Jude at Travel Words wants to see photos with some post-processing – use your imagination, it can be subtle or bold as long as it includes a bench or even part of a bench!
This week I used a cartoon effect for my bench photo. I liked how it changed the reflections in the water into solids, the definition of the reflection lost by the effect.
original
The never ending winter of 2015 is just a fading memory as I sit here in the 86 degree heat (which I am not complaining about , I like it hot) in the Northeastern United States.
WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge-Off Season
This morning when I logged onto WordPress to catch up on the blogs that came in from all over the world over night while I slept, I was linked to two other blogs, having been “chosen” to participate in a challenge. This has occurred before, and I have participated on days when I have time, or find the challenge fun and something interesting. This challenge asked me to write a paragraph without using the letter e. It summed up by saying: “They must do it within 24 hours or it is considered as failure. 4) If you fail or pass, suffer in the Page of Lame. 5) If you win, wallow in the Page of Fame.”
I bristled after reading this. Perhaps it was written tongue in cheek, but the words pass and fail have no place on my blog. To me blogging is not about failure, passing or failing and certainly not about being lame if you do not rise up to meet a challenge or gaining fame from a blog you have written. I choose to participate in challenges that stretch my mind and allow me to grow in positive ways, and to read the blogs of others that I can learn from, that open my eyes and mind to places I have never seen, things I may not have known about, and that make me laugh and cry. Meeting people from different walks of life and reading about their thoughts on different topics. So I will pass on this challenge that uses language contrary to my feelings about what blogging is. I prefer to keep the words pass and fail off these pages.
This is the underpass in town that allows you to cross the train tracks by going under them. I grew up in a house across the street from here, but back then there was no fence so we would just look both ways and run across those tracks. Once across my friends and I would run to the candy store up the block, Murphy’s, where we could buy Matchbox cars and comic books and order egg creams or milkshakes at the soda fountain counter spinning on the round seats that turned as you pushed your hand against the counter to get momentum. We tried to always be polite as Mrs. Murphy seemed to be in a perpetual bad mood no matter what day we came in. She was the skinniest person I had ever seen and was never without a cigarette hanging from her mouth. She was plain as anything, and on the rare occasion she smiled, you could see all those nicotine stained yellow teeth she had. On the way home we’d stop in at the bakery next door, it was called “Home Made Bakery” and we’d buy a few cookies from Ethel, the owner and baker, and she would always give us one for free. Sometimes as we looked both ways before crossing the tracks on the way home, we would see the headlight of the train in the distance and would take out a penny to put on one of the rails. We’d stand back, but still pretty close, as the train whooshed past, feeling the strong wind it made blowing in our faces. Once the caboose passed we’d run onto the tracks to wave at the man sitting in back. Then we’d look for the penny, now flattened by those powerful wheels, and still hot from the friction of wheel upon rail. We never went into the underpass, it was dirty and smelly and dank- who knew what or who could be lurking in the shadows.
10 years ago there was an incident with someone trying to hop onto the train which did not end well for the child. The trains are not commuter trains, but large freight trains. After the accident the fence went up so no one could access those tracks, and the underpass was cleaned up, painted and lights were put in. So these days I find myself using the underpass, though I admit I run through it, still fearful of what creature might have found its way in, and though cleaner, it is still not a place you would want to linger. Murphy’s and the Home Made Bakery are long gone, replaced with upscale restaurants. But I find myself still standing near the fence to watch as a train goes by, closing my eyes, feeling that whoosh of wind on my face, and allowing me to feel like I’m 12 once again.
I awoke to the smell of something good, and found my way to the kitchen, only to find my husband there already making omelettes. (This is how you know you are reading fiction-except for once this past winter on a snow day, hence the photo) He served it up on one of the Vernonware plaid plates that had been my mother in laws, giving it a real retro feel. A little known fact is that maple syrup and eggs go very well together, and so I added some on top. (non fiction) Next stop was to the mailbox to see if as usual the carrier left all our mail sticking out of the box which has been an ongoing issue as on rainy days it gets soaked. (non fiction) Yes, there it was, sticking out just enough for the rain to get it, which meant another conversation with the Post Master this morning. It’s not like we have a dog named Bob that barks and scares him away from the house and from pushing the mail all the way into the slot.
I took in the mail, and salvaged what had not gotten wet, only to find ink all over my hands from what had gotten wet. With that I sat down for another cup of coffee and to watch the Blue Jays that had come to feed in my backyard.
Jennifer Nichole Wells
Jude at Travel Words wants to see photos with some post-processing – use your imagination, it can be subtle or bold as long as it includes a bench or even part of a bench!
I played around with highlighting the spots of sun that were really not visible in the original, and then added some rain. As a child we called this occurrence a sun shower!
My husband started learning how to play the violin six months ago. He has been taking piano lessons for 6 years and continues to do so, but after attending a violin concert decided he wanted to learn to play the violin too. He never learned to read music as a child, his foray into the world of music began when he was in his 60’s. He has taken to the violin very quickly considering how hard an instrument it is to learn. There are so many things to think about, the position of the bow on the strings, reading the music and placing your fingers on the correct strings, how to hold the bow in order to get the correct sound- it is really a mental exercise of great proportion.
As with most music teachers there is a recital at the end of the year so all the students can play for their relatives and show what they have accomplished. My husband has never participated in the piano recitals, though we attend every year to hear what the other students are playing. At the violin recital there was going to be an ensemble piece at the end that everyone played in, and my husband decided he did want to play along with them. Today was the day!
We arrived early and I was walking around listening to some of the students warming up and asked one boy how old he was. He told me 7. I asked how long he had been playing and he said since age 3. Impressive. I asked what piece he was going to play in the recital, and he said “oh it’s an original piece that I composed myself.” Wow- I told him I thought that was great and quietly slunk away back to my seat intimidated by the thought that a 7 year old was already composing his own piece of music. Here is part of his original piece playing in the background of a photo montage I made with photos taken at the recital.
The recital was enjoyable, most of the students played well, it was somewhat evident who seemed to have a more natural affinity for playing. A student who was graduating from high school played a marvelous piece by Bach which was a pleasure to listen to. I met a woman in her 70’s who had not played since high school but started again when her grandson began taking lessons a few years ago, they both played in the recital, though not together.
It was a lovely way to start the day and here is a clip of the ensemble finale, my husband is in the back on the right in the burgundy tie.
Daily Prompt: Happily Ever After “And they lived happily ever after.” Think about this line for a few minutes. Are you living happily ever after? If not, what will it take for you to get there?
This month is our Anniversary. 24 years. Hard to believe it as it feels like yesterday but also feels like there was never a time we weren’t married. I didn’t get married until was 33, and had no unrealistic expectations about marriage being some fairy tale that you entered into. My husband had been married before and was pretty clear on what he didn’t want the second time around, both in the marriage and the person he was marrying. I wrote about it in a previous daily prompt, here it is:
Wedding 1991
The first time I met him, let’s just say I was hoping I wouldn’t have to have much contact with him in the future. I had come for an interview for a job with a company that was part of two larger businesses. The interview with the man I would work for went well, as did my meeting with the two other bosses of those businesses. Then they brought in the Comptroller to meet me, and he questioned me relentlessly. So many picayune questions, on and on he went.They finally told him “Enough! hire her, she’s perfect,” and that was that. Who was this guy who was so “exacting”- so into details, such a pain? Well that man would end up being the love of my life.
He was “so not my type.” He seemed very inflexible, very on the straight and narrow, fit the description of an accountant to a tee if you know what I mean. We worked together for a few years but didn’t have much interaction unless there was an issue with my paycheck. I left the company a few years later.
Fast forward eight years. He divorced and moved into the apartment complex I was living in. I invited him for dinner as he didn’t know anyone and I thought it would be a friendly thing to do. I found that he really wasn’t that “straight & narrow” guy, he was interesting and full of life under that facade he seemed to be presenting to the world. He was spontaneous and constantly seeking out new experiences and learning opportunities. He had the best smile and the greatest laugh. His cup was always half full. We talked endlessly about everything. We became friends, which slowly evolved into knowing we wanted to be together forever.
Does love change as the years go on? Now 23 years later when I find myself in a crowd of people, looking at him through the objective eyes of an observer, I can’t help but smile as I watch him interact with someone and make them laugh. I look at him thinking he is the most handsome man in the room and how sharp he looks in his suit. Still loving that smile that hooked me so many years ago. Knowing I am blessed that we are together.
That to me is what love is all about.
The school I work in is having a book fair this week and I have been manning the table where people pay for their books. My first customer, a 5th grade student, gave me a $20 bill for a $5.98 purchase. I handed him back 2 pennies, and started counting, saying 6, then gave him 4 $1 dollar bills, and counted up to10, and then handed him a $10 and said, 20. He looked at me like I was crazy, shrugged and said thank you and left. I started inwardly laughing to myself, as I was transported back to age 20, my first job, and Sylvia Klein was standing there at the cash register next to me.
Carl and Sylvia Klein had started with a small shop selling silver flatware and over the years built it up to one of the most well known discount silver stores in our area. I worked for them for five years beginning at age 20. Sylvia stood at 4 feet 11 inches, with frosted hair and a cigarette always dangling from her mouth or held between her perfectly manicured fingers. She was a force to be reckoned with, a no nonsense woman. We all snapped to attention when Sylvia came out onto the floor. She manned the cash register often, and the employees would hand her the receipt for the sale they made with the money and she would give us back the change. Eventually we would have to handle the cash register ourselves though. This was 1977, long before cash registers figured everything out for you. It looked similar to this
Then the day came when I needed to make the change myself. Math has never been and still is not my strong suit. In truth it still gives me problems. to this day. I froze standing there next to Mrs. Klein. In her gravelly voice she said “You count back the money that is owed, don’t try to subtract it in your head. If they give you a 10 for a 4.98 sale, count back the 2 cents and then add the dollars til you get to 10.” Wow that made it easy- just count it back.
That was almost 40 years ago and I can remember the moment like it was yesterday. I can see Mrs. Klein talking with that cigarette dangling and the half smile she made when she saw I got it. May sound like a simple thing to you, but for me with my subtraction problems, it solved everything. And so I counted back this week and silently thanked Sylvia, long gone from this world, for her lesson.
Sammy & Max
I bought this beautiful head of Cauliflower this morning and then realized it would be perfect for Cee’s challenge!
Purple cauliflower gets its beautiful hue from the presence of the antioxidant anthocyanin, which is also found in red cabbage and red wine. Its color is naturally occurring and is not due to scientific manipulation. It’s flavor is milder, sweeter, nuttier and free of the bitterness sometimes found in White cauliflower. Cauliflower is rich in vitamin C and it also provides a good amount of fiber, vitamin A, folate, calcium and potassium as well as selenium, which works with Vitamin C to boost the immune system. I intend to cut it into florets and roast with a little olive oil.
Every Wednesday Marilyn at Serendipity gives us a photo prompt to use to write about one of our own photos. This week the topic is A Face In The Crowd.
I took this prompt very literally. A few months ago I was in New York City walking along Broadway when I saw a large crowd of people looking up. As I approached I looked up to find a billboard that was actually a screen with a camera and all of those people-now including me, were on the screen. Every few minutes it zoomed in and a heart appeared on the screen circling around the people who were positioned just right to get into it. It took me a few tries, but finally I managed to get into the middle of that heart, and then the camera snapped the photo and it appeared in a photo collage on that giant billboard. I was literally a face in the crowd.
To read my original post about how much fun this was, you can find it here
There was a torrential downpour this past Sunday, just as we were on the way home from an outing. Flash Flood warnings were sent out, my emergency alert blaring on my cell phone. Driving was no picnic and I was glad my husband was behind the wheel and we had only a 10 minute drive to home. Just as we reached the driveway the downpour stopped, but it was short-lived within 15 minutes it started up again and continued that way on and off throughout the night.
I snapped this photo while running to the car, never one to miss a photo op- the building is all glass and the sun still apparent in the East was reflecting off it as the storm moved in
The break in the clouds ahead with the light coming through was amazing to see
Someone I know from town, not a friend, just an aquaintance, stopped me the other morning as I was taking my walk, to issue a litany of complaints about some people that he had seen that in his eyes were acting inappropriately and to express his unhappiness about them. This is not out of the ordinary for this person, in the 20 years I have known him his frustration about people carrying on in ways other than how he believes they should, has always driven him crazy. He has always felt this need to “save the world” and “right the wrongs” though nobody really needs saving or correcting. I have learned never to argue with him, as he really has no interest in hearing what anyone has to say, so I just nod and excuse myself. Maybe it was the beauty of the morning, the sun shining, the great music I had been listening to on the walk home, but I just wasn’t going to let him ruin the mood and bring me down with his grousing. So I said to him, “Marty, I’m going to tell you what I tell my students in my first grade class when they are minding someone else’s business, BE YOUR BEST SELF. That’s all. Just be your best self, that’s our job everyday.” With that I put my earbuds back in, flashed him a smile, and waved good bye.
Be thankful and be your best self
A local flower nursery advertised they were having an “Art Imitating Life Imitating Art Show” with artists displaying their floral and nature artwork amid the flowers and plants in the nursery. My husband and I decided to make it part of our Sunday outing. We arrived to find the art seemed to be in short supply, 
but the nursery had beautiful plants and flowers, ponds with Koi fish and garden statues. We roamed around and enjoyed seeing the many different varieties of plants, flowers and trees. We talked with someone who has a man-made small pond in his backyard and was buying some Koi fish for it. He told us there is a Heron near his home who has taken to making visits and helping himself to the Koi fish in his pond. It has forced him to buy the less expensive fish, which we soon understood when spotting the sign with the price for some of them.
The green house held so many different varieties of plants, and I spotted this unusual plant that is called a Money Tree! I was fascinated by its twisted stem.
The garden statues were unique, I had never seen anything like many of them before.
It was a nice way to spend an hour and then we moved on to a lovely concert in a local library, where we enjoyed hearing classical selections on cello, violin, piano and flute played by a local group of musicians. 
As usual we were the youngest people in attendance and during the intermission we met a lovely sprite woman who came over to talk to us and made mention of the fact that she was 99 years old. I was amazed. She told us she does volunteer work every day and how important it is to stay active and be among people.
A day filled with music and nature- a winning combination
This quilt was a challenge as piecing and sewing together those curved pieces was not so easy. The actual border of the quilt is round, the photo was taken while it was hanging on a wall, giving it the illusion of being sewn onto a square, but it isn’t. When I finished it I really felt a sense of accomplishment!
The family of geese I have been seeing at my favorite pond allowed me to stand very close today while the five goslings ate breakfast. They are the sweetest things to watch. They dined on grass and leaves, and when sated took leave back into the water.
On the Way To the Dining Area
Looks like a good spot
Okay, time to go
See ya later 
Today’s Daily Prompt says: Sure, you turned out pretty good, but is there anything you wish had been different about your childhood?
Oh let me count the ways…. but to what end? Seeing as this prompt is a re run of a re run, I will share with you the links to some of my previous posts on growing up.
Here they are:
A Day In The Life 
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