St. Louis Cathedral Basilica

One of the new sites we stopped at while in St. Louis was the Cathedral Basilica. Wow! Here are a few of the highlights.......


The sanctuary (looking to the back from near the front.)



One of the side chapels.




Baptism font.



The altar.



View of altar dome from back.



Another of the four side chapels.




I've never seen such a variety of tpes of marble, mosaic work and gold gilding in my life! I didn't document which year the Pope visited and celebrated mass here to give the church its cathedral/basilica designation. Also failed to realize there was a museum in the basement r.e. the mosaic work. What we did see however, was breathtaking!

Iowa's Hidden Treasures

Our first day of the recent road trip was a day of aimless meandering as we intended to stop for an overnight at Keokuk, IA.

One sign along the 380 loop between Waterloo and Iowa City has intrigued us for a number of years, so we decided--spur of the moment--to make a side stop at Brandon, Iowa.

Brandon is home to "The Largest Frying Pan in Iowa."



Note: the kids refused to get out of the van for this photo op, so you're stuck with yours truly (since we felt viewers might need a sense of scale.)

We stopped in Iowa City for lunch at IHOP and a few gratuitous purchases at the Hawk Shop. (Knowing we are going to miss the state fair this year, dh needed a poster fix for the office.)

The next stop was a planned side trip. Since several Star Trek fans reside in this domicile, we stopped to see the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk--Riverside, IA.



(Note once more the absence of teens. Apparently these sorts of stops are uber embarrassing.)

Keokuk was a lovely, old river town on the Mississippi. I was impressed with how much architecture remained from the early days, all those great details along the tops of building and store fronts. It was definitely eye candy for anyone who likes to look at that sort of thing.

We went down to the Mississippi where we were able to view a paddle wheel boat(normally used as a Visitors Center, but was currently under construction) and a statue of an impressive figure on horseback.







(The teens were enjoying the actual river front with dad as mom wandered around photographing everything like usual.)

Keokuk has a hydro-electric dam across the Mississippi which means all Mississippi river traffic must use a lock to go up or down the river here. We noticed a barge heading up river and some kind fishermen gave directions on how to get to the viewing platform for watching them go through the lock.


The power plant.


The lock.


Coming in; water low.


Going out; barge raised to new level.

There was a very friendly older woman named Alex at the lock with her granddaughter. She was very helpful in telling about the history of the lock & dam at Keokuk, as well as stories about the power plant. As a girl she had toured the facilities with her school group. She talked about the walkway under the lock and the river that goes out to the power plant. She remembered it being VERY loud inside the power plant with all the machines/generators running. She said she had been a bit scared as a girl walking through those tunnels knowing that all that river water was above and around her! It was really interesting to visit with her proving once more that one of the best treasures of the state of Iowa is the people!

Getting Our Kicks.....

. . . down on Route 66!





Just home again from our annual family road trip (a.k.a. "vacation," though we use the term loosely this year as neither my dh nor myself feel very rested or renewed!)

I'll post more pics later. For now just wanted to explain the absence of late.

Editor's Pick

A few of my recent gallery additions over at BetterPhoto.com have been awarded the Editor's Pick. This image, titled "Tattered" is among the award winners.



I like this one because, although it looks at first glance as though it's been processed to be color on black & white, it hasn't. (Notice the green growing on the deck railing on which the flower is perched.) This is just out of the camera.

Also, I like it because it seemed the perfect metaphor for so much of life.

I found the bloom fallen, beneath the green leaves and stems of the day lily...laying on the rocks below. I noticed right away how scarred the flower had become from its fall and it's time spent on the jagged, rough rocks. Yet, it still seemed to me a thing of beauty. Rather than tossing it aside, I decided to photograph it.

As it turns out, it has a delicate strength which gives it a depth of beauty not as easily visible on more "perfect" blooms.

I really like it. I hope you do too!

Slightly Abstract

A couple more photos of the day lilies. These are a bit closer and slightly more abstract.

A study in orange.....



A study in shape.....

What's In Your Backyard?

Here's what's blooming in mine today!

Something yellow . . .



Some oranges . . .



And burnt orange too!




And one last artsy one for the road........

Quiet Holiday

This Fourth of July holiday was unusually quiet for our household.

Typically we are just beginning our family vacation right about this time of year to take full advantage of dh's extra paid time off for the holiday. We've postponed our vacation this year due to summer driver's ed.

Here's a patriotic collage I put together for the magazine. It's made of pictures from our vacation to Philly a few years ago.




We used this for the Parting Shot in the July issue.

Fort Dodge had a nice fireworks display on Friday. We watched from D's office downtown. I could get used to air conditioned, bug-free fireworks displays!

I started in on mitten #2 for the state fair. It's coming along quicker as I'm developing a bit of "muscle memory" in my left hand with the Continental technique.

I found out also that I'm a winner on the Romancing The Yarn blog! They're doing an "Endless Summer Giveaway" and all you have to do is send an email to be entered! These ladies are the best! If you haven't visited their site, the link is on the right side of this blog. Can't wait to see what yarn I've won!

Happy Knitting and Shooting!

One Down, One To Go

Ta da! One mitten completed. I really like how it turned out, even if I had to make up the top/decrease pattern all on my own. (The original called for another panel of the main floral motif which decreased along the natural "upper" triangle of the border.)

I got guilt-tripped into entering the state fair knitting contest/exhibition again this year. There is some scuttlebutt out there that entry numbers are down and fair organizers are trying to decide if keeping the fabric and threads category (at least for things non-quilting) is worth it. Area knitting guilds (and other needlework groups) are begging people to enter just to prove to fair organizers that there are, in fact, so many of us crafters out here that to NOT continue isn't even an option.

So I sent my $5 and got 5 entry tags. This pair of mittens will be one entry. I have a couple pairs of socks I can enter too. Not sure what the other two entries might be. We'll see.

Wish me luck, and happy knitting!

More Mittens

I'm headed into the busiest part of my month with the magazine, but I thought I should post a pic of what has been keeping me sane over the weekend and up to now.
I started my next pair of Latvian mittens....




I had to take the chart to Office Max and blow it up on the copier for easier reading. (I discovered the eye strain of looking at the small one was taking away from the amount of time I could actually knit!) While I was there I found this great magnetic dry erase board to use with a magnet strip to keep my place on the chart.





It works great! Now I must get back to work since I also picked up some freelance work for another area newspaper and have several projects due in a week or less!

Happy Knitting!

Latvian Mittens

I had a productive weekend in the knitting department!



The second mitten went much quicker than the first since my fingers sort of knew what they were doing. (Plus, I didn't have to fiddle around forever trying to figure out that loopy fringe bit!)

The simple pattern on the hand section really did wonders for helping me get the feel for color work holding two yarns, one in each hand. I think the floats had better tension on the second mitt as well.

Granted these are sized to fit a youth, not an adult. I'd say someone in the age range of 8-12 years old, depending. (They are too small for anyone in this house.)

I did have concerns about the amount of white yarn, thus I made the thumbs all blue. Good thing I did, because when I finished mitt #2 there were only 1.5 yds or so left of the white. I doubt it would have been enough to finish two thumbs.

I think I may try some of my Knit Picks Palette yarn on the next pair. It's fingering weight, however I'm convinced that the patterns are calling for what we would think of as fingering/sock yarn weight, rather than sport weight. (This was supposed to be a "child's" mitten to fit a 5 year old.....obviously too big, although I knew the gauge was off.)

Anyway, I'm really thrilled to have accomplished this, my first (and certainly not last) pair of Latvian mittens!

Happy Knitting!

Houston, We Have Liftoff!

Well, let the mitten knitting begin!

Here is my first attempt at Latvian mittens.




I am really liking the color combination!

The cast on wasn't difficult. It's just the long-tail cast on using two yarns. One color goes around the thumb and the other around the index finger.

The fringe sort of threw me for a loop for a little while. I tried and ripped 3 times before the lightbulb went off on what the directions were saying. Once I figured it out, it went ok. I'm sure mine is too tight and I didn't get it all pulled evenly before securing the stitches in the next round, but what do you expect from a first attempt?!

The braid section was easy, fun and produced a cool result IMHO.

I am actually knitting the colorwork section using two hands, holding the blue in my left hand and knitting it Continental and carrying the cream in my right and knitting it English style. I can see I need to work on making sure my strands aren't too tight so that it doesn't pucker. But I think I'm doing pretting darn good for my first attempt ever.....!

I really like the challege and I'm glad I've set myself the goal of doing these for Christmas.

If there are any female relatives reading this who would like to put in a color request, please leave a comment!!!!!!

Happy Knitting!

Lemonade

When life hands you cloudy skies and skid loaders in front of the building you're supposed to photograph, shoot the robin in your driveway.




I'm trying to get a photo of a new bank here in town. It's still under construction, but they need a shot for an ad and promotional piece that is in the works.

The weather is not cooperating for that lovely "blue sky and fluffy white clouds" picture-perfect background!

And the contractor has left big equipment parked all around the exterior of the building. (I am not kidding! There is no angle on this building site that doesn't have some sort of equipment screwing up the photo!)

I pulled into my driveway feeling a bit "harumphy" (that's the mood which accompanies the sound "hhrmph!") This robin flew up onto the fence and stared at me through the windshield.

When I failed to exit the vehicle immediate (s)he began to sing. So I snapped a quick picture [not the best focus, to be sure!] and felt at least I captured something!

It's June (Finally!)

Ok, way back in February or March we realized that May was simply going to be "graduation" MONTH at our house. Between family and friends and our own events, there were several "graduation" events (rites, ceremonies, festivities, etc.) each week in May.

We had our party this past weekend. We had it at the county park just north of town. They have a WONDERFUL shelter there with a small kitchen, fireplace, lots of tables & chairs and AC!! The day included:

Memories. . . .



Family. . . .




Lots of Friends (way more than I can put on here). . . .






Some Teachers. . . .



Food & Conversation. . . .



. . . . and generally a good time for all!

We ended up buying WAAAAAY too much food. (Live and learn....won't have to cook this week as we consume sandwiches and cupcakes!)

We're tired but very happy to have given her a party and chance to say thanks to all her friends and family who have supported her throughout these 13 years of school.

And now I assume life will get back into a more "normal" rhythm, which will hopefully include my regularly scheduled knitting and photography!

[On that note: I have purchased Lisbeth Upitis' book on Latvian mittens which I hope to make for some of the women in the family for Christmas. Keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck!]



[Also I was out earlier today with the Federated Garden Club shooting photos for an upcoming issue r.e. their garden tour in July and enjoyed shooting some fun garden photos.]




Happy Knitting & Shooting!

Milestone Passed

Today was Commencement.

The graduates filed across the field to the traditional Pomp & Circumstance.



The Superintendent congratulated them and encouraged them to continue to learn and make good choices along the rest of life's journey.

The two valedictorians shared one speech, which only lasted about 5 minutes and was very well done.

The diplomas were conferred on approximately 300 graduates.

The tassels were moved.

The senior class president's farewell address was brief and ended with . . .




. . . hats in the air!

A few tears were shed, hugs were shared and lots of photos were taken.

We're so proud of her!!!!!!!

Flashback

Eighteen years ago as I write this I had been in labor for 61 hours.
I had a little over 2 hours left to go.

Amanda was born on a Tuesday, at 7:36 p.m.

This is what she looked like at 24-36 hours old:




And at 9 months:



She is my first born and she came in her own sweet time. Although we started labor on her due date (May 19), she wasn't born until the evening of the 21st. She defied the nurses' goal of keeping her swaddled and would calm down the moment she had room to stretch her legs. I must keep remembering this as she turns 18 today. I suspect that she will always resist the attempts of outsiders to keep her confined and will always need a little room to stretch her legs a bit.

She is a beautiful young woman and I am very proud of all that she has become.

I have been and continue to be very blessed to have her in my life.

I love you Goose! Happy Birthday!

Back From the Edge

Yes, I took a trip to the edge, both metaphorically and literally.

First, the metaphorical....

I had a bit of a rough patch at work last week, and while I thought blogging might help, I ultimately decided to delete the posts. In hindsight, I'm sure this was the prudent (if not kind) thing to do.

'Nuf said.

As for my literal trip to the edge, we traveled to the edge of our state this past week end in order to attend three family graduations.



While this may look like an ordinary graduation memory, it's really quite a special and extraordinary moment. This is my baby brother (who is a good 6" taller than me!) and his wife. They graduated with their accounting degrees this past weekend. What the first photo doesn't show is the reality of how they did it . . .




. . . while raising two little ones and working full time as the night manager of a local hotel. I couldn't be more proud of them!!!!! They deserve a TON of accolades and kudos and bravos on a job well done.

Love you guys!!

Also, my nephew graduated from high school this past weekend as well. He's off to finish up some military training with the army this summer and will graduate from AIT at the end of the summer. He is a fine young man and I'm very proud of him as well. Way to go N!!!!!!!

To top off an already joyous weekend, I received my Reducio Swap package over the weekend! Look at these goodies!!!!!............



It arrived all the way from Connecticut and had some WONDERFUL stuff tucked inside!

A mandrake (passed out a couple times before I got the poor thing potted!) per the herbology assignment.

A cute pedicure/sandals sock in Ravenclaw colors. (Love that it goes with summer! It's 90* here today, so the open toe is well appreciated!)

Some lovely hand-made stitch markers.

An uber-cool Gryffindor bag which is now my knitting tools/trinkets bag!

Some delicious chocolate in favorite flavors.....(also handy if dementors attack!)

And la piece de resistance . . . some mohair roving procured at a local fiber festival and tucked in for me to spin on my spindle!! (How totally awesome is that?!?!!)

I can't thank my swap partner enough!!
Knitters are such great people!!

Hiatus

Youngin's aren't going to understand this image.

I'll be back soon, I promise.

EZ Blanket

(In the interest of full disclosure: it's very possible I haven't laid this out correctly! This photo is for demonstration purposes only and should not be confused with whatever the finished object looks like. Thank you.)

Here's what I have so far on the baby blanket I'm knitting from Elizabeth Zimmerman's The Opinionated Knitter. I am really loving the feel of the organic cotton yarn from Knit Picks. And the colors.

While I was knitting with my knitting pals this morning one of them was looking at the thing quizically. When I showed her the design sketch for the finished project, she drew in a quick breath and said, "That would be perfect for my autistic grandson! A puzzle piece is the emblem for autism and that looks like a puzzle pieced together to me!"

One regret. I wish I had gotten the worsted weight yarn rather than the sport. Other than that, it's good, mindless knitting whenever I get a few moments. (May is VERY busy!)

Happy knitting!


ps...I also find "vacuuming" with photoshop highly entertaining!

All In A Day's Work

So yesterday I had one of those days r.e. my job that puts a smile on my heart.
I found myself almost laughing aloud at the thought I was getting paid to do this!

Assignment #1: 10:00 a.m.



One of the restaurants here in town closed down for a remodel. They've gone with a historic theme from the early days of the building in which they are located. It's really nice! And I get to photograph it!

Assignment #2: 1 p.m.




The Sertoma group here in town is putting together a really inspiring Veterans Memorial Park. It features a scenic walkway lined with blooming trees and stones dedicated to men and women who have served in all branches of the armed forces. There is a small amphitheater area and lots of flags. All set in the beauty of a local park with a lake.

Assignment #3: 6:30 p.m.




We have a historic cemetery here in Fort Dodge with thousands of graves. Most of the founders of the city/area are buried here. For the past few years a group of active citizens who work to preserve the cemetery have hosted a Ghost Walk. I'm doing an article about the walk for the June issue of Fort Dodge Today. One gentleman does a lot of research into the lives of those buried there. (He drove to four seperate county courthouses to track down minutes from a trial that had several changes of venue. The trial took place in the 1800's and court clerks had to find the records in warehouses!) It's a very interesting and informative event. Plus there's homemade ice cream for sale by the youth group of a local Lutheran church when you get done with your tour! (A real treat on a June afternoon in Iowa!)


Anyway, I had such a varied day and each place I went was interesting. It was fun talking with the folks involved with each project. (Their enthusiasm was infectious!)
I enjoy meeting people. And getting paid to take pictures??? PLEASE! I feel so lucky!