We are always amazed at the subtle perfection of Autumn's gradient. Clackamas, Oregon, (or is it Happy Valley? Everyone is confused about that); October, 2015.

December was a month for crazy weather around the country: in the 70s in New England, near freezing in California, snow in the West, heat in the East. We weren't spared here, either. Oregon gets so few tornadoes that we're not really sure what one looks like, but a little over a week ago, a weird, thin wind sheer came ripping through here. This is part of the damage to my back yard, fence, and storage shed. The houses on either side of us didn't get the wind. but downwind damage occurred as it moved through. I use to have two nice, big trees framing the storage shed. Both came down. Thankfully, the tree you see didn't damage the roof of the house next door too badly, and the tree that you can't see that was closest to the camera only helped lift up the storage shed (it's at least 6 feet off the ground), and took just barely missed the house. It did take out a portion of the back porch, a little of the damage you can see bottom right to the porch deck railing. There's other damage as well, but nothing to the house as far as we can tell. Redmond, Oregon; December, 2015.

Non-urban decay is just a prevalent as urban decay. All one needs to do is drive around the country. This is an old homestead that's obviously been abandoned. Dorris, California; December, 2015.

I think it's ok to take the Christmas lights down now. (Click the photo for more detail) Durkee, Oregon; August, 2014.

The celebration of Mass in Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris. (Click the photo for more detail) Paris, France; September, 2015.

Meanwhile, up in the high Cascades (somebody cue Bing): I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...Somewhere in rural Clackamas County in the Cascade Mountain range; December, 2015.

And speaking of the California Honeydrops, here a shot of them during one of their sets this past weekend. We thank the band for taking the time to make us feel special. Mississippi Studios, Portland, Oregon; December, 2015.

Before the music starts: Our old friends the California Honeydrops were in the neighborhood over the weekend and as usual, we turned out to see them. We were the first ones in the venue before the set began, so we snagged this quiet scene before everyone got down. (Click the photo for a better view) Mississippi Studios, Portland, Oregon; December, 2015

The quickie mart of yesteryear, complete with saws, bulk bags of food, and a true gas pump. Fort Rock, Oregon; June, 2015.

The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel near the Louvre. If one were to walk its middle arch and just keep going in a straight line, they would wind up under the middle arch of its more famous sister, the Arc de Triomphe. (Click the photo for more detail) Paris, France; September, 2015.

The red barn is in contrast to Autumn's work on the trees in the high desert. Between Redmond and Sisters, Oregon; October, 2013.

A nightlight in the historic old Balch Hotel. Dufur, Oregon; August, 2015.

Although director John Ford wasn't behind us directing our framing for this shot, it certainly feels like it could have come from one of his John Wayne movies, doesn't it? Arches National Park; May, 2015.

Snagged this cloud cap over Mt. Shasta while taking a quick run down to have a good and interesting lunch with the youngest son. (Click the photo for more detail) Weed, California; December, 2015.

On a quiet afternoon in the 2nd arrondissement, standing in the middle of rue Montorgueil looking down rue Leopold Bellan, after arriving in the city about 5 hours previously. Paris, France; September, 2015.

Another roadside attraction. While driving in rural southern Oregon on my way to a quick, lunch meeting with my son in Northern California, I just happened to drive by this. Since I had my camera with me, I turned around, pulled over, and then snapped this photo. I don't have any idea what or why. Midland, Oregon; December, 2015.

                                 

Under the trellis at the Japanese Garden. Portland, Oregon; July, 2015

One of the colorful red buttes to be found in the San Rafael Swell. Emery County, Utah; May, 2015.

One might be challenged to find another city with so many Gothic cathedrals still around, such as L'eglise Saint Eustache, built in the 1200s. (Click the photo to get the full sense) Paris, France; September, 2015.

Faux Asia. The Bellagio Hotel is well known for its art and for this room that is set up each season with a representation that is usually breathtaking and eye catching. Las Vegas, Nevada; May, 2015.

Let's go surfin' now
Everybody's learnin' how
Come on safari with me!
A 1951 Kaiser Traveler is all decked out to go on surfin' safari. (Click the photo check out the cool little radio) Bend, Oregon; August, 2015.

A Great Blue Heron hangs out with mere ducks along the pier's waterfront, putting up with the visiting photographer. Gulfport, Mississippi; August, 2014.