Scott Thomas’s Best of 2011 assignment turned out to be a good exercise. I was tempted to make myself choose only three, but that turned out to be too much exercise and made my head ache. So I chose a bunch and eliminated most of them by random means. I have no idea why these appeal to me, but it did strike me that the theme seemed to be miscreants and fever dreams. You think this is an odd assortment, you should see the ones I left out. You never know where my head will go in November, do you? Well I don’t. (Click any photo to view as a slideshow.]
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- Serpent in the garden
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- Beedazzled
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- Little old shed under big bright tree
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- Cowboy’s closeup
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- Corn and tomatoes
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- Miss Sadie in spring snow
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- Ice crystals on blue car
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- Dusk on the bluff over Grand Traverse Bay
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- Spring diadem
Posted in: Everything else on Torch Lake Views
Torch Lake Views 
Giiid
November 17, 2011
A very good choice, Gerry.
To me, these photos are symbols of the important sides of life; knowledge, love, a home, family/friends, food, more friends, the beauty of nature covering for the need of a car, lovely peace and beauty, and a diadem of the limited time we have jo enjoy all this.
This was a very good analysis if I may say so…perhaps I should join Lucy van Pelt in her Psychiatric booth?
Gerry
November 17, 2011
An excellent analysis. I like it so much I believe I will adopt it as if it were my own. I will send your 5 cents off post-haste.
[The Cowboy is gratified. He was offended by being referred to as a miscreant just when he was being his very best self.]
Anna
November 17, 2011
Oh, I really like them all! Each a portrait in time, and I agree with Giiid. The Serpent in the garden is fabulous! Love Cowboy and Miss Sadie.
Gerry
November 17, 2011
Thanks Anna. I love ’em too. Even though they are miscreants.
Sybil
November 17, 2011
Apple and serpent are quite fun. But the ice crystals on the car are AMAZING ! Is the Cowoy part pitbull ? (don’t lift your skirts and flee in terror. I have one of my own, and they are loving, wonderful dogs)
Gerry
November 17, 2011
Thank you. I’m glad you liked the pictures.
As for the Cowboy, oh my no. But that would be because he is the (usually) fluffy little spaniel mix, whereas the wise and tidy terrier mix is Miss Sadie. Common mistake. Both of them found me, so I do not really know what parts they have in their DNA. It would not surprise me if Miss Sadie is part pit bull, but that is based on appearances alone. She has a sweet disposition. It is the Cowboy who bears watching. Yes indeed. Looks are often deceiving.
Karma
November 17, 2011
Your slide show is fabulous Gerry – and not your typical WordPress slideshow. Would you mind sharing how you did that?
I love the look on the Cowboy’s face – he appears as though he was just caught in the act of something. And I just love how those ice crystals came out.
Gerry
November 17, 2011
Thank you, Karma. The Cowboy has almost always been in the act of something, so it’s no surprise. Those ice crystals were a marvel–they landed singly and stuck there on edge.
[The carousel-style slideshow is a new wrinkle in the WordPress gallery feature, and is created automatically for any post where you’ve inserted a gallery. It’s different from the slideshow because the reader moves from one image to the next at his/her own pace, with no “flowing” of images. I like the slideshow when I want a sense of motion, but the carousel works really well for a series of separate images.]
Heather
November 17, 2011
I love those snowflakes on the car just as much now as when you posted them originally. I keep hoping I’ll find some of my own to shoot!
Gerry
November 17, 2011
Thank you. I was pretty taken with those icy little crystals when I saw them on the car, too. You just never know what snow is going to do. Be careful what you wish for, though . . .
Carsten
November 18, 2011
Sorry – I’m not fit for the high level of analyses.
I simply like your photos 🙂
-Maybe it’s the fever
Gerry
November 18, 2011
Liking the photos is sufficient. Although that probably is the fever talking. I think you just like the miscreants.
katynew
November 18, 2011
Miss Puss has asked me to hisssssssssssss her disapproval of certain canines and no felines represented in your selection.
Gerry
November 18, 2011
Oh that’s just like her. I suggested we use the one of her napping in her cheesebox, but she said it made her look fat and stalked off in a huff. Fine. Now she hissssssssssssses at me? Ha. Here is my favorite portrait of Miss Puss from this year.
isathreadsoflife
November 19, 2011
Hello Gerry, how good that you posted more than three pictures ! They are all gorgeous. Some I remember, others were new. Cowboy and Miss Sadie not a bit afraid by the serpent in le jardin… I have no favourite, each picture has its own special mood which is delightful. Thanks for bringing back those moments.
Gerry
November 19, 2011
Thank you, Isa. I had fun looking back, although I sort of ran out of steam along about the “August” folder.
Dawn
November 19, 2011
Your photos are enchanting. I was letting out little ooooh’s and aaaahhh’s as I looked at each. Each was my favorite until I got to the next. Now I can’t decide. Cowboy’s face is beautiful but don’t tell him that, he’ll become full of himself…love Miss Sadie too…nice to see closeups of them. I love the little shed and the big maple tree…absolutely love of course the ice crystals…but am taken most by the tomato and corn. I think. But really liked the apple and serpent too..oh it’s just to hard to choose. Now I have to consider “cat in the dog bowl” as well which is absolutely fun!
Gerry
November 19, 2011
Thank you, Dawn. You are exactly the kind of audience a person likes to have, particularly on a cold, windy November morning that seems to hold no promise. I think I must take Miss Sadie and the Cowboy for a gallop on the beach just to get my blood moving.
shoreacres
November 19, 2011
Snow envy seems to be my problem just now – everyone else’s seasons are changing and here we sit, stuck in neutral.
Dusk on the Bluff over Grand Traverse Bay is splendid. There are times when snow photos can have a warm glow about them, and this one does.
The “diadem” is lovely and especially interesting because I just learned what a diadem is a couple of weeks ago. I went to the King Tut exhibit at the Houston Museum, and a gold diadem belonging to some Pharoah or other was displayed. To that point I’d known “diadem” only from the old hymn, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”, which has the line, “bring for the royal diadem and crown him Lord of All.”
Now I understand the hymn, and know why you gave your photo the title you did. I’ll bet you could make a fine diadem from the leaves on that bright tree!
Gerry
November 19, 2011
Michigan weather is never stuck in neutral. Not for one minute. That is why it is important to make every nice bit count.
Our season, for example, changed from autumn to early winter–and then back again. The snow is gone, my deck is shiny with rain, and who knows what will happen tomorrow.
I’m glad you liked the photos. Who knew that they would inspire references as diverse as King Tut and an old hymn? I love comments.
TheDailyClick
November 23, 2011
Wonderful photos, Gerry! I absolutely LOOOOVE the ice crystals and “dusk”.
Gerry
November 23, 2011
Thank you, Michaela. I remember seeing the ice crystals that morning–and driving the impatient dogs nuts while I tried to capture the beautiful visitors. Not for the first time I wished I had better skills and a better camera. Not for the last time I reminded myself to be glad for the camera and eyes that I have, and for the gift of the ice crystals. And then we went for our walk.
thepetalpusher
November 23, 2011
Geez, Gerry, I like them all! You have a great point of view and a nice variety of subjects. The bright apple and tomato photos are eye-catching and the ice crystals are amazing. Bravo!
Gerry
November 23, 2011
Oh goody – Scott’s posted his wrap-up of the “Best of” assignment. Follow the link to an astonishing assortment of visual delights.