Good Fences #19 - 31 July 2014

WELCOME TO COZY CORNERS 

GOOD FENCES

This week, I'm featuring those cozy little corners or sections of fencing, or stone wall as in the photo above.






I also have a challenge for you this week.  All of these pictures were taken somewhere on my own property, except for one.  Can you tell me which one is not a part of our property?





All butterflies are free!  Except, of course those made out of metal and glass and stuck firmly in the ground.  Well something has to assist my Morning Glories.





Grapes are growing!

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."  - John Muir

JOHN MUIR - Misquoted?   On the humor side of life, here's an interesting story about the above quote, I just had to share.  I rather like all the versions! 

For more Good Fences go here.

Don't forget, out of the six photos I posted, can you tell me which one does not belong on my own land?

Thematic Photographic - 303 What's your tech?

Carmi, from Written Inc. blog is asking us to shoot a photo of what tools we use to get online and stay connected.

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC



Okay, to be honest, the photo below isn't always how I get online and stay connected.  Normally, while my dogs eat breakfast and I enjoy my first coffee of the day, it's my cell phone that connects me to the outside world.  After that, it could be a number of other sources.  Depending on the day's schedule.

But the grandiose of them all is our command station below.  Which by the way, can and often does fly us all around the world with just a touch of the hand.

BUT!  Hold this thought.  You know how all of us here at Thematic Photographic are mostly all about working, or connecting outside the daily norm.  So, in the very name of technology, check this out below.

Ironically, last night I snapped these two photos to share with the old and new hunters in my family!  I'm game for shooting, targets and nothing that breathes!  That's right, not even those testy moles digging up my yard at the moment.

Look what caught my attention at Fleet Farm.  Wow, my thoughts went directly to the hunters in my life with this latest and coolest in shooting technology!

Pretty darn cute right?!  Tech stuff wouldn't you agree?

Self healing little 3D Prairie Dog target!  How cool is that?

So in the name of your own tech stuff or favorite tech stuff, or whatever your little heart desires bring it here to share with us.

The Mag #230 - 27 July 2014

Nerfertiti- Beautiful are the Beauties of Aten, the beautiful one has come.

THE MAG

Image by Tess Kincaid, of Nefertiti Bust for Magpies Tales

All of a sudden

there she was.

Nefertiti's true story.

Her bust 

at 

Neues Museum

Auld Lang Syne

Ever bright she shines.

Dazzling

was she

in old crowns 

and regalia of ancient form

stowed by

 yesterday's vault

beneath a sunlit ruins.

Worshipers of Aten

their funerary texts did abide

all else aside

this beautiful woman 

as days unfold

reigned supreme

most powerful

ever striking in battle

her heart a furnace of gold.

Birthed in sunlight

spawning heirs 

until 

she was

gone.

Yet today, the reason for her disappearance is unknown.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - 27 July 2014

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY

My hunt for today begins with the cutest little boy-

 His smiling eyes are watching you!

Then live from within an Upside Down World

Let's look on the sunny, funny side of things.

Why not try a little energetic humor to keep us smiling.

Sometimes, just impulsively standing on your head can make all the difference, and turn a ho hum day into a magical one!

From Behind

A princess, is still a beautiful princess!

Too much Sunshine- could

Send everyone back inside to retrieve- their sunglasses, or break open another bottle of wine!

If you know anything about Northfield, you know exactly where this cup is!




I'll meet you there!

Sepia Saturday - 238 - 26 July 2014

Suffering has been happening for far too long of a time.  Lest we forget?  When will all such atrocities cease?

SEPIA SATURDAY

You'll see this week, I am somewhat following our theme, (signs) while we visit the rough waters of yesterday, on the waves of today's own atrocities.

Thank you Alan, at Sepia Saturday for allowing us to post about things of yesterday, long ago or perhaps in the not that distant past.

These Shoes are a haunting reminder (sign) and not just shoes in art.

This haunting moment from the past explained here.

JANUARY 1945

Shoes on the Danube Bank, explained here.

A remarkable blog post about these Shoes on the Danube.

For other Sepia Saturday posts be sure to check them out here.

Six Word Saturday - 26 July 2014

Ever notice how life surprises you?

SIX WORD SATURDAY

SOMETIMES YOU SWIM WITH THE SHARKS

and

SOMETIMES YOU SWIM ALONG WITH KEEPERS

It's all the keepers we meet in life that embrace us.

Did you know it's the male seahorse that gives birth? Unbelievable you must see for yourself.

How wonderful, we found Nemo!

"I like the serendipitous surprises of reality."  Lawrence Wright

Thematic Photographic - Temporary While Parking

If you follow me here, on Facebook or Twitter you know my fondness for visiting parks.  

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC

Discovering "temporary" at our first park of the day.

On this day, ducks and geese gathered in their usual play and relaxation on the beach and someone wrote a message in the sand.  Once again, temporary gifts.

The geese caught sight of a dog heading their way.  Bye, bye geese!  Happy trails.

On this visit to the park, I thought how fun it would be to leave a treasure for someone to find.

I wonder which of these two coins will disappear first?

Thanks for visiting my TP "temporary" post.  Be on the lookout for what is temporary in your world today too.

Good Fences - # 18 - 24 July 2014

First, for my Good Fences post today-
The horrible thought of July being nearly over, increases my desire to absorb as much summertime as possible.  It's my only defense against Old Man Winter.

Secondly-
For seeking comfort away from all the horrendous events occurring all over the world.


Welcome-


GOOD FENCES


Valley Lake Park - Is the place to visit for so many reasons.

GOOD FENCES, aren't just for making good neighbors, they're for preserving native plants and wildlife, and for keeping many safe from harm's way.

Looking at this photo you might imagine it's waiting peacefully within some lost wilderness.  You'd be wrong.  It's smack in the center of town.  It also features a children's, excitingly-fun-packed playground just a few feet away.

It also offers a paved walking or biking path completely around this lovely lake.

On a visit here, you'll meet Flora and Fauna.

No Park Pass Needed Here.

Don't these images suggest a simpler existence?  It's obtainable here.

The Gifts of our world found, right where we are.   Quite possibly, the best thing that ever happened to us.  Go out and enjoy what's waiting just around the corner.

For other Good Fences posts, or to bring your own, go here.

Words Count With Mama Zen - 23 July 2014

Another challenge from Imaginary Garden and Real Toads, with Mama Zen.

Words Count With Mama Zen  

Mama Zen recently attended Formed in Stone: The Natural Beauty of Fossils, an exhibit featuring macro digital photographs involving some of earth's earliest life.  In 60 words or less she offers an open theme.  We can use her images or not.  I'm using one of the three she posted.

Image by Mama Zen

SEA STARS

From a seabed

in all the world's oceans

Starfish stir.

If we let them.

Like

The Sand Sifting Sea Star

dressed in

bands

of brown and beige.

Were these once 

your spine covered arms?

I sense

your mere lifeless

remains 

crying for all the world

to love all creatures of the sea.

Like

you, oh faithful urchin hunter.

This fossil bears

your print

evermore.

To view other "Words Count with Mama Zen" posts go here.

Thematic Photographic - Temporary 2

I enjoy Carmi's "Temporary" theme so much,

 I'm posting round Two.

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC 

Pay close attention-

Because it's burning fast!

Have you brought your Temporary post here yet?

Thematic Photographic - 302 - Temporary

Look fast, chances are, you'll never see this boxcar again.

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC

Carmi, from Written Inc. is calling for something, anything, that exists for a brief temporary while.  So here's to many temporary somethings that we can see for a fleeting moment, or being caught by camera, it can last for as long as we so desire!

Bring what you have here.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 20 July 2014

This week for Ashley's Scavenger hunt we're tracking- full, doughnut, bug, in the car and straw!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

1. FULL

 

Today's barbecue was a full day of water sports, tubing, boats and jet-ski rides!

and lots of waiting in line for the next ride! 

2.  DOUGHNUT

And- 

Doughnut offering for Mr. Gnome

3. BUG

Twin Bugs!

4. IN THE CAR

Yesterday we went "Parking" as in, how many parks can we visit today?!

5. STRAW

Don't tell anyone, but tonight after our FULL weekend of FUN it's wine time for me!  My Princess straw makes it very magical.

Fireblossom Friday: Another You

I'm accepting Fireblossom's Friday
 at Imaginary Garden and Real Toads with this post.

The challenge is, "What would you do if you came face to face with the other you?"

Normally, I take the higher, happier road for my posts.  The less tragic, or politically correct road, but in the aftermath of yesterday, my heart and soul is consumed for all of the passengers on the Malaysia airplane from Amsterdam, and all of their loved ones.

MY OTHER ME

Would soar higher

than eagles 

upon Superwoman wings

to the highest peak

bursting weak

and bullying folk

once and for all.

Killing is not a myth

it's reality

performed

by selfishly weak

ignoramuses-

 feeble of heart.

.

Was it planned?

On the birthday eve of

one so brave

a Man

 as Nelson Mandela?

Innocents 

ruthlessly blown to bits

in our very own heaven above.

The cruelest of tricks.

Cowards

 I SCREAM.

MY other me

wouldn't quietly sit

motionless

powerless

and useless

and party hearty 

on the good (alive) life before me,

by not

 fighting back.

No, if I dare to 

come face to face

with my other me

it would not stand 

motionless.

WE CAN LEARN TO LOVE.

Happy Birthday to you, Nelson..... may your goodness shine through all of us evermore.

Thank you, for stopping by, may happiness reign upon us all.

For other posts please visit, Imaginary Garden and Real Toads here.

Good Fences # 17 17-July 2014

Where or where could this little building be?  The clues to the answer are in the fences.

Building Hint:  A good Place to Warm Yourself.

GOOD FENCES

Any guesses yet?

Next clue.  This time of year, it pretty much gets ignored.

Notice the brackets?  Getting closer to the answer right?

Not a swimming pool.

Surely by this photo you believe it's got to be-

                 An Ice Skating Rink.

Dakota Heights Park, Lakeville, Minnesota

I bet those true cold-blooded skaters knew at the little warming house.

Outdoor Skating Map Here.