Brush and Stream

See It Sunday: Brush

brush: scrub vegetation or land covered with it
brushwood: a thicket of shrubs and small trees

Our water levels are so low this year that this river looks like nothing more than a small stream. Apparently at least two or three of the Great Lakes have water levels down 22 inches or more.

Horny Shells

Moody Monday: Horny

Hail Storm

Hayley and I were heading downtown today to pick up a couple of things to send to someone. As we were walking past the Marquette History Museum, we decided to pop in and take a look at their new exhibit Anatomy of a Yooper (not to be confused with the film Anatomy of a Murder mentioned in a previous post). And it's a darn good thing we did, because shortly after entering the building we heard the beginnings of a nasty hail storm. This is some of what we heard from inside the museum. And this is some of what we saw when we left the museum after the storm:

Slow down

Sniff the flowers
Tuesday Challenge: Speed

Thanks to all who voted to place this photo as a favorite, and congratulations to my fellow Tuesday Champs (sorry, too many this time to list).

Scholarship Update

Hayley received her scholarship check yesterday, so we spent most of today making phone calls, walking around Marquette in extremely warm weather, then finally buying some art supplies before walking back home.
She had initially wanted to take a couple of courses at The Art Academy, but decided to first get supplies that she's been wanting and/or needing (to replace stuff she had but has run out of). She might still take a couple of courses this summer, but getting the supplies used up most of her money -- and she wasn't even able to get all that she wanted to get. Art supplies are expensive -- decent art supplies, that is.

(Oh, and she got a haircut...but that was free. heh heh)

Triple Joggers

Photo Friday: Active

Hayley and Mohawk

I mean, Hayley and Brandon.

Thursday Challenge: People

Nighttime Window Shopping

Interiors by Design/Perfect Settings
(the best night shot my little camera could manage)

Tuesday Challenge: Night

Bleeding Hearts

Photo by Kathe

Bleeding Hearts
Poem by Hayley

Flaming pink hearts rip open to bloom.
Pearl-like blood drips from the petals.
The flower hangs down in sadness.
The heart may be broken,
But the flower stays strong
As it blows in the wind.

Marquette County Courthouse

Marquette County Courthouse
Shutterday: Famous

From a "Touring Marquette" booklet:
The building's main portico is flanked by columns 23 feet high and 3 feet in diameter. Building materials include Marquette raindrop brownstone. A copper-clad dome tops the second floor courtroom, which is reached by a staircase of Italian marble.
In 1913, the courtroom was the scene of a civil case in which former President Theodore Roosevelt brought a libel suit against Ishpeming newspaper publisher George Newett. Newett ran a story in the Iron Ore that claimed Roosevelt used liquor and profanity during a tour of the U.P. in 1913. Roosevelt won the suit, and was awarded a judgement of six cents.
In 1959, the courtroom was once again the center of attention when it was used as an on-site location for the film Anatomy of a Murder. The movie was based on a best selling novel written by John Voelker under the pseudonym Robert Traver. Director Otto Preminger brought stars Jimmy Stewart, Lee Remick, George C. Scott, Ben Gazzara and the rest of the cast to the U.P. for filming.

So close and yet so far

Ripples and Rays

I was informed today that this photo was chosen as a Standout on the Photo Sharks site for their Silver theme. I was happy enough to just know the site was up and running again, but was even more delighted to discover that, yes, my photo was chosen as the 5th Standout.

Unfortunately, that's apparently no longer true. I went to show my daughter the good news, and found that my name (rather, Natural Solitude) was replaced by La Bombilla (Congrats to you, La Bombilla!). Oh well. It was nice while it lasted.

Art Scholarship

Psst, Hayley. YOU ROCK!

I'm sure there are some out there who are really tired of hearing about my daughter and seeing photos of her posted here, on my Aminus3 photoblog, Flickr...or anywhere else for that matter. But I absolutely cannot let this totally awesome news slide by without acknowledgement. Those who have already heard about it have been enquiring about the details, so I thought I might as well use my blog for something more than just a place to display my photomeme entries.

Drawing at the beach

Hayley came home yesterday and announced that her Art teacher pulled her out of Science class to offer Hayley a $100 Art Scholarship, and asked if she'd be interested. Well, DUH! Of course she is! My daughter didn't have much information about the scholarship, so I sent an email to her teacher, Mrs. Willcock. Here is the edited version of her response:

The scholarship is from the Reynolds Foundation (Moira Reynolds, who passed away not too long ago, was a huge supporter of the arts in Marquette). Every year the foundation provides several scholarships for students at (the middle school and high school) in music and the arts on a rotating basis. The scholarship is intended to provide an opportunity for selected students to attend workshops or lessons to promote their talent and interests. Alternatively, students could apply the funds to the purchase of supplies or equipment which would enable them to continue to develop their skills.
I chose Hayley for this scholarship because she exhibits the “heart” of an artist. Whatever the activity, she is excited to apply her personal interpretation to it. This is exactly what I would hope for every student, but the reality is that only a few kids show this enthusiasm. Hayley is one of them. When I told her about the scholarship she was SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited--- and that’s so wonderful.
This is the biographical information that I sent on to the Superintendent’s office. If there is anything else you feel should be included, please let me know and I will add
it.
Hayley is an 8th grader at (her school). She shows a depth of passion for art and
writing which is seldom seen in middle schoolers. She carries her writing journal with her constantly and it’s filled with her original poetry and illustrations. When
exposed to new materials or concepts, she embraces them wholeheartedly. She has the “soul” of an artist.
I couldn’t have picked a better person than Hayley for this scholarship. I hope she can use it to attend a workshop or otherwise allow her to express herself through her art.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Willcock

Cherry Blossoms and Cherry Coke

Now and Then

Now...and Then

This Now and Then Moment brought to you by Natural Solitude, Hayley's Mother, and The Conspiracy to Take Over JKirlin's Identity (and taking over his photography equipment in the process).

SAVE NOW!

First National Bank and Trust Company
(Now Wells Fargo)

Tuesday Challenge: Money

Yes, I've switched photos for the meme. You can try to sue me, but you won't get a dime. Maybe a nickel, but even that's not a guarantee.

Owlz

Shutterday: Bird
Because my camera's zoom function is practically useless, getting a decent shot of birds has been pretty much an impossibility. Extremely frustrating, as nature and wildlife -- including birds -- are things for which I have a tremendous appreciation.

(It works better for Photo Sharks: Evil but I've contacted them, asking to have it removed. So please don't vote for it!)

Think|Feel

Based on the idea of trying to fit a square peg (THINKING) into a round hole (FEELING).

Photo Friday: How I See Myself