Daily Photos

< December 2013 >

December 1, 2013
Another year, another family photo. Well -- not MY family. He`s able to change channels, but hasn`t figured out TiVo. Getting the backyard ready for winter. It`s beginning to look a lot like Mama DiSalvo`s. Arabica dark-roast eyes.

December 2, 2013
The leaf blower couldn`t clean under my tires. Death comes in many colors. My favorite is the little bird right above the pole. You go on ahead. I`ll walk. My halls have been decked.

December 3, 2013
This building survived a flood in 1913 and has now escaped the wrecking ball in 2013. Tour d`Dayton. Homeward bound. No caption required. Next time the sky is blue, I may take this picture again.

December 4, 2013
The last will and testament of Paul Laurence Dunbar. Despite all I`ve done for him, he didn`t leave me anything. Don`t expect to see anything green for a long time. Someone REALLY loves pumpkin spice. How could I possibly find a caterpillar in December? I was disappointed to find that several trees had been cut down at one of my favorite parks. HORTICULTURISTS!

December 5, 2013
The first signs of spring. There`s a mouse in my office. There`s also a little wooden boy hanging around. The family crest of Antoine Laumet de La Mothe de Cadillac, who founded the city of Detroit. It has ducks on it. Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball.

December 6, 2013
Winter hasn`t even started yet. Oh look, more snow. You got to stay home due to weather? I`m so glad for you. Something`s following me. On snowy nights, it never really gets dark.

December 7, 2013
Snow, ice and water absorb red and yellow light, leaving blue for our eyes to see. Please melt. Colorful, but cold. Bright, but brisk. Afterwards, back inside where the furnace is on, I prepare for a photo shoot later in the evening.

December 8, 2013
If something happens more than once, does that mean it`s become a Christmas tradition (see December 4, 2011)? All the festive flowers make it hard for me to take pictures. This was a very challenging shot. The blonde girl sang a solo. The choir director got her name wrong. He was loudly corrected by the whole choir. I`m glad she shaved her moustache (see November 20, 2013).

December 9, 2013
Both of us were shivering. Obviously a picture taken indoors on a cold night. And another one. A neighbor`s window says HO-HO-HO. My window says BAH HUMBUG.

December 10, 2013
I hate going outside in the cold and snow, but not as much as stupid indoor pictures like the ones I took last night. Don`t put your tongue on that thing. How does HE drive to work? I don`t like snow, but I wouldn`t strangle it like that. A dog would be barking like crazy to be let inside, but a cat just sits there, despising everyone who walks past.

December 11, 2013
Springboro`s got talent. It was not your ordinary Christmas concert. Random dude plucked from audience for `Santa Baby.` As if the entertainment on stage wasn`t enough, there was also this little fella who ran all around during the concert. `Only two weeks `til Christmas!!`

December 12, 2013
How do feathers keep them warm? St. Louis has its arch, Dayton has this. Hey, got a light? I can`t remember a worse December. Just watch those icicles form. IRVING BERLIN And then I was attacked by a dog wearing a ski jacket.

December 13, 2013
Tuning up for another Christmas concert. The musicians take the stage. A violinist is consumed by a hungry curtain. I`m sorry to report there was another performance of `Santa Baby` (see December 11 above). There was also another little kid who wanted to be part of the show (see December 11 above).

December 14, 2013
Unfortunately, this statement is no longer true: We have no desire to dominate or conquer any other nation or impose our system upon its people. JOHN F. KENNEDY Unfortunately, this statement is still true: The politicians sit home pontificating about great principles, make the decisions, and dine with their wives and families, while the brave and the young die. ROBERT F. KENNEDY So, I finished this excellent book today. Then I did some laundry. And then I ate a pizza -- which seems strangely dark.

December 15, 2013
In their most recent newsletter, I was listed as the Official Photographer of the Kettering Children`s Choir. One of the many unofficial photographers of the KCC. Making a joyful noise. This is my fourth Christmas choir concert in a week, and it was by far the best. It doesn`t get any better than the KCC. I`m especially glad they didn`t sing `Santa Baby.`

December 16, 2013
Picture of stuff with snow on it (1 of 5). Picture of stuff with snow on it (2 of 5). Picture of stuff with snow on it (3 of 5). Picture of stuff with snow on it (4 of 5). Picture of stuff with snow on it (5 of 5).

December 17, 2013
Just for a little variety, I went to a Christmas concert. Reed my lips. A Tuba Christmas. Stars in her eyes. If the French horns are a little behind in tempo, it`s because the sound has so far to travel.

December 18, 2013
Hello? Anybody there? Tuning up. I heard `Sleigh Ride` last night. I heard `Sleigh Ride` tonight. I wasn`t the only person tapping to the beat. See the two euphonium players (and one photographer?)

December 19, 2013
`Don`t go into the street! That`s how we lost Uncle Henry.` `Yes, you ARE having fun.` This is as close as I will ever get to ice skating. Meow. Keep looking up.

December 20, 2013
This school has an unusually high number of redheads (see September 25, 2011, and December 14, 2012). Greater Catholic League rivalry. He believes he can fly. He believes he can touch the sky. She lives for the applause, applause, applause. She lives for the applause-plause, lives for the applause-plause. Down by two, eight seconds left, ball`s up . . . KLANG!

December 21, 2013
No defense can stop him. I hate it when I`m doing back flips and I pull my own hair. `GET THE BALL TO MICAH!` He knows if you`ve been bad or good, so don`t foul out. My pictures show that there was no contact between them, but blue Number 21 made a dramatic flop right at my feet.

December 22, 2013
Thank you to the people who never get thanked. I went to a DIFFERENT historic district today. This neighborhood has a massive boulevard at its center. It also has some less than picturesque scenery. At the grocery store today, I was cheered by the fact that the next time I shop, there won`t be any Christmas music.

December 23, 2013
Ceiling light. Laser. Flashlight. Off-camera flash. Flash with colored gel.

December 24, 2013
This will be difficult, so you may want to write it all down. Start with some pistachio pudding. Drain a can of crushed pineapple and toss that in. Add a container of whipped cream for its nutritional value. And then put in some mini-marshmallows, for Vitamin M. Mix it all together, then go lay down and rest.

December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas, Bedford Falls! GEORGE BAILEY Roast beast. Where can I get some slippers like that? Laundry day. Teacher says every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings. ZUZU BAILEY

December 26, 2013
I saw you. You touched your screen. There was a perfectly good car parked in front of my house, but I decided to walk to the library and post office. Hey, come on. Don`t jinx us. If you`re carrying a camera, keep the sun to your back. In Arby`s parking lot, in case you didn`t recognize the tree.

December 27, 2013
Everything`s just vine, thanks. It was a shadowy day. This is a picture of things that can`t be touched. Dreaming of mouse-flavored ice cream? Oh look, shadows.

December 28, 2013
Something there is that doesn`t love a chainsaw. But I`m likin` the lichen. It was warm enough for people to be playing golf nearby, though the waterfall was still icy. Drowned dreams. Just in time for Christmas, don`t forget that you can order cards printed with most of the photos on this Web site.

December 29, 2013
I have no head for choosing clothes. In case of fire, use stairways instead of elevators. Last call for Christmas lights. At the grocery today, I had to choose paper or plastic. More smeared lights.

December 30, 2013
Other voices, other rooms. Only 6:20, but it looks like midnight, and feels like zero. Tricolor Tumbleweed. Starry, starry Salar. J. R. R. Tolkien didn`t write this line: `Dad, why are there dwarves coming out of our toilet? Will they bring us luck?` Tolkien is responsible for only about 25% of the movie.

December 31, 2013
I spotted a rare albino pumpkin. Texture No. 1. And you think you`re cold. Texture No. 2. December 31: just another day.

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