PHOTO FRIDAY - WELL GROOMED

Tree outside a mortuary in Kyoto, Japan.


Two women in Kyoto, Japan.


Topiary trees in Osaka, Japan.

Fall Upstate New York - Holga

Every fall I have numerous discussions with friends and strangers about this year's fall leaf colors. Tourism is a big in Vermont and the numerous leaf peepers who visit contribute to our economy want to see wonderful color. Fall colors were just okay this year and bright red colors were seen only here and there. Folk wisdom says this is because we had so much rain this summer. Who knows. I had fun riding around taking pictures.


An old railroad bridge dated 1909.


A closer view of the bridge. The right hand track is still in use while the left hand track runs into some bushes.


One of the few bright red bushes I saw this fall.


Some but not a lot of color at this local park.



Again not a lot of bright color in this run on photo. I like the one orange leaf at the bottom.

PHOTO FRIDAY - AUTUMN

Taken with my Holga camera in upstate New York.

Book Convention - HOLGA

Recently I attended the New England Independant Booksellers Convention in Hartford, Connecticut. Of course I took my Holga camera and took pictures on the bulb mode setting. This means without a tripod and flash I counted 1, 2, 3, 4, etc until I thought (hoped) I'd taken a good photo. I do think these photos are more interesting than if I had just taken pictures with a digital camera. This was a very worthwhile conference to attend for those of us who sell books!


At the awards banquet. That's Geraldine Brooks standing in the top of the photo. She received an award for her wonderful novel PEOPLE OF THE BOOK.


Geraldine sitting at her table. Am I shallow? Did I ask the Pulitzer Award winning author a question about one of her books? No, I asked her about the beautifully embroidered coat dress she was wearing.


The Marriott Hotel which hosted the gathering had wonderful carpets.


Another wonderful colorful carpet at an interesting panel discussion.


A colleague, our man on the scene, at a panel discussion.


Another panel. A run on photo with feet and...what can I say.....mind's creative thoughts???

Where Have You Traveled?

Thanks again to ytsl at Webs of Significance for another blog idea. Where have you been? What countries worldwide and what states in America have you visited? Share these maps with your readers. It's easy and fun. Ytsl has visited many more countries and continents than I have. Give Douwe Osinga's Projects: Visited Countries a try.



40 States (80%). The states in red are ones I've visited.


15 countries (6.66%). Again red is where I've been.

Abandoned Gas Station- Holga

Last year my friend ytsl at Webs of Significance included some photos of abandoned buildings (scroll down) in a photo blog. One photo in which the inhabitants seemed to have left leaving everything including personal belongings stayed in my mind. I then started looking at abandoned buildings online. There are many many websites. Who knew these photographs were so popular. One favorite is Artificial Owl-"the most fascinating abandoned man-made creations". Another, Metropolis, "Japan's No. 1 English Magazine" includes a travel subsection on abandoned buildings. I found an abandoned gas station which I photographed with my Holga, red light leaks included.



Abandoned gas station.


The vegetation in the glass isn't a reflection but actual greenery growing inside the station.


Many photos I've seen online include photos of the inside of buildings. This gas station is posted to keep trespassers out. Since I'm reluctant (afraid) to enter abandoned buildings I was happy to obey this sign.

Another shot of the gas station.

PHOTO FRIDAY - DAWN

Taken with a Holga very very early on a cold February morning with nary a cloud in the sky. New York near the Empire State Building. It was so early there was no one around when I almost lay down on the sidewalk to take this run on photo.