tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10914829389362272902024-03-21T10:12:46.016-05:00Iowa GrasslandsRussellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.comBlogger257125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-48848860878593413822020-03-21T18:31:00.000-05:002020-03-21T18:33:08.650-05:00Bitter Daisies - Netflix RecommendationI have not posted on this blog since 2015. I was not even sure if this blog still existed but apparently it does. In any event I am going to type out a few thoughts about a Netflix series I watched this past week and which I recommend.<br />
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The show is called Bitter Daisies. This is a 6-part series and each episode is 90 minutes. This 2108 series takes place in Galicia, Spain - located in the far northwest corner of the country close to France.<br />
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This series allows you to read captions while hearing the actors speak in their native language. I like that much more than listening to English dubbed in over the character's lines. The star of this series is a young Spanish police officer named Rosa Vargas, played by Maria Mera. She is really excellent in this role and the viewer is impressed by the character's quiet approach to her work but her ability to figure out a complex crime using seemingly insignificant clues.<br />
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Rosa is not a warm character by any means but she is rather intriguing. This is one of those shows that requires you to watch it to the end to fully appreciate the story. This series is occasionally difficult to watch because of the content - nothing vulgar but quite suggestive and, at times, disturbing. One thing I did notice - and not sure why this stuck out so much to me - was in the "Mature Content" warning it includes "smoking" along with the other usual list (!).<br />
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A really strong supporting role is turned in by Yelena Molina. Her character, Samantha, plays a mature woman who works at an adult club and who is involved with one of the major characters. <br />
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While the viewer is often grappling with Rosa and her colleagues activities, the character of Samantha provides a calming effect and great contrast to many of the disagreeable people in this series. Viewers develop great compassion for this character while at the same time questioning how a person this pleasant can be in a relationship with such a disagreeable man.<br />
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I strongly recommend this series and think you would enjoy it if you watch it. <br />
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<br />Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-41825417838411960402015-03-21T18:02:00.000-05:002015-03-21T18:04:01.239-05:00St. John's Basilica, Des Moines, IowaThis past week I came across a large Catholic church I did not know existed in Des Moines. I am not sure how I missed it all these years but somehow I had.<br />
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In fact, this is actually a basilica. There are only 69 basilicas in the United States. A basilicas is a Catholic church that the Pope has designated as a basilica because of historic or architectural reasons.<br />
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From the outside this particular basilica looks quite plain, almost drab. It has a nearly industrial look about it. However, once inside you see a truly beautiful church.<br />
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There are 26 stained glass windows and what is quite special is the ceiling. Photographs do not do justice to this structure.<br />
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Upon looking from the front of the church towards the back you can see the massive pipe organ in the balcony. An organ this large needs a space this big. My guess is the organ fills up the space with a most angelic sound.<br />
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I have not done a blog post for some time but wanted to share this with anyone who might happen to see this. <br />
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Take care and thanks for stopping by.<br />
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<br />Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-26970460114405323142013-11-09T18:14:00.003-06:002013-11-09T18:14:51.767-06:00A Nice AfternoonToday I went to a movie at 11:00. It was <em>All is Lost</em> - the Robert Redford movie about a man who is stranded in the Indian Ocean.<br />
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After the movie I drove through downtown Des Moines. It was a beautiful fall day with a bright blue sky.<br />
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I noticed this rather large garden trowel in front of one of office buildings. <br />
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I pulled off to take a picture of it. Looking towards the sculpture garden on the west side of downtown, I liked the curves along the sidewalk.<br />
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Walking towards the park, I first noticed these three happy looking dancers. Even if it had been a cloudy day they would brighter it up.<br />
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Here is a closer look at the white sculpture in the background.<br />
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If you look closer you will see he is comprised of letters.<br />
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This red sculpture is one of my favourites - but I like red.<br />
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I noticed this balcony on a building. It seemed rather unusual. I liked it but it just seemed rather contemporary and somewhat bold.<br />
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Here is a closer view.<br />
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I stopped at an old downtown hotel that has always been a favourite of mine.<br />
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They still have phone booths.<br />
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I liked this little area off from the lobby. It is a sitting room and, at one time, a smoking room. They don't smoke in the hotel any longer but they still have these wonderful posters.<br />
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Driving back to the interstate I drove by this well known church. It is a Catholic cathedral.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJClzHa8HU5KotHXc2jUErhGHjJBsdBenUN86rGBN01EebN9ZIOlWh_EPWLo1b9UeIZGd69e-wFUX-mQBFz8-xIPr5SIFBsyAQM0dFH5KCC9GqMcWXYhAWF7RXunnWrp-B4blydMRKjo/s1600/Downtown+Catheral+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJClzHa8HU5KotHXc2jUErhGHjJBsdBenUN86rGBN01EebN9ZIOlWh_EPWLo1b9UeIZGd69e-wFUX-mQBFz8-xIPr5SIFBsyAQM0dFH5KCC9GqMcWXYhAWF7RXunnWrp-B4blydMRKjo/s640/Downtown+Catheral+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some times the best afternoons are the ones where you do nothing special. Then again, watching a good movie and taking in some of the sights on a beautiful fall day is pretty special.<br />
<br />Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-18075521477737154242013-11-01T19:17:00.003-05:002013-11-01T19:17:39.641-05:00Surrealistic Des Moines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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High dynamic range - commonly known as HDR - photography consists of taking 3 to 6 images of something and then using a program such as Photoshop to combine the images. Once done you can then create variations of the HDR image.</div>
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One popular style is surrealistic. Below are some images of Des Moines, Iowa, as set out in an HDR surrealistic format. Here is a parking ramp with an older hotel and a newer high rise in the distance. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfteb3_BN5-lV4AMaifBzMjSP81TT9h_aKVzZpxELrB3PfncTdtvsAieDy4QVrKFUNVGVKRUYIE2o6mGC6TZMetcSeOshHblOYBSXf8iqsCVmP1XHgSC66ruxIYYegpCmvpn7iAYgO6I/s1600/Downtown+DSM+Parking+Ramp+%232+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfteb3_BN5-lV4AMaifBzMjSP81TT9h_aKVzZpxELrB3PfncTdtvsAieDy4QVrKFUNVGVKRUYIE2o6mGC6TZMetcSeOshHblOYBSXf8iqsCVmP1XHgSC66ruxIYYegpCmvpn7iAYgO6I/s640/Downtown+DSM+Parking+Ramp+%232+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is a view of some downtown buildings taken from the same location.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil24SSkd8zfHsJ7oRA1CJNoqdxFzPGD8blhDHwOb38qhrvGj8hVTnXkI_hOdzkajwKPXMbZoV7MNpNExIYfz0XAxp7kKNvk_1aSgBJtsVH66TKoYjoD4IObx1wWzoYVrUaxGhpaeB_qCA/s1600/Downtown+DSM+Parking+Ramp+%25234+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil24SSkd8zfHsJ7oRA1CJNoqdxFzPGD8blhDHwOb38qhrvGj8hVTnXkI_hOdzkajwKPXMbZoV7MNpNExIYfz0XAxp7kKNvk_1aSgBJtsVH66TKoYjoD4IObx1wWzoYVrUaxGhpaeB_qCA/s640/Downtown+DSM+Parking+Ramp+%25234+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of the buildings I like in Des Moines is City Hall. It is an Art Deco building.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh690TNPTLsOaX2oHx6DxR7089JV6qLfxPLdwEFD3upbsnJPLuinucwW8z4Wh2Z4lQ2d5mfjvXs3XIgKaFwsmXz0K9TupZFYvtg8lb3hQn4ixc7p4N5H_WjpUfhoCNTsUUn5YkC0Daloac/s1600/DSM+City+Hall+Great+Hall+%25233+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh690TNPTLsOaX2oHx6DxR7089JV6qLfxPLdwEFD3upbsnJPLuinucwW8z4Wh2Z4lQ2d5mfjvXs3XIgKaFwsmXz0K9TupZFYvtg8lb3hQn4ixc7p4N5H_WjpUfhoCNTsUUn5YkC0Daloac/s640/DSM+City+Hall+Great+Hall+%25233+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is a view of the Great Hall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCUOgEY3yGr6Ul9Grq27rMHZe_yuwwnOc7Phga19BWbq6eiKO_pn5WvqHsFdArkmqFzlLw-EzQTuvNy78OkAGMdtr99iIyQwDenKeOsa5J7bZjgL8yLhgoOF4S91FZ0dvum7Av_i7uyI/s1600/DSM+City+Hall+Great+Hall+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCUOgEY3yGr6Ul9Grq27rMHZe_yuwwnOc7Phga19BWbq6eiKO_pn5WvqHsFdArkmqFzlLw-EzQTuvNy78OkAGMdtr99iIyQwDenKeOsa5J7bZjgL8yLhgoOF4S91FZ0dvum7Av_i7uyI/s640/DSM+City+Hall+Great+Hall+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like these doors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2b3IUMcDmBLiXogJgyaYzBsT0N98gmW9hm3xf1yVg3H93g8f1VZQg4socveFnuJir1d-_l3BNnwW6wTmICwXK0nr0PIquRVzCejjkskqqtwwV8-YJ5KCgsCD5WS1u_vXQVKeriGyflA/s1600/DSM+City+Hall+Doors+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2b3IUMcDmBLiXogJgyaYzBsT0N98gmW9hm3xf1yVg3H93g8f1VZQg4socveFnuJir1d-_l3BNnwW6wTmICwXK0nr0PIquRVzCejjkskqqtwwV8-YJ5KCgsCD5WS1u_vXQVKeriGyflA/s640/DSM+City+Hall+Doors+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Outside City Hall is the Des Moines River. You can see the new walk way across the river in this photo. Wells Fargo Arena is to the left. At night the arena reminds me of a space ship that has just landed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD0hvaOfAkme7K6UMqRVZiYkjGntJyVZUFDg3wyHAg29FHTMFNNplGTxX4aDYV5jq1NC83dPYwfWJN73SGSMxSPtuodL40rJ1Uo7qnCVohmHmBwaiqA-4Ebxk4XK0EO198DCRmGc3co4/s1600/Walkway+Over+DSM+River+%25232+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD0hvaOfAkme7K6UMqRVZiYkjGntJyVZUFDg3wyHAg29FHTMFNNplGTxX4aDYV5jq1NC83dPYwfWJN73SGSMxSPtuodL40rJ1Uo7qnCVohmHmBwaiqA-4Ebxk4XK0EO198DCRmGc3co4/s640/Walkway+Over+DSM+River+%25232+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a view of the river looking the other direction.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqT8s3UONL7K9Y9b6j4Z65WXl3AL4FpYf1EdUtLsIcslbgkXzx1XE2ecr8rnAX39IbdAyIesth1cG94cLcfm3GFfVUH21lL7tm3z2YSxjajs_3cVja9CqNjNaC44S10fsQ2ziwv0WhS8/s1600/Des+Moines+River+by+City+Hall+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqT8s3UONL7K9Y9b6j4Z65WXl3AL4FpYf1EdUtLsIcslbgkXzx1XE2ecr8rnAX39IbdAyIesth1cG94cLcfm3GFfVUH21lL7tm3z2YSxjajs_3cVja9CqNjNaC44S10fsQ2ziwv0WhS8/s640/Des+Moines+River+by+City+Hall+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like the realistic photographs best. My favorite photography is, by far, black and white. But these are fun. They are certainly different.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by.<br />
Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-81859109952212851912013-10-27T09:38:00.001-05:002013-10-27T09:38:32.117-05:00Spearfish Canyon South DakotaIn late September I drove to Rapid City, South Dakota. My primary goal was to re-visit Mount Rushmore. I had seen it in July but wanted to see it again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro1XYGkspiZcQoIdkUdU6QAdk3ECXmdHG82FpusoXsPxcbBji8etvtqAFf2UQZQhRobMqEz0dwFYQsilbz2wZfjBeQ1K3A464KCsoEPHn6cWyLrwJuVfHkGmvl0nujoxJGRbcJHybPjA/s1600/Mount+Rushmore+HDR+%231+Cropped+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro1XYGkspiZcQoIdkUdU6QAdk3ECXmdHG82FpusoXsPxcbBji8etvtqAFf2UQZQhRobMqEz0dwFYQsilbz2wZfjBeQ1K3A464KCsoEPHn6cWyLrwJuVfHkGmvl0nujoxJGRbcJHybPjA/s640/Mount+Rushmore+HDR+%231+Cropped+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However, on my second trip out to the area I decided to see a few more areas. One area was the area northwest of Rapid City.<br />
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Deadwood is a town you may have heard of. There was an HBO series by the same name. It is where the last American gold rush occurred.<br />
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To this day Deadwood is still a town that is primarily a gambling center.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRUrwqRfKyB3lJmz6c4iK6-XibswrJIjTK80asE_7CV0C_LTmHBBZxXWo5iyu4W1gtdRP3zlq4z9ECNWJQ2p9Sp0HN6PnIBDfkvWjXrbs98xNZl9mOwvBJbFJDBi9M-7XkYEb2Ba8P9E/s1600/Downtown+Deadwood+%231+Sept+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRUrwqRfKyB3lJmz6c4iK6-XibswrJIjTK80asE_7CV0C_LTmHBBZxXWo5iyu4W1gtdRP3zlq4z9ECNWJQ2p9Sp0HN6PnIBDfkvWjXrbs98xNZl9mOwvBJbFJDBi9M-7XkYEb2Ba8P9E/s640/Downtown+Deadwood+%231+Sept+2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The tall building on the left side of the below picture is a casino owned by Kevin Costner. It is called the Midnight Star.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYhuH9C9d1erkhWhqPgWz-Ec-FLjoCXDqmZgXR6uI-JcOjDLeX2lU0FF-UdIIFqBViDp6UxnIOsuNxbyo8foXY-2g8b0VdXNny8mYNR1Z-uvFS70Mf-ibNWkLKVDbPLNCW516VScE90Y/s1600/Midnight+Star+Building+Deadwood+Sept+2013+%233+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYhuH9C9d1erkhWhqPgWz-Ec-FLjoCXDqmZgXR6uI-JcOjDLeX2lU0FF-UdIIFqBViDp6UxnIOsuNxbyo8foXY-2g8b0VdXNny8mYNR1Z-uvFS70Mf-ibNWkLKVDbPLNCW516VScE90Y/s640/Midnight+Star+Building+Deadwood+Sept+2013+%233+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Inside are lots of memorabilia from Costner's movies. Here is the original dress worn by Mary McMonnell. Her character was Stands with a Fist.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVee0IG9Hk_kSCoSZuqgylN7hpCIoZKJ8o1GvqK8VUp2nAW64smG_W7rUt1TnSwmTEAoteU9QWi0jqXArkgNFHkp6QYwv7YLcNgFGxxde3GFhuRIX3ez9tTiDzDGIwtXREp-WAfTCvwhg/s1600/Midnight+Star+Casino+Dress+Dances+with+Wolves+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVee0IG9Hk_kSCoSZuqgylN7hpCIoZKJ8o1GvqK8VUp2nAW64smG_W7rUt1TnSwmTEAoteU9QWi0jqXArkgNFHkp6QYwv7YLcNgFGxxde3GFhuRIX3ez9tTiDzDGIwtXREp-WAfTCvwhg/s640/Midnight+Star+Casino+Dress+Dances+with+Wolves+SF.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Of course a casino is a casino. The inside of the Midnight Star looks like any other such place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-juLu_pifIHpkyfTV8zpPEFjDlrScUixpRE01qPeeylayAfHDIm5CvMleLOeXZbDvHdy4FeGkZnwkzQAPuUFQMneZQ0bcCfj55Fj7UtgwttK7l6oGXCs_d8XOGRx2kYr69sLHxRCF6Qo/s1600/Midnight+Star+Deadwood+Sept+2013+%232+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-juLu_pifIHpkyfTV8zpPEFjDlrScUixpRE01qPeeylayAfHDIm5CvMleLOeXZbDvHdy4FeGkZnwkzQAPuUFQMneZQ0bcCfj55Fj7UtgwttK7l6oGXCs_d8XOGRx2kYr69sLHxRCF6Qo/s640/Midnight+Star+Deadwood+Sept+2013+%232+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The real treasure is not found in the casinos - it is west of Deadwood in a place called Spearfish Canyon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoEgTpmb-N1uXB6Eu2fWQpjbakXONLsmtTGkeJxRXDyebgOALez5n5hMFHHKcGcmmwNiTom8f_mraopM1Bk4dVl8Muz3us3jA0piHTLiJR85uGcRoqBwmv3Iel9A-XdmmYsBLW0k4jyA/s1600/Spearfish+Canyon+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoEgTpmb-N1uXB6Eu2fWQpjbakXONLsmtTGkeJxRXDyebgOALez5n5hMFHHKcGcmmwNiTom8f_mraopM1Bk4dVl8Muz3us3jA0piHTLiJR85uGcRoqBwmv3Iel9A-XdmmYsBLW0k4jyA/s640/Spearfish+Canyon+%231+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is truly a beautiful place. Frank Lloyd Wright called Spearfish Canyon his favorite place on earth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_yhGuxpoi4Gr4zmYFoPdE-KfhwpihJxrNEFBocPcPeAch0ODo7G6xsMiexcGMuvHO6naDItGF4JFeOh2UpysSEiRjLzm23xfOKx-j2DhRR6P03AYSXiKBB4WZ1KjRk8AzUO4HpTZxO8/s1600/Stream+in+Spearfish+Canyon+Sept+2013+LF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ2_59UzD-ici3vnucQr_eyJM07qM4Mk7FYAS0qDXEl4tAqyTOawukuOo1ZU8xxsI01WZ-H4ozD-GIPBAZYEM0l3pp4g6_7Z_ZuD9QNudBL0PefCgZw-JmYaRpOK0FIdu339LOxZzbsA/s1600/Stream+in+Spearfish+Canyon+Sept+2013+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ2_59UzD-ici3vnucQr_eyJM07qM4Mk7FYAS0qDXEl4tAqyTOawukuOo1ZU8xxsI01WZ-H4ozD-GIPBAZYEM0l3pp4g6_7Z_ZuD9QNudBL0PefCgZw-JmYaRpOK0FIdu339LOxZzbsA/s640/Stream+in+Spearfish+Canyon+Sept+2013+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are three major waterfalls. This one is called Bridal Falls. The falls gives the appearance of a bride's veil.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOBcRg9_y4Z03M9SqDScRdpJeIpnosCiCJeVE3B6wwXgKumUg_PXvig0wRTSgd7UzfQHXNocIlbDvTnlIU2Z6pOz02ImB9B24czpyhOizs6Ba-UHwpy07epyLMaKzkR2JJdSoJKrtuxk/s1600/Bridal+Falls+%233+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOBcRg9_y4Z03M9SqDScRdpJeIpnosCiCJeVE3B6wwXgKumUg_PXvig0wRTSgd7UzfQHXNocIlbDvTnlIU2Z6pOz02ImB9B24czpyhOizs6Ba-UHwpy07epyLMaKzkR2JJdSoJKrtuxk/s640/Bridal+Falls+%233+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This might be a better view.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Jngb-nD3xly-hGNlkyIGWPXoXue5D0u9DCrmWFHdz_hoVOeNnVyLV5mwcvj57ld8FZgemWfeS8_SA9R3ZA2ZjU3ez9ELnFSf7SWOMyFXxFSDx7WghwaDUvmQy8GYTkDZv7rmM5XquqE/s1600/Bridal+Falls+HDR+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Jngb-nD3xly-hGNlkyIGWPXoXue5D0u9DCrmWFHdz_hoVOeNnVyLV5mwcvj57ld8FZgemWfeS8_SA9R3ZA2ZjU3ez9ELnFSf7SWOMyFXxFSDx7WghwaDUvmQy8GYTkDZv7rmM5XquqE/s640/Bridal+Falls+HDR+SF.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bQoqFma-VRmUvRd1kDXrjr6q7hqBG7rnqqF3eKOkazV_TUxzK9vfBr52gWY-Wz6_B6ALlCCa-YgPqIX9Fyx-Ii5YNlmO4vBXU6Qyxwn0J3Vcoh68IPqIDwe_X-M4OACVLeVbKq4StuM/s1600/Mount+Rushmore+from+Road+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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I thought this rock formation looked like a dog's head.</div>
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This waterfall is called Roughlock Falls.<br />
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Driving through this area is breathtaking - and I don't use that word lightly. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxg8Wll-2rSAiNpoJaK6NVSHtY2HqUJ-d9GckK8Ei8PrnclekaXgpjjJxSI5mHmrZBHU_VGVvDvNekovI66LKSwY1vKFA6YNtqbP-BucC2xsTLvns1TH6LBn3ZbhV37rNRGGrKX0waPc/s1600/Spearfish+Canyon+%232+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxg8Wll-2rSAiNpoJaK6NVSHtY2HqUJ-d9GckK8Ei8PrnclekaXgpjjJxSI5mHmrZBHU_VGVvDvNekovI66LKSwY1vKFA6YNtqbP-BucC2xsTLvns1TH6LBn3ZbhV37rNRGGrKX0waPc/s640/Spearfish+Canyon+%232+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am looking forward to getting back there soon.<br />
<br />Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-58996695335522742142013-10-23T20:25:00.000-05:002013-10-23T20:31:29.059-05:00A Quiet PlaceOften the nicest things are close by. It is not necessary to drive a long ways to see something special. <br />
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A place that may only be a short distance from you, is a long way away for someone else. <br />
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A few weeks ago I drove to a state park close to where I live. It was a sunny warm day. Since it was a week day, not many people were around. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6PBXBhOTT5OhwzI8rWr_wQshAi-kbBpLuEGtEsWRA247OqGNuirzkzJ4x37jsVlS5Qi_nsuYMZn4id7TnCxwqbYp6TXl_5kLEAN9ennG1APrycAAcekn2TfEHuidCRB_giNKHhJcXjM/s1600/Rock+Creek+State+Park+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6PBXBhOTT5OhwzI8rWr_wQshAi-kbBpLuEGtEsWRA247OqGNuirzkzJ4x37jsVlS5Qi_nsuYMZn4id7TnCxwqbYp6TXl_5kLEAN9ennG1APrycAAcekn2TfEHuidCRB_giNKHhJcXjM/s400/Rock+Creek+State+Park+%231+SF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I did notice these two men in a small fishing boat. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfQKqh-JD3qJDniIqtffJ0B-TS9iqj5XH6xn4Nh8E2a96dFwOy8t-c-rltGr0n8OlXrZEsudIa_5w-HoPFj7PWnFsC9FyBkZYl-qMjZEMitTdgoDFZKfebhy_HPwGQzeu8ww0jByQoSk/s1600/Rock+Creek+State+Park+%232+SF+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfQKqh-JD3qJDniIqtffJ0B-TS9iqj5XH6xn4Nh8E2a96dFwOy8t-c-rltGr0n8OlXrZEsudIa_5w-HoPFj7PWnFsC9FyBkZYl-qMjZEMitTdgoDFZKfebhy_HPwGQzeu8ww0jByQoSk/s400/Rock+Creek+State+Park+%232+SF+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I liked this solitary picnic table close to the water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzW5BQXTASzHRor_Jt3CknVtEfmDvaIQ4O0fXryOV4VzBsOJZOHD3J2exRlNZHHdbFlxrCTPrqjpLb-SeexZE1y-ql7OvPV3-LTcOlX0JrLwwdQDVwiqIWo_305GBHKcyPBLf48FjqjI/s1600/Rock+Creek+State+Park+%233+SF+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzW5BQXTASzHRor_Jt3CknVtEfmDvaIQ4O0fXryOV4VzBsOJZOHD3J2exRlNZHHdbFlxrCTPrqjpLb-SeexZE1y-ql7OvPV3-LTcOlX0JrLwwdQDVwiqIWo_305GBHKcyPBLf48FjqjI/s400/Rock+Creek+State+Park+%233+SF+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After spending time near this small park, I drove through the country down a gravel road. I came across this cemetery.<br />
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It was a small cemetery.<br />
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A marker indicated it had been there since 1849.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10RH5GKnIncXZvpLlD09hpCWEPwtQ_mL2tJw2QSj54Y3xLBH6hqz4xeVuQKZyYCYSHEaNDDKf22H-j1YWltBzkmjR91jnGoJr2s8OEFnr-lMqXYJhoGBflkB0u6MFMrqyaHDzHmDLXLc/s1600/Rock+Creek+Cemetery+Sign+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10RH5GKnIncXZvpLlD09hpCWEPwtQ_mL2tJw2QSj54Y3xLBH6hqz4xeVuQKZyYCYSHEaNDDKf22H-j1YWltBzkmjR91jnGoJr2s8OEFnr-lMqXYJhoGBflkB0u6MFMrqyaHDzHmDLXLc/s400/Rock+Creek+Cemetery+Sign+SF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some of the headstones were so old you could not read the words on them any longer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOwkVttGJqSXphVvTVYeuERAIZf50BRq-uORX3_aqYgVmv2Id4xmFuErfRV7Gmzx5zOHyGlpqDLYuQMP81OWUuIZm7MQCeVZ4X1azmC94isO0pXHCUkv8qEXSoq_brrIIXOu3DBF0aRI/s1600/Rock+Creek+Cemetery+%234+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOwkVttGJqSXphVvTVYeuERAIZf50BRq-uORX3_aqYgVmv2Id4xmFuErfRV7Gmzx5zOHyGlpqDLYuQMP81OWUuIZm7MQCeVZ4X1azmC94isO0pXHCUkv8qEXSoq_brrIIXOu3DBF0aRI/s400/Rock+Creek+Cemetery+%234+SF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Several of the graves were decorated with American flags or flowers.<br />
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It was a peaceful setting on a quiet afternoon.<br />
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Within a short distance I had found two places that were very peaceful and serene. It was a good way to spend an afternoon.</div>
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Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-8114163684660768622013-07-13T10:49:00.002-05:002013-07-13T10:49:38.287-05:00South Dakota BadlandsIn western South Dakota is a large area called the Badlands. In fact, it is a national park.<br />
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This is a very interesting area and its beauty and mystery does not translate at all in the below photographs.<br />
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After driving for hours in South Dakota and seeing nothing but open country, you notice what looks like a very hilly or bumpy region in the distance. As you get closer it starts to come into focus.<br />
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As you actually drive through the park itself you are amazed at what you see. You wonder how such formations were created. It is truly an area like no other place on earth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwG75F-4bklI_tKAuVyeWUzmVE3wV3iD4kIEUoA8ftvzvoaat6qBj0Ht4oLhyphenhyphen_sDlYiac3tYgNBQSI9JMaMS6XndlbC1rRUxh4H6p45Gp-B3yuH0BZu64gVBU5ro3capeqiVNg4f6bPxc/s1600/Badlands+%232+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwG75F-4bklI_tKAuVyeWUzmVE3wV3iD4kIEUoA8ftvzvoaat6qBj0Ht4oLhyphenhyphen_sDlYiac3tYgNBQSI9JMaMS6XndlbC1rRUxh4H6p45Gp-B3yuH0BZu64gVBU5ro3capeqiVNg4f6bPxc/s640/Badlands+%232+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This region consists of thousands of acres. A road goes through a portion of it.<br />
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There are places where you look down into the open earth rather than up at large, sandy hills.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwMk6W6QvUCgE4rkHklkvFRR6uf6Igd6wwRkumbFLCQk_X2VFuN7kgodOAga7kau9GzXp_yHVkB8WRGusijPYNdTXKmUdOL_Tyn9DFSQ6hb4E2Uhup9PBqeqnUDfmMLJ0Q50EYroBI2g/s1600/Badlands+%235+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwMk6W6QvUCgE4rkHklkvFRR6uf6Igd6wwRkumbFLCQk_X2VFuN7kgodOAga7kau9GzXp_yHVkB8WRGusijPYNdTXKmUdOL_Tyn9DFSQ6hb4E2Uhup9PBqeqnUDfmMLJ0Q50EYroBI2g/s640/Badlands+%235+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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One thing you notice is the largeness of this region. You can see for many miles into the distance and you can appreciate why the Sioux Indians believed this land was and is sacred.<br />
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Mother Nature is truly a wonderful artist and this is some of her most special work.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by.</div>
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Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-50393029026076057212013-07-07T07:45:00.001-05:002013-07-07T07:45:28.958-05:00Mount Rushmore VisitRecently I drove out to Rapid City, South Dakota, to see Mount Rushmore.<br />
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This sculpture was carved out of the side of a rock cliff. The sculpture is of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.<br />
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You can see the monument from quite a distance. The first time you glimpse the sculpture it almost takes your breath away.<br />
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You usually see pictures of Mount Rushmore that look something like this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNa7-c1K219eiBVlWtNkkcrSiQXT7_EfybThk8fM2jG5bSdtWu9fA4u1eRLa0YdMReXx5SnXBz9CEYwpOYwmEzJQ2SXOFuZcXXzwEgfOh6EGH9-BwhyphenhyphenyP5lAhlPBnaybnSe9YBq9KJKs/s1600/Mount+Rushmore+%232+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNa7-c1K219eiBVlWtNkkcrSiQXT7_EfybThk8fM2jG5bSdtWu9fA4u1eRLa0YdMReXx5SnXBz9CEYwpOYwmEzJQ2SXOFuZcXXzwEgfOh6EGH9-BwhyphenhyphenyP5lAhlPBnaybnSe9YBq9KJKs/s640/Mount+Rushmore+%232+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But what some people, such as me, do not realize is that this monument is much higher up than first believed. Also, it is in the middle of a forested area called the Black Hills.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbisCfPKmppTp6JjmDtXDpNZgaqVxADUT2X6vmTCa02GR-GZxUW0Xv7BSaOU7Mw2Y74Tlg4Gmqm6iKJP9xxnJ4Olparb0tmScTMSBWQVCj0HXVbI75lSqOZXTWAHPvysHUYofyEWvNcs/s1600/Black+Hills+Forest+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbisCfPKmppTp6JjmDtXDpNZgaqVxADUT2X6vmTCa02GR-GZxUW0Xv7BSaOU7Mw2Y74Tlg4Gmqm6iKJP9xxnJ4Olparb0tmScTMSBWQVCj0HXVbI75lSqOZXTWAHPvysHUYofyEWvNcs/s640/Black+Hills+Forest+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What I remember about my visit to this place even more than the monument itself, is the heavy smell of Ponderosa pine trees. <br />
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As you walk around you can see the monument from some impressive angles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfILRYluP6yreqrT-bwBhzswe2cIk748q79TI9KUtNvVovLnqisUV-eZ4CzyrycGlcoV8uW3TWfTOHyq3w51Q1_VKtkrKb7nPEhnAFIBDCrbVOhdfQLQaFa-B52lMiAxqogfIo2fPJ6o/s1600/Mount+Rushmore+%233+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfILRYluP6yreqrT-bwBhzswe2cIk748q79TI9KUtNvVovLnqisUV-eZ4CzyrycGlcoV8uW3TWfTOHyq3w51Q1_VKtkrKb7nPEhnAFIBDCrbVOhdfQLQaFa-B52lMiAxqogfIo2fPJ6o/s640/Mount+Rushmore+%233+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What I noticed the most were the eyes and how realistic they look. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bSmgvnGDurwoQjPJCHsPBXC8ihcSCMJtCfktZuPl8a9rggGa2NzZCmQpTJ3gyTlHvOrbWX1G3lCoQIPNlOt80XmTKtZqbGLbJ0Qr1u2js8P7EqBoU4Lpc1zBgzurI1fLyQ35Ieyo-ok/s1600/Mount+Rushmore+%235+LF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
This is what the sculptor wanted to do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG8ZLEiBZd0xQscmiUVoF_4MztYBcUrcIo6Nrbp0r7_Jc6utu0UndudTgUW2WnrR2T6lSTqJ9_Rxqc7pB9wx_IzPvSgx_bB2qTi66RGrkMXefCMkCTYxEU8UtbGnKfZXg_N2REW7cj_Y/s1600/Rushmore+Mode+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG8ZLEiBZd0xQscmiUVoF_4MztYBcUrcIo6Nrbp0r7_Jc6utu0UndudTgUW2WnrR2T6lSTqJ9_Rxqc7pB9wx_IzPvSgx_bB2qTi66RGrkMXefCMkCTYxEU8UtbGnKfZXg_N2REW7cj_Y/s640/Rushmore+Mode+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However, money ran out and also time. Keep in mind this was done during the Great Depression which was followed by World War II. <br />
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Still, as I looked at the finished work I thought of the expression "Sometimes less is more."<br />
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Thanks for stopping by.</div>
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Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-90439034788150336682013-07-02T17:19:00.001-05:002013-07-02T21:02:14.366-05:00Sculpture GardenThis past weekend I drove out to see Mount Rushmore. I had never seen it and figured it was time.<br />
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When I was in eastern South Dakota I saw something that caught my attention. It was a LARGE long horn cow's head. It was probably 30 feet tall and in the middle of a pasture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50pkPtPYY1wBQjHW1bMMXgYWvu2b1fNw813bLrz7NJWb4JnhqY2Rho7ggCtOBHhByM3stTaMnG_yleBXlQPeXmq-x_ydsPWdvd0Iza_v0XdJjPIjxIKyYLKYYreQauno8FMT5127P-Vo/s1600/Long+Horn+with+Guard+%232+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50pkPtPYY1wBQjHW1bMMXgYWvu2b1fNw813bLrz7NJWb4JnhqY2Rho7ggCtOBHhByM3stTaMnG_yleBXlQPeXmq-x_ydsPWdvd0Iza_v0XdJjPIjxIKyYLKYYreQauno8FMT5127P-Vo/s400/Long+Horn+with+Guard+%232+SF.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I could not resist. I took the next exit off the interstate and found this sculpture garden. It was in a pasture.<br />
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I will not write much but just share some of these images with you. Needless to say each will speak for itself. I was amazed at how incredible these are.<br />
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This guy greets you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5NmlW6Ni6p6qZgv4fTtxGliEXUPL54UNEle3-btwlrv-DbG4z1kyKHU0m76HjMtmqHGYf0Jrw3c19aJwLSSXozFu104cO-948NgkXZ1BiqH5C86RI2OwurwtNrRVw42wVZtkx5n8r88/s1600/Happy+Man+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5NmlW6Ni6p6qZgv4fTtxGliEXUPL54UNEle3-btwlrv-DbG4z1kyKHU0m76HjMtmqHGYf0Jrw3c19aJwLSSXozFu104cO-948NgkXZ1BiqH5C86RI2OwurwtNrRVw42wVZtkx5n8r88/s400/Happy+Man+SF.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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You then see this yawning man.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvLhdgSnL4VGkKED8FKXYxRIO2FIdI_X_TjYsi16EfcINSpQJtqVPDWy0bNOgThfdZjIpdLsxPCZclfFL0fIb-I0bFdBnfiyB1K804m2hMAPtMzcAUpSQxJedVquUetP7zucRmmYG7w0/s1600/Yawning+Man+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvLhdgSnL4VGkKED8FKXYxRIO2FIdI_X_TjYsi16EfcINSpQJtqVPDWy0bNOgThfdZjIpdLsxPCZclfFL0fIb-I0bFdBnfiyB1K804m2hMAPtMzcAUpSQxJedVquUetP7zucRmmYG7w0/s400/Yawning+Man+%231+SF.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Here is Grim Gothic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_nx6ZUOOig_MBjgWNc8eWRMOOI8mCD6vwTkb6rczr5pTAguKGYANDpyS_5knS8YbK3lTVZxea7343LOekER8U1BDerIhyphenhyphenHdVBYN7m7uZ9S0e2WH-ludbPKZK0LeTOJVc9Bc-wqB8U8c/s1600/Grim+Gothic+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_nx6ZUOOig_MBjgWNc8eWRMOOI8mCD6vwTkb6rczr5pTAguKGYANDpyS_5knS8YbK3lTVZxea7343LOekER8U1BDerIhyphenhyphenHdVBYN7m7uZ9S0e2WH-ludbPKZK0LeTOJVc9Bc-wqB8U8c/s400/Grim+Gothic+%231+SF.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I saw something in front of me but was not quite sure what it was. It was apparently a goat playing a saxophone.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QdHLcYCaivaQviQzrCWESZZ7APCRB0JNpWGkMrhxfVYa-W2zx6hNEeKat8VZ_4A-PymwjF0trO-JNPltItX6wUKJy0WaompdROycJcAXQpa69yKAL_bluYmNhibcv2EvMzFhI8R9t-g/s1600/Goat+Sax+Player+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QdHLcYCaivaQviQzrCWESZZ7APCRB0JNpWGkMrhxfVYa-W2zx6hNEeKat8VZ_4A-PymwjF0trO-JNPltItX6wUKJy0WaompdROycJcAXQpa69yKAL_bluYmNhibcv2EvMzFhI8R9t-g/s400/Goat+Sax+Player+SF.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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And there were three women dancing around him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uFr33deMN9EiuARfbDzoM2clieucsC9mdwbx1jkFRZtt2Q_xkSbXlms55IXEZ2V4b1eICiP374iXWMO7jQaS_Nws_KLBu6IzvD6NNCJmKGNjMi1oZW8BWimm3Lk5n62GdPUFv3yPPq0/s1600/Goat+and+Dancers+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uFr33deMN9EiuARfbDzoM2clieucsC9mdwbx1jkFRZtt2Q_xkSbXlms55IXEZ2V4b1eICiP374iXWMO7jQaS_Nws_KLBu6IzvD6NNCJmKGNjMi1oZW8BWimm3Lk5n62GdPUFv3yPPq0/s400/Goat+and+Dancers+%231+SF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you need a BIG hammer I think I know where you can find one. This one is more than 10 feet tall.</div>
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These red monks were quietly walking up the hill.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvFl-7s84Pbvmm8H0SlMVT6wMa-U90ta1ssXRO0-71DNBVbpSYZ2A2taC_th4aTuFOm7q-rcz_6in0qfRIb_gnzj6lfWUU3tZSN8Vtg9BSg9k7kR0RIU4oYoNMDhDOD9u5XhPzhHyAEI/s1600/Red+Monks+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvFl-7s84Pbvmm8H0SlMVT6wMa-U90ta1ssXRO0-71DNBVbpSYZ2A2taC_th4aTuFOm7q-rcz_6in0qfRIb_gnzj6lfWUU3tZSN8Vtg9BSg9k7kR0RIU4oYoNMDhDOD9u5XhPzhHyAEI/s400/Red+Monks+SF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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These skeleton guards were around the 30 foot tall Long Horn head. </div>
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This is what these guards look like as you approach them. They are very tall.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvndz_-DUyejIJNtvFxrmtoicbcaLjkBXx6SXREBPX9UeeFLRwXj7GGr_U_6yPddXNjn9xRUQYValCgNKrV_jq_rUmQ95cANoJdEGlZx8b3n57K60sGKIgTAMsU8rEx7fQPV6apSa0rSY/s1600/Iron+Warrior+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvndz_-DUyejIJNtvFxrmtoicbcaLjkBXx6SXREBPX9UeeFLRwXj7GGr_U_6yPddXNjn9xRUQYValCgNKrV_jq_rUmQ95cANoJdEGlZx8b3n57K60sGKIgTAMsU8rEx7fQPV6apSa0rSY/s400/Iron+Warrior+%231+SF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I found myself humming <em>Man of La Mancha</em> as I walked by this knight on his horse.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtiSm1lJ-oT6atieHtVqGVJHBidkTFyHANoXx3rS9WtdVY31TYRTsaUZPyEc55gFkm7WsxXxMSPxoDnQ6Ml-tK_Mq4SQlwFuZrCkho5OPtqBsPLDzpw8gjdsOftgNZmMNYMZQui7VwB0/s1600/Knight+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtiSm1lJ-oT6atieHtVqGVJHBidkTFyHANoXx3rS9WtdVY31TYRTsaUZPyEc55gFkm7WsxXxMSPxoDnQ6Ml-tK_Mq4SQlwFuZrCkho5OPtqBsPLDzpw8gjdsOftgNZmMNYMZQui7VwB0/s400/Knight+%231+SF.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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This woman made out of gold who was filling a pail with gold bricks or dust or something was supposed to be a statement about our materialist society. I think. The artist let you decide. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztiM_p_qcds1GeZxWeAlG94N1Td7UIxutZTwoBQbTWcewi7LQt8xePI58zVWMbRsMc4RxVfj3_qIpcI6hVFms9pzK9ALPg4mPPIO4Aw0yyknYgyH8KCPYTvdckF4CC4Df1kvyTc3xfnU/s1600/Golden+Woman+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztiM_p_qcds1GeZxWeAlG94N1Td7UIxutZTwoBQbTWcewi7LQt8xePI58zVWMbRsMc4RxVfj3_qIpcI6hVFms9pzK9ALPg4mPPIO4Aw0yyknYgyH8KCPYTvdckF4CC4Df1kvyTc3xfnU/s400/Golden+Woman+SF.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Next to the gold woman was this Jack in the Box. Maybe there was a connection?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodgicjU7XXgJ7cCW1FMtnLuqKKnxDEBe9MOHS7BjIAKOo8miV_zrpUOvD4pM69ZYKfhW8KL7AFf39HM3NDW1mYXanECfaXxC2zPKplKNu7pxwAiXCZeunWySsV_5PiHVSEagbpeugvHM/s1600/Jack+in+the+Box+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodgicjU7XXgJ7cCW1FMtnLuqKKnxDEBe9MOHS7BjIAKOo8miV_zrpUOvD4pM69ZYKfhW8KL7AFf39HM3NDW1mYXanECfaXxC2zPKplKNu7pxwAiXCZeunWySsV_5PiHVSEagbpeugvHM/s400/Jack+in+the+Box+%231+SF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I liked this blue dragon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntTxf5cBkOByu6o_-N74pbtp2AzcCVzbkau-eoUaY_rbNsZeelfTxV3OkkbWMK3W7UtCzcJTIYEZgH6J0o8jj8ppPntO-wPDsT2XEfeiriLTOiOkKHjOdMoRfWP4lWZu4xnKdgRScqNc/s1600/Dragon+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntTxf5cBkOByu6o_-N74pbtp2AzcCVzbkau-eoUaY_rbNsZeelfTxV3OkkbWMK3W7UtCzcJTIYEZgH6J0o8jj8ppPntO-wPDsT2XEfeiriLTOiOkKHjOdMoRfWP4lWZu4xnKdgRScqNc/s400/Dragon+%231+SF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This child on a sled was interesting.</div>
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And here's a pink rocking horse. You would need a tall ladder to get on it. <br />
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Oh -- the long horn cow I saw from the interstate? This is what it looks like when you get a bit closer to it.<br />
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I figured I needed to get on the road to Rapid City if I was going to get to Mount Rushmore -- but this was a most interesting stop.</div>
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Speaking of stopping, thanks for stopping by.</div>
<br />Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-4251003413732218252013-05-22T20:15:00.000-05:002013-05-22T20:49:38.481-05:00Neighborhood WalkToday I went for a walk around my neighborhood. I was surprised at the amount of yard art I saw. Here's a bicycle similar to the one I used to ride years ago.<br />
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I like the bicycle a lot. Not sure I can say the same for the lacquered wood beaver .... <br />
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This pump was interesting. I have actually used real one likes this long before they became yard ornaments.<br />
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I thought these were real at first. We have a lot of deer in our neighborhood.<br />
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This yard has the most eclectic items in our neighborhood - that is why it is my favourite. <br />
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See that dog in the background of the above picture? Here is a closer view. There are some real advantages to having an ... unreal ... dog like this! <br />
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Only about two blocks away I came across this house. The metal sculptures are great.<br />
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Here is a closer view of the ant you can see in the above picture. Notice the sunglasses!<br />
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This robin is real. And he was having a "real" good time finding worms since we have had so much rain lately.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by.<br />
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Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-86390543937140219372013-05-16T09:09:00.001-05:002013-05-16T10:11:58.446-05:00LilacsIt has taken a while for spring to arrive in the Midwest. But finally .... I think it may be here.<br />
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One of my favourite flowers is lilacs. There is a lilac arboretum in Des Moines that I like to visit every spring.<br />
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The park and its well known lilac bushes have been around for over 100 years. In the past few years the park has been greatly improved. Many volunteers have gotten involved to donate such things as park benches or to sponsor individual lilac bushes.<br />
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The day I was there I saw many people just walking slowly among the lilacs and enjoying the day. People always reach over, pull a lilac close to them and smell it. The lilacs are extremely fragrant.<br />
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I also noticed the redbud trees were in full bloom. They are usually associated with regions south of Iowa but we are now seeing more of them. <br />
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For some reason I did not take a picture of a redbud tree but you can see a couple in the background of this picture.<br />
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In addition to the lilacs, I came across an apple tree that was in full bloom. Apple blooms are quite beautiful. In my opinion, an apple blossom is the very essence of spring.<br />
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I saw some daffodils that were still in bloom, though they were almost at their end. <br />
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Mother Nature is truly the world's greatest artist. After a long, cold, dreary winter she puts on quite a show before we settle into summer.Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-81426158192240551762013-05-12T20:16:00.001-05:002013-05-12T20:21:10.882-05:00Tulips. Tulips, TulipsI drove to a small town this weekend that celebrates a tulip festival every spring. I got there very early so I could see the tulips without other people around.<br />
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The tulips were everywhere. Though they are always in large groups I find it most enjoyable to look at them individually.<br />
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There are so many different colours of tulips.</div>
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I am partial to red ones. You can see the windmill in the background of this picture.</div>
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These tulips were different but I liked them.</div>
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There are several buildings as part of a museum. This is the side of a church.<br />
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This bronze statute is of a man with his bicycle. Notice the wooden shoes.</div>
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He is packing his pipe.</div>
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Seeing all these tulips and the pride this community has in them was refreshing. <br />
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I enjoyed seeing them and taking a few pictures of them.</div>
Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-87337487954083449102013-05-11T06:29:00.000-05:002013-05-11T06:29:09.758-05:00State ParkI recently went to a state park not far from my home. It was a nice afternoon and in the middle of the week.<br />
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I was surprised that the road into the park was closed. Later I learned the road was covered by water in six places due to the heavy spring rains.<br />
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The flooding was not massive but it was enough to close the road. There is something special about moving water. I liked watching it come through these blocks.<br />
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I was surprised at the number of people who left their cars behind (as I had done, too) and ventured into the park. If you wanted to get across the flooded areas you had to carefully walk over blocks like the ones shown above. <br />
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These two hikers were carefully stepping across the blocks.<br />
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To be honest, even though the water is not deep it still gives you a bit of an uneasy feeling to walk across. The top of the blocks are a little wet and slippery so you have to be careful.<br />
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You also have to be careful when you hike up the steps that have been provided if you want go up the trail.<br />
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The hike up starts very gradually but eventually when you look back you see you are actually getting pretty high up.<br />
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<br />Here is another view of the trail. It is actually well maintained overall. With the railing and level walking area it is very user friendly.<br />
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Of course hikers are reminded to stay on the trail (just in case they might have other ideas). In this spot where a rail is broken away, it is a long ways down though it may not look like it in this photo.<br />
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Sometimes the best things to see are the smallest. As it is still very early in the growing season there is not a lot of colour - but this very small flower caught my eye.<br />
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Just getting out in the fresh air and walking is good. However, I am looking forward to seeing more colour soon.<br />
Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-90000887857531244592013-05-07T15:14:00.000-05:002013-05-07T16:53:24.357-05:00Birds, Birds, BirdsThis morning I went out towards a wooded area near where I live. I wanted to see some birds. I saw this blue jay at a feeder.<br />
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But he flew away.<br />
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Then a downy woodpecker flew over but he seemed more interested in the bottom part of the feeder. Wonder why? It is just .... wood.<br />
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I looked up and saw a goldfinch. This is Iowa's state bird.<br />
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Suddenly a rose breasted grosbeak flew in. These birds do not like company and the others left - in a hurry. Notice the beak on this bird!<br />
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They are a very attractive bird but certainly have a "leave me alone!" look about them.<br />
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This red wing blackbird stopped by - but only after the grosbeak was gone.<br />
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Up in a tree I saw a traditional red headed woodpecker. <br />
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Finally this little guy was around to clean up anything the birds might have knocked to the ground.<br />
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I saw these birds, the squirrel and more in less than 30 minutes. Mother Nature is quite amazing but you have to be willing to stop and look. Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-1165659245087902962013-05-05T07:27:00.001-05:002013-05-05T07:27:47.059-05:00GatsbyOne of my favourite books is F. Scott Fitzgerald's <em>The Great Gatsby</em>. <br />
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As you know, the story takes place during the 1920s. This was a time of great excesses, materialism, changing values and rebellious behavior. The prohibition against alcohol only made drinking and the party lifestyle more attractive to people.<br />
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A new Gatsby movie has just been released. This one stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan. It is in 3D. Some critics have said it creates a dizziness effect. I am trying to keep an open mind.<br />
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I will go see it. Why not? Who could resist seeing any movie version of such a great story? I confess I will have reservations since I do not like seeing a great work turned into a special effects movie - but hopefully that is not the case.<br />
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I remember how much hype the 1974 Gatsby movie got. That one starred Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. <br />
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I remember that movie as being disappointing. I suppose that given the excellence of the book, the cast and the heightened expectations, that was a lot to live up to in 1974. <br />
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This newest release will be the 5th Gatsby movie made. It is very hard to capture on film how you think characters look as you read the novel. I have always felt that Shelley Winters looked exactly like the Myrtle Wilson character when she made the 1949 movie version.<br />
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She looks deliciously decadent in this image -- an image I am sure Fitzgerald would have approved for the theme of his story.<br />
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Alan Ladd and Betty Field were cast as Jay Gatsby and Daisy. Many have argued Ladd played the best Gatsby. Perhaps the 1949 movie was the truest to the book.<br />
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My guess is that the 2013 movie will be fun to watch - lots of visuals and sounds and as fast paced as you can make the story. Certainly the 3D will add a new dimension (bad pun intended). <br />
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Here is a photo of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda.<br />
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If you are interested in such things, you know about the relationship of Fitzgerald and Zelda and can see how that would have inspired <em>The Great Gatsby</em> novel. The parallels are striking.<br />
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In any event, I am looking forward to seeing the new movie. However, no matter how good the movie may be, it can never replace the book.<br />
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No movie can compete with the power of the human mind's ability to create images and scenes.<br />
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Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-33394957864187693582013-05-01T20:16:00.002-05:002013-05-01T20:16:40.940-05:00Antique StoreThere is a saying that goes "one man's junk is another man's treasure." Today I was in an antique store and thought about that.<br />
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I saw this old metal can as I stepped in. Interesting ....<br />
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Then there was this cookie jar that got my attention.<br />
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When I saw this guy I wondered where his white horse was? </div>
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Then there was this mask from Sri Lanka. I doubt many people have one of these. I was tempted ....</div>
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I liked this sign.</div>
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Who could resist this guy?</div>
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These almost came home with me - but I am not sure why. Or even what they are. But I liked them. I think.</div>
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And guess what? Each of these photos was taken with my iPhone! Someone told me my phone can even be used to make a call. Imagine that ....!</div>
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Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-58139863740535771522013-04-29T10:59:00.002-05:002013-04-29T20:00:38.221-05:00Kansas City Baseball GameThis past weekend I drove to Kansas City to see a professional baseball game. I have never been to Kauffman Stadium. Since I only live a few hours away I felt it was about time to go see it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGIxrhZRNdATzyvPfjG6rANveZZeL40fLH0SOxOe_kFDjcKjPr6TzrQiASkJaZ5ttCwo0AU3ss-5hQ1-KuTx4GufgFkTpXBxXT4s4HPpnKU4m3kXl6FUWGQdtMfdOIrJzdQVe1yhVmgA/s1600/Royals+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" lua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGIxrhZRNdATzyvPfjG6rANveZZeL40fLH0SOxOe_kFDjcKjPr6TzrQiASkJaZ5ttCwo0AU3ss-5hQ1-KuTx4GufgFkTpXBxXT4s4HPpnKU4m3kXl6FUWGQdtMfdOIrJzdQVe1yhVmgA/s640/Royals+%231+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was a nice day. I arrived early and that gave me time to look around before the game started. These large stadiums always remind me a bit of a spaceship or flying saucer. Very futurist looking.<br />
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This picture was taken from my seat. I was in the loge section - sort of between the bottom and top levels.<br />
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One of the main features of Kauffman Stadium is the beautiful water fountain.<br />
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This is what they look like from up close and when they are not on -- which is when the game is actually going on.<br />
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I enjoyed the game. It had some typical drama. This man was up to bat.<br />
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And hit the ball very, very hard. So hard in fact -- well look at the outfielder looking up and the fans jumping back!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIpTsI4n7b8kLY18nIglUFyF1J75zfDIUUci9pbWKKFMCaRtd-8E-cDUsEuBVCdTucoID7Wf4VklF_dIgodRap-RHzWEKkBQRTZUSBKn8dLdhm7jjuvkwqqTKfO7DWw5y8aRjqUtJKA8/s1600/Royals+%237+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" lua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIpTsI4n7b8kLY18nIglUFyF1J75zfDIUUci9pbWKKFMCaRtd-8E-cDUsEuBVCdTucoID7Wf4VklF_dIgodRap-RHzWEKkBQRTZUSBKn8dLdhm7jjuvkwqqTKfO7DWw5y8aRjqUtJKA8/s640/Royals+%237+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You cannot see the ball because a woman is wearing a white jacket - but the ball is just above the railing and in front of the "R" of H&R Block. <em> (If you are curious - the ball is actually right in front of the woman's left elbow -- she is wearing a white jacket and has a blue hat on. The ball actually bounced off the green padding and bounced very high before coming back into the field of play. If you click on the picture you will see a larger one. The ball is just a shade darker than the woman's white top.)</em><br />
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The hit was ruled a double but not before the umpires reviewed the play.<br />
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I walked around the stadium to see it from various angles. I really liked this view. This is from center field.<br />
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These people in outfield seats had a chance to catch some home run balls. The final score was Kansas City Royals 9, Cleveland Indians 0.<br />
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Here is the view from the right field pole.<br />
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Here is the view from the left field pole.</div>
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I also enjoyed seeing the Hall of Fame Museum at the stadium. All the great heros are honored here. What I liked the best was this large black and white photo of people going into the old ball park years ago.</div>
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It was a good day. I am glad I went.</div>
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My goal this summer is to see 3 professional baseball parks. One down, two to go. It will be hard to beat this one.</div>
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Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-46314941564328188302013-04-27T15:21:00.002-05:002013-04-27T15:28:04.852-05:00Midwestern Marsh in the SpringToday I drove out to a small marsh near my town. From a distance it looks, well .... boring. Nondescript. Just some weeds and water.<br />
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But upon walking into it and taking your time you can see some interesting things. Here is a red wing black bird.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IYquSJN9BMXMV6A7MunpTITyf0GzkVhwX5ARS0N6P8xwdy9VzoG51BbX61HLJsvbXWLPJWtkbcOzoQQtbxgO5fQmn6zzbsQ6X9U6UN6OFZgyZCRhLzWY14e3YnYzHAJW4Fp4LNLPDciV/s1600/Red+Wing+%232+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" lwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IYquSJN9BMXMV6A7MunpTITyf0GzkVhwX5ARS0N6P8xwdy9VzoG51BbX61HLJsvbXWLPJWtkbcOzoQQtbxgO5fQmn6zzbsQ6X9U6UN6OFZgyZCRhLzWY14e3YnYzHAJW4Fp4LNLPDciV/s640/Red+Wing+%232+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These birds are very protective of their territory. They have a distinctive song. This guy was looking at something in the water.<br />
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I noticed these birds in the water. I don't know what they are so I called them Long Beaks. They may be a bird called a Wilson's Phalarope - but Iowa is not exactly their normal area. They do like marshes though so maybe these were passing through.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElOJEh6Koc_NIQ-XLU4-9r0a51ZhocOIaaROzwNEnAdUMaxznKyKt6m3C4VGxlvrpcyskxo95tlIeK2aszn7RQBFLha1497yc992JfcmIkxSJ-ZZr3TjqOrvNwnBu_XnlyBMwJtRCiRXW/s1600/Long+Beak+Birds+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" lwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElOJEh6Koc_NIQ-XLU4-9r0a51ZhocOIaaROzwNEnAdUMaxznKyKt6m3C4VGxlvrpcyskxo95tlIeK2aszn7RQBFLha1497yc992JfcmIkxSJ-ZZr3TjqOrvNwnBu_XnlyBMwJtRCiRXW/s640/Long+Beak+Birds+%231+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This bird is called a coot. There were a lot of these birds but they seemed rather shy. They remind me of loons as they dive into the water.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZjo_Kt1wKXFk0FNuiTTCccWswGanJpDIhiCuAETgb5auVNip76SxJcWdgpFnokXw-jhO8GFePsqe-Pa0ZG622DDOTqy0vxkURzIsDDOWx2qBN3eCe4HZjewfio7K-_VTT8LN3v9pPppR/s1600/Coot+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" lwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZjo_Kt1wKXFk0FNuiTTCccWswGanJpDIhiCuAETgb5auVNip76SxJcWdgpFnokXw-jhO8GFePsqe-Pa0ZG622DDOTqy0vxkURzIsDDOWx2qBN3eCe4HZjewfio7K-_VTT8LN3v9pPppR/s640/Coot+%231+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This fence post reminded me of Bart Simpson.</div>
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I liked this white electric insulator. These are used for electric fence.</div>
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This post had a whole through it. Someone had drilled it for a reason - maybe to run wire through it?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-KWEizJdbe2wMFCCioN8xzMcoF7Pg_xyFTM01MIym3SKLbR5jiWWGQUuyPzm0D3yOyph-SwzVlW722zGyo3b3bTgBNguJ2p_XKR_4r0L56ByIqQ1JkWbR0hysja_p6w0lPNffvNJPnwN/s1600/Post+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" lwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-KWEizJdbe2wMFCCioN8xzMcoF7Pg_xyFTM01MIym3SKLbR5jiWWGQUuyPzm0D3yOyph-SwzVlW722zGyo3b3bTgBNguJ2p_XKR_4r0L56ByIqQ1JkWbR0hysja_p6w0lPNffvNJPnwN/s640/Post+%231+SF.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I liked this grass.</div>
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That's enough for now. Glad you could walk through this prairie wet land with me and see a few things.</div>
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As with so many things in life, if you just take your time and look, you can see a lot of interesting things. That is true for people, too.</div>
Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-29328187013480274272013-04-25T13:18:00.001-05:002013-04-25T13:23:01.439-05:00iPhoneYesterday I joined the 21st century. After many, many years of having a phone that looked like this<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigj6TdM-mDc9hV_1IsBx_7oUlHgFaHvGsVAkU1ducuxqvlzjv79Ky7R8t538M8SWi_5faWUGbXDF7IHhU6T1Mh70tvt_Ign4d-Y9Rd57klQoO3u3HoZgIzcKrdnNZHJF8o8mMsuHokmedY/s1600/iPHone+%234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigj6TdM-mDc9hV_1IsBx_7oUlHgFaHvGsVAkU1ducuxqvlzjv79Ky7R8t538M8SWi_5faWUGbXDF7IHhU6T1Mh70tvt_Ign4d-Y9Rd57klQoO3u3HoZgIzcKrdnNZHJF8o8mMsuHokmedY/s320/iPHone+%234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I now have a phone that looks like this</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9-GNvel4zoGxf8rW9Q5CClhZ94rqGLH9RFGDqpbjRGUX7PYca-BrXbFADjgcHD534Ah3HSHsgDHYNIPM1vrI25yzjYTLosZMoIyjdqSyb5Ra86FpAmPpDbIYhuxHSOttcB0k6PkgqHE4/s1600/iPhone+%235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" lwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9-GNvel4zoGxf8rW9Q5CClhZ94rqGLH9RFGDqpbjRGUX7PYca-BrXbFADjgcHD534Ah3HSHsgDHYNIPM1vrI25yzjYTLosZMoIyjdqSyb5Ra86FpAmPpDbIYhuxHSOttcB0k6PkgqHE4/s400/iPhone+%235.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The #1 reason I got this new phone was so I could text my daughter. I have a wise brother and sister in law who told me quite a while ago that young people will text you but will not call you. They were so, so right. I sent a text to my daughter yesterday and within minutes she responded!<br />
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I remember when cell phones looked like this<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACNBkBGSHCL-uUj7SwQax2tG2Q99mbq_OeZ0W8-kmDlDY_NzU98nVoR9GztKHb8OdZL2zY80i0hCsj06wV3K_hLg7xi4XruVz7kGqi-HsNxgMLGy1GptgARWmPafqN8VrfBPg4lZ7F9CC/s1600/iPhone+%233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" lwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACNBkBGSHCL-uUj7SwQax2tG2Q99mbq_OeZ0W8-kmDlDY_NzU98nVoR9GztKHb8OdZL2zY80i0hCsj06wV3K_hLg7xi4XruVz7kGqi-HsNxgMLGy1GptgARWmPafqN8VrfBPg4lZ7F9CC/s400/iPhone+%233.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
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I first got a cell phone in 1995 and signed up for 15 minutes per month (yes .... that is not a typo .... 15 minutes per month!) and it looked like this</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBJiShndR8UX48I_efx_2Y8oFacyuXKcRQifrg2kNSy9hlE3arjkvY7xqf4G84Y2hQ21q30vRzuEgdShVrUBR1aKgYYAiq3-y4glNLfuJA1D-Ad_0P5CGguTjUNETvycwQv9oeDfDbjE4/s1600/iPhone+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" lwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBJiShndR8UX48I_efx_2Y8oFacyuXKcRQifrg2kNSy9hlE3arjkvY7xqf4G84Y2hQ21q30vRzuEgdShVrUBR1aKgYYAiq3-y4glNLfuJA1D-Ad_0P5CGguTjUNETvycwQv9oeDfDbjE4/s400/iPhone+%232.jpg" width="325" /></a></div>
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I was attracted to an iPhone since I really like this<br />
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I got the iPod Touch last fall. Before that I had never owned an Apple product. My work gave me one of these to use</div>
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I might find myself getting one of these soon</div>
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Some things are just really good, good, good!</div>
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Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-60525273792007240632013-04-22T16:06:00.000-05:002013-04-22T16:09:39.995-05:00Jeremiah JohnsonI recently watched a movie called <em>Jeremiah Johnson</em>. I had never seen it before. It was released in 1972.<br />
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Robert Redford plays a man who has been in the Mexican War and has decided to leave civilization behind. He becomes a mountain man.<br />
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Of course it is not easy to go from a life of civilization to one where you must learn to survive off the land. The land and those people and animals who inhabit it are unforgiving.<br />
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Will Greer plays a mountain man named Bear Claws. He teaches Johnson how to survive in the wilderness.<br />
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Johnson comes across a woman who's family has been massacred by Indians and she has been driven mad with grief. Johnson has no choice but to take the small child who managed to escape being killed. The child never talks.<br />
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They come across a man who has been buried up to his head in sand.<br />
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Upon saving the man some things occur that lead the man, the boy and Johnson to a group of Indians. The chief gives Johnson his daughter as a present. Johnson does not want the gift but it would be very offensive to turn down such a gift (and cost him his life).<br />
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The boy, Johnson and the young woman become a family and for the first time Johnson seems to find some happiness in life.<br />
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Of course being a movie this happiness cannot last and Johnson finds himself alone again. As he has managed to survive some incredible attacks by both animals and Indian warriors, he becomes a legend to the Indians.<br />
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At the end of the film the Chief and Johnson reach a silent reconciliation.<br />
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I like this movie because it is filmed against a large backdrop -- the Rocky Mountains. It is a big movie with big characters. The movie is glorified, admittedly, but still presents a picture of a time when people truly could leave civilization behind and live in wild, open country.<br />
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Though the movie is 40 years old, I am glad I finally saw it. I found it to be moving and inspirational. I am not exactly sure why but I did. I think because of the scenery and just the idea of living on one's own in a rugged country. Overcoming obstacles is a central theme in this movie.<br />
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Of course movies are movies and life is life. But it is still fun to think about the different paths a person might have taken in life. This movie presents one man's path and where it led him.Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-28332128077285050132013-04-18T14:12:00.002-05:002013-04-18T14:18:35.033-05:00Shameful Day for CongressThis week the United States Senate defeated a proposal that would have expanded background checks for people who wish to purchase guns at gun shows and over the internet. For procedural reasons the compromise bill required 60 votes to pass. The final vote was 54 votes in favor and 46 votes opposed.<br />
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Four Republicans had the courage to vote against their party's wishes and do the right thing. Four Democrats voted against this law. Without getting into details, if those four Democrats had voted for the bill, there would have been at least 59 votes for it (Senator Reid did vote against it simply to keep the options alive for the future). Certainly one more person would have had the courage to do the right thing under those circumstances.<br />
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These people were happy about how the vote came out.</div>
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So was this man.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w1lWY5VXldagKh3zloEvUx7AGR_gI-LoSRpfQDKm9vIevtti9xrLL94KlkVNgaL7tbVWQg4OgKLbkTWa_t6Qx9grKLeVLy0aiysJ2ZxifY2Gup-CVAPPZgJgndu-S8mwhXsT_yyEg90T/s1600/Gun+Law+%239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w1lWY5VXldagKh3zloEvUx7AGR_gI-LoSRpfQDKm9vIevtti9xrLL94KlkVNgaL7tbVWQg4OgKLbkTWa_t6Qx9grKLeVLy0aiysJ2ZxifY2Gup-CVAPPZgJgndu-S8mwhXsT_yyEg90T/s640/Gun+Law+%239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this <strike>human piece of</strike> person.<br />
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Let's get serious. What happened this week was shameful. President Obama used the right word. <br />
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When 90% of our population supports common sense legislation that requires people who buy guns at gun shows to undergo a background check, that should not be controversial. <br />
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The green ribbon is worn to support gun control in our society. After the vote that defeated commonsense reform, this is the colour of ribbon that will be worn in the days to come more often than we would like.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZAjJvucu5E8XvU8nWL1F67j7J9XS2fypC7913W8_wW0WK3x9XsKDkOQyJxMWJoEHA2L6OBDUi1IrqWl_UuvNxM68o1cNxhZ1h0eRE8HeRpxFlLNTUaOVS1_A8q0V1xJkmVTfgzNs8gBz/s1600/Gun+Law+%231.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZAjJvucu5E8XvU8nWL1F67j7J9XS2fypC7913W8_wW0WK3x9XsKDkOQyJxMWJoEHA2L6OBDUi1IrqWl_UuvNxM68o1cNxhZ1h0eRE8HeRpxFlLNTUaOVS1_A8q0V1xJkmVTfgzNs8gBz/s320/Gun+Law+%231.png" width="292" /></a></div>
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But as the President said, this fight is not over yet. Not by a long ways.Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-40966940232785034172013-04-14T13:06:00.001-05:002013-04-14T13:07:04.004-05:00Grey Skies and Little LakeHere's a picture of a small lake I visited the other day.<br />
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At first glance you might think this was in some place OTHER than Iowa. After all, Iowa is the land of corn fields, flat land, farms and just wide open spaces. At least that is the perception. The reality is actually much different depending upon where you are in the state, but let's not get into that today.<br />
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This particular lake is located northwest of Des Moines and was created as part of an overall flood control project. The Des Moines River is close by and this lake of about 900 acres in a 3,500 acre park was created to protect a nearby town from routine flooding.<br />
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This lake flows into a large reservoir that was created on the Des Moines River before it gets into Des Moines and several towns downstream.<br />
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The weather here has been a bit cloudy and wet -- but that is okay since our area is in serious need of rain. The ground is way too dry.<br />
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Driving through this area I almost felt like I was some place far away - but I was still able to get home in a few minutes. That was nice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgincDfhaWyrYSlK1STQVtWxgG5ReXLqBWoeqDaDlf2qbOrXzEj1ai0bSNOhXV91SnknJzh7hxxg7yFCCqR8WoKpHJnVHtDb2_fcuFQGFxRBhMBFWP-Hf31cH6mwvZY9XBL0YTU1PKCnL0E/s1600/Road+by+Lake+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgincDfhaWyrYSlK1STQVtWxgG5ReXLqBWoeqDaDlf2qbOrXzEj1ai0bSNOhXV91SnknJzh7hxxg7yFCCqR8WoKpHJnVHtDb2_fcuFQGFxRBhMBFWP-Hf31cH6mwvZY9XBL0YTU1PKCnL0E/s640/Road+by+Lake+%231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope the sun and warm weather returns soon. The rain is needed but the sun is always nice to see and makes life seem a bit more fun.Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-73383402979335442222013-04-11T19:08:00.001-05:002013-04-11T19:09:25.393-05:00Rainy Day in IowaSpring has arrived in Iowa. However, as it is only 37 degrees this afternoon it does not exactly feel like spring.<br />
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However, we had rain yesterday and last night. And we are in serious need of rain in this part of the world. This may not be an exciting picture but seeing water standing is something we have not seen for a while.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QfDXgCru914Utfo1sH2ZV1NWzN4PT7uoZs2BCBdMvkLsV6L4UD98v_MpmFMCH87le_bvJubcVU-fEjFrd7ClTqItBrTDkMwumoc_JUGxiP9-CN4oO0ceoFglb9F-V46XYdTkhDpn2bQM/s1600/Water+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QfDXgCru914Utfo1sH2ZV1NWzN4PT7uoZs2BCBdMvkLsV6L4UD98v_MpmFMCH87le_bvJubcVU-fEjFrd7ClTqItBrTDkMwumoc_JUGxiP9-CN4oO0ceoFglb9F-V46XYdTkhDpn2bQM/s640/Water+%231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Water, water, water .... so nice to see again. Those apartments in the background will be open this summer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzaBlMj6nLS4WV0o-scPk-7uixaiTJBwUbF_doJD9t5I0CRAoRYOAuogvZ6UN00ezos42RTcAtD0yDmSoeLQb7LBe8wmEU7xb3Ca90D5Psw0dFR1_C3AIs4UOoJAe1bJCulBbeQiqUiYZ/s1600/Grass+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzaBlMj6nLS4WV0o-scPk-7uixaiTJBwUbF_doJD9t5I0CRAoRYOAuogvZ6UN00ezos42RTcAtD0yDmSoeLQb7LBe8wmEU7xb3Ca90D5Psw0dFR1_C3AIs4UOoJAe1bJCulBbeQiqUiYZ/s640/Grass+%232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I noticed this sign for a dog wash that will be held this weekend. Someone put a lot of work into this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig43ZGgJhF_6whTi8MJAaHKUllFs6n4o6tO31449OTKmkpYCugAuRgbOdL-_cIuplmoHQHfRHAh8v3jlAZkKXdu4Uvi4uM0qAw3jzyvCwC2rkjRGgYkrRYPQZstNV3h8KPZdO_HBUDRteL/s1600/Dog+%233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig43ZGgJhF_6whTi8MJAaHKUllFs6n4o6tO31449OTKmkpYCugAuRgbOdL-_cIuplmoHQHfRHAh8v3jlAZkKXdu4Uvi4uM0qAw3jzyvCwC2rkjRGgYkrRYPQZstNV3h8KPZdO_HBUDRteL/s640/Dog+%233.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Very close to this dog wash sign is a building with a most interesting feature -- a grain bin is built into it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhfAmqW8fpkRNysEZHd6L80Idu-4rG3rlzUjc6vkqzi-McFFzOgjBDYz3PpOOcJ9NjwzLWlyEvwWQk7g_nH22aKJBJB16scLKG7waZ72lCQSWxe7nrk7NqrimP2uOEfd5oAQUlX14JF3c/s1600/Bin+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhfAmqW8fpkRNysEZHd6L80Idu-4rG3rlzUjc6vkqzi-McFFzOgjBDYz3PpOOcJ9NjwzLWlyEvwWQk7g_nH22aKJBJB16scLKG7waZ72lCQSWxe7nrk7NqrimP2uOEfd5oAQUlX14JF3c/s640/Bin+%231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Okay. It is not really a metal grain bin but it certainly looks like one. I believe this building won an award of some sort for unique architecture. This photo does not do it justice but you get an idea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl4YxKRMbU0qlnil1r2gXZxIzzfQgSqS8s2SQXBwEs2AVbSX4AAIioLxXjeiKjzjbQQe3kfyPZYbYDK9FgCQBFxzixAaiEzM7Wt-ZOegyFj5GjH5nOofMcjW51IZrdLMSG-H_Px_xcJkp/s1600/Bin+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl4YxKRMbU0qlnil1r2gXZxIzzfQgSqS8s2SQXBwEs2AVbSX4AAIioLxXjeiKjzjbQQe3kfyPZYbYDK9FgCQBFxzixAaiEzM7Wt-ZOegyFj5GjH5nOofMcjW51IZrdLMSG-H_Px_xcJkp/s640/Bin+%232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The biggest thing I notice now is that the grass is starting to get green. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHc5OPuIf2c01SyEGd-8bW3vTGN9ktvi4G5aYTjX1_tyZgVv3dXQcjjtISi5jeQUwklcsUH2IHOBZ4e-1Cp0FzqKVjgh4mpkpglZ1LsCefBj5fURgEoy-6iaGlhHACAnBQJNp3pLpnL_T/s1600/Grass+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHc5OPuIf2c01SyEGd-8bW3vTGN9ktvi4G5aYTjX1_tyZgVv3dXQcjjtISi5jeQUwklcsUH2IHOBZ4e-1Cp0FzqKVjgh4mpkpglZ1LsCefBj5fURgEoy-6iaGlhHACAnBQJNp3pLpnL_T/s640/Grass+%231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Soon we will start to see flowers. I am looking forward to it.Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-50076712230443179852013-04-09T13:02:00.002-05:002013-04-09T13:10:02.632-05:00Birds of SpringIt rained last night. The rain is helping the grass turn green. Finally, it is really beginning to look like spring.<br />
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I noticed this chickadee in the tree and managed to get a picture of him. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhETIOrDn6v0nF_pkeFm1gM6n9aT0ZK1eqCGQlgEjkIOjgeye0XNYPI9IPP_D-O-eg390h3xwPqN2NGHyT1v4LS9vLKg2WDTZWS76VQLqT6P5Fk6eaR399qFWOXUlPQUz-365z85vAMWw/s1600/Chickadee+in+Tree+%231+Crop+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhETIOrDn6v0nF_pkeFm1gM6n9aT0ZK1eqCGQlgEjkIOjgeye0XNYPI9IPP_D-O-eg390h3xwPqN2NGHyT1v4LS9vLKg2WDTZWS76VQLqT6P5Fk6eaR399qFWOXUlPQUz-365z85vAMWw/s640/Chickadee+in+Tree+%231+Crop+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The goldfinches I saw were still transitioning from their winter feathers to their summer feathers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VLmI-WDxeidSz9F0JI7o-fJUHWzXN7KDaAQ6iUrAriEZXeGS5BjLsEhrKI50ySpFVPCj02xrPd2SQoamy3IVZzZGMP9Kit1g0hJX_dqxNdmsSOdbp3SfZpaHfdUT3S4GXx3_fVka35bn/s1600/Goldfinch+in+Tree+%234+Cropped+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VLmI-WDxeidSz9F0JI7o-fJUHWzXN7KDaAQ6iUrAriEZXeGS5BjLsEhrKI50ySpFVPCj02xrPd2SQoamy3IVZzZGMP9Kit1g0hJX_dqxNdmsSOdbp3SfZpaHfdUT3S4GXx3_fVka35bn/s640/Goldfinch+in+Tree+%234+Cropped+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Both chickadees and goldfinches are able to feed on a feeder called a clinging feeder. This feeder does not have a perch so the bird has to hold on or cling to it. Only certain birds can do this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0P0URUnRmZuiSB6TLFke95kYAnjxD_tizo5l_jnAI3OKz0pc1hZW3yoqNwvnVdegOeeYqR-Dz-pEcdzPvm02eRYJGK-p1GPeotPFd-5hrZgPn7dFLtonm0s3_Uc5mSp4dqSpRJGT18gi/s1600/Goldfinch+on+Feeder+%231+Cropped+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0P0URUnRmZuiSB6TLFke95kYAnjxD_tizo5l_jnAI3OKz0pc1hZW3yoqNwvnVdegOeeYqR-Dz-pEcdzPvm02eRYJGK-p1GPeotPFd-5hrZgPn7dFLtonm0s3_Uc5mSp4dqSpRJGT18gi/s640/Goldfinch+on+Feeder+%231+Cropped+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are two chickadees clinging on the feeder.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkf3qiTmmHZfCxpA2z0Rt-8WANVQnf8i50v7_QuaCYBuOJIXsk05d2R3zfUxlJmwwELqI3mNUQQs9df6ccsfz_PAcMIhnO11k1s12A7Ff_u28q0QkKDV_n_hQmuywi_9DncTkzNMhtnDQ/s1600/Chickadees+on+Feeder+%231+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkf3qiTmmHZfCxpA2z0Rt-8WANVQnf8i50v7_QuaCYBuOJIXsk05d2R3zfUxlJmwwELqI3mNUQQs9df6ccsfz_PAcMIhnO11k1s12A7Ff_u28q0QkKDV_n_hQmuywi_9DncTkzNMhtnDQ/s640/Chickadees+on+Feeder+%231+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A goldfinch is very small but is extremely feisty. This little bird will go after birds many times bigger than it is in order to protect its territory or food.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvuOrh9jxr-ae2BOcND1wSww-DJp4mRMEgn1cAl3829gqmPTnA5KwWz1msuWioLZ0YbbqDI35Mn1kYk3tqVvqkhsdEK5SsAa35y_F73BcZg28PzX4BW3Y2HR2JdBL4F9oSZTBEvh5j13G/s1600/Goldfinch+on+Feeder+%232+Cropped+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvuOrh9jxr-ae2BOcND1wSww-DJp4mRMEgn1cAl3829gqmPTnA5KwWz1msuWioLZ0YbbqDI35Mn1kYk3tqVvqkhsdEK5SsAa35y_F73BcZg28PzX4BW3Y2HR2JdBL4F9oSZTBEvh5j13G/s640/Goldfinch+on+Feeder+%232+Cropped+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nature is always fascinating. I watched this bird scare off a red winged black bird -- a bird which is very aggressive itself. You can see this yellow bird has a strong beak. <br />
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It is very fast and other birds do not mess with it too much. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseCab5ZoS0qpNcCepZUr2-q5_4SaEaCNiQ6vqu9jvBxBg40NSiJy1rBjKApDZBr0Xdy5gBMokUz6eY5W175Fbnvg6RaZ56GgM52izsTtVOHhaRenBh5a7dcXNbeXIOx_AU7uEW_NbIwK8/s1600/Goldfinch+in+Tree+%231+Cropped+SF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseCab5ZoS0qpNcCepZUr2-q5_4SaEaCNiQ6vqu9jvBxBg40NSiJy1rBjKApDZBr0Xdy5gBMokUz6eY5W175Fbnvg6RaZ56GgM52izsTtVOHhaRenBh5a7dcXNbeXIOx_AU7uEW_NbIwK8/s640/Goldfinch+in+Tree+%231+Cropped+SF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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With this recent rain, all the animals should be in a better mood now as water and food can be found more easily.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by.Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1091482938936227290.post-8768391788753757422013-04-06T17:52:00.001-05:002013-04-06T18:51:57.398-05:00Old HotelNot far from where I live there is an old hotel. Years ago it was turned into apartments. A few years ago the landlord quit renting the apartments and is trying to remodel the place. It is a long, slow, expensive task. He is doing everything himself.<br />
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Every so often I stop by and take a few pictures. Walking through this three story building that is now empty is interesting. I can almost hear voices from long ago in the empty rooms.<br />
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I noticed these old curtain rods on a window ledge. There were two small coloured beads next to them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmgkbJXI-2mdTewsGW1_DsgOUD25IBXWCgSc7MJPDQgg80QdxgugrgOxMapbcnVZVIMGdQMGtA0wzaCNO4RIbY4CHd2QUawVY5ZKa1cRCTdNbzmMHkqxSVbKK9cAzMcFvNjEa19jhvozR/s1600/Curtain+Rods+with+Two+Beads+%232.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmgkbJXI-2mdTewsGW1_DsgOUD25IBXWCgSc7MJPDQgg80QdxgugrgOxMapbcnVZVIMGdQMGtA0wzaCNO4RIbY4CHd2QUawVY5ZKa1cRCTdNbzmMHkqxSVbKK9cAzMcFvNjEa19jhvozR/s640/Curtain+Rods+with+Two+Beads+%232.bmp" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is a an interesting view from inside an apartment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmatRK_W88XgD3ZJAuNl8cVLd_rsypmzOncP6hnxX29NUrjMs1WCd533xMV5-Ks8YeauQhPrEO4diMxIEx3sbAJUj8qSA1-KnQq7Av1t3eKGBWHncE-_p7BBSgusIMGPwxu_bJXCJs2PN9/s1600/Little+Radiator+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmatRK_W88XgD3ZJAuNl8cVLd_rsypmzOncP6hnxX29NUrjMs1WCd533xMV5-Ks8YeauQhPrEO4diMxIEx3sbAJUj8qSA1-KnQq7Av1t3eKGBWHncE-_p7BBSgusIMGPwxu_bJXCJs2PN9/s640/Little+Radiator+%231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like the hallways in a building like this and the natural wood. You can see this building is heated with steam heat.</div>
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This photograph was taken looking exactly the opposite direction as the above picture. I just walked across the hall, turned around, and took the picture looking back where I had been moments before.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kHKAXboBr1B144TXkHOaB78-_V_Sxu2SWyKO3oztwv5Edaio9Rrc88z-W8q0Co6iEJ93L0UX0ZcDA4o8ddb-QJ6mXFYfCumCaym0aUm8KWvVJ_gri67MBz2jg8eI48XtXffHSwPFIamE/s1600/Hall+to+Radiator+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kHKAXboBr1B144TXkHOaB78-_V_Sxu2SWyKO3oztwv5Edaio9Rrc88z-W8q0Co6iEJ93L0UX0ZcDA4o8ddb-QJ6mXFYfCumCaym0aUm8KWvVJ_gri67MBz2jg8eI48XtXffHSwPFIamE/s640/Hall+to+Radiator+%231.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Here's another view of a typical hallway in this building.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3J11pmwCT11h4xFND_L9mL7ne6AHeKoAbSyl_fSV34SrBVykLmmvZcUnswSmQSh8mSFH2KyvUej3jhEZiLhN0J2IKD50GFciF2tc741JKYgfFE9D14JlVBarRfQtIs9Ys__UFaQa33445/s1600/Long+Hall+Color+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3J11pmwCT11h4xFND_L9mL7ne6AHeKoAbSyl_fSV34SrBVykLmmvZcUnswSmQSh8mSFH2KyvUej3jhEZiLhN0J2IKD50GFciF2tc741JKYgfFE9D14JlVBarRfQtIs9Ys__UFaQa33445/s640/Long+Hall+Color+%232.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I noticed this old picture in one of the apartments that is being remodeled. An old plunger was laying on the floor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjvDBgGKLQz8gcJIZcuMxRNCUp7ehnSDPEV1aVbF3HKmJtAnwKGaOORPH16Rkyk8hW9Q19sz5ZKLPeQet-SROuuGsSJZ7AuHYqu4Dmo5dtMe5AduXZOvO7JKtb4QyJZmdPnPfpBNjLFfI/s1600/Picture+and+Plunger+%25231+NC+LF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjvDBgGKLQz8gcJIZcuMxRNCUp7ehnSDPEV1aVbF3HKmJtAnwKGaOORPH16Rkyk8hW9Q19sz5ZKLPeQet-SROuuGsSJZ7AuHYqu4Dmo5dtMe5AduXZOvO7JKtb4QyJZmdPnPfpBNjLFfI/s640/Picture+and+Plunger+%25231+NC+LF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A blue rocking chair was in this apartment. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIK9FpIGJgQH70Hj_ulJodrUHNUiuT-4XDzfpLybqPCIo_xCfw5gKEre55pncRKcfQxFBGmV9GTquSESH5Yv2uLzcJYm7HtPETStW-RKMyVDtfV8J21LM_n_LIB6JdnkYjaO6q3MvF3lu/s1600/Rocking+Chair+Empty+Apartment+Colour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIK9FpIGJgQH70Hj_ulJodrUHNUiuT-4XDzfpLybqPCIo_xCfw5gKEre55pncRKcfQxFBGmV9GTquSESH5Yv2uLzcJYm7HtPETStW-RKMyVDtfV8J21LM_n_LIB6JdnkYjaO6q3MvF3lu/s640/Rocking+Chair+Empty+Apartment+Colour.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like the arches in the doorways of the lobby.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k5sxmHwVZo91pfCfCRlj_kymoZcE8stUDB0XoWRR7Jdmuk_utcMx3X8iya0HuY38d6410erXBt5xkYkaT_vL9YLRv7MAL4Gfq-IbloirqIrkBXLKMJ7LxAW4HZ9Esa1elAfuJGshgYBf/s1600/Lobby+%232+NC+LF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k5sxmHwVZo91pfCfCRlj_kymoZcE8stUDB0XoWRR7Jdmuk_utcMx3X8iya0HuY38d6410erXBt5xkYkaT_vL9YLRv7MAL4Gfq-IbloirqIrkBXLKMJ7LxAW4HZ9Esa1elAfuJGshgYBf/s640/Lobby+%232+NC+LF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is an empty apartment with the clean and somewhat modern refrigerator still in the room. I liked this image in black and white. It seemed more appropriate for some reason.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibd5DTNtcpkLUM9z5a6Xqzy4G9dfLyC8-a4dVtl2V9hK9OlTzyU1UVT2QhJAYZsDwU2qYeXGMO-o90NLf90zOXZc_5vcPbZYvHVRTPSdE_2fe_JhV6CtL7S8s_2nF-AYXoLEPalUE47TrS/s1600/Welcome+Home+BW+11+x+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibd5DTNtcpkLUM9z5a6Xqzy4G9dfLyC8-a4dVtl2V9hK9OlTzyU1UVT2QhJAYZsDwU2qYeXGMO-o90NLf90zOXZc_5vcPbZYvHVRTPSdE_2fe_JhV6CtL7S8s_2nF-AYXoLEPalUE47TrS/s640/Welcome+Home+BW+11+x+14.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
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People drive by this old hotel every day and never notice it. To me it is fascinating.Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072219347283927398noreply@blogger.com6