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Halloween gets real

November 6, 2013 by Beth Shepherd

Herein lies the true story of what happened last Thursday, on Halloween.

Our cowgirl and her faithful ponyMost kids go trick or treating on Halloween. Our cowgal? Let’s just say she strayed a bit from the proverbial trail.

Here comes DadaOur afternoon started out with a trip to Dada’s office.

A cowgirl and her DadaHalloween festivities were underway.

The fishtank at the officeOur cowgal and Mr. Potato Head checked out the fish in the lobby.

Up we goThen we rode the elevator up to the 12th floor to pick up our visitor badges.

Cowgal and Mama CatAfter sampling a few M&Ms, Mama Cat and Cowgal were hot to trot.

Dog in 'gator costumeWe passed an alligator. “He wasn’t scarey, was he Mama?”

Running down the hallsThere were a lot of hallways to explore. “My run away,” exclaimed Cowgal as she took off at a full gallop.

Playing gamesOne of the hallways led to the break room, where Cowgal took a break to play games.

Reading Perl HacksThen we passed by some interesting books to read. Caution: future hacker in training.

Writing codeAnd wrote some code. Sorry about the permanent marker on your whiteboard, Dada 🙁

Hide and seekAfter a few rounds of hide ‘n seek.

Down the stairsIt was time to walk down the stairs.

Up the stairsAnd up the stairs.

MeltdownAll good things finally came to an end (following multiple attempts at running through the security scanner).

On our way homeAfter all, what would Halloween be without the classic meltdown?

Filed Under: Holiday, Photography Tagged With: code, cowgal, cowgirl, Halloween, work

Hummingbird don’t fly away

October 25, 2013 by Beth Shepherd

Hummingbird don’t fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don’t fly away, fly away.
In you I’ve found a fragrance. I’ll love you ’til I die.
I just love you, love you, love you. I don’t even know the reason why.
Hummingbird don’t fly away, fly away. Hummingbird don’t fly away, fly away.

~Seals and Crofts

Anna's Hummingbird all fluffed up

Anna's Hummingbird turns red

Anna's Hummingbird waving

Anna's Hummingbird waving

 

Filed Under: Photography Tagged With: Anna's hummingbird, hummingbird, Seals and Crofts

Chasing ducks

October 11, 2013 by Beth Shepherd

The perils of duck hunting are great–especially for the duck.

~Walter Cronkite

Chasing ducks

Ducks in a row

More chasing ducks

Girl with ducks

Chasing ducks

Chasing ducks

Chasing ducks

Filed Under: Family, Photography Tagged With: Ducks

Birds in autumn leaves

October 4, 2013 by Beth Shepherd

 The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

~John Keats, To Autumn.

Hummingbird on a branch

Chickadee in vine maple

Robin on the fence

Junco on branch

Filed Under: Photography Tagged With: autumn, chickadee, hummingbird, junco, leaves, robin, twitter

Dress up

September 27, 2013 by Beth Shepherd

In fashion, you know you have succeeded when there is an element of upset.

~Coco Chanel

Getting dressed 9

Getting dressed 10

Getting dressed 11

Getting dressed 8

Getting dressed

Getting dressed 6

Getting dressed 7

Getting dressed 5

Getting dressed 4

Taken the road less traveled, Beth

Filed Under: Photography Tagged With: coco chanel, dress up

Paris in the fall

September 20, 2013 by Beth Shepherd

Everyone talks about visiting Paris in the springtime, but I love Paris in the fall. Dots of autumn leaves color the sky like a Pissaro painting, the spicy scent of mulled wine wafts in the air from cafes in the Tuileries, mist creates a moody feeling, and raindrops play on the sidewalks.

Fall leaves in Tuileries

Mulled wine in Paris

Red vine on wall in Paris

Paris under clouds from Montmarte

Yellow umbrella in Paris

Rain on an awingin iin Paris

Woman and dog in Paris

Paris Metro

Take the road less traveled, Beth

Filed Under: Paris, Photography Tagged With: autumn, fall, leaves, mulled wine, Pissaro, Tuileries

Here comes the rain again

September 6, 2013 by Beth Shepherd

Here comes the rain again
Falling on my head like a memory
Falling on my head like a new emotion

~Eurythmics

Rain over fence

 Raindrops on leaves by red flowers and blue bench

 Dying flowers in the rain

Raindrops on dead rose bush

Raindrops on leaves

Raindrops on pink flowers

Take the road less traveled, Beth

And check out more droplets of wonder with Delicious Baby Photo Friday!

Filed Under: Photography Tagged With: droplets, Eurythmics, fence, rain, raindrops

Giddyup in Gettysburg

September 4, 2013 by Beth Shepherd

Victorian Carriage Company horse

Victorian Carriage Company Gettysburg PAClippity-clop. Clippity-clop. During our recent trip to eastern Pennsylvania, we spent a few days in Gettysburg. On our second day, we toured the Civil War battlefields in the back of a buggy, pulled by a beautiful pair of dappled grey Percheron horses named Lu and Tory who work for the Victorian Carriage Company. Over the course of two hours, a licensed battlefield guide retold the story of this epic battle and the three days that changed America’s history.

Gettysburg Civil War battlefieldsThe route we took traveled through areas of the battlefield not frequented much by automobiles. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War in general. Seeing the battlefield this way allowed us to cover a lot of ground and learn things we never would have learned on our own.

What I found to be the most fascinating, was hearing what happened to the people of Gettysburg who lived near the battlefield at that time. Frequently, when their houses were commandeered by soldiers, they would return home to find clothing, food–or their house– gone. These images stuck with me and stick with me still: the human side of battle. Looking out at the pastoral landscape, I found it difficult to envision that over a span of merely three days,  these rolling hills, fields and farms were stained with the blood of nearly 50,000 men who lost their lives, the countless more who were injured, and the women and children they left behind.

Gettysburg fields

The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

President Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, November 19, 1863

Take the road less traveled, Beth

Filed Under: Photography, Travel Tagged With: battlefield, carriage, Gettysburg, horse

The birds and the bees

August 29, 2013 by Beth Shepherd

Let me tell ya ’bout the birds and the bees
And the flowers and the trees
And the moon up above
And a thing called ‘Love’

~Dean Martin

Bumblebee on flower

Duck in pond

Butterfly on flower

Cardinal on a wire

Birds in flight over PA

White hen

Bumblee on Echinacea

I hope you enjoyed these photos taken during our recent trip to eastern Pennsylvania.

Take the road less traveled, Beth

Want to discover more seasonal delight? Check out Delicious Baby Photo Friday.

Filed Under: Photography, Travel Tagged With: bees, Birds, flowers

Strasburg Rail Road

August 27, 2013 by Beth Shepherd

Little red caboose, little red caboose
Riding behind the train, choo choo
Little red caboose, little red caboose
Riding behind the train, choo choo

Get your ticket and get on board
We’re gonna ride the train, choo choo
Get your ticket and get on board
We’re gonna ride that train, choo choo

~Lisa Loeb

Red train car at Strasburg Rail Road

All aboard! During our recent trip to Pennsylvania, the three of us (along with a gaggle families who have adopted children from Armenia) enjoyed a fun-filled ride on the train at Strasburg Rail Road. Strasburg is America’s oldest short-line railroad. Authentically restored passenger cars are pulled by a very large, coal-burning steam locomotive. When we climbed on board, it felt like we were stepping back in time.

Rail Road Road conductorsInside the train at Strasburg Rail RoadFounded in 1832, the Strasburg Rail Road holds a significant role in U.S. history. On February 22, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln made a stop at Leaman Place on his inaugural train ride, en route to Lancaster. His four-minute visit brought nearly 5,000 people out to cheer for the President and Mrs. Lincoln.

First used for passenger and freight transportation, the railroad’s main purpose became a freight interchange with the Pennsylvania Railroad. Following World War II, improved highway transportation decreased the need for the railroad. By the mid 1950s, the Strasburg Rail Road was nearing the end of its usefulness until Henry K. Long, an industrialist and rail fan from nearby Lancaster, along with Donald E. L. Hallock, another enthusiastic rail fan formed a group of individuals interested in saving the railroad. With perseverance and dedication, the Strasburg Rail Road was saved.

Strasburg was reopened to visitors in 1958, and 2008 marked the 50th anniversary of Strasburg Rail Road as a tourist railroad. Today, the Strasburg Rail Road is one of Lancaster County’s most popular tourist attractions – and recognized as one of America’s most significant examples of early 20th century railroading.

Strasburg Rail Road

These days, when visiting Strasburg Rail Road, there are many activities to choose from for little ones…and adults too!

The coal-burning steam train is only the beginning. You can ride the pint-sized Pufferbelly, a miniature version; operate a hand-powered pump car; watch the little ones “steer” the tiny Cranky Car; or, browse the Thomas the Tank Engine toy store.

If you work up an appetite, food and drinks are available for purchase during your train ride, or you can grab a something to eat afterwards at the Trackside Café. And if you have an ounce of two of energy remaining, check out the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, which is located across the street. This museum houses a world-class collection of more than 100 locomotives and rail cars. Not far from the Railroad Museum is the National Toy Train Museum, with yet another world-class collection.

The three of us at Strasburg Rail Road

Take the road less traveled, Beth

Train on the tracks at Strasburg Rail Road

Filed Under: Photography, Travel Tagged With: Pennsylvania, rail road, railroad, Strasburg, Strasburg Rail Road

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Some might fend off a mid-life crisis by leaving the comforts of their corporate salary to jet off to a deserted island. Others might buy a Jaguar. I’ve chosen to dive head-long into my 50s and beyond by becoming a first-time parent. At any given moment you might find me holding a camera, a spade, a spatula or a suitcase. Or my little girl's hand. Adopted from Armenia, she puts the Pampers and Paklava into my life.

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