Day 43: Moon

This was almost as hard to capture as the penny.

Day 42: Diamonique Ring

I had another one of those days with no photo ideas, so I went into my jewelry box again.  I can't afford a real diamond this size, though it sparkles just like one.  I can wear it guilt free since I'm 100% sure this one is not a conflict diamond.

Day 41: Puddles

It's been a rainy Black Friday.  I've been inside, thinking about my plans for the future.  Where do I want to be in five years?  

Day 40: Autumn

We finally have some fall colors.

Day 39: Programmable Thermostat

Not only does it lower my electric bill, but it sure is nice to wake up to a warm apartment instead of shivering as I rush across a cold floor to turn on the heat.  I have it programmed to start 30 minutes before the alarm.

Day 38: Rings to Donate

I bought these on clearance in a set of seven.  One of my colleagues is accepting donations of Christmas gifts for children ages 2 to 10 in a homeless shelter.  Perhaps one of the girls might enjoy them.  I've got some simulated pearls I could give, too.  They are all brand new and nothing is wrong with them.  They're just not my color.        

You Don't Fit In

That's what she said.  I'm not like everyone else.  I'm different.  She meant it as an insult and I bit back tears.    

What bothers me most is that I let her upset me.  I hope she enjoyed the tears because she's not likely to see them again.



All I want to do is be more like me and be less like you
         - Linkin Park






I'll catch up on my project posting and your blogs tomorrow.  I wish everyone a peaceful holiday.         

Day 37: E Pluribus Unum

"Out of many, one."

This was much more difficult to photograph than I imagined.



Macro Monday

Day 36: Audubon Zoo Scavenger Hunt

I stopped in New Orleans yesterday on my way back home to Texas from Mississippi and did this week's Sunday Scavenger Hunt at the Audubon Zoo.  It was so much fun, I may have to start doing them in a similar fashion from now on.

I walked through the park and almost got lost since the path is not clearly marked.  A helpful woman had the idea of Googling a map and I wondered why I hadn't thought of it first.  Armed with walking directions on my smart phone I had no trouble finding my destination.  I did opt to take the free shuttle back to the other side of Audubon Park at the end of the day, though.  It's only a mile, but I was tired and it was beginning to grow dark.

1)  Vision:  Giraffes have nearly 360 degree vision due to the placement of their eyes, enabling them to spot predators.

2)  Strong:  This spider monkey used his very strong tail to hang on hands free.

3)  Buttons:  Button eyes on the stuffed animals for sale in the gift shop.

4)  Map:  You are here.

5)  Favorite Fruit:  A Golden Lion Tamarin enjoys an orange.

     

Next week's items are home or thankful, in the kitchen, couple, bubbles, and trees.

Day 35: Seabirds on a Sandbar

Also photographed in front of my hotel.  

Day 34: Biloxi

The beach in front of my hotel.  

Day 33: Riverboat Casino

I left $25 ahead.  I used it to buy toiletries that I didn't pack.  

Day 32: Wild Bird Wednesday, Great Egret

Across the Sabine River from the Blue Elbow Swamp, on the Louisiana side, there is another boardwalk through the Natures Nest Swamp.  Both are conveniently located at rest areas with travel info, coffee, free maps, restrooms,  picnic tables, and vending machines.  I always see more wildlife on the Texas side, but this is a nice place to stop as well.   

I  found this Great Egret stalking prey along the shoreline.  I even saw him catch and eat something, though I'm not positive what.  It looked like a minnow. 

He finally grew tired of my company and flew away, and I finally got a shot of a bird in flight.  

         I'm using up the last of my vacation days for the year.  I don't have to be home until Monday and have    no official itinerary or reservations, so I'm not sure where I'll be tomorrow...



Wild Bird Wednesday
I found another meme, this one very appropriate for my end goal.  After all, I am doing this project 365 in preparation for traveling the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.    

Day 31: SHS Last Minute Indoor Hunt

I had this week's photos all planned out.  I was to be camping with friends and they were going to help me stage my photos whether they liked it or not.  What do you mean you didn't bring your little windmill to plant beside your tent?  I need it for my whimsical shot.  You better go back and get it!  

My daughter needed a hair model, though.  There will be other camping trips.  I cancelled and spent some time with her.  I found some alternative items this evening.

1)  Nature:  I can't go out and explore nature without the proper gear.  SmartWool socks are the best!  Not itchy, prevent blisters, comfortable in all weather, and since they are wool will keep my feet warm even in the unlikely event they get wet despite my waterproof boots.

2)  Vintage:  One of my newest cookbooks.  I think I'll start with the Shoo-Fly Cake, which "takes its lead from the old Pennsylvania Dutch favorite, shoo-fly pie."

3)  Whimsical:  Maybe I'll finish it this year.  I still need to add a few leaves, the holly berries, and a cardinal.

4)  Cooking:  I love wearing my Wolfgang Puck apron when I'm cooking.

5)  Week's Best (Date):  My daughter wore the missing pair of pink pearls, which I gifted to her, the day we spent together.  She colored and cut my hair to demonstrate her skills, then we went to lunch.  (She can't have the black ones.  Those are MINE.)

 Want to play?  Next weeks items are vision, strong, buttons, map, and favorite fruit.  No need to be literal as creativity is encouraged.  

Day 30: Verbena

Today's word:  aperture.   Darren Rowse does a much better job of explaining it than I ever could in his post http://digital-photography-school.com/aperture.

For this Macro Monday, I practiced using Av mode. I set the aperture, and the camera determines the shutter speed.  

  I'm out of auto mode!  Woohoo!

  

 

Day 29: Asics Gel Nimbus

They've gotten pitifully little use lately.  I invested in top-of-the-line, not inexpensive running shoes so I could start marathon training again.  This morning I started making excuses.

I need to wash dishes.  I need to do a load of clothes, too.  Oh, and I've been neglecting my blog comments.  I need to visit the people who've taken the time to leave comments.   

I started reading posts and the first one I visited was about the miles and miles spent walking with a new four-legged friend.  I started thinking I should go ahead and adopt a dog so I'd have to go out and get my exercise.  The breed I want, Jack Russel Terrier, will punish me by tearing up the house if I let him get bored.      

The second blog was all about a morning run.

OK, OK, enough!    

If that's not a message telling me get off my a##, I don't know what is.  I laced up my shoes and went for a run.  

Day 28: Magnolia Blossom

I didn't think Magnolia's bloomed this late in the year.  I guess I was wrong, because the one downstairs looks like this.  I can't wait until the tree gets tall enough to block the view of that ugly power plant.

Day 27: White Elephant Gift

We're doing a white elephant gift exchange during our Christmas party at work this year.  This watch came in a set of three I bought on sale.  I like the other 2 colors, but the pink one not so much.  It came in it's own box and has never been worn.  Even though I bought it for less on sale it's still a $20 gift, right?

Day 26: Broken Passenger Mirror

I was attacked by a pole.

It's that time of year again.  I wonder if it will pass the safety inspection.  

Day 25: Final Table

1857 players.  8th place paid $59,871.  Too bad it's not real money.

Day 24: Nail Polish

I'm already missing daylight savings time.  There's not much time to get photos before dark now, so tonight you guys get to watch me paint my nails.

  
I've learned that I can turn the LCD display on my new camera around to face the front so I can see what I'm shooting.  I don't have to resort to cheesy mirror pictures (nothing says "date me" like a photo with your toilet in the background) or set the timer and just hope I'm in the frame.  I do need a little more practice with it, though.  Of over 60 pictures taken, I hated 58.

Why clear polish?  It keeps my nails from looking unkempt so I can show off my rings, but it's way less maintenance than the colors.  I didn't even remove the old stuff first, I just put a fresh coat on top.



  

Day 23: Red-Eared Slider and Scavenger Hunt

So I posted Macro Monday on Sunday and Sunday Scavenger Hunt on Monday.  It's my blog and I'll do what I want!

Every week 5 items are given.  You are free to interpret them any way you deem appropriate and creativity is encouraged.

1) Wild:  Although often kept as pets, this red-eared slider lives wild in the Blue Elbow Swamp of Texas.

2) Welcome:  A giant Lone Star and the six flags of Texas greet visitors crossing the border from Louisiana.  Yes, there really are six flags that have flown over Texas.  The amusement park did not make that up.

3) Adventure:  An astronaut taking a space walk.  This one is atop the McDonald's on NASA Rd 1, but is there anyone who doesn't think there will eventually be a Mickey D's on the space station?  

4) Vibrant:  I don't how good the food is, but they have a pretty sign.

5) Classic:  What's more classic Americana than Coca-Cola?  Well, maybe some Levi's...

Want to participate?  The linky is open until Tuesday at midnight.  Or go get this week's clues and post next week.  

Day 22: Mystery Lizard Macro Monday

UPDATE:  I believe this is a green anole.  I forgot they had the ability to change colors.

I visited the Blue Elbow Swamp on my way home from Louisiana today, and found this guy hanging out on the boardwalk.

   

Is it a brown anole?  It doesn't look exactly like the others in Google search results.  I know at one time I had a field guide to reptiles, but I can't find it.  

  

Who knew lizards had blue eyes?

The Macro Monday linky is up, so I'm using him as this week's entry. 

Day 21: Evil Eye

I'm in Louisiana tonight.  I had originally planned to drive home, but when I began nodding off at the wheel I decided it was less expensive to pay for a room than to buy a new car.

I noticed the the girl at the check-in counter looking at me a little sideways as she checked for available rooms.  "Is your necklace watching me?"

"It's my evil eye."

She began telling me about a friend's mother that is apparently into voodoo.

"This is not black magic.  It goes all the way back to ancient Greece and is actually worn for protection.  I just like unusual jewelry."

I have found myself wearing it when I play poker, though.  Can't have too many eyes on those people...      

Day 20: No Dumping

I've lived here over a year and never noticed these little buttons above every storm drain until tonight.  

I wonder if they stop anyone. 

Day 19: Fire Alarm

I don't know if I live in a community with higher standards or if it's just because these are new "luxury" apartments, but I've never lived anywhere with so many fire safety features.  In my one-bedroom unit there are 4 of the typical round ceiling-mounted smoke detectors, sprinklers in every room including the garage, a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and whatever that is in the picture on my bedroom wall.  I never paid much attention until it lit up when I turned my heater on for the first time this season.

Oh, no.  Please don't set off the sprinklers.

I sat waiting...dreading.  Then the light turned off, apparently satisfied there was no real danger.

What is that thing?  Another smoke detector?  A heat sensor?  Some sort of infrared?  It almost seemed to be scanning the room with it's red light.