Thematic Photographic # 187 - Watery

Can you guess what our theme is this week?

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC




                     WATERY




Watery - relating to, containing or just soaked with water.

Or, watery could  mean,
"My eyes are watery after we say good-bye."



From the watery substance that spreads before us.....
do you see everything?

Or,

Is it just another illusion?   Can you make out the sky from the water and the sculpture between them both?  Could this just be another illusion?

If you were lucky enough to meet a swan, would you know what to say?
Or, would you let your meeting slip silently away?

Slipping off the shores of a watery parking lot, are you ready to venture out into these unknown waters before you?

Have you ever been sorry for parking in a NO PARKING

zone?

What is this thing called Watery today?

Why it's Carmi, from "Written Inc" blog who has called this week's theme

WATERY

MAKE OF IT WHAT YOU WILL

BUT DO BRING MORE FOR US TO SEE

http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2012/03/thematic-photographic-187-watery.html

Words, Can't Bring Me Down

Just a happy thought for you all!

Do I have egg on my face?

          

Take a moment for you, and enjoy this video below.

....and remember, you are beautiful.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6djOmuO3vEQ&feature=related

Everyday is so wonderful.....


Have a beautiful week ahead.

Saturday Centus Good Things Come in Fives

Saturday Centus

           Jenny, from "Off on my tangent" blog (still waaaaaaaaaaaay behind with all her unpacking) has given us a twist for our centus today.  Our mission is simple.

(5) five sentences, consisting of five words each, to tell a story about her theme (note: not prompt, and you don't need to use Jenny's five words at all)  Your story must be a total of 25 words, in any style of writing.

 Jenny's theme is:

                       "Good things come in fives"

Five years underneath these skies

while the world looked in

her durable state that weathered

from the inside-out of concrete

until now, she's been sold.

Jenny's photo for her theme of

Good things come in fives.

If you want to view more Saturday Centus posts,

or post your own

go here

http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2012/03/saturday-centus

Sepia-Saturday Not A Bearded Ghost in the House

Or is there? 

The Potter Palmer Mansion at 1350 Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, could have been a hotel.  Built in 1882 - 1885 towered greatly until it was demolished in 1950.  Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress, Washington D.C. Prints


The very successful Potter Palmer had an elegant hotel in his thoughts, and it became a reality.



Rumor has it, the hotel below is filled with stories and secrets, essentially built for tired souls to rest, it brings forth the question, is it haunted?

Or, are they simply, drumming up business?


SEPIA SATURDAY and 


     
Was That a  BEARDED GHOST We Saw at the HOTEL?


No, just Potter Palmer, the man who gave the business district of Chicago, the elegantly designed hotel,

           "The Palmer House"



Why do long and established places of business, particularly restaurants and hotels eventually end up on the 10 Most Haunted Places list?



Like, The Palmer House Hotel in Chicago, which originally opened in 1871, is now owned by the Hilton chain today.
      Legends say, the Palmer House Hotel has lots of orbs and sounds, if you believe in ghosts.

A view from inside The Palmer House.  The corner of State and Monroe Streets have seen three Palmer hotels.  The first hotel which opened on the 26th of September 1871, was built by Potter Palmer and given to his new bride, Bertha Honore' of Louisville, Kentucky as a wedding present.

Thirteen days after their wedding on the 9th of October 1871 the "Great Chicago Fire" destroyed the Palmer Hotel.  Potter Palmer immediately constructed a new hotel with architect John M. Van Osdel and the second Palmer House Hotel complete with 7 stories was opened. The third hotel was rebuilt with an ever growing Chicago and featured 25 stories.  In 1945 it was purchased by Conrad Hilton for 20 million.



Heading to the southern regions of America, the ghosts keep showing up there too.

ANTOINE'S RESTAURANT in the FRENCH QUARTER of NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana.



The Postcard reads, "The Oldest French Restaurant in New Orleans In the Heart of the Vieux Carre' Roy L. Alciatore, Prop."


Last on my list of hungry ghost stories has to do with an inn for seafarers and became a rendezvous for thirsty pirates and sailors from the Seven Seas, in the beginning.  Situated in Savannah, Georgia, (one of my most favorite southern places to visit) and The Pirates House, located on Broad Street and this photo (as well as the two that follow it) were taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston about 1939.  The building dates back to ca. 1790.

Today The Pirates House features 15 separate and distinct dining rooms for your dining pleasures (and their food is exceptional)

Pirates House dining

Of course this isn't how the Pirate's House Restaurant appears today.  Who would care to dine here if it did?  But honestly if it's really a haunted place shouldn't it look something a bit more like this?

Perhaps it's silly, but isn't there something a bit more magical and interesting when it has to do with ghosts and delicious dishes from the south, rather than scruffy old beards?

If you didn't notice, our theme is featured from "Mrs. Marvel (her blog is a marvel too) from her blog, Who were they?" (The secret is, she has a hairy story to tell on her blog.)

A special note, Potter Palmer did sport a beard.

If you want to play along with Sepia Saturday or just search through other Sepia posts please

go here

http://sepiasaturday.blogspot.com/2012/03/sepia-saturday-116-hair.html

Quintessentially- Throw Back Thursday

Throw Back Thursday

Quintessentially

my letter Q for

Alphabe-Thursday

It's been a long while since I've posted for Jenny and after sharing this throw-back-Thursday post today with a new blogger I'm throwing it back in for my return.

     

A definite space where one explores without boundaries all the avenues before them, just waiting to be discovered at the turn of a every corner.

Quintessentially, place, is where we are, what we do with it, is up to us.

La Costa Resort and Spa

 November 2011

Carlsbad, California

So many inspiring water fountains led the way during our visit to sunny southern California.

Beginning from our Disneyland adventure

to La Costa Resort and Spa

where boutiques, of endless sources of shopping, delicious dining, golf, The Deepka Chopra Center and the La Costa legendary spa - awaits limitless and blissful explorations

all at your own pace.

Designed especially for you.....

For me, it's not just about the biggest roller coaster ride, or the most expensive diamond studded pair of tennis shoes you can slip into.

Or, that if you skip breakfast for a round of golf

you may see Tiger Woods

(because truth be told he really does golf here)

FOR ME, IT'S MORE ABOUT

The place itself.....

What a content place to wake up.....

The photo above is an early morning view from our private patio......

If you venture out during the early hours of the morning

you often discover the most unusual moments

waiting just for you.

In every place you may wander.....

....there is a place to enjoy.....

While the coffee brews inside our suite, I'll see if anyone else is searching for the morning's best kept secret.

Would you be surprised if I told you that it's also very exciting to explore like this just before the sun begins to set?

In this photo:  Evening was pushing hard to arrive.....

We all spent the day at the pool.

Where they have genuine sand

and it feels like being at the beach...can you believe it?

This is the place to be for me.

Just strolling about

every inch of this man-made-beauty rising within one of the most splendid places on earth....

until 

the BlueFire Grill

caught my eye!

I wasn't disappointed either!

I have a secret about my over-the-top server, and his over and beyond the call of serving!

On the evening before our flight to California my right hand got in the middle of a cat fight.

Yes it became infected and ....

My server noticed my swollen situation and asked what happened?

"Oh yeah, just a cat fight!"

We laughed, but he returned with a plate containing a bag filled with ice!

"Here maybe this will help your swelling!"

Imagine that!

Another priceless gift at this place

is

the Bird of Paradise Flower

It's almost as if they come alive with laughter as you pass by them

especially on the way to

....The Spa at La Costa where you can catch the day's feature or need a change?  How does your wind blown hair feel today?

But wait!

 Did I hear someone say it's tee time?

Sure, I heard you....but my hand is crying another story altogether, sorry.

So for this evening I'm skipping golf, for a tasty dinner at Legends instead.

...and after we wore out this day, it's time to turn out the lights

For a very good night's sleep... until the adventures of tomorrow......

Sleep tight!

Linking to Alphabe-Thursday.

Thematic Photographic # 186 Past Its Prime

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC


               Welcome to another TP from Carmi, at "Written Inc" blog!  This week Carmi has gone from greyish to demolish-able.... ha ha (just kidding) but close to it!  He has selected.......


               
                              "PAST   ITS   PRIME"



         My past its prime is very close in character to Carmi's, with his being much brighter and fresher appearing compared to mine.

If by chance you want to play along as well, or just care to view other awesome viewpoints, go here

http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2012/03/thematic-photographic-186-past-its.html



Alas......



The demise of the corner store ......


It is not the times that have changed, we have changed.

How many years can this mess exist?
Before it is washed to the sea?
How many years must people make this exist,
before it is allowed to be free?
...and how many times can a man turn his head
and pretend that he just doesn't see?

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind.....
the answer is blowing in the wind...... -Bob Dylan


and Bob Dylan has a lot of answers....maybe he has an answer for this place?

          




Once upon a time, not that long ago really, this parking lot was filled with automobiles.... and laughter.

Where did all the gasoline pumps go?  .....and the customers walking to and fro?  Perhaps you noticed, just off to the left of this photo is the heavily used 35W Highway.  If you leave here and head east it'll take you to Northfield, or if you prefer going west you'll end up in New Prague. 

No matter which way you study the remains of this property, the end is here. 

     Alas, the sweet intoxication of victory, just as soon as the rubble and debris is swiftly carried away..... and I predict very soon.



Ah, just how many years ago did I predict that?

Surely this is not the equipment that will bring it all to its final end.  I fear this too is past its prime.

Saturday Centus 3 March 2012 - Proof

WELCOME TO MARCH AND
                 SATURDAY CENTUS

Saying goodbye was harder than she thought.

      Her terrifying cloud of uncertainty was about to burst, with each imaginary wheel going around and around. She cringed as she felt her footing slip away. How could she unlock the turning of it all?



      There she was, caught in the predicament of agreeing impulsively again. Why was she always the follower? Her raw nerves uttered complete chaos inside, as she shivered from the chilly feeling of an emptiness cold as ice.


      Were these dreaded grey waters ahead unfit for human use? She knew what she must do.  Goodbye world....it's time to.....

                           JUMP!


Jenny from "Off on my tangent" is busy with Two Men and A Truck, (ha ha) don't laugh, where I live it's a real moving company!   Anyway, Jenny is giving us an easy Saturday Centus this WEEK.  ha ha! Rules to join in
are pretty basic, this WEEK!


It seems she may be handing out a dreadful assignment next week!


WE MAY USE -  Up to 107 words which must include the prompt, "Saying goodbye was harder than she thought."  ....and no splitting of the prompt.  Any style of writing, and use as many photos as you want.

Feel like giving it a go too, then just bring it here

http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2012/03/saturday-centus-saying-goodbye.html

Six Word Saturday 3 March 2012

Good morning .... it's SIX WORD SATURDAY

           



DO OUR HEROES DEFINE OUR PERSONALITY?

WHICH FICTIONAL CHARACTER BEST DESCRIBES YOU 

 

For first time visitors, this SIX WORD SATURDAY arrives from one of my favorite blogs, "Show MY Face" sponsored by Cate and she opens up our brains every Saturday morning...........for the whole week long.....to express ourselves in just SIX words.  Sounds like fun right?! 

To see more Six Word Posts please go here



http://www.showmyface.com/2012/03/six-word-saturday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+showmyface+%


28Show+My+Face%29

Sepia Saturday # 115 - Saturday - 3 March 2012

WELCOME TO 3 MARCH 2012
                   SEPIA SATURDAY

                                 ...and the games we play.....

Photograph by Marjory Collins 1912-1985 her game of photography, she was known as "A rebel looking for a cause" and this photo was part of her "Day-in-the-life" of visual stories about the ideal American way of life, that showed the commitment of ordinary citizens supporting the war effort, and just living day to day.



Brought to by, "Southwest Arkie- at "Of Colouring Outside the Lines" (a favorite game of mine....it's outside the box where all the fun begins!)


     
              Alan's selection of photo for this Sepia theme wakes up my gamely state of mind!



Once upon a Saturday afternoon in 1925 on a quiet street with well-manicured lawns residents were preparing for their favorite Saturday evening, "Game-Night....."

Oh what would be on the program for this evening? A game of, "Look-a-bout, Change Seats, Charades, Forfeits, The Name Game, You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" (although the person who never smiles is declared the winner in this game).....




It was the fancy stick-styled magnificently built cottage on the lake everyone dreamed of being invited to for game night.  The stately house rose like it was guarding the best kept secret in town and everyone wanted to be a part of the excitement that flowed through the lively rooms.

Some of the invited guests arrived by train for the evening's festivities.

Yes, James J. Hill's famous railroad...............

Even strangers treated each other with such politeness as they left the station behind them.  They shared idle conversations of the power they all would soon share, while weaving their magic spells of wit and wisdom for everything that would soon come their way.

For those that approached the cottage by the side, they immediately caught the aroma of fresh pasties and bread blended with a mingling of wood smoke which stirred their memories of past visits there.  So knowing they were early, off to the lake they strolled for a quick look before knocking on the front door.


Speaking of the lake...........

Sometimes there were outdoor games.

Like "Blind Man's Bluff" or "Prince Who?"  Which works really well while the princess standing high up in the Gazebo is blindfolded, and she must try to identify the person standing down before her....and if she does, then they take her place and on and on...

                Don't you just know they all had a bunch of fun hosting such gala events?  But what about other simple family games we all love to play together....like from my own family album right below..... 

Enjoying a moment of building with my sister, my father, and myself while next to my furry slippers (underneath the table) is my beloved Mickey, our family dog!

Yes, the windmill was mostly my daddy's creation!

...and how about you?
Do you have a game or another kind of sepia moment you care to share?
 Please go here for more Sepia Saturday Posts!

http://sepiasaturday.blogspot.com/2012/02/sepia-saturday-115-games.html

Thematic Photographic # 185 Greyish Take Two

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC TAKE TWO

                     From the greyish side of things.....

Meet Chair One and Chair Two

How do you do?

Throw in a fire and a table

and you can do

a  Dr. Seuss fable!

For Two!

Come, come 

come Chair One and Chair Two

and

You must come too

and check it out-

it's what you must do!

This Take Two of Thematic Photographic celebrates our greyish theme and a

Happy Birthday today and Thank you, Theodor Seuss Geisel for all your silly, silly nonsense and for waking up our brain cells over silly things, like green eggs and ham!

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened!" - Dr. Seuss

Want to play along too?

Of course you do

just go here

http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2012/02/thematic-photographic-185-greyish.html

Thematic Photographic - # 185 - Greyish

THIS IS A THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC POST

Any guesses as to what our theme for Thematic Photographic is this week........... ?



              Carmi, from "Written Inc." blog has offered "greyish" as our theme this week, and in the scheme of all things greyish we shall wander...and just so you know, things may be a bit......greyish or dreary! 

          

The sky, water and land where ever we roamed were all greyish tones in November of 2011 just north of San Diego.

Unless something was painted.

Every where I seemed to go

Grey skies were looking at me
nothing but grey skies did I see.

and nothing by greyish seascapes to see,
and they were following me.


*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Seagulls were seizing the day though,
all lined up in a row.

and yet.....

I cried, never had I seen so many greyish days all in a row.

Have you ever tried bursting out of a grey day
by daring to do what everyone dares you not to do?


Oh grey skies nothing but grey skies do I see
Never see the sun shining around me

Nothing but empty trees do I see all around me.
Greyish skies looking at me

Maybe if I'm lucky I can catch a ride on the back of a hare
 as he's running free
 underneath these greyish skies all around me.

When you venture into the city, you can happen upon a game of hockey or catch a glimpse of the skyscrapers looming under such greyish skies of a lazy Sunday afternoon......


But...........

Suddenly, as if the magical*color*wizard ascended from the greyish skies around me
a hint of blue*skies splashed between the clouds above me....

Soon these greyish clouds will be behind me.


If you want to follow a few more greyish posts or say
why not bring your own greyish photos for us to see too!
JUST GO
here

http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2012/02/thematic-photographic-185-greyish.html