Saturday, December 31, 2011

SOOC - Prize Winning Poster


Our son-in-law Jeff is a graphics designer and entered a nationwide poster contest for President Obama's re-election campaign .  His was the winning poster out of over 1,000 entries.  It is a clever image and we are very proud of him.  I don't think there was a big prize other than bragging rights and a t-shirt but  I suspect we will see it next year during the campaign.  Remember, you saw it here first.

And to all, we wish you a very Happy New Year filled with health, prosperity, and peace.  God bless us, every one.


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Friday, December 30, 2011

Weekend Black and White - Horses

Horses seen at Booker T. Washington National Park.


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Skywatch Friday - Blue Skies in Tulsa

A beautiful blue winter sky framing my favorite Sycamore.

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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Ruby Tuesday - A Nice Red Lobster


Lobsters are not native to the waters of Oklahoma but are much appreciated when the opportunity presents itself.  This is sort of a before and after shot of a nice lobster who came to visit.  He was very nice.

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Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Closeup - The Face of Christmas

This is Wren's first Christmas.  She may be unsure of the details but she knows a good time when she sees it.  Nothing sums up the joy of Christmas like the face of a child.

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Sunday, December 25, 2011

SOOC - Hallelujah, Christ is Born

The Altar of Christ Church Episcopal in Tulsa, Oklahoma all set for Christmas Eve Mass at 5:30 PM on Saturday, December 24, 2011.  It was a fine service with lessons, carols and a festival eucharist.

Now we are home stuffed with Sue's home made cookies and a pot of tea, ready for bed and a Christmas day of gifts, family games, and roast turkey with all the trimmings.  It is a fitting birthday celebration for the one who came into this world to become man and demonstrate for us the love God has for all man kind.

We pray for all a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and the peace of God that passes all understanding.

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Saturday, December 24, 2011

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Wordless Wednesday - Meet Paulina


Susan and her daughter Jennifer drove up to Chicago to be with her son Mark and his wife Elena when she had her baby.

This is their 5th little girl and just beautiful at 7 pounds and a few ounces. Mother and child are doing fine. They told me that when she started her serious contractions Mark rushed her to the hospital and the time between check in and delivery was a scant 20 minutes. I guess practice makes perfect.

In the automobile industry they call this just in time" delivery.  Her sisters were very glad to greet her and took turns holding their new sister.



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Monday, December 19, 2011

Sunday, December 18, 2011

SOOC - Santa Claus

I was the Santa for Tulsa's Woodland Hills Mall for 6 seasons after I retired from 30 years with American Airlines.  I had to give that up for health reasons but I still dust off the suit for my favorite charity, the New Hope Ministry which provides activities and mentoring for children with a family member in prison.  My friend and foster son Mike Foster came along to assist me and these are his children.  They are Gavin, Heaven, and Avery.  Merry Christmas to all.

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Friday, December 16, 2011

Black & White Weekend - Corral

Booker T. Washington National Park, Virginia


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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Ruby Tuesday - Reds vs. Blues

Youth soccer has become as popular as Little League baseball.  But it is not for the faint of heart as indicated by the grimace on the face of the coach seen wringing his hands from the sidelines.


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Monday, December 12, 2011

Sunday, December 11, 2011

SOOC - Saint Nicholas


Last Sunday was the Sunday closest to December which is Saint Nicholas day for those liturgical churches that keep track of that sort of thing.  As it turns out, because of my white beard and robust figure I have been called upon to represent both Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas on many occasions and have excellent costumes for both characters.  Actually, both costumes represent the same character separated by about 16 centuries.  In any case I was dressed up in my finest Cope and Mitre and played St Nicholas after church while an skilled photographer took photographs of any and all who wished to pose on St Nick's knee.  The lovely woman in the picture above is none other than my dear wife Susan.
Merry Christmas!



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Saturday, December 10, 2011

Black & White Weekend - Rail Fence

Booker T. Washington National Park, Virginia


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Friday, December 9, 2011

Skywatch Friday - Las Vegas

Early morning view from the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas Nevada.

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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Thursday Challenge: Communication - Djembe Drum

This is a Djembe drum from Ghana, West Africa.  I have several such drums and this one I play every Sunday Morning with the music ministry at my church.  The interesting thing about a djembe is that the tone varies depending on where you strike it.  A sharp slap near the edge gives a high pitched sound while a open palmed stroke at the center gives a much lower sound.  Using the flat of the hand or individual fingers one can produce a surprising variety of sounds.  This is one means of communicating with a drum.

You will notice that the head of this drum has been covered with calligraphy done on the goat skin head with Sharpie pens.  Beginning at the top center and spiraling around the head in a clockwise direction are a number of prayers, scriptures, and blessings whose common element is that they have some personal meaning to me.

The graphic in the center is made of a single red line which loops around and reconnects with itself. The single unending line would remind us of the never ending love of God, or of infinity.   The basic pattern contains four lobes which reminds us of the cross of Christ.  On each arm are 3 loops which remind us of the Holy Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In a sense when I play the drum, as the sound rises up from the drum head, the prayers rise up with the sound.  So the drum communicates is several ways.  At least that works for me.  If you want to read the writing, start at the top center, and follow around until you arrive at the center.  Please be careful that you do not strain your neck, or drop the monitor while rotating it. ( :-)}  Have a good week.

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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Ruby Tuesday - Crossfire Roadster

Chrysler Crossfire Roadster.

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Monday, December 5, 2011

Macro Monday - The Last Rose

Despite several night time dips just below freezing I still have a few roses.  The summer flowers have turned black and shriveled up but the roses are tougher than that.  It won't be long and everything will go dormant.  Enjoy 'em while you got 'em.

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Saturday, December 3, 2011

Happy Birthday to Susan


Today (Friday) was Susan's birthday and we celebrated by going to dinner at Bonefish Grill.  There a lot of Bonefish locations in Florida and on the east coast but only one in Oklahoma.  The food was excellent and our server Nick surprised the birthday girl with a really classy treat.  Thanks for a very nice evening.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Skywatch Friday - Bridges across the Arkansas

Looking northwest up the Arkansas River from the pedestrian bridge we see the bridges which connect downtown Tulsa with the western part of the city.  The red arrows in the images below are pointing to this cluster of bridges.  Click on the images to get a larger view.


While we are talking about bridges, it should be noted that there are no less than 5 spans crossing the river at the same location.  In the sky view on the left are the rail crossing, then the west bound lanes of I244/I75, the east bound lanes of I244/I75, the remains of the US66 bridge known locally as the 11th St bridge, and Southwest Boulevard to West Tulsa.

In the view on the right we see the network of exchanges that comprise the Inner Dispersal Loop.  I must confess to you that I have lived here most all of my life and I still am not confident that I can thread my way through all of these on the first try.  The key is to read the signs carefully and pray that you are in the right lane.

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

Thursday Challenge: Doors - Midtown Tulsa

This week's challenge is "doors".  As I often post photos of doors on Wednesday it was easy to move my door photo out a day.  Tulsa is a city of lovely old homes.  The near southeast we refer to as "midtown" and I visit this area often as it is not far from where I live.  I admire brick houses like this and am partial to red doors.

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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Oasis in Iraq

My son David brought this photo back from Iraq.

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Monday, November 28, 2011

Macro Monday - Hungry Koi Fish

The Koi in the pond at Philbrook Art Center are quite accustomed to being feed a handful of crumbs tha;t when a visitor stops to look at the fish they hurry over and get into position for a treet.  They look exceptionally well fed but still, one hates to disappoint such a lovely fish..

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Sunday, November 27, 2011

SOOC - The King of Beasts

Tulsa has a nice zoo located in Mohawk Park north of the city.   Our big African Lion is looking regal as always.

Straight Out Of the Camera (SOOC) is a meme for photos that have not been tweaked or altered. In other words, straight out of the camera.

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Saturday, November 26, 2011

The Indoor Pool at Hearst Castle

In October of 2004 we visited Hearst Castle while in Monterrey visiting out son Paul and his wife Beth.  They took us to the spectacular Hearst Castle, built by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst.  This is one view of the indoor swimming pool.

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Friday, November 25, 2011

Skywatch Friday - Desert Sunrise

My son David just came home from a visit to Iraq with the Oklahoma Air Guard.  While he was there he took a few photos that he shared with me.  It is very seldom that I post a photo that is not my own but I think this sunrise is exceptional.  Thank you Sgt Miller.

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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thursday Challenge: Soft - Purple Fountain Grass

I really like ornamental grasses, but I have never planted any in my flower beds.  I resolve to remedy that.  These were part of the beautiful Cantigny Gardens in St. Louis.

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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Wordless Wednesday - Midtown Doors

What interested me most about this handsome old house was the neatly trimmed ivy around the windows.

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Monday, November 21, 2011

Macro Monday - Wee Wren Walks

My newest granddaughter little Miss Wren Miller is walking already and not quite 10 months old.   Of course we think she is very advanced.  The family gathered today to greet David on his return from Iraq and everyone was encouraging Wren as she tottered from one person to another.

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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Weekend Black and White - Under the Sassafras Trees

My neighbor across the street.  The bright yellow leaves look almost white when converted to monochrome.


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Saturday, November 19, 2011

He's Baaaack! Welcome home Dave.




My son David came back from Iraq Friday.  He arrived at the base on a military charter just in time for a specially thankful Thanksgiving.  His wife Renee and I were there to greet him.  

Friday, November 18, 2011

Skywatch Friday - Clouds over the Arkansas

Changeable weather seems to be the rule in Oklahoma.  It is never boring.


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Thursday, November 17, 2011

The Autumn Leaves of Red and Gold



In spite of drought and terrible heat last summer the trees are ablaze with fall color.  Here is just a sample.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Wordless Wednesday - Midtown Doors

Could be Elves here, or maybe Hobbits.

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