Red Dragonfly

Best Fried Chicken

A Hot Afternoon in Texas

Parenting

Cardinal & Sparrow

Squirrel

One Beautiful Sunday Morning

For more than a week, we had rain, thunderstorm, and gusty wind, finally the sun came out this morning. I went out to check on the rose bushes in the backyard whether they were damaged during the severe weather or not. I am so delighted and relieved to find out that the rose buds are still strongly attached to the stems.

The sky was so blue and the air was crispy fresh but I noticed the unusual quietness; no birds were chirping or singing. After 5 minutes or so, a dove flew over, and stopped hastily on the neighbor's roof. Since there was no other activities around, so I snapped the picture of the dove just for fun. Before even my index finger released from the camera shutter, I heard an awfully loud and sharp noise. Instantaneously, I looked up and was shocked to see the dove was being attacked and snatched away by a hawk of some sorts. I barely had a glimpse of the the dove which was struggling helplessly trying to free itself. In the blink of my eye, both the predator and the victim were vanished in the air without a trace.

I held my breath, lifted my toes attempting to get a better view, but all I could see were some scattered feathers left on the rooftop except a white feather; solely floated aimlessly in the air for a few seconds, and finally rested on the concrete silently.

The sky is still blue, the air is still crispy fresh, it seems like nothing has happened or shouldn't have happened on this one beautiful Sunday morning.......but unfortunately something sad did happen.

Barber Shop Sign

This old weary barber shop sign is located in front of the Cottage Antiques in Mineola, Texas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineola,_Texas

The Tortoise and the Hare Teapot

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tortoise_and_the_Hare

I love to collect teapots with an extraordinary design such as this one. It's remarkly attractive!

Store Sign

This old C & S sign is located at C & S Ace Hardware, 200 Spring Creek Vlg # 1,Dallas, TX 75248.

Russian Folk Arts & Crafts

Last week my brother took a trip to Boston, and when he returned back to Dallas, he handed me a small shopping bag full of surprises. I carefully unwrapped each and everyone, they are these utterly adorable Russian Folk Arts and Crafts.

I always love and appreciate handmade items because they reflect the patience and pride of the craftmen who had spent hours to create these unique and artistic products.

"I miss you all!"

When our love ones are no longer with us, do we miss them? Yes, I do, I miss my brother terribly, my grandpa, my uncle, and my best friend also. Last weekend I went to White Rock Lake to take some pictures, how I wish they were there with me too. Well, if they were there....

The first one who would run up to me would definitely be my dear brother Alan. He would hug me affectionately, and ask anxiously, "How's Mom..... why don't you call me anymore..... I miss you, sis..... don't cry!" We used to talk on the phone at least once a day, sometimes 2 or 3. Alan was my older brother who had known to have a big heart filled with love and passion. He was always there for me during good times especially difficult times.

I would expect my Grandpa to show up in his favorite white suit and black bow-tie with a walking stick, oh, I almost forgot his hat. He would probably bring us a box of European chocolate, and tell us interesting, funny stories of different countries he had once visited. Traveling was his hobby, he had been to all over the world except Australia. Grandpa was a man full of wisdom and kindness.

Uncle Tom was the happiest person I had ever met. I would hear him humming the tune of hymns while walking towards us. As usual, he would greet us with a bright smile and wave, "Nice to see you guys, what a lovely day!" Then he wouldn't wait to start taking pictures because photography was the love of his life. He was the one who had taught me how to develop black & white photos before digital cameras became popular.

How about my best friend Arnold, what would he say to me? Perhaps he would ask, "Hey, how are the turtles?" He bought me a pair of cute Brazilian Turtles and a rose for my birthday one year. "Why turtles for birthday present?", I asked with doubt. He answered sensibly, "Turtles represent longevity." We both laughed.....it was one of the sweet memories!

As for me, I would tell them loud and clear, "I miss you all!" I absolutely miss them all.

They All Go Nuts!!!

Valentine's Day

Every year, before Valentine's Day, the commercials on TV and radio stations keep reminding the guys that in order to show someone they love; they should send flowers, teddy bears, lingerie grams or
whatever gifts to her work place so that she can show off to her colleagues. So sad to see people really bought into this ridiculous 'showing off' notion........ some even ordered flowers to be delivered to their office for themselves, faking that the flowers were from their boyfriends or husbands. It's absolutely silly, shallow and childish!!!

The Silver Tree

The morning after the freezing rain, when the bright sun came out, I was stunned to see all the trees were glittering in silver.....I was in the wonderland of nature. Pictures were taken on 01.28.09 at 9 am

The Lonesome Blue Jay

Last year, this Blue Jay and it's partner were my regular backyard visitors, they often came together enjoying the food and water. But on 09.30.08, a tragedy had happened. That afternoon, I looked through my kitchen window, spotted a big bird which I had never seen in my yard before. Immediately, I reached for my camera, zoomed in and, noticed that it was not an ordinary bird. Gosh! It was a swainson's hawk! I held my breath, took a few pictures of it standing boldly on the fence. Then all of a sudden, it dived into the far corner of my yard, grabbed an object with its strong claws and started tearing it up with its sharp beak. Soon after the hawk left, I stepped out of the kitchen to the backyard. My heart paused when I saw some beautiful blue feathers scattering around under the tree......I rather not to the describe the gruesome "crime scene" in detail. Because it all happened so fast and unexpectedly so I was
completely in shock. Suddenly I realized that no matter how many episodes of "Nature" I had watched on PBS, showing about the survival and the cruelty in the world of nature, yet when it actually happened right in front of my eyes in my own backyard, I couldn't take it. It was just too real and brutal!

The lonely, heart-broken Blue Jay still comes everyday without its partner. Every time I saw it, I felt terribly sorry because of that unfortunate incident. I had tried to take its picture numerous times but it always flew away before I could even put my hand on my Cannon camera. Finally, last week on 01.16.09, I successfully took its picture! Here you can see the "Lonesome Blue Jay" still looks very sad, isn't it?

To learn more about Blue Jay: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Cyanocitta_cristata.html

To learn more about Swainson's Hawk : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swainson

Free Refills for Coffee?

Whenever I see a Quizno's Subs, it often reminds me of my trip to Tokyo, Japan in 2000. You simply can't imagine how excited and happy I was when I recognized a Quizno's Subs by the entrance of the train station...... I rushed in there, ordered a sandwich and a cup of coffee with free refills.

Most of you who had been traveled to Hong Kong or Japan would have experienced how expensive to order coffee in the hotels & restaurants. With the no refill policy, drinking 3 to 4 cups of plain old black coffee per meal could be very costly.

In Hong Kong, if I wanted to have coffee with my meals, I would go to Dan Ryan Restaurant where my coffee cup was also refilled without even asked.
http://www.hongkongtravelguide365.com/restaurants/dan-ryans.html

The 1997 Teddy Bear

United Kingdom handed Hong Kong back to the Chinese authorities in June 30, 1997 - ending more than 150 years of the British Government. It happened that I was in Hongkong for business at that time, this cute little HK bear and I had witnessed the historical moment together.

To read about the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfer_of_sovereignty_of_Hong_Kong

The Cardinal

On Jan 07, 2008, I looked outside from the patio door, and spotted the cardinal in the tree. Immediately I grabbed my camera to snap this picture. Yeah, I do wish the picture could be cleared or sharper but I don't really care......'cause as long as I could capture that precious moment!

Learn more about the cardinals: http://www.americanbirdguide.com/cardinal.shtml