Out with the Old...

May your New Year's Eve be safe and fun! See you next year. (It just never gets old.)

Another Distressed Surface

I feel a growing affinity for the flaking, rusting things of this world. They have the dignity of perseverance, even as they crumble.

Pensive

Bob in repose.

Juniper

These look almost good enough to eat. Are they juniper berries? I gather that those get used to flavor gin… is that right?

Star of Wonder

Appropriately enough, this sigil was emblazoned on the paved terrace outside my church this Sunday morning.

Jewels in the Rain

The pattern of Fall and Winter so far has been: one day of sun, five days of miserable precipitation. Accordingly, today was unremittingly foggy and drizzly. Undaunted, I went forth in search of my daily quantum of beauty. And here it is.

Merry Christmas

I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season with friends and family. Peace on earth, goodwill to all!

Continuing with Gaga

A stroll this afternoon presented a vast array of photographic challenges: high contrast snow and glare, piercing blue skies, and chilly temperatures. Yet I took at least a dozen pictures I'm happy with. Check out the faithful rendition of the irridescent oxidation on the chair back here. New camera: YAY!

My New Joy-Toy

So there I was, at National Airport, to collect my holiday visitor. I had some time to kill before his plane arrived, and ~ whaddaya know ~ I just happened to have acquired a new camera the day before. I spent a happy half an hour wandering around the terminal, beginning to learn how to use it. What fun! Big, luscious images to work with, an expanded gamut, what a treat!

Snowpocalypse

The snow was a pretty substantial inconvenience for everybody, but it's both lovely and fascinating from several miles up. Photo courtesy of NASA.

Blue Light Special

Having escaped, with the help of friend Deb, from my apartment and the slush of sidewalks, we found ourselves at Tara Thai on Massachusetts Avenue for lunch. Even more than the flavorful food, the company, the sunshine, and this splash of equatorial color were balm to the cabin-fevered soul.

Almost Black & White

Daytime, Snow

A little mini-snowdrift in my window. The melting has already begun; I may venture forth this afternoon to dig out my car.

Nighttime, Snow

I went to entrance of my apartment building in my clogs, with a coat thrown over sweatpants and t-shirt. I leaned out the front door and took this picture. And that's just about enough of that!

Maple Snow

Washington is bracing for ten or more inches of snow. I prefer it when the flakes covering the ground are fallen maple leaves.

Pear, Transformed

Another textile design, based on the Lyric Pear.

Warm & Cosy

When it's chilly out, and the world seems more than usually harsh, it's nice to have a welcoming place to stop in at. Today, for me, it was Tryst in Adams Morgan. Free wifi, a good latte, and a nice salad in a comfortable chair. Just right.

'Tis the Season

Surely we can come up with a reason to celebrate...?

New Vista

A new land-based infrared telescope called Vista has started producing images. Awesome.

Not the Tropics

It's cold and relentlessly rainy, not a day for green. The steely profile of bamboo seems about right.

Guest Rust

I'm struck by how similar the color palette of this image is to yesterday's, although at the lighter end of values. This photograph was taken at Hoover Dam by Bob who, knowing I am rustophilic, sent it to me. (Used with permission.) The textures are swell too.

Truth in Advertising: Capitol Chemical

They don't name 'em like they used to, do they?

Bravely Sunlit

It's cold. An icy wind is blowing. Like Camus, we want to say that we have within us an invincible summer. That's easier to do some days than others.

Machines, Rust, Signs, Pattern

Something is signifying everywhere you look.

P.S. No, you are not hallucinating. There was another picture here for five minutes. Not good enough… gone.

A Book After My Own Heart

While I was trolling the internet seeing what else was out there using the phrase "something beautiful," I came across a children's book that demonstrates exactly the attitude that I am seeking to promote here.

And guess what the book is called.

Yup!


Something Beautiful

This lovely book is by Sharon Dennis Wyeth, and if you are looking for a gift this Christmas for a young child, I believe this one will keep on giving past the first reading. It has the potential to show a child how to seek, find, and make beauty even in circumstances where it seems hard to come by, which is one of the very greatest gifts of all. While this book doesn't boast the most eloquent prose or the most glorious illustrations, its simplicity and directness communicate its vital message effectively.

This Too Shall Pass

In Dupont Circle there's a grate covered with mass of vines; I think that it's a squash plant gone rogue. That would make this The Last Squash Blossom.

Bonus Pictures for a Rainy Day

Rain AND snow, in fact. But still, something beautiful to be found.

Blog, Interrupted

Golly, I go away for the weekend and all heck breaks out around here. Long story short, my site was migrated to a new server and BAM, all my DNS settings were rendered el-wrongo and several recent posts evaporated into thin air. I hope I've fixed that. Please let me know if you find anything has gone missing.

This would be a good moment to remind everyone that backing things up is a very good idea, you know, just in case THE CLOUD IN THE SKY DECIDES TO EVAPORATE OR SOMETHING.

Wish I'd Taken This One

This photograph is by designer Mark Coleran. It's got all the stuff I like: patina, beautiful old machinery, jewel-tone color, and an aura of iconic mysetery. You may recognize some of Mark's other work from the movies… check it out.

Symphony of Science

Okay, the autotune is funny, for sure. But I also like the message in this mashup.

Mossline

The lines of a labyrinth are actually a gap. In the gap, a miniature landscape of moss and other plants is thriving. Meditate on that!

The Glory of Kimchi

Tastes like the sun.

Another Winter Wall

Yet another picture not taken today. You know why? Because: It's. Raining. Again. OMGWTFBBQRainbowponies!!!! Please make it stop with the rain already. Please.

Solar Eight

Photographic analemma by Vasiliy Rumyantsev. His other photos are interesting too.

It's worth noting that this image is proof that winter will both end and come again.