6-5-16 ~ A Barn, Flowers, and a Sad Week at the Robinson Homeplace

This week I had to have my beloved pal of 16 years, Little Jack the Schnauzer, put down because of kidney failure, incontinence, and advanced dementia. I never knew dogs could get dementia, but Jack was having a terrible time getting lost and just not responding. He laid in his little bed crate almost all day. It has broken my heart as I have never killed or had to have a doctor put down any animal in my life (a ground stinging bee hive attacking me and flies so not count). I had no idea how hard it was going to effect me, but there has been some real depression. As always, I draw to try to get over the doldrums so here is my first beginning sketch. Jack is NOT a girl as you all know, but I love bows so put them on him. The lighting was terrible this morning so please excuse the dark gritty places in both pictures.

As the week went on, I decided to try to come up with something happy that included him so created... The Kerrs Creek 2016 Beauty Contest with him as the Judge from up in Doggie Heaven. In case you cannot read the names of the contestants here they are...

Edgar Egret

Kelly Kitty

Brenda Bluebird

Matilda Mouse

Claudette Cow

Roscoe Rabbit

As you notice, they all have their little red hearts on them.

Just hunt and you will see them.

So, how do you put a smile on a sad old face....well, you go out and take pictures of a very old barn of a friend and all the wildflowers he planted 3 years ago and has nurtured them day after day. Thank you, Tom, for giving me a reason to brighten my days this week. For anyone wanting to see more pretty barns, go to Tom the Backroads Traveler's Barn Collective. This post is also linked with I Heart Macro and Macro Monday 2. 

5-7-16 ~ A Morning at Explorer Park and a Mother’s Day Memory

This morning Bud ran a grim 6 mile mountain race in Roanoke, VA, and it was one of the worst 6 miles of his life. Our Buick has been mysteriously stalling suddenly when stopped at stop lights, but today it decided to quit on this narrow congested dirt road while frustrated runners were honking their cars. We had already put in a new battery, but obviously that was not the problem. Maybe it has to be something with the computer...who knows. We finally got it started, but we were already running a bit late to pick up his stuff before the race started. The whole mess did a job on Buddy mentally and physically, and to add fuel to the fire it was a soaked trail from all the rain. His poor stomach was a mess the entire run which took him a horrible 2 hours to complete while I waited in the car with my sketchbook and the motor running. We were going to go to the big Strawberry Festival in Roanoke afterwards but bagged that for fear we could stall out in downtown traffic.  I did manage to get out and walk about with the Bud's trusty hiker Canon.

GREAT REFLECTIONS

(Never have I gotten shots like these on cars. To me, they are magical.)

SHADOWS

BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS

In Memory of My Mother on Mother’s Day 2016

(from my art journal)

This post is linked with:

Weekend Reflections

Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Pippa's Foto der Woche

I Heart Macro

Macro Monday 2

Red Leaf with 50mm

During the summer I worked with my 50mm lens taking it off of auto and trying to get as much detail clear and not blurred. If I remember correctly, I had unscrewed the 55mm lens and was holding it backwards against the camera. This was just a leaf I had in my collection, and it was balanced atop my computer.

This post is linked with Macro Monday 2

falling leaves
hide the path
so quietly
~John Bailey, “Autumn” haiku

The Old Ford F6

I have no idea what year this Ford might be, but I was totally fascinated by it.  I love anything OLD. Luckily I had my 50mm lens with me, so I gave it a try. Looking at these shots makes me think of John from "Sinbad and I on the Loose" and his pictures from Bodie... old but refusing to leave us.

“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl

 is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves."

~Albert Einstein

I can’t help but wonder if there was any smooching going on in this old Ford in its day. What do y ou think?

   

This post is linked to Macro Monday 2.

(I have never understood how to get the link to be contained in the thumbnail for the blog, so I have to link it all up in this old fashioned way. Maybe one day I will figure it out.)

Hiding between Fence Posts

 I was out taking one of my “flat land” walks while in Richmond last week. My trusty little Canon Point and Shoot always accompanies me in hopes I will spot something pretty. If I had not sneezed from all the pollen, I would have missed this beauty hidden away in some fencing. It was so delicate and pretty dressed up in lavender.

"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul 

and sings the tune without music."

~Emily Dickenson

This post is linked with:

Our World Tuesday
Macro Monday 2

NF Blo-Ma

Today’s Flowers

Good Fences

Macro Melt

This post is linked with:

 I Heart Macro

Macro Monday 2

Climbing One Leaf at a Time

From the Archives ~ August 2011

Sadly, I didn't see a single one this year.

This post is linked with Camera Critters, I Heart Macro, and Macro Monday 2.

Surprise! Surprise!

This post is linked with Camera Critters, Shadow Shot Sunday 2, and Macro Monday 2.

Orchids at The U.S. Botanic Garden and Conservatory

The U.S. Botanic Garden, established by Congress in 1820, is a living plant museum located on the National Mall across from the U.S. Capitol. The Conservatory reopened in December 2001 after a four-year renovation, showcasing an impressive state-of-the-art indoor garden with approximately 4,000 seasonal, tropical and subtropical plants. The U.S. Botanic Garden is administered by the Architect of the Capitol and offers special exhibits and educational programs throughout the year. 

The U.S. Botanic Garden is located across from the U.S. Capitol Building along First St. SW, between Maryland Ave. and C St. Bartholdi Park sits behind the Conservatory and is accessible from Independence Ave., Washington Ave. or First St. The closest Metro station is Federal Center SW. 

The following pictures were taken from the site. If you are ever in Washington, be sure to go. It is fabulous.

http://dc.about.com/od/touristattractions/a/USBotanicalGard.htm

This post is linked with Macro Monday 2, NF Blo-Ma, & I Heart Marco.