Country Roads Department

I was out walking in the cold, which I don't recommend, but that's another post. I was out on a busy country road. I would never had seen this wishing well had I been driving. With only a wish of daylight left, I took this picture. Now then, if you want, you can make a Christmas Wish from the comfort of your own home. Aren’t I considerate?

Across the road I found a photo for my Fence Folder. See the tiny fence back there? I don't know about you, but the more I look at this picture, the more it grows on me. Remind me to go back next summer to take a picture when the leaves are out.

Before I left for my walk, though, I was in a virgin building: a brand new building that was hosting its first event ever. Out front were these two virgin benches that had just been placed. They will end up in my Benches Folder.

You can see one more cool photo over on My Hats Blog. It's a hat, of course, but different.

Jesus: He became like us so that we can become like him. Merry Christmas.

Commitment Department

Do you remember the first time you held hands with your sweetie? Do you remember the last time?

Some photo moments are just to momentous to pass up. And when the picture is developed, it’s just too…too…well, too much for words. Such is the case with the couple below. I saw them in the park the other evening walking along hand-in-hand. I could only admire them, and told them so. Inside a soft, sweet chuckle, they both said, “Well, that’s nice. Thank you.” They let me take their picture. I didn't ask, but I'm guessing they've been married close 60 years--or more.

Admire and aspire.

Dark Green Bench Contest

Kerri, Pauli, and Dot have a neat little blog called "For the Love of Benches." They have inspired me to seek out benches to photograph. I've found a few in the last two months, and I know where to find a few more. I can hardly wait.

I spied two excellent photo ops this past weekend. Both dark green.

This bench is back to back with another just like it. But this one had the best shadow. How many rectangles? Guess the right answer and win a year's subscription to Writing From The Hip.



When I came upon this lonely bench I said, "Wha...? Huh?" Name it's location and it's yours. If you guess "Out in the middle of the prairie," you'll win. Come and get it.


Oh, remember to visit My Hats Blog where 16 new photos are posted.

Project Blue Revisited

Why, oh why, didn't I find this prize during Anna's Project Blue project? Oh well.

I found this Blue delight while I was walking on a beautiful neighborhood walking path this afternoon. I named it "Stop 'n' Go." You can probably do better than that. Wanna try?



(Be sure to visit My Hats Blog. There are 16 new photos!)

Projects Red 'n' Green; Late Entries

I didn’t get to participate in Anna Carson’s Red or Green projects earlier this year, so I'm playing a little game of Catch Up. Here are a few red and green photos I took this year while I was out walking. Remember, I was not aware of the color of the month, so whatcha see is whatcha get.


Avocados are green, right?

Summer Green

Autumn Red

Winter Black and White (Oops, I should have included this in Project Black.)

Notice anything eerily similar about those three trees?

(New) Red and Green. My First Wife “loves” this photo.


(Old) Red and Green.

Sometimes I wish you could come walk with me.

Beautiful Weather Department

The trouble with my walks is that I'm always stopping to take pictures. Like the two scenes below that My First Wife and I enjoyed this evening. Ah, the Kansas Prairie. You can click these pictures to enlarge.


There's nothing you can say about this scene except it's so beautiful and peaceful. My First Wife and I paused here for several moments.


I actually wanted to shoot a picture of the fences here, but guess what happened? When I got my camera out, that pinto left its little pen and hurried into the scene. I took four pictures. When I put the camera back in its pouch and started to walk off, the horse looked at me, turned and trotted back to whatever it was doing. Show off.

Wildlife Department

My First Wife, three grandkids and I went out to a Big City park this afternoon. We saw this beauty. Isn't she a dear?

Project Blue--First Day of Summer

Project Blue has "officially" ended, but I couldn't resist these "first day of summer" pictures. And on Saturday, no less. (You can click the pictures for interesting detail.)





Project Blue is the brainchild of Anna Carson. Please visit her blog for interesting and exciting photos all year long.

Project Blue, Take 7 (Saturday)

I took this photo in a cemetery last December, the afternoon after an ice storm when the sun finally broke through.

Ol' Blue Ice

Project Blue is hosted by Anna Carson Photography.

Project Blue, Take Six (Again)

Please enjoy this family-friendly blue. The water intrigues me.


Visit Anna Carson Photography to see much, much more.

Project Blue, Take 4

Go to Anna’s photo joint to get involved with a pretty nifty photo project. This is my second time to participate; the first time on the correct day.

I walked in So-Ko-Par Trails Park today, a really nice, big park in Lenexa, Kansas. There’s a lot of green in that park, but today I was looking for blue and found some.

These flags are flying over the swimming pool entrance.

This art in “Rose’s Pond” is really a bunch of weather vanes.
They tell us which direction the wind blows. I think.

And what's a park without swings for the little tykes?

Nice Photos Department

My First Wife and I went out walking Saturday. We visited The Big City Arboretum. Holy cow! What a treat! There were so many things to see and so many ways to turn—and so little time to get it all in—that pictures were pretty much out of the question. I'm going to pack a lunch pretty soon and go back just to take some photos.

But I did get this one. I like it.



Stay tuned for further Arboretum updates.

Vital Statistics Department--New Arrivals

Folks, just want to let you know that Mr. and Mrs. G had quadruplets yesterday morning.


Mother and little ones are doing just fine.


Proud Papa


First there was an eating lesson...


Then there was a preening lesson. "Hey, pay attention!"


And finally the swimming lesson!
"This is fun!"
"Yeah, I could do this all day!"
"Me, too!"
"Yee-haw!"


"You're doing great, kids!"


Ah...the family that swims together, stays together.

Stay tuned.

Walking Department

There is something hauntingly beautiful about winter’s bare nakedness. I took these pictures while I was walking along Indian Creek Trail, Sunday, January 27.

I like summer, but I’ll never see trees like this in the middle of July.
("Sycamore Sky")

Indian Creek is filling up with this month’s melting snow.
("Cold Reflections")