Chicago's Columbian Exposition 1893

Saw this visual simulation model presented by Dr. Lisa Snyder from UCLA over the weekend.  This is a brief montage with music by Scott Joplin, who performed at the fair and helped make ragtime popular around the world.

Dogwood

"Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer's lease hath all too short a date." - William Shakespeare.   Dogwood at the edge of the wood. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornus

Photos: Marge Ishmael

Grotesque spectacle in Jerusalem

Horrified at this week's images of Ivanka and Jared partying during the bloodshed in Gaza. The New York Times Opinion page sums it up: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/opinion/jerusalem-embassy-gaza-protests.html

Cherry blossom and Skylanding sculpture

Yoko Ono's sculpture and cherry blossom in our local Jackson Park.  http://www.skylanding.com/

Photo: Marge Ishmael

Baltimore Oriole

The first Baltimore Oriole appeared in my back yard today.  I took this photo through the kitchen window and so it's blurry. Hopefully I'll get a better shot soon.  https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/baltimore-oriole

Photo: Marge Ishmael

Flowering pear tree

My neighbor's flowering pear tree has hit its blossom peak: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callery_Pear

Photos: Marge Ishmael

Woodland trail ride

Titan and I on our way to a woodland trail ride in La Porte, N.W. Indiana.  Smoke the Appaloosa back at the stables with Olivia.

Garter snake

Photo: Mark Oreglia

Garter snake in a doorway.

Mouse in BBQ

A mouse family has set up home in our BBQ grill this winter and I haven't wanted to evict them.
This is the mother and her pups are hiding under all the chopped up leaves.  I'm thinking they will leave once the pups are fully grown - and I can have my BBQ grill back!

Photo: Marge Ishmael

Ground phlox

Lots of pink ground phlox in our front yard today.  April’s Moon is called the Full Pink Moon heralding the appearance of the wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers... and a bit late this year. 

Photo: Marge Ishmael