Gift Giving: A Mystery Gift

The holidays are winding down. Presents have been opened. Returns are in full force. Expectations have been met. And some are left wanting. There are very special gifts purchased to honor that special person, and then there are gifts given to show that services are recognized. Gifts are exchanged with friends, and gifts are exchanged with acquaintances.

The following photographs were taken on other occasions I attended as a guest.

But this time I received a Christmas gift from a neighbor two houses down from me. They moved into the small court of 6 houses about 8 months ago. I had only spoken to the neighbor two or three times when I was out with my dog, and I never met his wife. Various cars come and go for a time, and this was explained to me that they provide housing for traveling nurses. Back to my gift. The day after Christmas on my doorstep I found an unwrapped gift with a piece of paper taped on it with our names. It was a plain brown set of blackout drapes.

Blackout drapes. My windows all have very visible wooden shutters. I am seriously stumped by this gesture. All I know of this neighbor is that he has two little white dogs that he says are barkers. I never see or hear the dogs. I didn’t even know his wife’s name. I’m surprised they knew my husband’s name

What am I to do? Send a thank you card for the blackout drapes. Wait till I see someone from the house out and about and thank him for the gift. I walk past the house to get my mail. Usually, my dog Moxie joins me but it is rare to see them.

The mystery still remains in my mind. Maybe the husband was told to deliver presents, and now the wife is searching for the drapes to hang in the bedroom. Maybe the husband didn’t want or like the plain brown design and rather than hang them up he got rid of them. Maybe he thought the gift was something else entirely. Or maybe they intended for me to have this pair of blackout drapes. Did they just finish watching “The Watchers” on Netflix, and they wanted me to be safe? But why a set of blackout drapes? Or maybe they wanted me to have something to write about in my blog about gifts?

Happy Holidays and a very Happy, Healthy, Peaceful New Year 2023!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #229 Perfect Patterns

This week Ann-Christine challenges me to find perfect patterns and tell us why I think they are perfect.

Animals

An answer to an often-asked question, “Are zebras black with white stripes or white with black stripes?” The answer is, “Black with white stripes!” Shave one and you will find black skin beneath. When exploring this fun fact I learned that scientists still have not discovered the reason for their stripes. Not an easy question to solve so it seems. No matter, I still find them perfect.

Giraffe spots are unique. And by the way, their tongues are long so that they can forage on trees that others can’t eat.

Plants

This cactus flower will bloom once at night. In the morning it will be done. I learned this from my neighbors, Bob and Bea. I received an urgent call one night and was told to come over quickly. Worried, we rushed over. The cactus was blooming, and they didn’t want us to miss it. I was relieved since these neighbors were elderly. They gave us a cactus we named, Bob and Bea, and it bloomed after many years. That is until a neighborhood squirrel thought this cactus was tasty.

This squirrel came each afternoon and ate until there was nothing left. So much for saving for a rainy day.

Found on the coast of California, I love the papery look of these colorful flowers.

Lots of other flower patterns some perfect, and some almost. Which one do you like?

Natural World

Taken many years ago on The Big Island. Currently, lava is flowing again.

Sedona rock formation. Inspiring and peaceful

Magnificent!

Art inspired patterns

Color, reflection, and repetition are all captured in one photo.

The back of this caned chair creates a comfortable pattern.

Skyscraper hotel patterns. Privacy, view, interest, or lighting? Why?

That is all I can say about seeing the world and discovering all the perfect patterns that surround us. Do you have any perfect patterns around you?

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #228 Diagonals

Patti invites me to join her this week as I explore diagonals as a way to add visual interest and depth to my photos, and a sense of action. What diagonals can you find? A line of trees or stones, a series of lights or signs, tree branches or a row of hedges, or cupcakes in a bakery window?

Looking at my library of photographs, I see that “Leading Lines” pretty much tops my composition style. So with over 400 images classified as diagonals and leading lines, I decided to first process photographs I took recently in Indianapolis where we visited family.

Trip to Indianapolis

With no direct flight from Sacramento, I had time to photographically explore the Phoenix Airport

Waiting to take off on the second leg of our trip

We stayed in Plainfield, Indiana at the Courtyard by Marriott. This large building crane next door helped us locate our hotel.

For me, Newfields is the best of both worlds. “A Place for Nature & the Arts.” Walking through the museum the display of colors caught my attention.

This is a wonderful little museum that engages both the young and old to really see and understand concepts of art. With the use of fun activities (puzzles to recreate paintings, beading activities) it engages the viewer.

We stopped at this diner for breakfast.

This is an authentic diner, but there was no room for a jukebox on the table. But the atmosphere was right. And there were cakes on the counter.

Short trip and we wait at the Indianapolis Airport.

Finally got a window seat, and here we are leaving Phoenix, Arizona at a diagonal!

The rest of these images were taken in Northern California

Landscapes

Street Photography – Tell a story

Winter Wonderland at Cal Expo many years ago

Architecture

My first image is from a day trip to Lake Berryessa, Ca. This is the largest man-made lake in California. The “Glory Hole” attracts many photographers. I wonder if it will make its appearance this year. We have been experiencing some rain lately. California certainly needs it!

I hope this post gives you a new slant on viewing the world around you.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #226 Textures

When I am out and about, I often focus on textures. Getting up close and personal with my subject matter. So this week’s challenge was just up my alley. Jude (Cornwall in Colours) says, “Study the texture and forget about what it is you are photographing, imagine reaching out and touching a photograph. What would you feel? Is it hard or soft, smooth or rough? Texture becomes the subject here.” And so I will meet this challenge.

Animal Textures

Peeling Textures

Plant Textures

Man-Made Textures

Natural Textures

Unidentified Objects

Years ago I subscribed to a magazine for my young son, and on the last page there would be an abstract close-up photo with the caption, “Can you guess what this is?” So I began to photograph with this in mind. Some of these you will be able to figure out easily, others may be trickier.