FIVE ON FRIDAY {4.1.16}

 all photos taken 3.23.16 @ The Cincinnati Zoo

JPE & I flew back to visit some of the Elfers Family over Spring Break! On a day that was to reach the mid-70's**, we met Elizabeth & her three kids... Zachary, Charley & Annie. The two big guys, JPE & Greg are cousins.

First stop... the Reptile House. Although the kids were interested in what was inside, I learned this building was the oldest existing zoo building in America. It was built in 1875 & used to house the monkeys & apes. On the bottom right is a "pancake tortoise" which has a flat, flexible shell that allows it to squeeze into small crevices & hide from its predators. 

{Sorry for the somewhat blurry pics - it was difficult to take pictures through the wire & glass enclosures}

The zoo staff had left Easter baskets filled with carrots, lettuces, & vegies. Peek-A-Boo! Can you see the chimp hiding in the bottom right hand pic? JPE measured his hands (& feet) against the model of the chimps. These chimps are B.I.G.!!

Simply beautiful, serene & peaceful! These lovely creatures didn't seem to care if we were taking pictures of them or not.

This picture of Charley says it ALL! Going to the ZOO is EXCITING!

If you think the Cincinnati Zoo was all critters & scary stuff, here is evidence you can see other stuff. I haven't been to a zoo in at least 25 years, so this was an exciting start to our vacation.

** The weather was actually overcast, chilly, perhaps mid-60's... but this fair-weather blogger was pleased-as-punch for the lack of humidity that usually arrives when I visit Cincinnati!!

posting with AMY for FIVE ON FRIDAY

A MOOD CHANGER - PDX...

Concourse C - Portland, OREGON Airport

While waiting for our flight on Jet Blue (headed to Long Beach, CA), we had a bit of time to check out the public art displays. Colorful barber-pole columns were topped with sculptures that were designed by Larry Kirkland, an artist with an environmental design and fine arts background. 

The symbols represent landmarks & icons from the Portland area, with bronze plaques telling the story of each column's art piece. 

Time passed quickly as we admired the art... we sat underneath this sculpture as we ate our "comfort meal" of oatmeal & a cup of coffee. While public art stimulates our "senses" of sight, touch, and hearing it also changes our moods. Think about the feeling you have when you FINALLY get through security, find a place to sit and take that deep breath knowing you didn't miss your flight! Most airports are a bee-hive of busy-ness, but the Portland Airport (affectionately known as PDX) exudes a "sense" of calm-ness... I attribute this to the public displays of art. 

The current research about MINDFULNESS comes to mind! Being "in the moment" decreases our negative emotions and stress. Watching the sculpture twist through the air, trying to interpret the designer's ideas, and listening to the sound of the movement requires a person to STOP! and use their senses. When this happens, your breathing slows, and your stress levels drop. Next time you become stressed, STOP! listen to the sounds around you, or look at the fine details of the space around you, feel your heart slow as your breathing begins to match a slower pace. This is MINDFULNESS! and art can create opportunities to experience this mood changer. 

Curious?? Check out Greater Good, The Science of a Meaningful Life... it's good for your body! mind! & emotions!

posting with OUR WORLD TUESDAY

more of Portland tomorrow!!

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V.10 {2016}

taken 3.5.16

Mom & I flew to Portland, Oregon last week! We got an inexpensive flight from Long Beach to Portland, rented a car (although you can use public transportation) and stayed at the historic BENSON HOTEL. Here are a few GOOD - RANDOM - FUN pictures that I captured. Check out the LINKS in this post for more detailed information about Portland.

Thursday, March 3rd

After visiting with Mom's friend in the historic Hollywood District, we drove over to the ALBERTA ARTS DISTRICT to check out a few fabric stores, BOLT FABRIC BOUTIQUE & MODERN DOMESTIC. What a colorful, fun, creative place to stroll... and capture some pictures... I plan to post some of my favorite shots later this week. After an hour browsing (& buying) at Modern Domestic, we asked the staff where they would recommend eating... she suggested SWISS HIBISCUS just behind their store. What an incredible dining experience! small, intimate... Mom enjoyed pork schnitzel & spätzle, while I had a mouth-watering brat & creamy potato salat. Heavenly food! the owner-chef came out to speak to all the tables asking how they liked the food. Oh yum! will visit this spot again to try another dish! absolutely GOOD!

Friday, March 4th

Portland is a city for walking OR riding bikes. YES, they ride their bikes in the drizzle & pelting rain! Perhaps they are immune to the chill and dampness?? Mom & I took the Portland Walking Tour which met at Portland's historic "living room," also called the Pioneer Courthouse Square. More about the sights near this landmark will be coming in another post, but for now, two RANDOM pictures.

A dog carrying a basket... he wasn't homeless, but on closer examination of the basket, it said SMILE... and you could drop a donation in his basket. He was crossing the square and didn't approach us for spare change. Perhaps he met his $$ quota?

And, finally, the Portland BLUE MAN pontificating from notes he had written... objecting to government regulations... or lack of action on the part of the city council. Apparently he is a regular & his name is Mike! he keeps his face covered! And loves to SHOUT OUT his opinions via an electric megaphone. His ranting was a bit annoying!

Saturday, March 5th

FUN... of course eating donuts is FUN! We walked by Voo-Doo Donuts several times, but the line was so long (no surprise!! as you can see the donuts are legendary) we missed carrying around our own PINK BOX. But, any number of people eating a donut were willing to share their "puffy selection" for this photo op! What we were surprised to learn, Jet Blue allowed passengers to carry on their PINK BOXES to share their donuts with the people back home. Mom & I think Voo-Doo Donuts should open a shop in the Portland Airport!!

posting with Tamar at RANDOM-OSITY

more of Portland coming!!

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V.9 {2016}

taken outside the Container Store, San Jose
flowers & vegies
reds & purples
GOOD color & texture!

Mission San Miguel, San Miguel, CA

During my drive from Allie's, I took 20 minutes to stretch my legs & take a few RANDOM pictures.

Located 51 miles north of my home,

Mission San Miguel has the only surviving original church altar found in ANY of

the 21 California missions.

This EYE of GOD is located at the center of the church altar... and reminded the mission Indians they had a God who watched over them. My iPad picture doesn't capture the beauty of the colors or details of the design. 

A "baker's dozen" = the number of days spent with Ms.Lola... she's simply FUN, FUN, FUN.

Her expressions tug at your heart!

As much as we wanted her to stay,

her LOVE was needed at home - Allie & Brian were anxious to have their furry baby back.

JPE & I miss our Lola-Bug.

posting with Tamar at Random-osity

Our World Tuesday

and Life Thru the Lens

My question for today?

How are you spending your L.E.A.P. DAY?

WEEKEND WANDERINGS {CAMBRIA PINES}

Cambria Pines Lodge, Cambria, CA

I think I need to "pin" this so I can duplicate it
in my garden!

WOW! love this bedroom!

be careful! 

let's go check out the POOL now!

still following along?

ummm... this is an awfully small pool house...

the pool was closed for the winter!

well, it's time to head back to the car...

hope you enjoyed this magical visit??

website for Cambria Pines Lodge

(pssst... this was sort of a silly way to be able to post some of my pictures)

posting w: SUNDAYS IN MY CITY & WEEKEND TRAVEL INSPIRATION.

IT'S ON MY LIST!!

I'm TOO LATE!!!

urrghhh! I was looking at my photo archives for the past few Decembers... and I just remembered something I wanted to "attempt" making.

So, my plan is to make a list of supplies to buy

(since many of them are seasonal) & head to Michael's tomorrow! I have a GIFT card from my colleagues (retirement gift from last May) + several coupons that are expiring!

WHAT do I want to make, you ask??

a glittery village of houses with fir trees, snow & Christmas ornamentation! Of course, this would be my "dream house"...

Oh... don't you love these! check out the adorable church!

some more "dreamy houses"

I certainly have my work cut out for me! Am I attempting something too difficult?

perhaps one this size should be my first attempt!

with a sloped roof to prevent the snow from building up!

Wish me LUCK shopping for my supplies tomorrow!

Working on several other projects right now!

so, this will have to wait until a "rainy day" in 2016!

GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V45

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

clever signage for the ladies bathroom!!
GOOD... GREAT...
not a question who should walk down this hall!

San Luis Obispo, CA

signs mark the Historic District in San Luis Obispo...

RANDOM utility boxes have been painted by local artists.

Sorry for the blurry pic - taken through my front car window.

Hands Gallery, San Luis Obispo, CA

holiday FUN is coming! getting excited to decorate!

give Tamar's blog a peek for her amazing "treat"

joining Tamar's GRF

LIGHTING THE DARK...

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

A question I've wondered about?

Do amateur photographers (such as myself) take black & white photos INTENTIONALLY? I'm one of those photographers who doesn't manipulate the camera setting to capture ONLY black & white pics. In most cases, I take photos in color & WHEN the color is fuzzy, or the object is blurry, I change the photo to B&W. I would imagine my photos would be crisper or might have more depth to them if I were INTENTIONAL about shooting in B&W. I'm going to give that a try!

Governor's Palace ~ Colonial Williamsburg

Intricate scrollwork. Incredibly detailed statue.
Entrance to the bricked compound.
(which we didn't get a reservation to tour)

The palace housed 7 royal governors, as well as

the first two elected governors in Virginia.

In addition to housing leaders of that time, it was built to project British wealth & the authority that money brought.

transported back in time

It's late September, 1781!

The general addressed the colonial townspeople, explaining a revolution is on the horizon.

The colonists have gathered around the troops to cheer them on

as they prepare for battle.

A canon is fired signifying they are ready for battle in Yorktown.

relief map of Colonial Williamsburg

I'm a MAP-LOVER! paper, digital & relief...

My traveling companions (Mom & JPE) discussing Colonial Williamsburg layout.  

sharing this post at

Black & White Wednesdays

& Wednesdays Around the World

Photographers!

what is your response to my QUESTION?

BRICKS GALORE!!!

Fredericksburg, VA

"Architecture starts when you carefully put two BRICKS together. There it begins."

~ Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Fredericksburg, VA

black iron fence, old BRICK & new BRICK 

Williamsburg, VA

BRICK path on the town center greenbelt

Williamsburg, VA

a canon-ball holds open the gate to an

original historic BRICK building

Jamestown, VA

the BRICK church that served the early settlers

Richmond, VA
Tredegar Ironworks, housed in a
historic BRICK building, was the munitions & canon supplier
during the Civil War

Richmond, VA
 BRICK furnace at Tredegar Ironworks

Arlington, VA
view from our AirBnB location - overlooking the BRICK condos & walkway to Virginia Square Metro

Washington DC
BRICK row houses along the street
leading to the White House
{if you walk straight ahead,
you'd be looking at the front lawn of the White House}

:: BRICKS ::
have played an important part in my life!

my dad was a skilled BRICK mason...