Mugging...Over Coffee

Windows 2012

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:39 -0500

My favorite software.

Beautiful Baby Girl

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 02:00 -0500

[Fairfax, Va.] Chestnut (1994-2011), my beautiful baby girl who recently passed away. This photograph was made in the bedroom of our apartment back in Virginia. Oh, how I miss her!

Flashing Lights Illuminate Concerned Citizens

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:44 -0500

***We interrupt what will be more Twinsburg Relay for Life photography for this (sort of) breaking news photo.*** June 5, 2011 @ 11 pm [Cleveland Heights, Ohio] -- Our quiet little street in Cleveland Heights turned into a cacophony of sounds and flashing lights. Two fire trucks, a couple police cruisers and one other emergency vehicle packed a small piece of the street--keeping "civilian" vehicles at bay. Radio chatter was apparent even through our closed windows (and over the window air conditioner). Crowds of our concerned (or curious) neighbors, some in night gowns and pajamas, gathered to watch the action. That kind of gawking, even with the best of intentions, has always made me uncomfortable. We stayed in the house, and discretely made a few shots from a window--unobtrusive and unobserved. A hose was connected to the fire plug while fireman suited up in yellow slickers and helmets and wielding flashlights appeared to be searching a neighbor's house catty-corner to ours. Although we couldn't be sure, we thought we spotted some smoke above the house. While house fires are one of my greatest fears (and the statistics shared by the American Red Cross demonstrate that its not irrational), the constant flow of "civilians" up and down the driveway and seeming lack of concern at their proximity by the officer directing the response suggested to us that it wasn't necessarily an out-of-control blaze that had this crew visiting our sleepy street late on a Sunday night. Possibly a kitchen fire or something isolated. Thankfully, there seem no apparent signs of fire (or fire hose) damage or of life interrupted too much at our neighbor's house--so it would appear that whatever the emergency, it was responded to quickly and contained completely.

501st GLB NEOhio Relay for Life

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 20:54 -0500

June 3, 2011 [Twinsburg, Ohio] -- On Friday, June 3rd, hundreds of supporters gathered at Tiger Stadium in Twinsburg, Ohio, to participate in Relay for Life -- to walk, to play music, to support an important cause: more birthdays (less cancer). Among the teams participating was 501st GLB NE Ohio (members of the 501st Legion aka "Vader's Fist" Ohio Garrison). One has to give the members of this Garrison props for walking the track in full uniform and/or Jedi attire on a hot June afternoon, evening, night and then a full sunny day. Along with walking, the team had fundraisers underway in their team tent that included a raffle and a 5 a.m. trivia contest. Even more clever, this Jedi Master insisted on a $1 donation for any photo taken (at least by this photographer). I was only too happy to hand over cold, hard (or hot, wet) cash for the cause...and I'm pretty sure that there was no Jedi mind-trick involved in the donation solicitation. These fine ladies and gentlemen prove that Vader's Fist isn't all bad. After all, Luke felt the good in Vader...and you can too! I am linking to their team page and encouraging anyone who views this photograph to likewise consider making a donation to help the cause and ensure that the 501st GLB NE Ohio team reaches their online fundraising goal. Family, friends, Star Wars Fans, help give those diagnosed with cancer a new hope through treatment and a cure, won't you?

Heffalump

Wed, 25 May 2011 21:07 -0500

[Cleveland, Ohio] - Elephants return to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to their new habitat--African Elephant Crossing.

Small Seed, Big Weed

Mon, 23 May 2011 22:47 -0500

[Cleveland Heights, Ohio] How can such small gentle looking seeds cause such frustration when they take room. We wouldn't even mind if it was just the dandelion flowers, but the greens aren't nearly as pretty as the blossoms. And some of the varieties are prickly and painful. Still, no one can deny the beauty and grace of such a simple seed and its clever distribution system.

S'more cupcake pictures

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:00 -0500

[Cleveland Heights, Ohio] Rich chocolate cupcakes topped with a marshmallow-like frosting (7-Minute Frosting from Martha Stewart's "Cupcakes") that has been edged with graham cracker crumbs, toasted with a kitchen torch and topped with a miniature Hershey's chocolate bar (segment from a snack-size bar). NOTE: These cupcakes are vegetarian but not vegan (no gelatin but dairy and eggs).

Who wants s'more cupcakes?

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 20:13 -0500

Lone Lemon Cupcake

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:49 -0500

[Cleveland Heights, Ohio] Luscious lemon, indeed.

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 22:12 -0500

[Cleveland Heights, Ohio] Summer in a cup...cake.