Photographic Thoughts — 09/14/2025 to 09/20/2025

“If you see something that moves you, and then snap it, you keep a moment.” — Linda McCartney

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

Sunday, 09/14/2025: Posted photo — Rosebud.

A few weeks ago, I constructed a planter for some roses that I purchased. I purchased white roses and yellow roses. The white roses bloomed a couple of times since I purchased them and the yellow roses looked like they were not going to live.

When I planted them, I was hopeful that they both would take root. I took my time and fed them, watered them, and removed weeds to help them grow. The white roses bloomed in the bed again, bending under their own weight. I need to support the blooms the next time I see them start. The yellow roses are starting to have multiple blooms.

This is a photo of one of the rosebuds from the yellow plant. It looks like it will bloom this week. If it does, I will post a photo of it later this week.

I am starting to learn about growing roses. There is much to learn, and any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Monday, 09/15/2025: Posted photo — Bearded Dragon.

The bearded dragon is equipped with armor of spiny reptilian scales, which include a “beard” of spikes under its chin that puffs up depending on its mood. A Bearded Dragon represents change, rebirth, and renewal.

This bearded dragon is the pet of one of my brothers. We stopped at his house on the way to one of the two weddings we attended last weekend. One was in Naples NY, and one was in Westminster MA the next day.

Tuesday, 09/16/2025: Posted photo — Chinese Swan Goose.

Wild goose symbolizes loyalty, integrity, and love.

This goose was swimming at the Old Mill during the time of the second wedding we attended last weekend.

Wednesday, 09/17/2025: Posted photo — Centerpiece.

This is the centerpiece from the second wedding. The first wedding was more traditional, and the second one was less traditional. The first wedding had less traditional food, and the second wedding had more traditional food.

Both weddings were special in their own way. The first was for a friend, and the second was for my niece. Wishing them both many happy years.

Thursday, 09/18/2025: Posted photo — Jump Off Point.

Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill has a lookout point called Jump Off Point. There is an overlook at the point, but not much of a drop to jump off, just a steep hill.

We took a walk to look at the views before packing up our camping equipment and heading to the wedding we were going to photograph. This was the first of two weddings over the weekend.

This park is very well maintained and is growing. The campsite we had the first time we were there, and when my wife and son camped there a few years ago, is now occupied by the camp host. I can understand why he took that site, it was the best one in the park.

Friday, 09/19/2025: Post photo — Orntario St. Bridge.

This bridge is a hidden wonder. The newly married couple wanted to take photos on this bridge after the ceremony. The bridge had debris on it, so before we took photos, we purchased a broom and swept off the bridge. We later presented the broom as a wedding gift. The couple loved the idea that we gave them this broom that was part of their special day.

Saturday, 09/20/2025: Post photo — Milky Way.

Second attempt at a Milky Way photo using my cellphone. This one was better than the first one, but still not great. There still was light pollution in the area. I attempted to block the light, so this photo came out slightly better.

I will keep taking this photo in darker areas to get a good one.

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

Bonus

Here is the photo of the rose in Sunday’s photo in bloom.

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per cameram meam.”

Photographic Thoughts — 09/07/2025 to 09/13/2025

“The picture that you took with your camera is the imagination you want to create with reality.” — Scott Lorenzo

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

Sunday, 09/07/2025: Posted photo — From Above.

The photo theme for the week is taking a photo from above. I took many photos during the week and decided on posting this photo of the altar from above from the choir loft. I selected this one to post since I liked the colors in this photo better than the other photos I took during the week.

Monday, 09/08/2025: Posted photo — Balance Rock.

Glaciers can pick up chunks of rocks and transport them over long distances. When they drop these rocks, they are often far from their origin—the outcrop or bedrock from which they were plucked. These rocks are known as glacial erratics.

This erratic is called Balance Rock. It is located on the Balance Rock train on Wachusett Mountain. It was left behind by the Laurentide Ice Sheet about 12,000 years ago (thank you Matt Landry for that information).

I once heard a college-aged couple discussing how someone would have placed the rocks on each other. I had to explain to them that it was a glacial erratic.

Tuesday, 09/09/2025: Posted photo — View from the Trail.

My hike this week took me across the ski area at Wachusett Mountain. As the sun sets earlier each day this time of year, I wanted to see how the lighting would be on the ski area.

The lighting was not bad. The shadows made it a difficult photo.

Wednesday, 09/10/2025: Posted photo — Graffiti.

Kids do not spend the time outside these days making graffiti the way they did many years ago. Today graffiti is done with spray paint. I often wonder how long it took to carve names into rocks.

Thursday, 09/11/2025: Posted photo — Trial Ahead.

I took this photo for a couple of reasons. These blazes are new on the trail, and I wanted to show them during my next navigation class.

I took this trail this week to challenge myself. I wanted to see how quickly, at a fast-walking pace, I could do a loop. It took me 1 hour 30 minutes to cover 3.93 miles. I had an average moving speed of 2.6 miles per hour with a maximum speed of 4.2 miles per hour. This trail had an ascent of 979 feet. All this information was taken off my Gaia GPS app.

Next time I will take less stops. If I were with a group, my estimated time for this same route would be around 3 hours. I always like to double the time it would take me when I am with a group. This estimate works most of the time if I do not know all the people that are hiking in the group.

Friday, 09/13/2025: Post photo — Stream Crossing.

Hiking trail bridges are necessary to allow for safe crossings of streams, rivers, wetlands, ravines, and other environmental features. I have crossed many bridges in my days and years of hiking.

There are several of these bridges on Wachusett Mountain. They allow for safe crossings of the many streams on the mountain. During the dry season, I might cross next to the bridge since it is a straighter and safer path.

The commonwealth is doing a great job maintaining these bridges. Most of them are in great shape. There are a few in which some of the boards are starting to rot and need to be replaced. These bridges are on the north side of the mountain.

Saturday, 09/13/2025: Post photo — Something New.

They are starting to assembly the new high-speed lift on Wachusett. This is a photo of the new towers at the summit as the ski area prepares to install the upper part of the lift.

For the past 15 or so years, I have been posting a photo of me on the summit of one of the 48 4K mountains in New Hampshire as part of the Flags on the 48 September 11 memorial hike. This year I was unable to do the hike due to a prior commitment. I would like to congratulate the members of the Worcester AMC and the Wachusett Hikers who both took on summits this year.

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

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per cameram meam.”

Photographic Thoughts — 07/27/2025 to 08/02/2025

“What makes photography a strange invention is that the primary raw materials are light and time.” — John Berger

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

Sunday, 07/27/2025: Posted photo — Mary and Jesus.

This is a photo of Mary with Jesus. This statue is on the altar of our church. Next to Mary and Jesus is the Paschal Candle.

The Paschal candle represents Christ. The candle is made from pure beeswax represents the sinless Christ. The wick signifies His humanity, the flame, His Divine Nature, both soul and body. Five grains of incense inserted into the candle in the form of a cross recall the aromatic spices with which His Sacred Body was prepared for the tomb, and of the five wounds in His hands, feet, and side.

As Catholic’s know, Jesus died for all of us, not just a chosen few. He died for those we love, those we hate, people with different political and sociological views, different skin color or nationalities. People forget this these days.

Monday, 07/28/2025: Posted photo — Foundations.

These are some of the foundations that will be installed for the new ski lift on Wachusett Mountain.

Every week, I take my group of hikers to the ski area to watch the progress. We have seen the old towers and lift being removed. Now we are seeing the new equipment being installed.

Tuesday, 07/29/2025: Posted photo — Hibiscus.

Hibiscus flowers generally symbolize beauty, grace, and delicate charm. Different colors can have more specific meanings, with red often representing passion and love, white signifying purity and innocence, and yellow symbolizing friendship or happiness.

These are new hibiscus planted at my in-law’s house. I don’t know when they were planted since I have been traveling most of the summer.

Wednesday, 07/30/2025: Posted photo — Mountain High.

Photo from the summit of Madden Peak (11,982 feet) looking at Parrott Peak (11,871 feet). We did the saddle to Parrott Peak from Madden Peak but did not climb to the summit. It was a very hot day with not much breeze, even at this elevation.

This was a great day for a hike. Glad I finally conquered this peak. On to the next one during my next trip to Colorado.

Thursday, 07/31/2025: Posted photo — Fishing.

Jonah and Jonah (along with Freedom) went out fishing. This was a great day for family to get together as part of my wife’s family’s reunion week.

There was plenty of food and fun this week. The older Jonah did catch a few fish. He is a catch and release fisherman. We did have a campfire going, but they did not want to cook the fish.

Friday, 08/01/2025: Post photo — Water Lilly.

The water lily represents purity of heart, tranquility, and peace. Its ability to float gracefully on the water, seemingly untainted by the dirt beneath, makes it a powerful symbol of inner beauty and resilience. They are also a great place for fishing.

These water lilies have been frequented by beavers and ducks. I would just sit on the shoreline and enjoy nature. Watching the ducks swim in the water lilies, diving for food, and seeing the beaver swim to the lilies to feast on some of the flowers.

Saturday, 08/02/2025: Post photo — First Quarter Moon.

Today is the day for the first quarter moon.

There are eight phases of the moon. The phases are, in order: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent. The cycle repeats about once a month (every 29.5 days). As the Moon orbits the Earth, the Sun lights up different parts of it, making it seem as if the Moon is changing shape.

Even with all the full moon photos I have taken, the one that I want to succeed at is one of the crescent moons with the earthshine. Earthshine is a phenomenon where the dark portion of the Moon appears to glow faintly, illuminated by sunlight reflected off the Earth.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

Photographic Thoughts — 06/15/2025 to 06/21/2025

“Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future.” — Sally Mann

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

Sunday, 06/15/2025: Posted photo — Gospel Cover.

This is the Gospel cover at our church. I like the details on the cover. The book is very heavy, and the inside message is important.

I took this photo when I was putting up the numbers for the hymns. Looks like I was too close, so the top of the holder is cut off.

Monday, 06/16/2025: Posted photo — Foot on Summit.

Whenever I hike a mountain, I tough the summit. I have hiked Wachusett many, many times (hundreds of times) and always touch the summit. Some people think that it is strange that I do this. It is just a habit of mine.

Tuesday, 06/17/2025: Posted photo — Burl on Walnut.

A burl on a tree is a large, rounded outgrowth, often found on the trunk or branches. These growths are typically a result of stress or injury to the tree, like damage from insects, fungi, or physical trauma. Burls are used to make furniture.

This tree is at the intersection of West Side Trail and Old Indian Trail on Wachusett Mountain. I have often wondered what the cause of this tree’s injury was.

Wednesday, 06/18/2025: Posted photo — Watermelon.

The entire watermelon is usable. Pickled rind is the most widely known way to eat the rind, but it can also be candied, juiced, stewed, and baked.

That is something to think about. How many of you have eaten watermelon rind. I may have to try this sometime.

Thursday, 06/19/2025: Posted photo — Angel of Patience.

The “Angel of Patience” is a figure associated with virtues like endurance, resilience, and the ability to bear suffering without becoming upset.

I have posted a photo of the Angel of Patience in the past. I took this photo this week and needed a filler photo. To see my other posting, look at my post from May 26, 2024.

Friday, 06/20/2025: Post photo — More Mountain Laurel.

Busy day. I wanted to take a photo of a daily routine to use for my other photo project. Just ended up taking a photo of one of the other mountain laurel bushes in our yard.

These are pink. The ones I posted last week were white.

Saturday, 06/21/2025: Post photo — Camping.

This is my tent set up in our backyard. I set it up in our backyard to dry it out from last weekend’s Relay for Life. I set it up on Monday night before my hike. When I came back from my hike on Monday, my tent was still damp, so I left it set up.

It has been raining and very humid most of the week. Unlike most weekends lately, it rained during the week and not on the weekend. I was finally able to take down my tent and get it ready for my next backpacking adventure.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

Photographic Thoughts — 06/08/2025 to 06/14/2025

“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

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

Sunday, 06/08/2025: Posted photo — Pentecost Sunday.

Pentecost is the day that the Holy Spirit fell upon the Apostles and gave them the courage to go out and speak to the people about the faith. Before the Holy Spirit fell upon the Apostles, they did not know what why they were told to spread the Good News, and how they were going to do so.

They left their shelter and spoke to the people. Each heard them in their own voice. The message was one of love and understanding. These are all people, not just the people that you like.

Today, people forget this message to love one and other and to preach kindness to one and other. Today, if you are not of the same social economic class, same religion, same skin color, come from the same country, you are an outcast and troublemaker. The message of the Holy Spirit is to include all, help all, and love all, even if you are told not to do so.

Monday, 06/09/2025: Posted photo — Jack Frost Trail.

What a great hike today. The mountain was fogged in so there was an airy feeling on the hill. I just finished two weekends of teaching navigation, so tonight was a perfect day to use the skills that I taught to navigate the mountain. This is from old-growth area of the Jack Frost Trail. Most of the mountain was clear cut, apart from this area of Jack Frost and an area around the visitor center.

When I saw this area, to took out my cellphone and took this picture. I liked the way the fog and the old growth contrasted with each other.

Wachusett Mountain is home to one of the largest known stands of old-growth forest in Massachusetts, covering approximately 100 acres. These trees, some dating back to the 1600s, have not been cut and are living out their natural lifespans of several hundred years. The mountain also boasts a high diversity of lichen species, including those rarely collected in Massachusetts.

Tuesday, 06/10/2025: Posted photo — Mountain Laurel in Bloom.

Last week I posted a photo of the mountain laurel in our year starting to bud. This week I am posting a photo of the delicate looking flowers on the mountain laurel. There were a few areas in which there was more bloom than other areas.

Mountain laurel is unsafe for people to take by mouth. It can cause many side effects such as pain, cold sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness, dizziness, headache, fever, loss of vision, muscle weakness, serious heart and lung problems, death, and other severe side effects. You can touch mountain laurel, just don’t eat it.

Wednesday, 06/11/2025: Posted photo — Lost Summit.

One of my brothers made a 3-D topographical model showing the relationships between contour lines. I use this model during my classes over the last couple of weekends. The model was in an old hockey elbow pad bag that the summit piece fell out of.

He needed the model back from some training he was giving, so I taped up the holes in the bag so that the pieces did not fall out. When I put the pieces in the bag, I saw that all of them were in it, including the summit, so I thought.

Later in the day, after I handed the model off to another hiking leader to bring to my brother, the summit was found on our living room floor. The model will still work for training purposes. I just need to find a way to always keep it in the bag, otherwise the mountain cannot be claimed!

Thursday, 06/12/2025: Posted photo — Waiting for a Bed.

These rose bushes have been at our house for a few weeks and I have not been able to plant them due to the weather. We have been looking for a good location to plant them, since we had rose bushes before and they did not like their location. We tried multiple locations with no luck.

The new location seems to be a good one for them. The only problem is that they are in an area that gets the heaviest snowfall. The area is also in a location where snow is thrown while shoveling the walkway of the roof.

It was decided to make a raised flower bed in this location to plant them. This will be one of my first summer projects. I just need to keep room around the bed for mowing the lawn and for shoveling the walkway and roof.

Friday, 06/13/2025: Post photo — Daisy.

Today is the first day of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. I took this photo earlier in the day since I do not know how busy I will be tonight. I will be taking photos at the RFL and will be posting one for tomorrow’s photos.

The photo that I plan on posting is one of the luminaires that are around the track. Luminaries are bags with candles in them. The bags have the names of cancer survivors, living and deceased. I take a photo of the luminaires every year.

About the photo — I saw a few patches of daisies as I was packing my vehicle with supplies for the RFL. I spotted the bug resting on one of the daisies. I always look for bugs or bees on flowers since they take a better photo than just the flower on its own.

Saturday, 06/14/2025: Post photo — Luminaria.

Luminarias honor every life touched by cancer. They are dedicated to a loved one lost, someone currently battling, or anyone who’s overcome it. It is one of the most emotional ceremonies at RFL.

Here are some of the hundreds, maybe thousands, of luminaria that surrounded the track last night.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi.”

“Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

Photographic Thoughts — 05/04/2025 to 05/10/2025

“The whole point of taking pictures is so that you don’t have to explain things with words.” — Elliott Erwitt

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

Looking for some new quotes to use. If you have any, please put them in the comments.

I am following the quote this week with little commentary on the photos.

Sunday, 05/04/2025: Posted photo — Bleeding Hearts.

These bleeding hearts are at my in-law’s house. I missed taking a photo of them last year since I was away when they bloomed.

Monday, 05/05/2025: Posted photo — Stickers.

Some of the 36 stickers on my water bottle from each one of the US National Parks I have visited. Let’s hope that I will be able to visit them all before they disappear.

Tuesday, 05/06/2025: Posted photo — Birch Seeds.

From a birch tree in our yard.

Wednesday, 05/07/2025: Posted photo — Azalea Bubs.

One of the azalea bushes in our yard. We have a red one and a pink one.

Thursday, 05/08/2025: Posted photo — Sacrament of Confirmation.

Congratulations to one of my grandnieces for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is also the same day that the world has a new pope, Pope Leo XIV.

Friday, 05/09/2025: Post photo — Rain.

We are having heavy rain today. We had some last night on our way to and from Confirmation. We will have some more rain tomorrow.

Saturday, 05/10/2025: Post photo — Inspection Station.

Today was the day for my yearly vehicle inspection.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi.”

Photographic Thoughts — 04/27/2025 to 05/03/2025

“When I have a camera in my hand, I know no fear.” — Alfred Eisenstaedt

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

Looking for some new quotes to use. If you have any, please put them in the comments.

Sunday, 04/27/2025: Posted photo — Pope Francis.

“Who am I to judge?” Pope Francis July 28, 2013. The Roman Catholic Church emphasizes a welcoming atmosphere, striving to be inclusive of all people. “Love one another as I have loved you” John 13:34-35.

Many Catholics forget, or pass over these teachings, to discriminate against migrants and others they do not like or judge people on one topic. Pope Francis pushed for these traditions, and some did not like him for that.

He may not have been the perfect pope. He was human just like us. Matthew 25:31-46 teaches us to love all: “Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’” Matthew 25:44–45.

Monday, 04/28/2025: Posted photo — Communications Towers.

Communications tower on the summit of Wachusett Mountain.

It was a great and uneventful hike tonight. The adventures started on my ride home from the trailhead.

Let me tell you about kidney stones. Not the greatest of topics and some of you may not want to read on. I felt a stone coming on my ride home. I had stones before and knew the feeling. Most of the time the feeling goes away. Not tonight. I got home and was in pain. The decision was made to go to the ER to get it checked out. Good decision. I have an 11 mm stone that needs to be removed. Fun, fun, fun. It will be removed on Monday.

Tuesday, 04/29/2025: Posted photo — Flag.

This is my attempt at negative space photography, this week’s photo topic.

I made the photo a little darker to get more of the negative space feeling.

Wednesday, 04/30/2025: Posted photo — Tulips.

On my way to my medical appointment, I saw that one of the tulips in our yard had bloomed. I took multiple shots and liked this one because of the little spot of dew on it.

The tulips in our yard are hit or miss on their blooming. We have lost a few over the years and are glad to be about to see them bloom in daylight. The bad thing was that I was able to see them bloom in the daylight because I was going to a doctor’s appointment for my stones.

Thursday, 05/01/2025: Posted photo — Bluets.

Bluets are perennial wildflowers that may grow to a height of 6 inches. The leaves are opposite with a smooth margin. The leaves that originate at the base of the stem are large, while the two leaves on the stem are small. Blue flowers with yellow centers first mature in mid-spring and continue into mid-summer.

We have many patches of bluets in our yard. They are there until the first mowing of the lawn.

Friday, 05/02/2025: Post photo — Fiddleheads.

Fiddleheads are the young, curled fronds of certain fern species, and are a popular and edible springtime vegetable. These fiddleheads grow next to our mailbox. I take a photo of them every year and have not ventured into tasting them.

I do see that many stores in our area are starting to stock them this time of year.

Saturday, 05/03/2025: Post photo — Spillway.

This is the spillway from the Barry Falls Dam. Stopped today on the way home from doing an errand.

From the Barre Falls Dam website (https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Barre-Falls-Dam/): The project of Barre Falls Dam was authorized by Congress in 1941 to reduce flood damage from storms like those that devastated New England in 1936 and 1938. Construction of the project began in May 1956 and was completed in July 1958 at a cost of $2 million. A portion of Route 62 was relocated to accommodate the project. The project has prevented $53.2 million in flood damages since it was built (as of September 2011).

I went to the dam a few years ago to look for a geocache and wanted to go back. Soon I will be able to go back and explore more of the area.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi.”

Photographic Thoughts — 04/20/2025 to 04/26/2025

“Once you learn to care, you can record images with your mind or on film. There is no difference between the two.” — Anonymous

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

Using the old format for my photos this week. I have been very busy at work and tired when I came home from work.

Looking for some new quotes to use. If you have any, please put them in the comments.

Sunday, 04/20/2025: Posted photo — Easter Sunday.

Hallelujah, the Lord has risen!

Today is the holiest day of the liturgical year. Today is the day the Lord has risen to save up all. Immigrants, minorities, people we do not like, people with different views from ours, believers, non-believers, everyone! Jesus said “Love one another as I have loved you” in John 13:34. If you do not love immigrants, minorities, people we do not like, people with different views from ours, people with different political views, believers, non-believers, everyone, then do you not love yourself? The first of the 10 Commandments is “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no other gods before me.” People are forgetting this and are following false gods today.

We should all love everyone and stop the hatred in our hearts.

Happy Easter to all.

Monday, 04/21/2025: Posted photo — Disc Golf.

RIP Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis). Some people disagree with your teachings since you were not conservative enough for them. You have direct lineage of back to Saint Peter and were chosen by the faithful. You were a very Holy man who truly taught us, and showed the world, how to be humble. You did not want attention to yourself, only the teachings of the church.

A popular sport is disc golf. There are a few courses in our area, and I always wanted to try the sport. My son, my niece, and their friends started to play it more often last year.

This is a photo of our son practicing putting. This is my niece and her husband’s goal. We did purchase a goal for our son so that when they are not on a course, they can practice.

Tuesday, 04/22/2025: Posted photo — Mount Monadnock.

On my hike this week, I saw some interesting clouds. I do not know if this photo gives you the feeling of the clouds as it did for me on the hike.

The photo is of Mount Monadnock in the distance. I was attempting to show the waviness of the clouds as they formed over the mountains.

Wednesday, 04/23/2025: Posted photo — Construction.

Wachusett Mountain ski area is getting a new high-speed quad. To make room for the new lift, they are dismantling the old one.

Thursday, 04/24/2025: Posted photo — Sunflower.

A sunflower to brighten your day. I saw this while out shopping.

Friday, 04/25/2025: Post photo — Nest Reno.

We have an abandoned nest on a light next to our front door. A bird built it last year. I did not remove the nest. This year, a bird decided it was a great place to live and built a new nest onto the old one.

Saturday, 04/26/2025: Post photo — Crowded Room.

Today they laid Pope Francis to rest. People paid him respect by wearing black. Wearing black to funerals primarily symbolizing mourning and respect for the deceased. It’s a visual expression of grief and solemnity, acknowledging the loss and showing reverence for the departed.

Now for today’s photo.

The data team and staff in a small room in Lexington this afternoon. Last Monday was Patriots’ Day and it marked the semiquincentennial of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Lexington would have been a busy place to visit last weekend so they held the competition today.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi.”

Photographic Thoughts — 04/13/2025 to 04/19/2025

Photography is truth.” — Jean-Luc Godard

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

Looking for some new quotes to use. If you have any, please put them in the comments.

This week’s comments are small since I had to take an unexpected trip and did not bring my computer with my.

Sunday, 04/13/2025: Posted photo — Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday recalls the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, greeted by people waving palm branches. It is a reminder to welcome Jesus into our hearts and to be willing to follow him.. In those days, only kings road on donkeys and their donkeys were not allowed to walk on the dirt, so the people put down palms.

Monday, 04/14/2025: Posted photo — Airplane.

I had to take a quick trip for work today. Did not know that I was traveling until mid afternoon. I jumped on a plane tonight and headed to my destination.

Tuesday, 04/15/2025: Posted photo — Chicago.

Part of my travel was a layover in Chicago. This is when I was leaving the airport and heading to my final destination.

Wednesday, 04/16/2025: Posted photo — Kentucky Derby.

There were many of these Derby houses around time. The race is happening May 3 and the city is getting ready.

Thursday, 04/17/2025: Posted photo — Churchill Downs.

I did drive by a sign for Churchill Downs on my way to a meeting. Since someone else was driving, I did not see the racetrack. I did see this horse and jockey at the airport on my way home.

Friday, 04/18/2025: Post photo — Good Friday.

This is the second holiest day of the year. It is the only day that there is no mass, just a service. Good Friday is a solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary.

When I was young and going to Catholic school, we would have day off from school so that we could reflect on our lives from noon to three o’clock in the afternoon.

I took a photo of this brick that was in our yard since it has the work “pray” on it. It seemed appropriate for today.

Saturday, 04/19/2025: Post photo — Daffodils.

Spring weather is here today. The daffodils started to bloom this week. We have a few groups of them in our yard.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi.”

Photographic Thoughts — 03/30/2025 to 04/05/2025

In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” — Alfred Stieglitz

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

Looking for some new quotes to use. If you have any, please put them in the comments.

Sunday, 03/30/2025: Posted photo — Saint Anne.

Saint Anne is the mother of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This statue is outside the church I attend. We had a sister parish Saint Anne’s that had to be closed for safety reasons. The statue was moved in front of Saint Denis.

Monday, 03/31/2025: Posted photo — Roses.

Bad weather meant shopping today. Took a photo of some roses instead of food this week.

Tuesday, 04/01/2025: Posted photo — Stream.

Since the weather was wet the last few days, the streams and other water crossing on Wachusett Mountain were flowing. This is the stream at the junction of Administration Road and Jack Frost.

Wednesday, 04/02/2025: Posted photo — Overlook.

This is an overlook on Wachusett Mountain. There was a sign to the overlook for many years. The sign has been removed since there were too many teenage parties at the site, leaving to a dangerous situation. The group tonight was going to the summit for sunset. There was plenty of time, so I took them on the side trip to the overlook.

The windmills in this photo are at the trailhead we started from.

Thursday, 04/03/2025: Posted photo — Bowling.

This is a fun bowling dice game we have at home. We play it as either ten pin or candle pin. Most of the time, we play it a ten pin.

Friday, 04/04/2025: Post photo — More Roses.

I did not get out tonight to take a photo. I took this photo during my shopping trip last Tuesday night.

Saturday, 04/05/2025: Post photo — Levitation.

Here my attempt of a levitation photo. This is my brother’s first place Pinewood Derby trophy from August 1962.

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

“Sumens imagines consolatur et inspirat me.”