Day 37 of 365, Seeing Red on Valentine's Day

Today, I didn't really do much. I woke up and my ear was hurting, I was still tired. We had spent the entire day yesterday in Baton Rouge doing the Mardi Gras Mambo. Later in the evening, Terry asked me if I bought him some Valentine's Day candy. I think he was hoping against all hope. He knew I didn't have any valentine treats. Exasperated he asked, 'No Candy No Card, No Nothing?!!!' No, I said. I knew he was trying to make me feel bad so I asked him, 'No Candy, No Card, No Nothing?!!!' Nope, none for me either. Both of us forgot about the whole darn thing. Obviously, candy is the last thing either of us need. Although at that point, I think he was probably wishing for some delicious chocolate. oopsie! I forgotsie!

Day 36 of 365, 2 Mardi Gras Parades, Spanish Town & Poseidon

I took this picture of Terry as he was capturing pics of the parade. Doesn't he look tall? He was so lucky because he could see over the top of most people's heads. I on the other hand didn't stand a chance. So, I typically stuck my camera up in the air and hoped that I was getting a shot of something.


Between parades, Spanish town & Krewe of Poseidon, I saw a group of little boys catching the football. I suddenly became so entertained by them. The little guys were on one end and the big guys (dads) were on the other. It looked like they were playing 'keep away football'. I started shooting away trying to capture some of the spirit of the all out fun they were having. As I was taking a picture of the boys, Terry took my picture. Here I am in my element. The boys, big and little, knew they were being photographed so can you say 'hot doggin'?

Here is a 90 sec slideshow with music of the Spanish Town Parade. Pause playlist at upper right sidebar.

Day 35 of 365, Look UP for a new perspective.

Our daily photo challenge today was to turn our camera straight up and shoot. I went to the post office to get my mail. I decided to try to shoot straight up the flagpole that holds our American Flag. I was having fun trying to catch the flag at a point where it would be best seen from this low perspective. I looked up and a few people were watching me from the glass window of the post office. I smiled and waved. :)

The weather forecast had been showing that snow was coming in on Friday night. Well, we started getting snow at around 6:30 am. The early morning local news were all a buzz with video of the heavy snow falling. People were sending in their snow pictures and they were posting school and street closures. They reported that the BR Sheriff's Office was sending home all 'non essential' personnel. non essential? who is not essential? ?? I know, I know. It just sounds funny. Anyway, the excitement about the snow was palpable. When I talked to mom a little later that morning, I told her I was going to Sam's to get some sandwich stuff in case we get snowed in and lose power. She said she wanted to ride with me. I was already on the road, so I pulled into Amite Baptist Church parking lot to wait for her. While I was waiting, I saw the beautiful stained glass on the outside of the old sanctuary. I jumped out of the car and shot straight up again. While I took this pic, I had sleet falling on my head.

As the snow was falling, Karmyn looked out the window and I heard her say, 'It looks like Colorado!' Yes, it was exciting for a few hours because it was actually snowing hard. As soon as the sun popped out, it all melted away. I imagine all the 'non essentials' didn't complain because they got a free day off.

Day 34 of 365, Working with Art Layers and Textures

My first attempt at art layers. I have a way to go before I am a photoshop pro. This is my beginning.

I took these pics of THE ADORABLE MR. COLE last weekend(see his birthday smilebox below). I have just learned how to add layers for the first time. I know that I am way behind the curve on this. I can watch a video tutorial and think, yeah, I got it. As soon as I open my image, I'm lost. Anyway, I know there is a whole new world of creativity that will open up for me if I could tap into even the shallow end of the world of layering.

Day 33 of 365, My Treasures on Earth

Day 33 of 365, Self Portrait. I am looking at the wall of HS Senior Portraits of my two daughters. I am so proud of my girls. They are both independent young adults now. But, they will forever be my babies, of whom I do treasure with all my heart.


Uploaded for daily photo challenge, Subject: Fork, Feb. 10, 2010
This was taken from inside the tour bus. Lincoln Memorial Center is in the window's reflection. That fork in the road is for traffic crossing over the Potomac River Bridge both ways, entering or exiting. I think that is correct. If someone knows better, please let me know. We were on information overload with this guided tour of DC.

Happy Birthday Cole!

Here is the birthday boy, baby Cole. He is the most adorable (almost) one year old little boy. He was so funny and cooperative. I could not believe his mama had to take him to the doc on the very next day. He had strept throat! He was a perfect baby during the entire photo shoot. I never heard him fuss at all. That little precious must have felt completely rotten. Because he was such a trooper and quite adorable as well, we got some very cute pics and I wanted to show him off!

Happy Birthday Cole! xoxo
Press pause on playlist music to hear slideshow music.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Day 32 of 365, Seasoned with Salt

Day 32 of 365, Self Portrait, Feb. 9, 2010
I was feeling nostalgic. You can't see it, but my black hoodie sweatshirt says FASTPITCH in hot pink script. My daughter played softball competively at a high level until she was 18. That was a year and a half ago. It is amazing how much you miss something when it is over. We loved watching her play. She had a heart and love for softball the size of Texas. She had offers of college opportunities with softball but she chose to decline. The softball season of her youth is over. I went to a small practice field and was the only one there. I sat on the top bleacher and my memory took me back to those hot summer days at the ball park.

Hot potato soup is comforting on a cold winter night.

Seasoned with Salt...

New International Version (©1984)"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

I know that I need to heed this verse regularly. It is so easy to whip out that lethal weapon and pierce a hole right through someone's heart with damaging words. Words spewed in anger, jealousy or gossip can rip a person to the core. Sometimes irreperable damage to a trusted, valuable friendship is the lasting result. We all need to watch how we wield that double edged sword.

On the other hand, words spoken with kindess and compassion can lift someone's day. A word in due season might build someone up. Your sweet expression might be the encouragement someone you love needs. Or, even a kind 'how do you do?' to a stranger might perhaps make them feel less alone. It is possible that you never know the impact of what your kind word made that day. Nevertheless, impact was made.