Otto's Tour, So Far.

It is a little known fact that gnomes, in order to remain in good standing in the Brotherhood of Gnomes, must, in their lifetime, complete what is known as the Tour de Cleavage. Otto has been in training for le tour for most of his life (about 130 years), and was finally ready to begin earlier this month. So far, he has had 4 stops on his tour and projects that, at the current rate, he will complete the required number of stops in 50 years and earn the coveted Badge de Brassiere along with a place in gnome history as the youngest gnome to receive le badge. Keep on tourin', Otto.

A vist from Mothra. Can Godzilla be far behind?

Mothra came to visit this morning. Marianne, when I retire, I'm making a sweater with these colors (I think this is a Banded Tussock moth--Halysidota tesselaris).
























(I know this month's color is blue--I'm working on it.)

Father's Day 2006--Five Generations.

On Father's Day at Bennigan's, five generations of Kobe's family came together for dinner. Seated from left to right are Ro and Don, Jr., Kobe's grandmother and grandfather; Anna May, Ro and Don's daughter and Kobe's mother; Julia, Kristofer's daughter and Kobe's sister; Kristofer, Julia and Kobe's father and Anna Mae's POSSLQ (as in Roses are red, violets are blue, won't you be my POSSLQ?); Kobe; Don, Sr., Don, Jr's father and Kobe's great-grandfather; and Grandmom Rose, Ro's grandmother and Kobe's great-great grandmother. Got that?

A good time was had by all.

Let's go! Mets go!

Julia sizes up the opposing team.


Looks like a base hit!


Run, Julia! Run!


Keep running!


Almost there!


Okay, now get ready to run again.


'Cuz I'm a girl, and I'm better.


Julia scoops up a grounder.


I got it! I got it! I got it!


She winds it up!


She unwinds it a little (a style all her own).

Of course I throw like a girl! I AM a girl!


She grinds it into home plate.


Well, yes, I know; but I'm the grandmother.

P.S. Julia's team was the Mets, so be sure and watch the video and listen to the song on the link at the end of this sentence.

A Perfect Day.

Love those red barns!


Another view of the farm.


Where clouds come from. I always wondered. Now I can call it The Cloud Factory.


Another favorite spot on Sunset Road.


I liked the shapes of these trees and how the colors looked together.



A cormorant (I think). I'm saving up for a bigger zoom.

Brian and Angie's Wedding 6-3-06

Memories . . .

I know the devil made me do it, but I saw a resemblance, although the minister was a bit more benevolent looking than Mr. Burns, doncha think?


Waiting for the bride. . .


Where did I put those rings?


I will not fidget. I will not fidget. I will not fidget. I will not fidget. . .


Presenting the new Mr. and Mrs.


Everyone threw bubbles.



Kristofer and Anna May


Julia and Kobe, after the wedding, trying not to run.


Didn't work.


Bubbles! Now that's fun!


The bridal party, waiting to be presented.



And waiting . . .


Our turn!



Time for the chicken dance . . .


After this, we can play hide and seek.


We're on!


A great looking couple . . .


We'll be in full color again in the next frame.


Okay, everybody. Let's eat!


If nobody saw me jump, it didn't really happen.


Angie dancing with her father.


Angie and her dad.


More pictures coming soon.

Our Trip to Pittsburgh

The U of P panther. Now that's my kind of school!


Once a teacher, always a teacher.


Horsie!!


He was a smiling little trouper all over Pittsburgh.


Benjamin and "The Hand."


What it takes to make a sandwich, and T shirts, too. We had lunch at Primanti's, a well-known Pittsburgh eatery. Your sandwiches come with french fries and coleslaw--IN the sandwich. Yummy!


This poor guy never stopped moving.

A view from Mount Washington of some bridges that traverse the Monongahela River. If this picture continued to the left, you would see the Allegheny River, and more bridges. Those two rivers combine to form the Ohio River (yes, more bridges).


A view of Pittsburgh from Mount Washington.

Another view from Mount Washington. Click on the picture to enlarge it, and in the distant background you will see the Cathedral of Learning, which is at the center of the University of Pittsburgh. At 42 stories, it is said to be the second tallest educational structure in the United States (no, I don't know--Google it).



A closer view of the Cathedral of Learning.


Heinz Stadium and the fountain at Golden Triangle Park, as seen from Mt. Washington.


Rae, Mel, and Jeremy on Mt. Washington with Pittsburgh in the background.


David, Me, and Pittsburgh.


The tallest building in this picture is the Pittsburgh Plate Glass building, made out of glass (what else?). Great mix of old and modern.


The Cathedral of Learning up close and personal.


The fountain at Point State Park viewed through a tunnel. The area is called The Golden Triangle and is where 3 rivers meet (see above). The fountain is one of the tallest in the nation and is fed by an underground (fourth) river.


Heather, Benjamin, and Mel at the fountain.


Rae and me, resting.


Heather and Benjamin in The Pillow Room at the Warhol Museum.


The Chairmen, at the Warhol Museum.


Warhol's stuffed lion. Now that's my kind of museum (see panther above)!


Some of Warhol's magazine covers.


Warhol's Marilyn.


Rae, Benjamin, Jeremy, and Heather.


Heather, Benjamin, and Jeremy.


Mel, Rae,
Heather, Benjamin, and Jeremy.


Going home.