Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - December 9, 2012

It's Sunday morning. Yay. I'd say that means I can sleep in, but obviously I'm not really doing that. But sitting around sipping coffee in my robe and fuzzy slippers isn't anything like heading out to work for the day. So, I'll take that any day! It also means that it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken.

Hmm ... this week certainly isn't going to go down in the annals of exciting times in my life. I'm pulling a bit of a blank on reflection. Oh my. Well, I did catch a brief, but nasty, stomach bug going around here. I'd just as soon forget that. It didn't last more than a day, but ...!

I had planned on going to the lighting of the Plainfield Christmas tree by City Hall when I got out of work on Friday. It was raining, so I skipped that. When I got home last night from work, I noticed the tree was totally dark. So I don't know if the lighting ceremony even went down. 

Tonight is the season finale of The Amazing Race. Depending on how I feel next Sunday, I might head into the city (Manhattan) to get some photos of holiday happenings there. There's no place like New York City during the holidays. I could also check out some of the places listed in this piece. I'd have to go out to Brooklyn to get the bacon donuts, but the rest of the bacon desserts are in Manhattan. I so want to try a Choinkwich from the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop! Chocolate ice cream sandwich with bacon marmalade? I'm so there!

I really don't have much more for you this week. My photo shots were dampened by the weather most days, so not too many great shots this week. I did, however, have an extended photo shoot of Vincent! Clicking on an image will open it in a Photobucket page, clicking again will make it larger. To return here, just close the Photobucket page. 

The Vincent

Yep, I'm leading off with a Vincent shot this week. Not to worry, I'll also be closing with a Vincent shot. Who's the cat? He's the cat!

Off to work

It has been foggy or rainy (or any combination thereof) in the mornings when I leave for work. So I decided, since it's a grey world, this shot would be best in black and white. Plainfield Train Station.

Berries in the rain

The golden casings on these red berries are disappearing by the day. I've noticed that birds leave these alone. I'd say they're probably either poisonous or just plain nasty to eat. Church Street, Plainfield.

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

Sunflower doll in bush revived

That poor sunflower scarecrow doll has been through so much! First, the hurricane (post-tropical cyclone, whatever) blew her down the street and I put her back on their railing. Then she got blown down on her face by the steps. Someone stuck her in the bush. Then, last week, I showed a shot of her suffering in snow while stuck in the bush. Well, she's still in the bush, but now surrounded with holiday lights. She's a lot more perky this week! Berckman Street, Plainfield.

Rainy holiday on Watchung Avenue

We had our cold days, then it got warm. With the warmth came the rain. Watchung Avenue, Plainfield.

Reflection on wet pavement

I edited this shot to leave the rest of it was black and white with just the glow from the shop window and reflection in color. North Avenue, Plainfield.

'shroom tree takeover

This tree is near where the fallen from Sandy intricate fuzzy fungus tree is in Bridgewater. Nothing intricate or lacy about THIS fungus! It seemed to appear almost overnight, although more than likely I just missed it a few days. I can't help but wonder if the toxic superfund site in which it's located, flooded for months by Hurricane Irene last year, has something to do with the mushroom/fungus activity in the area. This tree is a ways behind a chain link fence and not the best shot.

Sun hung low

Still near that toxic superfund site adjacent to the Bridgewater Train Station, I caught this sunset about to happen. Of course, it could also be a Chinese restaurant -- Sun Hung Lo! :-)

A few minutes later

And, I took this shot closer to the actual train station.

Plainfield even a bit later

After I got off the train in Plainfield, the sun itself was no longer visible. The pretty colors in the skies were fleeting, as well. It would be nice, for the sake of my photography addiction, if NJ Transit would more quickly replace lamps which have gone dark. Alas, they can't even run the trains on the previous pre-Sandy schedules yet. I guess I'm asking for too much. East Fourth Street side of the Plainfield Train Station.

Da 'hood at night

This is an apartment building for seniors located across the street from where I live. Two of my previous neighbors moved there some time back. I'm not old enough to live there, nor do they allow pets. Perhaps by the time I'm old enough for it, they'll allow them!

Ho ho ho

East Second Street, Plainfield

Half sunset

Taken on a different day in that same Bridewater location.

Water tower half sunset

The sun, with its top obscured by clouds, lined up perfectly with a water tower in the distance.

You NEED to give me cat treats

Okay, Vincent is giving me "that look." He's tired of me shooting him. Uh-oh!