Glacier Park Photos

A couple of more pictures from Glacier Park. I took quite a few.

A cabin at Lake McDonald that you can rent. I tooked around in one of these while it was being cleaned. Very rustic. You can walk right out of these and down to the shore of Lake McDonald. They are all a little different too with bigger and smaller ones depending on your needs.

This chair was at the back of one of the buildings that the staff use at Lake McDonald Lodge. Looks like a good place to sit and play a guitar I'm thinking. A lot of the buildings are painted brown like this.

SpokeFest 2009 photos

SpokeFest was really good once again. I think what makes it good is, it's only 21 miles, It's only $20. and it starts and ends in downtown Spokane. Not to mention the route along Riverside State Park is beautiful. This year there were over 1600 riders. That's a lot for a bike ride. As we left town in a group and started to decend down to the river it was kind of tricky with that many riders around you and the bumps in the road.

Best Jersey, Stratocaster.

I rode with my friend Gary who I turned on to cycling and now it's his main form of working out. If you love a sport you have to convert someone.

This girl gets best form award. She had a really cool kit on that looked like a skirt, and her Cannondale bike fits her perfectly. Best smile too.

And here's a shot of the Spokane River and Pavilion that I took at the end of the ride.

SpokeFest Spokane

I was skeptical about SpokeFest last year and almost didn't do it because it was only 21 miles. It's possible to ride it in one hour or less. But I decided to do it anyway as it was the first year, and doing bike rides is the sort of thing I do here at bicycle log. It turned out to be pretty darn good and I was impressed. HERE are the pictures I took last year which was the first year of SpokeFest. Anyway it's a ride to take your time on and not race. I don't think that's the intention, and if you do go as fast as possible it will be over too quickly and I really don't see the point in that.

I decided to stick around and ride in SpokeFest again this year. It's going to be perfect weather for it. Sunny and warm for this time of year. Last year I used my single speed bike. That was ok until I got to Doomsday Hill. I had to fly up it like Marco Pantani to keep the bike going in my one gear. I wasn't trying to show off, I just didn't have any options. Go fast up the hill to keep the crank going around or walk. I did it ok without walking but it was a little radical. So this year I'm going to ride my vintage Gitane Team and I'll have 10 gears to choose from. 5 chainrings on the back wheel and 2 on the crank. Now they call bikes 10 speeds when they have 10 gears on the back wheel, but there are actually 20 gear combinations on them if they have 2 chainrings on the crank. You knew that!

I've been wanting to ride the Gitane in a group ride, but I don't want to ride it all day so this is a good event for it. It seems like overkill to ride my regular road bike. Here's a pic of my baby. Old baby I guess I should say...

My vacation relaxation only took a couple of days to wear off. I guess that's the way it goes. I rode over 80 miles in Glacier Park. I made an attempt on the Going To The Sun Road but there was road construction about half way up and they had the pavement torn up for two miles. So I turned around when the pavement ended. No way could I ride my skinny tires on the dirt. It's too dangerous up there. Tuesday a motorcycle went off of the road and the guy fell to his death. But I did ride up and down Lake McDonald and up to the road work. It was really nice if not really cold early each morning. It would be in the low 40s F in the mornings and up to 90 degrees F in the afternoon. Who knows what it was C !?.. 32 I guess..

Glacier Park Photos

Here are a couple of more photos from Glacier. This was taken on my way back to Logan Pass from Haystack on the highline trail. I think that's Mt. Clements. I've skied both of those peaks in years past early in the season when there's snow everywhere and you don't have to worry about hurting the plants. (they frown on walking off of the trails when there isn't snow on the ground.) We'd climb to where the snow meets the rocks above. I'm not sure I'd have the nerve to do it anymore. You can't see it from below but there's usually a big gap between the snow and the mountian rocks at the top of those snow fields, and you could fall in there and not get back out.

(it's Mt. Reynolds. Thanks! I get those two confused.)

I'm not sure what these plants are called. I've never noticed them before. In case I've discovered a new plant, I named them Wild Hippy Hair Weeds.. They were doing the Hippy Hippy Shake in the wind.

This is a picture of where Snyder Creek comes into Lake McDonald. It was so hot I swam in the lake to cool off. If I really wanted to cool off I'd get in the Snyder Creek water coming into the lake. It was like turning on the cold tap.

Glacier Park vacation

I spent a few vacation days in Glacier Park cycling, hiking and canoeing. I don't think there is any place I'd rather be other than Flathead Lake. Here are a few Glacier Park photos. One morning I hiked from Logan Pass to Hidden Lake as it was on the east side of the continental divide and got the morning sun. It, feels like you are on the top of the world up there. It was really windy and that kept the people cool and the bugs away.

Then in the afternoon I took the Highline Trail that goes from Logan Pass to Granite Park along the Garden Wall which you can see at right. I didn't go all the way to Granite Park as I didn't have enough daylight, but I did go to Haystack which is the hump you see in the distance. I wanted to make it to Haystack because I wanted to see over the other side, but kept looking at my watch because I didn't want to get caught out late up there. It's not a place you want to hike alone late in the day. If anything were to happen and you had to spend the night out it could be disaster, not to mention the Grizzly Bear issue. I timed it right although I think I was the last person off of the trail that day. Not good actually although I know the trail well. The wind really got strong and there are several places you could be blown away to your death. I guess it's happened.

One day after I went cycling in the morning, I took the canoe out on Lake McDonald. It was hot and calm all afternoon which is kind of unusual for Glacier but I knew it would be a good day to be on the water. This view is looking southwest towards Apgar. I'm infront of Lake McDonald Lodge where I stayed. I'd paddle along and then beach the canoe and go for a dip in the cold water.

The water was so clear I could see the shadow of my canoe on the bottom when the water was really deep. I could see fish swimming along too and one time a whole bunch of them swam by. I beached the canoe several times and went swimming. The bottom drops off steep in places and when you swim under water and look into the deep it is the most beautiful turquoise color. It was really amazing. I was wishing I had an underwater camera.

Here's a picture of my car canoe and bike at Apgar as I left the park. I have room for one more bike on the other side of the canoe. I stayed at Lake McDonald Lodge at the other end of the lake and Hiked in those Mountains. I rode my bike in the morning from the far end of the lake to this end and back. I had to time trial on my way back to Lake McDonald Lodge to check out on time. I rode over 80 miles while I was in the park. I took a lot of pictures too so perhaps I'll post a few more later.

Wild Horse Island Bighorn

Here's a very small detail of a bighorn on Wild Horse Island that I took in low light as night fell on the lake. I thought it looked sort of impressionistic when I zoomed in. It was so dark I didn't have any hopes for a picture but I took pictures anyway.

Learning to water ski

Leaning to water ski at the lake each summer is a time honored tradition for the young people. For the not so young people it's a chance pass on knowledge and learn just how not so young they are. The next morning anyway..

I usually don't post pictures of people I know, but I like this picture too much.

Bigarm Bay

Here's a picture of Bigarm Bay on Flathead Lake. I keep taking the same picture over and over. It's like Groundhog Day in Bigarm Bay.

I retain all rights to my photos.  Please do not use any of my photos without permission.

Memory card, hot water tank and a mandolin

I was looking at all of the photos on my various memory cards wich were all full. It gets to the point that you have to make the decision to keep them or not. I finally made a folder and put some of them in it and cleared off one card. I'd show you some of them but I don't have them here, and honestly,.. they weren't that great.

My hot water tank started to leak. So tomorrow I'm going to buy a new one and install it. That will be fun.. It shouldn't be too big of a deal actually. We will see.. I don't mind not having hot water so much, but not having water at all could be a bad thing, so I'll have to resolve this situation once I start in.

Also I've been thinking about buying a mandolin. I used to play a mandolin when I was a kid before I played guitar, and I backed up my dad who played banjo. They are strung like a violin and I played that in orchestra, so since I (sort of) know how to play I might as well get one. They don't cost that much and I was thinking it would be an easy thing to travel with, and it's nice to have something to do with your hands while you are sitting around. Who knows? I might get into it. The guy below in the Rhonda Vincent video on mando rocks.

My first song will be called: Memory card, hot water tank and a mandolin.

Sun pickle recipe

It's time for sun pickles again. I went to a local farmer's market type place down the road from where I live and bought a bunch of small cucumbers and some dill. Here's the basic recipe:

3# of cucs
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup Kosher salt (I used about 1/3 cup of salt and I think you could get by with less)
2 table spoons of pickling spice.

Wash the cucs put them in 1 gallon jar add above and then fill with water.
Let sit in sun for three days and shake once a day.

I backed down the salt and added a sliced jalpeno pepper, (I like it hot) some galic, some onion, and some fresh dill. The cost has gone up a little in the two years since I first made this. The cucs were twice as expensive, but I have almost enough to make one more batch. This time I had everything but the cucs, dill and the pepper. I'm in around $12 not counting what I already had, the canning/ pickling salt, vinegar and pickling spice. The thing I like about these pickles is how crisp they are. I'm sure you could use any kind of salt.

Here's a link to when I made SUN PICKLES a while back with photo.

It's going to be almost 100 degrees tomorow, so that will jump start the process.

Wild Horse Island Rainbow

A rainbow off the shore of Wild Horse Island in Flathead Lake. The air smells so sweet here in Montana.

Bee picture

Here's a picture of my bee working on a thistle. It's a Scottish bee. Or a Scottish wanna bee.

New Hobie Cat 16 sails

There must be a lot of people out there who need new sails for their Hobie Cat, so here's what the new sails look like on my boat. Made in the United States, so that's a bonus, unlike some windsurfing sails. Hobie sails are a good value compaired to windsurfing sails. One thing I noticed is that the main pops over in a jibe just like a windsurfing sail as the curves in the battens flip over.

They came with a new number so if you want your old number be sure to tell them. I don't really care as I'm not racing. It was a big improvement. It seems to have put the center of effort back where it should be and the bow doesn't seem to push in as much. Now I wouldn't mind getting a boom vang, which this boat didn't have. It's raining right now so I'm not sure if I'll get to sail. I only like it when it rains anyway,. unless I want to sail.

Rainbow Lake Photo

I'm going to put this photo of Rainbow Lake Montana into my favorites on the side bar. It seems to be getting a little interest. I really need to do some housekeeping over there.

I love it when someone comes across this blog and looks at the pictures, and reads the silly things I've written. Now and then someone will come here and spend a little time. They mostly don't leave a comment, they don't stay very long, they just float around a little and then float away. Like the spirits of people coming and going almost without a trace.

One of the things that I hated about art school was the shamless self promotion of it all. I hate most art shows for that same reason. I'm not posting here for self promotion. I don't care what people think of my pictures. I often don't like them myself.

I retain the rights to all of my photos.  Please do not use without permission.

Boundaries

This isn't the best picture in the west but it's all I've got. Well not quite... There wasn't anyone around, and it was strange to feel comfortable on one side of the fence, but not really the other. If I climbed over the fence I'd have this guilt trip about it, like what the heck am I doing on this side of the fence?!..

The heat spell finally broke. It was just too darn hot, that's all. Well I guess I can take this picture down after a while, but I'll leave it up for now.

Homeless people

Where is home? There's no question about it when you are young. I guess for some people it's pretty clear. "Go Home!" I say to a dog if I find it in my yard. And it trots off,..but looks back at me as if to say I'm leaving but I really don't know where I'm going..

I guess if you are single and don't have a family you really don't have a home. I might have made a good homeless person. I think that's the most pure form but I'd have to get rid of my stuff. Home is a place to put your stuff. I admire people who don't have a lot of stuff. They travel light. Homeless people travel light..

There are people who had it all. They had a husband. They had kids. They had a house. They had a home. For years it went on like that. But then..

The kids grew up and left, The husband died. And then they had a house full of stuff, but was it still a home?

There are people who had it all. They had a mother, they had a father, they had a sister, they had a brother, but now they are alone.

I always felt at home on my bike. Always going somewhere. Always moving. Without a lot of stuff.

***
I think the heat has finally gotten to me..

Dinghy sailing in Montana

I watched this guy sail his dinghy on the Flathead River in Montana from a bridge. It was some of the most radical dinghy sailing I've ever seen. The wind was strong as was the current and the pictures make it look easy, but this guy is a true master, and his sailing was a beautiful thing to watch.

Loreen Miller bike ride pictures

Here are a few pictures from the 2009 Loreen Miller Cancer Patient Care bike ride. It was raining in the morning when I got up and that was a welcome change in the weather. The clouds lasted all morning and without them it would have been a hot ride. I rode the 50 mile ride as I thought it might be really hot to try and ride farther, plus I haven't been cycling as much as usual. I really suffered on the first climb but later in the day I started to feel stronger and stronger and at the end of the ride I felt as good if not better than I did at the start. So that's encouraging.

This guy had the most interesting jersey. Skull and bones.

I rode with these two ladies on and off. Wendy and Shelley, if I got their names right. They both do triathlon and were very fit. I ejoyed their company and did my best to keep up with Wendy on the climbs. I've noticed more and more tri people, especially women doing the bike rides lately and I think that's great. Of course in triathlon you aren't supposed to draft, so there's a whole culture of non-drafting out there as a result. I was taking turns pulling with another woman earlier and she commented that it had been a long time since she had drafted and how much fun it was. It's one of the things I really enjoy about group cycling as there's nothing like the thrill of being in a long train of riders going fast. Of course I always like to sit on if possible, like I'm doing here :)

At the end of the ride they had the best food I've ever had at a bike ride. Also they had the Angus Scott bagpipe band and I always like to hear them as they can put together some cool combinations. There were a couple of young dancers that I enjoyed as well. All in all it was a geat ride as usual.

***
From the website..

Who are Cancer Patient Care’s clients?

Cancer Patient Care clients are active cancer patients and their families who are fighting the invisible burden of overwhelming debt. Often our clients were financially stable until cancer invaded their lives. CPC helps them meet their basic needs.

***

Invisible burden indeed..

I won't go into the whole health care issue but we might not need this if everyone were covered.

My first Pow Wow

I went to my first Pow Wow last weekend. The drums called me in after years of listening to them from a distance. I really enjoyed it. There was some great dancing and native costumes. A lot of it is dance competition which I didn't really expect. There were groups of drummers around an open pavillion that took turns drumming and singing. Drumming seems to be a male dominated thing.

There were lots of Montana area tribes represented. Blackfoot, Kootenai and Salish, Flathead, Cree, Lakota and others. Everyone got involved young and old. Lots of beautiful people. The smell of pine pitch burning in fires filled the air. It was really cool.

For some reason I always felt I should keep my distance. If I were a tribal member I'm not sure I'd want a bunch of people like me showing up, but everyone was cool. I'd recommend going to a Pow Wow if you've never been to one. It's a good way to get outside of the bubble.

New Hobie 16 sails

They say that there are two things a man can love, a woman and a boat. I have a boat... And now my Hobie 16 gets new sails.

I know,..the old sails looked cool with the rainbow colors, but the new sails will rock, and the boat wil be faster.

Rainbow Lake Montana

This is Rainbow Lake AKA Dog Lake by the locals, just inside the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana. It's known for its rainbows and also for its dogs, although I've never actually seen a dog here, but I'm sure at one time there were many dogs, or at least one dog...

I took the canoe out as the sun went down, not on Dog Lake, but on Flathead Lake. I could hear the Native Americans beating the drum down at the end of the bay. They are having a Pow Wow. As usual, I'm outside of the bubble, alone in my canoe, like Lt. Dunbar, or more like Lt. Dumb Bear.. What a sense of belonging and community they must have. I envy that.

Perhaps tomorrow I'll muster the courage to go over there with my camera.

I retain all rights to my photos.  Please do not use any of my photos without permission.

I'm only happy when it rains.

It rains for two days and people at work throw a big fit. What's wrong with this weather?! they say,.. even though we can't actually go outside because we have to work,..

I'm only happy when it rains.
feels good when things are going wrong,
I only listen to sad sad songs.
I'm only happy when it rains.

you want to hear about my new obsession?
I'm riding high upon a deep depression
I'm only happy when it rains.

It will be in the 90s by the end of the week. Perhaps the cold blooded will be happy.

Pour your misery down on me..

(Shirley Manson a little out of context.)

Niarada barn

My mom told me that my Dad knew the people who lived next to this. I suspect they owned this barn back when as it's the only place around. He used to come here and hunt pheasants. I have his old shotgun. This old barn has been photographed a lot. I sometimes see people out taking pictures of it. It was 90 degrees today here. That isn't too bad but this is a hot old dusty old place. Cold in the winter. Hot in the summer.

The Flathead River

Here's a picture of the Flathead River. I drive along it on my way to Flathead Lake. The water comes from the Glacier Park area through Flathead Lake and then it merges with the Clark Fork River a few miles from here and goes on into Idaho. You can't tell in this picture but it usually has a turquoise color.

I retain the rights to all of my photos.  Please do not use without permission.

Feel good moment

My bike ride to work today was really pleasant as it was cool out. I left soon enough that I had plenty of time and didn't have to push. Sometimes I feel so sorry for people in cars when I ride to work. They look stressed and unhappy for the most part. I did see one pretty young woman yesterday who was singing to her radio as she drove, so at least she was happy. That made me feel good.

Raining on Armstrong's parade

I'm a little cynical about the Tour de France anymore after repeated doping scandals year after year. First I was first naive enough to believe in Riis, Then Ulrich, Then Pantani. Then bla bla bla bla bla bla bla, and then Heras, and Hamilton, Landis, and Vinokourov. Various others. It seems like just about everyone. So I guess I'm waiting for the next bicycle shoe to drop in a drug scandal. I feel a little like Dick Cheney predicting the next attack. Raining on Armstrong's parade the way Cheney rained on Obama's.

The thought of Vinokourov demanding to be back on Astana after serving a two year suspension.. Well it's hard for a fan to really take it seriously. At least it is for me at this point.

***
And how did I forget Michael Rasmussen getting thrown out of the tour while wearing yellow in 2007. I knew I was leaving someone out. It's just getting too forgetable.

On the other hand, I find myself drawn to watch it, and I guess it motivates me to get on my bike and get in shape. And I guess I want to see the old experienced guy do well. It was nice to see Armstrong make the split the other day and climb up the leader board. Hey if Longo can continue to win as long as she did, why not Lance?

Montana Highway 382

One time last year I pulled over on this road, Montana secondary Highway 382, got out and was taking pictures like I did today. Not a car in sight for miles. I didn't pull all the way off of the road because my car is kind of low to the ground. I didn't want to get high centered, and I didn't want to start the grass on fire with my hot exhaust pipe.


So I'm out of the car walking around on the highway and finally here comes a car. I watched it for a long time until it finally got to me and the guy stops. People often stop to see if they can help you in Montana. "I'm fine." I said, "Just taking some pictures." "You'd better get your car off of the road." The guy says. "Trucks come along here pretty fast and you might get hit." I looked up and down the highway. Not a truck in sight. "Thanks." I said...

Little green tomatoes

I've been sitting here trying to reach the mosquito bites on my back. I got them last weekend painting. I've counted four of them... I've seen them in the mirror. On my way home in the car they started to itch, and I was thinking, "I need an implement to scratch them with, what do I have in the car that would work?." I was rubbing against the seat back. That just wasn't enough. Then it came to me.. I have my paint scraper right behind the seat within reach! It worked perfect and hit the spots. It was exactly the right size and shape. I couldn't have found a better thing to scratch my mosquito bites with, and I didn't even have to pull the car over. They could market these as paint scrapers, that also work as back scratchers.. Or back scratchers that also work as paint scrapers.. I thought as I drove.

Summer is starting to sink in. Little green tomatoes are starting to appear on my plants. Little rabbits are starting to appear in my yard. I'm thankful because last year my plants were a disaster. The rabbit ate all of the leaves as I planted them in the ground. But this year I put them in pots on my deck. They are easier to deal with up there anyway.

That children's story keeps coming to mind. I never thought I'd be the old farmer dude that came to heads with the rabbit. But it's all starting to make sense. My role as the villan is becoming clear over time. This year I'm only growing tomatoes but the older and more farmer-esque I get, the more desire I have for a graden. Strange how that works. I even have a farmer tan... but I still think of it as a bicycle tan.

Dog person

I love this bumper sticker.

***
But what if your dog thought you were an idiot?

Don't touch my screen!

People who know me, know that I don't like it when people touch my screen. My computer screen. That's not exactly accurate,.. I hate it when people touch my screen! When you touch something it leaves finger prints. I guess it comes from wearing glasses. I always keep my glasses clean so I can see clearly. There's nothing worse than finger prints on something you have to look at or look through.

As you know if you read this blog I work as a graphic artist. It really bothers me if someone tries to touch my screen while I'm working, pointing at this or that. You can point at it without touching the screen. If you touch it you will leave a mark or a scratch. Then I'll have to deal with it. Forever!.. And that really bothers me!

I'm disturbed by screen touchers, but what I really don't like are touch screens. I know a few things about plastics. They don't make a plastic that can't be scratched, I don't care what they say. Show me a non-scratch plastic and I'll show you how to scratch it. Why would you touch something you had to look at? Clearly designed by people who never wore glasses or have no visual sensitivity. When I heard that they came out with a touch screen computer like it's this wonderful thing, I'm thinking I totally hate that idea! I hope they don't all become like that. I don't want to look at something with a million finger prints and scratches on it.

And here's the real kicker. When I'm working on my computer with a customer watching and they start touching my screen. What am I going to do? I have to sit there and let them violate my screen like that.

You don't go to the museum and start fondling all of the paintings!... "Oh look at the boobs on that one!"... touch touch touch...

I've thought about having a sign made to put on the boarder of the screen that says, "please don't touch my screen." But I don't want to put a sign on my screen..

I can't stand it when people stick things on screens...

Montana forest

I couldn't resist just wandering around in the forest for a while today way up in the mountains of western Montana. It was cool but not cold with the sun making its way in through the trees. The air had that sweet intoxicating mountain smell that might just be one of the best things about summer. There weren't any anoying bugs. It was just beautiful in the woods. I could have wandered around in the forest for hours.

Smell the latex

I haven't been posting that much lately. I suck in this respect. Not only that, I haven't been cycling as much as I should. My house needed painting and I've been doing that. It's no excuse though and I realize. I'm so burned out after work and then I come home and paint.

But there's a certain calm in painting. Houses... (there's no calm in art painting/ oil painting for me. That's like work. I always stress when I do that.) But house painting, you're up on that ladder and spreading out the latex.. It's a summer thing. Mindless in a way, but rewarding too.

That's been my world. Up on a ladder painting my house. The smell of the latex. The clink of the extention ladder as I raise and lower it. The feel of the water when I clean out the brush.

Well there's that.

I want to something about the King of Pop but I can't find the right direction. I loved some of the music. There's something strange though, and not just about his death.

Wild Rose picture

I was taking a picture of wild roses and a bee swooped in to roll in the pollen.

Boating to Wild Horse Island

This is what the sky looked like on my way back from Wild Horse Island as night closed in on Flathead Lake. I didn't see any wild horses on the island, but I did see several big mule deer bucks in the velvet. They were too far away to get a picture.

I retain all rights to my photos.  Please do not use any of my photos without permission.

Out west

This Buckaroo walked by me today so I took his picture.

He was heading west last time I seen him...

Ride a bike to work

It was the perfect day to ride a bike to work. It rained last night and today it was clear and cool. Nobody was on the bike path. My favorite time to ride a bike is after a rain shower. The air felt cool on my body so I didn't break a sweat. It wasn't even 60 degrees and no wind. I saw various birds, and one squirrel. I felt sorry for all of the people driving to work in cars. It's nice to be able to ride a bike instead.

Last night I repaired the front brake on my single speed. If I pulled the lever the caliper would go in but then wouldn't return to fully open. And it felt terrible like metal grinding on metal. It started to do that on the SpokeFest ride at the end of last summer. Instead of fixing it, I just quit riding it and switched to my regular road bike, but now I've been wanting to ride it again. I hardly ever have to do anything to my bikes, but now and then you have to fix something. Usually a tire.

So I bought a new housing and cable thinking that would be the easiest fix. I had ruled out the caliper and the lever. It ended up being the cable housing. It's working fine now and I rode the single speed to work.

Morning on Flathead Lake.

Morning on Flathead Lake. When the day starts out like this it's going to be a good day for sailing. It's always nice at Flathead Lake though even when it's stormy. There aren't really any bad days. I really should get up earlier and see the day break, but I just wanted to sleep in. When I did get up I took my camera and coffee down to the shore.

Bear Grass

The Bear Grass is blooming in Montana. Now and then I'll see one and the top is broken off, like something came along and ate it.

Where's my camera ! ?

I freaked out today. My boss came into my cube and said "Don I have an assignment for you." She wanted me to go out and take pictures of the local area for a project. Where is my new Nikon?! It must be at home I thought...

I usually carry two camera bags with cameras in them to work. I almost never go anywhere without them. I had one bag with the little camera in it but I coudln't find the big one with the big camera. I'd been at home for lunch and went inside my house and left the windows of my car open. Did someone walk by and take my camera? I just didn't know. I remembered another artist at work had lost a camera out of his car.

At work, I'd parked my car under a tree for shade. Did I leave a door open? I did leave the windows down a little. I know that. Did I leave my camera in the car where someone could see it and take it?

We'd been picking things up off of the floor at work as we were going to have the carpet cleaned. I usually plop my camera bags down on the floor in my cube. I hauled stuff out of there did I haul off my camera and forget where I put it?

I drove home after work and looked around the house. No camera. Then I drove back to work. No camera.

I was sick about it. I started to think someone must have taken it out of my car when I left the windows down at lunch.

Then I thought about looking in my truck. Yesterday I'd taken my truck to a place to drop off a bunch of tree branches and then drove it to work. After work I'd gone to the store and covered up my camera bags with a vest so they wouldn't be seen in the cab. I was in a dark mood yesterday after work and stormed inside when I got home.

There it was in the cab of the truck. My new Nikon. What a relief. I think I'll sleep with it tonight.

Lavender's blue

Diane wrote a heartbreaking post about riding the school bus when she was young and looking different than the other children. Lavender

***
let the birds sing, and the lambs play
we shall be safe, out of harm's way

Gertrude's old pink cabin

They are going to paint Aunt Gertrude's old cabin so I decided to take a picture before it lost its pink patina. They're painting it the same color but it won't be quite the same. Well at least not until the sun and weather ages it properly. A lot of people I've been close to have gone through this door. It's a door into my past.

Now people build great big homes along the lake. There's something lost in them. I'd rather stay in a place like this.

Aunt Gertrude always had a bag of yarn and would crochet things. She made me an afghan and a poop duck, and she made things that looked like poodles to put toilet paper in. She was prolific, and there was something calming about being around her while she worked. She was like a spider spinning her endless web looking through old cat eye glasses.

I don't bother putting extra toilet paper in a thing that looks like a poodle but I might if I had one...

If you look closely there's a little bird poking its head out of the bird house that's sitting on the electrical service box. I bet that bird is realted to birds that came here when Gertrude owned the pink cabin.

***After Aunt Gertrude left, Aunt Mildred and Aunt Dorothy moved in. They weren't really my aunts like Gertrude was, but they were other people's aunts. So I called them aunt as did everyone. They were no spring chickens. Mildred had gone to the Art Institute of Chicago. She had a potters wheel in there, painted and composed music. I used to go there and talk art with her while I was going to art school. She gave me a great big book on Leonardo. I also have one of her pots. A tea pot.

All of those aunts are dead and gone now. The people who come and stay there have no idea.

I retain the rights to all of my photos.  Please do not use without permission.

Morning picture

I don't even know what to say about this. A picture from this morning.

Is there life on Mars?

It's a God awful small affair
To the girl with the mousey hair
But her mummy is yelling, "No!"
And her daddy has told her to go
But her friend is no where to be seen
Now she walks through her sunken dream

Natalia got me thinking about the whole abortion issue. These words came to mind.

GM bankruptcy

This is an ad from a 1922 Chevy dealer catalog. They were trying to sell cars to farmers. There was sort of a fine line between cars and trucks back then. Now GM has been selling farm trucks to city folks, but I think the gig is finally up on that idea.

Mitt Romney was on the Today show with Matt Lauer this moring. Lauer gave credit to Romney for calling the impending bankruptcy of the auto industry. Well it might be that billions spent to float GM and Chrysler was intended to avoid a total melt down of our economy while everyone came to terms with bankruptcy, or to try and give it some time to find someone to step in and take over.

And who names their kid Mitt anyway?...! Don't get me wrong,.. I like Mitt Romney,. If only he didn't seem like a used car salesman..

I guess what really bothers me about GM and Chrysler, and Ford for that matter is they mananged to convince everyone to buy great big trucks and SUVs, and then loaded them up with every possible option and charged 30 to 40 grand for one. Way more than people need for transportation in an urban setting. Now even reasonable people think they can't get by without an SUV or Truck for their daily transportation.

It's no wonder the whole idea imploded when gas prices went up.

The wind in the trees

I used to dislike the wind. I was going to say I hated the wind but I didn't hate it. I guess it's like a person who grows up on the prairie and feels crowded by the mountains. Tonight the wind is blowing in the trees. I'll leave the window open and let it in,. to take me out onto the prairie.