It's a sunny Sunday morning in April. The birds are singing outside and the local television news is on in the background. The really big news is that it's not snowing and the temperatures are actually supposed to be spring-like here today -- in the 50s! It's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken.
This past week was yet another adventure in winter wonderland around here. Oh, not so much snow perhaps. But the cold temperatures hung in there. Between cold rains, winds and brief snows, I'm getting really tired of this. I've lived in New Jersey over fifteen years now and this is the coldest spring I've seen here. Usually by this time trees and flowers are in full bloom and it's a joy to walk to the train station. Not so much so right now.
I want to retire my winter coat. I want to see flowers and fresh new green leaves on the trees. I want inspiration for my photos instead of just taking shots because they're there. That's not too much to ask, is it?
Huh. Charlie Sheen's "concert tour" is NOT A WINNER. Duh. I could have predicated that one. And, in New Jersey news, a coyote jumped through the basement window of someone's home in Bergen county. Animal control came, captured her and relocated the pregnant coyote in deep woods -- but not before the homeowners took some photos.
Me? I'm still watching for bears. Now, that would be a good photo opportunity! The last time I saw one around here (in my Dumpster in North Plainfield) was before I started carrying a camera with me all the time.
Onto this week's shots. Once again, I'm really wanting for inspiration. Clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window.
Look around, there's a patch of snow on the ground.
The snow from the week before lasted in patches confined to shady places well into this week. On Friday a predicted snowstorm ended up being mostly rain. However, while I was trapped in my windowless office for a few hours, the snow started coming down. Sticking to vehicles and grassy areas, it quickly added up to two inches with only slush on the roads. Then it turned back over to rain and washed away before I left for home. Bridgewater, NJ.
Obviously I'm bored
This is one of the lamps at the Bridgewater Train Station. I used GIMP's "retinex filter" to do odd things to it.
Bunny alert! Bunny alert!
A rabbit grazes in the field of geese (and robins and starlings). Bridgewater, NJ.
Feed me! FEED ME!
Not quite the Little Shop of Horrors, this crocus should be in full bloom by now. Instead, it's almost scared to fully open up. Plainfield YWCA, East Front Street.
Hanging in there
The crocuses aren't drooping like many of the other flowers wounded by the weather. They're just in some sort of waiting pattern.
I am Squirrel. This is my pedestal.
Well, it's not really a pedestal. He was posing on the steps of a nearby church on East Front Street, Plainfield.
Drooping Forsythia
After the cold weather, snow and ice, the forsythia doesn't seem as exuberant this season. Plainfield Train Station.
Drooping Daffodils
In the cemetery at Church and East Third Street behind the Friends Meeting House in Plainfield.
Some even more so ...
Berckman Street, Plainfield.
Not drooping.
Hardy souls that they are, the squirrels are fat and active. I think they must be thrilled not to have to be digging through snow cover for their goodies. Last year was a big acorn year, too. So they seem to be happy. East Front Street, Plainfield.
In which I continue my linguistic knowledge.
Hmm ... it's easier to say "keep out" than "prohibido la entrada." My Spanish continues to flourish by reading signs and eavesdropping on folks. Cleveland Street, Plainfield.
Back to shooting curly twisty dead vines
Bridgewater, NJ.
Just before the dawn
Plainfield Train Station way early on Monday morning.
A goose watches his field of geese in dismay as it's covered with bunnies and robins. Bridgewater, NJ.
Aha, I found out the mystery!
I took a shot sometime ago of a weird message on my NJ Transit train accompanied by some sort of alarm chimes. It happened again this week. Thanks to a (rather loose-lipped) conductor's announcement -- "Some rocket scientist found out you can't exit through a closed door." Of course, the rocket scientist was off of the train by the time.
Apparently this is what that little red emergency button by the doors does. What would possess someone to push that button while others are walking out of the open door not eight feet away, I don't know. Oh well. At least he didn't pull the emergency brake.
A bit of color
The cemetery behind the Friends Meeting House in Plainfield is usually a vibrant place in the springtime. The daffodils and forsythia are both suffering this year due to our extended winter.
Slow but sure
These trees are usually in glorious full bloom by now. Church Street, Plainfield.
Utilitarian
Interesting homemade trailer on this bike on East Front Street. Alas, the owner was more than annoying as I was stuck behind him in Everybody's Food Market. I was on my way to work. He was there buying a gazillion lottery tickets and praying to hit the big one as he needs the money so badly. I don't know. I think a job and working for a living is probably more of a sure bet.
Vincent
His scar on his nose really shows in this close-up. I often find myself wondering about his life previous to the one he has here.
On a related note, my thoughts and prayers go to blog reader and commenter JeanneMarie as she continues to fight the effects of her infected cat bite. It almost cost her life and she was hospitalized for ten days. Something that all cat owners tend to shrug off as innocuous -- just a little bite from a loving pet -- became a life-threatening infection. Hang in there and get healthy again, JeanneMarie!
My thoughts and prayers are also with my cousin John this week as he undergoes chemo for numerous brain tumors. No one can rock that shaved head with a long ponytail look quite like him, though. Still crazy after all these years.
Sorry for the downers, but that's what's been on my mind. How was your week?
