I know I am stretching the shadow thing a bit here, but with all the dull grey skies lately there has not been a lot of opportunity for shadows. By solarizing and warming this photo a little I was able to emphasize the silhouette of these trees. I took this in my mother-in-laws driveway. She had us over for lunch today, as she is soon headed south to bright sun bright enough to cast shadows. Enjoy Meme. You can check out more shadow shots at: http://heyharriet.blogspot.com.
This is our computer desk where a lot of interest in our home is centered. We keep our desktop and a laptop computers here in this space just off our family room. We are able to monitor our children in this scary cyber world we live in. They use the computers for homework as needed, to play games, and our highschoolers, to chat with friends and browse facebook. When limited it is not a bad social option for young teens who you don't want out at night unsupervised, although recently we have limited their time to an hour on school days as it was too much of a temptation when there is homework to be done. I do like that they can get their social fix with friends from the safety of their home as I lurk nearby. "Mom, your a creeper" I have heard, more than once from my oldest son. Apparently this is face book slang for one who frequents your page and or looks over your shoulder. If I'm a creeper so be it, it's part of good parenting in 2010. Just when you think you have it all under control your 13 year old purchases what you think is an ipod with this Christmas money only to find our that he has unlimited access to the Internet, anytime, anywhere, any site. Shouldn't they write that is bold print on the front of the box? Just a little FYI to parents maybe? This was last year and now they have perfected the parental controls and you can shut their access down as an option, which we promptly did after much research and fretting. This year when our 11 year old spent his money on one for himself we were able to immediately shut this option down leaving him with what we thought were game applications and the ability to store his music. We were shocked to learn that he has texting. His is not a phone, but with a free texting application he was good to go. A ten year old friend shared this info with him. We were even more surprised to learn that even though he does not have access to face book via our computer because we feel he is too young and have not yet caved under his begging, on his ipod touch he can go on face book even without Internet access, providing he knows someones password and can then update their status and post photos. Scary on many levels, especially when it is your password he knows. All this technology worries me regularly and keeps us on our toes. Our youngest child, only 8 but quickly approaching 15, is an Internet surfing wiz. We will be creeping on him for years, I'm sure.
It is Mosaic Monday, and the day is flying by. The house is quiet; and kind of tidy which is nice. Woke this morning with visions of the week ahead, only to turn on the weather to reports of mashed potato snow. Really, that's how the weather man described it. The forecast for this evening will be cloudy with a chance of mashed potatoes, which will probably mean a snow day tomorrow. No school! My little one tried for a sick day today, with a stuffy nose, and a sore leg muscle from his wrestling tournament yesterday. I quickly gave him a light dose of ibuprofen and a pep talk. "You will probably be home tomorrow I reminded him if we get the mashed potatoes they are predicting." He smiled and ran out the door to catch his bus.
" They paved paradise and put up a parking lot." is running through my mind as I post this. I think the alliteration as well as the literal meaning helps it to stick. I took these photos this week while in transit this week heading from one sporting event to another. Yesterday I had" .....take a sled and slide down slope..." running around my brain. Check out my last post and it all makes sense. I think that is the theme of the week around here. And then, when you have a chance, go to http://skyley.blogspot.com.
What the hey, I decided to throw in a monochrome photo as well, but it insists on posting before my original shadow shot of my beautiful bracelet. Did I mention that I love turquoise? You'll have to read on below to see what that's all about. Anyway, I took this photo a few days ago in my backyard, the day after the blizzard that never was. We were supposed to get over a foot of snow and only received 2 inches. The kids had the whole day off of school and they even let state workers out at 1 that day to keep everyone off the highways during the storm. We all huddled inside and waited. Two and a half inches and 8 hours later this was the result. Not very impressive, but beautiful still for a monochrome photograph. 
I entered this photo in The Pioneer Woman's depth of field challenge this week. I do find this challenging, but love the result when you get it right. I like how my turquoise bracelet looks like little planets all perfectly aligned. Take notice that only two beads are actually in complete focus. Now that's some narrow depth. I love that Pioneer Woman, that's for sure. Last year she chose my snap fish album in one of her photo challenges and I could not have been more flattered. Could never figure out how to claim my prize, but basked in the glory anyhow. Check out the rest at :http://heyharriet.blogspot.com.
Lily the parakeet is absolutely speechless. Where is the snow?? Now she is not only kept captive, literally, but captive with 4 school age children who could have gone to school today, at least a half day anyway. There is the exception, the 11 year old with a case of the Chicken Pox, yes Chicken Pox, despite a vaccination and a booster shot. He gets to take the whole week off, even thought he is symptomless. She is helpless, stuck in the house with a very surly 14 year old who has been skipping home work and is now cut off from texting and face book, and now a day off of school. At times this can be like having a tiger on the loose. But at least she has her cage to keep her safe. And now a blizzard that they keep talking up on the TV, but is nowhere to be seen. Damn weather man!
Since I seem to be in a picture taking rut I have not been inspired to make a mosaic lately. I am looking forward to warm sunny days and colorful flowers again. My daughter turned 16 recently, my oldest child and only girl. She has always been a muse for me and a beautiful girl inside and out. We are blessed. So is the inspiration for this mosaic, and made with a full heart. La la love you doll.
