Pedal, Stop, Shoot. Pedal, Stop, Shoot.

*************I shot the first five photos above with my new camera in our backyard and on the screen porch. My memory card recorded at least twenty-five images as I wandered around the backyard and practiced using the unfamiliar features of my upgraded Sony Cybershot.

This afternoon, I grabbed my now familiar camera, hopped on my bike and rode north and west of here. The near-professional quality photos (humor me please) were taken at Preservation Park which sits on the mighty, muddy Rock River.

Years ago, the dilapidated brown building with the red trim was a drive-in restaurant called the Toot 'N Tell. Back when Lon and I were dating, it was a popular place, locally famous for its car hops and great burgers. Across the highway sits another eating place originally called the Golden Point. The name and ownership has changed but I noticed the old name is still visible on the face of the building under the carport.

I sensed someone was watching me as I was standing with my bike, waiting to cross the highway. I looked over my right shoulder and sure enough a good friend of mine, literally larger than life, was smiling in my direction from the huge billboard along Hwy 51. I figured, what the heck, I'll take a picture of his picture and include it in my photo shoot post for today.

The next bunch of images captures objects of interest along Hwy 51, Townline, Walters and Afton Roads. From Afton Road, I cycled east onto Newark Road and then up Elmwood Avenue.

The final two photos belong in a separate post because they hold endless memories for me. I'm including them here because pedaling through this extremely familiar area was part of my experience today. Although they were abandoned recently, I grew up in the houses pictured here on Elmwood Avenue. I've written in the past about the little white house where my parents, both older brothers and I lived until Dad built the bigger house next door.

Eventually, there were seven of us in the family, my parents, four boys and me (the favorite daughter and sister). If you believe I deserved that inevitable and lofty regard, then you're not well-acquainted with me. After Dad died and Mom moved to an assisted living facility, the property was sold in 2001.

There's so much to see out there in this great big world we live in and so little time. I'm not complaining; I'm content in my world as I navigate it my way.

Out With The Old, In With The New

**************Yesterday, I bought a Sony Cyber-shot Digital Still Camera with a 10x optical zoom. My older Sony Cyber-shot has a 4x zoom so with my recent purchase, I now I have exactly what I need and want.

I'll be returning the Pentax camera that I ordered from QVC. Unless I buy an additional lens for it, it can't zoom in any closer to objects than my old Sony camera was capable of doing.

I'm happy with this new camera because it's small and uncomplicated. With my present needs, the Pentax was too much camera for me. I'm basically an idiot when it comes to cameras. If I knew much of anything about them, I wouldn't have ordered the Pentax in the first place. I was foolish to order it. When it arrived, I found out that it isn't capable of doing what I wanted a new camera for. Duh!

Once again, as with most dumb things I do, I'll blame it on Lon, my husband. He's been pushing me for weeks to order the Pentax due to the sales hype on QVC. Those ladies and gentlemen get super excited over absolutely everything; that's their job. I don't watch QVC at all (I used to occasionally years ago) but Lon checks it out fairly regularly. They sucked him in with this GREAT buy, then he sucked me in. Fools, we're both fools.

Not complete fools, though. QVC has a 30-day return policy. The Pentax is packed up except for the final taping of the shipping carton and soon we'll get a full refund, minus $6.95 for shipping. Thus, fortunately, our foolishness won't be costly.

At the moment, I'm waiting for my just-out-of-the-package Sony battery to charge so I can try my new camera out. If all goes well, all future photos posted here will be taken on my latest camera. I suppose I should try to sell my old one since the new one does everything the old one did, plus more.

Craig's list may come in handy, again. Last week, I finally put my never-worn triathlon wetsuit on that internet website. Hopefully, I'll soon have money in my pocket, one less camera and not a single, silly wetsuit hanging around the house.

I love closeups. I love getting right in there, personal and intimate. With 10x capability, I will be able to get close to my photo subject from the side of the road on my bike rides. Of course, it will assist me in getting close-ups no matter where I may be when I click the shutter.

Keep smiling. YOU may be my next photo subject.

Why Write?

**************I'm rereading a tiny book that I originally read in December of 2006. Its title is WRITING DOWN THE BONES; the author is Natalie Goldberg.

If the thought of writing intrigues you but you're apprehensive to start, I suggest you get your hands on this two by three by one inch volume. Perhaps this masterpiece is available in other forms but mine is the Shambhala Pocket Classics version. I forgot to mention, the words "Freeing the Writer Within" are printed below the book title on the cover.

Ann Linquist, instructor of Beginning Writer's Workshop (an ed2go online class) included WRITING DOWN THE BONES on her recommended reading list. Unlike some books on writing, Natalie's motivates and inspires possible writers to pick up their pens and put words on paper. She doesn't teach the technical rules and mechanics of the process; she encourages readers to give themselves a chance to pursue their dreams.

If you're looking for the courage to begin to write, for the benefits of writing and even for the motivation to continue writing if you're discouraged, I hope you'll pick up a copy of WRITING DOWN THE BONES.

A handful of the chapter titles included are: Beginner's Mind, Pen and Paper; Man Eats Car; Writing is not a McDonald's Hamburger; Be Specific; Be an Animal; Write Anyplace; Blue Lipstick and a Cigarette Hanging Out Your Mouth; Rereading and Rewriting; and I Don't Want to Die. As the titles indicate, Natalie writes with knowledge and humor.

I believe Natalie has the power in her words to convince anyone to write, even those who don't have any desire to do so. She makes the reader feel like it's as essential as breathing. For those of us who write regularly, we're at odds if we're unable to put our thoughts and feelings into words on paper or elsewhere.

I've reached page 23 of the 305 pages as I reread Goldberg's book. It's been 3 years since I initially nestled it in my hands and felt Natalie's passion so it's a extremely pleasant experience once again.

Have you read it or do you think you will?

Monster Grape Sighted In Southern Wisconsin

*************I like to enter posts on my blog. I get a kick out of coming up with a subject and then digging through my toybox of words to find the right ones to explain my thoughts, ideas and/or feelings in regards to that subject.

I was brain dead regarding blog post ideas this evening until Lon and I were eating grapes with our dinner. Lon held up his bunch and asked me if I'd ever seen a grape like that monster one in the photo above. I oohed and aahed, stuttered and stammered and finally replied that I've surely never seen such a grape in my whole life. Have you?

Bingo! "Don't eat it. Just hold it," I shrieked as I sprang from my chair, grabbed my camera and took two photos. I plugged my camera into my laptop, loaded the pictures, and here I am, adding another post to my blog. My day is complete; if I do nothing else meaningful today, I am satisfied.

Are you as easily satisfied or do you set higher goals?

An Afternoon With Shaddy And This And That

After reading the blog posts of my favorite blogger friends this afternoon, I, of course, had the urge to add a new post to my own. Let me explain the hodgepodge of photos I presented here, in approximate order from top to bottom.

I caught Ron and Margaret, the Whispering Winds Resort owners, enjoying a few moments of relaxation at the water's edge last Friday evening. I don't remember ever seeing them together and off their feet before that occasion. I hope they were enjoying themselves as much as I enjoyed seeing them taking in the beautiful scenery that lies beside their resort.

Lon and I took a walk to the Moosebirds gift shop for an ice cream cone after dinner the last evening we spent in Minnesota at the lake. We fell in love with the blue heron (in the last photo) when we spotted him in the corner of the gift shop. We knew he'd be happy in our home with the outdoorsy decor we've created so we promptly adopted him (for a discounted fee; Lon loves to bargain with shopkeepers). Bluesy's made of metal so he'll hold up well inside or out.

To my right on the deck outside, sits a small barrel filled with marigolds. The comical carrot and pea pod faces among the flowers are constant reminders to me to eat my vegetables. Do you eat yours every day?

I took a walk this afternoon after I picked up a few bags of groceries at Woodman's. I carried my camera and snapped photos of objects I found interesting. Cool gas pump, huh? What do you think of all those white bulbous birdhouses?

During my walk, I passed Powers School (the brick building). I attended Powers from fourth through eighth grades. I could spend an entire day circling the building, recalling hundreds of memories of friends, teachers, dances, four-square games, and on and on and on. I have paused outside the windows many times over the years and most memories are still surprisingly vivid.

Carol Rathbun lived in the house I photographed. She always wore a smile that spread all the way across her face. I never laughed so hard as when we were together. Sitting beside her during a church service was a recipe for disaster. Oh, but she was fun.

I hope you've enjoyed meeting Ron, Margaret, their doggy and our adopted heron, Bluesy, and strolling with me on this fine (nearly 90 degree) day through my neighborhood.

Thanks for stopping in and y'all come back now, ya hear?

Back To Running and Pleasant Routines

********************I slipped on my dressiest running clothes since it's Sunday and hit the road this morning. The time has come to burn up some of the extra pounds I packed on during our vacation. All that good food I savored has come back and bit me!

My worst patch of shingles that occurred on my upper left arm is drying up and soon I'll forget I ever had it. It's still a bit annoying at times but not nearly as bad as some cases I've heard about.

I hope you've all enjoyed some vacation time this year or will be getting away soon. Getting out of our normal routines is good and returning to them has its fine points as well.

Let me know where you've been or where you're going if you have a minute.

Enjoy this first Sunday in August and the upcoming week.