Here's Your Sign...Part 4

Boobie Trap - "A trap set to surprise or injure an unsuspecting person."  In other words...DANGER!  KEEP OUT!

"Leave ignition key with attendant."  In other words...DON'T LEAVE ANYTHING OF VALUE IN YOUR VEHICLE IF YOU GET TO WORK LATE AND HAVE TO PARK IN THE AISLE SPOT!

The other words for this window decal would be..."I have a lead foot; please don't give me a ticket, Officer!"

Today's Experiment

Walking by this door nearly everyday, I felt it had potential.  Today, I had to see what the photographic possibilities might be, so had the daughter pose in front while I snapped a quick shot.

I used the Picfx app for some layering effects and came up with these two images.

Not sure I completely like where her head is placed in relation to the cracks, but still like the idea.

Blazing Star State Trail Bike Ride

With temps in the upper 70's, a slight breeze, and beautiful skies, yesterday was a perfect day to ride the Blazing Star State Trail in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Just after crossing underneath Interstate 35, the trail enters the Myre Big Island State Park.  Lush, green rural landscapes punctuated by colorful wildflowers make this a scenic ride.

We rode the trail all the way into the park until it turned to gravel.  I'm sorry to report, unlike the Root River Trail, this trail is not well maintained.  The deep crevices, holes, ruts, and cracks nearly shook my Catrike Expedition apart.

By the time we saw the "Steep Grade Ahead" sign, it was too late to take a picture or to turn around. Cruising down at full speed, I only briefly thought about the fact that I would eventually have to pedal back up that hill!

Fortunately, 9.55 miles later, I had conquered the challenge and could say I did it!

Here's Your Sign...Part 3

No captions necessary...these images conjure up hilarity all on their own.

Here's Your Sign...Part 2

There should really be a warning sign for this DANGER sign that it contains graphic images
 and is intended for mature audiences only.

 It's a good thing these stalls are marked!  I shudder to think what might happen if the employees used the toilet on the right!!!

Hold the PEE!!!

What do you mean you don't see a difference between the two?????!!!???

Let me see if I have this message straight...MEN are full of crap and need to shovel it out when it gets too deep,
and WOMEN are delicate flowers.  Yep...sounds about right.  :)

Here's Your Sign...Part 1

Part 1 in a series of random signs and my own brand of quirky observations...

This is a special kind of "Spot" remover...What? No cat lovers only in the crowd?

State Fair Attraction (heh, heh)

I herd this was a good show...oh, that was baa..aaa...d!

Art Sail On

On Saturday, the hubby and I went to the Art Sail in Clear Lake.  Seventy plus juried artists were showcasing and selling their arts and crafts in the city park including our long-time friends Art and Paula Ciccotti who were there with Art's fine glassware.

I do enjoy walking around looking at all the handiwork of the creative and talented folks from all over the region.  I'm always inspired and feel the desire to go home and work on my own craft projects after I've been to an art festival...(alas, the desire quickly fades before I get back home).

With a name like "Art Sail," my mind immediately envisions a craft fair in conjunction with sailboat races.  Unfortunately, that is not the case.  However, it is a great segue into showcasing some of my favorite sailboat pictures from days gone by...

Hayward, WI - 2009

Duluth, MN - 2010

Duluth, MN - 2010

Duluth, MN - 2010

Root River Trail - Lanesboro, MN

A wonderful day of firsts and family fun...

The daughter's first trail ride with her new bike -

The first family bike ride with the four of us each on our own bike -

"Team S-H-I-f-T Happens"

The last time we were all on the Root River Trail out of Lanesboro was probably 11 or 12 years ago with my dad, and my hubby was pulling a Burley bicycle trailer behind his bike with our three-or four-year-old daughter inside.

Today, we started in Lanesboro, MN and rode east the 4.6 miles to Whalan where we took a break for pie and ice cream and assorted snacks at the Aroma Pie Shop.  Since this was our daughter's first big ride, we didn't want to push too hard, so turned around after our rest break and rode back to Lanesboro.  It was a perfect day--weather-wise--for a ride, and the trail was very scenic and well maintained.

Back in Lanesboro, we had pizza at Gil B's and more ice cream (and an iced latte for me) at Another Time Ice Cream.  After checking out a few other shops and the art gallery, it was back to the cars to head home for the day.  Thankfully, the rain waited until we were done with our ride and walk around town.

The view from my trike

Random Shots

When is an image not an image?  When it is an image of a reflection.  Okay, it's still an image, but that was fun.  While this effect can also be accomplished by flipping an image in a photo editor, this was actually taken looking at a mirror...like a lot of selfies (except I took my-selfie out).

Literally a mirror image.

On my bike ride around the cemetery path yesterday, I was playing a game of "I Spy..." (one can only read the names on the headstones for so long and then there needs to be something else to do).

Tucked inside this tree behind the bench, I spied a lavender watering container.

I Spy...a watering can.

RAGBRAI in Mason City...

Helmets, water bottles, and backpacks are standard gear for registered riders.

The architecture and beautiful skies provided some great backdrops for the group and landscape images below.  As the thousands of bicyclists pedaled into Mason City for the fourth day of this year's largest, longest, and oldest cycling event, I spent a couple hours in the thick of it snapping some shots and getting a firsthand look at the organized chaos that is The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.

The local brew pub was packed by 2:30 p.m.

Jerseys sport clever team names like this one - "Team Cuisine - Eating Up The Miles"

Bear-ly able to contain the excitement!

Petals and Pedals

One rider takin' a break among the wheels.

Bikes and more bikes!

A sea of cycles!

Following the bike path arrows to food vendors, first aid, entertainment, and much more!

Central Park was a great place to stop and relax after the day's 38.5 mile ride.

"Oh My Pie!!!" was the Bethlehem Lutheran Church food stop with...what else?  PIE!

People come from all over the world to participate every year.  This is the 42nd year of this July touring event, and there are amazing human interest stories just waiting to become part of its history. While I didn't capture any photos of a unique event that took place today, I read all about the wedding of two riders from Team Waldo in Clear Lake.

I actually rode five blocks of the route today, so can now officially say I have ridden in RAGBRAI.  :)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 30:FACELESS PORTRAIT

I made it!

Thirty days of photo challenges complete!

May 2004 - Grandma's Hands

August 2009 - Grand Marais, MN

Today's challenge of the faceless portrait is literally in the eye of the beholder.

I admit I did a Google search of images for this topic and found I was only limited by my own imagination.

November 2009 - Two-Headed Shadow

So I reached into the archives for some examples as well as taking a couple of fresh shots today.

July 2014 - Fone Face

July 2014 - CamWow App filter on iPhone

I do have another 30-Day photo challenge ready to try; but in the meantime, I will be sharing some activities from each day until I tire of that.

Tomorrow's activity is to become part of the throng of RAGBRAI riders and spectators.  So check back for some bicycle and people pictures as I try to capture a piece of this incredible summertime Iowa event.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 29:DAILY ROUTINE

Like a beacon in the wee hours of the morning light, my cell phone illuminates and beckons to me.

As I was pondering my daily routine, I unfortunately was faced with the harsh reality that looking at my smartphone consumes a large part of my day...and I'm now feeling like that's not so smart after all.

The first hour of my day is spent looking at my phone.  As I lay in bed stretching and waking up to greet the day, I look at the weather, emails, and catch up on Facebook posts.  I have two local newspaper apps and one app from my hometown paper that I view to see if any headlines or obituaries catch my eye. Additionally, I check four different TV news station websites for other possible stories of interest.

There are two different word games I play with friends that I get alerts for when it is my turn to play.

The YouVersion app is my daily devotional.  The Plans and Verse of the Day get me in the Word and hopefully help me get in the right frame of mind before my feet hit the floor.

I'm sorry to say Candy Crush is back on my phone.  I had deleted it several months ago and appreciated all the extra time I had during the day, but I'm once again playing the highly addictive game.

Being extra mindful of my routine today, I discovered that even when I get out of bed, there is not much time throughout the day that I don't keep checking and looking at my phone...consequently it doesn't stay charged long.

This challenge may not have been much for a photo op, but it has made me reflect on how much time I actually spend with my phone, and perhaps has challenged me to put the phone down and look for other activities.