Veterans Tribute

Luminaries at dusk. 

Tonight was Cantigny Park and the First Division Museum's 5th annual Veterans Day tribute to those who gave their lives in combat. The display is made up of 2200 luminaries laid out in the same formation as military cemeteries.

Just before 9PM.

  

Luxury Ride

Tonight was Wheaton's first Vintage Rides night of the summer.

1930 Packard

Neon

Seven Dwarfs is a Wheaton, IL landmark. The restaurant is a bit shabby but this neon sign is priceless.

Night Train

I tried some nighttime photography again tonight. This is a Union Pacific train going through West Chicago, IL about 8:30 PM.

Remember Japan 3.11

Tonight I went to a "Thank You, Thailand" event put on by the Japanese community in Chiang MAi to commemorate the tsunami of 3.11.2011. One of the performances was a drumming/dance. This dancer also played the large drum above his head.

Neon

This joint uses neon signs to the max. 

Scooby's Hot Dogs

Snowing Again!

It started snowing about 9AM and by evening the accumulation was near 6 inches. My 25 minute commute home took an hour. I discovered using residential side streets was better than the main arteries. 
Winter is really here.

These shots were taken in my neighborhood.

SNOW!

Finally on Jan 12 there is snow in Illinois. It's been snowing here in the western suburbs of Chicago since 9AM and will probably snow until 9AM tomorrow morning. Predictions say 6-8 inches. Tonight it took me 50 min to get home, a trip that usually takes 25 min. 

Before: 8 AM

After: 6PM

My neighbors built a fire in a pit and are sitting out in the evening air. There's no wind & it's 40°F but feels much warmer. Hard to believe it's Jan 5.

Jesus

Today we celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world. 

Peace on Earth.

Santa

My neighbor has gone all out this year decorating the yard. 

City Christmas Tree

The City of Warrenville has lit up four trees near city hall. This one is near the intersection of Batavia and Butterfield Rds.

Lit up

This is one of the biggest light displays in the neighborhood.

Live Nativity

Each year the Trinity Lutheran Church of Warrenville does a live nativity. The story is narrated as church members play the roles and a choir sings appropriate carols. The live animals add to the real-ness.

A wiseman joins the shepherds and angels in worshipping Jesus.

 The angel choir sings "Glory to God in the highest."

 Shepherds watching the sheep.

A young shepherd feeds a sheep.

 Llamas were there too.

After the performance a small guest gets to sit on the donkey.

Neighborhood

I came home from a week of vacation to Christmas lights everywhere. This photo  shows just one unit in the building next to mine. Even in a bad economy there are many lights.

LIghts

21 November 2011*

Putting up the Christmas lights in Winfield, IL.

* Taken 21 November 2011 but not posted until 22 November 2011

Too Early

Tonight's photo was quite an adventure. The inspiration for it started yesterday when I heard my first Christmas song on the radio. "It's too early!" On my way home tonight I noticed this house was fully lighted for Christmas, even though it's only been below freezing a couple nights and American Thanksgiving is still a week away. 

I drove on by and right away started thinking I should turn around to take a picture. With no space on the shoulder to park, I pulled into a nearby cul-da-sac and walked back to the home. My first step off the narrow shoulder landed me in muddy ditch water. On higher ground, I quickly discovered I was walking right into the neck-high branches of a row of trees. The next thing I knew, my glasses had been knocked from my face and lay on the ground.  Retrieving them, I moved back to the narrow shoulder and eventually ended up in a pile of leaves up to my knees. 


It took more than a dozen attempts and most of them were  pretty blurry, but when i got home, three that were reasonably clear and this one is the best. 

"But, it's really too early!"


P.S. Can you believe it, Hallmark Channel is already playing Christmas movies?

Remember

Tonight I went to Cantigny Park and the 1st Division Museum for a special Armisist Day program. 

I was not successful at taking photos of the Luminaries so I'm posting a photo I took last year.

Each light represents six, First Division soldiers killed in action, from WW1 through the present, (13,000+ lost soldiers.)

Night Photos

With Daylight Saving Time disappearing over the weekend, I was driving home home in the dark and decided to experiment with some nighttime photos in downtown Winfield where there are plenty of cars and colorful neon signs. What do you think of the result?

Thanskgiving Decorations

As I drove through Winfield tonight I couldn't help but notice the Thanksgiving decorations at Winfield Flower Shoppe and Village Square Antiques. The porch is just full of flowers and antiques. Enjoy!