Nostalgia

June 3, 2019 ~ oneletterup ~ 19 Comments

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

When I was five years old, my Opa and Oma gave me a charm bracelet.

At least I think I was 5.

My clue?

A birthday cake charm with 5 candles that pop up if you push the lever underneath it. Pushing up with a just-the-right-size 5 year old finger. I especially remember the charms with the movable parts.

They added charms to the bracelet for many years. Birthday gifts or just because. Each charm meant something special. Several were souvenirs from their trips to Europe.

Such sweet memories…
A bicycle…I loved to ride.
A baby shoe…as I used to wear.
A mailbox…Opa and I were penpals.
Ballet shoes…my short lived stint taking lessons.
Piano…5 years of lessons and all I can still play is Chopsticks.

My favorite is the deck of cards charm. With actual cards inside – at one point I took them all out to check. And then put them all back.

It reminds me of O&O, as I called them. But especially Opa, who taught me everything I know about cards, game strategy and how much fun it is to play.

Although the 6 ½ inch bracelet no longer fits my wrist, it will always make me smile as I recall how it came to be.

(Photos taken with my new Canon EOS RP Mirrorless Full Frame DSLR. Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM lens)

Tower

June 1, 2019 ~ oneletterup ~ 9 Comments

This post inspired by Frank at Dutch goes the Photo

The prompt: Tower

On March 13, 1994 – the hottest March 13th on record for San Francisco – my husband and I climbed Coit Tower in Telegraph Hill. All 210 feet. To reach the observation tower at the top – with its 360 degree view of the city.

We had just arrived in California for a much anticipated weeklong vacation. Jet lag hadn’t set in yet.

The long climb…well worth it.

coit tower — Coit Tower
Telegraph Hill
San Francisco, CA

(FYI: that’s Christopher Columbus standing guard….)

Vista

May 25, 2019May 26, 2020 ~ oneletterup ~ 5 Comments

This post inspired by Frank at Dutch goes the Photo

The prompt: Vista

During a cruise to celebrate our 30th anniversary, my husband and I visited St. George’s, Bermuda. We spent a wonderful day exploring the town and a gorgeous nearby beach.

We enjoyed views from the ship and during our walk around town.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — View from the ship

Photo a Week – Squares & Circles

May 21, 2019 ~ oneletterup ~ 9 Comments

Nancy Merrill is hosting a photo challenge. The theme this week – Squares and Circles

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO (OR MORE) FEATURING SQUARES AND CIRCLES TOGETHER IN YOUR IMAGES.

checkers

King Me!

…is said triumphantly during an intense game of Checkers…one of my favorite board games as a child. A two player game, my grandfather and I were often found sitting across from each other, leaning over the checkered board. Planning our next moves. Jumps. Double jumps. His pile of checkers usually accumulated faster than mine. Ferocious competitors until one king remained.

I seem to remember the game pieces as black and red, but this “newer” 1980’s version – which I played with my children – went with a new look.

king me 2

Peppers Everywhere

May 20, 2019 ~ oneletterup ~ 11 Comments

This post inspired by May photo a day challenge

The prompt: Colorful

peppers everywhere

It was a cold gray dreary February day. No color to be found outside…other than brown, white and dark green peeking out from snow covered evergreens.

As I wandered through the produce section of a local grocery store (aptly called Market Basket), a rainbow of peppers caught my eye.

I imagined the security camera recording the image of a bundled up lady taking pictures of vegetables with her phone. Was she an undercover “Mystery Shopper”? (as I once was twenty years ago). Or from the Health Department? Or just capturing the perfect image to illustrate…Peter Piper Picked a Peck of….?

Or just because that pepper display was gorgeous…

I digress.

Vegetables = colorful. As well as being full of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, fiber and all kinds of good stuff you can’t get in a pill or a powder. No matter what the advertisers tell you.

Definitely a sight for my color starved eyes in the middle of winter.

Delicate

May 19, 2019September 25, 2020 ~ oneletterup ~ 11 Comments

This post inspired by Lens-Artist Challenge #46

The prompt: Delicate

I can’t seem to stop taking photos of my Mother’s Day flowers. Hand delivered by my son last weekend. They are the hardiest roses I have ever received.

Perhaps, also, the most delicate. I am drawn to the detail. The subtle coloring. The mysterious greenery that is not baby’s breath.

2 roses

My eyes constantly drift over to their spot on the table across the room.

A few days later, I am at it again…

roses

I also note how they are aging…gracefully. I refuse to throw any out, even as they lose their perfect delicacy. Their perfect color. Edges growing a bit more discolored every day.

Is beauty only in the new and fresh?…or can we also see beauty here…in the natural curling at the edges…petals darkening…greenery fading.
As the short life cycle draws to a close.

aging roses