Red Hot Poker

These are Red Hot Pokers (kniphofia uvaria), otherwise known as torch lilies. I took this photos with the new Lumix camera this past Tuesday to test the intelligent automatic or IA setting.

Because it was midday, the sun was almost directly overhead. The camera read the setting for strong shadows then automatically fired the flash to compensate.

This is an interesting plant to watch bloom. The stalk grows to 12 to 18 inches, then thicken at the end. This area turns orange at the top and teardrop shaped "petals" form. These continue to grow up in orange rows giving the effect of a slow motion skyrocket, particularly appropriate for this time of year.

Here is a photo I just took with the old digital camera. You can see how the blooms are now moving up the end of the stalk. Soon the red hot pokers will cool back to green.

John's IKEA Project

I am so proud of John and the way he took the initiative to assemble this drawer unit. It's for the IKEA room divider that separates his side of the room from Janine's. Take a look at this slide show for the full story.

New Camera

My wonderful family gave me a combined Birthday and Father's Day gift- a brand new digital camera.

It was a difficult decision, but I bought a Panasonic Lumix that you see here. The reviews are very complementary with an admonition to make sure you read the instructions! There are many settings that can be adjusted to optimize the photos.

But if there was one reason to buy this camera it is the five letters on the lens- Leica. I have always wanted one ever since my high school days. This is about the best way to own one too. One of the online reviews singled this camera out as a great value because of it. But a great price with a coupon at Costco helped too!

That's why you see this interesting packaging. Premium cameras packaged in large point of sale bubble packaging was a bit strange to me. Even the Nikon DSLRs were packaged that way. But one can appreciate it as a way to discourage and defeat shoplifting.

In the coming posts look for test photos and videos from this great new camera.

Drama Camp Week One

Sarah had a great time at drama camp last week. So much that she has returned this week. The teachers and assistants are a great crew that really inspire the kids to not only learn the techniques of acting, but also hard work and treating each other in a decent manner.

John and Janine join Sarah this week. The first day went well so here's to the rest of the week.

(Hope you like the video slide show. We made it on iPhoto in no time at all.)

Vacation Bible School

Last week was Vacation Bible School at our church. Here's Janine sitting with her class that consisted mainly of girls from her Brownie troop. I recognized many of the girls and parents and couldn't figure out why until I spotted one of the leaders I knew.

John was just about the oldest participant, so I think this is his last year for VBS. At least that is his expectation.

We haven't stopped running since the end of school at the end of May. There is a lot to update. We will try to fit it in the next few days.

Piano Recital

Janine, John and Sarah all played in a piano recital this morning for all of Mrs. Scott's students.

Janine played the theme from the Flintstones and Star Wars while John followed with an arrangement of Chopsticks.

Sarah followed later playing Linus and Lucy from the old Peanuts TV specials and Pachabel's Canon.

Since the recital was held at a music store, the kids got to play a very nice Yamaha baby grand and then shop for music afterwards. Something tells me we will be back there again soon.

The Ballet Guys

It's ballet performance time and here are the three ballet guys, from left, Ray, Dave and of course, John. The four of us had a great time tonight. The three guys all sat in the back seat of my car as we went from the studio to the theatre only two miles away. Then we all had dinner at Wendy's. An island of male bonding in the feminine sea of ballet.

You see. tonight is the dress rehearsal for the big performance tomorrow. As usual everyone in the family but me is dancing in this performance. Bobbie is in something in which she wears a cape. Sarah is teamed up with six of her peer dancers in a piece the features a live pianist playing what sounds like Debussy or some other French composer from the early 20th century.

The guys are in a piece with some of the younger girls, including Janine. It is set to Gustav Holst's St. Paul suite, one of those masterpieces that just plain sounds Celtic even though he was an English composer.

At least Janine and John are now home. Bobbie and Sarah may not be home until much later. It will be a late one tomorrow. I hope we can post something over the weekend.

A Thought

This weekend let us remember all those who have fallen in the defense of our country and freedom itself. It's great to get together and enjoy the spring weekend, but let us never forget the brave men and women who gave all.

Spring Blooms

This past spring has been great for the azaleas and rhododendrons. This one has more blooms on it than it ever had. Even the rhododendron that is heavily shaded under the pin oaks has bloomed more than ever. Perhaps trimming the oaks a year and a half ago helped. Whatever the cause, we have enjoyed the results!

On the Bike

When Dad was here he took this nice shot of Janine riding her bike. She learned about two weeks prior to Dad's visit and just look at her go!

How fast she learned! Just after this photo was taken she told us that she needed a new multi-gear bike so she could ride as fast as her friends!

Babysitting

Sarah had a babysitting job this evening right here at home. One of the younger ballet ladies dropped off her two kids for Sarah to watch while she had a rehearsal.

Sarah did a good job. She got out some of the old toys in the basement but the kids quickly tired of them and made their way outside to the old reliable swingset.

After a dinner of hot dogs and potato chips they were back at it before poor Sarah could finish. At this point Bobbie said, "now you know how I felt running after you guys!"

Overall it was a good experience builder for her. She was able to start at home with the help of her family (like her sister who somehow gets into most of the pictures).

Great Food

My dad visited us this past weekend and we all had a great time. On Saturday night we all went out for dinner at a fine Italian restaurant called the Pleasure Bar.

I always feel that I have to explain myself after eating there. "It has great food, honest! Really! It's a fine restaurant. No this is not the same as saying that I read Playboy for the articles..."

Seriously we had a great feast. Their Wedding Soup is fantastic. It was an excellent clear broth with 1/2" meatballs and coarsely chopped greens. The flavors were distinct and clear. I suggested to Dad that he order the Veal Marsala. He loved it so much that he ate the entire generous portion.

We will return.

The Netherfield Ball

This past Saturday night was the Netherfield Ball, a recreation of the English country dances depicted by Jane Austen in her novels. Here's Bobbie and Sarah in period dresses and hairstyles before the event. It was an event specifically for the teenage homeschoolers like Sarah. Many of her friends were there, both girls and boys.

This was all the idea one of the mothers in our homeschooling network group. She attended a Contra dance at a nearby college and got a committee of like-minded people together to produce the event. Bobbie secured the new fellowship hall at our church and it worked out perfectly. The only glitch was getting the air conditioning working for the Friday night instructional session.

The dances featured a caller who told us all what to do. She also introduced each dance with a little historical background. My favorite was call Juice of Barley which featured a lot of turning and crossing. So much so that I felt like I had too much of it by the end of the dance.

One of the great things about this dance was the fact that there were entire families there sharing the fun. One family of all boys explained to their young men that this event was all about the girls and that they needed to honor them. If these guys had any doubts, they didn't share them. But I am sure that having mom and dad also dressed in period costume helped a lot. But let's just say this much, none of them had any problems finding a dance partner.

Signs of Spring...

... from our yard.

Master Class

Sunday morning Sarah took a master class with the local ballet company. Her friend Rachel got tickets and talked her into going. The class was challenging but Sarah and Rachel were up to it. They both danced very well learning their combinations and even smiling!

The class took place in one of the rehearsal studios within the big performing arts center, home to the ballet, opera, and most traveling Broadway shows. It's one of the old movie theatres built in the 1920s and restored in the 1980s. During the restoration they expanded the stage to make it deeper and higher. In addition they added several rehearsal spaces as well including this one.

It was fun to be downtown on a Sunday morning, going in the stage door entrance and taking the elevator to the studio. I was expecting one of those old elevators with and expanding cage style door and an operator, but it seems they modernized the elevators with the rest of the building.

Nana also danced in this theatre in her vaudeville days entertaining folks between the "picture shows."