3 Sleeping After Dinner at Lala’s & See if You Can Find Murphy
Dinner at Lala’s and James’ home. Building with Lego. I’m “grandmaing” the three youngest grandkids this weekend as the eldest is at a swimmeet in Cincinnati. With her parents, of course.
So we watched Laura and James’ wedding video they received this week and Jack and Michael were ring bearers and Anna and Maura flower girls so they liked seeing themselves but then Jack(4) goes in the kitchen at seven and says, ” Could someone please start making dinner!” We were caught up in reliving the November wedding. Laura baked some homemade pizza and I had taken a spinach pie. For dessert I’d made the Farm Journal Blue Ribbon Banana Cake with buttermilk and real butter instead of the shortening the recipe calls for.
We piled into the van and I drove home and barely a block away and all three kids fell asleep! When we got home I carried each one in, made a stop with them and then took off their shoes and put them in their beds. I’d sat in the van for a moment when we got into the garage and thought to myself, okay, now what will I do with all of them asleep. Michael really came in on his own power once I got him guided a bit. And Murphy was so excited to accompany the family for the evening.
I didn’t have a plan of what to blog tonight and thought WordPress would have posted the Weekly Photo Challenge by this time but they didn’t and I was “on duty” with the kids so hadn’t thought about what to put up.
Can you see Murphy? He is wide awake.
In the Crosswalk at Night- Black and White
Night photography is a satisfying challenge to me.
New Year’s Eve @ Columbus Zoo Lights
Available light photography at night is my challenge. I find it fun but not always easy. The one family shot I lit the family with the flashlight app from the iPhone so I could get some light on their faces. It was chilly but not bitter. We saw a rhinoceros, the tiger pacing, a sleeping polar bear but mostly it was the colored lights on every tree and branch, some reflected in a pool of water. My son Mark and his wife Erika, the four grandchildren(Anna, Michael, Jack and Maura), my DIL’s cousin Shannon who is like a sister to her and her daughter Parker were all willing to stand still in the lights as I tried to focus quickly. We had a lot of fun.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Self-Portrait
Along the Monongahela River by late afternoon light and at night on the way home from the Waterfront in Homestead. Two of my favorite views, anytime of day or night!
I had the cardboard “me” in the car already. We make people out of brown corrugated boxes. I always make myself as a model for the students, this year with gray yarn hair!
Some of you know I teach Art in the City K-8th grade. Not too many people get to make themselves out of scrap cardboard at their job. The “Flat Ruthie” (have you ever seen Flat Stanley?-I photographed him for granddaughter Anna’s school project) was driving around with me cause I was thinking it might make a fun Christmas card, myself and the skyline or something.
In 2009 I was in a self-portrait show at Silver Eye Center of Photography. I can’t tell you how many images I shot of myself in my kitchen, trying to look young and thin. Figured I could achieve both effects with myself as a cardboard puppet. No wrinkles on the smooth cardboard.
Along Beechwood Boulevard looking to Homestead
Holiday Spirit on Not My House
Not a sprig of evergreen or a single bulb at my house. Not an angel or a garland or candy cane.
And then I drive by this place! WHOA.
Serious decorations. I wonder where they store them the other eleven months. The traffic must stop as gawkers drive by. Like me.
By a friend’s special request, the first holiday house spotted and captured at night. Last year, or maybe it was the year before, I used to drive around and shoot inflatable turkeys and then Santas on rooftops and even an inflatable nativity scene and when I got out of the car I could hear the air blowing. Somehow I lost interest in this subject matter. On the way to Virginia, one lawn had 37 inflatables the inhabitants told me. After that spotting, I just didn’t feel moved to try and capture the blowing hot air filling the bright, colored cloth. Everyone had them on their lawn or so it seemed. I stopped saying, “Holy Cow, I can’t believe that display!” and raise my camera to shoot.
It’s not that I am Scroogella or anything. I enjoy other people’s efforts to brighten the darkness (and sunset comes before 5PM these days), I just got out of the “seeing” the decorations and photographing them. .
But I’m back- what else could I do? This scene could not be ignored.
These lights demanded my attention and capture.
Discovered because I went to a CD release party in Regent Square. Who knew it was waiting around the corner?
But then
Night Neon & the Double-Wide Grill
Friday night music was great at the Club Cafe on the South Side. I loved the contrast of the neon’s warm colors of Jack’s and cool blue neon of Club Cafe. I know the “e” is missing but I liked the image of Jack’s going around the corner so I chose this one. I took this shot from across the street as we left to go home.
But wait, we didn’t go right home-
Even though we were exhausted, R invited us to go to the Double-Wide Grill where the onion rings satisfy that deep urge to eat something not really good for you but doesn’t it taste great. (seem to be doing a lot of that type of eating lately) You know I have a thing for old service stations and auto mechanics, right? The old fashioned kind. I did not photograph the food. Hmmmm. But you get a feel for the place.
And when we left I took a shot from the outside and the old gas tank had the amount 37 cents on it. Remember that price per gallon?
Jack's Bar at the corner of Carson and South 12th Street, Southside
Order a basket of onion rings and enjoy!
Vintage gas pump with the 37 cent price- remember when???
A close-up in case your eyes (like mine) couldn't see the 37!
Light Up Night 2011 Pittsburgh PA
On the way home from school I wound around and up Sycamore Street to Mount Washington. Parked and pulled out the sweater and blazer in the back of the car and layered as best I could. No tripod, no cable remote. Took this with the Self-Timer and propped the camera on an iron fence on the Duquesne Incline platform. Watched the sky grow dark. Met people from Dallas, Las Vegas, a couple of Pitt students and New York City and photographed them with the light up night behind them. An Art Institute Special Effects major was shooting a time lapse exposure and we chatted. Did I mention it was in the low thirties? With a wind chill factor that made it seem really chilly.
A week ago we were in the Columbus Athletic Club bowling and preparing for the wedding celebration. Didn’t feel like driving right home after school and had stayed late to get ready for next week. An art room always needs attention.
My blog header is Light Up Night 2010 shot from the Monongahela Incline.
Tom Cruise Movie, ONE SHOT, Lights Up 10th Street Bridge Wednesday Night
The movie is causing a buzz and some traffic around the Burgh. One Shot is the name of the film after a novel by Lee Child. On the way to my photo class I saw the lights set up on the bridge and a few giant movie lights on top of some buildings. Heard on the radio Armstrong Tunnels would be closed. Remembered my photo for the weekly challenge of fall, with the 10th St Bridge in the autumn light and thought I would go my usual school route. Here is the series of bridge shots taken on the way home from class Wednesday night. A circuitous route but worth the detour in my opinion.
I could hear and see a car race and screech across the bridge as I photographed. Next time I will bring a spotter to keep watch as I pulled the car over but it is dark and a bit creepy up on the top of Arlington Avenue, my route home from school. I have shot from this angle before and here is the link to the daytime photo.
Photo four has a bright movie light on the right of the photo.
Heinz Plant at Night
Shot from the Penn Brewery Parking Lot
Find the Bicyclist’s Headlight – North Shore Riverwalk
Riverwalk at Riverfront Park, North Shore, Allegheny River
Along the Allegheny River, across from downtown. Riverfront Park. I was on a field trip with a photography class I signed up for through Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild. Next week we’re going to a greenhouse to photograph orchids. The other class members are people I have taken classes with before so that is fun! Wednesday night was Light Up the Night Walk for Lymphoma and Leukemia. One walker said they raised $700,000 dollars if I heard him correctly. The walkers had red balloons with flashing lights inside which I tired to photograph but didn’t really work out. I’ve shot this skyline angle before. But then the moment happens and the bicyclist drives by into the frame and because the shutter was open for 30 seconds you can see the trail of light. I think it adds interest to the scene. There were lots of people readying the area for the Tom Cruise movie they are shooting, putting tape down on the cement walk to mark the actor’s places. Turning an office building into a hotel. There were benches and additions to the walk- a kiosk and a rental shed.
Feast of Saint Rocco, Fireworks and a Full Moon
Information about this celebration at St. Raphael’s in Morningside arrived in my inbox from the community list-serve. Said there would be fireworks. When I got there a band from Cleveland was playing Italian songs and couples were dancing. A large statue of Saint Rocco was illuminated and people would go up and kiss their hand and touch him. He is the protector of contagious disease and pestilence. There was a statue of a dog with a loaf of bread in his mouth right by his side and you can read his story here. At first I took a few timid photos with my phone as I felt conspicuous. But when the fireworks started I pulled out my regular camera and propped it against the chain link fence and caught the scene. The full moon looks less dramatic in the image than it felt in person. Used a 24-70 L series lens and the remote cable to reduce camera shake. The fireworks were fun and everyone thought they were over and then more would shoot up and an audible oooooh and aaaaah came from the crowd. A nice summer evening, it is 64 degrees right now! 
DAIRY Lit on One Side- QUEEN Lit on the Other
And on the other side…….
Why do you think one word is lit up on each side?
Moonrise Over Bocce Court in Bloomfield
As I an writing this post I think that it is almost two years that I started the blog. And when I checked the stats I see that the first post was 7-14-09. Two years and a day. Happy Blog–aversary. Thanks to all the readers who have followed my blog, written comments on the blog, written nice emails to me or told me about which photo they enjoyed seeing. And to the friends of friends who have shared the posts and photographs, whom I have met only online, I appreciate your good feedback, too. SO here is the today’s post-
Stephanie cuts my hair. She asked me how the photography was going. I told her how I photograph and post a photo of the day on the blog. (Today is the #658 post.) She told Jack, her husband and he looked at my photos online and invited me down Thursday night when he plays Bocce. Here is his website.
It was a perfect summer evening and the men were gracious, allowing me to photograph the games. Tried to be unobtrusive and hung there for over two hours. One gentleman is 97 years old! I sat on a bench at the end of the court for a time, shooting intermittently. A little conversation here and there. And there was the moonrise over the bocce court.
Although I was invited to the mid-season party at the Pleasure Bar on Tuesday, I already have plans with the grandchildren….but I got to hear the menu! Mmmmmm. I am really missing out. Fortunately there is an end of season party in the fall!.
Thanks Jack and to the Bocce League, playing under the cars passing over the Bloomfield Bridge on a summer night.
Super Moon Over Pittsburgh
No Cow Jumping Over
Steve went with me to Mt. Washington and what a crowd of photographers set up with their fancy equipment and tripods when we arrived. I have a nice camera but I can’t imagine what some of that equipment cost!
I wish I had asked Keith or Andy some tips on how to shoot the city light and super moon light simultaneously and get a good effect. I thought it was hard. And that Spring weather was 40ish but felt like a freeze with the wind from the river. I shot primarily with the 70-200mm lens. Wished I knew more about how to get the city and moon at the same time but there wasn’t anything you could do about the positioning of the moon in relation to the buildings. Duh. Oh it was so bright!
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Almost Full Moon Over Roberto Clemente
Saturday March 19th will be the SUPER MOON. I shot this on the way home from class on Wednesday night. I was shooting the statue of Roberto Clemente and noticed the moon in the frame. Going to try and shoot the super moon Saturday night.
No Concrete Proof
The lights at night, the moon, the swollen river rushing below the bridge, the lifelike statue- created a presence.
The Newspaper said “Little to no accumulation…” but-
A friend called and invited me for a slice of cherry pie for President’s Day. Hot tea. I walked down the hill wrapped up in hats and scarves and boots. A good thing- I couldn’t believe it when I came out of her front door two hours later and the snow had accumulated and was piling up. That 60 degree weather on Saturday and now this? YIKES. I trudged home, shoveled the walk and it’s blowing and snowing and really cold. The snow was wet and heavy and a 2 hour delay has been called already for school. How they will clear all the streets before the school buses head out is a puzzle to me. (edit 5:30 AM. All schools are CLOSED! At least they didn’t wait to call it at 7 when everyone is already there. My friend just called, teaches instrumental music and gave me the news auf Deautsch singing Schnee Tag )
Not Spring Yet!
It isn’t that we aren’t ready for the crocus
and blossoms.
We got an unexpected snowstorm.
Shoveling again. And again.
Burrowing in the flannel sheets.
Florida friends, I am thinking of you!
Back to bed.
View from my friend's front porch as I started my walk home up the hill.
Heard from many friends and family who knew and loved Lori today. And from friends who didn’t know her but were touched by her story and loving image with Fredi. I tried to write back little notes of thank you to those who emailed or posted and I told her sister Sara about the overwhelming response but she can’t bear to look at it right now, understandably. A sad day.
A Steelers Fan’s Nod to the Packers
We love our Steelers, win or lose. Here’s some Pittsburgh cheese to acknowledge your win, Packers fans and dear friends! (Rob you were right.) I made Haluski, Pierogies and Kielbasa but no one felt like eating here. Have to post now and get to bed cause I’m driving back to the Burgh for school in the morning, YIKES! We had a fun time together but watching the superbowl was so stressful. Kids dropped off to sleep one by one.
Sportsmanship
What we teach our children.
I thought about posting
a Back to Work theme
(leaving Columbus at 4AM)
or some serious Comfort Food
Penn Mac Company on Penn Avenue in the Strip District has some GREAT cheese!!
‘Twas the Night Before Superbowl, Fans Asleep in Their Beds-Visions of a 7th Ring, Float in Their Heads
But not overconfident. Just hopeful. And the Packers fans are dreaming the same vision I’m sure. (Actually photographed Thursday night Feb 3rd.)
Settling Down for a Long Winter’s Nap
And then you turn on the TV-
warm up
for the big game.
Have to wait all weekend long.
A two hour delay for Monday–
school, already called!
View of Homestead Over the Mon
Heard Giant Eagle was packed and fans are loading up their carts with salsa, ribs and Tostitos and chips. Iron City and Yuengling, some Penn Pilsner at the Beer Distributor– you can’t purchase beer in the grocery store in Pennsylvania. Fans are careful to follow rituals and are aware that their actions might jinx the outcome. Some can’t stand to watch.
How About this House for Steelers Madness?
Some dedicated fans live here for sure!
Sunday night’s game was a nail biter. On the way to Cj’s house to watch the game I saw this house across the street. Monday morning everyone will be happy at work. The excitement will build over the next couple of weeks. Many will be superstitious about a wide range of rituals-not shaving, items of clothing worn, with many fans feeling responsible for the final outcome dependent on their action or inaction. It is quite a phenomenon. Thanks for all the good wishes from friends far and wide.
And congratulations again to Dr Beth P. who won the Blog Giveaway of the photo print of her choice, which she is going to donate to the National Kidney Foundation’s Annual Gift of Life Gala!
Carnegie Library in the Snow
Night light refelcted in the city, one of my favorite things to shoot- add the snow factor.
Rain A Tribute to the Beatles
I was making a pot of soup when the phone rang. “What are you doing? Some tickets just dropped in our lap!” It was Barb S asking if Steve and I wanted to see opening night of Rain A Tribute to the Beatles. When? 7:30. I looked at my clock on the stove. It was 6:38. We had ten minutes to get down the hill to there house and off we went to Heinz Hall. The roads weren’t too bad. I figured no two hour delay in the morning. After the show I walked across the 6th Street to document the fun evening. It was nostalgic. Good energy. Unexpected live music! We stood and swayed, singing along “All we are saying is give peace a chance.” Given the snowstorm, I was surprised how full the theater was!
See the dusting of snow on the awnings?
Dippy (Diplodocus) in the Snow
Driving through Oakland. A snowstorm. Lights in the night. An enormous Diplodocus accumulating snowfall on his back. Sporting a red knit scarf. Pull to the curb. Forbes Avenue. Turn on the flashers. Get out of the car. Focus. Shoot. Find the beauty of winter.
Diplodocus Carnegiei-22 feet high- 84 feet long- 3000 pounds! Click the blue word Diplodocus in text above to read about him.
Electric Nativity with Santa and Carolers Combo
Thanks for all the condolences and comments on the passing of Fred (yesterday’s post). Must have been a bit distracted because there were 2 errors in two sentences and of course the date isn’t 2011 yet. I am going to have to hire a proofreader for when I am tired. Thanks to V and Keith. So is the preference white lights or colored lights?
I am still thinking of the around-the-year storage for these items.
Here is one of the final Christmas lights at night series for Christmas Eve. It can’t be as much fun to dismantle as it is to decorate!
Recent Comments