Fireworks!!!

I just spent the last hour and a half putting the finishing touches on this video of our fireworks display. It compresses the 20 minutes it took to ignite the $20 package. Thanks to Sarah who shot the video, iMovie for the editing software, GarageBand for the soundtrack software and finally, Igor Stravinsky for the music.

Take a look and tell me what you think.

(Safe) Fireworks Fun

Well most everybody enjoyed the 4th of July fireworks. Janine is not so sure about the party popper she is about to set off, but she got used to it by the evening's end.

Once it stopped raining, we all had a great time after dark. I bought a $20 package of fountains at Target that afternoon, as well as these party poppers. I also thought I was buying some classic sparklers, but they turned out to be more like the fountains shooting sparks straight ahead. One of the errant sparks burned John on the head and Janine on her leg. Don't worry, all is well now.

Adding to our fun was the fireworks display from one of our neighbors a few blocks away. Fireworks is their hobby so they created their own overhead shells and sent them up above the neighborhood. The view from our deck is obstructed, but it provided enough fun to get everyone through while I set up the next fountain.

Then finally, the morning after. The fountains were a lot of fun. Sarah shot video of most of them. Look for a short video later.

Tea Time

Two weeks ago the Ballet Ladies went to tea at a nearby bed and breakfast. Here is a photo of the official hat table.

It was a thank you from Kathy to all the ladies that danced in her piece at the June recital. A good time was had by all as the small town newspaper used to write.

4th of July Parade

When I was a boy growing up in Omaha there were a lot of kids in the neighborhood born as I was at the height of the baby boom in the mid 1950s. Every 4th of July we would gather together and march around the block banging toy drums, hooting recorders and blowing whistles to celebrate our nation's independence while wearing three cornered hats fashioned out of newspaper.

Here is a photo of the older of my two sisters as she joined us for the first time. I can't tell what section she is wearing, sports or business, but I think the year is 1963.

She was probably fast asleep by dusk when the fathers around the block would set off fireworks in the large undeveloped back lot. My favorite thing was when the gathered crowd would count the balls on the roman candles. One!...Two!...Three!...etc.

All these activities did not necessarily teach us about the significance of the date and the reasons for it, but when I read that John Adams predicted Independence Day would be celebrated with fireworks and parades, I am proud to know that we continue in that tradition to this day. Come dusk tonight this father will be setting off fountains and roman candles for his brood in this great country of ours.

GeoCaching

Two weeks ago John and I joined our monthly Saturday boys club in a Geo caching expedi- tion. We went over to the nature center at North Park and met in the parking lot. We then followed one of the trails as the GPS lead us into the woods.

As you can see, it was not a flat trail. It was mainly uphill on the trip to the site, but that meant that we were treated to a downhill walk back.

The signal was weak because of the tree cover so the accuracy of the reading was about 400 feet. Amazing when you think about it, but vexing when you are trying to find something in the woods.

Here is the prize, a one gallon plastic bucket with a leaky lid. We signed in the log book with a crayon someone had left as a thank you. Some geocache sites have little toys and ask you to leave one behind. We opted for a nickel one of the boys found in his pocket. The smaller boys liked the small action figures someone left. But we had to remind them not to take any.

This activity was fun and made the best use of the outdoor setting, but I think we will revisit it in a few years when the boys are older. At the end one of the boys said his favorite part was walking through the woods to play with Spiderman.

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!