We went to visit Mom and Dad over the weekend. While we were there, Verna spotted a little butterfly perched on a flower growing out front of the house. She pointed her Canon XTi camera at the butterfly and I pointed my little Canon A710 at her. I superimposed the shot she took of the butterfly (circled) on the photo that I took of her. Click on the image to view a larger size.
This is the USS Brooklyn, CL-40 with Palisades Park in the background, as she cruises along the Hudson River near New York City. My Dad was an Electricians Mate, First Class, on this vessel.
The Brooklyn departed from Norfolk for the Mediterranean on 24 October 1942. My 20 month old brother, Billy, and Mom were in Norfolk to give Dad a send-off. Mom and Billy then took the train back to California, where I was born about 9 months, or so, afterward.
Dad did not meet me until I was 18 months old, since he and the Brooklyn were engaging the Axis in the Mediterranean. Rommel was there, Montgomery was there, Patton was there and the USS Brooklyn’s 5 and 6 inch guns were there helping the Allies to victory.
When I got up this morning there was a big pink present and a Valentine card on my computer desk. This Waterford® Seahorse™ 10″ crystal bowl was inside. Click on the image to enlarge.
p.s. He gets me Waterford every Valentine’s Day – How Womantic!
We’re having some cool and rainy weather today, but in spite of that, this red Icelandic poppy popped up. It’s quite a bit brighter than the subtle pink color of the first one from this planter. Click picture for big.
There are about a dozen of these in the patio garden today . . .
Click to make bigger.
When we went through Death Valley on our Winter Vacation, we went to Scotty’s Castle, which is a must see attraction there. The castle is only a part of the greater ranch that ‘Scotty’ actually did not build.
It actually belonged to and was built by Albert Johnson. This desert mansion, begun in 1922, was where Johnson’s family entertained many guests. The castle is a blend of Moorish, Spanish, Italian and California Mission architecture. Death Valley Scotty was the caretaker of the castle.
I formed this image (click on it for the full size) from a pair of photos shot near the clock tower on the ranch. If you don’t have your free pair of 3D glasses yet, here is the link to the two-dimensional version.
