Friday the 13th, dunnnnh, dunnnnh, dunnnnhhhhhh

Hola and happy Friday the 13th!

Gosh -- what can you say to friends who give you an opportunity to take pictures from a helicopter????????? How about THANK YOU VERRRRYYYYYY MUCHHHHH! I got the opportunity to take pictures of the Windthorst football field from high in the sky in my friend John's helicopter. My dear friend (and fellow photography enthusiast) Elizabeth, who just happens to be married to John, asked me if I'd like to take pictures of the new Windthorst Trojans' football field. It took me about .00000001 seconds to say "YES"!

John doing his instruments check, me giving a very crooked thumbs up!

Bumming Elizabeth's camera again!

Up, up and awayyyyyyyyyy!

Things I learned on today's flight:

1. Plowed dirt looks amazing from up high.
2. Cows don't look so tough from up above.
3. Man, every fourth house in Wichita Falls has a swimming pool (where's my invite???).
4. Not everybody uses their pool for swimming, some use it for algae growth, frog ponds, or mosquito pools.
5. I sure enjoy flying!

Anyhoo, here's what the new Windthorst football field looks like from the air.

And finally, some artwork from today's helicopter flight.

We landed next to runway 13 -- no kidding!

Thank you John and Elizabeth for a really fun morning!  You two are the best!

Here's to good friends -- and the weekend!

;+)  Frances

2/2 Twozday and the start of fifty/fifty fotos (or f3)

Hola and happy Ground Hog Day.  From what I understand, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today so it's six more weeks of winter.  I performed my own ground hog day test around 11:30 a.m. CST today.  Now please note, had I done my testing at 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. this morning, I would have had the opposite results.

As you can see from the pictures below, my moose is clearly casting a shadow -- so to back up Punx Phil's result, it's six more weeks of winter!

Hank loves stuffed animals and was trying to carry my moose away.

On to my fifty/fifty fotos -- or code name f3 -- I'm not clever enough, or probably more accurately not committed enough to do a 365 day photo blog.  So -- I'm biting the bullet and committing myself to a foto a day for fifty days using my fifty mm lens.  I applaud all the photo bloggers who commit to a 365 day photo blog -- because, even though it sounds easy (taking a picture a day), it's really not.  It takes an investment in time, energy, and creative juices.  365 Photo Bloggers are awesome and inspiring!!!!

All the photos on today's post were shot with my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens (except for the WFLAR Magzine cover which was scanned).  I so would love to have Elizabeth's Nikon f/1.4 lens (hey Rick, maybe for our 50th wedding anniversary????)!

My friend who has challenged me to commit to this project is fellow photographer Elizabeth Borland Hawley.  Elizabeth is a writer, editor and photographer extraordinaire.  I equate her to the Energizer Bunny on creative cola!

Here's Elizabeth, the Founding Editor of the Wichita Falls Literature and Arts Review Magazine hard at work.

We were preparing the WFLAR Winter 2010 for mailing.

 

 

If you are a local artist and would like to submit to the magazine, check out their website for more information.  

Well it's over and out -- have a great evening!

;~D Frances

PS - please consider becoming a subscriber to the WFLAR!!!!!!

Donating Platelets Day at the American Red Cross NT Chapter

Hola and happy Monday!

Today was my platelet donation day at the North Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross office here in Wichita Falls, Texas. So-I thought I'd take you along for the ride!

I've been doing this for a number of years (maybe five years or so). Why, I do such a good job at donating platelets that they've given me an A+. Or is that my blood type?????

Anyhoo, I started out donating blood, and then one of the ladies there suggested I try platelets. Well, let me tell you -- other than the time involved -- I like it a whole lot better!

I feel like a rock star at a spa whenever I go! I mean, they wrap me up in warm electric blankets, bring me drinks (non-alcoholic of course), and snacks whenever I hollah --  why, they even provide me with a tv to watch and a computer to surf the internet with! I get so cozy that I hate to leave!!!!!

I can splain it so much better in pictures. Now please remember, some of these were taken with one hand - my left hand (try that someday)!!!

 

Making sure my iron count is good

Got my computer, tv, and heated blankets going!

Marion "Trouble" Robinson and Jan Lucas chatting it up!

Marion and I are ready for the beverage cart!

Nothing like a bubbly coke to wake you up!/Almost finished!

All done!  L picture - blood being sent back and plasma.  R top - blood sent back. R bottom -- there's my platelets!

Well, I hope I've inspired you  to get out and donate blood or platelets.  It's an easy way that you can help others who are going through some tough health issues.  If you can pump an inflated ball every five seconds, lay on a cozy bed and watch tv or play on a computer, you can do this!!!  Now get out there and head to your local Red Cross Chapter and sign up!!!

To learn more about donating platelets, check out the American Red Cross' website.

I need to give a shout out to the lovely and evah so patient ladies at the ARC -- thank you Ashley, Jan, Jennifer, and Kim  for making the donation process easy!

Have a great Monday ya'll!

;~D  Frances

Carolyn's Christmas Ornament Exchange Party

Hola and Happy Wednesday to you all!  The sun is out -- but it doesn't mean it's warm outside!!!!  Brrrrrrrrr  -- how many more days of Winter (yes, I am a big, huge, sissy)??????

Here are some pictures from my friend Carolyn's annual Christmas Ornament Exchange Party!  Carolyn gave us all a special treat this year -- by inviting Gitana (sp??) to sing a few songs for us before dinner.  Gitana is attending MSU right now -- and has a beautiful, sweet, soprano voice!

These ladies are truly a blessing to me!

Hope you enjoy them -- and your day!

;~'}  Frances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Tuesday

Carolyn

First of all - Carolyn is the hostess with the mostess! Every year -- she gathers her friends together for her annual Christmas Ornament exchange party! I don't get to see some of these wonderful ladies -- but once a year at Carolyn's party.

I told her way back after my first party -- that she has the best and truly lovely group of friends -- I still believe it to this day!

I don't have much time to work on the pictures I took last night cuz I'm meeting my friend Elizabeth for a tour of Sheppard Air Force Base -- so I thought I'd hunker down and at least get a few pictures off!

Coco trying to help herself to Charla's dessert

Before I close, I want to give Becky a huge cyber hug and thank you for the bread making book and tools!  I made the Roasted Galic Potato Bread from the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day book that she gave me -- and it was a hit!!!!  The bread was moist and flavorful, and the crust was chewy/crunchy.

I made an extra loaf for Rick -- and when I got back from the party -- he told me that he had to pull himself away from the bread -- in order to save me a piece!!!!   Woo hoo!  You can't imagine how thrilled I am that I can now --- finally --- make bread!  This is the third recipe I've made from the book -- and all three came out looking good and tasting great!  If you know someone who likes or would like to make homemade bread -- order them a copy of this book.  You'll be their hero (and hey -- you might even get a loaf or two)!

Have a great Tuesday -- and check back later for more pics from last night's party!

Take care -- Fraces

Wichita Falls Family and Pet Portraits | Carolyn and Birdie

Okay -- since I don't have any grandchildren yet, can I brag on my granddog?????? OMG -- Birdie is sooooooo smart!  Carolyn and Michael have enrolled Birdie in dog obedience training -- and by golly, he's catching on!   He can sit -- and most importantly, he can stay!  I've always wanted to teach my dogs that -- but, they're not having any part of the "stay" command!

Anyhoo, we took the Bird Man out for a walk. This was a perfect opportunity to catch a quick shot of him while he was "staying" -- so we can prove to Rick that Birdie in fact is paying attention in class!

He's full of energy and oozzzezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz love.

Annnnddddd -- before I make my own critters upset, here's a shot of my little chunky monkey -- Lola!

Time to sign off and start the Pink Vodka Sauce!

Have a wonderful weekend!

:~'} Frances

It's a Small, Small, World

Cheryl and friends (Cheryl is in the center)





I'm still amazed at what happened on Friday night. Rick and I were at the Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City for the Rangers/Royals game. We were in one of the shops buying some ball caps -- when a voice from behind me at the register said "what are you doing here?". I turned around and it's my friend Cheryl Smith from Wichita Falls, Texas. She had flown in that morning to visit some friends - and decided to take in a game!

Rick and I were just blown away that we actually new someone in the stadium! We talked about how a variety of events could have caused us to not meet that evening!

Anyhoo -- we had a great time, the Rangers won, and we were treated to fireworks after the game!

Our stay in Kansas City was fantastic (I even got to have Chick Fil A for breakfast -- mmmm, mmmm, yummy) and I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will make a trip out again. We are getting ready to head out to Boston next week, so pictures of KC will have to wait until I get back from bean town.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love you - Frances

Carolyn's Christmas Party

Thank you Carolyn for another fabulous Christmas party. Carolyn has been hosting this annual event for as long as I can remember -- and it is something I look forward to immediately after it's over! We had a few friends who couldn't make it this year because they were under the weather -- a huge hug and get well to Lisa, Judy, Charla, and Wanda. We missed you -- and out of respect for you we also ate your portions!!!!!! :) Michael -- the soup was terrific! Please feel free to make another batch and bring it by - anything I can do to help cultivate your culinary skills you know!

Here are some of the viewable pics from the party. Note to self. Use the tripod. Yes, I brought it, and Yes, I am way to lazy to use it. Next year, I will use it. My hands are not steady enough to take pics in low light. I fooled myself into thinking that using a really high ISO would solve the problem. Nope, it just gave me grainy and fuzzy pics. Here are the best of the batch.

Again -- Thank you Carolyn for a wonderful night of fellowship, food, laughs. I love you all! PS -- check out the pic of Scruffy Butt and Pepper (you can barely see Pepper)!