For my birthday, my friend April wanted to take me out for some coffee and conversation. I requested we take a photowalk and have conversation instead.
A Tuscaloosa Sunset Photowalk
Back to taking photos feels good.
Category: Alabama
Fall
a few images from my hikes this fall
Eight months have passed since my last post. I’ve been a bad blogger. A lot has happened: births, deaths, travels, work, school, recreation, rearrangements, what-nots, and wingdings….too much for me to attempt to sum up. Instead, I offer a few of my favorite images from the past week or two.
International Earthcache Day
From time-to-time, geocaching.com will announce special events and souvenirs related to the history of geocaching. Today (Sunday, 10/12/14) was one of those days.
If you fulfill the requirements, then GC will send an award or a souvenir to commemorate the day.
We spent the weekend down at the gulf, so the Earthcache we visited was at Little Lagoon. We had to read about different kinds of lagoons, observe Little Lagoon, and decide which type it is. We identified the different animals living around the lagoon, too. A very quick and simple Earthcache, we had all the questions answered plus a new souvenir in a few minutes.
First Field Trip of the School Year
Hello.
Today has been a busy day. I got up early to go to the hospital to take pictures of a friend’s brand new baby. The new big brother was such a sweetheart to his little brother, giving kisses and loving on him without prompt.
This was a different birth photography experience for me; this was a c-section birth. I wasn’t allowed in the operating room, which was totally fine with me: better safe than sorry, right? After the delivery, however, the mom was completely immobile. I didn’t get all the shots I would have liked, so I’m going back later this week when Mom is feeling more like herself.
Midday, the kids and I went to Tuscaloosa Environmental Services to learn about our community’s recycling efforts.
One of the kids gave an awesome PowerPoint presentation to show his fellow students why we should be recycling.
(that’s not the student giving a presentation; that’s the recycling center tour guide)
Did you know that clothing can be made from recycled plastic bottles? Feels softer than cotton!
Blocks of aluminum cans:
While we were observing the sorting room, one of the trucks came in to unload its bounty. This is a short clip of the truck dumping the plastic bottles.
I’m not going to lie…there was something oddly soothing about watching all of the bottles and newspapers and cardboard boxes cascade to the floor.
After the field trip, it was time to go home for a quick lunch and an afternoon of regular school work. In other words: no fun.
We do not live within the city’s limits, so we have to take our recyclables to one of the many recycling bins located around town. I hate to admit it, but we have been throwing away so many items that can be recycled. This week we’re going to see what happens when we sort our garbage and try to make recycling a regular thing at our house.
Summer Favorites
What’s up, Internet (and family & friends)?!
Today is the last Friday of our summer vacation. School starts next week, and, to be totally honest, I’m not happy about it. Of all the summers for school to begin the first week of August, they had to choose the mildest summer in recent memory. This past week, daily temperatures didn’t get above 85!! The temperature Wednesday morning was 53. (I’m talking degrees Fahrenheit for those of you who live in places where the letter C is used to denote a temperature).
Hello, The South? Would you like a polar vortex during late July/early August when it’s normally 99 degrees? Yes, please!
That’s not to say that June wasn’t hot. Have mercy, was it hot and humid in June! It was hot as an oven. Every Wednesday we experienced a thunderstorm, which turned the oven into a steam room. I can remember a few miserable afternoons.
But the last couple of weeks have been very mild which has helped lift our moods around here.
Now that you understand my frustration with starting school so early, I’m going to share my Top 5 Summer 2014 Memories:
#5 — 16th Anniversary Trip
Karl and I got away for a few days to celebrate our marriage. We decided to go camping at Gulf State Park. I highly recommend it if you enjoy camping and visiting the coast.
This was the view from our campsite.
We didn’t see any gators during the day. But we did go on a little night-time hike and saw a few gators’ eyes shining in the swamp.
These beautiful blackberry bushes are all over the campground and trails. I snacked while we hiked.
Another highlight was watching the family of osprey.
I assume this is the mother fetching food and bringing it back to the nest.
Papa Osprey kept an eye on me the entire time.
#4 — Summer Camp & OA Weekend
I spent the week with my boys and their scout troop. I’m so proud of them. They worked hard and accomplished so much in one week. Their troop even won Best Overall Troop for that week of camp. It was hot and humid all week; I sweat buckets. But it was lots of fun.
This is a morning flag ceremony picture. (Sorry, I’m only going to post this one because I don’t have parental consent for their kids’ faces to be published on my blog).
A couple of weeks after summer camp, the boys and I went back to camp for an Order of the Arrow weekend. I’d love to share more about that, but it’s kind of secret.
Hannah worked on staff at camp this summer. She had the best summer of her life! At least, that what she tells us. She taught two merit badge classes, Fishing and Reptiles & Amphibian Study. Those two classes were perfect for her to teach. She made great friendships. And there’s so much more I could tell you, but it was her summer staff experience to share. (If you want to know all about it, just ask her). But one of the funniest things I’ve seen is all the photos she bombed. Here are a few:
Many thanks to the folks who posted those on facebook.
It’s getting late; I can hear Karl snoring. This post will be continued….
