More photos from Richard

Sunset over a Polish cemetery




The dead overlook a dying town



I like these shots because the light in the sky makes it feel peaceful and melancholy.

Guest Photographer: Richard Plocinik

My husband recently went on a trip with his family to Michigan and Pennsylvania, and inspired by my passion for photography, decided to take a camera with him. He hadn't used one in a long time, but I was pretty impressed with what he found!



This was taken in Stony Creek State Park in Michigan, in a random unmarked clearing. I love the light in the trees behind, and the perfect framing of the bench. You get a great sense of how tall the trees are, and how quiet it must have been.




This was on a priest's gravestone, in the Pennsylvania cemetery of the church where he served for forty years. I loved the intricacy of the detail; the priest was someone they obviously respected, but the shared love of the church comes through even more.




The house's decorations are split completely in half, right down to the different shades of yellow paint and even the different walls along the sidewalk. Impressive!

All these shots are even better viewed in large:
Bench in Clearing
Priest's Gravestone
Split House


My husband has a good eye, doesn't he?

Other People's Kids

I'm working long days the rest of the week, so I'll be posting photos at night instead of in the morning. Consider these tomorrow's shots.

Now that's a mouthful of teeth!



Waiting for the fountain



Bowling Girl



Detroit Cowboy

The Jet Set Life

Puppy Love

Taken at the Hamtramck Festival in Detroit Michigan, Labor Day weekend 2007. He had no idea I was aiming a camera at him.

Here it is in color; I can't decide which works the best!

Signs at the Carnival

The computer is back, and I've got a ton of photos ready to post! Here are a few signs for the more interesting foodstuffs found at the carnivals I've been to lately.

From the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival, in Detroit Michigan. Can you tell it's a Polish-based carnival? (They spelled Babchi differently than we do. Who knew?)



I HIGHLY recommend the pierogis at the Hamtramck Festival. These people do not mess around.



From the Romeo Peach Festival, in the rural area a small town several miles outside Detroit. You would think given the name of the festival, the pie area would be more prominently displayed, but this is it. Just one lone sign tied up to a post.



I did not have any peach pie, sadly.



Frozen Coke? Really?



I didn't try this one.




I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the frozen Coke. This one is MUCH weirder!



Taken at the Naperville Ribfest in Naperville IL, summer 2006. I did have the deep-fried Snickers, just to say I did. It was pretty good!

There are a few more carnival rides and such at the Carnivals and Fairs photoset on Flickr. Check them out!

Computer Woes

Just wanted to let you know I am still here but unable to post right now. My computer is in the shop with a hard drive problem, and all my photos are on it. (Not to worry, I do have them backed up! Phew -- that's over 4 years of photos I could have lost.) I should get it back in a couple of days and we'll be back in business.

Let this be a reminder to you all: back up your computers regularly!

3 Candids from the Peach Festival

Little blond girls enjoying the carnival ride.




Bored Carny (Is that the right spelling? I never know.)



Every carnival needs a random bagpiper.

Take your chances, step right up!

More from the Romeo Peach Festival in Michigan...



It looks a little less exciting and glamorous in the morning than it does at night lit up, but it's still eye-catching. See, no one can resist!




Catch a duckie...



...win a tiara...



...or buy a raffle ticket to win a rifle. (??? Okay, that's a first for me!)

Sea Creatures through a Porthole window

Or, the more pedestrian description: my twin niece and nephew, playing around in the pool over Labor Day weekend.

I prefer the sea creature explanation. :)

Balloons in the Sky

Taken at the 2007 Chicago Lymphomathon at Montrose Harbor. Thank you to all who donated!

Midway games

Some games will always be found on a carnival midway, especially in a small town. Taken at the Romeo Peach Festival, Labor Day weekend 2007.