December 31, 2010

happy new year!

pour champagne...shoot the bubbles...drink...pour champagne...shoot the bubbles.. drink....

the things a photographer does to get a shot!

As the year ends, I look back at the photographic journey of shooting an image a day. From Cincinnati to New Orleans to Santa Fe, I found scenic images to shoot. However, the every day challenge was to find photographic images in Lubbock, Texas. I shot the unusual, the unique, and the ubiquitous windmills and sunsets. The experience led to a greater appreciation of my hometown, a sharper vision and enhanced photoshop skills. But the journey is not over -- join me as I look for new images, post old favorites and even resurrect vintage photos in 2011. Find me at www.sjfimages2011.blogspot.com. Thanks for the encouragement and support as I traveled 2010 day by day, image by image.

December 30, 2010

new year wishes

New Deal, like many other small West Texas towns, needs a prosperous new year. Seen alone, without the accompanying North Pole window, this elf more resembles a leprechaun with a bag of gold than Santa's helper. Maybe the muralist mixed his myths.

December 29, 2010

bicycles

Racks of bikes wait for Texas Tech students to return from Christmas break.

Stangel Hall
Texas Tech Campus
Lubbock, Texas

December 28, 2010

call to prayer

Crescent moon symbol atop minaret
Islamic Center
3419 LaSalle
Lubbock, Texas

December 27, 2010

paperwhites

Blooming paperwhite narcissus is one of my Christmas traditions. Around Thanksgiving I purchase bulbs and plant in glass containers. This year I found a fishbowl at the Salvation Army thrift store and it holds eight bulbs. The bulbs grow visibly, inching up daily, and finally produce aromatic blossoms at Christmas. Bulbs are gifts to friends and one returns the glass container so I can "regift" her each year.

December 26, 2010

whoo?

Barn Owl - South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Christmas Open House - December 18

3308 95th Street
Lubbock, Texas

December 25, 2010

merry christmas

Santa Land at Mackenzie Park
Lubbock, Texas

December 24, 2010

christmas eve shopper

This man in a red suit was spotted in the shopping center picking up last-minute gifts. He was also handing out candy to little girls (and big girls too).

December 23, 2010

one horse open sleigh

This horse doesn't dash through the snow but rather makes rounds in the Kingsgate parking lot, but the occupants in the vis-a-vis sleigh still laugh all the way as the bells on the bob-tail ring.

Whitehead Carriage Rides
Kingsgate Shopping Center
82nd and Slide
Lubbock, Texas

December 22, 2010

bulb and barbed wire

December 21, 2010

shiner bock reindeer

Don't you think the Shiner bock on the beer tap resembles a Christmas reindeer? We visited the bar at the Overton Hotel before attending "A Christmas Carol" production at the Civic Center Theater. Don't see the resemblance? Squint your eyes or drink more Shiner.

December 20, 2010

red raider christmas

guns up!

4900 20th Street
Lubbock, Texas

December 19, 2010

pancho claus

Pancho Claus, possibly an indirect descendant of Pancho Villa, made his 37th annual visit to Lubbock today. Hundreds of children lined up to whisper Christmas wishes in his beard.

Maggie Trejo Supercenter
Lubbock, Texas

December 18, 2010

tech's christmas spirit

Texas Tech University

Chemistry Building with Administration Building Tower

Lubbock, Texas

December 17, 2010

christmas glamour

December 16, 2010

lubbock's north pole

This is the 54th annual SantaLand hosted by the City of Lubbock's parks department. As I told each new employee orientation class, Mr. and Mrs. Claus are part-time City employees. SantaLand has expanded in its home in Mackenzie Park. Do you remember the original location on 23rd and Avenue Q?

December 15, 2010

mrs. claus

A youthful Mrs. Santa Claus
Part-time City employee
Lubbock's Santa Land
Mackenzie Park

December 14, 2010

better be good!

"He sees you when you're sleeping..." What kid could sleep with this Santa lamp lit on the night stand? There would be nightmares of short, stumpy red-suited gremlins with gleaming eyes in pursuit rather then visions of sugarplums.

Vintage Santa Lamp found at Tornado Gallery

December 13, 2010

christmas cactus

December 12, 2010

cedar christmas

Ranching Heritage Center

Lubbock, Texas