Elephant Car Wash

A great sign seen in Seattle, Washington.

Playing with Snow

Not snowballs or snowmen but snow photos. Using different lenses and manual settings changes the image in dramatic ways.

Autumn over Lake Michigan

Feeling nostalgia for summer....

Wednesday Special

Don't miss it!

Civil War Graves and Memorial

In Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago.

A Touch of Purple

Wild Geranium.

Painted Walls

Demolish an adjoining building and this is what's left.

Ravens

Arizona seemed full of ravens. It was great to watch them fly over the canyons and strut around in front of the cameras. They were especially visible in the Petrified Forest National Park where I am sure they were fed by tourists (although as in any park this is not allowed). I can see why the Native Americans were so fascinated with them and included them in so many of their legends. They are smart, beautiful and personable birds. They can be annoying too. On a separate trip we took to the North Cascades, we were warned by the rangers to guard our windshield wipers as the local ravens had taken to stealing them! Amusing unless it happens to you. Fortunately we escaped with our wipers intact.

Black-Crowned Night Heron

Seen fishing at hotel in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii.

Me

I mentioned in an earlier post that a family member is very ill with cancer. Another family member is gathering together photos of his friends and family showing him a "high five." I posed for this shot holding my turtle to add a little humor to the scene--as if I wasn't funny enough in my men's Hawaiian shirt! Dandelion didn't appreciate being drafted for the photo--she was clawing at my hand in the shot and her claws are sharp. But, as they say, no turtle was injured in the making of this photograph.
We might be getting a second box turtle. My son's school initially had bought two turtles for the classroom. One went to us and another to a classmate. Now they feel they aren't caring well enough for their boxie and have requested we take her on. What's one more turtle between friends?
I found a quote I liked in Real Simple Magazine today:
"I feel most myself between the having done and having to do again." Jonathan Safran Foer
I think this puts very well that feeling of stepping of the treadmill of work and family while knowing that in a few hours you step back on. Speaking of, I need to get ready for work.
Have a great Wednesday.

Mmmm

Time for a delicious treat in Paris.

Wordless Wednesday

Why Air France runs on time?

Caution!!

Seen at Illinois Beach State Park and posted for Wordless Wednesday.

Palm Warbler

For Wordless Wednesday. This little bird apparently is just passing through on its way north.

More of Chicago--to the West

A fairly typical main street Chicago view.

Unique Store Front

For Wordless Wednesday.

Aabal Heating

I like the way this small business adapted an old building. Seen in the south side of Chicago, Illinois.

The Wings of Faith are For Rent

For Wordless Wednesday.

Huge Cubes

Red enough for you? I wish the snow had been deeper to add contrast. Maybe next year!
Happy Wednesday.

RIP--Circuit City

For a not-so-Wordless-Wednesday.
Too many closures, too many layoffs. Circuit City was in no way special to me but the people who worked there were special to themselves and their families. When will it end?