July 21 – Moving Day

My son, Cole, has completed the design of my website so, as of today, this blog and oneoldphotographperday.blogspot.com will be updated at that site.

Thanks for your continued interest and support.

July 20 – Ed's Baled Field

July 19 – Grandson Leo and Sunsets

July 18 – Dandelion

July 17 – The Dawn of Dogs and Trees

The Wheezer and Nigel take a leash-free walk in the country.

July 16 – Fluted Leaf

July 15 – Washington Monument, Manitoba Iteration

July 14 – Virginia Creeper Taking Hold

July 13 – Tony, the Stone Mason

I love this guy. He showed up a week ago Sunday, took a look at our stonework job, arrived on the 11th and, by noon today, had finished the job.

We both make wine. He loves his kids. His kids love him – at least if 16 yo Daniel is exemplary. He brought me a bottle of Fonseca Port... just a minute, am I not the one who should be giving gifts? He discounted his price because he said I helped it get done faster than he'd expected.

I've always maintained that if a business transaction doesn't involve a good-to-great relationship, the money isn't worth it. Tony builds good relationships in the same way he sets stone: for permanence.

July 12 – Behold the Flowers of the Field

July 11 – Just out looking for Baby Moses

July 10 – Our First Oak

Last fall, we planted about 200 acorns on the verges of the ridge. This one, in the centre of the driveway swing-around, is the only one we've been able find, as all the others are struggling away under a foot or two of grass.

July 9 – Some Assembly Required

Let's see now. A 125 lb. box shipped from China, shipped to Winnipeg, advertised, marked down, bought for $244 (plus a coupon for 25¢/litre off a gas fill), schlepped to Ruth's Ridge and assembled in a few (or more) spare hours.

July 8 – Piano, Hymn Book & Mosquito

July 7 – Backlight & Flat Light

Virginia Creeper slowly invades the trellis.

The mauve of tall grass prairie Hair Grass slowly ascends out of the green.

July 6 – Quick, Grab the Towel

Another last minute grab,, this time of a dish towel with a handheld 180mm macro lens.

July 5 – Fercos & Brother Ken

My brother, Ken, was able to spend a couple of days with me during his week back home from China. After a truly raucous start, Fercos seemed to find some equilibrium after 24 hours.

July 4 – A Walk on the Tree Farm

Friend, Jim, phoned and said the Showy Lady Slippers were out. So were the Wild Tiger Lilies and other assorted lovelies. As a side note, the sun was already on the Lady Slippers, while the Lily was in shade. Lush colours always benefit from more subtle lighting.

July 3 – Stay In or Go Off?

A beautiful day. The one essential if you're going outside.

July 2 – Kate turns Two

July 1 – Airing our Clean Laundry in Public

Ruth loves the smell and feel of bed linens dried outside. As we don't yet have an outside washline (and wonder if putting one out under the trees will work, given all the birds about), they get draped over the railing in the front yard.

Think of the sheet as a Canadian flag that has, unfortunately, had the red bleached out of it. Happy flapping Canada Day.

June 30 – Give the Dog a Bone

Awhile ago, while enjoying the spring flush of Marsh Marigolds, Ruth found this old bone sticking out of the ground. She tells me the fracture will have occurred prior to the death of the animal.

As the last day of the first half of the year came to an end, I was again short one new photo for the day. Fercos was interested in the bone, but confused by its absence of smell or potential nourishment.

June 29 – More of the Same

I labour under the assumption that you may tire of the endless shots of skies, fields and sunsets which I tend to post – although I hope that is not entirely true. I live my life almost entirely here on Ruth's Ridge these days. Occasionally, I head into town on an errand or two, to see friends or children, to visit my parents, to tend to the upkeep of the cottage but, otherwise, this is where I am. As the old saw goes, "Wherever you are, be there." I try to live that statement.

Save for this week's arrival of mosquitoes, I love the fields and the little that goes on in and above them: the birds, the sunrises and sunsets, the majestic cloud formations, the wind.

And, so, the saga continues.