Logan (my great-nephew) is two now, and getting more amazing everyday. He's a very happy little boy.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Logan's Christmas pics
These were taken in a professional studio. I don't know the photographer's name.
Logan (my great-nephew) is two now, and getting more amazing everyday. He's a very happy little boy.
Logan (my great-nephew) is two now, and getting more amazing everyday. He's a very happy little boy.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
fixed!
Just a note to say that my computer has been fixed! YAY! The power supply and the fan were burnt out, but they have now been replaced. I'm so relieved. It's terrible being without a computer!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
computer woes
Tues Dec 13th, midnight
I am writing this on paper, with a pen. Little Guy is, of course, sitting on a great portion of the paper making it very hard to write.
For years now, I have only written on the computer, but my computer won't turn on. I've never had a computer go in such a way, and I'm hoping it's somehow repairable. I found a guy who does repair and lives just down the block from me, so I brought it to him. I call tomorrow at noon to find out the diagnosis. Fingers crossed.
Wed Dec 14 6am
I wake early, and would usually go the the computer for my morning ritual. Check email, check for FB messages, go to Cups of Tea forum, where I interact with a bunch of fine people about life's goings on. Then to play a game of FunTriva with some of those same people. Check on blog updates, and go to my regular photography forum. But not today. :(
Now I stay in bed with no great desire to get up and start the day. I feel lost without my computer, and wonder if it's me and the writing tablet from here on in. I can always go to my friend evie's house to actually post this to my blog, which is probably what I'm doing here, unless I've written otherwise, and the computer has been repaired.
These years of not using pen and paper have wreaked havoc on my penmanship. I used to have a nice handwriting, but it has been reduced to chicken scratch, and a slight tremor in my hands doesn't make it any better. I much prefer the keyboard and the monitor.
It' wednesday morning, and I'm just rambling here. I would make some coffee, but the coffee maker died long ago, and the glass stem from the percolator cracked long ago--- so real coffee isn't happening, and I'm all out of instant. This no coffee business has been going on for a long time now, and is completely out of character for me. I could say I was addicted to coffee, but now I'm not. Of course I've replaced one thing with another, now drinking lots of iced tea. I like hot tea, but that is more of a late night drink for me, associated with bedtime, and it doesn't work well in the day.
On the bottom of my blog page there's a cartoon of one fellow saying "I have nothing to say", and the other guy responds with "You should blog it!" Which is exactly what I'm doing today, it seems.
I have some 8,000+ photographs on my PC(w/o backup) and a 500+ page novel, with only half on disk, but at least I printed a hard copy. I don't want to lose any of this stuff though. Isn't it enough that the Nikon needs an unaffordable repair. Apparently not. Life's little tests--- like the cat sitting on my lap now3 as I try to write , sitting cross-legged on the bed. "Pay as much attention to me as you are to that paper" he seems to be telling me.
It's cold in here, and I have to get under the covers. No telling when the heat will come up; of course it should've started by now.
I'm sure you blogger readers have long since abandoned this post for the sheer boredom of it, but if you have made it through, touche' to you. That's another 5 minutes of your life that you'll never get back, hehe.
Guess I'll get a couple more Zzz's before actually stating the day.
1:18pm
Sitting at my friend's computer now. transcribing what I wrote on paper. I called the repair guy and it doesn't sound good. Power strip or something may be fried, as well as the motherboard. Not cheap repairs. He suggested he could build me a new pc, and be able to transfer all my data over to the new one. He quoted a price of $290 which is definitely a good price,but I'd have to borrow this money, and I dont' think that is really possible at this time.. I have to get back to him with my decision in the next day or so. I'm going to ask my mom for the money, but I don't think that is going to happen.
Well, just made the phone call to my mom, asking if she could spring for this, but she can't. Seems I'm shit outta luck. Boo-hoo.
I am writing this on paper, with a pen. Little Guy is, of course, sitting on a great portion of the paper making it very hard to write.
For years now, I have only written on the computer, but my computer won't turn on. I've never had a computer go in such a way, and I'm hoping it's somehow repairable. I found a guy who does repair and lives just down the block from me, so I brought it to him. I call tomorrow at noon to find out the diagnosis. Fingers crossed.
Wed Dec 14 6am
I wake early, and would usually go the the computer for my morning ritual. Check email, check for FB messages, go to Cups of Tea forum, where I interact with a bunch of fine people about life's goings on. Then to play a game of FunTriva with some of those same people. Check on blog updates, and go to my regular photography forum. But not today. :(
Now I stay in bed with no great desire to get up and start the day. I feel lost without my computer, and wonder if it's me and the writing tablet from here on in. I can always go to my friend evie's house to actually post this to my blog, which is probably what I'm doing here, unless I've written otherwise, and the computer has been repaired.
These years of not using pen and paper have wreaked havoc on my penmanship. I used to have a nice handwriting, but it has been reduced to chicken scratch, and a slight tremor in my hands doesn't make it any better. I much prefer the keyboard and the monitor.
It' wednesday morning, and I'm just rambling here. I would make some coffee, but the coffee maker died long ago, and the glass stem from the percolator cracked long ago--- so real coffee isn't happening, and I'm all out of instant. This no coffee business has been going on for a long time now, and is completely out of character for me. I could say I was addicted to coffee, but now I'm not. Of course I've replaced one thing with another, now drinking lots of iced tea. I like hot tea, but that is more of a late night drink for me, associated with bedtime, and it doesn't work well in the day.
On the bottom of my blog page there's a cartoon of one fellow saying "I have nothing to say", and the other guy responds with "You should blog it!" Which is exactly what I'm doing today, it seems.
I have some 8,000+ photographs on my PC(w/o backup) and a 500+ page novel, with only half on disk, but at least I printed a hard copy. I don't want to lose any of this stuff though. Isn't it enough that the Nikon needs an unaffordable repair. Apparently not. Life's little tests--- like the cat sitting on my lap now3 as I try to write , sitting cross-legged on the bed. "Pay as much attention to me as you are to that paper" he seems to be telling me.
It's cold in here, and I have to get under the covers. No telling when the heat will come up; of course it should've started by now.
I'm sure you blogger readers have long since abandoned this post for the sheer boredom of it, but if you have made it through, touche' to you. That's another 5 minutes of your life that you'll never get back, hehe.
Guess I'll get a couple more Zzz's before actually stating the day.
1:18pm
Sitting at my friend's computer now. transcribing what I wrote on paper. I called the repair guy and it doesn't sound good. Power strip or something may be fried, as well as the motherboard. Not cheap repairs. He suggested he could build me a new pc, and be able to transfer all my data over to the new one. He quoted a price of $290 which is definitely a good price,but I'd have to borrow this money, and I dont' think that is really possible at this time.. I have to get back to him with my decision in the next day or so. I'm going to ask my mom for the money, but I don't think that is going to happen.
Well, just made the phone call to my mom, asking if she could spring for this, but she can't. Seems I'm shit outta luck. Boo-hoo.
Friday, December 2, 2011
one haiku
wind whistles this way
the frosty air bites your nose
winter is coming
(photo by j. raty in Lapland, Finland)
bursts of color
Although this photograph is blurry, I kind of like it, especially in the tree. I gave it a boost in color, and I think the result is fun. It's one of the last of the trees that still has some autumn leaves lingering.
~click pic to view larger~
black & white friday
No superstitions
~click to view larger image~
My entry for this weeks challenge at The Weekend in Black and White.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
no more leftovers
I am 2 days into eating my sister's Thanksgiving left-overs, and am finally finished. I dropped the very last of the candied sweet potatoes on the floor, and boy, was I sad about that.
We had a very intimate table... me, my sister, niece, and my great-nephew. My mother chose not to come, because she'd have to use her regular wheelchair instead of the motorized one, so we could pull her up the outside steps. But she's only comfortable in her motorized chair. She also feels like the holidays just aren't the same since my dad died, and so stays away. We often bring the whole meal to her place, but that is getting to be much too much for my sister.
We spent a lot of time just being in awe of Logan and the adorable things he does and says.... he's trying very hard to talk, and does well at a lot of things, and it's just do frustrating (for us and him) when he says something that you just don't understand.
He is so loving towards me, it makes me want to melt.
He wasn't too big on eating the turkey dinner, and later on opted for mac & cheese. Such are kids.
~click to view larger image~
We had a very intimate table... me, my sister, niece, and my great-nephew. My mother chose not to come, because she'd have to use her regular wheelchair instead of the motorized one, so we could pull her up the outside steps. But she's only comfortable in her motorized chair. She also feels like the holidays just aren't the same since my dad died, and so stays away. We often bring the whole meal to her place, but that is getting to be much too much for my sister.
We spent a lot of time just being in awe of Logan and the adorable things he does and says.... he's trying very hard to talk, and does well at a lot of things, and it's just do frustrating (for us and him) when he says something that you just don't understand.
He is so loving towards me, it makes me want to melt.
He wasn't too big on eating the turkey dinner, and later on opted for mac & cheese. Such are kids.
~click to view larger image~
Sunday, November 20, 2011
coffee and sunrise
This morning I woke at 4am. Then I saw my best friend, evie, come online at 5am. She suggested we have coffee and watch the sunrise. She lives across the hall from me, so she has an East view, whereas I get the sunset with the West view. Evies windows don't open right now because she had to put a stick in the top to keep it from falling down. We have pitiful windows in this apartment house. They are double-paned, and not air-tight, so condensation builds inside of them, and the windows always look dirty.
I took this photo through one of evie's better windows. Mind you, it is taken behind 2 panes of glass and a screen, so that's why it's not too clear. So, for a change, here's today's sunrise.
I took this photo through one of evie's better windows. Mind you, it is taken behind 2 panes of glass and a screen, so that's why it's not too clear. So, for a change, here's today's sunrise.
~click pics to view larger images~
Hope you have a sunny day.
Friday, November 18, 2011
the weekend in black and white
I just found this blog, called The Weekend in Black and White. Looks like a fun spot to find other photographer's blogs and such.
This is the picture I'm entering for this week's challenge. It was taken at the Museum of Modern Art.
This is the picture I'm entering for this week's challenge. It was taken at the Museum of Modern Art.
~click pic to view larger image~
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
a tree grows in Brooklyn
(credit goes to my niece, Melissa, who took this on her phone)
~click to view larger image~
Monday, November 14, 2011
on following
I have a lot of followers, and I have never heard from the greater majority of them. I do have a generous amount of blog followers who actually follow me, and let me know by commenting, and I'm really thankful for those of you who do that. You know who you are.
I wonder about these quiet "followers", though. Are they just following so their picture shows up on my blog, in the hopes that others will click on it? I know some followers are actually people who have something to sell... so I think that's their motive.
Today I actually got a comment from a new follower. That was a nice for a change.
The numbers lie, I think. Ain't that many people following me! But the numbers look good. Oooh, I'm popular. Yea, right.
And then there are those people whose blogs you comment on repeatedly and they never respond back in kind. Do you get that? I mean a little hello once in a while wouldn't hurt.
So thankful for those of you who DO say hello.
(a camper's shrine.,circa 1986, taken with a Canon AE2 film camera, Kodak Color Film)
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
photographer's rant
.
I cannot set either the aperture or the speed on this P&S. So, the camera automatically decides these, and is always dead wrong when it comes to my sunsets. The speed is too slow, and since the camera is hand-held, I get complete blur. I don't own a tripod; the one I had broke long ago. There's even a "sunset" setting on this camera, but that doesn't seem to help much.
I feel a little naked...or rather, my blog seems a little naked without pictures of the sky, but as long as my good camera is out of commission I have little choice. There will probably not be many sunset pictures to come, but I sure hope I can knock out a few.
Haven't been out to take any pictures at all, really. Just a couple of Logan recently, no outdoor shots. Came upon a red leafed bush outside my mother's house, but car service showed up to pick me up before I could get the camera out. I felt funny to let the guy wait. It was night, and I would've had to use the flash, but I would've loved to have captured the color. There were also two more trees that turned color...one yellow, the other gold. I don't know the names of these trees, unfortunately.
So, photography has become something I'm not doing these days very much. I hope it picks up soon, despite the lack of decent equipment.
(a picture from the past...I guess I could post those for a while) (click on it to view larger image)
I cannot set either the aperture or the speed on this P&S. So, the camera automatically decides these, and is always dead wrong when it comes to my sunsets. The speed is too slow, and since the camera is hand-held, I get complete blur. I don't own a tripod; the one I had broke long ago. There's even a "sunset" setting on this camera, but that doesn't seem to help much.
I feel a little naked...or rather, my blog seems a little naked without pictures of the sky, but as long as my good camera is out of commission I have little choice. There will probably not be many sunset pictures to come, but I sure hope I can knock out a few.
Haven't been out to take any pictures at all, really. Just a couple of Logan recently, no outdoor shots. Came upon a red leafed bush outside my mother's house, but car service showed up to pick me up before I could get the camera out. I felt funny to let the guy wait. It was night, and I would've had to use the flash, but I would've loved to have captured the color. There were also two more trees that turned color...one yellow, the other gold. I don't know the names of these trees, unfortunately.
So, photography has become something I'm not doing these days very much. I hope it picks up soon, despite the lack of decent equipment.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
a visit next door
My friend evie's clan. Sapphire (pictured twice), Sam, Cassie, and Kohlette.
Kohl, Sam and Sapphire asleep...
(click on pics to view larger images)
(click on pics to view larger images)
Sunday, October 16, 2011
street kid
A series of pictures showing Logan (my great-nephew, for those of you who don't know) playing in the street with big chalks. This was at a recent block party. He's 22 months now.
(click on pics to view larger image)
Saturday, October 8, 2011
3 year blogaversary
This is my 3 year anniversary of blogging. I still can't believe I've done it this long, but I guess it is a mainstay in my life.
Also of note is that Logan will be 22 months old tomorrow. He is just eatable, he's so cute. He's starting to say lots of things. He loves buses, cars, dinosaurs and teddy bears. Here are some pics of him, mostly taken by his mommy, Melissa, on her cell phone.
(Logan and Mommy)
(Logan in mommy's running shoes)
(Yum!)
Also of note is that Logan will be 22 months old tomorrow. He is just eatable, he's so cute. He's starting to say lots of things. He loves buses, cars, dinosaurs and teddy bears. Here are some pics of him, mostly taken by his mommy, Melissa, on her cell phone.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
the sea that I remember
you were the mariner
wayward, seaward
I was the mist
you entered
one balmy night
there by the docks
beneath moonlight and sunrise
a tip of your hat
swept me under your spell
as the fog came a-creepin'
and the waters did swell
your eyes drew me in
you were all scruff and ready
my heart was wide open
my balance quite steady
before the sight of you tipped me
leeward and aft
and after that it was anyone's guess
at direction
wayward, seaward
I was the mist
you entered
one balmy night
there by the docks
beneath moonlight and sunrise
a tip of your hat
swept me under your spell
as the fog came a-creepin'
and the waters did swell
your eyes drew me in
you were all scruff and ready
my heart was wide open
my balance quite steady
before the sight of you tipped me
leeward and aft
and after that it was anyone's guess
at direction
Saturday, October 1, 2011
this afternoon
Evie and I collaborated on this haiku.
this afternoon
the thunder crackles
a light spirit appearing
through blackening clouds
this afternoon
the thunder crackles
a light spirit appearing
through blackening clouds
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
autumn's on her way
Last night the wind started to change. It gusted and roared, and pushed all of that dreaded humidity away! Today it is a fabulous 58F, and I can feel that beautiful season of Autumn arriving.
(click pic to view larger image)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
crone revisited
I have added some trimmings to the Crone, and she is called The Amber Crone (an Autumn Crone).
The eyelash trimming reminded me of colorful leaves, and the trimming on bottom reminds me of tree roots.
My friend, evie ,
has also completed her doll for our Equinox project...it is her first polymer clay doll...please go take a look, and comment if you'd like.
The eyelash trimming reminded me of colorful leaves, and the trimming on bottom reminds me of tree roots.
My friend, evie ,
has also completed her doll for our Equinox project...it is her first polymer clay doll...please go take a look, and comment if you'd like.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
autumn crones
I started on an Autumn Crone for my Equinox project. Very unfortunately, the clay burned and cracked in the oven, even though I had correct temps (verified w/thermometer). Very disappointing.
Well, anyway, she is a very rough figure, I only spent a couple of hours on it. ... clay over a gourd and a mini flower pot turned upside down.
I like her despite her burnt appearance. I don't think she's done though, and I don't know her name yet.
I may start another crone for the project, since this one didn't turn out so well.
Well, anyway, she is a very rough figure, I only spent a couple of hours on it. ... clay over a gourd and a mini flower pot turned upside down.
I like her despite her burnt appearance. I don't think she's done though, and I don't know her name yet.
I may start another crone for the project, since this one didn't turn out so well.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
after the storm
Hurricane Irene passed through here without much consequence, thankfully. Here are some shot of tonight's sunset, after the storm.
(click pics to view larger images)
Friday, August 19, 2011
friday morning
Can't sleep tonight. It happens. Got my monitor delivered today, as my other one died on tuesday night. Never had that happen with a monitor before. Anyway, I was without the internet for a couple of days, and truly, I didn't know what to do with myself half the time. Such is my life. Having the connection is important. I want to talk to my niece while she's at work via instant messaging; I want to connect to the trivia game I play with lots of other people; I want to read blogs, and look at my own again; I want to go to my forums and post with good old internet friends. These are things I'm used to doing throughout the day. Oh, and of course looking over pictures, editing pictures, watching videos of Logan,
So, anyway, I got my monitor, and I guess I am catching up on lost time by staying up all night like this.
With the help of my friends, Dinamarca, Mim, and Tammie, I was able to get polymer clay, which is the basis of my dollmaking. Thank you all again. I am thrilled to have materials. But, with the weather being so hot and muggy, I haven't had much inspiration to start on any works yet. Hopefully soon. Me and my friend, evie are doing a challenge together to create an Autumn doll by the Equinox, so I have some thoughts of design swirling through my head. From what I'm envisioning, it would also be something I could enter in the Polymer Clay Central monthly contest in September, the theme being "Leaves".
What thoughts are swirling through your head? :)
So, anyway, I got my monitor, and I guess I am catching up on lost time by staying up all night like this.
With the help of my friends, Dinamarca, Mim, and Tammie, I was able to get polymer clay, which is the basis of my dollmaking. Thank you all again. I am thrilled to have materials. But, with the weather being so hot and muggy, I haven't had much inspiration to start on any works yet. Hopefully soon. Me and my friend, evie are doing a challenge together to create an Autumn doll by the Equinox, so I have some thoughts of design swirling through my head. From what I'm envisioning, it would also be something I could enter in the Polymer Clay Central monthly contest in September, the theme being "Leaves".
What thoughts are swirling through your head? :)
Friday, August 12, 2011
friday afternoon
I have finally finished writing my novel! It is over 500 pages printed out, and I feel a definite loss now that it is written. Of course, that was only the first draft, and there's lots of work to be done on it now. But I wrote "The End", and I'm glad for that. I can't believe I wrote that many pages, and I'm proud of myself. Granted, I don't think it is the best of novels by a long shot, but I did it, and that's what matters.
Today I deleted about a dozen blogs that I was following. People who have apparently stopped blogging...mostly those who haven't made an entry in three months or more. Except for a friend who doesn't get a chance to blog with her busy life, and hasn't blogged in a long while. I follow around 46 blogs now, and most are fairly consistent with their blogging, and I keep up with all of them. There are quite a few bloggers who never respond to my comments by making a comment on my blog, and that can be a little annoying. You would think if you put out the effort to comment, that they could at least say a little something. I don't get that, but still I follow their blogs and continue commenting.
Today I printed out a picture I had scanned of me and my mom when I was 5 years old (she was 32)... I made a birthday card for her, which is August 24th; she'll be 84. The writing on the card isn't so great, but I know she will love it because I made it. I will write LOTS of words on the inside, because I know how much that means to her.
Today I deleted about a dozen blogs that I was following. People who have apparently stopped blogging...mostly those who haven't made an entry in three months or more. Except for a friend who doesn't get a chance to blog with her busy life, and hasn't blogged in a long while. I follow around 46 blogs now, and most are fairly consistent with their blogging, and I keep up with all of them. There are quite a few bloggers who never respond to my comments by making a comment on my blog, and that can be a little annoying. You would think if you put out the effort to comment, that they could at least say a little something. I don't get that, but still I follow their blogs and continue commenting.
Today I printed out a picture I had scanned of me and my mom when I was 5 years old (she was 32)... I made a birthday card for her, which is August 24th; she'll be 84. The writing on the card isn't so great, but I know she will love it because I made it. I will write LOTS of words on the inside, because I know how much that means to her.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
heat like a steam bath
Last night's sunset.
Little Guy got his stitches out yesterday, and is healing beautifully.
Little Guy got his stitches out yesterday, and is healing beautifully.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
update on Little Guy
Little Guy is getting antsy being in the bedroom all the time. The drain was taken out (very quick and easy procedure), but now I have to keep flushing the open areas, and he's not liking that too much at all. Already the skin seems to be closing up, and I don't know how long flushing is viable. I'll have to call the vet on that one.
Morrison sits at the bedroom door, waiting for Little Guy to come out. I am thinking of taking him to a rescue organization where he would be put up for adoption...but it would have to be a solitary cat household... And really, who wants an adult half-feral cat, who has half a tail missing. I think he would eventually be put down in that case. This breaks my heart, and I don't know if I'm capable of doing it. He's been here two years, and this is the first really bad incident, though there have been fights. He has gotten more aggressive toward Little Guy over the past several months. My first priority is Little Guy, who is 13 years old, and has been with me for 11 years. I have to think of his safety.
The weather is much more tolerable today, at about 82°. Wouldn't it be nice if August turned out to be mild. I'd be thrilled.
I can't wait for those brisk days of Autumn. What will be by then?
Morrison sits at the bedroom door, waiting for Little Guy to come out. I am thinking of taking him to a rescue organization where he would be put up for adoption...but it would have to be a solitary cat household... And really, who wants an adult half-feral cat, who has half a tail missing. I think he would eventually be put down in that case. This breaks my heart, and I don't know if I'm capable of doing it. He's been here two years, and this is the first really bad incident, though there have been fights. He has gotten more aggressive toward Little Guy over the past several months. My first priority is Little Guy, who is 13 years old, and has been with me for 11 years. I have to think of his safety.
The weather is much more tolerable today, at about 82°. Wouldn't it be nice if August turned out to be mild. I'd be thrilled.
I can't wait for those brisk days of Autumn. What will be by then?
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
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