Cups-In-Waiting

 For just the two of us, Patricia and I seem to have amassed a plethora of fanciful cups-n-mugs. Morning coffee is never boring. Each one has a story or meaningful origin.

Calligraphy and painting brushes from Japan and China.  They stand at the ready on a brush holder from the Calligraphy district of Beijing.

Well, … Stanford women’s basketball is fading into the past after a wonderful season. Stanford football gracefully glides in to fill this sports void.

We are so fortunate to be affiliated with Stanford University and its high caliber world class sports program.  A neighbor and I attended a spring intra-squad game today in San Francisco at famed Kezar Stadium.

Finding intrigue and interest wherever I am in the ordinary- in everyday flailing about.  That is one of the goals I am working toward thru the discipline of this Photo-a-Day effort.  In our home, an interesting light tumbled in thru a high ‘clear story’ window submerging this box in clarity … caught my eye.

Shortly after retirement, several years ago, I succumbed to the addition of Family History. It has proven to be a seemingly maniacal relentless mistress.  Now with over 27,000 of my ”most intimate relatives” identified in our Family Tree and likely 5,000 old family photos, I DO have fun making various family history charts, creations and the like.  This montage is built around my Danish great grandfather, Christian Madson. The center piece here is Christian-n-his clan gathered in front of his house in Halstad, MN.  Yhe House was  ordered from Sears circa 1918. The occasion for this gathering was the funeral of my Christian’s wife, my great grandmother, Kristine.

You can check out my Family History web Site, and our tree, Madson 2012,  is also on www.ancestry.com.  Contact me at ronmadson@comcast.net if you would like to see the tree on ancesrty.com.

Patricia and I are considering leading segway tours of parts of the coast near where we live.  We would do this thru Silicon Segway, a full service segway company in Pacifica a few miles up the coast.  Today, we took the segways out for a spin with the owner of the segway company. Our ride ended here today, at Half Moon Bay State Park.  I love living in paradise!

I seem to take way too many photos of our Himalayan kitties.

Patricia has turned a facet of her art focus to a form called Etegami.  She has been posting some of her Etegomi, as well as her other artwork on her blog.  Kitty, Dharma was checking out some of her Etegami this morning. Think she likes it.

Dharma with her ‘basket’ of Easter fruit.  And yes, her eyes are very yellow.

Groucho and Harpo (in the foreground) are enjoying breakfast this morning in Lake Madson (actually a very modest Koi pond).  Gummo, a little hidden under lily pads, is a little less aggressive and is waiting for a clear field before chowing down.  They are 7 years old Koi and have been with us since we built the pond.

Across the deck from the Koi pond sits a Buddha a-top his baby’s tears throne.  He appears quite pleased with things as he surveys his world.

After breakfast, our two long haired Himalayan cats, Bodhi and Dharma, hopped up onto our ‘breakfast-nook’ table.  I couldn’t resist the ‘photo-op’.

We got home from Denver today to find our Tulip tree in full bloom.  When I looked at this photo from this afternoon it struck me as having an unusual kind of other world light source.  So, I went with it.

Glow in the Dark Rocks in Colorado

These  “rocks” give off these colors under ultraviolet florescent light.  This display struck me as being quite cool when I saw it. This was just one of hundreds of displays at the very amazing Geological Museum at the Colorado School of Mines.  Jason Delborne, one of Patricia’s Stanford students from 20 or so years ago, teaches there. We had the pleasure of visiting Jason, his wife Tonya, and their family in Golden CO, just outside of Denver.

Apple Blossom Season in Denver

The Apple blossoms are spectacular in Denver today. What a breath-taking early spring surprise.

Denver, NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four

Today’s Photo of the Day, must be of The Stanford Women’s basketball.  We are in Denver at the NCAA Final Four tournament. Stanford played #1 Baylor with giant Brittney Griner.  The game was close with exchange of leads until the final 7 minutes when Stanford’s offense let them down.  It has been an absolutely great run and a great season. Valiant effort, but disappointing loss. Congratulations Lady Cardinals.

Photo of The Day March 31, 2012

The photography that I have done has primarily benefited by the tutelage and influence of my talented photographer son, Jason. His work can be seen at www.adelaidegallery.com .  I am inspired today to begin each day, taking a “photo of the day”. This is a concept that I just saw on the blog of Tonya Delborne, http://www.tonyadelbornephotography.com . Tonya is the photographer wife of a past student of Patricia’s, Jason Delborne.  We will have the pleasure of visiting the Delbornes who live just outside Denver when we head there for the Women’s Final Four Basketball Tournament.  That starts tomorrow, for those who don’t follow such things.  This is my first rainy day Photo of the Day shot this morning.