Unleaded Gasoline Fire

Fire, originally uploaded by gwENvision.

Not that I expect that anyone actually reads this blog but I guess I should make myself post occasionally to keep of the appearance that I do actually blog.

Once again, our area is the home of "Biblical" weather as a friend of mine likes to remark. Last night's storm produced a lightning strike on this tank of 1.2 million gallons of unleaded gasoline that is still burning nearly 24 hours later. I swear I could see flaming dollar bills rising in the sooty smoke. The tank farm is located in the Fairfax industrial district of Kansas City, Kansas.

Other victims of lightning strikes including a couple of houses, an apartment building and a church. As you can see here in the foreground, the Missouri River is pretty full as well. If rain continues here and upstream I expect to be posting flood pictures soon.

For Sale - Post-war Willys Jeepster

For Sale - Post-war Willys Jeepster, originally uploaded by gwENvision.

I can really see me driving something like this. Of course I'd have to be wealthy to keep it running and I'd need something else to drive in the winter time. Well, I guess I don't need to stop back by to see how much they want for it.

Winter Sycamore - Sepia

Winter Sycamore - Sepia, originally uploaded by gwENvision.

As anyone that has ever had a Sycamore tree in their yard can testify, they are a real pain in the patootie to own. They have giant leaves that once they drop, seem to be made of leather, refusing to be mulched by the mower. They have seed balls that sabotage walking barefoot in the grass. They have roots that often protrude above ground. They are prone to shed limbs without cause. The list is endless but often when I come across a giant Sycamore like this I think to myself, WOW, what a great tree.

It also reminds me of a family story about my dad who griped and moaned for years about the Sycamore in his yard, one he had planted himself I might add. Finally my parents decided to reduce the size of their house and yard for retirement. They spent months looking for just the right place. It wasn't until after the move, that he noticed, there in the back yard waiting to aggravate him into perpetuity, was a giant Sycamore tree!

Ready to Run!

Ready to Run!, originally uploaded by gwENvision.

We have quite a few "hospital cats". All of them are very wild, feral in fact, but they have a job they do well. They keep the mice population down. I would love to bring this guy home. I love his markings and he has a great face. As you can see here I was getting too close and he was ready to dash off with my next step which he did right after I snapped this shot.

A woman that lives in the care home attached to the hospital loves these cats and year round she travels the hospital grounds with her walker leaving them fresh food and water to supplement their rodent diet. This picture reminds me that I need to make a cat food donation to the cause.

Final Check

Final Check, originally uploaded by gwENvision.

Here are 2 of the "ladies" that hang out in the fields around the hospital where I work. I've started to talk to them when I see them in the meadow by the parking lot in the morning like here, or in the evening when I leave.

"Good Morning Ladies" I say as I get out of my car or "Nice evening for a browse" as l walk to it on my way home. They watch, ready to spring away at a false or threatening move.

This is a mature doe with one of last year's fawns. I've noticed the last week only last year's fawns have been grazing in the meadow, listening to my chatter. The does must be in the woods with the new fawns for this year. It might be a couple of months before I see them again.

Moon Rising

Moon Rising, originally uploaded by gwENvision.

I love taking photos of the moon. I don't have the equipment to take really spectacular shots but occasionally one is more than satisfactory. There was a thin film of clouds at moon rise that obscured the details of the surface but it gave the moon this lovely glow.

Some think of supernatural creatures flying the skies or stalking the woods when they see a full moon but even at my advanced age I still think of romance.

Foggy Exit

Foggy Exit, originally uploaded by gwENvision.

I love fog when it is like this. Photographically interesting yet not interfering with my ability to see to drive. If I hadn't been on my way to work I would have taken more pictures.

How come it's never like this on my days off??? Oh, I know the answer to that question. It's never like this on my days off because I"M ASLEEP at this time in the morning on my days off. I guess I could get up early based on the weatherman's prediction of fog on a Saturday or Sunday. Naaahhh! I don't think that is going to happen.