FOTO FRIDAY

FOTO FRIDAY may need to be retitled LOOKING FOR NOAH or WAITING FOR THE ARK!!!

We had 4 inches of rain from about 10 p.m.Thursday to early this Friday a.m. Parts of town claimed 6 inches.

The cold front which collided with a much warmer front moved south of us and is drenching the rest of Arkansas, while moving eastward. Earlier in the week we had 2 inches 0f rain, so now, Friday, we've had 6 inches and one more day to go. The forecast is for at least two rainless days...wait and see is the key.

Update on Small Town Tragedy:
The weapon used in the murder/suicide did not belong to the alleged perpetrator. There is nothing to gain by speculation but to let the law enforcement agencies do their job. The only other clue printed in news releases is the manager's office gave the appearance of a scuffle occurring at some point.

Before this horrific event, there had been two restaurant break-ins and several residences. Small change or portable items of value were taken while larger items of much greater value were not. These events. some of which have been solved, point to the difficult economic times. However, in a small community where 55% of 2000+ population are above age 60, anxiety and vulnerability levels elevate with news of petty lawlessness or catastrophic events.

I shopped in the grocery store today and so did others. The store was closed for two days, and reopened Thursday. Employees were helpful. A local minister was located outside the building, seemingly to help those who need some counseling.

NOW A FEW PHOTOS-not anything special today. However, brief excursions between showers captured a few items of interest. I was impressed there were still wildflowers in full array. I missed several shots as I would have had to climb in and out of our open drainage ditches--not a good idea for 73 yr old 4'10" old lady with double knee prostheses.

Raindrops on Deer Netting
If this photo will enlarge, it looks more like tiny floralettes around each intersection of the netting material. The camera was perpendicular to the netting so the drops actually magnify the intersection of the netting.

Dogwood Assume Autumn Color
I have 3 Dogwoods, two of which indigenous to property: one with red berries, one without, which may indicate male/female dogwoods side and side. The third dogwooda pink/red) was planted this spring after we lost 8 mature trees the 1000 -year ice storm.

Poison Ivy Displays its Coat of Many Colors

Despite being a nemesis to most of us, poison ivy arrays tree trunks, fences, and
the ground in this vacant lot with color,ranging from yellow to crimson.

Red, White and Blue
I spotted these little delicate flower
next to the fire hydrant on my block.

Delicate White Flowers Macro
These are the same flowers as above by fire hydrant.

Sumac - Early Harbinger of Autumn*

Measles?
I am known for not always focusing on the 'perfect' subject. Everything is perfect in the Creator's creation. We are the viewers with the imperfect eye.

The Redbud leaf under the post title has not begun to change to its usual yellow. Something has eaten the lower half of the leaf. It was taken at the same time and after the same rain shower as the deer netting.

*I am not a plant expert. This appears to be sumac. Usually sumac is found in clusters. There were a few sumac-like shrubs on this vacant lot.

FOTO FRIDAY

I love to take photos, some in an artistic manner--sometimes total failure but with digital it is fun to play and not spend money on film and prints!

The DEL key is OH! SO CHEAP!......well maybe not if you consider the total cost of the camera and/or computer!

So at least this Friday I am posting without much comment a few photos. Some may seem redundant, put I'm usually playing around with perspectives, or light/shadow, or just plain PLAYING.

^Evening sun - vase/artificial rose, window box (taken thru a sunscreen shade)

^Morning sun - vase/artificial rose, window box (taken thru a sunscreen shade)

^Red Stemmed Rosebud

^Deformed Naked Lady Stalk ( was branched, which is not normal)

^Thundercloud forming, soaring bird soon found another place to soar!

^Drone Bee Fly(?)

^Humongous Squashes!!!

^Three Brothers Cemetery near Oakland, Arkansas

^Cloud formation which eventually produced much rain!

^ LUCKIE, the love of our lives!

Interlude - Luckie says "whew, about time"

Although there is one more Part (4) to the Computer from Hell, it is not written.

I wanted to toss out the idea of a couple of extra blogs - temporarily entitled Spirituality and My Ozarks World (Photos), maybe albums; maybe my Weight Loss Journey, although that might be more personal and boring than I would like -- after all the main object is hmmm, how shall I say it - controlled starvation. I might just incorporate the weight blog, success or failure in the present blog.

Posting might be less frequent.

Spirituality would be inspiring, religious but not specific doctrine. Sometimes might be lessons I've taught in the past or ideas inspired by others or books I have read. I am a believer in the Trinity Godhead of a Supreme God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. However, I might draw on writings of others who follow different philosophies.

My World will be photos of my Ozark world, but include trips I've taken and other places I've lived. Included in this post are shots of the fifth (5th) largest dam in the U.S. which is exactly 1 mile from my front door. In the past I have walked it for exercise. It is 0.8 "miles round trip" but if you park a small distance away in parking areas and cross the highway across the dam, you have a mile.

These pictures show all 17 flood gates open, a rarity, only twice in its history. I've witnessed both times. I also have a slide of the gates open with water frozen in place. I need to convert it digitally.

I know these aren't unusual topics; but they are who I am. If you read my bio, maybe there are other subjects which I have not considered. Of course Luckie still is included--no option there.

Any comments???