Ike Took a Hike

Well, Hurricane Ike missed us completely. He hit landfall to the east of where we orginally thought he would, so we got 'nuthin. No winds, no rain, no sign of a storm. We were actually a bit disappointed because we needed the rain so badly! We had normal cloudy skies today and a nice breeze, but no high 'winds' at all.

Tonight's sunset...

The Night Before

Hurricane Ike is due to arrive in the wee hours of the morning, so I went out to check out the sunset tonight. The sky was absolutely beautiful...

And is it just me, or do you see the shape of Texas in the trees?
Click here and you'll see what I'm talking about!

And even as the colors began to fade from orange to blue, it was still awesome.



Maybe I'll have some interesting sky pictures tomorrow as Ike arrives.

Roadside Stand

On my drive to and from work, I often see this little man on the side of the road selling his colorful variety of fruit and vegetables under his brightly colored umbrella. As colorful as the surroundings are, I think my favorite part is the years of hard work that show in his sweet, weathered face as he sits there in his chair awaiting his customers.

So today I stopped - - - not to buy fruit, but to just ask him if he'd mind if I took his photo and used him on a "photo blog" that I do. He seemed flattered and 'fixed himself up' a little. After a few quick photos, I thanked him kindly and headed back to my car so that he could help his next customer. But as I climbed into my car, he hurried over and asked me if it would be too much trouble to get him a copy of the photo. I smiled and said I'd do my very best.

So I plan to print out a photo and drop it back by the next time I see him out there. I intend to have some cash on hand too, so that I can make a purchase this time.

Scissortails

I wish I had 'sound' with this picture. These four were just chirping away the whole time I was taking their picture. They have really pretty voices.

Beautiful Blue Skies

Yesterday we had beautiful clear blue skies again with white billowy clouds.
So of course I stopped on my way home from work at 'my field' to take this shot. I didn't get out of the car and hike up to the fence this time though, so you'll have to just settle for the fence in the picture this time.

Angel Wings

This angel was found atop a fountain when we went to Fiesta Texas last month. I thought she was a pretty interesting sight against the black night sky.

Just a Drainage Ditch

...but a really neat looking one in my opinion!

Friday Night Lights

Friday Night Football always attracts crowds - - -
crowds of people and of bugs!

Precious Moments

These photos were taken here in my living room a few years back. Riley is my only daughter and luckily she loves to pose for the camera. She's a girly girl, but not afraid to get rough and wrestle with her three brothers. She's so much fun and much like me in soooo many ways! God knew how much I needed her in my life. =0)

My song for her has always been "I Knew I Loved You" by Savage Garden. If you don't know it you should listen to it sometime. I've sung it to her since she was born.

Sweet, sweet innocence...

...and here's the rest.

Yellow Funbrella

Just the underside of a HUGE "Funbrella" that we walked under at the Landa Park Pool this week.

Cameron In The Flowers

Cameron - many years ago, but forever a favorite.

(It even won first place in our local paper's photo contest!)

He Must Not Have Internet...

When we went to the coast two weeks ago, I used a borrowed GPS system to guide me down there because my husband had our GPS system with him at camp. Well, the GPS system that we borrowed didn't work worth a HOOT! I ended up going WAY out of my way a couple of times before finally calling a friend to GUIDE ME TO back on track as I tried to find my way back on coarse.

BUT while taking a very long, stupid detour which led me way out into the boonies thanks to the incompetent GPS system, I passed this house. Of course I didn't realize what it was til I passed it, so I spun back around in laughter and showed the kids as I snapped a photo. Can you imagine?

Hey Mister! Try the Internet! You might have better luck!

Happy Labor Day!

One of our local churches here in town covers their lawn with mini-flags for Labor Day. I've been awaiting their arrival for this picture! I love the little flags with the three large crosses in the background.


Hope you have an awesome Labor Day spent with family and friends!

"BLAST"

Recently, my family went to Fiesta Texas for the day. While there, we went to this show called "Blast". Not one word was ever spoken, but it was was filled with musicians playing all types of horns, drums, cymbals.... basically all wind and procussion instruments. There were no 'strings' whatsoever. While all of the rhythm was going on, they moved in perfect unison and some danced while others juggled in a weird maze of people. It was a blast for sure!

I got a couple of pictures at the beginning of the show before I was tapped on the shoulder and asked to "Please put my camera away - NO PICTURES." So away the camera went... but at least I got a couple of neat shots.

Purple Sage Bush

Driving through town yesterday, I passed a whole group of Purple Sage bushes and they were just absolutely solid blooms. I immediately thought, "Rain's a comin!" I actually turned around and went back because they were so pretty. As I got closer, I realized they were just covered with bees, too!

Riley Against The Sky

These were taken back in 2005 before I was blogging so they were never posted. I love the way they turned out of Riley in her blue denim against the beautiful blue skies with white cottony clouds!

Onion Flowers

In the last week, I've suddenly seen these onion flowers (as we call them) ALLL over the fields. They weren't there one day - and then the next, they were a foot tall! They must be the fastest growing flowers! There are a couple of fields that are just COVERED with them and as I drive by, the fields look like they're sprinkled with snow in the early mornings.

Of course snow in Texas is unheard of, but especially in August. =0)

Burning Embers

I'll admit it, I'm drawn to fire like a moth to the flame...

I love just staring into them because they're absolutely constantly changing.

I always find them mesmerizing!

The glowing embers after the fire are usually rather pretty, too!

Last Night's Skies

Last night after church as I headed into town
the sky was this beautiful golden color.

Then on my way back home from town,
it had changed to these deep reds and oranges!

I've heard that red skies at dusk mean rain will come the next day. Sure enough - it did!

And just for the record...I was EATEN ALIVE by mosquitoes while on the side of the road taking these last photos. The grass was high and we've had LOTS of rain lately, so the mosquitoes are out in abundance!

Kinda Spooky!

While at the coast two weeks ago, we went for a moonlit walk along the beach one night. I snapped some photos and Riley snapped some photos. Here is one of the ones she took, and I don't know what happened. When I got home and started going through my pictures, this was the strangest find:

A Splash of Color

Bold Balloons

Perfect Petals

Lonely Old Barn

Somewhere between 'home' and 'the coast', I saw this old barn way out in a field in the middle of nowhere.

Beach Houses

I love the way they paint the condos at the beach - always so cheery and colorful!!!

Port Aransas Skies

This photo was taken on our recent trip to the beach at Port Aransas.
Isn't it beautiful?!

Arm in Arm in Arm in Arm

Taken at camp last year with our youth group.

Tunnel Vision

Carousel Swing

Cemetary Shadows

I've always loved cemetary shots, and my blogger-friend Thien has taken some beautiful shots. So, yesterday evening while out and about, the kids and I drove through the cemetary as the sun was starting to set. The rays of light were captured nicely, but the kids especially like the bright 'ghost' that can be seen in the middle of the cemetary. The shadows being cast by the tombstones were pretty neat. It was as if there was a bright light only in the center of the cemetary and all of the tombstones around the edges were in the shadows.

Castle at Dusk

Now That's A Flower!

This flower in the McDonald's drivethru was so big and pretty that I jumped out of my car to snap a photo. I wonder what the people in front of me and behind me thought?! Eh, who cares! It was bigger than my hand!!!

Silent Anticipation

Anticipating their turn...

Boardwalk Ferris Wheel

Rays of Light

Last night on our way over to a friend's house after church, this was our sunset view. Of course, I had to stop and snap a photo...

It's A Bird, It's A Plane...

No, it's a Jet!

I had no idea how hard it would be to catch one of these in the viewfinder as they fly over before doing their "touch-n-go" landings! How fast are they moving anyway??

Just Another Wildflower

...but it reminds me of an orchid.

Goliath Coaster

Sunny Side Up

Antiques

What Would We Do Without Friends?

Thank you God for blessing us with friends!