INTERPRETATIONS...

I'm sure a lot of you have noticed that it is winter time, 

and to some that must seem like an understatement. 

 I hear news stories about large amounts of snow and rain 

happening around the world,

 as I sit in my own quiet corner 

while surrounded by sunshine, 

and I find it hard to believe.

Oh, sure, we have had some foggy mornings 

and we do light up our stoves

 as the late afternoon shadows settle in,

 but through it all, 

the sun perseveres with tenacity.

We are in a severe drought here 

and while we did have some rain a few weeks back,

 it certainly wasn't enough to satisfy.

The calender says it is winter

 but our eyes tell us differently. 

 Things are not as they seem. 

 Our gardens know it is time to take a well earned rest,

 and shut down the beauty they are known for.

  But, much like the reason a lady applies make-up

 before leaving her house,

 the gardens are unable to hide their drabness

 with a blanket of pristine snow.

This is winter,

 but not in it's true sense.

  Not as it should be.

Two of the dearest friends, 

June of Laughing With Angels 

and Barbara of 21 Rosemary Lane

 showed us some amazing photographs this past week. 

 June held back some beautiful and colorful flowers

 from her summer garden

 so that she might share and brighten these winter days now, 

and Barbara showed the amazing effects 

of her black and white photography.

Thanks to these two wonderful and talented ladies,

 my inspiration for this post 

is to take a small bit from each of them 

and turn it into something a little different

 that I hope you will enjoy.

A seed pod from a bright orange Chinese Lantern

These are a few shots of some of my summer photography

 that I have taken a small step beyond 

black and white. 

 I have changed each photograph

 to the point where they resemble an oil painting,

 in some instances,

 or pen and ink sketches 

in others, 

with the help of Picasa. 

 These are strictly my interpretations

 and I am making no claims 

that I'm a photographer

 with skills!

Tulips in a spring shower

A seed pod from milk weed.

"Some see this as a weed,

some see it as a wish."

Author Unknown

  

Our sweet Maggie

Sampling the last of summer's goodness

I learned the name 'pincushion' flower from my grandmother

A rose

 by any other

name

would smell as sweet

A white heron walking on tippy toes

An unfurling fern frond..say that three times fast

No rain, just sun

A plate sized hibiscus

On golden pond

A beautiful lily from a special birthday bouquet

A sign of a past springtime

Sister and Brother

Tami's twin cats

Could be Sister, could be Brother

Your guess is as good as mine

A fallen leaf with long ago rain drops

A sunny California poppy

A summer visitor, resting awhile

One of my summer favorites

And another 

Vinca, but I have always called it myrtle

A very clever ballerina

Bleeding Heart

June Bug, above

Our two adopted kitties

Lucy, below

Is she a movie star or what?

And last but not least,

 our beloved Buddy 

with something

 you never saw him without...

  

Floppy jowls

 and a dripping nose!

Turning your photographs into black and white images will amaze you.

  You will see bits and pieces of the subjects 

that you will never notice in its colorful state,

 a true meaning of

 things not being as they seem.

Thank you June and Barbara.

  These two women have the most beautiful blogs

 and their great talents show through in everything they do.

 I can only hope that a small amount

 could rub off 

on me.

...Judy...

Jake and his sidekick, Cooper

Gone fishin'

   

Sharing today at:

Roses of Inspirations at The Enchanting Rose

What's It Wednesdays at Ivy and Elephants

WORDS FROM THE PAST...

This is an autograph book that belonged to my grandfather.

  It is full of fond remembrances from his high school friends from 1898.

My grandfather, John William Allred,

 aka Bill or Willie

That, in itself, is very special to me. 

 But beyond the obvious, there is a significance that sets my mind to wondering.

  What kind of human beings were these people? 

 Do the words that they write tell me anything about them?

With this comes a reminder of a history lesson.

One thing that stands out is their handwriting. 

 All the words written, no matter how many the individuals, are almost identical. 

 The sentiments may vary slightly

 but the form is precise

 and appears that each one was written with a magical pen 

that allows all final copies to turn out exactly the same. 

 Nothing like the scattered scratchings of some of the letters

 I've seen from my generation and beyond.

  The names, too, seem to have a different sense about them.

  Today, you might know an Oliver 

that wears his cap turned backwards 

and his pants at half-mast,

 and think nothing about that, 

but see a boy from another era,

 with the same name and he sounds, and looks, mysterious.

Post cards from long ago

 are also something that makes me wonder 

about the ones who sent them.

Post cards from way back 

usually portrayed a colorful and poignant scene on the front,

 and while that is what first catches the eye,

 don't lose track of what is written on the other side,

 as that is what tells the real story.

  Here again, the writing looks similar 

  but the messages are what holds the wonder.

  They are all short and to the point

 due to the space on the cards

 but what is the underlying

 meanings of the words?

Was this a night on the town

 ending in unexpected circumstances...

...or this, 

a marriage proposal gone bad?

Evidently, the crops in South Dakota 

in 1903 were good...

...but it was a bad year for crops

 in North Dakota in 1913.

A Christmas post card from way back

 still conveyed the similar season's greetings that are seen today 

but some of the hand written messages 

are just a bit more embellished...

...or, on the other hand,

 said as little as possible...

 Maybe, in case you haven't heard from your sister in a long time,

 you might have to sign your last name

 as well

 in case she can't 

remember who you are...

...and even though 

you are under the weather

 you can still find beauty in the world.

These are all so much fun to collect

 and while they are all unique

 in their own way,

 when it comes right down to it,

 they are not so different from today's letters or e-mails. 

 There is an underlying message

 from then to now 

that we all wish our friends and families

 the best that life has to offer, 

sent with love

 to one and all.

...Judy...

Sharing today with:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Roses of Inspiration at The Enchanting Rose