Sunday, November 30, 2008

Phil, our Guardian Gnome


Phil, our guardian gnome
Originally uploaded by missouri_gal
We had some snow overnight, which turned into rain later on today. The rain stomped on the snow, and all that's left are a few icy remnants.

The photo is one that I could get any day of the year, rain or shine. Phil is always sleeping, but provides a reminder to everyone who comes up the front steps what home and family really are.

He came to us after the fire, and he was placed there the day we moved back into our home after six long months away. His name is "Phil" after our contractor, who understood our situation and really took care of us -- leaving our home a much better place than even before he arrived.

With Phil, the contractor, we knew that our house was our home even when we weren't living there. With Phil, the gnome, we are reminded of the same -- even if the girls have moved out and live across the country, they always have a home here.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Geocaching at Queeny Park


Birds At Queeny Park
Originally uploaded by fotobydave
Spent a couple of hours out in Queeny Park today with my husband and some friends, looking for Geocaches. Thanks to a lot of construction, it was more difficult than it would have been under normal circumstances. This was their first time caching, and they seemed to really enjoy it. Anything that's outdoors and requires some thinking is always a winner!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Thanksgiving


multitudes
Originally uploaded by Wen Z.
I think the picture covers it all -- what I'm most thankful for is differences -- different people, different personalities, different sunsets, different books, different children, different likes, different dislikes -- a whole colorful jar of markers with which to draw the world.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!


Happy Thanksgiving
Originally uploaded by twinsline7
Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends out in Internet-Land. We had a wonderful dinner -- husband and dog are sleeping it off!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Riding the 'link


New Red Line Headsign
Originally uploaded by =DMG-42=

Every day, I ride the Metrolink to work. I get a lot of reading done, but the best part is all of the people I see every day...all kinds of people. All ages, walks of life, occupations, types of dress, you name it...they're on the 'link.

I ride from Hanley to Union Station and back, which takes about 20 minutes. If you see me, say "hey!"

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Meeting Michael Apted


Apted 030
Originally uploaded by missouri_gal
On Sunday, November 23rd, director Michael Apted appeared at the Tivoli Theater in University City to accept a lifetime achievement award for his documentaries. There was a great interview, and then a Q&A session, in which I participated. There was also a showing of "The Power of the Game," Apted's new soccer documenatry. Afterwards, I was able to talk to him in the lobby a little bit.

If you're not familiar with Michael Apted, I suggest you check out the "Up" series, starting with "7 Up," then "!4 Up," "21 Up" and so on, until "49 Up." Apted interviews a group of children when they are 7 years old, then every seven years afterwards. The kids are fairly ordinary, but have very interesting outlooks on life which some of them change (and some do not) over the years. I highly recommend them!