Images by Gro's New Logo

I had Simply Creative Web Design create a new logo for my photography business. Matt was very easy to work with and I am very happy with the outcome.

So Here It Is

If you are looking for somebody to design a new logo or a new website, I would recommend you contact Matt at Simply Creative Web Design..

A Man and His Hobby

I had the pleasure of spending the morning taking a few pictures with a friend, in his basement with his model train set.

The History of Model Trains
The earliest toy trains date from the 19th century and were often made of cast iron. Motorized units running on track soon followed, powered by a steam or clockwork engine. Some of these trains used clever methods to whistle and smoke.

Toy trains were revolutionized when Märklin, a German firm that specialized in doll house accessories, sought to create an equivalent toy for boys where a constant revenue stream could be ensured by selling add-on accessories for years after the initial purchase. In addition to boxed sets containing a train and track, Märklin offered extra track, rolling stock, and buildings sold separately, creating the predecessor to the modern model train layout featuring buildings and scenery in addition to an operating train.

Electric trains followed, with the first appearing in 1897, produced by the U.S. firm Carlisle & Finch. As electricity became more common in the early 20th century, electric trains gained popularity and as time went on, these electric trains grew in sophistication, gaining lighting, the ability to change direction, to emit a whistling sound, to smoke, to remotely couple and uncouple cars and even load and unload cargo. Toy trains from the first half of the 20th century were often made of lithographed tin; later trains were often made mostly of plastic.

Consumer interest in trains as toys waned in the late 1950s, but has experienced resurgence since the late 1990s due in large part to the popularity of Thomas the Tank Engine.

The Miracle of Life

A is for angel, sent from above,
B is for baby, smothered with love,
C is for cute as cute can be
D is for diapers and changing them for me
E is for everything baby and more
F is for father walking the floor
G is for glad you are finally here



H is for hiccups that are funny and dear
I is for icky sticky messing
J is for Jesus and His blessing
K is for kisses and kindness and keep
L is for Love, so wide and deep
M is for Mommy and her loving arms
N is for Never coming to harm



O is for oat cereal and later Cheerios
P is for precious little fingers and toes
Q is for quiet, baby is sleeping
R is for relatives, always come peeping
S is for sleep, but not for your folks
T is for tub and all those long soaks
U is for unconditional as in love from your parents



V is for very active as you will soon merit
W is for wakeful, watchful and wise
X is for the Xtra special light you brought to our eyes
Y is for you - who is as bright as the sun
Z is for zest of living that you gave us, little one.