corner view: JOY

For me, JOY=Christmas, so an early Merry Christmas to everyone!

Fences that aren't making the grade

Let's face it. We're just not a fence kind of town.

Here a bungee cord is trying to hold things together.

Com'on, guys. You gotta at least try.

Full disclosure. This is part of my fence...classy.

perseverance

perseverance, even in the face of futility

fun

I don't know who lives here, but when I see a skateboard ramp ending in a pile of leaves, I can only assume that the kids in this family know how to create their own fun. No video games!

corner view: a different corner

Since I take most of my blog pictures while I'm out walking my dog, I thought I'd make my different corner a different point of view--my dog's.

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What are you? What secret powers do you have that you make my mom delay our WALKS? Can't you tell her that it is time for a WALK? (Did someone say WALK?)

What? Did someone say there was a car in the street? Even a cool, old car? What do I care when there is a SQUIRREL on the other side? Mom, why are you stopping? Don't you see the SQUIRREL???

SQUIRREL, SQUIRREL, SQUIRREL

Why are you barking? Did you see a SQUIRREL, too?

Here. I tried to take a picture of myself after a WALK.

So, in conclusion, WALK, SQUIRREL, SQUIRREL, SQUIRREL, WALK. Goodnight.

For more -- and different -- corner views, visit Francesca's site.

A Sunday Morning on Campus

Dog and I went on a long walk (aka, squirrel hunt) on campus today. Arriving at 7:30 on a Sunday morning, we saw two retired-professor-looking-types jogging and .... no one else. We did see a lot of Natty Lite cans, though. 

A bridge to worlds of insight.

The gateway to knowledge.

Students, wake up! Start studying! Write those papers! Do your homework!

Why the chicken did NOT cross the road

He couldn't read the directions.

When did we lose all of our common sense?

country roads

I was so pleased to come across this bucolic scene just a thirty-minute walk away from my home.

Of course, with life -- and memories -- it is often just a matter of picking the right angles to find what you want. This was the scene at my back as I was taking the picture. I-70 is not exactly a country road. Well, it does run through the country. And it is a road...

duck hunting season

Duck hunting season came a little early to my house.

my distinguished-looking hound

I was trying to work dog into the picture of this gate when a guy came up and told me that I have a "distinguished-looking hound." Should I trust his opinion? He was wearing a t-shirt that said, "Really, I'm not wasted."

It was nice, however, to hear some kind words about my girl. I used to have a cute, blonde dog. We couldn't go for a walk without having people send us benevolent smiles and -- truly, this happened often -- stopping their cars and asking me what breed she was (answer: mutt--the best breed). Now that I have my big farm dog, we get more worried looks -- admittedly, she does look a little single-minded darting down the sidewalk in quest of squirrels -- than complimentary words. I guess blondes do have more fun. Or is there truly a prejudice in America against black dogs?

regrets

Why didn't I do this for Halloween? Awesome! I guess I'll just have to wait until next year when I will regret not remembering to do this for Halloween.

corner view: home sweet home

I had moved 15 times by the time I turned 23, so I find it pretty amazing that I currently live two blocks away from the house where my maternal grandparents were living when my mom was born. Charming house, isn't it?

And, I am three blocks away from where my paternal grandparents met. He was a boarder, and she was a daughter of the family that rented out rooms to university students. This is their double wedding (my grandmother and her sister were the brides), held in 1933. (The picture was ispired by Dear Photograph -- a fun place to visit.)

For more looks at home sweet home around the globe, visit Francesca.

redneck town or hippie town?

Redneck town evidence #1: All the trucks in town

Hippie town evidence #1: VW busses

Redneck town evidence #2: This house sign [TRESPASSERS: WE CALL .223 INSTEAD 911 RESPONSE IS A LOT FASTER] Needless to say, this sign isn't very clear because I was hesitant to trespass in order to take a picture.

Hippie town evidence #2: Another Neighbor for PEACE.

And all of the Buddhist prayer flags:

Redneck town evidence #3: McDonalds (with the prettiest flowers in the area -- is that french fry grease a natural fertilizer?) surrounded by Burger King, Taco John's, Dunkin' Donuts (opening in one week!!!!!!) and Taco Bell.

Hippie town evidence #3: Local Burger

Redneck town evidence #4 Dollar General (when I enter here, it takes days for the taint of quiet desperation to wash off).

Hippie town evidence #4: Love Garden used records store (when I enter here, I fail to acquire any hipness). It's located next to the Global Cafe.

Organic pet foods.

Redneck town evidence #5: Cigarettes

Hippie town evidence #5: Head shop (Sorry, I mean purveyor of natural herbs.)

What does the jury say?

Disturbing or chill?

Old cars around town

This one...

and this one....

and this one....

This one deserves two pictures:

Dad, does it make you feel old that the car you took to college now requires antique license plate tags? (Hello, kitty.)

Do these count?

A blue Buick:

How about a car from the 70's?