Round Robin Photo Challenge -- Growing

This time the Round Robin Photo Challenge theme is "Growing." It can be about anything that grows, but since I have just been to visit my kids and grandkids in Bend, Oregon, I thought I would make my entry be about them.

First is a picture of my grandsons Michael and Alex here at my house when they were little. Michael was just over 2 and Alex was 2 months old.


















Then is a picture of grandsons Michael, then 7, and Alex, then 5, along with their dad, Tony, at a family dinner Christmas of 2006, at my oldest son J.D. and wife Kris's house.










Next is a picture taken in Bend on May 17, just days ago, of Tony, Michael, now 10, and Alex, now 8, clowning around at a park in downtown Bend.



















Last is a more serious picture of Alex, their mother Kamie, me, and Michael. You can really see Michael's long hair here! LOL! The boys are really growing up and me -- I'm growing older. I think Kamie will always look young and pretty.



















In some ways it's difficult to see the children grow but in other ways, it is welcome. They need to mature in life.

To see other Round Robin posts go to the link in the first sentence and you will find links to the participating blogs there.

Feline and Furball Friday -- The Tuna Club

It's Feline and Furball Friday, sponsored by Steven of (sometimes)photoblog, and my cats today formed The Tuna Club as they waited for me to open a can of tuna. They apparently have learned by the smell of the mayonnaise and the pickles, when I get them out, that it's tuna sandwich time and so they flock to the kitchen. I then open the tuna can and they get to have flaky bits of tuna in their bowls and what's left in the bottom of the can. They love this!

For more information about this meme, go to the link in the first sentence.

EMPS#39 -- Memorial Day

Carly of the blog Ellipsis wanted to know today what we did on our Memorial Day. As I had already taken flowers to the cemetery for Steve's and his parents' graves, the day was one of quiet reflection for me. I spent a good part of it in this recliner (when I wasn't upstairs in my office, on my computer).


















On the news, I saw a lot about the military and parades honoring our soldiers, plus flags at the national cemeteries. I got a picture of a replay of the space shuttle Atlantis going up on its last mission on the NASA Channel, which I think is one of the brave things that people in our country do.


















I would have had other pictures of military scenes from the TV except my battery went dead during the news and wasn't charged until afterwards.

For extra credit, we can write about what Memorial Day means to us personally. I am mostly touched by the loss of those near and dear to me. I am unable to put flowers on my parents' graves as they are in Utah, but I have thought about them. As a member of a pacifist church, I am not strongly militant but I have my own thoughts and beliefs and I do very much appreciate those in the military as well as civilians who died for our freedom.

To see links to others who are participating, go to Carly's blog as linked in the first sentence. This week's bloggers will be commenting on her blog.

Feline and Furball Friday -- A standoff between Silver and Socksie

Silver and Socksie love each other, but they do play fight once in a while. In this picture, they were in a standoff on my office bed.

Go to Steven's (sometimes)photoblog to see a picture of his Pickle cat and links to other felines and furballs.

Feline and Furball Friday -- Reclining Silver, licking his paw

A little bit late, this post is for Steven's (sometimes)photoblog, which sponsors Feline and Furball Friday (sometimes there are feathers included, but not lately). It's a picture of Silver reclining on the office bed, licking his paw so that he can get really, really clean. ;-)

To see a picture of Steven's cat, Pickle, and to find links to other participants, go to the link for Steven's blog in the first sentence.

Felines with Feathers plus Furballs Friday -- Socksie on the stairs

It's another Friday for Steven's (sometimes)photoblog and Feline with Feathers plus Furballs. My shot this week is of Socksie prancing down the stairs, with the tip of her tail curled over. Probably from another vantage point, it would have appeared to be a question mark. ;-)

Go to Steven's blog for information about becoming a part of this meme.

Felines with Feathers plus Furballs Friday -- Socksie on the desk

There was a bit of a hiatus in Feathers plus Furballs Friday while Steven of (sometimes)photoblog transitioned off his old blog server to a new one, but he is back and so are the pictures of the critters on the various blogs. This one is of Socksie on my computer desk, where she got up a day or two and nibbled on my fingers while I typed. I had my camera handy and so got a shot of her up there helping me. LOL!

Go to the link above to see Steven's blog and the critters that the bloggers participating in his meme have to show us.

EMPS #36 -- A Walk in the Park

Today, Carly of the blog Ellipsis asked that, for our Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot, we walk through a park and take pictures of what we saw. I could tell that rain was on the way but there were just a few sprinkles on my windshield when I ran to Canby, to Wait Park in the center of the downtown area, and took pictures of the park and what was going on there. Due to the impending rain, there weren't too many people there but I did photograph a couple of families playing on the playground equipment.

Here is the sign that welcomes visitors to the park, although there is access to it from every direction. The park is visually-appealing and well-maintained. Notice how even the garbage cans are nicely done.



















The Wait Park gazebo is used in the summertime by various visiting bands during the Slice of Summer Concert Series.


















Here are children playing on the playground equipment, with Mom joining in.


















Interesting slides in the park.


















A shot of the slides, taken from an unusual angle.


















Carly's question this week had to do with how often we add special effects from photo editing software. As I am a technical dunce at such things, I have to say that I never do. ;-)

To see EMPS #36 at Carly's site, just go to the URL in the first sentence.

Round Robin Photo Challenge -- See the Music

Today's Round Robin Photo Challenge has the theme of "See the Music." What a fun challenge this was! Once more, first of all I went to my embroidery, where I have made the following counted cross-stitch sampler with the music to "Amazing Grace." It's one of my favorite things in my house.



















Then, upstairs in my office, on my desk, I have the following cat-themed CD holders, bought off eBay, which I am showing shut and then open. I have an eclectic assortment of music, including songs by Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, Alabama, Elton John, and many others.




















Last of all is my stereo downstairs, including the tuner, tape player and CD player. I use it mostly at Christmas time, to play seasonal music. Most of the unit was bought when Steve was alive, over 14 years ago, but the CD player was a gift from my kids, Jeff and Steph.



















You can find the Round Robin Photo Challenge here, and follow the links on the day they are posted to see what the participating bloggers have done. You are welcome to join in -- rules are given and they're easy! Hope to see you there!