CFF – Bicycles, Tricycles, Motorcycles, Wagons

It has been quite a while since I participated in one of Cee’s Photo Challenges but today is the day I get back into my photography groove.  This week’s challenge is bicycles, tricycles, motorcycles, and wagons.  I did a deep dive in my archives and didn’t come up with much, so maybe between now and the next challenge (Tuesday) I will see if I can add a few more. 

This one has been used before but in black and white. I much prefer the color. A bit fuzzy because it was taken behind glass. Not to mention the several glasses of tequila I had before taking it. 

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding. Shot at Discover Mexico Park, Cozumel

My excursion to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally a few years ago provided me with more photographs of motorcycles than I will ever need. I couldn’t decide on a singe cycle, so I used a group photo.

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding. Shot at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Sturgis, SD.

I’m not sure I would like traveling far in one of these wagons 

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding. Shot at Silver Dollar City, Branson MO

These old-school bicycles caught my eye. The bright yellow didn’t hurt.

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding

More…

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding

 

 

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The Wall

Welcome to this week’s edition of Friday Fictioneers. The goal is to write a complete story using 100 words or less based on a photo prompt. This week’s story is a rework of a longer piece I wrote a year ago. I don’t know what is more challenging; writing a completely new story or editing a longer story so it maintains the essence of the original. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting this challenge and J Hardy Carroll for this week’s photograph. If you would like to add your own story, or read other stories like this, head to Rochelle’s Friday’s Fictioneers.

Photo Credit: J. Hardy Carroll

Ziggy sat on the edge of the couch, mesmerized by empty space between the steeple clock on the mantel and the ceiling above. Her tail twitched as a guttural growl erupted from deep inside her throat. Ziggy’s odd behavior concerned her owner Charlotte. A recent bee sting had sent her daughter Adeline into anaphylactic shock. Another occurrence could be deadly.

Placing Adeline against her shoulder, Charlotte examined the wall. Relieved to find nothing there, Charlotte turned her back to the clock, facing Ziggy.

“Silly cat. There is nothing….”

Charlotte’s words were cut short by Adeline’s screams of terror.

COB Photo Challenge – June 17, 2018

Cee’s Oddball Challenge is for those photographs that don’t really fit into a common category. There is no theme to this challenge; what is odd ball is up to the participant.

Many of the photos I take on vacation are used as reminders rather than photographic gems I share with others. Last week I traveled to the Vail Valley where the photo below were taken. I hope you like the odd ball’s that I have chosen to share this week.

We stopped a the Welcome Center in Leadville, Colorado and my inner genealogist was immediately attracted to the list of books below.

Living in Oklahoma, the need to flag a fire hydrant so it could be found in a snow drift is very odd indeed.

I was walking through Vail Village, past the river, when I noticed this worker having his lunch. I thought what a great view for spending your  lunch hour.

This was taken at an event in Vail. There is a world of difference in how trash and recyclables are handled between Colorado and my home state of Oklahoma.

I can’t remember the last time I used one of these for a hotel room.

Father’s Day

 

Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s reading. Whether you are the natural father, a step-father, or a surrogate; kudos for making a difference in the life of a child.

Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge to write a 200-word story based on a photo prompt. This is a photo I took at a local park.  If you are interested in reading more stories inspired by the photo below, you can find them by clicking the little blue frog here

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding

I watched the old man from a distance. He sat on a park bench, feeding bread crumbs to a gaggle of geese. They reciprocated their hospitality with annoying honks and droppings at his feet. His wrinkles and white hair suggested a man older than his physical years. He wore second-hand khakis and a rumpled t-shirt. Neither looked washed.

This is not what I had pictured at all.

I returned to the park daily, blending in with the park lunch crowd. Simply observing. Then I started following him, curious where he went after leaving the park. His routine never varied; a stop at the grocer for a can of tuna and bread. I wondered how he survived on such measly rations. A block later, he entered a run-down building. I found his name on the mailbox. Five flights up and no elevator.

For days I contemplated my next move. It was time to leave or finish what I started. I chose the latter.

When the old man opened the door, I saw recognition from behind his clouded eyes. I saw something else. Fear. Rightfully so.

Pointing the gun at his head, I pulled the trigger.

Happy Father’s Day, Daddy

word count 198

 

Cee’s Odd Ball Photos – May 13, 2018

Cee’s Oddball Challenge is for those photographs that don’t really fit into a common category. There is no theme to this challenge; what is odd ball is up to the participant. I hope you like the photos I selected this week. 

I took my first photo at Historic St. Mary’s City, Maryland, a living museum. My husband and I visited St. Mary’s several years ago because his family entered the United States at the point in the late 1600s.

This one came from Medicine Park, Oklahoma, a small resort town constructed out of cobblestones that are native to the area.

This is called Thunder Fountain, located at the Myriad Gardens in Oklahoma City

Lastly, this is a photo of the Blue Angels as they were practicing for one of their air shows

 

 

CB&W Photo Challenge – April 5, 2018

The theme for this week’s Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge is Cars, Trucks, and Motorcycles. These were taken at various car shows over the years.

A vintage VW microbus.

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding

This VW microbus was a sunny yellow and perfect for glamping

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding

I don’t know how old this Impala is, but the interior of my car never looked this good

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding

This car reminds me of the Sunday drives my grandparents took me on when I was a child. Of course, it wasn’t in a car like this.

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding

My lone motorcycle for the week

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding

 

Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge – 3/25/18

For more of Cee’s Odd Ball photographs, click here

 

 

 

This week’s photos were taken at a local cemetery and show some interesting grave site decorations.

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding

 

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding

 

CB&W Photo Challenge – March 22, 2018

This week’s theme is ‘Facial Features’, either human or animal. I took a few liberties as you will see with the final photos. One thing this challenge showed me is that I don’t take many photos of people, and that is really too bad as people are what make photographs come alive. Worse than that, I rarely have my own photo taken. The one below is one of those rare moments (taken without my knowledge). We were in Cozumel, on a beach and I was having the time of my life as waves washed over my feet and legs.

Fun at the beach

Every year, my son composes his annual digital Christmas card that he sends to all his friends. Every year has a different sort of theme. This was his nerdy 70’s look.

My Son Danny

Animals often tell us a lot with their facial expressions.  This is a Capuchin monkey. I chose this one because of the eyes. To me, the look old and wise, but also innocent and trusting

Capuchin monkey

I couldn’t not include my cat Mickey, who decided to leave home one day. This is my favorite photo of him. I love the expression in his eyes.

Mickey

This is a stone angel that I photographed in a local cemetery with a prayerful look on her face.

Cemetery angel

Lastly, the Selena Memorial in Corpus Christi Texas

Selena Memorial

 

I hope you enjoyed my photos. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think. ~~~Susan

 

Cee’s B&W PhotoChallenge – Patterns

The theme for this Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge this week is Patterns.

 

Last August, I attended my first hot air balloon festival. I didn’t expect much since it was a small event but I have to admit, it was incredible. Especially after dusk when the inflated balloons were light up. Below is one of the balloons as it was being inflated.

Below is the entrance to a beautiful church in Galveston, Texas

Bar deck on the Rio Grande River, Texas

 

Thank you for stopping by.

Susan

Share Your World – January 29, 2018

Share Your World (SYW) is a weekly series of four random questions created by  Cee’s Photography. In answering the questions, the reader shares things about ourselves, our home, and our traditions. In this way, we get to know each other more. Feel free to join in and share your world.

 

If you had an unlimited shopping spree at only one store, which one would you choose? Why?

This one is hard because I really hate shopping, plus I am trying to be more of a minimalist, at least with certain things. However, our house needs a lot of repairs, so maybe Home Depot so I could get everything we need to renovate. I would need to bring a handy-man home too, but that’s another story.

What is the worst thing you ate recently?

I am taking an 8-week Total Wellness course to learn to eat better (and lose some weight). Our assignment this week is to eat vegetables at every meal. That is right…breakfast too. Since there are not any vegetables that I want to eat that early in the morning, I decided to try the Naked Juice’s Kale Blazer. I like Naked Juice and I didn’t think a veggie version would be bad, but I have to say that it was the worst thing I have tasted maybe ever. There was a peppery flavor that was awful. It was worse than the V-8 I tried the day before.

Name five things you like watching…

Birds that feed in my backyard (or anywhere for that matter)

 

The ocean, especially from my balcony on a cruise ship

Photo credit: Susan Spaulding

Sunrise and Sunset

Photo Credit Susan Spaulding

4)  Netflix (binges)

5)  Deer Crossing in my yard

What did you appreciate or what made you smile this past week?

This little guy became part of our family a week ago. He has been a delight.

Photo Credit: Shelley Spaulding