Valfal's photos

Saturday Self-Challenge: Curves There was such a wide variety of choices for this topic since most objects have some sort of curve to them. I decided to take advantage of the sunshine coming through my living room window and do something interesting with this old bottle. Also for Archive Airings group AA190

A sea gull I spotted sitting on a dock pole at a marina located in Havre de Grace, Maryland.

Saturday Self-Challenge: Take a new photo of something or part of something and make us guess what it is. Hint: It is useful and decorative, a combination that I like a lot!

For all my friends on ipernity, I wish you much love and romance!

Saturday Self-Challenge: the weirdest or most unusual thing you own My husband Rich has so many unusual things that it was hard for me to figure out which one to use! I finally settled on one of his favorites, Rat Fink. This creature was invented in the 1950s by a hot rod designer Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. He hated Micky Mouse and wanted to create the antithesis of him. The history of Rat Fink can be found here: www.ratfink.com/rat-fink-art.php In the three notes are other contenders for the weirdest or most unusual. The first is a handmade piece of ceramic art that our daughter gave Rich years ago. The second is a Geiger Counter and the third is his homemade "Jacob's Ladder", a close relative of the Tesla Coil. A description of this interesting device can be found here: wonders.physics.wisc.edu/jacob-s-ladder.htm

Macro of a peacock feather.

Saturday Self-Challenge: Neon Signs or any type of lighted sign This was definitely a challenge for me as I wasn't in the right place at the right time for most of the week. I finally had a short window of time to search for the proper subject to shoot. I actually found quite a number of neon signs in one of the towns near me. The only problem was that it was the middle of the afternoon, making it almost impossible to get a decent shot. Finally I found this "open" sign low enough for me to get a head-on shot. Seeing the reflections off the window, I decided to make the most of it and turn it into a ghostly selfie. ;-)

A view of the Manhattan Bridge in the foreground, Brooklyn Bridge and the South Manhattan skyline in the background. *Thank you all so much for your kind words and faves, they are most appreciated!*

Saturday Self-Challenge: Patterns A close up view of my glass candy jar with a string of tiny colored lights inside it.

Saturday Self-Challenge: History I always knew that my father-in-law Guy was a WWII veteran. What I didn't realize until after he died was that he participated in a piece of important American History: the Battle of Luzon, which took place on the northern end of the Philippine Islands. The battle resulted in a win for the Allied forces and the liberation of the Philippines. We all knew where he fought during WWII, but did not realize what he and his division accomplished over there. After Pop died, the family went through his belongings and found this letter he had written to his family in Connecticut, USA (we received a xerox copy). It is a first hand account of his time spent in Luzon. I will let the letter, written on September 8, 1945, speak for itself. It is abridged for the sake of time and space: Dear Mom and Helen, ...I'm still on Northern Luzon in the Cagayan valley, but I don't think I'll be here very long. According to the latest rumors around here the 37th Division may be going to Japan for occupation duty... This division is on sort of a rest now, after travelling practically all over this island since we landed here... ...Just as a little review for you, I landed here on "D-Day" (January 9th). From Lingayen Gulf we were the spearhead in the drive for Manila. When I entered Manila most of the city was burning - the Japs of course were acting like a bunch of maniacs. The whole city was lit up so bright that it was almost like daylight. That same night the Americans (and many other nationalities) who were held prisoners by the Japs for three years were rescued and I helped some of them get to the quarters we prepared for them. You can't imagine what a pitiful condition those people were in! About one third of them couldn't walk by themselves and the rest were in pretty bad condition, too. I talked to quite a few guys who fought on Bataan and Corregidor in 1941-42 and boy they really had some stories to tell about the Japs. Some of them were on the "Death March" that you've probably read about in the papers. When I saw those guys I understood a lot better why we were fighting this war. After the battle for Manila was over we had about a month rest and then were in the Battle for Baguio. That was very mountainous country. After Baguio, we came up through the Cagayan Valley and when we met the paratroopers from the north the fighting was almost over. It's really been quite an experience, although it was a lot of hard work, too. There were times when I thought my number was up but I came through without a scratch. I guess I can thank the good Lord for that. It sure feels good to know that it's all over now. Most of the time I've been on this Island I've been the personal Radio Operator for the Commanding General of this division, Major General Robert S. Beightler. Every time I went out with him he went up to the front lines to see what was going on and so we got into some pretty hot spots at times. At the present time I'm not operating anymore. I'm the Radio section Repair man now, and I like the job. A few days ago I was present at the surrender ceremonies of all Japanese forces on Northern Luzon which was held here at Division Headquarters. It sure did my heart good to see a Jap general sign the surrender papers. The biggest thrill of it all though was at the end of the ceremonies when our Band played the Star Spangled Banner and we all had to stand at attention and salute the flag (including the Japs). That was the biggest thrill I've had since I've been in the army. Those Japs didn't act so tough that day!... ...Well I guess I've said enough for now so I'll close, Hoping to be back with you soon. Love always, Guido For further information on the Battle of Luzon: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Luzon For more information on my father-in-law's division, the 37th Infantry Division: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/37th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)

A Just a fraction of the beauty seen in Longwood Gardens' conservatory during the Christmas season.

Saturday Self-Challenge: Isolation A lone home surrounded by farm fields in Cecil County, Maryland.

A long boardwalk linking seaside communities to the bay near Assateague Island, Maryland. I would have taken far more photos of this lovely place, but I discovered it as the sun was setting the evening before we had to head home from our vacation. I do plan to revisit it someday. Thank you so much for your comments and faves, dear friends, they are all most appreciated!

Saturday Self-Challenge: "Reflections" Any type of reflections, mirror, water, windows, etc. A weak winter sun reflecting off the waters of Tidewater Marina in Havre de Grace, Maryland.

Happy New Year to all my ipernity friends!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas full of love and good cheer, and a Happy New Year filled with peace and good will! :-) ~Thank you all so much for your well wishes!~

I never tried long exposure before, so this week was quite a learning curve! I played with many settings and took stationary photos. Then I remembered reading that you can create a double exposure effect if you move the camera while the shutter is open. I decided to try capturing a shot of our lighthouse covered in Christmas lights on the front lawn. After many tries and adjustments with my manual settings, I finally got a shot that made me happy. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas full of love and joy, and a Happy New Year!

My deepest condolences to the people injured and killed in the attack on Berlin Christmas shoppers yesterday. When will the madness end?