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The first year I moved back to Philly, I visited the U Penn campus during the Fall and went absolutely gaga over its beauty. I had forgotten what an exquisite campus it was. It has now become my traditional ‘fall thing’ to do every year, because when the trees turn their vibrant color the campus looks even more beautiful.

One afternoon last week, on a cold and gray day, I took my camera and walked up to U Penn.

I had never used the sepia color setting on my camera before, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for me to try it out.

The grayness of the day mixed with the sepia tone, lent itself to bringing out the university’s magnificent architecture, designed and built by Edmund Woolley. While walking throughout the various buildings, I could almost feel the presence of Penn’s founder, Benjamin Franklin.

Yeah, I know…..paaaaaaaleeese!!!!….not another ghost story, Ron!

No, not another ghost story. I promise.

U Penn offers a broad range of academic departments, an extensive research enterprise and a number of community outreach and public service programs. Penn is particularly well known for its medical school, dental school, the Wharton business school, law school, the Annenberg School for Communication, nursing school, veterinary school, its social sciences and humanities programs, as well as its biomedical teaching and research capabilities.

Allow me to take you on a partial tour of U Penn in sepia…….





U Penn’s main building. I love this building because it reminds me of Dracula's castle.



Same building from another angle. Notice the glow of the sky’s reflection on the three arched windows in the center. It almost looks as though the light is eerily coming from inside the building.


Close up of the architecture.


A view from inside the U Penn library, looking out.



I’m not sure what this building is, but I had to take a picture of it because the pointy tops reminded me of something off the Taj Mahal.


Close up view.


I couldn’t believe how full-figured this ADORABLE squirrel was. I wanted to SQUEEZE him!


See, what did I tell you? Shit…...it's the ghost of Benjamin Franklin!!!



Have a fantabulous weekend everyone!

X


Note: Just wanted to let you all know that I started a photography blog last week. I will still occasionally post photos on this blog, however I wanted a separate space where I could journal my passion for photography. As with my other blogs, please know that I do not obligate anyone to visit my new blog. Simply stop by when and if you feel like it, at: Caught My Eye.

52 comments:

  1. hahaha! the promise of no ghost story went well, but not with franklin being there! nice try though. XD i love the main building, n agree even more when you mentioned it reminded us of Dracula's castle. it gave me that feeling on first sight as well! the Taj Mahal kinda building looked slightly less "Taj" with the English windows on it. we had that kinda building here as well. too many, in fact.

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  2. How pretty dear Ron! I just love love love you getting passionate with your camera... Go on dear, you are treating us to some mighty pics! And maybe one day we could do a photo shoot together!?

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  3. Hey there Ronnie,
    Well done! Sephia is perfect for these old buildings! I can't get over how natural it looks and how it accebtuates the details like the windows and the texture of the bricks.

    What a hoot; an old trolly! What is that used for?
    That must be the Grandaddy of the Septa lines :)

    I just loved these pics!! Thanks so very much for sharing.

    XO

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  4. Loved the sepia look, Ron. And the ghost looked pretty sturdy, definitely my preferred type of ghost...grins. Didn't I see Penn Station in NY or am I dreaming? Ooooooo a new blog, I'm over there soon as I finish spouting on here. Have a brilliant weekend, my friend.

    Tip - if you wanted to take colour shots as well you can easily change to sepia afterwards using any photo software - including Windows Live Photo Gallery - that's an easy one.

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  5. Great photos Ron and the sepia finish makes them even more interesting. :)

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  6. GORGEOUS pictures, Ron! And you're right, the sepia adds a wonderful dimension to them.

    Have a great weekend! Snowy one here. Time to pull out Bernie's coat again..

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  7. I love the photo in the library looking out, that's amazing

    isn't photography a fun way to see and share?

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  8. Those photos are beautiful, Ron! I love the old architecture. It's funny, but when we were taking our oldest on college visits, she wanted nothing to do with older campuses. I was always like, "Ohhhhh....isn't this so lovely? It's like we're at an Ivy League school!" And she was like, "This building is old and smells musty!"

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  9. I love sepia photographs! These are truly incredible! And you know how I love squirrels!!!! Have a great weekend!

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  10. Good Morning Levian~

    "the promise of no ghost story went well, but not with franklin being there!"

    Tee, hee! I know, I'm such a liar aren't I? I just couldn't resist!

    "i love the main building, n agree even more when you mentioned it reminded us of Dracula's castle."

    Oh, I KNEW you would think that too, Levian! (being someone who LOVES Dracula stuff). Isn't the building faaaaaabulous?

    "the Taj Mahal kinda building looked slightly less "Taj" with the English windows on it. we had that kinda building here as well. "

    Yes, I agree. It's kind of a combination of Taj mixed with English. It's so interesting, isn't it?

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend! Always a delight to see your comments!

    Have a grrrrreat weekend!

    X

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  11. Bonjour Susu~

    Having this camera has been so much fun. I've always had a passion for photography and this little point and shoot is teaching me so many wonderful things. Next year, I would like to upgrade to something more advanced. But, one step at a time.

    "And maybe one day we could do a photo shoot together!?"

    *clapping*

    OMG, I would LOVE to!!!!! What fun that would be to shoot you amongst the beautiful backdrop of PARIS! And we MUST get one in front of Coco's apartment!

    Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet words, beautiful lady!

    Have a glorious weekend!

    Ciao....X

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  12. Bonjour Barbara~

    "I can't get over how natural it looks and how it accebtuates the details like the windows and the texture of the bricks."

    Yes, that's what I thought too. And the gray day was perfect because it added a sort of 'ominous' quality to the buildings.

    "What a hoot; an old trolly! What is that used for?
    That must be the Grandaddy of the Septa lines :)"

    Isn't the trolly flawless???? It's no longer used, but rather there as part of the Philadelphia transit system history. My grandfather use to work for Septa and drove the trollies!

    Thank you for stopping by, Barb! And thanks for your sweet words. I'm learning so much with this little camera.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    X to you and D!

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  13. Goooood Morning Valerie~

    "And the ghost looked pretty sturdy, definitely my preferred type of ghost...grins."

    HAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAHAHA! You are a HOOT! Yes, it's a cast iron ghost - HA!

    "Didn't I see Penn Station in NY or am I dreaming?"

    Yes, you did! It's one of the main train stations in NYC. However, the most beautiful train station (in my opinion) is Grand Central Station. OMG....it's GORGEOUS. Art Deco!

    "Tip - if you wanted to take colour shots as well you can easily change to sepia afterwards using any photo software - including Windows Live Photo Gallery - that's an easy one."

    Thank you soooooooooooo much for that marvelous tip, dear lady! I was wondering if I could do that. I will most definitely try it the next time I shoot in sepia. You're a doll!

    Always such a pleasure to see you, Valerie! Much thanks for stopping by.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    X

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  14. Good Morning Akelamalu~

    Thank you. I never even realized this camera had a sepia setting when I first got it. I was reading the manual a few weeks ago and saw that it did. I LOVE the tone of sepia!

    Thank you for stopping by, m'dear! Have a glorious weekend!

    X

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  15. Hiya Chrissy~

    Thank you. The thing I love about sepia is that it gives the image a 'vintage' look, which is so perfect for the U Penn campus.

    OMG...I CANNOT believe you got MORE snow?!?!? We've had nothing but rain the past few day. PLEASE send some snow my way, okay?

    Much thanks for stopping by, girl! Have a warm and cozy weekend!

    X to you, Bernie, and Vinny!

    P.S. I hope all is well with your mother....x

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  16. Good Morning Lady Dianne~

    Meeeee too. That photo was a complete accident because I had no idea what the HELL I was doing with the settings - HA!

    I'm amazed for being only a point and shoot camera, how nice it takes photos.

    "isn't photography a fun way to see and share?"

    You said it! It's opened up a whole new communication world for me!

    Thank you for stopping by, dear lady! And thank you for your loving support.

    Have a great weekend!

    Much X to you and the gang!

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  17. Good Morning SuziCate~

    Me too! Sepia gives an image such a wonderful 'vintage' feel.

    "And you know how I love squirrels!!!!"

    OMG....yes I do! Aren't they the most precious little things in the world? I wish I could have one as a pet!

    Much thanks for stopping by, my friend! Have a grrrrrrreat weekend!

    X

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  18. Good Morning Bijoux~

    Thank you.

    " I love the old architecture."

    Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee too!

    "I was always like, "Ohhhhh....isn't this so lovely? It's like we're at an Ivy League school!" And she was like, "This building is old and smells musty!"

    Bwhahahahahahahahahaha! Oh, how funny! And I'm one of those people who loves old books too. I ADORE the way they SMELL!!!!

    Always a joy to read your comments, dear lady. Thanks oodles for stopping by!

    Have a super weekend!

    X

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  19. I can't believre you caught Ben in all his glory! LOL

    Those pics are exquisite!

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  20. It may not be a post about ghosts but it has a lot of eeriness about it ;)

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  21. I forgot to say - Lovely photos!

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  22. Oh, they're lovely.

    And yes, I had to biggify 'em all. And drool over the window with it's saying. Brilliant!
    They're gorgeous. And yes, I've peeked at the photo blog--I'm nosy like that.

    The old tram is very cool. *laughing* I'm afraid I've have taken a couple hundred just of the window and the tram!
    Darn good things camera went digital, eh?

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  23. First off: what's wrong with another ghost story? Don't listen to the haters - spook us away!! :)

    Second, I love that you took your photos in sepia. This setting really works with Philly's historic old architecture - it lends a touch of class to your pics. Nicely done!

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  24. Hiya Peg~

    "I can't believre you caught Ben in all his glory!"

    Yeah, and if you look real close you'll see that he even SMILED for the camera - God love him!

    HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA!

    Thanks for stopping by, dear friend! Hope you had a safe and smooth journey home!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    X

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  25. Hey Babs~

    "It may not be a post about ghosts but it has a lot of eeriness about it."

    Yes, doesn't it? The campus is like a BILLION years old, so between the grayness of the day and the sepia, it adds to eeriness - BOO!

    Thanks for stopping by, Babs! Wishing you a faaaaaabulous weekend!

    X

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  26. Hey again Babs~

    Just saw your second comment in my moderation box.

    Thank you, dear lady!

    (((( Babs ))))

    X

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  27. Hiya Mel~

    Aww....thank you, dearest lady.

    Yes, the window is one of my favs too. I honestly don't know how the HELL I ended up taking that because it was so dark inside and I don't even think the flash went off?!?!

    It was a total accident.

    Isn't the tram faaaaabulous? Trollies are no longer used above ground here in Philadelphia, however there is still a line in use that is underground (kinda like a subway). My grandfather use to work for Septa and drove those.

    "Darn good things camera went digital, eh?"

    You said it!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, Mel! Always a joy to see ya!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    X to you and the bug!

    P.S. and thank you for stopping by my photo blog!

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  28. Howdy Mark~

    "First off: what's wrong with another ghost story? Don't listen to the haters - spook us away!!"

    HAHHAHAHAHAAHAHA! I think you and I the only ghost lovers left in the world!

    I'm such a HUGE lover of anything vintage-looking, so the sepia gave the architecture that look of the past. I have some photos of the campus in color (which a took a few years ago), but I much prefer seeing it in sepia.

    Thank you so much for stopping by, buddy! And thank you for your kind words.

    Have a faaaaaaaabulous weekend, Mark!

    X

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  29. Excellent pictures Buddy, I think the glow on the windows were actually from Bens candle and not from the sky, you know he still uses a candle rather than wasting electricity, but thats another story I suppose.

    Careful squeezing the squirrels too, I tried that once and it sounds fun but requires a box of band aids if you can catch him Ha Ha

    Excellent post Ron and a wonderful weekend to you.

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  30. Howdy Jimmy~

    "I think the glow on the windows were actually from Bens candle and not from the sky, you know he still uses a candle rather than wasting electricity, but thats another story I suppose."

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Touche' Jimmy!

    I bet it was!!!!!

    "Careful squeezing the squirrels too, I tried that once and it sounds fun but requires a box of band aids if you can catch him Ha Ha"

    Bwhahahahahahahahahahaha! Oh, but he was soooooooooooooooo cute, I think I would almost 'chance' it!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping by, bud! As always, it's grrrrrreat too see ya!

    Wishing you and Miss Cindy a fantabulous weekend!

    X

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  31. I love photography. I'm not sure which I like better, taking the pictures or looking at them. But you are a step ahead of me on this one. I have never used the sepia setting. it certainly does give the photos a unique look.

    I too have a photography blog for the same reason. I didn't want to disinterest people with pictures on my main blog, so I started the other one.

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  32. Hey Matty~

    Meeeeeee too....I LOVE photography!

    "I'm not sure which I like better, taking the pictures or looking at them."

    I think like both. I so enjoy looking at photos on blogs, magazines, books, etc. And now that I FINALLY have a camera, I find myself really enjoying taking them. I only have a Nikon point and shoot camera, but the thing really gives a nice quality - I'm shocked. Eventually, I would like to upgrade to something more advanced.

    Please leave me your blog URL the next time you stop by, I would love to see your photo blog!

    Thanks for stopping by, Matty! Always so nice to see ya!

    Enjoy your weekend!

    X

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  33. Yeah!!! My alma mater. I miss Penn. That building you are unsure about is the quad. I lived there for two years. Your photos are fabulous. Thank you for sharing them with us. By the way, you've got to go to Beijing restaurant just down the street from the quad on Spruce. It's the best Chinese food ever. I would chow down on shrimp fried rice and potstickers at least a couple times a week.
    Can't wait to see your photo blog. Going over now.

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  34. Hey Jen~

    "Yeah!!! My alma mater."

    *smiling*

    Yes, I was SOOOOOO thinking of YOU while I was there!

    "That building you are unsure about is the quad. I lived there for two years."

    *clapping*

    Yipeeeee! I KNEW you would share that with me in your comment - THANK YOU for clarifying that! I had feeling it was a dorm, but wasn't sure. It's such a beautiful building, isn't it?

    And thanks for letting be know about the Chinese restaurant because I adore Chinese food!

    Always so great to see ya, my friend! Grazie for stopping by!

    Hope you're having a splendid weekend!

    X

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  35. Awesome pictures. Shouldn't Ben Franklin have a young French girl next to him? (Can you tell I just watched a biography on him?) GREAT pix. It really does look like dracula's castle.

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  36. Helloooo Katherine~

    Thank you.

    It's soooooooooo great to see you! Thanks for stopping by!

    "Shouldn't Ben Franklin have a young French girl next to him? (Can you tell I just watched a biography on him?)"

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You're RIGHT!!!!!!

    Don't ya just LOVE watch biographies??? That's why I enjoy A&E!

    "It really does look like dracula's castle."

    Doesn't it? I happen to be a HUGE Dracula fan. I love goth.

    Hope you're enjoying a wonderful weekend, Katherine!

    X

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  37. Oooh, U Penn looks gorgeous in sepia!! It really does bring out the detail and atmosphere of old buildings really well, doesn't it? And I love your photography, especially the library, looking out.

    As Jimmy says - be careful squeezing those squirrels. I used to work for a vet, and one day a kind, compassionate man came in with a tattered cardboard box. His hands were covered in blood and we dreaded what we were about to see, but the box was beginning to make some scrabbling noises...

    We carefully opened the box to see one perfectly fit but incredibly angry squirrel. Turned out the man had found him lying in the road and stopped to pick him up, and had his hands shredded for his pains. Clearly the squirrel was just stunned and SO not grateful for being grabbed and shoved into a box.

    We advised him to let the squirrel go and then go to the hospital for a tetanus shot. However, in some US states I believe many of them carry Bubonic Plague!

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  38. Good Morning Jay~

    Thank you. I'm starting to get the hang of using this camera I got back in January. When I woke up that day, I knew I wanted to go up to Penn and try out the sepia setting. It's such a beautiful, old historical campus, isn't it?

    YIKES! Reading your story about the angry squirrel made me think twice about trying to HUG one - HA! I enjoy feeding them in the park, but I can I see how aggressive they can be when provoked by the pigeons.

    Oh....but they're sooooooo cute!!!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Jay! Always a delight to see ya! Hope you're enjoying a wonderful Sunday!

    X

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  39. Very nice images Ron, I like your ocmposition and perspective & totally agree that the warmish sepia tones complement the historical magnitude of the surroundings. Really great job - can't wait for more and will definitely check out your new blog. Do you happen to keep an online portfolio anywhere? Also, thank you for the very sweet comments this week. You always make me smile. :) xoxo

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  40. Good Morning Diane~

    Thank you, dear friend. Isn't the campus cool-looking? It just BEGS to be photographed. One day I would like to go further inside the U Penn library and take some photos because it's amazing! Unfortunately, the day I took these it was packed with students, so I didn't want to disturb them.

    Yes, I have an account with Flickr but haven't uploaded any photos to it just yet. I'll let you know when I do.

    You are so welcome, Diane....I so enjoy reading and commenting on your blog. I'm discovering so many wonderful ideas. You are soooo creative!

    Hope you're having a grrrrrrrreat Sunday!

    X to you and Cristybella!

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  41. The majestic feeling of academia is prevlent as I viewed your photos. Old Ben sitting there on the park bench just waiting for the piegons to come along and shit on him was done tastefully. I love the shots you took and I can see why you would want to go this place and just walk and soak up the energy of education. Thank you for a short but wonderful trip to this univesity.
    Now I have to go fly a kite
    Ben Dover

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  42. Howdy Dave~

    Majestic! Yes! That's the perfect word Dave!!!

    "Old Ben sitting there on the park bench just waiting for the piegons to come along and shit on him was done tastefully."

    HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OMG, you KILL ME!!

    I'm sure the pigeons do shit on him, but the one you see sitting there with Ben is actually part of the sculpture. Isn't it amazing how REAL it looks?

    "Now I have to go fly a kite.

    Ben Dover"

    Bwhahahahahahahahahahaha! That was freakin' HILARIOUS!!!!!

    Much thanks for stopping by, buddy! Hope you're having a great weekend!

    X

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  43. These are great photos, Ron. Love the squirrel shot!

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  44. Hey Rob~

    Thank you, bud.

    Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! Another squirrel lover!!! Isn't he the cutest squirrel you ever saw? He stopped eating long enough to smile and look at the camers lens!

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    Always great seeing ya, Rob! Much thanks for dropping by. Hope you had a super weekend!

    X

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  45. Great photos! I have to admit that when I saw the first pic the first thing I thought about was Michael Penn the singer. Heh...

    Why didn't you tell me about your photo blog? I've put a link to your photo site on my blog!

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  46. Howdy Herman~

    "I have to admit that when I saw the first pic the first thing I thought about was Michael Penn the singer."

    HAAHAHAAHAHAHA! How funny! I LOVE Michael Penn! Great voice!

    I only started that blog last week and didn't tell anyone about it until Friday. I had been busy customizing the design and loading my photos all last week.

    Thank you for adding my link, buddy!

    And thank you for stopping by. Hope you had a wonderful week!

    X to you and the family!

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  47. Those library windows positively took my breath away!

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  48. Helloooooooooo Tattytiara~

    Thank you, sweet lady.

    You would ADORE walking U Penn campus. It's truly magnificent. You feel like you're in another time.

    Much thanks for stopping by. Hope you had a super weekend!

    X

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  49. GREAT pictures, Ron! That building is so creepy! I ♥ it!

    The pigeon with Ben, is he real or part of the art?

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  50. Hey Nitebyrd~

    I KNEW you would enjoy that building, my goth friend! I soooo thought of YOU when I saw how the pic turned out. Isn't it creepy???? But, in a good way!

    No, the pigeon is part of the art, but doesn't it look real?

    Thanks for stopping by, Sis! Hope you had a great Monday!

    X ya!

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  51. Hola Ron,

    Just catching up on reading blogs and wanted to pass by and comment-- Sorry if I've been absent during my vacation but I have been away from the blogworld quite a bit- beach days do that to a person, you know!

    Anyhow, LOVE the sepia photos.. My dad when to UOP so I'll send the post his way!!
    Big hugs to you,
    Leesa

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  52. Hola Leesa~

    Thank you. I was just playing around with my new camera and discovered various color tones I could change to, so I tried sepia!

    Glad you're having a wonderful time on your vacation!

    Thanks for stopping by! Good to see ya!

    X

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