These are from 2014. Taken in a barn we came across while on a hike. It usually doesn’t work well to ‘look down’ on someone in a photo, but I like these.

Kaori, Vivi, and I made it to our local Fourth of July parade this year. It was good, bland fun.

Fourth of July parades, to me, always seem to lack a central rallying cry, a higher reason for being. They are mostly an opportunity for businesses, politicians, and the military to get some public exposure, and they lack passion. The groups with social agendas that flock to other more animated parades stay away.

I must admit, I wasn’t expecting to see Elvis.

And when it was all over, the tired dogs headed to the coffee shop to cool off.

The thermometer has gone up again and here are a couple of hot weather shots to match.

I’m back on my feet after being out with a cold for a few days and, to celebrate, I set up a white background and a small fill reflector on our back deck, and found a willing model. Who would know she’s a week or so away from giving birth!

After being out for a few days with a cold, I’m starting to bounce back and walked 10 yards behind Kaori and her Mum around the block. I had just enough energy to carry a camera and take some snapshots. I found a few backlight flowers and a new texture to add to my collection.

Flowers are hard because they move in even the lightest breeze, but these are just fun snapshots I’m using to explore possibilities.

Vivi and Jiji are visiting from Tokyo. Jiji is here for just over a week and Vivi will be here until after the baby is born.

I took Thursday off work to take everyone to Half Moon Bay and we spent a lovely afternoon and evening at the Ritz Carlton. Then on Saturday, we went to Carmel. Vivi and Jiji haven’t seen the ocean for 10 years even though they live in Tokyo.

Here are some photos from the last couple of days.