t'was a dark and foggy night

t'was a dark and foggy night
Originally uploaded by therese flanagan.

enveloped

enveloped
Originally uploaded by therese flanagan.

billy goat tavern

billy goat tavern (an idea of fur on friday)
Originally uploaded by therese flanagan.

You just have to go there, at least once.

Bear Hug

Polar Bear - Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago

Chicago - Spring Showers - 2007

chicago peace rally 2007

chicago peace rally 2007
Originally uploaded by therese flanagan.

peace rally - Chicago 2007

peace rally - Chicago 2007
Originally uploaded by therese flanagan.

a patch of green

a patch of green
Originally uploaded by therese flanagan.

St. Patrick's Day 2007 - Chicago River -- Green

St. Patrick's Day 2007 - Chicago River -- Green
Originally uploaded by therese flanagan.

Come a little closer; I'm a vegetarian.

Come a little closer; I'm a vegetarian.
Originally uploaded by therese flanagan.

Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago

Foggy Night in Chicago

I rarely see the fog settle in so close to the ground in a magical mix of twilight to fog. I have Koko Taylor on my ipod singing "Everything's gonna be alright..."

Obama in '08

We need a little hope right about now. There are, as of this writing, 3,075 dead Americans as a result of the Iraq War and 55,000 - 65,000 Iraqi deaths. We are just now beginning to understand the cost of the invasion; we are just now beginning to challenge the information we were given -- the lies told to us; the families of those who have died will never be the same again. We must hold our leaders accountable for their actions; we must hold ourselves accountable for our inaction. We cannot afford another surge in the number of our troops; we cannot afford to keep resending our men and women back for yet another round; we cannot afford to let this president or his administration call into question our patriotism because we dare to question his motives and strategy in this mess.

It's time for a change. Obama voted against the invasion of Iraq. He's maintained that stance. I encourage you to read his book, "The Audacity of Hope." We need to start looking at the men and women who are asking us to vote for them. We need to be active; the Presidency is too important a position to be handed over to the likes of men like Bush. Party affiliation doesn't matter; we need to make sure the people we place in positions of power act in our country's best interest at all times. At minimum, that's our duty as citizens.

Peace on Earth

December 1st Snow - Chicago - 2006

I like snow storms; that is, I like them when viewed from a window with a cup of coffee in hand. "Snow was general, all over" Chicago.

Agora - Chicago

Agora - Chicago
Originally uploaded by therese flanagan.

When you get a chance you have to stop by and see the new art installation at the south end of Grant Park. It's called Agora, and is comprised of 106 cast iron figures, pictured here, by Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz.

I saw them the day after the exhibit was officially dedicated to the city. There were several people there, and I liked seeing some kids playing on them. I have mixed emotions about the figures. The fact that they're all of one color and configuration -- not to mention headless and armless -- is a bit strange. Walking through them is like walking through a forest of legs. Might remind you of being a kid.

Ice-skating, Chicago Style

It's that time again...time to wipe down those blades and hit the ice. And I'm afraid that if I go, that's exactly what will happen -- I'll hit the ice! I may do it anyway, but I think I'll wait until after Christmas and once cabin fever gets the best of me. In the interim, it's not bad to be a spectator. Plus, it's easier to sip hot chocolate when you're not standing in skates.

Joy

This shot was taken at Crown Fountain in Millennium Park back in May. I was just going through my photos when this one caught my eye.

First Snow of the Season - Chicago 2006

I'm still waiting for optimum autumn colors and it decided to snow yesterday! Snow, I tell you. I love it, but all in due time. It came in quickly and it melted just as fast.

I Remember Sky

What a storm we had last night! It lasted for at least four hours and came in two waves. First there was the lightning, which lasted for more than an hour, and then we had sheets of rain, making it impossible to see much. It quieted down and I thought it blew over, but then the second round came.

I left my tripod in Florida, so my shots are handheld and on the run.

Storm Sounds

For the first time that I can recall, the emergency sirens sounded last night during the storm that came through Chicago. The sound was eerie; the clouds were mesmerizing. Luckily, we didn't suffer any real damage. I have to come up with a better plan than just looking out the window taking photographs!