Black and White Bench

This week’s entry for Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge (CBWC) is any kind of seating. The following photos are from a 2014 camping trip with girlfriends and hike on the Ice Age Trail in northern Wisconsin. If you’d like to see the color version of the first photo and an accompanying poem, click HERE. From the Ice Age Trail Alliance: “More than 12,000 years ago, an immense flow of glacial ice sculpted a landscape of remarkable beauty across Wisconsin.Read more

What I Did During Summer Vacation

Do you remember standing in front of the class during grade school or high school so that others might know what you did with your summer vacation? I don’t remember exactly how often this occurred in my world or in what grade(s), but I know I recounted the summer adventures of an adolescent at least once or twice. Our family took a road-trip vacation almost every summer, so I would have had something worthy to talk about – although, IRead more

Whacking in the Dark

So they left the subject and played croquet, which is a very good game for people who are annoyed with one another, giving many opportunities for venting rancor. ~Rose Macaulay~ There was none of that on Saturday evening. No venting rancor. No annoyance other than with a missed shot or a taunting opponent. Rather, we were sipping on adult refreshment and whacking croquet balls in the dark. Red dusted off her croquet set, wrapped glow sticks around the hoops andRead more

Night Flames

What nocturnal photos do you like taking? Whether it’s a starry sky, a street lamp, or the shadows cast by your cat, share them with us. Your shot can be outdoors or indoors, blurry or crisp, overexposed or ominously dark. As every owl (and night owl) knows, nighttime is when the real action starts. During a July camping vacation, the camp fire was a must…whether it be for cooking tin-foiled, buttered potatoes and onions, sizzling a bratwurst, or for a relaxingRead more

The Differential Memoir

  Mom: Your dress is too short. Me: No it’s not. Mom: They are not wearing them that short. Me: Mom, mini skirts are “in”. Mom: You shouldn’t wear them that short. Me: *rolls eyes* This conversation happened somewhere around 1973 or 1974. I had signed up for Home Economics in high school in order to sew my own clothes and place the hem at the appropriate length…according to the groovy disco era. (Yes, I know, disco sucks. Except forRead more

Summer Love

What do I love to do in summer? Three vacation pictures tell the story. Hiking – Ice Age Trail Biking – Mariner’s Trail along Lake Michigan Camping – Dells of the Eau Claire RiverRead more

Flowers Always

I must have flowers, always, and always. ― Claude Monet Natasha is camping this week and I have chosen to stay behind with the furry kids. We are still somewhat discombobulated from the move to a new place, mostly schedule-wise and remembering where everything is in the kitchen. Luckily, I know the refrigerator and Gibbs still knows the smell of chicken. Before Natasha left, we spent time shopping for patio flowers. We are behind schedule, or at least I am. IRead more

Carefree x 2

Carefree – Cat Style: No job to go to, no bills to pay, no lack of sleep time. Carefree – Human Style: A week off from the job, the bills can wait, no lack of lounging by the campfire. Weekly Photo Challenge: Click here for more carefree posts.  Read more

A Time for the Senses

Daily Prompt: Opposite Day – If you normally write non-fiction, post a photo. If you normally post images, write fiction. If you normally write fiction, write a poem. If you normally write poetry, draw a picture. Sunshine, blue skis, blue water You fill my soul with your beauty Campfire, drifting smoke, brats, smores You make my eyes water and my tastebuds tingle Fishing boat, tackle box, lures You give me desire to fish Tent, picnic table, anti-gravity chair You areRead more

Mosquitos, Face Plants and Fish Hooks

Camping and fishing have their pitfalls. Serious pitfalls. The snares started when four women departed their vehicles on a Saturday evening to check out and choose a spot to park the camper and a couple of tents. Within an instant, a swarm of mosquitos descended, determined to suck the blood of every human in their path. The little flying demons did not care that the women were on an adventure of relaxation and respite – they were on a missionRead more

Fishing Fuel

Natasha and I have a new rule. Never ever fish without Oreos. The reasons are many. I’ll give you the short list. Oreos are good. No, Oreos are great. Oreos are the best alternative to breakfast, lunch or dinner in the boat or at the boat landing. Oreos are chocolate. (Good substitution for melty KitKat bars) Oreos have a creme filling. This is not relative to fishing, but still important. Oreos help us catch fish. No, they really do helpRead more

Closed

It’s almost time. Vacation. I’m excited. Clothes are packed (I have too many of them). Shoes are packed (I have too many of them). Food is packed (You can never have too much food.) Bug spray is packed. Various other sundries will soon be packed. My vehicle will be loaded to the rooftop with a cornucopia of camping supplies. Check out last year. The only other chores left to do is take out the garbage and clean the cat hairRead more