Tennessee Autumn Flora

A Fungus Among Us

Texture: A Series

And It Was All Yellow

13. Juicy

Credit goes to Mom for this brilliant idea. I love it - it makes me laugh.

17. On the Road

I captured this retired firetruck parked in a field alongside Highway 15. It's familiar to me from my six years trekking up and down that highway "on the road" between W-ville and Wilmington. And nothing says roadside in the south like a non-working automobile, a pasture, cows and a power line.

18. Priorities

I kept hoping to snap a group family shot that would work for this category, but it never happened. And in a way, Dillon's a great representative of "priorities." Soon after I found out he was on his way, I made plans to move back home. Not just for him, but for the whole family. Besides, who wouldn't make this little guy a priority?

16. Movement

In the eleventh hour when I still couldn't think of a photo for movement, I knew it was time to get creative. I like to think of this as my MacGyver picture. I used a small screw driver to dismantle this watch and expose its "movement."

25. Way to Go

When I was little, I loved paths that led off into the woods or around a bend to where I couldn't see. I always imagined they were the "way" to magical places. To further my interpretation of this one, I took this photo on my "way to go" to work!

20. Sparkle

2. Accessory

I collect pottery, and it certainly accessorizes our house. When I travel, I often try to find a piece of pottery as a souvenir - like this little pot from Salt Lake City, Utah.

6. Effort

23. This Magic Moment

Even though the composition on this one isn't perfect and you can see my shadow as I shot over Justin's shoulder, I thought that the sheer delight on Dillon's face made up for all my technical problems. He thought Auntie "Eena's" shower was quite magical indeed.

10. Game On

8. Framed

A pool, framed by a flagstone walkway; an arch, framing another arch, framing a door.

9. Fun in Sun

Dillon takes a turn on the "side" on a very hot, very sunny September afternoon.

7. Flat

11. Half & Half

Anna's cat Oreo - half black, half white. And all sass.

4. Color My World

Flowers are the best natural crayons.

14. Metallic

1. Ahhh!

Nothing better than a cold Diet Coke in the summertime.

26. Yummy

My best friend Jenn was kind enough to treat me to Jilly's Cupcake Bar. (That was the day after we dined at The Chocolate Bar!) In the foreground is the Chocolate Thunder and in the background is the Carmalita. We ate both of them - every single divine chocolatey bite.

21. Spiral

Also found at the Missouri Botanical Gardens was this spiral wind sculpture that swiveled in the light breeze.

12. Historic

The tallest monument in the United States at 630 feet, the Arch is a spectacular site. And for those of you who may wonder, I did not go up in it. Sit in a tiny pod and be carried up in what amounts to a free-standing bridge? No, thank you.

5. Did You See That?

During my trip to St. Louis, Jenn took me to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, which is currently hosting an exhibition of Niki - a New Realist/Pop Art artist who fashioned these amazing sculptures out of concrete, glass, tile and mirrors. This skull was hollowed out - you could sit inside! Unfortunately, it rained the night we were supposed to go and see it lit and sparkling in the darkness. But that toothy grin is still enough to make you say, "Did you see that?"

22. Splish Splash

Confession: Justin threw a lot of rocks to get me this picture. This one was taken at Mirror Lake at Berry. I planned to take a picture of the trickling falls, but it wasn't working out so well. Mom suggested that I let my brother toss some stones for me. I liked this splash the best because it looks like a little man in dancing happily in the splished splash!