Fun with Wordle

I was surfing through some blogs this week and I found an interesting little app that makes Word Clouds. The word cloud for this blog looks like this

It was fun seeing the words randomly set out. You can check it out at http://www.wordle.net/

Trying to Catch Up

It's been busy, but while I haven't been able to get online I have been trying to get some photos to post.

At this late date the only one's I think worth sharing are here; starting with a fantastic sunset I caught on the side of the road returning to the office Wednesday afternoon.

(click photo to enlarge)

Thursday brought about the great winds, not as bad as some in the mid-section of the country, but gusts of 50 - 60 mph. I can't remember the last time is was so bad. As I travelled to client locations the street closures from downed trees and powerlines were the worst I could remember. Getting about was difficult, but I couldn't really see the damage as I drove. All the damage was far behind the patrol cars and traffic cones strategically placed to keep us all safe and far away.

Then Friday came and on my daily drive past The Pond I came head on with a very disturbing sight. Thankfully the tree didn't fall in the other direction, it surely would've damaged someone's home.

(click photo to enlarge)

This pond is one of my favorite spots and this was a very upsetting scene.

But it wasn't until Saturday morning when we found this scene in our own backyard.

(click photo to enlarge)

It's amazing to me that we escaped any damage to the house, but that poor tree was fallen and broken. We obviously weren't home when it happened, the neighbors were as shocked as we because they didn't know it came down either. Funny it really makes you wonder, we're too busy to hear the thunderous cries of Nature around us.

When Big Utilities Fail Us

I've been away from my blog for quite some time, I try to post every couple of days or so but that hasn't worked for over a week and Verizon is mostly to blame. Yes, it's true sometimes just living life gets in the way, it happens to the best of us. But Verizon doesn't see any need to rush getting their DSL services running. I lost service on Monday night the 9th, after daily follow ups with their helpdesk and multiple closed tickets stating the service was restored (Not!) I was informed Thursday that they'd need to send out a technician. The next available appointment: Wednesday the 18th! Needless to say, I'm happily back on the 'net with another provider!

On a lighter note, as I struggle trying to improve my photography skills I should probably take some pointers from Kylie, she has it all figured out!

<br/><a href='http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?vid=533e05d2-9f12-4a86-bdda-efd0455fcd36' target='_new' title='Kylie'>Video: Kylie</a>

I'll be posting again soon, I've got to call Verizon to disconnect my service. (Before I'm billed again!)

Remembering Autumn

CloverDaleBog (43)
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Thanksgiving weekend I went with my brother and his friend on a walking tour of Cloverdale Park. A cranberry farm turned county park and brought along my then new Nikon D40. This shot is my favorite from that outing, I know the settings were all on "Auto" but I just got the camera and hadn't used my skills in a very long time.

We had a great time and I'm looking forward to going back during other seasons, especially when they fill the bog for the harvest! There are a couple shots from that walk in my Cloverdale Set on Flickr.

Back at the Pond

Back at the Pond
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

What a difference a day makes!

The snow is finally finished and a brand new day makes it all look fresh again. The ride to work today was full of sunshine and snow covered landscapes to enjoy. I wish I could stay out and play. See some more morning shots here

Tuesday Snow

Tuesday Snow
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

The day was gray, pictures taken in the morning were all gray. But, the snow just kept falling and as gray as it was I felt just a bit like I was living in a snow globe.

As I left the office the snow was still coming down and I saw some warmth in this scene, along with opportunity to adjust some settings to get this shot.

Another family treasure

Belle
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

You would never know that our lovely Belle was even around, no the pictures so far seem to all be of Maddox. Our young yorkie who just takes command and is oh so jealous.

Lovely Belle just does her best to stay away, far away from the young, attention hungry little dog that invaded her space two years ago.