Category Archives: memorial

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December 8, 2024

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Photographic Thoughts — 12/01/2021 to 12/07/2024

“Most things in life are moments of pleasure and a lifetime of embarrassment; photography is a moment of embarrassment and a lifetime of pleasure.” — Tony Benn

Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.

Sunday, 12/01/2024: Posted photo — Stained Glass Window.

This is the first Sunday in advent.

Here are some photos from around out church.

Monday, 12/02/2024: Posted photo — Sunrise.

Another week, another sunrise photo.

I will keep taking them as long as I can before the time of the sunrise does not allow for it.

Tuesday, 12/03/2024: Posted photo — Joke.

Shopping night. Here are some fruit. These are quick photos since I needed to get ready for my trip to Ohio this week. One of these photos reminds me of end of a knock-knock joke. As I write this, I realize I missed my opportunity for the full joke.

I have been busy at work, attempting to get more work done so when I return from my vacation, my backlog will not be so great.

Wednesday, 12/04/2024: Posted photo — Wood Stove.

Settings: FLIR i5, ISO n/a, f/na, 1/30 s, 7 mm.

Some of you may know that I own an infrared camera. This camera takes photo of heat signatures of object. I use it to look at insulation in houses and efficiencies at power generating plants. Occasionally I use it to take artistic photos. Some of these photos are of footprints, handprints, car engines, warm tires, and even have used it as a stud finder.

Once or twice a year, I use it to check out my wood stove. My wood stove is old and not as efficient as some of the newer stoves. It is just a steel box with an exhaust pipe. One item that I often check is the temperature given on the stovepipe thermometer. This is a thermometer that has a magnetic backing and just sticks to the stove pipe. To my surprise, that thermometer and my thermal camera normally show the same temperature. The 518°F (250°C) temperature reading is the maximum temperature my camera can detect. The brand name of our stove is Nashua. You can just make out the name near the center of the photo next to the pointer.

Thursday, 12/05/2024: Posted photo — Snow.

We left today go to Columbus OH to see our nephew dance with the Columbus Dance Theatre.

Here is some history from their web page: “COLUMBUS DANCE THEATRE (CDT) is a unique voice for dance in Columbus with work born out of a rich background in ballet, contemporary and modern dance, music and theatre. As a professional arts organization, CDT produces high-quality work in an intimate environment. CDT prides itself on creating collaborations with new and upcoming artists of all art mediums and has collaborated with many visual and musical artists local to the city. The work of the company is new, fresh, and innovative, offering central Ohio audiences a cutting edge performance experience.”

We left our house in a snow storm. The storm was ending and we had to drive through the snow most of the trip until we were in Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.

Some photos of the snow around our house before we departed.

Friday, 12/06/2024: Post photo — Wonderment.

Our nephew did his last lead in the Columbus Dance Theatre’s production of Wonderment. He is aging out of the roll of Kai. This is the fourth year of this production. We went to Columbus four years ago for the world premier. His photo is not in the program since he is only in the intensive training program.

Here are photos from around the theatre.

Saturday, 12/07/2024: Post photo — Anchor.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 400, f/9, 1/1600 s, 18 mm.

“Yesterday, December 7, 1941— a date which will live in infamy— the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” — FDR. Thus started the United States entry into World War II.

This photo is from my second visit to Pearl Harbor. It still amazes me that there is oil floating out of the USS Arizona. Looking back, I posted the same photos a year ago. This is from that post — “’This anchor was recovered from the Arizona. The ship had three anchors. The crew used one in calm seas and two in foul weather, the third as a spare. Each weigh nearly 10 tons.’ This are the words on a placard near the USS Arizona Anchor at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Hawaii. The sacrifice these men and women made to make our country the great country it is today.”

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

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June 9, 2024

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Photographic Thoughts — 06/02/2024 to 06/08/2024

“If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.” — Jim Richardson

Photo for the week. Comments welcome.

Sunday, 06/02/2024: Posted photo — Mowing.

I wanted to do this technique for a little while. I have done it in the past and wanted to do it again. I have switched photo editing software from Paint Shop Pro to just using GIMP. I switched because I was having issues installing the last few releases PSP on my computer. I have been using PSP since X2 many years ago and have been using GIMP over the last 10 years off and on.

The technique is called multiplicity. I set my camera on a tripod and set it to take a photo every minute. I shoot RAW so it was easy to edit my photos to all have the same exposure. You do the technique by importing each photo into a different layer. Once they are in the correct order, you use a layer mask to either hide or expose areas of the photos.

Hope you like it.

Monday, 06/03/2024: Posted photo — Koi.

This is a Koi Pond on the summit of Wachusett Mountain. There is a fence around the pond now since the wall around the pond needs work. These Koi have been on the summit for many years.

Koi are colored varieties of carp. The ones on the summit of Wachusett can be seen year-round. In the winter you can see them swimming under the ice.

Tuesday, 06/04/2024: Posted photo — Hickory.

When I was out hiking, I spotted this tree with the bark seeming to be peeling off. I took a photo of it to identify it and my identification app called it hickory. For someone who spends many hours outdoors, hiking in the wilderness, I should be able to identify trees and plant much better than I have been doing.

Wednesday, 06/05/2024: Posted photo — Sundog in the Clouds.

Sundogs are colored spots of light that develop due to the refraction of light through ice crystals. They are located approximately 22 degrees either left, right, or both, from the sun, depending on where the ice crystals are present.

I was looking up at the coloring in the clouds and spotted this sundog.

Thursday, 06/06/2024: Posted photo — Multiflora Rose.

Multiflora rose is a large, dense shrub that was used for ornamental and conservation plantings and is now a serious invasive plant. Multiflora roses can become thick and dense that will stop native plants from growing. This density of the plant can be impenetrable and detrimental to nesting birds and reduce the forage areas for animals.

Friday, 06/07/2024: Post photo — Relay for Life (RFL) Day 1.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life was a 24 hour relay for cancer research. It is now an 18 hour relay. Many want it to go back to 24 hours.

Here are photos of one of my sister-in-laws lighting the torch, the luminaria, and a few other photos from the first day into the night.

Saturday, 06/08/2024: Post photo — Relay for Life (RFL) Day 2.

Photos from the second day.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

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May 19, 2024

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Photographic Thoughts — 05/12/2024 to 05/18/2024

“A tear contains an ocean. A photographer is aware of the tiny moments in a person’s life that reveal greater truths.” — Anonymous

Photo for the week. Comments welcome.

Sunday, 05/12/2024: Posted photo — Mother’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day! These are photos of when my youngest brother was brought home will all my brothers looking at him and one of my mother’s 95 year old hands showing her newly cleaned mother’s ring. It has been a couple of years since she left us, and I still miss her. Happy Mother’s Day mom.

Monday, 05/13/2024: Posted photo — Scenes from the Trail.

Some items seen on the trail tonight. I took the group on a different route tonight. This is from what I call the back side of the mountain. It is a trail that is not used by may since you need to take back roads and a partial dirt road to get to the trailhead.

These are photos of some of the group, some Hobblebush, and an old trail marker.

Tuesday, 05/14/2024: Posted photo — Lilac.

Lilac flowers may be single or double, the leaves solid green or variegated, and the plants dwarf or standard. Lilac flower colors may be white, violet, pink, blue, and lilac (of course) to red-purple, dark purple, and even a yellow variety known as “Primrose.”

This lilac bush is in our yard and was transplanted a few years ago from a friend’s yard. It has survived many heavy snowstorms.

Wednesday, 05/15/2024: Posted photo — Ray of Sunshine.

Rays of sunshine coming through the clouds. Almost thought it was rain, but the rays are spread out further than raindrops would be.

Thursday, 05/16/2024: Posted photo — Azalea.

Azaleas are flowering shrubs in the Rhododendron genus that bloom in the spring and can tolerate shade. This is our red azalea bush. We also have a pink azalea bush that will bloom after this one.

It is interesting that azaleas and rhododendrons of different colors bloom at different times.

Friday, 05/17/2024: Post photo — Faces in Nature.

Pansies. Can you see all the pansy faces looking at you?

Saturday, 05/18/2024: Post photo — Blueberries.

Some high bush blueberries growing at the lake. Looks like it will be a good year for them. The bush is very full.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

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May 12, 2024

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Photographic Thoughts — 05/05/2024 to 05/11/2024

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” — Aaron Siskind

Photo for the week. Comments welcome.

Sunday, 05/04/2024: Posted photo — USS Constitution.

Built in Boston and launched in 1797, USS CONSTITUTION is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world today. During the War of 1812 the ship gained fame and its name “Old Ironsides.” The USS Constitution remains both a training and ceremonial ship for the Navy, as well as an educational experience for visitors.

Here are some facts: The USS Constitution was launched on October 21, 1797 at Edmund Hartt’s Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts and first sailed July 22, 1798 from Boston Harbor. As I was walking away for the ship, after taking these photos, I heard the canons go off and Reveille being played. Then the sailors came off the ship to do their exercises. What a great experience.

Monday, 05/06/2024: Posted photo — Onions.

I cancelled my hike tonight since I had some people sign up and then drop out. I was in Boston all weekend taking my wilderness first aid re-certification class, so I took the opportunity to switch my hiking day until tomorrow. I told myself that I would hike with the Tuesday night group once a month and it has been three months since I hiked with them.

While shopping, I saw these colorful onions. Onions are not high on my food intake list, but I did like the colors. These are yellow onions, white onions, red onions, and vidalia onions.

Tuesday, 05/07/2024: Posted photo — Hiking.

Today I hiked with the Tuesday night group for the first time in a while. This is an invitation only group of experienced hikers. We did a four mile loop around the mountain. I had an opportunity to verify bearing at a few trail junctions. I needed to verify these bearings for my map and compass navigation class I will be teaching in a few weeks.

It is always great to get out and hike with different people. This group knows me as the person who broke his ankle. At the summit, I met more of my friends in the hiking community. One of those people finished his trace of Wachusett Mountain in his kilts. Sorry, no photos of him.

Wednesday, 05/08/2024: Posted photo — Path of Freedom (Freedom Trail).

Boston’s iconic 2.5 mile-Freedom Trail connects 16 nationally significant historic sites, each one an authentic treasure. The sites are the Boston Common (Established in 1634, Boston Common is America’s oldest public park), Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel & King’s Chapel Burying Ground, Boston Latin School Site/Benjamin Franklin Statue, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument.

I have visited most of these sites in my life. One day I will take the short 2.5 mile hike to these historic sites in one journey.

Thursday, 05/09/2024: Posted photo — Sugar Maple.

Earlier this year I posted a photo of the sugar maple starting to bud. Here is some progress.

The leaves are starting to bud after some rain and warmer weather.

Friday, 05/10/2024: Post photo — Bluet.

Also called Quaker Ladies, their sweet petite blossoms attract Little Carpenter bees, Green Metallic bees, small butterflies, and the Meadow Fritillary Butterfly.

These wildflowers are in my lawn. If the weather is good tomorrow, I will cut my lawn for the first time this year.

Saturday, 05/11/2024: Post photo — Northern Lights.

The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, have been on my photo bucket list. I always thought that I would have to travel to see them. If they are in this area, they are close to the horizon, not very bright, and not high in the sky.

 Last night I had the opportunity to see them and photograph them. I was unprepared to photograph them since I normally do research on camera setting. I had my camera and cellphone with me and no tripod or monopod, these photos are either handheld or with my cellphone. I heard talk about the northern lights happening soon but did not realize it was last night until a friend of mine posted photos from his house.

My cell phone has a night setting, so I had to test it out. I am happy about these photos but not overwhelmed by these photos. Next time I will be more prepared. It is amazing that I saw a total solar eclipse and the northern light just about a month apart. Normally there is cloud cover when events like this happen.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

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May 5, 2024

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Photographic Thoughts — 04/28/2024 to 05/04/2024

“I never have taken a picture I’ve intended. They’re always better or worse.” — Diane Arbus

Photo for the week. Comments welcome.

Sunday, 04/28/2024: Posted photo — Leading Lines.

I needed a photo for one of my photos projects this week. The topic was leading lines. I kept my eye open for the perfect photo opportunity and did not find it. I saw the lines in the ceiling leading to the altar, so I took this photo to post if I did not see anything else that met the topic today.

Monday, 04/29/2024: Posted photo — Off on a Hike.

Monday night is hiking night, as you know if you have been following this blog. The last couple of hikes started and ended in daylight. The trails have been drying up over the last few weeks, so more people are out hiking.

These are some of the members of the Monday night hiking group enjoying the good weather.

Tuesday, 04/30/2024: Posted photo — Trail Junction.

This is the trail junction of Harrington and Semuhenna on Wachusett Mountain. Semuhenna trail a 1.1 mile connector trail. The trail I took tonight was a 0.5 mile sections between Harrington and West Side. Most of the time I go up Harrington. The section of Harrington after this trail junction is the steepest section on the mountain. It is steep and there are many scrambles for novice hikers.

Semuhenna is not an old Indian name, as most people believe. Looking at the name backwards, it is Annehumes or Anne Humes, the name of the wife (or daughter according to some people) of the person who made the trail.

Wednesday, 05/01/2024: Posted photo — Texture in the Sky.

When I looked at the cloudy sky tonight, I saw textures in the clouds. There is rain coming in tonight. I do not think that this photo does this justice. Sometimes it is difficult to relay the emotion of nature into a photo. Sometimes the photo puts more emotion into nature. I think this photo is too blown out to have the intended emotional value.

Thursday, 05/02/2024: Posted photo — Fiddleheads.

Fiddleheads are the tightly coiled tips of ferns that are eaten cooked. These delicate delights are available only in early spring when ferns grow their new shoots. These fiddleheads are growing near my mailbox. I may have posted photos of fiddleheads earlier this year and they are still growing. They are around for a very short period.

Friday, 05/03/2024: Post photo — Mount Rainier.

This mountain always inspires me. Either seeing it from Seattle, hiking on it, viewing from different sections of the national park, or flying past it, Mount Rainier is majestic. I feature Mount Rainier on the cover of my first photo book (portfolio book).

An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers. I have camped at Mount Rainier a few times and always remember the signs stating that this is an active volcano, and I am camping in a lava flow path.

I took a photo of a waterfall one spring and went back a couple of years later to take a photo of the waterfall with more snow cover. I had the GPS location but could not find it. After looking at my path, I was standing on top of the waterfall and could not see it because of the snow cover.

Saturday, 05/04/2024: Post photo — Historic Marker.

I have Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training today and tomorrow. This class will certify my in doing first aid on people that are more than 1 hour away from definitive care. That means when I am leading groups or hiking in the mountains or a remote location.

On the way to the training, I passed this historical marker in the John Havard Mall adjacent to the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) headquarters.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

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April 28, 2024

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Photographic Thoughts — 04/21/2024 to 04/27/2024

“Photography has nothing to do with cameras.” — Lucas Gentry

This week’s blog will feature photos of one of nature’s wonders, a total solar eclipse.

Sunday, 04/21/2024: Posted photo — Easter Candle.

The Paschal Candle represents the risen Christ, as a symbol of light (life) dispelling darkness (death). The Paschal candle is the large, white candle used in liturgies in the Roman Catholic Church and other religious ceremonies.

Monday, 04/22/2024: Posted photo — Views from my Hike.

Here are some views from tonight’s hike. Mount Monadnock, the pink moon over Boston, and a closeup of the moon.

Tuesday, 04/23/2024: Posted photo — Big Dipper.

Took this with my phone. The dipper is out of focus but I like the way the stars were exaggerated to better show the constellation.

Wednesday, 04/24/2024: Posted photo — Geometric Shape.

The shape is a case for a gift at my in-law’s house. I don’t know the name of the shape. The box was handmade from by one of my brothers-in-law.

Thursday, 04/25/2024: Posted photo — What do you See?

I see a beaver holding a log. What do you see?

Friday, 04/26/2024: Post photo — Pansy.

Picture of a pansy for today. Looks like the pansy is looking at me.

Saturday, 04/27/2024: Post photo — Sunset.

As the week comes to an end, we are moving off to the sunset.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

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April 14, 2024

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Photographic Thoughts — 04/07/2024 to 04/13/2024

“An eclipse is one phenomenon that is actually more impressive from the ground.” — Leroy Chiao

This week’s blog will feature photos of one of nature’s wonders, a total solar eclipse.

Sunday, 04/07/2024: Posted photo — Moose.

Today was a travel day to Houlton ME to see the eclipse. We were looking to go to either western Ohio, northern New York, or Vermont to see the eclipse. We have relatives and friends in those areas. Looking at the weather for tomorrow’s eclipse, it was decided to head to Houlton ME. There is a Walmart in Houlton. Since we saw the last total solar eclipse seven years ago in a Walmart in TN, we thought it would be a good idea to go to one in Houlton. Walmart had a big open space and there would be many people. We also though we could sleep in the parking lot. This did not happen, we slept in a rest area on the way. Houlton ME was predicted to have the best weather in the country along the path of totality. It did not disappoint.

This moose is at the Kittery Trading Post. We stopped in Kittery to get candy and to go to the Trading Post. I needed another fuel can for my camping stove. If the weather was cold, we were going to have hot chocolate while we waited, and I did not want to run out of fuel. We also stopped in Freeport to go to LL Bean. We shop the outlet store and did not go to the main campus this trip.

The ride to ME was uneventful. There were signs in both NH and ME warning people about the traffic and not to stop on the side of the road to see the eclipse. We did not see many vehicles on the road.

Monday, 04/08/2024: Posted photo — Sundog.

While waiting for the eclipse, I saw a sundog and took a photo of it with my cell phone. I adjusted by camera setting for the eclipse and did not want to change them.

Sundogs are colored spots of light that develop due to the refraction of light through ice crystals. They are located approximately 22 degrees either left, right, or both, from the sun, depending on where the ice crystals are present. This sundog was in the little clouds there were.

Tuesday, 04/09/2024: Posted photo — Second Contact.

Second contact is the start of totality. First contact is when the eclipse starts, second is the start of totality, third is when totality ends, and fourth is when the eclipse ends. Between first contact and second contact, a special solar filter needs to be put on your camera. It is the same type of filter that are in solar glasses.

Just before totality, a single bright spot will remain, resembling a diamond in a ring. I missed taking a photo of this phenomenon during the eclipse seven years ago and was fully prepared for it this time.

Wednesday, 04/10/2024: Posted photo — Totality or Maximum Eclipse.

Totality lasted 3 minutes and 18 seconds in Houlton. It was very close to the maximum totality line. Three minutes and 18 seconds is not a long time, but it was worth it. Looking at the horizon and seeing sunset/sunrise. Seeing Jupiter and Venus on either side of the eclipse was another bonus. I was looking for comet 12P/Pons-Brooks near the eclipse but it was too bright to see.

Here are a few photos of totality. Unlike seven years ago in TN, the sky was cloud free and the eclipse as spectacular.

Thursday, 04/11/2024: Posted photo — Third Contact.

This is Baily’s beads just as third contact starts, or totality ends. During the last few seconds before totality, the crescent Sun breaks up to form Baily’s beads (those are typically only visible through a telescope with a solar filter attached). At the end of totality, this sequence happens in the reverse order, starting with Baily’s beads until the returning burst of sunlight becomes too bright to view with the naked eye. I also missed this during the eclipse seven years ago and did not want to miss it again.

When looking at this photo, you can see some solar prominences. Though they look like they could be made of fire, they are eruptions of plasma, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). They are a hot gas made of electrically charged hydrogen and helium, extending outward from the sun’s surface.

Friday, 04/12/2024: Post photo — Collage.

Here is a composite photo of different phases of the eclipse.

The timing for these photos were taken from the Partial Phase Images area in my Solar Eclipse Timer app. This was a great app to use since it gave verbal instructions and information on what was happening during the eclipse. It would tell you want to look for on ground level and it would count down to the different contacts.

Saturday, 04/13/2024: Post photo — Daffodil.

The daffodils are starting to bloom in our yard. This is a sign of spring. The cold and damp weather did not stop their growth.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

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March 31, 2024

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Photographic Thoughts — 03/24/2024 to 03/30/2024

“Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera.” — Yousuf Karsh

Random photos of the week.

Sunday, 03/24/2024: Posted photo — In the Woods.

Today I went out looking for the remaining waypoints at the High Ridge Wildlife Management Area. I found all but one. This one is driving me mad! The other waypoints were in the general vicinity of where they were located on the map. The map gave me a general area since the eastern and northern scales on the map were different. When I attempted to triangulate from known coordinates to find the location, the bearings did not line up. Now that I have the coordinates of more waypoints, I can zero in on the location.

These are a couple of views along the way. The ground was very icy from the snow/sleet/ice we had yesterday (Saturday).

Monday, 03/25/2024: Posted photo — Morning Moon.

Today is the official day of the March full moon. It was a little cloudy in the morning, but I was able to get this shot in the morning. I was attempting to get the ring around the moon with my cellphone camera.

There was a planned full moon hike with the hiking group that some friends and I have founded. The day was turning out to be sunny, yet the ice was still hanging on. During the hike, I attempted to frame this shot. This is what I consider one of the best views from the mountain. The way the barn just sits out in the open makes this view.

Tuesday, 03/26/2024: Posted photo — Sunset.

Last night’s full moon hike was good and bad. The good part was the great sunset photos with the ice. The bad was that there was a cloud bank over Boston, so we did not see the moonrise.

On the way down from the summit, we were on a very icy trail with ice being thrown at us from the trees. The wind was picking up and it sounded as if it were raining ice.

Great day to be on the mountain.

Wednesday, 03/27/2024: Posted photo — Relay for Life.

Once again, I am doing the Relay for Life (RFL). The RFL is an event organized by the American Cancer Society to raise money for research and to help cancer patients and their families.

This is the address to send money if you want to donate. The RFL will take place in June.

Relay name: RFL of Greater Gardner
Team name: One in the Spirit
SK #: 6AYVG9
Relayer’s name: Joseph Ciras

If you do donate, message me so that I can get credited for the donation since was the caregiver for my bother.

Thank you for your help.

Thursday, 03/28/2024: Posted photo — View from the Trail.

During a recent hike, I attempted to frame this view. This is what I consider one of the best views from the mountain. The way the barn just sits out in the open makes this view.

The trail that has this view is a trail that is not used very much. I do not understand why. It is off one of the main trails. Might be because of all the rocks on the trail. It is not difficult, just tricky. It is one of the few trails on the mountain that you do not see many people snowshoe on during the winter.

Friday, 03/29/2024: Post photo — Ice on Fence.

I wanted to show these photos earlier in the week. These are some artistic photos from Monday night’s hike. I have been receiving many positive comments on these photos, so I am sharing them with you.

Saturday, 03/30/2024: Post photo — The Great House.

The Great House. Unearth during roadway construction, the Great House was built in 1633 and was the first public building erected in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in Charlestown MA. It is now part of the Freedom Trail. I had training today in a building that as just off the Freedom Trail by a few hundred feet.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

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February 18, 2024

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Photographic Thoughts — 02/11/2024 to 02/17/2024

“If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn’t need to lug around a camera.” — Lewis Hine

Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.

Sunday, 02/11/2024: Posted photo — Anniversary Roses.

Today is the 36th anniversary of my starting to date my wife. I celebrate if every year. It is close to St. Valentine’s Day, so I make it a double celebration. Yellow flowers mean friendship. There is a lot of red roses being sold this week, so I wanted to be different.

Monday, 02/12/2024: Posted photo — Rotary not Traffic Circle.

In New England we call this a rotary and not a traffic circle or roundabout. Sometimes I wish that GPS systems would be trained with local lingo. This is the Concord Rotary, one of the busiest rotaries that I have driven through. It has two lanes, and you need to pay attention to the drivers around you.

Tuesday, 02/13/2024: Posted photo — Icicles.

A foot of snow! No! Six to eight inches of snow! No! One to three inches of snow! No! A dusting of snow! Maybe. This weather forecast all happened within a few hours of the storm starting in our area. The snow moved out to sea quickly and the residents in southern New England and near the coast receive the most snowfall. Some up to a foot. Living in the snow belt of the state, we were expecting more. Schools close last night since heavy snow was predicted up until late in the evening.

Looking out an office window I saw the icicles hanging off the Japanese Yew, so I took this photo through the dirty window.

Wednesday, 02/14/2024: Posted photo — Keyboard.

Today is Ash Wednesday. This is the start of the season of Lent. Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter.

The choir my wife and son sing in, sang for the Ash Wednesday Mass. At the end of Mass, I saw the lights reflecting off the organ keyboard, so I took this photo.

Thursday, 02/15/2024: Posted photo — Milky Way.

The topic of a photo project I am doing is called unexplored. There are many regions of the galaxy that are unexplored, so I wanted to take a photo of the Milky Way on one of the few clear sky days we have had lately.

Friday, 02/16/2024: Post photo — Harmony small things Grow.

“Concordia Res Parvae Crescunt” in harmony small this Grow. This is the motto of the Xaverian Brothers. The Xaverian Brothers were founded in Belgium by Theodore James Ryken in 1839 to be missionaries, and have been educators in the United States since 1854. The high school that I graduated from is an Xaverian Brother’s school. I go back every Friday to help the Robotics Team with engineering and project management advice.

Saturday, 02/17/2024: Post photo — Devils Tower.

Taken at Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming.

At the base of the Tower is a bolder field that we hiked up to. Massive rocks, some large as a bus, form a 13-acre field. Predominantly around the west and south faces of the Tower, this field of giant rocks was created as pieces of the Tower weathered off and eroded down. Geologists agree that Devils Tower began as magma, or molten rock buried beneath the Earth’s surface. What they cannot agree upon are the processes by which the magma cooled to form the Tower, or its relationship to the surrounding geology of the area. This was one of the three movie sets were stopped in at during this trip. The other two were Goblin Valley were Galaxy Quest was filmed and the Field of Dreams in Iowa.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

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December 10, 2023

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hiking, memorial, Photography, Thoughts, Travel, water

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Photographic Thoughts — 12/03/2023 to 12/09/2023

“What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.” — Karl Lagerfeld

In memory of Pearl Harbor Day, I will be posting photos from my last trip to Hawaii.

Sunday, 12/03/2023: Posted photo — Diamond Head.

“The unique profile of Diamond Head (Lē’ahi) sits prominently near the eastern edge of Waikiki’s coastline. Hawaii’s most recognized landmark is known for its historic hiking trail, stunning coastal views, and military history. Diamond Head State Monument encompasses over 475 acres, including the interior and outer slopes of the crater.”

Diamond Head State Monument

Monday, 12/04/2023: Posted photo — Rainbow Falls.

“The Rainbow Falls are a broad waterfall in the Wailuku river that is conveniently located within Hilo town. They are very easy to visit and you’ll have a high chance of seeing rainbows if you visit somewhat early in the day (perhaps even before breakfast).”

The Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue) in Hilo

Tuesday, 12/05/2023: Posted photo — National Memorial Cemetery.

“Few national cemeteries can compete with the dramatic natural setting of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. The “Punchbowl” was formed some 75,000 to 100,000 years ago during the Honolulu period of secondary volcanic activity. A crater resulted from the ejection of hot lava through cracks in the old coral reefs which, at the time, extended to the foot of the Koolau Mountain Range.”

https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/nmcp.asp

Wednesday, 12/06/2023: Posted photo — Anchor.

One of the anchors from the USS Arizona.

https://www.nps.gov/perl/index.htm

Thursday, 12/07/2023: Posted photo — US Sailor.

My father served in WWII in the US Navy. He had a uniform just like this. I used his duffle bag for a hockey bag when I was young.

Friday, 12/08/2023: Post photo — USS Arizona.

This is one of the most visited historic sites in the United States. “Other highly-visited historic sites include the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C., along with Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, and Castillo de San Marcos in St Augustine Florida.

The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is operated by the National Park Service and is free to the public. It includes a museum with exhibits about World War II, an outdoor walkway with numerous historical plaques and signage explaining the attack, and a theater that shows a video of actual footage and events from the attack which is viewed before boarding the boat which takes visitors out to the memorial.”

USS Arizona Memorial

Saturday, 12/09/2023: Post photo — USS Missouri.

“Located on Ford Island and in line with the Arizona Memorial along battleship row, the Battleship Missouri (USS Missouri (BB-63)) towers over its dock some 216 feet high. It is accessible only by shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center or on our tour vehicles. The island is a military installation so the public is unable to drive onto it without special passes.”

https://www.pearlharbortours.com/battleship-missouri/?utm_term=&utm_campaign=Performance+Max&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&hsa_acc=8997022590&hsa_cam=18769258950&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=CjwKCAiA-dCcBhBQEiwAeWidtX92oG5ZegBRYqn-cwqu3vG0vYxf52eYepcIu88-Dqoyke4T5mhJUhoCS9UQAvD_BwE