Halloween: 2013

One of the local suburbs near me is famous for it's Halloween festivities.  

Meet the Wicked Witch of the West....maybe.  She didn't look menacing to me!

It was a bit chilly and she was outside a coffee shop waiting for her husband, daughter, (Dorothy) while she minded Toto.

 

Halloween: A Self Pic

A few people have commented to me, wondering why I never include a pic of myself.  First, it is tremendously difficult to travel faster than the speed of light so that once I click the shutter I get in front of the lens.  I mean, I've tried it.  But, even at 1/6000th of a second, I am a bit blurred.

The other reason is that I don't often look and feel my best before my morning coffee.

But, in the spirit of being fair, I included a self pic.

See why I don't include my own!
 

One More Missouri Farmers Market Photo

This was the last photo I took that day at the Farmers Market.   One of the things I like about Farmers Markets is that you can get a variety of food, music, and political causes.  I am a firm supporter of the grass roots movements.

The women below were trying to create awareness (and possibly gather signatures, I don't recall) about global warming.  They were tremendously concerned about the human impact on global temperatures.

I was not a supporter of their cause.   And, after a few minutes of discussion, it was clear that neither party would convince the other.   But, I did respect their enthusiasm for their cause.  And, I thanked them for their photo.

This blog is about people, after all.  Not just people with whom I agree..or who agree with me.  Beneath all of that, they have the same hopes and dreams for their children and children's children.  We just disagree on how to get there. 

My sincere thanks!

 

Missouri Farmers Market. One Last Photo

I had a lovely visit with the gentleman below.   And, I knew he had given me a card.  I've been on the road for 2+ weeks and needed to get home to find the card before I could include his photo.

So, meet Craig!

It turns out we had some common vocational interests.   So, the conversation was GREAT.

Thanks Craig!
 

A Visit with Borepatch

A couple of weeks ago, Borepatch posted that we had crossed paths.  I have been on the road since then and have just had time to get the photos downloaded. 

It turns out that he lives quite near where I travel for business.  So, it was my great pleasure to meet him and buy him dinner.  It was the least I could do for taking time out of his motorcycle test and for  pointing me to this great TexMex restaurant!

Awesome!

Thanks Borepatch!  I am sure we will cross paths again.  I plan on getting that direction about every 2 months. 

A Missouri Farmer's Market: Those Who Feed Even the Farmers!

My daughter, the lovely Big S (she doesn't mind being called the Big S...I don't think) was very excited to get to the Farmer's Market with the kids (Big J and Little J) because they have something called "Walk-Away" Waffles.

Ohhhhh yes.

They had chocolate...and apples and cinnamon...and traditional.   People just walk up to the truck and place the order.  It takes about 3 minutes and you have a GREAT waffle.  And, you get to chat with other people who are hungry and are waiting for THEIR waffles.   Don't butt in line.   There are waffles at stake.

This is a great idea.   Well done!   And, thank you!

 

A Missouri Farmer's Market: Growers and Producers: 3

If I remember correctly, this couple were selling honey.   I see this occasionally and have wondered about it, especially after reading about the decline of bee's and what that may mean for pollination for other crops.

There really is a built in dependency structure in nature.   You can call it the food chain, if you want.  I just may need to see if I can figure out how to set up a few hives.   That should keep the neighbor kids away!

 

 

 

My sincere thanks to you both!



 

 

A Missouri Farmer's Market: Growers and Producers 2: The Menard Family Farm

In yesterday's post, I showed a father and son.  It isn't strange to see a son follow in the father's footsteps as they tend the land.  The children learn to love it and see it as a noble job.   And, it keeps them grounded.

In this case, I was very pleased to meet the grandmother....

And grandson working the farmer's market.

It was a sincere pleasure to meet the Menard family!

 

A Missouri Farmer's Market: Growers and Producers 1

Farmers work hard.   I used to work for a company that routinely worked with farmers to help insure their operations.  So, I have the utmost respect for these folks.  The tend to be honest, hard working, and they have a knowledge of what's important.

Meet a father and son duo.

They were proud of what they had grown.   And, they were proud of their business.  It was a pleasure to meet them both!

My sincere thanks!
 

A Missouri Farmers Market: The Customer 2

In keeping with the theme.   Meet another mother out with her son. There are actually a large number of families at the market.   And, I liked seeing that. 

I see a future Cards fan!

My sincere thanks!

A Missouri Farmers Market: The Customer 1

I like the woman below and her daughter.   I didn't get their names.  It's difficult in a crowd to bother someone for very long and get the information you need.  So, I sometimes just explain the purpose of the blog, give them a card, and ask them to email some background information.

It doesn't work well.   But, I still like the photos.

I thought the young lady below had a great smile.  I love the cheeks!   Maybe there is hope for human kind after all.  She has a lovely, kind smile.

My sincere thanks to you both!

The Maple Jam Band: St. Louis, MO: 2

We can't forget the rest of the band!!

Meet Gus!   Gus is the person I photographed about a year ago when they were setting up to play. I pay close attention to guitar players.  I like to see what they play...how they play....etc.

And, meet Dale!  Bass players are kind of cool. They just lay back and keep the rhythm going.  A good bass player can really move the crowd with some driving lines.   Dale was doing GREAT!

Thanks guys!
 

The Maple Jam Band: St. Louis, MO: 1

I really like music at Farmer's Market's.  They often feature wonderful bands or individual performers.   I've seen the Maple Jam Band before and actually photographed one or two of the members about a year ago.  They weren't playing then.  They were just setting up. 

This time, I got to hear them play. 

Meet Dan!  If memory serves me correctly, we had a connection back to Minnesota.  He taught at a well known college in S. Minnesota.  Now, he teaches at a local institution in St. Louis.

 

 

Meet Larry!  I think Larry is the organizer and leader of the band.  I could be wrong about that.   But, Larry was the person who let me know who everyone is.  

 

 

 

These guys are out there having fun.  And, you can tell.

 

The music was awesome!  And, they even invited me to come back for more photos during my next visit!

 

Thanks Larry!

A Missouri Farmers Market: The Runner Up Dog

While everyone seems to love the Golden Retriever, a few people are bucking the system and getting other dogs. 

But, you can tell this one has an inferiority complex about being rated a runner up.  It's all in the eyes.

 

Poor thing.  

 

OK...the reality is that this dog was lovingly cared for and very good natured.   She was a bit confused with the camera thing, though.

 



 

A Missouri Farmers Market: The Chosen Dog

Like many communities, the St. Louis area boasts several farmers markets.   And, at least in this community, this is the official dog.  Well, not this one specifically, but the breed. 

 

It seems that if you are going to be in this area of St. Louis, you need a retriever. I believe I saw about 1,000,000 of them.  But, I could be exaggerating a bit. 

On a positive note, they are VERY friendly and good with kids.   And, they LOVE to have their tummy's rubbed.  Sort of reminds me of some girls I dated in high school.



 

Another Wedding: The Food and Entertainment

I knew Dawn would do an excellent job with the food and entertainment/dancing.

I had chicken. 

I almost always have chicken.  SIGH.....

The dancing was fantastic.  OLD stuff!...the music I mean.  NOT the people!

It was a nice time! 

 

Another Wedding: Guests and Friends: 9

Another person who I have no idea who she was.  But, she was gracious enough to let me take a photo!

My sincere thanks!

 

Another Wedding: Guests and Friends: 8

I actually have no idea who these people are.   Probably friends of the bride.  But, they were gracious enough to let me get a photo

My sincere thanks to you all!
 

Another Wedding: Guests and Friends: 7

Meet Jack, the husband to Dawn!

Jack is hilarious.  He has this dry sense of humor that quickly gets to the point at hand.  I met him many years ago at few parties and have grown to really enjoy his company!  He is a great golfer.  I am definitely not. 

Thanks Jack!

 

Another Wedding: Guests and Friends: 6

Meet Dawn, the mother of the bride!

Dawn was the person that linked so many of us at the wedding.  She did a wonderful job arranging the venue, food, and DJ.   I've known her for 20 years and she still invited me!
 

Another Wedding: Guests and Friends: 5

Meet Lee!

 

I first met Lee perhaps 10 years ago at a dinner party at mutual friends.   I thoroughly enjoyed her sense of humor.

 

Nice seeing you Lee!

The Bride

Meet the bride!

It was a lovely wedding and she was stunning!

 

Another Wedding: Photographer 2

Increasingly I am seeing photographers work as a team.   I suppose it makes sense.  Different images taken at the exact same time, different perspectives, distances, lighting, etc as well as a fall back if something doesn't work out.

Meet the other photographer!

I really need to work on that back shadow.   She is quite lovely.  But, the shadow in the back draws your eye.  

 

 

Regardless, she was also most gracious in taking a few moments out of her own job to let me get a photo.

 

Thank you!

 

Another Wedding: Photographer 1

I like watching other photographers work.  They are the pro's.  They are on the job.   They have tasks.  I get to play.

This was one of the photographers.  I don't recall her name.

But, she was most gracious letting me interrupt her work to get a couple of images.

Canon Mark 5's are nice.    Thanks!

Another Wedding: Guests and Friends: 4

Meet Sarah!

Sarah is getting started with a career in education, just like her parents!  I've known her for several years through her parents.

And, she was very excited to introduce me to her boyfriend, or fiancé, I forget!.  It was something like that.    

Thanks Sarah!  It was nice seeing you again after all these years!

Another Wedding: Guests and Friends: 3

Meet Mary Rose!

I first met Mary Rose about 10 years ago.   She is married to a retired judge who is a passionate guitar player and collector.  So, we had a few things in common!  She is now a retired teacher.  It was nice to catch up.   We haven't had a chance to chat in about five years.  

Thanks Mary Rose!

Another Wedding: Guests and Friends: 2

Meet Bob!

I first met Bob about 10 years ago when on a trip to Italy.  He was the oldest person on the trip.  I was the youngest.  And, we bonded!

I think we got along because we each had a responsibility on the trip and neither of us took it very seriously.   He was a team leader.  And, his job was to make sure we didn't leave anyone behind.   Since the entire trip was made up of adults, we didn't think it would be a problem.  

We nearly left someone in Bob's team and he was demoted to lavatory monitor.  I thought it was the funniest thing I've ever heard. 

Thanks Bob!