I saw a frozen pond once in the Hudson River Valley when I visited New York at New Year and it was beautiful, although the weather was in the high 60s and almost all of the snow was melted away.
It shouldn't be a surprise to those who know about my enjoyment of the movies, that the top photo could refer to a 1969 movie, Cactus Flower, and the second one reminded me of when the Canada geese returned home in the Spring to a mostly ice-covered pond in Ontario in the movie Fly Away Home.
I was going to post the fun editing article I promised last week but came to the realization that many regular group members might be too busy this holiday weekend with other activities to contribute to it so I'm saving it for next weekend's article.
This is an example of what things are like here right now. I took this photo of the square that we overlook from our larger balcony off our living room at 2 p.m. yesterday, a time when there would normally be many people there. I just glanced outside and saw that it's no different now.
The ramp on the left is not in use becasue it leads to the elevated subway behind it - but the subway has not been running for many days, nor have the buses, and schools, most stores (save those for necessities) are closed as are restaurants. Only one person per apartment is permitted to leave the building, so my wife does the necessary purchases. I'm not unhappy since I spend my days on the computer and watching TV anyway and walk back and forth and exercise at home. I watch many movies, a few days ago I had the choice of the following movies: Sayonara, Sabrina, Be Somebody, Forrest Gump, A Place in the Sun and Forsaken (the only movie in which Donald and Kiefer Sutherland, who are actually father and son, appear as father and son). They play all day long on 7 or 8 channels along with other foreign films.
Before the original covid pandemic struck I was invited by a local doctor friend whose daughter I was helping with her English to be his guest at the Annual Thanksgiving Banquet for Expats held at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Chongqing. However, it has not been held since, especially now since we are under strict lockdown these days due to the resurgence of the virus.
Here are some photos I took at the 2018 and 2019 annual buffet style Thanksgiving expat banquets. You may have seen them before when I posted them right after enjoying those banquets.
1. 2018 cheese tray and appetizers - e.g. smoked salmon wrapped around cream cheese.
.
2. Ready to be carved. I prefer the dark meat.
.
3. One of the dessert spots - watermellon, dragon fruit, pineapple, strawberries, oranges grapes.
.
4. More appetisers, smoked salmon and chopped Greek salad.
.
5. ONE of the dishes I filled and ate - sliced ham, green beans, grilled mushrooms, penne in cream sauce, grilled sweet potato sticks, slices of turkey bathed in cranberry sauce and under all that my favourite - stuffing. Almost no Russian black bread left, and I started with appetizers and mushroom soup - fresh squeezed orange juice.
.
6. Now to 2019 - I came early, intended to fill at LEAST three plates full. There was no limit. I even used some sealing plastic bags to take some home for my wife. She wasn't that particular about the food. LOL
.
7. Similar desserts as the previous year. There was also a Haagen-Das ice cream cart.
.
8. A bit out of order - this was the starting point, where I'm standing in 6 above.
The World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala, FL had the grand opening of its Christmas series last night. We were there during the day and the Arabian Horse gathering where you could mix with the Arabian horses and their owners/trainers.
WEC puts on a wonderful Christmas Winter Wonderland show. It's free to everyone except for the parking and that cost is minimal so families of every income bracket can attend and the kids (even old ones like Red and I) can have a great time.
Red in the Florida snow enjoying a run down the slope.
Link to a short video showing WEC Winter Wonderland.
I got these 3 particular pieces from Pet World in Lawrence, KS. They are online and very nice people to deal with. They also have a site on etsy.com. Otherwise I haunt our local PetSmart. They sometimes have an interesting piece. I found a decent sized piece anchored to a piece of slate tile at a thrift shop on Friday for $10. I also scout the lake shore for cool pieces.
My wife turned to me the other day and said I have more rocks and driftwood than our local fish store, PetSmart and Petco combined.
It's interesting to watch you progress. Please keep us advised as you continue to outfit it. I expect that next we'll see some base such as sand and pebbles, and plants.
First-things-first; check the article at the link below.
Two great photos.
I saw a frozen pond once in the Hudson River Valley when I visited New York at New Year and it was beautiful, although the weather was in the high 60s and almost all of the snow was melted away.
It shouldn't be a surprise to those who know about my enjoyment of the movies, that the top photo could refer to a 1969 movie, Cactus Flower, and the second one reminded me of when the Canada geese returned home in the Spring to a mostly ice-covered pond in Ontario in the movie Fly Away Home.
Eagle across the water, Stone Creek, Ocala, FL.
Photo by the SC Photo Club.
Your photo club consistently comes up with great photos.
New blue ribbons on order!
I was trying to be artistic one year. Thought I was being clever trying to get pics from Christmas from a different perspective.
Not great but not that bad, I don't think.
Whoa, I really like the third one.
Those are cool.
I think you did a great job. Keep your editing technique in mind for what I'm going to post next weekend.
I don't edit things, unless it is to crop something out, like a number or face.
You guessed what the last pic was before. I posted that one once already.
You will see that cropping was the major edit I had done in the example for my Photo Edit Fun article I'll be posting next weekend.
This is one of the most unique photos that I've seen in quite some time. A pelican and it's reflection in the water while flying.
Photo by the SC Photo Club. Ocala, FL.
At first glance I thought it was shark jaws...
That is exactly what it looks like at first glance, Ender.
Awesome photo.
I think that could be a wlldlife photography prize winner.
I saw this and had to laugh. For all the people up North...
The caption said... this is the cutest “nope” I have ever seen .
From cats being weird little guys Caption...
enter the void
From the same feed...
A challenger appears!
Can you see it? Haha
Only a completely black cat could have pulled that off.
I see it but I won't let on so others can find it. My cat could have been in front of the pillow on the couch.
I think the pillow on the couch is a kitty too.
Nah, the spots are too regular.
It caused my first laugh out loud of the morning.
Untitled Study in Black and White, Avignon
© G. Gam
I like it, G.
Thanks, Kavika.
I like the way the shadows, shapes and shades play off each other. It creates an abstract effect.
© A. Mac/A.G.
Very nice, but I sure don't miss that weather.
I was going to post the fun editing article I promised last week but came to the realization that many regular group members might be too busy this holiday weekend with other activities to contribute to it so I'm saving it for next weekend's article.
This is an example of what things are like here right now. I took this photo of the square that we overlook from our larger balcony off our living room at 2 p.m. yesterday, a time when there would normally be many people there. I just glanced outside and saw that it's no different now.
The ramp on the left is not in use becasue it leads to the elevated subway behind it - but the subway has not been running for many days, nor have the buses, and schools, most stores (save those for necessities) are closed as are restaurants. Only one person per apartment is permitted to leave the building, so my wife does the necessary purchases. I'm not unhappy since I spend my days on the computer and watching TV anyway and walk back and forth and exercise at home. I watch many movies, a few days ago I had the choice of the following movies: Sayonara, Sabrina, Be Somebody, Forrest Gump, A Place in the Sun and Forsaken (the only movie in which Donald and Kiefer Sutherland, who are actually father and son, appear as father and son). They play all day long on 7 or 8 channels along with other foreign films.
Before the original covid pandemic struck I was invited by a local doctor friend whose daughter I was helping with her English to be his guest at the Annual Thanksgiving Banquet for Expats held at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Chongqing. However, it has not been held since, especially now since we are under strict lockdown these days due to the resurgence of the virus.
Here are some photos I took at the 2018 and 2019 annual buffet style Thanksgiving expat banquets. You may have seen them before when I posted them right after enjoying those banquets.
1. 2018 cheese tray and appetizers - e.g. smoked salmon wrapped around cream cheese.
.
2. Ready to be carved. I prefer the dark meat.
.
3. One of the dessert spots - watermellon, dragon fruit, pineapple, strawberries, oranges grapes.
.
4. More appetisers, smoked salmon and chopped Greek salad.
.
5. ONE of the dishes I filled and ate - sliced ham, green beans, grilled mushrooms, penne in cream sauce, grilled sweet potato sticks, slices of turkey bathed in cranberry sauce and under all that my favourite - stuffing. Almost no Russian black bread left, and I started with appetizers and mushroom soup - fresh squeezed orange juice.
.
6. Now to 2019 - I came early, intended to fill at LEAST three plates full. There was no limit. I even used some sealing plastic bags to take some home for my wife. She wasn't that particular about the food. LOL
.
7. Similar desserts as the previous year. There was also a Haagen-Das ice cream cart.
.
8. A bit out of order - this was the starting point, where I'm standing in 6 above.
.
9. I sure miss this event.
Now I'm hungry.
LOL. YOU'RE hungry. If you're hungry, I'm STARVING.
Since I was alone this turkey day I made do with a Stouffers turkey TV dinner. Sigh...
My high school's motto was "Velle Est Posse", which is translated as "To will is to be able" or more commonly, "Where there's a will, there's a way."
The World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala, FL had the grand opening of its Christmas series last night. We were there during the day and the Arabian Horse gathering where you could mix with the Arabian horses and their owners/trainers.
WEC puts on a wonderful Christmas Winter Wonderland show. It's free to everyone except for the parking and that cost is minimal so families of every income bracket can attend and the kids (even old ones like Red and I) can have a great time.
Red in the Florida snow enjoying a run down the slope.
Link to a short video showing WEC Winter Wonderland.
Red's using skis to match. LOL. I was able to watch that video, thanks.
Red and I with one of the trainers of this beautiful Arabian horse.
The horse is beautiful, the trainer is cute, Red looks lovely - and you've got a great smile. LOL
Thicket at Forest Edge, Winter, Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania
© A. Mac/A.G.
Well, there is something to say about snow - it does make the world look clean and pure.
Anyone around?
The gang is all here now.
Winter in sunny Ocala, FL. The Pelicans are in the know.
I don't think the fish will be too happy about it.
I was super busy all holiday weekend. I managed to get new stand built for that 75g tank I bought way back in September.
Where do you get the driftwood. I can never find any pieces that are good.
I got these 3 particular pieces from Pet World in Lawrence, KS. They are online and very nice people to deal with. They also have a site on etsy.com. Otherwise I haunt our local PetSmart. They sometimes have an interesting piece. I found a decent sized piece anchored to a piece of slate tile at a thrift shop on Friday for $10. I also scout the lake shore for cool pieces.
My wife turned to me the other day and said I have more rocks and driftwood than our local fish store, PetSmart and Petco combined.
You ''Rock'' niijii.
It's interesting to watch you progress. Please keep us advised as you continue to outfit it. I expect that next we'll see some base such as sand and pebbles, and plants.
The heron is in big trouble, nobody or no heron trespasses in Turtle Land.
Stone Creek, Ocala FL.
I'll put my money on the heron.
Maybe with the red sliders but that lake is full of Florida softshell turtles, very aggressive, large, and bite like a snapping turtle.
I wouldn't swim in it nude if I were you.
Them darn turtles. Ruining all the fun...
I will keep this open until late tonight since this week's article was posted a day later than usual.
© A. Mac/A.G.
Morning... Winter in America...is cold..as the song goes..
Surf, sun and sand for me..
It's winter here too, but where I am the palm trees still abound without snow covering them.
Pineapple palms during winter in a Chongqing park.
Saying "good night," "thanks to all," & see you Thursday night.