Monthly Archives: July 2012

Day 191 – Struggle

It’s been an exceptionally harsh year, weather-wise, not just in our neck of the woods, but everywhere it appears.  But in my area, where the growing season is already abysmally short and precipitation is always in short supply, our mild, bone-dry winter has unleashed a torrent of all kinds of burrowing and nibbling creatures.  Rabbits, voles, squirrels and other such creatures are laying waste to gardens all over our part of the state, from above and below.  Our yard is no exception, and even our “desert hardy” bed has been decimated.  We try planting and within a week the plants are gone.  A rose-bush I planted out front was pretty much razed. The Mexican primrose and other flowers, usually left alone, have been mowed to the ground.  It is beyond depressing.

One little plant is bravely trying to make a comeback.  In the midst of sand and gravel, there is this one little flower.

I have no idea how long this one will last.

Day 190 – Neat and Tidy

I’ve been feeling a bit smothered lately by our Stuff, so I’ve started on a “lighten the load” trajectory.  I found a video via a Freshly Pressed blog (!) on how to fold clothes and organize drawers. I have to say though, I’m not anal enough to color-coordinate my drawers the way she does.  Actually, I am more likely to organize them by cause. I mean, really, I hate digging through my t-shirt drawer to find the perfect one for the occasion, be it a protest, a gay rights event, a feminist shindig, or a freethinkers meeting.  Anyway, her method for folding t-shirts and putting them away got my attention.

So I did it today.

Here’s my “before.”  Yes, that is Amelia Earhart. I adore her.  Oh, and I applied a filter (Poster Edges) to make the shots look artsy.

Here is the after. Cool, huh?

I did it for Sweetie’s t-shirt drawer too. He loves it.

And I am now officially back on track with my 365 project.

Day 189 – Playing in the fountain

I realize that I am a day behind. Late night Friday, full day yesterday. You all understand, I’m sure. Anyway, here is “yesterday’s” post.

Sparks, Nevada has a fun little downtown area called Victorian Square. Many street fairs are held there, including the Best in the West Rib Cook-Off and a weekly Farmer’s Market in the summer.  One of the best parts of Victorian Square is an interactive fountain in front of the movie theater. Yesterday I stopped by to snap some of the kids trying to stay cool on a hot Nevada summer day.

It was hotter than the dickens and I could only bear about fifteen minutes in the sun, given that I didn’t have a hat or the freedom to jump in the fountain with the rest of them.  Still, I got a lot of shots in (and handed my card out to the moms there), so if you’d like to see them all, just head on over to my SmugMug gallery.

The kids were having a blast and it was hard to narrow it down, but here are just a few of my favorite shots.  (Moms – if you want a copy of any of my photos, please contact me via my Facebook page or contact me via email at carissanv at gmail dot com).

More of this cute guy at  SmugMug.

   Isn’t she adorable?

   Even the pups were cooling off.

   This is probably my favorite shot. I caught him at just the right moment.

 Seriously, check out the gallery at SmugMug.

Day 188 – Reno is Artown

In Reno, July means Artown, a month-long celebration of the arts. On Friday nights there are concerts by the river. Last night we had to go downtown to meet some friends at a local watering hole but before that Sweetie and I headed over to the amphitheater to listen to the music and do a little people watching.  I shot a bunch more photos and will likely post them later, but I’ve got to get these up as I should have been out the door thirty minutes ago.

Day 187 – Skateboarders

I drive by this skateboard park many times a week as it is one of the ways I can go to work (or home).  For weeks I’ve been wanting to stop and shoot, but for one reason or another had not done so. Finally, today I stopped. I shot for about twenty minutes.  It was challenging, and I plan on going back again.  They were all having a blast, even though they seldom “stuck the landing.”  Practice, practice, practice! It’s the only way to get any good at anything.

All photos can be found at SmugMug too.

This guy was pretty good.

This guy got something in his eye . . .

There was  a good mix of ages. Mostly boys, but a few girls as well. None of the girls were skating when I was shooting.

Newbie . . .

I love the shadow in this one.

Another of the younger ones.

I had to wait a while before some of them started skating on this steep incline,  but finally a group of them started working it.

When I left I thanked one of them for allowing me to practice.  I will return.

4th of July – Show and Shine

While I can appreciate the work and devotion that goes into restoring and maintaining a classic car,honestly,  I don’t get super-excited about them, especially when I see classic cars painted odd colors and bedecked with flames and other such non-standard decor. However, as we wandered around Fernley’s 4th of July Show and Shine, I was taken with this International Harvester pick-up.  I processed this one in Lightroom, because I felt it needed an old-timey feel to it. Hope you like it.