My Town Shoot-Out: Kids

Did you mean this kind of kid?

Probably not. But it's my only chance to use this photo, taken a few weeks ago in Japan.

We were there for two weeks in June-July, and I couldn't help snapping a few pics of kids.

We saw lots of school kids.

I loved the packs, lined up neatly in an after-school care center.

I don't know if I'll ever capture a sweeter moment.

Or a sadder one. These are small statues at a Shinto shrine, honoring babies who died.

Back home, I have begun fostering a cat who just had a litter of four babies last week.

Tough job, but somebody's gotta socialize the little ones.

Here is a real "My Town" kind of shot: a little guy playing in the fountain at the river front park here in Corvallis. Doesn't it make you want to kick your shoes off and get in there too? We have had very few hot days this summer in Oregon, unlike the rest of the country; y'all should come on over and cool off.

Blues from Japan

John and I just returned from 2 weeks in Japan and I've begun to write about it on Ed & Reub (see side bar) where I've also included a lot more pictures. 

But no blue pictures! So I thought this might be a good place for them.

 One of the things I loved about Japan was the attention to detail.

The food was so simple and so pretty,

and so fresh.

These are incense sticks at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Kyoto. The crooked one in front is mine.

I'm glad to be back in Oregon, but Japan was really great. I wish I had taken more pictures of blue things, though, because I do love blue!

Friday Shoot-out: fences

I really like how there are bluebird houses along the path where John and I often run the dogs. Sometimes they actually have bluebirds in them, but other birds like them too, as you can see!

FSO: time

 Recently I had an appointment with a state official who looked over my retirement application. I was fascinated/creeped-out that the meeting was held in this Oregon Fish & Wildlife conference room. They should pay more attention to feng-shui, maybe?

Elsewhere in the news: spring has finally arrived in western Oregon. The sun is out!


Just for fun, this is a short video of cuckoo clocks. They drove me crazy in Lake Titisee Germany last year:

Friday Shoot-Out: Rule of Thirds

While I was walking the dogs in the park a couple of weeks ago I spotted this princess in the distance.  I have no idea what her story was...what do you think? It was so dramatic that I couldn't resist taking a picture and adding some melodrama of my own.

Blue skies at last

Spring has finally arrived in Oregon, and here is the blue sky to prove it.

Friday Shoot-Out: Green

The idea of My Town Shoot Out is to post photos of your community every Friday, and hopefully improve your photography skills. If you would like to see examples of this week's theme from other parts of the world, go here.

 Pictures taken in Corvallis, Oregon.

  
It snowed twice this week in the Willamette Valley, but it is March and the snow doesn't stick.

 This time of year spring really insists upon coming.

 

March can be a crazy month, very wet in Oregon, but I love it.

 Also-I realize this is random-I just this week learned how to make very good guacamole...

Happy St Patrick's Day! Have a great weekend everybody!