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2013-06-17 03:17:00 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

JONATHAN CHRISTOPHER KENDALL   (1962-2013)

With the greatest of sorrow I, +su ann lim , have to inform you that Jonathan Christopher Kendall, my fiancé and love of my life, died suddenly last night on 15 June 2013.  Despite the incredible efforts of our friends +Suzanne Jacob +Gaynal Brierley , paramedics and ambulance personnel he could not be revived.

Jonathan lived as he believed, telling it like it is, with wit and humour, enjoying life to the hilt, with honour, directness and compassion.  I was incredibly blessed to be the recipient of his immense love, and as each other's beloved, to share unbelievable happiness for too short a time.   Jonathan, I LOVE YOU with all my heart and miss you desperately.

One of the favourite activities in his life was to engage with all you here on Google Plus.  He thrived on the intellectual challenges, soaked up  avast amou... more »

2013-06-14 04:31:11 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 63 +1s)

Project 52 B&W - Week 24: GET LOW
"The River Nymph"

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 
© 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

2013-06-07 18:54:16 (12 comments, 1 reshares, 77 +1s)

Project 52 B&W - Week 23: BROKEN
"MENDING FENCES"
© 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)
#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-06-06 16:02:12 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 31 +1s)

No, I am not dead :) ~ I've just been super busy in the off-line world. Here's a busy little bee, which is what I feel like, to brighten up your stream today. I'll have more photos from our road trip ready to post next week. Meantime, enjoy summer - we are reveling in the mountain sunshine! :) Toodles!

2013-06-01 05:32:30 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

+Tim McAdam and +Max Rubenacker here is the unedited shot.

2013-06-01 03:06:49 (18 comments, 0 reshares, 44 +1s)

Project 52 B&W - Week 22: TECHNOLOGY

"Man has created some lovely dwellings
some soul-stirring literature.
He has done much to alleviate physical pain.
But he has not ...
created a substitute for a sunset,
a grove of pines,
the music of the winds,
the dank smell of the deep forest,
or the shy beauty of a wildflower."
          ~ Harvey Broome, Naturalist

Pikes Peak looms magnificent above the skyscrapers of downtown Denver, Colorado.

Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-05-29 20:08:21 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Seriously - who steals this stuff from hotels?!? ~ If someone can afford to stay the night at a Holiday Inn, I think they could go to Wal-Mart and buy their own household supplies. These are no doubt the same jerks who never tip the maid.

#roadtrip2013  

2013-05-28 22:05:49 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Road trip 2013 Day 3 - Cape Girardeau, Missouri to New Orleans, Louisanna (565 miles): 
Where somebody was smoking something! ~ View of the Mississippi River and city lights from our hotel room on the 24th floor of the Westin, New Orleans. Our journey south through Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi passed mostly farmland. It was nice to see so much green! We had a few wildlife sightings including a handful of deer, several hawks, and tons of red-winged blackbirds. It was pouring rain as we got to New Orleans, but by the time we checked into our hotel and had drinks in the bar, it had cleared off enough for us to walk around a little and have  dinner. We ducked into a quiet little pizza place, where the food was fantastic, but we suspected that the friendliness of the waiter had been enhanced by something smoking in the kitchen other than the oven ... you know what I mean, right duuuude?:... more »

2013-05-27 23:18:25 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 37 +1s)

Happy Summer! ~ I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. When we left on our road trip May 8, it was still snowing. But when we got home two weeks later, summer had finally made her entrance. So I spent a very enjoyable day doing yard work - raking the grass, beginning on a project to build a new flower bed, and transplanting my lilac bush to the sunny side of the house. Now I'm headed to soak in a hot bath!

2013-05-27 15:41:10 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 16 +1s)

Road trip 2013 Day 2 - Wilson, Kansas to Cape Girardeau, Missouri (585 miles): 
The road less traveled ~ We got off the Interstate just south of St. Louis, and took a scenic byway across the Mississippi River, down the eastern shore through Illinois, then back across the river to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. We watched amazingly huge barges navigating the "Big Muddy" and enjoyed walking along the river wall and looking at the historic murals painted there.

http://www.cityofcapegirardeau.org/
#roadtrip2013  

2013-05-26 20:40:03 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

So I was at this kayak festival this weekend and they had a DJ doing his thing on the water and this song came on. I had to hunt it down but my mind was seriously blown. I guess there was a series made for PBS and they went viral but for real... So good!

2013-05-27 15:24:20 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 23 +1s)

Wilson, Kansas ~ one more for +Krystle Betts 
#roadtrip2013  

2013-05-26 14:35:41 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 36 +1s)

Wilson, Kansas
For +Krystle Betts :)
#roadtrip2013  

2013-05-27 15:34:42 (5 comments, 2 reshares, 21 +1s)

Road Trip Day 1: Home to Wilson, Kansas (452 miles):  
Alone, in the middle of nowhere.....
Well, not exactly nowhere - it was the middle of Kansas. We'd been driving for eight hours, and were tired and hungry. It was dark when we pulled up - we weren't sure it was even open. But a few dim lights pulled us in, followed by a young woman who had been smoking in the shadows.

While she checked us into a room, we asked about where to get something to eat. She directed us to the bar in the basement, where she again followed us to serve their only  item - a 2-piece chicken dinner leftover from Sunday Brunch. We shared the bar with a scruffy fellow who had obviously been there awhile. As we finished our dinners, the young woman returned with a scrap of paper on which she'd written the code to the front door. Scruffy man left, she locked up, and we were alone in theb... more »

2013-05-25 21:55:37 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

!!! COLORADO AMBER ALERT !!! - POSTED 3:30 PM MDT 5/25
Luke Turner (3 years old)

Vehicle: 2001 Ford F350, Blue, Pickup truck
Colorado license plate #245FLJ

AMBER Alert - Abductor is non-custodial father, with active protection order requiring no contact with child after previous abduction. Suspect forced entry into the residence, tazed and pepper-sprayed the mother, and physically removed the child, last seen riding off on a bicycle. It is believed he may have had a vehicle in the area (not seen). Suspect is believed to have access to described vehicle which belongs to his brother.

If you have information, contact:

Longmont Police Department
Call: 303-651-8501

2013-05-25 04:55:18 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 51 +1s)

NATURAL BEAUTY
"You'll get soaked" he said
"Bedraggled"
Laughing, she ran out
and stood in the rain
Covered in droplets
Bedazzled

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

Nature is full of soft, curving shapes, flowing together, enfolding. Clouds streaming across the sky, grass bending in the breeze, petals unwrapping, a smile. Taken with my Canon PowerShot, cropped, and edited to black & white with a touch of vignette.

Project 52 B&W
Week 21: CURVES
#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak  

2013-05-24 19:35:25 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Did you know there is a G+ community lending team for +Kiva ?
+G+ers for Kiva - it looks like activity has stagnated, but I know there are people in my circles who support Kiva. Maybe we can infuse some enthusiasm back into the group! :)
 +Carmelyne Thompson

2013-05-22 20:00:19 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

WE'RE BAAAACK! 14 days, 6174 miles, 15 states, and a good time was had by all! ~ We're home from our vacation. We had great visits with family, saw a lot of scenery and various critters, ate a bunch of good food, and had safe travels. I'll be gradually sorting and sharing photos and stories. :)

#roadtrip  

2013-05-22 04:54:02 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Oklahoma...

2013-05-19 12:00:23 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

This is my alternate shot #3 for last week's project theme of "Framed" - I call it "Frog Prince." The heart-shaped sign that it looks like he is holding is just the reflection of his chin. I actually did minimal processing of this shot, mainly cropping and making black & white, and then adding the words. 

Project 52 B&W Week 20: FRAMED 

Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-05-25 05:33:58 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 43 +1s)

Sometimes it's all I can do to come up with the one image for our weekly project. But other times I have more photo ops, or am just more creatively prolific. This week I ended up with four images to choose from. I already posted my "official" submission for this week's theme of "Framed." Here is alternate shot #2, "Buster Peek-a-boo."

Project 52 B&W Week 20: FRAMED

Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 
and tagging +JoAnne Longacre 

2013-05-18 01:21:00 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 6 +1s)

New Google+ Users: Meet The New Google+
Everything "+" on one post (expand the post)

1. The new Google+
Meet the new Google+: A stream with style and smarts 
Google+: Related Hashtags
Hangouts: Conversations that last, with the people you love
More: googleplusproject.blogspot.com/2013/05/new-google-stream-hangouts-and-photos.html

2. How-To Google+ Videos
Google+: How to get started 
Google+: About circles
Google+: Fun with Hangouts
Google+: Reading and responding
Google+: Sharing
Google+: Set Up Your Profile
Google+: Find people you know
Google+ Communities: A place for whatever you're into
Google+ Events: Introducing a new way to get together
Google+ Photos: Great photos, in less time
Bring your conversations to life with Hangouts
Google+: Share photoa... more »

2013-05-17 11:49:22 (8 comments, 2 reshares, 54 +1s)

Project 52 B&W
Week 20: FRAMED

FREEZE-FRAMED
Green scent of summer
Framing a moment
Of youthful freedom

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

I saw this window framed by tree branches in the park, and set up to wait for the perfect picture to appear in it. Just after the duck hopped up onto the rock, the little girl moved into the frame, and there was my moment. Taken with my Canon PowerShot and processed for contrast and exposure and black & white.

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-05-16 02:13:25 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 30 +1s)

A little birdie told me that it's thank +Alan Shapiro day. I hope this offering approaches being "Alan-worthy" - and thank you sir for all you do for the photography community, even for us novice schmucks. :) 

2013-05-15 17:04:43 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

For my crafty girls, +Cindy Norris +Bonnie Shackles +Lindy Norris +Jeanne Shackles +Elisa Collier , I saw these and thought, "What a cute idea, my girls could make these, but even better!"

2013-05-14 02:22:33 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

This woman celebrated her 100th birthday today by skiing a run at ABasin. There was a huge party there cheering her on. Amazing!

2013-05-11 03:27:30 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 53 +1s)

Project 52 B&W
Week 19: FOOD

BOVINE LIMERICK
There once was a cow named Bossy
Her attitude being quite saucy
She asked for some hay
Then munching away
Declared that she felt like a hossy

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

Complete silliness this week! :)

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-05-09 03:40:33 (9 comments, 3 reshares, 41 +1s)

PRAIRIE THUNDERSTORM
A golden sunbeam
Pierces tumultuous clouds
The sharp scent of rain

A ray of afternoon sunlight illuminates a distant farmhouse beneath the gathering darkness of an approaching thunderstorm; Eastern plains, Colorado, USA; taken with my Canon PowerShot.

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

2013-05-08 04:08:34 (4 comments, 3 reshares, 28 +1s)

GREAT BLUE HERON ~ Fishing along the shores of the Colorado River. We don't see this kind of bird here very often, he was a beauty! 

2013-05-07 01:38:55 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 34 +1s)

LIGHT BUBBLES ~ Another version of the daisy I posted earlier, this one in color, close-up, and with floating bokeh bubbles. :)

2013-05-06 15:26:27 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 27 +1s)

OPEN HEART ~ It feels like everyone and their uncle has done a version of this shot. But I love daisies, and the way the light was hitting this caught my eye. So Happy Monday - may your heart be open to all that is good in your life today. :)

For #MonochromeMonday (+Monochrome Monday) by +Hans Berendsen , +Jerry Johnson , +Steve Barge, +Dominique Hilbert , +David Orr and +Martin Heller

2013-05-05 01:55:53 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Hey +Zach McGregor and +Denni McGregor  - Just thought I'd mention that The +Piano Guys are going to be doing a concert in Modesto on June 15. :)

2013-05-04 19:42:26 (6 comments, 3 reshares, 35 +1s)

FAMILY OUTING ~ My dad just sent me this picture of a family of geese out for a stroll past his house. :)
Jacksonville, Florida, USA

2013-05-04 17:42:41 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 28 +1s)

JUST HORSING AROUND ~ This was my runner-up shot for this week's Project 52 B&W Week 18: SPEED theme. It's not my official entry, so there's no poem to go with it - try to contain your disappointment. These horses were spotted on our drive around the Rifle Gap area last week.  ;)

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-05-03 06:01:38 (19 comments, 1 reshares, 61 +1s)

Project 52 B&W
Week 18: SPEED

BEING ME
Do not judge my journey
By the speed of yours
For we shall both reach the same end
In our due time

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

I admit this is an unusual interpretation of the theme, but speed can simply refer to a measurement of velocity, and doesn't necessarily have to mean fast. I was also in a bit of a rebellious mood this week and wanted to do something that was a different take on the theme. I love the look of fierce determination on this little guy's face - he might not be first, but he'll get there!  :)  This is a box turtle, photographed in his home at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens with my Canon PowerShot, edited for exposure, contrast, and black & white.

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by+Tis... more »

2013-05-03 05:08:58 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

I've been watching for the most recent +Chrysta Rae Scavenger Hunt reveal. I thought the hunt was in March or April? I had to sit this one out, but have been looking forward to seeing the reveals. Can anyone clue me in?

2013-05-03 00:07:23 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Steaming Along

#photosquared  +PhotoSquared 

#Rustedrailimages  http://bit.ly/10vhlNT

2013-05-02 14:58:04 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 33 +1s)

TEDDY-BEAR CHOLLA   Cylindropuntia bigelovii
As we dig out from the foot of snow that fell on our house yesterday, here's a sunny image from our visit to Grand Junction, Colorado last week, where it was 85F degrees. My mother-in-law and I visited the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, and I loved how this cholla stood out against the backdrop of the still-snowy Grand Mesa.

For +Cactus Thursday  by +Evelin Inauen  and +Natascha Schröder  #cactusthursday  

2013-05-02 04:35:29 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 27 +1s)

Good-night to the Googlesphere. The snow is still coming down lightly.  Bentley and Cheyenne were keeping an eye on the birdy buffet outside, but they weren't willing to wade through the foot of snow to get closer.

2013-05-02 00:07:39 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

OVER A FOOT OF FRESH SNOW SO FAR TODAY, AND IT'S STILL SNOWING! ~ If you ski or ride, you'll want to catch first chair tomorrow morning at +Arapahoe Basin  or +Loveland Ski Area - talk about epic spring snow! Watch the time lapse below and see the snow pile up, starting at about 3 AM. The downside is that with the deep snow comes increased avalanche danger, so be smart, be equipped, and stay alive!

2013-05-01 18:29:08 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 27 +1s)

BIRDY BUFFET ~ The snow keeps coming down, and the poor little birds are swarming my feeders. I cleared a spot on the deck railing for them, and have put seed out three times already today. The photo is blurry because of how thick the snowflakes are coming down!

2013-05-01 14:09:18 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 22 +1s)

Happy May 1 from snowy Colorado! ~ We have six inches of fresh snow, and it's still coming down. Robin is not amused.

2013-04-29 03:21:01 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 32 +1s)

Goofing off at Augusta's Tea Room  with my sisters +Cindy Norris and +Bonnie Shackles.

2013-04-28 14:56:00 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 33 +1s)

I interrupt my regularly scheduled black & white photos to bring you this splash of spring color. :)
RED BIRD ~ A red finch hiding among the flower buds on a blossoming tree.

2013-04-27 03:55:31 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 43 +1s)

Project 52 B&W
Week 17: NIGHT LIGHTS

LAMPPOST
Boiling clouds in darkest night
Thoughts in tumult filled with fright
Through the mist a beacon bright
Enlivens hope for morning's light

Words & Photo © 2013 Karen Shackles  (CC-BY-NC-ND)

#P52BW13 | +Project 52 B&W 
Curated by +Tisha Craw, +Susan Porter, & +Lauri Novak 

2013-04-24 17:35:56 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Frisco, Colorado ~ Just playing around with pencil sketch editing. :)

2013-04-24 13:48:58 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Golden Couple - my digital painting

- I use Photoshop & Intuos04 Wacom for all my digital paintings.
- On the average, it takes me about 50 hours to complete a painting.
- What is digital painting? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_painting
- How did I learn this?  Google free tutorials.  Study, Practice & Repeat! :)
- Links to some free tutorials: http://tinyurl.com/arpabz6

2013-04-24 04:41:37 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

Moon rises over the barn

Took this as I was leaving for the night. Good night everyone!

2013-04-24 04:23:58 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

I love +stacy taylor's whimsical paintings! This little ski bunny is coming to live with me. :) Check out her other paintings at www.stacysartstudio.etsy.com.

2013-04-22 16:23:17 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ~ This one is mainly for the Front Range and Denver Metro areas, with some spill-over into Summit County.
This afternoon through tomorrow morning, snow will develop and become heavy, making travel on the I-70 corridor difficult. NOAA is discouraging unnecessary travel. Expect poor visibility, snowy roads, traffic delays, and road closures. The foothills and metro area could see 6 to 12 inches, with 3 to 8 in the mountains. It sounds like this could be winter's final fling, with clearing weather and the great spring meltdown beginning on Wednesday.

Thanks to +Joel Gratz at OpenSnow.com for the photo share.