The Forests Have Eyes

The Forests Have Eyes

The Forests Have Eyes

The trees are watching you.

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Godspell

Godspell

Godspell

We had an enjoyable evening today, capped off with the wonderful performance of Godspell by the teens at Covenant Life Church. They did a terrific job and we thoroughly enjoyed the show. If anyone seeing this knows any of these kids, please tag them.

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Tap and Die

Tap and Die

Tap and Die

When I demonstrated simple machines to the second graders a week or so ago, they asked how screws are made. So, I got out my tap and die set to show them how threads can be cut, both on the outside of a screw or bolt and on the inside of a hole to receive it.

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Glowing Leaves

Glowing Leaves

Glowing Leaves

These newly emerged leaves were beautiful against the blue sky this afternoon. I sure love color.

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Connections With The Past

Sultan and Zaid

Sultan and Zaid

Longish story…

The Meridian International Center put together an exhibit of photographs illustrating U.S.-Afghan relations over the last hundred years. Of about 100 images, Cathy’s dad took about a dozen. We enjoyed the the opening reception for the show today along with Jim’s former student and very good friend Sultan and his wife (Homaira) and son (Zaid).

We (not to mention Dr. Curtis Sandberg) were happily surprised to learn that Sultan took one of the photographs (of President Eisenhower). But the real kicker came when Sultan and Zaid recognized the people in this photograph of “Princess Fatima” and her entourage from 1921. “That’s my great grandmother,” Zaid exclaimed! Sure enough, the picture is of Sultan’s grandmother (“Princess Fatima,” second from the right) and father (third from the left). The photograph was taken in Washington D.C., possibly on the roof of the White House.

How cool is that?

The Meridian has a portion of their web site dedicated to this show, including a gallery of all the images. In Small Things Remembered.

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Tree 365

Tree 365

Tree 365

I was out in the woods today and came across a tree with this metal tag on it. I wouldn’t have taken a picture except that the number on the tag goes so well with my Project 365 I figured I had to.

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Daffodils

Daffodils

Daffodils

We’ve had some little daffodils out for a while but now all the larger varieties are starting to bloom. These were given to my by a good friend and were planted the fall after we moved into our house (2006) so they are well established and thriving.

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Hyacinth

Hyacinth

Hyacinth

I thought I’d post another hyacinth photo, now that they are fully open. Julia, this one’s for you.

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Cousins

Cousins

Cousins

My mom and I were able to visit with kith and kin over the weekend in Belvidere. This photo is of my mom and five of her cousins. Unfortunately Jack and Clinton had already left by the time someone thought of taking a picture. We continue to pray for Glenn and his family.

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Camellia japonica ‘Pink Perfection’

Camellia japonica ‘Pink Perfection’

Camellia japonica ‘Pink Perfection’

Most of the camellias in my mom’s yard have been touched by the cold weather we’ve had lately. This bush is absolutely covered with formerly perfect pink blossoms but now most of them are touched around the edges with brown. Still, from a distance it’s an amazing sight.

Oh, and they make me think of my dad, which is also really nice.

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Sedum Jewels

Sedum Jewels

Sedum Jewels

We saw dem jewels so I took pitchers o’em. So, now you can sedem, too. These are water droplets in the emerging leaves of a sedum in a pot in our front yard. More water droplets in Extras.

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Tree Flowers

Tree Flowers

Tree Flowers

These are the flowers on a small tree. Not sure what. Adds a nice touch of yellow to the otherwise mostly brown woods, though.

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Water Heater

Water Heater

Water Heater

Yesterday I came home to a house with no hot water. Turns out there’s a leak in the tank. It’s not a big leak but with plumbing, a leak is a leak. Anyway, the water leaking out caused a short, blew the breaker. The plumber came today. This is the last I saw of the old water heater.

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Grass

Grass

Grass

After a very chilly morning it was a beautiful afternoon. I didn’t take a lot of pictures, except a few of some pictures of moss, which I’m not very happy with them, and this tuft of grass.

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Chionodoxa lucilae

Chionodoxa lucilae

Chionodoxa lucilae

I thought I’d try some extreme close-up shots today. I can’t say they are award winning pictures but after all, the challenge was to post a picture a day, not to win any awards. Anyway, Chionodoxa, or glory-of-the-snow, is one of my favorite flowers.

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Pink Hyacinth

Pink Hyacinth

Pink Hyacinth

I’m not a big fan of hyacinths in general. They’re pretty enough but they smell quite awful. Some people like it, I guess but it’s too much for me. Anyway, they are pretty cheery in the garden.

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Wood Carving

Wood Carving

Wood Carving

This is a wood carving on my mother-in-law’s living room wall.

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Ripples

Ripples

Ripples

I admit that I have a thing for ripples in water. I can just sit and watch them. I don’t really know what it is about them that I like, but I think they are cool.

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Lauren Plus One

Lauren Plus One

Lauren Plus One

Only two months to go…

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Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

I enjoyed watching this little fellow for a while. I sensed rather than saw a dark shape overhead. I looked up in time to see (but not take a picture) of a hawk as it flew on large, silent wings. I suppose if I had been a rabbit I’d have been in trouble. (Picoides pubescens)

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