3-2-10 It was a Seuss Day!

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive, that is Youer than You."
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

3-1-10 A Piece of Farming History

As we walked the trail at Chisolm Creek Park, we came across this old, rusted out, piece of farm equipment. After we got home, Tim looked it up and found out that it was a 1930's Massey-Harris combine. We're guessing it was left behind when the farmstead was sold to make the park/nature center.

2-28-10 Alice In Wonderland Adventure

Found this while at Chisolm Creek Park. I wonder if Alice will meet the Mad Hatter or the Chester Cat on this trail?

2-27-10 Nature at GPNC

With today's weather being in the low-50's, we took advantage of it and headed to the Great Plains Nature Center, located on the east side of town, adjacent to Chisolm Trail Park. Before the city had expanded too far east, GPNC was constructed in cooperation with the Kansas Wildlife & Parks to preserve and reestablish nature as it once was 100 years ago. Now as the city has grown around it, GPNC is a great place to explore & lose yourself into the world of nature. (Also good for picture taking!) I plan on returning later in the spring to see it as it starts to come alive with green vegitation, trees, animals & insects.

2-26-10 Windmill of Time

Took advantage of today's WONDERFUL weather (for once) to take a quick walk with Keilo and snap a few pictures at Sedwick County Park.

2-25-10 A River Runs Through It

I've posted several pictures about the river that runs through the westside of the county and through Swanson Park. Now here is a picture of the river in all its glory. The Cowskin Creek (actually a river) is a menace for some, but a habitat for others. Many types of aquatic and land animals call it's banks home. The Cowskin has been forging its way around and through the landscape for many years. Man has tried to re-route it, even dam it, yet the Cowskin still goes where it wants.

2-24-10 Cowboy Roundup

Went by a sandwich shop and saw this cowboy rounding up his herd. It is made out of steel and reminds passersby of what this area of the country used to be like. Yippe-kai-ya!

2-23-10 Halfpipe & Friends

I was dusting today and came across these guys sitting on the bookshelf. Since the little guy in front was named "Halfpipe", I thought it would be only fitting, in honor of the Olympics, that I gather his friends and take their picture. Looks like Halfpipe had a bit of trouble on one of his runs.

2-22-10 Shapes of a Quilt

Once again, I turned to The Daily Shoot for inspiration. Today it suggested taking pictures that included squares. What better example of squares than a hand-made quilt. I have several in my home that have been passed down to me by various family members. This one was given to me by a distant cousin on my mother's side. It was started in 1929 and finished in 1945.

2-21-10 Kansas Ice

I figured we wouldn't be able to get through this winter without the Kansas ice. Further north, they had up to 5 inches of snow. Will spring ever get here?

2-20-10 Can You Guess?

The Daily Shoot suggests that if you want to improve on your photos, move closer. Can you guess what these are? They are pvc pipes! I saw this shot when we were at Home Depot.

2-19-10 A Different Perspective

Often times we are so focused on what is ahead of us, that we forget to turn around and see the view from the other direction. When I walk in Swanson Park, I often stop, turn around, and see what it looks like from the opposite perspective. This is the view from the other end of the split rail fence that was posted earlier this week. As we head into spring, then summer, I plan to revisit this park and share how it changes through the seasons.

2-18-10 The Cost of Erosion

Back in Swanson Park, towards the southern part of the park, erosion has taken its toll. If you look closely, those are tree roots that have become exposed due to the constant flooding of this creek. As a result, there are a number of large trees laying in the creek. If too many more fall, the city will have to go in and clear it out. I guess beavers aren't the only ones that can dam up a body of water.

2-17-10 A Tree in Oz

Keilo & I were back in Swanson Park enjoying today's weather and found this tree. It looks like it could have appeared in the movie, "The Wizard of Oz."

2-16-10 A View from the Rail

Being such a nice day, Keilo & I went back Swanson Park for a walk. Most places along the walking path are "undeveloped", except right here. Just behind the hill is a housing development, so I'm not sure if they put in the split rail fence or if the Parks Dept. did. At any rate, it looks nice.

2-15-10 An Old Homestead

As I was leaving my daughter and son-in-law's housing complex, I noticed the old farm across the street. First, the barn caught my eye, then I noticed the old truck in front. After I took the picture, I looked around and wondered how much of this land once belonged to this homestead? With the way the city is expanding, it won't be long before this farm is swallowed up by urban expansion.

2-14-10 Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

2-13-10 Honey Locust Trees

Honey Locust Trees are native to the United States and are primarily found in the moist river valleys. This one was found in Swanson Park, a wooded park near our house. I'm very familiar with these trees as they are also found on our lake property in northeastern Kansas. The thorns are very strong and if stepped on at the correct angle, can go through a flip-flop, sandle or watershoe.

2-12-10 Lady of Fashion High Society

This is an English bone china figurine my mother-in-law gave many years ago. It is from the "Ladies of Fashion High Society" collection by CoalPort. My mother-in-law was only able to give me this one and another one before she passed away, so both are very special.

2-11-10 The Arch

The Daily Shoot suggested taking a picture using the wide-angle view. I then found this limb arching over a walking path at a nearby pond and wondered how it ended up growing like this.

2-10-10 Krispy Kreme's, Anyone?

The Publications Class was selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts tonight at Parent/Teacher Conferences to earn money towards purchasing a camera for their class. Out of 100, they sold almost half tonight. They will be selling them again tomorrow as we have conferences all day. I think they will make their goal.

2-9-10 Valencian Girl & Goose

These two pieces of Lladro (pronounced "yah-dro") belonged to my mother-in-law. She loved collecting Lladro pieces and would purchase them relatively inexpensively when she would visit her family in England. She had quite a collection and when she passed away, the collectioin was divided between my husband and his sister.

2-8-10 Scenes From A Snowstorm

Since I was up at 5:30 a.m. to see if we were having school, I grabbed my camera and took a picture of our back deck. With the way the snow fell on the patio furniture, it almost looks like a scene from underwater on the Titanic.

2-7-10 Disney U. Bound

Daily Shoot suggests "taking 3 objects and making a digital picture story." Well, our son leaves for Orlando, FL today, for a 6mo internship with the Disney College Program. He will be working in the Transportation Dept. at Disney World and discovering what it is like to be involved with a Fortune 500 corporation. Say "Hi" to Mickey for us.

2-6-10 Coils of Air

As it was another dreary day in Oz, I turned to The Daily Shoot for an idea. They suggested taking a photo with "a sense of movement with curves". Then as I was walking through the garage I spotted my picture. This is the air hose to my husband's air compressor.

2-5-10 Another Dreary Day

This is what our weather has been for the past several weeks. I realize it's winter, but this is getting old. (sigh!) When will spring be here?

2-4-10 A Little Spring All Year Around

If only I could grow ferns like these. These lovely ferns belong to our counselor. She puts them out under her trees and on her back deck from spring through late summer. Then once school starts, she brings them to my classroom and I get to enjoy them from fall through early spring. I'm glad she wants to share. (Keilo is there for perspective!)

2-3-10 Sharp As A Tack

Today's Daily Shoot suggested taking a picture that was "sharp". That's what I did.

2-2-10 Good Morning, Sunrise

Although it was another foggy morning, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to catch the sunrise. The sun has shown so little here over the past month, that I wasn't sure what it was. If Punxsutawney Phil was here in Kansas, he definitely would have seen his shadow.

2-1-10 Fort Snow

Went to get the mail today and noticed the neighborhood kids had built a snow fort. I like the utility flags on top. I wonder whose yard they took them out of? Can't you just imagine hiding behind the wall while launching snowballs at your friends??!!!

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.