Another World

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It's very late as I write this.  I should never try to post this late.  My eyes are drooping and all of the fun things I was hoping to write to describe these photos are just memories.

But here's a little info anyway.  Yesterday was our hiking day, but 3 of us went hiking walking a nature preserve trail instead.  We probably walked a total of around 4 miles.  We're having a difficult time getting going on the mountains this year, and the summer is already half over.  But the weather was perfect.

On the way home, the driver took us to see this "home" in Saratoga. (think Downton Abbey within city limits)  Really though, Saratoga is like another world.  This is home to a couple. One couple.  Just two people. hmmmm.  The rumor is that they have 20 dogs--little ones, but 20 nonetheless.  The rumor goes on to say that each dog has its own room.  Oi vey!

My friend said they are patrons of the dance.  This ballet slipper is part of the landscaping for this incredible home--you can see the pics of the dogs on it.

After walking around the home for a while, we went to the main street in Saratoga for another short walk and a treat of gelatto.

Saratoga has had a permanent display of decorated horses for quite a while, and now it has an additional permanent display of ballet slippers.

I'll get back there one day after racing season is over and it's a little cooler to photograph all the ballet slippers. 

Time For Senior Pics

63/365

Well, the grandson is going to be a senior...or, technically he is a senior now.  Instead of waiting until the last minute to do his senior pics, I suggested we do it now.  Timing is everything.  It's the hottest it's been all summer! (but on the other hand, it's the driest it's been all summer, so maybe that's a good thing).  

So we went out yesterday afternoon to do some photos.  I was dripping, but it was such fun.  And he was so patient.  He never complained until near the end when he calmly said, "I think that's enough, it's really hot".  What a great kid!

Mom looked at the images on the camera and then said, "well, when you go out again, why don't you try a stream or a stone wall?"  Boy oh boy, it's a good thing I love her cause otherwise this would be a $300 senior portrait session sitting-fee, not to count the cost for the individual images.

Ahhhh, the things we do for love.

Classic Car Show

62/365

Every second Monday of the month from June-Sept, Guptill's (in Latham) hosts a classic car show.  The cars must be 1988 or older.  This is the first time I attended a show at this venue, and I was blown away by the number of cars on display.  My brother-in-law said it wasn't even the normal amount, so I can't really imagine what it's like when there's a full house.  

One nice thing about this show is that it begins at 4 pm instead of high noon like so many other car shows in the area, so the sun is lower (for better light) and there's at least a chance that it might be cooling off from the heat of the day.

I'm not a gear-head.  I don't care what the engine looks like, how many horsepower, what size tires are used or anything like that. All I care about with a car is that it starts when I turn the key and gets me where I want to go. Oh...and maybe that it's all the same color, that it doesn't have a gazillion miles on it, that it gets decent gas mileage and my latest "must-haves"--a/c and automatic windows.  So I guess I've gotten a little fussier as I've gotten older, but mostly, I just like to take pictures.

My brother-in-law had his car there.  I finally got the details about it from him.  He had a small album of pics showing the progression from "just the body" to what he has now. He said the process took 10 years.  But looking at the car, you can see that it was worth it.

Brother-in-law's car

Brother-in-law made a great statement as we were talking.  Although he is interested in all the technology involved with cars, his interest goes farther.

"I look at them as art".   I think he hit the nail on the head.

The following photos are just random images.  I didn't talk to the owners and I know nothing about their stories, but I enjoyed photographing the "art".

And Then There Are Days....

61/365

A friend and I have been trying to get together for some time now, but because she works and my schedule is crazy, we haven't been able to find a time that's mutually convenient for both of us.  She finally suggested that we meet for dinner when she gets out of work then attend a Mohawks Baseball game.  Bingo!!  Great idea.

So last night that's exactly what we did.  The Mohawks are Amsterdam's local ball team.  It's made up of college students from all across the country who come here for the summer to play ball in the hopes that they'll be drafted to a major league team.  In past years, about 25 of these hopefuls have actually received spots with various ball clubs.  Impressive.

We were sitting almost behind home plate, and there was netting as protection for the fans.  I had to shoot through the netting and was pleasantly surprised at how well the camera focused on the players instead of the netting. 

The opening ceremony--the singing of the National Anthem.  When it was finished, the woman next to me tapped me on the shoulder and said, "that was my granddaughter".  Proud grandma.

 I know I've posted several shots of a batter swinging, but take note of the ball in each of the images.  Especially in the third image down.  I didn't notice where the ball was when I was looking at the image on the small screen of the camera, but when I put the images on the computer, I was pleasantly surprised psyched!

After the game, they wasted no time in beginning the fireworks.  I had to delete the majority of the images, but I kept a few.  They aren't world-class, but I'm fairly happy with them so I can share them with you.

There are days when I think I should just put the camera away, but then there are days like yesterday.  I think it might have something to do with photographing something different and outside my comfort zone.  But whatever, it was a good evening and I thank my friend, Theresa, for the great idea.