Monday 21 January 2008

Fun Monday II


In this, my second Fun Monday, I show a very dark photo of the view out my front door. It was taken at 8:15-ish this morning. It's very dark but it would be at any time because we haven't had any sunlight for about a decade, it seems. La Nina has generously sent loads of cloud and rain our way. Though we live near the sea and shouldn't be suffering from flooding, I fear we will be.

I'm also just getting used to my new digital camera so am not familiar with all the gadgets that come with it. Hey, I'm just thrilled the photo is on the page. What you can't see are some of the shrubs: a rhododendron and some azaleas that are quite nice in the spring, forsythia that will be blooming soon, I hope, two butterfly bushes in need of a chop (one purple, one white), some fuschia, a dogwood. I've never been entirely happy with the planting -- a leftover from the previous owner -- but have never done much about it. Maybe this year. If the rain ever stops.

Ahhhgggghhhh!! It's a monsoon now. Honestly, how are we supposed to be able to do anything in this weather? They closed the carpark at the park yesterday because it was too muddy. My son's football match was cancelled because it was too muddy.

Anyway, sorry the photo isn't better, but it's a start. Look forward to more photos, probably of Jake.

42 comments:

ChrisB said...

It's pretty dull down here in Bristol as well, and I haven't even been able to turn the light off yet. I don't know about you but this time last year we had sunshine! You will have to show another photo when everything is in bloom!

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

This weather is dreadful isn't it? My pictures are going to be equally grey!

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

chrisb: Hi. I'll have to see your view. It actually is quite pretty in the spring so I will post that view again in a few months.

aoj: Wait! The sun has just made a guest appearance. I've got to get out with the dog soon.

Kim said...

Very pretty, Wake Up. I love old fashioned bushes like that.

I hope the rain lets up soon.

Molly said...

I hope that you will show pictures of your azaleas and rhododendron in the spring. I hope that you have some sunlight soon...maybe today.

Sandy said...

I have sunshine! It's cold and windy, but I have sunshine!

Of course, we are in a drought and need your rain...lol. The grass, if it doesn't wash away, is definitely gonna be greener on your side of the fence.

Gattina said...

You have a very nice front view ! and if it may comfort you I am in the same case with the weather ! I don't even know anymore how sunshine looks it rains and rains and rains. It already rained the whole summer ! I am sure we will get flippers in place of our feet !

Michelle said...

Our weather stinks here too. Right now it is way too cold!

Bren said...

You have a nice view. I'd love to see it all in bloom!

Robin said...

I can't believe how dark it still is at that time of day; short days in the winter are my least favorite part of the season.

You WILL have to post photos of the shrubs in bloom...that would be a spectacular show!

Robin @ PENSIEVE

Robin said...

I can't believe how dark it still is at that time of day; short days in the winter are my least favorite part of the season.

You WILL have to post photos of the shrubs in bloom...that would be a spectacular show!

Robin @ PENSIEVE

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

kaycie: I hope it stops too.

mjd: We had sunlight for about an hour. I took the dog for a walk, but now it's clouded over. I will post another photo when it's spring.

sandy: Isn't that the way? Either you have perfect weather but no water, or lots of water but no sun.

gattina: I already have flippers.

melissa: I'll have to visit to find out where you are.

bren: It can look very nice. When there's daylight. And the shrubs are in bloom.

robin: Some days it seems the sun hardly comes up at all. Anyone would think we lived in Alaska. At least we get long days in the summer. Like your feet, by the way.

ellen b. said...

The view is lovely. It's great seeing nature out your front door! Hope you get some sunshine and brighter days soon!!

Lana G! said...

Being from the Northwest United States, I can feel your pain! But, today we are actually going to have some sunshine and for the whole day! Not just five minutes! It will be lovely!

Unknown said...

I had to wait for the sun to rise too...we have rain here...making for some gloomy pics.

Anonymous said...

no wonder we want to hibernate
I wonder what its doing to our consumption of food and light etc

Joy T. said...

I had to wait until about 9:00 to get some decent pictures this morning so I feel for you. Dark or not, the flowers do look gorgeous though.

Karina said...

You've got to start somewhere with the photos right? I've had my digital camera for a year now and still don't know how to work all the buttons! ;-)

It's actually pretty sunny here today, but don't let that fool you, it's about 10 below zero out there I think. Sigh...

Anonymous said...

Looked at the enlarged photo and it was just fine!
Well done you for taking the time to shoot it!

Tiggerlane said...

At first I thought you were being all dark and mysterious...

Don't feel bad - I've had my camera for over a year, and STILL haven't figured out how to use it correctly. Guess reading the book might help me, but I'm too stubborn for that.

Linda said...

We should do this again in the summer! You can kind of get the idea though - great view!

A Slice of My Life said...

Being from the pacific northwest, not having sun is a way of life...although we have sunshine today and it really messed with my photo. I guess we just can't win!

A Slice of Life

-Ann said...

Nice picture - it almost looks like a painting. I feel your pain in the weather department. We've had measurable rain every day for the last six weeks - 8 inches so far in January alone.

Fire Byrd said...

Grim weather all round, but fab by the sea, all those waves, all that grey.
One day it will stop.... soon please!
pxx

Karmyn R said...

Where I live it rains almost all winter as well - but today the sun came out for a while...so I can at least be happy.

yes - show us another picture when the weather turns nicer.

Dreaming What Ifs...

Alison said...

Sorry for all the rain...how miserable! Don't the boys like to play football in the mud?? I know my daughters team does...they love playing in the rain!! Not monsoons though!!

Keeping It Real said...

You've got a new digital camera? Dang it. I'm still missing the one I left in a rental car around Christmas that the rental car employees obviously found and decided to keep. I'm very jealous of you, now and will be until I can afford another one.

Oh, as for the photo, that's very dreary looking; similar to the weather here right now.

laurie said...

wow, it's like a scene out of "the witches of eastwick."

i love it.

willowtree said...

Hey, the photo is just fine. As for being a little dark, that's what imaging software is for ;)

Cate said...

The weather is so annoying at the moment. As soon as a glimmer of sunshine comes out, everyone's mood lifts.... but it never lasts!

Faye said...

Wake Up, I think all of us need our own Geek Squads to help us with our tech toys. Liked your photo though--very moody. I'll bet all those old shrubs are just drinking up the non-stop rain so they can knock your socks off in the spring.

Pamela said...

it should be quite some time before we see the forsythia bloom in Eastern Washington. I went out to try my new camera (and agree with you that the bells and whistles are oh so complicated) it was 19 f (-7 c)
... so I wore long underwear.

I love rhodies and azaleas

Unknown said...

I know how you feel, I'm so tired of the dreary days. I did see sunshine for a bit yesterday and it was nice. :)

I like your view, I'm sure it's beautiful when the weather's nice.

You'll get you camera figured out and then show us tons of photos I bet. :)

Dawn said...

From what I could see, it looks full of colour and lovely. My eyes aren't the best either. Here we have some sun, but it is very cold. I think I like the sun and cold better.

Flowerpot said...

Yes I agree it seems like we haven't seen sun for decades. Aaagh!

Vi said...

Yesterday was horrid. I spent most of it in bed. And what annoyed me the most about the wind, i is half the satellite channels couldn't be picked up! (I missed out on Medium).

Today, they were so excited on the radio, because the sun is supposed to shine at some point!

Jo Beaufoix said...

It's dull at that time in Nottinghamshire as well. Let's face it, it's kind of dull all day at the moment. Bleurghhhh.
Your plants look and sound fab though.
I missed Fun Monday this week, but I'll be in next week. :D

Queen Vixen said...

Yep! Good old Britain. Rain, rain, rain. Your photo is lovely. Well done you!

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

ellenb.: We actually had sun this morning, though it's gone away again.

lanag!: I'm sure that's why the Brits love the Pacific Northwest. The weather reminds them of home. At least that's what I tell my husband.

robin: Loved your photo. And by the way, don't give up on the puppy. It takes time and a lot of patience, which might be in short supply at the moment. But they are so worth it.

Hey valleys mam: I know my energy consumption is sky high, what with all the lights I leave on and the heating etc. I feel guilty, sort of.

joy t: thank you. I will post another photo because that border can look stunning in the spring.

karina: Hmm: sunny and cold or cloudy, wet and mild? Which would I choose. I know -- neither!

the very nice man: thank you and you do seem to live up to your blog name.

tiggerlane: the problem with the book is finding the English, if that's what you call it.

linda: yeah, let's do it again in the summer.

a slice of life: The sun messed with your photo because you're not used to it.

-ann: 8 inches? Puts a whole new perspective on rain, doesn't it?

pixie: Yes, the sea can be quite dramatic during this time of year. Still, I'd rather have calm and sun.

karmyn r: I learned long ago that I have to appreciate what little sun we get here if I'm going to have any happiness.

alison: Kids and dogs never seem to mind the weather.

Queeny: But you had a digital camera while I was still lost in dinosaurland. Hope you get a replacement soon.

laurie: I haven't thought of that film/book in ages. Jack Nicholson almost in his prime.

willowtree: imaging software? What's that?

blueangel: It's so frustrating, isn't it. And if it doesn't rain for two weeks, they declare a drought!

faye: I'm with you on the Geek Squad idea. We did have a guy come out and tune our TV (despite me insisting to hubby that I could do it myself).

pamela: Yep, sounds like long underwear is necessary. The damp just makes it feel that much colder, doesn't it?

lisa's chaos: Oh, I'll be boring everyone to tears with my photos, I bet.


dawn: Yes, sun and cold are definitely better.


flowerpot: We had sun this morning. How about you?

VI: Yeah, the wind was rocking my car last night in the Morrison's car park. Very frightening!


jo beau: Hope you don't mind me abbreviating your name. Does have a ring to it, though, don't you think? Anything to cheer the day up.


Hey QV: Nice to hear from you. Are you showing off your British humour or do you really love the rain?

Vicki said...

Rain! Yuck! I know the feeling. Supposed to rain sleet snow here today. I'm tired of my toes being cold! =-)

Good post! Thanks for playing along!

DogLover said...

You were pushing it a bit trying to take a photo at 8.15am! I'm not sure where you are, but you say "North East" and I see that the time for sunrise in Newcastle on 21st January was 8.16 am. In the south of England, where I am, the sun came up some 22 minutes earlier!

Never mind, by the end of the month you'll be getting over half an hour more of daylight. Between the end of January and the end of February there'll be 2 hours 11 minutes more daylight. Why, Spring is almost here!

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

vicki: Thanks for inventing Fun Monday. It makes Monday so much better.

Doglover: I don't live as far north as Newcastle, and I'm in the Northwest. Still, it's pretty dreary here in the morning. Can't wait for February. I never used to say that.