52 Photo Challege, 2012

Travel/Iconic

2012-01-28T19:08:00.001-08:00

The iconic white steeple of a New England Congregational church.
Camera: Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse Processing: PSE

Fun/Chaos

2012-01-27T18:26:00.000-08:00

The granddudes are theoretically cleaning up the Legos after they dumped them all over the living room. Naturally, Mamo (that's me) found a way to make it fun--use a toy dump truck!

Camera: iPhone 4s Processing: a few apps including TiltShift Generator...maybe also PhotoToaster, Dynamic Light, Bleach Bypass, and XProcess. I kinda lost track.

Objects/How I see, myself

2012-01-26T16:57:00.000-08:00

How I see? Myself, I need these glasses. Without them, the world is just a soft, hazy blur. With them, I can see crisp detail and edges and glitter. I can see individual leaves and blades and stones, instead of a uniform fuzzy green or grey. I can read signs; and I can read books without bringing them right up to my face. AND I can take pictures! Without my glasses, photography would be impossible--I am way too nearsighted to be able to see what I might want to point a camera at with out them.

Camera: iPhone 4s Processing: Hipstamatic, Magic Hour

Outdoors/Power

2012-01-24T18:30:00.001-08:00

Even a relatively small waterfall, like the one that cascades over the dam that forms Paper Goods Pond, is tremendously powerful.

Camera: Canon EOS T3 with Lensbaby Muse Processing: PSE

Urban/Luggage

2012-01-23T16:10:00.000-08:00

A woman hauls her luggage through the lobby of Hartford's Convention Center.

Camera: iPhone 4s Processing: PhotoForge2, Dynamic Light

Blog problems

2012-01-21T16:32:00.000-08:00

People seem to be having problems commenting on my blog. I'm hearing that a place to comment simply doesn't appear. I haven't changed any settings on the blog--and I certainly haven't disallowed any of you wonderful fellow challengers. Other Blogger people seem to be having the same issue, so it appears to be systemic. I don't know how to fix it. After over three years here, I don't want to shut down and start over elsewhere.

I know it's an inconvenience, but until it gets sorted out, I do post all the photos here over on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/barbaracoughlin/ and on Tumblr at http://bfcphoto.tumblr.com/

So if it isn't working for you here, please consider trying there. And thank you always for your interest.

Bobbie

Outdoors/Cold

2012-01-21T16:14:00.000-08:00

The first seasonal snowfall fall of the year (we are not counting the freak nor'easter in October that brought down so many trees and paralyzed the state for a week.)

Urban/Contrast

2012-01-20T16:55:00.000-08:00

A few seagulls swoops over a street in Queens, NY.
Camera: iPhone 4s Processing: Dynamic Light

Agriculture/Fresh

2012-01-19T18:07:00.000-08:00

An AeroGarden is agriculture on a very small scale. They are individual hydroponic gardens that come complete with lights--about the only way I can grow anything indoors in our house with its sparse ambient light. But they allow me to grow herbs, lettuce, flowers, chili peppers and cherry tomatoes all through the long, cold, gloomy New England winter. This is the edge of a leaf of Red Sail lettuce. The Red Sail is one of a few heirloom lettuces that I've got growing in the AeroGarden in our kitchen. (I confess to being an addict--I have seven of the things, six at home and one in the airless, lightless, soulless cube at my office.)

Camera: Canon EOS T3 with Lensbaby Muse Processing: PSE

City Life/The Office

2012-01-18T15:55:00.000-08:00

Late afternoon light filters through the blinds from the office of one of the supervisors at the building where I work.

Warnings/Analog

2012-01-16T17:13:00.001-08:00

A stenciled direction that simply explains where you are and how to get out.

Camera: iPhone 4s Processing: Hipstamatic, PhotoToaster

ShowBiz/Spontaneous

2012-01-15T19:10:00.001-08:00

Ours friends' granddaughters and a close family friend put on improv play called, "Popular Girls."

Camera: iPhone 4s Processing: Hipstamatic, PhotoToaster

Urban/City Life

2012-01-14T18:55:00.000-08:00

Queens, New York.

Camera: iPhone 42 Processing: PhotoGene2 and a few other apps...I played so much I forgot which ones!

Zoo/Blur

2012-01-13T18:46:00.001-08:00

The frenetic movements of the chicken create a blur as it pecks and struts about.

Camera: Canon EOS T3 and Lensbaby Muse Processing: PSE

Beginnings/Real Life

2012-01-12T16:23:00.000-08:00

This is my brand new baby nephew, Derek, born this morning at 9:09 EST. I'm going to admit up front that I did not take this picture. My brother emailed the original to me not long after the little dude entered the world. I did the processing with the Iris app on my iPhone. I know this is cheating--but I wanted to show off the 13th grandchild of my parents' marriage and my children's 21st first cousin.

Urban/Stop sign

2012-01-11T16:57:00.001-08:00

A stop sign reflected in a puddle.

Camera: Canon EOS T3 with Lensbaby Muse Processing: PSE

Design/Shadows

2012-01-09T17:25:00.001-08:00

Spindly trees cast fascinating shadows on the translucent walls of the walkway to the Medical Arts & Research Building at the UConn Health Center. Camera: iPhone 4s Processing: PhotoGene, PhotoToaster, Iris

Zoo/Critters

2012-01-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

These are either sheep that look like goats or goats that look like sheep. Maybe one of each. Don't ask me to tell the difference--I grew up in New York City.

Camera Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse Processing: PSE

Beginnings/Unfinished

2012-01-07T18:32:00.001-08:00

Together, Aidan & I built a wooden racing car. He read the instructions, his little brother handed me the parts, and I wielded the screwdriver.

Camera: iPhone 4s. Processing: Dynamic Light, PhotoToaster, TiltShift Generator

Beginnings/Exercise

2012-01-05T16:16:00.001-08:00

It's a new year, and all these people made all these resolutions....so the gym will be packed for the next few weeks.

Camera: iPhone 4s Processing: PhotoGene2, PhotoToaster

Beginnings/Adolescence

2012-01-03T16:43:00.001-08:00

This young man riding his bike seems to exemplify the dreamy moodiness of adolescence.

Camera: Canon EOS T3, Lensbaby Muse Processing: PSE

Beginnings/Busy

2012-01-02T16:11:00.000-08:00

This is the beginning of a long, long , LONG line at LL Bean today. It seems they melded returns in with sales, so the end of the line snaked around the store. We had no idea it would be that busy, but John needed some new shoes. He wanted to get out of the house and felt like he could handle the trip.

Camera: iPhone 4s, Hipstamatic app

Beginnings/Trees

2012-01-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

It may be winter and this apple tree bare, but already in it are the beginnings of the new season, blossoms and then fruit.

Camera: Canon EOS 3T with Lensbaby Muse Processing: PSE

Beginnings/Children's Toys

2012-01-01T18:04:00.000-08:00

OK, I swore I was going with the 52 week premise, but when I looked at the 366 list, it was just SO tempting. So maybe I'll go with 52+: I'll concentrate on the 52 list, but see where I can merge it with the 366. This is all just so much fun!

Anyway, this is my younger granddude, Craig, playing with the Duplo train we bought about 20 years ago for his Uncle Chris. Toys like this are the beginnings of dreams, and dreams are the springboard to the future.

Camera: iPhone 4s Processing: PSE

The end of one year...

2011-12-31T15:48:00.000-08:00

I had hoped to wrap up with at least a few photos to finish out the themes I hadn't completed. I even managed to snag one of Cupcakes, which was the theme I considered Most Likely To Be Missed. But the events of the last 48 hours pretty much depleted time, energy and attention. Now John is home safe and sound--and being a stubborn Irish nuttin'-wrong-with-me male who may make me hypertensive.

So I'd like to thank all of you who shared your vision and your with us. It was an honor to be able to set foot in your worlds. Thank you to those who were kind and interested enough to spend time with me at Paper Goods Pond and other places in my life.

I've completed three years of 356 photos. The first two years were more difficult than the last, because my "rules" meant literally a photo EVERY day. This least year, I went with the concept of 365 photos in all. I'm not sure if I exactly made it, but I know I came close. I had 16 themes left, but I did use free themes along the way. The wonderful thing about at 365 (on next year, 366!) challenge is that it makes one open one's eye to what is beautiful, interesting, arresting, disturbing, unique, iconic, comforting or visionary in one's life; or what might just exemplify a place, situation or condition. I've learned a lot from the 1,095 photos (give or take a few) that came from these three years.

I'm also very grateful to done this in a shared experience. I will deeply miss those of you who are not going on to a challenge here next year. And I feel honored to be part of the community with those who are.

I wish all of you a blessed new year that is full of promise, opportunity, vision, and (let's not forget) fun.

He's home!

2011-12-31T11:55:00.000-08:00

John was released from the hospital today. He's feeling MUCH better, but still wears out easily. I don't think we'll be up for partying this evening, but just having him well and home is celebration enough. Thanks for all your kind thoughts.

2011-12-30T17:37:00.001-08:00

No photo today. Last night took my husband to the ER & he was admitted to ICU for a GI bleed. It's probably related to radiation he had a few years ago for prostate cancer. He seems to be improving, but I'm more than a tad tired and strung out. I know that youse guys (as we say in NYC) care about the people in this community, so I would just like to ask for prayers & healing thoughts.

Five

2011-12-29T16:14:00.001-08:00

There are five signs leading down into the bowels of this NYC parking garage.

Z is for Zinnia

2011-12-28T16:14:00.001-08:00

I have mini-zinnias growing in the little AeroGarden in my lightless, airless, soulless cubicle at work.
365/2011

Y is for Yarn

2011-12-27T16:40:00.000-08:00

I wish I knew how to knit (and had the patience to sit still while something was produced from the needles...) This yarn, found in a bin at Michael's, would make a wonderful sweater.

Rough

2011-12-26T08:38:00.001-08:00

My son, Christian, romping with Craig, the younger granddude. The boys love it when Uncle Chris is here!
365/2011

Homemade

2011-12-25T18:13:00.000-08:00

My daughter belongs to the Jackson Pollack school of cookie decorating.

Sharp

2011-12-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

There are sharp serrated edges on this leaf--managed to get sharp focus, too.

X is for X-mas

2011-12-24T16:04:00.000-08:00

In terms of the alphabet, is this good timing or what? (Totally unintended...photo karma.) When I was growing up, educated in Catholic schools, I was taught NEVER to use the term "X-mas" because it was secular and took the Christ out of Christmas. Not so. The "X" is the transliteration of the Greek letter "chi" which stood for "Christos." And so I wish you all of you who celebrate it a blessed and merry Christmas. (PS: it's also a whole lot better for the theme than "xanthan gum," and yes, I do have a photo for that. Contact me by email if, for some bizarre reason, you really want to see it.)

W is for Waterfall

2011-12-23T13:24:00.000-08:00

In this case, Sherwood Falls, which cascades over the dam that creates Paper Goods Pond.

Something about me

2011-12-22T18:06:00.000-08:00

I am a Celt. My family left Ireland over a hundred years ago, but I still feel deep roots back there in rocky places on the other shore of the Atlantic. Imagine what it was like there in the north on the edge of Europe, when the nights were so long they overtook day altogether, and there was only fire to as any sort of light at all! Tonight we celebrated Winter Solstice with a bonfire outside and a taste of the water of life. After this, there will be light Light of Christmas, and the days will grow longer and the sun strengthen. Slainte!

Fitness

2011-12-22T15:31:00.001-08:00

I'm in PT for my neck. There are all sorts of devices to help us regain fitness, including these balls with their bright primary colors. 365/2011

V is for Vase

2011-12-21T18:37:00.000-08:00

The curved vase is from IKEA; it's home to a "lucky bamboo" plant--it must lucky because it seems to be thriving on our window sill.

U is for Utility Truck

2011-12-21T16:52:00.001-08:00

I was pretty worried about U...and then, as if it were ordered, this utility truck showed up next our house. I asked the guys if they minded if I took a picture of their truck. They were a little worried due to all the bad press after the massive power outage, but I reassured them that I was a benign nut case who I harmless. It also helped that both were wearing Yankees caps & I told them (in all honesty) that I loved their hats. Us Yankees fans stick together.
365/2011

T is for Tree

2011-12-20T16:59:00.001-08:00

A few lone apples still cling to the branches of the trees in the orchard.
365/2011

S is for Song

2011-12-19T16:35:00.001-08:00

Last night we went to Lessons and Carols at South Church in New Britain. I love the congregational hymns. Protestants are way more enthusiastic than us Catholics when it comes to singing. The program encouraged us to join in "heartily," and we did.
365/2011

R is for River

2011-12-19T15:59:00.001-08:00

This is the Mattabesset River that flows through town. A dam on this small river forms Paper Goods Pond. Having grown up in NYC, where the Hudson is a River, it was hard for me to think of this little stream as a river. But so it is termed. Here it is, just beginning to freeze over as winter sets in.
365/2011

Q is for Quiz

2011-12-18T17:37:00.000-08:00

This one in the Sunday NY Times. Way better than the pop quizzes in high school that began with, "Take a half sheet of paper..."

Joy

2011-12-17T18:11:00.001-08:00

This evening we celebrated Christmas with our older daughter and her family. Here the granddudes are delighted as they explore the surprises in their stockings.
365/2011

P is for Pepper

2011-12-16T17:47:00.001-08:00

I have a pepper plant in an AeroGarden that is now 18 months old. It's practically a mini-tree producing untold numbers of inch-long spicy hot peppers. If I don't pick them when they're fresh, they'll just dry on the branch (which makes them better for adding a little heat to a stir fry.) I like the way this one caught the light, making it glow a bit and exposing the seeds and the seam.

O is for Onion

2011-12-16T08:53:00.001-08:00

...and, of course, for Ogres. As Shrek informed us, they both have layers.

Pampered

2011-12-15T16:51:00.001-08:00

When we go to Elizabeth's Restaurant in Rocky Hill CT, I feel pampered. The food is exquisite--and nearly everything on the menu can be made gluten free. They even serve crusty wheat free Brazilian cheese rolls which are freshly made from manioc flour. Everyone envies me my rolls! It's pure heaven.
365/2011

Union

2011-12-14T17:08:00.001-08:00

The Madrigal Singers from our town's high school. Our older daughter was a member 10 years ago. We have young voices singing ancient songs in an astonishing union of voices.
365/2011

N is for Numbers

2011-12-13T15:41:00.001-08:00

Numbers on the dial of a safe.
365/2011

Textured

2011-12-12T18:21:00.001-08:00

There are so many textures to be seen in the pair of ancient chairs as well as in the concrete sidewalk and the stone wall behind them.
365/2011

Shiny

2011-12-11T17:33:00.000-08:00

One of the Christmas concerts we attended today featured this shiny saxophone.

The Arts

2011-12-11T16:40:00.001-08:00

I love Christmas music. Today we went from a concert at the local Methodist church to one at the Catholic one. This guitarist played held us rapt with his jazz toned interpretations. The photo was taken with the iPhone.
365/2011

Four

2011-12-10T14:43:00.000-08:00

These four chairs in the plaza at Blue Back Square were abandoned today. there were plenty of shoppers, but with a brisk breeze and temps in the 40s, no one was lingering outdoors. On the other hand, the cafe at Barnes and Noble was packed.

M is for Mango

2011-12-10T14:10:00.000-08:00

These luscious beauties were to be found at Whole Foods Market.

L is for Leaf

2011-12-09T16:56:00.001-08:00

A pretty sodden one at that, plastered up on the side window of my car. But I liked the patterns and textures, played up by Hipstamatic.
365/2011

K is for Kite

2011-12-09T16:18:00.001-08:00

I know I just did K is for Key. But this morning, I got out of my car in the barren parking lot at the concrete office building where I work, which is located by railroad tracks, a confluence of major highways and general industrial nothingness--but caught in one of the stunted trees was a kite. A kite! How did it get there? Who on earth was flying a kite in this blighted section of a blighted city? Someone with more optimism than luck. So I repeat my K post in honor of that stalwart person who dares to fly despite the odds.
365/2011

Fasteners

2011-12-08T14:02:00.001-08:00

A handful of paper clips from my desk drawer. Taken with the Canon T3 with the LensBaby Muse.

K is for Key

2011-12-08T13:18:00.001-08:00

Taken with Hipstamatic's funky Dali "lens."
365/2011

J is for Jam

2011-12-07T16:46:00.000-08:00

Peach jam, home made with peaches from Rogers Orchards, located in the next town over. Jars of summer sun preserved to tide us through the winter.

I is for Information

2011-12-06T17:41:00.001-08:00

Sometimes, there's just too much of it, and none of it good...

Cleanliness

2011-12-05T15:59:00.001-08:00

The hallway at my doctor's office: clean, crisp & efficient.
365/2011

Holidays

2011-12-04T17:29:00.001-08:00

Look who was at Stew Leonard's today!
365/2011

Softness

2011-12-04T16:19:00.001-08:00

One of the resident cats dozes on the counter at the shop at Karabin Farms. I took the picture with the Canon T3 and the LensBaby Muse. It's tricky to learn to use this thing. I find I prefer a more subtle surrounding blur, so I'm working on that.

Karabin Farms is one of the few surviving local farms. It's located in the neighboring town of Southington. We usually go to Mass at a church in Southington, so we've taken to detouring there on the way home to pick up meat and veggies that were produced there on the farm.

Sweet

2011-12-03T19:10:00.000-08:00

My sweet daughter Sierra. walking on the beach near her college in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Fast

2011-12-03T17:22:00.000-08:00

Spook the gulls at the beach and they take off fast. It's tough to catch them in flight.

Daybreak

2011-12-02T17:51:00.001-08:00

Sunrise at my mother's place in Mount Vision, NY.

Coiled

2011-12-02T15:58:00.001-08:00

Coiled hoses tangled together on concrete.
365/2011

Still life

2011-12-01T12:22:00.000-08:00

My LensBaby Muse came last night--and I had today off to play with it! There is definitely a learning curve, which makes me grateful for digital photography: it costs nothing to experiment. This is one of my first successful shots.

Health

2011-11-30T15:58:00.001-08:00

Fresh lettuce from the AeroGarden, red onion, a touch of gorgonzola with a splash of olive oil and flavored balsamic vinegar.365/2011

H is for Hand

2011-11-29T15:45:00.001-08:00

This is my hand, with 58 years of weathering and experience. On it is a Claddagh ring. John gave me one when we were were courting & visiting Ireland withy parents. When we got engaged, his sisters told him he had to buy me a diamond. I refused--I wanted my Claddagh ring as my engagement ring. The original ring was handmade and thin. It broke when we were on our honeymoon in Ireland in 1979. He bought me a replacement in Clifton in Connemara. The stone is green Connemara marble. I've worn it over my white gold wedding band for 32 years now. The reason I wanted the Claddagh ring over the diamond is the symbolism: the heart stands for love, the hands for friendship, and the crown for fidelity. And that's what makes a good marriage. It's what I hoped for 32 years ago--and what I have been fortunate enough to have for all these years. 365/2011

Bedtime

2011-11-28T15:03:00.001-08:00

When I was growing up, bedtime was when the street lights went on.
365/2011

G is for Granddude

2011-11-27T17:54:00.001-08:00

Aidan, the older of our two granddudes, in a quiet moment after dinner.
365/2011

Groups

2011-11-26T13:03:00.001-08:00

People gather in groups at the cafe at Barnes & Nobel.
365/2011

Nuts

2011-11-25T15:39:00.001-08:00

Walnuts and pecans at Stew Leonard's (a huge meandering total trip of a grocery store--at our house, dinner is what's been on sale at Stew Leonard's. They specialize in fresh whole foods, like these nuts.)
365/2011

F is for Family and Food

2011-11-24T16:50:00.001-08:00

I couldn't get the whole table in the shot, but here--getting serious about Thanksgiving dinner--are Aidan, Christian, Sierra & John. The rest of the family completed the circle--the first time in years I have had my whole family here for Thanksgiving. I am so grateful for so much.
365/2011

E is for Elevator

2011-11-23T16:34:00.001-08:00

Apparently now functioning. Me, I take the stairs. 365/2011

Fly

2011-11-22T16:24:00.000-08:00

Two Canada geese lift off over Paper Goods Pond. They aren't heading for Canada--the geese here have completely forgotten where Canada is. But they make an elegant silhouette against the sky.

D is for Dictionary

2011-11-21T15:13:00.001-08:00

...and, apparently, for this type of fly.
365/2011

Crooked

2011-11-20T16:07:00.001-08:00

My granddude, the budding anarchist. After we built this elaborate track, he deliberately separated the section of the bridge and almost studiously ran the train into the void. Reminded me of an Addams family cartoon.
365/2011

C is for Cookies & Coffee

2011-11-19T15:36:00.001-08:00

In the middle of a hectic pre-Thanksgiving day, we stopped at the Starbucks in Newington. We brought our own GF chocolate chip cookies (Betty Crocker!) 365/2011

Refreshing

2011-11-18T17:11:00.001-08:00

This is Brianna. She is the delightfully refreshing waitress at Iliano's in Meriden. Iliano's serves gluten free pizza. We go there on a regular basis to meet with friends. Having Brianna as our waitress makes it even nicer.
365/2011

Hiding

2011-11-17T15:47:00.001-08:00

Someone eats a solitary lunch hidden with a forest of upturned chairs.
365/2011

B is for bug

2011-11-16T15:47:00.001-08:00

As it gets cold, box elder bugs appear in our office building. They are harmless, just seeking refuge from the cold. 365/2011

A is for Apple

2011-11-15T17:30:00.001-08:00

I've finally decided to take on the alphabet, beginning with a classic.

Slick

2011-11-14T15:31:00.001-08:00

Slick and sleek: the architecture of the Convention Center in Hartford.
365/2011

Yardwork

2011-11-13T17:52:00.001-08:00

Leaves are falling off the trees much later than usual. Now we have to rake them up...plus we have to deal with all the tree damage and branches down from that freak October storm. Lots of yardwork.
365/2011

Mouth watering.

2011-11-12T17:30:00.001-08:00

Aidan was delighted that his lollipop was root beer flavor.
365/2011

Frosted

2011-11-11T15:41:00.001-08:00

This is a photo of one of our maple trees taken just an hour or so after the snow started on October 29. Snow doesn't usually fall while there are leaves on the trees. Who'd have thought that that an accumulation of a few flakes per leaf--substantially less than an ounce -- would have done more damage than hurricanes?
365/2011

Wild

2011-11-10T19:02:00.001-08:00

The sky tonight reminded me of the line from Alfred Noyes' classic poem, "The Highwayman": The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas."
365/2011

Dairy

2011-11-09T19:18:00.001-08:00

Nearly every weekend includes a trip to Stew Leonard's. Stews is a sprawling grocery store (complete with automated singing cows, chickens, bananas, cheese and milk cartons) that specializes in basic whole fresh foods. For us, the week's dinners ate based on what was on sale at Stew Leonard's. One of their prized products is fresh mozzarella, made there as you watch. More often than not, you can snag a ball of it that is still warm. There is no better cheese on earth.
365/2011

Square

2011-11-07T16:25:00.001-08:00

The keyboard of my computer at work.
365/2011

Thriving

2011-11-06T10:49:00.001-08:00

Over 100,000 customers are still without power in Connecticut, including more than half the homes in nearby towns like Avon and West Hartford. No wonder business at the cafe at Barnes & Noble is thriving.
365/2011

Playful

2011-11-05T18:45:00.001-07:00

The lights came back on yesterday afternoon! Just in time...We weren't able to take the granddudes trick or treating on Halloween, as the streets were too dark, so we planned on a pumpkin hunt after dark in our yard. With so many in the state still out of power, I wasn't sure we'd get it back in time. But we did, and the dudes had a blast. Afterwards, they proved that classic toys are always the best: they were completely engaged in constructing a complex train track layout with wooden trains.
365/2011

Soothing

2011-11-03T16:07:00.001-07:00

I'm going to be honest--these are stressful times. It's Thursday. We've been without power now since Saturday. There are no realistic estimates as to when there will be restoration of power. They are telling us Sunday by midnight. We live on a main street in our town, so it's not like we're out at the distal end of the lines. It's easy to feel tense and angry and frustrated. But the lack of lights lets us see the sky. And that is one soothing element that I need to keep in mind.
365/2011

Black

2011-11-03T05:30:00.001-07:00

This is a photo of a Connecticut Light and Power repair truck. Don't see one? Well, neither have we. There are no substantial estimates as to when our power will be restored. The electric company is saying that Sunday is the goal. I have to admit I'm getting tired of driving miles to get a hot shower, of cooking on the porch or in the garage, of having to go to the library just to charge my cell phone, of feeling cut off from the events of the world due to having limited access to news sources. On the other hand, our community as a whole has been handling this so well. There's a real feeling of camaraderie at the library, which has become the town gathering place. We do have the woodstove, so we're not freezing (though using sleeping bags in a frigid bedroom is getting old.) Seeking hot water gave me an unexpected opportunity to see the granddudes. There is wifi at the library, but it's under a demand it wasn't built to handle, so it's very slow. I miss visiting all your blogs! I promise to be back if ever one of those elusive trucks appears.
365/2011

Asymmetrical

2011-11-02T17:57:00.001-07:00

My two granddudes have radically different personalities. Aidan, the older one, is quiet and cerebral; the younger one, Craig, is physical and rambunctious. This photo captured them both so well.
365/2011

Floor

2011-11-02T11:48:00.001-07:00

Between floors, actually...Still no power at home (estimate by utility company is Sunday) so I was delighted to hear it had been restored at my office building. I drove into Hartford, looking forward to lights & electricity & even computers with Internet access--only to find the power had gone off about 10 minutes earlier. Two co-workers were stuck in the elevator & had to be rescued by the fire department. The fire truck was being waved into the parking lot when I got there. I was relieved to find the building was not aflame. We were all sent back home again. Usually people love getting an unexpected day off, but the majority have no electricity at home. Many have no heat & were looking forward to a day of being warm. I just wanted to charge my cell phone!
365/2011

Generous

2011-11-01T10:52:00.001-07:00

With 70% of the homes in our town out of power, people are desperate for light, heat, Internet access, functioning electric outlets to charge phones & computers, as well as a shared community experience. Our library is providing all that plus friendly, cheerful, helpful librarians (like Val's Aunt Betsy.) People are taking advantage of this in droves. Thank you, librarians!
365/2011

Scattered

2011-10-31T18:22:00.001-07:00

This is not a sight one sees very often: autumn leaves mixed with winter snow. We've been hammered by a freak nor'easter. Trees, branches & wires are down on nearly every property. There are nearly 900,000 customers without power in Connecticut alone. We are among them. They are telling us it may well be a week before we get it back. We're lucky in that we have a woodstove, so we're not cold; and we're campers, so we have Stuff to cook on. But right now, I'd nearly kill for a hot shower! I'm posting from my cell phone so I have limited Internet access. I miss your blogs! I promise to get back to enjoying them as soon as I can.
365/2011

Storm update

2011-10-30T16:44:00.001-07:00

We're out of power & likely to remain this way, maybe for days. 70% of our town is out; over 800,000 customers in CT, the worst outage in history, including the hurricanes. We had big branches come down from our apple & magnolia trees, the latter fortunately missing out cars by inches. Trees & wires are down all over town. No school tomorrow as several of the schools are out. We do have a woodstove so at least we have heat. We'll be sleeping in the living room tonight. I'm posting this on my cell phone but the battery is fading. I miss you all!

365/2011