Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - March 8, 2015

Good, albeit late, Sunday morning to all y'all! My apologies for this being so late. This, of course, being my weekly off television topic reflection of the week gone by in both words and photographs taken along the way. Sure, we had the "spring forward" jump to Daylight Savings Time and I lost an hour. But, truth to tell, I was exhausted last night yet I couldn't fall asleep for the life of me. Then, once sleep came, I didn't wake up when I had planned to do so.

Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's my health. I don't know. But I do know that if I were to return to bed now, I could probably sleep for several hours. Like many around here, I'm winter-weary. I'm tired of having to don my big coat and snow boots. I'm tired of climbing over snowbanks or carefully treading the ice on sidewalks. I don't long for the heat of summer. I long for spring with its light jacket early mornings, birds singing and photo opportunities all about me.

I really don't have much more for you right now outside photos I've taken. It's a bit warmer although we had a snowy week with three different snowstorms since the start of the month (a week ago). At least without bitter cold, I don't shiver when taking photos. I'm still waiting to REALLY test out the camera, though. Here's what I've got for you -- clicking an image will open a larger view of it:

Gnarly tree covered in snow

Sure, it makes a good picture. But I'd rather it stop. Please. No more snow.

Fallen sweet gum tree fruit

I tend to think more of it as a seed pod than fruit. But fruit it is. This was the day it rained atop the snow before it snowed on top of the rain which fell on the snow.

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

Through the cafe curtains

Looking at one of the three March snowstorms through my cafe curtains. Have I mentioned that this snow needs to stop?

Out the window

And, guess what? It's snowing!

Was Zorro here?

I see the sign of the "Z." He must have been!

Snow is narrowing the streets

I'm really tired of climbing over snowbanks. Yes, I am.

Ice, Ice, Baby

This is growing by the day. Right now it's just about sneaking into a first floor apartment window.

And, here's the cause

A broken drainpipe. 

More ice

Another view

The thawing and refreezing make the pipe break loose at a connecting point. That drainpipe was just replaced this past summer. 

Testing night shots

It's been way too cold at night for me to really play with the camera. Technically, I didn't play with it this time -- I had it on Auto. I took this last night at the Plainfield Train Station, no flash.

You can't get there from here

Watchung Avenue, Plainfield.

612 E. Front needs to be FINED

For the last four winters, 612 East Front Street has either not shoveled the sidewalk at all or made such a narrow path that it's like taking a drunk driver's test. On either side, the walks are shoveled to the width of the walk and salted. This is Plainfield. Why aren't the ordinances being enforced?

Getting 'nipped

Vincent doesn't care if spring ever comes. He's happy as long as he has his catnip, cat treats, cat food and a human sofa (me).

Vincent's all ears

I was messing with the camera settings. He looks like a floating cat head with Dumbo cat ears. Heehee.