Baby Puppy

Biggie

Memorial Daze

This Oak was planted around the same time my Great Great Great Grandfather was buried here in 1892. My niece is standing between my Great Great Great Grandfather and his son, my Great Great Grandfather. The little Oak has grown . . . and, is now pushing up on the tent like stone. My Grandfather and Grandmother are also here along with most of their families. My Grandmother's birthday was the 22nd - happy 128th birthday Mammie. . . . . time flies.

Somewhere

Daily Photo Tip

By MarkRaymondMason.com Fine Art Photography

On a very wet day or after a rainstorm, try photographing rainbows. Rainbows appear most strongly directly opposite the sun, when the sun is low to the horizon. (May 11, 2009)

Thanks again, Mark. These were taken last month one evening as my Mother and I left a restaurant around 6 pm after a long and steady rain - the sun just behind us. Can you see that it is a double rainbow? As hard as I tried, there was no way I could get a shot without one million wires and utility poles and lights and whatever . . . . play like they aren't there. It was beautiful.

April 19, 1947

Today would have been Wales and Jo's 62nd wedding anniversary. Cheers!

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge, spanning Florida's Tampa Bay, is 29,040 feet or 5.5 miles long. It is part of I-275. My Mother and Sister and I were recently going from Naples to St. Pete to visit my Aunt Jenny. I snapped this Shadow Shot as we crossed. I did not take the other two shots below but thought they would give you a better idea of how it looks. Absolutely beautiful.

Tall order . . . .

Part of our St. Patrick's Day prep.

Thanks Mark

Daily Photo Tip

By MarkRaymondMason.com Fine Art Photography

GIF format files are used for some web-based images, but not usually for photographs. Though you could save a photograph in GIF format, it will tend to look 'dotted' and may distract from the photo's effect. (Mar 14, 2009)

Best Boy

A child's heart is like a Garden. . . Here a beautiful flower grows. . . A Heart that's picked by Angels. . . Grandson is the name they chose.

Daylight Saving Time

The rules for Daylight Saving Time changed in 2007 for the first time in more than 20 years and were enacted by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This extended length of daylight will help reduce energy consumption. The new rules increased the duration of Daylight Saving Time by about one month. Daylight Saving Time will now be in effect for 238 days, or about 65% of the year. Daylight Saving Time in the United States

• begins at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday of March and
• ends at 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday of November

In 2009, DST is from 2:00 a.m. (local time) on March 8th until 2:00 a.m. (local time) on November 1st.

Five O'Clock Shadow

For more Shadow Shot Sunday see Hey Harriet

Exposures

This is the original from yesterday. And, when I switch the exposure from -3.00 all the way over to 3.00 you can actually see who is there . . . . . .

I have switched from a desktop to a MacBookPro. With that you get iPhoto. This photo is looking out onto the Gulf of Mexico, shooting into too much light which made it too dark - not a good shot. Have no idea how anything works yet but I was playing around with the edit button and did some adjustments to the exposure, saturation, temperature, shadows, etc. I like it.

Always Spring Around Here

We had a few guests leaving the other night after a birthday party - the door was open several times and maybe we were lingering a little longer than usual . . . . and in flew a bird.

Panic

I am so excited that I finally figured out how to do a knit stitch that I got three different yarns to work. Still just practicing on scarves. And, did I start the hot pink, orange, fuchsia and lime one? No, I started the hot pink, orange, fuchsia and lime one and the grey heather one. The multi colored one is 75% acrylic and 25% wool which is 100 G (Plymouth Encore Colorspun) and I am using a size 11 needle. I couldn't wait to see how this grey bulky yarn worked - much faster. It is 100% wool with a 2 1/2 stitches per inch gauge (Brown Sheep Company Burly Spun) and I am using a size 19 needle. I promise I won't start the other one until I finish these two . . . . .

Shadow Shot Sunday

My Sis told me about this . . . . . .

Shadow Shot Sunday

Hey Harriet, of Brisbane, Qld, Australia, says she has 'a real fascination' with light/shadow photography. So much she has set up the possibility for anyone to post a shadow and be a part of her Shadow Shot Sunday - check it out. (PS - It's already Sunday in Australia !)

Hey Harriet blogspot

Travel to Isle of Man

Travel to the Isle of Man

The Isle of Man is located at the heart of the British Isles, putting it within easy reach of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. So whether you're touching down at Ronaldsway Airport or disembarking at the Sea Terminal in Douglas, welcome to the Isle of Man!

Acknowledgement: DOTL.

Travel Information

Whether you're in Scotland, down on the south coast of England or anywhere inbetween, you'll be able to travel to Mann without having to travel too far. Flights operate to the Island from many of the regional airports in the British Isles, or if you prefer to travel by boat then you can choose from two ports in the Northwest of England (or Ireland).

Isle Of Man - check it out

Manx Museum

Illiam Dhone’s cap

James Stanley, Earl of Derby, ruled as King of Mann from his seat at Castle Rushen. James was a follower of Charles I and like him, ruled in an ever more autocratic manner. William Christian (Illiam Dhone), commander of the island’s militia, grew concerned about the loss of traditional rights, and when the English Parliament sent a fleet to the island he seized his opportunity, and negotiated its surrender in exchange for guarantees of these rights. Upon the restoration of Stanley rule under Charles II, Christian, a hero to the Manx but a traitor to the Stanleys, was executed at Hango Hill, near Castletown. This finely embroidered night cap is believed to be his, and indeed it bears a strong resemblance to one worn in the only known portrait of Christian.

This cap is on display in the Manx Museum, Douglas.

Illiam Dhone - One of my Ancestors

Illiam Dhone ceremony takes place

The service was held on the spot where Dhone was killed

A ceremony to mark the contribution made by Illiam Dhone to the political independence of the Isle of Man has taken place in Castletown.

January 2, 2009

Illiam Dhone - the Manx name for William Christian - surrendered the island to Parliamentary forces during the English Civil War in 1651.

He was later accused of treason and sentenced to death by firing squad on Hango Hill on 2 January 1663.

A service to commemorate his death was held on Hango Hill at 1400 GMT.

The ceremony included speeches made in Manx and English from the spot where Dhone was shot.

The service was followed by a get together at the Viking pub in Castletown.

BBC NEWS

The Story of William Christian/Illiam Dhone from:

MANX WORTHIES OR BIOGRAPHIES OF NOTABLE MANX MEN AND WOMEN

COMPILED

BY A. W. MOORE, M.A.

DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN S. K. BROADBENT & COMPANY, LIMITED, VICIORIA STREET. 1901.

Valentine's Day

We just happened to be in the city on Valentine's Day.

Leaving the hotel

Window shopping

My favorite part

Boyz