Black Eyed Susans

A cool front finally came through, and the high was only 85 (29C) yesterday. It might get hot again, but we should be done with 100 (38C) degree days. This shot made me think of the end of summer. School has started and we have a football game tonight, so fall activities are here!

Flower

Taken in the Hosta gardent at Close Memorial Park.

Evening at the Lake

Taken at the lake in Close Memorial Park.

Too Hot!

It's been so hot lately that I don't go outside unless I have to. I had not been to Nathaneal Greene Park in a while, and when I went Sunday I noticed the flowers looked stressed by the heat also. I am ready for fall weather! (Our first high school football game is this Friday, so fall will begin even if it still feels like summer!)

Coleus

Yesterday I got a Rebel 400 XTi and a "real" tripod for my birthday (and Christmas, Mother's Day and my next birthday!) I had to go try them out at Nathaneal Greene Park. I think the photos come out a little sharper, even though that might not show up after making them smaller for the blog.

In Case of Fire

Downtown Church

I'm not sure what church this is, but this was the view from the MSU building on McDaniel Street. (Maybe Mike knows!)

The Creek

There really is a creek at Wilson's Creek, but I haven't found a place to get a good shot of it yet. Maybe I will explore more when it is cooler.

Fence

This is the fence near the Ray House at Wilson's Creek. I finally finished what I am going to submit for the calendar! Now I need to start working on my Day of Caring shots.

The Colors of Morning

Another sunrise shot at Wilson's Creek. I don't see the sunrise very often!

Corn on a Cloudless Morning

OK--the title is lame. I have been working on Wilson's Creek shots most of the morning and I am tired of looking at them. I have a lot more to go through by the end of the month, so a few more might get posted. We (my camera club) were only given two months to take shots for the 2008 calendar. I hope we do it again next year so that we can go during all four seasons.

Ready for Battle

Another shot at Wilson's Creek. There are not usually canons at this house, but they were there for the reenactment. Mike is better at telling the history, so I will just let the photo tell the story. I will be glad when the calendar project is finished!

Marigolds

I have not been inspired this last week. It has been so hot that I have stayed indoors as much as possilbe. I spotted these flowers while I was shooting for the Day of Caring. (Thankfully, it has finally gotten a little cooler.)

Day of Caring Reflections

I was one of the photographers at the United Way Day of Caring this week. I just happened to glance up and noticed the reflection. The Day of Caring is where volunteers provide services for agencies supported by the United Way. Projects where I was shooting ncluded painting, yard work, sorting and organizing Christmas bows, and repairing outdoor furniture and a foot bridge. It looked much nicer by the end of the day.

Spoked

It was getting late and I didn't have anything to post for today, so this is a quick shot of my son's bicycle. I still don't have my Wilson's Creek shots ready to submit for the calendar project, and I don't have anything ready for my camera club competition. All need to be finished by next Thursday!

A Flower

I'm not sure what kind of flower this is, or even if I really like this shot. I took it around 1:30 in bright sunlight. I didn't have my tripod and there was a slight breeze, so there is not much detail.

Corn

One of the corn fields at Wilson's Creek. A little brown thanks to a hot, dry month.

Bridge over Wilson's Creek

I have posted a few shots of this bridge, but this is one of my favorites. The shots for my camera club's calendar project are due next Thursday, so I might include a few more before then. I would like to explore the entire park but it has been 100 degrees F all week and I hate being outside.

Civil War

Certainly an oxymoron!
I was surprised we had fog as our temperatures have been hovering around 100 and only cooling to about 72 at night. It really added to the atmosphere of the battleground though.

Wilson's Creek

Foggy Morning

Wilson's Creek again. Another 5:15 AM shoot. The sunrise wasn't great, but we did have some fog.

A Bad Photo for a Bad Day

When I started this blog, I promised myself I would never post a shot just to have something to post, but I am breaking that promise today. I'm tired, and the house seems too empty today. One son is with a friend, my husband and other son are working, and the student we were hosting is in California. The price of fun is the return to reality, and I think it will take me a few days to readjust!

A Sad Good Bye

If you have been following my blog, you know my family has been hosting a student from Japan. We went to a Sayanora party for all the host families last night, and then to the airport this morning to see the group off. The first shot is of the plane going to the gate, and the second was shot after everyone was on board. Saying good bye was VERY hard. It is amazing how close you can get to somebody after only five days.

My family and I had a wonderful time sharing our hearts and home, as well as our food, scenery and culture. We tried to show what life is like in Missouri, and at the same time we learned more about Japan. (I am shedding a few tears as I type!) We are hoping to go to Japan next year and see each other again, but a year is a long time!

Window

We and another family took our Japanese students to Wilson's Creek. We didn't have much time, but did get to see this house, a couple of canons and some of the corn plants. This shot reminds me of the visit, as it opens windows to new thoughts and ideas.

The Session is Over

The Japanese students went ice skating on Monday, and I took this as they were leaving.

Open Spaces

We stopped at a small restaurant on our way to Branson yesterday, and this was the view behind it. The Japanese students have all commented about how much space there is here, something that we take for granted.

Visiting the US

We are hosting a Japanese student for five nights. We have a Sister City program with Isesaki, and take turns visiting the cities. This year they sent a group to Springfield. We and two other host families went to the fish hatchery and dam on Table Rock Lake near Branson. We have all had a lot of fun and learned about each others' culture.

A Quick Post

I don't have much time today, so I am just posting a quick shot of a bridge at Wilson's Creek Battlefield. Have a good weekend!

Wilson's Creek Battlefield

Another shot at Wilson's Creek.

Bottles

This was taken inside Zio's Restaurant. I didn't have my camera, so I borrowed my son's girlfriend's Sony Cybershot. I felt silly standing there taking shots of the windows, but I just love the colors. (They have 2 windows like this, and the light was better at the other window, but those shots didn't come out as good.) The food was delicious, for those who are wondering! There is a shot of the sky from the parking lot on my Photo a Week blog.

Fire Escape

Cheating a little and using a shot from July 15. I don't usually go that far back, but the flower challenge kept me busy and I never got around to processing the rest of my downtown field trip shots. This was taken from the third floor of a parking garage.