Wordless Wednesday - Guard Cat

Our fearless feline (well, not really...), Linus McDonald, seems to lie in wait for any enemies, real or imagined. Happily, the glass on the new slider door is crystal as he protects his family...see more WW at NC Sue

Shadow Shot Sunday - Looking Warmer

It is cold in the Winter of 2017 in Southern New England. However, there are days that are unseasonably warm (that is, not quite as chilly). Here we are facing north on the Ansonia River Walk alongside the Naugatuck River. The long southerly sun makes for a great subject for Shadow Shot Sunday 2. It may not be the yellow brick road, but the shadows point the way onward - but not to Kansas, alas, Dorothy and Toto...

Friday Hunt, 2017.1.4

It is Friday (yay :) and time for this week's version of Teresa's fun meme Friday Hunt. She suggests the the message and we happily comply in today's iteration...

Starts with 'D' I've chosen a very obvious one here, that being the vehicles named Dodge. I currently own one, a 2008 Grand Caravan setup to carry a wheelchair and I can drive (in he 2015 Ansonia Memorial Day Parade)

The next being my very first wheelchair van, a full-sized 1989 Dodge B250, the day after I purchased it, April 21, 1996. Monstrous and fuel thirsty (12-14 MPG), but a small cost for freedom and independence...

A superb hubcap, wheel, whitewall and shadow from a beautifully restored 1936 Dodge that I captured (and am captured within) from Wheelchair height. 

Week's Favorite. There is a new portable ice rink in ansonia, and although it has been too warm for ice, the city of Ansonia is accepting donated ice skates so those less fortunate can skate on the rink. Ansonia Mayor Dave Cassetti is very enthusiastic, our friend Phyllis is facilitating the donations and Patti publicized it in our Thursday Valley-Voice newsletter. Pictured here are the containers of skates at Ansonia City Hall. Just need a few days of frigid temps to open up the rink...

Close Up. Someone took my pic with the bridge of my nose in 2009 I think. Thanks again for this week's fun, Teresa!

Friday Hunt, 2017.1.3

Friday returns and a favorite meme, Friday Hunt hosted by Teresa. She offers the clues, and we respond...

Starts with 'C'.I chose late navy pilot and astronaut Eugene Cernan, who passed away this week - the last person to walk on the moon in 1972...

I believe this publicity pic was from 1965. Here is the gentleman in 1965 or so. My father worked in public relations for the rocket motor manufacturer United Aircraft (now United Technologies) and he gave all Villers kids autographed copies. Alas, this is the only copy this one is all I can find.

Signed with a ballpoint pen now faded, this copy was autographed (ballpoint pen) for my sister Vicki. I found this photo a couple of years ago and scanned it waiting for the time to post it (and that is not me :) A significant and historical 'C'

Week's Favorite. At the Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby CT, we see a turtle looking at the photographer with perhaps a look of disdain or bemusement, apparently asking the paparazzi "Are you looking at me??"

Odd Angle. I think it's angular. The always lovely Patti is taking a selfie of sorts from the passenger seat of the Grand Caravan along I-91 North in Middletown CT.  I suppose the Camera could be a 'C' too. As always, a fun meme Teresa!

Shadow Shot Sunday - Vintage Seaside Shadows

Winter in New England can be stylish (see: freshly fallen snow), yet cold and when a seasonal 'warm' day might be 40°F (4.5°C) it is still a cold day. So for warmth, Shadow Shot Sunday 2 is graced with a pic from over 47 years ago for a complete Villers family shoot along the New Jersey barrier island shore town of Brigantine. Subtle shadows exist all around and take a look at the styles from 1969 (note my gold blazer and turtleneck sans a chain). Retro, stylish and shadowy, it looks warm at least...

Friday Hunt, 2017.1.2

It is Friday and time again for Teresa's fun photo meme, Friday Hunt. She gives the clues and now I am ready...

Starts with ‘B’. I have three to share today. The first is bedroom, our kids rooms in mid-1998, the kids aged 9-1/2 and 7-1/2. The boys room also has Bears, the girls with her early collection of American Girls dolls - of course, the historic girls collection is history these days (boo Mattel)…

The next was taken in 1957 in front of our apartment in New York City, Borough of Queens, more specifically, the area known as Bayside. The precise address was 204-07 35th Avenue. My older sister Michele (3), myself (2), Aunt Terry (15) and Grandma are all dressed up for a trip to ‘the City’ (aka Manhattan). Like the grown-up styles of the day, such as a flying saucer hat?

Week’s Favorite. This is a simple gazebo sitting at a park in neighboring Derby. Perhaps is the simplicity of the structure sitting in fresh snow with no footprints - and under a cold Winter sky. 

Creature. Like the look of a male cardinal in its red plumage appearing in a candid shot while relaxing in a leafless forsythia. Thanks Teresa!

Wordless Wednesday - Herbs in a Can (Really :)

I hadn't heard of herbs in a can until we received same for Christmas. Getting time to pop the can open soon...see more WW at NC Sue

Shadow Shot Sunday - Snowy Showcase

Who needs sun for Shadow Shot Sunday 2? While nice to have, on this snowy weekend day, Patti captured this about two hours ago - the Christmas decorations had not yet been gathered, and it is snowing so...the holiday lights allow for shadowy snow outside the front door. Happy New Year 2017!

Friday Hunt, 2017.1

It is Friday, and a new year, so it is time for a new version of Teresa’s fun meme Friday Hunt. We are provided the clues and I have been perusing photos both recent and archived. So away we go…

Starts with A. The easiest is to take a look at the small city in which we are domiciled, Ansonia Connecticut, pop. 19,000. Here is a sign at the city border at the intersection of Marshall Lane and Schumacher Drive. This was taken in August 2004, and the Ansonia Garden Club arranged the flora on the island. And I captured my previous wheelchair van, a 1998 Ford E150. There will be snow tomorrow, so a look a warmer past day is warranted :)

Week's Favorite. Patti wrote an article for our newsletter yesterday that showcased people who operate our favorite consignment shop in Ansonia. They read about an idea to tie scarves to a tree for anyone who needs it during these cold days. They placed them on a tree in front of their shop and at a busy intersection in town.

Beginning. Well, our children began somewhere, so I present evidence here. Each I think were at maybe two months each, pics taken in 1989 and 1991. They are big now, but began as babes needing our protection and guidance. Thanks for a new version of this fun meme!