Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - May 5, 2013

It's Sunday morning! Happy Cinco de Mayo! Since it is indeed Sunday, it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. 

But, first ... let me touch on television --
Tonight is the big two-hour season finale of The Amazing Race. It's supposed to start at 8pm EDT. But we know how that goes. I'll have the blog party post up on time whether the show starts on time or not. I hope to see you there!

Also, on a television note, I received promotional screeners for the first six or so episodes of Falling Skies, the Steven Spielberg produced saga on TNT. Yay! As I get them watched (probably not today, unfortunately), I'll post about them without spoilers. I'm looking forward to the return of this show, as well as checking out the upcoming Stephen King show based on 'The Dome.' I think with some of these shows and Big Brother, I should remain entertained all summer.

The past week was a glorious spring week here in my part of New Jersey. The days were sunny, often without a cloud in the sky. The nights were cool. It rained overnight into Monday and not since. I know we need the rain (and apparently will get some this coming week), but this was splendid.

On my day off Wednesday, I spent some time in Mindowaskin Park in nearby Westfield. The bulk of today's photos are from that trip. While the park itself is very nice, the water in the pond not so much. It really needs a major clean-up. I think it's the first time I've been there that I saw no signs of fish in the pond, none at all. That's not good. 

During the week I received an email from a company in Cincinnati -- they want to buy one of my photos to use it in their marketing materials. It's the company that built the solar panel frames at the Bridgewater Train Station parking lot. The shot is one of the empty frames with the sunrise in the background and the sky going from pinkish to a deep velvet above the frame. I looked at their website and, while they have many photos of completed projects, they have nothing like this shot -- kind of an artsy shot of their work. When I know more about the deal, I'll let you know.

Yesterday when I made eye contact with a stranger, a woman perhaps my age. I felt I should say something. So, in honor of Star Wars Day (May 4), I said, "May the fourth be with you." Without skipping a beat, she replied, "Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?" Ah, gotta love the geekdom.

Onto the photos for this week ...  

Do these feathers make my butt look big?

Gymnast

This little guy was balanced high up in a tree at the Plainfield Train Station.

Goslings!

Too much cuteness to take in all at once!

The family

Get your ducks, er ... geese, all in a row.

**CLICK THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS**

New Plainfield police car

This is one of the new little Plainfield Police cars. While it's cute, it really doesn't look too roomy. It will never instill the heart-thump of the Plymouth Fury coming up in back of you on the highways decades ago. Instead, I can think of errant drivers thinking, "Whazzat? A Prius?" This one was parked on Watchung Avenue in front of the Plainfield Donut Shop. No, no judgment ... just sayin' ...

Reaching for the sun

The poison ivy in Bridgewater wants to break free of its vines and reach the sky.

Reminder of Sandy

At least most of this one is cleaned up -- mainly because it was a very tall tree and major parts of it fell off onto cars and a driveway. Six months have passed since Hurricane Superstorm Sandy and many private yards and woodsy areas still bear the scars. This is in the yard next door to my home; the downed tree across the yard on the other side of me is worse. Between the tree damage evident just about everywhere, the mismatched new roof shingles and business signs still needing repair ... Sandy is not about to be forgotten anytime soon.

Azalea after overnight rains

The pink azaleas are in their glory at the Bridgewater Train Station.

More azaleas

Now almost gone

At the Plainfield Train Station.

A TRIP TO MINDOWASKIN PARK

I took the following photos on my visit to Mindowaskin Park in Westfield on Wednesday:

The geese parents were protective of the goslings, but seemed very used to humans making a fuss over their cuteness.

Just walking around showing off the babies to anyone in their path.

Flowers in front of Trader Joe's

I'm too sexy for my fur

Meanwhile, I have my own bundle of cuteness at home! While he may think he's too sexy for his fur, he's sadly mistaken. He's more kind of sexless. Oops! But I'll let him think he's a sexy cat anyway.