Favorite Fall Photos 2008

Click on titles or thumbnails to view enlarged images and read captions for these often gorgeous, sometimes humorous, and usually informative Favorite Fall Photos submitted by our classmates.

(Aa) Southmayd Girl Scouts and Friends

12/06/08 - Kay Burg Moseley sent this photo with a message: "Today (Dec 6) my Girl Scout Troop 434 met for lunch and invited some of the guys that were in our class at Southmayd, plus five of our spouses also joined us.

Back row: Lynn Chatfield Cartwright, Kay Burg Moseley, Richard Gibson (Graduated from Jones HS), Linda Collins Newell (Bellaire HS), Pam Thomas Vincent

Front row: Melba Evans Ainsworth, Betty Bobb Strauss, Calvin Blackman

None of us had seen Calvin since we graduated from Milby. We encouraged him to come to the reunion in 2010."

(Ab) - John, Billie, and Charles

John Echoff wrote..."This past Friday afternoon and Saturday morning (12/12 and 12/13/08, Linn and I were guests of Charles Crider at his old family homestead in Marble Falls. The purpose of the trip was to get some venison for the freezer, but Mother Nature had other ideas, stiff wind during the day, full moon at night put a damper on the deer movement.

But, all was not lost - we did manage to get one "deer" in downtown Marble Falls. Please check out this photo for proof of our hunting prowess! (Billie was wearing a pair of red antlers when we met for lunch in Marble Falls)"

(Aca) - Which One is the Donkey?

John continued, "There are several types of wildlife on the ranch, as evidenced by this photo - there really is a donkey in there somewhere...

We had a great time hunting and the luncheon with Bille Jean Trombatore Young and Lanny topped off the trip. I dare say we all had a good time. You must contact Billie Jean and ask her for the picture she had to have with her camera!!!!!"

(Acb) - Charlie's Land

John Echoff sent this photo and description of Charles Crider's family homestead. He wrote, "This landscape photo is one of the wonderful views of Charles' land, taken as Linn walked back from the deer stand to the "cabin". The "Cabin" is absolutely wonderful, two story, two bedroom, all the comforts of home; don't know why Charles and Dolly are still living in Spring! Enjoy the view..."

To read more about the work Charles has done on the cabin, read his biography. Click on his name in the right sidebar.

(Acd) - Sunrise in Marble Falls

John Echoff included these beautiful photos from his trip to Charles Crider's land. He wrote, "These glorious colors are the sunrise Saturday morning (12/13/08), taken from the deer stand where Linn was."

(Ace) - Sunrise in Marble Falls

(Ad) - Zavalla in Autumn

Glenda Burns Minniece took this Fall Photo, and sent it with these comments: "I pass through Zavalla every time I go to Mother's. The truck in the photo is on blocks and is decorated each season by someone, I don't know who. There's no sign to give credit to a civic organization or chamber of commerce or anything or anyone. But it's always festive."

(Ae) - Jody Bugg's Vacation in New England

Jody entitled this beautiful panorama scene: "Lake Near North Conway".

Of her trip, Jody wrote, "Several years ago, my mother and I took a 9 day trip through New England. We flew to Manchester, NH, rented a car, and toured on our own. We ate lobster about three times. It's so cheap up there ... a $6-8 meal. We drove around the countryside looking at all the beautiful scenery."

(Aea) - The Jackson Covered Bridge

"This beautiful covered bridge in Jackson, New Hampshire, was built in 1876."

(Aeb) - The View from the Jackson Covered Bridge

Q: How did you get such beautiful photos?"

A: "My camera, at the time, was a Kyocera. It was a great camera. The thing I loved the most about it was that I could take pictures zap, zap, zap ... one right after another ... no recovery time. I took it on our Niagara Falls trip and think it got wet. It never took pictures as rapidly again. I had to wait anywhere from six to ten seconds between shots. I gave it to my nephew when I got a new one. My new one is slow with pictures, too. But it does take good photos."

(Aec) - Jody's Scenes of New England

(Aee) - Jody's Scenes of New England

(Af) - Jody's Scenes of New England

(Ag) - Jody's Activities in New England

Jody has a story about this picture:

"If you look very closely at the center of this photo with the "scarecrows" sitting on the bench, you can see a paper doll. When I left for NE, I was volunteering at my old school and the teacher was doing a Flat Stanley project, so I took one of the Flat Stanleys with me. The paper doll is a little girl which was created by Cassandra, so I called her Flat Cassandra. I have photos about Flat Cassandras trip throughout the NE countryside. In most of these photos, you can see Flat Cassandra pretty well. In the one I sent to you, you kind of have to know she's there and look for her. "

Upon further questioning, Jody told more about this project..."Flat Stanley is a widely used strategy. In fact, Clint Eastwood had a Flat Stanley at the Oscars a few years back. His daughter was participating in her school project. And I also want to say that one of the Pres Bushes (W, I think, or maybe one of the Bush women ... Mama or Laura) had his/her photo taken with a Flat Stanley ... the kid of somebody he/she knew was participating.

I don't exactly know how Flat Stanley Projects work, and it may work on all sorts of different levels, but it's kind of a journal/pen pal writing assignment. When I was in New England taking photos of my Flat "Casandra" at various points of interest, a woman walked by and laughed ... "Flat Stanley?" she questioned. When I went on my Holland/Belgium trip in 2007, there were two grandparents carrying a Flat Stanley."

(Aha) - Close-up of Flat Cassandra

(Ahb) - Apple Orchard

"One of our first stops was at an apple orchard in Hollis, NH. The gift shop was really a produce stand with every kind of apple and pumpkin or gourd imaginable. Visitors were also provided with a warm cup of apple cider."

(Ahc) - Pumpkin Patch and Scarecrow

"Across a dirt road from the gift shop where we had the cider, there was a pumpkin patch with a huge scarecrow made from bales of hay. Mother and I are to the right, dwarfed by the scarecrow."

(Ai) - Final Scene from Jody's New England Vacation

GORGEOUS!!!

(Aj) - 'Tis the Season...But Which Season?

Glenda Burns Minniece saw the humor in the juxtaposition of these displays and snapped a few photos as she entered the market.

Said she, "The photo I took outside the grocery store is amusing to me because they have decorated (as everyone does nowadays) for both Fall and Christmas. (Well, paying someone to hang & take down Christmas decorations is an expensive enterprise.)

(Ak) - Ah, a Purist's Delight!

Glenda continues, "Just inside the door is the second picture with its large pumpkins and crisp looking apples."

Now THAT's a REAL Fall scene. I say, "Let's enjoy one season before we start celebrating the next! But returning to that simpler time is probably beyond the realm of possibility" KD

(Ba) - Japanese Maples

This beautiful Fall foliage photo was submitted by Charles Simmons.

(Bc) - Carole and Ken Corey at the Bellagio

Carole Corey sent these photos with the comment: “These pictures were taken Sept. 29th in Las Vegas in the lobby of the Bellagio Hotel. Each season they decorate in that season's theme. It was beautiful.” Be sure to take note of that creepy (though friendly looking) fella standing just over their shoulders.

Carole also gave us this update on Ken's 'retirement': "Ken is in Brisbane, Australia for three weeks." I have a feeling Ken would not have left Carole behind if this trip were not work related.

(Bd) - Bellagio Lobby, Fall Decor

Carole reports that this decor changes with the seasons.

(Be) - Bellagio Lobby Fall Decor

These photos from Carole Corey add a whole new dimension to Fall foliage. These displays are both beautiful and somewhat exotic in nature.

(Bfa) - Fall Colors in Macedonia

Ken and Carole Corey were living in Macedonia this time last year. These photos of beautiful Fall colors were taken on an outing in Mavrovo, Macedonia on 10-27-07.

(Bfb) - Fall Colors in Macedonia

(Bfc) - Fall Colors in Macedonia

(Bfd) - Fall Colors in Macedonia

(Bga) - Jerry Tucker in Wyoming

How exciting to have a new contributor on the blog. Jerry Tucker lives in Wyoming and has sent along some gorgeous Wyoming scenes. This photo of Jerry was taken last Christmas.

(Bgb) - Wyoming Flatiron Sunrise

I don't think I've ever seen a sky this color before. This is a gorgeous photo, and a wonderful complement to the typical reds, oranges, and yellows of fall foliage.

(Bha) - Country Road at Sunrise

Another beautiful shot sent from Wyoming by Jerry Tucker.

Now click on the next photo for "The Rest of the Story". See how Jerry's picture inspired an oil painting that Glenda Burns Minniece received for Christmas

(Bhb) - Glenda's Painting - "The Rest of the Story"

Now, here's "THE REST OF THE STORY".

Glenda Burns Minniece sent the following e-mail to me along with this photo. A picture truly is worth a thousand words.

Said Glenda...
"Hi Karla, Remember Jerry Tucker's two photos of Wyoming with those very unusual sky colors? I thought they were so beautiful that I made copies and sent to my aunt, who is an artist. I knew she would appreciate them. Well, guess what! She painted one and gave it to me for Christmas! (Early because of when we could get together.) The photo of her rendition is attached. I'm so thrilled. Thank you, Aunt Peggy! Thank you, Jerry Tucker! Hugs, G."

(Bi) - Devils Tower, Wyoming

This is a fascinating geological feature in Wyoming. Here's some descriptive information found on-line.

"The nation’s first national monument, Devils Tower, looms prominently over the Belle Fourche River in a place where the pine forests of the Black Hills merge with the grasslands of the rolling plains. This imposing formation, located 28 miles northwest of Sundance off WYO 24, is a stump-shaped cluster of rock columns 1,000 feet across the bottom and 275 feet across the top. The cluster rises 1,280 feet above the valley to a height of 5,117 feet above sea level."

(Bj) - Wyoming Flat Irons

When we lived in Wyoming we often heard this Q & A:

Q - What is the state tree of Wyoming?
A - The telephone pole.

So, what's this? The state bush?

Just kidding! This is a beautiful photograph! KD

(Bk) - Birds of a Feather, or Something Like That

After John submitted his Spooky Story (see "Halloween Hauntings: Tales of the Paranormal", listed in the right sidebar), Billy Carter countered with this review of the similarities between John Echoff and himself. And there is a Fall representation in the photo as well - a Mr. and Mrs. Scarecrow on their way to church in the background of the photo. See the next picture in this album for a close-up of the couple.

Here's the message Billy addressed to John:

John,
I thoroughly enjoyed your story about placing a headstone on your Dad’s grave. It says a lot about your strong character.

I see a couple of similarities between you and me.

My brother (also named Jackie) and I were born in Kilgore. I attended school there thru the 7th grade. With the economy in bad shape, Dad moved our family to Houston. We actually continued to live in Kilgore until my brother Jackie, graduated from Kilgore High School in 1955. My Mom had graduated from Kilgore High and wanted her son to “follow her steps”. Dad lived with his brother here in Houston, while we spent our last year in Kilgore. The small, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 car garage, frame home in Pecan Park, was twice the size of our home in Kilgore, even after we added an indoor bathroom.

Anywho---I was surprised a class mate had family from Kilgore and a brother named Jackie. My brother is currently a Deputy Sheriff for Nacogdoches, County.

Also, I bought my first motorcycle when I was 27. Dad would not allow me to even get onto one. He got really angry when I took my first motorcycle to show him and Mom. She had me take her around the block. Boy, that went over like a “ton of bricks”.

Keep the shiny side up and the rubber on the ground!

Billy Carter

(Bl) Mr. and Mrs. Scarecrow

What could be more representative of a fall outing than this couple on the way to church - decked out in their best duds?

(Bn) - Fall Colors, Texas Style

This photo of the Klein Collins High School Color Guard illustrates the poem Billy Carter wrote about the Fall Colors where he lives. His 15 year old daughter Amanda is carrying the flag in the photo. Amanda is one of 18 Color Guard members of the KLEIN Collins High School Band. Billy points out that in addition to flags, they also toss rifles and sabers.

Billy continues, "Tonight (10/21/08) at UIL band competition held in the Woodlands' Woodforest football stadium, they were rated 1-1, which is the highest rating. The Klein ISD already has a video of tonight's K Collins Band in competition, posted to "youtube". Here's the link, if you care to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB833BCRshg

In this video clip, Amanda is one of the four girls with flags, who start out in the front. Counting left to right, she is waving the first flag."

Billy concludes, "Barb and I attend all of "Collins" football games."

Here's Billy's poem...

Fall along the Gulf Coast is noted by colors,
Not from our trees, but from our student scholars.

It’s Friday Night Football at each and every stadium,
Supported by colorful Bands, Drill Corps, other medium.

Students in step, Uniforms in a row,
Drums beat, onto the field they go.

Electronic gear faces the Home crowd,
Music erupts, horns blasting out loud.

The Color Guard waves banners high in the air,
And these ladies toss rifles without a care.

You will see colors, blue, red and green,
While cheering our kids, the “ones” staying “clean”.

Yes, Fall has arrived, there’s a chill on the scene,
Sit in our stands, see those who still have a Dream.

(Ca) - Karla's Favorite Fall Photos

"1962 through 1964 found Ed and me living in Boulder, Colorado. We hit the roads frequently in our Renault Dauphine, enjoying the Fall foliage on the surrounding mountainsides. The hiking boots? We did a LOT of walking on those gorgeous hillsides!!!"

(Cb) - Colorado in the Fall 1962

"A favorite Fall activity was scouring the hillsides for dried grasses and other dried foliage that could be used to decorate our first home. The Fall weather was always crisp and refreshing!"

(Cc) - Maples in Karla's Front "Yard" in Indiana

"Fast forward 12 years (after living 3 years in Colorado, 2 years in Africa, and 7 years back in Houston) , and we were living with our two young sons in Hagerstown, Indiana. Ed was Superintendent in a consolidated school district in gorgeous farm country. We lived on the top of a hill on a 3 acre lot with beautiful 360 degree views. Both front and back yards were downhill from the house, but the many maple, elm, oak, tulip, and walnut trees at the bottom of those hills still soared above our house. To get the scale, note the tire swing hanging from a branch of a maple tree near the road that ran in front of our property. The winding drive from house to road made a great tobaggan run for our kids in the winter."

(Cc) - The View from Our Kitchen Window

"This was the view toward our back yard. In the winter this hill made a terrific sledding hill for Mom, Dad, and the boys. But in the Fall, the interior of the house simply glowed as the sunlight filtered through the fall foliage."

(Cd) - Fall Harvest in Hagerstown

"To the side of our house there was a large cultivated plot with rich topsoil 12-16 inches deep. We were simply exhausted as we picked, cleaned, and "put up" fruit and veggies almost daily during the growing season. We were actually happy to see the first freeze end those endeavors. I was a stay-at-home Mom during those years, and had great fun playing with the boys in that beautiful bucolic setting. We frequently went into our vegetable patch and collected the produce for the evening meal.

Another Harvest related activity:
Because this was a rural Midwest community, the townsfolk wanted to give these transplanted Texans a taste of their traditions. One family that had an apple orchard invited us out to their place one Sunday afternoon when they were going to press cider. They took us out into the orchard in a horse drawn wooden wagon and gave us a brief lesson on the culture and harvesting of apples. Then we went to the area where the ancient wooden presses were working. The sounds and smells were incredible.

To our amazement they dumped the bushel baskets of apples into the press with leaves, stems, and debris intact. No washing involved in this process! The mother hen of the Davis brood could imagine the bugs and worms that also were hiding in and amongst the apples. But all was pressed and the murky juice emerged, some was poured into pitchers, and we were invited to drink. We did! It was delicious! And we survived... with a wonderful experience to add to our family lore.

These are treasured memories."

(Ce) - Fall Sports in Waco

Karla's narrative continues, "But nowadays, as we are once again living in Texas, there is a limited amount of Fall foliage to enjoy. Now our enjoyment of the Fall season revolves around the activities of our grandsons. #3 on his flag football team, 6 year old Ryan thrills us with his aggressiveness and skill."

https://milby1960.typepad.com > Favorite Fall Photos 2008