Housing Is Down; Florida Swampland Is A Particularly Bad Investment

As a speaker at our Rotary Club, Lisa Ann Allaby, an Assistant Vice President of a local bank, was brutally frank about the crash in housing. We appreciated her candor, but did not particularly savor the message. As the Editor of the Rotary newsletter, she made it difficult for me to poke fun at the situation---but I did, anyway.

Real Americana

While traveling on the Mt Hood Railroad, we passed this unique family homestead. I think that the cattle skulls were a nice touch.

Hazard Of Having Your House Span A River

On March 17, 2007, Redding, Connecticut had a "big blow" along with torrential rain. The Norwalk River flooded many parts of the town, and took this building, that spanned the small stream it usually was, down. It could have been converted into a houseboat if it hadn't busted apart.

Purple Pekingese

I can just see this flower yipping at me as I pass by. His companion is interested in something to the right of the photo.

Leaves To Be Left Alone

I really hate poison Ivy, and it seems to really hate me. Still it is has attractive leaves--but leaves one should only admire at a distance.

Robin Nest in a Most Unusual Place

This robin nest was constructed on a Christmas wreath hanging on our front door. Unfortunately, the nest and eggs met their demise when a stray cat jumped up on the wreath, and pulled it down. So sad. The robin just used bad judgment I suspect.

Why Some Motorcycles Are Called A Deathhorse

Driving to Salt Lake City, we saw this vehicle parked outside our motel in Wyoming. It is indeed one of a kind. It is a chilling reminder of what can happen on a "bike."

Camera Movement that Paid Off

There are times a slow shutter accidently works to one's advantage. This photo, of downtown Salt Lake City from my son's balcony, due to premature camera movement was better than the straight shot.

Trees in the Freeze

When skiing, the average skier never considers the plight of the poor trees at the summit, but they must suffer it gets so miserably cold up there. The photo is a suggestion of what the average tree at the top of the mountain (here it is Alta, Utah) is thinking.

Seeing Sirens: Most Amazing

News Item from Danbury-News Times, 1/22/08. A resident of the Westwood Village Condominiums, who was interviewed by a News-Times reporter, exclaimed, "I was woken up about 2:30 by fire engines...there's a lot of false alarms, I tried to go back to sleep. But then I saw a lot of sirens and got up...As soon as I pulled up the blinds it was ablaze." Now that has to be a situation of sensory acuity we rarely see. I mean, when was the last time the reader saw sirens? I'm waiting for the next article to report a man who heard flashing lights. The article concludes with a statement by a firefighter, that continues to leave one further confused. He remarks, "Our guys both paid and volunteer, performed admirably. We're just pleased nobody was hurt (seriously)." Uh, he was seriously pleased no one was hurt, or no one was seriously hurt. It turns out that the latter was true--we think. Who can be sure, for sure? I think I'll go get a glass of wine, suck it through my nose, and see what I hear (seriously).

Some Squirrels Can Be Extremely Demanding

Not only did he chase away the birds, he is now complaining about the meal.

Angels In The Most Unusual Places

While waiting for my son to see a Dr. in Ft. Lee, New Jersey, I saw this water stained wall, along the entrance to a Mall. I was transfixed---but I observed that no one else even seemed to notice.

Image of Jesus--Road in Oregon

Seek and ye shall find. Just look up, down, and all around, and the images will be there.

Al Roker Shocks the Catholic Audience

As the featured speaker at a Catholic Family Services Charity Breakfast (also sponsored by Rotary and a number of other community organizations) Al Roker indicated that he was, at times, a bit mean to his foster brother. He use to taunt the boy with the admonition, "I have a legitimate birth certificate. All you have is a letter from a condom manufacturer apoligizing for their item having failed." True story this time.

Connecticut Governor Rell Leaving Rotary Luncheon

Jodi Rell, Governor of Connecticut, chats with Rotarians and newspaper people before climbing into the trunk of her car (obviously a Homeland Security idea)

The Buck Doesn't Stop Here

This fine gentlemen has no intention of being gentle. For the moment, he is in charge of our backyard.

The Dangers of Excessive Dieting

You've been on one of those strict Atkins diets? My God. You both look like a couple of twigs.

Schools Can Be Tough

This repositioning of signs outside my grand daughter's middle school was her suggestion. I'm sure there are teachers who have students they would like to drop off the roof.

The Challenge

Don't pick fights unless you have someone who can fight for you.

Bovines Behind Bars

It's unfair that there are those among us who are incarcerated simply because they ultimately will become a future tasty meal.

Being Bugged

Flowers don't alway relish intruders. Bees are, of course, welcome. Others can be, well, real pests.

The Early Bud Catches No Warmth

When you are invited to a party, it's usually prudent to come a bit late, rather than a bit early.

Keeping Them Down on the Farm

These sunrise-lit power poles suggest a deterrant to those empty headed daredevils who climb them, then get fried. There is so much juice in these lines, why not turn the poles into obvious hot pokers. It should work, but it is only a modest proposal.

A Collision with Consequences

Two large pig like creatures colliding at high speed. The carnage was awful, but the ham hocks were delicious.