Friday, May 30, 2014

Sky Watch - Through the clouds

 Now you see it

 Now you don't

 Maybe

 Visible again

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Header Challenge - Group Portrait



Last year one of our nieces asked me to take pictures for her wedding and I agreed. She wanted some posed photos of the wedding party. She also wanted a group portrait of all of the brides family. Since she is the youngest of seven; and aunts, uncles, cousins were in attendance; that made for a large group and was my header. 

At our oldest granddaughter's wedding, I also took some group portraits. Above, the bride and her brothers posing for the official photographer. And below her son, held by her Dad and two of the brothers.


A self portrait of the two of us in 2005

Two group portraits taken at the Frederick fair.

And finally, a group making a self protrait in 2004.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Our World - Outside work

 
Over the past few days, wheat was harvested on the field behind us. The cut wheat was raked into rows for the baler, which then wrapped the bales. 


All bails were soon moved to the edge of the field.
 
And I did my own "harvesting" the grass, though my machine was smaller and my bags smaller. The grass has been deposited at the site where it becomes mulch.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Sky Watch - Birds and clouds

Turkey Vulture
 
Where's the feeder?
 
Lonely bird at sunset
 
Evening clouds (above as the camera saw them)
(below auto color corrected with PhotoShop)
 

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Header Challenge - Celebration

Brother-in-Law and his wife host a CELEBRATION of the end of the school year. Friends, neighbors, and family are invited. Sometimes called a "pig picking" - Barbeque pork and chicken, corn on the cob, etc. are served. Guests also bring additional dishes and desserts. 
 


Games are set up for both the adults and youngsters
(Little guy below in red shirt is our great-grandson)
-

The nephews help John put away tables and chairs (so did I when not taking pictures). We will be celebrating with them again soon.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Our World - Colorful

Spring finally reached Maryland and freezing weather is unlikely, so we have been adding color to your yard. Marianne will plant some of the above plants in a large pot. Others are in hanging pots in the back yard.







Thursday, May 15, 2014

Sky Watch - Cloudy skies

We have had clouds rolling through this week, along with some sunshine. The last image is the start of a predicted two days of rain.
 



Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Header Challenge - Nature winter to summer


Nature has been very noticeable this year. First nature misplaced the polar vortex, bringing us unusual cold, an ice storm with damage (see header), and above average snow.
 

February snow and ice

The crocus burst through in late March and cool skies in early April created contrails.

Then the vortex drifted back to the North pole and nature brought us an over abundance of rain, while parching other parts of the United States.

Finally in May nature warmed the air and the dogwoods, lilacs and azaleas burst into bloom.


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Our World - New heat/cooling system

When the service guy came to do our regular service check he found no coolant in the unit. We chose to get a new unit rather than have the old one fixed

 Inside unit almost done

 Outside unit done

Touch screen control panel