I LOVE WISCONSIN!

We arrived home safely after a whirlwind tour of Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin....along with a very brief visit to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. The purpose of our trip was a family immersion into the celebration of Bar Mitzvah, which was joyous and even raucous at times. Family came from all over the country; New York, Florida, North Carolina, Indiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, Illinois and other great states. There was much rushing to connect and bond again within the flurry of scheduled activities. When it was all over I wanted nothing more than to sit still in a quiet room, nothing moving about me. However, we'd promised to drive to Wisconsin immediately afterward to visit my husband's best friend from high school and his lovely wife. We were weary but looking forward to driving into Wisconsin, a state neither my husband nor I had ever seen. Because this northern experience has stayed with me on a visceral level I shall begin my travelogue at the end - Wisconsin.

The first thing I noticed were the trees. Huge, massive, stately, stout oak trees a type of which I'm not familiar. Their leaves were long gone and they welcomed us with huge arms outspread into wide, happy greetings. Rolling hillsides with old but well-maintained barns and homes and farms and beautiful fences. The architecture was stunning. It didn't take long to arrive at Lake Geneva. We drove along the lake enjoying the charm of that village and its citizens, who were braving the chilled air by jogging and biking and walking along pathways. Before long we reached Williams Bay, where our friends reside. Folks, I am totally charmed by this point. I'm ready to move to Williams Bay and/or Lake Geneva.

Their house is a block or two from Lake Geneva. We are greeted by a massive tree of their own, variety unknown. They've only been here a couple of months and are still getting to know the area. I asked Sky to stand in front of this wonderful tree that's in the corner of their lot to give perspective.

What is this beautiful tree? It has bark much like a shagbark hickory, but it isn't a hickory.

Sky loves this tree and I do, too.

After some serious tree hugging I found these lovely, exquisite leaves on the ground. Oak leaves? What tree do these belong to? Anyone? There was no choice but to bring some home with me, tucked gently into a book so they'll remain flat. These are the most beautiful leaves I've ever seen.

Leaving the leaves behind, we strolled a block to the iconic Daddy Maxwell's for breakfast. It was as Christmasy on the inside as it was Thanksgivingy on the outside. Very unusual place - great breakfast. I highly recommend it.

We were in Wisconsin less than 24 hours but are already planning a return visit and longer stay. A born and bred Southerner I've always been enchanted by the North and Midwest. (And Southwest for that matter) Never been to the Northwest but aim to. Our country is glorious in its diversity, but I'm thinking right now that Wisconsin is just a little slice of heaven. Hubby and I both loved the feel of the place, loved everything about it. Wisconsin - you rock.

Feeling adventurous we decided to drive home through Chicago. It couldn't be that bad, could it? As our daughter used to say when she was a toddler - NOT NO MORE NOT NEVER AGAIN!

So, we're HOME! I've about 2,000 photos to process. We had great fun!

Pause for the Cause

Hi folks. I'm in a hotel in Illinois. We traveled up I-65, dodging copious huge trucks and wacky drivers to settle in the Land of Lincoln until Monday. My blog will be updated as I can but currently I've no way to post photos.

We are attending a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday. For the uninitiated, a Bar Mitzvah celebrates a boy becoming a man in the eyes of the Jewish community. I'm sure I've said that completely wrong since I'm not Jewish, but that's my layman's wording. This is my second such event and I'm looking forward to it. What these boys (and girls in the case of a Bat Mitzvah) do to prepare for these celebrations is mind-blowing - to me, anyway.

When I return I'll post some photos and stories and probably even tell you something important. We'll see how it all goes. In the meantime be good and take care of each other and of our earth.

What's in a name?

(Photographer unknown)

I've signed up for Google Analytics which provides endless fascination every morning over coffee. The Giraffe Head Tree blog is one of the sites I registered, more out of curiosity than anything else. This morning's coffee survey was most humorous! The Giraffe Head Tree is, as you all know, a special Shagbark Hickory on the bank of our lot overlooking the lake. Read this post to know why the tree is special and why my blog is named after it.

At that time, as a blogging newbie, I never ever thought of people searching the Internet for various data. Here are the top keyword searches that brought people to my blog:

Giraffe favorite tree
Giraffe Head
Giraffe tree favorite
giraffe's favorite tree
"head tree"
first giraffe pictures in 1800
giraffe hug tree

giraffe in a tree

giraffe murrini
giraffes what tree do they love
photography don't tree out of head
picture with people standing and heads formed into trees artist
round head tree
tree in head

My heavens. Googling those same phrases myself I found that none of those people found what they were looking for, I'm afraid.

The number one keyword search was "Gardening Blogs Alabama." Thank heavens I'm a member of Blotanical 'cause someone found me! LOL!

Why did you name YOUR blog as you did?

...and now a word from our sponsor...

The Police Synchronicity Tour 1985

These are NOT nature shots, but they are wild! I've been looking for these photos for 6 years and FINALLY found them during our move - tucked in a basket high atop a cabinet covered in dust. Fortunately, they were in a jacket so the images were in good shape. What was I thinking?

Sting

Back in the 80's my good friend Cindy and I had the hots for The Police. Working at an ABC affiliate at the time, we decided to fashion some press badges for ourselves and see if we could get close enough to take some photos. We did, and we did! I'm sure the statute of limitations is over for fake press badge prosecution so I'm telling you the story here, today, and sharing some of the pics.

Having access to all manner of ABC stickers and logos and whatnot, and access to badge making materials we created our badges, poked holes in them and attached them to lanyards. Anyone really looking could see they were made by amateurs but in the dark of the arena we passed muster. Guards allowed us in the photographer's area. All I had was my trusty Yashica fully manual FX-2 35mm. We did a pretty good job considering we didn't know what we were doing.

Stewart Copeland

After the concert we tried to go backstage, but some stupid guard asked to see our A&M Records armband. "Cindy, do you have the armbands?" "No, Debi...YOU had the armbands!" "Um, Mr. Guard, won't our press passes do?" No. We didn't get backstage but we were happy nonetheless for it was a great adventure!!! De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da...that's all I want to say to you!!!

Mooresville, Alabama

Another town I visited during my recent walkabout/driveabout was the historic town of Mooresville, Alabama. Mooresville is the first town incorporated by the Alabama Territorial Legislature on November 16, 1818. (I ripped that little piece of information right off their website) I've enjoyed visiting this town since I was a child. Nestled in a beautiful wooded area between Madison and Decatur, Mooresville is an active, working town. The architecture here is astounding. Some call it the "Williamsburg of the South." Driving in I noticed signs warning that photographers need a permit so I drove straight to the historic Post Office for information.

The lady there was very nice, gave me a permit application and granted me permission to take a few images since I was already there and assured her I wouldn't be selling them. She didn't ask me about blogging but I think this is okay.

I go gaga over old churches so my first image capture was of the Old Brick Church. Built in 1839 the front sports gorgeous columns covered with stucco. The bricks are made by hand. Inside is the original reed, or pipe, organ made in 1905. It's been a community church, Presbyterian, Methodist and once served as a Baptist mission. The United Methodist Church conducted a deconsecration service and passed ownership to the town October 1994. (another website diddy)

Instead of a cross the steeple supports a large wooden hand pointing to heaven. This is not the original hand. According to the website a replacement was carved and placed on the steeple during a ceremony in May 2005.

Down the road a piece is the Church of Christ. It was originally built in 1854 as the Disciples of Christ meeting house. General James A. Garfield, our 20th President of the United States, preached here in 1863.


Starlings flew past as I grabbed some images. There are many historical properties in Mooresville, each one just as beautiful as the next. The Mooresville Post Office is fascinating, being the oldest operational post office in the state of Alabama. I didn't get a photo of it or anything else that day out of respect for the nice lady who allowed me to take a few "snapshots" of the town. Check out the Mooresville, Alabama website for more details. They have walking tours and really gussy up at Christmas. I'll go take more photos then because I learned through the permit process that regular ole photographers like me do not have to have a permit. Dang...and the sugar maples were JUST RIGHT that day!!! Mooresville .... I'll be back!

New Horizons

We moved out of the lake house completely this weekend. It's temporary. We have jobs to do elsewhere for about a year, but agree we will return to our little slice of heaven on the lake. A very nice couple has rented our house and for that I am extremely grateful.

I spent Sunday night all by myself. Saw some friends, sipped wine overlooking the water, and watched the moonrise. Monday morning's sunrise came cold and clear. Jumping out of bed, the camera and I stole outdoor into the chill. Aperture wide, the railing my tripod, we got several good shots of the last lake sunrise - for me, anyway, for a while.

The Giraffe Head Tree shall serve as sentry now overlooking the buckeyes, oaks and hickories, the red headed woodpeckers and their offspring, the eagles and ospreys, the mergansers, loons, herons, ducks and pelicans. Too, the GHT shall oversee lake operations of various fishing boats and barges, yachts and sailboats, powerboats and trawlers that pass by in the channel. I've charged the GHT with keeping the raccoons and armadillo under control as well. Allow the great horned owls to land unimpeded and keep our guests entertained with sleeping squirrels along your foreleg.

We'll be back, Giraffe Head Tree.

Roots

I had Bo on my mind the other day during my walkabout. She had taken the most striking photo of Middle Earth in the form of the mossy hillside base of a tree's winding roots, it's stout trunk proudly rising from the middle. That photo lives within me - it is so beautiful. Bo has a particularly gifted sense of imagery and I encourage you all to visit her blog, Seeded Earth, when you can, if you haven't already.

During my walkabout through tree-lined paths, along riverbanks and shorelines, sheltered from winds by the canopy overhead I found myself looking for similar sights. Where was my Middle Earth here, along this rocky shoreline?

These tree roots may not be as green and mossy,but I found them very interesting. The Tennessee River shoreline is rocky and strewn with leaf litter, fishing lures and fish bones.

Roots of hackberry, maple and a variety of trees have made their way here. Their roots wind and twist and turn, over rocks and through the leaves down into the sandy soil making wonderfully intricate patterns above the earth.

There are no hillsides for hobbit holes but I'm thinking goblins might like it here.

Peekaboo! Do you see the goblin? They're very good hiders, goblins are. Skilled at camouflage it's difficult to spot them among the twisted system.

The roots look like lightning bolts zigzagging across the fallen leaves. I bid goodbye to the goblin roots and look forward to a return visit when the American White Pelicans come later this year.

Green Day

I ran away a week or so ago to see what could be seen and capture what could be captured. Heading west toward favorite wild areas and Wilson Dam, I enjoyed several days of isolated bliss snapping photos of a variety of things. Upon arriving back to the City House and downloading my gems I discovered most of my favorite shots were of things green. The old Eastern Red Cedar above was a first favorite years ago when it was immortalized by my Sony Cybershot 5.0 digital camera. Comparing the two shots should be fun.

Green grasses protect the Canada Geese at Joe Wheeler State Park.

Green trees and green shrubs hug the bank along greenish waters.

A green trail beckons.

Green moss glows along the riverside.

Green moss accentuates a shoreline rock.

A dead tree cascading over a cliff side adorned with greenery.

Back home again, the shagbark hickory's green leaves are beginning to turn gold, catching fire in the sunset. This is the beginning of the Golden Tree Hour at our lake house. Cheers, everyone.

Bell Mina, Alabama

Finally, finally, finally...I can respond to other's posts, seemingly, and can post photos in my blog. Thank you blogger folks for your help. Now....where was I? Ah yes. Meandering to the lake house on a glorious breezy sunny bodacious clouds scudding by kind of autumnal day. On a whim I drove through several small villages that have been in my heart since childhood. First stop - Bell Mina, Alabama, where people normally drive through without stopping and trains rumble by blowing their horns on their way elsewhere. There's not much there except quaint homes, dishevelled store fronts facing the railroad lines, boarded up buildings and the scent of antiquity. It is beautiful to me, in its uniqueness and authenticity.

Bell Mina Methodist Church

This is the Bell Mina Methodist Church. There's no date on the sign but it's really old. Probably late 1800's, early 1900's. Every Christmas the church members decorate the doors with greenery, fruits and berries. I mean to get photos but never have.

Bell Mina store front

I was a small child when my mom and her best friend dragged me here. At that time it was a store of some sort, bustling with business. The roads were dirt roads. Our car was one of only few; the rest being mule wagons and farmers. There was dust hanging in the air. The mules fascinated me, and I remember romanticizing those visions with something akin to Little House on the Prarie and Laura Ingalls. Most wagons were carrying crops in the back, occasionally added to by whatever the Missus picked up at the store. It was a different, foreign place to me. This vision, this visit has stayed with me all this time. I return to Bell Mina from time to time just to feel that feeling and remember. My mom bought a chandelier at this very store that hung above our dining table. I don't know what happened to it but it's been long gone.

Hahn Firetruck

While I was skipping down memory lane my eye caught this amazing, old firetruck off to the right. Well, I had to see it! Don't you love it's face?

Parked here so long ago that weeds are growing around its tires, this firetruck has great personality. It fits this place! While I was photographing it a fireman, who was nearly as old as the truck itself, walked (slowly) over from the fire station to ask if I was interested in buying it. Well, no, but it sure is pretty, isn't it? He didn't think so, but he wasn't romanticizing this place in his mind like I was. He lives there and that sorta says it all.

The old firetruck and old building, recently painted in glorious red, compliment each other perfectly. It was a fine day for meandering and reliving past memories. By the way, the building is for sale and the firemen would love to sell the antique firetruck. Any takers out there?

In the Moment

Have you ever been so focused on a moment in time - an event, a project, your art, writing, traveling - that you don't see something obvious? Sometimes I find myself so obsessed with logistics that I forget to enjoy the trip. Or, details of a project overwhelm me long before I get to that point. Or, losing myself in the sheer pleasure of photographing a subject matter and don't see the speed limit sign. At such times I should obey the Universe's speed limit and slow down. Step away, breathe, think, take a long walk in nature, go visit a dear friend, call a family member - remember what Life is really all about. It's all too fleeting as it is.