Chicago School, 1893

Chicago ~ April 22, 2005

Weekend Reflections

I don't know if it would be easier to learn in a school like this, but I'll bet it would be a more inspirational way to start the day than the ugly Bauhaus-looking school I attended in Southern California. I think I would imagine that it was a museum with all kinds of esoteric information inside rather than the characterless and forbidding facade of my school that made me want to run away and retrieve my sense of self.

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Bench Mysteries of Oxford

Oxford, England ~ February 18, 2010

I'm convinced that these modern-looking benches were made just to confuse people like me. Alternating with the ones that look like rolltop desks (above) are flat benches like the ones below. The curved benches were obviously quite wet, or I would have tried them to see if they're comfortable. Any clues?

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Pink Flowers at the Zoo

Sorocaba, Brazil ~ April 18, 2007

Outside the Cafeteria

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Mountain Meadows and Lilly Pads

Near Bend, Oregon ~ June 7, 2009

We had driven outside of Bend into the mountains, but I don't remember the name of this nearly-pristine location. The air was crisp and clear and whistled gently through the trees as it can only in forested meadows betweent the high peaks.

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Gryphons on a Stone Shield

St-Denis, France ~ October 15, 2008

St-Denis Basilica

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Yellowtail Coris, Hawaii

Hawaii ~ September 25, 2007

Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook's Monument)

Usually it's nice when the fish cooperates and gives you a fish-like profile, but in this photo I was happy get some of the brilliant blue spots and the flowerlike tail.

By the way, for any of you who enjoyed my "On the Pavement" blog, I merged it with "Tapirgal's Daily Image" last night. All of the photos and comments are here. I'll be including "pavement" photos among the other posts.

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Purple and Gold Chihuly

Tacoma, Washington ~ May 21, 2004

Dale Chihuly Art, Bridge of Glass

Weekend Reflections

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A Kitty at the Kite Festival

Long Beach, Washington ~ August 24, 2003

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The Other Direction

South Junction, Central Oregon ~ June 2, 2005

This picture is a companion to yesterday's photo. I was standing in just about the same spot, facing the other direction. I like the way the car blurred at the right of the photo.

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Displacement

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 27, 2010

Outside the Flavel House on Duane Avenue

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Train at South Junction

South Junction, Central Oregon ~ June 2, 2005

There's nothing like being right up close when they come rumbling and screeching through. In this case, you can't see the scenery, but the wild and daunting Deschutes River lies at the bottom of a slope on the right. This photo is also dedicated, and you know who you are.

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Eastern Hercules Beetle

Eastern Hercules beetle

US Postage Stamp, 1999

It's amazing what you can find on stamps. I think this image is particularly well done.

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Wednesday Doorway: A Basilica in Rome

Rome ~ April 13, 2004

Posted in honor of a blogging friend whose images are making me "homesick" for a faraway city.

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Boats at Manaus Central Market

Manaus, Brazil ~ April 25, 2007

Amazon River

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Hotel Steps, South Kensington

London ~ February 19, 2010

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More Metal Roses

Portland, Oregon ~ August 7, 2010

. . . "The City of Roses"

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Reflecting

Paris ~ May 4, 2004

In the Louvre

See more Weekend Reflections.

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"Dump No Waste, Drains to Stream"

Bend, Oregon ~ May 31, 2010

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Not Quite Pavement

London ~ February 14, 2010

On the London Underground

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A Beach Called Two-step

Hawaii (Big Island) ~ September 22, 2007

A remarkable snorkeling place

The hut on the outcropping may be a cultural center.

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Fish Mola from Panama

Panama City, Panama ~ January 17, 2006

I'm sorry about the lousy photo quality, but I couldn't resist taking pictures of several of the framed molas hanging in the restaurant area of a hotel we stayed in. Molas are a very particular kind of reverse applique stitchery made by the Indians in the Kuna Islands of Panama. Every little detail is stitched by hand, the edges of the cloth are turned under, and you end up with layer upon layer of beautifully intricate stitching as well as fascinating, artistic designs. As you can tell, I love molas. They were originally made to be worn as blouses by the women. When the sleeves and the seams wore out, they would take the design off and make it into a new blouse. Now they are sold to tourists as artwork in its own right with ragged fabric edges rather than turning into something to wear. The ragged edges are usually hidden under a frame.

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Wombat at the Lugnasa Festival

Astoria, Oregon ~ July 26, 2008

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Stripes

Portland, Oregon ~ February 16, 2008

Burchell's or plains zebra

The Oregon Zoo

At least, I think this is Burchell's zebra. Zebras have been seen in photos and books and at zoos for so long that we get used to looking at them. But when you really begin to think in a fresh way about the patterns and colors on these animals, zebras a truly amazing-looking creatures not like anything else on Earth.

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Yes, we have zebras!

Alex at Smith Rock

Near Terrebonne, Oregon ~ September 1, 2009

Smith Rock State Park

This is my friend Alex from Panama. In nice weather there is always either a full or sparse line of people - but always someone - winding their way up or down the trail. Others are climbing the rock with technical gear. Climbers come from all over the country and beyond. There are areas for beginners, intermediates, and . . . I assume the experts can also find something to do. What you see here is a small part of the formation. There are overhangs, 90-degree angles, and the great bulb of "Monkey Face" on the other side. The hiking trail is plenty for me. The front side is not long, but it's steep. Then there's the other side . . . a beautiful walk if you're up to it. I posted the beginning of this trail earlier on the blog.

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Sky in Water

Panama ~ January 14, 2006

An Island near Bocas del Toro

See more Weekend Reflections from around the world.

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For Lovers

London ~ February 14, 2010

See Weekend Reflections from around the world.

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Spring Puddle by the Trolley Line

Astoria, Oregon ~ April 27, 2010

See Weekend Reflections from around the world.

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Yes, Crater Lake is Really Blue!

Crater Lake, Oregon ~ October 8, 2009

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The Lion at Captain Fishhead's

Astoria, Oregon ~ September 19, 2010

See Captain Fishhead's Front Porch

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Brick Street, Orange Chairs, Rain

Stratford-upon-Avon, England ~ February 17, 2010

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