So, I've been MIA for awhile.  Busy at work and in the offtime (when I have it) working on a project. Sifting through trip photos for shots to use in a DVD for family (maybe friends) who actually want to see my photos.  Yes, I'm reinventing the dreaded vacation slide show!

Thought some might like to see what I've done so far from my Roman Holiday a few mos back.

Golden Light
 Ghosts o the Past
 Arches - A repeating theme
 Along the Tiber
Let there be light
 Light Departs

And a couple of non-Rome variety:

 A Past Remembered
 Touch The Sky

Could I give up any more on titles?  Could we have a random title generator?

At least then people might be amused by what I put there!

Just Two shots I want to share right now and had time to post.

The famous Oculus - from the Pantheon - Rome Jan '06

City in Reflection - a tad late for the reflections theme to say the least but it presented itself this weekend.

Although I submitted a few entries to the current challenge, it was half-hearted.  Nothing had really grabbed me.  I don't know if I was just missing inspiration or if it's because not only do I live in suburbia, it's a suburbia with tight sign restrictions.  Or maybe both?!?

Anyway, today I was out enjoying the freedom to just be out taking photos and was in Atlanta's historic Oakland cemetery, when it hit me I was surrounded by text.  Okay, maybe I'm stretching the sign thing a bit, but all around me are signs that we leave behind of our lives... I'll stop justifying my selection now and just get on with it...

To many, cemeteries are sacred places where we honor our  loved ones. The universal truths are revealed here.  And if you look around you, all the roles one may inhabit in their lives are recorded.

Mother   - Father

Husband - Wife

Daughter - son

Brother   - Sister

They are also testaments to our emotions.

Heart                     -  Grief
Memory Kept Alive  -  Serenity

No matter the plan for your mortal remains, life's one certainty is that    you will also one day be at rest.  Hope this presentation is not too morbid for some, but that was not the intention.  I found what were the most powerful signs to me.

Oh, and the most touching thing I may have seen was the source of the me graphic above this group of stones where the last to go in this family (back row - not a great shot), in her own irony, labeled herself.

I meandered all over today with no set direction or place to go and found myself driving up to the top of Brasstown Bald - Georgia's highest spot.  I got several pics I liked but my choice of the lot is:

On Earth as it is in Heaven

On the way back, I saw this old house tumbling down and bathed in sunlight and had to stop.  

Come and Sit a Spell
 Color
or
B&W

who can think of one...

A Few from the weekend...

Another sign - of sorts - this one tells a story of a place as the locals remember it.

Don't You Hear The Whistle Blowing

 Out of Gas

are simply informational, imparting information about where you are even if you're riding the rails.  

Still looking for some more and working on going through the weekend's shots.  But I wanted to make sure I at least got an entry in for the latest challenge.

I was home (middle Georgia) for an extended weekend (Dentist appt - whee).  I had some time yesterday to roam the roads, and despite the fact it was below freezing a couple of times over the weekend, farmers were out plowing their fields and I finally had a sense that spring is here.

A few more from the weekend and then you're safe from enduring any more.

Old Doors

 An Attempt at abstract but kinda flat - a loss or some PS suggestions?

 Times Past
 Tread Lightly These steps are ghosts of old times.

Thanks always for the comments, suggestions, etc.

Yesterday, Kay pondered what theold depot I posted would look like in black and white. So, I made a couple of non-color attempts.

 B&W
 Sepia

And one new shot from a small town.  These really hit me because someone somewhere once called this place home, not his building per se, but the place it inhabited in the past.  And now only brick and memories remain.

You Can't Go Home

Another Train Depot - this one in downtown Augusta - no longer in use, even the tracks are gone but massive and classic.

Lost Views

 Yin and Yang, Life and Death - a scene from the old city cemetery

 Heaven's Storms - another from the same cemetery - the clouds were really interesting that day.  

Sunday found me wandering the byways of West Georgia towards Augusta.  Checking out the small towns (many dying) along the way.  I haven't had time to look through everything, but this is my favorite.

Jesus Saves

Just a few...

One from Rome - it's nothing major.  The Pantheon is behind me, but this image is what I remember of Rome outside of the ancient monuments.


Several days ago, I shared a few B&W - here's some color from the same morning.

 Relics II
 Primary Colors

So, there's some color starting to pop up here, but there's still a lot of winter gray around.  But finally having a moment to breath, I took the camera out Sunday morning.  

Before the pictures, a story I think you'll find amusing.  I'm sitting there trying to focus on something up close and I keep seeing dust on my lens.  I get out the cloth and duster and meticulously clean the lens, over and over.  I even took off the UV filter and cleaned under it when al else failed.  I was getting pretty frustrated when I noticed the dust was on my glasses...  

Cool Lines
 Color And Drab - I didn't know the theme yet, but I guess this might fit.
 Relics

I was driving back to the Atlanta area this afternoon and decided since it was about sunset, I could get some good light in Macon if I stopped for a bit. I've been meaning to anyway and since the new challenge is architecture, why not.  

What I wanted to go there for was the most disappointing.  Turns out morning light would suite The Hay House better.  This Italianate design mansion is supposed to be unique for Antebellum homes in the south.  The couple who had it built went to Italy for their honeymoon - hence the design.  I'll be back some morning.

But I did wander around downtown for a bit.  I found one nicely restored bit of  Victorian architecture and the lines and lighting of this just appealed to me.

I'll look out for more.

So, it's poured rain all day and I wanted to take some pictures.  I resorted to wandering around my parent's house this afternoon (which is around 90 years old) and photographed various things, doorknobs, cats, anything and everything.  But only one picture seemed worth sharing.

Now, back to checking out the work of others.   :-)