Playing around

There were all kinds of awesome things about my visit to see my grandsons in the desert. One of those low on the list of greatness but still quite cool was having the time to play around with my iPhone camera. And the iPhone apps that include cameras. And camera effects.

Here are a few of my favorites taken with my iPhone during the visit:

 

I love my iPhone and the oh-so cool photos it can take.

Of course, without the oh-so cool subjects, those photos wouldn't be nearly as interesting. Or cool. At least not to me.

Today's question:

When was the last time you had photos printed, not just saved as digital files?

Everyday wonders

Wonder and amazement are often considered territory of youngsters. As we grow older, we grow less fascinated with the world around us, take for granted the everyday wonders in our paths.

Or so I'm told.

I'm happy to report that even as a grandma, there is much that still amazes me, no matter how many times I experience the things of wonder.

Most recently my sense of awe kicked into high gear while flying to the desert to visit Bubby. I've done it too many times to count, yet it never ceases to amaze me that in less than two hours, I can get from here ...

... to here ...

In the air. Without falling out of the sky. While still having refreshments to nibble, restrooms nearby, someone else at the wheel, someone else fully in charge of navigation.

And while traveling from mountains to desert, I get to sit back and enjoy this:

Yep, it truly amazes me. Each and every time.

I'm thankful it still does.

Today's question:

What everyday occurrences still amaze you?

Freeze frame

Today I head to the desert for a five-day visit with Bubby. To him, though, it will likely feel more like a five-day photo shoot -- Gramma takes lots of pictures! By the end of a few days together with Bubby, I usually have 500 or more photos. Enough to get me through until the next time we meet. Enough to last as blog graphics for a few months. Enough to mark our time together.

I'm big on photos. I see them as a record of one's own personal history. When memories of a time, an event, a life fade, the photos are there to remind.

As I get older, I realize my memories are fading fast, yet I hold few photos of my childhood to remind me. In fact, the following photos are the only photos I have of my life before the age of 10. (I have just as few of the years after age 10 -- until I got my own camera at 16 -- but I'll refrain from sharing those as my teeth became more crooked and the hairstyles more funky. Definitely not cute shots, not worth sharing.)

Sibling No. 1, Sibling No. 2, and me, Sibling No. 3.  Sibling No. 4 and me. Siblings Nos. 1-4 and a dog whose name I can't recall. Me, beautiful Bonnie, and Sibling No. 4.

Siblings Nos. 1, 3 (me) and 4 on Dad's parade float for his business. Siblings Nos. 5 & 6 (twins) and me (maybe me?).

The crooked teeth and funky hairstyles begin. Siblings Nos. 2 and 3 on one snowmobile, me with Dad on the other.

The gang of seven (siblings). Paternal grandparents and all seven of us.

Most of us in Florida. I'm second. (Minnesotans not used to sun!) Again, in Florida.

And that's it -- my only photographic reminders of early childhood. The lack of photos in my possession is not because they're in a trunk of my mom's or a stash at my dad's. Nope, that's it.

That won't be the case with my kids, my grandkids, maybe even my great-grandkids. Like I said, I take lots of pictures. I'm certain that one day they'll be thankful for all the flashing and clicking from Gramma.

And I can pretty much guarantee that despite the photos not being all that skillfully taken or perfectly composed, they will all be cute, they will all be worth sharing.

Even if their teeth are crooked and their haircuts funky.

Today's question:

What is your favorite photo of you as a child?

Photo replay

Ah, to be a cat on a weekday afternoon.

Isabel and Abby - January 14, 2011

Today's question:

How often do you take an afternoon nap?

Searching for gold

Here in Colorado, the aspens put on a spectacular fall display -- if you catch them at the right time.

Last weekend Jim and I guessed the timing was right to catch the yellows, golds and coveted reds in the mountains not too far from home. So we packed up Mickey, Lyla and some sandwiches and headed for the hills.

Turns out we guessed wrong -- at least in terms of the aspens at the relatively low altitude we visited (9,000 feet). We've heard the aspens in the high country have turned, but what we saw on our outing were just bits of yellow here and there, with plenty of green still taking center stage. The best colors likely will be this coming weekend.

We still had a pleasant day, though, and managed to get some good photos ... even some of Mickey climbing up into my lap, which the 60-pound pit mix never does. Seems our big, bad dog doesn't get out of the city often enough, and the gravel and brambles were too much for his sensitive tootsies.

Here are the highlights of the day:

Today's question:

Where is your favorite place to view the changing colors of fall?