Sunset

Sunset over White Pine Pond in Blackwell Forest Preserve.

Gardens

Lately I've been noticing the gardens of two neighbors. This evening I went out to take some photos of both of them and my own garden. In the end it was an individual flower that I decided to post.

County Fair

I spent the evening at the DuPage County Fair. I took lots of photos and could have chosen many of them but if you can only post one photo of the fair it ought to be of an animal. The goats were amazing.

Bug

Caramel

Today I was given this thank-you gift. I just love the combination caramel and dark chocolate. What a treat.

Drought

This summer of severe heat is really taking a toll on my flowers. Even though I water my potted flowers every morning some of my Vinca plants are really suffering.

On a brighter note, my petunias continue to thrive.

Listener

This little girl sat near the front, listening to the Aurora Legion Band playing in Warrenville.

Bob the Builder

My colleague Bob begins a teaching session using props.

Me too?

Can I get in?

Family Name

These tiles came from Venezuela. When I purchased them I didn't notice that the blue paint on the "S" was a different shade than the others. I think over time the difference has become a bit more obvious but I still like them and have them hanging in my entryway.

Anniversary

Today we began a weeklong orientation for new cross-cultural workers. What was unusual was that four of the couples will celebrate wedding anniversaries within the next 9 days. We decided to celebrate with them.

When I ordered the cake the man in the bakery seemed a little unsure about all the names but wrote it all down for me. The cake turned out great.

These four couples represent 45 years of marriage!

1954 Pontiac

At every vintage car show, I look for a car from 1954; the year of my birth. Tonight, for the first time, I found one. Last year when I asked why nobody shows 1954's the answer was, "There weren't any collector cars that year." Tonight I saw this 1954 Pontiac. And yes, it has the "old" look rather than the sleek new look of the 1955+ Chevrolets.

I asked the owner the story of the car and he told me he and his son bought it from a local museum with 66,000 miles. All they have done to it was have it reupholstered and replaced a radiator. "It's not a show car. It's a nice car to drive and have fun in." 

Surround Sound

Tonight's Wheaton Municipal Band concert began with 
the brass section playing an antiphonal piece from both sides of the audience.

Before the concert began I got this close-up of the warmup.

Wildflowers

Each morning for the last couple of weeks I've noticed these purple Chicory flowers growing along the roadside. Today I stopped to take pictures. Considering that the ground is very dry I wonder if they are actually weeds. If so they are quite beautiful.

19 July 2012

Did you know these flowers close up as the day progresses, except when it's cloudy? When I drove home yesterday I couldn't see them at all and I was afraid they had all been destroyed by mowing. 

Not to worry. This morning they were in full bloom agan.

Vinca

We're in a second serious heat spell this summer with temps just below 100. My balcony flower boxes need a good watering every morning and some of the plants are struggling but this box is thriving.

Cruizin'

Steering wheel knob with dice inside.

Feeding

The bees and butterflies were out in full force this afternoon at Cantigny Park.

Purple

Purple Cone Flower from my garden.

Ranger Bike

I found this cool vintage bike in Wheaton at the Friday night Vintage Rides car show.

50th Birthday

Today was my friend and colleague Jim's 50th birthday. His wife arranged a surprise celebration.

Dough Boy

Commemorating the WW1 soldier.

Rays

The sun rays coming through the clouds this morning were awesome.

Truck

I think this is a cool service vehicle. One step above a golf cart. Just what you need for cold winters.

Created by & for Him

This verse seems very appropriate for the new science building at Wheaton College.

Sky Hooks

I love the colors.

Can you guess what they are?

Black-eyed Susan

This is one of Illinois' native prairie flowers. They are starting to bloom in my neighborhood.

Human Canon

Tonight's Wheaton Municipal Band concert was filled with interesting pieces. The highlight was the 1812 Overture. At the end of the piece the instructions call for live canons. However, in the middle of a residential neighborhood this is not practical so tonight the audience was asked to shout "Boom" at the appropriate time. To help with the timing lights were flashed each time a "Boom" was needed. Here's a video of the last segment of the piece to show how it went.

Here are a few of those attending, many in 4th of July garb.

Revolutionary War Reenactment

Cantigny Park sponsored a number of family activities today. They brought in a group of Revolutionary War re-enactors who taught a variety of 18th century kids games. They also had a number of displays showing the daily life of the Continental Army as well as a canon firing demo.

This young girl hung around the table with a rifle and a muzzle loader. Anytime the adult (men) walked away she took up the "teaching" role tell listeners that the rifle was accurate up to 300 yrds but could only be fired once a minute, while the muzzle loader was only accurate up to 50 yards but could be fired 3 times a minute. She was really good. I think there's a teaching career ahead of her.

Dressed for the 4th

When I saw this house tonight I knew it would be my "Photo of the Day. They've done a great job decorating it for Independence Day. Unfortunately, I had to shoot to the West, into the sun. As a result, there is a bit of "sun flare" but I'm still posting it. Besides, it's the only photo I took today. 

Tree Devastation

About 1PM yesterday the sky got very dark and the wind really picked up. The TV scroll said "Thunderstorms." At my house it rained hard for 45 min and left behind 3/4" of rain. Once the rain started the wind died down. By 2PM it was over and the sun was shining. At 3PM I went to an outdoor concert about 3 miles away.

This morning I discovered that just another mile north of the concert site the storm had reached 90 mph winds and trees were down at almost every property. The destruction is incredible. These pictures were taken more than 30 hrs after the storm hit. 

                             The  streets in this neighborhood is lined with branches.