Visiting the Garden

I can't garden. Seriously, I kill stuff. Once, back in college, I got a job taking care of plants for genetic research. Sadly, although I was interested in genetics, I had no plant-raising skills, and the job did not last very long. I hope I didn't do too much damage to the plants and research.

Perhaps due to my lack of botanic skill, I am fascinated with gardens and gardening. Photographing trees and flowers! Animals in captivity are less exciting than plants in captivity. I've been to the botanic garden here at least a dozen times since I moved to Chicago. I have visited the zoo once {my sister was intrigued by the length of the zebra's... well, that's another story}.

I only brought the Spectra camera and the dSLR - you know, one already feels like a pack mule when bringing a toddler anywhere. Here are a few of my favorite shots {all digital - I am not adept at the use of the Spectra and was underwhelmed by the results}:






{wish that couple were wearing something colorful!}





Sorry for boring everyone with more botanic garden photos! Believe me, it will happen again {probably soon}. Hope you are all enjoying your spring!

oh, happy spring tulips!

Just a few shots from the Chicago Botanic Garden yesterday. Weather was lovely (although a bit windy), and I've still got a headache from the whole thing. School is now over, and summer craziness will set in soon. In case you don't know - that's when you think it's going to be relaxing, then suddenly it's August and you forgot to do all those nice, relaxing things.

What's on the agenda? Visiting my in-laws. Maybe, if we can find someone to watch the cats. And quickly, as I'm not sure how much time my mother-in-law has. I suspect that trip (if it happens) could be... taxing. My husband will definitely be going. Then, he's got a trip to check out some archaeological sites. My youngest sister is graduating from High School, but I suspect I won't make it for that. June we'll be moving across town. Maybe we'll have a visit from my mom (which would be both awesome and stressful because that makes too many strong personalities in one house). Then there's a trip to Boston (again, archaeology-related, and not for me). Then, my toddler is turning TWO. And then, suddenly, it's August and we're back to the school routine. It's going to fly by, isn't it?

don't we all just need a little crazy?

This is my street. Obviously, it looks much more interesting using PX100 film than it does when I walk outside and look at it now. I wonder if I'll remember it as this idealized {sepia-toned} neighborhood, or the bizarre amalgam of families, students, and old folks from Poland that it is. When everything turns green again, as just happened last week {seemingly overnight}, I swear my heart feels like it might explode. Amazing, stunning - and all because of a few leaves. I'm sure it has something to do with living in the Arizona desert for nearly 20 years.



Photo from right outside my last house. I miss those sunsets! We had a trolley that ran in front of our house, which was interesting. We also had an ugly naked guy across the street. Seriously - I'm NOT KIDDING. He had one of those black screens on his door, seemingly having no idea that people can SEE THROUGH the screen, he would stand at the screen peering out onto the street wearing NOTHING. I mean, I know it's Tucson and it's hot, but dude, um, it's OBSCENE. Ah, the color of life. Sorry - no photos of ugly naked guy!

But I digress. In the last week we found a new flat that we'll be moving into in a month. A different neighborhood, different people, different crazy. This current neighborhood honestly just doesn't have enough crazy. And we need another bedroom (for an office! not another child!).