Mushroom Mysteries

I found this gorgeous mushroom on a walk through the woods ...
Then I found another, and another - a whole patch of about 6 or 8! Most were taller than the one shown in this picture.

They look like morels. They look like false morels.
According to my book "Mushrooms of North America" by Orson K. Miller, Jr - these beauties could be a type of morel called "Morchella Semilibera".

They could also be one of the many false morels and, according to the book, there is much confusion between the (related) species. In fact, it goes on to say "the chance for error is great. in addition, many people are adversely affected by some of the edible species."

I will continue to buy my mushrooms at the grocery store, thank you very much! I will leave these beautiful wild ones alone - to grow again - next spring.

The Garden Gnome's New "Do"

The poor little garden gnome ...
Lost the back of his head over the winter.


Mom got creative,
and now the Garden Gnome is proudly
Showing off his NEW DO!


I think it looks good on him!

When You Get That "Watched" Feeling ...

When you get that feeling ...
You are being watched ...
Look around carefully, because you never know ...
When a tree dude will be ...
Sticking his tongue out at you!!!

Reflections of Mom - Weekend Reflections

I was looking out the window at the cedar tree ...
The afternoon sun was warming the room ...
Then I saw mom's reflection ...
Basking in the sun, sound asleep in the living room chair.

For more beautiful and contemplative reflections from around the world, please visit Weekend Reflections.

Geometric Cloud for Beth

A random face in the clouds ...
But if you look closely ...
One eye is SQUARE.
The other is a HEART.

Made me think of my sissie!

Still Life of Dandelion and Cedar

Someone left this still life
On the broken, flaking chair.

All I had to do
Was take it's picture!

Spotted Mushroom

I found this beauty yesterday in the woods.
I don't recall ever seeing a spotted mushroom before.

Maybe it's just a regular mushroom, and those spots are where forest critters ate their lunch.

Maybe I'll try to find it again ... see if it's changed any.
It's a beautiful day for a walk!!!

Sun Not Moon - Weekend Reflections

The sun was flirting with heavy clouds on Thursday,
A very "unsettled" day.
I was going for a walk when I came across this puddle
Reflection.

Then a gust of wind came up and completely changed
The mood!

To see more beautiful reflections from around the world, please visit Weekend Reflections.

Hallelujah I'm a Bum ...

The silhouette on the left is a scuff mark in concrete.
The silhouette on the right is a "hobo nickel".
Of course the hat is a little different, and the image on the left is looking up.

But I still see the resemblance!
Do you?

Tweaker Glove

If you are ever wandering near an abandoned building ...
(Or a new house under construction, or ...)
And see one of these ...

Know that you are seeing is probably what is referred to (by me anyway) as
A Tweaker Glove.

A Tweaker is a person who is addicted to Meth.
When they are high, they are known to be "Tweaking".

They frequently steal metal - to sell to recyclers, to fuel their addiction.
They wear these gloves, coated palms, to pull wires.
It gives them a better grip.
They wear them to load their stolen loot ... so they don't get cut by sharp pieces of metal, or shards of glass.

I see these gloves all the time now.
"Oh look, another tweaker glove."

And I feel sad.
What a waste.

More Broken Glass

This scene caught my eye ... because you can see through the broken glass in the window to the window behind ... which is also broken.

Sad, but beautiful as well.

Firehouse Reflections - Weekend Reflections

I was waiting for Dad to do some shopping in downtown Newberg (Oregon) While I waited, I decided to wander around. I came across their fire station, and giggled as I took a picture of the sign.

Then I realized I could see the truck inside.

It wasn't until I enlarged the picture that I realized I had also captured a reflection of the day!

For more beautiful reflections from around the world, please visit Weekend Reflections.

The Last Sunset of March

I had to run across the street to get this beautiful sunset cloud yesterday evening.

The beauty was reflected all around, including this puddle.

An amazing few moments of awesome beauty. I'm so glad I didn't miss out.

Mika Under Table

This is one of her favorite spots,
When she honors me with her presence.

She watches me ...
With such devotion.

Or maybe she's hungry.

Someone's Watching Me ...

Actually I don't feel so bad ...
About this kind old gent ...
Watching me ...

Having Fun with Fries!

I don't usually set up shots, but this time I made an exception - with items found at the abandoned mega-church ...

All I can say is ... where's the ketchup???

Reflections of Me - Weekend Reflections

I found a lens from someone's sunglasses (at the abandoned church building) - upon picking it up, I realize that the world was reflected here! Um, well I realized I was reflected here.

I guess I could have turned it a little to the left or right, lost myself right out of the picture.

Because I don't usually post pictures of myself.

When I say Usually, I mean I NEVER post pictures of myself.

But I kept me in there.

Thank you Carole, for giving me the inspiration, and the courage to post this Reflection.

For more inspiring and courageous weekend reflections from around the world, please visit here.

A Face in a Window

I think I can figure out why he's so unhappy ...

Yuno, Gentleman Fighter

Mika was pouncing him unmercifully.
But he never once lost his composure.

Always and Forever ...
Yuno, The Gentleman Fighter.

Glass Shaped Cloud

I was looking at the random patterns made by the broken glass in the skylights, when I noticed the cloud. How it was nearly exactly the same shape as the broken glass.

How cool is that??

A Walk in the Forest with Sissie

A trillium ... cuddled by the big leaf maple leaf it grew through.

A beautiful conch, covered with moss and backlit by the late afternoon sun.

The big leaf maple is putting out it's aromatic flowers.

The woods is magic this time of year.
Just ask sissie.

Vandalizm - Weekend Reflections

The broken window glass reflects the flowering plum tree just outside ...

Recent rains, leaking roof - reflect the graffiti.

The late afternoon sun filtering through the broken window create a soft reflective glow.

And highlight someone's art.

A final statement.

These photos were taken at an abandoned and vandalized mega-church near my house. I often hear the vandalism in progress - breaking glass, banging metal, laughter of children.
It is very sad.
It makes me stop and reflect.

For more beautiful reflections from around the world, please visit Weekend Reflections.

I call it "Moss Island"

From a distance, it's just a patch of moss ...

But look a little closer ...

It's a tiny little universe ...

It looks green, cool and inviting.

A wonderful visit to "Moss Island"

A Trillium for Sissie!

Sissie! They're here!!!

The first trilliums of Spring.

Neener neener neener!

Look Who I Found At Church!!!

Let me introduce you to Portland's newest band ...

American Overdose!

Actually they were over at the abandoned and vandalized church doing a photo shoot - they have never recorded anything, and to date, have never even performed live.

But they are getting ready to.

I probably won't go to their show.
Not my style.

But they were fun, courteous and gracious to the group of kids they scared with their masks. Snicker.

LEC Sunrise

I saw sudden beautiful color in the windows of the now vacant church/school ...
And managed to catch the sun in a fleeting moment.
Before the clouds once again muted its glory.

Broken Window - Weekend Reflections

The beauty of the flowering cherry tree reflecting into the broken window ...
Proves even ugliness can be beautiful.

It's all in the perspective of the artist within.
And how you see the world.

To see more beautiful reflections from around the world, visit Weekend Reflections.

Three Horses

I saw three horses in my bacon,
I ate them anyway.
But now my poor little tummy is achin'
I forgot to give them hay!

Poem by my mom, Eva Gibson

Party Place

Last weekend was busy at the abandoned mega-church across the street.
Groups of people came and went at all hours, and loud noises at night prompted several calls to the Sheriff's office.

Upon investigation, it seems there was a party going on.

Hmmmm, maybe if I had been invited, I wouldn't have called the cops!

Weiner Dog Rabbit on a Stick

Another delightful cattail -
Assuming an alternate identity.
Cute, ain't he?
In a weird sort of way???

How to Display Your Art ...

Always put it in context.
Make sure it is well framed.
Put it in a public place, with lots of traffic.

And it will be appreciated.
And defaced.

Snicker.

Springtime Blues

My First Blue Monday Post ...

But not my first blue Monday ...

In just a few days
These cute little blue flowers
Really will be
ALL BLUE!

Sasquatch Sighting!

The sasquatch on the left is a famous photo I found at http://theunexplainedmysteries.com.

The sasquatch on the right is what Victoria and I saw, lurking in the swamp.

Eerie similarities ...

Emanuel Hospital - Weekend Reflections

My niece had a post-surgery appointment at Emanuel Hospital in downtown Portland (Oregon). As we were walking into the building, I noticed the beautiful sky was beautifully reflected onto their big glass windows.

Tiffi is fine, by the way. Her surgery was successful, and she has completely recovered.

For more beautiful reflections from around the world, please visit Weekend Reflections.

Shocked! Shocking! Shocker!

If you enlarge this adorable guy,
you will find he looks a little
Startled.

Or shocked (tee hee)

Actually, he comes from the end of a long fluorescent light tube that someone broke.

No wonder he looks so shocked!

Here birdie, birdie, birdie

No, I didn't put it there.
No, I don't know who did.

Why?

Who knows???

Hazy Full Moon and Fir Tree

Last night's full moon was amazing.