4-30-10 Nature's Jewel

I was looking over my flower beds this evening and noticed something shiny in the middle of the Live-forevers. As I looked closer, I discovered the jewel-looking object was a water droplet that had remained there all day, through the wind and sun.

4-29-30 Through the Open Door

Today's Daily Shoot suggested walking through a door and take a photo of what you see. This is the view from my kitchen table.

4-28-10 Simply Butterfly!

This is my first butterfly picture. Not sure what type of butterfly, but I chased it for several yards.

4-27-10 Mr. Blue Jay

Keilo & I went back to Swanson Park for a walk today and it was alive with activity. I chased this Blue Jay for 30 minutes trying to get his picture.

4-26-10 Vaaroom! Vaaroom!

Today's Daily Shoot suggested taking a picture of something plastic. As I looked around the house, high on a shelf in the basement, I found this car, one of the kids had made out of plastic Connectix.

4-25-10 Cookies & Milk

Nothing goes together better than milk and cookies....chocolate chip cookies that is!!

4-24-10 Spying on Horses

I was headed over to my daughter's house when I saw these horses in a pasture. When I went to take the picture I saw a fence opening that put them in a frame. They look like they were wondering what I was doing.

4-23-10 Ms. A's Memorial Garden

Last summer we had a teacher that suddenly passed away. At her memorial, money was raised to create this memorial garden. Today, a group of Middle School students weeded, removed leaves and trash, and spread rock over the area. When they were done, they were pretty proud of their accomplishment. I was pretty proud of them too. I know Ms. A would have been.

4-22-10 New Life

Daily Shoot suggested taking a picture that shows "Spring's new life." These are new hosta plants coming up in my neighbors yard.

4-21-10 Feeding Time

Went to the park and found this little guy eating an afternoon snack. He seemed unaware that I was even near. It's good to see wildlife out and about.

4-20-10 Yellow Bromeliad

Went back to Botanica today to help my daughter while she took Senior pictures of a friend of hers. I was amazed how quickly the tulips were gone. We were just there a week and a half ago. I'll have to return in a few more weeks to see what they plant or what comes up in their place.

4-19-10 I Spy

Remember the "I Spy" books? Can you find the basketball in the picture?

4-18-10 The Lampost

The Daily Shoot suggested "challenging yourself by taking night photography". It was a challenge alright! These are our new solar lights in the backyard. At this angle, they look like lamp posts.

4-17-10 One Main Place

This clock is at located at the intersection of Main and Douglas in Wichita. Main and Douglas are considered the official crossroads, where the numbering of the streets in all four directions start. That's why it is called "One Main Place."

4-16-10 Keeper of the Plains

As I was a bit early in meeing a friend for dinner, I went looking for my post for today. This is the "Keeper of the Plains" that stands as the "confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas"(pronounced "ar-KANSAS" not "ar-KAN-saw") rivers. He stands "with his hands raised" to the Great Spirits, and as a tribute to the Native American Tribes who continue to gather at this sacred site. The rivers meet here and continue southeast towards the Mississippi River.

4-15-10 Old Red Barn

I know, I'm obsessed with old barns. But there is something about them that intrigues me. Maybe it's because as a kid we had a family friend who lived on a farm and I remember playing with their kids in their barn. Or maybe it just stems from my love of old things.

4-14-10 Smell the Coffee

The Daily says "make a photograph that we can almost sniff and smell." Although I don't drink coffee, I do like the smell.

4-13-10 Shoddy Workmanship

The Daily suggests to "capture something newsworthy to you." This won't make the Times, but when they poured out front porch, they didn't put enough support or tie-ins underneath. Consequently, over 18 years, it has settled down below the brick capping. Luckily, it is pulling away from the baywindow, instead of causing the baywindow to pull down with it. I don't want to think what it's going to cost to break the concrete out and repour it. UGH!

4-12-10 Rememberance

So don't think I'm morbid or anything, but on my way home, I went through a little cemetary in the town of Maize, just north of town. I think you can learn a lot about history when you walk through a cemetary. Although these roses are silk, they are a rememberance of what used to be.

4-11-10 Shakespear's Garden

Tim (hubby) & I took advantage of the 80 degree weather today and went to Wichita's Botanica Gardens. The tulips and daffodils were in full bloom, with other flower varieties starting. This is called "Shakespear's Garden" and "many of the flowers and herbs in the Garden are either mentioned in Shakespear's writings or were popular in gardens during his time." Here are some more photos.

4-10-10 Phlox

It's that time of year when the Phlox groundcover is blooming. I love seeing it thick along the edge of gardens or around landscaping boulders.

4-9-10 1913 Barn

I pass this barn everyday on my way to and from school. It used to be farther out in the country, but as the city has expanded, it's becoming closer and closer. It used to be really weathered-looking, however, a couple of years ago, the owners put siding on it. I didn't know they made siding for barns!

4-8-10 Kassidy's Korner

This is a garden area outside of the library at school. It's what we call "Kassidy's Korner". Four years ago, Kassidy was a student at our school who lost her life to Leukemia. Although I didn't know Kassidy well, her friends and classmates remember her as having "amazing courage". They tell me although the disease was "wrecking" her body, she always had "a radiant smile on her face" and "a joke to tell." In May, her classmates will be promoted to the high school. However, this garden will always be here to remind them of their "cherished friend".

4-7-10 Lines & Textures

These trees are along a walking path that I posted a few days ago. I just love the lines and textures they have.

4-6-10 First Kansas Spring Storm

The wind has been blowing for several days, so with the high humidity, I wasn't surprised we ended up with a storm. You can't see it in the photo, but it is raining with the sun is shining. The storm was forming right over our neighborhood and heading northeast. Ah...it's NOW spring in Kansas!

4-5-10 Magnolia Trees

On my way home from school today, I noticed two trees in a yard with these very large, pinkish flowers. The trees were so pretty. After some internet digging, I discovered they were Magnolia Trees. I've never seen so many large flowers on a tree like this. Ahh, I love spring!!!

4-4-10 Bradford Pear Trees

With the warm weather we've had the past several days, the Bradford Pear trees have really blossomed. For those who don't know what they are, they are a fruitless, fast growing tree, that blossoms in the spring, then lose their blossoms which are replaced by leaves. Yet, their wood is soft which means they can break easily in a storm.

4-3-10 They're Back!!

These are our neighborhood ducks. Each spring, for several years now, we have had a pair of ducks wander around our neighborhood, to the delight of everyone.

4-2-10 Planting Time

Was out of school today, so took advantage of the great weather to start looking at what I'd like to plant in the flower pots on the deck. So much color....so many choices.

4-1-10 April Morning Sunrise

This was the view outside my bedroom window this morning. I LOVE Kansas sunrises!