Cold November Morning

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Red Sky
Looking East toward a distant Lake Michigan at Sunrise
Will County, Illinois

Hersh In Concert

Kristin Hersh performing at Shuba's in Chicago, Illinois December 2005.
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Kristin never disappoints. Whether she's performing her solo works acoustically, or with her new "surf punk" band 50 Foot Wave, or with Throwing Muses, the trend-setting alternative band she founded in the mid 80's, her enthusiasm for music shines through.

Called "The Godmother of alternative", Kristin created a musical style unlike any before (or since). Deep, dark lyrics, sophisticated guitar work, and vocals that range from a whisper to screams (often in one breath) are at the center of all three performances.

Home to all of Kristin's music and meeting place for her loyal fans
Throwing Music

November Harvest

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John Deer Combine Harvesting Feed Corn
LaPorte County, Indiana

Ted's Barber Shop

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A customer getting a haircut from Ted, the owner of Ted's Barber Shop in North Liberty, IN. I've been going to Ted's since the early 1980's and the place hasn't changed one bit (except for an occasional new joke on the wall or puzzle on the counter)!

I guess the building was an old bank or something because the door behind Ted is a vault. Must be where Ted keeps his scissors for his famous "Presidential Haircuts".

Spongeorama!

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The famous Spongeorama in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

A live spongediving demonstration performed by a real sponge diver. It takes place in the Gulf of Mexico around the mouth of the Anclote River.

I've never seen this in person, but each time I'm in Tarpon Springs, I hear a man with a Greek accent over the Spongeorama loud speaker announcing the departure times , "See a real sponge diving operation! See dolfins along the way! The boat leaves in 5 minutes! There's still room for more! Hey, you in the blue shirt, have you seen Spongeorama?! Bring the kids!"

It wouldn't be Tarpon Springs without the sponge docks, Spongeorama, the gift shops playing Greek music or Louis Pappas Restaurant - oh wait, they closed - and it's still Tarpon Springs!

Orange County Choppers Fireman Bike

If you've ever seen the Discovery Channel's program called American Chopper, then this bike will be familiar to you. It's the Fireman bike designed by Paul Teutul, Jr of Orange County Choppers to honor the 343 fireman who lost their lives in the World Trade Center attack. It was on display at a local store over the weekend.

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Mike an Chris by the bike

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Piece of the World Trade Center

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Number 343 to honor the lost firemen

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Anthony

John and Anthony having breakfast at Wheatfield's on Saturday morning.
Taken and uploaded with my cheap phone camera

Trick or Treat

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Decorations on Halloween

A "Reel" Antique

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Firehose Reel
Battell Center Hallway
Mishawaka, Indiana

The Company

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Singin' and Dancin' Into the Holidays
The Company
Perform Saturday, November 4th at the Battell Center in Mishawaka, Indiana.


The Company (starring the grand daughters of the late Perry Como) have presented their lively holiday song and dance show for the past 24 years. Over 14 performers and five musicians got the crowd singing all night long with their tribute of Perry Como, holiday songs, and music from the 40's 50's and 60's.

Happy Halloween!

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...from Chris, Dan and Mike

me too!

Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest!

With only three more days until Halloween, we had our annual pumpkin carving/decorating contest today. Here are all of the pumpkins, click on the image to enlarge it.

Don't be shy, let me know which one you like best by adding a comment!

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Tracey's and Mike's

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Scott's and Jerry's

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Josh's and Danny's

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Chris' and Tom's

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Chris' from school

Visit to the Zoo

Saturday was a great day for a trip to Brookfield Zoo. The weather was warm enough so we didn't need heavy coats, and most of the animals were still outside. It was also Boo at the Zoo, a day when kids can dress up in their Halloween costumes and participate in lots of fun activities.

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Lion resting

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Wolves keeping watch

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Baby gorilla playing

Salt Creek

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View of Salt Creek from Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield, Illinois

Fall Colors

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Boy Running
Brookfield Zoo
Near Chicago, Illinois

Great Spot to Read

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Reading Under Live Oak
Phillippe Park
Safety Harbor, Florida

Wishful Thinking

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Caladesi Island State Park
Florida

Counter at Eberly's Fruit Farm

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Cash Register
Eberly's Fruit Farm
North Liberty, Indiana

First Snowfall of the Season

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The weather report said a chance of snow flurries, but when they say snow in October, it usually means five flakes an hour and you need to stare outside at a black building in order to see the flakes.

Not this year!
Snow on October 12th?

The earliest measurable snowfall in the Chicago area in 120 years.

I thought the earth was warming?? Guess if I use the same logic as some global warming alarmists who claim global warming when we have a day over 95 degrees, I should start yelling, "Global cooling!"

Let's all crank out our aerosol cans and start spraying to warm things up!

Anyway, it looks nice, but it's way too early for me.

Fruit Scale

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Fruit scale
Eberly Fruit Farm
North Liberty, Indiana