Relief: Just Down the Street

Lincoln and I love stopping at the Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm. We get to visit with Chester and explore all the farm sights and smells.

Foliage and Sky

All Alone

My sister got this photo of Lincoln gazing out my bedroom window while I was gone.

Office Whoopsie Turns Into an Office Delight

Not everyone sees a mistake as a bad thing. Argie and Lincoln enjoying some popcorn (and saving us from sweeping it up).

Blast From The Past

Not inspired today to get creative, so I browsed my photo library for an oldie.

I present (from left to right) Bonnie and Rexy. I estimate this was taken in 2001.

Sick Day

I cashed in on my first sick day in 3 years. Today started off rough, but I got to enjoy some quality time with Bonnie while watching old episodes of the American version of Being Human.

Mini Schnowsan

For Christmas, Lincoln got a DNA testing kit.

Well...we got the results.

Say hello to my Miniature Schnauzer/Chow Chow Mix crossed with Rhodesian Ridgeback/Miniature Schnauzer Mix.  My Mini Schn-ow-san???

These tests aren't completely accurate...not yet.  But it definitely gave us something to talk about.

Meet the Ancestors

Chow Chow

Miniature Schnauzer

RhodesianRidgeback

 The Mini Schnowsan

Lincoln at his hair-iest

Rain Gives Way to Clouds

Rainy morning gives way to beautiful clouds on our drive down I-5 to Hanford.

Clayton from Peacock Ridge

Stroll along Peacock Ridge between rain showers.

I wonder if there use to be a forest of oak trees before livestock took up residence??

Not a religious statement.  The cross just happened to make for an interesting foreground.

No stroll is complete without a picture of Linc.

I Got Destroyed

I can hold my own against most of my Hanging With Friends competitors.  But when it comes to playing against my friend Lee, I get destroyed.  And the results below may be my worst showing against him yet. I didn't guess a single word right, and he had no trouble guessing every word I put on the table.  I definitely felt like my avatar...ashamed to show my face.

What is it?

Hmmmm....

Meow

Meoooooooooowwwww

Heat Seeking Missile

Bonnie's favorite winter spot. The heating vent.

Trouble is Finding the Time

Finding time to experiment with my Fisheye camera is the tricky part.  I love the bizarre affects.  I love how I can never be sure how the photo will turn out.  For some people, not having the instant feedback of a digital camera can be frustrating, but I feel like a little kid at Christmas when I go to the store to pick up my prints.  Below are some of my first attempts at playing with the multiple exposure setting on my Fisheye camera.  Improvements to come!

Double Exposure Attempt #1: Two Oak Trees

Double Exposure Attempt #2: Oak Tree and Neighborhood 

And no roll of film would be complete without a picture of Lincoln.

Kitty Likes Fire

Tink admiring the fire.

Experimenting with the Fish's Eye

Memorial Stadium at UC Berkeley.

Redwood Grove at UC Berkeley.

Campanile at UC Berkeley.

Mr. Goat at Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm.

Sunny Sunflower.

Dog Food is a Curious Thing

Some interesting food showed up at work recently. Hobo Chile. Hmmm...not sure if that makes dog food seem tastier or weirder.

Comedy at Work

Work provides a good amount of stress, but there are also moments of comedy...ridiculousness.  Today's photo is a glimpse in to the perfectly normal email correspondence that we have.  Old screen shot of my phone...March 2011...but I never delete these gems.

Perfect Time for Tim Tams

Nothing could have made me happier than coming home to a delicious Australian treat that I haven't had in SIX years!

TIM TAMS!!!

Studying abroad in Australia was amazing, and not surprisingly I have very fond memories of many foods, not just Tim Tams.

Special thanks to my sister's friend who sent the Tim Tams to her. I will be enjoying them immensely.

A Great Great Dane

The world lost a great canine friend today. Danny blessed many people, and I feel lucky to have known him. He had the best mom and dad a dog could ever ask for. Like most young, vibrant dogs, Danny was taking from our lives far too early. Rest In Peace Danny Boy. And everyone please send happy thoughts to Danny's mom and dad as these are very trying times for them.

Lafayette Hillside War Memorial

Every Sunday on my way home from the zoo, I pass the hillside of white crosses by the Lafayette BART Station.  I finally took the time to stop and walk through the memorial.  I initially stopped to see if I could get some good pictures.  Selfish really, and I realized it from the moment I got out of my car.  I felt like a trespasser and I didn't want anyone to see me taking pictures...like I was stealing people's memories.  But gradually my motivation shifted.  I wasn't there to satisfy my artistic curiosity anymore.  As a matter of fact, I wandered around for almost 40 minutes before remembering that I wanted to take some photos.  I sat up near the top of the hill and spent some time reflecting.  Most of the crosses are made of wood or metal and painted white and not necessarily dedicated to anyone in particular.  Some crosses have been personalized by families, friends, or supporters.  I wanted to document and share some these individual memories.  They all moved me in some way, and I'm hoping that some of you may find inspiration in them as well.

More info on this memorial: Wikipedia and an early history of memorial