Wordless Wednesday - G-d staring down

Rays of the sun
London, ON, May 2007 [Click to enlarge]

About this photo: We're winding down this week's exploration of clouds. Thematic Photographic returns tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:00 p.m. EDT with a new theme. Scroll down for details on that - and feel free to click here if you've got any additional cloudiness to share.

Sometimes when I look at cloudscapes like this, I wonder what I ever did to be so lucky to witness such unmitigated beauty.

Your turn: Look around you. What's beautiful?

Next up: Thematic Photographic returns tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:00 p.m. with a new theme:

Aviation

If I were a betting person, I'd wager there may be another cloud-themed entry here before then...

Wordless Wednesday - Garbage strike blues

Recycle me
London, ON, February 2009 [Click to embiggen]

Shout out to Toronto, 200-ish kms to the east, as it settles in to a strike by 30,000 public service workers that has shut down rec centres, daycare, sports fields, pools and, sadly, garbage collection.

London endured a lengthy garbage strike a few years back, and our kids still remember having to drive the garbage in the back of our minivan to a nearby park, where friendly city managers helped us remove it from the vehicle before it began to leak. Good times.

As if this isn't enough, workers at Ontario's booze stores, known as the LCBO, are on the verge of striking as well. It's a double whammy of badness:

• Canada's largest city festering in hot, humid weather with fetid garbage stinking up the already-choked urban atmosphere.
• A complete lack of alcoholic escape from the misery.

I'm gonna guess Toronto's about to become a not very happy place to be. Y'all Torontonians have my empathy.

Your turn: This photo supports this week's Thematic Photographic theme, green. I invite you to share your own green vision by clicking here. New theme goes up tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:00 p.m. EDT. What will it be? Cloudy.

(But if I were a betting person, I'd say there may be an extra green entry before then. Just because...)

Wordless Wednesday - Lane change

Merging
I-75 - somewhere in Kentucky, December 2008

Life's about the journey. Where's yours taking you?

Your turn: If you haven't yet shared your road-themed photo, please click here. I'll post the kickoff entry for next week's Thematic Photographic theme, green, Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. EDT, but for now we're still taking submissions here.

Wordless Wednesday - Dusky streetscape

Emptiness
London, ON, March 2009

About this photo: We're wrapping up our exploration of dusk-themed perspectives and getting ready for our next big Thematic Photographic theme. What will it be? Scroll down for the big news. And if you still want to post something dusky, click here.

Our city has a relatively compact, relatively old - a century, give or take - downtown area that always seems to offer up a worthwhile camera angle or two. What it often lacks is people. Even at the height of the workday, the sidewalks here remain easy to navigate. With relatively few exceptions, you can meander to your heart's content without getting jostled along the way.

As much as I dislike close contact with complete strangers, I can't help but think that these streets seem to vacuum the spirit out of anyone who walks here. Maybe this place needs a transfusion.

Your turn: Obviously, nothing's going on on the sidewalk. So let's look inward and guess what's going on behind these sunset-painted windows.

Coming up tomorrow: Every Wednesday at precisely 7:00 p.m. EDT, I post the new Thematic Photographic theme and entry for the coming week. Every Tuesday, I give y'all a sneak peek at the theme because I want everyone to have a chance to consider their submissions. So without further ado, it will be:

Road

Happy pondering. See ya after we go live tomorrow at 7!

Wordless Wednesday - Run it up the flagpole

One flag, one country
London, ON, March 2009 [Click to embiggen]

Oops: If you're looking for the latest WW entry (dated June 9), please click here.

This is the flagpole near the munchkins' school, captured somewhat phallically as I waited for the afternoon bell to ring. I found it amusing how many oddball stares I got as I walked right up to the pole and pointed the camera to the sky. I'm used to it by now, of course, but still wonder why it raises eyebrows.

Whatever. If it makes folks happy, then I'm only too willing to oblige.

This pic speaks to me, for some reason. Its defiant jab into an infinite sky seems to be telling the universe that even empty tubes of alloy can be magnificent for a moment if we choose to look at them from a slightly different perspective.

Your turn: This photo caps off our Thematic Photographic "single" week. There's still time to share your own. Just click here and go to town. I'll be posting the new theme tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:00 p.m. EDT. It'll be:

Dusk

Please start your brains churning now, and don't forget to pop back in after 7 tomorrow to see the launch photo and post a link to yours as well.

Wordless Wednesday - Waiting

Not my train
Brantford, ON, March 2009

About this photo: We're wrapping up this week's Thematic Photographic theme, human, with this image. If you'd like to share your own human-themed scene, you've still got time (frankly, you can always share a pic on any TP entry. Far be it for me to spoil the fun, right?) Scroll down for details on next week's exciting theme.

In my mind, the defining characteristic of train travel is the blurry countryside that continuously paints the huge windows on either side of the car. While planes force passengers to see a faraway world through porthole-like holes in an otherwise closed-up cabin, trains invite the outside in, and treat passengers to a front-row view of the best and the worst of the communities through which they pass.

I always see something new whenever I travel this way. And it never gets old.

Your turn: What's he thinking?

Coming up tomorrow: Tune back in at 7:00 p.m. EDT Wednesday (tomorrow!) when we post the first Thematic Photographic entry of the week.) Our new theme will be:

Signs

Please give it some thought and come on back starting tomorrow eve to share your vision.

Wordless Wednesday - One person's weed...

Little, yellow, not-so-different
London, ON, May 2009

About this photo: We're winding down our exploration of all things yellow (you can still submit yours by clicking here.) It's been such an eye-opening journey that I think I'll toss more colors into the hopper for future Thematic Photographic themes. You game? Either way, a new theme's coming Wednesday. Scroll down to see what it'll be.

Our province finally opened its eyes and enacted a sweeping anti-pesticide bylaw that took effect this spring. For the most part, landowners are now banned from using a range of chemicals to keep their lawns looking silky smooth.

What does that mean? Well, aside from my no longer having to worry that my goat-like dog will grow a third ear from eating the neighbor's grass before I catch sight of the little "just sprayed" sign, it means the elusive perfect lawn has just become that much more elusive. Welcome to dandelion city, folks.

Which begs the question: who decides what is and is not a weed? As I drove past this stretch of grass one fine morning, I was struck by how arresting the endless stretch of yellow looked. Why, then, was this hardy little flower seen as a pest? Frankly, I'd rather deal with yellow weeds - a known entity, if you will - than the mysterious long-term effects of cosmetic herbicides and pesticides on me and my family.

What's nuttier than letting supposed weeds overrun the landscape is risking our future health for the sake of an unnaturally uniform stretch of green turf. Something told me the planet got along fine before all this crap was invented, and it'll do just fine now, too.

Your turn: Lawn chemicals...yea or nay?

Almost forgot: Drop in tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:00 p.m. EDT when we'll unveil the first Thematic Photographic entry of the new week. And what, pray tell, will the new theme be?

Human

Please chew on this one for a bit...see ya back here tomorrow...

Wordless Wednesday - Burned

Musically reflective
London, ON, March 2007

Quick note: This photo continues this week's Thematic Photographic journey through musically-themed pictures. If you've got one you'd like to share, it's not too late (come to think of it, it's never too late to share a vision or two. Just click here to get involved.)

I risk dating myself whenever I discuss my early experiences with vinyl records. The neat thing about an album was how you could sorta tell how the music played out by simply looking at the disc. You could see the tracks, identify the quiet and intense passages, almost feel the music with your eyes. And when you put the album oh so carefully on the turntable, the tactile connection between you and your music was sealed.

With apologies to the wizards who figured out how to digitize music, CDs just aren't the same. I wonder if our kids will have similarly soft recollections of their early years downloading, archiving and burning music to a digital medium. Doubtful.

Your turn: Got an early memory of recorded music? Do tell!

One more thing: Every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. EDT, we post the first Thematic Photographic entry for the coming week. Traditionally, we pre-announce the upcoming theme on Tuesday to give everyone a bit of time to think about what they'd like to shoot and share. With that in mind, the next TP theme will be...

Yellow

I haven't touched on colors yet, so I thought we'd launch with a bit of brightness.

Wordless Wednesday - Shellshocked

Garden variety
London, ON
April 2009
[Click to embiggen]

About this photo: It's round. So is every other photo we've been sharing this week as part of our latest Thematic Photographic theme. If you're a WW fan, I hope you'll click here and check this out, too...it adds an interesting twist to the usual photo meme.

Sometimes, you find the neatest things in the garden. My lovely wife happened across this critter while weeding out front, and after the kids oohed and aahed over the little critter, we decided some pictures were in order to remember the moment.

On the surface, it's a silly little snail with an obvious affinity for greenery. In the overall scheme of things, it's fairly trivial and almost always forgettable. Yet as I listened to our youngest son's voice buzz excitedly about a real snail in his garden, and as I watched our daughter lean in and provide a play-by-play as the snail wrapped itself around a leaf, I figured it was anything but trivial to them.

So out came the camera. Judging by the funny looks I got from passers-by, I know they were wondering why a grown man was creeping around his lawn on his knees. But it made the little folks happy, and until the bumble bees came out and scared them back inside the house - a story for another day - it reminded me yet again why being part of a family like ours is such a privilege.

Your turn: Spontaneous family moments. Please discuss.

What's next? Every Wednesday at exactly 7:00 p.m. EDT, I post the first Thematic Photographic entry for the coming week. To help get your head ready for the new theme, I often share it a bit early. With that in mind, next week's TP theme will be...

Musical

And if you're still hankering on some round-themed submissions, it's not too late to share your own by clicking here.

Wordless Wednesday - A rose is a rose

Red rose
London, ON, March 2007 [Click for extreme closeup]

About this photo: We're winding down our exploration of floral as part of this week's Thematic Photographic. There's still time to submit yours, if you wish. Just click here. We unveil the next TP theme tomorrow eve. Want a sneak peek? Read on...

My wife's got a thing for red roses. There's something about the way they open up to reveal a multi-layered world of absolute perfection. It's inspiring when you realize nature can create such loveliness from, well, nothing. A silly little plant, basically, becomes...this.

I need to bring these home more often. She deserves no less.

Your turn: What do flowers mean to you?

--
Ah yes, our next TP theme...You didn't think I'd forget, did you? It will be:

Round

Tune in tomorrow (Wednesday) at precisely 7:00 p.m. EDT when the first round-themed Thematic Photographic entry goes live on Written Inc. Looking forward to seeing what you've got!

Wordless Wednesday - Muffins

Why they're even better than yours, Wanda
London, ON, March 2009

Quick note: This photo completes our week-long journey through the wonderful world of edible goods. If you've got the stomach for it, you can see where it all began - and share your own - by clicking here. Otherwise, read on...we unveil next week's theme at the bottom of this entry.

I am married to a woman who has an almost mythical MacGyveresque ability in the kitchen. Whenever the kids are hungry - a virtual constant these days - she conjures up magically tasty dishes and meals, often seemingly from nothing.

It's a given that these muffins were delicious, as we all quietly picked at the pile until there were no more. But what I remember most isn't just how good they were. It's the quiet patter in the kitchen as she showed the kids how to make them. Little man fetched the ingredients, our daughter oversaw the recipe to ensure nothing was missed, our eldest son watched the timer like a hawk.

Sometimes, the reward has little to do with the food on your plate.

Your turn: Collaborative cooking. Please discuss. (And if you want to take a crack at guessing the origin of the caption under the photo, go for it.)

Ah yes, about next week's Thematic Photographic: Spring is in the air, so I thought we'd go...

Floral

At exactly 7:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday (hey, that's tomorrow!) I'll post the initial entry for next week's theme. What can you share? It could be literal pictures of flowers, or something more abstract - as long as you use your imagination and have fun in the process. For now, you have some time to mull over your shot.

Wordless Wednesday - Automotive reflection

Drop top
London, ON, March 2009 [Click to enlarge]

About this photo: We're rounding out our most recent Thematic Photographic theme, reflective. Feel free to add your own. The new theme hits the blog tomorrow at 7 p.m. What's it going to be? Scroll down to find out.

The '70s won't go down as a high water mark in the automotive industry. Strangled by soaring energy prices and tightening regulatory requirements, domestic automakers struggled to stay afloat. Hmm, sounds familiar.

This period is often called the "Malaise Era", and it produced a string of forgettable excuses for transportation. I'd argue that this car, a '75 Buick LeSabre convertible, would not be among them. It was, at least temporarily, the last of its kind as Detroit soon got out of the convertible business for a while. And as it loomed in the parking lot, my daughter and I stopped to admire this piece of thoughtfully restored rolling history.

Your turn: A car you remember...why is it significant to you?

Next up in Thematic Photographic: The theme for next week will be...

Edible

Please start thinking about what you'd like to share, and come on back after 7 p.m. Wednesday to participate.

Wordless Wednesday - So juicy

OJ...the drink, not the Simpson
London, ON, March 2009

About this photo: we're finishing off the Thematic Photographic drink theme (click here for more) and preparing for a new theme that goes live tomorrow. What will it be? Read on, McDuff...

I'm so not a morning person that I use every trick in the book to segue into the waking day with a little bit of happiness. This strategy includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Lighting - I sit in our south-facing kitchen with the table bathed in sunlight to chase the shadowy cobwebs of sleep out of my head.
• Drinking - orange juice. Because anything this color can't be anything BUT bright and happy.
• Listening - to the morning sounds of the house: kids pattering around, dog talking, kettle boiling...
• Discussing - anything and everything with my wife and kids. Morning banter has a unique rhythm to it, doesn't it?
  

Sometimes I also pull out the camera and try to take a picture that somehow captures the spirit of this transitional time.

Your turn: How do you do mornings?

Oops, almost forgot: Our next Thematic Photographic theme will be:

Drab

Check back here Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. ET, as I'll be posting the first entry for this theme at that time.

Wordless Wednesday - Pancaked

What's for breakfast?
London, ON, March 2009 [Click to embiggen]

What's the deal with this picture? It's a kitchen week. We're kitchening (yes, I invent words) for the next day or so, so if you're still hankering to share a pic of something in your eating/food preparation area, click here. Keep reading for an important message from this Thematic Photographic sponsor.

My wife is, without a doubt, an incredible cook. It's hard for me to keep the kids entertained with my attempts at grilled cheese, omelettes and banana bread when mom consistently sets the bar as high as she does. The good news: we're well fed. The surprise in all of this? That I don't weigh 300 pounds.

To wit, behold her pancakes. I can't just eat them and be done with it. I have to explore them with the camera before I tuck in. Because pictures help me remember how it feels to walk into the kitchen when everything is right with the world.

Some folks will look at this picture and see flapjacks. They're missing out on the full story.

Your turn: Happiness around the breakfast table. Please discuss.

Ah yes, the Thematic Photographic thing: We're still taking kitchen-themed submissions, and will continue doing so until 7 p.m. ET Wednesday. Head here to take part in that. At that precise time, I will be posting the new theme for the coming week. What is it? Glad you asked...

Drink

Start thinking about how you want to tackle it, and please check back tomorrow evening for the opening photo.

Wordless Wednesday - Snowflake nation

Prettily frozen
London, ON, March 2009 [Click to create a blizzard]

When you wake up in the morning to find the wondervan festooned with the entrails of winter, you can either grumble about the deicing job you're about to be forced into or you can reach for your camera and take a moment to remember something that exists for barely a blink.

In the end, life's not about what happens to you. It's about what you're willing to do about it.

Your turn: The power of attitude. Please discuss.

Oops, almost forgot: This photo begins the wind-down of our "transparent" theme. It's not too late to share yours. Just click here and have at it. Next week's Thematic Photographic theme will be...

Kitchen

The first entry will go live on this site tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:00 p.m. EDT. I look forward to seeing what you come up with, as kitchens are such vibrant playgrounds for anyone with a camera and an idea. Even if it's half-baked (sorry, couldn't resist!)

Wordless Wednesday - Crystallized

Brr...
London, ON, January 2009

Sorry this is yet another not-quite-wordless entry...I'm a writer, after all!

This entry completes our week-long run of winter-themed photos in support of the latest Thematic Photographic. It's not too late to share yours by heading here.

Tomorrow at precisely 7:00 p.m. ET, I'll be posting the new TP entry. To give you a fair shot at brainstorming some great ideas, the theme will be...

Transparent

If you can see through it, we want to see it (hmm, sounds obtuse, that...)

Wordless Wednesday - Impolite visitor

Was it something I said?
Deerfield Beach, FL, January 2009 [Click to enlarge the damage]

Welcome to my BlogHerAds visitors! Thank you for clicking the link at the bottom of the ad strip. I do hope you'll meander through an entry or two and leave a comment. I so appreciate your visit and would like to be able to return the favor. Click here to load the blog from the top.

All week long, we've been looking down and seeing some pretty neat things. I'm sorry we've only had a week to explore this theme, because frankly I could take lowdown pics forever and still never tire of it. Which raises the issue: can we reuse Thematic Photographic themes? Should we? I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.

Your turn: Two things, actually. 1) Please weigh in on whether TP themes could/should be reused. 2) If you haven't yet done so, click here to share your own down-themed pic.

Oops, I lied. Make that three things: Please set an alarm for tomorrow - Wednesday - at 7:00 p.m. ET. That's when the new Thematic Photographic entry goes up. So what's the theme? Why, up, of course. Because we need a little up these days. Happy mulling...

Wordless Wednesday - The bird of Tower 8

I'm so pretty
Deerfield Beach, FL, December 2008 [Click to enlarge]

We noticed this little munchkin as we sat on the beach and watched the sun rise (see here for more.) She was still there after an hour, sitting quietly on her perch at the base of the lifeguard tower. As you can tell, she let us get pretty close.

Your turn: This photo is the final one in our "simple" series. If you'd like to share a simple photo of your own, please click here. I'll be posting the new Thematic Photographic image tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Next week's theme will be "down". I'm already looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

One more thing: Caption This awaits your input as well. Head over here to embiggen your day.

Wordless Wednesday - Meet Darwin

Say hello to my little friend
Deerfield Beach, FL, December 2008 [Click to enlarge]

I've always wanted a pet dolphin. I know the logistics of my wish are simply impossible for anyone short of Donald Trump to fulfill. And even if I could afford a tank big enough to hold one, my wife would likely - and rightfully - veto any adoption proceedings.

But seeing one amble past the beach just after sunrise is a blessing that's difficult to describe. We named him "Darwin" because it just sounded right. He hung around for a bit, playing in the distant water, almost asking for us to appreciate his presence. We did, and won't soon forget our chance encounter where one world ends and another begins. Safe travels, our mammalian friend.

Your turn: This photo supports the most recent Thematic Photographic theme, surprise. To share yours, please click here. Our next TP theme goes live tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. If you'd like to chew on next week's theme, it's simple.

No, really, that's it: simple.

Wordless Wednesday - New life together

Just married
Deerfield Beach, FL, December 2008

About this photo: We've been sharing new-themed photos all week in support of Thematic Photographic. Today's shot touches on a new life for two strangers who happened to cross my path just before New Year's. Click here if you'd like to participate in the "new" theme. Scroll down if you'd like a sneak peek at the next Thematic Photographic theme.

When you're at the beach and you spot a bride and groom walking on the boardwalk, there's only one thing to do: grab your camera and run after them. Why? Because neat stuff like this happens so rarely. Because photography captures moments and freezes them forever. Because you never want to forget what it felt like Right Then.

So, with the blessing of my more-than-understanding wife, I sprinted in bare feet and just managed to breathlessly call out to them before they turned the corner on the next leg of their life's journey. I'm glad I did, and hope this is only the first of many such happies for this blessed couple.

Your turn: Ever have a truly spontaneous moment with your camera?

Almost forgot: At 7:00 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, I'll be posting the first entry for the new Thematic Photographic theme. They stay up for an entire week, so you'll have lots of time to share one photo - or as many photos as you wish. To give you a chance to rev up your creative engine, I like to advance-post the theme. So without further ado, the new theme will be...

Aged

It's a nice counterpoint to our previous theme. Speaking of which, we're still accepting contributions to last week's "new" theme. Click here for that, and drop back in Wed. at 7 p.m. for something aged.