sad place indeed.

Please take a moment and visit my original post from September 11th, 2006. These two people were just exceptional individuals and deserve to be remembered for their kindness and humanity.

Thank you David and Lynn for making the world a much happier place in the time your were with us.

-Carly

Hillsides Home For Children
940 Avenue 64, Pasadena, Ca 91105
(323)255-9005

8 Years Later...

From For Ellipsis

"Liars share with those they deceive the desire not to be deceived."

-Sissela Bok



:(

It doesn't seem possible that 8 years has already gone by. I will never forget how I felt when Alan called me to tell me what had happened. His phone call woke me from the first good nights sleeps I had had in months. I was staring down depression back then, and along with the sadness came an extreme form of insomnia. But the night before I watched a show with Alan, had a few laughs with him, and then went to bed... and slept. I don't know, maybe it was being able to find some humor or maybe it was because Elvis had cuddled into me so lovingly, I don't know what it was, all I knew is that the phone ringing that September 11th morning didn't disturb me, because for once I felt rested and in good spirits. Then Alan told me what had happened.

He was wondering if I was ok, because he thought I would call him as soon as I heard the news. "Yes, I am fine, but what do you mean the World Trade Center is gone?" I asked. "Where did it go?" Even now his words seem more absurd then reasonable. I couldn't wrap my mind around the perfectly correct English words being spoken to me. Alan, in his frustration, told me to "go turn on the TV, but sit down first." I hung up the phone, walked into the living room, and noticed that there was a little red dot lit on the cable box. "What does that mean?" I thought to myself. I Turned on the TV to see already recorded images of the second plane hitting the WTC and the towers eventual collapse. Most all the events that happened that morning, took place in my sleep. And as I sat watching the inexplicable happen over and over again, all I heard outside was a funny kind of quiet... not even a bird. A little later in the day, the silence was broken by the Ethereal Musician playing America on his sax. It was all so surreal, and yet very, very REAL.

Everything changed that day. America changed. But it didn't have to. :( I wish we could go back to the America of September 10th 2001.

-Carly

D'OH! Another Wayward Republican Caught With His Pants Down!

From For Ellipsis

"So I am getting into spanking her, yeah, I like it, I like spanking her. She goes, "I know you like spanking me,' I said "Yeah because you are such a bad girl.""

-Mike Duvall (Former California Assemblyman)

Great-Day-In-The-Morning... here we go again! Yet another Republican caught with his pants down. Yesterday, California lawmaker, Mike Duvall, resigned his office amid yet another republican sex scandal. I will say the same thing about this sex scandal that I will say every time something like this comes to light. Cheating on your spouse should not be grounds in itself for either dismissal or for resigning from public office, however, in this case I believe his resignation was appropriate because to woman... or women in question (it turns out he had two mistresses) were lobbyists, who just happened to have business before Mr. Duvall's committees.

Sheesh.

Don't you think it's about time the republican party stop pretending that they are anymore righteous then anyone else? Mike Duvall, who is married with two children, has been known for his "family values" so tell me, what could have possibly gone wrong? I don't know... maybe no one does, or maybe it is the oldest reason in the book, perhaps he couldn't live up to the perfect life he preached. Shrug. All I know is that perhaps it's about time that political parties rethink their own perfection. I think Mr. Duvall made things much worse for himself today, as he issued a statement denying the affair, describing his conversation as "inappropriate storytelling."

Oh.. ok... just a case of boys being boys?

So instead of being an adulterer... instead of having an affair with a married lobbyist... you merely lied?

Yeah... that's much better.

:(

Thanks for clearing that up. How about you just stand up... admit what you did... and then go away!


Opinions, opinions. Tell me what you think about this latest incidence of Republicans Gone Wild!

-Carly

A Thought For The Day...

From For Ellipsis

"In just two days, tomorrow will be yesterday."

-Unknown

I wonder... just who is this "unknown" person?

(Tee Hee)

-Carly

The President's Back- To - School Message To America's Students Streamed Live

From For Ellipsis

Comeback here at 12:00 PM ET to watch a LIVE stream of President Obama's Back - To - School address.

-Carly

EMPS: Archived Photos... I Didn't Do It!

From For Ellipsis

"Never explain... your friends don't need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway."

I found this photo in my archives, and thought I would share it with everyone. Hope it brings you a smile. Not entirely coincidentally, the topic for this week's Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot is "ARCHIVED PHOTOS." Everyone is invited to join in and play, just pay a visit to yesterday's entry to read all about how to play along.




-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #54: Archived Photos

"There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are."

-Ernst Haas









EMPS #54: Archived Photos. NOW CLOSED!
I have a super easy assignment for you this week... ARCHIVED PHOTOS. Here's what I want you to do. Climb into your ACHIEVES and choose a photo which you haven't displayed before and share it with us. Any subject will do, as long as it is family friendly. The only condition is that it has to be older then a month, and has not been displayed.

Extra Credit: Tell us about the photo. Where did you take it? Why did you take it? Was there something difficult about the experience?

**PLEASE READ**
This week's photo shoot assignment closes next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM ET. So, you have until then to complete the assignment, post it to your blog, journal or website and comeback here with the direct link. Please remember, it must be the direct link that goes back to an entry which is specific to this week's assignment. A general link to your site will not do. NO HYPERLINKS ACCEPTED! I need your full URL in order to add you to the Linking List next week. Also, please include a link back here so others can join us for the fun.

Linking List for EMPS# 53: Trees. 08/31/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Sparrow

2. Suzanne

3. Carolyn

4. Jama

5. Greg

6. Karen

7. Patrick

8. Margaret

9. Liz with entry #1 here and a bonus entry here.

10. Mike


EXCELLENT photos everyone! We have a few new participants this week, so be sure to drop by and show your fellow EMPS photographers your support. That's it for this week, see you next Monday with a new Monday Photo Shoot assignment.

-Carly

Round Robin Challenge: Politics

From For Ellipsis

"A liberal is a man or woman or child who looks forward to a better day, a more tranquil night, and a bright, infinite future."

-Leonard Bernstein, The New York Times, October 30th 1988

**PLEASE NOTE: I know this is supposed to be a friendly little photo shoot, but this subject has become a very personal one to me. Every once in a while I need to be as open and direct as possible. This is one of those times. So, if you want to skip what I have written because you already know just how liberal I am... fine... but if you do want to read the following be forewarned... it's exactly how I feel good and bad.

From For Ellipsis

Someone asked me the other day, "How come you don't blog as much about politics as you used to? Well, there is a pretty simple answer I suppose... I find it too depressing. By the time last year's elections came around, I was about as burned out on politics as a girl can get. George Bush and DICK Cheney very nearly drained every impulse I had to to blog away regarding how I saw things. But the Sarah Palin came along, and yes, like a breath of fresh air, she inspired me once again! LOL. But let's face it, who can possibly blog about Sarah Palin every day? Especially now that she is very little more then a blogger herself. Someday, hopefully, she will finally go away, but until then we will always have Wasilla.

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy."

-Ernest Benn

"How come we choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?"

-Unknown

The likes of Sarah Palin is no big deal, but the lies of the more prominent right, and the made up politicians, is downright depressing. Obama's reaching out to the right, trying to treat them better then the Bush administration treated the democrats, but what does he get in return? "I WANT OBAMA TO FAIL!" Being shouted from the loudmouth Rush Limbaugh, and the sentiment being screamed by rabid TEABAGGERS (Isn't that term hilarious) who are likewise determined to see failure where reform should be. Life in the United States has been turned into a game of Trivial Pursuit.

Lies on top of lies. MANDATED SEX CHANGES. DEATH PANELS. OBAMA IS A SOCIALIST. OBAMA IS A NOT AN AMERICAN CITIZEN. A FALSE CLAIM THAT AS MANY AS 300,00 WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER COULD DIE IF HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION GOES THROUGH. I could go on, but why? What would that serve? I will say this, when I think back on the summer of 2009, I will always think of it as the SUMMER OF LIES AND INACTION. The summer we let the train go off the tracks.

Obama was not my first choice for president. Hillary Clinton was. I decided when she endorsed Obama, I would do my best to find the positive in it. I like Obama. He is a fantastic orator. He is compassionate... to a fault, and he genuinely cares more about America then he does himself. He can say when he has been wrong or made a mistake. He is a good man, and I tried to see the good he has done since he took office, such as reversing George Bush's policy on stem cell research, but my HOPE is fading fast. HE IS ON THE VERGE OF LETTING US DOWN when it comes to health care, and he is deliberately turning his back on the war crimes of the Bush administration. I voted for Obama to see an end to the tyranny, not to turn our heads and look away because it is too horrific to comprehend. Want to see horrific?

Horrific...

From For Ellipsis

The lies that caused the unnecessary deaths of over 5,000 service people in Iraq will never be answered for, nor will the subsequent torture authorized and carried out by our own government. Obama wants to forget it and move on, I want to see us actually repair the damage we have done by demonstrating to the world that at least some Americans know the difference between right and wrong and what is just. I am afraid until we face what has been done, we will never be able to repair the damage done.

From For Ellipsis

I take it back, Obama isn't on the verge of letting us down...OBAMA IS LETTING US DOWN! Those of us who voted for him because we believed him when he said that real change would happen, are beginning to feel an unbelievable sense of despair. Speaking as one of those people, I feel lied to. As things are now, I don't see myself voting for him again. I don't think he is a leader I can believe in. If something changes, then I could see myself changing my mind, but unfortunately I think we will have to endure the next 3 1/2 years of the republican party's lies and thug tactics. The one piece of good news is that apparently Nancy Pelosi has grown a pair and told him that without a public option on health care, no bill for health care will happen. It's about damn time someone stood up and said ENOUGH!

From For Ellipsis

What kind of person makes those things their priority?

:(

"If we got one-tenth of what was promised to us in these acceptance speeches there wouldn't be any inducement to go to heaven."

-Will Rogers

Obama needs to stop reaching out to the right, and just plain do what's right! Do me a favor, no matter how you feel about things, don't let anyone lie to you. Do your own research and find out the straight information. Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and some of our elected officials have an agenda all their own, find out the truth for yourself. Factcheck.org is a good place to start.

Faces of the Fallen

Factcheck.org

Now, on to the Linking List...

1. Karen...Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

2. Carly... Ellipsis
Posted

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

4. Margaret... Facts From A Fact Woman
Posted!

5. Peggy... Holmespun Fun
Posted!

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

-Carly

Feline, Feathers and Furball Friday: Happy Birthday Dylan And Hendrix

From For Ellipsis

"If you hold a cat by the tail, you learn things you could not learn any other way."

-Mark Twain

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

My boys turned 1 year old yesterday! We don't know the actual day they were born, but Dr. B. guessed they were about 8 weeks old when they found their way to us, by way of their wonderful Foster Mother, Ms. K. . Well, we brought Hendrix home on October 27th, and Dylan on November 6th, so we chose September 3rd as their official birthday!

:)

These two boys are our pride and joy! Dylan is shy and wily, Hendrix is goofy and playful. They couldn't be more different, and yet they get along as if they came from the same litter. They are brothers till the end! Completely devoted to each other, and loyal to Alan and I. Hendrix is my little dreamboat. He loves hugs, and quite often comes and asks to be held. Dylan isn't much for hugs, but every night at around 9 o'clock he lays down beside us, on his back, and asks us to rub his tummy. :) He is so soft. Can you tell that I am completely in love. Oh, don't get me wrong, I am still missing my Elvis, even after almost a full year, but I love my little boys... oh boy... my big cat boys more and more everyday. I will always be grateful to the universe for sending me my fellas... Alan included!

And now... scenes from the 1st birthday party of Dylan and Hendrix...

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

From For Ellipsis

I love my boys! If you have a little FELINE, Furball or Feathered friend, be sure to play along with FELINE, FURBALL & FEATHERS FRIDAY over at it's new home on Theresa's blog! Thanks again Theresa, for taking on this awesome meme!

-Carly

"In What Respect Charlie?"

From For Ellipsis

"Though it be honest, it is never good to bring bad news."

-William Shakespeare

Sigh.

I knew this day would come, but I kinda hoped it wouldn't. See, while I hate getting bad news, if I have to, then at least when Charlie Gibson reported it, it was a little easier to take. I felt sad yesterday, when he announced his planned retirement for the end of this year. His evening, World News Tonight, broadcast has been a part of my life for quite a while now, and I still have fond memories of Elvis settling down when he heard his voice, almost as if he understood the news. I don't know, maybe it was the sound of Gibson's voice that Elvis appreciated. Who knows. What I do know is that at the end of each of his broadcasts, he would say, "I hope you had a good day," and somehow, it always felt like he meant it. I will miss that.

Sigh.

By the way, if you are wondering about the title of this entry, it comes from one of the most interesting moments from this past year. It is Sarah Palin's response, to the question Charles Gibson had just asked her... "Do you agree with the Bush Doctrine?"



LOL... It seemed like such a simple, straight forward question. This was Palin's first real interview after she was chosen as John McCain's running mate. It told me all I needed to know! LOL. A true classic!

Thank you Charles Gibson. I will miss you!

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #53: Trees

"The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see Nature all ridicule and deformity, and some scarce see Nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, Nature is imagination itself."

-William Blake, 1799,
The Letters



EMPS #53: Trees. NOW CLOSED!
For our first assignment, beginning our second year, how about we photograph some TREES. Walnut TREES, mango TREES, Christmas TREES. Show us TREES, it's up to you. Any size, any season. And archived photos are just fine for this week's assignment!

Extra Credit: Write a little about why you chose the tree you photographed. Tell us what kind of tree it is, and where it's located.

***PLEASE READ***
This Monday Photo Shoot assignment closes next Sunday, at 9:00 PM ET. So, you have until then to get your photo, upload it to your website, blog, or journal, and comeback here with the direct link. Please remember, it must be the direct link back to an entry which is specific to this week's assignment, NOT a general link. Also, it would be just nifty if you could also include a link back here, so others can play along.

Linking List for EMPS #52: Laundry 08/24/08

NOW CLOSED!

1. Suzanne

2. Jama

3. Leora

4. Margaret

5. Karen

6. Mike

7. Steve


We have two new players this, Leora and Steve. Be sure to drop by their blogs to see their photos and welcome them. :) Thanks for your participation. See you next week!

-Carly

Sen. Edward Kennedy 1932 - 2009

From For Ellipsis

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #52: Laundry

"We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry."

-E.B. White









WooHoo We have reached the 1 year mark of the Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot!

EMPS #52: LAUNDRY.
Show me the LAUNDRY! Clean LAUNDRY. Dirty LAUNDRY. Hanging LAUNDRY. LAUNDRY in the pre-soak. LAUNDRY folded and ready to be put away. You get the idea.

Extra Credit: Show me an additional picture of your LAUNDRY accessories. Soap, fabric softener, LAUNDRY baskets, special hangers.

**PLEASE READ**
This photo shoot assignment closes next Sunday evening, at 9:00 PM PT. So, you have until then to get your photo, post it to your blog, journal or website, then comeback here with the direct link. Please remember, the link you leave must be specific to this week's assignment. No general links to your site. NO HYPERLINKS. Your complete link must be added to the comment thread, so I can add it to the Linking List next Monday.

Linking List for EMPS#51: Candy 08/17/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Jama

2. Karen

3. Suzanne

4. Mike

Thanks everyone. We begin our 2nd year next Monday, and I have a special assignment planned, so please try to join us! See you then!

-Carly

6 Years Ago Today

From For Ellipsis

"Life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments."

-Rose Kennedy

Ellipsis is 6 years old today... where does the time go? Well, Ellipsis was started over at AOL, so I am never really sure if I should celebrate the day I actually began blogging or the day I ended up here on BLOGGER. What to do,what to do? Oh well, either way, I hated 2003. It just sucked rocks. But one good thing did happen, I began my blog. That was a good thing methinks.

:)

-Carly

Round Robin Challenge: Birds

From For Ellipsis

"The kiss of sun for pardon, the song of birds for mirth. One is nearer to God's heart in a garden, than anywhere else on earth."

-Dorothy Frances

RRC: Birds
Suggested by Robinella, author of the blog, Robinella's

As I mentioned in a previous entry, I went for a long walk in Tilden Park this past week. It was too beautiful for words. The weather was nice and mild, and the fog burned off that morning to a gentle late summer sun. Some summers can be so harsh, but not this one. There were only a handful of true summer days this year. Anyway, on that day, there were a ton of birds to photograph, among the newly turning leaves, but I set my sights on this pretty little hummingbird. I spotted it while walking through the Botanic Garden, and finally caught a good shot of it, as it paused atop a tree that was growing just below a tiny bridge I was walking on. I was wanting to get a different angle on the bird, and with a little patience it paid off. I would have liked to have had it a little more centered, but I was pleased that I was able to capture him at all. My arthritic shoulder was protesting loudly, but being out with the camera meant more to me then the pain. I was feeling inspired for the first time in several months. Ahhh... creativity in the midst of the doldrums! All in all, I think it was worth it!

From For Ellipsis

Red-Winged Black Bird, Legion of Honor, San Francisco (August 9th 2009)

Ok, that's it for me, now follow the links below to see what the other Robins have for us this time around. And be sure to come by the official Round Robin blog tomorrow to find out what our next challenge will be!

Linking List (WELCOME NEW MEMBERS)

Robinella... Robinella's
(Private Blog)

Carly... Ellipsis
Posted!!

Betty... A Corgi in Southern California
Posted!

Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

Steve... Gone Batty Photo
Posted!

Linda... Mommy's Treasures
Posted!

Ellen B... The Happy Wonderer
Posted!

Monica... Shutterly Happy
Posted!

Molly Mavis... Visual Dialogues
Posted!

Meg... In Quest Of Freedom
Posted! 08/23/09

Jama... Sweet Memories
Posted!

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

Margaret... Facts From A Fact Woman
Posted!

Rita... Cashjocky and the Old Salt
Posted!

Fhaye... Photodito
Posted!

Vicki... Maraca
Posted!

Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

Peggy...Holmespun Fun Memes and Themes
Posted!

Betty... A Glimpse Into Midlife
Posted!

Maria... Everything Is Green
Posted!

Ruth... Scrabble Queen
Posted!

Thanks Robinella, this was fun!

:)
-Carly

Blue Scarlet Dragonfly

From For Ellipsis

"Deep in the sun-searched growths, the dragonfly hangs like a blue thread loosed from the sky."

-Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Silent Noon

It was a beautiful day in Tilden park yesterday! I only had a couple hours with the camera, but they were quality hours to be sure. Lots of critters. Dragonflies and butterflies and even a lizard or two. I spotted a fast moving lizard I had never seen before, but with a little bit of research last night I found out it was of the Skink variety. It moved along very fast, and at first I thought it might be a small blue snake, but nope, it was a Skink. I couldn't photograph it, because it moved too quickly, but I will be watching for that one specifically the next time I am in the park. Tilden is amazing this time of year. The leaves are beginning to turn, which reminds me that autumn is just a whisper away! I can't wait!

Blue Scarlett Dragonflies

From For Ellipsis

Isn't she pretty? It was nice to have a little company for the walk around the Botanic Gardens. :)

-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

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot # 51: Candy

"Don't wreck a sublime chocolate experience by feeling guilty."

-Lora Brody







EMPS #51: CANDY. NOW CLOSED!
MMMM... CANDY! It's a super simple photo shoot assignment this week folks. All you have to do is grab your cameras and show me your favorite CANDY. The real problem might be in narrowing it down to just one. :)

Extra Credit: Show me a picture of YOU enjoying your favorite candy! Also, please be specific about what settings you used to create your photo, and what, if any, special effects you used.

**PLEASE READ**
This week's assignment closes next Sunday evening, at 9:00 PM ET. So, you have almost a full week to get your photo, upload it to your blog, journal or website, and comeback here with the direct link back to it. REMEMBER... it must be a direct link back to an entry which is specific to this week's photo shoot assignment. A general link to your blog, journal or website will not do, and NO HYPERLINKS ACCEPTED! Also, please link back here, so others can play along with the assignment.

Linking List for EMPS #50: Layers. 08/10/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Suzanne

2. Judi

3. Karen Part One and Part Two

4. Liz

5. Jama

6. Your EG Tour Guide


Well done everyone. :) Thanks so much for playing! See you next Monday!

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #50: Layers

"Life is like an onion: you peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep."

-Carl Sandburg








EMPS #50: Layers. NOW CLOSED!
Hmmm... lookie there, three perfect leaves layered together! But wait... If you look closely you will see there are actually two leaves. A green leaf, and a gold leaf and the two, layered together, created a nice shadow on the underneath of the leaves, which gives you a completely different way to look at the photo. Which brings us to this week's assignment. So, ok, hold onto your hats, I want you to show me some LAYERS this week, and how they go together to create something different that catches the eye. LAYERS of clothing, LAYERS of cake, LAYERS of fruit in a compote. It's all good. What we are searching for here, is the end result. It's nice if it is occurs naturally in nature, but a nice still life works as well.

Extra Credit: Continuing our discussion of photography, please write a little about how you found your layers to photograph. Did you notice it by chance? Did you go searching for it? Did you tap into your creative process and create the scene? Let's continue to help one another out, by sharing how we arrive at our photos for the assignments.

**PLEASE READ**
This assignment closes next Sunday evening, at 9:00 PM ET. So, you until that time to get your photo, upload it to your blog, journal or website, and comeback here with the direct link back to it. Please remember, it must be a link back to an entry which is specific to this week's assignment. A general link to your blog, journal or website will not work. NO HYPERLINKS! Remember to check your links, as the link you leave is the one I will use. Also, please include a link back here, so other folks can find the assignment and play along with us.

Linking List for EMPS #49: Pick A Word/Pick A Color 08/03/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Suzanne... Soft = Gray

2. Jama... Intricate = Black

3. Karen... Disaster = Charcoal

4. Your EG Tour Guide... Opportunity = Orange

5. Martha... Work = Blue

6. Liz... Happiness = Yellow

Very nicely done everyone! I was happy that folks took on last week's assignment with such enthusiasm! See you next Monday!

:)
Carly

Round Robin Challenge: Bottled Up!

From For Ellipsis

"What is the definition of a good wine? It should start and end with a smile."

-William Sokolin

RRC: Bottled Up
Suggested by Kim, author of the blog, Nekked Lizard Adventures, with variations by Karen, and myself.

From For Ellipsis

There were three variations on the theme this time around, so I thought I would do something really different for me, I photographed a favorite wine. As a diabetic, I don't drink alcohol very often, but sometimes in the middle of summer, when it's been a particularly nice day, and I want something nice and light for dinner, I fix up a cheese and fruit platter, and maybe add in some cinnamon frosted pecans, and pour a nice chilled glass of wine. Something nice and fruity like this chardonnay. It's a nice way to dine on a Friday or Saturday night.


I really like the flavor of this wine. It's light and goes really nice with melon. I eat melon everyday in the summer... EVERYDAY! LOL. Cantaloupe is my favorite, but honeydew is wonderful as well. The wine has a nice peachy/honey flavor to it, and when accompanied by a nice cheese like Havarti or Prima Donna Gouda, and it makes for a perfect end to the day.

:)

Well, that's my entry. Now go see what everyone else came up with for this challenge. Just following the links below...

Linking List

Kim... Nekked Lizard Adventures


Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

Carly... Ellipsis
Posted!

Ellen B... The Happy Wonderer
Posted!

Martha... Menagerie
Posted!

Vicki... Beach Bum


Sandra... A Cappuccino A Day
Posted!

Betty... A Corgi in Southern California
Posted!

Sherrie... Sherrie's Stuff
Posted!

Suzanne... SuzyQ421's Photo Blog
Posted!

Linda... Mommy's Treasures
Posted!

Molly Mavis... Visual Dialogues
Posted!

Linda... Linda's Window
Posted!

Jama... Sweet Memories
Posted!

Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

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

Peggy... Holmespun Fun
Posted!



Be sure to check the RR blog tomorrow, to find out what our next challenge will be!

-Carly

Steven's Feline & Furball Friday: Goodbye Pickle

From For Ellipsis

"By associating with the cat, one only risks becoming richer."

-Sidonie Gabrielle

I hope Steven doesn't mind my using this photograph. When I saw it last year, during Elvis's illness, it just filled my heart and made everything a little easier to take. I believe Elvis and Pickle would have been friends, if they could have met each other. Elvis loved having friends, and he had many in his life, so I just know they would have gotten along famously.

Pickle made me smile many many times, before and since Elvis's passing, and it was a lot of fun hear about his many adventures with Steven. I will miss hearing about those times. Goodbye nice kitty, I just know that somehow you and my boy Elvis are running side by side, chasing butterflies together.

Oh Pickle cat. I will miss you very much. Sigh.

-Carly

If you haven't already done so, please visit Steven's blog and leave Steven your support.

On One Of Those Perfect Summer Days...Welcome Back Laura Ling and Euna Lee!

From For Ellipsis

"Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drink with the belief that alls right with the world."

-Ada Louise Huxtable

Yesterday, Alan and I decided to break from our routine and take a trip over to San Francisco, to enjoy the beautiful sunshine in the park, and have a walk around the Museum at the Legion of Honor. Every first Tuesday of the month are free, so it makes for a nice, inexpensive way to spend the day. :) After we finished appreciating the beautiful art, when had a picnic lunch at the Dahlia Garden in Golden Gate Park. That's where I spotted that happy bumble bee you see above. While on the way home, we heard about the release of the two female journalists being held in North Korea! That made an already wonderful day just a little better! I am so happy that President Clinton was able to win their release. He did good as our president, and he is still doing good for this country. GO BILL!

WELCOME BACK Euna Lee and Laura Ling!

(Click the above link to visit the Current TV Website and leave the a message!)

Happiness. It's a good thing. I am happy today. I hope you are too!

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #49: Pick A Word/Pick A Color

"Almost all words have color and nothing is more pleasant than to utter a pink word and see someones eyes light up and know it is a pink word for him or her too."

-Gladys Taber


NOW CLOSED!



EMPS #49: Pick A Word/Pick A Color
Just as the title implies, this week's assignment is all about WORDS and COLORS. Here is what I want you to do... Pick a word, such as sleep, and show me a color that you think of when you think of that word. As an example, when I think of the word sleep, I think of blue. To make the assignment come together I would photograph a blue blanket or pillow. Make sense? Another example would be the word salad. I would think of green, but instead of photographing a salad, I would choose a single green leaf of lettuce to represent the color green. Maybe you feel angry, so angry you see red, so you might consider photographing a red roaring fire. Got the idea? You can choose any WORD, and any COLOR, but no archived photos this week, I really want you to do this assignment this week, so you can stretch your creativity in the moment. If this assignment seems too difficult... EXCELLENT! That means I have truly challenged you and I have done my part! ;)

Extra Credit: Write a paragraph about your experience this week with your photography. Did you find this to be a difficult assignment, or did it tap into your creativity? What did you learn from it?

**PLEASE READ**
This Monday Photo Shoot assignment closes next Sunday evening, at 9:00 PM ET. So, you have almost a full week to get your photo, upload it to your blog, journal or website, and comeback here with the direct link back to it. REMEMBER... it must be a direct link back to an entry specific to this week's photo shoot assignment, a general link to your blog will not work. Also, please include a link back here, so other folks can find the assignment and join us for the fun.

Linking List for EMPS #48: Landmarks 07/27/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Sherrie (Marie Webster House)

2. Vicki (The Great Cross at the Mission of Nombre de Dios)

3. Jama (Riverside Point)

4. Greg (Pilot Mountain, North Carolina)

5. Martha (Unconditional Surrender, or The Kiss)

6. Liz (Land Lines of Cheshire England)

7. Karen (Among other sights, the 4th largest building in Tucson!)

8. Mike ( Wrigley Field, Home of the Chicago Cubs)

:) I really enjoyed all the photography this week. I apologize for not commenting, but I have been a little under the weather with my arthritis. Thanks so much for your patience and understanding about that. I visited each of you, I just wasn't able to comment. I will try to do better this week. I promise!

:) See you next Monday! And hey, we have less than a month before we celebrate a full year of the Monday Photo Shoot on Ellipsis! Whoo Hooo!

-Carly