On the Road Again

Yep...you guessed it! We were in one spot for too long, so it was time to go. We will board the Allure Of the Seas tomorrow for a little Caribbran cruise. The "Allure" is one of the biggest ships on the briny blue so watch this space for pictures and information. We have an inside balcony cabin overlooking "Central Park." It should be fun as there are about 6000 guests on this floating hotel. We will make 3 stops...Haiti, Jamaica and Cozumel, two of which are new to us. 

More Fall Color

The local trees are shedding their autumn clothes, making for some pretty ground displays (not to mention piles of leaves cluttering gutters and drains). After the rain, droplets of water cling to the leaves  enhancing their color. 

A collage of color, here for a few minutes before it vanishes to the gray of winter. 

Both Sides

Today we had canolis at a little bakery in Fair Oaks. The neighborhood is famous for the "free range" roosters that wander around the block.

This rooster was looking in the bakery as we were walking in the door.

                   

Then we were looking at him from the inside out. While he looks like one mean rooster, he was quite tame. I think he's used to posing for the customers. 

PS: the canoli was great!

Fence

There's something about this old fence that I like. The wooden posts are dried and eroded. The barbed wire is rusty. It stopped being a straight fence several decades ago. It's sole purpose now is to denote some sort of jagged property line. It endures through rain and sun, wind and snow. A vague reminder that cattle used to live here. Like the fence, we age and change, we endure through adversity, but we still have a purpose, even if it's a bit different from the one we had when we were young and straight.

Morning Gift

Good Morning! The sky was aglow!   

A spectacular sunrise!

The sky transformed as the sun rose through the clouds. It was magical. 

Veteran's Day

Please go to http://www.youtube.com/v/AgYLr_LfhLo?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0 for a tribute to our soldiers and sailors who have fought for our freedom! 

Thank you!

Sunset times three

Last night the sunset was spectacular. 

That the view from the back deck. 

That the reflection from the side window

And this is the reflection from the front windows. 

Anyway you looked at it, the sky was on fire...albeit it was over in less that 10 minutes. 

Where is my person?

Who says dogs can't talk?

Two Babies

My friend Tana just had her second little girl. I made a pink Teddy Bear blanket for her first little girl. Generally I don't repeat the same blanket for a second child, but she asked me if it was possible to have another blankie...you know what my answer was. I  added a set of booties and a cap this time. 

                        

Welcome to the world Isabel!

My cousin welcomed his second daughter. I made her a sweater, pixie hat and booties.

                   

Welcome to the world Evan Alexandra!

Upside Down

I love taking pictures of reflections...they turn the world around. Sometimes you can see more when right side up is upside down. 

Now look at the picture turned around...

And the world looks right. What is reality? Can you figure it out?

Autumn Colors

On the west coast, the trees are beginning to change color, unlike their counterparts in the Rockies. 

 

The bright red and yellow deciduous trees light up the darker coniferous forest.

The manzanita tree, will not change color, but it's bright red bark fits the season well.

Fall is about a month out of sync.

Lake Oroville and Magalia Lake

About 5 weeks ago I posted two pictures of Lake Oroville that showed how far the water had dropped over the summer. Today we went to one of the boat ramps on the opposite side of the Lake, at an area called "Lime Saddle," and found this scene. 

The ramp is high and dry. There's a tiny scrap of blue midway in the picture...and that's the only water we found! We had a full day of rain on October 31, and we need many more days just like that. Lake Oriville supplies water to Southern California. 

A few miles up the road from Lake Oroville is a small reservoir for local use only. Magalia Lake had 

sufficient water in it. The water was still and the reflections were perfect. I hope the "powers that be" don't decide to take our local water and ship it south like they are doing with Lake Oroville which is part if the bigger California Water Project.  

Fun App

I'm teaching a point and shoot "photography" class on Tuesdays...it's great fun. Last week I talked about "Burst Mode" which allows you to take a series of pictures so you can catch motion. Right after the class I received my daily notification from Apps Gone Free saying it's offering a free for today app called Superburst. What a fun coincidence! I downloaded it and...

It's a very good app...easy to use and takes a clear series of pictures. 

PS...if you want to see the wonderful pictures my students are taking, go to http://pointshootedit14.blogspot.com. 

PSS...I really am enjoying face to face teaching. I missed it!