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!

3-31-10 A Staff Picnic

Each month we have a staff luncheon at school. It has started to become a competition as to who can come up with the best theme. This month we were treated to a chicken dinner picnic...complete with ants!! We had fried and baked chicken, potato salad, baked beans, fruit and yummy desserts. Luckily, the ants behaved themselves.

3-30-10 A Walking Path

When Keilo & I go walking, I like taking this route because of the trees. Although we have been in the area for close to 20 years, I don't remember if this tree-lined sidewalk is natural or man-made. At any rate, we love walking it especially in the early morning.

3-29-10 Get Lost

Went back to my new favorite place to take pictures, Scenic Landscapes. This is a great greenhouse where you could lose yourself in a book, music or just the sounds around you.

3-28-10 One Green & Speckled Frog

Remember this song:
One green and speckled frog
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs
YYYYuuuummmm, YYYYuuuummmm

He jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were
No green and speckled frogs,
GGGGlllluuuubbbb, GGGGlllluuuubbbb

3-27-10 Shadows of Character

Why are old barns and sheds so fun to shoot? Maybe because they have so much character.

3-26-10 View From My Rearview Mirror

This was the view in my side rearview mirror this morning. I love being able to watch the sun rise on my way to work.

3-25-10 Spooky Old House

The Daily Shoot said to make a black & white photo with high contrast. I have driven by this old, abandoned, farm house each day and thought it would make a great haunted house. I've also tried to imagine what the surrounding land looked like back when it was built.

3-24-10 Water Wheel Pump House

Wouldn't this view into your backyard look great? This is another "Scenic Landscape" design. This is a water wheel pump house that sits next to a koi pond.