August Monthly Photo Challenge - E

This month's photo challenge theme, posted by Eileen, is "Starts with E".  These are my selections for this theme:

Elephants:

I have a small collection of elephant statues and figurines; here are some of them:

My Father's Wooden Elephant

According to family lore, this black painted wooden elephant that is now cracked and battered (its tusks fell out and the tail broke) dates back to my father's childhood.  It had been stored in a friend's garage for years after I left Sri Lanka until I brought it back with me when I returned from a holiday.  I probably should get rid of him, but, I can't bring myself to do so, yet.

Trio of Ceramic Blue & White Elephants

This set of elephants was a gift to my from my mother who knew I liked to collect elephants and blue and white china.  Elephants with their trunks raised are considered to be lucky.

Embroidery:

A cushion cover I embroidered several years ago.  I've shown it earlier, too, but, I pulled it out when I was sorting out the linen closet and thought I would show it again!

Embroidered "Crazy Patch" Cushion Cover

Close Up: Pansies

Close Up: Mostly Lazy Daisy Stitches

Eggs:

Eggs

When I was a child, we used to often buy eggs from a man who brought them around in a basket on his bicycle.  There used to be some haggling before the sale about the price of the eggs and a discussion about how fresh they were, etc.  It was almost a ritual, with the egg seller claiming that the eggs were laid just that morning, my mother saying the price was too high, and the cook claiming the eggs were probably rotten and she'd end up throwing half of them away!  Eventually, the price was settled on, with the egg seller protesting that he would not be making a profit from the sale.  Then, he would hold each egg up to the sunlight to show that they were good eggs, before putting them in the container the cook held out.  Later, we used to buy eggs from the market, where there would be a similar discussion about the price and freshness, etc.  But, these days, I buy eggs that come presorted by size in containers, with their "best by" dates already stamped on the container, and there is no haggling about the price!  When I used to shop in person, I would open the containers whenever possible to make sure that the eggs inside were not cracked, but, these days, with curbside pick up, that is not possible.  So far, however, all the eggs I've bought have been good.  

Elections:

Elections

Elections and the right to vote!  We, in California, have a special election coming up, next month; a gubernatorial recall election!  There is a lot of discussion, these days, about who gets to participate in elections, how they are held, etc.  I will not go into all that, but, I am very thankful that I am able to vote, right now and participate in the upcoming election.

Entangle:

Entangled Rosemary Branches

The rosemary bush growing in the back garden started out as a cutting a friend gave my mother.  It is over 20 years old and sprawling well beyond the edge of the planting bed, while its bare branches are weathered and entangled around themselves and the bauhinia tree trunk! 

English:

English Language

A fascinating language, in my opinion.  

Thank you for this opportunity to participate in the monthly photo challenge, Eileen.  I had fun and am looking forward to September's theme!