Photo-a-Day Challenge

Transitions

My week in photos

Sunday we went downtown. Our first visit since I contracted food poisoning at a restaurant there in March. Our first visit since my 6-month struggle with illness. Ben, who did not experience food poisoning, wanted take-out from that same eatery. But, I’ll never be able to eat there again.

While waiting for the food, we walked around the streets we once knew so well. Much has changed. Our quirky, collegiate businesses and buildings are gone, replaced by tall characterless monstrosities that could be in any American city.

I took photos because that’s what I do. Only a few were worth keeping. Pictures of a squirrel, a decades-old metal sculpture, and the unique street light above that survived gentrification.

Being downtown left me sad. This time of year is hard enough without being reminded of all that’s been lost due to the general changes of time and the ravages of a pandemic.

Monday, as I drove to work at 5:30, the sundown sky was amazing. I was able to get a quick shot while behind a stopped car in a turn lane. By the time I reached my client’s office, the brilliance was almost gone.

On Tuesday’s noontime walk, Syau and I tackled what we called Long, Long Loopsy — a two-mile-plus combination of sidewalks, streets, and walking trails that go through three neighborhoods to the south and west of our home and loop back to our place. A cloudless sky, 15-mile-an-hour northerly winds, and barely 60F made our walk chilly, bright, and pleasant.

Syau chose almost the same walk at noon on Wednesday. Rather than Long, Long Loopsy, it was just Long Loopsy — a slightly shorter route than we took yesterday but still meandering along the same trails and streets.

I found this Great Egret at the manmade pond across the street from our townhome community. He’s often there, sometimes with a Great Blue Heron and a Cormorant.

On our walk, we came across a neighbor from down the street walking her German Shepherd. She told me her husband died a few days before. He was no older than me. “Here one moment, gone the next,” she said. I was shocked. He and I had a nice conversation last week. He was washing his car when Syau and I stopped by. Now, he is no more. There was no way to comfort Joanne but I did my best and will check on her during the upcoming weeks.

Thanksgiving arrived bright and beautiful. Since we have no family here and aren’t gathering with friends due to the pandemic, it was just another day. I worked a few hours and took a long walk with Syau. But, that doesn’t mean I didn’t feel grateful. How could I not feel grateful with this view, a loving husband that makes me laugh every day, and three devoted pets? Sure, I’d like to be laughing and playing with grandchildren but that’s not possible and who knows when it will be? Best I can do is concentrate on the positives. I have much to be thankful for Every Day.

Friday was as gray and dull as Thursday was sunny and bright. But, the cloudy sky provided the perfect backdrop for this crow on a light pole.

I must say that our neighborhood squirrels are surprisingly cooperative when I take a photo!

© Dennett 2021

In July 2020, I started the Photo-a-Day Challenge to help combat the virus blues. I take photos every day and choose one (maybe, two) to represent the day. Then, add a one-or-two-word descriptor and maybe, some narrative. A simple way to observe and preserve.

Want to join the fun? It’s all about noticing and appreciating your environment and sharing it with us, as these photographers and story-tellers have:

Erika Burkhalter / Eileen Vorbach Collins / Anne Bonfert / Sasha Meyer / Tracy Aston/ Lisa Bolin / Juan O. Aguilera / David Wade Chambers / June Nguyen / Mia Verita / Susan Alison / LensAfield / Barbara Radisavljevic / Diana Lotti / Barbara Dalton / Kim Zuch / K. Barrett / Sandra Barrett / Shruthi Sundaram / Gustavo Mendez / Olive Wilson / Jane Frost (Jane Grows Garden Rooms)

(If you participated in the Photo-A-Day Challenge and your name isn’t listed above, please let me know.)

Please follow the Snapshot rules:

Lead with a photo/title and subtitle follow No more than 10 photos per post No more than 750 words per post Yes, we know that the photos are yours but you still have to state that they’re your work

And, have fun!