This book is 136 years old! (Dec 25, 2021 – Dec 25, 1885). I acquired this treasure one week before Christmas. I learned it is 136 years old and was given to Emma Johnson as a Christmas gift from a school teacher! I have been researching for a week, discovering fascinating pieces of history about the people and places tied to this book. Read on for more information. Continue reading Emma Johnson’s Autograph Book from December 25, 1885
A close-up look at the beauty of cicada wings. They resemble stained glass! Continue reading Cicada Wings
How I combined doll parts, an old photo and butterfly wings into an original art piece. Continue reading Doll Arms, Butterfly Wings and a Black and White Photo
There is a fascinating microcosm in a heap of debris. Continue reading A flood at Oak Point Park, Part 2
A couple days ago Oak Point Park in Plano experienced a heavy thunderstorm.
When I approached the debris-laden area, I was surprised to discover the number of critters hanging on for dear life. … Continue reading A flood and unexpected truces at Oak Point Park, Part 1
A week later and Adolphus Hotel Euphoria continues. This post will showcase “Old & New”. Part of the fun in preparing for my stay at The Adolphus Hotel was acquiring old postcards and other ephemera from the hotel. I had … Continue reading The Adolphus Hotel Part II: Old and New
There’s a conspicuous blue building on Harry Hines Blvd. I drive by it daily. Its sign has big unmistakable letters identifying it far and wide. And in case there’s any doubt, there’s also a large beckoning banner: Open to the Public. Now before you panic and wonder what type of business on Harry Hines Blvd I’m speaking of, I’ll identify it. It’s Janitor’s World. Aside from my dreamy imaginings of a building full of cleaning supplies, this place has an even more compelling reason to attract my attention. History! The building started out as the Star Lite Rollercade. Click the … Continue reading Exploring History on Harry Hines Blvd.
Mona Monarch was in a fatal hit and run accident on October 29, 2018 at Olympic Circle. She was heading to Mexico for her winter vacation. In lieu of cut flower arrangements, family members have requested beautiful flowers be planted in Mona’s honor. Funeral arrangements donated by Grasshopper & Sons Funeral Home. Date: October 29, 2018 Camera: Rockalita Sunshine (Canon EOS 5D Mark IV) Lens: My beloved 100 mm macro lens (Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L macro IS) Location: Dallas, TX Notes: As I pulled in to the parking lot at work, I noticed the butterfly at our circle drive. … Continue reading Mona Monarch
Today is my 17 year work anniversary. I celebrated by writing thank you cards to customers ordering my newest design collection, Coffee & Tea by Blue Hair Girl. Among the Dale Carnegie principles I have employed over the years: “Count your blessings – not your troubles”, “do your very best” and “show sincere and honest appreciation”. Continue reading 17 Year Work Anniversary
There was a brief moment when the rain paused long enough for my friend Tore and I to visit Oak Point Park. This park makes my list of top city parks because there’s always fun wildlife to observe with very … Continue reading A fish tale
What this photo doesn’t capture is the scale of the two subjects. The meal was very hard to see until I downloaded the photo! Date: September 9, 2018 Camera: Rockalita Sunshine (Canon EOS 5D Mark IV) Lens: My beloved 100 mm macro lens (Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L macro IS) Location: Dallas Arboretum Continue reading Dinner is Served
The memories are deep in the crevices of these walls that made up our office. While faces have come and gone— many of us remaining have been here for at least a decade. And for those that are newer, we … Continue reading Last days at the office. Part 2
What is it like to sift through 17 years’ worth of office work? I see success. Failures. Growth. I see naïveté. Optimism. Battles fought. I see the transition of a fresh-out-of-college graduate in an entry level position doing tasks she disliked to someone who made it to a position that was more suitable. I see routine. Product life cycles. Remnants of discontinued products. Countless stacks of articles that have been edited, re-edited and published. Old correspondence. Ghosts of employees past who I have banished from memory. Names long erased and barely familiar. I see emails outlining new ideas, new packages, … Continue reading Last days at the office. Part 1
A coworker recently experienced a house fire. Everyone escaped without injury. My friend and I joined the group of volunteers to help with the Rescue-Retrieval Mission. We helped salvage the few belongings that could be saved— clothes, kitchenware and a … Continue reading House Fire
Or from the other point of view: The Great Summer Feast of 2017. a silly narrative to give me an excuse to show lots of crayfish photos… It started raining. The rain turned in to a heavy shower. Harmless enough. But … Continue reading The Infamous Crawdad Massacre of 2017
There are wildflowers and grasses swaying in the wind. You can see signs of possible erosion or perhaps wild boar have been causing the damage. Butterflies … Continue reading Unit 70 at the LBJ National Grasslands
For two weeks I’ve been writing a blog in my head to mark this 2 year anniversary. I have plenty of anger filled words. But that … Continue reading 2 Year Anniversary.
I keep thinking I need to create another blog where I can showcase my macabre photos. Admittedly, my collection of skeleton photos and other creepy discoveries I find in nature have limited appeal. Until I start a new blog, I’ll … Continue reading Ode to a Turtle – Limited Appeal