Weekly Photo Challenge: Renewal

I’ve missed the last two photo challenges, but in my defense, I’ve been trying to follow the rules. Or at least what I perceive to be the rules. And since the kind folks at The Daily Post pose their challenges on Friday, I am decidedly late to the party.

This week’s challenge was to make an image that says “renewal” to you – trying to avoid clichéd choices like birth and sunrises. I’ve chosen this shot. I think we usually get morose in the fall, focus on saying goodbye (I include myself here, too – I’m not name-calling). Even though this milkweed has lived to the end of its days, those fuzzy seeds will blow away and start anew in the spring.

And also a sunset. Because they’re pretty.

You’ve Won…A New Car!

In full disclosure, we didn’t win, and it wasn’t a car. However, we are the proud owners of a new Audi Q5 as of about 4:30 this afternoon. Aside from relocating the vehicle, this was by far the easiest car purchase we’ve ever made.

Deadman’s Hill – A Sunrise Trip in the Fall

Before we left for Maui, Tony and I did something we almost never do. We got up before sunrise (this is the part we never do), and drove up to Deadman’s Hill (we do lots of things like this). Following a short walk up a gentle hill, view-seekers are greeted with expansive views of the Jordan River valley where rounded peaks tumble into the distance, reminiscent of the Appalachian foothills.

Turbulent Lakeshore Voyage

We’ve navigated dozens of northern Michigan roads this fall, visiting our favorite haunts and finding new ones. Until this weekend, though, we had neglected America’s (new and possibly voter-biased) most beautiful place: the Sleeping Bear Dunes lakeshore. Last week’s luminous summer-in-fall gave way to more typical hit-or-miss rains and chill, and I was a little excited this morning while tossing on my sweater, coat and hat for our adventure.

Shades of October

For more than a week now we’ve had solid blue skies and summer-y temperatures.  Add in the fall color and you get lots of pictures.  We’ve been taking it pretty easy, going out on several Sunday drives – on both Saturday and Sunday – and otherwise just trekking around the neighborhood.  Fortunately for us, fall is in full swing, and we sigh at its beauty daily.