Weekend in Chicago

January 26, 2013

January 26, 2013 Photo of the day: "Navy Pier"

Strictly Sail - Chicago

Navy Pier Winter Wonder Fest

Awesome Snow Scupltures

The gargoyle was my favorite!

Sand dollar

January 25, 2013

January 25, 2013 Photo of the day: "Sand dollar"

I love seashells, especially sand dollars.

I love their juxtaposition of simplicity and intricacy.

If you look carefully, many patterns are revealed.

When I returned from a trip to Florida in 7th grade

with several of these flattened sea urchins,

one of the Sisters who taught at my school

told me about the legend of the sand dollar.

"There's a pretty little legend

that I would like to tell

of the birth and death of Jesus

found in this lowly shell.

If you examine closely,

you'll see that you'll find here

four nail holes and a fifth one

made by a Roman's spear.

On one side the Easter lily,

its center is the star

that appeared unto the shepherds

to lead them from afar.

The Christmas poinsettia

etched on the other side

reminds us of His birthday,

our happy Christmastide.

Now break the center open

and here you will release

the five white doves awaiting

to spread good will and peace.

This simple little symbol

God left for you and me

to help us spread his message

through all eternity."

Apparently, there are several versions of this legend.

I love that profound beauty and meaning

can be found in the simplest of nature's creatures.

I also like dreaming of a beach vacation

during this bitterly cold weekend in Wisconsin!

Celebrate

January 24, 2013

January 24, 2013 Photo of the day: "Celebrate"

Semester 1 Finals are over!

Winter hues

January 23, 2013

January 23, 2013 Photo of the day: "Winter Hues"

I love this color palate!

Paris sous la neige 2013

January 23, 2013

I have spent countless hours wandering around Paris, taking endless photos of the same iconic images of this most beautiful city. I had been anticipating a relaxing, atypical visit to Paris this time, the first time in years that I have been here without students or friends, the first time in over a decade that I had no intention of playing tourist. I planned to slow down, to stroll in my favorite neighborhoods, "faire la lèche-vitrine" (window shop), stop in cafés for coffee or wine, and take less obvious pictures of Paris. That all changed when I woke on Saturday morning to Paris transformed!

Due to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream, Paris enjoys a very mild climate with an average winter temperature of about 5° Celsius (41° F). There is rarely more than a sugary dusting of snow, temporarily transforming the city into a confection rivaling any at Ladurée, Pierre Hermé, or Angelina. And like a French pastry, this delicious beauty is usually gone by midday. Paris' highest snowfall on record, 15.75 inches, occurred in 1946, but last weekend's 8 inches was the most snow in recent memory. The idea of capturing this rare and beautiful moment was too tempting for me not change my plans and play in the snow! And I wasn't the only one! It's amazing how several inches of frozen precipitation can melt the steely faces of typically chic Parisians. Instead everyone bundled up and slowed down to enjoy the winter wonderland. Although, to be fair, it is difficult to rush about when streets and sidewalks are snow-covered and slippery.

Cars, Vespas, and Velib' (the city's rental bikes) were buried.

The Métro was probably the best way to get around

if you were in a hurry, but it was the weekend!

Instead, families, couples, and pets filled the parks with peels of laughter

as they fought "batailles de neige" and built "bonhommes de neige"

Photographers and news crews scrambled to record the magical scenes, and like me, attempted to capture the ephemeral beautiful of snow blanketing Paris' monuments, dark winter trees, green benches, gray Mansard roofs, orange chimney pots, and bright café tables.