I wandered past the Christmas displays….wow!  There sure is a lot to see there!  Even though I don’t care much for all the commercialism at Christmas,  I really do like looking at all the baubles and whatnots!  I love all the bright and cheerful colors. Between the warm and comforting autumn colors at Thanksgiving and the bright, splashy colors of Christmas, this time of the year has it all.  I bumped into a young teenage girl along the way, looking rather spellbound in the aisle. She confided this is her favorite time of the year and I agreed with her.

Off I trotted to the garden center, where all the bird activity was happening.  My, oh my…..those birds are certainly chatty!  If one happened to have a headache, their noise level would be enough to throw one over the edge. I watched as what seemed like tens and tens of Sparrows zipped down from the top rafters of the building, diving into the Christmas displays and garden supplies.  It was incredible!

Then, “it” caught my eye…..

I have never been attracted to Orchids, really.  But these beauties, called Blue Mystique nearly took my breath away!  I just stood there, staring, for a very long time.  At forty dollars a piece, there is no way one of these would come home to live with me, but they are the most beautiful plant I have ever seen! 

Did you know that BLUE is my very most favorite color? I am so thankful for eyes that are able to see all the beautiful elements in this world!

Yesterday, Michelle spent the entire day in bed.  By evening, she declared she didn’t want to sleep anymore.  However, she did.  This morning, she arose and was kind of excited about the party.  She took a bath and got all dressed up, but as she sat down on the couch, she leaned over, saying she just didn’t think she could sit up.  As I looked at her, her eyes said it all….she really was in no condition to go to a party.

I talked to Michelle and told her she had better stay home.  She went outside for a little while, making a noble effort to wish herself well, but it just was not to be.  She came inside and eventually walked upstairs, looking quite forlorn.  I felt so bad for her,  but the weather was chilly and drizzly.  I really could not imagine a party being very much fun in those conditions, particularly when on isn’t feeling well.

Mark and Ben and I went on to Canandaigua, leaving Michelle home with Murphy.  I called to make sure she was okay.  She hasn’t had much of a fever, if any, but she is just feeling terribly run down.  When I called, she asked us to bring her home a meal from Arby’s.  They have a new (insanely!) hot chicken sandwich that Mark had coupons for. I asked Michelle if she really likes ultra-hot and she said it might chase away any of the bad germs!

While we were at Arby’s earlier, we had some fun with a flock of ducks that had waddled their way over to the truck to beg for goodies.  I don’t make it a habit of feeding them fries, but they were such beggars, I could not resist!

I suppose I could spend hours with ducks…they are so cute and these appeared to be tame.  They kept coming around and making their little duck noises, making it impossible to ignore them!

One of our stops was Wegman’s, and as we were pulling into the parking lot,  an ultralite passed by overhead!

When we left home, it was cool and drizzling rain on and off.  When we got to Canandaigua, it was beginning to clear and the sky would eventually end up rather blue, as you can see above.  I had also spotted a hot air balloon off in the distance, but it was so far away, the little Canon would never catch it.

As we were ready to go back home, the sky was clouding up all over again.  It was beautiful, while it lasted!

Today, I went shopping for groceries.  I have not done that in ages.  It is so hard to find time to get to the store!  We are always rushing here or there, making it hard to shop.  I really need to concentrate when I shop and going in and out of stores in a hurry just makes it hard!

So, today, I took a little time.  And, afterward, I took just a few pictures by the lake…

Whether the sunshine or the fact it was Friday…doesn’t matter….folks just seemed so chipper today!

Okay. Enough of the silliness.  I had stated in the previous post that I would see if there were any good photos on the little Canon camera.  I thought there were some good ones there, so here they are….

There you have it!  (How was that for a little self-tour without my narration?)  The reason for two cameras is simple.  The Nikon had a big, heavy telephoto lens on it.  (the lens alone weighs in at about 3.5 pounds)  This is great for shots from a distance…works great for that.  However, sometimes I want a wide angle on things, like the photos taken on the village green above.  The Canon not only fullfills that role, but it also does a great job of portraits and closeups. (Like the sweet little sheep face in the fence rails)

Late yesterday afternoon,  Mark and I drove to Canandaigua.  We had had a few downpours and Mark said he didn’t see any more storms headed our way…so we slipped out for just a little ride. (and an opportunity to take more photos!) When we got to Canandaigua,  I asked Mark to drop me off on the pier.  I would walk my way back to the truck and hopefully get some photos along the way!

Right after Mark let me off, I began taking photos and walking around.  I love these times…it is great to get to stretch my legs and get photo ops, all at the same time!  The only problem was,  I had only gone a short distance when the skies began to really threaten.  It got so dark!  I didn’t take my camera bag out of the truck, so it was just me and the camera.  If the rain started, I was going to have to hoof it for shelter….I didn’t have a jacket or anything that could protect my camera!

Shortly after hopping out of the truck,  I was greeted by this (adorable, happy, amazing!) face…

Look at the sky changing colors and how the clouds have transformed into angry, dark clouds!

This storm was moving in from the northwest and if one looked in that direction, it was scary!

Scary….yet, as I was about to snap the shutter,  a small streak of sunlight shone down on the walkway between boathouses!

Looking toward the west, one could see nothing more than foreboding skies with brighter skies rimming the dark clouds. Talk about a power struggle!

Even the lights on the pier seemed to come on prematurely.

I walked….rather briskly….hoping I wasn’t going to get caught in a downpour.  It was okay as at this point, there wasn’t a whole lot more to photograph.  As I walked along Lakeshore Drive, I looked to the south and saw nothing but big, puffy, white…harmless clouds!

I made it to the truck and then the wind began to blow like crazy.  Thankfully, the camera…and I….were safe!

Well, I tried to make the best of it today.  Mark and I went to Canandaigua this afternoon, so I got a couple of pictures there, too.  So, I will just let the photos do the talking….it is too hot to talk!

And there you have it!  It is 11:24pm and for the first time today, I am feeling comfortable.  That is because I took a cool bath and am lying down with the fan blowing on me!  If I didn’t know better,  I would think we are living in Florida!

Keep cool!!!

We had some banking to do in Canandaigua, so when the kids said they wanted to meet some of their friends there, Mark said sure.  We were off and on our way.  I guess it didn’t matter when the rain came…the kids met their friends and didn’t mind. 

While the kids were playing baseball,  Mark, the Scottie boys, and I did our errands. First stop…the bank.  Now, Angus is a pretty smart little fellow.  Show him something a time or two, and, by golly, he has figured things out. So, when we pulled into the drive up teller, Angus hopped up on Mark’s lap to “present” himself to the teller.  Since we were not at the teller’s window, Angus knew he needed to hop up so the girl would see him.

Just as sure as sure can be, Murphy sensed Angus’ excitement and he popped up in the rear window.  Of course, two Scottie Dogs with their heads hanging out the windows of a vehicle would be very hard to miss seeing! The spot where we pulled in has one of those air operated tubes that one places their banking inside a little container and the air sucks it up and then returns it when the teller is done.  Angus. knows. this.

Mark said he is pretty sure Angus doesn’t understand the logistics of banking, but he is sure the lad knows where cookies come from!  Sure enough,  the air noise began, and Angus grew tense with anticipation. As the little container made its way to our truck, Angus watched it, then impatiently waited for Mark to open it up. 

Angus stares down at the wonderful cookie machine!

Eureka!  Angus and Murphy both began dancing with delight as the scent of the treat permeated the truck’s interior…

After the exciting trip to the bank, we went to a couple of stores. Afterwards, I was hungry for an ice cream cone! Mark drove over to Abbott’s and then we pulled around to the back of the store while I ate. 

Over to our right, there was a huge pond puddle behind Denny’s Restaurant.  We watched as several ducks romped about, swimming in the water.  There were two pairs of  Mallard adults and eight ducklings that were probably about three-fourths the size of the adults….teens, I suppose!

As soon as I finished eating my cone,  I hopped out (into the rain, no less!) of the truck and grabbed my little bucket of cracked corn. Walking over toward the flock,  I was thinking they might just disperse.  I stopped a good distance away and pried the lid off the top of the bucket.  Grabbing a handful of corn,  I pitched it out in front of me, and the little waterfowl rushed toward me with wreckless abandon,  as though they had not been fed in ages!

Those ducklings sure were cute and even ate right out of my hand.  I fed them a lot of corn, then went and sat with Mark in the pickup.  The ducklings grazed and ate, then headed to yet another puddle where they dipped up and down in the water, splashing their little bodies and preening themselves.  It was so delightful to see.  Mama Duck stayed right with her children and would peck at any other ducks that wandered too near her “chidlren”. Within a few minutes, the whole brood was once again grazing where I had fed them….then back to the puddle to clean up!

Mark and I came to the conclusion these ducks were far from complaining about the weather…Instead, they were loving every minute of it!

I thought I would show you a couple more photos….

I love this new "face" that just showed up this morning!

I was feeling a tad better yesterday, so when the kids went to a party down in Naples,  I went along for the ride. Mark needed to pick up some parts to fix the Explorer and since the Advance Auto in Canandaigua didn’t have some of the needed items, he decided to ride on down to Dansville where they were available.  I felt up to the ride, so we dropped the kids off and were on our way.

As an aside, the party they were attending was for a friend they met years ago. He was also homeschooled and began taking college classes at age eleven!  He began attending college full time while still young, and now at the ripe old age of eighteen, (he is a month younger than Michelle) he holds a  Bachelor’s Degree in communications!  Wow. At the age when many kids are just graduating from high school, he is now done with four years of college!

Well, then, Mark and I made it to Dansville and I asked if I could grab something to eat at Arby’s.  I haven’t been very hungry while being sick,  so my poor stomach has shrunken a good deal.   I got some chicken tenders, fries, and a Pepsi.  I ate two pieces of chicken and maybe half of the fries.  The Pepsi  tasted so good….while out, I felt like I was burning up and I wondered if I had a fever.  When we passed a business with one of those big signs with the temperature displayed, it said 91.  I guess that would account for my (great!) discomfort.

These flags were flying outside Arby’s.

There was a lot of little airplane activity in the sky above us, but the new compact camera only has four times zoom, so any shots might be useless!

After eating, we drove over and parked under a great shade tree and Mark got online and ordered the parts he needed.  He discovered that if he ordered online, a generous 40% could be taken off the price of parts!  Because the coupon offers required that you spend  $50,  $75,  $85, or $100,  Mark had to submit four different orders, as well as an online one that will deliver the parts to our house.  He basically got $700 worth of parts for less than $400!  Being very mechanically inclined, Mark doesn’t feel the least bit nervous about doing auto repairs!  Of course, he won’t do the work himself, but Ben will probably learn a lot!  I still shudder just thinking about taking a vehicle apart!

We picked the kids up after getting all our parts and then came home.  I was exhausted even not really doing anything strenuous!

Today, we weren’t sure about what we were going to do since I am still unsure about feeling 100%. We wound up just spending the day lying low.  We went out late this afternoon and I picked up a few groceries…mainly lemonade and tea…I have been so much more thirsty than hungry throughout this “bug”.  Afterwards, Mark and Ben went into WalMart for quite a long time!

When they finally came back out, Ben was so excited. Mark bought him a new baseball bat, glove, and ball. He has been enjoying hitting a ball with friends, and his old bat is far too small!  After Ben and Michelle ate, Ben asked if we would drove on over to one of the FlCC fields so he and Michelle could hit the ball together.

Mark, the Scotties, and I sat in the truck, watching the kids.  Both of the kids are pretty good at giving the ball a good whack! We were impressed.  When Mark whistled out the window,  Angus got so excited, he held his nose straight up to the sky and began to join in with “arooooooo”!

That was quite the experience! Of course, Murphy was not the least bit impressed!

The sky above us was so pretty!

The roof of the building in the lower right hand corner (rounded roof) is the CMAC center where many artists (even well-known!) perform.  As we sat and watched, the sky got prettier….

and prettier…

and on the way home, I had to holler “Stop” to Mark!….so I could get this….

Quite the lovely ending to Father’s Day, 2011!

The kids finished their last classes at FLCC for this semester.  For Michelle, this also closes a chapter in her life story.  She has now completed two years at Finger Lakes Community College,  although she will be taking three online courses this summer so she will receive an Associates in Applied Science Degree before beginning classes at Rochester Institute of Technology. She was a bit nervous about her grades as she wasn’t sure she would get an A in Micro Economics. Today, though, she received the good news she did indeed get an A.  She was thrilled, as she completes this semester with a 4.0 average.  Ben also looks like he is going to get an A in his class he took this semester as well.  We are so happy for both kids.  Although we have had some pretty stressful Tuesdays and Thursdays rushing to get out the door on time, it seems like the time flew by.  The kids think so, too!

We have been so busy taking the kids places the past couple of weeks.  It seems like they have a list of constant social engagements!  Mark and I really don’t mind taking the kids places,  as we find this allows us some time to kick back and relax!  The kids also have friends over an evening every week.  This is a bonus for me, as they scurry about, cleaning and putting things away.  That lessens my load!

We have been getting rain. And more rain. And even more rain!  I am not complaining, but it really is adding up!  The lake remains swollen and looks like it will take some time before it recedes.

After my little Panasonic camera took a tumble down into a ravine a few weeks ago,  I was a little heartbroken, as I missed my little point and shoot.  Well, Mark tried to fix that camera,  but it was just to no avail.  The camera is history.  Mark realized I really missed it, so he bought me another Panasonic camera.  This newer model was supposed to be great,  but after shooting in several different conditions, I was not impressed.  More like “de” pressed!   This sent Mark into deep research mode, looking for a high quality replacement. 

Mark’s saga found him turning to Ken Rockwell. Mark looked under his recommendation for the “world’s best point and shoot pocket camera” and saw the Canon S95. He then began looking for one of these models to no avail. One day,  we went to Best Buy, looking for something entirely different,  when Mark said we should check out the cameras.  Amazingly (and totally not showing up in the store’s inventory on the computers, as Mark had already checked) we saw one Canon S95. Naturally, we grabbed it.  I have been using this camera for my photos since May 5th and  I am still shaking my head in disbelief  that such a small camera could compete with images taken from my Nikon D-90. 

Yesterday, I joined a community (site)  that originates from Scotland after inquiring about it from a friend in Scotland who uses it.  The gist of this site is that you can only submit a photo you took on the day it is published and you may submit only one photo per day.  I have been looking for just such a challenge for some time now, as I love honing my skills and taking a bit of a more critical look at the world around me in an artistic light.  Grabbing at subjects becomes second nature and makes life more appealing and vibrant!

Today, I felt at such a loss when it came to shooting photos.  Taking an electronic device out into drizzling wet, damp weather could mean the recipe for a disaster!  I did sling my tiny camera bag over my shoulder “just in case” .

After picking the kids up from school this afternoon,  we took a (much needed on my behalf!) trip to Waterloo to shop at the outlet mall there. Mark set up his computer and, being in the good company of Angus and Murphy, said to take my time shopping.  Now, realize I rarely ever shop.  Sincerely,  I buy few clothes and wear them until they are pretty much useless! This past winter,  I  finally discarded a beautiful plaid jumper I had purchased at a Salvation Army Store for $4.99.  I wore that jumper for seven years, over and over again, until it had a few holes in it and was nearly threadbare in some areas. So, for me to go shopping at a real store is quite unusual.  (I have shopped a few times for clothing for a special occasion, though)

As I hopped out of the truck,  I did take along the tiny Canon camera. I walked the entire perimeter of the mall (quite a nice hike, methinks!) and even found some things to photograph! I did buy a pair of sneakers and when I stopped at Coldwater Creek, I found a skirt, blouse, and a beautiful tee shirt. 

When we got home,  I had to sort through my photos and find one that I really liked and wanted to share for my journal.  I was disappointed that my choices would be limited,  but was surprised by what I saw on the SD card! And so, I will share a few photos from today.

I took this photo before we left to take the kids to Canandaigua this morning.  I love the way it turned out with the fog in the background, making the leaves even more exciting, but I wish I would have been more careful not to capture the side of the garage. These are leaves coming out on the Shagbark Hickory tree.  I love the way the outer “shell” rolls back and exposes the cluster of leaves in the center, looking like hands clasped together.  At this ‘point,  they remind me of drawings I have seen of candles hung on Christmas trees before electricity was a mainstay in homes.  The candles were placed in little “cups” and clipped onto tree branches.

After dropping the kids off at school,  Mark and I went over to Lowe’s.  I wanted to look at some things,  so Mark pulled out his small travler guitar and began strumming  away.  He connects the guitar to the sound system in the truck and his music issues forth through the speakers!

Having  no one else with me,  I got to really look over all kinds of goodies in the store.  It sure was fun.  After looking at lots of building materials and lights and all sorts of other things, I went outside to look at fountains and flowers. These New Guinea Impatiens were so beautiful and had just received a good watering via Mother Nature!

After I returned to Mark and the Scottie boys in the truck,  we passed some time just talking and waiting for the kids to call us when they were done. After we picked them up, we were off to the outlet mall.

I was originally looking for a sundress or two.  It became evident within a short period of time Iwasn’t going to find anything Iwas looking for. All the dresses are such bold colors and I just didn’t like anything I saw.  Also, the lengths of the dresses were so short! I  have never liked short dresses and these remind me of what one wears on a wee baby….short dresses with tights!  Ugh!  Oh well, that didn’t phase my intent to look inside several stores and walk the perimeter of the mall.

As I walked along,  there were areas where the sweetest “perfume” seemed to be pouring out.  As I halted my brisk pace,  I spotted the source!

I only wish  I could send along a sample of their scent….

There were many kiddie rides with different themes located throughout the shopping areas.  I saw some Mickey Mouse,  Sesame Street,  but most of all……

The rides were all shiny and sparkling clean, power-washed by (once again!) Mother Nature.  It seemed so sad seeing them sitting idle,  but kids would need some serious rain gear today!

I got back to Mark and the Scotties before the kids.  So we waited…

When the kids came back,  Angus was very happy.  So was Michelle!

As you can see,  the image quality of this little Canon camera is awesome!  The only problem, though,  is this camera is made in Japan. Because of that,  it is nearly impossible to find one.  We have discovered that some auto manufacturers here in the US have closed some production because they cannot get parts because they are made in Japan.  Many Japanese companies remain down because of insufficient electricity to run them.  Forget seeing any of the new cameras and gadgets recently introduced.  I read that some autos shipped to the US from Japan had higher than safe levels of radioactivity.  I am thinking this terrible earthquake and resulting tsunami might cost the entire world some inconvenience and maybe even some jobs….at least for a time.