Archive for Photography

NOTE: My friend P J? Who lives near Galveston Island…the one that evacuated from Ike to return —and the Prayer Circle I started here, remember? Well she has added some photos of what they found when they returned to their home last week. Go and say hi to her….Tell her Anni sent you! She’d appreciate it, I’m sure!!!!!!

LIFE after IKE
[this link should open in a new window]


Edition 76

Just cleaning out my drawers ummmm, err, photo file. So, thought instead of just deletin’ ‘em, I’d make a Thursday Thirteen from them for this week, then to file 13 they go [hmmmmm, coinky-dink don't you think? File 13 being 'trashing' them ---and Thursday THIRTEEN?]……

It’s a conglomeration of stuff! All with mouseover captions.










…~End Thursday Thirteen
[click HERE for comment link if you want to skip my Constitutional Thoughts below]

I saw this on the Yah** News headlines today –• Laura Bush: “Palin lacks foreign policy experience”.

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Also, I read another blog yesterday [I will not link the blog since it's not my intent to debate the issue - but I will say it was a blog of one of my commentors yesterday] about McCain-Palin and Obama-Biden tickets. The two aforementioned [McCain and Palin] –American. Then, below that, and photos of Obama and Biden, there was “Kenyan”…Obama is NOT Kenyan. He was born in Hawaii…two years AFTER it became the 50th state! Now this got me to thinking that somewhere I had read that McCain, to some, is NOT ‘natural born American’ either. Which got me up to doing more research on the Constitution’s Presidential Qualifications. Of course, no where in the Constitution does it actually specify what ‘natural born’ means. And there have been a few amendments made since 1868. Perhaps there are qualms on both men! Being that Obama’s father was not American, but yet McCain’s birth certificate states Panama Canal Zone. But see, to me, that he has TWO American parents, and being no doubt a Navy base, would at least entitle John to be declared American by birth. Obama, born in Hawaii, with one parent as an American…would also be American by birth…but neither ‘natural born’ as in Continental USA. —Your guess is as good as mine. This is confusing. But, back to the blog that I visited, Obama is definitely NOT Kenyan, nor is he Muslim. After I read this, and another at Snopes, I think I became MORE confused than before I did a search. I always considered “Natural Born Citizen” to be a birth within the 50 USA states.

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From Wikipedia:

    “The constitutional wording has left doubts about whether those born on foreign soil are on an equal footing with those whose birth occurred inside the country’s borders, and whether they have the same rights.”[2] Though every president and vice president to date (as of 2008) has either been a citizen at the adoption of the Constitution, or else born in a U.S. state or Washington D.C.,[3] a number of presidential candidates have been born elsewhere.[4]

    Barry Goldwater, who ran as the Republican party nominee in 1964, was born in Arizona while it was still a U.S. territory. Although Arizona was not a state, it was a fully organized and incorporated territory of the United States.[5]

    George Romney, who ran for the Republican party nomination in 1968, was born in Mexico to U.S. parents. Romney’s grandfather emigrated to Mexico in 1886 with his three wives and children after Utah outlawed polygamy. Romney’s parents retained their U.S. citizenship and returned to the United States in 1912. Romney was 32 years old when he arrived in Michigan.

    Al Gore served as Vice President (which has the same constitutional qualifications as President), and was the Democratic party nominee for President in 2000, whilst having nonetheless been born in the District of Columbia.

    John McCain, who ran for the Republican party nomination in 2000 and is the Republican nominee in 2008, was born at the Coco Solo U.S. military base in the Panama Canal Zone to U.S. parents. Although the Panama Canal Zone was not considered to be part of the United States,[6] federal law states: “Any person born in the Canal Zone on or after February 26, 1904, and whether before or after the effective date of this chapter, whose father or mother or both at the time of the birth of such person was or is a citizen of the United States, is declared to be a citizen of the United States.”[7] The law that conferred this status took effect on August 4, 1937, one year after John McCain was born — albeit with retroactive effect, resulting in McCain being declared a U.S. citizen.[8] However, the question as to whether or not he is a citizen from birth cannot be answered by this law because (1) it took effect after his birth and (2) it does not state that the person’s citizenship was acquired at birth, only that they are a citizen by means of the law’s establishment (and, hence, at the time the law takes effect). Indeed, the law in 1936 stated that all persons born to two US citizen parents outside the “limits and jurisdictions of the United States” are citizens at birth. The status of Mr. McCain’s citizenship at birth nonetheless remains questiond by some.[9

Gattina is our gracious hostess this week for Fun Monday. And I love her challenge this week. For two reasons. It’s simple. AND I get a chance to see where others usually do their blogging!!!

So, here goes:


Left photo: Just inside the doorway of the computer room slash library is a narrow bookshelf with two miniature flags [United States Navy -blue one, and the United States Marine Corps -red one.] Also, on the wall is a Navy Seal blanket.
Right photo: The TV cabinet – and hidden in the cupboards of the cabinet are all my genealogy books/folders/albums etc. On the shelves you see knick knacks and photos of my son in his USMC uniform [and a gold music box of the USMC eagle globe and anchor -which naturally plays the USMC's "From the Halls of Montezuma" - the Marine's Hymn] and a photo of Irene, Clint and me from years ago. Smaller photos of my kids at Christmas too.


My flat screen monitor set on my blog page. [clever, huh?]


To the right of my computer/keyboard, on the desk, sitting on a mirror is my birthstone geode I found while rock hunting…amethyst – and a snowglobe mermaid.


Behind my desk chair…shelves and shelves of books. From ceiling to floor!


A collection of mermaids are perched on shelves just above my desk.

To the left of my computer, on the desk with me, is a photo of my mother at the age of 16….and me and Bud on our wedding day. On the wall to my left is none other than Captain Jack Sparrow!!! And a framed art print of a clipper ship.

Woodland Mama hosting next week.

Both images of Irene and Clint below, can be enlarged.
Angela, over at The Lurchers is our host this week.

Fun Monday Assignment for 11th August

    Show me your favorite photograph and tell me why it’s your favorite. It can be one you’ve taken yourself or one someone else has taken, a snapshot or a more professional image. Is there a story behind it? Do you love it for the memories it gives or just because it’s pleasing to the eye?

    Show me and tell me!

I have several favorites, but two came to mind right away. One is a professional photograph. A portrait of my daughter, Irene. When she was just a mere babe. It’s so special ’cause she looked so regal sitting there on the photographer’s bench. And I was so proud of her, being all mine, y’know? It was her birthday. The outfit, green is one of my favorite colors and with her Irish red-colored hair, I figured this was a perfect outfit for our ‘Colleen’ -our Irish Lass- and I labored over it, sewing it myself for the special day. I do remember, way back then, you had to wait for ‘proofs’ of the photo shoot. Wait for weeks. Well, maybe a week at the most, but it seemed like that week was long, extra long. When all I wanted was to be able to choose the best of the best shots. And once I saw them, it took me OVER a week to make up my mind which one I wanted blown up for a portrait. This, of course, is the one I chose…..

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Then, the other photo I thought of first off when I read the assignment is one I took. It was our grandson’s first birthday. At the age of five months he had open heart surgery, and on his 1st birthday [which surgeon and physicians and pediatricians alike said he'd never see---], he had need of oxygen still – hence the oxygen tube, we were all aglow with the fact we could actually be with him, away from the hospital setting and he’d be at our side! Grandpa Bud [hubby] was holding him ever so gently, on his lap, like he’d break….and Grandpa’s pride along with his tears that day ’cause our Clint survived to his first birthday just melted my heart……

Next week’s hostess?

~…end Fun Monday
scroll below my weekend of receiving gifts in the mail 4 comment link The following is LONG, but it means a great deal to me
Don’t wanna read it? Then-click HERE 4 COMMENT LINK

“You’ve Got Mail”
Those words have a certain ring to it, don’t they?
When I got back home from the grocery store Saturday morning, Bud met me at the door to help unload the sacks from the car. As he walked past the car, I was hanging my car keys up on the handy dandy key holder at the back door on the kitchen wall, he said: “You got a package today just now. And your Jury Duty check arrived. Then, you got an envelope from Germany.” Whoa!!! Taken aback here!! I rushed to get the groceries in and unpack them and get them put away. So I could have my full attention on the good stuff! [Times TWO...not one online friend, but two!! And then, a bit of joke with a county check arriving...]

This was the package. All the way from up North, in Canada! An online buddy [she's become more than that to me...we have connected through snail mail also!] Mary had a post on her blog and she had us guess her secret. She mentioned something that she did for herself. And anyone who commented in her comments would be in the drawing for a personalized gift. Ho boy…gifts!! I do love gifts. And Mary makes hers so personal for the recipient, it is amazing. She’s the sweetest ever.

I open the package “Open – open!” and find this well wrapped something inside the bubble wrap. And the Canadian tape is so tough, trust me…I had to get scissors. I slowly trim away the tape, making sure I’m not cutting into anything, you know…just in case. I heard a ‘tinkling’ and the excitement grew…the inner child came through. It was like Christmas morn. But, did I mention the tape? Okay…so I got part of it cut enough to get it started being unwrapped…

…and as I pulled the bubble wrap away from the object I could see red! A very familiar red…and a well known shape too I might add. She had emailed me to let me know the package was on it’s way to me last week and when to expect it. She also told me it was something that she knows I like a lot. I can now see that she’s right. But still the elation and getting it out of the wrap was priority number one. Did I mention excitement? By that time Bud was standing over me with just as much curiosity as I had, and said: “Mary knows you pretty well, doesn’t she?” And he smiled…grabbing the camera —

Finally, I removed Mary’s gift from the wrapping and was just left speechless. What a prize. Both with the gift and with Mary’s friendship. This just so made me happy. And it’s beautiful. Atop the ceramic bell is perched a beautiful red cardinal. Cardinals I collect, and this special one is just awesome…and the beautiful sound emitted from the bell’s clapper reminds me of a faint breeze and a chime from a distant bell tower. The bell itself has a gorgeous embossing…of leaves, holly leaves. It’s beautiful.

And of course, I made a side trip to the master bedroom…this room is where I have all my cardinals. [Except for the holiday season. I bring them all out for decorating for Christmas] I placed the beautiful cardinal bell by my grandmother’s antique clock. And there it will sit. Daily, as I spend time in the room, I will think of my friend Mary!! Thank you so much dear lady. It’s a treasure. One that will remain forever in my heart and I hold much appreciation for your thoughtfulness and generosity!!

~ ~ ~ Thank You Mary! ~ ~ ~

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But wait…don’t leave yet! There’s more excitement for me here! Anita. She is my ultimate hero! She gardens. And boy howdy…let me reiterate, she gardens. And how!! Her blog is filled with more beauty than you can imagine. Her photos of all the stunning and the wonderful work she does is like perusing a Home and Garden Show! Each and every time I go to visit with her, I’m just literally blown away with all the splendor. And all the stupendous showing of her crafts…not to mention the symmetry of flower and plant placement! It’s a show case, I tell you – plain and simple. [She sews too, and believe me, her skills with the needle will floor you too!] –It’s all pure radiance.

A few Fridays ago, on her Show N Tell blog, she had once again, some stupendous photographs of her gardening. This particular week, she had sweet peas. Some like I’ve never seen before. And pink poppies! Bud loves sweet peas. We used to have them vining along our fences in Colorado…but none so fine as Anita’s. Well, she also was gracious enough to have a drawing for seeds from that strain of pea. And you guessed, Anita pulled out my name! And along with this, she sent other seeds to me as a bonus!!

I am just so thrilled beyond words Anita!! Inside the envelope were three packets of seeds. The sweet peas that were up for drawing names, and she added some of the pink poppy seeds. And then, to my ultimate surprise she also added a packet of blue Lupine seeds. [I have to add that that is one of my father's favorite flowers] Now, I am very anxious to start planting. I can’t wait. I must prepare a space for my ‘German’ seedling garden…of which when they become beauties like Anita’s, I will always think of how they came across the ocean, heading to Texas, just for me!!

Along with the seed packets, she sent along a sweet note of encouragement and good luck!! It states “Dear Anni – Good luck with the German seeds from my garden.” Once again, I am a happy gardener!
~ ~ ~Thank You Anita! ~ ~ ~

- – -

One more, then I’ll let you go. This is just a riot! Two days total…one morning – Monday and then called back on Tuesday morning…and from the county, what do I receive? This —

That’s what I call a ripoff! Approximately 10 hours total of my time. Two and a half days of sitting on my duff, waiting, doing nothing worth while. Not to mention burning about three or four gallons of gas [worth about $13 or so] driving back and forth to the courthouse. Buying my own lunch one day for about $7 at the cafeteria there [which I think we should get a voucher as jurors - but what do I know?] This is ONE reason I don’t want jury duty. Just one of the many. You’ll have to embiggen the image to see what we received for our services. rofl Civic duty or not….it’s a waste of my time in my opinion. And if, god forbid, I needed my peers on the jury, I wouldn’t want someone like me that would NOT want to be there.

So this all sums it up for my weekend gifts.
I appreciate very much so the top two.
But, the last one…why bother? Did I mention I don’t like jury duty? If I want to be ‘involved’ in an enticing courtroom drama, and make nothing for my time and effort, I’d much rather turn on the news from my own living room chair, or even consider watching Judge Judy, or cable’s Court TV.


For July 3rd, 2008

Creative Photography

This photo entry is of our Blue eyed Persian cat, Winston [his full frontal face reminded us of Winston Churchill and thus named]. The photo was color which I then made a copy of gray scale and cut a feathered eclipse of his profile and pasted it into the selected section and ‘burned the edges’. And here is the result. [can be enlarged for full viewing]

Creative Photography

This particular photo is done with the macro setting on my camera. It’s taken from my own backyard garden where we have figurines of Oriental objects. We have several vases of color, pagoda-style lanterns, all jutting up through the grounds, along with men, women, gods and such —with the contrasting white. Also, along the objects, is a line of night lighting for effect. She is made of fired porcelain; I tried to capture a certain time of day when the sun casts a few shadows surrounding her and still have her as the focal point. She’s embedded in a wooden forest blanket trying to accomplish an ‘ancient and serene feeling’ in her surroundings. I used my PaintShop Pro clone brush to add wood chips hiding some of the lighting wire. Is that being creative? LOL

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