What Better on a Hot Summer Night…

Ice Cream Cone

Ice Cream Cone © 2008 Bo Mackison

…than taking a stroll to the corner dairy store for a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a Safe-T Cup cone? When I was a kid, the ice cream always dripped faster than I could lick it and my arm would be streaked with the sweet stickiness to my elbow. And the cone? It always tasted a bit like cardboard – a slightly sweet cardboard, but cardboard nonetheless.

In these days of franchises and fast food, are there many real “dairy stores” any longer? Places where they make the ice cream in the back? As a kid, I only had to walk down the street to visit Deters Dairy Store, but it is likely I’m dating myself. Yes?

Time Worn Barn

Red Barn

Red Barn © 2008 Bo Mackison

Ghost Runner

Ghost Runner

Ghost Runner © 2008 Bo Mackison

Aerial act at the Dane County Fair in Madison, Wisconsin. The eerie effect matched the sultry summer feel of the night, the aerialist maneuvering a hundred feet in the night sky. Whatever would possess someone to choose this as an ambition? Nerves of steel, as the saying goes? Risk-taker? Ghost runner.

Bright Lights, Action, Camera

Ferris Wheel and Arcades

Ferris Wheel and Arcades © 2008 Bo Mackison

The Dane County Fair was held this weekend. There were plenty of opportunities for night carnival shots and long exposures. I’ve never tried this kind of photography, so I was lucky to arrange to meet up with a group of Madison photographers. They were kind enough to give me some on-the-spot assistance.

Lights Action Camera

Lights Action Camera © 2008 Bo Mackison

The Queen of the Midway was the ferris wheel, and I found it hard not to stop for “just one more shot” whenever we walked through the carnival rides.

Carnival in Lights

Carnival in Lights © 2008 Bo Mackison

I wasn’t willing to get on this whirly ride, but I had fun shooting it as it went through its gyrations.

All About Jazz

And All that Jazz!

And All that Jazz! © 2008 Bo Mackison

Black kitties, I have found, are incredibly hard to photograph. Especially this sweet girl who is still adapting to her new home and isn’t quite sure what that strange woman is holding up to her face. I’m sure in good time she’ll figure out it’s a camera. But after many attempts, here is a photograph to introduce Jazz. I think she’s happy to be away from all the other cats in the shelter. And I’m happy to have her for a new companion.

Now if she will soon learn to keep off my face while I’m trying to sleep. Seems that’s the only time she wants to become friends. Hmmm.