Schamis

Ten Years Ago Today - Eastland's First Birthday Party

2012-02-16T19:40:00.002-05:00

Ten Years Ago Today - Eastland's First Birthday Party, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Eastland's first birthday party was ten years ago today. The entire family (both sides) gathered at Michelle's parents' house as a Presidents' Day Weekend snow storm moved into the area. Eastland danced on his presents for the cheering crowd before moving to the seat of honor where he demolished a special cake, made just for him.

Behind the Glasses - 37/40

2012-02-15T20:26:00.001-05:00

Behind the Glasses - 37/40, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

#37 of 40 at Forty

Crystal Butterfly

2012-02-14T20:00:00.001-05:00

Crystal Butterfly, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Eleven Years Old and a Homemade Cake

2012-02-13T20:15:00.001-05:00

Eleven Years Old and a Homemade Cake, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Eastland's eleventh birthday was today, February 13th, 2012. Hard to believe.

Meat Hearts

2012-02-12T19:44:00.001-05:00

Meat Hearts, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

I saw these while grocery shopping this morning and couldn't resist pulling out my phone to take a quick photo as I pushed the cart on by. What better way to say "I love you" to that someone special than with a meat heart?

I wonder if there's a greater purpose

2012-02-11T20:18:00.001-05:00

I wonder if there's a greater purpose, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Found this and a number of other similar constructions in the woods this afternoon. Someone has taken plastic bags and built small tents and rain catchers out of them. This particular one was right at the top of the overlook from the parking area, situated between an old burnt out fire pit and an enormous fallen log. I wonder if there's a greater purpose involved.

Bluebird Skies on the Morning Commute

2012-02-09T20:15:00.001-05:00

Bluebird Skies on the Morning Commute, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Thank you for the snow

2012-02-08T20:10:00.001-05:00

Thank you for the snow, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Even just a little bit of snow makes it feel like Winter. I know it will be gone by noon tomorrow, but at least it's here tonight.

The Kids. Blended.

2012-02-07T20:17:00.002-05:00

The Kids. Blended., a photo by schamis on Flickr.

What would the kids look like if you took Eastland's hair, Levi's eyes, and Savannah's nose and smile and blended them all together into one?

I imagine it might look something like this. Strangely familiar and yet somewhat creepy.

The last five Christmas lights

2012-02-06T21:12:00.001-05:00

The last five Christmas lights, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

The last five Christmas lights

Ready for the Superbowl

2012-02-05T10:53:00.001-05:00

Ready for the Superbowl, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Last night before bed, I came upstairs to find Savannah digging through her clothes.

"I need to get my Eagles outfit," she told me, "the Superbowl is tomorrow."

She found a jersey, a sweatshirt, a pair of green striped shorts and some long green socks. This morning, she came down with her Eagles helmet and a pair of gloves. She's ready for the Superbowl, even if the actual Eagles aren't.

The two-headed song bird returns to the nest

2012-02-03T20:49:00.001-05:00

The two-headed song bird returns to the nest, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

String Theory

2012-02-02T19:54:00.002-05:00

String Theory, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

In a list of the top ten all time toys for kids, string is somewhere in the top five. The kids found a ball of string earlier this evening. Before we knew it, they had strung it back and forth and up and down around the art room, creating an obstacle course to be reckoned with.

The Creek is the best part of the Woods

2012-02-01T20:33:00.001-05:00

The Creek is the best part of the Woods, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

It's the first of February and today, down by the creek in the woods, we came upon a snake sunning himself on the rocks. It was 65 degrees and sunny, but just to be clear, snakes are not supposed to be out sunning themselves in February around here. There's supposed to be snow and ice and cold weather, not snakes and thick green moss and flowing creeks. Nevertheless, Forrest doesn't seem to mind the weather. In fact, I think he'd agree that the creek is the best part of the woods, no matter what season we're having.

Savannah on her little skis

2012-01-31T20:36:00.001-05:00

Savannah on her little skis, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

This one is from Family Night at the local ski hill last Sunday evening. I just can't get enough of Savannah on her little skis in the full outfit, complete with goggles.

Fire Eater - 36/40

2012-01-30T20:50:00.001-05:00

Fire Eater - 36/40, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

#36 of 40 at Forty

Are you sure this is January?

2012-01-29T20:49:00.001-05:00

Are you sure this is January?, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

This is what the woods look like these days. We've had virtually no snow and the average temperature for the last month has been well above freezing. The weather seems appropriate for late March, perhaps, but certainly not January.

Candy Sushi

2012-01-29T08:49:00.001-05:00

Candy Sushi, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Michelle and the kids made sushi out of rice crispies, fruit rollups, and swedish fish. A coworker of mine suggested the idea and, I have to admit, not only do they look like sushi, but they're quite tasty.

Ten Years Ago Today - Eastland and Riley

2012-01-27T20:42:00.001-05:00

Eastland, just a few weeks shy of his first birthday, poking his good pal and first word, Riley, in the nose.

A Brief Look at Indoor Disc

2012-01-26T20:26:00.001-05:00

A Brief Look at Indoor Disc a video by schamis on Flickr.

One of Forrest's favorite games is indoor disc. When it's dark and cold and rainy, the soft dogobies are great fun. Forrest could spend all day doing tricks and running circles around me as long as I keep tossing the discs.

Savannah on Skis

2012-01-25T20:18:00.001-05:00

Savannah on Skis, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Midway through her first time on skis, Savannah took a moment to pose. Notice the perfect stance, complete with her skis in a "pizza wedge" to help her stop. In case you're not up to speed on the latest lingo, what we used to call a snowplow is now called pizza. Pointing your skis straight downhill is called fries. Fries are fast food, pizza is slow food. Get it? Makes perfect sense to the kids.

Hearts

2012-01-24T20:25:00.001-05:00

Hearts, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Valentine's Day may still be weeks away, but the decorations are already up.

The Next Dimension - 35/40

2012-01-23T20:48:00.001-05:00

The Next Dimension - 35/40, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

#35 of 40 at Forty

Levi learns to Snowboard

2012-01-22T20:57:00.001-05:00

Levi learns to Snowboard, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Sunday evening was Levi's turn up at Spring Mountain. Our goal this Winter is to teach all three kids how to ski or snowboard, and this evening was Levi's first time on a snowboard. He had a really good lesson and even showed me some of what he learned before we took a break for dinner. After a plate full of lodge pizza and chicken fingers, we took several trips up the lift before it was finally time to get home and ready for bed. He should be pro in no time.

Snow is Serious

2012-01-21T14:02:00.001-05:00

Snow is Serious, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Forrest has been out all day in the snow. He's been refusing to come inside. Snow is the best.

Four Legs to Imitate the Table

2012-01-19T20:06:00.001-05:00

Four Legs to Imitate the Table, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Mid-Winter Wooded Sunrise

2012-01-18T20:00:00.001-05:00

Mid-Winter Wooded Sunrise, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

The sun can appear so distant and cold in the middle of Winter. It does it's best to heat the world, but the deck isn't stacked in its favor.

It'll even remind you of the beach

2012-01-17T20:14:00.001-05:00

It'll even remind you of the beach, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

I grabbed this photo on the way home this evening on a road I don't often travel. It goes past an old, abandoned quarrey, a garage full of concrete trucks, and a huge turnpike construction site. It's a huge industrial scar right on the edge of one of the most beautiful areas in the country. The sun was setting as I drove past the old abandoned quarrey, so I slowed to a stop, opened my window, and quickly held my phone up to grab the sunset through a rare break in the scrub brush that lines the road. It was a beautiful sunset, despite the devastation. If you squint hard enough, it'll even remind you of the beach.

Lonely Leaf Winter

2012-01-16T20:29:00.001-05:00

Lonely Leaf Winter, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Halfway through January with no snow, it's no surprise that the woods are still full of leaves and there's plenty of bright green moss along the creeks and on the sunnier rock outcroppings.

Forrest and the Big Rocks

2012-01-15T20:47:00.001-05:00

Forrest and the Big Rocks, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

One final try with the tilt shift effect. It's been an unusual Winter around here. The only snow we've seen to speak of was way back in October. Since then it's been unseasonably warm. Even when the weather's turned cold, the lack of snow means there's still plenty of green and brown to be found in the bare woods when Forrest and I get out for our morning runs.

Show me a Monster

2012-01-14T13:40:00.001-05:00

Show me a Monster, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Two dogs. Watching.

2012-01-13T15:15:00.001-05:00

Two dogs. Watching., a photo by schamis on Flickr.

The Day the Spaceship Landed

2012-01-11T20:11:00.002-05:00

The Day the Spaceships Landed, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Rediscovering an Old Favorite

2012-01-10T20:12:00.001-05:00

Rediscovering an Old Favorite, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

One of the odd things about all these new smart devices, particularly as the apps continue to get better, is how they often seem to inspire real world discovery. Jenga recently released an app that allows you to play the game on your phone or even play against somebody else in turn-based play. The physics are quite good and the gameplay feels pretty realistic.

Levi saw grandpop and me playing the game a while back and, as a result, finally realized what that old container of Jenga pieces in the cabinet was for. This Sunday, I walked into the kitchen and was greeted by Levi, staring at a freshly-built tower he had constructed. With a smile, he looked over at me, "Want to play?"

There's a face in the mirror

2012-01-09T20:04:00.001-05:00

There's a face in the mirror, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Savannah joined me the other morning on a quest to get photos of the sunrise. I looked up while we were parked at one of the overlooks and what do I see in the mirror, but her bright little face staring back at me. The sunrise took a distant second that morning.

All Stopped Up - 34/40

2012-01-08T20:33:00.001-05:00

All Stopped Up - 34/40, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Nothing like a mid-Winter head cold to stop you in your tracks. My stuffed-up nose and coughing finally got bad enough this morning for me to bite the bullet and visit a Minute-Clinic down the street. I got a few prescriptions that will hopefully pull the cork from my head and clear things up.

#34 of 40 at Forty

Friday Night Ski School

2012-01-07T10:32:00.001-05:00

Friday Night Ski School, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Eastland went skiing for the first time last night. We went up to the local ski hill with his school's ski club. He had a nice long lesson while I enjoyed some runs on the hill. Once his lesson was over, and after a quick dinner, we did a few runs together to practice some of his new skills. There's another trip next Friday, and I'm just hoping the rain and warm weather stays away long enough for us to get a few weeks of the club trips in this year.

The Surveyor

2012-01-05T20:43:00.001-05:00

The Surveyor, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Once atop the cliffs, Forrest likes to pause for a few moments to look back towards the parking lot and make sure no one's been following us.

Just a simple portrait of Levi

2012-01-04T20:02:00.001-05:00

Just a simple portrait of Levi, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

I found myself in a Holiday fruit basket - 33/40

2012-01-03T19:56:00.001-05:00

I found myself in a Holiday fruit basket - 33/40, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

#33 of 40 at Forty

The Post-Xmas Christmas Tree

2012-01-02T20:28:00.001-05:00

The Post-Xmas Christmas Tree, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

It seems such a shame to throw out a perfectly good tree once the Holiday's over. So the next stop for our Christmas tree is typically the back yard. It gets stood upright and strapped to a fence post then Michelle hangs seed-covered peanut butter ornaments from the branches for the birds. It'll stay this way for several months now until Springtime comes. At that point, we'll finally cut it into bits and use what remains of the needles and branches in the garden.

Grandpop on New Year's Eve

2012-01-02T08:04:00.001-05:00

Grandpop on New Year's Eve, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

New Year's Ball-Drop Cupcake

2012-01-01T09:05:00.001-05:00

New Year's Ball-Drop Cupcake, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

We had a wonderful dinner for New Year's Eve: cheese plate, shrimp cocktail, grilled steak, and assorted sides and salads. For dessert, Michelle made fancy ball-drop cupcakes using starburst candy, donut holes, and lots of melted chocolate.

Happy New Year!

The Last Sunrise of 2011

2011-12-31T09:34:00.001-05:00

The Last Sunrise of 2011, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Soup is good food

2011-12-30T20:26:00.001-05:00

Soup is good food, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Michelle succumbs to a lighting test

2011-12-29T21:15:00.001-05:00

Michelle succumbs to a lighting test, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

A friend of mine donated his unwanted halogen studio lights to me this morning. After a bit of haggling, I finally convinced Michelle to stand-in as a lighting test-subject for me this evening. One 1000W soft box and a 650W direct light make for a nice balanced pair of lights. Of course, a friendly and willing model certainly helps the cause.

Forrest

2011-12-28T21:28:00.001-05:00

Forrest, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Levi and his Netbook

2011-12-27T20:10:00.001-05:00

Levi and his Netbook, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Levi's big present this year was a new netbook computer. The kids have all started off sharing an old desktop machine that sits downstairs next to mine. Last year, Eastland got his own netbook and has since moved off of the shared machine. This year was Levi's turn. Thus far, Savannah's been pretty happy with the computer downstairs and hasn't wanted her own computer. Instead, she's been focused on asking for and iPod (which she got) and perhaps a tablet of some sort. Desktop computers, it seems, are quickly becoming a thing of the past.

Self - 32/40

2011-12-26T20:27:00.001-05:00

Self - 32/40, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

#32 of 40 at Forty

Candles. Burning.

2011-12-24T20:05:00.001-05:00

Candles. Burning., a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Watching the Candles Burn Down

2011-12-23T19:30:00.001-05:00

Watching the Candles Burn Down, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Watching the Candles Burn Down

Mr. Snowman presents the Menorah

2011-12-22T20:16:00.001-05:00

Mr. Snowman presents the Menorah, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Savannah

2011-12-21T20:16:00.001-05:00

Savannah, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Old Man Spencer on the Leopard Print

2011-12-20T20:32:00.001-05:00

Old Man Spencer on the Leopard Print, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

He thinks he matches.

Focus on the moment...

2011-12-19T20:05:00.001-05:00

Focus on the moment..., a photo by schamis on Flickr.

You never know when that moment might pass.

National Bank of Phoenixville

2011-12-18T19:49:00.001-05:00

National Bank of Phoenixville, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Savannah with Santa

2011-12-17T19:40:00.001-05:00

Savannah with Santa, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

This morning, Savannah mentioned that she needed to go see Santa. She told her mother that she wanted to sit on his lap and tell him what was on her list. I'm pretty sure that her big brother has spilled the beans about Santa and Savannah has clearly been wrestling with the idea of Santa. Savannah is still is Kindergarten and her friends all still believe. So Savannah wasn't going to take any chances this year and made sure we got her to see Santa while there was still time.

After lunch, we walked Savannah downtown to see Santa. There's a small house (a shed, really) set up in the middle of Bridge Street in downtown Phoenixville where Santa sits and listens to kids' wish lists all day long from Friday evening through Sunday. It's nothing fancy, not like the big mall set ups, but it was just what Savannah was looking for. We took a few photos while she quietly let him know she wanted a stuffed animal and an iPod. He listened patiently, let out a big laugh, and offered her a piece of candy.

Afterwards, Savannah was noticeably more relaxed. Christmas was now covered.

The Firebird Burns

2011-12-16T20:46:00.001-05:00

The Firebird Burns, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Another shot from last weekend's Firebird Festival here in Phoenixville.

Kaleidoscope Me - 31/40

2011-12-15T20:25:00.001-05:00

Kaleidoscope Me - 31/40, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Google has been running a promotion for the last ten days, selling cool Android apps for ten cents each. Today was the last day of the promo and I picked up a goofy camera app called Camera Zoom FX. One of the most useless modes was a Kaleidoscope feature. #31 of 40 at Forty.

Mr. Snowman with Bonus Holiday Bokeh

2011-12-14T20:34:00.001-05:00

Mr. Snowman with Bonus Holiday Bokeh, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Ornament

2011-12-13T20:17:00.001-05:00

Ornament, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Twisted Glass

2011-12-12T19:58:00.001-05:00

Twisted Glass, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

On the way to watch the Firebird burn, we stopped to watch some glass blowing in the front window of Twisted Glass in Phoenixville, PA

2011 Phoenixville Firebird Festival - The Burn Begins

2011-12-11T10:55:00.001-05:00

2011 Phoenixville Firebird Festival - The Burn Begins, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

2011 Phoenixville Firebird Festival

2011-12-10T20:47:00.001-05:00

2011 Phoenixville Firebird Festival, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

2011 Phoenixville Firebird Festival

After dinner games (pano mode)

2011-12-10T18:05:00.001-05:00

After dinner games (pano mode), a photo by schamis on Flickr.

After dinner games (pano mode)

Three Little Pigs (Christmas Light Edition)

2011-12-09T20:28:00.001-05:00

Three Little Pigs (Christmas Light Edition), a photo by schamis on Flickr.

The Lamp Inside and the Lights Outside

2011-12-08T20:11:00.001-05:00

The Lamp Inside and the Lights Outside, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Rain fell on the back window last night, ushering in a cold front that saw the temperature drop thirty degrees by morning. It was night to be on the inside, looking out at the holiday lights.

One Two Three...Jump!

2011-12-07T19:53:00.001-05:00

One Two Three...Jump!, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Miss Kitty

2011-12-06T19:48:00.001-05:00

Miss Kitty, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Face Paint

2011-12-05T19:21:00.001-05:00

Face Paint, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Face Paint

The Monster that lives by the Front Door

2011-12-04T19:46:00.001-05:00

The Monster that lives by the Front Door, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Santa arrives in Phoenixville

2011-12-03T20:05:00.001-05:00

Santa arrives in Phoenixville, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Let the Holidays officially begin!

Michelle with All Three

2011-12-02T18:39:00.001-05:00

Michelle with All Three, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

To finish up portrait week, I present to you a shot of Michelle and all three kids.

Whereupon Levi perfects his smile

2011-12-01T20:13:00.001-05:00

Whereupon Levi perfects his smile, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Levi is hyperaware of his smile at present. The moment he sees a camera, he tightens his lips, pulls back his cheeks, and reveals a neat set of new teeth. Now that he's perfected his smile, next up we'll work on relaxing in front of the camera.

Portrait Week Continues

2011-11-30T20:04:00.001-05:00

Portrait Week Continues, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Let's close out November the same way we started it, with a shot of Savannah.

Me with a messed up collar and my beautiful wife - 30/40

2011-11-29T20:24:00.001-05:00

Me with a messed up collar and my wife - 30/40, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Where we pose as tourists five miles from home in Valley Forge.

#30 of 40 at Forty

Eastland

2011-11-28T20:20:00.001-05:00

Eastland, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Three on the Monument

2011-11-27T15:52:00.001-05:00

Three on the Monument, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

An absolutely beautiful day to be out in the local (national) parks. Thought I'd try out the camera on the new phone while we were playing around the Washington Memorial.

Orange

2011-11-26T20:10:00.001-05:00

Orange, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Clementines, actually.

Tis the Season

2011-11-25T19:44:00.001-05:00

Tis the Season, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

The day after Thanksgiving, lights went up to try and beat back the darkness. They'll stay up for a month or so, just long enough for us to get comfortable with the long cold Winter nights.

Turkey with a Bacon Weave

2011-11-24T19:53:00.001-05:00

Turkey with a Bacon Weave, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

It was delicious.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Twenty Years of Driver's Licenses - 29/40

2011-11-23T20:33:00.001-05:00

Twenty Years of Driver's Licenses - 29/40, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

I've been driving for twenty-four years. The state of Pennsylvania requires drivers to have their photo retaken every four years and I've managed to save all but my first license. I was twenty years old in 1991.

Not exactly a self-portrait, but I'm still going to include it in the series.

#29 of 40 at Forty

Thanksgiving Brine

2011-11-22T20:10:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving Brine, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Equal parts soup stock and apple juice.
Add a fist full each of salt and brown sugar.
Throw in some whole cloves, a bit of allspice, and some pepper.
Bring to a boil.
Let cool for 24 hours before soaking your bird.

Cut Log

2011-11-21T20:15:00.001-05:00

Cut Log, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

I do what I can to keep the local trails in good shape. One we get a few hundred yards from the parking lot, it's rare that we'll see other people on the trails in the local park. So I try and do my part and clear brush, fallen branches, or other debris or random bits of trash from the trail whenever it collects after a storm. What I don't have is a good chainsaw, so I need to leave the bigger logs for someone else to take care of. Without fail, there is at least one other trail builder in the local park who shows up with a saw and keeps the big stuff in check. His handiwork is much appreciated.

Today's Walk

2011-11-20T19:23:00.001-05:00

Today's Walk, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

It's been over a week since Forrest and I got out into the woods for a proper walk, let alone a run. We didn't get out for a run today (I still have too much junk in my lungs), but we did get out for a proper hike that even included some foraging in the waterfall pools midway up the ravine.

The 2011 Phoenixville Firebird

2011-11-19T20:18:00.001-05:00

The 2011 Phoenixville Firebird, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Phoenixville 2011 Firebird will be lit aflame on December 10th this year at approximately 8pm. The bird's been built up on a small hill this year and should provide stellar views for all in attendance.

Nuclear Power

2011-11-18T19:38:00.001-05:00

Nuclear Power, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Surfing the Medicine Cabinet - 28/40

2011-11-17T20:14:00.002-05:00

Surfing the Medicine Cabinet - 28/40, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

I've been surfing the medicine cabinet for the past week, first fighting a fever with over-the-counter remedies and then, after a cough developed, fighting bronchitis with some prescriptions. Last weekend was beautiful, 70 and sunny. I spent most of it inside wearing a hat and fleece coat, trying to stay warm against the chills of my stressed immune system. I'm finally starting to feel better, but I'm a little put out that I've missed such a perfect stretch of November.

#28 of 40 at Forty.

Midsummer Zinnia

2011-11-16T19:53:00.001-05:00

Midsummer Zinnia, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

It's raining today and the sun was long gone by five in the afternoon. The leaves are all off the trees and I have an upper respiratory infection that's been preventing me from getting out for my daily runs with Forrest, not to mention the coughing fits that come and go and typically leave throbbing headaches and nausea in their wake.

I'm usually a big fan of Autumn and few months rank higher on my list than November, but this one's doing its darndest to kick my ass. Enjoy this pretty flower from midsummer while I see if I can find any of that special cough syrup in the back of our medicine cabinet.

Fern

2011-11-15T07:47:00.001-05:00

Fern, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Michelle washes Lacie while Forrest cheers her on

2011-11-13T18:20:00.001-05:00

Michelle washes Lacie while Forrest cheers her on, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Another fine morning in the woods

2011-11-12T19:57:00.001-05:00

Another fine morning in the woods, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Foggy Morning at Lock 60

2011-11-10T20:49:00.001-05:00

Foggy Morning at Lock 60, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

The End of Another Morning Run - 27/40

2011-11-09T20:22:00.001-05:00

The End of Another Morning Run - 27/40, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

There are two options for Forrest and me to consider when ending our typical morning trail run. We can turn sharp left and head back up over the cliffs and then down the ravine back to the car, which is what we often do when I feel like running uphill a bit longer. We can also turn right and run downhill to the River, where Forrest gets to swim for a while and it's just a quick and fast flat mile back to the parking lot. Technically, there's no wrong decision.

#27 of 40 at Forty.

Election Day

2011-11-08T20:21:00.001-05:00

Election Day, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Local Elections were held today. We voted. We always vote. Whether it's the primaries or the general election, we take the kids down the street to the Civic Center and, together, we vote. Eastland helped me today, picking his favorite candidate for each of the local offices that were in contention. We'll know tomorrow who won. But today we voted.

Posing on the Monument

2011-11-07T20:38:00.001-05:00

Posing on the Monument, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

The Calendar Shot - November

2011-11-06T13:41:00.001-05:00

The Calendar Shot - November, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Turn Seven at the Last Race of the Season

2011-11-05T19:38:00.001-04:00

Turn Seven at the Last Race of the Season, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Black and White Dog on a Peach and Blue Background

2011-11-04T20:30:00.001-04:00

Black and White Dog on a Peach and Blue Background, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

My other choice for a title was simply "Forrest"

Happy Furry Friday!

Ten Years Ago - First Steps

2011-11-03T20:33:00.001-04:00

Ten Years Ago - First Steps, a photo by schamis on Flickr.

Eastland taking his first steps in early November, 2001. He was nine months old.