Drama at Dawn

When I left for swim practice this morning, 

around 7 a.m., I was greeted by a dramatic sunrise. 

The soccer field looked like this as I passed. 

Just a block south, facing east again, 

I got this beautiful feathery and lacy bit 

to look at as I waited for the bus.

It was a beautiful day.

Morning Gold

Early Saturday morning, the sun boldly rose over the treeline 

just beyond the soccer field, spilling its golden, 

syrupy light across the field and into the streets beyond.

I first noticed the golden edges it created on a neighbor's house.

Across the street, the sunlight blanketed the mist

over the soccer field.

On such mornings, I stand in awe of the beauty. 

It's not that I'm enveloped by it so much as I feel as though 

I'm wading through a golden moment, enjoying

a privileged time; I am a mote in the universe and feel

happy to be bathed in its glow.

A Community Fourth

The bounce castle at the local Lions' Club Fourth of July celebration,

held Thursday afternoon at Meadowood Park, was

a popular attraction. At times it seemed to bounce and

jiggle to the rhythms of the Starlighters,

a local band that played patriotic-themed arrangements,

as well as big band tunes. 

While a few people actually danced, 

others seemed to be just thrilled enough to sit.

A local caterer provided standard summer fare - 

fried chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, 

and hot dogs for the kids, if they wanted them. 

Everyone sat and visited in a

big blue and white tent as they ate their meals.

Competitive juices flowed among participants, 

young and old, who met in the pavilion 

after the band concert to compete in a cake walk; 

for 50 cents one could circle around 

til the music stopped, and, if one happened

to be standing on the number that was called,

one got their choice of numerous cakes.

  

*One* put up $2, and didn't get so much 

as a sniff of a brownie.

A caricature artist was on hand to make 

drawings for those who wanted them.

The days activities were overwhelming for at least

one tiny person, who slept through much of the revelry

just a few feet away from her tiny head.

Time of One's Own

It's this time of morning that is most precious to me, 

the time between I wake up and when I get on the bus for work, 

ready to take on the obligations of others as my own.

I cherish this time as the place where I can safely make plans,

entertain my day dreams, and enjoy the beauties of the morning.

As I waited for the bus, I was passed by joggers and walkers,

all of whom had their own reveries in mind as they

took a lap or several around the park, enjoying the sounds

of the birds and the golden morning light,

filtered by newly green trees.

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

Actually, I enjoy days like these from time to time. 

They provide a change from the relentless sun, such as what we had last year.

These treetops greeted the morning with their backsides pressed against

the western clouds and incoming rain, while a bit of sun

sneaked through a crack in the overcast.

The sunlight just barely had time to illuminate the leaves

before we were inundated with a morning shower.

Sunrise on the Soccer Field

We were blessed with an absolutely gorgeous sunrise this morning. 

As I walked to the bus stop, I heard birds chirping from

the surrounding trees. As the sun came up it created a golden aura

that enriched everything in its path.

The soccer field near the elementary school was covered with

a heavy mist reflecting the sun's rays from its surface.

It was interesting to see what a bit of difference in the picture

a few feet could make. The top picture was taken about

thirty feet further on than the one at the bottom,

which is a bit closer to the color as I initially saw it.

He's In the Hole!

I got to the bus stop this morning just before the bus was due. 

 As I looked up the street, I caught a bit of movement

out the corner of my eye. I turned towards the tree to see 

a young squirrel moving in and out the of its

nest in the tree. It checked its environment, sniffed the

surroundings, darting in and out of the opening several times

before going about its daily business elsewhere on

the tree and in the park.

Straddling the Seasons

Earlier this evening, I looked at the weather forecast 

for the next ten days. Apparently the temperatures will remain 

approximately the same throughout, in the 30s, 

as we leave winter and enter spring. Clouds have covered

my part of the country for quite some time. There has been no contrast;

everything, every damn thing seems gray, so my camera remains

in my pocket because there is no contrast, no shadow.

I am looking for the graceful line of a tree branch with buds

emerging, the palest turn of color to signify the awakening

of the Earth. It's there. Almost.

I went back to some pictures I took a couple weeks

ago to find a bright pink sunrise. The sun emerging from the treeline

in the top picture did not beat the teachers to the elementary

school, some of whom were already getting ready for their students.

The frost would still be on the soccer field when they arrived.

City Trees

The sun and blue sky put in a brief appearance this afternoon.

It was a pleasure to look up to see blue reflected from the glass carapace of

the AT&T building in the background of the trees, giving the

illusion of a fair morning in downtown Indy.

Earlier, I passed the park in Speedway, where the grove

of trees forms a pattern of variegated stripes

in the cold morning air.

Textured Tuesday: Pink Lava, Blue Frost

The sunrise had not yet touched the spot where I stood 

to catch the bus Monday morning.

The hot pink sun had just risen above the horizon,

while the place where I stood was bathed in crystal frost

and the two created a layered study of contrasts,

pink and blue, hot and cold.

Speedway, 7 A.M.

The recent change in local bus schedules means that I have to take 

a different bus to work. No longer can I, in effect, just step outside my front door 

to get the bus downtown. The new bus stop is about a half mile away,

which is not a problem. In fact, it gives me the opportunity to see another 

part of my neighborhood when it is beginning to wake up for work.

I was standing at the corner of  the park when I took this picture.

Just as the sun was rising above the roof lines, a car was approaching,

and a neighbor had turned on their porch light to get the newspaper.

A late winter storm is moving through central Indiana, 

leaving behind an icy glaze of freezing rain, sleet, and snow. 

I expect to see a sparkly world tomorrow morning.

February Recess

With temperatures in the mid-fifties on Monday afternoon, 

residents of my neighborhood took the opportunity to play outside.

A pick-up basketball game in the driveway of a nearby

home occupied the energies of a group of teen-age boys, while

a little boy left his bicycle to go join his big brother

in a game of softball.

The respite from colder temperatures was short-lived, though.

Before I got home later in the afternoon, the wind had picked up,

bringing with it cold rain showers that brought my little

spring fantasy to a halt.

This yard ornament on the porch of a Speedway home, 

brought a smile to my face. Costumed geese were rampant

some years back and, although they've since become a little outre'

I enjoy the damn things and applaud the people who

maintain their geese in appropriate holiday gear.

Although Valentine's Day passed without a nibble,

I still hold out hope, even if it is a goose in a red dress.

Anyway ... be mine?

Textured Tuesday: Slashed and Gnarled

I've walked by this tree hundreds of times, 

but I never took notice of the cuts in its trunk 

until a couple days ago. After I'd taken a couple pictures of it, 

I questioned myself about why I'd just then paid any 

attention to the saw marks. Was it the way the sunlight 

fell on the tree, accentuating the grid cut into its gnarly base?

Some years back, the parks department installed 

a paved jogging path around the perimeter of our 

neighborhood park. The root of the tree must have interfered

with man's plan for the asphalt path, so the lines were cut

to inhibit its growth. Maybe. I'm just speculating.

The tree is doing just fine, though.

Man's plan -- thwarted.

Black and Bluesy

Taken a week ago at about a quarter to six in the evening,

 for no reason other than for the fact my eyes 

were seduced by the black of the bare limbs 

against the variegated blues and mauves 

of the sky and clouds. 

Reflected Glory

The sidewalks in the park were still wet and the sun still bright 

when a patch of gold light shown from a shallow puddle, 

spreading its warmth onto the walk like an aura. 

I looked around and found the tree whose reflection it was, 

basking proudly in the sun. 

Cold and Wet Day, I'm Inside

Leaves are given their beauty by nature, 

they change color, fall into pleasing compositions,

 attracting sequins and light to emphasize

all their best features. 

A Place in the Park

On a sunny day, when the park was full of kids 

on the playground, and the grown-ups 

were at the Farmers' Market, this couple was able 

to find a quiet moment for themselves.

Touching Base ... Not

Not far from where families were enjoying 

their picnics and playing ball, 

this man lay stretched on

a picnic table, a tube of Pringles and 

an "athletic drink" beside him.

It made me wonder about the nature

of being a solitary soul, with no one to 

whom one is responsible, no one who expects

to hear from you at some point during the

day, or within the week.

No one to miss you.

Every day or so, I check in with

my sister, and she with me.

I have friends I call on a pretty consistent 

schedule, "Is everything OK?"

"How are you?"

The little girl in yesterday's pictures

was learning to "touch base" while playing

with her family. Later on, it will extend

to relationships with other people.

The man above, by himself in the park, 

with no family or friends around,

made me wonder whether there is 

someone to whom he is responsible.

Who wonders where he is,

whether he is OK,

with whom he touches base.

He-e-ey, Batta-Batta-Batta!

On Sunday, our bit of Isaac had blown through, 

bringing much-needed rain and cooler temperatures.

It was the Labor Day weekend and families had 

taken advantage of the cooler temperatures to enjoy

a relaxing time in the park.

The park's shelter was full of people having 

a picnic gathering, while a group of young men 

were using one of the soccer fields 

for a game of flag football.

The baseball diamond was being used by a family 

to play a little softball game. I wished I had a different

lens because the group, made up of parents and 

three girls, was teaching the youngest

to play the game. She picked up the ball, she tagged

her sister out, and she threw the ball ... sort of.

When her turn came, her big sister took 

her by the hand to run the bases. 

And Dad taught her the chant,

designed to annoy generations of 

batters ... 

He-e-y, batta-batta-batta!

A Day in the Park

Last Sunday afternoon, just before the rains came, 

the neighborhood park was full of people,

 spending time with the kids.

It was a happy time as toddlers, their parents and grandparents

all laughed and smiled, enjoying the thrill of the swings, 

three generations bonding in the afternoon sun.