Photoshop can make old pictures new again!
I’ve been cataloging some of my older pictures taken in the early digital camera days, early point & shoot days, and well before I got my Canon 550D. Although they are not the best quality, I saved them hoping that some day Photoshop would help me clean them up, add contrast and clarity, and make them presentable for you to enjoy.
So on with the show, including musical interludes by Three Dog Night, Queen, Pink Floyd, and Moulin Rouge.
Many of us are familiar with the ubiquitous brown tumbleweeds tumbling about in the John Wayne and Clint Eastwood western movies, but have you ever seen a field of growing tumbleweeds? Here’s a field from right here in San Diego:
When I was a juvenile delinquent in Brigham City, Utah, my first grade teacher lived next door to me. She was the first one to get me interested in plants. She had a beautiful garden in her back yard full of nasturtiums. I took such a love to nasturtiums with their beautiful flowers and round leaves.
One day when she wasn’t home I went over to her garden, dug up a plant to make it mine, and then destroyed all of her plants, making mine the only nasturtium on the street. Yes, I got caught and punished severely.
Am I the only one who likes dandelions?
My wise old grandmother had many flowers in her gardens, but I think her favorites were morning glories for year-round blooms, crowns of thorns, which also bloomed year-round and reminded her each and every day of her commitment to her faith, and poinsettias for Christmas.
My wise old grandmother’s poinsettias were the tallest I had ever seen until I came to San Diego. It seems plants grow taller out here. Here’s the tallest one I’ve seen here:
I despised my wise old grandmother’s poinsettias because I was the one who had to prune them each September so that they would bloom in December. Poinsettias are in the Euphorbia family, and I now know that I am sensitive/allergic to Euphorbias. A great general rule of thumb is that if the sap is a sticky, milky white, it’s a Euphorbia of some kind. The sap can cause severe dermatitis and other allergic reactions in many people and can be dangerous for our wonderful cats and dogs, so be careful! The funny thing is that I don’t generally have any poinsettias around the house because of the sap and Zoey the Cool Cat, but I have lots of Euphorbias, such as the Crown of Thorns, all outside where Zoey the Cool Cat cannot get to them.
Speaking of plants growing taller out here, plants that would never bloom for me in Texas are prolific bloomers here in San Diego. The umbrella tree is a great example. I bought a small umbrella tree when I was in tenth grade. It was only about six inches tall. It graduated from high school with me, went to four years of college at Texas A&M University, and lived in Houston and College Station until 1993. When I moved to San Diego, it was about six feet tall and one of my office managers claimed it. Here is a blooming one here in San Diego:
You’ll probably recognize the leaf because they are used as houseplants throughout the world:
Looking for real estate services in San Diego County?
I can highly recommend
James Frimmer, Realtor
Century 21 Award, DRE #01458572
If you’re looking for a home inspector,
I recommend Russel Ray — that’s me!
Posted on March 2, 2013, in Digital photo editing, Flora, Mother & Father Nature, My wise old grandmother, Photos and tagged clint eastwood, crown of thorn pictures, dandelion pictures, john wayne, kali tragus pictures, morning glory pictures, moulin rouge, nasturtium pictures, pink floyd, poinsettia pictures, queen, schefflera pictures, the show must go on, three dog night, tumbleweed pictures, umbrella tree pictures. Bookmark the permalink. 16 Comments.
Fun stories. I love dandelions, and I love your wise old grandmother!
Blessed grandma…
Love your videos. Didn’t watch all, but had a choice choice, at least
Congratulations! I nominated you for “Blog Of The Year 2012″ Award. Follow my link and it will fill you in on the rules and details. Congrats and Enjoy!
http://hotrodcowgirl.com/2013/03/02/blog-of-the-year-2012-award-times-six/
Thank you!
awesome web site, that man… I’m not a camera person…but I appreciate great work… glad I’ve found your site, my friend… have a great week ..
cheers
seumas
yes, I am a nasturtium fan and a dandelion fan. My not very wise, but rather naughty old grandmother introduced me to nasturtiums…..
As a child I got poinsettia sap in my eyes. It was a very unpleasant experience. I am wary of them now but I love nasturtiums and dandelions. Do you think your first grade teacher still remembers your destructive gardening techniques?
She did up until her death. I am one of those weird people who kept in touch with teachers well into the future. She died in 1994.
Awesome photography, Russel!
PS: Please do have a look at this and share your sincere feedback after watching it.
http://myindividualinsights.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/official-release-of-obtrusive-hopes/
Rahul
Hi Russell
I too love nasturtiams. You were very naughty digging up those plants and you a plant lover too.
We have a cottage in Brittany, France and we have wonderful nasturtiams there and as we are only there intermittently I am always amazed at how they just take care of themselves. They always put on a great show for us, rolling out the golden carpet for when we arrive.
I love dandelions too! My favorites, though, are sweetpeas. My Grandpa planted them every year and their fragrance reminds me of him and Grandma.
I enjoy your posts because I always learn something new!
You’re not the only one who loves dandelions, my ex-neighbour loved them too
Absolutely didn’t know they are dangerous to cats and dogs.
The Umbrella Tree is as beautiful as its name
Regards,
The morning glories are beautiful.
photos are sensational! thank you for sharing your wonderful talent!