Monday, November 26, 2007

The Birthday Girl and Shore Acres


It's Scrabble Queen's Birthday [5 minutes ago] so off we go in the RV and here she is after just closing the laptop. It's a nice time to be out and rainy days are not as grey when we are out on the road.


We are off to Coos Bay and out to see the lights at Shore Acres but stop on the way at the Elk Preserve where we saw these Elk resting in the field. I'm armed with a nice Canon EOS 30D camera, thanks to my sons Isaac and Matthew. I wish I knew how to use it but in time I'll learn so please bear with me on this blog.

Across the stream from the Elk was this Grey Heron.

It's a nice observation spot with lots of informational signs.

And a great railing with lots of angles.


Our neighbors, Charlie and ...

Sharon came for the birthday with a Happy Birthday apple pie and a big smile.

Since I was taking their pictures Sharon took one of me.


So after a nice dinner at the Mill Casino off we went to Shore Acres and the light show. The Whale was spectacular ...

...and this Octopus and friends were right at the entrance to the gardens.

The whale was swimming in a sea of lights.

Ok so it was raining and I was clueless how to use the camera and had no tripod but if you imagine 5 times the number of lights you might have some idea of how this picture should look.

The Pelicans were there for a return visit.


Then there is the Whale again spouting off [this is an animated display]

The lights we very nice on the Pavilion.

A new addition was the Puffin Twins.

I really liked the look of the bridge in the Japanese Water Garden.


The Mushroom were also a new display.


The Cranes are one of my favorite subjects here and looked very nice tonight.


Also new were the frogs and ...

... the Butterflies


It's not very clear but the Hospitality is lit much better in this shot.


This is a shot from inside the Hospitality House looking out. It was nice to get out of the cold and rain.


They even had Santa inside taking a bubble bath.


Last but not least a jiggly shot of the Hospitality House. I may have been shaking from the cold but had a great time. One of these days I'll return and take some better shots, sorry.

No Scrabble

Quote of the Day ~
“Last week the candle factory burned down. Everyone just stood around and sang Happy Birthday.” ~ Stephen Wright quotes (American Actor and Writer, b.1955)
Happy Birthday dear, sweet, kind, loving and beautiful wife

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving





I'm thankful for Sharyn and this Bath, Maine beach



I'm thankful for watching Steven in Pittsfield with Ansley, Sierra and Kevin



I'm thankful for Matt sending this picture from the Hard Rock Cafe in Heidelberg, Germany.



I'm thankful for the visit with Vivian to see Pete



I'm thankful for watching Isaac contemplating lunch at Mo's in Florence



I'm thankful for Jilly and seeing her hold Sierra at a mall in Escondido



I'm thankful for being able to carry Sierra on my shoulders at Fort Riley, Kansas



I'm thankful for seeing Kevin at the laptop in Pittsfield



I'm thankful for seeing Ansley being silly



I'm thankful for Sharyn's Friend Stella, a charming, elegant and thoughtful person



I'm thankful for some of the best times of my life spent at "The Cabin" with the Hogles



I'm thankful for Jim preparing for the Turkey Soup



I'm thankful for Doreen and seeing her celebrate at the New Hampshire retreat



I'm thankful for Michelle helping me save the umbrella from blowing away



I'm thankful for seeing Doreen and Jim being able to relax



I'm thankful for time with Vivian, her daughter Monica and Granddaughter Meridith in Texas



I'm thankful for being able to remember Ed having fun at the Hawaii party in Escondido



I'm thankful for Sharyn and the Red Buick



I'm thankful for Steven and Martha



I'm thankful for seeing Bruce being casual



I'm thankful for visiting the Round Barn at Hancock Shaker Village



I'm thankful for learning to do creative digital editing on my PC



I'm thankful for the brave New York Firemen at Ground Zero and our Troops all over the world.



I'm thankful for being able to see Christian doing Commando Cody



I'm thankful for David's winning smile



I'm thankful for Samantha the red nosed rain deer - so sweet



I'm thankful for the time Steve, Martha & family went with us to the Hotel Del Coronado



I'm thankful for My big sister and one of my two great brothers -in-law - Larry



I'm thankful for other brother-in-law Doug



I'm thankful for my little sister instructed me on making Baklawa [Lebanese Version of Baklava]



Did I already say I'm thankful for digital image editing and digital my three cameras [gifts from Sharyn]



I'm thankful to be Me



I'm thankful for more turkeys, big bits, little bits, close friends and the kind strangers I've met in my life - Sad but I don't have more room to show them all

Scrabble Score ~ Scrabble Queen 335 - The Contender 313 Yes I'm thankful for the Scrabble games even when I lose.

Quote of the Day
“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” ~ Albert Pine (English author, d.1851)

Copyright

©Paul Viel