Poetic Shutterbug

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Sky Over Downtown Los Angeles Sky Over The Palace Of Fine Arts San Francisco Sky Over Lantau Peak In Hong Kong Visit Skywatch Friday for more beautiful photography.

We have a bright, bold and cheery 7" by 6" by 1" tall round candy dish or bowl that is made of heavy ceramic and looks to be hand painted though I cannot testify to that fact. It sports a red and yellow coloring with a brightly styled rooster and a yellow sunflower. This is really a cute little bowl with a country motif and can be used as a candy dish or just decoration. The back of the plate simply reads Roosters Made in China with a sticker that reads QC F-26. It is overall in good condition with very minor scuff wear on the bottom of the bowl. It is free of chips and cracks. The lighting you see on the plate is due to glare from the window. For more information and ordering instructions, visit our listing at Jo's Collectibles Mercantile .

Pierre doing what he loved most. Today we're going to talk a little about addiction. I'm going to tell you a personal story which some of you already know. I'll make it short, I promise. When I heard about Amy Winehouse I automatically thought of Pierre. I met him decades ago when I was 13 years old. He was 18 at that time. He had his own Greek band and played the bouzouki as you can see in the photo. Five years difference in age is not that much but when you are 13 and the guy is 18, especially back in the 60's it seemed like a lifetime. I know it's strange to say "love at first sight" at that age but it was. There was that instant connection that just could not be denied. Once I met him I made sure to go to any picnic, festival and event in which he was performing. I would attend all of these events with my cousin and her family. It didn't matter the event, I would just sit there and watch him perform. At that young age, a simple Hi! from

Photos taken at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens Click Photos To Enlarge. Visit Ruby Tuesday for more great photography.

Oriental Trumpet Lily Bulb Click Photos To Enlarge Sorry, I do not know the name of this flower. Click here for more Macro Monday fun.

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Understated elegance is the only way I can describe these floral bread/dessert plates Made In Japan by Meito China Ivory China which is what it reads on the back stamp of the plates. These are richly colored and designed with a floral rose motif and a beautiful gold colored rim. These plates measure approximately 6 1/4" in diameter and the entire set of 4 plates are in good condition with only very minor scuff wear on the bottoms. Please view the photos for more in depth details. The fine details in the roses are just amazing. These are truly gorgeous plates and would make an excellent set of plates for any special occasion or just an impromptu luncheon with friends. For ordering instructions please visit the listing at Jo's Collectibles Mercantile . Thank you

St. Dominic's Church in San Francisco Click Photos To Enlarge Marin County, CA. SF Botanical Gardens Visit Skywatch Friday for more beautiful sky photography.

Over two weeks dealing with not only AT&T but every other service provider out there and I finally have what seems to be, so far, a constant connection.  Of course I am writing this on Monday the 18th and scheduling it for Thursday so who knows if it will still be up and running then.   The AT&T tech came out and replaced everything on the outside phone line.  It seems that my actual phone line was dead with no dial tone.  Now, don't you think that should have been checked first? In any case, so far so good. My questions today deal with hell.  I don't know if there really is a hell but if there is what I do know for sure is that AT&T has a branch there.  If you are going to hell when you die, you will spend an eternity sitting in front of a computer with flashing red lights on your modem and talking to AT&T online tech support throughout eternity :D Of course I'm kidding but who really knows. My two ?'s are do you believe there is a hell?

Photo taken at the SF Botanical Gardens. Click Photo To Enlarge I am still without a reliable internet connection.  The problem has not yet been resolved.   I get about an hour a day of connection time.  As a result, I have to use that time on the store so I will not be posting or commenting that much nor will I be on Facebook or Twitter etc...  When I am able, I'll post and visit everyone. Thanks, Jo

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Pigeons Sunbathing Atop Phone Lines :) Well it's been over two weeks and I am now with a somewhat reliable internet connection. It started on July 2nd when the DSL flashing red light blinked and flashed hours on end. I called AT&T who is my ISP and has been my primary telephone service as well for over 25 years. I will try and make this short. Calling AT&T for help means getting an automated robot to diagnose your problems before you are actually transferred to a person. I spoke with the robot 7 times and with online technicians 8 times. The first technician told me I needed a new modem which seemed plausible since mine is about 6 years old. So, I go to my local AT&T store and buy a new one for $80.00. I bring it home, plug it in, it works for a half hour and doesn't work anymore. The red lights - flashing again. Finally a technician was sent out. I was told there would be a charge of $60.00 per half hour if the problem was on my end. The tech checked ou

Photo taken at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens.  Click Photo To Enlarge. I have been without an internet connection for more than a week. It seems to be working okay now but is not reliable so I will be blogging when I am able. Thanks, Jo. Visit Lisas Chaos for more Macro Monday fun .

I am so excited to bring you this stunning real goose egg music box by Egg Fantasy. It stands 6" tall and is in excellent condition. It plays "Lara's Theme" of which you can hear by viewing my short video clip. It plays perfectly. The piece is in excellent condition and has no flaws that I can see. This beautiful piece has gold colored accents both on the legs, windup mechanism on the bottom, around the cameo and atop the egg with blue faux gemstones. It is adorned with a gorgeous blue cameo and accented with faux pearls and clear stones. The interior which can be used as a small trinket or jewel box is lined with white satin and blue fabric scrolling around the rim of the egg. These elegant accents are intricately woven around the egg with a smooth style and grace. This egg is just truly exquisite. Please view the photos for the stunning details. When I worked in a music box shop in Ghirardelli Square, we sold the entire line of Egg Fantasy music boxes.

This beautiful hand painted porcelain plate measures 8 1/2" in diameter with a scalloped gold color border design with pastel colored apples on a vine with green leaves. The plate has a subtle pastel greenish hue and is just gorgeous. The back of the plate reads New Palissy T&V Limoges France. It also has a patent number which I cannot read. It has a sticker which reads Hand Painted Pickard China. The plate itself is in good condition with minor scuff wear on the back of the plate. There are no chips or cracks. Please view the photos for more details. It also looks as if there is a signature on the front of the plate but I cannot be sure. It could be a part of the design but I have taken a macro of that particular area so you can see if for yourself. This is a stunning plate and would be an exquisite accent to any home decor. This item has been sold. Visit Jo's Collectibles Mercantile for more treasures.

Taken at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross, CA. Click Photo To Enlarge Click the above widget for more Camera Critters fun.

   Photos taken at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens Click Photos To Enlarge   Click the above widget for more Macro Flowers Saturday fun.