The Peony Palace

From the first time I asked Kat to come outside and check out my Peonies, I knew these would be my favorite flowers.

The gentle and delicate Peony is wonderful to look at, and even better to touch.

They are quite showy, almost just jumping in your face, saying "Hey, Look at ME!"

But, alas, they don't last long. Long enough I assure you, but not super long. Maybe they last just the right amount of time to really be appreciated.
jon

An Artful Arts Building

As long as I can remember the wall has been been painted with this mural. It is a wonderfully unique take on on boarded up windows. Actually, I'm not sure that is what this is, as I see students coming and going during the school year. I wonder if it is a shade replacement, this is the south side of the building after all. And a big open parking lot + big windows would really make it hot.  I'm going with that- art for cool not art for abandonment.
jon

Graffiti Is Art and Vandalism

The fun thing about graffiti, or even expanded "street art", is that it always walks a fine line. A person's taste really is the divergent here. Now, I believe painting red vomit and writing "vomit" on street art probably counts as vandalism. But, I'm not going to say with certainty that the vandal wasn't making some commentary on the black and white artists interpretation of the portrait. Frankly, I find the B&W sort of uninspired and bland, but the red paint vulgar and out of place. Maybe in combination they say something greater than individually.  Also, this is the like the fourth time this poster has been vandalized. Fun.
Jon

Play Time

Very soon after lunch it was time for horseplay.  Which, frankly, is everyone's favorite type of play.

A few grass stains, but no serious injuries.  A rare occurrence with this crowd.

Intensity and balance were on full display.

And even a human carousel was created.

Wheeeeeeee!

Jon

Engarde

Soon it was time to move on to weed fencing.  It lasted pretty long, until there was a stick in the eye.  These games always seem to end that way.
Jon

Feats of Strength

Logan was quick to demonstrate his strength and balance by retrieving all the boccie balls.

Alani the Lawn Bowler

To be correct, Bocci Baller.  With intensity and focus, I think she'll win this game.
Jon

Children Must Be Close

I suspect children had just passed through our back yard.

jon

Ridin' Dirty - WORS Rhinelander Wisconsin

Well, I successfully competed in my first mountain bike rice up in Hodag country.

The course was alternating sandy hard pack and just plain sandy.  Any water you had was just to rinse the grit out of your teeth.

I did pretty well for my first time, though I could have done exceedingly well if I wasn't such a wuss-bag.

The photography portion did not go as well.  The mountain bike courses are sprawling compared to the crit races on road bikes, or cross races.  You need to do a lot more research to get the shots you want.

I only have a "normal zoom", which means not to much reach for action shots. ( A meager 70mm ) But, it is still fun to stick your nose right on the trail.

And it is a good reminder, with a 22 megapixel full frame monster, you can crop just about until you drop.
jon

Trillium Trail

 

Now, I'd tell you where I get all these great trillium photos, but then you might be inclined to go yourself. And we can't have that, can we?

We were quite lucky to spot this many blooms.  I had been watching all of the trillium come and go on my morning bike commute, and it seemed as if prime time had passed. But, we decided to give it a shot, and go to the most floral place we know.  And their they were, all upright and bright, the trillium were a force.

They are such a delight, and another reminder of how fleeting flower blooms really are.  Always stop to smell the roses, 'cause they ain't rosey for long.

Jon