Monday, October 31, 2011

A Barbed Wire Day


I am having one of those barbed wire days. This is a photo of the metal pile down on the farm that is readied for the salvagers today. Saturday I reached down to pick up debris and got hit by a wire on my forehead that was extending out from a fence. The past two weeks I would be dragging branches and wire was showing up in many different locations.

It is an amazing invention and it really is dangerous for all sorts of creatures including people.  I kept running into it as we wade through the tall grasses and find old temporary fences that were put in by my father in law many years ago.  Horses tend to only need one or two wires to keep them in a contained area so he would move his fences to various places  to get them fresh grass and sometimes did not remove the fence. The wires are in most cases rusty as they have been there twenty or more years ago as are the poles are rotted.  They may actually be old fences left by the grandfather of my wife's who first owned the place.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Hosta's in decline.....


A late Sunday posting to give you a familiar old view of what happens in the fall.  I netted my fish from my pond to day and I am going to take them to school for the science teacher to enjoy for the winter.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Red Maple Leaves


I planted this tree the first year that my wife's dad moved in with us.  He was out there supervising the job and was certain that it wasn't going to be a red maple tree.  That was nine years ago and I think that this year was it's greatest show of color.  It has developed into a good shaped tree. My wife's dad has been gone over two years now and I will always remember the planting of this tree.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Birch tree...........


The birch tree next to my house is still clinging onto a few of it's leaves.  Our fall has been a different one this year as you can see I still have a green weigela right next to the tree.  I will need to get out and rake or mow in the next week or so.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Velveteen Rabbit


Found among a lot of rubble of magazines, books and old clothes was this small stuffed toy.  It was my wife's velveteen rabbit that she had as a child found in the house where she lived as a young girl.  It is in rough shape with a few holes here and there but it will be repaired.  I like the little bell hanging from it's neck.

Back when it was made they used a straw like material to stuff them as in a tear in it's back you can see the blades of straw.  I can't date the item without telling my wife's age but I think it is a wonderful keepsake.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Glass Toy Train.......


I found another glass candy toy item on Saturday.  I have a collection of these kind of things as they were sold filled will small candy bits many years ago.   The red color is a reflection from something that was shinning through or in the window. It has some broken areas on it but I am still very happy to own it.
You can see other  views of this by going to Larry's Creative Zone.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Let's play checkers........


A new addition to my toy collection.  It won't fit into my toy cupboard but I can slide it behind something  or hang it on the wall.  It is a homemade board with the squares inked onto the wood.  I will use some wood cleaner on it as it still has attic dirt all over it. There are holes in the back for another game with cards and pegs.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Fall's final days


We are going to have a few days of warm weather to make us feel better about the impending winter weather. 

Friday, October 21, 2011

Friday's findings........


My wife and I are gearing up for a two day art show that is to be the second week of November. I have been distracted with the farm work, cutting trees and things so I will be ready to get on it this next week. Full time work cuts into my art creations and I will just have lean on my wife to carry the show.  I will share more about the show later on in the month.


A medical update on my thumb.  I really never cut it very badly but it did loose a couple of layers of skin and I had one deep puncture.  I drug my hand under a blade that was coming to a stop from a completed saw cut. I have a lot of redness and the top layer of skin is not completed there yet but all in all I was blessed not to loose anything more than skin.

I have been going down to the farm to clear small trees and brush from an old house foundation area so a crew can open up the basement area of the foundation and fill it in with the bricks.  I have become one with my chainsaw and it actually works for me with a little encouragement. The area will be ready for them by next week.  I found some really interesting brick in the foundation that I will share later with you. Did I say that it was cold all week.  Yesterday I had double layers on and no coat.  I did wear a stocking hat as it was just that nippy.

I was told I was to be an At Risk teacher today but I am back at being a Social Studies teacher in the middle school.  I call it the great "switch."  The person who took the at risk room has less of a degree than I so I get to be middle school teacher instead.

Thanks for stopping by and have a good weekend.

Think warm.....


I understand from the weather forecast that we will warm up on Monday.  I thought I will share one more photo of my geranium to warm you a little.  The flower box of geraniums are now in the house staying warm.


A bonus shot to warm you up some more.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Thinking about winter


A solid frost last night and this guy needs to come in or I need to get a coat for him.  Leaves are really falling quickly now. 

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Burning Bush.....


I need to get out and take some more photos.  I just seem to be too busy.  The red of the burning bush is great but it hasn't turned completely red, just parts of it are turning. We had a freeze last night so colors will really start to change now.


Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Bringing in the seed.........


I took a lot of shots of these as the last rain brought back their brilliant colors.  You can see that I need to rake my neighbor's leaves from my yard.  I may just mow them up into a fine powder rather than rake them.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Monday morning attitude....


It is rough when you have to close down for the season.  It was cold again this morning but it will warm up a little bit by this afternoon.  A friend of mine just returned from his Minnesota cabin and he says winter is coming soon.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

IN Focus


Sometimes the photography process gets to be a challenge.  The wind is blowing wildly and I had taken six or more shots but only one is in focus.  That is the joy of digital as I just trash the ones in motion.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Great color.......


This forsythia bush never puts out many blooms in the spring but the color of the leaves in the fall are wonderful.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Seeing through.......


The birch tree just isn't going to be as nice this year for showing color as it has been in the past.  I think that we had a dry spell right before the time that the leaves were to change in color.  There still is some nice yellow to the tree, it just isn't as pure and clear this year as in the past.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Just checking in today....


This is an archived photo of my parent's Furbie hanging out in one of my wheel thrown pots.  Furbie can only muster up enough strength to tell me he is going to go back to sleep.  I miss working on the wheel and making things with clay.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Clouds above are all I see.......


I was taking photos of things on the ground and I looked up to see this sight in the sky. It is this time of the year as the earth tilts that we get bluer color in our sky.  It is a fall sky and the clouds seem to be on a mission as they travel by quickly.

I remember a song about the clouds above are all I see, trees down here below.  And as I watch just one small leaf, swaying to and fro.  I don't quite remember the rest of the song but sometimes those things, song lyrics, are just planted in your mind forever.


Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Pastel trumpets.......


After showing my brightly colored red petunias  often II thought I would tone it down for the day with the white and pastel magenta. 

Monday, October 10, 2011

Falling leaves


My yard is turnng yellow in color and the grass is dead from the lack of rain and the dormant condition that it is going into for fall.  I should not have to mow again until spring.  I will probably mow leaves instead.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Koi.....


A watery looking photo with my koi in the water. The reflections tend to create an abstract background to an out of focus view.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Structural lines and shapes.......


It is evening and the sun is setting in the west.  The shadows are adding to the visual dimensions of the photo.


The weathered wood of the fence makes shadowy effects in the grooves and the geranium has it's own duplicate in dark shadow.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Falll foliage.........


A photo taken in low light causes the image to have a softer effect.  The maples are changing and will be ready for raking very soon.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Thursday's posting.........


My zinnia's have been a ready food source for all sorts of insects.  This white zinnia has a unique appearance and two friendly feeders.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Hosta Close Up.....


The change of the season will give these leaves a color change as seen below.


The weathering and change in length of day helps to shut the hosta down for the coming winter.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Pear tree leaves.....


The color changes of these leaves on the pear tree are wonderful.  I don't think the other branches will join them anytime soon. 

Monday, October 3, 2011

Late bloomers.......phlox.


The late bloomers are still enjoyed even though the main plants have bloomed and have been gone weeks ago. 

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Nature's own......


A bee clings to the edge of a sedum cluster after spending time feeding on the nectar.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Evidence of fall.............



As I scan the property for photographic opportunities I can look down and find the neighbor's leaves nestled among the green grasses and other foliage.  I planted these mums last spring and now I am seeing the beauty of their blooms.

Blurry Blue Cup Day.....

 It is Monday and I am a little blurry eyed today. It is fitting then my blue cup is blurred a little because it is in low light. I was too ...