Daily Photos

< December 2022 >

December 1, 2022
When I make a mess, it`s usually for a good reason. I want winter to come soon -- so it will be over faster. Autumn on ice. The halls have been decked -- but not by me. Just keep adding ingredients until the skillet is full.

December 2, 2022
The University of Dayton presented a brilliant concert based on Paul Laurence Dunbar`s life and work. UD music, theatre and graphic design students used their creativity to bring Dunbar`s literature to life. I was given permission to take photos if I was `discreet,` so I shot these without looking through the viewfinder. The photos turned out well, proving that my camera really doesn`t need me. I paid $12 to see this show, but I was undercharged.

December 3, 2022
When it`s cold outside, I look for photos inside. The cheerleaders that spelled E-L-K-S at the top of their lungs had it easier than the P-A-N-T-H-E-R-S squad. They don`t wear skirts like that anymore . . . . . . but they still do the thing with the pom-poms. Youthful energy.

December 4, 2022
One of my best basketball photos ever (1 of 2). One of my best basketball photos ever (2 of 2). Good day for the Penguins. Bad day for the Raiders (see January 4, 2020). The game was lopsided, but the halftime activities were competitive. Better luck next time, Wright State.

December 5, 2022
Buying groceries and gas in the same day is painful. The challenge is to slice the pineapple, not my fingers. This is nothing like the stuff that comes in cans (see November 21, 2020). Breakfasts are only fresh fruit and orange juice now. This is the extent of my Christmas decorations.

December 6, 2022
He`s everywhere I go (see December 3, 2008; February 23, 2012; September 30, 2014; and March 6, 2020). I know nothing about Disney princesses, but these girls made little kids happy, hour after hour, for three days. I saw four different Nutcrackers in four days. I like to sit close to the front, so I almost got kicked in the head by a Sugar Plum Fairy. Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow.

December 7, 2022
There he is again (see December 6 above) I used to hang my pictures in art galleries. I saw four different Nutcrackers in four days. The Arabian Dance is always a highlight. It snowed inside the Dayton Arcade.

December 8, 2022
She`s back in action (see November 16, 2022). And the Dayton Arcade is still in action after more than a century. I saw four different Nutcrackers in four days. This Nutcracker featured some authentic ethnic dances. It`s Christmastime in the city.

December 9, 2022
I`m eager for the beginning of winter on December 21. Winter can`t come to an end until it starts. Garden Station used to be a place of community and creativity, but now it`s just another concrete slab. Despite perceptions, downtown Dayton is a safe place. In December, this is a flower photo. I thought about tripping over it just to sue somebody.

December 10, 2022
Christmas concerts are always better with sleigh bells. And any concert is better if the songs have motions. When the organ started to play, the singers jumped. She comes from a musical family. Recital`s over. Time for cookies!

December 11, 2022
Christmas concerts are always better with lights. Youthful fervor. Behind the scenes. The choir performs two concerts in the same afternoon. In between the concerts: SHENANIGANS! The Kettering Children`s Choir is a very good thing.

December 12, 2022
On top of my car this morning. I also regret that low-paid gig workers park their cars in the middle of the street (see November 30, 2022). Think that one of these is for you? Think again. All I need now is the red suit (see November 26, 2022). It took a few tries before I got one that I liked.

December 13, 2022
I tried the macaroni and cheese at a new restaurant. I don`t have a picture of that, but the floor was pretty cool. After lunch, there was an intense game of Uno. And some magnetic darts -- a new holiday tradition. Holiday parties are always better with buckeyes. Meanwhile, other people actually had to work.

December 14, 2022
I am grateful even for this cold and wet day. Wait -- wasn`t this car blue yesterday? The ghost of First Street. Last year, people had the option to drive downtown listening to Christmas music on their radios. This year, it plays over speakers whether you want to hear it or not. No more plastic cups for me!

December 15, 2022
I`m uploading Christmas concert photos, but it will apparently take seven months. Check back in July. The car is blue after all (see December 14 above). Person No. 12,487 who tried to run me over (notice the crosswalk light). On a similar note, here is the Idiot Driver of the Day (notice the red light and no left turn sign). Actually, I`m now in Oakwood. That image from `It`s a Wonderful Life` is hand painted, and it has a real bell.

December 16, 2022
Do you feel a draft in here? That`s me in a red world. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate`s life for him. Christmas means different things to different people. This is exactly like my car that got wrecked. I should give the hubcap to this person (see October 16, 2022).

December 17, 2022
It was an evening of music, stories and poetry at the Dunbar House. Paul welcomed us to his Loafing Holt. Matilda kept busy in the kitchen. There were activities for kids. And a gift of Paul`s poetry.

December 18, 2022
If I didn`t have to go outside, I wouldn`t. The redistribution of wealth. I think there may be a car under there. Wrapped in plastic to keep it fresh. Taking the Zamboni out for a Sunday drive.

December 19, 2022
Upon arrival at my creepy parking garage this morning. Fortunately, there`s another way in. What did you bring me? People tryna make me fat! Peace on Earth. On a day when I can barely take five pictures, I start selecting my Top Ten Shots of 2022.

December 20, 2022
I tried harder to take pictures today, despite the cold. Nothing was swimming, floating or flying near the river, just a strange guy with a camera. A dinner plate with writing on it was shattered across the sidewalk. Hopefully it`s not a new TikTok trend. The edge of the river froze and then the water level went down, leaving just a crust of ice. Other people play, but I have to go to work.

December 21, 2022
Snow and brutally cold weather are on the way, and the gulf widens between me and people who love winter. The birds will be surprised when this tree disappears. A new shop downtown is selling used books -- probably some of mine since I donated 17 bags during lockdown. I haven`t boarded the Christmas train this year. Today is National Homeless Persons` Memorial Day, and these shoes represent homeless people who have died.

December 22, 2022
The change has come, and who would say `I would it were not come today?` What were the respite till tomorrow? Postponement of a certain sorrow, from which each passing day would borrow! Let grief be dumb, the change has come. The Change Has Come by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR

December 23, 2022
This is what -8 degrees looks like. I wouldn`t want to be an outdoor creature today. I`m definitely not going out the door. Don`t you wish you had an Adam Alonzo calendar? I`ll give it a few more days.

December 24, 2022
It`s another brutally cold day to stay inside. I`m making progress on this new biography of Dunbar. Not only does this CD of Dunbar`s poetry spell his middle name wrong, it also has factual errors in the liner notes. BEFORE: hot cocoa balls. AFTER: kind of a mess. I`ll give it a few more days.

December 25, 2022
I can gather all the news I need on the weather report. I`ve got nothing to do today but smile. PAUL SIMON `PLAY OUTSIDE? PLAY OUTSIDE? PLAY OUTSIDE!` Trying again with hot cocoa balls. Not so much mess this time. I`ll give it a few more days.

December 26, 2022
Wait -- there are other survivors? I saw a squirrel in a tree freezing its tail off. A mail carrier has apparently been on my porch. I`m running low on fresh fruit and had to open a can. I`ll give it a few more days.

December 27, 2022
The landscape of lunch. My membership fee for the neighborhood association might have underwritten the cost of this decoration. I brought the office home with me. The dominion of dinner. I`ll give it a few more days.

December 28, 2022
The intersection of fall and winter. The intersection of Wayne and East Fifth. The intersection of Brown and East Fifth, where the sun was warm on my face. I wondered what this was -- and I still do. Today might be the day.

December 29, 2022
People still tryna make me fat. No two snowflakes are alike. I checked. Dress like a penguin and nobody notices. You have to wear red and give out candy (see November 26, 2022). There was a lot of ice, but they didn`t seem to care. Somebody else was trying to take pictures of the ducks, causing them to fly away so I could take my photos.

December 30, 2022
In case you wanted to see downtown Dayton at 5:43am. A terrible picture of a bald eagle is still better than another photo taken in my kitchen. I`m sure they looked better last week covered in snow, but I had a lot of photos I needed to take in the kitchen. I`ve been eating mostly fruits and vegetables lately. A decent picture of a fake owl is still better than another photo taken in my kitchen.

December 31, 2022
Christmas comes but twice a year. Welcome to the world, Charlie. My status as cutest one in the family is in jeopardy. Digging through the clothes to get to the toys. So many activity books, so little time.

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