Weather

 I worked at a High School today.  I was quite happy to, after working with the sixth graders from hell the previous two days.

 I had a request for a picture of the rest of the sidewalk...honestly, I'll take a picture, but I am ready to fall asleep now.

I ended up picking Chloe up early from daycare to take her to the doctor's office.  Fortunately, it's just a little something that seems to be helped by the nebulizer, and the doctor prescribed some other meds to help.  She came home and was totally amped by the nebulizer treatment!  She was nearly bouncing off the walls, yet you could tell she was exhausted because she had not had a nap!  She did not take long to go to sleep once she finally calmed down.

 the weather was beautiful today...well, at least for my newest technique.  I love the way it drags out details in the clouds.  It makes me happy.  The next photo shows the road when the sun came back out after the rain.  That's steam rising from the road.

The next one is by far my favorite, and it was taken as an afterthought.

Let me know what you think...maybe I should have used these for a late B&W Wednesday, but I didn't have them this morning...who knew I'd get them?

Unmatched

Today's photos are unmatched because of my poor planning, but they are black and white...mostly.

Wednesday is here...now where the heck did I put the weekend?

Weather or Not

 Have I mentioned I like my camera?  Because, I do.  I also like editing the pictures.  Of course the next thing up would allow me to edit them in RAW format, that is with ALL the information the camera picked up, not the condensed version that is relayed by JPGs, oh well, a fellow can dream.  In the meantime, I can enjoy what I have.

 These were just snapshots that I played with...I'll probably tire of this new technique but until then you are likely to see a few of these every once in awhile.

I think it really makes an average picture pop.  I mean, seriously, look at those clouds!

We had a good weekend.  I managed to put in another section of sidewalk to our shed...I was a one man concrete team.  Mix, pour, smooth, mix, sweat, pour, smooth, sweat, mix, pour, smooth, sweat, mix...well, you get the picture.

I taught middle schoolers today.  I have to say, this particular batch was a bit much!  I was remembering corporal punishment and wishing it still I might be on the better end of it, but alas, we are not allowed...I just had to issue detentions and watch the kids laugh and then chuckle with their parents/caretakers when they called to say they were in trouble...again.  No wonder this class was such a horrible bunch.  They kids had no will to learn.  No one at home supported school attempts at discipline.  Why?  What is the problem?  My suspicions is that it has much to do with the local culture and the low incomes of the parents.  The parents don't even seem to care that they are crippling their children's opportunities.  I can see why some teachers just burn out.

Fortunately, our daughter will suffer no such handicap.  In fact today we gave her an experience that I hope grows with her.  We took her to a children's gymnastics practice.  I think she absolutely loves it.  She is an awesome kid and I cannot believe I am part of the duo who will screw her up!  All kids get screwed up somehow (that's my opinion) and they still live.  I just hope that the way we screw her up is complimentary to her personality and doesn't close her opportunities for doing what she wants.     

Another Sunday Bites the Dust

 Yesterday, we saw my sister and her family.  This is her horse, "Punkin."  He is a pretty nice horse, as horses go.

We came home and set the grill to grillin'.  Here is a photo of that!

 on the way home from my sister's we saw this fellow about to cross the road.  I, being a concerned fellow, stopped and escorted him off the road.  I would have picked him up, but he was faster than me, plus I had only one hand available...the other was holding Precious!

Tomorrow I work a middle school...I'd rather have a hundred of these guys!

Submarine and Cousins!

 We went shopping for a bit.  We also ended up at the sail of the submarine USS Triton.  Chloe came dressed accordingly.

 I think she enjoyed it.

 We stopped in and visited with my sister.  My BIL, Scott, recently got a new motorcycle and was proud to show us the new addition.  What a smooth sounding bike!  And sharp looking, too!  We will have to get him some black leathers and a helmet with spikes...

 They were shearing the llama when we arrived.  The llama was less than pleased about the attention.

 I tried to help at one point, but she took a distressing interest in me.  I cannot say that llama breath is...pleasing.  Especially in close proximity.  It seemed to be a matter of llama drama.

 Chloe got to see her cousins.  I think she enjoyed it!  This is her and the newest nephew.

 She also got to find out about sprinklers and fearlessly faced it with a smile!

 The kids were moving so fast it was hard to get a decent shor.

 And this is Bree, much happier after being sheared.

We came home and relaxed!  It was a great day!

Some Chloe

 "Wait, I need to get ready for this!"

"Shhhh, it's about to begin!"

"You seriously interrupted Blue's Clues...to take... a picture?  What is wrong with you, Dad?"

"The nerve of some people!  I'm going to pretend you are not THIS rude."

"Is that...MOMMY?"

 "Why, YES, it IS Mommy!"

Let the weekend begin!

On The Go

 When confronted with new things, especially playground equipment, Chloe's motto is: Explore at all costs!

 I went back through a few of my China photos and re-edited them.  I am becoming fond of this technique...tell me when you get tired of it.  This is a view through a window in the Great Wall.

 And this has to be my favorite from the Cloisoine Factory.  This time in Black and White.

 And this one was very hazy, but with the new effect it seems more like a postcard from 1910!

Be sure to pop on over to the Long Road to China and see the other Black and White Wednesdays!