I've been gone for just over a week from here, even missed the contest posting (got to vote today though), but my father unexpectedly passed away last Thursday, and I had to go out of town to be with my mom and take care of business and such. While gone I was surprised at how much I missed this place! One way to deal with sad events is to get back into what you like to do, so yesterday upon my return home I grabbed my camera and took some pictures. I shot a vine on our house, and I posted it in the gallery last night, but this morning I came up with the alternative on the right, and now I don't know which one I like best. The alternative started out as a B&W, then I blurred the bricks and added a little color while leaving the vine unchanged. What I liked about the original was the color and texture of the bricks against the natural vine, which are both gone in the alternative. But I still find something appealing about the alternative just the same. I'd appreciate any comments comparing the two. Thanks! PS: If your parents are alive, give them a call for no reason at all, no matter what the status of your relationship is!