Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - June 30, 2013

Good Sunday morning to all those reading this! If you're here for the Big Brother live feeds posts, the last one is located right at this link. The next one will be posted a bit later today. One of the things I do year 'round here is an off television topic post reflecting on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. You've been warned!

Once again this week, at least in the early week, I got caught in storms heading home. Grr. I thought I put in a request with Mother Nature for the storms to occur during the overnight hours!

On one of the stormy, hot and humid days, I got into a bit of a kerfuffle with some rowdy kids on the train home. They weren't familiar to me and I really didn't expect them to get off at my stop ... screaming and yelling at me. Eep. Thankfully, there were two Plainfield police officers working at the station. When one went to move the obnoxious teens along, the other (after asking where I live), gave me a ride home. Yes, in the front seat! That sergeant ROCKS! That was so nice of him! And, no, he's not one of the officers I actually know on the Plainfield PD.

Those who follow the show know, but others who tune in specifically for this weekly post might not realize -- Big Brother and its live feeds started up for the summer. Working a full-time "real" job and covering the house happenings make for a lack of sleep for about three months. Oy. But, on the other hand, I never have to be worried about having nothing to do!

On the home front, I shared the elevator once again with the now not-so-new upstairs neighbor. No tennis clothes this time, but shorts nonetheless. He's very pleasant and polite. And, that South African/quasi-British accent is a nice change of pace for my ears. He's still quite quiet up there. He can stay.

That's about all I have for you right now ... onto the photos!

Bunny in the grass

Much better than a snake in the grass, don't you think? Corner of East Front and Berckman in Plainfield.

By any other name

East Front Street, Plainfield

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

Early morning chicory blossom

On the four mornings I head into work early, the chicory blossoms at the Plainfield Train Station are just starting to open up after a night of rest.

Mimic fly on chicory blossom

Although that looks like a tiny bee, it's not. It's a mimic fly. It has the bee coloring to thwart prey. Note the chicory blossom is all opened. I took this shot at about 10am on Saturday morning. Plainfield Train Station

Robin on a bar

He would eat the mimic fly! Bridgewater Train Station

Yellow Jacket wasp

While I'm not allergic to poison ivy, I am allergic to these. Bridgewater, NJ

Carrion or blow fly

They like to sit on poison ivy leaves for some reason. Bridgewater Train Station.

Purty with pink!

Bridgewater, NJ

Delicate and intricate

These make me smile. Church Street, Plainfield.

On the fence is better than middle of the road

Oh my. His tail doesn't look as fluffy as it should. But he seemed healthy otherwise. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Whazzat? Bunnies!

I've mentioned before that the rabbit population has increased with the decline of the feral cat population in the neighborhood. These two rabbits were on the unkempt lawn at the corner of East Front and Berckman in Plainfield. I think that urban bunnies might eventually become almost as common as squirrels. I recall years ago staying at the Marriott in Newark (NJ) for a seminar, the grounds were all but infested with rabbits.

Y'know, I can see you

But I'm hiding behind a fence!

Yes, you

Yes, I do see you

I really do. You're a bunny rabbit. And, you're right there.

Staying still doesn't make you invisible

For some time, rabbits will stay still, possibly thinking their prey will think they're statues or invisible ... or something. But when they finally run away, they zoom!

Drinking and driving don't mix

The empty liquor bottle next to car parts from a crash at the corner of East Front and Berckman in Plainfield give out a warning even if they are purely coincidental.

Waning supermoon

I didn't go out to get a shot of the Supermoon last weekend while it was full. But I did get this shot Tuesday morning while walking to the train station.

Crow on the rocks

Hmm. Sounds like a drink!

Bunnies? Crows? Robins? Squirrels?

Playtoys! Dinner! What? You didn't bring any home for me?

No, Vincent. My living room is NOT Wild Kingdom.