POTD - BWL Smoke Stacks

POTD - BWL Smoke Stacks

©2011 Kristin Corlett

Industrial buildings, electrical towers, utility poles, street lights...all of these fascinate me.  I like the symmetry of them I think, but also the use and decay of these items.  The Board of Water and Light (BWL) power station and smoke stacks are an icon in Lansing and something I love to photograph each time I come to town.  A new plant is soon going to take the place of this one and Wynken, Blynken and Nod will be shut down.  I'm almost terrified, OK, so I'm being a bit dramatic here, but I'd hate to see these stacks torn down.  I have no idea of the future of the BWL smoke stacks, but they will always be a part of my memories of Lansing, MI.

Enjoy!
Kristin

(Used Pioneer Woman "Colorized"action on the photo)

POTD - Pumpkin Tendrils

POTD - Pumpkin Tendrils

©2011 Kristin Corlett

My sister picked out a pumpkin from the Uncle John's pumpkin patch that had these lovely dried tendrils still attached.  It really is the little stuff that gets me so excited.  I guess it runs in the family because she picked this particular pumpkin because it had the little curls.  I wish I could stick around Michigan longer to actually witness the carving of the tendril pumpkin, but that's just not going to happen.  I go home on Monday. 

Enjoy!
Kristin

POTD - Fallen Tree

POTD - Fallen Tree

©2011 Kristin Corlett

I've been to this barn a few times already this trip, but this photo is from the other night when the sun was going down.  I was on my way to a friend's place to pick her up for dinner when I noticed how beautifully the surrounding landscape was looking in this gorgeous light.  I immediately thought of this barn and how it would probably look so lovely in the yellowing light.  I was almost late picking up my friend because I stayed much longer out here taking pictures than I intended.   To be honest, I'm not sure this is the best shot - it's really busy with all of the elements, but it's my favorite. 

Enjoy!
Kristin

POTD - Zoobie's

POTD - Zoobie's

©2011 Kristin Corlett

Zoobie's Tavern is no longer open in Old Town*, but the cool sign still remains.  I never saw the sign lit up at night, but I do hope that the ends of space ball on top lit up or blinked or something!   Do you see that clear blue sky?  It's an unusual sight in Lansing, that's for sure.  It was a bright sunny day and 80º in October.   What a fabulous day! 

Enjoy!
Kristin

*This particular Old Town is in Lansing, MI.

POTD - Weed Seeds

POTD - Weed Seeds

©2011 Kristin Corlett

This late in the season, it's rare to find a dandelion puff ball in the yard, but my niece found one and brought it to me.  I immediately got my camera out and thought it might look really cool with the fall color backdrop right there for me.  I think I was right, it does look cool.  (If I do say so myself!)

Enjoy!
Kristin

POTD - Stella

POTD - Stella

©2011 Kristin Corlett

The middle one, the lovey one, the brown-eyed one.  This is Stella.  She had been sick for the past couple of days, so I waited to get her close up on a day when she felt better.  We were on our way to the farmer's market for their fall harvest event when I asked her to stop for me.   Stella smiles and laughs and giggles all the time, but it's hard to get her to smile for the camera.  Thanks honey for doing such a great job for your Tottie!

Enjoy!
Kristin

POTD - Zora

POTD - Zora

©2011 Kristin Corlett

Zora would prefer to be left alone to play games on the computer, watch TV, draw, write and illustrate her stories...well, pretty much she wishes she didn't have sisters that mess with her stuff.  That's very important to a seven year old.  Zora took a moment out from playing a computer game to look at me.  Thanks Zora, I really like this one.

Enjoy!
Kristin

POTD - Scarlett

POTD - Scarlett

©2011 Kristin Corlett

Scarlett peeking between the balusters of my Mom's stairway.  It's blurry but I don't care.  Scarlett runs so much that's about all you see of her anyway - just a blur.

Enjoy!
Kristin

POTD - Life Jackets

POTD - Life Jackets

©2011 Kristin Corlett

My niece, Zora, asked me a few days ago if I would take her to her swim lesson at the YMCA on Thursday.  How I could I refuse such a simple request?!  Of course, I'd take her, but on one condition...I was going to need her cooperation when it came to picture taking.  She agreed.

Thursday arrived and since we arrived early she got to play in the wading pool.  A couple of times she said, "Take a picture of me doing this, Totttie!"  So I did.  (I was a very happy Auntie to say the least.)  While she was getting some direction from her swim instructor, I wandered off to this delightful display of safety.  I fell in love immediately.  I do enjoy a nice row of similar objects, but I was loving the few life jackets that were of a different color.  That made me very happy.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Friday Fragments

It's Friday Fragments Day!!

It's Friday Fragments Day!

It's Friday Fragments Day!

It's Friday Fragments Day!  

It's Friday Fragments Day!

Welcome to Friday Fragments!  This is the place where we're able to put little snippets of fun or interesting things together without having to stretch that idea into an entire blog post.

Mrs. 4444 is our lovely host and I am so grateful for her continued hosting of this fun carnival.  For more Friday Fragment finds, please head on over to Half-Past Kissin' Time.  Thanks!

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I truly believe that what you think about, you bring about.  I thought I'd really test that by thinking about Indian Summer in Michigan during my vacation there.  I was seriously not prepared for a cold spell.  Wouldn't you know it, it's been in the mid seventies and sunny for the past four days.  GORGEOUS!  It's supposed to stay this incredibly wonderful for the next week, too!  Yee Haw!

My niece Zora said "I'm so excited that it's a free writing day in our journal because I prefer to write 'Realistic Fiction.' "  She's seven.  I don't think I've ever said the words realistic fiction in my life. 

I have eczema on my elbows.  It's been a problem all year.  They used to itch, but now that most of it has gone away I've pretty much forgotten about it.  I don't often see my own elbows, so it's easy not to think about.  My niece Stella (3), who my sister calls Stella Nightingale, has asked me about my elbows several times the past few days.  She points at them and looks very sad.  Today when she was in the bathroom washing her hands she handed me the Lubriderm Lotion and said "Here.  Put this on your elbows."  I guess I need to keep them lotioned up when I'm around her.

A girl I went to school with asked me if I'd like to see her while I was in Michigan.  You could have blown me over with a feather, as we really haven't spoken much since we were in Brownies together in elementary school.  I've been having some really great conversations with people who I didn't know very well in school but am meeting again as an adult, so I'm going to see her.  I am looking forward to our visit and am so very grateful that she asked to see me!

I'm having to fill up my weekend as my very dear friend Bob will not be joining me in Michigan as originally planned.  When she called to tell me that she was cancelling her trip I was stunned - stunned to silence.  I just didn't have a thing to say to her.  Bob, I love you, but all I wanted to say to you was all the things I thought we could do this weekend.  I even brought the Moroccan Argon oil and conditioner so you wouldn't have to pack it in your carry on.  We even put the soft sheets on the twin beds, not the sandpaper ones we had last year.   I know I won't change your mind, but you will be terribly missed.  I'm sure I'll think of something to say in a day or two.  Just give me a chance to not burst into tears, OK?!!

Speaking of trips.  My Mom booked her trip to Nairobi yesterday.  WHEW!  That's going to be one heck of a vacation.  It's hard to say that my mom is going with her boyfriend*, but that's what he is - so anyway, her boyfriend's daughter is going to school there for a semester (or more, I'm not sure) so they are going to go visit while she's there.  My Mom has always wanted to go to Africa, so this is truly her trip of a lifetime. 

*boyfriend just doesn't fit for anyone over the age of 25, in my opinion.

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Have a wonderful weekend!  I know I will even though Bob won't be here with me.  I'm kissing my nieces every chance I can get and giving them words of advice that I'm sure they will remember for a moment or two.  Please stop by Mrs. 4444's place and see what the other Fraggers are doing today.

Kristin


The photos are of a painted bronze sculpture by the artist J. Seward Johnson.  He donated the sculptures to Jacksonville Beach and now they reside in Latham Park, just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean. 

POTD - Ten Years

POTD - Ten Years

©2011 Kristin Corlett

This is for my Mom.  She is involved with the Peace Movement in her community and this weekend is the 10th anniversary of the war in Afghanistan.   They have made up ten signs, to represent the ten years.  (I'll write a whole blog post on that later today) The handles of the signs are vintage - they are lathing strips that came out of an old house.  The tops are painted white to match the white posterboard, but the handles were left original.  I like the age of the wood and the nail holes on the ends of some of the pieces.  My Mom had these all laying out on a table and I saw them as I was coming down the stairs yesterday morning.  I told her thanks for helping me choose what my photo of the day would be! 

Enjoy!
Kristin

Tottie, do it again!

I have had two wonderful days.  I arrived safe and sound and without incident in Flint on Tuesday morning.  My sister Hillary picked me up and we sped off to East Lansing, MI.  We had lunch with my Mom at the Peanut Barrel - one of my Mom's favorite places and a neighborhood bar/restaurant and then Hillary went home and I went to Alison's to see her and the kiddos. 

Yesterday is pretty much a blurr because I had so little sleep the night before, but Stella and I played together and Alison and I talked and talked.  I got updated on a lot that had been going on.  Alison convinced me I should take a nap while I had the chance and I was out in a matter of moments.

I slept from 10pm until 6am without moving.  My hand was still holding onto the corner of the pillow and the covers hadn't moved an inch.  Guess I was tired.

Today was a different story.  I arrived before Scarlett napped and the three of us played in the playroom for quite awhile.  I brought my camera up there and pretty much all I heard was, "Tottie, do it again," "Take my picture, Tottie," "Take it again!"

I figured out the timer so we took a dozen or two shots of the three of us.  Most of them were complete duds, but the one above was a keeper and the best of the lot.

This one is just barely passable, but Stella wanted us to have a picture of us on the couch.

Zora is at school all day, so the big event is going to pick her up after school.  There's a little hill right by the school where Alison and the kids wait for Zora.  It's quite a bit of fun for them and it's out of the way of the buses and lines of other cars waiting for children.

Zora was reading over her homework as I was sneaking pictures of her.  She caught me and wasn't too pleased about it...

so she rushed the paparazzi!!  I thought it was a fun picture of her.

I'm going to have to share some of the pictures Zora's drawings.  They don't look anything like a 7 year old's drawings.  Coming from my talented sister and talented brother in law, I don't know why I'd say such a thing.  Of course the kid is crazy talented.

Zora told my Mom tonight that drawing is easy, it's all just lines.

Riiiiight.

I could draw lines all day and never get as good as she is already. 

That's a teaser to keep you coming back.  


Hope you have a GREAT day!

Kristin

Tottie = Auntie in kid talk

POTD - Hotel Entrance

POTD - Hotel Entrance
©2011 Kristin Corlett

I've always gotten a kick out of this hotel entrance in Jacksonville Beach, just a block away from the ocean.  It looks like a garden gate, not the type of gate to a hotel.  I've only seen the gate open once but I wasn't close enough to peek inside.  I'm not sure if I'm going to have to stay here to get the official tour or if I can find someone who will take me through.  So far, I've never seen an employee or anyone going in - but the OPEN sign is on...  I wonder if that means "the light is one but no one's home" ?  Stay Tuned.

Enjoy!
Kristin

The Mitten State

I'm leaving in just a few hours for one of my favorite places in the world!  I was asked where I lived in Michigan by someone here in Jacksonville and I put my hand up to point.

I pointed to Lansing, MI.  and she looked a bit confused.  I said, "Didn't you know that Michigan is shaped like a mitten?"  She didn't know.  tisk tisk!  So I'm here to give you a teeeeny bit of education.

Lower Michigan is shaped like a mitten.

The state of Michigan can be formed by using two hands.  I usually don't do the UP one (the Upper Peninsula) because then I'd need another hand to point to Lansing.  But I usually do demonstrate the entire state at some point in my conversation.  I was born in the UP, so I'm not one of those who forgets that part.

There's even a book about my beloved mitten state.  I didn't know about this book until I started finding photos for this post.  Guess I'm going to have to find the book and see if it's something my nieces might like.

There's even a clothing company called "The Mitten State" and they have some very cool items.  I could even become an affiliate and for everyone who goes through my link and buys something, I get a little money.  Hmmmm.  Well for now it's just a link to their place :0)  I'll look into the affiliate thing later.


So all of this is to tell you that I am letting my husband & kitty fend for themselves for a few weeks, while I go to the airport and get on a plane destined for Michigan, where I will stay for two weeks.   I am normally excited to go home, but for some reason the past two days I've been nearly spinning with JOY!  I want to go home, I want to see my parents, my sisters and my nieces!  I want to see some friends and BOB is coming out this weekend for a two and a half day visit!  I'm just overjoyed.

I bet that my blog posts will be hit or miss the next two weeks, but be prepared to be overloaded with pictures of my nieces.  I'm taking all of my lenses and am looking forward to annoying the heck out of them with the camera and without!

Have a wonderful beginning of October and I'll be back in Jax for my birthday.

I'll be waving at the U.P. and Annie!

Kristin

All the photos were pulled from Google Images and the second picture was altered as the line wasn't going to where I lived, it went to whomever designed the photo lived - and I just couldn't have that!

POTD - Florida Cypress Trees

POTD - Florida Cypress Trees

©2011 Kristin Corlett

Cypress trees like the wet swampy areas that Florida has in abundance, but I've never seen such a tiny little patch of them before.  I was driving through this neighborhood to get to a friends house when I spotted them...just hanging out in the middle of the little stream.  The Cypress leaves here are already turning color, so I guess fall has indeed arrived in Florida.  I think I'm going to keep an eye on this little grove of trees and see what they look like year round.  I am just so glad that I spotted them!

Enjoy!
Kristin

The 927 Building

I left the convention center in downtown Jacksonville, FL as the sun was setting.  I was so excited seeing the gorgeous clouds behinds the palm tree fronds, that I nearly missed the newly painted building just down the street. 

The last time I saw this building it was just a boring beige.  Now it's a riot of color with blues and oranges.  I adore the arches above the windows - it really turns an average three story building into something special.

I went to 927events.com and I'm really impressed with the way the interior was renovated.  I bet it's a great place to have a party or corporate event.  The metal work is fabulous, don't you think?  It really is great branding. 

Here's the hanging sign out front of the building.  I like that the numbers are cut out of the metal, so depending on where you are standing, the numbers can take on a variety of different colors or textures. 

In case you didn't see the 927 building, you obviously didn't see the awnings, the front door, the side of the building or the hanging sign!  I understand, it's the name of their company, too, but it does seem a bit excessive. 

I used this as my photo of the day (POTD - Viking) on Friday.  I wanted to make sure that I used it with a picture of the building so it could be seen in context. 





This is just a taste of my city on this glorious Sunday.  For more Sundays In My City and in many others, please head on over to Unknown Mami.  She's the hostess for this fine event.

Have a great day!
Kristin

POTD - Palm Trees

POTD - Palm Trees

©2011 Kristin Corlett

We had a gorgeous day in Jacksonville on Saturday.  It was in the middle 70s, no humidity and a cool breeze.  I decided to high tail it out of the house and take a drive.  I found myself at the beach on a street that I had never been down before.  I found this little park with two rows of palm trees and all of them had these bright orange seed pods.  Since it wasn't too hot, I was able to click, click, click away and get dozens of angles.  This was a favorite, but I love photographing palm trees, so the more the merrier.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Friday Fragments

It's Friday Fragments Day!!

It's Friday Fragments Day!

It's Friday Fragments Day!

It's Friday Fragments Day!  

It's Friday Fragments Day!

Welcome to Friday Fragments!  This is the place where we're able to put little snippets of fun or interesting things together without having to stretch that idea into an entire blog post.

Mrs. 4444 is our lovely host and I am so grateful for her continued hosting of this fun carnival.  For more Friday Fragment finds, please head on over to Half-Past Kissin' Time.  Thanks!

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I celebrated my 2000th blog post yesterday.  I really am proud of myself because in the things that I want to do for myself I tend to flake out after a little while (exercise anyone?) and I really wanted to blog.  I had to set a few 365 day goals to get it to be a daily habit, but I did it.  The neat thing is that I still love blogging and can't see ever giving it up at this point. So Happy 2000th to The Goat!! Yay!

 

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Our liver transplant community just had a huge turn over.  Nearly all of the folks that arrived last winter and spring were transplanted within the past six weeks.  Our group went from a group of about 40 (Patients and caregivers) waiting and wondering to a group of 40 looking forward to all of the things they can start doing again and enjoying the new life that they have been given.  We've got about four more pre transplant folks (and their caregivers) that can't wait to join that group of 40.  It's exciting and I can't wait to see them all healthy and heading home, but I'm really going to miss all the friendships I've made.

 

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I have this couch I've been trying to sell on CraigsList.  Here's the ad that listed and the email I received about said couch. 

FOR SALE:
Beige sofa with rust and green pin stripes. The two floral designer pillows are included. The sofa is in really great condition as it was hardly used, but it does have some stains. All offers will be considered.

EMAIL:
What is the condition of the item used or new?

MY RESPONSE:
We bought the sofa new, then we used it.

They didn't send any other inquiries!  haha

I never did get the couch sold so we gave it to the son of the owner for his new bachelor pad.  He probably won't even notice the stains.

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My photo of the day was quite timely.  About an hour after I posted it on my blog, the fire alarm in our condo started going off.   The power of suggestion is strong today.  I think I'm going to post a picture of money next!

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I have to admit that I have taken the smoke alarm off in our master bedroom.  The alarms are SO earpiercing and in our small condo we have 6 alarms, plus one for the building.  At one point when we first moved in, the alarms would go off three and four times a day.  The sun shine was directed to the garage alarm somehow and it would go off.   This went on for weeks and weeks.  I wasn't going to leave the building every time from my 5th floor condo.  So I took off the detector in our bedroom.  The condo is still pulsing with the alarm noise, but at least the ear splitting ringing is muffled a bit in there.  This morning I even grabbed my kitty and brought her in there with us.  Turns out that someone turned the leaf blower on in the garage, which always sets off the alarm.

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The photos are of a gator mural I saw on a local craft store.  He's really cool!

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More cool stuff can be found at Mrs. 4444's place though, as the Friday Fraggers are linking up there.

Have a great weekend!
Kristin

POTD - Viking

POTD - Viking

©2011 Kristin Corlett

I was immediately drawn to the black VIKING cut out on the red cover of the alarm on this particular building.  It's funny how something so little can catch your attention, especially when that something little is on a newly painted orange and blue three story building. 

Enjoy!
Kristin

POTD - 2000th blog post

POTD -  2000th blog post

©2011 Kristin Corlett

The photo is of the Beach Bowl in Jacksonville, FL.  When I saw this part of the building I knew that it would be a great backdrop for some text. Little did I know it would be for my 2000th post!  The colors are fabulously Florida and the palm tree hugging the side of the building was a real bonus.

I can hardly believe that I have written 2000 blog posts.  The very first year that I started The Goat blog I wrote two posts.  The next year, I wrote one.  At that pace I would have never made it to 100 let alone 2000.  I'm so happy to have jumped into the blogging world and met so many great folks.  Thank you for coming by, for commenting, for reading, for looking at my photos and for being interested.  Some of you have even become real life friends.  I am truly blessed. 

Thank you!
Kristin