Tina's WW - Interrupting sleeping cats?

It looks as if these guys were awakened from their nap by inquisitive humans. Maybe they were right...see Tina's WW!

Tina's Pic Story - Best of

Tina hosts the great photo meme Pic Story. The simple rules are for us are to respond to her weekly theme. This week it is The Best (of Pic Story), to celebrate the 52 weeks of this fun meme...

She further explains: The best of all your picstory entries or just the best of last week :) it´s on you!

I have been part of this for a mere 48 weeks - I like every post, but have chosen some of my favorite photos from my posts - although if I were to compile this next week, twelve different photos might be chosen...I hope this meme continues on and on, the fun is posting for every weekly theme she might think of!

Ruby Tuesday - Parade

Bunting on the Derby Public Library

The Stars and Stripes carried by the Mattatuck Drum Corps

Allegra in 1790, representing the Derby Historical Society

Ruby Tuesday 2 appears this week on Memorial Day in the US created to - a day whose purpose is to remember those who died in military service to the country. Naturally, the day has evolved into a day of parades too. We can never forget sacrifice, but it is a day of community too. This morning for us it was the Shelton-Derby parade. For rubies, there were flags, lights, stripes, girl and boy scouts and even Allegra heading northbound on Elizabeth Street in Derby....

Despite the pomp of the parade, we must never, ever forget the sacrifices made by many that secure our freedoms today such as the freedom of assembly at the parade...

Whimsical Windows - Opera House Optics

Toby hosts the fun weekly architectural meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors. We all look for portals that offer perhaps a more fun look than we usually take notice of...

The place is the Sterling Opera House in our neighboring town of Derby Connecticut. Opened in 1889, it awaits restoration one day into an arts center for the region. Some say that it may be haunted - Patti was even part of and had written about the ghost hunting aspect of that last year...

Stately it may be, but the whimsical nature is evident :) The 'sun' above the door is the symbol of the local street festival Derby Day, this year on 16 June. A cute fellow, he even sports the hat that is the namesake of our neighbor. Whimsy indeed!

Shadow Shot Sunday - Safe Harbor

A breakwater and pier on the harbor in West Haven Connecticut 

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 is back for the week. Today is a view of two souls that explore the breakwater jetty on New Haven Harbor. The scene is as detailed as the value priced point-and-shoot can allow. However, the subtle and shadowy reflections of the pair are defined well from afar on this early morning time by the West Haven beach. Quiet in style with nary a wave and the morning mist lifting away from the surface - it is relaxing in both look and feel...see a world of shadowy style at SSS2!

Tina's Pic Story - Round

1960 Chevrolet Impala convertible - a classic in its period two-tone red and white paint...

Tina has kindly provided this week's fun Pic Story. Her challenge today is the theme round. So, we add our photos that comply with the theme. I think that I may have found one...

Old American cars, favorites of mine, perhaps can meet the shape requirement. How does this 1960 wonder with fins do so? I see three particular items: the round wire wheel set into the round tire. And, the Impala, the top of the line Chevy, always had three round taillights on each side (unlike the lesser and cheaper Bel-Air and Biscayne which had two round taillights...)

A Chevrolet with a few circular details. Who would have thought of that?

Ruby Tuesday - Classic Mattel

Ruby Tuesday 2 is back, and the past seems alive this year...The classic toy maker Mattel has made since 1959 the famous doll Barbie. What is interesting is that Patti has a 1960 version of this character in the striped swimsuit, accessories and ruby 1963 doll case. I think Skipper is her little sister (?). The dolls and accessories are in good shape, and we also have Tammy (from competitor Ideal Toys). Ebay perhaps? I had five sisters, Barbies were all around too in our home. Ruby red is what makes RT2 do what it does best!

Whimsical Windows - Atypical

First apartment, Hillside Street-Burnside Avenue area East Hartford, Connecticut - 1979

Toby hosts the very fun meme Whimsical Windows-Delirious Doors in which we look for portals of distinction - or not so serious. Today I am traveling back decades, more specifically somewhere in time about 1979. This was the living room my first apartment after college. I refer to this post as atypical, as this defies the usual stereotype of the slob single male at the end of the disco decade. What is different here is the foliage, the plants that sit in the window instead of empty malt beverage containers...I always had the idea of plants in the window. The scan of the old print is faded and full of blemishes. Happily my memories have not faded too much :)

Shadow Shot Sunday - Suburban

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 arrives for the week. We often look for the unique and artistic. Yet in the suburban Ansonia Uplands, the artistry is often lost in the mundane, However in the shadow world, we cannot necessarily determine what is true art - unless it jumps at us...

Upon arriving home yesterday, and upon the powering open the sliding door and ramp after transferring into the wheelchair, I saw meme ready shadows. Where? On the ramp, the ground and the house. Not to mention a reflection or two, inside and out.

Friday was a fine day, especially after the earlier week's days of a gray mist and fog. A pleasant 70°F (21°C) with blue skies leaves for mundane suburban shots that are disarmingly nice. And with shadows to see that announce SSS2 - see more pf the shadowy environment  at this very fun meme!

Tina's WW - Birthday boy at 2

It's 1992 and two-year old birthday boy Cameron receives a video of his favorite Disney characters – we think he likes it! See Tina’s WW!

Tina's Pic Story - Self portrait

Tina's Pic Story is back - she challenges us with a theme to which we add our photo entries and commentary. For her weekly theme, self-portrait, we add our views - serious or fun, posed or not. This is a view of me, around or in my 'vehicles', the wheelchair and the Dodge, point and shoot in both. Each taken on nice days - and happily posted in Tina's fun meme!

Ruby Tuesday - Mother's Day Appetizer

Bruschetta...prepared by Ralph and Allegra and captured by Cameron

Ruby Tuesday 2 is back, with a simple appetizer prepared yesterday for a Mother's Day dinner (naturally, the two moms are the lovely Patti and her mom Marion). The simple chopped and marinated tomatoes were placed upon oven toasted ciabatta bread - it was sliced thin, so it was the perfect platform for the already mentioned tomatoes. Simple eats here that add a red to today - delicious in taste and ruby too!

Whimsical Windows - By the lake

A special day by the lake captured by Patti...

Toby hosts a great meme, Whimsical Windows - Delirious Doors. We look around for windows, doors and accompanying architectural gems...

Years ago, Patti and I attended a wedding at the beautiful Candlewood Inn situated alongside its named lake in Western Connecticut. 

I really like the venue with the water in the background, and am really fond of the very tall arched window that allows the diffused lighting to fall over the person and allowing shadows and reflections to add a nice glow to this fine day 

At this point in the reception the lovely bride is shown, maybe after the bouquet was tossed. The blend of window, shadow and beauty is undeniable. I have always liked the series of window views from that day, merely waiting for the right moment to post it – and this fun meme is just the place – thanks Toby! 

(I note that the date is stamped on the photo - I found that trying to erase the stamp only detracted, so it stays - the day so much fun that the stamp matters not…)

Shadow Shot Sunday - Antique

Twitchell-Rowland House, Oxford, CT...Photo by Patti V.

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 is back, and old views with shodows were sought and captured.

We like to visit local historical sites, and last week visited the nearby (20 minutes away) Oxford Historical Society open house at the Twitchell-Rowland Homestead. The house was built in 1755, and seems representative of its era with the three fireplaces venting in a common fireplace. 

Unlike today, the function defined its simple shape…

Dolly enjoys a snack...Photo by Patti

And of course the visit to the homestead in the town of Oxford – the hilly land and rocky soil must have made farming back then a hard way to make a living then. But with shadows worthy of a post today :)

We missed the shearing of Merino sheep Dolly. Naturally, this breed was introduced to America by local historical figure David Humphreys of Derby. This ewe with the real loud (and often) bleating was Dolly. Even when shorn, she maintains a fine and soft texture.

Luxury lacking Model 'A'...Patti V.

Given the day, a vehicle that stands the test of time is a 1931 Ford Model ‘A’ produce delivery vehicle that has its classic lines as well as subtle shadows. I prefer to contrast of the interior views from then to now – no side windows, wooden floorboards and a bouncy ride compared to the modern windows, upholstery, air conditioning and a smooth ride. 

We’ve become spoiled in our choice of vehicles, but if asked back then if they would prefer what we drive – they would not have objected! See more of the shadowy world at the always fun SSS2

Happy 26'th

The day was glorious, the beginning of a lifetime love. The day has not been lost to time. It was the day of a new life together. That day, 10 May 1986, is always to be remembered, Reverend Bradley officiating and asking 'Do you take Patricia, in good times...", to which I answered "I will". A day of perfect love, the old scanned prints here a mere glimpse into the beginning of a true and lasting love...

The first dance - Lionel says it all

Tina''s WW - Kindergarten

Kindergarten is a time of discovery - Allegra learns new things at age 4 (1993), such as Lincoln Logs...see Tina's WW!

Tina's Pic Story - Retro Collage

Clockwise from top: 1964 Chevy ElCamino, 1959 Edsel, 1961 Chevy Impala, 1956 Ford. 1982 DeLorean, 1950 Ford

Tina's Pic Story arrives this week with a challenge - the theme this week is college-mosaic. As I do not have photo software that can create such a design (just the installed I-Photo on both Macs), I had to think of something that might work while using an interesting brew of Word, .pdf and .jpg...I managed something here, a mix of pictures that include my affection for old American cars (except the DeLorean) with different shapes, chrome, reflections and shadows. A fun challenge this week!

Ruby Tuesday 2 - Angry (not really)

Ruby Tuesday 2 arrives at a great time - the perfect red for today is my birthday present from the week before last. It is, naturally, a brilliant ruby, the Red Angry Bird. 


I never thought they were all that angry, merely adorable with nary a sneer


I like the game on the computer (haven't tried it yet on the phone), so am really enthused about this as a gift - even at my age :)


See reds, plush or not, at the always fun RT2, today hosted by haiku master and poet MMT...