The Queen's Parade . . .

"I will honor Christmas in my heart,

and try to keep it all the year."

- Charles Dickens

On Tuesday I shared some general photos from the Dickens on the Strand in Galveston,

a yearly tradition with this being our 4th in attendance.

Today...the Queen's Parade.

We found a spot a waited and for the parade to start, but as our luck would have it

a crowd formed right in our viewing path. So, I crossed the street to get a better position

where there weren't many people, just to have another person with two cameras dart in front 

of me more times than I would like to say. Father Christmas, missed it. The queen in her

carriage, yep, missed it.

Then at the end of the parade when the Texas snow came down (aka dish soap bubbles)

my camera malfunctioned and I missed that too.

But, I did manage to have really good timing on one of them . . . 

  

THIS ONE! . . . Sometimes the timing God's are on your side.

The Battle of Galveston reenactment crew - coming up next month.

And, this is what a whole lot of my shots looked like...someone always stepping in my way, oh well!

We were lucky to make it several blocks to the very end of the "bed races" after trying to figure

out how to get my camera working again. This was one of those 'one shot' deals before I almost got run over by a reindeer bed! lol

Always such a good time, although there was no 'real' snow machine this year for the kids

to throw snowballs, and the elephants were missing? One year one of the elephants managed to try and steal the glasses right off my face. Just in case you were wondering, elephant spit doesn't

smell so good! ;)

sharing with Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things

A Victorian Christmas Stroll

Every year, I look forward to  . . . 

"Dickens on The Strand" in Galveston.

For me, it's a photographers dream, to practice street photography where people

are not only dressed up, but where I don't have to feel like I'm stalking someone

while getting a hairy eyeball. They more than likely will want their photo taken.

It works for me . . . win, win!

And there just might have been a gazillion people, maybe the most I've ever seen.

Last year it was in the twenties, with a blustery wind, and the year before that I think we

were in shorts. This year, it was just right, although it was quite overcast and gray.

Since I'm linking up with Kathy's song-ography today I thought instead of writing

the lyrics, I would let you stroll to some music (if you like) to the song "Silver Bells"
and a little Bob Hope.

                       

Let's take a stroll, shall we . . . .

First stop, a turkey leg....of course!

Or a corn dog.

A little pit stop,

to watch a Greek Gypsy sing while doing a scarf dance.
(I have no idea how this fits in with a Victorian Christmas, so just roll with it) :)

OPA!!

Nearly everywhere you turn there is entertainment, and it's fun to watch some of the same
kids grow from year to year both physically and musically.

Sometimes people are so moved that they break into dance...

This girl reminded me of a porcelain doll.

Perhaps she was amused by the fire eater?
(kids DO NOT try this at home, or anywhere for that matter)

I wonder if he realizes there were turkey legs and corn dogs just up the street?

I can never get enough of the costumes. I've always wanted to dress up, but the dress I saw and fell

in love with was over $500!

Sometimes, people will just stop when they see you have a camera and strike a pose.

This cutie, stole my heart and he was getting a lot of tips! I wonder

if he needs an agent next year? ;)

(KK happy heart)

And it wouldn't be Dickens on The Strand without the "Christmas Tree Lady"...

Joy to the world, she has real working lights!

Or Father Christmas, or Captain Sparrow. But, I never caught up with Father

Christmas, and I was having camera malfunctions through out the day and missed the

opportunity with Captain Sparrow. Yep, the dreaded ERR message on my only 5 month 

old camera which I thought I figured out, only to have issues again. May need to send it

to Nikon - BOO!!

(I still have more to share, including the "Queen's" parade, later in the week.)

I would tell you that my tree is finished, but that would be a lie. It's been up for quite some

time, but I just haven't brought myself to wrap those lights. The way I look at it is, we are still way ahead of last year when I got the tree done a day and a half before Christmas because I was sick. But...on the plus side we are for the most part finished with shopping. Two hours, and the hubby and I pretty much had things wrapped up (pun intended).

Unfortunately, my son ended up with the flu and missed school all last week, and then got an acute respiratory infection. Yep, I was a little more than nervous about that since his infusions suppress his immune system and we have to be extremely careful. But he was back at school yesterday, and the best part is we are well past the period that the rest of us could have gotten it. (quick knock on wood)

Now I'm off to make another batch of fudge since the last one was commandeered by ants.

Don't even get me started. We've tried everything and they are so small that they find a way

in the house every time. Hmmm, maybe I could lace some bait fudge with ex-lax? lol

Have a great day!

Love, Kim

sharing with Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Song-ography

Communal Global

It's Christmas time in the city . . .

Remember that time machine from a couple of weeks ago, well...

the great thing about a time machine is that there is no jet lag, and no expense.

One of my favorite festivals on Galveston Island is their "Dickens on the Strand,"

where when you walk through the white gates you are immediately transported back

to a 19th-century Victorian London.

And just maybe, you might hear the song "Silver Bells". . .

But mostly because that's the song this week for song-ography. (Cue the music)

City sidewalks busy sidewalks

Dressed in holiday style

In the air there's a feeling of Christmas

Children laughing

People passing

Meeting smile after smile

And on every street corner you'll hear...

Silver bells, silver bells

It's Christmas time in the city

Ring a ling, hear them sing

Soon it will be Christmas day.

String of street lights

Even stop lights, blink a bright red a green

(or maybe a 10 foot tall Christmas tree lady)

As the shoppers rush home with their treasures

. . . or watch the costume contest.

This was our third "Dickens" and by far the coldest. In Texas you just never know what it will be like this time of year. This year unlike years past, in shorts and a t-shirt, I couldn't bundle up enough and wished I had had ear muffs. I had to wear my hubby's barn jacket as I don't even have a winter coat anymore...normally there is no great need, but this year I could use one.

Unfortunately only three days later I came down very sick, and after a week was on the verge of pneumonia.

So, I'm on my second round of antibiotics, and finally after nearly 13 days I'm coming out on the other side.

Our tree only got put up a day a half ago, and I went shopping for the first time yesterday! Eeeek!

But, it's all good, or I keep telling myself that, lol!

Today, we are going to "deck" the tree, bake some cookies, and play some games.

It's a quiet Christmas just the four of us.

Wishing you a very joyful, merry and bright, Christmas!

Love, Kim

Oh Yes, P.S. - I have a little "jingle" over at Focusing on Life today for you...follow me there, {here}.

AND, if you would like to join me on my Facebook page you can "like it" here.  :) 

Sharing with Song-ography, Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday

  

It takes all kinds of kinds . . .

Today my husband and I went to Galveston . . . to the Greek Festival held at a Greek Orthodox Church.

And I'm not really sure what came over me either. Maybe it's because I've been sick all week, or I'm having another typhoon menopausal episode, but none the less I broke into tears when I watched a young boy join an older man dancing a traditional Greek dance. I suppose part of it could be that after doing some research on my ancestors I feel such a pull to want to know more about the customs and traditions of my own heritage.

This month I've been sharing through Facebook, my 30 days of gratitude, and today it had everything to do with this festival. Today, day 9 went like this  . . .  "Not just today, but everyday really, I'm thankful to live in a country that holds the kind of diversity in people and cultures and customs carried from generation to generation. I think it's one of the single most unique things about this country. Going way back in our family's history and immigration makes me so much more aware of this . . . different is good and should be celebrated!"

It was simply refreshing to see people celebrating their uniqueness in our society, and inviting the community to be part of it. Because it's this, the all kinds of kinds, that makes this world we live in a more interesting place to be.

We were meant to be different. All kinds of kinds different since the beginning of time.

"Now some point a finger and let ignorance linger

If they'd look in the mirror they'd find.

That ever since the beginning to keep the world spinning

It takes all kinds of kinds." - Lyrics from Miranda Lambert's song - All kinds of kinds

Finally sharing in the fun for Song-ography!

Love, Kim

Galveston, oh the night life . . .

Yep, Galveston is just as interesting by night as it is by day and definitely just as more entertaining!

This past weekend we went out with some friends, had a blast and even stayed up past our bedtime.

But boy it sure is getting harder to fly with those eagles when you've been hootin' with the owls.

The island's night life is a tropical eclectic mix of jazzy blues, and Texas rock and roll with a little

bit o' country, of course. Oh, and the people are just as diverse! You'll find places for romance, clubs for dance, and bars for cigars. And at the Saengerfest Park on The Strand you'll even find free monthly movie and music nights, along with a life size chess set.

We even ran into our buddy Dan T. Chandler, remember him from my post "Chicken Fried Streak and Gravy" ? Well, actually he told me he was going to be there playing again. Long story short, he found me
on facebook, through that post that showed up on his reverbnation page. Amazing how interconnected
technology has allowed us to become, because when we first met I didn't give him my name. I even got
my very own personal serenade of his new song called, "Artists". You all will love this one, and as soon
as I can figure out how to get the video off my phone I will share it with you!

A night in Galveston might go something like this . . .

You might start out with a carriage ride, or watch someone else taking one.

That will probably drive stroll past the Wedding Garden at the Tremont Hotel.

And you'll find art in unexpected places...

". . . irrational need to express oneself through color, shape and brushstrokes." 

That's how I feel about photography, so I would change that last word to light strokes!

Then you might make your way over to The Fisherman's Warf on the water's edge where you are pleasantly surprised there isn't a huge wait. Well, and you're just glad that the people who were sitting there just got called to their table. While you are there, you'll talk and laugh hysterically with your friends and before you know it, the day has turned into night....

Before you leave the restaurant you'll want to get a shot of Elissa's dinghy,

(Elissa is the baroque Tall Ship of Texas) but you will wonder where the ship went.

Then you will find her around the corner where she was part of a fundraising party to help

keep her well maintained and to get her hurricane ready.

And dating back to 1877 I would say she has aged beautifully! 

{ Sharing with Photo Art Friday - Black and White }

And who needs a Harley when you can have a John Deer tractor!

{ Flower Art Friday, Shoot. Edit. Submit }

Have a fabulous weekend!

Love, Kim

XO

 

Savenger Hunt Sunday . . .

. . . the Beach version, of course!

I just love when it works out this way and you get all the prompts

by mid-week, especially when it happens by accident you planned it that way (wink, wink)

[ beneath your feet ]

I love the beach, and I love these coquina clams...watching them migrate the beach and feeling

them beneath my feet as they bury themselves.

[ capturing movement ]

It really is a good thing for digital cameras or I would be broke taking photos of birds in flight. Somehow I

managed to get this Sanderling in focus while trying to pan and get some blur in the rest of the photo. I see some practice in my future.

[ texture ]

Empty goose barnacles on a large tree limb picked clean by the birds. Lately there have been some very

large trees washing up on shore?

[ face your fears ]

Well, I kinda feel like I'm cheating on this one . . . can't say I had much fear and maybe because

my curiosity got the best of me first. When I first spotted these coming out of the water from my chair

I had no idea what it was so I went to investigate . . . it was in less than a foot of water. . .

 . . . and what to my wondering eyes did appear, but a stingray! He was about two foot wide and he wasn't

alone, there were quite a few of them that had come to the shoreline to feed. It was my first stingray sighting

in the 4 years that we have lived here and I might have been a wee bit excited! ; )

(Some of you might be excited that I didn't share again, my spider pic from Friday, you are welcome! ha)

[ currently ]

Currently, this is my view as I enter down the road to access the beach . . . ahhh.

[ Your Sunday Best ]

Have a wonderful long Memorial Day weekend and be sure to check out all the other participants!

Love, Kim

XO