Patterns are everywhere.
I was planning something totally different for this challenge. I was going to go take the photograph for this challenge right after I finished baking the cookies.
Delicious patterns
And then I realized I didn’t have to go anywhere.
This is part of the ceiling of a concert hall inside the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor Michigan. We were there last night listening to the Ann Arbor Symphony. It was another magical night.
I don’t have much that is ornate here at home, but there’s a lot out there in the world that fits that description. You can see other interpretations of ‘ornate’ at the original post. And you can see a few of my favorites (so far), here, here and here.
Share a little bit of the ornateness in your life; link your post to the WordPress challenge so we can all see. I look forward to it!
A photo from our recent DC trip seems to fit Cee’s challenge. While we were there we walked in a lot of hallways. Many of them were highly polished with white marble floors and walls. But the hallways I found most interesting were those below the Senate buildings, those with the exposed pipes, original brick walls and polished concrete floors. The hallways not meant to impress.
Below the Senate.
Sticking with a trend here, when I saw this week’s photo challenge I knew what I had to show you.
Be careful.
In the eleven years that I’ve worked with the Truck Safety Coalition I’ve learned a lot about big trucks. But perhaps the most important thing I’ve learned is that as a driver in a passenger car we all need to stay vigilant. Put your phones away. Stay focused.
Don’t do stupid things like cut in front of trucks, pass on the right side of trucks, or take very long to pass them on the left. Don’t tailgate them, they can’t see you back there, and you can’t see ahead. Stay as far away from big trucks as you can. And try not to be the last car in a line of cars stopped in traffic.
My message this week is the same as it is every single day.
Be careful around big trucks.
Dangerous things.
(You can click on an image and view them all larger)
Sunday afternoon stroll.
So this morning I headed out into the October sunlight and visited one of my favorite places – the place where I always find something beautiful to photograph – Kensington Metro Park. My plan was to head out on the nature trails and see what I could see, but I was sucked into the incredible beauty along the bike path that circles the main lake so I stopped and walked there for awhile.
Right next to the parking lot was a family of sandhill cranes. Mama and Papa are on the left, this year’s child is on the right. They seemed unaffected by all the people snapping their photo. I think they will be on their way south very soon.
Family of three.
I love fall colors reflected in water and I wasn’t disappointed today. This shot was actually the reason I pulled over and parked earlier than I had planned. It’s a little bay area, with picnic tables under big oak trees.
I’ve had a picnic lunch out on this little spit of land in warmer days.
I used to run on the bike path every weekend, around the beautiful lake. As I walked today I was remembering other times, running with friends, running alone, things I’ve seen on these hills and curves from many years of visiting this beautiful park.
Willow and water.
Along the path I came across some bittersweet. I know it’s invasive, but it’s something my mom used to like to decorate with in fall and I don’t see it very often these days. As the weather cools the orange berries split and fold back, showing a yellowish center. Mom used to dry it and tuck it along the fireplace mantle. I always think of her when I find a bit of it on my wanderings.
Orange berry memories.
I headed over to the nature trails to see what I might find. The sun was warm on my face and I was enjoyed being in the woods listening to the birds, watching chickadees and nuthatches flit about.
Nuthatch stops for a fleeting moment to say hi.
There were lots and lots of chipmunks running around in the dry leaves. They always sound so much bigger scrambling around under those leaves than they really are. I stopped and watched three of them chase each other around.
If I stay still you can’t see me. Right?
The nature trail led through the woods and then opened up into a pretty little meadow with a couple of surprise maple trees still in full color.
A surprise punch of color.
I’m always happy when I see a bit of color that stands out.
Most of the maples are done, and now it’s the oak trees’ time to shine.
This park has an amazing array of wildlife habitats, you can walk in rolling hills or around the lake or near wetlands. Everywhere you look there is something beautiful. No matter what time of year you visit.
More cranes out in the marsh.
New vignettes will catch your eye each time you walk through the park. It’s best to always have your camera handy.
Two trees.
This was the perfect place to visit after our busy week in Washington DC. I am grateful to Robin for suggesting Walktober. Just like last year I’m thinking I need to do a Walkovember next month.
A good spot for contemplation.
Last of the maple color.
Here it is Thursday night. Tomorrow a new photo challenge will arrive. Time to get back in gear! Since I was in Washington DC this week and since I love the metro system there so much I will use it as an example of something ordinary that is extraordinary.
I love that you can see the people inside on this shot.
Everybody on the trains has a story, and most of them are interesting. Everyone I talked to while riding to and from meetings was engaging; they were all people I enjoyed talking to. There wasn’t a rude one in the bunch. In fact the metro was indicative of the way people were all over DC.
Red pants on escalator.
Even later at night, when there were fewer people around I found the stations underground to be beautiful. What the natives see as ordinary I found simply extraordinary.
You can go to the original post, up in the link above, and see what other ordinary things people found extraordinary.
Feet were made for walking.
Arlington lights
That was pretty fun.
We haven’t gone into DC yet, we’re still out in Arlington at The Truck Safety Coalition office, checking awards, printing data sheets, stuffing folders, making calls, verifying participants, making appointments, rewriting speeches and discussing session outlines. There’s a lot to do.
This will be our biggest conference ever, the most participants and the most confirmed appointments with Members and agencies on the Hill. The very important bill we’re worried about (Transportation Reauthorization Bill) is being “marked up” (worked on) this Thursday in committee, so our timing turns out to be perfect. We will be talking to Congressional staff and committee members on Monday and Tuesday; our views should be up front and center in the minds of committee members as they work on the bill Thursday.
We’ll do the best we can to convince everyone that federal law allowing 33 foot double trailers should not overrun more than 20 states that currently prohibit the longer trailers. Everywhere I go here in DC Congressional staff tell me that issues I want resolved should be decided ‘at the state level.’ And now the American Trucking Association wants the federal government to grant them permission to run their longer trailers right over state laws. And worse, many members of Congress are quite willing to do that!
So. Tonight I am tired but optimistic. And to take a break from all this truck stuff I stand on my dark balcony pointing the camera at a dazzling quilt of light. My fervent hope is that the light will finally come on in Congressional and Agency heads and hearts and that they will make decisions based on safety rather than industry profits or campaign contributions.
This time please let safety win.
Daddy
Sunshine, crisp golden light, maple leaves turning red and gold…how could I resist grabbing the camera and the dog and heading out over the frost covered lawn to the pond across the street. The trees in my neighbor’s yard were stunning in the sunshine.
Morning glow
And those across their pond were beautiful as well. Katie and I moved along the road looking for a spot to capture them.
Morning calm.
I was focused on catching the light and the water while standing on the dog’s leash and listening for cars when I heard a soft, short grunt off to my right. I didn’t look right then, didn’t look until there was a rush of wings and a loud squawk.
A blue heron was lifting off of a submerged tree limb about 10 yards away. He’d probably been sitting there as Katie and I got closer and closer. He gave me a warning grunt and I didn’t listen.
So this is all I got:
Flying away.
I’ve been trying to get a great shot of a blue heron for years. Years. And there he was standing there next to me and I never even noticed. If I had glanced over at the first grunt I think there would have been an amazing shot. But I’ll never know.
Back at home moments after Katie and I came in four young deer crossed the road we had just been standing on. I don’t have a picture of them in the morning glow either. I was too busy trying to keep Katie from flinging herself against the windows to grab the camera.
Silly us.
Missed another one Mama!
Any time I can get near one of our Great Lakes I’m in my happy place.
You can see other people’s happy places at the original post. It’s very early in the week…so I haven’t selected any favorites yet. You’ll have to go check them all out.
Meanwhile…where is your happy place? I’d love to see it!
