161/365 Something Found

"Birthday Boy and His Book"

Though today was Weber's birthday, there wasn't much celebrating around here.  He is not much of a party guy.  Brooke made a small cake - orange spice with fig jam between the layers and we went out to our favorite Italian dive restaurant for dinner.  The birthday gifts were equally as low key.  I did find a copy of The Gospel According to Peanuts, a book that he had had previously that went missing.

160/365 Remote Control

'Still Playing!"

I credit Pac-Man with my success as an undergraduate student.  It was my stress release, my therapy, my exercise, my entertainment.  I was addicted and this addiction served me well.  Almost every night after practicing clarinet and piano for four hours, I would head to the Mr. Gatti's Pizza across the street from the music building and play a quarter's worth of Pac-Man.  That sounds reasonable, right?  Well, it really wasn't.  I could play for several hours on one quarter.  In fact , there were many evenings where I had to just walk away from the game and let someone else continue where I was.  

I still remember all the patterns for the various levels, though I don't have many opportunities to play anymore.  Yes, there are computer and iPad versions of both Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man, but they just aren't the same.  Any of you who are first generation Pac-Man players know what I mean.

I'm not really sure why today summoned up this piece of nostalgia.  Maybe because tomorrow is Weber's birthday; sadly though, he was not a Pac-Man player.  Poor guy!

159/365 Starburst

"Nuns on the Bus"

I thought everyone knew about the nuns on the bus, but apparently I was wrong.  Weber and I had dinner with the rest of our family last night and shared that we had been to see the nuns on the bus as they travelled through Dallas yesterday afternoon.  They all looked at us and said "Who?"  That is when I realized that we watched way too much liberal TV during the last election.  MSNBC was all about following the mission of these courageous women.

I am having a hard time following the daily photo prompts right now.  The important thing to me is that I take a picture, a relevant picture, to my day and life.  That, I am doing.  I will continue to post the actual prompts in the titles of each daily post just so that it is clear what was suggested for the day.

158/365 Three of a Kind

"Hope, Peace and Love"

This is the bell tower at the Cathedral of Hope taken through a window from the Dallas Peace Chapel.  

On the first Friday of each month, I play for a Taize service at the Peace Chapel.  It is a beautiful space in which to play as well as to just be.  I love playing for this service; even though I have to pay close attention because of my responsibilities as a musician, I am always moved spiritually.  Tonight was our last Taize service until September 6th.  I am going to miss them during the summer!

157/365 Sunset Reflected in Water

"Reflecting On A Ducky Day"

Weber, Brooke and I went out for Greek food tonight.  It was delicious.  We then headed to the park so that I could take the day's picture - a sunset reflected in water.  We have had rain off and on today, but it was clear this evening.  Unfortunately, the sunset was nothing spectacular.  I was distracted by all of the cute ducklings strolling around the park.  This little guy captured not only my attention, but also my heart.  He is just so darn cute.  He looks like he reflecting on his own day in he park.

Brooke likes the following picture.  This is a slightly different take on "reflection."  These sibling ducks are a reflection of one another.

"Seeing Double"

156/354 Documented

"Lunchtime Wimp"

I am a wimp . . . and this is my lunch.

I am teaching Summer I this year and today was the first day of school.  I have classes from 9:40-11:40 and 11:50-1:50/  Last night I was whining about the fact that I have no time for lunch.   When I got up this morning, I found these "power" muffins that Brooks had made for me.  They are full of oatmeal, oat bran, flaxseed and blueberries all topped with a maple cinnamon crumble.  It was super tasty, required no utensils and could be eaten comfortably in ten minutes.  I think she may have taken pity on my class; my family seems to think I get grumpy when I'm hungry.  I have no idea what has given them  that impression.

This photo was taken with my iPad and edited with the BeFunky app.

155/365 Negative Space

"The Daily Grind"

Weber's dad was an attorney for the Missouri Pacific Railroad.  This pencil sharpener, which is probably nearly as old as I am,  sat on his desk at work.  It now sits on ours at home.  This is a great pencil sharpener!  It's sturdy and its little knob on the handle is real wood!  There is no plastic or parts to burn out  on this.  And, its opening is big enough for Weber's "My First Ticonderoga" pencil -  big pencils for big hands???  Perhaps he likes this pencil because his handwriting has not evolved much beyond what it was when he first encountered one of these chubby pencils in the first grade:-)