Never In My Wildest Dreams....

As someone who has only been enjoying the art of 

photography for a few years I never

imagined that I would find myself arguing

with someone whether or not I had actually
taken a certain photo.

But it happened last evening.

I was at an event.

My cards were on the table and this darling

lady started arguing with me 

about whether I had taken this photo.

Ummm...I was there.

I told her it was at my Mother in law's butterfly bush.

She demanded to know what kind of a camera I have.

I told her a Canon digital.

She said, "I have one of those and I can't take these pictures!"

I was recounting this to Warren and we both got a bit 

of a laugh at her insistence that this camera would not 

take such a detailed and lovely photo.

Oh well.

It does.

And it also took these just a few minutes ago.

My miniature hydrangea flowers.

I love the lacy look and delicate coloring.

Hope you have fun with this and don't feel the need 

to knock me down a peg.

Believe me, 

I am quite insecure.

I think that is why this cracked me up so.

And now, 

time to prepare for a late night

watching the Olympics. 

I've been carefully avoiding the news of 

today's results.

Can't wait to watch the gymnastics.

Hope I can stay awake.

Skydiving On A Summer Day

Not Me.

I don't skydive.

Ever.

But I have friends and family who cannot 

get enough of this adventurous sport.

On Saturday there were five scheduled

to jump.

My Mom, Emma, Tim, Shelly and Joseph.

(The link goes to Deanna's photos of the day)

Three of the five were able to take their 

turns before a bad thunderstorm 

stopped the fun.

Mom and Shelly had to postpone.

Turns out that wasn't all bad because

some of the others want to go again

and at least one who couldn't jump this time

wants to give it a try.

Here are some fun shots from this 

very, very hot and humid day.

Mom gets instruction  from Pete.

Learning how to turn.

Pete assured her that he could override if she went crazy with spins and turns.

If you want to spin pull it all the way down.

Emma all suited up and ready to FLY.

This was a celebration of her 18th birthday.  

 Although Emma's birthday was a few months ago at a time of the year

not so conducive to learning to skydive.

Father and daughter ham for the camera before they jump.

 Those crazy kids.  lol

It was hard to see the screen on such a sunny day......

Well, that and to catch a moving target.

 Due to the extreme heat some of us hid under the shadow of a plane to watch the landings.

This was Emma and Chuck(her tandem instructor) just after they slid in for a

fun landing.

 Tim and his instructor, Pete.

Joseph....So excited and ready to jump!

 Joseph wants to go again and put to use a lot of what 

he learned from his first jump.

The flip and turns that he did nearly made him 

pass out so he felt he missed some of the excitement.

Mom and Pete training again.

That is a mock plane door.

I think he is explaining how he will SHOVE her out of the door.....just kidding.

One of the planes they used that day. 

I don't think I would like an open door up there....just sayin'.

 Here comes Joseph!

Finally Mom was getting suited up.

But even as they got her ready they knew it was likely she wouldn't jump 

that day.  They were watching a huge storm moving that way.

We could feel it coming....the air got soupy.

Mom's face just kept getting redder. 

Tim was fanning her with the lid of the trash can.

 I finally asked if she could get out of the suit as we were 

waiting.  They agreed and she was much more comfortable.

That thing is HOT.

Not a good thing on a 90-something degree day with 

high humidity.

With Mom and Emma needing to get to work they decided not to 

wait out the storm. 

Probably a good thing because it rained most of the rest of the afternoon.

Another attempt is going to be scheduled in September or October.

Here's hoping for a cooler day!

Stormy Weather is On Its Way

I'm watching The Weather Channel show bad weather up in New York 

where we enjoyed these views this time last week.  

We each picked a rock to sit on......they were hard. 

Amazingly red flower.....just because.

Before long it will be our turn to stay inside and take shelter.

The storms are headed here.

Praying that they come.

They leave rain.

They move on.....

We kind of have outdoor plans this evening.

We'll see.

Most important is safety for all in the 

way of these storms.

Please take shelter if you are 

in the Northeast

on this Thursday afternoon.

These are serious.

Before I sign off for this post I have to show you

the view from Lanzi's on the Lake in 

Mayfield, New York.

This is a place we would love to return to

at some point in the future.

The food was delicious and the staff

very capable.

More than anything, though, was the view.

Sitting on the deck overlooking

the Sacandaga Lake.

We loved seeing people come up to the dock 

on their boats and then come on up 

to have their dinner.

A great spot.

I highly recommend it!

Now the pups are declaring their need 

to go outside.

Guess I'll pay attention and feed 

our new chicks while I am at it.

There are three who hatched out just as we 

were getting home.

Precious little fluffballs.