Penning Photography Daily

I went out for a walk through Lincoln Park today.

It was chilly – low 40 F – and windy.

After a while, I kept shifting the camera from hand to hand, keeping one warm at a time.

The flower beds were of interest.

This is one of several species that intrigued me, but remain unidentified.

As I write this, it almost looks like ice or snow. Perhaps I’m anticipating Winter.

The warm colors of fall, the reds, browns, golds, and the evergreens were out in force as backdrops for each other.

Enjoy!

The harbingers of Winter were calling me as I stepped out my car.

I had my camera up as soon as I saw them streaking through the air.

I panned with them through the tree limbs overhead, clicked away and hoped for the best.

The black & white conversion just calls out Winter to me.

We had Thanksgiving dinner at The Smiths home – Chris, Kathryn, Charlie & Louis as hosts.

This is one that caught my eye as I was roaming around looking for photo opportunities.

Nicolo & Kieran in discussion against the fading afternoon light prior to dinner.

Nic is spending his senior year of High School (Grade 12) with my brother Dennis & Kieran, and Alyssa when she’s home from college. Nic is from Italy, here to experience the USA and learn English.

I think Kieran was explaining one or more of the oddities that surround an American Thanksgiving family celebration.

Traditions within families and friends can be hard to explain to anyone new to the tradition.

Nic made a delightful stuffed shell pasta dish, as his addition to the feast, which was very tasty indeed.

We’ve been married 29 years and are more in love now than ever.

We just have completed our most wonderful vacation ever – well, Hawaii for our 25th is up there. =)

This is a photo taken by candle-light at our exceptional and delight-filled dinner on our last night.

I have a funny story to tell, and Karen is concerned. Bear with me dear.

The restaurant was a family-run Northern-Italy cuisine gem in the heart of the Historic District in Charleston. Recommended by our over-the-top-in-a-great-way concierge, Kevin McQuade of the Historic District Holiday Inn.

The courses of food were served to our liking, separated by time to be together and not rushed.

Every so often, Karen would or I would reach out and hold hands – it was a tad chilly outdoors, and well, we’re in love.

At one point, Karen reached, and playfully grabbed my knee.

Our waitress came by at that moment, and I, being full of mirth, said “She’s groping my leg!” With a grin on my face. =)

Our waitress immediately turned around – embarrassed or just adding to the moment by pretending to be embarrassed.

Karen laughed, but was embarrassed as well, and said “Now she’ll never want to come back to our table!”

Of course she did, and she gave a hug to Karen, letting her know that she is special to put up with the likes of me.

She is special, my Karen.

So, I may delete this or not, after I read it to Karen, who I believe will approve.

Or not.

We drove about 700 miles today from Charleston, South Carolina to Paducah, Kentucky today.

Long drive.

Safe and sound in our hotel room, ready for a short drive tomorrow.

Thursday we visit family for the Thanksgiving holiday.

I always look forward to family gatherings. We continually cement our family through these times together, singing the songs, playing the games, and catching up with the next generation.

I’m thankful for safe travels, and a superb vacation.

I hope for peace in your lives, and the ability to reflect and give thanks.

Meet Captain Greesh.

He took us on a magical trip to the Morris Island Lighthouse – www.savethelight.org/

The lighthouse has been abandoned since 1962, and now sits alone in the ocean. The land between it and the rest of Morris Island has been eroded by time.

The State of South Carolina is working with a foundation to shore up and restore the lighthouse. We saw the work crews installing pillions down to bedrock which will form the outer wall of a concrete dam.

The trip was special for many reasons.

We were the only two on the island.

The Captain painted a portrait of the island, it’s history, the lighthouse and it’s history and preservation work.

We saw dolphins on the way there and back.

We walked on the sandbar, enjoying the shells and birds and each other, in solitude, knowing that the sandbar, as the tide rose, would be submerged in a few hours.

Nature provided a awesome backdrop for us to explore her mysteries today.

Captain Greesh provided the means to savor it.

Our thanks to you, Captain Greesh.

Hand Held – 3/5th of a second ISO 1600 – Gotta love this Pentax K10D – In-body Image Stabilization. =)

POTD for Saturday, November 17 – Posted on the 18th – I was tired.

I took this lovely lighted yard on our way back from dinner at the Cru Cafe (Which is at the corner of Motley St. )

As elegant and charming as Charleston is during the day, the nights turn simply magical.

The lighting sculpture on the houses brings out a character which turns an ok house into a wonderland of delight.

There are fountains everywhere it seems, in every yard in Charleston. Some can be seen, but most are only heard, as they are in enclosed gardens in the back yards of the homes. We got to peek at some of those enclosed gardens on our walk tonight.

I tried to take photos hand-held, and some turned out, others are more magical in my memory.

Charleston, South Carolina – take a tour at night in the oldest districts, and be amazed and filled with beauty.