Wordless Wednesday

My son, working on his first big project (he just turned 10) & learning how to use several different tools (yes his mother is teaching him these basic skills).  The bench is the "Aldo Leopold" design (Aldo Leopold - brought about the thinking behind wildlife conservation).

The bench is finished except for painting - we'll tackle that next week.  Since he was learning, we were extra careful about which pieces he was keeping for the project and which pieces were scrap or kept for another project.

I love the way this bench turned out - I may make one for myself.  I'll post a picture of the finished painted project(s) later - with links to (free) plans & a little about Aldo Leopold - give everyone a little history lesson.

Linking up with Wordless Wednesday.  Click here to see other "wordless" images.

Focus 52 (week 31) - Water (with a few toads)

Wow - been a while since I was able to contribute to this weekly prompt - I love participating, but lately I haven't been able to take many photographs, much less ones that even slightly resembled the prompt (I know I could post anything - but I like the challenge). 

Now that we've had a bit of a summer storm today (great timing), I was able to take a few shots of water & to my surprise - a few toads decided to pop out & see what was going on -- their home was flooding. 

These are Gulf Coast Toads - very common around here.  We didn't see as many last year when we were in the exceptional drought, so we are enjoying watching them this summer.  The crack in the sidewalk was a great place to get down into the cool dirt during the hot day - except when the crack fills with "flood" waters. 

Participating in Jan's Focus 52 this week.  To see other images of water - click here.

Sidenote:
To those who attempted to comment on my blog in the past & were frustrated with word verification (I know I get frustrated) - I apologize - I think I've fixed it where commenting should be effortless (if not - please let me know). 

Wordless Wednesday 7-25-12

This image was in a previous post, but I thought it would also be appropriate for Wordless Wednesday.  To equestrians, this posture has meaning - to others it may appear as if he is saying "na na na na na."  What it is he saying to you? 

Linking up with Wordless Wednesday.  Click here to see other wordless images.

Weekend Rewind 7-23-12

To not have accomplished much over the last weekend & week we sure were busy, and this week is already looking to be as busy - what happened to the lazy days of summer?  Guess all those well-child doctor visits, dentist appointments, etc... keep us hopping, along with a few fun things we squeeze in.

We started off the weekend with cub camp family day/evening - wrapping up a week of fun (& exhaustion) for the boys.  I think there are a lot of cub camps going on this time of year all around the country.  This was a puppet show put on by Webelows II den - working towards their showman requirements.

We managed to squeeze in a movie - I know this has been out for a little bit, but we rarely get to the theater the first weekend.  We all enjoyed this cute movie.  Yes, I stole this image from www.imdb.com.

Of course we can't forget about our time at the barn.. riding (her, not me).  I sat in the middle of the arena, collecting dust & flies while taking a few pictures.  She has been saving up for one of those phone cases/protectors that you can put your own picture on - she (of course) wants this horse's head/face on it, so I've been trying to get a really good image for her.  She would be happy with any of the photos I have, but she'll be showing it off - everyone will know I took the picture (just want it to be a good/decent one).

I usually try to participate in Jan's Focus 52 weekly prompts (over at two scoopz), but this week's prompt of Street Photography was nearly impossible for me.  I live in a small town, not really historically significant and not many cute shops around a central town area, so not many people walking around in any "downtown" area.  The image above is just about the only type of "street" I saw last week - dropping off at cub camp (not in town), dropping off at barn, etc... guess the horses grazing would be about the closest I got to seeing interesting "characters" along a street. 

Here's one I suggested..ha ha... tongue hanging out -- actually he was licking & chewing - which to equestrians means showing respect to the rider (a good thing - especially when you are sitting on a 1,500 lb thoroughbred). 

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer, but with a little cooler temperatures than we have had (or least less humidity).  Is anyone else having a problem keeping up with the photo prompts they started the first of the year?  Fun or commitments getting in the way?  I've been making an effort to take my camera everywhere, but that hasn't helped.

Wordless Wednesday 7-18-12

Another image from the zoo - Andean (spectacled) bear relaxing in the pond.  It was a very warm day.  Wonder if he/she is trying to make the people go away by closing his/her eyes or just enjoying the cool water? They have such interesting dog looking faces, and the pair have been at the zoo for over 25 years.

Linking up with Wordless Wednesday.  Click here to find more wordless images and links to other wordless wednesday posts.

Wordless Wednesday

I do wonder what he was thinking.  Meerkat - Houston Zoo.

Linking up with Wordless Wednesday.  Click here to see other wordless images.

Focus 52 2012 (week 26) Half

Again, waiting until the last moment for the prompt however I attempted to spot things that were reoresentative of half.  I'm sure there will be several flowers for this week - they just were too available & cooperative.  So, for my contribution - a sunflower - half open.

I should have taken a photograph of the many many mosquitoes eating me "half" to death as I took this... we've had some rain with high temperatures - perfect environment for those little horrible things. 

Linking up with Two Scoopz for Focus 52.  Click here to see other images of "half."