Monday's Montage: Oh, Tony!

*Don't forget to enter the contest from last Monday if you haven't already. The deadline is tonight at midnight.*

Those of you who know me understand that I'm a fan of music in a big way. Most all kinds. I have a special place in my heart for the old stuff. I'm loving the resurgence of it with singers like Michael Bublé. Over the weekend my husband and I went to a Tony Bennett concert. Can I tell you how wonderful it was? He was something else. At 84--he still had it. He can totally still wail. There is nothing wrong with his pipes. What a charismatic performer! I know that he had to have performed that same show thousands of times, but still it felt like he was doing it especially for us.

Here's just a small sample. What you'll find, if you watch videos of Tony Bennett is that he is so much better performing in front of an audience than in a studio setting (but the quality of the video is not usually very good). I love his phrasing and rhythm.

Friday's Photolife--Taking it Wide

Don't forget to enter the contest on Monday's 200 post, if you haven't already. The deadline is Monday, Sept. 13 at Midnight Eastern time.

Who's up for a little photography? Raise those hands high! You know you've missed it.

Using a wide angle setting on a camera is great fun. Even simple pictures like this one can be more dramatic.

Get super close with a wide angle view. The perspective can be wonderfully skewed.

Or show way more than you can get in a regular shot. I always feel there's more action in wide angle shots even when it's just a couple of cacti standing around.

Application to writing? Before describing a scene, think of the whole as if you were looking through a wide angle. See what the different perspective makes you think of and try to capture that on paper.

200

Summer is over. Alas. Life is returning to normal. It is time to forsake the freedom I embraced back in June and get back to work. *cracks the whip*

But first...

Let's celebrate! I'm at 200 posts, Baby! *happy dance* How about a little contest for all my beloved followers?

Rules:

1. Pick one of your favorite posts I've done or favorite things I do and tell me why you like it. If you'd like to see me add something or put something back in my lineup you could put that. (I'm planning out how I'm going to structure my posts for the fall and want to be sure and include the things you like.)

2. Be a follower. (If you're already a follower your name will go in the pot twice.)

Prize: $25.00 Gift card from Barnes and Noble or Amazon

I'm looking to increase my followers this year so here's the deal: If I get to 200 followers by the end of the contest, then I will double the prize. So spread the word!

*For those out of the US, I will send you the book of your choice in the same price range.

You've got a week. The contest will end Monday, Sept. 13th at Midnight Eastern time.

Winner and answers

Patti Nielson won! Woohoo! One of our lovely Canadian neighbors was the first to guess Thomas Jefferson's home. Patti, let me know which way you would like your prize.

We stayed in Charlottesville, VA and visited Monticello (home of Thomas Jefferson, our 3rd president and writer of The Declaration of Independence--so many amazing things there--Jefferson was a very clever man), Montpelier (home of James Madison, our 4th president--that's where the templed hill was), Ashlawn-Highland (home of James Monroe, our 5th president--the house with the coolest dining room table), and the Michie Tavern (that's the place with the 4-seater privy and the heated plate)--if you ever get the chance to eat there, take it, and drink the apple cider. It's delicious as is the food.

Honorable Mention to Mary Kay who figured out all the specifics before they were announced. There were some interesting facts in Friday's comments.

Where in the World was Lotus Girl? Part III

Hint: Our trip was very appropriate for the 4th of July. We visited a few different places but all around the same city where we stayed.

This is a 3-D sundial. So cool.

This tree had to be taken down a few years ago when it was only 17% alive. This daughter and I were amazed at the size of it. There was a bowl in one of the souvenir shops that was made from it. Gorgeous and so unique, but with a price tag of $1800.00, it stayed in the shop.

Does this one help?

Or this one. I was so thrilled when I found this pool. You know how I like me some reflections.

There were some amazing vistas

and clever things. This is a warming dish. You pour hot water in the little spout and cap it, and it keeps your food hot. So cool.

A four seater privy. You gotta love it. The one on the right is smaller and has a step up for kids.

A templed hill just like in the song.

I thought this was so modern looking. It was originally built with brick and during the owner's lifetime looked like this.

This home was much more modest but also very interesting and had one of my favorite pieces of furniture of everything we saw--a drop leaf dining room table.

So... Good luck figuring it out.

Where in the World was Lotus Girl? Part II

So Monday's clues didn't take you there? Here are a few more.

This tree is so cool. One daughter said. "It's the best climbing tree ever."

If you've been there, you may recognize these things.

If not, you may be lost again.

Have no fear Friday's clues will be obvious.

Remember you have to be a follower to win.

Where in the World was Lotus Girl?

We were gone on a nice trip last week. Yea for summer! So I thought I'd let you in on the fun.

Here are the rules for anyone new:

1. Figure out where we went.

2. Be specific. (You must give me either the city or a particular site we saw. e.g. Phoenix, AZ or the Desert Botanical Gardens--those who've been here a while will recognize that as the answer for the last time we played.)

3. Send in your answers quickly in the comments section. The first one with the right answer wins.

4. If you knew where I was going ahead of time, you may not play. Sorry.

Prize: This time I'm offering a $30 gift card from Barnes and Noble or voucher from Amazon--your choice. A little more money because I'm making you be more precise.

Remember the first day picture clues are very vague. They get more obvious with each post.

Good Luck!