Dilemma

Project 15 - Day 108

Should you or should you not take your bathroom scale with you on a 3-week road trip? (It is, I might add, completely and 100% accurate.)

He says no. He says it is over kill. It's a ridiculous idea.

I say yes. Why not? It's not like we don't have the room. (There is enough space in the trunk of the beast to pack an entire village.)

Besides it would make a nice tray to rest his Big Mac, fries and milkshake on while he drives.

Image photographed with the Nikon D300 camera and the Nikon 105mm macro lens.

Night Terrors

Project 15 - Day 107

"Grab a flashlight and get out here" I shrieked as I stumbled through the front door.

"I'm watching a movie" he replied. "

"There's a giant snake slithering up one of our trees. Get a flashlight and get out here. It might be a python!"

The Kid, who was deeply engrossed in one of his bang, bang, shoot-em-up blood and gore type flicks, did not want to budge. Maybe it was the hint of hysteria in my voice that finally encouraged him to put the movie on pause. After what seemed like forever, he quietly retrieved a flash light from the hall closet and followed me outside...into the dark...into the wilds of our front yard at night.

The Kid: "I'm sure you're overreacting. Which tree is it?"

I pointed.

Words were no longer necessary because even in the dead of night there was no mistaking the long, slithering mass that was clinging to the large palm in our front yard.

The Kid: "That is a snake."

Panic Stricken Wife: "Well duh, do you think I don't know a snake when I see one?"

The Kid: "How did you find it?"

Panic Stricken Wife: "I certainly wasn't out looking for it."

Actually, it was bedtime. I was walking Henna. She decided she had more business to attend to than usual at this time of day so we had to do a little more walking and sniffing. I attempted to keep my feet on concrete (I hate the little ankle bites I get when I walk barefoot in the grass at night. They itch like the dickens) but her chosen path forced me onto the grass. I knew if stayed on the mulch at the base of the palm I'd be safe from the nibblers. As I ungraciously made my way around the base of the tree I put my hand out to steady myself and my heart stopped. It did. I swear it did. Because that's when I saw it, out of the corner of my eye the looooong, slithering reptile stretched endlessly across the tree's trunk. It had to be 8' long.

I may have screamed. I'm not sure. But by now my heart had jump started itself and was racing at a rate that would be frowned upon by most cardiologists. Finished with her duty or not Miss Henna was drug out of the grass onto the safety of the sidewalk and we bolted for the front door.

I hate snakes. Seriously, I do not like them. I know they are good. They eat things that I might find even less appealing if found in my yard. But they creep me out.... in a big way. And yet my curiosity was piqued. I needed a picture.

So there we stood, in the front yard, in the dead of night, in our sleep wear. The Kid, still grumbling about missing the best part of his movie, had a flashlight trained on the offending reptile. Me, still in shock and trembling with fear trying to hold the camera steady so I could get at least one good shot. One usable image. Proof that a giant reptile, maybe even a python, crawled up one of the palms in my front yard and scared the bejesus out of me. I know my family, without proof there would be doubt, followed by ridicule. I have learned it is much better to avoid ridicule, always.

It turns out it was not a python. It was corn snake. A very long corn snake. (We think somewhere around 5 or 6'.) A nonpoisonous variety that feeds on rodents. It was slithering up that palm in search of its supper. I know what lives up there. I don't like to think about it, but they're there. The rats. The dreaded palm rats.

All I can say is I hope it had a feast. Cleaned house and then slithered off to the neighbors tree, otherwise Henna may just have to learn to cross her legs and hold it til daylight.

Don't laugh, I'm NOT kidding.

Hands Across the Sand

Project 15 - Day 106

This past Saturday, June 26th, a world wide protest against off-shore drilling was staged on the world's beaches. If I have my facts correct individuals were to line beaches world-wide with hands joined for 15 minutes beginning at noon EST. Our little island was part of the international event.

We didn't participate. It's not that we disagreed with the message of the event. It's just that we didn't know anything about it. It seems that when we have house guests we forget to tune in to the news and keep abreast of current events. We did watch the U.S. soccer team go down in flames Saturday afternoon, but only because we were reminded to watch the game by a friendly waiter. He was from Mexico and very excited about the World Cup. He didn't sound or look Mexican, more like Russian or Slovakian. But he said he was from Mexico and I didn't argue with him.

Chris and Wes wanted to play around a golf on Saturday afternoon but we couldn't let them play 18 holes on an empty stomach. We had to eat first. We decided to visit one of our favorite little beach front bistros and low and behold when we walked in this is what we saw (in addition to the Mexican waiter).

There must have been 50 strong lining the beach, hand in hand facing the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. Our beach is currently oil free. The water clean and clear. But we have no guarantee that the current oil spill will stay away from our shores. Besides if this one misses us the chances are good that the next one won't. The cause was indeed a worthy one.

I happened to have my camera with me and quickly snapped a few photos before the group disbursed...peacefully I might add. It is after all Marco Island, things don't tend to get out of hand around here. There was a man once who painted purple polka dots on his house because the city wouldn't allow him to have artificial turf for his yard. But that's about as rowdy and out of control as things get on our little slice of paradise.

That is until oil starts washing up on our beach.

Sunday Stroll I

Project 15 - Day 105

Recently I have been contemplating ways to become more motivated with my photography. Give myself a reason to head out the door early in the morning or late in the day. I have come up with a couple of ideas for self-assignments. Photography projects designed to challenge and motivate. I have even considered making them weekly events. Then my sanity returned and I remembered that little commitment problem that plagues me. I don't know about you but I'm certainly glad I caught myself before promising something else on a regular basis. The guilt associated with the failure to preform might send me over the edge.

So here's the skinny...

Self-assignment numero uno will be called "Sunday Stroll." It will work like this: every so often I will get off of my duff, head out the door, camera in hand, to some unknown destination and take wonderfully illustrative photographs of wherever I happen to land. The goal is to post 8-10 photos for each walk that will tell the story of where I have been. These assignments will be posted on...drum roll please...Sundays. (Bet you didn't see that coming did you?) I would like to think I can accomplish at least one photo walk a month, but I'm not making any promises.

With no further ado here is Sunday Stroll I, A Morning at the Esplanade.

In case you are new to the site (I'm always hopeful) or have a problem with short-term memory, the Esplanade is an upscale mixed use complex on Marco Island. There are restaurants and shops on the ground level and outrageously expensive condos on the upper floors. A marina is also located on the premises. It is a lovely place to people watch or enjoy a colorful south Florida sunset.

Welcome to the Esplanade

The Main Entrance

Bow Reflection

Tara's Steak House

Bayside

Keeping Out the Riff Raff

Stop & Sit A Spell

Room with a View

The Bubbler

Hope you enjoyed your Sunday Stroll.

**For those with more than a passing interest in photography all images were taken with a Nikon D300 and either a 50mm 1.4 lens or a 12-24 mm wide angle.

It was a Very Good Day

Project 15 - Day 104

Chris arrived on Tuesday. My 1st child. My number one son. The son whose birthday I didn't remember two years ago. The son who will never let me forget it. Yea, that one. He's here to do some fishing. Imagine that. He brought along a friend.

Wes was a salt water fishing all day in the hot Florida son with Chris virgin. We tried to warn him about Chris' penchant for long, brutal days on the water, but he didn't listen. The lure of the sea was too strong.

I don't know anyone who loves the water more than my elder child. He was born to boat and fish. He had Wes up and heading out to sea by 4:30 a.m. on Thursday. It was an all day fishathon. The kind Chris thrives on. It was also a successful one. The boys returned home shortly after noon with a cooler full of Grouper.

My boys have been fishing the Gulf waters for nearly ten years and they know that if you catch one keeper Grouper you have had a good day. Chris and Wes landed three keepers which made Thursday an outstanding day.

It didn't take long to get the boat and the fish cleaned. And before you can say fish fry we were all enjoying the fresh catch of the day.

Yes indeed it was an excellent day on the water.

One these old college buddies will remember for a long time.

**For some strange reason the fisherman are on the orange side today. I tried but couldn't seem to rid the photos of the odd color cast. I'll do better next time.

Summer Showers

Project 15 - Day 103

Don't you just love a good summer shower? When the sky opens up and the rain pours out. It is as if God is tipping a giant watering can from above and giving His garden a good soaking. Then as quickly as it begins it ends.

Here in south Florida summer rain is a daily occurrence. It is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it is nature's way of replenishing the water table. South Florida is tropical. We have two seasons...wet and dry. From December through late May rain is at a premium. Once June arrives you can almost set your watch by the afternoon storms.

A curse because as summer wears on those afternoon showers often turn violent with high gusty winds and dangerous lightening. However, I love to sit safely inside and watch the fireworks once a good thunder boomer kicks into high gear. I enjoy hearing the rain on the roof and watching the ripples expand and disappear in the pool.

That is until September 1st. Then I'm done. I have had enough. The heat, the humidity, the storms... I am over it all. Over it and anxiously awaiting October when the storms blow out to sea, the humidity drops and life in paradise returns to...well...paradise.

Internet Connections

Project 15 - Day 102

I spend entirely too much time on the internet. Early every morning I can be found sitting in my spot at the end of the couch, coffee in hand, checking in with all of my internet friends. Most of whom I have never met, nor will I ever meet, but am connected to through this bizarre thing called the web. My list of favorite sites is growing so long that I'm certain with just one more addition it will reach out and touch the coast of China.

My taste is eclectic yet consistent, or consistently eclectic. You can translate that to mean most of the blogs I follow are related in some way to photography. Some are landscape and nature photographers, some children and family portrait stars or wedding photogs. Some are friends and family. Some just random blog sites I have stumbled upon while surfing the net. All are read eagerly in big greedy gulps. When something touches me I reread the entry sipping and savoring the words or photos as one might enjoy a fine wine.

However, I am a lurker, a blog stalker. One who tunes in day in and day out to see what's new and never posts a comment. Never. I don't tell them how much I love their photographs or their words. I sneak around like a voyeur peering through the window of their lives. I laugh with them and sometimes shed a tear with them. But I never post a comment. (Unless PW is having a contest giving away Nikon lenses or Kitchen Aide mixers. I can find my voice in a big hurry for a free lens.)

I don't know what this all means. What it says about me as a person. I live vicariously through the internet, through the lives of people I don't know. People I will never know. People who are safe. People who require nothing of me. People who will not miss me if I don't show up one day. Unless they are checking in with Google Analytics. Then I might be missed. There may be a lone blogger out there who would stop and ponder what has happened to the viewer from Marco Island who visits every day and never posts. It's a comforting thought, one I think I will hold on to before I fall into the deep depression that is hovering on the horizon.

Whew, I'm glad I got that off of my chest. This is all too deep for my feeble brain, and somewhat pitiful. Maybe I ought to try getting out of the house a little more. Buy a camera. Take up photography. Start a blog.

I'll have to give it some thought.

Popcorn Memories

Project 15 - Day 101

Did you have movie night in your house when you were growing up? A time when the window blinds were closed, the lights switched off, the television turned on and a bowl of freshly popped popcorn was shared with your sibling(s)?

It must be a childhood ritual. For those like me who grew up prior to video tapes and dvd players the corn was popped and the lights were dimmed for the annual television presentation of The Wizard of Oz. For a special treat Jiffy Pop might be shaken on the stove. Didn't you just love to watch that foil pouch expand and grow as the popping began it frenetic pace? I don't remember if it tasted any better, but it was pure excitement to watch.

When my boys were little Daddy did the popping. He was a pro. Could pop that enormous yellow bowl full to the brim, complete with salt and melted butter during the space of a commercial. The boys would sit huddled together on the couch munching away while watching the A-team or the Dukes of Hazard. Pockcorn night (as C called it) was a weekly affair that everyone looked forward to. On this night no one lingered in the bath tub.

Hey big person, get your own bowl.

It takes one whiff, one tiny sniff of popping corn to bring the warm fuzzies out of hiding. If I dare get a taste, the memories just come flooding back.

Popcorn. It's comfort food extraordinaire.

100

Project 15 - Day 100

100+ photos

100 +++ words

100 days of wracking my brain for ideas

100 days of nonsense

100 days of making the world a better place (go with it..ok?)

100 days of baring my soul

100 memorable quotes

100 sleepless nights

100 flower photos

100 delightful posts

100 faithful followers...(cough, cough)

100 thank-yous for stopping by

100 gifts coming your way if you post today!!! (Can they send me to jail for lying on my blog? Just wondering.)

100 days... and counting

Turn About is Fair Play

Project 15 - Day 99

It is rare for me to find myself on the other side of the camera. It's not that I don't like to be photographed it's just that most of the time no one knows what to do with my camera. There is one exception and that is B.

Every now and again she takes charge and leaves me little presents.

And most of the time I actually like them.

Thanks B.

Heading South

Project 15 - Day 98

The Beast is on the move. Heading south on I75 and I am missing these sweet faces.

I'm missing princess dolls and sticky kisses. Movus and water goggles. Playing ball and chasing naked bums. Giggles and silly smiles.

I wonder if they are missing me.

Missing Mommy

Project 15 - Day 97

Somebody has been missing his Mama. Both of the kids have been great this week (yesterday's melt down excepted) but by the time Thursday rolled around this little guy was feeling Mommy's absence.

It broke my heart to watch that lower lip pucker and hear the pitiful cries for Mommy.

He was easily comforted with a cuddle and his paci. But it was much better seeing this when he woke up Friday morning and Mommy was home.

Nothing satisfies like some lovin from Mommy.

War of Wills

Project 15 - Day 96

We had been inching our way to this moment all day. Everyone was tired. Everyone a bit cranky. After all we've been going full tilt since Mom & Dad left on Monday. Today was no different.

We started off with a trip to the 1-hour glasses place. (The G-man sat on me last night and bent my new glasses. That should have told me where I was headed right then and there.) I treated her to lunch, her choice and then we stopped at Blockbuster to rent that Barbie movie she was wanting to see. After the G-man's nap we hit the pool and then off to Cracker Barrel for dinner (also her choice). I even let her stay up past her bed time to watch Toy Story. (It's a grandparents prerogative to break the rules once in awhile.) There had been a few minor infractions earlier in the evening. I overlooked those, after all our little princess was tired.

But it all fell apart over a tooth brush. She refused to brush. Grammy refused to back down. A line was drawn in the bathroom. There was no turning back.

Let's just say she went to bed quickly, in tears, without a song, without a story. It was a melt down of major proportions.

I won the battle but for some reason I feel like I lost the war.

Ice-Cream Afternoon

Project 15 - Day 95

We have had pool night, movie night, pizza night, and McDonald's night. Actually movie night and Mickey D's was the same night but I think you get the point. It's a good thing Mom & Dad are coming home tomorrow because we're running out of nights.

Yesterday afternoon, after the G-man's nap and before Mickey D's we had ice cream cone afternoon.

My plan was to sit them on the front porch dressed in cute little outfits and take wonderful pictures of them eating ice cream, laughing and smiling and enjoying the day.

You can see by the looks of the G-man the cute little outfits didn't fly. He is sporting Spaghetti Os and watermelon on that super hero shirt. Lunchtime left-overs.

And before the ice cream was even out of the freezer Miss A proclaimed it too hot to eat outside.

Instead we sat at the kitchen table.

And I took wonderful photographs of dripping chins

and silly faces...

in dirty shirts.

And it was grand.

Feel the Burn

Project 15 - Day 94

If you want to get in shape, tone up the arms, work those quads, throw in a little a fat-burning cardio for good measure, I have a suggestion for you. Chase a 2-year old.

My arms are burning, my shoulders ache, my thighs are on fire. There are muscles in my body that have been rudely awakened from their comatose state and they aren't happy about it.

And it's only day 3.

If I stay for a month I could go home looking like Jillian Michaels or maybe Angelina Jolie.

Day Two

Project 15 - Day 93

Day two - My glasses have been replaced. It's nice being able to see clearly again.

Pappy is making progress on his to do list. B will be pleased when she returns.

And these two monkeys keep things lively. Unless their eyes are closed they are in constant motion which leads to a lot of emotion and commotion.

But when the magic hour arrives two exhausted kiddos fall into bed...and two exhausted grandparents follow soon after.

Pool Time

Project 15 - Day 92

Things got off to a rough start this morning when I broke the arm off of my glasses before I had my first cup of coffee. They are not repairable. I see a visit to a 1-hour shop in my foreseeable future.

It was also a scorcher of a day. Temperatures rose above 90 degrees so we did what any self-respecting family would do, we made tracks for the pool. Miss A has turned into quite a little fish since last summer. She has traded in her floaties for swim goggles and her fear of the water has evaporated under the hot summer sun.

The G-man has no fear. Floaties or not, sink or swim (and more often than not it's sink) the child emerges with a smile...and then turns around and does it again. I predict it won't be long until his floaties are history. He loves the water and wants to do everything his big sister does. And he's fearless. No, I don't think it will be long before there are two little fishies in the family.

It was a relaxing afternoon. Just what the doctor ordered to cool everyone down on a hot day.

And tire out some wee ones.

I'm thinking they will be seeing quite a bit of us at the pool this week.