December Sumac

Muddy Road

Our ridiculous freeze/thaw cycles are making a mess of EVERYTHING!  Does this bring back any memories, BG?

For the Photoshopping folks, the sepia toning was implemented with a color fill layer set to R=91, G=56 and B = 17 with opacity at 50% and the soft light option.  I used the Photoshop Elements Conversion To B&W... yes, I was lazy!  

Emma Is Such A Help!

Last night I had to make an emergency run to the laundermat (don't ask!), so I pulled on my sheepskin lined boots to make the mad dash.  Only it was a painful hobble... so I sat down and pulled off the offending boot.  The quarter in there was no biggie, but this other item WAS!  Dear Emma spent some time in the basement yesterday.  Thank you, young lady.

For those who are into digital cameras, this is the first macro picture taken with my new Canon G10.  Nice camera!  Click the picture to see it full size.  This is only a portion of the image.  Note the threads of wool on the right side of the nut.

Dusk in West Virginia

Big Jim at the end of a long photography workshop day

In Case You Have Forgotten...

the joy of a pile of leaves in the fall!  Grandson Ethan has not forgotten!

Ice Storm

Change after 400 Years

The Isle of Sark abandons feudal rule after 400 years

Change comes to my maternal 'home place'.

San Antonio Crew

Emma at 18 Months

If anything, Emma is has more fine motor control that Ethan did.  There is little that she cannot get into, take apart, or change all the settings on.  She especially loves audio equipment.  She also does not take no for an answer.  And, of course, is beyond delightful as long as she can do as she wishes!

Hunting The Wild Christmas Tree

The snow was blowing and it was nearly dark, but the hunt could not be put off.  We went to the tree farm at Young's Dairy in Yellow Springs as we have for a number of years.  Folks actually make the trip from out of state to buy their Christmas trees there.  We were in luck, as there were no Fraser fir trees in the ground.  So we were limited to the selection near the sales shack with its fabulously warm wood stove.  Ethan spent most of his time drinking hot cocoa there, leaving the actual hunting to his dad and I.  At last the proper tree for the Hensels was selected and we headed home with the trophy tied to the luggage rack.  And we made it home just in time for dinner!  Next week Patricia and I will be doing our Christmas tree hunt at the same place.

Some Grandchildren and Grandparents

Back Row: Eloise, Nicholas and Ethan

Next Row: Chandler,  Sophia and Betty

First Row: Bill and 40 Mile

Ethan's Gingerbread House

Every London first grade student makes one of these at Christmas time.

Aunt Ruth Has Passed On

The last of my parent's generation, Aunt Ruth, died earlier today.  She was 93 and holds the longevity record for that generation.  She played basketball at London High School and graduated from Duke with a degree in Foreign Relations.  And, as you can see, was a beautiful woman.  Mercifully she lived in her house until the end of last year.  With her passing, my generation is at the top of the pyramid and I am not ready for that thought.  In the past week we have gained a new member and lost the oldest of the extended family.  The circle of life moves on.  Rest in peace, Aunt Ruth.