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