photo contest

Okay, if I haven't said so on this blog, I have a job. Not the jobs I have been doing for years; quilting, sewing, working at the church, taking care of children, parents, hubby and pets. No, it's a paying job. I get a paycheck every couple of weeks, and I have to report to work on a schedule, and follow rules and such. It's not so bad, after the initial shock wore off.
There is a photo contest at work. I have a new camera. The contest is monthly and the winner of the previous month gets to pick the topic of the current month. This month's topic is "Old Tombstones". The winner from last month's "Storm Clouds" has chosen this topic and already posted her challenge. It is a picture of Lester Moore's tombstone in the Boothill Cemetary of Tombstone, AZ. The site is very touristy, many many people take the same exact photo, standing in the same exact place.
I have lost 2 months so far. I would like to eventually submit a photo good enough to win. Here are my photos of some "old tombstones", tell me which ones to submit. I can submit two.

Praying Angel


Little Lamb



Mama


Sunlit



All Lined Up


Little Girl


Question: Do you think taking pics of tombstones is morbid or fascinating or morbidly fascinating?
There is a graveyard in Fernandina that is very old and beautiful to boot, called Bosque Bello. It has some prominent residents, and some very interesting life stories within it's fences. I could take an afternoon to go there and have a photo shoot with dead folks. They don't make sudden movements and they aren't worried about their makeup. These photos were taken in a small cemetary just a half mile away.

Lazy Sunday

After a late breakfast at Barbara Jean's, Gerald and I took a leisurely drive down A1A. We stopped at Kingsley Plantation to stretch our legs.

As we browsed the bookshop, the ranger announced the upcoming house tour. We strolled on over.

We didn't realize how rare house tours were. Apparently, because of structural integrity, only small groups are allowed once a week. Here, the main staircase has had to be braced with posts and beams.

Kingsley Plantation is one of the only sites that slave living spaces have been preserved. Coquina and tabby building methods, brought from Africa were used to construct each 'house'. Slave structures throughout the south were traditionally built with the cheapest materials, so they are long gone. These materials, however, have stood the test of time.

We wondered about their way of life as we peered through one of the many holes in each wall. Were they for circulation? for keeping watch? Were they there when these homes were inhabited? Did they have wood timbers in them? no clue.

When the bugs got too bad and the sun too high, we drove on. A quick ride on the ferry, and on the the beach.

Things springing this Spring

dusk

I got a new camera for our 19th anniversary. The traditional anniversary gift for year 19 is....well, nothing. It's not listed. The modern anniversary gift for year 19 is 'bronze'. hmm.... I am happy that we are not steeped in tradition and our gifts are whatever happens to be practical at the time. I haven't had a new camera since...since....well, never. I have been taking some pictures and just getting aquainted with my new toy. I will probably post many many more pictures since I have just figured out how to transfer them easily into my computer files. Without help!Yesterday was Gerald's birthday. After church we went to Aunt B's country buffet with the Powells, then drove to St. Augustine. We parked across the street from Grace United Methodist Church in the historic district. This is where my Grandma got married to her 2nd husband. They were both 66 years old at the time. Then I walked around the fort with my 3 favorite fellas. Gerald and Rubin don't look at all alike, do they? My girlie was off with her other family, the Stantons.

Duke had a most excellent day. A long ride with the windows down, a walk through downtown where everybody thinks he's adorable, then a special treat~ people food! Isn't he handsome when he smiles?

We saw lots of ships in the bay and the new Bridge of Lions looks awesome.

Just when we headed up A1A and the sunset was getting good, the scenery was spectacular and the lighting was unbelievable, my battery died. I. have. 2. extra. ones. at. home.