What I saw in Chicago

It was scary to take nothing but my iPhone for an extended trip to Chicago.  I wanted to challenge myself to see what kind of travel images I could take with nothing but a cell phone.  So, I want to show you what I saw in Chicago through the lens of my cell phone.

Flew to Chicago for the SPE conference.  Snow on the landscape looks so different from way up in the sky.

About to land at Chicago O'Hare at night.

The Palmer House Hotel reception area.

What a wonderful and comfortable room.

 

Strangers in the elevator wondering why in the world I'm taking a picture of them~

From the 3rd floor of The Palmer House looking out.

Lake Michigan looking out of Columbia College's MFA student floor.

The Spearman sculpture in Congress Plaza park.

The workers have been striking at the Congress Hotel for the last eight years.  That is longer than some people stay married!

I felt safe riding the subways in Chicago.

 

Who would just leave their shoes on the sidewalk and why?

Ate at a great Mexican food place!

My favorite place to eat across from the Art Institute of Chicago.

The streets of Chicago are just fun to walk down and window shop for things I could never even hope to buy.

 

The Art Institute simply overwhelms and inspires me.

 

I have a whole different story about flying Spirit airlines.  There is even a poem to share I was so inspired!

 

The Geese are headed South

There is something about the honking of geese flying high above my head that makes me stop for a moment and ponder the wonder of life.  Today as David and I were headed to Commerce we came upon a field of winter wheat filled with Snow Geese.  They were beautiful.  Much prettier than my picture and much noisier!

I don't know if you can see them very well.  I took this with my iPhone so it isn't very sharp.

I stepped a little too close and they started flying away.

Above are two flocks of Canada Geese near Denton, Texas.  I pulled off the highway and watched flock after flock pass overhead last Tuesday on my way to class.  Must be a sign that Spring is not far behind.

I did see my shadow as the geese flew overhead!


 

Muffin Tin Lasagna

I'm 56 years old and I still stall when I try to spell lasagna.  My son Eric shared this Muffin Tin Lasagna recipe with me.  You know you have done your job as a Momma when your children start sharing recipes with you.  It was yummy and fun to eat!  Thanks Eric.  We had enough left over to take for lunch.

 

And yes, I did take these with my iPhone.  That thing is handy as a camera but not as handy as a phone way out in the country!

 

 

Meadows Gallery at UT Tyler Exhibit

One of my pieces was chosen for the 28th Annual Internation Exhibition at the Meadows Gallery at the University of Texas  - Tyler.  The show is from 8 January 2013 to 8 February 2013. 

Testing my new iPhone

David finally broke down and bought us both an iPhone for Christmas.  We are now officially in the 21st Century.  Learning how to use the camera in the iPhone 4s is proving somewhat of a challenge.  

I thought I'd share with you my attempts at learning how to use the camera function.  Technology is not my friend.  As I get older it seems to take longer to figure out how to use all the bells and whistles on gadgets.  Really, I'd like to take the remedial course in how to set up and use an iPhone.

Below is my first attempt to use the panoramic option.  It is of the statute on the Texas Women's University Campus in Denton, Texas.  I like it!  I'll use this option again. 

It is difficult for me to adjust the perspective as you can tell in this image of the statute closer up.

 

The landscape image taken just outside of Paris in Lamar County turned out OK.  The contrast is just a little off, I think. 

 



 

The architectural picture of the Lamar County Courthouse was a little tricky.  Again, it is hard for me to be able to correctly get the perspective just right. 

 

Now for the obligatory Instagram picture!  This was taken in the Goodwill store in Paris, Texas.  My Goodwill Girl!   

 

It is hard for me to control the highlights of the indoor florescent lighting.  I think the higher the ceiling and the further the florescent light from the object, the better.  Here is one in Atwood's in Paris, Texas. The lighting is pretty even.
 

 

My shots at night did not turn out very well at all.  The available lights from within the store completely blew out.  There are no details whatsoever.  I am definitely going to have to work at trying to figure out how to shoot this type of picture with an iPhone.

 

The picture I took in the shade was also a little tricky.  There is no fill-in light.

 

 

 

At home under florescent lights in the kitchen.  My attempt at product photography.  Not so good.

 



Anyone have any old worn out belts?

I am officially begging.  Do you by any chance have any old worn out boy's or men's belts?  I need some belts for my next photography project for grad school.  I've been to Goodwill and Salvation Army in Paris and the ones in Commerce but they all want about $7 a belt.  I need a lot of belts!

 

Changing of the guard

I had never experienced the changing of the guard at the county level before last night.  It was inspiring.  The previous Sheriff, B. J. McCoy was there at the Lamar County Jail to show his support for the newly elected Lamar County Sheriff, Scott Cass as he was sworn in at 12:01 am.  There was a lot of hand shaking and back slapping going on.  The entire force of the Lamar County Sheriff's Department was sworn in.  I saw a lot of people being sworn who are dedicated and caring officers, staff and jailers.  My heart swelled with pride as Scott took his oath of office.









I worked with Lamar County for about 16 years writing grants.  The Sheriff's Office was always one of my favorites.  It was affirming the way the entire department tried so hard to use their money the best they could and maximize each and every dollar.  I'll sincerely miss B. J. at the helm.  Scott has worked hard and richly deserves this recognition for the time he has put in over the years.  I could tell everyone present last night including his family, friends and staff supported him and wished him well.  It truly felt like all the men and women were forming one force behind Scott for the good of Lamar County.

 

 

 

 

Sunset on the Sulphur River

 

Sunset on the Sulpher River just outside Ben Franklin, Texas.  Saturday, 29 of December 2012.

 

 

 

David and I were driving home from a wedding in a little country church in Pecan Gap when we saw this beautiful sunset as we drove across the Sulphur River bridge just outside of Ben Franklin.  A beautiful ending to a wonderful day.

Merry Christmas from Paris Texas

Culbertson Fountain, town square, Paris, Texas 12/25/2012

Just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas from Paris, Texas.  The first snow of the year was on Christmas Day this year.  I dashed over to the square and took some pictures of the snow.  Today it is all melted and just a memory of Christmas 2012.
 

Liefie Restaurant in Winnsboro Texas

David and I had dinner in a quaint restaurant in Winnsboro, Texas, on Friday night after viewing Donna Page's Master's in Art show.  We had no idea that Winnsboro was such a happening place on a Friday evening. 

Liefie's is owned and operated by a couple from Johannesburg, South Africa.  There was live music out in a covered patio area, the food was fresh and well prepared.  There were quite a few vegetarian choices as well.  Try the South African Marula Fruit Cream for dessert!