A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 33~ Alcatraz Never Dies

"Alcatraz was never no good to nobody."


~Frank Weatherman, the last inmate to leave Alcatraz


I can't believe I have lived in the Bay Area my whole life, and never been out to Alcatraz. That is a tour Alan and I want to take sometime, just not sure when. Maybe we will do that during our staycation in October, maybe we will save that for next year... we'll see. If we did do a tour, I would love to try a spooky haunted tour. That sounds like it would be a lot of fun.

Anyway, I saw on ABC World News that there is a new theory that the three prisoners who are believed to have been the only ones to have escaped THE ROCK, may not have perished as the authorities originally thought. New evidence seems to indicate at least two of them may have actually made it out of the chilly waters of the bay alive. All of them would be in their 80's now. If true, wouldn't that be something?

After I watched the story, I couldn't resist working a little photoshop magic on the photo above, which was taken in May of 2011. In the daytime, Alcatraz doesn't seem so foreboding, but I have read that at night, you can hear all the ghosts of THE ROCK, whispering and moaning. Spooky goodness I say! ;) Here ghostie, ghostie, ghostie!

See the links below to learn more about Alacatraz, and its fascinating history.

 Enjoy my Alcatraz Series...













ABC NEWS


The History Channel


About.com Haunting Stories About Alcatraz


Alcatraz History


This is day 33 of my new personal challenge of A Photo A Day For 6 Months. If you love photography, please feel free to join me. Grab your camera, post your photo on the net, then comeback here with the direct link back to it. I will include your link in tomorrow's posting. No set theme to worry about, just whatever grabs your attention in the next 24 hours.


:) See ya tomorrow!

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 32~ What Was I Thinking?

"There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror."

 ~Orson Welles

Hmmm... It seemed like a good idea at the time. And I am pretty sure it will turn out, if not just fine, then certainly a day to remember, but what I am curious about as I sit here writing this is... at what point will the terror officially hit? Sorry, I know I am being a bit cryptic here, but you see I did something the other day completely against my usual instinct... I purchased a Groupon for a 1hr San Francisco Bay tour that is... hold onto your hats... in a single engine Cessna!

The deal was really good. Super good. It was 50% off the usual price, which means it was exactly in our budget for our wedding anniversary. Each year Alan takes the month of October off, and we usually do some small "staycation" types of things. We go up to Apple Hill. We take a ride down the coast to Santa Barbara and stop for chocolate in Solvang. We visit museums and zoos, we go to movies and pumpkin patches, and no matter what we usually have a really good time. Most years, we have accidentally come across celebrities. No joke. The first one we met was Joe Montana. The last one we came across was the Reverend Jessie Jackson.

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

~Mark Twain, "Roughing It"

 It's not that we don't have a lot of fun on our vagabond vacations, but when I saw the amazing Groupon offer, I immediately thought about the amazing memory it would make. Like any other marriage, we have had our lean times and times where we did really well financially. The last few years has been a time of HIGHS and LOWS swinging back and forth. Right now are comfortable, so why not jump in and do something different, something for the memory book... right?

 "Lovers of air travel find it exhilarating to hang poised between the illusion of immortality and the fact of death."

 ~Alexander Chase, "Perspectives," 1966

You have NO idea how different this is for me. Alan isn't afraid of much, if anything. I have had a lifelong fear of FLYING. Yep, that's right. I purchased a GROUPON for a 1 hour trip around the bay in a small... really small... single engine... 4 seat... airplane! Why didn't I sign up to box a kangaroo while I was at it? LOL. Fret. So, what was I thinking?


I guess I was considering that life is short. I have been afraid of flying since I was a child. But don't get me wrong, I have flown before, dispute that fear, but still the fear remains. 9/11 didn't help curb my fears, but it did make me resolute that if I found myself in the company of terrorists, I wasn't going to go down without a fight. A BIG ONE. If death is imminent, then what do I have to lose? Their flesh will be under my fingernails before I die. 

 

"I feel about airplanes the way I feel about diets. It seems to me that they are wonderful things for other people to go on."

 ~Jean Kerr, "Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall," The Snake Has All the Lines, 1958

Maybe its that my fear has moved to a new reality. While I don't see myself flying commercial anymore, which has more to do with TSA policies than terrorists, I don't think there is anything wrong with experiencing something different, particularly if it helps me face an unreasonable fear, and get another piece of my well being back. So, come this fall, I will be up in the air, high above the ground snapping photos I would never have the chance to get otherwise. I think when all is said and done, I will be stepping off the plane wondering why the hour went by so quickly, or perhaps wondering how an hour could have seemed like forever! LOL

 "You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky."

 ~Amelia Earhart


I wonder which it will be? Either way I plan to write down on a piece of paper my fears. What I imagine what it will be like, then when I actually experience the flight. I will realize that my idea of the trip and the actuality of the trip are very different things. Either way, I will have something to remember for a long time. God help Alan! LOL.


~Me :)
Note: The view of San Francisco you see here, is from the top of Mount Tamalpias, in Marin County.




Now that you have visited me, please go see my pal JR. He is so awesome. His photography always inspires me, and brightens my day, he really has a gift for photography.


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/apadf6-31.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 32~ Cats Inspired Cat

From For Ellipsis

"If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?"


~T.S. Eliot



I was practicing some low light photography the other night, when I decided to see if I could get a good shot of my all black kitty, Hendrix. Hendrix has amazingly beautiful green/gold eyes, and they are quiet expressive as well. He is a dreamboat, but he is also curious, extremely loving, and playful little boy. He is fiercely loyal and he has a strong, silly sense of humor. It was apparent the first hour after we met him. All he really wanted in the world was a family to love him. Boy were Alan and I happy to be his family. He adopted Alan right away, and before we left the Dr. B's office, Hendrix made sure I knew I was loved to.


We didn't know it, but all that was missing from the perfect family he wanted, was a little brother for him to take care of. A week later, along came Dylan and the two settled into a perfect brotherhood. Dylan is Hendrix's baby brother, and he treats him as such. I have always loved the play CATS, because of the wonderful way it portrays CATS. When I saw this photo on the computer, I knew I had a CATS inspired photo. It's not perfect, I couldn't track down the exact font used for the poster, but it's close enough I think. It makes me smile. As do my boys. I am a happy girl. And now I am off to reread "Old Opossum's Book Of Practical Cats" by T.S. Eliot.

~Me :)

This is day 32 of my APAD challenge. You can join me if you like. There's no theme to follow. Just post a photo to your blog, and comeback here with a direct link back to it. I will post your link with tomorrow's post. 

Like this...

JR
 http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/apadf6-30.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 31~The Color Yellow

"What a horrible thing yellow is."


~Edgar Degas


"There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transfer a yellow spot into the sun."


~Pablo Picasso

 

"How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun."


~Vincent Van Gogh

Three of my favorite artists... each with a different perception of the color yellow.


Yellow... I guess it is one of those colors either you love or you hate! Personally, I have gone back and forth over the years regarding the color yellow. In my teens, my bedroom was decorated in shades of green and yellow. It seemed like it would be a happy, energizing color to paint my room, so my mom and I went to the paint store and picked out a shade of yellow that could only be described as... SUNNY. It was energizing alright, to the point it was distracting. Don't get me wrong it was a beautiful color, that would have been amazing as the trim, but as the main color of the room it was a lot to take in.


I had that color on the walls for about a year, and then I settled into a nice lettuce green, which stayed on the walls of my room for the next 3 years, after that my parents painted it a nice shade of blue. But during my yellow and green time in life, it was nice to have all that color to inspire me creatively. I think that time in my life when almost everything in my life was either of those two colors, it made be begin to appreciate other colors more. When your walls are white, you don't think about different colors all that much. Well, at least I didn't. I don't know if what I learned all those years ago had much influence on what objects I tend to gravitate to with my photography, but I do know when a yellow object presents itself, I tend to try to soften the overall look of the photo.

I did happen to learn one more thing about the color yellow... I can't wear it. Not at all. It makes me look... well... sick. LOL. 

~ Me :)

Have you ever wondered about the meaning of the color yellow is? How it affects us psychically or how yellow affects our sense of smell? Well, if the answer is YES great, you're in luck. Just click the link below to be redirected to information about all things yellow!

Sensational Yellow




Now, go see what JR has posted. He is an awesome photographer, and a loyal participant of this challenge and the Monday Photo Shoot. :)


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/apadf6-29.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 30~Spaghetti... A Love Affair

"Spaghetti can be eaten most successfully if you inhale it like a vacuum cleaner."


~Sophia Loren



Sigh. Weep. :(


Forgive me while I mourn. I heard the shocking and sad news today, on the afternoon news, that Banchero's is closing it's doors after years of serving the BEST Italian food in the East Bay since it's opening in 1948. My parents were eaten Banchero's wonderful food since long before I was born. In fact, it was the first restaurant they ate at after moving to the East Bay in 1949. So, I can truthfully say I have eaten there my whole life... and it's NO joke!


OMG... I don't know how it will be to never have their amazing spaghetti or garlic bread again, well actually, I do...It will be really sad. Alan and I have spent many a Friday night passing a container of their, spaghetti with meat sauce, back and forth while watching something spooky on TV. In my youth, my friends and I would pick up some take-out from Banchero's to share on game night. Each of us would choose a different item from the vast menu, so we all got a little bit of everything. It was a special time. I hate what's happened to the economy.


Honestly... so many good shops and restaurants have closed in the last few years, all or most due to the downturn in the economy. It's been frustrating to see really good, quality businesses close their doors because of some stupid decisions made by incompetent politicians. One by one I have watched as places I love simply fade to a distant memory... it's sad...and those people and places that are now gone have left my heart in tatters.


Alan and I had one of Banchero's amazing family style meals just a couple week's ago. Now it seems like it was forever ago. I know it sounds strange that I got this attached to a restaurant, but it's the memories, the special times, and yes the food to, but mostly, it's the memories. Oh my. I guess the older I get, the more loss I will experience so I better toughen up... right? If only I could. Sigh.


As I told a friend once... Once I find a person, or a place, I put down roots. I am a sentimental person. Once you are in my heart, you are there forever, and if you leave, that empty space stays empty, because I don't believe people or places are replaceable. It's just how I am wired. I love deep, and get over things really slow. It sucks sometimes, but I know that eventually the sadness gets easier to take, and I tend to focus on the good times, and not the goodbyes. Although tonight... I am thinking about all those people and places that have moved on without me.


Sigh.


Goodbye Banchero's... thanks for the memories. I will remember you always.


Addio Bancheros grazie per i ricordi io ti ricordo sempre


"Everything you see, I owe to Spaghetti."


~Sophia Loren

Banchero's Italian Dinners Closing it's Doors  (San Jose Mercury News)


~Me :)

Now, go check out what my friend JR is seeing with his camera... he is an awesome photographer, and he's been a loyal participant in my memes! Thank you JR! :)

JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/apadf6-28.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day29~Golden Opportunities

"Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator., another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail."


-Og Mandino

Can you believe it? This photo was taken on December 22 2011! I love California for so many reasons, but as a photographer, the main reason is because it's just so amazingly photogenic. Personally, I would have enjoyed a cold, rainy, possibly snowy week of Christmas, but I can't deny how beautiful it was last December, and the view from up here in the Berkeley hills was gorgeous!


~Me :)


This is day 29 of my A Photo A Day For 6 Months challenge. If would like to join me, you are more than welcome to. Post your photo, and come back here with a direct link back to it. I will share your link in my post for tomorrow. No theme to follow, just whatever you want to share.


Now, let's see what my pal JR has come up with...


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/apadf6-27.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 28: Shades Of Gray

"Shades of grey wherever I go
The more I find out the less I know
Black and white is how it should be
But shades of grey are all the colors I see."


~Billy Joel


Lately I have been considering Black/White photography, but not how you might think. The photos you see in this entry appear to be b/w but are in fact in color. I have experimenting with this for a couple years now. The first photo was achieved on a cold, snowy day in December 2009. My original thought was to simply photograph the rare snow event here in the East Bay, but as I walked around Tilden Park, taking the snowy landscape in, I realized that there was a better opportunity... that of photographing the natural lack of color caused by the snow. It had never occurred to be that the landscape would be altered so much by the snow, At least not to the point of seemingly loosing it's natural color. It's fascinating to me. It's definitely worth pursuing I think.





The eggs in the second photo appear just the way they were displayed in the carton. I wasn't looking to do a b/w photograph, it was simply the way the photo came out. I thought about taking the eggs out of the carton, and placing them in a colored bowl, or maybe adding some dye to give them a little more character, but as I snapped away I came to really enjoy the shades of grey that was happening simply through angles and natural lighting. I keep learning new things with my camera, and therefore I am continuing to grow in my photographic style and instinct. It's exciting to me. Photography has taught me so much about life, timing, and passion. It's invaluable.


~Me :)


My friend JR is an awesome photographer, and he has been joining me on my quest for APAD For 6 Months. And you are invited to join us. Just post your photo and come back here with the link that goes back to it. I will include your link with tomorrow's post.


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/apadf6-26.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 27: California Primary

"Voters quickly forget what a man says."


~Richard Nixon


Today, Tuesday, is a primary day in California. I have already cast my ballot, I always do so by mail because I appreciate being able to double check on the different initiatives and candidates before making my decisions. Also, in recent years, it just feel more comfortable than voting in person. A few years back my polling place was held in the fellowship hall of a local church. I don't know... it just felt wrong to me. Don't get me wrong, I am a person of faith, which is why I have decided to give up on organized religion, and I will speak more about that another time, but for now I will just say that I believe organized religion has NO place in politics. Every time some entity decides to speak for GOD, I find it offensive. Particularly when there is much more emphasis placed on GOD's ire as opposed to GOD's teachings of compassion, love, charity and forgiveness.

Voter turnout for this primary are expected to be at an all time low, which doesn't particularly surprise me, I just wish it wasn't so. When it comes to American politics, there is certainly a lot of room to improve the system. I voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 election, but Hillary Clinton was my first choice. I wish that a sitting president wasnt always regarded as the only choice after the first 4 years. I would like to have seen a serious challenger in the primary, rather than having the feeling of not being able to make a different choice inside the party. I think it would be a good idea if the sitting president is automatically challenged after 4 years. If they did a good job, and actually kept their promises, then no problem, they will more than likely be chosen as the party's candidate. But on the other hand, if you find yourself with a politician who hasn't done what they promised to do, you have the choice to say... No... NOT AGAIN.


I had my doubts about Obama, and I still do. But that's all I want to say for now. Over the course of the summer I will say more as we get closer to the election. I will say that I know he did inherit a terrible situation on all fronts. Bush left the country in a mess, and it would have taken a miracle worker to have not just dug us out, but to have indeed made us whole again. Like I said I will say more as we move toward the fall. California has some propositions I will be watching, but the real state to watch is Wisconsin. Governor Scott Walker must be recalled. He is damaging to the state, and he needs to move along. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for Tom Barrett. 


Well, anyway, that's all for now. Hopefully tomorrow will be a good day. That's all any of us really wants... right?

California Presidential Primary Election Guide

 Yes on Prop 29

Dianne Feinstein





~Me :)


Now, let's see what my pal JR has posted. If you would like to join us in the APAD challenge, grab your cameras and come along. No theme to worry about. Just you and whatever your camera sees that day. Or, if you need to dip into your archives, that's good to. Especially if you have a photo you haven't shared yet.
It's all good.


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/apadf6-25.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 26: The Ellipsis Daily

"I would not know how I am supposed to feel about many stories if not for the fact that the TV news personalities make sad faces for sad stories and happy faces for happy stories."


~Dave Barry


I didn't have a chance to get out this weekend for some new photos, but I do plan on a couple different photo jaunts later this week. In the mean time I thought I would share my newest online adventure. I have started my own online newspaper! Look out Rupert Murdoch, and step aside Ariana Huffington, The Ellipsis Daily is on the case!


LOL. Rupert Murdoch might have some things to worry about, but competition from me isn't one of them. Actually, all The Daily Ellipsis is, is a round-up of all my interested consolidated in one place. I like that idea, because this girl does not live by photography along. My second love is politics, but when that gets to be too much to take, I love learning new recipes, or reading about the latest Hollywood exploits.


I enjoyed customizing its content and appearance, and I think I will have fun seeing it publish daily. Once upon a time I thought about going into journalism, but alas college just wasn't in the cards for me. It's fine, it all worked out for the best, I love being a housewife and mom to by fur-babies. As things worked out, I probably wouldn't have had the energy to pursue that course in life, so I am happy to settle for being a news junkie!

Now, when you get the chance go have a look see and tell me what you think. Better yet, start your own paper and come back here with the link. I will add you to my newsstand. 


~Me :) The Ellipsis Daily


NOTE: The photo above is from the state capitol grounds in Carson City, Nevada. In autumn of course. ;)


If you would like to join me on my quest of posting A Photo A Day For 6 Months, please, feel free. Just post your photo, and come back here with a direct link back to it, and I will happily link to you with tomorrow's post!


Now, go see what my pal JR has posted!


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/apadf6-24.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 25~ National Doughnut Day

"Doughnuts... Is there anything that they can't do?"


~Homer Simpson

This past Friday was National Doughnut Day. I don't know why, but that fact made me smile from ear to ear! Well, actually I do know why it made me smile so big... I have a sweet tooth that goes straight to my soul! And, of course, I am a Type 2 diabetic, so I don't usually indulge in the sweet, sugary, goodness... well... not very often anyway, so the idea of a whole national doughnut awareness day just made me downright giddy. I did partake of a doughnut last Friday, because it seemed that if there was an official day to celebrate it and all, well what kind of a grouch would I have to be, not to have celebrate the doughnuts historical importance?Besides, my local Krispy Kreme was giving away one free doughnut of your choice, and that was just too much fun to pass up!


All the doughnuts at Krispy Kreme are the bees knees, or so I have been told, but I always end up getting a plain glazed. It's fantastic. Again, going out for a doughnut is a rare event for me, well, except in October, when Alan and I make the long drive up above Sacramento, to the Camino/Placerville area to visit Apple Hill. Imagine an entire area that devotes farm, after farm, to the harvesting of apples of all types. Each farm takes the apples, and makes amazing goodies from them. Fresh apple cider, apple pies, apple tarts, candied apples, apple cobbler, apple pan-dowdy, apple turnovers and yes... apple cider doughnuts.


There is no bad food to be found in Apple Hill, but the apple cider doughnuts at Rainbow Orchards is the very best of Apple Hill and autumn itself! They don't make the doughnuts until they are ordered, which means you get the fresh and warm within a few minutes. They are spicy sweet and melt in your mouth. Honestly, as someone with a sweet tooth I have had my share of doughnuts in my life, but the apple cider doughnuts at Rainbow Orchards are delicious on a surreal level. That is the doughnut you see above. Ahhh... like I said... delicious. It even photographs well.:)

If National Doughnut Day got away from you this year, why not take today and make it National Doughnut Day... OBSERVED! Go ahead, you know you want to! Now be sure and mark your calenders for next year. It is a NATIONAL HOLIDAY! It's illegal not to celebrate it... right?

WINK.

Doughnuts: A Definitive History

 National Doughnut Day


Rainbow Orchards Apple Hill


Apple Hill


~Me :)


Please Note: Beginning with this post, I will be closing the previous days post to new comments. I am afraid I will inadvertently miss a link to a posting left in the comments. So, if you come by to leave a link and it is already closed, just leave it in the comment thread for the newest post and I will be sure it is added the following day.


:)


Don't forget, anyone who would like to join me in this personal challenge is more than welcome! Just leave the direct link back to your post in the comment thread.


Now go see what JR and Kat have posted...


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/apadf6-23.html

Kat
http://inmydreamssfk.blogspot.com/2012/06/photo-art-friday-61.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 24~ RRC Variety Show

From For Ellipsis

"In the time of your life, live... so that in that wondrous time you shall not add to the misery and sorrow of the world, but shall smile to the infinite variety and mystery of it.


~William Saroyan

Round Robin Challenge: Variety Show

Has it been two weeks already? It's time for another installment of the RRC! If you would like to join in, I know Karen would love to have your participation. Simply click on the link above to be redirected to the official RRC blog!

As an amateur shutterbug I, of course, love and indeed, seek out great variety in my subjects. But my favorite way to search out variety is to take one theme, like say, pumpkins, and search for the variety within the subject, as opposed to perhaps a subject which might be more general like Halloween. Shapes, shading, color tone, length, width, the possibilities are endless. 

You knew I would start with pumpkins... right?

 

The way to this girls heart is with CHEESE...


I adore Heirloom tomatoes...


Clowns... Cute or creepy?


An apple a day...


See... doesn't autumn leaves make even the most mundane object look lovely?


One Potato, Two Potato...



On the first day of autumn my true love gave to me...


Okay, so the summer isn't all bad...
 

~Me :)

Okay, that's my contribution to the RRC for this time around. Now, please go and visit the other participating RRC contributors.You can find their links by clicking the RRC link at the beginning of this entry. And also my friends Kat and JR, who are joining me on my quest of A Photo A Day For 6 Months.


Kat
http://inmydreamssfk.blogspot.com/2012/06/photo-art-friday-61.html


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/apadf6-22.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 23~Last Autumn

"There is a delicate balance of putting yourself last and not being a doormat and thinking of yourself first and not coming off as selfish, arrogant or bossy. We spend the majority of our lives attempting to perfect this balance.


~Cindy L. Teachey


I decided to share with you today, some of the photography I did last autumn, and didn't get a chance to share at that time. I had a big day with the camera yesterday, so of course my energy is a bit low. I am still learning how to balance all my various little physical oddities. It's getting better. I am back to posting a blog entry daily, and believe me, that has been a huge sign the my thyroid and my fibromyalgia are learning to play nice with one another! I will be back to my old self soon, certainly before the end of the summer. I am already planning my autumn leaf peeping jaunts. 


Just thinking about it makes me smile. :) Oh autumn, you are so delicious!


Enjoy...



















~Me :)


Now that you have viewed my photos, please go an visit my friends, Kat and Jr. . They are awesome photographers, I am constantly inspired by their artistry and their friendship and support! Thanks Guys!


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/05/apadf6-21.html


Kat
http://inmydreamssfk.blogspot.com/2012/05/mental-health.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 22~ The Final Countdown

“God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right, even though I think it is hopeless.”


~ Chester Nimitz

 

 If the United States falls under attack our job is to defend her in the past, present and future. 

~Capt. Yellend (The Final Countdown)


It was a big day for me, and my cameras. Alan and I decided to go to San Francisco to watch the aircraft carrier the Nimitz depart the Golden Gate. The Nimitz had come through the Golden Gate last week, as part of the celebration for the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge. We weren't able to go to the celebrations, which was disappointing, but being able to see the Nimitz depart made up for it.


I kinda have a special place in my heart for the Nimitz because it was pretty much the star of one of my favorite movies, The Final Countdown. I don't even know how many times I watched that movie with my dad. 100... 200 maybe... at least 20 for sure. There were several movies that dad and I never missed, and The Final Countdown was right at the top. 


My dad has been gone all most 17 years, but sometimes it feels like he is her with me. I know he would have plenty to say about the state of today's politics. He would have HATED... ahem... strongly disliked George W. Bush. He would have thought Sarah Palin was a twit... to put it kindly... and I think he would be missing Keith Olbermann as much as I do. LOL. He and I had long talks about politics. He was the one who taught me that it's not enough to know how or what you feel about about something, you had to know why you felt the way you did.


It wasn't always easy being my father's daughter... but I know that I am a stronger person for it. I can better understand at my current age what he was trying to teach me, and I try to remember to thank him every day. Although there were some genuinely horrific times in my childhood, I now mostly remember the bowls of popcorn, and the movie rentals. It was a good time. It was the best time. He would have loved seeing that gorgeous ship going under the Golden Gate, just as he did when he left for Asia, during WWII, when he was serving as a merchant marine. Today, he was there with me... smiling... and I could almost hear him asking me to" fix a BIG bowl of popcorn... extra, extra butter... the real stuff... and DON'T TELL MOM!" :)



The Final Countdown (IMDB)

The Final Countdown (Wikipedia)

Chester Nimitz (Wikipedia)

~Me :)


If you would like to join me in my quest to post A Photo A Day For 6 Months, please feel free to jump right in! Just post your photo, come back here with the direct link back to it, and I will include your link with tomorrow's blog post.


Now, go see what my pal Kat has posted...


Kat
http://inmydreamssfk.blogspot.com/2012/05/mental-health.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 21: Strange Underwear

"Strange as it may seem, my life is based on a true story."


~Ashleigh Brilliant
 


It was a better day. Although a decidedly strange one. It's not often that a see other people's underwear, but today I saw not only one pair... but two. The first pair of underwear was spotted near a local Arby's, where I went for lunch. I was waiting for a light to turn, so I could make a left turn, and there she was... a woman... in her underwear. Black bottoms to be exact. She was just standing, on the opposite corner, in a pair of black undies... with a turtleneck top on. A turtleneck... and black panties. At first I thought it might be bikini bottoms, but who wears a turtleneck top and bikini bottoms? I decided to pretend I wasn't seeing what I saw and took my delicious Arby's sandwich home for lunch. It was the best way to deal with it I think.


Now, for the second pair. After dinner tonight, Alan and I decided it would be fun to go to Starbuck's for an ice tea. As we turned into the parking lot, there, in all her glory, was a young woman, dressed in nothing but teeny, tiny, panties, a leather bra, a black garter belt, and hose with glow in the dark hearts on them. Ummm... huh? All I could think to say was... "Alan... don't look." "I have to look" he said... I am driving. "Yes... yes you are" I said. At that point I had tons of questions. Was it black undies day? Was there some sort of ritual I have been missing? Sigh. Is it just me, or is life getting really, really weird, the closer we get to December 21st, 2012? Well, it is, according to some, the possible date of the end of the world. Perhaps peoples inhibitions are waning. Or maybe it's just life in California... SHRUG.

Thoughts?

~Me :)

If you would like to join me on my quest to post A Photo A Day For 6 Months, by all means, please jump in anywhere! There is no need to participate every day, and there is no theme, just post what strikes your fancy, and comeback here with the direct link back to your post. I will be happy to list your link with tomorrow's blog entry.

Now go see what my friend JR has come up with!

JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/05/apadf6-20.html 

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 20~ Cats

"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

I am really tired tonight, so this will be a brief post. Some days are good ones, some aren't so good. Everything usually revolves around the amount of sleep I get. I didn't sleep well last night, so, as a result, I am tired tonight. Tomorrow Alan and I will be spending the day in the garden, that always makes for a good day.

 Now... that kitty you see above...

That boy is Dylan. He is my boy. We adopted each other, and two closer soul mates could not possibly be. Dylan loves his daddy... Alan... but I am the only one allowed to put him in his kennel when it is time to go see Dr. B. . Dylan lost his kitty mom, when she was hit by a car, while moving her litter of kitten across a busy street. I am not sure if Dylan saw what happened, but I know he was one scared little guy when he was rescued from under the porch of an abandoned home. His foster mother said he had trembled the whole weekend she had him, and the minute I picked him up he stopped shaking for the first time. We looked into each others eyes, and we both instantly knew we needed each other to survive this world.

And Here You See Hendrix...

We brought Hendrix into our home 8 days before we found Dylan, so Hendrix is the official big brother. And Hendrix takes his duty seriously. I told Hendrix... "This is your baby, now you take good care of him.." And he does. He keeps him in line, and cuddles him at night. He lets him eat first, use the box first, and doesn't intrude when Dylan plays DILLY BALL with Alan. Alan bonded with Hendrix the minute he walked out of his kennel at Dr. B's. He walked over to Alan and climbed up to his neck and gave him a big kiss. Next he made his way back down to the table, and over to me, where he made sure I knew I was loved to. And everyday, he comes over to me, at least once a day, and pats my face with his soft little paws.

Both boys have very different ways of doing things, but both seem to have a sense of humor.  Their daily hijinks keep us laughing, and isn't that just the best medicine?

~Me :) 

If you would like to join in with the Photo A Day For 6 Months challenge, feel free to jump right in. You don't have to post every day, just as the spirit and inspiration moves you.

Now, go check out what my pal JR has come up with...

 JR

http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/05/apadf6-19.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 19~Memorial Day 2012

"It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men."


~Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf

It's never felt right to me to wish someone a happy Memorial Day, so I will just say... I wish all who visit my blog today, a day of peace. 


~Me :)


This is day 19 of my A Photo A Day For 6 Months challenge for myself. You are more than welcome to join in. There is no theme, and if you can't get out with your camera, archived photos are fine. Although getting out with the camera is part of my personal challenge. 


Now, to see some truly lovely photos, please visit my pal Jr. Just follow the link below.


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/05/apadf6-18.html  

A Photo A Day For 6 Months Day 18~ Happy 75th Anniversary Golden Gate Bridge

"The Golden Gate Bridge's daily strip tease from enveloping stoles of mist to full frontal glory is still the most provocative show in town." 

- Mary Moore Mason

Today is the big day, the celebration of the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th Anniversary is going to be amazing! I am not going to brave the traffic to attend, but hopefully the fireworks will be visible from up here in the East Bay hills. We have had a cold, overcast weekend so far, so it will take a bit of luck. Have I mentioned that I am crazy in love with the GGB? 

Enjoy the last of my archived Golden Gate Bridge series, buy stay tuned, I need to add some new GGB photos to my file this year. In the mean time, to read about an exciting new art project that's centered around the Golden Gate Bridge, see the link below! It's FABULOUS!


SolarBeacon.org





















~Me :)


Now go see what my dear friends Kat and Jr have posted for today!


Kat
http://inmydreamssfk.blogspot.com/2012/05/0526.html


JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/05/apadf6-17.html