The Normandy Connection

Today, June 6, 2014 the world is remembering D-Day on its 70th anniversary. The history is fascinating of which there are many articles, movies and documentaries. While I grew up, my mother told me about her brother, Robert Guy, who had enlisted in the army and was killed in Normandy.

Recently I was given a copy of the following article. I'm not sure when it was published, or in what newspaper but it is fascinating.

The day President Kennedy was assassinated, November 21, 1963 my grandparents received an official communication from him citing their son Robert who was killed  in Normandy on July 19, 1944. I do not know when he arrived in Normandy, but if wasn't on D-Day it was shortly after.

Rest in peace Uncle Bob.

Conspiracy Theory

For several springs once the weather warms up enough to open the doors and windows to let in fresh air we've noticed ants appearing out of nowhere. Literally!  I don't know if they were coming right out of the walls; vents; woodwork or what - but it was really annoying. It didn't matter how clean I kept the house. This continued until the weather really warmed up and we kept the doors and windows closed relying on air conditioning.

Last year we bought those small round ant traps and put them outside the house but filled them up with what we hoped would be the strongest ant killer available. Maxforce Carpenter Ant Bait Gel

It worked! No more ants inside the house. 

I mentioned to sweetie this year that once they re-appeared to use that stuff right away. Interesting...this spring, no ants in our house. Perhaps last year's plan of attack worked so well we actually destroyed the ant colony for good.

Another theory I have though is that this spring I stopped using the Swiffer WetJet floor cleaning system and instead have been using the Shark Steam Pocket Mop. The Shark system uses only water and steam to clean the floors and it does a great job. So my conspiracy theory is...the makers of Swiffer WetJet product are in cahoots with the makers of ant repellent products. The ants are attracted to the WetJet cleaning product so people would then purchase the ant repellent products.  Far fetched?  We'll see what the future holds - but I do hope those creepy ants are history!  Oh - and if anyone would like my WetJet mop and cleaner it's yours - no charge!

May Photo Assignments

I follow two weekly photo assignments and when possible, try to make the photo shoot fit both.  Sort of worked out well.  Didn't participate in every one during May but most.

DPS = Digital Photography School           flickr AAW = Active Assignment Weekly

DPS: 18:  Rule of thirds - objects

DPS 19:  Bokeh - natural light

DPS 20: Bokeh - artificial light
and
Flickr AAW "elements"

Flickr AAW "food with a surprise"

Flickr AAW "product photography"

Flickr AAW "time passing by"

Streaming

My guess is our Panasonic 42" HDTV will last longer than I will. I say this because it is so rarely on anymore. You'd think now that I'm retired that it would be on all day; but I don't find much worth watching to bother. And, I've become use to the sounds of silence. When the weather is nice and the doors and windows are open, the sounds of birds and children fill my ears. I'd much prefer picking up a book or taking a power nap than listening to nonsense on TV.

There are some television programs though that I do enjoy but prefer to record on the DVR so I can watch it when I want to; and quickly bypass commercials. American Idol; Madmen; Downton Abby; Call the Midwife are a few programs I DVR.

The DVD program through Netflix has been my source for most movies and lately, a few TV programs I don't subscribe to on cable. I've been utilizing my laptop computer more often than the TV. I pop in the DVD, plug in my headphones; sit back in the recliner and get lost in the stories. I know Netflix has streaming, but I haven't heard much good about what they offer.

Thanks to Amazon Prime though I've started streaming a marathon of "The Good Wife". Two seasons down and three more to go! I've setup the Sony Blu-ray player to stream too so perhaps the TV will get a bit more use. That's assuming both of us want to watch the same thing - a rarity in our household. I may cancel Netflix soon.

If you stream, tell me what you've particularly enjoyed. I should be finished with "The Good Wife" in a week or so!

April 2014 - Weekly Photo Assignments

DPS 13: Conceptual Photography: Show us an interesting image that depicts an idea.

DPS 14: Monochrome: Show us an interesting monochrome image.

DPS 15: Get Down Low: Show us an interesting image shot at a low angle perspective.

Flickr's Active Assignment Weekly:

 

 March 31 - April 7 Repeating Patterns

April 7-14, 2014 - Natural Reflections

April 14-21, 2014 Preparation

April 2014 - Change