Holiday in Bob's Botanical Garden

We spent some time with b. schlake at his beautiful garden paradise. We got there to late to see it but it was nice to walk through. We went over to play some card and talk while enjoying some adult beverages. b. schlake wife prepared some nice snacks and was fun to get together for awhile and talk. Min and I always enjoy a visit with the schlake family. Even when one cheats at spades and still loses.

Christmas with Grand Ma

We spent Christmas eve afternoon with Grand Ma in the nursing home. She wanted Chinese for dinner so Min brought dinner and we gathered with Jim and part of his family. To say it was enjoyable is a double edge sword, in ways it is since we spend time with Grand Ma. But in some ways it is not, since nursing homes are depressing places and there is not much we can do other than talk while Grand Ma enjoys dinner. We have a few laughs and exchange gifts with her and talk about what the we all hope Christmas will bring. I feel for Min as she gets a bit depressed seeing her mom this way and there is nothing she can do to change how life is for Grand Ma. So goes Christmas Eve 2008 with Grand Ma. Merry Christmas ...

Traditions

With the year end coming quickly it makes me think back on the year as well as the years. The boys were learning how to fish off the Lakeside Ohio dock from their mother who was taught by Grand Mother Kelso. Passing down traditions from generations to generations if one way we live on eternal. My Father once told me long after he is gone I will be walking around and he hoped so would his grand kids and some day great grand kids. He said it was one of the ways people live on and make a mark. Dad passed on in 2000 and mom in 2002 but I still think of them every day and look at my sons as what they also left behind. Time passes to quick and not often appreciated as much as it should be, once gone we can never travel back. Well not yet.

Merry Christmas 2008

The shopping is done and the family gatherings come later but we give thanks for little things like Cooper. This is a snap shots I took from the hip as we headed out to go shopping on the 23rd. This is about the only way to get a picture of Cooper since he always wants to come and give kisses when you get down on the floor or close to him. He is our rescue dog and the gift we got last year keeps on giving this year. There is a reason if you spell God backwards you have such a loving friend. Hope everyone enjoys Christmas this year. Have a Merry and safe one.

Eastgate Mall Shopping

We went for a trip to the Mall where we went shopping for one another and got a few items for family and friends. The mall seemed busy, maybe not quite as bad as last year. Took only 10 minutes to find a parking spot, got a good one too. We ate at the new Wings and Rings place and it was good. All seemed to think BWubs is better. I have a few more of some shoppers as it did seem busy at least before the ice storm hit. Lasted 3 hours, now it is near 40F. But cold winds come in tomorrow as we are on the edge of a front coming in from the Northwest. Thanks Swanny ...



Boy to I love the Holidays .. I do enjoy the time off work, home repairs needed.

Reflections of Christmas 2008

Well 2008 is almost gone and Christmas time is here again. Always a fun time and this year do to vacation rules I have two weeks off to enjoy the season. The new rule at work is use it or lost it, so I had 6 days left and I am burning them before they are gone. We will spend a little time at Grand Ma's place on Christmas Eve sharing gifts and watching Grand Ma eat. We will head over to Min's Father's house to spend Christmas day with Martha and him. The boys get lots of gifts and it is always a good time to sit around and enjoy time with Grand Pa.
It is always a good time of year to reflect back on what has happened or not happened as we get close to News years and the changing of the year. 2008 was fun and seems we made it through with a few scratches but no major bruises. New Years will be a quiet one again this year. Till then Min has me cleaning and getting the basement cleared out. Bought a Hoover vacuum to clean the floor and cob webs in the ceilings. I like the Gothic look but it did need some major dusting so the dust do not get on the film slides. Plan on scanning and going through a lot of the old pictures I have not touched in 10 years.

Santa Claus with a Camera?

I think the kind that likes to hang out in warmer climates.

Japanese Dinner - Chicken & Shrimp

Dinner at the grill is always nice, the chef is entertaining as well as good food. I always feel full after a dinner at a Japanese restaurant. This one happens to be on Hilton Head Island, near the Circle.

Last Twist

Seems like life is full of them, it is how you deal with them that makes life. Not sure how to handle some news but will ponder it and deal with what I have seen of late. The picture is a dual toned Ash leaf I photographed back in 2006 while it was floating on Powell Crosley Lake in Rowe Woods. Seems a fitting picture for the times.

Art Show - Boone County Kentucky Main Library

The gentleman was playing classical guitar at the art show I was invited to display my work in this past week end. Friday night included music, and light refreshments. I had 3 works in this show, Ark, Boone 7 and Inside-Outside. The show was held in the gallery area of the main location of the Boone County Library. Colin was kind to invite me to show some of my work. His and my hope is to have a one man show later this year with Anderson Ferry as the main part of the show. I just need to get a few more works in print, matted and framed to fill the large gallery. I am sorry but I did not get the musician's name but I hope to hear from him, I offered him a few free portraits.

Current Events

Economy in Crisis, a article written by Ty for the school news paper pretty well explains the current state of affairs. Grand Pa who is a well known Bond Fund manager reads the news and gives his thoughts about the news to Ty while we were enjoying Thanks Giving together at his house. The Christmas Holidays are not far away and I have some vacation time to burn, likely will use it between Christmas and New years. Use it or lose it, and I can use a vacation after this year's events.

Ellen Kobman's View.

My name is Linda Kobman - Bill. Ellen is my mother. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be able to share her view with everyone who sees this picture. I've come to take pictures from her bench in various settings, but you have captured the best by far. My mother was a wonderful woman. I could write a book. She fought breast cancer from age 36 to age 51. She fought like hell for my twin sister and me and my dad.
She never complained and anyone who knew her would tell you that she was the most kind-hearted, unselfish person they've ever known. She loved animals and was a nature freak. She volunteered at the Nature Center teaching little kids the wonder of her "favorite place on Earth". Thank you for sharing her vision. It still is her favorite place.

Thank you Linda, it makes capturing the moment worth the effort. She was a good woman.

November Evening 2008 - Eden Park

Watching the sunset in Eden park while waiting for the hot air balloons to set up. Takes them about 1 hour to get all 12 balloons in place and glowing. It was a cold night and is starting out to be a cold winter. Not much of a autumn this year. I am sure it is a fluke or climate change or *gasp nature. Did this one for b. schlake who does some very nice sunrise and sunset works of art.

Winter Prep and Relaxing

Taken last evening as the show was about to begin. This is looking west toward downtown. I liked the lone balloon with the sky and tree line. Was one of many shots before the full balloon glows.

Cleaned out the gutters today and get things on the deck ready for winter. Still a few things to do. Was cold last few days, got into the low 40s today here. Warm enough to get on the roof and prep it and the fore mentioned gutters.

Saturday Night Glow - Balluminaria Balloon Glow

Balluminaria - Eden Park Balloon Glow Cincinnati Ohio. A cold night and the Mirror lake was frozen this year. I think my feet are still frozen. I took both my D200 and used a 18-200mm vr lens on it and put the D300 with the Sigma 10-20 mm and on a tripod. The D200 did well and what picture the D300 took were all excellent. Only problem twice it would not click, no shutter, I tried refocus and miss many good shots. I do not know if it was the cold or the light and camera settings or something else. There was a bit of a brezze and the lake was frozen so the mirror effect was different this time.

When Insults Were Civil, Most Times.

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I
admire." -- Winston Churchill

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries
with great pleasure."- Clarence Darrow

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader
to the dictionary." -- William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't
it." -- Groucho Marx

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying
I approved of it." -- Mark Twain

"He has no enemies, but he is intensely disliked by his
friends." -- Oscar Wilde

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring
a friend... If you have one." George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill... followed by
Churchill's response: "Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second, if
there is one."

"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here."
-- Stephen Bishop

"He is a self-made man and worships his
creator." -- John Bright

"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's
nothing trivial." -- Irvin S. Cobb

"He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others."
-- Samuel Johnson

"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up."
-- Paul Keating

"He had delusions of adequacy."
-- Walter Kerr

"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any
address on it?" -- Mark Twain

"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the
stork." -- Mae West

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."
-- Oscar Wilde

Lady Astor once remarked to Winston Churchill at a dinner party,
"Winston, if you were my husband, I would poison your
coffee!" Winston replied, "Madam if I were your husband, I would drink
it!"

Group Hug

End of a Short Season of Leaf Photos. The hurricane winds in September took out many of the tree leaves. I did try some pure digital B&W shots this year, wanted to play around a bit. This is one I took on a warm November afternoon evening.

World Diabetes Day

November 14, 2008 was World Diabetes Day and the project included the 5/3 Building and Tyler Davidson Fountain in Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The idea is to get picture of hundreds of icon buildings and structures all over the world photographed in Blue on that day. I set out last night to capture the building and fountain last night. It was going to be the last warm night of the season as a cold front was approaching. The square was full of Holiday items like the skating rink and the huge Christmas tree. I was hoping the City of Cincinnati was going to put blue lights in the fountain but settled on the glow of blue light off the building behind the fountain. There were no other photographers there last night so I guess this is it for the project. The night was pleasant and I was able to park close so I did not have to walk far with my gear. I sent the pictures along to the project and I hope folks enjoy the end result.

Strolling on the Wooden Walkway

Last week at Lake Powell Crosley, it is always nice when the trees are turning. Most of the leaves are gone now. Winter is coming soon the winds felt cold tonight, a bit more of a chill than it has been up till now. Time to try and relax.

Rowe Woods Rest Stop

Rowe woods is one of my favorite places to walk the trails. It looked in full autumn color last week end. Wind and some rain this week has taken much of that way this week end. I will make another walk in the woods when I get home from the CNE band dinner in the afternoon.

I seldom stop here and sit, unless I have a lot of time on my hands. This is between the east lake shelter house and the wooden walkway on the west side of Powell Crosley Lake in Rowe Woods.

Last Meeting - Spring will be new begining.

Picture By Request.

The voters have spoken, not sure if it all was legit with how some people signed up and voted. But I do not think they make a difference. As much as I have read so far of the final returns. Some people just stayed home and some new folks got out and voted. We will see if Deeds is what proves out or the words. Time will tell.

Lake Powell Crosley - Autumn Colors

I went back to Rowe Woods today to get a few leaf pictures. I saw the portrait photographer lady there again with some clients. It is a great place to take some relaxed natural looking portraits. The clouds were thick and there seemed to be some sort of light smoke in the air. Like maybe first west of us, I have to check the news. This is where I often take pictures of leaves, off this small dock area.

Favorite Times

Went to Powell Crosley Lake today in Rowe Woods, it is my favorite time of the year to visit and walk through the woodlands. I started taking pictures of floating leaves there in 2006. I went to take pictures of wood ducks and ended up taking pictures of surface tension of falling leaves on the lake water. It has become a yearly tradition. The lake had a lot of moss on it this evening, we have been in a drought so the lake is low. Plan on talking a couple walks tomorrow, this time with both cameras and a tripod.