Trusting, rain or shine.

I was watering the impatiens hanging on the porch last night.


I liked how the sun's rays struck the spray from the hose so I took a couple quick pictures (one hand hose, the other one pointing and shooting.)




The impatiens are really flourishing this summer - I assume because it's been cooler than usual.

The hanging basket is almost hidden with blooms and vines from the adjacent cardinal climber.




While all this is happening, Rama just walks around my feet, confident I won't spray him. He's so trusting. Now if it was Hans, the neighbor's noisy weiner dog I might give it another thought...

Carousel Horse: Achilles.

One of the many Carousel Horses that decorated the streets of Woodstock Illinois the Summer of 2009.

This is Achilles by Kendall Oliver, Woodstock Illinois.

Being true to form, I waited to the last minute to take pictures of the various Carousel Horses around town.

I took most of the pictures on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend and the rest on Labor day afternoon.

Achilles caught my eye with really rich colors and simplicity of design.

He was located just off the east entrance to the park part of the city square.

From Carousel Horses

Artist: Kendall Oliver, Woodstock Illinois. His words:

Achilles the Trojan Horse: My goal isn’t to make a carousel horse replica of the Trojan Horse, but to create a work of art that represents not only the Trojan Horse itself, but also the mythology surrounding it in the epic poems written by Homer (The Iliad) and Virgil (The Aeneid). The gold and silver symbolize the power this mythology holds, even today. The designs on the saddle mimic black-figure pottery, which was frequently used by the ancient Greeks as a means of story telling on artifacts, such as bowls and vases.

Horses of a Different Color, main reference, HERE

"Horses of a Different Color"
Woodstock, Illinois - Summer 2009

A city-wide outdoor exhibition of painted fiberglass carousel horses measuring 5’ x 5’ is being sponsored by Main Stay Therapeutic Riding Program, Inc., in cooperation with the City of Woodstock, Illinois. The purpose of this show is to raise both funds and awareness for the Main Stay program.

For more than twenty years Main Stay Therapeutic Riding Program has offered equine related therapies that have helped people with physical, developmental, social and emotional disabilities.

Dog's day.

Sunday was a beautiful day; when the sun was out.

When it went behind the clouds my decision to wear cutoffs came to question.

Anyway, I was in the middle of a good book, taking in some sun, sipping a cocktail when my sister stopped by with her English Springer Spaniel, Rosie. It was time for a break.

Along with Rosie, my brother - in - law's two dogs, Tessie and Bubba came over too. Add our dog Cubbie and it was quite a get together. I'm glad they all get along.

Below Tessis and Rosie are waiting for Markie to hit the ball which they will then in turn chase down and return.

Rosie is really well mannered. The leash was only because she was unfamiliar with the area.

Rosie, Tessie, and Bubba taking a break.



Tessie and Rosie chasing, Bubba resting.



Cubbie with his head in my wild flowers, Tessie has the ball, Rosie just running. If figures... I snapped a bunch of pictures and the one I ended up liking the most is the blurriest. (I took it from the far end of the yard, in the bright sun - which prevented me from seeing what setting the camera had. I should be happy it came out this well.)

Cubbie got this one.