1-31-10 Project Linus

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of delivering these hand-made, tied-fleece, blankets to a chapter of Project Linus. Project Linus is a non-profit organization that collects and distributes hand-made blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need of security, warmth and comfort. The blankets that are collected here, stay in the area and are distributed to local hospitals, children's homes and other services that deal with children. I learned about them through the Disney "Give A Day, Get A Day At Disney" web site.

1-30-10 Olive Garden

Went out to eat at Olive Garden with some friends. As we were leaving, my friend commented on how pretty she thought the entrance looked with the snow, vines and lighting. I'd have to agree.

1-29-10 I Buried It Here Somewhere...

For a dog who hates to get wet, this one loves the snow. I let him out this morning and laughed as he ran and played in the 6 inches of snow that fell. Not exactly sure what he is looking for however.

1-28-10 Morning Sunrise

On my way to school this morning, I just couldn't pass up the sunrise. That's all the sun we received today. The temperatures have been steadily falling all day. Snow, heavy snow, is forcasted for tonight and all day tomorrow. (sigh!) Winter is not over yet.

1-27-10 Bridge Over Calm Water

This footbridge is one of several in Sedgwick County Park. We love going to this park to run, walk, Geocache, and people watch. Many of it's structures are popular for taking portraits.

1-26-10 A Bird's Eye View

The Daily Shoot suggested to get a "Bird's Eye View". So to the second story I went; opened the window and hung over the edge. I have to admit this shot would look a lot better in late spring when the flower pots are full of pretty spring flowers.

1-25-10 Silhouetted By the Sun

As I chase yet another sunset, this western county farm becomes silhouetted by the sun.

1-24-10 Another Kansas Winter Sunset

Although the thermometer said 45 degrees, the wind was blowing hard enough to make it feel like 35. At any rate, I jumped in the car and chased down today's sunset.

1-23-10 Amber Waves

With the weather being decent for a change, I took the opportunity to walk around the house outside and check on the plants. I always forget the monkey grass on the south side as we have no windows on that side of the house. As I surveyed both the front and the backyards, I can see that come spring, I'm going to have a lot of yard work to do.

1-22-10 Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?

" Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?", by Eric Carle, is a fun, interactive children's book about the animals in a zoo and the sounds that they make. These particular polar bears were my mother-in-law's, and remind me of her and her love of reading.

1-21-10 The Wind-Up Band

This is my "Wind-up Band". If you wind them up in a certain order you can get them all playing at once. You have to be quick or one of them will wind down before all are playing. I took their picture today as it was just one of those days when quirky things happened. When I look at them, or wind them up, they make me laugh.

1-20-10 Who is Your Yoda?

I presented at a technology conference on Monday and one of the guest speakers was an educator, digital storyteller, photographer and professional filmmaker, by the name of Marco Torres. He says, "We all need Yodas in our network." (A Yoda is an expert in something.) I'd also add, "in our lives".

1-19-10 HO-Scale Trains

The Daily Shoot suggested taking a picture of a form of transportation. Since today was another dreary, gray, foggy day, I decided to look inside for my picture. My husband likes trains and has several HO-scale engines. This one is on the desktop in our home office. I also enjoy this style of engine; reminding me of movies like "Back To The Future--2", "Butch Cassoday & The Sundance Kid", among many others.

1-18-10 I Wonder...

I guess I have a thing for old barns. Something about them intrigue me. I wonder what stories they hold. I wonder how some remain standing. I wonder....

1-17-10 Waking Up Too Early

I don't remember a recent winter where we had so much fog. This morning it was of the "frozen" kind again; where frost clings to the perimeter of things. While searching out my picture, I noticed that my neighbor's tree is starting to "wake up" and bud. This is only January. I worry that it's too soon and the buds will fall victim to the "late freeze" we usually have in April. Although I am ready for spring, I know we have many more weeks of cold winter weather left.

1-16-10 Aviator Mickey

Hubby & I went to the mall today, looking for luggage, when we came across this display for the Aviation Museum. Wichita is considered the "Air Capital" due to having several aircraft manufacturing plants located here. The Aviation Museum is dedicated to "preserving the birth and living heritage of Kansas aviation; educating the world on the past, present and furture of flight; and promoting the Spirit of Flight in the Air Capital of the World." Besides, MIckey is the pilot!

1-15-10 Converging Lines

Since I was not sure what I was going to shoot today, I turned to The Daily Shoot (www.dailyshoot.com) for inspiration. They said "Converging lines direct the viewer's eye." And with that, I headed outside. This picture could also be entitled "Old & Weathered." Didn't realize my deck looked so gray. Guess I will need to get my husband out their this spring and power wash it again.

1-14-10 In a Kansas Fog

It was another foggy day in Kansas. Although the temperature was at or slightly above freezing, the Cowskin Creek remains mostly frozen.

1-13-10 Kansas Weather

What a difference a week makes? Last week it was 40 degrees colder. Yes, Toto, you're still in Kansas!!

1-12-10 Foggy Morning

For my morning drive I experienced "frozen fog". This conjures up an image of fog that is solid; you can't drive through it. In reality, it is fog that leaves a heavy frost all around. It almost looks like there had been a dusting of snow. It stayed like this most of the morning, then finally burned off by early afternoon.

1-11-10 Fake Injury Day

This is "Spirit Week" at school this week. Today's theme was "Fake Injury Day--Wrap Up the Competition". The kids came on cruches, wrapped in ace bandages, wearing slings, etc. It's amazing to think that the kids had this much medical equipment laying around the house.

1-1-10 Feeding Time

Keilo and I went to Sedgwick County Park this afternoon to look for our photo. As I was taking pictures across the road I hear the loudest quacking noise I had ever heard. When I turned around and looked across the road, this is what I saw...This nice man was tending to the ducks and geese in the park. I've never seen that many ducks all in one place before. When he emptied his first bucket and headed back to his car, they started following him. He then got out another small bucket from his car and started scattering the feed again. No matter where he walked, they followed him. At one point I saw him wave his hand in front of him so he could walk down by the water, and the ducks. It was like they knew what he wanted them to do.

1-9-10 Worried Eyes

Today, with the temp reaching the 20's and no wind, my husband and I took advantage of the nicer weather to take Keilo on a brisk walk through one of our favorite places, Swanson Park. Although this park is in the city, there is deer and other wildlife that are frequently seen. There is a wooden bridge that stands guard over the Cowskin Creek, and allows all who cross it access to other great wonders of the park. Keilo looks a bit worried as I made him stay on the bridge while I stepped along side of it to take his picture.

1-8-10 Memories From the Past

As I was having trouble getting inspired, I turned to The Daily Shoot (http://www.dailyshoot.com/) for an idea. Today they said "Glasses help many folks bring the world into focus." So I went to my china cupboard and this is what I came up with. The cut glass glassware came from my maternal grandmother; the two glass figurines were my mother-in laws; and the mouse was my great aunts. Like most china cupboards, mine holds memories from the past.

1-7-10 This Says It All

I saw this temperature as I was heading to the bank. I think it says it all about today. BBRRRRRRRR!!!!

1-6-10 Bitter Cold Reminder

I stopped by one of our schools today to help some teachers with technology and discovered this piece of artwork in their courtyard. I thought it was a good representation of the weather we have been having lately. Tonight it is supposed to get down below freezing. Tomorrow's high only in the single digits. With the cold and blowing snow, wonder if we will have school tomorrow? (Teachers always wonder this when it is cold with blowing snow.)

1-5-10 A Drink for All

Today I visited one of our K-8 schools that just recently completed their renovation. As I was conducting my own tour, I spotted these drinking fountains outside of the new gym. It struck me funny how they are all different heights. The renovation gives the school the room they so badly needed.

1-4-10 Treehouse to the Stars

Today after school, I decided to stop by a pond that I've driven by many, many times. This pond is located next to the Cowskin Creek, which is known for flooding. However, on this day both the creek and the pond were frozen solid. On the other side of the creek I found this great looking treehouse. As I looked closer, I noticed that the staircase is circular, yet the roof allows you to see the stars. Wouldn't this be a great place to spend a summer evening?

1-3-10 Mind Wanders Towards Spring

It snowed about an inch last night, but remained really cold today. This is what is left of my flowering pots on the deck. There was a spike plant in the middle, surrounded by white, pastel pink, & dark pink impatients. When it's this cold, my mind wanders towards Spring.

1-2-10 A Kansas Winter Sunset

Although today's weather was gray, cold, & dreary, with snow showers predicted for later tonight, the clouds parted for a brief moment to show a Kansas sunset.

1-1-10 Bionicle Takeover

As I started looking around to see what my first attempt at documenting 2010 would be, I thought this might be a good start. My 21yo son got Lego Bionicles in his stocking and he thought it would be funny to have a "hostile takeover".