A Forrest on the Water (Weekend Reflections # 6)

I was happy last week when I looked into this stream and saw all of the colorful trees reflected. Since I haven't touched up these photos I will submit them to Jan's meme Straight Out Of The Camera Sunday aka SOOC Sunday. It's hosted at Murrietta 365.

"Weekend Reflections" rules are simple:

1)Post a reflection photograph

2)After I post my Weekend Reflections photo, add your name, country and link to MckLinky

3)Be sure that your link goes directly to your Weekend Reflections post.

4)Comment on other Weekend Reflections participant’s blogs.

Feel free to be creative. Remember this meme is for any type of reflection.
This meme runs Friday 11ish am EST through Sunday, so feel free to link your post anytime within that time frame. Join the fun!

Into the Tempest, Into the Night

Last month I drove to a state park that is a few miles from my house and started walking on one of the trails. I ended up off of the trail and in the woods. After losing track of time I realized that there was a storm brewing and it was starting to get late. Instead of going back the same rough way, I gambled by circling around. The weather grew worse, the light was fading and I was getting worried about my camera as I heard the thunder in the distance. Just as I was about to put the camera into it's bag I heard the sound of very large wings fluttering next to me. With out giving it much thought I whipped around and snapped a picture of this raptor as it flew from it's perch.

I'm happy to say that I made to the car before it started raining, and by the time I got home it was pouring.

To see other Skywatch Friday pictures please click here.

Around Newtown (Houses)

Today I'm featuring some of the local houses. When I go for a walk I usually see several different styles of houses. Most of the houses are over a 100 years old and some are over 200.

Lambertville Reflections (Weekend Reflections # 5)

I really like these colorful old houses in Lambertville New Jersey just across the Delaware River from New Hope Pennsylvania. Both towns have lots of charm.

"Weekend Reflections" rules are simple:

1)Post a reflection photograph

2)After I post my Weekend Reflections photo, add your name, country and link to MckLinky

3)Be sure that your link goes directly to your Weekend Reflections post.

4)Comment on other Weekend Reflections participant’s blogs.

Feel free to be creative. Remember this meme is for any type of reflection.

This meme runs Friday 11ish am EST through Sunday, so feel free to link your post anytime within that time frame. Join the fun!

Inside of God's Kaleidoscope

I walked in a beautiful place today. I watched colorful leaves gently rain down and I saw reflections on a placid stream that amazed me. I really felt like I was in God's kaleidoscope, and I loved it.

If you look very closely at today's top picture and squint your eyes you might see a green bridge through the tree branches. That's the bridge that I was on and from where I took yesterday's pictures. Now if you go back to yesterday's pictures and look at the hill that is straight down the center of the river, you will see where I took today's pictures.

Sometimes when you look up something beautiful catches your eye before you see the sky.

To see other Skywatch Friday posts please click here.

A reminder that the next round of Weekend Reflections is scheduled to start at 11am EST Friday Oct 23rd and it runs through Sunday.

Watery, Outdoor New Hope Bridge Views

The focus is on the bridge railing

The focus is through the railing

Believe it or not this is the same river as last Wednesday's post, what a difference a few miles make.

I don't really know for sure what the bridge's name is, but I was standing on a bridge above the Delaware River between New Hope Pennsylvania on the right and Lambertville New Jersey on the left. As you can see I was fighting with the sun while taking these, but the came out okay I think.

The drive to New Hope is so beautiful, I really need to find some places to pull over next time so I can take some pictures.

This is a Wednesday triple.

Check out the links below if you want to participate in, or see other blogs.

ABC Wednesday

Watery Wednesday

Outdoor Wednesday

Old Fashioned Train Ride

An old train coming into the station on a cold rainy day............... Sepia vs -

-Black and White

The conductor preparing for another ride. Do see the pumpkins and the brick building reflections?
All aboard again. Last week I discovered and posted about the New Hope Railroad.
On Saturday Vicki and I drove to New Hope for the "Hourly Excursion" train ride. Which is a ride in an old coal powered train. A round trip lasts just under an hour, and the people who ran the train were dressed in early 20th century railroad uniforms. The leisurely ride was narrated by one of the conductors. It rained the whole time but that and the cold weather just added to the coziness. It's hard to get good pictures from a moving train, but I did get some ideas for a future photo trip.

My World Tuesday is a fun way to show what is going on in your world and it's one of my favorite memes.

Monochrome Weekly is another favorite and is a great way for an amateur like me to practice my monochrome pictures.

Ghostly Cemetery Reflection (Weekend Reflections # 4 )

I saw this reflection on a headstone at Newtown Cemetery and I knew that it would be perfect for Weekend Reflections. Then I noticed the bench and now I'm using it for Rune's Bench of the Week too.

"Weekend Reflections" rules are simple:
1)Post a reflection photograph

2)After I post my Weekend Reflections photo, add your name, country and link to MckLinky

3)Be sure that your link goes directly to your Weekend Reflections post.

4)Comment on other Weekend Reflections participant’s blogs.Feel free to be creative. Remember this meme is for any type of reflection.This meme runs through Sunday, so feel free to link your post anytime between now and then.
Join the fun!

Waiting and Skywatching

Yesterday I took my car in to get serviced and while I waited I walked around Newtown taking pictures. Here are a couple of them.

Also I would like to thank everyone who participated in Weekend Reflections and remind those who are interested that Friday is once again Weekend Reflections time. It's so nice to see all of the cool and creative reflection photos.

Checkout Skywatch Friday

Mr. Ed and a Newtown Cowboy

I took these pictures last month during Newtowns Market Day, which is like a fair without the rides. It had people in 18th century costumes playing music and doing and selling crafts. There was lots of fair type food too. This guy was giving rides on his wagon.

Industrial Waterway

I've been posting lots of rural pictures lately so I figured I'd mix it up with a dingy, smog filled, watery city scence. *I should add that it was really a beautiful day when I took this, but I'm tryng to create a dreary mood for this photo.
Checkout Watery Wednesday.

All Aboard

Thank you all very much for the wonderful comments! Vicki and I had a very nice day yesterday. I stumbled onto this really cool train the other day while a drive.

I hope we get around to taking a ride on this train soon. It looks like it would be fun and a great way to explore the area.
I would also like to thank those who took part in Weekend Reflections. It's great to see all of the cool, interesting and often very creative reflections.

Vicki wrote a Bucky update on her blog the other day if you are interested and haven't seen it click here. Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes for the tough little guy.

To see other My World Tuesday posts please click here.

Special Day (Weekend Reflections # 3)

You may need to click and enlarge the pictures for a better view of the reflections of 19th century portraits of a woman in the top photo, and a man in the bottom photo


This is a very special weekend for me. On Saturday October 10th 1987 Vicki and I were married. 22 years later and I can honestly say that I've never been happier. I just realized that we have been married for most of our lives.

So today I have his and her's reflections. I took these pictures at the New York Metropolitan Museum. I figured that they might come in handy someday.

There is a good chance that I'll be away from the computer on Saturday, but please comment amongst yourselves while I'm away. :-)

Happy Anniversary Vicki!

"Weekend Reflections" rules are simple:
1)Post a reflection photograph

2)After I post my Weekend Reflections photo, add your name, country and link to MckLinky

3)Be sure that your link goes directly to your Weekend Reflections post.

4)Comment on other Weekend Reflections participant’s blogs.
Feel free to be creative. Remember this meme is for any type of reflection.
This meme runs through Sunday, so feel free to link your post anytime between now and then.

Empty Cemetery Skywatch

The statue seems to be juggling three clouds of of them has a jet inside.

The statue has a few wasp nests under her arm. (click to enlarge if needed)

Around the base of the statue is the biblical verse "Luke 1:45" was written in a translation that I'm not familiar with.

While taking a drive on Sunday I spotted a huge gated entryway with a road that wound up a hill. There was beautiful green grass on both sides, and at the top of the hill was a statue of either Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, or Mary the mother of Jesus. The gate was open so I went in. There was a house on the other side of the hill but I seemed to be the only person in this expansive green area. I took a few pictures and as I left I noticed that it was the spot for a future cemetery. Which made perfect sense.

There was plenty of beautiful blue sky all around.

Please check out Skywatch Friday.

A Scarecrow and a Pumpkin Patch

I think this guy should get his own horror movie.




See the pallets to the right? Only one of these big pumpkins would fit on a pallet

I bet when the people who live in that farm house want pumpkin pie they just send the kids to pick a few pumpkins from their front yard.

These are more of the pictures that I took on Saturday. The top picture is one of the scarecrows that were on display at Peddler's Village. The second photo shows two gigantic pumpkins. The bottom photo shows were the pumpkins come from.

Living in this area I really get the "feel" for the season unlike California or Texas.

Meet Bucky the Hobo Cat

Do you see Bucky? When I took this picture I didn't see him. I walked around a bit taking pictures and didn't see him in this one until I got home.



Here comes poor sick Bucky to the big old softy with the camera

This story began on Saturday as Vicki and I were leaving to go to breakfast. That morning I woke up thinking about finding a cat, which is strange because it had only happened once before and that was over 20 yrs ago. Anyway back to Vicki and me at our doorstep.

Out of the blue I said, "I'm not going to look for the next cat that we get" Vicki asked what I meant, and I told her that I woke up with a strong feeling that our next cat should find us and we should help it and give it a home. Then we both laughed and she said "when was the last time that happened, I guess it will be a long time before we get another cat." lol

Fast forward to Sunday.

I went out by myself to take some pictures along the road that we traveled to get to Peddler's Village the day before, but I forgot to make a turn and ended up in a place that I'd never been before. I saw an old abandoned train and depot so I stopped to take some pictures. After a while I saw a poor sickly orange cat emerge from under the train. He has a bad cold and dehydration, a small part of his ear is gone, he's missing some teeth and his eyes look funny, but he is so sweet and lovable. We took him to the Vet the next morning/yesterday. The Vet took blood tests and gave him some meds. Then I bought him a comfortable bed and a stuffed toy. He's sick and weak but seems happy and grateful.

Bucky is now staying in our laundry room until he recovers and is able to meet Simba and Lucy. I found him near the abandoned Buckingham Valley train depot and the Buckingham Lumber yard and they are in Buckingham PA, which is in Buck's County, so I named him Bucky.

I didn't want another cat but I can't help but think that he is meant to be with us.

Pumpkin Shopping and Scenic Driving

On Saturday Vicki and I took a nice scenic drive to Peddler's Village. On the way we stopped at a pumpkin patch so Vicki could by a pumpkin. It rained just a bit, then it turned into a beautiful day.

I really enjoyed seeing all of the Weekend Reflections too.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

To see My World Tuesday posts from other bloggers please click here.

Reflections in Reflections # 2

I like how the clouds are reflected in the building then that building is reflected in another.
This is the second Weekend Reflections. I thought the first one went very well. I really enjoyed seeing all of the submissions. I hope that I saw and commented on every one.

Thank you for your participation.

I decided to give MckLinky a try this time.
1)Post a reflection photograph
2)After I post my Weekend Reflections photo, add your name, country and link to MckLinky
3)Be sure that your link goes directly to your Weekend Reflections post.
4)Comment on other Weekend reflections participant's blogs.

Feel free to be creative. Remember this meme is for any type of reflection.

This meme runs through Sunday, so feel free to link your post anytime between now and then.

High Fly By Skywatch

This is one of the eagles as the jet is about to fly over

The same eagle after the fly by

I think this one is my favorite. This is the other eagle after the jet passed and left it's trail into the clouds. Like a cloud firework explosion and tracer

Here we have the whole Pennsyvania Columns beneath a beautiful sky, if you look further down the road you will see the "Nude Tree" and cabin. (enlarge if needed) This is the Pennsylvania Columns in Valley Forge National Historical Park. I was fortunate took capture a jet flying over this eagle. I think I must have picked the perfect day because we've had plenty of rain lately.

Please see my last My World Tuesday post if you haven't already to get a bit of historical background about Valley Forge. I would just like to add that the Continental soldiers got much needed training in early 1778 from a Prussian army officer Baron Von Steuben. They were also helped greatly in the Spring of 1778 by France's alliance with and formal recognition of the United States as a sovereign power. The expected arrival of the French greatly altered the British war plans and triggered their evacuation of Philadelphia.

As I write this my back still aches, but my spirits are lifted by all of the kind words and support from the nice viewers of this blog. I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Thanks also for the help with the Munich and Prague trip. As it stands now:

Prague Nov 26 to Dec 1st,

Salzburg Dec 1st to Dec 4th,

Munich Dec 4th to Dec 11th. Plus maybe a few day trips.

This will be our 5th trip together to Europe, but this will be our first time to Germany, Czech Republic and Austria. We really look forward to the Christmas markets(Thanks Thérèse!), but not the cold. Thankfully we look forward to our California trip not long after we return.

Skywatch Friday