This week's theme was darks and lights, which is a fairly open topic. My initial idea was to photograph Max with one of his siblings with the focus being the differences in hair color. All I needed was a sunny day and a little bit of cooperation.
Instead I went with this picture.
Spring sports have started up and that means I spend a goodly portion of my time sitting on the sidelines during practice. On Wednesday it had been fairly cool and cloudy, not quite raining. It was overcast and the lighting was flat so I had no impetus to bring my real camera along.
I'm so glad my new cell phone can take pictures. As I sat thereI saw shafts of light slicing down from the cloud cover. It was a very dramatic sight to behold. Then it stuck me, this is an excellent representation of darks and lights. I snapped a few pictures hoping my cell phone would give me at least one non-fuzzy shot.
Happily I had a few to choose from and this was my (and Larry's) favorite shot.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Almost Got It
While escorting Max home from soccer practice I glanced over my shoulder and saw an absolutely fantastic shot of the setting sun. The water in the drainage ditch reflected the bright purples and reds of the setting sun with the surrounding trees defining and balancing the colors.
I tried so very hard to capture the beauty with my cell phone, but it wasn't quite up to the job. I really regretted not having my camera with me. I need to start hauling it around again. I've been very pleased and delighted with some of the images that my simple little cell has captured, but I know I could do better. At least a pale approximation is around to help me remember some of the incidental beauty that surrounds us.
I tried so very hard to capture the beauty with my cell phone, but it wasn't quite up to the job. I really regretted not having my camera with me. I need to start hauling it around again. I've been very pleased and delighted with some of the images that my simple little cell has captured, but I know I could do better. At least a pale approximation is around to help me remember some of the incidental beauty that surrounds us.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Artist of the Week : Bookmark
This week's artist is my favorite little girl, Rebecca.
Obviously this picture is from a few years ago. She's about two, maybe three years old. Larry and Rebecca found it a few days ago and the two of them decided that it is a very cute picture. I have to agree with them. I think the sturdy little toddler legs are what do me in. She has such a cute little smile, but oh the toddler squishiness! I just want to scoop her up and cuddle her.
Anyhoodle, this is about what Rebecca is up to today and not yesteryear.
She is always making things from bits and pieces she finds around the house. We have an art drawer filled with markers, colored pencils, scissors, scraps of paper from earlier projects, and the odd sparkly ribbon. Oh and tape, you can't forget tape.
Rebecca put them all together and created this little kite.
To get a sense of scale the whole thing, with the ribbon stretched out, is just a few inches longer than a foot. It is a very nice size for a bookmark. I like the abstract design on the kite, it has a sort of southeast Asian feel to it. The tails she taped onto the ribbon/string are a nice touch of whimsy.
I'm rather fond of it and I'm going to try to persuade Rebecca to allow me to use it. It is a far nicer bookmark than the random sales reciepts and appointment cards I use now.
Obviously this picture is from a few years ago. She's about two, maybe three years old. Larry and Rebecca found it a few days ago and the two of them decided that it is a very cute picture. I have to agree with them. I think the sturdy little toddler legs are what do me in. She has such a cute little smile, but oh the toddler squishiness! I just want to scoop her up and cuddle her.
Anyhoodle, this is about what Rebecca is up to today and not yesteryear.
She is always making things from bits and pieces she finds around the house. We have an art drawer filled with markers, colored pencils, scissors, scraps of paper from earlier projects, and the odd sparkly ribbon. Oh and tape, you can't forget tape.
Rebecca put them all together and created this little kite.
To get a sense of scale the whole thing, with the ribbon stretched out, is just a few inches longer than a foot. It is a very nice size for a bookmark. I like the abstract design on the kite, it has a sort of southeast Asian feel to it. The tails she taped onto the ribbon/string are a nice touch of whimsy.
I'm rather fond of it and I'm going to try to persuade Rebecca to allow me to use it. It is a far nicer bookmark than the random sales reciepts and appointment cards I use now.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
One is the Loneliest Number
John is a very sad hound this week. Dell is off this week being a show dog and John got left behind.
John has to defend our home from the evil squirrel menace without his buddy Dell. It's up to him to police the floors for any wayward crumbs, which I might state he is far less diligent than Dell. No wrestling at my feet and no more dog pile on the dog couch.
However he does get to do fun things like go to soccer practice. I won't take the two dogs, it's just far too much bother. But one dog, that's doable.
We'll get Dell back next week, so John's suffering will not be eternal. Though with those sad, sad hound eyes he'll tell you otherwise.
John has to defend our home from the evil squirrel menace without his buddy Dell. It's up to him to police the floors for any wayward crumbs, which I might state he is far less diligent than Dell. No wrestling at my feet and no more dog pile on the dog couch.
However he does get to do fun things like go to soccer practice. I won't take the two dogs, it's just far too much bother. But one dog, that's doable.
We'll get Dell back next week, so John's suffering will not be eternal. Though with those sad, sad hound eyes he'll tell you otherwise.
Monday, March 14, 2011
In Honor of Pi Day
Parkour and Pi come together in this short film.
I didn't run around throwing pis left and right, but I did get to enjoy some tasty pizza pie and beef pot pie today.
I didn't run around throwing pis left and right, but I did get to enjoy some tasty pizza pie and beef pot pie today.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Jake and Rebecca
The kids are really enjoying the Roku, Rebecca in particular. She has found a cartoon, Redwall, that is new to her and is working her way through all the episodes.
While Rebecca and I were watching Nate announced that his Latin teacher had declared the show as terrible and as a result he wasn't going to watch. Jake as opposed to Nate, was willing to give it a try and was charmed by the series. The two of them, oldest and youngest, started watching them together this weekend.
I caught the two of them curled up side by side on the couch sharing a blanket while watching the show. It was just too cute and I had to take a picture. The first shot was just plain awful, but the second one is a real keeper.
It's wonderful to see my children to be so happy together. For the most part they all do get along, but I feel like the day is filled with endless bickering. Moments like this tell me that deep down they do love each other.
While Rebecca and I were watching Nate announced that his Latin teacher had declared the show as terrible and as a result he wasn't going to watch. Jake as opposed to Nate, was willing to give it a try and was charmed by the series. The two of them, oldest and youngest, started watching them together this weekend.
I caught the two of them curled up side by side on the couch sharing a blanket while watching the show. It was just too cute and I had to take a picture. The first shot was just plain awful, but the second one is a real keeper.
It's wonderful to see my children to be so happy together. For the most part they all do get along, but I feel like the day is filled with endless bickering. Moments like this tell me that deep down they do love each other.
Friday, March 11, 2011
MCP Project 52: Chidhood Toys
Doggy, my very first toy, was my subject this week.
The poor thing is 45 years old and is clearly showing his age. Most of the fur has been loved off and he has a decided list. My mother patched him up with and Ace bandage at least 30 years ago. He has a music box, but the key and spring broke off a long, long time ago. When it did work he would play "Frère Jacques" and his head would move to the music.
I dragged him to college where he sat on a window sill. During my junior semester abroad he even went to England with me. The craziest thing I did was take him to Europe during intersession.
For the most part I hadn't been to bothered by customs, except for when I went into Holland. I was randomly selected to have my luggage search and I willingly complied. I wasn't too concerned until the agent picked up Doggy and gave him a very meaningful look. With a horrified gasp I cried out "Not Doggy!" The agent saw I was emotionally distraught and put the the ragged stuffed dog back down into my luggage and waved me on. I think we realized that his hands would be full if he did anything to my toy.
Nowadays Doggy sits on my bureau, safe from customs agents and always in my heart.
The poor thing is 45 years old and is clearly showing his age. Most of the fur has been loved off and he has a decided list. My mother patched him up with and Ace bandage at least 30 years ago. He has a music box, but the key and spring broke off a long, long time ago. When it did work he would play "Frère Jacques" and his head would move to the music.
I dragged him to college where he sat on a window sill. During my junior semester abroad he even went to England with me. The craziest thing I did was take him to Europe during intersession.
For the most part I hadn't been to bothered by customs, except for when I went into Holland. I was randomly selected to have my luggage search and I willingly complied. I wasn't too concerned until the agent picked up Doggy and gave him a very meaningful look. With a horrified gasp I cried out "Not Doggy!" The agent saw I was emotionally distraught and put the the ragged stuffed dog back down into my luggage and waved me on. I think we realized that his hands would be full if he did anything to my toy.
Nowadays Doggy sits on my bureau, safe from customs agents and always in my heart.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Roku, Best Gadget Yet
I've become irked with our cable company. Well, in reality I've always been a bit irked, just now I have a specific complaint. Namely, it's The Box. The stupid cable box that we must have to get the channels we want. And it's not just The Box, oh no there is yet another remote and an odious monthly rental fee per unit.
I remember when way back (20 years ago?) we used to have a box and then the cable companies phased them out. Now the stupid things are back. I wish I could just buy it outright and not have the obnoxious rental fee appended to my cable bill. We have two tvs and only one of them has The Box. On the other, smaller, set we have watched the available non-scrambled stations be whittled down to just a mere handful. On principle I refuse to get a second box, but it was getting to be a tough stand.
Then lo, Amazon announced that a selection of it's instant downloads would be FREE to Amazon Prime customers.
We have a Prime account- Woo Hoo!
I picked up a mid-level Roku box and set it up on the smaller tv. It works beautifully. We've been watching endless Top Gear for the past couple of days and a few kid shows. Larry and I checked out the selection of free movies available and we saw plenty to tempt us. From old favorites to more recent selections that we missed. No longer are there any more complaints about the lack of stations from the kids. Instead they are trying to figure out what to watch next.
The Roku was definitely one of my better purchases.
I remember when way back (20 years ago?) we used to have a box and then the cable companies phased them out. Now the stupid things are back. I wish I could just buy it outright and not have the obnoxious rental fee appended to my cable bill. We have two tvs and only one of them has The Box. On the other, smaller, set we have watched the available non-scrambled stations be whittled down to just a mere handful. On principle I refuse to get a second box, but it was getting to be a tough stand.
Then lo, Amazon announced that a selection of it's instant downloads would be FREE to Amazon Prime customers.
We have a Prime account- Woo Hoo!
I picked up a mid-level Roku box and set it up on the smaller tv. It works beautifully. We've been watching endless Top Gear for the past couple of days and a few kid shows. Larry and I checked out the selection of free movies available and we saw plenty to tempt us. From old favorites to more recent selections that we missed. No longer are there any more complaints about the lack of stations from the kids. Instead they are trying to figure out what to watch next.
The Roku was definitely one of my better purchases.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Artist of the Week - Kinetic Wave Sculptures
This week's artist is Reuben Margolin. He makes absolutely incredible kinetic wave sculptures. The clip below is from Make: television and not only features the art, but has the artist describe the whole process in creating his sculptures.
If I had the money and the space I would love to have one of his pieces. I find them in a soothing way almost hypnotic. More of Mr. Margolin's work can be found on his site (with videos!).
If I had the money and the space I would love to have one of his pieces. I find them in a soothing way almost hypnotic. More of Mr. Margolin's work can be found on his site (with videos!).
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Rainy Day Smile
Sunday was a sort of dreary wet day. Just the sort of weather my kids like to be out and about. Then again extreme heat, thunderstorms, and blizzards are pretty much the only times they won't go outside and that's pretty understandable.
Anyhoodle Jake decided to go out and collect the paper languishing by the end of our drive. Rebecca joined him and I got the cutest smile out of her when they came back. She really loves doing things with her big brother.
Tomorrow and Thursday looked to be rainy days as well and I hope to have that smile around again to brighten up the gray.
Anyhoodle Jake decided to go out and collect the paper languishing by the end of our drive. Rebecca joined him and I got the cutest smile out of her when they came back. She really loves doing things with her big brother.
Tomorrow and Thursday looked to be rainy days as well and I hope to have that smile around again to brighten up the gray.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Why Did I Wait?
Rebecca and Meryl requested I make some sort of chocolate treat. Rebecca was thinking along the lines of a cake, while Meryl was more in a mousse frame of mind. After a bit of digging in my files I pulled out a recipe I had printed from an email I received waaaay back in 2005 for chocolate truffle cake with raspberry sauce.
I don't know why I never made it, but it was absolutely unbelievable.
Everybody liked it.
Admittedly some passed on the sauce, but that's their loss. The raspberry is a lovely counterpoint to the rich chocolate of the cake. I served the sauce on the side, however if I ever bring this somewhere I'm going to flood the top with the sauce. It would be visually stunning and a delight to eat.
Some with out further ado here's the link to the chocolate truffle cake with raspberry sauce.
Of course I had to modify the recipe a little bit.
The whole thing was dead easy and was a huge hit. I'm glad I had held onto the recipe so long, but I wished I had tried it out sooner.
I don't know why I never made it, but it was absolutely unbelievable.
Everybody liked it.
Admittedly some passed on the sauce, but that's their loss. The raspberry is a lovely counterpoint to the rich chocolate of the cake. I served the sauce on the side, however if I ever bring this somewhere I'm going to flood the top with the sauce. It would be visually stunning and a delight to eat.
Some with out further ado here's the link to the chocolate truffle cake with raspberry sauce.
Of course I had to modify the recipe a little bit.
- I used a nine inch spring form pan lined with wax paper (the loaf just didn't cut it in my eyes).
- I used 12 oz of raspberries instead of 10oz (because that was how much was in the bag and I couldn't be bothered).
- However with the increased number of raspberries I did not change the amount of Karo. I wanted the sauce to be on the tart side.
The whole thing was dead easy and was a huge hit. I'm glad I had held onto the recipe so long, but I wished I had tried it out sooner.
Friday, March 04, 2011
MCP Project 52: Express Yourself
The theme this week was express yourself and I though what better way to show this than Nate doing just that.
Nate took years and years of piano and as a result became quite proficient and at times had a bit for fum. But the piano was never really THE instrument for Nate. What he really wanted (and begged for) was a guitar.
We started him off with a little acoustic guitar that he quickly outgrew. By the time we finely rounded up a teacher Nate had graduated to Larry's full sized guitar. It was a bit big, but that didn't slow down Nate in the least. Soon he was asking for an electric guitar which we got him with the understanding that he would learn to play both acoustic and electric.
And play he does. Nate has found his instrument and a way to express himself musically.
Nate took years and years of piano and as a result became quite proficient and at times had a bit for fum. But the piano was never really THE instrument for Nate. What he really wanted (and begged for) was a guitar.
We started him off with a little acoustic guitar that he quickly outgrew. By the time we finely rounded up a teacher Nate had graduated to Larry's full sized guitar. It was a bit big, but that didn't slow down Nate in the least. Soon he was asking for an electric guitar which we got him with the understanding that he would learn to play both acoustic and electric.
And play he does. Nate has found his instrument and a way to express himself musically.
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Good Grief
This is my absolute favorite car and I don't even own it.
I've always had a soft spot for VW Bug's. I prefer the original (since that was what I once owned), but new one has a little corner of my heart as well.
I was out and about doing errands when I laid eyes on this little gem. The paint job was what first grabbed my attention, bright yellow with a jagged stripe. Coupled with the distinctive domed shape of a Volksie, the first thing that sprang to mind was Charlie Brown.
When I stepped out of my car to snap a few pictures I took a gander at the plate. I nearly fell down laughing, it very cleverly spelled out GOOD GRF. The little capper being the Scenic Autumn plate.
I have found Charlie Brown's car and it's sweet ride.
I've always had a soft spot for VW Bug's. I prefer the original (since that was what I once owned), but new one has a little corner of my heart as well.
I was out and about doing errands when I laid eyes on this little gem. The paint job was what first grabbed my attention, bright yellow with a jagged stripe. Coupled with the distinctive domed shape of a Volksie, the first thing that sprang to mind was Charlie Brown.
When I stepped out of my car to snap a few pictures I took a gander at the plate. I nearly fell down laughing, it very cleverly spelled out GOOD GRF. The little capper being the Scenic Autumn plate.
I have found Charlie Brown's car and it's sweet ride.
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Artist of the Week: Snail Party
A rather cold looking Max is this week's artist.
Lately the temperatures around here have been all over the map. It'll be 80s one day and then a few days later the high will barely crawl up into the upper 40s. Which I find to be cruel and very brutal. I'll get used to milder weather and then boom! I have to bundle all up.
Tomorrow morning is going to be one of the cruel days. We had upper 60s today, short sleeve weather and some running around barefoot. Then the bottom will drop out tonight and in the morning the bus stop will be just about freezing with the high in the aforementioned upper 40s.
Blech.
Luckily I have Max and his happy pictures to pull me through.
Like this one of a snail party. The helicopter trailing a large "Happy Birthday" banner tells you what kind of party is going on down below. I love how the birthday snail has on a little party hat and confetti is showering down.
Max's snail are such simply drawn little creatures, but they have character.
Lately the temperatures around here have been all over the map. It'll be 80s one day and then a few days later the high will barely crawl up into the upper 40s. Which I find to be cruel and very brutal. I'll get used to milder weather and then boom! I have to bundle all up.
Tomorrow morning is going to be one of the cruel days. We had upper 60s today, short sleeve weather and some running around barefoot. Then the bottom will drop out tonight and in the morning the bus stop will be just about freezing with the high in the aforementioned upper 40s.
Blech.
Luckily I have Max and his happy pictures to pull me through.
Like this one of a snail party. The helicopter trailing a large "Happy Birthday" banner tells you what kind of party is going on down below. I love how the birthday snail has on a little party hat and confetti is showering down.
Max's snail are such simply drawn little creatures, but they have character.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Savory Treats
Sunday I went to my very first Oscar party.
Normally I camp out on the sofa and flip back and forth between the broadcast and whatever else is on, calling up Meryl when something particularly noteworthy occurs. Snacks are culled from the fridge on an ad hoc basis. I won't be wearing sweats, but at some point the contacts come out and the glasses go on along with some comfy pjs.
This year, however, I got all dolled up and made some fancy pants hors d'oeurves.
The pillowy ones on the left are garlic puffs courtesy of The New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins and The dark squiggly bits are Caramelized Onion Tart from Annie's Eats. Both are ridiculously easy, they just take a fair amount of time to prepare. Since I'm able to link up to the respective recipes, I'll just share my modifications.
Normally I camp out on the sofa and flip back and forth between the broadcast and whatever else is on, calling up Meryl when something particularly noteworthy occurs. Snacks are culled from the fridge on an ad hoc basis. I won't be wearing sweats, but at some point the contacts come out and the glasses go on along with some comfy pjs.
This year, however, I got all dolled up and made some fancy pants hors d'oeurves.
The pillowy ones on the left are garlic puffs courtesy of The New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins and The dark squiggly bits are Caramelized Onion Tart from Annie's Eats. Both are ridiculously easy, they just take a fair amount of time to prepare. Since I'm able to link up to the respective recipes, I'll just share my modifications.
- For both I used store bought puff pastry. It's supposedly not very hard to make your own, but since these were new and untried recipes I decided to stick with what I knew would work. The package came with two sheets, perfect for the two recipes.
- When I made the garlic pesto I only made a third of a batch. I didn't need nor want to make a full batch. 15 heads of garlic is a boatload of peeling.
- For the onion tart I trebled the onions (they smelled heavenly while I caramelized them) and doubled the ricotta and Parmesan cheese. It all looked too skimpy on the dough after I unfolded the pastry sheet and placed the dough on a baking sheet.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
MCP Project 52: View From Here
It's the eighth week in MCP Project 52 and the theme was "the view from here."
I spied the first crocus of the season pushing its way through the leaves while weeding in preparation for spring. To capture the idea of "the view from here" I laid down amongst the leaves to get just the right angle. I find it is always worthwhile to get to the same level as your subject. and this time was not the exception.
I put the lens right up to the flowers and set my little point and shoot on Macro, thus creating the lovely bokeh in the background. Laying there I fired off about 15 shots. In the end I got about 3 pictures I liked with this one being the best. I'm fairly pleased with the end result.
I spied the first crocus of the season pushing its way through the leaves while weeding in preparation for spring. To capture the idea of "the view from here" I laid down amongst the leaves to get just the right angle. I find it is always worthwhile to get to the same level as your subject. and this time was not the exception.
I put the lens right up to the flowers and set my little point and shoot on Macro, thus creating the lovely bokeh in the background. Laying there I fired off about 15 shots. In the end I got about 3 pictures I liked with this one being the best. I'm fairly pleased with the end result.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Non Sequitur: Telemarketers
This is possibly my all time favorite cartoon. I cut it out of the newspaper when it first run way back on Feb. 21st, 1999. I haven't seen it published since.
Because of telemarketers I have become a huge fan of caller ID. If I don't recognize the number (of the 1-800 variety) or the screen flashes it's UNAVAILABLE, I don't pick up the phone. If the call is important they will leave a message. My feeling is that the phone is for my convenience and as such I'll answer when I darn well feel like it.
Because of telemarketers I have become a huge fan of caller ID. If I don't recognize the number (of the 1-800 variety) or the screen flashes it's UNAVAILABLE, I don't pick up the phone. If the call is important they will leave a message. My feeling is that the phone is for my convenience and as such I'll answer when I darn well feel like it.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Artist of the Week: Beans and Worms
This week's artist is El Bandito Nate. And yes, he and his friends drew a mustache on Nate's face while riding home on the bus just the other day.
It started off as a sort of truth or dare thing. The original mustache was rather small, but Nate decided it looked stupid and figured bigger was better. So for the rest of the day I felt like I had a short crazed bandit running around the house. Fortunately no permanent markers were available on the bus and it pretty much washed off with just a bit of scrubbing.
I think the best comment about Nate's new look came from Jake, "... you like the first person that fell asleep at a party." As for my reaction, I figured the less said the better. I thought the whole thing was very funny and I was glad it was not done with a sharpie.
With all the silliness that is Nate there is also a serious and academically motivated side. Like Jake in 6th grade, Nate had to do a science fair project this year. He chose a project not too dissimilar from Jake's first project. Instead of fertilizer though, Nate chose worms and their effect on plant growth.
Nate's project was a bit more modest in scope than Jake's, however I had to buy worms. 500 red wigglers to be exact. I've never aspired to be a vermiculturist, but then again parenthood is full of surprising turns. The good news once spring is really here I can dump the whole lot into the lawn. So far the little beasties are hanging in there. They did seem to help the plants along and on the whole the project was a success. Hopefully next I won't have to buy any more critters.
It started off as a sort of truth or dare thing. The original mustache was rather small, but Nate decided it looked stupid and figured bigger was better. So for the rest of the day I felt like I had a short crazed bandit running around the house. Fortunately no permanent markers were available on the bus and it pretty much washed off with just a bit of scrubbing.
I think the best comment about Nate's new look came from Jake, "... you like the first person that fell asleep at a party." As for my reaction, I figured the less said the better. I thought the whole thing was very funny and I was glad it was not done with a sharpie.
With all the silliness that is Nate there is also a serious and academically motivated side. Like Jake in 6th grade, Nate had to do a science fair project this year. He chose a project not too dissimilar from Jake's first project. Instead of fertilizer though, Nate chose worms and their effect on plant growth.
Nate's project was a bit more modest in scope than Jake's, however I had to buy worms. 500 red wigglers to be exact. I've never aspired to be a vermiculturist, but then again parenthood is full of surprising turns. The good news once spring is really here I can dump the whole lot into the lawn. So far the little beasties are hanging in there. They did seem to help the plants along and on the whole the project was a success. Hopefully next I won't have to buy any more critters.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Winter Is Back
After a string of warm, almost hot days: winter weather is back in full force.
This morning there were actual snow flakes swirling through the air. Quite a rude awakening after the 70+ temperatures we ad just a few days ago. The snow didn't stick and the buses all came at there regularly scheduled times. Though it was a close thing with the sleet last night and the snow this morning.
Now if we had today's weather three weeks ago it would have been hailed as a warm spell. Instead it was on the heels of warm spring-like weather and was called a cold snap instead. We had to break out our winter coats again and bundle up for the bus stop.
The weather can be so very cruel this time of year.
This morning there were actual snow flakes swirling through the air. Quite a rude awakening after the 70+ temperatures we ad just a few days ago. The snow didn't stick and the buses all came at there regularly scheduled times. Though it was a close thing with the sleet last night and the snow this morning.
Now if we had today's weather three weeks ago it would have been hailed as a warm spell. Instead it was on the heels of warm spring-like weather and was called a cold snap instead. We had to break out our winter coats again and bundle up for the bus stop.
The weather can be so very cruel this time of year.
Monday, February 21, 2011
And the Winner For Tropfest 2011 is...
Animal Beatbox.
A big surprise to me, not at all like the other films I've featured here. Heck I hadn't even seen it until today, but it is great fun to watch.
A big surprise to me, not at all like the other films I've featured here. Heck I hadn't even seen it until today, but it is great fun to watch.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Best Homework Ever
Today at the end of Nate's guitar lesson he was instructed to listen to Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King. Five minutes after Nate's teacher left I cued up Little Wing, one of my all time favorites.
If could I get homework like that I would take lessons as well.
If could I get homework like that I would take lessons as well.
Friday, February 18, 2011
MCP Project 52: Open Your Heart
I submitted this photograph of Max with John for this week's MCP Project 52. The theme this week is "open your heart" and I felt the interaction of Max with the dogs best represented the theme.
In all likely hood if Max had never grown up with dogs he probably wouldn't like them. Dogs are messy and unpredictable and Max is not a big fan of either. Max is still a bit wary of big dogs, but our very silly and loving dogs has opened his heart. He has told me on numerous occasions how he will have a miniature dachshund when he is all grown up and out on his own.
I'm glad our dogs were able to worm their way into his affections and open up the world of companion animals to him. The world can be a lonely place and having a pet can warm up your little corner.
As to the picture itself I tried out adding texture. The effect I used is called dry brush and I like the feel it gives to the finial product. I generally avoid using such filters and effects, but it's good to try something different once in a while.
In all likely hood if Max had never grown up with dogs he probably wouldn't like them. Dogs are messy and unpredictable and Max is not a big fan of either. Max is still a bit wary of big dogs, but our very silly and loving dogs has opened his heart. He has told me on numerous occasions how he will have a miniature dachshund when he is all grown up and out on his own.
I'm glad our dogs were able to worm their way into his affections and open up the world of companion animals to him. The world can be a lonely place and having a pet can warm up your little corner.
As to the picture itself I tried out adding texture. The effect I used is called dry brush and I like the feel it gives to the finial product. I generally avoid using such filters and effects, but it's good to try something different once in a while.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Artist of the Week: Show Choir Band
Or, as I like to call them, the unseen heroes of Show Choir. Either way Jake's show choir band is this week's artist.
Tonight was their big season debut, the dreaded pyramid concert. This time around it was a far, far better experience. There was far more information about the event and the fund raising was limited to food sales before the now free concert (I think the music directors got an earful from the concert four years ago). I still feel sorry for all the fifth grades dragooned into performing, but I'm focusing on my son who was there by choice. He volunteered to be part of the band that played off stage for his high school show choirs. You can just see them in the wings. They are all dressed in black so as not to attract attention. Jake is on the far left holding his trumpet. Below is the closing number "How Far We've Come" from the co-ed choir's set.
I think the band did a terrific job. The music was a real stretch for Jake, but he really wanted to play. Which I think is he best way for him to grow as a musician. On the whole it was very enjoyable listening to a live band performing with the choirs, particularly during this swingin' tune.
Tonight was their big season debut, the dreaded pyramid concert. This time around it was a far, far better experience. There was far more information about the event and the fund raising was limited to food sales before the now free concert (I think the music directors got an earful from the concert four years ago). I still feel sorry for all the fifth grades dragooned into performing, but I'm focusing on my son who was there by choice. He volunteered to be part of the band that played off stage for his high school show choirs. You can just see them in the wings. They are all dressed in black so as not to attract attention. Jake is on the far left holding his trumpet. Below is the closing number "How Far We've Come" from the co-ed choir's set.
I think the band did a terrific job. The music was a real stretch for Jake, but he really wanted to play. Which I think is he best way for him to grow as a musician. On the whole it was very enjoyable listening to a live band performing with the choirs, particularly during this swingin' tune.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Happy Vulture Day!
Monday may have been Valentine's Day, but in my backyard it started out as Vulture day.
When I let the dogs out for their morning airing I glanced up at the trees bordering our yard and was stunned to see the branches filled with vultures. At one point we had 22 Black Vultures balefully glaring down at us. This was a moment worthy of capturing for posterity.
If you look closely you can see 16 vultures. It's a good thing I'm not the superstitious type, I never would have left the house.
When I let the dogs out for their morning airing I glanced up at the trees bordering our yard and was stunned to see the branches filled with vultures. At one point we had 22 Black Vultures balefully glaring down at us. This was a moment worthy of capturing for posterity.
If you look closely you can see 16 vultures. It's a good thing I'm not the superstitious type, I never would have left the house.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Music Box - Mixtape Club
Another fun film from Showtime's Short Stories. I found it not only enjoyable to watch, but a pleasure to listen to as well.
And yes, this would normally be posted on Monday. But that was my blogiversary and I have decided to shift the whole week over by one day.
And yes, this would normally be posted on Monday. But that was my blogiversary and I have decided to shift the whole week over by one day.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Six
And so far not six feet under.
Well my tiny little corner of the internet turned 6 years old today, which is amazing. I'm just poking along with my pictures and my stories and a few of you keep coming back.
So thank you. We have cookies and brownies in the kitchen, just help yourself.
Well my tiny little corner of the internet turned 6 years old today, which is amazing. I'm just poking along with my pictures and my stories and a few of you keep coming back.
So thank you. We have cookies and brownies in the kitchen, just help yourself.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Turn in the Weather
After experiencing one of the coldest winters in the area since we moved here, things are warming up.
There will be no icicles on the fountain for the rest of the week. We are looking at 50 degrees or more for the rest of the week. Rumor has it that will even hit 70! Twice! Tomorrow and possibly Friday.
Normal yo-yo February weather for around here.
There will be no icicles on the fountain for the rest of the week. We are looking at 50 degrees or more for the rest of the week. Rumor has it that will even hit 70! Twice! Tomorrow and possibly Friday.
Normal yo-yo February weather for around here.
Friday, February 11, 2011
MCP Project 52: Looking Up
This week's MCP Project 52 theme is Words.
This week it only took a moment for me to decide what to do. All I needed was a clear day a Richmond and I would be all set.
Larry noticed shortly after we moved to the Richmond area that the Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom by Thomas Jefferson was writ large on a a building in the historic Shockoe Slip area of downtown Richmond.
The statute reads as follows:
We have been meaning to photograph it for years and this was just the impetus I needed. And as a bonus just two blocks away is the Flood Wall upon which are banners celebrating Richmond's history. If I wasn't happy with the Statute I could use the Flood Wall instead.
So Wednesday dawned clear and bright and a bit cold, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. After sending off children to their respective schools I headed to Richmond. I was able to snag a parking spot 30 feet away from the Statute. I spent the following hour playing tourist, photographing the Statute, the Flood Wall and even the Canal Walk. It was a very productive hour.
I took a full on picture of the statute, but it's so boring compared to this one. I like how the paint colors fade into the sky and how the words stretch away. I did minimal processing, the photo works just the way I shot it.
Update:
Woohoo! My picture got featured this week!
This week it only took a moment for me to decide what to do. All I needed was a clear day a Richmond and I would be all set.
Larry noticed shortly after we moved to the Richmond area that the Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom by Thomas Jefferson was writ large on a a building in the historic Shockoe Slip area of downtown Richmond.
The statute reads as follows:
We the General Assembly of Virginia do enact that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities. 1786
Thomas Jefferson
We have been meaning to photograph it for years and this was just the impetus I needed. And as a bonus just two blocks away is the Flood Wall upon which are banners celebrating Richmond's history. If I wasn't happy with the Statute I could use the Flood Wall instead.
So Wednesday dawned clear and bright and a bit cold, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. After sending off children to their respective schools I headed to Richmond. I was able to snag a parking spot 30 feet away from the Statute. I spent the following hour playing tourist, photographing the Statute, the Flood Wall and even the Canal Walk. It was a very productive hour.
I took a full on picture of the statute, but it's so boring compared to this one. I like how the paint colors fade into the sky and how the words stretch away. I did minimal processing, the photo works just the way I shot it.
Update:
Woohoo! My picture got featured this week!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Walkable
Yesterday I drove into Richmond just to take pictures. It was a bright, but cold day. Perfect for what I wanted to do.
It is really no big deal to drive into the city and I can usually find parking not too far from where I want to be. I might have to walk a block or two, but I don't mind the exercise. I have found Richmond to be fascinating little city to view on foot.
My main interest was to photograph two spots in area called Shockoe Slip. It's the older part of downtown with cobblestone streets that run along the mighty James River. While cutting across from one street to another I ended up down on the canal walk.
From this point of the canal system you can ride a boat and get a narration on the canal's history. I haven't done it yet, but I hear it's a worthwhile experience. I have, however, walked most of the 1 1/4 mile length of the Canal Walk. It is not the most exciting of adventures, but you get to see some little pockets of Richmond you would miss not on foot. Plus there are plaques all along the walkway about the history of the canal and Richmond. One thing I learned was around the 1860s Richmond was largest flour milling center in he United States.
I can't wait to go back down once the weather is just a bit more inviting.
It is really no big deal to drive into the city and I can usually find parking not too far from where I want to be. I might have to walk a block or two, but I don't mind the exercise. I have found Richmond to be fascinating little city to view on foot.
My main interest was to photograph two spots in area called Shockoe Slip. It's the older part of downtown with cobblestone streets that run along the mighty James River. While cutting across from one street to another I ended up down on the canal walk.
From this point of the canal system you can ride a boat and get a narration on the canal's history. I haven't done it yet, but I hear it's a worthwhile experience. I have, however, walked most of the 1 1/4 mile length of the Canal Walk. It is not the most exciting of adventures, but you get to see some little pockets of Richmond you would miss not on foot. Plus there are plaques all along the walkway about the history of the canal and Richmond. One thing I learned was around the 1860s Richmond was largest flour milling center in he United States.
I can't wait to go back down once the weather is just a bit more inviting.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Artist of the Week: Book Report
Rebecca is this week's artist with her book report about "The Day of The Dragon King."
As you can probably guess this picture of Rebecca is not terribly recent, what with it being winter and all. It was taken this past August when we did our regular summer pilgrimage up north to visit family. We attended a small family reunion with Larry's maternal cousins while we were in Connecticut.
The reunion was held on the grounds of an old estate called Waveny. We had no interest in the house, instead we set up in a folly located at the end of a walkway in the gardens. It was a delightfully shady location that captured the breeze. Nearby was a rose garden that surrounded a butterfly garden. Rebecca and her cousins had a lot of fun seeing all the different blooms and spotting the butterflies. It was a lovely place to have a reunion.
However it is winter now and the gardens are covered with a deep blanket of snow. The only way to see the garden in all it's summertime splendor right now would have to be magic.
Like traveling via the Magic Tree House in Rebecca's book.
For those unfamiliar with the the Magic Tree House, it is a series of chapter books geared towards elementary school readers. Rebecca has read a couple of different books from the series (as have all of her brothers) and is currently doing a book report on one.
The report is due on Friday and consists of a little booklet dived into Settings, Characters, and Plot. Rebecca is expected to write at least a short paragraph in each section and create an illustration.
I like what so has drawn for the settings page. She has included the tree house, a Chinese castle, and Jack & Annie's home. Her handwriting is also very neat, especially considering she did all her writing without any sort of lines. Rebecca is putting some serious effort in this assignment and is doing a little bit each day. Far better than the last book report which was done in a slap dash manner at the very last second. I'm very proud of the fact that my daughter has learned from her mistake and is wanting to do a (much!) better job.
As you can probably guess this picture of Rebecca is not terribly recent, what with it being winter and all. It was taken this past August when we did our regular summer pilgrimage up north to visit family. We attended a small family reunion with Larry's maternal cousins while we were in Connecticut.
The reunion was held on the grounds of an old estate called Waveny. We had no interest in the house, instead we set up in a folly located at the end of a walkway in the gardens. It was a delightfully shady location that captured the breeze. Nearby was a rose garden that surrounded a butterfly garden. Rebecca and her cousins had a lot of fun seeing all the different blooms and spotting the butterflies. It was a lovely place to have a reunion.
However it is winter now and the gardens are covered with a deep blanket of snow. The only way to see the garden in all it's summertime splendor right now would have to be magic.
Like traveling via the Magic Tree House in Rebecca's book.
For those unfamiliar with the the Magic Tree House, it is a series of chapter books geared towards elementary school readers. Rebecca has read a couple of different books from the series (as have all of her brothers) and is currently doing a book report on one.
The report is due on Friday and consists of a little booklet dived into Settings, Characters, and Plot. Rebecca is expected to write at least a short paragraph in each section and create an illustration.
I like what so has drawn for the settings page. She has included the tree house, a Chinese castle, and Jack & Annie's home. Her handwriting is also very neat, especially considering she did all her writing without any sort of lines. Rebecca is putting some serious effort in this assignment and is doing a little bit each day. Far better than the last book report which was done in a slap dash manner at the very last second. I'm very proud of the fact that my daughter has learned from her mistake and is wanting to do a (much!) better job.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Orange Juice with a Wedge of...
Cheese?
Rebecca has a very definite style sense. She appreciates that good food should not only taste and smell good, it should look good. A meal should be a veritable feast for the senses.
But she also has a very quirky sense of humor.
Today's example is her glass of orange juice. She was not content to have a plain old glass of juice, oh no. It had to have a wedge of something garnishing the rim. Most people would go for an orange or lemon wedge, but not my girl.
She was hungry, hungry for cheese.
So she got out a Mini Babybel cheese wheel from the fridge, unwrapped it, gleefully announced she was "cutting the cheese," and jammed it on the rim of her glass.
It was decidedly odd, but she loved it.
Rebecca has a very definite style sense. She appreciates that good food should not only taste and smell good, it should look good. A meal should be a veritable feast for the senses.
But she also has a very quirky sense of humor.
Today's example is her glass of orange juice. She was not content to have a plain old glass of juice, oh no. It had to have a wedge of something garnishing the rim. Most people would go for an orange or lemon wedge, but not my girl.
She was hungry, hungry for cheese.
So she got out a Mini Babybel cheese wheel from the fridge, unwrapped it, gleefully announced she was "cutting the cheese," and jammed it on the rim of her glass.
It was decidedly odd, but she loved it.
Monday, February 07, 2011
In Loco Parentis
Yet another short listed movie from Tropfest 2011. I think it's a great little movie, but I think Train Girl just barely edges it out.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Blown
Every year my mother sends me live flowers, usually in bulb form. This year was not the exception and I received a lovely planter with a mix of red and white tulip bulbs. They are easy enough to grow and I really enjoy them through the bleak months of winter. We might not get all the snow that every one else is getting up north, but it is equally deary looking out the windows at the seemingly dead trees and lawn.
We all love watching the green little shoots poking up from the soil and then growing at a seemingly exponential rate. Buds swell and soon burst forth into bright splashes of red or white.
Sadly the blooms don't last through the rest of winter, but I do like them until the very bitter end when all the petals drop off. They just strike me as more dramatic when they are all blown. Soon the petals will drop from this flower and I'll have to store the bulbs until spring. Tulips never really have a chance in my backyard with all the deer, but I'm an optimist and every year I give it another go and plant them around the deck.
Oh and on a totally unrelated note- Way to go Packers!
We all love watching the green little shoots poking up from the soil and then growing at a seemingly exponential rate. Buds swell and soon burst forth into bright splashes of red or white.
Sadly the blooms don't last through the rest of winter, but I do like them until the very bitter end when all the petals drop off. They just strike me as more dramatic when they are all blown. Soon the petals will drop from this flower and I'll have to store the bulbs until spring. Tulips never really have a chance in my backyard with all the deer, but I'm an optimist and every year I give it another go and plant them around the deck.
Oh and on a totally unrelated note- Way to go Packers!
Friday, February 04, 2011
MCP Project 52: The Universe in Her Hands
Or conversely, the Universe is My Muse.
This week's theme, Muse, really had me stumped. I don't have any particular muse. I briefly considered the dogs, thus upping their picture count to be three out of the five assignments so far. However I decided it was a poor joke and that I needed to come up with something else.
Then I had it. I could find a little itty bitty globe and photograph it being cupped in a pair of hands. I could say that the world is my muse and that would be roughly accurate.
So off to the dollar store in search of a globe, be it a pencil sharpener, a key chain, or what have you.
I sort of found what I was looking for right off the bat. Just to be sure that it was what I wanted I checked out the rest of the toy aisle. I was keeping my eyes open for alternatives when I struck gold.
It was a tube containing eight glow in the dark planets. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune were all there. Only poor little dwarf planet (or whatever it's categorized now) was left out.
Cool!
I snatched those up along with some star stickers.
Back home I decorated the inside of a blue bowl with the stickers and poured the plants inside. Rebecca was my lovely and very patient hand model. I think the whole thing turned out rather nice.
This week's theme, Muse, really had me stumped. I don't have any particular muse. I briefly considered the dogs, thus upping their picture count to be three out of the five assignments so far. However I decided it was a poor joke and that I needed to come up with something else.
Then I had it. I could find a little itty bitty globe and photograph it being cupped in a pair of hands. I could say that the world is my muse and that would be roughly accurate.
So off to the dollar store in search of a globe, be it a pencil sharpener, a key chain, or what have you.
I sort of found what I was looking for right off the bat. Just to be sure that it was what I wanted I checked out the rest of the toy aisle. I was keeping my eyes open for alternatives when I struck gold.
It was a tube containing eight glow in the dark planets. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune were all there. Only poor little dwarf planet (or whatever it's categorized now) was left out.
Cool!
I snatched those up along with some star stickers.
Back home I decorated the inside of a blue bowl with the stickers and poured the plants inside. Rebecca was my lovely and very patient hand model. I think the whole thing turned out rather nice.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
It Never Ends
For one glorious hour I had no dirty laundry. All three hampers were empty and the last load was in the wash. Everything else was folded and ready to be put away.
Then Nate came home, announced his jeans were filthy (and they certainly were) and stripped them off.
I kinda hoped it would have lasted just a bit longer.
Then Nate came home, announced his jeans were filthy (and they certainly were) and stripped them off.
I kinda hoped it would have lasted just a bit longer.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Artist of the Week: Kinkajou
This week's artist is Nate.
Nate can often be found on the dog couch and yes it really is the dogs' couch. It is the one piece of furniture they are allowed up on and for the most part the dogs honor that. As for Nate, well he really is just a big puppy. He loves to pile up on the couch with the dogs.
You'll find him there in the morning, after school and just before bedtime. hugging the red boys and sometimes doing absurd things like balancing stuffed animals on the dogs' heads. Of course he spends a fair amount of his time running around, but his down time is often with the dogs.
So it's pretty easy to say that Nate is an animal lover and his affection extends to all sorts of creatures.
During his first quarter of the school year he was taking art. One of the assignments was to create a painting of the rain forest and do a short report. Nate selected the kinkajou as his subject.
My picture really does not do the work justice. The style is very evocative of Henri Rousseau (which is intentional, or at least that's what I remember him telling me). He made a nice use of color and I like the little dabs of purple signifying flowers that the kinkajou is dining upon. Nate had a great deal of fun in art and it's a pity that he will not be able to fit it in again this year.
Nate can often be found on the dog couch and yes it really is the dogs' couch. It is the one piece of furniture they are allowed up on and for the most part the dogs honor that. As for Nate, well he really is just a big puppy. He loves to pile up on the couch with the dogs.
You'll find him there in the morning, after school and just before bedtime. hugging the red boys and sometimes doing absurd things like balancing stuffed animals on the dogs' heads. Of course he spends a fair amount of his time running around, but his down time is often with the dogs.
So it's pretty easy to say that Nate is an animal lover and his affection extends to all sorts of creatures.
During his first quarter of the school year he was taking art. One of the assignments was to create a painting of the rain forest and do a short report. Nate selected the kinkajou as his subject.
My picture really does not do the work justice. The style is very evocative of Henri Rousseau (which is intentional, or at least that's what I remember him telling me). He made a nice use of color and I like the little dabs of purple signifying flowers that the kinkajou is dining upon. Nate had a great deal of fun in art and it's a pity that he will not be able to fit it in again this year.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
The Book Thief
I like to read.
I like to read a lot and I have fairly broad taste in reading material. I haunt the new shelf and the staff picks at my local library. When I hit on an author I like I'll delve into the stacks for earlier works. I've been known to start books I've found on vacation and pick them up to finish at my library once I'm back home.
Currently I'm plowing through the entire Dune Universe. I've reread the original six books by Frank Herbert and I've gotten through eight of the books written by Brain Herbert (Frank's son) with Kevin J. Anderson. Interspersed amongst the Dune saga have been a books with a bit more literary merit (all Dune all the time would be a bit like an all candy diet, only your brain rots instead of your teeth).
One of my most recent literary reads was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. My mother in law had it her house and highly recommended it to me. I read about sixty odd pages while we visited and found the book to be gripping. My in-laws offered to send the book home with me, but it was from their local library and I didn't want to bother. I knew I could get easily enough at home.
The best description of the book comes from within the story itself.
I like to read a lot and I have fairly broad taste in reading material. I haunt the new shelf and the staff picks at my local library. When I hit on an author I like I'll delve into the stacks for earlier works. I've been known to start books I've found on vacation and pick them up to finish at my library once I'm back home.
Currently I'm plowing through the entire Dune Universe. I've reread the original six books by Frank Herbert and I've gotten through eight of the books written by Brain Herbert (Frank's son) with Kevin J. Anderson. Interspersed amongst the Dune saga have been a books with a bit more literary merit (all Dune all the time would be a bit like an all candy diet, only your brain rots instead of your teeth).
One of my most recent literary reads was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. My mother in law had it her house and highly recommended it to me. I read about sixty odd pages while we visited and found the book to be gripping. My in-laws offered to send the book home with me, but it was from their local library and I didn't want to bother. I knew I could get easily enough at home.
The best description of the book comes from within the story itself.
It’s just a small story really, about among other things:I don't want say any more for fear of spoiling the book. It's classified as juvenile fiction, but it's geared towards a young adult and adults, in fact in the author's home of Australia it's classified just under adult so don't let the juvenile label fool you (I certainly would not suggest it to the 9 year olds in our house). I found it to be a very good read that left me sobbing at the end.
- A girl
- Some words
- An accordionist
- Some fanatical Germans
- A Jewish fist-fighter
- And quite a lot of thievery
Monday, January 31, 2011
Train Girl
A fun quirky finalist from this year's Tropfest For the first time ever, Tropfest is letting viewers to choose one of the 16 Finalists. 10 films selected from the official shortlist and Tropfest invites us to vote for our favourite.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Tasty Snowman
This Friday Rebecca's class had their postponed winter party. It was to be held the Friday before break, but winter weather caused school to be closed both the last two days of school. Which was a boon for Rebecca because now I could come. She's always grousing about how I don't spend nearly as much time in her class as I do in Max's (there is a small disparity, but that's due to the whole Max needs enzymes when he eats and it makes everything easier when I show up).
Anyhoodle, there were games, I read The Mitten and The Hat to the class, lunch was provided by the parents, and there were a couple of craft projects- a snowman and a bookmark. Of the craft projects the snowman was by far Rebecca's favorite.
And why wouldn't she like the snowman? It is composed of her favorite food, doughnuts. I think it is a very clever idea. Three doughnut holes held together with pretzel sticks with M&Ms making up the eyes, nose, and buttons. Of course being a room full of nine year olds there was much commenting about the "brain surgery" from the pretzel jammed down the middle. It was a very fun and rather tasty project.
Anyhoodle, there were games, I read The Mitten and The Hat to the class, lunch was provided by the parents, and there were a couple of craft projects- a snowman and a bookmark. Of the craft projects the snowman was by far Rebecca's favorite.
And why wouldn't she like the snowman? It is composed of her favorite food, doughnuts. I think it is a very clever idea. Three doughnut holes held together with pretzel sticks with M&Ms making up the eyes, nose, and buttons. Of course being a room full of nine year olds there was much commenting about the "brain surgery" from the pretzel jammed down the middle. It was a very fun and rather tasty project.
Friday, January 28, 2011
MCP Project 52: Red Boy Repetition
This week's assignment on MCP Project 52 was "Soothing Repetition."
I considered submitting pictures of freshly cut slices of cinnamon bread or a tin full of chocolate chip cookies, but in the end the red boys won out.
This is the second time in four weeks that my subject matter was Dell and John, hopefully I will branch out more in the following months. That being said, they really were the perfect choice for this week's theme.
The two of them are similar in appearance and their position and demeanor has a soothing and repetitive quality. I also mentioned in the caption for the photo that the two of them are a balm for my heart and are a repetition of their sire, Crunch.
I'm pleased with the soft feel of the picture and the final crop I made. It just remains to be seen if anybody else likes it as well.
I considered submitting pictures of freshly cut slices of cinnamon bread or a tin full of chocolate chip cookies, but in the end the red boys won out.
This is the second time in four weeks that my subject matter was Dell and John, hopefully I will branch out more in the following months. That being said, they really were the perfect choice for this week's theme.
The two of them are similar in appearance and their position and demeanor has a soothing and repetitive quality. I also mentioned in the caption for the photo that the two of them are a balm for my heart and are a repetition of their sire, Crunch.
I'm pleased with the soft feel of the picture and the final crop I made. It just remains to be seen if anybody else likes it as well.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Love Note
Parenting is a tough gig. The hours are long, you find yourself dealing with disgusting things on a regular basis, and so on. At times you wonder if the little beasts will ever be fit for civilized company.
But then there are the little things that melt your heart and you realize it's all going to turn out right.
Rebecca gave me this little note today. No real reason for it other than that she loves me.
And that is enough for me.
But then there are the little things that melt your heart and you realize it's all going to turn out right.
Rebecca gave me this little note today. No real reason for it other than that she loves me.
And that is enough for me.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Artist of the Week: Impossible Motion
This week's artist comes from The Daily Dish (and onwards to NPR) via the lovely Janis. Which all bring you to this mind boggling video.
Using just glue and cardboard Dr. Kokichi Sugihara (at the Meiji Institute for Advanced Study of Mathematical Sciences in Japan) makes seemingly impossible constructs. He understands how the brain interprets what the eyes see and has learned how to make the most fantastical structures. You know what you are seeing isn't possible, but...then the image rotates and all is revealed. If you have a 13 or so minutes to spare I highly recommend watching the longer Impossible Motions 2.
Using just glue and cardboard Dr. Kokichi Sugihara (at the Meiji Institute for Advanced Study of Mathematical Sciences in Japan) makes seemingly impossible constructs. He understands how the brain interprets what the eyes see and has learned how to make the most fantastical structures. You know what you are seeing isn't possible, but...then the image rotates and all is revealed. If you have a 13 or so minutes to spare I highly recommend watching the longer Impossible Motions 2.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The End is Near
Or, Healed at Last
I took Jake in for the 5 week check up of his fractured foot. The doctor was pleased with Jake's progress. The x-ray showed clear evidence of bone growth around the fracture and Jake has been essentially pain free for the past few weeks.
So now Jake is being weaned off of his stinky Aircast, by next week he'll be back to sneakers and will kick that cast to the curb.
And as for the stinky part, good lord does it reek to high heaven.
The cast has gotten so bad that even Jake complains about the stench of death that emanates from the cast. Mind you he showers daily and has fairly good hygiene, but he's stuck with an unwashable object that he is supposed to wear 23 hours a day.
He'll be stretched out prone on the couch waving his feet in the air and I'll walk by and nearly gag from the stench. In fact Jake voluntarily sprays the interior with Febreeze on a daily bases. Yes, a 14 year old boy is actually using Febreeze. It doesn't kill the odor, but it does knock it back to a far more tolerable level.
We will all be happy when he is done with the cast. Jake wants to burn it, but I told him that would make it smell even worse.
I took Jake in for the 5 week check up of his fractured foot. The doctor was pleased with Jake's progress. The x-ray showed clear evidence of bone growth around the fracture and Jake has been essentially pain free for the past few weeks.
So now Jake is being weaned off of his stinky Aircast, by next week he'll be back to sneakers and will kick that cast to the curb.
And as for the stinky part, good lord does it reek to high heaven.
The cast has gotten so bad that even Jake complains about the stench of death that emanates from the cast. Mind you he showers daily and has fairly good hygiene, but he's stuck with an unwashable object that he is supposed to wear 23 hours a day.
He'll be stretched out prone on the couch waving his feet in the air and I'll walk by and nearly gag from the stench. In fact Jake voluntarily sprays the interior with Febreeze on a daily bases. Yes, a 14 year old boy is actually using Febreeze. It doesn't kill the odor, but it does knock it back to a far more tolerable level.
We will all be happy when he is done with the cast. Jake wants to burn it, but I told him that would make it smell even worse.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Watermelon To Go
While perusing the internet today I stumbled upon one of the neatest car paint jobs I've ever seen. Somebody out there in the Ukraine really loves watermelons.
According to one person in the comments over in Make, it was painted by the Ukrainian artist Nathalie Paltcoon. I couldn't find much else about the car other than it's Daewoo, but the pictures are enough for me. I love the brilliant red interior with the black handles and whatnot looking like seeds. This would be the greatest summer ride.
According to one person in the comments over in Make, it was painted by the Ukrainian artist Nathalie Paltcoon. I couldn't find much else about the car other than it's Daewoo, but the pictures are enough for me. I love the brilliant red interior with the black handles and whatnot looking like seeds. This would be the greatest summer ride.
Friday, January 21, 2011
MCP Project 52: Tracery in Ice
This week's assignment was "shades of grey."
I like black and white photography and I was really looking forward to the challenge. The main question was what would I photograph.
On Tuesday I got my answer.
The previous night temperatures had dipped back down to below freezing and created the most beautiful patterns of ice crystals on the glass table outside. I was enraptured by the effect and hurried to get my camera before they were gone. I took about a dozen pictures and had the hardest time winnowing them down to one. Then all I had to do was the merest of tweaks and switched it to black and white. I love the final result.
I like black and white photography and I was really looking forward to the challenge. The main question was what would I photograph.
On Tuesday I got my answer.
The previous night temperatures had dipped back down to below freezing and created the most beautiful patterns of ice crystals on the glass table outside. I was enraptured by the effect and hurried to get my camera before they were gone. I took about a dozen pictures and had the hardest time winnowing them down to one. Then all I had to do was the merest of tweaks and switched it to black and white. I love the final result.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Patience
John is such a good boy. He puts up with all sorts of nonsense with quiet grace.
Just the other day Nate was on the dog couch with the dogs and found a little stuffed orca nearby. Being 12 years old, Nate promptly placed the toy on John's head.
It balanced perfectly.
John sat there with his long suffering hound face, calming looking around. The effect was hilarious. Nate begged me to take a picture and I happily complied.
John ultimately tired of his unusual chapeau, but at least I was able to get a picture.
Just the other day Nate was on the dog couch with the dogs and found a little stuffed orca nearby. Being 12 years old, Nate promptly placed the toy on John's head.
It balanced perfectly.
John sat there with his long suffering hound face, calming looking around. The effect was hilarious. Nate begged me to take a picture and I happily complied.
John ultimately tired of his unusual chapeau, but at least I was able to get a picture.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Artist of the Week: Leaves
A very happy looking Max is the Artist of the Week.
He's had and interesting week and a half. Last Tuesday we had a snow day due to a wintery mix that swept through our area last week. He had a wonderful time goofing off with his siblings until an hour before dinner when he had a sudden crash. As I was puttering about whist making dinner I found him sound asleep on the couch.
This was not a good sign.
He stopped taking naps a long, long time ago and only falls asleep during the day when his sick. And boy, oh boy was he sick.
He was burning up and I decided it was best just to let him be. He briefly roused himself for a bite to eat, but was soon packed off to bed. The roads were an icy mess and I thought it was best to wait until morning before taking him in to see a doctor. And the next day I hauled his aching miserable self in and found out he had the flu. So much for the flu shot. However, because we acted fast he was eligible for Tamiflu and by the next day he was his bouncy self. If fact he recovered so quickly he was able to go back to school Friday.
Which brings us to this week's art piece.
This picture, along with a few other things, was brought home from school. It was a project done during art class. The background is watercolor and the leaves slowly tumbling down are done in crayon.
I love the softness of the blues and greens. They are a lovely wash of color that contrasts nicely with the crisp orange and red of the leaves. There is an implied motion of the leaves falling by their placement down the page.
I think that it is a lovely piece. It is simply done without a lot of fussy details. The watercolor was put to very good use without dominating the composition.
He's had and interesting week and a half. Last Tuesday we had a snow day due to a wintery mix that swept through our area last week. He had a wonderful time goofing off with his siblings until an hour before dinner when he had a sudden crash. As I was puttering about whist making dinner I found him sound asleep on the couch.
This was not a good sign.
He stopped taking naps a long, long time ago and only falls asleep during the day when his sick. And boy, oh boy was he sick.
He was burning up and I decided it was best just to let him be. He briefly roused himself for a bite to eat, but was soon packed off to bed. The roads were an icy mess and I thought it was best to wait until morning before taking him in to see a doctor. And the next day I hauled his aching miserable self in and found out he had the flu. So much for the flu shot. However, because we acted fast he was eligible for Tamiflu and by the next day he was his bouncy self. If fact he recovered so quickly he was able to go back to school Friday.
Which brings us to this week's art piece.
This picture, along with a few other things, was brought home from school. It was a project done during art class. The background is watercolor and the leaves slowly tumbling down are done in crayon.
I love the softness of the blues and greens. They are a lovely wash of color that contrasts nicely with the crisp orange and red of the leaves. There is an implied motion of the leaves falling by their placement down the page.
I think that it is a lovely piece. It is simply done without a lot of fussy details. The watercolor was put to very good use without dominating the composition.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Good Morning Starshine
This was the picture that in the end I submitted to the MCP Project 52. As I feared my goofy picture of the boys was rejected because it wasn't taken in the correct time frame.
I has flummoxed for a bit and not sure what I was going to use when I remembered that I had snapped a couple pictures of a glorious sunrise that morning. I had used my cell phone so I wasn't sure about the quality, but I downloaded them to take a look see.
I was very surprised at how well my pictures came out. The color was true and they were reasonably in focus with not too much grain. All I had to do was rotate and do a bit of cropping. As for the song, I thought Good Morning Starshine worked fairly well.
I'm having a lot of fun with the MCP Project 52, this weeks theme is "shades of grey."
I has flummoxed for a bit and not sure what I was going to use when I remembered that I had snapped a couple pictures of a glorious sunrise that morning. I had used my cell phone so I wasn't sure about the quality, but I downloaded them to take a look see.
I was very surprised at how well my pictures came out. The color was true and they were reasonably in focus with not too much grain. All I had to do was rotate and do a bit of cropping. As for the song, I thought Good Morning Starshine worked fairly well.
I'm having a lot of fun with the MCP Project 52, this weeks theme is "shades of grey."
Monday, January 17, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
MCP Project 52: My Three Sons
I've blogged this picture before, waaaay back on April 26, 2006. That being said It's back again for the MCP Project 52.
Technically it's not eligible since it was not taken between the Jan. 8th and and Jan. 14th, but it's my blog and the picture is perfect for the song "My Three Sons."
I'll try to find one for the group pool that is eligible, but for now you get to look at my three goofy boys.
Technically it's not eligible since it was not taken between the Jan. 8th and and Jan. 14th, but it's my blog and the picture is perfect for the song "My Three Sons."
I'll try to find one for the group pool that is eligible, but for now you get to look at my three goofy boys.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Get Along Little Wormy
I have now officially become a vermiculturist.
It's science fair season and Nate has decided to use worms in his science fair project. To whit: he is testing the effect of worm presence on plant growth.
Which means we had to order some earthworms.
And we got not just any old worms, oh no we are the proud owners of red wigglers, the Cadillac of worms*. Today our Worm Hobby Kit arrived from Uncle Jim's Worm Farm. In the kit there is food, bedding, a nice plastic container, burlap, and 500 red wigglers. That's right 500 worms.
The worms weren't very wiggly at first, they were more like red torpids. But they seem to be reviving from their long and very cold journey. And honestly we could lose over half and still have far more worms than we really need. Nate only needs 30, the rest I'll have to baby along until spring when I can let them loose on the yard.
So now I get to add worm farmer to my Curriculum Vitae.
*Spot the quote
It's science fair season and Nate has decided to use worms in his science fair project. To whit: he is testing the effect of worm presence on plant growth.
Which means we had to order some earthworms.
And we got not just any old worms, oh no we are the proud owners of red wigglers, the Cadillac of worms*. Today our Worm Hobby Kit arrived from Uncle Jim's Worm Farm. In the kit there is food, bedding, a nice plastic container, burlap, and 500 red wigglers. That's right 500 worms.
The worms weren't very wiggly at first, they were more like red torpids. But they seem to be reviving from their long and very cold journey. And honestly we could lose over half and still have far more worms than we really need. Nate only needs 30, the rest I'll have to baby along until spring when I can let them loose on the yard.
So now I get to add worm farmer to my Curriculum Vitae.
*Spot the quote
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Artist of the Week: Sheep
Rebecca is this week's featured artist.
I love her pose here, she was just causally walking along when Larry took this picture. Sadly she's a bit far away and the resulting picture is grainy, but despite its flaws I still like the photo.
She was a very happy camper that day. We were at a friend's house and she got to ride a pony all by herself. I'm planning on taking her back, we just have to wait for the temperature to warm up and the ground to be a little less like concrete. Hopefully sometime in February this unrelenting cold will let up and be a bit more like a normal Virginia winter.
When we do go she'll be ready with her very own (purple) riding helmet. All she needs now is a decent pair riding boots.
As for her art, Rebecca is ready to go. She got a lovely assortment of pencils, markers, and paints on her birthday from Grandma. She has been putting them to go use and one of her projects is her "Book of Animals."
Rebecca cut some plain sheets of paper to size and stapled them together to make a little booklet. It's roughly 3 1/2 by 5 inches and will ultimately feature a different animal on each page. So far she has filled only six pages., about a quarter of the way in. Rebecca is in no great hurry and adds to the book as the mood strikes her.
So far my favorite picture is this happy and very confident looking sheep. I don't know why it appeals to so much, but it does. I can't wait to see the rest of her animals as she fills in her book.
I love her pose here, she was just causally walking along when Larry took this picture. Sadly she's a bit far away and the resulting picture is grainy, but despite its flaws I still like the photo.
She was a very happy camper that day. We were at a friend's house and she got to ride a pony all by herself. I'm planning on taking her back, we just have to wait for the temperature to warm up and the ground to be a little less like concrete. Hopefully sometime in February this unrelenting cold will let up and be a bit more like a normal Virginia winter.
When we do go she'll be ready with her very own (purple) riding helmet. All she needs now is a decent pair riding boots.
As for her art, Rebecca is ready to go. She got a lovely assortment of pencils, markers, and paints on her birthday from Grandma. She has been putting them to go use and one of her projects is her "Book of Animals."
Rebecca cut some plain sheets of paper to size and stapled them together to make a little booklet. It's roughly 3 1/2 by 5 inches and will ultimately feature a different animal on each page. So far she has filled only six pages., about a quarter of the way in. Rebecca is in no great hurry and adds to the book as the mood strikes her.
So far my favorite picture is this happy and very confident looking sheep. I don't know why it appeals to so much, but it does. I can't wait to see the rest of her animals as she fills in her book.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Diary of a Snow Day
Everybody went to bed Monday night anticipating a possible snow day from the forecasted Wintery Mix of Doom.
At 5:45 a there was no word from the school board (they have an automated phone blast system) and I had to get Jake up and moving if there was school. Jake was not very happy, but he dutifully got up and showered.
5:52 am first phone call of the morning announcing school was delayed 2 hours. I go stand outside the bathroom door and relay this little nugget of information to Jake after he turns off the shower. His reaction- argh. I go back to my nice warm bed.
6:33 am second cal from the school system basically repeating the first message.
7:30 am I decide to head downstairs. To celebrate the two hour delay I make pancakes. There is much celebration.
7:45 am the school board throws in the towel and calls off school. I find out via FaceBook and just barely nab Jake and Larry before they leave to take Jake to school. There is even greater celebration over this piece of news.
8:00 am third phone call of the day, this one formally announcing the closing of the schools. I am getting tired of all these phone calls.
Larry leaves for work, I retreat upstairs with a book. I figured by giving them pancakes and unfettered TV privileges that I've earned a few hours to myself.
The ploy works.
12:05 pm "Mom, where are you? I'm hungry." I heat up the big family size of mac & cheese that I bought yesterday for this eventuality. There is much celebration and I've bought myself a couple more whine free hours.
2:38 pm piano teacher calls to tell us she has decided not to hazard the drive.
2:43 pm the trumpet teacher, however, calls to say he's still coming at 3.
4:00 pm the trumpet teacher is done and after he leaves I head out to pick up Max's albuterol which should have been ready Monday. The roads are fine, just a bit wet. When I come home I predict that there will be a two hour delay Wednesday morning because of the roads freezing over during the night.
8:30 pm, roughly three hours after my prediction the school board announces on FaceBook there will be a 2 hour delay Wednesday morning. There is much celebration.
10:11 pm final (hopefully) phone call from the schools. School is definitely delayed two hours.
I think tomorrow I'll make french toast for breakfast.
At 5:45 a there was no word from the school board (they have an automated phone blast system) and I had to get Jake up and moving if there was school. Jake was not very happy, but he dutifully got up and showered.
5:52 am first phone call of the morning announcing school was delayed 2 hours. I go stand outside the bathroom door and relay this little nugget of information to Jake after he turns off the shower. His reaction- argh. I go back to my nice warm bed.
6:33 am second cal from the school system basically repeating the first message.
7:30 am I decide to head downstairs. To celebrate the two hour delay I make pancakes. There is much celebration.
7:45 am the school board throws in the towel and calls off school. I find out via FaceBook and just barely nab Jake and Larry before they leave to take Jake to school. There is even greater celebration over this piece of news.
8:00 am third phone call of the day, this one formally announcing the closing of the schools. I am getting tired of all these phone calls.
Larry leaves for work, I retreat upstairs with a book. I figured by giving them pancakes and unfettered TV privileges that I've earned a few hours to myself.
The ploy works.
12:05 pm "Mom, where are you? I'm hungry." I heat up the big family size of mac & cheese that I bought yesterday for this eventuality. There is much celebration and I've bought myself a couple more whine free hours.
2:38 pm piano teacher calls to tell us she has decided not to hazard the drive.
2:43 pm the trumpet teacher, however, calls to say he's still coming at 3.
4:00 pm the trumpet teacher is done and after he leaves I head out to pick up Max's albuterol which should have been ready Monday. The roads are fine, just a bit wet. When I come home I predict that there will be a two hour delay Wednesday morning because of the roads freezing over during the night.
8:30 pm, roughly three hours after my prediction the school board announces on FaceBook there will be a 2 hour delay Wednesday morning. There is much celebration.
10:11 pm final (hopefully) phone call from the schools. School is definitely delayed two hours.
I think tomorrow I'll make french toast for breakfast.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Happy Jam Is Happy
I almost forgot about this. About a month ago I opened up a brand new jar of jam (thrills, chills and excitement abound!). I put down the lid and was very surprised to see it smiling back at me.
So of course I took a picture. Doesn't the lid have a nice smile for the camera?
A little bit of happiness and fun to start the week.
So of course I took a picture. Doesn't the lid have a nice smile for the camera?
A little bit of happiness and fun to start the week.
Friday, January 07, 2011
MCP Project 52: The boys
I've found out about a new Flickr pool called MCP Project 52: One Photo a Week.
I've heard about the post/picture a day projects, but those were always far to big a commitment for me. However, one picture a week is definitely doable. There will be a weekly theme, but it is not ironclad. If the theme doesn't work for you feel free to share the picture of your choosing.
This week's theme is "Something around the house" and I think the red boys qualify as something around my house. Currently they are perched on the same love seat pictured here. That is all theirs and is even called the dog couch. They love to mash down the back cushion to 1) increase the comfy factor and 2) be able to keep tabs on the local squirrel population in our backyard.
I've heard about the post/picture a day projects, but those were always far to big a commitment for me. However, one picture a week is definitely doable. There will be a weekly theme, but it is not ironclad. If the theme doesn't work for you feel free to share the picture of your choosing.
This week's theme is "Something around the house" and I think the red boys qualify as something around my house. Currently they are perched on the same love seat pictured here. That is all theirs and is even called the dog couch. They love to mash down the back cushion to 1) increase the comfy factor and 2) be able to keep tabs on the local squirrel population in our backyard.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Joys of Parenting
For the most part the kids get along fairly well. There is some bickering, but that is perfectly normal. They can play together and do share things without to much prompting. I try to have them sort things out on their own. When one of them comes to register a complaint about some grave injustice incurred against them by a sibling, my first question is "did you talk to them, do they know that you are hurt/offended." Inevitably they stomp away muttering, there will be a bit of shouting, and then it's over.
Sometimes the interactions are far more hilarious.
Max and Rebecca were both sitting the couch on opposite ends. She was reading a book and he was doing his homework. Periodically Rebecca would clear her throat. Max would then ask her to stop coughing in his direction. This would result in outraged protests from Rebecca that she was not coughing on him and to stop bothering her, SHE WAS TRYING TO READ.
This went on through about 3 cycles before I stepped in.
"Max she isn't coughing on you, she's just clearing her throat."
"Oh, I didn't know."
Then peace reigned over the couch.
Sometimes the interactions are far more hilarious.
Max and Rebecca were both sitting the couch on opposite ends. She was reading a book and he was doing his homework. Periodically Rebecca would clear her throat. Max would then ask her to stop coughing in his direction. This would result in outraged protests from Rebecca that she was not coughing on him and to stop bothering her, SHE WAS TRYING TO READ.
This went on through about 3 cycles before I stepped in.
"Max she isn't coughing on you, she's just clearing her throat."
"Oh, I didn't know."
Then peace reigned over the couch.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Artist of the Week: Quiet Places
This week's artist is Nate.
I got this picture of Nate while he was outside during the big storm. My mother has a gate that leads to a path down to the park behind her property. Past years we have gone sledding on the amazing hill at the park, but this year it didn't happen. For most of our stay there was precious little snow on the ground (a mere dusting in New England eyes) and there was a black plastic fence at the bottom of the hill surrounding the field that we would normally fly across.
It was an intense disappointment for the younger, non-injured set, a boon however for Jake and his fractured foot.
As for Nate's art, it calls back to far more warmer and bucolic times.
He presented this little vignette, titled "Quiet Places" to me a few days ago. If you look carefully you can see an assortment of small creatures hidden in the picture.
I love the careful details in the picture and that Nate avoided overworking. That is one of the hardest things to learn in art, when to stop. It is all too easy to get sucked in and mired in each and every detail. The composition becomes muddied and eventually it all overwhelms the picture. It is a careful balancing act and Nate seems to have a good idea on how to pull it off.
I got this picture of Nate while he was outside during the big storm. My mother has a gate that leads to a path down to the park behind her property. Past years we have gone sledding on the amazing hill at the park, but this year it didn't happen. For most of our stay there was precious little snow on the ground (a mere dusting in New England eyes) and there was a black plastic fence at the bottom of the hill surrounding the field that we would normally fly across.
It was an intense disappointment for the younger, non-injured set, a boon however for Jake and his fractured foot.
As for Nate's art, it calls back to far more warmer and bucolic times.
He presented this little vignette, titled "Quiet Places" to me a few days ago. If you look carefully you can see an assortment of small creatures hidden in the picture.
I love the careful details in the picture and that Nate avoided overworking. That is one of the hardest things to learn in art, when to stop. It is all too easy to get sucked in and mired in each and every detail. The composition becomes muddied and eventually it all overwhelms the picture. It is a careful balancing act and Nate seems to have a good idea on how to pull it off.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Snow Monster
After the blizzard on December 27th was all said and done I took the obligatory post big snowfall pictures around my mom's house. I was enjoying the late dusk light coupled with the downy softness of the snow and not really looking at exactly what I was photographing. I was essentially in the moment.
It wasn't until much later, like days and days later when we were back home, that I really looked at my pictures. I had a few nice ones of my mother's tree that the kids decorated, the snowy backyard, the buried van and a few of the kids tromping about in the snow.
Then one picture stood out.
It was of a bush, branches laden with snow, tucked behind my mother's garage. I didn't notice at the time, but it looked rather like an angry snow monster crouched beside the garage.
To give you a better idea of what I see, here is the same picture with the addition of eyes and teeth (I have such mad photoshop skillz).
I think it is uncanny how the bush in the unadorned picture looks so menacing. It's just a normal coniferous bush in the summer, only notable for it's size and prickliness of its needles. But, covered with a bit over a foot of snow, it looks like it's ready to go on a rampage.
If we had been able to stay longer and if I had noticed this while we were up there I would have had the kids make some snow people fleeing in terror from this bushy menace.
It wasn't until much later, like days and days later when we were back home, that I really looked at my pictures. I had a few nice ones of my mother's tree that the kids decorated, the snowy backyard, the buried van and a few of the kids tromping about in the snow.
Then one picture stood out.
It was of a bush, branches laden with snow, tucked behind my mother's garage. I didn't notice at the time, but it looked rather like an angry snow monster crouched beside the garage.
To give you a better idea of what I see, here is the same picture with the addition of eyes and teeth (I have such mad photoshop skillz).
I think it is uncanny how the bush in the unadorned picture looks so menacing. It's just a normal coniferous bush in the summer, only notable for it's size and prickliness of its needles. But, covered with a bit over a foot of snow, it looks like it's ready to go on a rampage.
If we had been able to stay longer and if I had noticed this while we were up there I would have had the kids make some snow people fleeing in terror from this bushy menace.
Monday, January 03, 2011
Man in a Blizzard
A lovely short film depicting the blizzard we just had. Shot in New York City on December 26th, 2010.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Home At Last
It has been a very busy winter break and I'm glad it's drawing to a close.
We have had a broken foot, long drives, a blizzard, lots of family, good food, and fun. Excepting the foot, I wouldn't have traded any of it.
Poor Jake was the one with the bum foot. He was walking about in the kitchen on the eve of our departure, Sunday, when he somehow rolled over the outside of his left foot and fractured the fifth metatarsal. Of course I thought he just sprained it and sent him off to bed with a couple of Ibuprofens. Next morning (Monday) he was still in pain, which is major for him being all stoic and with a high pain threshold.
So many hours and a few x-rays later he was determined to have a 90% chance of a fracture. He was issued crutches and the recommendation to see a orthopedist. With a fair amount of phone calls and a willingness to go to any office in the Richmond metro area we secured an appointment with a foot doc at 8:30 am Tuesday. Not to bad, we only delay by a day and Jake gets properly checked out. The best part was the doc is sort of kind of on the way up North and we would still get an early start.
Tuesday morning the foot doc agreed that it was most likely a fracture. Jake got an Aircast and an appointment for a follow up in January. We were on the road by 10 and had quite possibly the best drive north ever. We missed most of the traffic and had clear sailing.
As for the blizzard, it really wasn't a big deal. Where my mom lives we only got 13 1/2 inches and she was plowed out by 11:20 am. We were planning on heading back down to my inlaws' that day (Monday), but they got 18 inches of the white stuff and a snowdrift again the front door. It was decided that delaying by a day would be the prudent thing to do.
And really that was it. Again we had easy drive. We ate far too much good food, got to see some family and have a good time all around.
We have had a broken foot, long drives, a blizzard, lots of family, good food, and fun. Excepting the foot, I wouldn't have traded any of it.
Poor Jake was the one with the bum foot. He was walking about in the kitchen on the eve of our departure, Sunday, when he somehow rolled over the outside of his left foot and fractured the fifth metatarsal. Of course I thought he just sprained it and sent him off to bed with a couple of Ibuprofens. Next morning (Monday) he was still in pain, which is major for him being all stoic and with a high pain threshold.
So many hours and a few x-rays later he was determined to have a 90% chance of a fracture. He was issued crutches and the recommendation to see a orthopedist. With a fair amount of phone calls and a willingness to go to any office in the Richmond metro area we secured an appointment with a foot doc at 8:30 am Tuesday. Not to bad, we only delay by a day and Jake gets properly checked out. The best part was the doc is sort of kind of on the way up North and we would still get an early start.
Tuesday morning the foot doc agreed that it was most likely a fracture. Jake got an Aircast and an appointment for a follow up in January. We were on the road by 10 and had quite possibly the best drive north ever. We missed most of the traffic and had clear sailing.
As for the blizzard, it really wasn't a big deal. Where my mom lives we only got 13 1/2 inches and she was plowed out by 11:20 am. We were planning on heading back down to my inlaws' that day (Monday), but they got 18 inches of the white stuff and a snowdrift again the front door. It was decided that delaying by a day would be the prudent thing to do.
And really that was it. Again we had easy drive. We ate far too much good food, got to see some family and have a good time all around.
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