Category Archives: Photography

Two Gentlemen of Sonoma

Posted on by annandmeg

A few weekends back we went to see the play Two Gentlemen of Sonoma (a “play” on Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona). Our friends Neal and Maxene were both involved with the production (Neal played General Vallejo, the Duke character, and Maxene was the stage manager). The stage was set for Shakespeare at the Adobe, and it was a beautiful place, just east of Petaluma and set under Sonoma Mountain. We haven’t had a chance to tour it yet, so we were very excited to see the grounds.
The side of the Adobe building was positively beautiful, especially with the setting sun.

We went with our friends, Scott and Katy, and it was such a blast.

There are so many things to see and do here, we never have time to see it all. This gave us a chance to see a little bit of history while enjoying a hilarious piece of artistic expression. This version of Shakespeare’s play was adapted by Director Lucas McClure and it was absolutely wonderful. The show was to benefit the Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park. We will definitely keep this theatre group in mind for future outings!

The Beautiful Bridges of Midland, MI

Posted on by annandmeg

I just returned home from a long weekend visit in Midland, MI where my Dad and Auntie Carol grew up. I’m still going through pictures of their childhood homes, grade schools, and local hangouts, but in the meantime, I was really impressed by all the beautiful sites Midland, MI has to offer. In particular, I was fascinated by its beautiful bridges.

This is the tri-bridge, or “Tridge” in downtown Midland. It has three bridges that meet in the middle over the water where two rivers merge into one.

This next bridge is part of Dow Garden, where visitors can see the Dow family property. The estate is comprised of Herbert and Grace Dow’s home, which was completed in 1915, the home of their son, architect Alden Dow, and surrounded by a huge garden designed by Herbet.

Okay, so this bridge is actually in Bay City along the shore of Lake Huron. We saw it when we took the short (15 min) drive over to see the Lake, and the Harley shop of course!

There were many beautiful sites, and I will share them all with you soon!

No Trespassing

Posted on by annandmeg

 

It is raining.  The weather is cooling down.  Since Meg and Jake are visiting next weekend,  I want to rejuvenate the yard by giving it a little color.  Casey and I stopped at Farrand’s Nursery in Independence to find mums, my favorite fall flower.  Because of the weeks of extremely hot weather, i was told the mums aren’t ready to bloom, and I was encouraged to return in a couple of weeks to pick my favorite colors.

Disappointed it would be too late for Meg’s visit, and with no particular schedule, I decided to give myself a treat by driving home through rural Independence.  I took back roads with which I was not familiar just for a bit of adventure. The “no trespassing” sign caught my attention first.  Then I saw this dilapidated old stone house on the side of the road.  Fortunately, my Nikon was in the  back seat. It seemed to be the type of scene which would be most satisfactory in black and white.

Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay, Watching the Tide Roll In [1]

Posted on by annandmeg

[1]  Otis Redding, with Steve Cooper, wrote the lyrics to “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” which he recorded three weeks before his death on Dec. 10, 1967.

Mystery Photo: Can you guess what it is?

Posted on by annandmeg

While walking around Adobe State Historic Park, these caught my attention. Old and dried out by the sun.

Sonoma Mountain Sunset

Posted on by annandmeg

Just east of our house is Sonoma Mountain. While I tend to prefer the west side of town, this is definitely one of the benefits of living on the edge of the east side. I loved the character of this particular tree, and it made for a beautiful setting and stunning sunset view.

A Lazy Day on Martha’s Vineyard

Posted on by annandmeg

At the end of my “cousins trip” I met my husband and friends on Martha’s Vineyard.  The only way to get to the island is by ferry, private boat or plane, or Cape Air.  Visitors should only fly Cape Air if they have absolutely no schedule, since Cape Air’s schedule is as relaxed as the island.  We took Cape Air.

We had absolutely nothing to do for the weekend, but–to do nothing.  The company was great, the environment was soothing to the soul.  Martha’s Vineyard is all about being lazy.  And oh, we did that so well.  On the island, it seems that no one is in a hurry.  The boats are slow, the birds are tranquil and the need for speed seems nonexistent.  Even the critters are calm.  We found this old chair sitting abandoned on the beach.  apparently the owner just wants it there in case s/he comes by and wants to sit.  The bicycle seemed to be the same situation.  I did not see any children anywhere nearby. Perhaps the islanders not only live a relaxed lifestyle, but also a trusting one.

Boats are everywhere, but canoes, trawlers and similar low speed boats are preferred to power boats.  And like everything else, there seems to be a casual attitude about guarding one’s possessions.  I suspect nearby clam diggers may have been responsible for this boat.

While life is casual, laid back and relaxed, food, especially lobster, is serious business.  There is nothing better than fresh lobster, fresh corn and key lime pie shared with friends.

Hope you have a great and restful weekend.

Summer Fun and Rose Beauty

Posted on by annandmeg

It is a gorgeous day.  The temperature is well within the range of comfort.  Terry, Casey and I are ready to start our Sunday morning drive.  Casey is anxious.  He unfailingly knows that it is Sunday and rushes us as much as he can, barking and running around at our feet.

For such a beautiful day, I thought I would share with you an image of a rose in full, incredible bloom.

Have a great day!

Oneida Community–Where Giants Walked

Posted on by annandmeg

“Where giants walked”.  Those are the words our tour guide, the curator of the Mansion House in Oneida, New York, used to describe the Oneida Community.  Disbanded more than 120 years ago, the community grounds still emit a feeling both vibrant and tranquil.

I didn’t know what to expect when the “cousins trip” arrived in Oneida.  What we found far exceeded even my enthusiastic expectations.  We spent a night in the Mansion House where our rooms were simple but lovely.  The environment was so much more.

The Oneida Community was founded in the belief that individuals can become free from sin while still here on earth.  Beyond their religious aspirations, their practical reality involved a focus on hard community labor, culture, music, art and literature.  These values resonated throughout the community.  Beautification of the grounds of the Mansion House and of the surrounding community are evident today.

While much of the Mansion House is plain, befitting a society based on de-emphasizing private property, there was an emphasis on beauty of the common areas.  The great hall that was a central meeting area demonstrates the community’s commitment to perfection in its culture and art.

The grounds are lovely, incorporating gardens, simple fountains and open areas surrounded by trees.


Artistic endeavors were encouraged.  The museum displays beautiful art such as this unique braided rug that are  wonderful works of craftsmanship.

The library was a focal point of daily life, filled with books that were identified as incorporating all of the knowledge important to a learned community.  It remains a great place to visit and study.

While long disbanded as a religious community, descendants of community members continue to live in the shadow of the Mansion House.  While their homes are not elegant, they are as graceful, well-groomed and inviting as the people who live there.

Welcome to “Utopia”.