Tag: photo challenge

Trees

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This post inspired by Lens-Artists Challenge #50

The prompt – Trees

I enjoyed trees all around me at my former home. In the quiet neighborhood where we raised our two children. Surrounded by…red maple, white birch, oak, dogwood, hemlocks, peach and apple trees.

We discovered some were hardier than others.

A favorite survivor was the white dogwood.

dogwood
Dogwood Tree

It was framed by a red maple and an oak tree that we planted as a baby in the ’90’s. Tucked in the backyard. Birches and hemlocks peeking out from behind.

The maple tree planted by the town stood curbside and center in the front yard. It transformed to white after a late winter snowstorm during our final year there.

snow maple
Maple tree

It lasted over 30 years…
Still standing the day we moved out.

 

 

Urban

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Nancy Merrill is hosting a photo challenge. The theme this week: Urban

 

Taylor park
Petworth Neighborhood
Washington, DC

One small boy
Not yet two
Pondering a chance
To make a basket

At his favorite playtime
City park
A few blocks from home

A ten minute walk
Over bumpy sidewalks
On tree-lined streets

Past parked cars
Row house porches
Tiny front yards

Stop for the lights!
One last crosswalk.
Look Both Ways!

Finally there…
Run. Jump. Climb. Slide.
Kick the ball. Take a shot.

Taylor Park!

 

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: One

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Cee’s challenge topic this week: 1 item or the Number One

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

During a cruise to Bermuda in 2008, I enjoyed the beautiful scenery both on and off the ship.

One day, I noticed this bird perched on the ship’s rail. All by itself. Taking in the sun’s rays.

Perhaps sensing that I was not an experienced bird photographer, it held still long enough for me to take this picture. Obviously used to tourists and enjoying the attention.

I have no idea what kind of bird it was. I welcome any ideas!

Road

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This post inspired by Frank at Dutch goes the Photo

The prompt: Road

road to capitol
Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC
2011

The Newseum, my favorite museum in Washington, DC, is located on historic Pennsylvania Ave between the United States Capitol and the White House.

This is the view from the top floor of the Newseum looking towards the Capitol building. During a Father’s Day weekend visit in 2011 to visit our son.

(I am sad to learn that the Newseum is closing at the end of 2019. Pending a sale to Johns Hopkins University)

Favorite Things

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This post inspired by Lens Artist Challenge #49

The prompt: Favorite Things

~~~

With a focus on things – rather than people or places – my favorites narrowed down to the irreplaceable.

The sentimental things…that connect with my favorite people.

The massive downsizing I endured 3 years ago crystallized what, in theory, I had known all along. The things I let go of…it was just stuff. Not so important after all.

IMG_9364

The things I kept: photo albums dating back 40 years…filled with favorite people and places.

And…

Two scrapbook journals. Documenting my children’s school years. From all perspectives. Spaces for tiny handwritten Montessori “books.” School photos. Sample schoolwork. Report cards. Awards won. Games played. Birthdays. Sports. School portraits. Trips. Thoughts. Reflections – as only a young child can voice.

…End of school year answers on the “Favorites” page: Friends…Books…Music…Sports…Teams…Television Shows…Movies and Videos…Clothes…Foods…Places to Go…Things to Do.

And my favorite? Starting in grade 5…Aspirations and Goals 

schoo days

Bindings stretched to the breaking point with details and documents.
Then carefully repaired.

Preserving snapshots of time from preschool to grade 12.

Tucked in the back…college graduations. Marathon stats. Wedding clipping. Post grad honors. Stretched a bit more.

Two childhoods well lived.

Two children well loved.

 

 

 

 

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Flower

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This post inspired by Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge. The topic: Flower of Any Kind

 

I’ll admit it was strange to view flowers in anything but color, but I decided to explore my favorite flower photos with an open mind. And eye.

I was intrigued to discover how much I was drawn to the black and white version of the two “tulip survivors” from our former home. The two that were still bursting through the hard packed side yard after more than 30 years.

It seemed fitting to give them an antique look.

Version 2

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Smiles

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Cee’s challenge topic this week: Smiles

Back in the 1970’s my boyfriend went on a cross country road trip with his best friend. They intended to make it all the way from the East Coast of the US to the West Coast. In an orange Ford Pinto.

road trip car

They drove as far as Wyoming and realized they were running out of time. Before starting for home, my boyfriend insisted on stopping at a local arts and crafts store to buy a souvenir gift.

A small handmade metal sculpture of two grinning figures, crafted by a local artisan.

Which he gave to me – his girlfriend of 2 years – a few days later…

Saying with a huge smile…

This is US seeing each other again!

 

smiles 1

 

 

 

One year later we were married.

 

Also inspired by Nancy Merrill at Photo a Week Challenge.

 

Wild

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This post inspired by Lens-Artists Challenge #48

The Prompt: Wild


Want some fungus, Ma?

My son’s favorite joke when he was growing up.

I loved mushrooms. He did not. I think it was the texture, because when I chopped them up into really small pieces…he didn’t spot any in the tuna casserole.

If his eagle eye discovered any recognizable mushroom sections, he calmly plucked them out. And arranged them in a semi-circle around the edge of his dinner plate.

When his grade school education included a science lesson on what constitutes a fungus, his delight in passing on this gem of information was palpable.

It didn’t stop me from eating mushrooms however. Fungus or no fungus. They are delicious. And nutritious.

One day last year, during my walk around the neighborhood, I spotted a clump of wild mushrooms.

The color is what I noticed first.

This fungus did not end up in a tuna casserole.

wild mushrooms
Wild Mushrooms