May 08 2007
Not So Wordless
When you have pictures, each of which is either worth a thousand words or tells a story (don’t it?), depending on your source, why add a bunch of words?
Perhaps this is the idea behind Wordless Wednesday. I don’t know. Whatever the case, I like the idea and will participate again.
After three weeks in a row, however, I needed a break. One who enjoys writing as much as taking pictures (if not more) can only hold out so long. Plus, sometimes I just need typing, the only acceptable outlet for my inner Touretter’s tapping tendencies.
But here’s the photo I would have used:
This moment, captured by the woman who became my wife despite it, was fabulous and fleeting. My family had gathered at my second cousin’s house for some Independence Day 1992 fun, and though never a particularly close friend, the hula hoop beckoned me to show my July 4 spirit.
Don’t be fooled by the illusion the film and the camera’s shutter conspired to create. The entire episode lasted a paltry 1.4 seconds, and only my youth kept me from dislocating something.
If my brother didn’t get a good laugh at it that day, then I’m sure he will as he looks at it now. I don’t think little brothers ever tire of making their big brothers smile. Rating their dunks on the Nerfhoop is a different story, but everyone has his or her own use for a readily available audience.
Or was that just us?
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Here are some highlights from my parents’ visit:
Monday we went to the historic downtown area. Here, Mom tries to trick Ben into looking my direction. I believe, “There’s Papa!” were her exact words. He did turn to look, but he was in the middle of making what he calls his “fireworks” sound (consists mostly of a lip-buzzing, spitting action).
Here’s what Mom saw when she pointed. I’ve rarely seen a courthouse I didn’t like.
One of the stores downtown inhabits the old First National Bank (built in 1889). The man working the front desk, a 150-year-old piece originally used in the post office, said that eagles on a bank’s exterior indicated there was a U.S. post office inside. Naturally, I had to take a picture of one. I threw in the top of a column for additional architectural fun (because those two words are not combined enough). A white-crowned sparrow was fearless in the eagle’s icy stare.
Here’s inside one of the downtown shops. Just a plethora of stuff, some new, some old. Even lo these many years later, it’s still pretty much a general store.
And finally, on Monday night, here’s Papa helping Ben find various items in a Cars-themed book. Papa and GG had never seen the movie before that night. Now, at the very least, they’ll understand why Ben toted around a toy red car with stickers on it the whole time they were here and randomly asked them questions about Mater and Doc.
There’s something indescribably wonderful about having folks visit and spend time with our little family on our own turf. Seeing not just Ben, but all of us, in our own environment, gives them a chance to get to know who we are right now. Not who we are when we’re 300 miles from home and thrown completely out of our routine. Even the most impulsive of us need at least a few things to remain just so.
(We ate at a Mexican food restaurant. Although my hopes were up, we still haven’t found one that leaves us wanting more.)
That’s my hula hoopin’ hottie husband right there. Step back, ladies - he’s all mine!
It was indeed a wonderful visit with the in-laws. I hope they come back to see us soon!
In honor of Wordless Wednesday:
Hey Shannon, I am not a girl, but you can still have ‘em. My men MUST hula hoop. That shows how flexible they are…just kidding. Still love the women…flexible.
Hey Mark! Remember “headboard”? Good times…
That is some show Mark…very impressive. Glad to see that you all had fun with your parents. I am so bad with “wordless” anything……maybe I will try today.
How about “Wordfull Wednesday”? *LOL*
Yep, you’re such a catch in that first pic…. *L*
Glad you’re having such a good time with your company….
I don’t care if it’s word-riddled, I still get to lob irreverent captions at that first photo. It would be criminal not to:
*****
With his electrically-magnetized enlarged left hand, Mr. Williams will now demonstrate his ability to lift an entire vehicle using only his fingertips.
At the end of his follow-through, Mark stared in chagrin at the basketball rolling slowly away from him on the uneven turf, the mocking laughter of his friends and family serving to make him realise that the hoop was behind him.
Adhering to his annual July 4th holiday tradition, Mark re-enacts his 1988 audition routine, proving again to one and all that he should have gotten the part in My Left Foot, and not that rat bastard, Daniel Day-Lewis.
Wife - Thanks, dear! I knew you liked it.
barrett - Yes, I remember that. I don’t recall it often, but I remember. You’re so dirty. Dirty boy.
Anna - Thanks. My hips were wild that day. I know what you mean about having a hard time being wordless.
Dave - Did you notice the Corvette in the courthouse pic?
Simon - Love the captions. I actually noticed the fingers holding up the truck. What a cool photographic accident. Or, the result of an industrial accident. Whichever viewers prefer to believe.
Day-Lewis is a hack.
Mark does his world famous vulture impersonation. “Caaaw!” he shrieks as he circles…making everyone feel vaguely uncomfortable.
Good shots all around, Mark. A well-rounded post. We get statuary and family shots. Goofy personal pics and black and whites. You’ve covered all the bases, thanks.
During my post on my favorite books, I mentioned my friend the Pot Bellied Private. Lordy, he could be your father’s twin. I’ve seen other photos of your dad, but this one he is in the perfect pose, sitting just like the PBP does at work.
I’ll see if I can convince him to let me take a photo and do a separated at birth thing.
Yep, I did.
Red C6 Coupe….
Did you hear, the next generation Vette, the C7, there’ll be a Z07 with 700 HP?
Good grief…..
Looks like you had a good time with the folks (great pictures, by the way), and that they had the same with you. It’s great that you got to absorb them into your own lives for a bit.
Mokker man - The Vulture. I am the Vulture. I will pick your bones clean.
BK - Bring on the comparison pics!
Dave - That’s an insane number of horses!
Jay - That’s a good way to describe it. Absorption.
Oh well, now we squeezed them back out and they’re home. ;-)
But, we’ll be glad to see them again.
“Hey Mark! Remember “headboard”? Good times…”
LOL
I think of the stores on the square, especially the ones that stock “gently used” items, as actually being full of “other peoples’ crap.”
************
Caption for pic:
“Mark learns there are so many different ways to enjoy masturbation.”
I remember that Hula hoop day. I’m just glad there aren’t any pictures of me! Well…at least I hope not.
It looks like you guys had fun with the folks. I’m sure they loved the visit.
Alvis - I don’t know how I missed that comment the first time around.
I know what you mean about those stores stocking used items. I mean, um, nostalgic gems.
Charles - I can’t remember whether we captured your hula hoop moment.
Yep, we all had a good time.