Tuesday, June 30, 2015

The End of June (181/365)

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Everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.
-Charles Dudley Warner  (American, essayist, novelist, 1829-1900)

TIME:  7:17 PM
PLACE:  Around town
SUBJECT: The sun

Clear skies yesterday.
Overcast, hazy and t-storms today.
Typical weather pattern for this past June.
It hasn’t really felt like summer.

Monday, June 29, 2015

The Annual Outing (180/365)

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“I’m on a roller coaster that only goes up, my friend.”
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

TIME: 5:11 PM
PLACE:  Six Flags
SUBJECT: Boomerang

With all the rain we’ve been having, I was a little worried about our yearly summer visit to Six Flags.
We lucked out.
It was sunny and pleasant.

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Claudia and her cousins are in the 2nd full car from the left.
Her hair is blowing.
*~*~*
I didn’t ride many rides this year. 
I must be old.
Instead, I found myself sitting at the exits of rides waiting on children.
I took pictures while waiting.

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I noticed that hey replaced many boards on the almost 40 year-old Screaming Eagle entrance cue.

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Here is the exit from the Screaming Eagle roller coaster.

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I didn’t even get up from my shady spot to take this photo of the group.
Digital zoom baby!

Sunday, June 28, 2015

The Final Score (179/365)

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“Having a family is like having a bowling alley installed in your head.”
Martin Mull (American Actor. b.1943, Chicago, Illinois, USA)

TIME:  12:14 PM
PLACE: Edisons, Edwardsville
SUBJECT:  Bowling scores

The annual family event for my work.
My boy thought he could beat me at bowling.
When he realized he couldn’t win by pin counts, he decided to see who could heave the ball down the lane the fastest.
He did win that feat of strength.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Class Photo (178/365)

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Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on MTV
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
Cause she's still preoccupied
With 19, 19, 1985

”1985”, Bowling for Soup, A Hangover You Don’t Deserve, Red Ruby Productions, (originally by SR-71)

TIME:  11:17 PM
PLACE:  “The Abbey”
SUBJECT:  Class of 1985

Our 2nd evening of our class reunion was tonight.
It was a little less crowded than the prior evening.
There were classmates here who couldn’t make last night, and some from the previous evening could not make this night.
I didn’t take this picture, but it was taken with my little camera.
I’m in the back giving my cousin bunny ears.
I’m very mature.

Friday, June 26, 2015

Tavern (177/365)

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TIME:  11:50 PM
PLACE:  Downtown
SUBJECT: Tavern sign

Tonight was the first night of our 30 year class reunion.
30 years!
My cousin Kat and I started the evening at this location then walked down to the evenings informal gathering at another bar.
We mingled and caught up with our classmates.
There were a lot of photos taken and posted to Facebook.
(not by me – this was the only one I took all night!)
We ended up back here – as our cars were parked nearby.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Someone Else Cooked! (176/365)

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“For is there any practice less selfish, any labor less alienated, any time less wasted, than preparing something delicious and nourishing for people you love?”
Michael Pollan, Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation

TIME: 5:14 PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT:  Supper made by Claudia and Stella

The girls made supper tonight.
Claudia made a one-pot tortellini with turkey sausage.
Stella made a tomato & avocado salad with garlic.
It was awesome to come home to dinner on the table.
And it tasted pretty darn good too.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Restaurant (175/365)

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TIME:  6:11
PLACE: Mariachi's
SUBJECT: Mirrored wall

I had dinner with some of my cousins.
This back wall at the restaurant has some of the same colors as yesterday’s sunset.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Colorful Night Sky (174/365)

20150623 IMG_2459"The first stab of love is like a sunset, a blaze of color -- oranges, pearly pinks, vibrant purples..."
- Anna Godbersen

TIME:  8:32 PM
PLACE:  Belleville Crossing Street
SUBJECT:  Evening sky

While driving home from our “Target” run, Claudia and I got to witness this beautiful evening sky.
Just look at those colors.
Amazing.

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Monday, June 22, 2015

Advice from a Caterpillar (173/365)

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“In a minute or two the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth and yawned once or twice, and shook itself. Then it got down off the mushroom, and crawled away in the grass, merely remarking as it went, `One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter.'

`One side of WHAT? The other side of WHAT?' thought Alice to herself.

`Of the mushroom,' said the Caterpillar, just as if she had asked it aloud; and in another moment it was out of sight.”


Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter V-Advice from a Caterpillar, Lewis Carroll

TIME:  6:07 PM
PLACE:  Backyard
SUBJECT: Mushroom

”Someone” took a bite out of one side of this mushroom.
It wasn’t me.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Solstice, Sleeping and Son (172/365)

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“Care to join me for solstice caroling?
[sings in a high voice]
Walking in the grass, it's so fine, don't need shoes in the summertime!”

Spongebob, “Krabby Land”, Season 3, Episode 57a, April 3, 2004

TIME:  6:08 AM to 6:50 AM
PLACE:  Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
SUBJECT:  Woodhenge

I convinced the husband to wake at an ungodly hour to be at Cahokia Mounds at 5:20am to observe the Summer Solstice Sunrise.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not cooperate. 
The rainy weather refused to leave and the sun was not visible.
Still, we heard an excellent explanation of the post circles and we hiked up to the top of Monks Mound for some spectacular views.
(The mound bisected by the back middle post is Monks Mound.)


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The steps leading to the top of  Monks Mound

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Looking west from the top of Monks Mound 

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The east side of Monks Mound
(for perspective, you can just make out a person standing on the top at the far right)


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There were many deer on the site.
These guys were hiding out in the tall grass.
~*~*~*~

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TIME:  2:44 PM
PLACE:  The car
SUBJECT:  Sleeping children

In the afternoon, we had a graduation party to attend.
They all complained about how the back seat was too crowded now that they are older.
It didn’t stop them from all falling asleep on the hour-long ride there.

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TIME:  3:43 PM
PLACE:  Pond at Brother-in-law’s
SUBJECT:  James and a fish

We did some fishing while we were there.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Carts (171/365)

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TIME:  7:53 PM
PLACE: Fresh Thyme Market
SUBECT: Shopping carts

Claudia and I dropped off Oreo at Petsmart for a bath and nail trim then went to Fresh Thyme market to pick up Claudia’s granola.
While there, I embarrassed her by taking a photo of the shopping carts.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Butterfly (170/365)

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TIME: 6:25 PM
PLACE: Back yard
SUBJECT:  Butterfly

I am sooo glad it’s Friday.
Taking the girls to see the new Pixar movie “Inside Out” at 7:15 tonight.
Let the weekend begin!

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Uninvited Guest (169/365)

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“Uninvited guests are often most welcome when they leave”
― Aesop

TIME:  5:59 PM
PLACE: Pantry
SUBJECT: Bird

Somehow, this bird got into the house.
The cats and dog were going nuts.
So was the oldest daughter.
The bird pooped twice before we shooshed him out the back door.
All those utensils went straight into the dishwasher.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Coneflower Beginning (168/365)

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“On this June day the buds in my garden are almost as enchanting as the open flowers.”
-  Francis King

TIME:  6:18 PM
PLACE: Side of house
SUBJECT: Wild coneflower

The wildflowers that the husband planted last year on the side of the house have re-appeared with a serious intensity.
Even when they are just beginning, the coneflowers are some of my favorites.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Bug on Blue Barrel (167/365)

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TIME:  6:27
PLACE: Yard
SUBJECT:  Bug on blue plastic rain barrel

Rained all day.
Supposed to rain all week.
The silver lining?
Our rain barrels are full.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Lacey Leaves (166/365)

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“It is difficult to see why lace should be so expensive; it is mostly holes.”
Mary Wilson Little

TIME: 5:20 PM
PLACE:  Outside
SUBJECT:  Leaves

I don’t know what insect/disease is doing this to these leaves.
And I’m sure it’s not a good thing for the tree.
But, they do look pretty.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Tool & Die (165/365)

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TIME:  2:25 PM
PLACE:  Across the street from the Auction Center
SUBJECT:  Chelar Tool & Die, Inc. Designers and Manufacturers sign

I took Stella to her first auction.
She learned:

1. Don’t act interested in the item you want.
2. Because if you do, someone else will try to out-bid you.
3. But that’s okay, because there is usually something else you would like to bid on.
4. It helps to make friends with the person who is working the wagon – he can pull out the only item you are interested on in the box so you can bid on it by itself.
5. Don’t get caught up in the bidding war.  It helps to have a wingman (your mother) to stop you from spending too much on something you don’t need.
6. The one item you really, really, want is always at the end of the last wagon of the day.
7. But, sometimes, you can get the lot moved to the front of the last wagon so you don’t have to wait (see #4)

She had fun and now wants to go to more auctions.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Nickname (164/365)

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TIME:  9:09 PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT: James’ birthday cookie

Instead of cake, James had non-tradtional birthday brownies and a large chocolate chip cookie this year.
I had them pipe “Happy Birthday Jamesy” on the cookie.
The decorator at the bakery added the heart over the “e’' just because.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Friday Night Jack (163/365)

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TIME: 10:09 PM
PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Jack

He was watching a bug fly around the kitchen.
I was watching him.
My Friday night excitement!

Thursday, June 11, 2015

James at 16 (162/365)

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TIME: 5:31 PM
PLACE:  Front
SUBJECT:  James and his license

My favorite son turned 16 today!
He passed his driving test and obtained his initial restricted license this afternoon.
Love my boy.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

June Chalkboard (161/365)

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Summer,it turns me upside down
Summer, summer, summer
It's like a merry go round
I see you under the midnight
All shackles and bows
High shoes with the cleats a clickin'
A temperamental glow

The Cars - Magic 

TIME:  7:05 PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT: Chalkboard

I searched for-ev-er on Pinterest and Google images looking for summer chalkboard ideas.
I did not care for them.
Well, except for the way “Summer” was written on one.
So, I designed my own.
Utilizing a lyric snippet from The Cars.
Ahh, the summer of 1984 – it was awesome.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

This Is Where It Hurts (160/365)

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“Rigid, the skeleton of habit alone upholds the human frame.”
Virginia Woolf (1882-1941), British novelist. Mrs. Dalloway, p. 62 (1925).

TIME:  4:12 PM
PLACE: Chiropractor’s office
SUBJECT:  Skeleton model

My lower back is still very painful.
I left work early to visit the chiropractor again.
I hope it starts to feel better soon.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Looking Closer in the Landscape (159/365)

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TIME:  6:55 PM
PLACE:  Medical Building
SUBJECT:  Landscaping & a bee

James had an appointment this evening for his yearly sports physical at 7pm.
Before we went into the medical building, I snapped some photos of the landscaping.
There were several bees being very busy in the sea of yellow flowers.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Daisies (158/365)

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Daisies are like sunshine to the ground.”
Drew Barrymore (American Actress, b.1975)

TIME: 6:34 PM
PLACE:  Front yard
SUBJECT:  Flowers

I did something to my lower back.
It’s been hurting since yesterday morning.
I went to the chiropractor today – but it’s still killing me.
On the bright side, the daisies I planted last year are blooming nicely.

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Before and After (157/365)

20150606_103749 copyTIME:  10:37 AM
PLACE:  Olympika Bar & Grill
SUBJECT:  James’ pancake breakfast before

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TIME:  10:53 AM
PLACE:  Olympika Bar & Grill
SUBJECT:  James’ pancake breakfast after

And I wonder why my grocery bill is so huge.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Pigeon (156/365)

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Why is a pigeon like a clock?
It keeps going “Coo-Coo”
Bert’s pigeon joke

TIME: 7:33 PM
PLACE: Drive up ATM
SUBJECT: Pigeon

This guy was sitting on the ledge in the drive-up ATM lane.
After I completed my transaction, I looked back and he was still there.
No one was behind me, so I reversed, rolled down my window and took his picture.
He didn’t seem very concerned.
I drove away and left him standing there.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Office Humor (155/365)

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There has never been a better office communication system than the coffee break.
Unknown

TIME: 6:46 AM
PLACE:  The Office
SUBJECT:  Box of Stevia

This post-it note has been on this box almost as long as we have been in the new building.
We moved in here in October of 2012.
I don’t think a lot of co-workers use Stevia.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Makers Marks (154/365)

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TIME:  6:58 PM
PLACE: South 11th St & West Main
SUBJECT:  Pavers & Sewer Cover

After yesterday’s excitement – the husband and I needed a soothing beverage to take the edge off.
We meet some friends of ours at 10th St. Baking Company for some drinks.
They hit the spot.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Looking a Little Punchy (153/365)

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TIME:  6:47 PM
PLACE:  Home
SUBJECT:  DramaQueen’s car

I get the phone call at work right as I am leaving for the day.
Claudia and her friend had gone to the St. Louis Zoo today.  On the way home, in rush hour traffic, she rear-ended the car in front of her.
Luckily, no one was hurt.
I met them and exchanged info with the other driver.
I’m just going to pay to fix their car out-of-pocket.
The Miata is probably done.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Albert (152/365)

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“I tell you to think black thoughts and you come up with that?!" the lieutenant had screamed. "Is a guinea pig bad? Do you consider a guinea pig the representation of all that is evil?"

Maybe... if it's an evil guinea pig.”
Frank Beddor, The Looking Glass Wars

TIME:  6:02 PM
PLACE:  Living room
SUBJECT: Guinea Pig

This is Albert.
He’s a classroom pet – only, not at our school, at another school in the district.
My husband is friends with the teacher.
She (the teacher) is the daughter of an ex-girlfriend
…Don’t ask.
He agreed to let Stella rodent-sit him for the summer.
Because we don’t have enough animal in the house.