past few days

My lifelong quest for a decent photo of the male ruby-throated hummingbird continues. Above, he is poised strategically before dipping into the feeder.

And here, the light is suddenly and inexplicably more suitable, a split second later. But his head is now bobbing for ambrosia.

Following my hummingbird photography session, The child and I walked through the park on our way to the community July Fourth breakfast held in the park shelter house. This rose brightened our walk on a dreary day.


Look at all the people converging on our park before breakfast.

Inside, the community breakfast featured pancakes, sausage links, cinnamon buns, orange juice, coffee and patriotic decorations.

The Child appears more tolerant of all this than he actually is- take my word for it. He didn't eat a bite, and was generally disgruntled. Old-fashioned events like this don't impress him much.

A surprise greeted us back home in the driveway.

For size perspective, here's our guest near The Child's feet. But not too close.

Later, from right outside of our house, one of the best fireworks displays in town entertained us before bedtime.

This one looked like a burst of sunshine in the nighttime sky

The next day, our friend Garnet and I drove The Child to computer camp at a faraway university at which the Child will learn to design 3-D computer games. This is the Child's dorm room for the week.

The Child perches on his bed, taking in his new environment, complete with roommate and parents. The camp is expensive, but I consider it an opportunity for the Child to gather information in his ongoing search for his life's calling. Besides, I had already paid for it before I lost my job.