Bill and I took a ride downtown to check out the Syracuse Winterfest. The only thing really going on today was the chili cook-off. We tried most of them and I have to say, most were very UNDERwhelming! We also met the abominable snowman - at least I think that's what he was but who knows. We didn't hang around for too long as it was a little too chilly...even for chili! Next Saturday is the human "dog"sled race. I am sure it will be a bunch of drunk SU students competing but we'll see!
Friday at home after a long week out on the road. I never left my house today so today's photo is brought to you by my twisted sistah!
So you may have heard, the storm of the year was a fraud! Total fall in the area I was (Foxboro/North Easton, MA) was only 4-6 inches. That is nothing compared to the 12-18 inches they were predicting. It was a beautiful morning on my way to my meeting so I stopped along the way at Borderland Park and took some pictures (HDR) of the wet heavy snow that did fall.
There was a lot of hype about the snow storm that was supposed to hit New England. It didn't happen. It was pretty but not "snowmageddon" - at least where I was!
I was back in Providence today for a visit to Brown again. Still no Emma Watson/Hermione sighting but I did get some shots of campus and downtown. Below is a fun fact about the Brown Main Gates. The Van Wickle Gates at Brown University are the ornamental entrance to the main campus area at the corners of College Street and Prospect Street in College Hill. The gates were built with donations by Augustus Stout Van Wickle (Class of 1876), who was the president of a bank and several coal corporations. Dedicated on June 18, 1901, the gates stand as a symbol for the campus and its long history.
The gates are made of rod iron, with brick and stone piers. The larger main gate is flanked by two smaller side gates. The top of the gate is crowned with the Brown University shield. The sides of the gates include inscriptions by Cicero. The side gates remain open throughout the year, while the center gates remain closed except for two occasions each year. At the beginning of the academic year, the center gates open inward to admit students during Convocation. At the end of the second semester, the gates open outward for the Commencement Day procession.
I had a quick trip to Boston today for a visit and on my way out of town, I stopped to take a few photos that I again made into HDR photos.
Yes, I am still playing with HDR. I will take "regular" photographs again soon but for now I am enjoying doing something new. 
OK...the last one was done with photos I took last week that I just by chance had multiple exposures of but today's HDR was taken this morning. I learned how to automatically bracket on my camera and Mona was my test subject. She would not stay still at first and then Bill suggested peanut butter. Whenever Bill has a peanut butter sandwich, Mona sits perfectly still hoping for him to share it. Here is my pretty puppy in all her HDR glory!
So I am sort of cheating on this photo since it was not technically taken today. I took 3 pictures last week using bracketing for the exposure so that I could try a photography technique called HDR (High Dynamic Range). I just downloaded the program needed to do this technique in my mind it is a "new" picture. Either way this is what I have for you today...like it or leave it! The second picture is the non HDR version so you can see the difference. Pretty cool, huh?
I went to the Go Red For Women Photo and Art Exhibit last night. Several of my Syracuse Photo Association members put pieces in the show. It was a nice event to raise awareness about heart disease.
I spend much of my life driving around New England. The quintessential clock tower and weather vane are are found in many towns and cities. This typical site, along with the old stone walls are a few of my favorite New England things.
The Groundhog came out of his hole this morning...saw that people were trashing his ground and made sure his shadow was seen. Six more weeks of winter for all of you!!!
I have driven by this barn many, many times and finally decided to stop to take a photo!
