HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL
I wish your cup's all runneth over in the new year.
I wish your cup's all runneth over in the new year.
Welcome to my friends, neighbors, and customers. This is intended to be an all-in-one blog, so bear with me as I renew, refine, and expand.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
The thirtieth day of the last month of the year of the OP
Made the trip up to Maryland for Christmas with the kids and grands last weekend and had a wonderful time. Grand kids were wired of course and overdosed on gifts.
Everyone overdosed on good food and love.
We did take our dog Missy with us an she was a great traveler, but was part of a demonstration of canine dominance/submission experience with one of my son's dogs. A hundred pound chocolate lab in her later years just does not do well with an active, curious, border collie mix on the lab's turf. Of course I was the only one injured pulling them apart.
Saturday night (top photo) we went to a buffet and show at Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania, just outside of Chad's Ford. What a splendid estate all decorated for Christmas as seen in the shot taken of my son's family. I would loved to have been there a week before when they had two feet of snow, but the rain wasted most of the the white stuff. The middle photo shows the four grand with the two older Norcini girls opening their Kindles.
Finally, the lower photo shows part of the Blue Ridge Parkway area in the western part of Virginia.
We couldn't get on the parkway itself due to snow, but there were a few places where we could make some images. I like this one because of the shadows being cast from the tree overlooking the little hill tucked away in the mountains.
Everyone overdosed on good food and love.
We did take our dog Missy with us an she was a great traveler, but was part of a demonstration of canine dominance/submission experience with one of my son's dogs. A hundred pound chocolate lab in her later years just does not do well with an active, curious, border collie mix on the lab's turf. Of course I was the only one injured pulling them apart.
Saturday night (top photo) we went to a buffet and show at Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania, just outside of Chad's Ford. What a splendid estate all decorated for Christmas as seen in the shot taken of my son's family. I would loved to have been there a week before when they had two feet of snow, but the rain wasted most of the the white stuff. The middle photo shows the four grand with the two older Norcini girls opening their Kindles.
Finally, the lower photo shows part of the Blue Ridge Parkway area in the western part of Virginia.
We couldn't get on the parkway itself due to snow, but there were a few places where we could make some images. I like this one because of the shadows being cast from the tree overlooking the little hill tucked away in the mountains.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
For the 24th day of the 12 month of the year of the OP
Twas the Night before Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The 22nd day of the 12 month of the year of the OP
Five Mile Point Lighthouse
New Haven Connecticut
This lighthouse was built in 1847 and so named as it is five miles from the center of New Haven.
The day I visited the spot, it was cold and snowing with the wind in the 20 mph range and the temperature around the same level.
You have either got to love lighthouses or be a bit mentally unstable to endure such elements just to get a picture. I probably lay claim to both afflictions.
The tower is about a half mile walk along a point of rocky land which had to be just desolation in the late 1800's.........but then again what lighthouse wasn't. They were built for the most part on headlands to warn mariners of shoreline dangers. Bleak and exposed to the elements.
It was cold when I was there, pure and simple!
The two bottom postcards are from around 1907 and 1908 and show considerably more activity than my photograph which is on the top of this page. Additional information can be found on the following link.
http://www.lighthouse.cc/newhaven/history.html
New Haven Connecticut
This lighthouse was built in 1847 and so named as it is five miles from the center of New Haven.
The day I visited the spot, it was cold and snowing with the wind in the 20 mph range and the temperature around the same level.
You have either got to love lighthouses or be a bit mentally unstable to endure such elements just to get a picture. I probably lay claim to both afflictions.
The tower is about a half mile walk along a point of rocky land which had to be just desolation in the late 1800's.........but then again what lighthouse wasn't. They were built for the most part on headlands to warn mariners of shoreline dangers. Bleak and exposed to the elements.
It was cold when I was there, pure and simple!
The two bottom postcards are from around 1907 and 1908 and show considerably more activity than my photograph which is on the top of this page. Additional information can be found on the following link.
http://www.lighthouse.cc/newhaven/history.html
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The 19th day of the 12th month of the year of the OP
THEN AND NOW-----Concord Point Lighthouse, Harve de Grace, MD
I have been neglectful in posting lately.....working on my contribution to the national debt.
I figure that if our Govt. can spend us into oblivion against our wishes, then I can pop for seventy or eighty dollars for my kids and grand kids for Christmas.
The great blizzard of 2009 in the Northeast prompted me to look for a lighthouse image with snow and came up with the top image of Concord point, which I made in Jan of 1996. Not as much snow then but I think you get the idea.
The middle image shows the lighthouse on an old postcard with what was called the "Ice Gorge" of 1904. That which you see on the front and right of the image is actually ice formed in the Susquehanna River during the winter. When the seasons change great floats of ice break up in the rivers of the Northeast and flow downstream. These flows actually reform the riverbanks as they move, grinding up most anything which is unfortunate enough to be in the way.
The bottom photo is of the lighthouse sometime pre 1900. Probably 1875 or so and as with most of the current lighthouses, at least in the east, there is very little vegetation growth around the light.
Some facts about his light can be found at
http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/concord.htm
Year Light First Lit: 1827
Is the Light Operational? NO
Date Deactivated: 1975
Automated: 1920
Foundation Materials: NATURAL/EMPLACED
Construction Materials: GRANITE BLOCKS
Markings/Patterns: WHITE W/BLACK LANTERN
Shape: CONICAL
Relationship to Other Structures: SEPARATE
Tower Height: 32
Original Optic: NINE LAMPS W/16" REFLECTORS
Year Original Lens Installed: 1827
Present Optic: FIFTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Present Lens Installed:
Height of Focal Plane: 26
The light is in a delightful park bordering the juncture of the Susquehanna and Chesapeake bay and is well maintained. The snow was even ploughed when I made the photograph, and it is a delightful place to visit in any weather condition.
I have been neglectful in posting lately.....working on my contribution to the national debt.
I figure that if our Govt. can spend us into oblivion against our wishes, then I can pop for seventy or eighty dollars for my kids and grand kids for Christmas.
The great blizzard of 2009 in the Northeast prompted me to look for a lighthouse image with snow and came up with the top image of Concord point, which I made in Jan of 1996. Not as much snow then but I think you get the idea.
The middle image shows the lighthouse on an old postcard with what was called the "Ice Gorge" of 1904. That which you see on the front and right of the image is actually ice formed in the Susquehanna River during the winter. When the seasons change great floats of ice break up in the rivers of the Northeast and flow downstream. These flows actually reform the riverbanks as they move, grinding up most anything which is unfortunate enough to be in the way.
The bottom photo is of the lighthouse sometime pre 1900. Probably 1875 or so and as with most of the current lighthouses, at least in the east, there is very little vegetation growth around the light.
Some facts about his light can be found at
http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/light/concord.htm
Year Light First Lit: 1827
Is the Light Operational? NO
Date Deactivated: 1975
Automated: 1920
Foundation Materials: NATURAL/EMPLACED
Construction Materials: GRANITE BLOCKS
Markings/Patterns: WHITE W/BLACK LANTERN
Shape: CONICAL
Relationship to Other Structures: SEPARATE
Tower Height: 32
Original Optic: NINE LAMPS W/16" REFLECTORS
Year Original Lens Installed: 1827
Present Optic: FIFTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Present Lens Installed:
Height of Focal Plane: 26
The light is in a delightful park bordering the juncture of the Susquehanna and Chesapeake bay and is well maintained. The snow was even ploughed when I made the photograph, and it is a delightful place to visit in any weather condition.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The 9th day of the 12th month of the year of the OP
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES
And this is a large River.
And this is a large River.
Move the laundry Mother, the creek's
up!
I wonder what happens to all the homeless people who live along the river when this happens....Maybe they move to Washington, DC?
And what of the poor little people of the Kudzu when the water rises.....Hmmmmmmmmmm!
(You will have to go to the Halloween postings for an explanation of who they are)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The 8th day of the 12th month of the year of the OP
CREEK'S UP
(Again)
The Cayce part of the Riverwalk has been closed to traffic for the better part of a week or more and you can see here that the upper reaches of the walk in West Columbia is almost under water!
We are expecting more rain today and tomorrow go get the basement pumps ready.
Stay tuned!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)