Phronistery is Phun for Word Nerds While hunting for words that start with the letter X, I came across a nifty site: Phronistery. It’s a website dedicated to unusual words. It’s well-organized and gives concise definitions. Fun! I’ve bookmarked it ‘cuz I’m a word nerd and I bet a bunch of you all are, too. :D Xanthic Means… …yellow! The word “xanthic” means “yellow,” so today’s post features a trio of pictures I snapped after a dramatic hail storm we had last month. I live in Tornado Alley, so I do more than just marvel at the sight of a…
Tag: photographer
The World’s Smallest Skyscraper Built in 1919, the Newby-McMahon Building in downtown Wichita Falls (701 La Salle, Wichita Falls, TX) is more commonly referred to as “the world’s smallest skyscraper.” J.D. McMahon was an engineer and oilman from Philadelphia who proposed adding a high-rise section to the original building to that it could house more office space. McMahon quickly raised $200,000 (a fortune for that time) to construct an office building according to plans he drew up. At a glance, it appeared that the finished building would stand 48 stories high, and McMahon never said otherwise. Unfortunately for the investors,…
High Tide in Venice Italy Venice is known for seasonal flooding called Acqua Alta. This “high water” is especially strong when wintry high tides coincide with a Mediterranean wind called a scirocco. Normally, I would avoid traveling to a city during a flood, but Venice is different. Acqua Alta is something Venetians have dealt with for centuries, and visiting the city during this time makes you feel like part of some ancient rhythm. As you can see in the first photo, they sell rubber boots for travelers who show up unprepared. I like how they made that W, too. Does…
Mai Kai Tiki Bar & Polynesian Dance Show If you are ever in Miami, I highly recommend checking out the Mai Kai Restaurant, an authentic old-style Tiki bar that has been around since 1956. If you are a retro-enthusiast, you will really get a kick out of this place and the slice of a by-gone era that it provides. And, yes, the Polynesian Dance Show is totally worth it! Of course, it’s fun to just pop in for a drink because the ambiance is great. Even the bathrooms were full of carved wood and other decorative touches. I know I…
Strolling by the River I try to visit London at least once a year because that is where my step-daughter lives. We don’t always do the traditional touristy stuff, but we do always take a walk along the River Thames. These shots were taken last fall as we walked home after a meal at a riverside pub. I was still pretty jet-lagged, so even now the whole thing feels a bit like a dream! Plus, I always forget how big swans actually are. Thank goodness they are friendly because if they wanted to attack, it would be pretty scary. I’m…
Relaxing with Reflections I find photographing reflections enjoyable and meditative. It helps me reflect on things – such as why I enjoy cheesy puns so much… Seriously, though, there’s a drought here in north Texas, so anytime it rains, it’s cause for celebration. That first picture was taken after a heavy rain last month, when our oak trees were still bare. Now, they are leafing out. The second photo is one I took while spacing out, staring at the bubbles in our aquarium. I like to call it my “think tank.” The third photos was taken while visiting the Fort…