Pic Today 5/25/12

"DAWN'S FIRST LIGHT"

"Come to the woods, for here is rest.

There is no repose like that of the

green deep woods."

"Nature is always lovely, invincible, glad.

All scars she heals,

whether in rocks or water or sky

or hearts."

-- John Muir

Pic Today 5/24/12

WORTH STANDING IN LINE FOR

Days are summer hot.

School is out.

It's time to "cool it"

with TROPICAL MOOSE Shaved Ice.

. . . but you'll have to stand in line!

Which gives you lots of time to decide

what flavor ice you'll have.

Over 50 flavors.

Free nerds and sprinkles.

Featuring the "Volcano" (the world's

only exploding snow cone),

and

"The Canine" (a special flavor for dogs.)

Get in line.

(It's worth it.)

Pic Today 5/23/12

ELI

AT THIRTEEN DAYS

Grandson Eli & Mom (daughter Maggie)

are bonding at home, doing well . . .

with help from big sister, Metta.

Pic Today 5/22/12

THE CIVIL WAR

SUN PICTURE TAX

Photography became mainstream

about the time the Civil War broke out.

Demand for cheap portraits grew enormously

as men marched off to war, choosing small photos

to leave behind or to take with them.

Photography studios sprung up in most cities

east of the Mississippi River,

especially in states affected by the war.

The mass popularity of photography did not escape

the notice of the U.S. Treasury Department.

Charged with raising money for the war,

its newly formed Office of Internal Revenue

levied a stamp tax in August of 1864

on what it quaintly referred to as "sun pictures."

Photos from this era are commonly found with

Internal Revenue "sun picture tax stamps" affixed.

By 1866, the tax was lifted.

(Far more revenue was generated by taxes on

tobacco, cotton, banking and distilling.)

Sun tax stamps are even found on many famous

Matthew Brady Civil War photographs

(which were cancelled by Brady's own signature.)

Pic Today 5/21/12

SCENES FROM

A SUNDAY WEDDING

My friends, Greg and Bill,

tied the knot at a beautiful lakeside wedding,

with friends and family.

Beautifully color coordinated (of course.)

The "sweets bar" was a huge hit.

Now I'm taking a break.

(No more weddings until June 1st.)