Thursday, December 31, 2009

THE END OF 2009

THE END OF 2009
This is the last sunlight of 2009, to momentarily be replaced by a new blue moon to start the year of 2010.
Beyond is the Captain of last year going down with his ship.
Have a Happy New Year.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

CONTRALTO

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On a dreary day of sprinkling rain here in Malibu, I went to check on my proteges at the pond.
Since they now realize I got some new specialized food, they demand to be fed constantly.
This one has taken to sing for her supper.
On Planet Earth, I took a few shots of the beach front homes vanishing into the fog in both directions, with a few little "scramblers" alone on the beach.
To get to the beach, I entered through a portal that separates two realms.
For my safety, I returned through the same portal.
Have a safe journey, wherever it may take you.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

BLUE SUNSET

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Four shots of the sunset in portrait mode.
I decided to use a flash in this composite, to bring out the blue for you.
I`m planning on doing some work on my reef by adding another tank to the same system.
This should allow me to add some different specimens while keeping the water quality at optimum levels.
Have a nice day.

Monday, December 28, 2009

BLENNY F

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Andif,
This little Blenny has been begging to be adopted.
I only acquiesced a little by giving him your last initial.
He seems quite pleased with that.
I hope you are also.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

DEEP DIVE

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I usually don`t post on the week ends but since there is no FFF this time, I feel naked.
I took a few shots of my reef tonight.
The Marine Betta seems to be going deep.
Behind this shot, one of Olivia`s favorites PIPPI.
Looks like she knitted PIPPI`s stockings.
Over on Planet Earth, my girls.
Candice with Chloe & Jackie.
The beauty in one of the photos is Eleanor, a young lady who just arrived from London & is a guest at our home.
She`s is quite friendly, (to say the least) with Bligh, Teri`s boy, who is also a guest, though hailing from Australia.
I hope you all had a great holiday & reconnected with your respective tribal members.
Peace.

Friday, December 25, 2009

PROMISED LIGHT

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Tonight, our Xmas eve dinner with friends & family at sunset was everything I anticipated.
The main thing was that the sunset cooperated & put on a show for almost an hour.
I`d set up my camera on a tripod & took pictures at different times.
I just wanted to make sure I captured the place settings in early light to be able to overlay the sunset in darker light.

Then the Santa Parade came by & stopped for 30/40 mins. for all the neighborhood.
I talked with people from all over who`d come to see the parade of lights.
I had a long talk with a lovely young lady & then a firefighter friend of mine.
The firemen on scene were providing a lot of the light show.
I was sort of coerced into meeting Santa personally, so I sat on his lap for a few mins. to the laughter of the kids.
I also met the people who live across the street earlier today who thought I was selling the pic of their house that some of you may have seen.
A few nights ago, I`d put the link to the 12 shot composite of their lights in their mailbox.
I told him he must have a lack of reading comprehension, since I`d also included a Merry Xmas with the note.
To me, that`s what goes along with a gift at this time of year.
I think they`re starting to realize that I won`t tear them to shreds on a whim.
On more than one occasion I was told that they didn`t like me, by others, but being the high road rider, I ignored that kind of talk.
I don`t think I`ll be hearing that kind of hateful talk anymore.
One has to face the world one bigot at a time.
Tonight the world got a little smaller.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
On Planet Earth, wondering what lies in the future, for the child pondering what it all means while observing everything with wide open eyes.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

'HEAD' MASTER

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I made a big table out on the deck this morning so we can all have Xmas dinner out on the deck.
I oriented the table so we could all see the sunset while eating.
Now I just need one of my private sunsets.
PEACE

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

BONNIE & CLYDE

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I turned the corner from my street & there they were.
I whipped my vehicle to the side of the road, jumped out & started shooting them.
Bonnie & Clyde didn`t seem very pleased.
I didn`t realize at first that the mobster & his moll were in the car.
On Planet Earth, a short term bloom on a rarely blossoming plant.
My client called the night before last, excited about her flower.
It really is a beauty.
Have a great day, as the end is near.

Monday, December 21, 2009

TAMPOPO TAMPERING

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This evening`s post is for Tampopo.
I`m a little unclear on the concept, since it was discussed last year.
I had simply took a few shots & mixes of subjects & put them together in different ways & trying to make them seem different than, at first, apparently clear.
So here is a bit of fun, Tampopo.
If you click on Planet Earth, I have a 12 shot view of 3/4 of the house across the streets`lights.
Click "all sizes", "original", & slide from one end to the other.
Have a nice day.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

LIP GLOSS

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The poppies are showing their inner glisten here & when that happens, some leering eye pods are always lurking about.
The header is tonight`s sunset, & is backed up by more, of a larger size, (Beth)
As promised on Planet Earth, a pie I baked last night, & on the same menu, the Marmalade Cornish Hens I cooked for tonight`s meal.
Have a wonderful day & you are allowed to guess about the Lady from The Sea Of Love.

SEA OF LOVE

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I will have to let you wonder on this image for a few days.
On Planet Earth, a poppy in 3D.
I`m still getting gate shots from around Malibu.
It`s not like I had them on file.
It`s a great hunt though.
Have a great day .
Tomorrow I`ll post a pic of a cherry pie I baked tonight.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

BLOOD ON THE LEAVES

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Tonight`s sunset.

Andif,
Teri was amazed at your bouquet of Frost Flowers.
Thank you.

"BEST WISHES" BLOOMS

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Teri is steadily improving.
At this rate she should be recuperated by Easter.
These are some of the flowers she received, although she is against cutting flowers off at the neck.
She does though, greatly appreciate the thoughts.
Have a great day.

Monday, December 14, 2009

STORM`S END

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The storm of the last few days is over.
By the storm, I mean the one involving Teri.
I`m the titular head of her medical team, so she`s under the best of care.
She will be just fine.
Thank you for all your wishes.
I compiled all of them from different blogs & presented them to her.
She was most impressed &very very pleased.
She read every single one of them numbering almost four dozen.
Collectively, it seemed to have helped enormously.
I shall never forget.
The post image is from tonight`s sunset & represents the steps to recovery.
There are more merged images beyond.
On Planet Earth, her crashed car. You do not have to go see, but it`s a testament to her relative good fortune, having not suffered more severe injuries.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

THREE LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

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I don`t have much time tonight.
I`m actually distracting myself.
Teri was in a horrific accident tonight.
She`s in the hospital with two collapsed lungs & other unknown (to me) injuries.
I just got back from the hospital but may be going back if I`m allowed to spend the night there with her.
Her daughter & her son are with her for the time being.
Some moran turned right in front of her from opposing traffic as she was going 50 miles an hour on Pacific Coast Highway on a green light.
There may be some confusion as to who was driving the other vehicle.
It may have been a fourteen year old who`s mom let her drive them home from class.
I felt helpless holding her hand in the emergency room.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

LADIES NIGHT

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This is my old & beautiful friend, Amado.
He is from Mexico.
He is world famous as an orchid expert & has over 700 varieties that he bred.
He has won hundreds & hundreds of awards, but he only loves the rewards of growing his lovely ladies.
His Orchid Ranch is surrounded by grounds that are exemplified by the image at Planet Earth.
Note the large plant growing on the branch of the big Sycamore.
He has many of those & this one is small in comparison to others he has.
I have dozens of images from the property which you shall see soon.
I spent some time with him yesterday, but I was very happy to see him at the ranch again today, & made sure we had our picture taken by Berta, a small Mexican girl who works for him.
He is a very gentle man.
It must help account for his age, as he turned 90 a short time ago.
I met him over 30 years ago playing pool at a bar over a few years.
We always had a great time challenging each other while improving our game.
His wife would quietly sit & watch us play.
She`s still sitting quietly in the background.
Linked to this image I have a set of some of his orchids.
One image is a set of orchids I processed tonight along with a screen capture of the folder that all of the shots I took today of the orchids though I haven`t gotten to all of them yet.
I have quite a few folders yet to go through from today`s shoot & you`ll soon get to see them.
Also on Planet Earth, I did a vertical merge of a tree with a climbing vine/plant taken from a footbridge across the creek that runs through the property.
I`ll describe the place when I post the images.
I`m dedicating this post to all the ladies in my life, past & present.
(There are quite a few surprisingly, & I`ll be posting some stuff soon about an art show I attended last Sat. where I met many of said ladies from my past.)
Enjoy your visit to my friend`s paradise.


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

PAST LOVE

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One of my prize specimens from the past.
This is Royal Maroon Discus.
It`s a fresh water fish from the Amazon.
Have a great day.
I`m going shooting tomorrow, & hope to include some gates.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

POINT PINK

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Tonight`s upcoming storm showed it`s warm underbelly this evening.
Working till past dark to secure the project from the heavy rains expected, I looked up for a minute to see the pink sunset peeking through the clouds.
Last evening seemed to be tonight`s prophecy come true, something you may judge for yourself by simply clicking, you know where.
One of the rays is focused on my house, over on the point.
Have a great day.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

EARLY START

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Today favoring Finn`s visit, the decorating for the holidays started earlier than usual this year.
I`m trying to get things wrapped up on my project site these next two days since we`re expecting three days of rain beginning Sunday evening. With about a dozen people I`ve got working, I believe we`ll be OK, but I still wish I had another week of dry weather.

I added some pix of the mild mannered sunset from this evening over on Planet Earth.
Have a great day

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

SANDALS (Dedicated to Nancy P)

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The best way to relax by a pond is to kick off your sandals & dip your feet in.
There`s one linked with a Koi fish in view.
They were mostly hiding since there was a large blue heron stalking them today.
Have a great day.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

LUMBER PENCIL

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A fuzzy visitor to my lumber pencil at work today.
Have a great day & don`t worry about being stung when you click to see more.
I`m a king bee & today these are my subjects.

Monday, November 30, 2009

59 EL CAMINO

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A nice ride from when cars were art.
This is a 1959 Chevy El Camino.
It`s going for $32,000.00.

On Planet Earth, some purple plants & a couple of gates at the end of the street where my project is.
I went up there to release a bunny that was inadvertently caught in a "live catch" trap.
It had been set to catch raccoons who come fishing in the Koi pond.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

SUCCULENT WAFERS

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From my succulent garden, these red wafers stand out in the setting light of dusk.
The linked shots are from around here today.
On Planet Earth, a "Where`s Waldo" moment.
Have a great day ahead. Please.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

THANKSGIVING ANGELS

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I like to spend special days like today, outdoors.
I went for a long ride with Coconut on my bike & took these shots.
Tomorrow it`s time to set up a tent for the boys who will be arriving from Australia for a month.

Hopefully I`ll trade the use of one of my vehicles for their help in building another large shed here.
It never seems to end.
Sometimes I think I might just welcome a few days of rain, but please, I need another month of great dry weather.

Have a great day eating those leftovers.

WORKSITE VIEW

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This is my view from where I spend my days working outdoors.
I live on the point with the white cliffs, beyond Paradise Cove.
I also took a few shots of the other side of the site from a higher vantage point to show the lush growth around the place.
On Planet Earth, a hummingbird shot from a little too close.

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it, & "Hi" to Olivia, who already did.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

ALOE SUNSET

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My Aloe`s are in bloom now & the hummingbirds love it.
This is the aloe that you break a piece of to rub the milk on cuts & burns.
If you are not familiar with these beauties, mine are blooming to over 8 feet high.
The single main foreground bloom spray is over 1 foot high.
I had set out to shoot the squid boats at sunset but realized I was going to be too late, so I exited the highway stage left onto the beach where I just got a quick glimpse of the 'go down'.
I whipped into a parking spot, left Dave Brubeck on the radio, jumped out & plopped my camera on the top of the car.
What you see is not a lagoon but the reflection of the sunset of of the top of my car.
Tomorrow I will attempt the squid run again.
The sunset is linked to the aloe fireworks shot.
Enjoy the great weather while you can.
I sure am.

Monday, November 23, 2009

HOLA AMIGO

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"Hola amigo", is how my little friend greets me on the street at my house.
He walks out there with his nanny every day.
He always asks about Coconut, since the day Coconut flew over to the nanny.
At that time he ran & hid behind a tree, but I convinced him & her, that Coconut was just introducing himself to new friends.
Today he asked me if I knew that all the blue trash cans on the street were really stinky.
He was right up to the door of the car & I asked him if I could take his picture.
Once I snapped off a quick shot, he asked to see it.
When I showed him the LCD screen with his picture, he told me, "That`s not a good picture".
What do you think?

Sunday, November 22, 2009

GARDEN PRICK

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These are images of my new garden & some individual inhabitants.
As you can see, some are showing their "stuff".
I`ve mixed up a few shots taken in my other garden on the beach side of the house, but all were taken today.
Between the ones linked to this shot & the ones linked to Planet Earth, you can see the whole shoot.
Have a great day.
I`m getting sunburnt here again.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

FUMONGUS FUNGUS

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The other day on my cactus hunt, I drove by a tree I`d been by before.
A few years ago it had a huge fungus on it, which I shot.
I even entered it in one of the FotoFairs.
The other day, same tree, same fungus, but only fresh, & not the original one obviously.
I hope I haven`t already posted this new one.
I just took these shots last week, so I tend to doubt it.
There`s a series of them behind this one.
Enjoy, & have a nice day.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

SEED BIRTH

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This is a seed breaking on through to our side.
It is from a Magnolia tree.
It smells very nice upon breaking it open.
It tastes real good at first nibble, but then turns quite bitter within seconds.
I`d consider it to be not an edible seed, although at this time I`d consider it non poisonous.
So far so good.
I also posted a sequence of shots taking you on a flagstone path to the "CRYING LADY" & back out to the front lawn area.
These were taken today to show you the greenery & beautiful sunshine here in Southern California.
I regret I can`t send more than images.
Have a great day.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Cactus Garden Preview

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This is what I`ve been doing for a week.
One hour every morning before work.
I got a jump on it last Sat. (A week ago), when I had six guys in to help build a new parking area, up by the street.
I expect a load of Pea Gravel to be delivered this week to cover all the plastic sheeting, put down to prevent weeds from growing.
It`s not the nicest spot to be crawling around in pulling weeds.
The cactus area is almost 40 feet long by 13 feet wide.
Use of these kind of plantings bring down the cost of watering to zero.
I still have a bunch of cactus to go in, but that`s something that I do all year as I collect more & more.
When it`s completed, I`ll post more individual shots of the specimens.
Have a spine free week.
BTW, I did collect a few hundred tiny fine spines from one particular cactus, while one of my workers had a large cactus spine go through his work shoe.
I pulled that one out with pliers, as for mine, I burnt them off with a lighter, leaving them flush with the skin & not so aggravating. I got away without burning my fingers too much either.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

SLIP & SLIDE

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A bunch of shots I took today on my project site.
There are more on the other side.
Have a great day.
I know most of your greenery & flowers are gone till next spring so I`m simply trying to provide you with what I have to offer.
Remember, you have snow, something I have to drive an hour for.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

ADAM`S APPLE

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I wish I`d had more time to shoot this squirming beauty, but I convinced the owner of it`s mild manners & hopefully I`ll get another longer opportunity.
Have a great day.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Night Sky

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Tonight`s sky at sunset in three merged images.
I also included a few daytime sky shots from earlier today.

My garden is coming along fine.
I`m going on a cactus collecting mission tomorrow to keep filling it out.
It`s starting to look like I pictured it.
Soon you`ll get to see it.
Have a great day.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

COASTAL RUN

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I did a run up the coast on Sat. to get my head clear for my new garden & parking design at my place.
It had been in planning stages for about a year. Now it`s all coming together, as you`ll shortly have the privilege to critique.

The coastal fog was more persistent than usual but it was a fun ride.
On one side the palisade cliffs & on the other (linked to the image), the aquamarine Pacific.
Have a great week ahead.

I`ll be working on my garden an hour a day with some of my crew, before heading to the job sites I`m on, so I may have it done by the end of the week.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

WATERCOLOR SCALES

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The scales on my Marine Betta look like they are painted on.
Beyond this shot I have the rest of the shoot I did of some of my reef inhabitants.
I installed a new set of lights in it over the weekend so I should be seeing some marked improvement in growth of the corals.
I am intending to go on a shopping spree in about a month once the lighting has balanced out the reef better.
Have a great day.
I`m very busy these days running different crews on two jobs so please bear with me.
Thank you.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

GRAVEYARD ROCKER

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A little slice of my neighborhood on Halloween.
I took the day off today o put new lights in my reef.
I`ve been working on two projects simultaneously.
Luckily they`re next door to each other.
I can easily be at both places at once, so as long as I keep progress at full pace with my crews on both jobs, you can`t really call it double billing.
Did I mention it`s also in the high 70`s to low 80`s, & I got a bit sunburned last week.
The weather forecast is basically, a whole lot more of the same.
I just can`t catch a break now can I.
It`s just more shitty days in paradise.
Have a great week.
Don`t worry about our weather here.
We`re supposed to have El Ninos this year.
That means storms out into the Pacific coming in every 3/4 days for months.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

HALLOWEEN APPROACH

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Tonight`s sunset in four shots. The weather is turning 'Halloweenish' these days & there`s a fresh crisp smell to it all.
Thursday night query; what is tomorrow`s theme?

Monday, October 26, 2009

PASSION FRUIT INNARDS

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Well I waited for the skin to wrinkle & cut it open today.
I now know why it`s called Passion Fruit.
It was deliciously exotic tasting.
I`m going to pick a bunch more tomorrow.
Have a great day.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Promise to AndiF

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Although this is not a good picture, I did promise it.
I usually shoot right up on the glass, but the anemone is right against it.
I have to step back & angle the camera to prevent flash reflection.
There are a few more beyond this one.
Have a nice week ahead, you all.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

PURPLE PRIVACY

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I was at another friend`s place today & discovered another kind of Passion flower.
I discovered some candles in the sun (header) & some Hibiscus beauties (sidebar)
Have a great day & great passionate play.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

PASSION FRUIT

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I went to visit a friend around the corner & brought back some Passion fruit & a few blossoms.
I`m testing the fruit for ripeness & if I like it, I`ll go back & get dozens of them.
It feels good to be back.

Monday, September 28, 2009

EYE OF THE TIGER

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As you may know, we`re in charge of a four & a half month old grandson for a week.
All is going swimmingly, but he`s constantly watching the world go by.

Friday, September 25, 2009

A jacuzzi

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A strange spa with a see-through tank that I contributed fish to.
There are many shots linked to this of many various categories. Click at your peril.
Over seven dozen await you.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

HARVEST COFFEE

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These are some pumpkins we harvested the other day.
After heaving these huge veggies on the back of the truck, I had a cup of coffee.
I also had a smoke.
Click for more.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

FALL FIRES

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On the first day of fall, it seems to stand to reason we`d have a fire.
The "smoke screen" helping to color this sunset, is from a fire a little to the north.
It`s nothing that threatens me, but if the Santa Anna winds kick in, it could be bad for many.
I obviously have been away for a little while dealing with my inner monsters.
I`ve done it before & will soon choose the correct time to slay them.
Thank you for your patience.

Friday, September 4, 2009

BILLY THE KID

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Billy left the compound today for bluer skies.
Billy was a rescue we`d had for almost ten years.
He flew out of the aviary when I opened the door, something I`ve done for years.
I bring the birds in at night, to their inside cages.
Today, Billy scooted by me & flew off.
We don`t clip their wings for just this reason.
If a bird gets loose, they at least have a chance of survival if they can fly.
That`s the nature of birds.
Good luck, Billy.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

MAC MOUSE

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A new mouse I found today.
I think it`s a Mac.
I included a smokey sunset & a green leaf with sunflower powder on it.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

SUNSET SUNFLOWER

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I`m staggered with outside responsibilities right now.
I wish I had more time to post other shots related to this post, but I had to deal with the Larouche crowd again.
Have a great day & pray the winds don`t pick up.
The fires here are holding in place, but if the Santa Annas, show up, it will be a super major disaster, I fear.

Monday, August 31, 2009

DUSTY`S DAY

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A gathering of friends at the send-off for my friend Dusty.
A crowd of possibly 1000 people gathered for laughs & eulogies.
I met people I hadn`t seen in years.
It was definitely a great meet-up, though a sad send off.
Dusty would have been proud of the crowd.