235/365

Pool Decking and Chairs

This is the back side of the hotel and coffee shop in Eastland, Texas, leading to the pool, which is on the left of the image, out of sight.  

 

179/365

Jumbo Jenga

Several months ago I posted another image of this jumbo benga that's located in a play area in downtown Abilene, TX.  The location used to be a restaurant with an outdoor eating area that now has several games for people to interact with.  

This time I passed this place, it was all in shade which made for a better image.

75/365

Royal Typewriter

I learned to type on a real typewriter.  From the first day I took typing class in high school I loved the process.  My parents bought me a typewriter and in college I earned money by typing other student's papers.

I found this Royal machine in an antique store in downtown Abilene and the price was so cheap,  it was even in a carrying case.  I couldn't pass it up.

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Giant Jenga

There's an ex-business in downtown Abilene that has an outdoor courtyard that is filled now with free games.  This giant Jenga is on one of the tables and I thought it was pretty interesting so I grabbed a photo of it.

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Monk's Fireplace

My fave coffee shop just underwent a slight remodel.  These flames were painted in the fireplace.  The photo was originally in color, but I tried it in bw and I liked it, so there you go.

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Round Yellow patio Table

There's an ice cream shop in downtown Abilene that serves the best ice cream ever.  It's called the Roll Shack.  Outside the shop there are two sets of these tables for people who want to sit outside if the weather is nice.  I think the other set is red.  

The weather has been really nice lately, but I guess no one is going to the ice cream shop early in the morning.

106/365

Advertisements at a Coffee Shop

While waiting for a friend to meet me at the local coffee shot, I grabbed this image of the advertisements right inside the front door.

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Ice Cream Shop

I met my daughter, sil and grandkids met at this cute ice cream shop in their little town this afternoon.  I got there before they did and was sitting with my camera looking for photo ops when I noticed this cute little scene right outside the shop.  

I love the pink and aqua colors together.

My heart is grateful:

for the cooler fall weather

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I had to get up a little earlier than usual this morning and when I looked out the patio door, I saw the lights on the deck next door.  The sky was just getting light but I wondered why the deck light was on in the next yard.  I'll probably never know, but I thought it looked interesting.

My heart is grateful that:

I was able to take great cupcakes to share with my fellow early-voting-poll-workers today

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Dying Rose

Someone gave me a rose as a thank-you.  I stuck it into a jar where I was rooting a shoot from a plant I have. They thrived together very nicely, but now the rose is pretty much dead and many of the petals have fallen.  I haven't touched it, I like the way it looks and I knew I would get a photo of it sooner or later. If I can get motivated, I'll try to figure out a few other photos with the dead petals and what's left of the rose on the stem.

I'm grateful for:

beautiful nature

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A hidden courtyard on the Abilene Christian University Campus.

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A sitting area in my fave coffee shop.

I'm grateful that:

the holiday season is almost over

275/365

Just the Facts

I attended a meeting last night where the author of this book spoke about the horrendous things that are really happening at the southern border in Texas.  It's worse than we all know and worse than we want to believe.  I could go on a political rant right now, but I don't think that's what my blog should be about.

I will recommend this book for anyone who wants to know the facts.  The author is a former ICE and Homeland Security Agent, who was shot three times in an altercation (during which his partner was killed) and who is now advocating for stricter restrictions at the border.

My heart is grateful for:

men who are courageous and willing to fight the fight

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Bistro Table

Two sets of bistro table is in front of a coffee shop.  I hear it's a nice place, but I've never been inside.  It was about 104 today, so obviously no diners sitting outside.

My heart is grateful for:

outdoor seating when the weather is nice

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Place Settings

  

Many of the eating establishments that I explored this morning had outdoor seating. This one had 

napkin-wrapped place settings on each table and I thought it looked so inviting. It's so interesting to see how each business creates a welcoming environment for their patrons.

My heart is grateful for:

creativity and imagination

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Plant Decor

This plant was seen on an outside table on the patio of a restaurant in Dunedin, Florida.  The restaurant was closed the day we saw this scene, but I thought it was the perfect piece of decor for an outdoor space.

My heart is grateful for:

the food in my pantry and refrigerator

178/365

Decor in a Coffee Shop

Yesterday I was in this coffee shop, not my fave, for our monthly bookgroup.  While I was waiting for the others to arrive, I noticed this artificial plant positioned in the corner and I thought it looked so nice.

Today I bought another live plant for my house.  I'd better be careful, now that I've decided I'll be here long enough to decorate with plants.  I love houseplants, but sometimes one too many plants is one too many.

I'm grateful for:

nature

106/365

While I was waiting for a friend in my fave coffee shop today, a girl got up from her table to leave.  I quickly snagged the table for us.

She left behind half of a perfectly good delicious blueberry muffin.

Who does that?  Asking for a friend.

I knew I couldn't eat it, but it was there, just asking to be photographed.

My heart is grateful today:

for the photo webinar I was able to watch this afternoon

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The Photo Album

The first Texas grand baby is having a milestone birthday this week.  His mom suggested I get him a photo  album since they gave him a camera.  He's been trying to take photos on a very old point-and-shoot camera of mom's, and obviously the pics don't look great since the camera is so old.

None of my kids followed in my photographic interests, so it's kind of exciting to give this album in the hopes he might like the hobby.  But he's young and interests change quickly for the young.

Several years ago one of my granddaughters showed an interest for about a year.  We went out on several photo excursions.  Then she lost interest, but it was fun for me while it lasted.

My heart is grateful today for: 

choices

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Still Life

A couple of years ago I tried my hand at still life with the few items I had around my house, which wasn't much since I had just moved into a smaller space and had seriously purged my belongings. 

It was fun, it gave me something to do and I learned a little more about lighting.

I'm grateful today for:

my sewing machine