New Mexico - Spring 2009

Recently, I had the opportunity to take a few days and head to New Mexico to do a little bit of outdoor work. After driving down through Kansas and hanging out in Topeka for a couple of days due to the transmission breaking down, the majestic view of the mountains was well worth the wait, as were the rejuvinating hot springs. Hanging out with my family is always a blast. BTW, the family photo you see above is only a slice of the whole crowd. My Big Fat Greek Wedding has nothing on me ;)!

Chicago -- November Style ...

It is much colder by the lake like the man on the radio says. After listening to a couple keynote speakers in downtown Chicago on how to implement green energy programs within your community, my friend Bob and I decided to take a quick walk about the city and photograph its vibrance. In all of my trips to Chicago, I had never actually been to the "bean." Yeah, it's weird, but mesmerizing, and most importantly, it makes people smile for some reason, and that's good, because no one needs a riot downtown.

Friendship ...

Val - A friend made in Omaha, NE. October 2008

Some thoughts that have been helping me get through the past week...

The most I can do for my friend is simply be his friend.
- Henry David Thoreau

False friendship, like the ivy, decays and ruins the walls it embraces; but true friendship gives new life and animation to the object it supports.
- Richard Burton

When a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.
- Edgar Watson Howe

A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.
- Grace Pulpit

He who loses money losses much. He who loses a friend loses more. But he who loses faith loses all.
- Henry H. Haskins

Franklin Grove Summer Harvest Festival ...

John and Diane Nicholson, the official honorees of the Franlin Grove Summer Harvest Festival.

Essie takes some quiet time for herself amidst the chaos of the beginning of the parade.

Uncle Jim, Aunt Janet, and the rest of the family!


My boss taking a break after chatting with the locals on the parade route.

John Nicholson walking back through the streets of Franklin Grove after the parade (this guy is always busy!).


Sunset on the way home from the parade. Gorgeous day!

This was the first time that I've been able to celebrate Franklin Grove's Summer Harvest Festival. What a great place, and what a wonderful time for a parade! Sunset is the perfect time for a parade. The lighting is beautiful, the temperature has dropped, and everyone has had the opportunity to spend time with their family all day. Franklin Grove has got it goin' on. John & Diane Nicholson, good friends of mine, were the honorees for the parade and for good reason, too. John sits on the Lee County Board as vice-chair, while Diane works as the director of the Lee County tourism as well as a trustee for Franklin. More than anything else, these are good people who are genuinely trying to better the area.

It was a nice surprise to run into my Aunt Janet and the rest of the family. Her ties with Franklin stem from growing up in the Dixon area and working in Ashton at Crest foods as a computer programmer for many years. It's always great to find friendly faces in the crowd.

As for next year, I plan on getting to Franklin a little earlier to hit the town-wide garage sales and staying later for the square dance!

Always a friend ... always waiting ...

Farley pickle ... watching as I get into the car.

No, seriously, he's a doctor!

Matt and I at his graduation in Springfield. He's the wizard. I'm the warlock. Where is Capt. Morgan?

Hangin' with the Lincoln's. Cheer up people! We're not asking you to go to a play!

Yeah, same guy ... if you know Matt, then you will understand that the next day, two more statues of children stood in that grouping. FYI, Abe wasn't the father ...

Yup, a doctor who's interning in the ER ... one must understand where his patients come from ...

Matt graduated from SIU School of Medicine, aka Jamaican Voodoo, this spring. He will be interning in the Peoria ER for the next four years. The biggest benefit to Matt: he gets to eat as much food as he wants to and its free. Mental Note, don't get shot in Peoria. Matt, Rich (see Storm Chasing), and I used to hang out in high school. Matt, unfortunately, couldn't make the storm chasing trip due to some important tests or something ... don't worry he's going to live ;), so we had to celebrate his graduation "small-town style" as you can see above.

Day 2 - Storm Chasing Lost Images - How big is Kansas?!

Chalk Monuments as you come across the gravel roads and look over the fields.

Toyota, please feel free to reimburse me for this wonderful image of my Highlander handling the monuments with ease.

Captain Morgan and his evil twin strike again!

What a gorgeous and serene environment.

Day 2 took us from Concordia, Kansas, where we experienced our first and only tornado at about 1:30 in the morning to these magnificent monuments, aptly named, Monument Rocks; they're called the chalk monuments, too. Located about (5) miles off of 83, we had to drive down a gravel road and then a dirt road. Rich was so excited he could hardly wait! But, when we got there it was all worth it as there wasn't another soul in sight and we could explore as long as we wanted. One really can't see these rocks until you get right into the field, out in the middle of nowhere, and there isn't anything else like it anywhere close. Rich and I came up with an idea to compete with Crayola, but the specifics are still in the works. It was great weather as you can tell, blue skies and all!