Upside Ann

She (Michelle Obama) told Chicagoans they “have shown the world what we are capable of. You’ve proven that a lasting legacy isn’t an award or a name on a building or a number of zeros in a bank account, but the difference we make in one another’s lives. It’s about seeing each other, and showing up for each other, and carrying each other when we’re weary or faltering or losing faith. That’s how you build something that endures."  

  This is the first blooming of the Easter lilies that were part of my mother's life celebration in 2024.  I didn't expect to ever see them again - since they didn't bloom in 2025.  They stand a bit short - but don't we all. Additionally, there is this new geranium.  I knocked a flower off a few weeks ago accidently, so I placed it along with it's one remaining leaf in a glass of water.  It grew roots and so I planted it in this small terra cotta pot.  Now, it has 4- count 'em - 4 new leaves!   Note- this is our last Spring on Harrison.  Next week we will enter, Summer.

 Zupe, the Bean, and his new Lego minifigure. Chicago, 2026

  You've got to love a city with roads to the sky.  I had no idea that Chicago had these draw-bridgey roads.  Chicago, 2026 I love the way this photo makes me feel unmoored - those buildings are all leaning toward me.  Am I that attractive?

Not a new bite.  This is several days old- practically healed. I was bitten, ironically, trying to look into the mouth of a cat who won't eat.   I probably should have anticipated this....  I am pleased to say that we had recently cleaned his teeth and did not require antibiotics after this injury.  

 Yes.  I cannot explain it.  I thought I had killed this in December when I bought it.  I was so afraid of overwatering that I starved it of water and all the buds dropped off.  Feeling like I had nothing to lose, I saturated it sometime this spring and boom - the leaves filled out again.  And now- it has 2 beautiful Christmas blooms.  Enjoy.

 This didn't quite work out the way I wanted - but it was the closest of my attempts.  I photographed Zupe swimming in the pool on "live" with my iPhone trying to move the phone just enough so that when I combined? compressed? the multiple images into a long-exposure, Zupe's head would be in focus but his body would be awash with movement.  I think I pretty much created a sea moster whose back end is meling into the sea.   Chicago, 2026 long-exposure, live

 Chicago, 2026 I love the sky.  I love the triple layers: sky, skyscrapers, vehicles.  I love how the car I'm riding in is included.  I'm definitely part of this traffic.  But what I love most.... how the mostly uniform blueness of the image is interrupted by a rectangle of yellow highway sign.  That contrasting color is focusing the movement of the cars down the road and into the future.

  Quite honestly, you are not wanting to see me swimming.  This, however, is me sitting on the edge of the pool waiting to get the courage up to submerge more than my feet.  In the original photo (obviously, the lower photo), you can make out the image of my foot/feet under the water.  I took this photo with my phone on "live" then chose the image that captured some of the splash. I used to like to play with photoshop and picnik - but I don't have access to the first anymore and the latter was discontinued a long, long time ago.  So, I looked for a new free program and found iPiccy.  I'm not sure what I think about the image I created.  It feels more dynamic than the original - but it might be more abstract than I prefer.  I don't really care if I lost my feet - well, I mean in the photo - I'd hate to lose my feet IRL - but I don't want to lose the idea of moving water. Thoughts?

 

  I have tried to exercise restraint this year in my plant shopping.   On the deck there will be only white and green plants and flowers… except for those dark elephant ears and their coleus buddies – but they are hold-overs from last summer.   On the patio we are wild with pink, fuschia, and a little red.   My mother’s bed, however, is themed “rabbit resistant”.   Shopping goes like this.   Ooooo pretty flower.   Type into Google “Do rabbits eat <insert plant name here>?”   There are very few with an absolute “no” answer.   Most noes are couched as “unless the rabbit is hungry” or “only the tender new shoots”.   I want to introduce a third “no, but” that may apply only to my garden.     It goes something like “No- unless your rabbits are assholes”.   The rabbits here on Harrison are not eating my veronica.   They do, however, invariably bite off the blooms and leave them (the blossoms) withering in the dirt....

 Zupe living his best life and running the 100 meter race.  I'm proud of him.  He ran the entire way.  Though he was pretty cute as a youngster stopping along the path to wave at people he knew.   I remain thankful that he is not a competitive personality and seems to be just as pleased with his fifth place ribbon as his first (soft ball toss - field of 1).  

I'm listening now to the sound of a chain saw ripping through a tree.  The tree in front of the house my parents built when they were first married.  The house I lived in for my first 9 years.  This maple tree - now at least 70 years old and visibly aging- was special to my mother.  Even in her last days she would lead me to the window to look at that tree, its trunk twisted and gnarled, and tell me about choosing it at the nursery.  "You don't want that tree!  Why would you want that tree?" the arborist asked.  "Look at the trunk.  It is twisted.  This tree here has a nice straight trunk."   And that is what my mother wanted.  A tree with character. Farewell dear tree.  If there is a rainbow bridge for flora, I am sure that Margie is waiting for you there to let you know that you were special and chosen... to once again picnic under your canopy. Wood Street Maple, 2026:  There is nothing special about this photograph...

 I have something near a million photos from RMNP.  It is hard to pick which one? eight-hundred twenty-one thousand six hundred seven? to put in my blog. I have a few panographic photos I took with my iPhone.  I don't think I actually understand how to do it correctly so that I don't create a bowl-shape in the near distance.  Maybe it is inevitable? Maybe I should watch that hour-long video on YouTube about how to take them?  Even with that funky element, I really like the feeling of expanse that the approach captures in a landscape.  (Maybe I even like the feeling that the observer is at the center of the world?) There will be more photos from Estes Park to come.  On Tuesdays I'm just going back through time and last summer we only spent part of one day in the park.  The bulk of my photos were taken in 2024.  As time moves forward it is likely that my Tuesday Travel start to move along with it.  I cannot stay here in Chicken-town foreve...

 Last year in Colorado - back when my shoes were new - but still quite dusty from all the dry areas we'd walked.  Not as dry as my friend's footstep here... It is probably a velociraptor.  My only hope of outrunning him was giving him was to give him a 70 million year head start!