Contemplating.

Contemplating.
Wayzata, Minnesota

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Good Fences #19 - 31 July 2014



WELCOME TO COZY CORNERS 








This week, I'm featuring those cozy little corners or sections of fencing, or stone wall as in the photo above.






I also have a challenge for you this week.  All of these pictures were taken somewhere on my own property, except for one.  Can you tell me which one is not a part of our property?





All butterflies are free!  Except, of course those made out of metal and glass and stuck firmly in the ground.  Well something has to assist my Morning Glories.





Grapes are growing!



"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."  - John Muir

JOHN MUIR - Misquoted?   On the humor side of life, here's an interesting story about the above quote, I just had to share.  I rather like all the versions! 




Don't forget, out of the six photos I posted, can you tell me which one does not belong on my own land?

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Thematic Photographic - 303 What's your tech?

Carmi, from Written Inc. blog is asking us to shoot a photo of what tools we use to get online and stay connected.

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC



Okay, to be honest, the photo below isn't always how I get online and stay connected.  Normally, while my dogs eat breakfast and I enjoy my first coffee of the day, it's my cell phone that connects me to the outside world.  After that, it could be a number of other sources.  Depending on the day's schedule.

But the grandiose of them all is our command station below.  Which by the way, can and often does fly us all around the world with just a touch of the hand.


BUT!  Hold this thought.  You know how all of us here at Thematic Photographic are mostly all about working, or connecting outside the daily norm.  So, in the very name of technology, check this out below.



Ironically, last night I snapped these two photos to share with the old and new hunters in my family!  I'm game for shooting, targets and nothing that breathes!  That's right, not even those testy moles digging up my yard at the moment.

Look what caught my attention at Fleet Farm.  Wow, my thoughts went directly to the hunters in my life with this latest and coolest in shooting technology!




Pretty darn cute right?!  Tech stuff wouldn't you agree?



Self healing little 3D Prairie Dog target!  How cool is that?


So in the name of your own tech stuff or favorite tech stuff, or whatever your little heart desires bring it here to share with us.

Monday, July 28, 2014

The Mag #230 - 27 July 2014

Nerfertiti- Beautiful are the Beauties of Aten, the beautiful one has come.






Image by Tess Kincaid, of Nefertiti Bust for Magpies Tales



All of a sudden
there she was.
Nefertiti's true story.

Her bust 
at 


Auld Lang Syne

Ever bright she shines.
Dazzling
was she
in old crowns 
and regalia of ancient form
stowed by
 yesterday's vault
beneath a sunlit ruins.
Worshipers of Aten
their funerary texts did abide
all else aside
this beautiful woman 
as days unfold
reigned supreme
most powerful
ever striking in battle
her heart a furnace of gold.
Birthed in sunlight
spawning heirs 
until 
she was
gone.

Yet today, the reason for her disappearance is unknown.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - 27 July 2014



My hunt for today begins with the cutest little boy-


 His smiling eyes are watching you!


Then live from within an Upside Down World


Let's look on the sunny, funny side of things.

Why not try a little energetic humor to keep us smiling.




Sometimes, just impulsively standing on your head can make all the difference, and turn a ho hum day into a magical one!


From Behind


A princess, is still a beautiful princess!


Too much Sunshine- could


Send everyone back inside to retrieve- their sunglasses, or break open another bottle of wine!


If you know anything about Northfield, you know exactly where this cup is!




I'll meet you there!


Scavenger Hunt Sunday

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Sepia Saturday - 238 - 26 July 2014



Suffering has been happening for far too long of a time.  Lest we forget?  When will all such atrocities cease?


You'll see this week, I am somewhat following our theme, (signs) while we visit the rough waters of yesterday, on the waves of today's own atrocities.


Thank you Alan, at Sepia Saturday for allowing us to post about things of yesterday, long ago or perhaps in the not that distant past.

These Shoes are a haunting reminder (sign) and not just shoes in art.







JANUARY 1945

Shoes on the Danube Bank, explained here.





A remarkable blog post about these Shoes on the Danube.









Six Word Saturday - 26 July 2014

Ever notice how life surprises you?






SOMETIMES YOU SWIM WITH THE SHARKS

and


SOMETIMES YOU SWIM ALONG WITH KEEPERS


It's all the keepers we meet in life that embrace us.



Did you know it's the male seahorse that gives birth? Unbelievable you must see for yourself.


How wonderful, we found Nemo!



"I like the serendipitous surprises of reality."  Lawrence Wright

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Thematic Photographic - Temporary While Parking



If you follow me here, on Facebook or Twitter you know my fondness for visiting parks.  


Discovering "temporary" at our first park of the day.



On this day, ducks and geese gathered in their usual play and relaxation on the beach and someone wrote a message in the sand.  Once again, temporary gifts.



The geese caught sight of a dog heading their way.  Bye, bye geese!  Happy trails.



On this visit to the park, I thought how fun it would be to leave a treasure for someone to find.


I wonder which of these two coins will disappear first?



Thanks for visiting my TP "temporary" post.  Be on the lookout for what is temporary in your world today too.

Good Fences - # 18 - 24 July 2014

First, for my Good Fences post today-
The horrible thought of July being nearly over, increases my desire to absorb as much summertime as possible.  It's my only defense against Old Man Winter.

Secondly-
For seeking comfort away from all the horrendous events occurring all over the world.


Welcome-


GOOD FENCES


Valley Lake Park - Is the place to visit for so many reasons.




GOOD FENCES, aren't just for making good neighbors, they're for preserving native plants and wildlife, and for keeping many safe from harm's way.



Looking at this photo you might imagine it's waiting peacefully within some lost wilderness.  You'd be wrong.  It's smack in the center of town.  It also features a children's, excitingly-fun-packed playground just a few feet away.

It also offers a paved walking or biking path completely around this lovely lake.


On a visit here, you'll meet Flora and Fauna.



No Park Pass Needed Here.




Don't these images suggest a simpler existence?  It's obtainable here.




The Gifts of our world found, right where we are.   Quite possibly, the best thing that ever happened to us.  Go out and enjoy what's waiting just around the corner.




Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Words Count With Mama Zen - 23 July 2014

Another challenge from Imaginary Garden and Real Toads, with Mama Zen.



Mama Zen recently attended Formed in Stone: The Natural Beauty of Fossils, an exhibit featuring macro digital photographs involving some of earth's earliest life.  In 60 words or less she offers an open theme.  We can use her images or not.  I'm using one of the three she posted.



Image by Mama Zen



SEA STARS


From a seabed
in all the world's oceans
Starfish stir.

If we let them.

Like
The Sand Sifting Sea Star
dressed in
bands
of brown and beige.
Were these once 
your spine covered arms?

I sense
your mere lifeless
remains 
crying for all the world
to love all creatures of the sea.

Like
you, oh faithful urchin hunter.
This fossil bears
your print
evermore.




Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Thematic Photographic - Temporary 2



I enjoy Carmi's "Temporary" theme so much,
 I'm posting round Two.




Pay close attention-


Because it's burning fast!


Thematic Photographic - 302 - Temporary

Look fast, chances are, you'll never see this boxcar again.






Carmi, from Written Inc. is calling for something, anything, that exists for a brief temporary while.  So here's to many temporary somethings that we can see for a fleeting moment, or being caught by camera, it can last for as long as we so desire!

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 20 July 2014

This week for Ashley's Scavenger hunt we're tracking- full, doughnut, bug, in the car and straw!

1. FULL


 
Today's barbecue was a full day of water sports, tubing, boats and jet-ski rides!



and lots of waiting in line for the next ride! 



2.  DOUGHNUT


And- 



Doughnut offering for Mr. Gnome


3. BUG


Twin Bugs!







4. IN THE CAR



Yesterday we went "Parking" as in, how many parks can we visit today?!


5. STRAW


Don't tell anyone, but tonight after our FULL weekend of FUN it's wine time for me!  My Princess straw makes it very magical.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Fireblossom Friday: Another You

I'm accepting Fireblossom's Friday
 at Imaginary Garden and Real Toads with this post.

The challenge is, "What would you do if you came face to face with the other you?"

Normally, I take the higher, happier road for my posts.  The less tragic, or politically correct road, but in the aftermath of yesterday, my heart and soul is consumed for all of the passengers on the Malaysia airplane from Amsterdam, and all of their loved ones.




MY OTHER ME

Would soar higher
than eagles 
upon Superwoman wings
to the highest peak
bursting weak
and bullying folk
once and for all.

Killing is not a myth
it's reality
performed
by selfishly weak
ignoramuses-
 feeble of heart.
.

Was it planned?
On the birthday eve of
one so brave
a Man
 as Nelson Mandela?

Innocents 
ruthlessly blown to bits
in our very own heaven above.
The cruelest of tricks.
Cowards
 I SCREAM.

MY other me
wouldn't quietly sit
motionless
powerless
and useless
and party hearty 
on the good (alive) life before me,
by not
 fighting back.

No, if I dare to 
come face to face
with my other me
it would not stand 
motionless.


WE CAN LEARN TO LOVE.







Happy Birthday to you, Nelson..... may your goodness shine through all of us evermore.





Thank you, for stopping by, may happiness reign upon us all.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Good Fences # 17 17-July 2014


Where or where could this little building be?  The clues to the answer are in the fences.


Building Hint:  A good Place to Warm Yourself.


GOOD FENCES



Any guesses yet?



Next clue.  This time of year, it pretty much gets ignored.




Notice the brackets?  Getting closer to the answer right?


Not a swimming pool.

Surely by this photo you believe it's got to be-



                 An Ice Skating Rink.


I bet those true cold-blooded skaters knew at the little warming house.