Wordless Wednesday - Strike (we hope)

The little girl is ready to bowl, with the ball positioned on the chute and the gutter bumpers aligned. Will she strike or mark? We all hope so :)...see WW and WW

Ruby Tuesday Too - Summer Harvest

Ah, it has been an unusually cold Winter in the Northeast US, and we are tired of it. Not that I want time to fly by, so for Ruby Tuesday Too, let's fast forward to the August harvest of our potted tomatoes similar to these. Despite the frosty season we had, a yearlong dream is that basis Summer Salad of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and basil with a light balsamic dressing and worth the wait :) So we await the warm weather harvest to commence!

Whimsical Windows - Lighthouse Point

For this week's Whimsical Windows/Delirious Door, I am traveling 13 miles east from home to the entrance of New Haven (CT) Harbor at Lighthouse Point Park. I'm showcasing two items of interest, the lighthouse Five Mile Point Light, opened in 1847 and the close by Lighthouse Point Park Carousel building, opened in 1916. The lighthouse was constructed in brownstone, the working carousel is available for events such as weddings (we attended one two years ago, the reception flanking the carousel horses were wonderful). History and style with many windows and doors to enjoy this fabulous urban park! Please link your stylish windows, doors and more...

Shadow Shot Sunday - Spring, ideally

It is Shadow Shot Sunday 2 and seasonal change should be in order. Spring is a season of contrasts, a new beginning. After a cold and snowy winter, we look forward to an improving picture of nice weather. Not today, alas - it is snowing again (see this morning's pic on the left). Yet, we have proof, sun as opposed to gray, turf instead of snow, and of course shadows, So we hope for bluer and drier skies...someday...

Wordless Wednesday - Feline metamorphosis

The three stages of Linus McDonald's morning: sleep, groggy and awake. Repeat as needed...see WW and WW

Ruby Tuesday Too - Watercolor Class

It has been awhile, but I am happy to be back at Ruby Tuesday Too again. This week we showcase the always lovely Patti at a watercolor class taught by our wonderful artist Friend, Rich DiCarlo of the Valley Arts Council based in nearby Derby (CT). At the Derby Public Library, DiCarlo, these art classes are offered them free to young adult patrons. Patti is learning and enjoying the finer points of watercolor artistry...

Whimsical Windows - Entry, shadows and reflections

Whimsy occurs in the photo world if we are paying attention. Or if the lovely Patti is! So for Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, another classic capture by the passenger in the  Grand Caravan is in order, Here is the nearby Bertucci's (restaurant chain with locations from Virginia to New Hampshire) with its entryway in view under an impressive sign and shadow - and the passenger's perspective, a kind of signature, for all to see. We love the oddities of architecture...show us the whimsy you see with your links too!

SOOC - Winter sky on fire

Happily it is the first day of Spring (and it is snowing again!), but we welcome the end of the preceding Winter 2014/2015. But not to say winter is without its charms - despite the cold, there is beauty to enjoy. So for Straight Out of the Camera (SOOC), the always lovely Patti captured a fiery sunset from our Ansonia home that looked warm at least. Only 2-4 in (5-10 cm) of snow today - a quick melt is hoped for...

Shadow Shot Sunday - Dancing in the rain

It poured last Saturday, and I, the new chairman of the Ansonia Cultural Commission, was in charge of the annual Raising of the Irish Flag. The luck of the Emerald Isle was not in sight. But the flag was raised...and the requisite shadows for Shadow Shot Sunday 2 are there - if you look on the street just below the dancers from the Mulkerin School of Irish Dancing. They were ready with smiles that brightened the day, their emerald sweatshirts a perfectly coordinated with the Irish tunes. A wonderful day despite no rainbow :)

I created a slideshow to show that the spirit that was there on this cold and gray day. I'm in the blue coat (don't have a green one, alas) wearing the Irish hat...

Wordless Wednesday - Wearing of the green in days of yore

Ah, the memories of when our children were much younger - on St. Patrick's Day 1996. Kindergarten and Second Grade, their green outfits of green paper, plastic and cloth are wonderful emerald fun...See WW and WW

Whimsical Windows - Brigantine, Then...and Then

As the new moderator of the meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, I often look back in photo memories. But what got me this past was my wonderful Aunt Terry (she is the much bigger kid here :) sent me an old post card from Brigantine New Jersey.

Nestled as a barrier island facing he Atlantic, this card is from the 1950s and is of the old, and probably long gone, Sea Gull Cottages (originally the Seaside). As a child, this brings back whimsical memories from long ago vacations - in 1961 when I was aged just six years.

Yep, the artwork on the postcard can be corroborated by the four pictures showcasing the vacation lodging at low tide. Thanks for the memories Terry! And please add your links and pics too :)

Whimsical Windows - State Street Shot - 001

As the new host of this meme (thanks Toby:), I hope to see many an example of windows, doors or any interesting architectural items. Of course, I am always looking for unique examples of windows, panes or glass to showcase. Which here is the always lovely Patti in the passenger seat with a look at a building along State Street in New Haven (CT). Naturally, there is an older widow with many panes - and the photographer reflected in a single pane, the mirror that unearths the anonymity of the pretty photographer. That's my take - I will be happy to see your links!

SOOC - Snowy Bird

It has been an unusually cold winter in Southern Connecticut, the coldest on record (since 1905) in some towns in this small state. However, this Straight out of the Camera (SOOC) capture of a bird in a tree in the back yard with a mere hint of snow seems to suggest that Spring may be here soon. Warmer temps and melted snow would feel like seasonal change was in fact here...but the bird lets me know that the change will be soon :)

Shadow Shot Sunday - Face Off

The shadowy world intrudes at many opportune times...can we spot and capture those opportunities? For Shadow Shot Sunday 2, the always lovely Patti captured this, researching for a story she wrote last week, two minor-league hockey players from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers visited a school in neighboring Seymour as a treat for successes in a book reading contest. A worthy reward...

This is a floor hockey faceoff between the players and students – and the sunburst seems to be the dropped 'puck' that the players wielding sticks are frantically competing for. A neat effect of sun, shadow, skill and luck in the gym :)

Whimsical Windows - Bygone Boardwalk

Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors has been and is still a fun architectural meme that allows us to admire portals and such of interesting places. Toby has been hosting this meme for many a year, and is handing it over to me to host, and I look forward to looking at as many examples of unique and/or interesting windows, doors and more from all over.

Those who have followed my posts probably have noticed that I look at photos, many of them old and with a unique backstory to go along with the pics - where windows and doors are present but occasionally backdrops to a tale. As for what counts for an entry from any participant - that's up to you!

Here is the famous Boardwalk in Atlantic City, NY. The time was July 1978 and the very first casino in that city, Resorts, was opened in an old hotel prior to the now many glizty glass and steel high rises of today. The people in these scenes are Grandma and Grandpa Villers. Always fond of the NJ shore and Atlantic City, this was probably the last time they were there, both passing away less than three years later. So we see not only windows and doors - but and a pair who were happily posing again in their favorite vacation spot one last time...