SkyWatch Friday: Islands in the Sun

A dramatic view of some distant islands in the mist? Or, wait - here is a different perspective:

They are really just clouds in a fiery sky at sunset. A storm front was moving through the area which yielded to clear skies.The second photo shows the foreground to anchor your imagination!

See all SkyWatch Friday images here.

City of the Big Shoulders

We drove down to Chicago last weekend to see our son. He won a trip through his work (top regional sales!) and flew in from Phoenix for a 4-day visit. Saturday afternoon was the only free time he had and the weather was ideal: blue skies, sunny and warm, but not too humid. And talk about people! The streets were teeming with them, walking, skating, biking, site-seeing, and shopping. We stopped at a great little restaurant called the "Gage" - right across from Grant Park on Michigan Ave. and had a delightful lunch together. We sat near the front windows with a super vantage point for people-watching! Afterward, we wandered past the Art Institute of Chicago (our favorite), through the park, and enjoyed browsing an art show on the green. Next was a stroll down to Lake Michigan to watch the sailboats, and then back again through Millennium Park. All around us the skyline was such an interesting backdrop. I love the architecture in this city.

A perfect day - but much too short, as then we had to say our good-byes and be on our way. We'll see Seth again in October when he flies back home to Milwaukee for a GB Packers game. We'll be back down to Chicago, that toddlin' town, any other time the opportunity presents itself.

Black-Eyed Susans

While at "Taste of Lake Country" at Pewaukee Lake a few weeks ago, I couldn't resist taking a picture of these happy Black-Eyed Susans. There is a lovely tended garden at the west end of the park with other Wisconsin native flowers, along with a few exotics, such as hibiscus.

Sunflowers!

A series of sunflowers from our garden. We usually grow a row of tall multi-color sunflowers as a back-drop to our vegetable garden. While this summer's torrential rains and hot, humid weather seemed to stifle most of our tomatoes and peppers, the sunflowers thrived. To all things there is a season...

SkyWatch Friday: Radio Waves

The sunset illuminated some thunderclouds in the distance. In the foreground is one of the many microwave towers that are scattered about our community. Perhaps they are sending radio waves to the stars? ;-p

See all SkyWatch Friday entries here.

SkyWatch Friday: Cloud Shadows

The clouds cast an eerie, shadowy pattern across the sky during a recent sunset.

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Taste of Lake Country: Theme Day - Bright Colors

This is what waiting for summer in Wisconsin is all about. "Taste of Lake Country" is an annual beach party of sorts held at the Pewaukee Lakefront at the end of July.  Booths include a variety of tastings from local restaurants, and wares from local shops and artists. The sound stage had several musical acts ending with "King Solomon," a favorite local reggae band.  After a rainy, muggy day, the sun finally showed up around 6 p.m. and made for a lovely evening.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants of August "Theme" Day.

It's all happening at the zoo...

...I really do believe it's true. ~ Paul Simon.

Read more here!

Violet

On recent chilly morning on my way to work, I drove past the horse farm on Weyer Rd. and saw Violet sunning herself in the barnyard. :-)

Two-Tone Tulip

During my last visit to La Crosse over Mother's Day, I happened to spot this colorful tulip in Riverside Park. The unexpected splash of red in the yellow flower really stood out. I love it when Mother Nature plays with us!