Wordless Wednesday: Off Year

For the first time in over 10 years, our cherry tree has zero cherries. The drought and cold were tough, and when combines with a damp and chilly blossom time the tree conserved its resources and concentrated on survival.

So this year, we have our memories, and hope for a better season next year.

It's disappointing, but sometimes there's a reason for an off year.


               remembering on ... Wordless Wednesday

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Twighlight

I took this photo earlier this month. We were at a special event at our local air museum. Jazz music floated on the breeze at sunset, as we saluted days gone by.

James is wearing my scarf - he looks like a junior aviator.


For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: River Birds

I took these pictures at the beginning of summer, during a weekend on the River. James and I hung out on the deck, enjoying the calm summer morning and watching our aviary visitors across the way.

A family of egrets: parents and well-grown offspring

The ducks accompanied the egrets as they moved upstream. 

Enter a great blue heron, stage left.

They all slowly foraged their way upstream.

Such a relaxing way to start the day!


For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Rides

James did something new at the County Fair this year - rides!

In previous years, he'd frantically tell me "No, I don't wanna!" The noise from both the rides, their soundtracks, and their passengers, combined with the excessive motion, were a big sensory overload for him. He'd watch from the Midway for a while, once he was assured he didn't have to get too close to an attraction.

The biggest thing was he volunteered "I want to ride on the caterpillar." Wow. I took James on Big Thunder once (at his request - he loves trains and everyone else was going on it) and had to physically restrain him from jumping off the whole way.

It set a new tone for enjoying the rides this year, and I took a few pictures to celebrate:

Even better? Because we got in free by doing contest entries, I had that money to buy lots of ride tickets!


For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Camp Wacky

Yes, TWO Special Exposure / Wordless Weds. posts this week!

The kids are attending their second week of summer camp and today was Wacky Wednesday. James' sister was so excited about it that he was too. They both took care to dress up. The counselors dress up and encourage all the campers to as well. I was so glad I'd had my coffee -- it was quite a site to see at the morning drop off!

James picked out a wacky outfit of his very own for the first time (last year he was content to let Mom slap a huge sombrero on his head and call it wacky-fine). The hat that his dad got for him, Dad's tie, and his shoes on the wrong feet. Wow he loves that last one, every day! His big sister racked up another award ... and she didn't even bring the hand puppets!

Prizes are given out to those who make an inspired effort at wackiness. It's such a smart idea, because getting to wear strange things like PJs, ties, and feather boas (and monster feet) to camp makes the day seem extra special - like a summer Halloween.


For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Ice Cream Clo-n

Sonoma County=Agriculture. Summer=County Fair. Clover Dairy booth=Free ice cream!!!

Is this not the perfect summer pic?

yessir, good to the laaaaast drop!

Clo's a popular kind of cow!

It's true: For several hours each day the fair is open, Clover-Stornetta hands out free scoops to the public. And it's mighty delicious too!

I've seen Clover milk cartons at our summer breakfast table for decades. Their clever ads crack us up. As their memorable tag line says:

For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Sunflowers

All of a sudden, it seems like long-planted sunflowers have leaped up into sunny giants. Mid summer is here, and the last few weeks of vacation are ticking down for the kids. I like to capture pictures like this to remind me that these moments were here, and we enjoyed them:

For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Flag Salutes

From end of May through early July, our country's flag waves just about everywhere we look. Even though Flag Day is officially in June, I feel like July is when I notice it most. Here are some salutes to our flag:

James, waving to someone he knows in one of our local parades.

Patriotic bunting at our last baseball game.

A Fourth of July Block Party

Greetings as you approach the Barn at the Ranch.

Over the pool, as the sun sets on our evening swim lessons. 

New solar lights for the yard.

Home town decor.

Love the light on this.

What we see as we drive through Town.

Our fire station, as we honor those lost from the Granite Mt. Hotshots.

For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday

Special Exposure - Wordless Weds: Shades

His future's so bright ...

James had to try on his Nana's shades, last weekend at the cabin on the River!


For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday