Sunday, September 26, 2010

Load of Hey!


Friday afternoon traffic was brutal.
A crash on the interstate brought everything in town to an abrupt halt.

Except this guy.
I ended up following him for nearly 5 miles ... couldn't go around because of the oncoming commuters trying to use the back streets to get around the freeway jam ...

A truck loaded with hay is NOT an unusual sight around here; after all once you get out of town we're pretty rural ...

But this guy was really loaded.
And this load was NOT TIED DOWN.
Nope, not a rope, cord, wire or anything holding this stuff in place.

And I had to follow him, 20 miles an hour.
Little bits of hay drifting through my window ...
Keeping my distance. Just in case.
I hope he made it home without spilling his load.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Recycled Table and Bench - Shadow Shot Sunday


An interesting table and bench I found while walking near the river ...
At first glance, it's a peaceful and shadow-dappled oasis ...

As you look closer, you will see how creative it is ...
Made from old concrete slabs.

Talk about recycling!

To see amazing shadows from all over the world, visit Hey Harriet - and join us for Shadow Shot Sunday!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Peek-a-Boo Window Blinds


The windows at the abandoned mega-church are all gone now.
Broken into millions of pieces.

But a few window blinds remain ...
Tempting the blackberry vines outide ...
To take a peek inside!

They are probably just as curious as the rest of us!


Saturday, September 4, 2010

What To Do With Bagel Dough ...


It was a hot day, and I was needed.
My sister-in-law, Bert, was stranded without a ride to the bank, and her rent was due by 5 pm. She had surgery on her feet Monday, and could barely walk.

So I went. No AC in my car ... Bert's three crying, sweating little ones in the back seat - one cranky sweating adult in the front seat (uh, that would be ME). It was Friday afternoon, not a good day for banking and traffic anyway, but it was also the Friday before the Labor Day Holiday and getting anywhere in town was nearly impossible.

There was no shade, so I had to park in the full sun.

Suddenly the back seat became very quiet. A tiny voice called out "uh Auntie Clytie?"
"WHAT!" I snapped.
"Uh, Auntie Clytie, there's DOUGH coming out of the box back there."
Uh oh.

How could I have forgotten?
Thursday. Gleaners. An entire case of frozen bagel dough.
Ack. It was still in my car!

I glanced back to the cargo area. Sure enough, the bagel dough had thawed in the heat, and was starting to rise. FAST. It had stretched the tape on the top of the box, and popped it open. There was a pile of gooey, sticky, thawed bagel dough towering over the top of the box. Any minute now, it was going to topple over ... all over the cargo area of my car!
Ack!

"Alright kids," I said. "Take off your seatbelts - QUICK!
Now turn around on the seat, reach into the back, and poke your fingers into the dough - HURRY!"

All three of the kids kneeled backwards on the seat, reached back and delightedly started poking the bagel dough. It immediately subsided back into the box. A giggle. Another giggle. Then we were ALL flat out belly laughing. Heat, sweat and crankiness were forgotten. The kids continued poking the bagel dough - and having a BLAST - until their mom came out to the car and I took them home.

What a blessing.
Bagel dough.
Childrens' laughter.
Creativity.
An afternoon I will remember for a long time. With smiles.
Thank you Tiffi, Jenna and Markie.
I love you all!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Lions and Tigers and CHAIRS, oh my!


It was the middle of the night ... 2:45 AM to be exact.
The dog started barking.
I woke up.

There was a commotion at the gate of the abandoned church property across the street.
Banging and clunking, then silence.
And a pickup drove away.


At first light, I went to investigate.
And found these abandoned chairs -
Lurking in the grass.

The new owners are on the property today, filling dumpsters with trash.
I imagine these will be the first to go away.
But I got my pictures first.