DOORS, 213/365

Spring Grove Cemetary. Clearly tens of thousands of dollars are spent in restoration, maintenance and landscaping here and I have to wonder who put the aesthetic nightmare of silver chain and padlock on these "Doors," Theme #79.

MINIMALISM, 212/365

One swan feather floats on the lake. A portrait in "Minimalism," Theme #185.

HAIR, 211/365

Grandpa to 7 year old Joshua....

"See that flower growing out of Tante's head? That's what happens if you don't clean your ears."

Our youngest daughter. The one with the big red flower in her "Hair," Theme #136.

INTERSECTION, 210/365

Always look both ways before crossing a busy "Intersection," Theme #160.

CLOSELY CROPPED, 209/365

Same scene as yesterday's photo, only this one is "Closely Cropped," Theme #55, to show off those blue eyes.

FAVORITE THINGS, 208/365

"Who is your favorite now, Grandma?"...as he peers at the tiny intruder

"Well, Joshua, you are my favorite first grandson because you taught me about being a grandmother. Hollis is my favorite second grandson because now I can practice what I've learned."

Two of my "Favorite Things," Theme #95, our grandsons.

WATCH, 207/365

Grandfather and grandson "Watch," Theme #352, the sun rise over the lake.

BIG EVENTS, 206/365

This is what a "Big Event," Theme #26, looks like when you're 11 weeks old. His first sleepover at grandma's house (all the way in a neighboring state!) without his parents. He slept. We watched.

TEETH, 205/365

A ring of jagged "Teeth," Theme #316, make this the perfect tool for trimming ears of corn for the freezer.

UPSIDE DOWN OR INSIDE OUT, 204/365

Tomatoes growing "Upside Down," Theme #345, in a planter on our patio.

Upside down tomato growing is the current trend. Works for our household with limited space in our down-sized, space challenged life, but I still wonder who decided this would be a good idea. Was it pure chance or genius design?

GROWING, 203/365

Peppers in various stages of "Growing," Theme #132, from unopened bud to ripening vegetable.

BREAK THE RULE OF THIRDS, 202/365

Ice cream. Neopolitan tonight, that glorious mix of everything basic and holy about the cold delight. Vanilla. Strawberry. And chocolate. The best of the best.

Everyone knows that in a civil society we eat Neopolitan ice cream in equal amounts of each flavor so no one gets stiffed with the lousy leftover vanilla. The properly composed bowl will contain 1/3 vanilla, 1/3 strawberry and 1/3 chocolate.

I open the lid and discover chaos. Ignoring all social protocol, someone has decided to "Break the Rule of Thirds," Theme #33. There are a couple of miserable strawberries alone in one corner, a few spoonfuls of chocolate in another and a MOUNTAIN of vanilla in the middle.

When I question the perp (There are only TWO people living here and I am one of them. I don't need to call Crime Stoppers to figure this out.), he peers into the container and says, "Isn't that a third of each?" in a voice that suggests I am very bad at simple math or, just maybe, this isn't really a big deal.

Not a big deal? I've seen people on reality TV divorce court over less. I can take the high road here and eat the leftover vanilla with a fleeting taste of chocolate and strawberry. Or I can appear to take the high road, go to the store for more ice cream and buy a gallon of a flavor he hates. Now if I can only think of an ice cream he doesn't like...

The Rule of Thirds is about much more than photographic composition; it's life.

RAINBOW, 201/365

A "Rainbow," Theme #250, of ribbons from the county fair.

BAKED GOODS, 200/365

Post #200 goes to Ms. Haylee and her "Baked Goods," Theme #20, in the form of CareBear cupcakes. Ms. Haylee was competing in the kids cooking division of the county fair.

Oh, and she'll want you to know she earned a blue ribbon!

RELAXATION, 199/365

At 11 weeks he's already a man. Kicked back in the most comfortable spot in the house, he's the picture of male "Relaxation," Theme #258.

GRAFFITI, 198/365

Vividly colored "Graffiti," Theme #126, pops on a decaying brick building.

When do graffiti artists (or vandals if you prefer) create these tributes? I never see one at work. Some of this stuff is intricate and would require some light and multiple visits to complete.

VINE, 197/365

A tangle of "Vine," Theme #349, on a fallen tree.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, 196/365

I love the beauty of this dobro played by one of the guys in The Woodstove Flapjacks.

My youngest daughter made the guitar strap shown in the photo.

SHOW US YOUR BOKEH, 195/365

You know, the first time someone said to me, "Nice bokeh" I wasn't sure if I oughta thank him, tip him or swat him. Though I figured at my age hearing "nice" anything was worth at least thanks if not cold hard cash. Since then I've learned what the whole "bokeh" thing is about. Who knew it was a photography thing?!

"Show us your bokeh," Theme #281.

THINGS WITH WINGS, 194/365

Afternoons in the garden are filled with "Things with Wings," Theme #326, like this little ruby throated hummingbird.

UNDERNEATH, 193/365

I looked up through the sunroof and we were "Underneath," Theme #342, the balloon.

CLOWN, 192/365

He's 7 years old and he becomes a "Clown," Theme #57, when the camera comes out.

HARVEST, 191/365

Sunday afternoon spent bringing in the "Harvest," Theme #143, from the first cutting of hay.

SONG LYRICS, 190/365

One of the local landmarks is also the inspiration behind the "Song Lyrics," Theme #296, of the Heywood Banks song Big Butter Jesus.

The song title is self explanatory in the late afternoon when the setting sun catches the sculpture in the pond along I-75.

In southern Ohio, just north of Cincinnati

I beheld a vision, next to the expressway.

Was a 60 foot jesus, with his hands in the air

looks like he’s carved out of butter,just like at the state fair.
Big butter Jesus

Sweet cream Jesus

Oh country fresh Jesus

Unsalted Jesus

Oh Promise Jesus

Imperial Jesus

Can’t believe it’s not Jesus

Oleo Lord.
Well you see him from the chest up

like he’s about to do a back flip

,like he scored a touchdown

or maybe melting or about to drown.

Well I’ve been to the state fair

seen a cow made out of corn cobs

Garth Brooks made of string cheese

and the virgin out of olives.
Big butter Jesus

Sweet cream Jesus

Oh country fresh Jesus

Unsalted Jesus

Oh Promise Jesus

Imperial Jesus

Can’t believe it’s not Jesus

Oleo Lord.
Shipped in pieces on a flatbed

staring backwards was his big head

Driver stuck in traffic backups

desperately avoiding eye contact

Well don’t make no graven images.

That’s one of the 10 commandments

I hope the grading curve is kindly

You get to heaven with a 90
Big butter Jesus

Sweet cream Jesus

Oh country fresh Jesus

Unsalted Jesus

Oh Promise Jesus

Imperial Jesus

Can’t believe it’s not Jesus

Oleo Lord.
Can’t believe it’s not Jesus,

Oh spread the word.

CHILDHOOD ANTICS, 189/365

First he's just walking around the pond. Then he's walking close to the edge to look at the frogs next to the water. Ultimately he is, of course, IN the water trying to catch the frogs. The "Childhood Antics," Theme #47, of a 7 year old boy.

PURPLE, 188/365

"Purple," Theme #246, coneflowers add a bright splash to the garden now and food for the goldfinches later.

GARDEN, 187/365

Cherry tomatoes ripening on the vine in the "Garden," Theme #118.

CLOSED, 186/365

This sunflower bloom is still tightly "Closed," Theme #54.

PAINT OR PAINTED, 185/365

This is one mad "Painted," Theme #222, Turtle.

And apparently veryhungry or not the sharpest shell in the pond because he kept chasing the bait even after being snagged once.

Our grandson fished again the following day and Max was back at it--chasing after every cast. Eventually we lured him over to another spot with some bits of hot dog. Who knew turtles liked hot dogs so much?

STUCK, 184/365

A hungry turtle manages to get "Stuck," Theme #307, on the hook. It's a two man job to convince him to let go.

(No fish,turtles or frogs were killed in the making of this documentary. Hooked and held, possibly. But well fed. Very well fed.)

GO FISH!, 183/365

Our grandson decides to "Go Fish," Theme #60, off the floating deck on the pond.

MARCH TO A DIFFERENT DRUMMER, 182/365

My kid doesn't bring home the elegant orchids or a bouquet of perfumed lilies from Findlay Market.

No, she brings home Audrey Jr. from Little Shop of Horrors. This carnivorous pitcher plant redefines "feeding" the houseplants.

That kid always did "March to a Different Drummer," Theme #110.

A MOVIE TITLE, 181/365

Audrey Jr: Give me food!

Seymour: Aw, take it easy, Dracula. What do you think I'm carrying here, my dirty laundry?

I have "A Movie Title," Theme #3, on my mind.

POLKA DOTS, 180/365

Orchids at Findlay Market. I love the "Polka Dots, " Theme #237.

GROCERIES, 179/365

Findlay Market on Saturday mornings--a cacophony of sight, smell and sound. Great place for the imported and exotic but today I'm seaching for fresh, locally produced "Groceries," Theme #131.

TRASH OR TREASURE?, 178/365

INEDIBLE FEATHERS

"Trash or Treasure?," Theme #336.

And now I'm wondering what products I consume that contain the EDIBLE feathers?

TILT, 177/365

Surfing appears to be a balancing act, judging from the "Tilt," Theme #329, on this Outer Banks surfer.

MOVING, 176/365

The endless "Moving," Theme #189 of the ocean fascinates me. Everything on the beach is in this rhythm tied to the ocean. Even the skim boarders.

SANDY, 175/365

"Sandy," Theme #267, beach, sandy feet. Warm and soft underfoot, traveling home with you in the nooks and crannies, smelling of the sea to remind you of a summer day of wonder.

PERFECT ALIGNMENT 174/365

I love pelicans. The way they look like some bits leftover from prehistoric time, reassembled into a modern day wonder of flying skill. The head on dives into the ocean for some seen-only-by-them morsel. Groups flying across the beachfront, dipping and gliding just above the waves in "Perfect Alignment," Theme #231.

PLACES OF WORSHIP, 173/365

Compared to the painted and plastered "Places of Worship," Theme #235, we're used to seeing, this unassuming Catholic Church at NagsHead, North Carolina, was a pleasant, beachy surprise for Sunday Mass.

MONUMENTS OR MEMORIALS, 172/365

A dune "memorial," Theme #188, to one of the wild stallions of Corolla. Tracks indicate the horse was chased in a zigzag pattern across the beach by a rider on an ATV. He was eventually struck, breaking both back ankles. A local resident discovered him dragging himself down the beach in search of his herd. The stallion was euthanized on the beach and his body left there for several hours to allow his herd to acknowledge his death. The driver of the ATV is still unknown and faces prosecution and fines.

THE WILD SIDE, 171/365

"The Wild Side," Theme #323, of Corolla, North Carolina. One of this year's foals in their wild horse herd casts a look our way during an early morning walk on the dunes.

VACATIONS & HOLIDAYS, 170/365

A very brief "Vacation," theme #347, to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. An early morning drive found this threesome enjoying the beach sunrise.

This photo was entered in the July 27 weekly contest at http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/

HISTORIC, 169/365

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Well recognized among the "Historic," Theme #148, places of the eastern seaboard. Now also an historic memory for Mr. L, after he negotiated the steps to the top (note guy with camera at railing.) One of his "Things I Want To Do Sometime" accomplishments.

SUMMER FUN, 168/365

Jumping off the dock into the farm lake. It doesn't get much better than this for "Summer Fun," Theme #309.

EYES, 167/365

One stylized "Eye," Theme #88, on a balloon glowing in the night watches over The Taste of Tippecanoe.

SENSE OF MOTION, 166/365

Balanced perfectly with the movement of the Windy, the only "Sense of Motion," Theme #275, visible in this crew member is his hand as he plays his bodhran.

FROM THE SEA, 165/365

The captain of the tallship "Windy" entertains us with some songs "From the Sea," Theme #112.

PLAYGROUND, 164/365

Navy Pier, Chicago's Summer "Playground," Theme #236.