hunkering down for the winter

For about a week now, the temperatures have been down in the low 30s. My hostas and hydrangeas have begun their dormancy and I'm getting ready to put a few of my fussy plants in the basement until the Spring. A few hardy violets remain active tho', this one is nestled between a few stout oak roots.

leaves, leaves, everywhere leaves!

By my estimate. all but 5% of my BIG oak tree's leaves have fallen...littering my yard and much of my neighbor's yard and the street. It's actually rather pretty, I had been raking the leaves every few days but now I've decided to let them insulate the hostas and hydrangeas until the spring.

goof-ball at the crosswalk

OOOOO, a shiny new crosswalk button!

Saturday morning was all about unlocking my creative juices (and drinking lotsa coffee). It's been a while since I've had a 2-gigabyte photosafari, and I was a bit unprepared (aka out of practice). My macro lens, filters and tripod were missing from my camera pack and I have "forgotten" a few exposure tricks. But otherwise it was nice to spend an entire morning wandering around NW & SW Portland. The old 'hood looks the same, mostly - a few new homeless folks, a few new trees and the Civic is nearly complete.

a crisp 43°

It was kinda' cold this morning, at least where it was where I was standing. Today's sunrise was around 7:53 am, and thanks to "W", tomorrow's will be an hour earlier (but a week later).

Anyway, I walked across the St. Johns bridge this morning and was treated to fabulous sunrise.

i know - I KNOW!

it's been a couple weeks since I've posted anything new and probably months since I've posted anything good...been a bit distracted.

Check back on Sunday...there'll be something new.

Maybe even something new AND good. Perhaps even great.

are you excited?