Lauren Opens Moondust Salon

Meet Lauren in her brand new salon which is housed in Sola Salon Studios on Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh. There’s parking behind the building where you enter from Atlantic Avenue.

Today was opening day. I dodged a few Spring raindrops to document her new endeavor.

Lauren says

“I’ve been in the industry for 4 years. My passions are hair coloring and lightening. I always love challenges. The space is inspired by the movie Practical Magic and Stevie Nicks . I wanted to make a space where people felt comfortable, included, and heard. That’s why I do client applications where I can know hair goals, allergies, social anxiety needs, music/movie preference, and sensory needs.”

“I’m also cruelty free, non-gendered prices, and attempting to be eco friendly like offering a recycling program through my product Amika, to keep plastic waste out of the oceans and landfills.”

The website will be available this weekend moondustsalon.com

Phone number: Call or text 412.436.3446.

Email: moondustsalon@gmail.com,

Michael Shoots into the Sun at Breakfast

Michael’s Lego man stands in the red light from the sun and he photographs it with my phone.

I got my camera to catch him photographing the scene.

One thing that occurs in the family is the grandchildren try their hand at photography, too. One of Michael’s photos from the iPhone!

The Girls Eye the Mobile Ropes Course at the BSA Booth, Ohio State Fair

The Girls at the Boy Scouts of America Booth- Eyeing Mobile Ropes Course

Michael and Maura eye Goldie and Tiger

We didn’t play any games but these goldfish were foisted on us by a girl who won them. Sadly, both are deceased already(the first within 24 hours) despite the investment in an aquarium with filter and lights and pretty gravel and conditioning the water etc etc.

The Railroad Display

Petting a calf. The calf was a prize in a drawing. No, we did NOT enter the drawing.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

All seven kids on the inflatable chair at the State Farm Booth. And obviously had them pose for this shot.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Masterpiece

Tough challenge this week. For me, at least.

I didn’t want to post a painting from the Metropolitan Museum from my archives or someone else’s idea.

There have been a lot of creative and unusual masterpieces posted by fellow bloggers . And although there’s plenty of grandchildren artwork where I’m vacationing, how could I chose a single piece from one of the four?

In Ohio, there are no majestic tall ships with light on their sails like Frizz in Germany or Colline’s intricate handmade ship models, or Francine’s stunning views of the Grand Canyon or Meg’s post of Capri. Or Madhu’s edible masterpiece.

There are so many others to see and even a brand new grandchild for Gilly

So keeping it simple. Very simple

One more photo from the Ohio State Fair to meet theWeekly Photo Challenge: Masterpiece.

Look, an egg!

Ohio State Fair – Columbus Ohio

Today’s post is primarily people. A few animals. Or people and animals. The food highlights will be a separate post. Stay tuned for a Deep Fried Buckeye. No, I didn’t eat it but someone let me photograph theirs.

I accompanied two moms and seven children! We had a wonderful afternoon. Perfect summer day. Last year our visit to the fair was cut short by a severe thunderstorm. If you are new to the blog you can check it out here

Fans from the egg farmers- outside the Taste of Oho Pavillion- four of them are my grandchildren. Three are their friends.

Thanks for letting me photograph your shirt in the Taste of Ohio Pavillion

No, not going to guess my weight or age today!

Union General from the Civil War Encampment checks out the cowgirl boots

Being taken back to the livestock/ stall area after showing

Abe Lincoln chats with fairgoers

Cowgirl Boots galore

Airbrush artist

Posting a No Firearms sign on the Dairy Pavillion

Jack and Drew talk to the Pirate about missing treasure

At the Cardinal gate.

Bent traffic cone and Ohio State Trooper giving directions

Jack milked a cow. Why he put the sticker on his mouth is beyond me.We did not put it there!

Watching the pig races

Weaving a scarf

Rousing band music

Checking the bags of wool

The horse barn

Sleeping near the livestock

Catching a quick nap behind the concession stands

Waiting in line to milk the cow

Looking down the walkway lined with horse stalls

Exhausted. This woman takes a nap on the grass.

Perfect summer day. Last year our visit to the fair was cut short by a severe thunderstorm. If you are new to the blog you can check it out here

Light Writing in the Backyard

Four grandchildren in the backyard

+Four White Lightning Sticks with strobe effect (@$5)

+Fading light

+Grandma’s camera on bulb setting, propped on the garden fence.

+Energy and Enthusiasm for the experiment

= ________________________ FUN!

We started out slowly, sitting down on the lawn.

I suggested a little more movement. I’d say they complied on both of these shots.

Michael, Maura, Anna and Jack with their White Lightning Sticks in the Backyard

The final one, directed by Anna, Circles all around. She staggered her siblings so no one hit one another. It started to get buggy. We’ll try again another night.

Museum of Broken Relationships, Zagreb, Croatia

At least a year ago, my friend Connie W. from Florida, sent a newspaper article from an Ocala paper about the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb Croatia. Connie must have read it and thought of Matthew, my son who lives there. I asked him one time about it and then another time and we didn’t talk about it or mention it for along while. Then I said I hope he could take Flat Ruthie there as I thought it would be an interesting place to visit. Then Flat Ruthie went missing. And besides Flat Ruthie hasn’t really had any relationships to break up that I’m aware of………….

Today in my email I received photographs of his visit to the Museum of Broken Relationships. Here is what Matthew wrote:

My Blog-following friends- Sasha, Ana Maria and Tanja asked if I had taken Flat Ruthie to the Museum of Broken Relationships. I hadn’t. So we decided to go together and take some pics for the Blog. Flat Ruthie was too busy exploring the remote reaches of my desk drawers, so she opted not to join us this time. I bought a Bad Memories Eraser for Mom at the gift shop, but a few hours later ran into a friend who needed it more. Her boyfriend has gone to NYC to play the drums.

I wonder what she’ll donate to the museum: a pair of scuffed sticks or an abandoned ride cymbal? Hopefully, she’ll update us when she decides – Matthew

It isn’t just the objects. It is the stories behind the objects.

Biker Boots

Tanja, Sasha, Ana at the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb

At the gift shop

I am so happy you all encouraged MAtthew to go to the museum!!!

I am not sure to whom the credit should go to for the photo of Matthew at the entrance. Let me know and I can edit the post.

Photo credit to Sasha, Tanja or Ana Maria- Thank you

The Art of Raising a Puppy

My son Mark, my grandson Jack and Henry the 3 month old Airedale Terrier, not paying any attention to me.

Reviews of the book The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete click here. Mark and Erika did a beautiful job training Murphy.

Ooops Jack jumped off and Henry noticed me.

What We Found When We Went to Brush Our Teeth

Photographed by Anna (9+) with the iPhone. When I am staying with the family ( since I am out of school for the summer), I get help documenting-

“for the blog”.

You might remember Anna found the pick up truck full of mannequin legs last winter and captured the scene with her mom’s iPhone.

Sink full of airplane — Jack’s (6) plane- landed in a sink full of water earlier in the day.

I like that she changed up her angle on the second shot and found the unfortunate figure beneath the plane at the bottom of the sink

Whose Chair?

Found in McMurray PA on my way home from a First Bday party last Saturday evening. I’d pulled off the main road cause I was traveling the wrong direction. Before I went to pull out I was able get the camera off my seat as I sat at a stop sign and catch this chair. Canon 70-200 lens on 5D. I shot at ISO 100 and I wish I had changed it to 4oo.