Experimenting with Macro

So far I haven't been very successful with macro but I went out early for the morning light, and I think I got  these right this time.

We are always so complementary with our comments, but I wonder if any of you would like to help me improve with some good suggestions, fire away.  If you think it will hurt my feelings, just send me a private message (and you know who you are, my friend!!)

EARTH DAY

There's no better representation of some of the finer things on earth than blossoming flowers.

Earth Day: The History of A Movement

Each year, Earth Day -- April 22 -- marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

The height of hippie and flower-child culture in the United States, 1970 brought the death of Jimi Hendrix, the last Beatles album, and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. Protest was the order of the day, but saving the planet was not the cause. War raged in Vietnam, and students nationwide increasingly opposed it.

At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through massive V8 sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. “Environment” was a word that appeared more often in spelling bees than on the evening news....To read the rest of this essay on Earth Day, click here.

Sun and Shadow

The delightful narrow passageway I showed you last Friday has many twists and turns with a surprise around several corners.  This lovely little garden is one of them. I don't think it's an imaginary garden, but it might have real toads in it.

Stop to Smell the Flowers

I really should thank Randy at Santa Fe Daily Photo who inspired me to stop to photograph these flowers.  He posted some poppies on June 2nd, and it inspired me to actually stop instead of just passing by while admiring these lovely flowers.  Thanks Randy!  Have a good week-end everyone!

Hollyhocks

Old-fashioned hollyhocks are a gift from heaven.

Flowers at the Market

Now that there are more vegetables being harvested, the flowers and herbs are being discounted, and are real bargains. Strolling from vendor to vendor, I noticed many, many customers laden with blossoms. Click on the image for a closer look!

Lilies of the Field

“Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Bible

Beautification of America

It's always so pleasing when businesses take time to try to make their surroundings more attractive. Every year a local dry cleaning establishment plants lovely flowers in this combination bench and planter. In the midst of concrete on the sidewalk and parking area, these flowers are truly a breath of fresh air and beautify the front of the store. Catches my eye whenever I pass by.

Shopping at the Market

A wonderful way to shop and transport your flowers!

The saga of the camera continues. For a current update, check yesterday's (5/23/09)post.

MN Worker

If we had this kind of weather year round and abundant flowers and vegetables I can now find at the Farmers' Market, I would never leave, but..........

TRAGEDIES

William Shakespeare was correct when he said: When sorrows come, they come not single spies but in battalions.


Late Saturday night on May 26th my sister who lives in Green Bay, WI had emergency surgery for a brain aneurysm; five days later -- today, Thursday May 31, her son and my nephew, had a heart attack and died this morning--about 6 hours ago. My own family right now is in the middle of making plans to travel there, where I will stay after they leave to return to St. Paul so that I can help my sister when she is discharged. She's still on a respirator. What a shocking and sad week this has been. I hope to continue to post photos while I'm there in order to stay focused on the present, but I doubt that I'll make many comments on your blogs. Keep us in your thoughts.

Use Your Head!

I wonder if this planter is made in the image of the owner of the house where it resides on the front porch?

Spring tulips