a midwest fairy tale

fairy tale

I took this photo near Funks Grove on a recent photo trip with my Dad. We saw a train bridge nearby and decided to go exploring.  We found this old silo hidden along the tracks and it immediately captured my imagination.  It almost seemed like a fairy tale tower...like Rapunzel had once escaped from its heights. It was a fantastic find.

I edited the picture almost right away when I got back. I really went to town on it to give it the feel I wanted. The leaves in the foreground were all green.  I wanted it to feel more like fall, so I changed them to shades of red and orange.   I added my textures, as usual, and it took a lot of playing to make it look a bit faded.  Sometimes I have a hard time finding the balance between texture and photo.  I don't want the details in the photo to be completely washed out, but at the same time I want to give it a painterly quality.  So it really ends up coming down to trial and error with these...just playing around until something works for me.

In other news, I will actually post some photos of my fall decor in the near-ish future for the my imaginary followers to admire.  I am excited to find 5 actual, factual followers now...and four of them aren't my Mom!

Evergreen

"Evergreen"

So. I'm going to be gone for a couple of days. The funeral for my husband's Grandpa is tomorrow evening. So, in the meantime, enjoy my newest pic. Hopefully I'll be able to get a few spring photos in soon.

Toll

"Time has taken its toll..."

Just my latest photo. Enjoy!

There's no new news on my Grandfather-in-law, but as soon as I hear anything, I'll post something.

Music game!

"birdies"

OK, since my Mom decided to do this again, I had to too. Here are the first lines of 25 songs from my music player, try to guess the song and the artist (without using Google or a lesser search engine).

1. Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waiting for a train
2. Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'
3. I see the bad moon arising.
4. When the truth is found to be lies
5. Oh, to be Prince Caspian afloat upon the waves
6. 'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
7. I was cutting the rug down at a place called the jug
8. I'll be the grapes fermented
9. There's something happening here
10. It's close to midnight and something evils lurking in the dark
11. Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog
12. Pushing thru the market square, so many mothers sighing
13. Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me
14. I'm not afraid of anything in this world
15. Once I had a love and it was a gas
16. I thought I was smart - I thought I was right
17. Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
18. Some people say a man is made out of mud
19. When I look into your eyes I can see a love restrained
20. I can't stop this feeling, deep inside of me.
21. No one knows what it's like to be the bad man
22. Now here you go again you say you want your freedom
23. You get a shiver in the dark
24. You thought the leaden winter would bring you down forever
25. I jumped in the river and what did I see?

Ok, so guess away and have fun! (I tried to get a sprinkling of newer songs in there, so my music tastes would seem to reflect my age more...)

bull plop

"bull plop"

So this is just a humorous pic. I just so happened to "capture the moment." It was completely accidental, I really didn't notice, though to look at it, I don't know how. :) But it happens. When I was reviewing my photos, I knew immediately what to title this one.
I think my favorite part is the bull lounging around by the corner, totally unconcerned about what is happening but inches from his head.
So anyways, after much deliberation and by others' suggestion, I decided to publish it. I'll post a more serious photo soon. :)

On another note, we're supposed to get 4-6 inches of snow tonight in Ann Arbor. It rained all day and now this. My photo, I think, will be my answer to the icky weather we have been having. :)

A blue door

"a blue door"

This is my newest image. I don't like the title too much, so if you can think of a better one, that'd be nice. :) This was taken just outside Normal, Illinois.