Theme Day...My corner local shop

I am not officially on Theme Day this month but this is the local bar in the town next to Inverness (Inverness has no industry unless you count the golf course!). This building has been in Palatine for a very long time. Enjoy theme day here!

A lonley shepard's hook

I was practicing night shots and took this of my plant hanger. I just liked the way it looked. It will have plants on it this weekend....finally it is warm enough to plant my annuals! Have a great weekend.

The Inverness Golf Club

I would love to take pictures of the golf club but if you enlarge the sign, it clearly says "Members Only" and we are not members. So, I limit myself to the outskirts that I can see from the road or private property. Truly, not that much of a law breaker!

A Water Tower

I drive by this every day and this day it was raining and it just caught my eye.

An unusual walkway

While I found this to be very unique, I also found it to be a bit short to walk under so I do wonder how people get to the front door without getting leaves in their hair, or getting their hair wet. (This was a house down in Champagne,Urbana, Il. which is where the University of Illinois is located.)

ABC Wednesday S is for Santas

It's ABC Wednesday over at Mrs. Nesbitt's place. Try and stop in and see what other participants have come up with. I have a friend who collects Santa's. She must have well over a hundred. These 3 handsome fellows sit at the end of her staircase...and yes she is the neighbor in the Victorian house.
(I am out of town today and tomorrow...thanks for stopping by and I will catch up when I get back!)

Happy Memorial Day!

It's Memorial Day today...the day we honor all the Veterans of Wars. We purchased a new flag as our other one was faded and frayed....and I will taking it to the VFW vets who have a program for disposing of old flags. Hope you all had a nice weekend...We had lovely weather for our Memorial Day picnic today!

A Golf Green

Can you see the flag? This is the Inverness Golf Course and I think it is hard to find!It really looks like Spring here.

SKy Watch Friday

The moon was sooo bright the other night. I got out the tripod and took a few pictures. I liked this one ....hope you do to. Try and see what the sky looks like around the world over at Wigger's World (Tom)!

ABC Wednesday R is for Rain, Road, Railroad Tracks

It is unusual that I find more than one thing to photograph for ABC Wednesday.....especially after "Q" last week but tonight on the way home from work...it all came together at the Railroad Tracks with the Rain and the Road. I had to take this while I was stopped and I did not want to get my camera wet so I took it through the windsheild.....enjoy all the other offerings of ABC Wednesday over at Mrs. Nesbitt's place!

I have driven in this neighborhood for years and this is the first time I noticed the fountain in the pond. It is on the golf course so they either added it or I have just not noticed it!

Two for the price of one

I drive by this everyday on the way to work and I have always wondered why they needed 2 stop signs....it is not a very busy street...but I loved the 2 stop signs between the 2 trees.

Inverness Entrance

If you look closely, you will see at the far end of this photo, the entrance to the Inverness golf course(no we don't belong!). They have these lovely tulips on the side that look wonderful when Spring finally arrives.

SKy Watch Friday

Ok---I love ABC Wednesday but now I am going to try-at least for today_SkyWatch Friday. (I feel obligated to visit everyone on the list when I do this as it seems only the right thing to do which is why I have resisted. There are many skywatchers!!!) A storm was rolling in and it started to rain just a little bit after I took this shot.
I hope you have a chance to drop by Tom's and either sign up or visit some (if not all!) of the skywatch team!
I made it through the 179 on the list...yeah me! and saw some amazing things! the sky around the world is lovely.

Inverness Golf Club

Inverness is mostly homes but it does have a lovely golf course. Thisis the entrance to that golf course. You can see the driving range staight ahead.

ABC Wednesday Q is for Quentin

I love ABC Wednesday but this "Q" thing was tough!!!! I did Father Louis Querbes last time and it was hard to come up with another "Q" but here is it....."Q" is for Quentin...as in Road or Corners or Office or Complex. This is a road I drive by everyday on my way to work. Try and visit all the ABC participants over at Mrs. Nesbitt's place!

The President's Reception

This is the President's home at the University of Illinois and he opens if for the graduates.....there were thousands invited but you couldn't tell it from this photo! A crummy weather day....rain and wind and cold....but we made it through the day!

The Summer Manassas Flag

I liked this sign over the shop very much and the added attraction was I got the Summer Flag on it as well. Not that I didn't like the winter snowflake! it just seemed really out of place in the Spring! I wish we would have had time to visit the inside of this Tea and Bakery Shop....it was really very quaint.
This is what I have been doing all weekend.

The Best in Show

(If you click to enlarge these you can really see the detail.)
I told you I would show you the "best in show" from the student's art show.....I really like the detail in the President's purchase award (there is a fund from the President(of the school!) where they pay the student for their art if they are chosen and the art piece is hung at the school...actually in front of the library where I work!. The best in show was voted on by the local art teachers from the different schools in the area. I had to ask why this one won as I was not that impressed with it and the answer is it is done all with charcoal -- a medium that is difficult to work with ...and this is a 14 year old...ok, I still didn't get it! but it is what it is!! Hope you enjoy the show!

A Train Station Decoration

While I was in downtown Manassas....quite a historical place.....it is where the first battle of the Civil War was....I saw this sign hanging from the Street Lamp. What was unusual about it is it is the WINTER one. Everywhere else, it was the new Spring/Summer sign. I will show that one tomorrow.

Art

It is Spring Art Festival at our school. All these pieces were done by students in the art classes. Itis like the "end of the year what we have learned" show. I am always surprised at the talent some of these kids have.

ABC Wednesday P is for Papaw

Keeping with the "family" theme (just for you Jeffers!)......"P" is for "Papaw".....my dad-who has been dead 11 years this year....loved spending time with his grandchildren. He had 3 girls and we gave him 7 grandsons and Shannon-the only grandaughter. We used to tease him that he wished so hard for boys he wished them onto us! Try and visit all the ABC participants over at Mrs. Nesbitt's place!

Pretty landscaping

These are the tulips across the street from my house. They seem to have survived the unexpected cool temperatures from the other night. It is hard to believe that it is finally Spring. The trees are starting to bloom and will soon obscure the houses!

Baby Robins

The robins are back in the nest that has been on top of our gazebo door for a few years. My husband keeps saying he is going to move it (due to the bird poop on the door into our gazebo) but I won't let him. I am amazed that they keep using the same nest. The mommy robin screamed at me while I was taking this shot.....pretty intensely I might add!

Sequoia Tree

After our tree got struck by lightning, I remembered I had this from Muir Woods, Ca. These are HUGE trees and I am guessing that hole hasn't hurt that tree much! Eric looks tiny next to it!

A Texas Cowboy in Virginia

(I reloaded this picture....hopefully it can be seen by someone other than me!)
When I was in Virginia, a high school friend and her husband picked me up from the airport and took me here...what a great restaurant! It really did feel like I was in Texas but of course I was not!

Theme Day Numbers!

These are high scores in bowling.....Yes, that is my name up on the BOWLING HONOR ROLL....hey, I might never have another opportunity to brag about that!
Theme Day is numbers! Try and visit as many as you can to see what people from around the world came up with!
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Avignon, France by Nathalie, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Busan, Korea South by iamnbinb, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chesapeake Daily Photo (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Chicago (IL), USA by Focused Light, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Concordia Sagittaria, Italy by Patrizia, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Corsicana (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Dallas (TX), USA by turtle, Darmstadt, Germany by Elsch, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Mary, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hong Kong, Hong Kong by Rachel A., Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Ioannina, Greece by Christos-Ioanna, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Malaga, Spain by Paula, Manila, Philippines by Heyokity, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Medan, Indonesia by KT, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Montpellier, France by Marie, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Nancy, France by yoshi, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, North Hampton (NH), USA by Amy, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Owasso (OK), USA by Jennifer, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Penang, Malaysia by Maltelda, Perth, Australia by Elevation7, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Cheryl, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea by Jules, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Riga, Latvia by Riga Images, Rollag, Norway by Stormel, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, San Francisco (CA), USA by Louis la Vache, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Seoul, South Korea by Phil, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Tel-Aviv, Israel by Olga, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vichy, France by Delphsnl, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Lightning Strike

I mentioned it rained here last week.....and it was also a lightning storm along with the rain. While standing in the den, I have never heard or seen a clap of thunder and lightning together so close to me or the house. The house shook. My son and I felt sure the house had been struck by lightning but fortunately it just scared us. Alas, the next day, we noticed this tree...which is in our side yard....had been hit by lightning. There is a mark like this one up in the tree as well as on the other side. Notice the dirt blown away at the bottom on either side. This is a Mountain Ash so it is not long for this world -thanks to the Emerald Ash Borer-regardless of the lightning strike!