January 30: unpacking 2

unpacking 2, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

unpacking is much more fun than packing!

January 30: unpacking

unpacking, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

January 30: early morning at the airport

January 30: early morning at the airport, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

this sight was outside the window as i sat at the dakar airport, waiting for our boxes to be loaded into the van... it was still dark as we left the airport at 6:30 a.m.

January 28: packing

packing, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

we are so tired! it is not so fun, packing again, closing up a life again, saying goodbye to those we love on this side again!

January 21: on the road back to MN

on the road back to MN, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

One more familiar, common, but soon-to-be rare sight!

January 21: on the road home

on the road home, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

I need to appreciate these beautiful sights. Something about horses, and the snowy landscape-- so familiar and yet not part of my "normal" life any more!

January 21: oh my goodness

oh my goodness, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

We followed this truck for several miles along curving, hilly roads. Almost like being back in Africa again!

January 19: peaceful creek

peaceful creek, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

I loved being beside a creek, seeing water that wasn't frozen, and reflections too!

January 18: peaceful sunset

peaceful sunset, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

Across the street from our son's campus is a pretty graveyard. It looked so peaceful and pretty with the sunset.

January 18: horses from the road

horses from the road, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

It was so cold today, and I enjoyed the sight of the horses and cows in the snow, blowing their warm breath into the cold air.

January 18: from the road

from the road, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

This was one of my favorite sights from the road yesterday...

road trip sights

originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

We drive from Apple Valley to Kansas City today. I have more pics to share but not enough time at the moment... but drifted white show across fields was one of our main sights today!

January 16: at the pet store

I've always loved parakeets, though I've never owned one. Today I enjoyed looking at them through my camera lens. I enjoyed the way the green ones were roosting all in a row...

January 15: more living color!

My family members laugh at me when I take close-ups of dinner... but... it's so pretty!

January 14: winter white

I have to admit I like the way the sun and shadows play on the snow, can you see the sparkles?

January 12: living color

When cabin fever hit hard a couple of days this week, I realized I needed something ALIVE in the house to photograph. I mentioned to my husband that I was going to buy something alive-- when I told him flowers he was relieved! He thought I meant goldfish or something... which would actually not be a bad idea! (But we are hopefully returning to Senegal on January 29, so I suppose it would not be very sensible!)

January 10: zoo parent and child

These two snow monkeys look like they're having an intense conversation. Mom or Dad lecturing child? The small one looks like he's listening intently, and thinking!

**note the snowy foreground, barren background. Brrrr!!

January 9: Another view, a.k.a....

another view, a.k.a. "Duck Butts" , originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

My son and I went to the zoo for a visit-- I was hoping for vibrant color and light but overall it seemed pretty gray. Everything has kind of blended into this Minnesota January colorless color-scheme. I did get some fun pictures, though.

Here's a link to the photo-set on flick'r.

January 5: sad news sight

sad news, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

We were very sad to learn that because of threats of terrorism, this truly amazing race has been canceled for this year. Will it ever happen again? It's so disappointing for the many who have invested time, money, effort in preparing for this challenging race.

**note**

Just to let you know, I've done significant editing and adding to my end-of-the-year post-- even including a change in the title of the post. Better late than never, right? Here it is if you'd like to read!

January 3 : candle sights

I'm realizing that I really love the things that bring color and light into a dark setting. I need to learn how to better capture in a photograph the essence of what these sights mean to me!

January 2: january sights

Doesn't it just LOOK cold?






















(last time to enjoy this year's tree!)

January 1: still loving the tree

I don't feel like I ever captured this tree as it deserved. But I enjoyed the scent of frasier fir, the vivid colors, the sparkles, and the way it warmed our living room during cold winter evenings!

December 31: memories

The year is ending, but the memories remain!