Here are a couple of more photos from the trip to the Amish country. Just to let you know I also have been working on learning how to use photoshop elements 6 so I have original (cropped)and effects.

 barn_and_silo    Original

 barn_and_silo Orton

 DSC_2069_edited_1  Original (cropped)

 momand_colt_blur  (background blur)

This is a photo I did an the way home and messed around with on photoshop

 DSC_2254   original

 DSC_2254_edited_1

One more...

 hay_feilds_and_  beyond Paper and sepia effect

Thanks for looking. ;)

 We took Jaryd back to Turkey Run last weekend and had a great time though I didn't get many worthy pics, except of Jaryd!  I also almost didn't make it back up the 70 steps from the creek.

The Rock The sun was just starting to get into the creek canyon. 

Throwin' Rocks You can see grandma's shadow as she hovers nearby.

Wet Feet Grandma wasn't watching!

Bright, Sun, Bright!   He wouldn't look up just said "sun bright sun"!
 

Well, I guess I'll fess up since people have been asking.  I haven't spent a lot of time here, or anywhere for that matter, for about a month or so.  The reason is that about a month ago during a routine physical they discovered what appeared to be a mass on my lung.  Last week I went to Indy to get a cat scan which confirmed that I had a mass about the size of a golf ball.  They haven't determined yet if it's malignant or not but they will probably end up removing at least part of the lung as it is appears to be impairing my breathing. I may have to change my username to onelunglo soon.
So, I haven't been online much just spending time with the grandbabies.  It just seems like most of my shots lately are crap and I don't know if it's a lack of concentration, a change of priorities, or what.  I'm working on it though.  Barb is taking it worse than me but our spirits are high and we are fine, except she threatens to kick my ass every time I make a joke.  But that's normal.
I've been trying to use the condition to get sympathy sex or gifts but so far no luck!  I did get a couple hugs and I think there might have been some slight grinding with one of them... but he denied it later.

  This was the only shot I took.  It seemed odd only importing one image into Lightroom.  I waited for the stupid geese to get higher in the frame but when I stopped on the bridge to shoot they turned around and came back...must of thought it was feeding time.  

My post is of the fall colors. I and my kids took a road trip two weeks ago to see the fall leaves. it was a great day.
feilds_of_color2
feild_of_color_again
feild_of_color_some_
water_and_trees
water_plant2 trees
the sun was picasa_ray_of_light over the fields.
And i could not resist stoping to take pictures of the_tree_amegos
donkey here_i_come

I was going to put this in my last post but left it out somehow.
Arizona Cactus

BW

Color

I am new to this any feedback would be great. I have enjoyed looking at everyones photos and just signed up. Any feedback would be great. ThanksNatural Bridge I am new to this any feedback would be great. I have enjoyed looking at everyones photos and just signed up. Any feedback would be great. Thanks

Garden in Indy

This was a 6 day trip started in MI and ended up in SD, WY, CO. enjoyed this trip. We went to the Badlands the first day. The next morning we drove by MT Rushmore, Crazy Horse the to Custer State Park the drove to Devil's Tower then Made it to the CO. to the Rockies State Park. Nutcracker Enjoying the sun Badlands Rams on the Hill Elk Grazing This was a 6 day trip started in MI and ended up in SD, WY, CO. enjoyed this trip. We went to the Badlands the first day. The next morning we drove by MT Rushmore, Crazy Horse the to Custer State Park the drove to Devil's Tower then Made it to the CO. to the Rockies State Park. Nutcracker Enjoying the sun Badlands Rams on the Hill

We where on a road trip left MI made it to SD in 10 hrs. Then we got up early one morning and headed to Custer State Park. With the time difference we were able to see more animals out. We drove by a hill and there they were sitting there.Rams on the Hill

Butterfly in the Teton Mountains.

Flowers after  the rain.  

Pine trees after the rain.

Pinecone.

This may not be the best shot you've seen, but the subject matter is difficult to work with, and I was unable to get it moved to a setting with better lighting.

I issued a challenge to my husband - each time he requested a visit to a rest area, he had to take one intresting picture.  This was one of the only stops we made.  :)

This was the general attitude of my Furbis when we arrived home... apparently, we did wrong by him.

Shortly after returning, I was asked by a friend if I would take some photos of her and her new fiance.

Beans and weeds.
Sun tracks.
Fade out.
Barn minus owl. I didn't see the owl perched on the peak of the roof till I stopped and he flew off. Not enough time to switch lenses... you can see him headed for the trees in the lower left of frame.
  These were all taken with the 14-70mmL handheld, or propped on the window, from the safety of the car.

  Picked Barb up at work so she could go with us to the playground.  Naturally, she wore all black to make this b&w thing as hard as possible.
Got it made. Chauffered and eating a cookie.
Hey, babe! Liked to swing but more interested in the girl in the next swing.
Escape tunnel.  Running from his grandma!  He was moving almost too fast for me to catch!
Where's Jaryd?  The end.

  A side note:  If you think that eventually I'll get tired of shooting Jaryd and you'll be spared all the baby pics...think again.  We found out last night that Jaryd is getting a cousin.  My other son and his wife informed us that they are expecting.  It was a surprise for them too as they were going to wait till they were both done with school and financially stable but life has a way of screwing with your plans.

When your rooster crows at the break of dawn.
Repossessed
Ahole Bridge
Patriotic Rectangles
Flower
You ain't goin' nowhere.
Just Jawin'

Buck 1.
Buck 2.
Butter 1.
Butter 3.
Butter 4.
Butter 5.
Ol' Ford.
Huh? Your guess is as good as mine!

Portrait of Wrigley. Not a car shot. 8o)

Jaryd had his first encounter with spaghetti!  Snapshot warning.
Zen of spaghetti.
Satisfied customer.

Our journey began with Jana giving my special book, which was more like a keepsake box. Her plan was detailed in a smaller book that was artfully produced with all the love and creativity she could muster. She jump started my day at Starbucks and with a triple shot of caffeine in my system I was ready for our day of memories.

Several miles down the road, I got a first peek at the days events. She found a website that gives photographers a random list of 26 things to capture. Instantly we both started brainstorming on all sorts of ways we could combine 2 or even 3 of the ideas together. Creative minds love to wander down roads that seem to go nowhere to others, but somehow make sense to their owners. As we approached a bridge, I thought of the word transport, I also thought about the differing lines on the bridge. Quicker than the speeding traffic my mind wandered down scattered thoughts on lines. A straight line is the shortest distance between 2 points. But is it the best route to take. In life it is easy to become focused on the end result. Making it to the top, making it to retirement, getting married, and getting a house, getting a better house. Everything seems to center on where you end up, not as much on how you got there. This day caused me to think about the process, the trip itself, and all the moments we would share. It made me appreciate the not so straight lines, perhaps life’s little surprises, which can add so much to one’s life.

ur first stop was at Texas Xtreme Choppers, passing by a Fire Station and then ending up at a Boardwalk in Kemah. We visited shops such as Thomas Kinkade where we picked up a nice night light and a Christmas shop where we just picked up some cool pictures. Magical places where a princess feels at home with Kings and Princes and you believe anything is possible. We took a break from the shops to get our picturetaken. Jana makes even sitting for a picture a fun experience.

Soon we worked up an appetite and went to the Aquarium restaurant where Jana did a rather impressive fish imitation. There were several photo opportunities with fountains all around us. But the coolest place to be was the cool zone. I had no doubt that to find the true definition of the word “glee” I would have to do nothing more than sit near the water spray and wait for a kid to arrive. While some were a tad apprehensive, others got lost in the fun of the moment. On the other side of the boardwalk, kids young and old alike were thrilled by the rides. Jana had planned a ride on the ferris wheel wheel. Other tamer rides were fun to capture and even got me my stripes picture I needed.

We found time to reflect on all the little things that make a moment great. That was her plan after all; to go on a treasure hunt of mementos and memories. I found other neat photos of means of transportation (that one of the jo’s might be familiar with) and got an ant's eye view of another overhead. Another little piece of transportation seemed more likely to be appreciated by Mrs. N unless of course she was with one of the Jo’s. telephone was rather easy to find, and we found a copy of the Osbourne family.

The day was still young so Jana and I decided to venture over to Galveston Island. We found little treasures like Kerry our adopted sea turtle. Jana is quite the bargain hunter, and always on the side of the underdog. So while at a gift shop she had me pick one of the wounded animals for adoption. She picked Elle, a 3 legged elephant, while I chose Hip, a 1 eared hippo. We stopped and picked up picnic supplies and went down to the beach. I found a neat statue that fit the art category Another neat picture was a couple walking by the sea (ok you perfectionist, I know it’s a gulf, but lets not get picky). The sunset was beautiful, a capstone to a perfect day.

After all was said and done, we had filled our box with little mementos of the day, and our heart with memories of each moment. During the day I got lost once, side tracked many times, didn’t get some of the pictures I would have wanted to, and never really counted to see if I got all 26 of the categories. In the end, it wasn’t about the lists; it was about the trip, and who I was spending the day with. It was about enjoying the simple things, and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.

I feel blessed to have a daughter that loves me so much to do all this for me. I feel with deepest conviction that the fastest way through life bypasses many of the things that make up the importance of life. My encouragement to others is to slow down the frantic pace, and enjoy a moment. If you’re stuck in traffic, find a tune you love and let your spirit dance. Whatever it takes, find ways to make memories that will trace the paths your life course will take. It is more than getting there… make sure you enjoy the trip.

jeffrey