Parts

Parts of our stir-fry tonight.
Camera: iPhone5 Processing: Etchings

My little secret

OK--here it goes: poinsettias creep me out.  It's those little eye things in the middle.  Maybe it's because they remind me of the evil prong-shooting plants in the original Star Trek series episode, "The Apple," I don't know...but there it is.  Using the Lensbaby with the star disc softens them to a non-threatening almost abstract.

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse    Processing: PSE

Peace

I don't know that Peace was a theme; if it was, I've used to already.  But I feel right now, on this Christmas Eve when we have been soaked in tragedy, a desperate need for peace.  So I would like to offer as a Christmas blessing, yet one more vision of Paper Goods Pond, that peaceful place, as it reflects Heaven.  I wish you all a blessed and a peaceful Christmas.

Photo: iPhone5    Processing: PSE

Candy

Granddude Craig tastes his first candy cane.

Camera: iPhone5 Processing: TiltShift Generator, Etchings, PhotoToaster

Christmas

Granddudes Craig & Aidan open presents at our house this afternoon.

Camera: iPhone5 Processing: TiltShift Generator, PhotoToaster

Slowly

People drift slowly through the museum, pausing to study that which attracts their eyes.

Camera: iPhone5 Processing: Popsicolor

Fantasy

Fog makes the reservoir look like a spooky fantasy world.

Camera: Canon EOS T3   Lensbaby Muse/Edge 80    Processing: PSE

Still life

Mist settles over Paper Goods Pond this evening.

Camera: EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse/Edge 80     Processing: PSE

Sentimental

At the cafe in Barnes & Noble today, a father started reading a story to his children. The little boy was so enthralled that he lost his shoes as he climbed up to see the book better. I'm still having a really hard time dealing with what happened in Newtown. I know that this father must be feeling extra awareness of how wonderful it is to have one's child there and to be able to read him a story. I loved reading to my kids. I treasured every moment holding then tucked under my arms, spinning out worlds for their imaginations to see.

Camera: iPhone5 Processing: TiltShift Generator, PhotoToaster

In memory of those 20 six and seven year old children and the heroic adults who died with them in Newtown, Connecticut.

Evil

No photo today.  Can't do it in light of the unspeakable tragedy here in my state. 

My grandudes are in a school just like that one.  My kids went to a school just like that one.  Our town is a bit less affluent, but has about the same size and character as Newtown.  It could have been here.  It could have been my kids, my granddudes.  In a small state, it feels so close.  How can one survive being the parent or grandparent of one of those slaughtered children?  In it's own way, how can one survive the horror of knowing your own child or grandchild survived but your friends' and neighbors' didn't?  In a small close community, everyone is horribly irreparably wounded. Ten, twelve years, when their classmates go to the prom and graduate, these children who *should* have been there will still hauntingly be present.

Large

I'm not sure what kind of horns these are--not tubas--but they are large. 

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Tamron 18-270 lens   Processing: minor adjustments in PSE

Warped

The wood on this bench outside the library is warped after years of exposure to the weather.

Camera: Canon T3, Lensbaby Muse/Edge 80  Processing: PSE

Simplicity

Another view of Paper Goods Pond tonight.

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse/Edge 80  Processing: minor adjustments in PSE

Comfort

Whenever I am in need of comfort, a visit to Paper Goods Pond quells my soul. 

 Camera: iPhone5, True HDR app    Processing: PSE

Utilities

This has got to be a tough job, especially in the cold.
Camera: iPhone5 Processing: a bunch of apps

The Team

This afternoon, our high school football team, the Berlin Redcoats played for the state championship against the Hillhouse Academics from New Haven.  They were evenly matched in the first half; but Berlin was creamed in the second for a final score of 35-12.  I'm not a football fan, but it's fun to go to a game like this.  Both teams had heart.  AND I discovered my new career dream--sports photographer!

Camera Canon EOS T3  Tamron 18-170 lens  Processing: cropping and basic adjustments in PSE

Success

It's tricky, but I am successfully growing cherry tomatoes upstairs in my Mom Cave in an AeroGarden.  Nothing quite like fresh tomatoes, chili peppers, salad greens and herbs even during a New England winter!

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse/Edge 80  Processing: cropping & minor adjustments in PSE

Eyes

From time to time, when I say things like, "Can we get a goat?" or, "Let's move to Idaho!", or, "Maybe we should adopt another kid,"...John gives me That Look. He has given into me on the latter in the past, so I can't fault him now at our ages. But I have learned that there are times to move on to another subject.

Camera: iPhone5. Processing: a bunch of apps

Full

Last week was the full beaver moon.  Winter is setting in, nights are longer and cold: the light of the full moon in the sky through the forest brings one's soul back to an ancient time.

Camera: iPhone5   Processing: PSE

Professional

To be reading this kind of dry stuff, he must have a professional interest in finance.

Camera: iPhone5, Hipstamatic

Open

This man was totally absorbed in his open book at the B&N cafe this past weekend.
Camera: iPhone5 Processing: Etchings & Vintage apps

The Weekend

Life can be hectic.  Sometimes, we like to just slow it down.  We go to Barnes & Noble, get a coffee (cafe latte is my favorite) and just spend an hour sipping it and poring over magazines.  Today, we found a great Christmas present there for our older granddude: a kind of a chemistry set that makes glow-in-the-dark stuff.  His mom won't want to bother with that, so it means he and I can be mad scientists together!

Camera" Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse/Edge 8-  Processing: PSE 

Modern

Everyone interacting with his or her screen...

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse, Edge 80 optic   Processing: PSE

Crooked

The bare branches of the dogwood still hold the potential for flowers in the spring.

Camera Canon T3, Lensbaby Muse, Edge-80 optic Processing: basic adjustments in PSE

Circular

Tangerines on the kitchen table

Camera: Canon T3, Lensbaby Muse, Edge-80 optic  Processing: PSE

Misty

Soft snow fell today from a misty sky. 

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse   Processing: PSE

Disguise?

..or not?  Maybe this is the Real Thing.  The kids sure thought so.

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse   Processing: PSE

Chill

It's November in New England--a time when the cold, damp and wind puts a chill in one's bones.  John & I went for a walk today at Pistol Creek, part of our town's open space.  To say that the weather was brisk is a bit of an understatement.  But the light was awesome. 

Camera: Canone EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse  Processing: PSE

Welcome

It is important to us always to be welcome, and Thanksgiving is a chance to enjoy that.  Around our table this year were people born on three continents in five countries (the US, Germany, England, Korea and Taiwan.) I'm the one behind the camera.

Camera: iPhone5  Processing: a bunch of apps...I lost track which ones I used

Athletic

Once upon a time, this was athletic competition. 

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Tamron 18-270 lens   Processing: PSE

Broken

I found this broken shell on the beach about a month ago.  I left it on the desk in my "mom cave."  This morning, when I went in to take care of my plants there, morning light was slanting in, making the shell glow.  Who cares if it was going to make me late for work?  I had to get my camera. 

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse   Processing: PSE

Crowded

Another view of the Apple Store--and this is a week before the shopping frenzy begins.

Camera: iPhone5. Processing: Dynamic Light, PhotoForge2

Desire

The whole point of the Apple Store is to create desire.  Any retail space in the Dreaded Mall is the same--but the Apple Store seems to focus it more.

Camera: iPhone5 (ironic?)  Processing: Fisheye4free

Tourist

There's not much to attract tourists to New Britain, Connecticut, one of many New England cities that had its heyday in the industrial era and is now just trying to scrape by; but it has one rare, true gem: the New Britain Museum of American Art. This couple came to see the extraordinary collection of artwork.  While they were there, they stopped in the doorway to listen to a concert.  If you'd like to learn more about the Museum and its wonders, here's the website: http://www.nbmaa.org/

Camera: iPhone5  Processing: a bunch of apps, including but not restricted to Popsicolor and SP PhotoTada

Umbrella

The natural kind...

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse  Processing: PSE

Statement

Hope...as expressed on a tunnel wall.

Camera: iPhone5   Processing: SwankoLab, Grunge, PhotoToaster

Candid

They grow up too fast.  Aidan, at seven, is already has a touch of adolescent skepticism in his eyes at times.  But he still has plenty of sweet.  I snagged this shot on a hike we took with the granddudes.  As we were heading back, he slipped his hand into mine and said, "Mamo, I will always remember this day."  And my heart melted on the spot.

Camera" Canon T3, Lensbaby Muse  Processing: PSE

Structure

Today, we went for a hike on part of the Metacomet Trail.  It passes this reservoir in Meriden, Connecticut.  There are many reservoirs in our area, and all of them have a brick structure like this sitting out on the water at one end.  I have no idea what they do.

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse, single glass optic   Processing: PSE

Warmth

We're experiencing Indian summer--a brief period of warmth after the first snow and frost.  Here, late afternoon light slants across Walnut Hill Park.

Camera: iPhone5  Processing: Dynamic Light

Wilderness

When you are small, any woods is a wilderness. 

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse   Processing: PSE

Quest

We went for a bit of a hike with the granddudes today.  Along the way, we passed through a tunnel with this earnest plea on the wall.  We suspect it did not go well, as Kristin's name was semi-obliterated.

Camera: iPhone5   Processing: PhotoGene for cropping, then Grunge

Costume

By chance, the granddudes ended up with identical costumes.  Aidan's dad bought his, and their mom didn't know what he was going to be when she bought Craig's.  They were some kind of superhero...I'm not up on this.  Doesn't matter--they were both happy.

Camera: iPhone 5  Processing: sundry apps

Ocean

An off-shoot of the ocean, actually: Long Island Sound.

Camera: iPhone5    Processing: PSE

Wet

Raindrops on autumn leaves.  These were actually from the beginning of storm Sandy--who know that such a pretty sight would be a harbinger of such destruction?

Camera: Canon T3, Lensbaby Muse   Processing: PSE

Worn

The last rose of summer.

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse, single glass optic   Processing: PSE

Portrait

Tonight we went to a lecture on the life of Abraham Lincoln, which began showing this very famous portrait of him.

Camera: iPhone 5   Processing: SP PhotoTada, Dynamic Light

Treasure

Our granddudes are the greatest treasures to us.  This is Aidan and John, who make that obvious.

Camera: iPhone 5  Processing: Iris, PhotoToaster, Popsicolor

Symmetry

I was intrigued by the symmetry of hand motions despite the obvious separation in space and context. 

Camera iPhone 5, Hueless app  Processing : Etchings app