FSO- Birds

Whilst visiting some of the town bloggers, I had noticed that photographing birds in the garden was a popular pastime so my first thought was to suggest a subject of garden birds. But then I realised that not everyone has the equipment to photograph the real things. That made me look out for alternatives and I noticed sculptures, posters, little models and various other things with birds on them so I hope that your town will prove equally productive and am really looking forward to seeing your birds (real or otherwise). All the best, Scriptor Senex

[My son's city team bird]

When I saw we were going to keep our eye out for birds, I found myself sheltered in my son's drafty and cool apartment right after a snow storm blew me into town last week. I thought surely even the birds are tucked all warm into their nests, so how in the world would I be able to take some decent shots.

Even I forgot about how we can stretch and interpret our themes into some creative output for the members. My St. Louis boy said "Mom, you are in the land of the Cardinals, and I have this jacket on, so bring on the camera"!

St. Louis boy and I went to see Avatar yesterday. I kept reading Mark's snippets about the movie over the course of  this week, and decided before he gave away the story we would go and see it for ourselves. Yes, I illegally took an IPhone photo of the rather odd alien bird flying across the screen. So squint and you can make it out. I am out on just how great it was...

This takes me to the good looking St. Louis boy, and his beautiful bird escort! Notice they are supporting some hot new 3D glasses. Think they can make a savvy fashion statement if they leave the theater this way...uh, I do not think so, but it was good for a laugh!

Now the snow had begun to melt and we took a nice drive, taking care of so many errands and tasks that had been put off, and what did we see, but a tree full of birds. Again you will have to squint...my IPhone does not have a zoom app...

This is the shadow of a bird of prey (below). One that places the fear of 'Ever After' Love in the hearts of girls all over St. Louis! If they happen to fall under his spell...

Ha! My son begrudgingly helped me with my bird post, by allowing his hands to form this creatures shadow on a mound of melting snow...after a few tries I finally got a shot, and with assistance from photoshop we both are hoping you feel it looks as though an eagle proudly displaying his wing span in glory atop a snowy mountain...or at least in this mothers heart...

Thanks for joining me for my 'Bird' post this week, and go check out the many others on this 'MckLinky' site...

My Town Blogger Friday Shoot Out- Birds

Here is one last photo from my archives and actually taken in New Jersey! I took last year during Easter. Food blogs have contest all throughout the year, and I entered this into a 'My Peeps' food post, and you can see my 'Roman Peeps' are protecting their plate of Italian Sun dried tomato Farro, food of the Roman troops... The head Peep is holding a very sharp (and possibly lethal) screw I found in the package of Farro I brought back from Italy the year before... Birds of a tasty kind...

Muse Monday 7

[Photo Courtesy of  Simply Heather]


ON FIRE

Four in the morning
Risen to the rooster
Coffee and biscuits on the stove
This Texas poet ready to hit my 'New' Jersey roads
Never knowing what ingredients spark
Stand down, break out a song in this heart
Skillet, cornmeal and fish ready to jump
Moving around small to large seasoned space
Rattling metal, wood, copper, and cast iron
Counting whistles, and all my lumps
Mountains and kitchens to rise up with my burning desires
I work and rant until this freaky chef puts out the fires

- E, 2008 ©

FSO- Fences

"All over my town there are fences - tall ones and short ones, old and new, elegant and shabby. They all have something to say - like "Keep out," "Be careful!" (like this one) or "Stay right where you are," "I'm utterly exhausted" or "Look at me. Aren't I splendid?" Some have gates; others simply define a space or support a heavy vine. What kinds of fences are there in your town? Do they really make good neighbours? Or do they just isolate us? " - Sandra Leigh

I remember when I was growing up, there were no fences. Only people who had money, farmers who needed to keep their animals from roaming, or someone who just did not want people walking on their grass. Racism in our neighborhood was the highest fence around.  Many people put those fences up even now.

I believe at long ago no fences existed at all. Has fear created them?

I live in an area full of farms; otherwise even new homes are built without fences...

No fences

Remember back in the day, roads and streets, filled with children
Soccer, bikes, and baseballs flew
Across yards, and into backyards
Children had no boundaries, no fear, no unknown grounds
Houses were the same, filled with love, sometimes anger, but still full of truth
There was no such thing as a stranger, or unseen danger
If you stood out back you could see clotheslines and trees
On a good day you could see far, straight through, and blocks away
When the sun was high in the air, clothes filled each line, nobody cared
Once in a while you could hear mom and dad loudly sharing till dawn
Whiskey and bullets ruled the night; scarring mothers, children, and strangers
Up came the fences
No one wants to see into neighbors homes or lives
Neighbors have become strangers
Sisters and brothers now, isolated, are in even more danger.
Playgrounds give way to grave yards
Traces of things long gone, remain to be seen…

© E. Stelling, 9/29/08

Out one day last summer I was studying this 'Ornamental' fence from the 1700's in a historic park, back when iron was 'in fashion'; it did not surround the whole house, just merely decorated the front patches of grass as you walked up the front walk. Fashion, or style  influences are choices in many things.

On The Road Again...

Yes, I am.

My son could not come to see me for the holidays, so I decided go to him.

My culinary classes start January 18th, so I have time to get back.

Blog friends Jeanne @ The Raisin Chronicles and Debra @ Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History had dinner with me about nine hours into my trip. We enjoyed talking for a few hours, and I look forward to stopping in on them again one day!

I feel bad because I forgot to break out the camera at the restaurant! I'm bad...

After two days of snow, eighteen wheel splash back, and seeing wrecks all along the road...

I was never so glad to see the arch as my drive was coming to an end.

Well, that is till I leave to head home next week...till then, my son rocks!