tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31030915679510199182024-03-05T04:35:08.093-08:00...I take the pictures and write the words because...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-32047217538395946582013-02-03T21:17:00.000-08:002013-02-03T21:17:21.306-08:00SMW 2013 Photo~Art CalendarSo much water under the bridge since I last posted. I spent the first part of the year (2012) on a photo per day project. In the process I ended up with some pretty nice shots of which I have now put into a calendar for 2013. I am posting a sample of the pages here. The calendar has just gone to print - I know, January is moot but oh well, I did not expect to have so many of the great people who purchased my 2012 calendar requesting not only another of the Obsolete Iron (choppers n stuff) but a photo~art calendar with some of my stuff from last year. I have gone through and chosen some of my favorite shots - it was a tough job to pick - and here are the copies of the pages so if you want to order one, you can! - An informed decision after viewing the pages, no less.<br />
I will post a link to Paypal so you can easily order online soon. Keep watching for the link. I hope to be a little more active on the blog this year. Just trying to balance work, play, kids and art. It's a lot of balls to juggle but I'm going to try! ; )<br />
<br />
SMW 2013 Photo~Art Calendar Sample Pages:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-70hIskZmhzA/UQ89pZjk7yI/AAAAAAAAUec/k9HJh-YmgrE/s1600/art+2013+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-70hIskZmhzA/UQ89pZjk7yI/AAAAAAAAUec/k9HJh-YmgrE/s320/art+2013+cover.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1GC9GMa3zY/UQ885OsyGeI/AAAAAAAAUdU/b0g28wj009I/s1600/Calendar+Template+2013_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1GC9GMa3zY/UQ885OsyGeI/AAAAAAAAUdU/b0g28wj009I/s320/Calendar+Template+2013_001.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0oW0OBPdEek/UQ88qxfiENI/AAAAAAAAUc8/lXmiZrFzUvk/s1600/Calendar+Template+2013_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0oW0OBPdEek/UQ88qxfiENI/AAAAAAAAUc8/lXmiZrFzUvk/s320/Calendar+Template+2013_002.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kLMJGhX2Ycw/UQ88uYHL0fI/AAAAAAAAUdE/5IeXown7mTc/s1600/Calendar+Template+2013_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kLMJGhX2Ycw/UQ88uYHL0fI/AAAAAAAAUdE/5IeXown7mTc/s320/Calendar+Template+2013_003.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K1wkASAQdJk/UQ8858Hl_0I/AAAAAAAAUdc/n2aZRGKozdg/s1600/Calendar+Template+2013_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K1wkASAQdJk/UQ8858Hl_0I/AAAAAAAAUdc/n2aZRGKozdg/s320/Calendar+Template+2013_004.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXgq7544SR-4-oX09rkQ0hto4CelcVxD1kSW7yh-7Qqg4vhpLLYmeHIZjnUyBQLrnDOvQEnMVSVecvVozF3bJ38xQSq_74cbaloSwilurtO1fA4gg74O2sIF3kwHNqr_LiATSBWifVYrJ/s1600/Calendar+Template+2013_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXgq7544SR-4-oX09rkQ0hto4CelcVxD1kSW7yh-7Qqg4vhpLLYmeHIZjnUyBQLrnDOvQEnMVSVecvVozF3bJ38xQSq_74cbaloSwilurtO1fA4gg74O2sIF3kwHNqr_LiATSBWifVYrJ/s320/Calendar+Template+2013_005.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy4ueZ8xdIY/UQ89BaIDOxI/AAAAAAAAUdk/-zlHVYMgXIo/s1600/Calendar+Template+2013_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy4ueZ8xdIY/UQ89BaIDOxI/AAAAAAAAUdk/-zlHVYMgXIo/s320/Calendar+Template+2013_006.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Su6ax1CnAE/UQ89GvofKGI/AAAAAAAAUd0/aaconqb1mfM/s1600/Calendar+Template+2013_007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Su6ax1CnAE/UQ89GvofKGI/AAAAAAAAUd0/aaconqb1mfM/s320/Calendar+Template+2013_007.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCWK_rAWNldY87pG_t5zLVXsGWknwbMQqzhptbovPll0ZpvZ8tzSqM3YsS8z0TLLa0C2hk7dhXaYcPxmwepbtItKhr_rn4g1nK3TWiavSvQ7H6p3SoKte7bfEAbU5GVC52Avoaqttm0OH/s1600/Calendar+Template+2013_008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCWK_rAWNldY87pG_t5zLVXsGWknwbMQqzhptbovPll0ZpvZ8tzSqM3YsS8z0TLLa0C2hk7dhXaYcPxmwepbtItKhr_rn4g1nK3TWiavSvQ7H6p3SoKte7bfEAbU5GVC52Avoaqttm0OH/s320/Calendar+Template+2013_008.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuZT5bW1c-o/UQ89VsPE30I/AAAAAAAAUeE/54xcACmVGlo/s1600/Calendar+Template+2013_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuZT5bW1c-o/UQ89VsPE30I/AAAAAAAAUeE/54xcACmVGlo/s320/Calendar+Template+2013_009.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Svr4OhB_TQs/UQ89UoYx5WI/AAAAAAAAUd8/BB4414HW6s0/s1600/Calendar+Template+2013_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Svr4OhB_TQs/UQ89UoYx5WI/AAAAAAAAUd8/BB4414HW6s0/s320/Calendar+Template+2013_010.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqWcWO8X1fA/UQ89ehrO6SI/AAAAAAAAUeM/zbwoeZqAah4/s1600/Calendar+Template+2013_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqWcWO8X1fA/UQ89ehrO6SI/AAAAAAAAUeM/zbwoeZqAah4/s320/Calendar+Template+2013_011.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Au6P7GclXcw/UQ89kFAQytI/AAAAAAAAUeU/VwYtNcmBxEU/s1600/Calendar+Template+2013_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Au6P7GclXcw/UQ89kFAQytI/AAAAAAAAUeU/VwYtNcmBxEU/s320/Calendar+Template+2013_012.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<br />
So there you have a sample of the art in my 2013 calendar. Stay tuned ... in a day or so I will have a paypal order link up. or leave a comment with your email address and I will contact you regarding delivery. Base price is $20 per calendar and the photos are frame quality matte finish. Thanks for looking in.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-76377856233412328782012-07-15T16:54:00.000-07:002012-07-15T18:46:49.796-07:00Hello Old Friends...I have been gone for so long here! I am so busy with my so many other accounts and blogs this one has suffered and I am sorry.<br />
I will try to be brief in my update. Life goes on, the economy sucks, the grand kids are getting bigger, had a couple of birthday parties and a preschool graduation in that quadrant, trying to keep our heads above water work wise, lost over 30 pounds since I have gone Paleo in my diet and feel so much better in health mind and energy level, photos have not really sold but I have been accepted to the Art in the Park show in Martinez in August (more on that later) and well, it's summer and I am so happy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIB4ZlKcD1k/UAMyjXjRW7I/AAAAAAAALvU/fKq1ftLjUes/s1600/011_5194-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIB4ZlKcD1k/UAMyjXjRW7I/AAAAAAAALvU/fKq1ftLjUes/s640/011_5194-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
As I work here, I have two little ones asleep (I hope) in the back for a Sunday nap - that actually sounds delish but I have promised myself to get this done.... Yesterday was our family reunion. My sister and I did most of the (well, pretty much all) background work. You know, invites, collecting and shopping for the food and getting it organized. We got some help with the set up and the men did the grilling ~ as men do ~ and the rest of the folks brought side dishes and desserts. We gathered and had a great time. I wanted to post here because I have photos and some of our family is not on Facebook so this is the best way to share them. I want to add here my beautiful Aunt Joanne's letter I got yesterday after the event.<br />
I was so very tired when I got home... and then I got this note from Aunt Jo. You are the best! Love you all and am so happy to be so privileged to have such a wonderful family!<br />
From my Aunt Jo:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">HI GIRLS - I BET YOU ARE BOTH SO POOPED. YOU DID A GREAT JOB. EVERYTHING WAS WONDERFUL AND NO ONE COULD ASK FOR </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">ANY THING MORE OR NICER. I KNOW, ESPECIALLY GRAM AND YOUR DAD WERE SO PROUD OF YOU GIRLS. I KNOW THEY ALL WERE AND SO WAS I. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">YOUR FAMILIES ARE SO CUTE AND THOSE LITTLE ONES ARE GETTING SO BIG I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLRRff4wft0/UAMygTqbidI/AAAAAAAALvM/CDgYDS1CpsI/s1600/011_5189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLRRff4wft0/UAMygTqbidI/AAAAAAAALvM/CDgYDS1CpsI/s400/011_5189.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vE3j9CPXKL4/UAMysVgVJ0I/AAAAAAAALvs/Z_mbDzmI7kA/s1600/011_5222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vE3j9CPXKL4/UAMysVgVJ0I/AAAAAAAALvs/Z_mbDzmI7kA/s400/011_5222.jpg" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl7mO_Oodns/UAMyogcUgOI/AAAAAAAALvk/8xq1RkZRQCU/s1600/011_5213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl7mO_Oodns/UAMyogcUgOI/AAAAAAAALvk/8xq1RkZRQCU/s400/011_5213.jpg" width="255" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RJa8niJ6Jo/UAMyvfmRhdI/AAAAAAAALv0/sWG0vU_0UCI/s1600/011_5242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RJa8niJ6Jo/UAMyvfmRhdI/AAAAAAAALv0/sWG0vU_0UCI/s400/011_5242.jpg" width="340" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HtkrmpxdbRg/UAMyzYYjLXI/AAAAAAAALwA/-zaozHCZpIg/s1600/011_5282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HtkrmpxdbRg/UAMyzYYjLXI/AAAAAAAALwA/-zaozHCZpIg/s400/011_5282.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<blockquote style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 1em;" type="cite">
<div style="color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">ISN'T IT WONDERFUL BEING A PART OF SUCH A BEAUTIFUL FUN LOVING FAMILY AS OURS? I AM SO PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY ONE </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">OF THEM. I HEAR SOME OF MY FRIENDS TALKING AND I THANK GOD FOR OURS.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; clear: right; color: #00007f; display: inline !important; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;">I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL YOU DID. I HAVE TO SAY I GOT A BIG KICK OUT OF JASON STAPLING ALL THE TABLE CLOTHS </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">AND PICTURES. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">I'M SURE HE USED A BOX OF STAPLES.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkh46rJ3zos/UAM444g8XZI/AAAAAAAALwk/_DC1t-C-CAU/s1600/011_5162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkh46rJ3zos/UAM444g8XZI/AAAAAAAALwk/_DC1t-C-CAU/s400/011_5162.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9FBhDOb223c/UAM80_6zqvI/AAAAAAAALw8/2uSf_aDjbIU/s1600/011_5163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9FBhDOb223c/UAM80_6zqvI/AAAAAAAALw8/2uSf_aDjbIU/s400/011_5163.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zlCvpWUdN5o/UAM9BxxRU7I/AAAAAAAALxE/sp2Iuex8DHQ/s1600/011_5150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUX4BKb6hDs/UANLARhSTDI/AAAAAAAALxY/EajeqPKcjwY/s1600/011_5154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUX4BKb6hDs/UANLARhSTDI/AAAAAAAALxY/EajeqPKcjwY/s400/011_5154.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zlCvpWUdN5o/UAM9BxxRU7I/AAAAAAAALxE/sp2Iuex8DHQ/s1600/011_5150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zlCvpWUdN5o/UAM9BxxRU7I/AAAAAAAALxE/sp2Iuex8DHQ/s400/011_5150.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<blockquote style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 1em; text-align: -webkit-auto;" type="cite">
<div style="color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; clear: left; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"> I ALSO GOT A KICK OUT OF WATCHING ALL THE FELLOWS COOKING AND TALKING AND HAVING FUN WITH EACH OTHER.</span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TiWFcd00hfs/UANLKB5GzVI/AAAAAAAALxw/c-fvBAUUsXQ/s1600/011_5183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TiWFcd00hfs/UANLKB5GzVI/AAAAAAAALxw/c-fvBAUUsXQ/s640/011_5183.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CNfOX_Kqx-s/UAM3h0IDVUI/AAAAAAAALwc/HLb7-CxBLIE/s1600/011_5147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CNfOX_Kqx-s/UAM3h0IDVUI/AAAAAAAALwc/HLb7-CxBLIE/s400/011_5147.jpg" width="400" /></a><div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pYqagb1cKo/UAM5NvHPzAI/AAAAAAAALws/gvSouql7KGY/s1600/011_5152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pYqagb1cKo/UAM5NvHPzAI/AAAAAAAALws/gvSouql7KGY/s640/011_5152.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 1em;" type="cite">
<div style="color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<div>
WHEN THE WIND WOUND ITS WAY AROUND THE UMBRELLAS AND BLEW THEM OVER. <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">HOW FAST THE FELLOWS GOT TOGETHER AND FIXED THEM.</span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 1em;" type="cite">
<div style="color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lrypPE1PaE/UAM7epWPJtI/AAAAAAAALw0/YKu9Yj6Vzjo/s1600/011_5303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lrypPE1PaE/UAM7epWPJtI/AAAAAAAALw0/YKu9Yj6Vzjo/s640/011_5303.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
IT WAS CUTE WATCHING ADAM IN THE JUMPY HOUSE PLAYING WITH THE</div>
<div>
KIDS. THOSE KIDS WERE LIKE LITTLE ANTS JUMPING AND THEN COMING DOWN THE SLIDE.</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 1em;" type="cite">
<div style="color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHiQQ7DCPaA/UANK8AnEq5I/AAAAAAAALxQ/QcI3EdbvdSU/s1600/011_5145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHiQQ7DCPaA/UANK8AnEq5I/AAAAAAAALxQ/QcI3EdbvdSU/s400/011_5145.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">THE FOOD EVERYONE BROUGHT WAS DELICIOUS. I WAS TELLING ZE ABOUT THE DAY AND THE DIET YOU ARE BOTH ON AND PAT NOT </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">HAVING ANY MIGRAINES AND SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO LOOK INTO IT. SHE GETS THEM BAD AND OFTEN. MAYBE I'LL EVEN</span></div>
<div>
TRY IT...</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 1em;" type="cite">
<div style="color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zzv7nZFpUp0/UANLuDplrfI/AAAAAAAALx4/_lMiTGVbm78/s1600/011_5161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zzv7nZFpUp0/UANLuDplrfI/AAAAAAAALx4/_lMiTGVbm78/s400/011_5161.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WGn7oEk8QoA/UANLxhDKlzI/AAAAAAAALyA/gKT1bSz1HYI/s1600/011_5329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WGn7oEk8QoA/UANLxhDKlzI/AAAAAAAALyA/gKT1bSz1HYI/s400/011_5329.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZWwfTmCRrc/UAMtJzj_igI/AAAAAAAALvA/ectYXDfPi9s/s1600/011_5332-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZWwfTmCRrc/UAMtJzj_igI/AAAAAAAALvA/ectYXDfPi9s/s640/011_5332-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
...IT WAS SO NICE TO HAVE UNCLE BRUNO, AUNT MARY AND AUNTIE ANN THERE TOO. THEY HAD LOTS OF FUN AND LAUGHED ALOT.</div>
<div>
FREDA ENJOYED HERSELF TOO. I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM ONE OF THE "OLD FARTS" NOW. HAHA CAN'T SAY I DON'T LOVE IT.</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">AGAIN THANKS AGAIN FOR A BEAUTIFUL MEMORABLE DAY AND ALL YOUR HARD WORK.</span></div>
<div>
LUV YOU LOTS AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AUNT JO</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 1em;" type="cite">
<div style="color: #00007f; font-family: garamond, 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;">And then there were more...</span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kScDC5Zq_ps/UANMZUWw7fI/AAAAAAAALyI/ISTLi9W2bfw/s1600/011_5322.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kScDC5Zq_ps/UANMZUWw7fI/AAAAAAAALyI/ISTLi9W2bfw/s640/011_5322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_2hinyhGDU/UANMdH2c1fI/AAAAAAAALyQ/45s1kP4j1Jw/s1600/011_5327.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_2hinyhGDU/UANMdH2c1fI/AAAAAAAALyQ/45s1kP4j1Jw/s640/011_5327.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usj60Ph5FvQ/UANMfR6muuI/AAAAAAAALyY/rZv9GGNrfII/s1600/011_5330.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usj60Ph5FvQ/UANMfR6muuI/AAAAAAAALyY/rZv9GGNrfII/s320/011_5330.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r_txkpUU8lA/UANMh-gJ0DI/AAAAAAAALyg/F1d0yeHHYfM/s1600/011_5334.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r_txkpUU8lA/UANMh-gJ0DI/AAAAAAAALyg/F1d0yeHHYfM/s640/011_5334.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdI498DB__0/UANMkiAGFzI/AAAAAAAALyo/S3XMkNROa7Y/s1600/011_5335.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdI498DB__0/UANMkiAGFzI/AAAAAAAALyo/S3XMkNROa7Y/s640/011_5335.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cXqZe-mzv0A/UANMnt9b_qI/AAAAAAAALyw/hcpnmkCMh9s/s1600/011_5337.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cXqZe-mzv0A/UANMnt9b_qI/AAAAAAAALyw/hcpnmkCMh9s/s640/011_5337.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qnfky87-K5g/UANMrvT1Y4I/AAAAAAAALy4/OuwUlv93z7o/s1600/011_5338.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qnfky87-K5g/UANMrvT1Y4I/AAAAAAAALy4/OuwUlv93z7o/s640/011_5338.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrip_623JQlkFepewGZZFzX17q6KghEmgcyLYxg2tAe1MT6xc9fzGT68GBOYhOU90AwT6smpNQpKofL6GcLqbqJLyvq3NXutxlsteTEj-Q1jy0YjnC1NNuBvUk6vDMtelt7A4PsfAFdcn/s1600/011_5174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrip_623JQlkFepewGZZFzX17q6KghEmgcyLYxg2tAe1MT6xc9fzGT68GBOYhOU90AwT6smpNQpKofL6GcLqbqJLyvq3NXutxlsteTEj-Q1jy0YjnC1NNuBvUk6vDMtelt7A4PsfAFdcn/s640/011_5174.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-36089735401547292192012-03-05T13:52:00.000-08:002012-03-05T13:52:46.840-08:00Spring, Baseball and My Favorite Things<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Alh3vVFp3u8/T1U0fxf3uXI/AAAAAAAAGc0/Cy7yWp_xf2Y/s1600/sf.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Alh3vVFp3u8/T1U0fxf3uXI/AAAAAAAAGc0/Cy7yWp_xf2Y/s1600/sf.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hell Yeah! Go Giants!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ok, fellow Giant's fans...<br />
First spring training game in AZ was played yesterday afternoon. And what an afternoon it was! Temps around the 74 degree mark, my back yard all to myself and the birds tweeting like a teenager at a rock concert. The game feed was only on internet - if you pay for the subscription - and AM radio... that would be KNBR home of the <i><b>SF Giants Baseball Radio</b></i>. No satellite feed - XM - which is usually where I find my broadcast. And here I am frantically looking for a radio from which I can get a signal on the AM band.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dXXaCRzpsGA/T1Uv9JYVfUI/AAAAAAAAGcY/g7taz_DsLeM/s1600/427556_2726639849968_1376323218_2043552_1528541893_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dXXaCRzpsGA/T1Uv9JYVfUI/AAAAAAAAGcY/g7taz_DsLeM/s640/427556_2726639849968_1376323218_2043552_1528541893_n.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>It was almost comical as I scrambled from room to room in my house to find the speakers that attach to my "boom box." All the while I was hoping that even though the last time I could not get reception, somehow the radio waves realigned in the universe and it was going to work this time. In the process of looking for the speakers; to which are still hiding in a closet or box in a corner somewhere, I found my old Sony Disc Man. You all remember these, right? Big round yellow case to put your CD and hook up to headphones for your personal stereo listening pleasure... It had a big strap you could wrap around your waist for jogging or working out at the gym. Weighs, like 2 pounds... yeah, obsolete is not even close. Tube type radios and these are almost on par with each other these days. BUT! It has an AM/FM radio too... Hah! I found it on top of a box of old cables and such I don't seem to be able to throw away. (Keep that in mind if you ever need an old printer cable.)<br />
<br />
I put fresh batteries in my Disc Man and plugged an accessory cord into the earphone jack ... the other end to an old set of Creative speakers and FaShizzle! KNBR in it's full glory! I was rather irritated that I did not start looking earlier for the equipment to listen. It was already an hour into the game when I tuned in. But as I worked so hard looking for a radio, Someone upstairs was looking out for me because there had been a swarm of bees on the field which had delayed the game for some 45-50 minutes.<br />
<br />
I proceeded to clean and prune my lovely back yard in the lovely warm temperature listening to the lovely sound of Mike Krukow announcing the game which ended in a score of 11-1 in favor of my absolute favorite BOYS OF SUMMER!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ye7qc1sumY8/T1UwNCWQo-I/AAAAAAAAGcg/I-cKArj-dIc/s1600/_0117242-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ye7qc1sumY8/T1UwNCWQo-I/AAAAAAAAGcg/I-cKArj-dIc/s640/_0117242-Edit-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The game ended, my husband came home and my wonderful break on a perfect day evaporated in a wisp of fairy dust as if it had never been. But I knew better and despite proof of my efforts during the day, the trimmed and tailored look of my back yard, the gossamer and ethereal sounds of summer baseball on the radio drifted softly in my mind as I closed my eyes at the end of the day.<br />
<br />
Life is good....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XkP0U6LZ8og/T1U0A9HM4zI/AAAAAAAAGcs/aGtDC0LmvgY/s1600/_0117254-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XkP0U6LZ8og/T1U0A9HM4zI/AAAAAAAAGcs/aGtDC0LmvgY/s640/_0117254-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-31163277808858987242012-03-01T14:40:00.001-08:002012-03-01T16:09:12.448-08:00Pete FecteauI am so very sorry it has been so long since I have posted. My photos and such are being constantly posted to my Google+ account (<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/112140116371194470444/posts">here</a>) or my Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sometime-the-Magic-Works/204501222952010">Sometime the Magic Works</a> fan page. I have been posting and blogging occasionally on my other blog site, Obsolete Iron but that's just mostly motorcycle stuff.<br />
Life is weird. I have worked 2 days this year so far in the trucking business. I have taken a LOT of photos due mostly to the fact that I embarked on a "366" project - one photo a day for the year (and it's a leap year). The photos are average to pretty good so far. I am sure as the year progresses if I can hang, there's going to be some skunks in the woodpile. I am just hoping I will hold onto this project and see it to the end. Here's a couple of the better ones:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7t9rLdeqx7A/T0_-LG8WO6I/AAAAAAAAGWQ/JwVSnU9q_V0/s1600/tomcat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7t9rLdeqx7A/T0_-LG8WO6I/AAAAAAAAGWQ/JwVSnU9q_V0/s640/tomcat.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomcat from the Photo Walk on the USS Hornet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9I3bZC3ZDaU/T0_-dDjYDpI/AAAAAAAAGWY/Fi29ZfiQbUc/s1600/jan24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9I3bZC3ZDaU/T0_-dDjYDpI/AAAAAAAAGWY/Fi29ZfiQbUc/s640/jan24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Record Album Cover for my little musician. It's a mock up....She's not on You Tube or anything.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCWBG0mSX8Y/T0_-hLd7HpI/AAAAAAAAGWg/lkjBv0ePr4c/s1600/_0116554-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCWBG0mSX8Y/T0_-hLd7HpI/AAAAAAAAGWg/lkjBv0ePr4c/s640/_0116554-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Walk to Home Depot Nursery</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qRnBASJsDHM/T0_-khrsq4I/AAAAAAAAGWo/ZhUL4A6ho2Y/s1600/_0116617-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qRnBASJsDHM/T0_-khrsq4I/AAAAAAAAGWo/ZhUL4A6ho2Y/s400/_0116617-Edit.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My wonderful Aunt Jo. One of the sweetest ladies on the planet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, on top of all the photos and stuff involved in taking a picture a day - like the going places to find new stuff to shoot, my husband and I have started a new eating regime. It is focused on weight loss for now but also and very importantly, it is for eating healthier. I am as tentative about this diet as I am about my 366 project but we will see what kind of tenacity I can show in the coming months. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcyoInKGwGQ/T1AH13vp-KI/AAAAAAAAGXU/V7UbBXQWx7c/s1600/_0116338-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcyoInKGwGQ/T1AH13vp-KI/AAAAAAAAGXU/V7UbBXQWx7c/s640/_0116338-Edit.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17GT6cntSPg/T1AH5UfiPrI/AAAAAAAAGXc/ZL6WjvzT1j0/s1600/feb52012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17GT6cntSPg/T1AH5UfiPrI/AAAAAAAAGXc/ZL6WjvzT1j0/s640/feb52012.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry Blossoms in Tapestry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We have adopted the guidelines for the Paleo Diet. That would be the Cave Man diet to some of you. Kind of an Atkins version of eating, mostly meat, veggies but also fruit and nuts. Whatever the cave man could hunt and gather cooked al'dente`... Lots of fish (because I love fish) and fresh veggies. Unlike the Atkins, some root veggies like orange yams and fruit after you loose the weight, although I am doing fruit now because I have to! I have lost around 15 pounds which means Mark has as well. Not really focusing on the scale, just watching myself melt to the point that my tight clothing is now loose. It's a pretty good feeling and I will probably hang in there for some time. The best part is that all the gluten is out of my diet and my joints - especially injured and healed bones that normally feel the barometric pressure rise - are free from pain and my energy level is increasing daily. Feeling so old and fat that I did not want to do anything, I am relieved that it was not my age, but my diet. I can't change the age thing (I am glad to age as the alternative is pushing up daisies) but the diet is easily done, with a mass amount of will power that I argue with daily - no, by the minute. I hope the advantages of this diet finally make my mind stop craving a doughnut or pie, but I'm sure it will be a life long battle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ES45SVCL2U/T1AGlJJQJQI/AAAAAAAAGW0/E0kCVioNYok/s1600/2102-02-09-snapper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ES45SVCL2U/T1AGlJJQJQI/AAAAAAAAGW0/E0kCVioNYok/s400/2102-02-09-snapper.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pazbQw_JWtI/T1AGsFc7QKI/AAAAAAAAGW8/_30cDnmFMuw/s1600/_0116552-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pazbQw_JWtI/T1AGsFc7QKI/AAAAAAAAGW8/_30cDnmFMuw/s400/_0116552-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spaghetti Squash with my regular sauce and grilled Salmon</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OC16V3iAeLo/T1AHjdvdt_I/AAAAAAAAGXE/mT54agrAnCs/s1600/_0116484-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OC16V3iAeLo/T1AHjdvdt_I/AAAAAAAAGXE/mT54agrAnCs/s640/_0116484-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paleo Veggie Chili without beans</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5jVKS5zPh-k/T1AHnO0ByBI/AAAAAAAAGXM/9gotCdkYbQs/s1600/_0116492-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5jVKS5zPh-k/T1AHnO0ByBI/AAAAAAAAGXM/9gotCdkYbQs/s400/_0116492-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pecan Crusted Chicken, Mash Potatoes (Cauliflower) and Broccoli with Shitake Mushrooms and Bacon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>You are now caught up on my happenings. I will try to update this more often but as it stands right now, changes are in store and who knows where the next month will take us? Keep posted.<br />
<br />
In closing, I offer you this insight to a cool artist I found on the web. Here is his blog link. This man has made a mural from Rubiks Cubes. Check out this<a href="http://www.fox17online.com/videobeta/30792642-6b1b-405e-88e1-017db9ac82d3/News/ArtPrize-Rubik-s-Cube-Art-Display-08-25-10"> video</a> from FOX news or look at his blog. <a href="http://petefecteau.com/">Pete Fecteau</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-33820526852543836382012-01-18T09:35:00.000-08:002012-01-18T09:35:18.321-08:00JUST SAY NO!Please read the following link. It is really scary what the big guys want to do to us on the internet as we know it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pX1JFAtgeu0/TxcC0QZRfcI/AAAAAAAAEIk/ztMhSoF5PjA/s1600/sopa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pX1JFAtgeu0/TxcC0QZRfcI/AAAAAAAAEIk/ztMhSoF5PjA/s320/sopa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-56522808625287055612012-01-18T09:31:00.000-08:002012-01-18T09:31:30.626-08:00blog.reddit -- what's new on reddit: A technical examination of SOPA and PROTECT IP<a href="http://blog.reddit.com/2012/01/technical-examination-of-sopa-and.html">blog.reddit -- what's new on reddit: A technical examination of SOPA and PROTECT IP</a>:<br /><br /><a style="font-size:13px" href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk">'via Blog this'</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-34538834359464984082012-01-17T09:10:00.000-08:002012-01-17T09:10:48.395-08:00It's Halfway through January!It's been a month from my last post, give or take a day. Work has been slow and as of the first of January I embarked on a new project. It seems 'all the rage' these days to do a 365 Project (366 on leap year). That would be take a photo a day for the year.<br />
I have my doubts as to my ability to follow through, but so far I am doing well enough. You can't be overly creative every day. I think the point is to get out and try to find something new to shoot and "expand your horizon" so to speak. I actually sat on my deck yesterday for quite a while waiting for the "perfect" bird shot. I have a<i> Cinnamom Camphor</i> tree in my back yard loaded with berries. Here in central California we have yet to see a winter and the Robins are confused and think it's spring. Well, not just the Robins. The bulbs do too. I have tulips and narcissus coming up. The narcissus are already in bloom but that's not so strange... this seems to be their time. But the Robins! Tons of them flying through the sky stealing all the berries they can find.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dslbQMPKXxg/TxWdw9zejPI/AAAAAAAAEBE/LW7wkSd5XvQ/s1600/09_05_18_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dslbQMPKXxg/TxWdw9zejPI/AAAAAAAAEBE/LW7wkSd5XvQ/s320/09_05_18_16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom in front of the house. See how big that window is?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It reminded me of the year when I was a kid and the blackbirds were in abundance one "off" winter. The Pyracantha's had berries galore on them outside my folk's big picture window. I mean big... like 6' big... One window! can you imagine... anyway, they evidently get 'drunk' on these type of berries. It was like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's <i>The Birds</i>. They started bombing the window with their little bodies not recognizing the window in their stupor, while we sat in horror and watched them crash into it and fall to the ground - some not minding the landing but the initial impact being the fatal blow. I remember myself and my two sisters crying and hiding behind the couch and my mom, bless her heart, one of the most nurturing people I have ever known, watching in shock. We actually had to go out and clean the remnants off the glass and the little bird corpses off the ground. I will never forget that episode in my life.<br />
Ok, so it was not<b><i> that</i></b> bad and the Robins did not seem to need a sobriety test yesterday, but how fun to watch them dive into the foliage and peck out the black berries gulping them down in one shot. They would get a little spooked when I clicked the shutter but the thought of "one more berry" kept them anchored to the limbs.<br />
With that said, in my quest to '<b><i>366</i></b>' my year, I managed to hang in there and finally got this one shot. I got a few more, they are posted further down, but this one... <i>nice.</i> You really need to click on it and it will open larger in a new window. Unfortunately, my lens is not quite long enough to get a close up, but the sun shining through this guy's beak is a kick. Totally unplanned and absolutely cool. Check it out and see for yourself. This indeed, fulfills the title of the blog because sometime the magic really <i><b><u>does</u></b></i> work! (I did not Photoshop this other than to crop and brighten the leaves in the tree)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQDAc4FVNTk/TxWdFp81zFI/AAAAAAAAEA8/TeRsoTkm2XM/s1600/_0115176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQDAc4FVNTk/TxWdFp81zFI/AAAAAAAAEA8/TeRsoTkm2XM/s640/_0115176.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are a couple of more shots I have used some magic on and made into "paint-ography" from yesterday:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nNnB4PqOoN0/TxWgvClKvgI/AAAAAAAAEBU/0umtygh3kbE/s1600/_0115099-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nNnB4PqOoN0/TxWgvClKvgI/AAAAAAAAEBU/0umtygh3kbE/s400/_0115099-Edit-2.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYv7kICzYIo/TxWg2Ti5MuI/AAAAAAAAEBc/CMMJNXg91WI/s1600/_0115113-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYv7kICzYIo/TxWg2Ti5MuI/AAAAAAAAEBc/CMMJNXg91WI/s400/_0115113-Edit.jpg" width="343" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been quite an adventure so far on this project. I have photographed motorcycle events, my grandkids, my back yard, the local marina and some of it's wildlife, and even got to spend the day with my girls and their kids at the Ardenwood Farm taking photos of the Monarch Butterfly migration. Many of these things I probably would have missed. I guess it's been a good New Year's resolution upon which to embark. I have labeled my photo album "366 - for as long as I can" ... not especially positive but definitely realistic. I will try to update here more often and now I will have lots of fresh shots to include. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I leave you with a few choice items from my album.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xycgoNZwZ5M/TxWmH59BPAI/AAAAAAAAEB0/kc5Up1Se0yM/s1600/_0114835-Edit-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xycgoNZwZ5M/TxWmH59BPAI/AAAAAAAAEB0/kc5Up1Se0yM/s400/_0114835-Edit-3.jpg" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarch migration at Ardenwood Farms, Fremont, CA 01/11/2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OyohEPNGNPM/TxWmVU8MNTI/AAAAAAAAEB8/SMOBSDrPg90/s1600/_0114982-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OyohEPNGNPM/TxWmVU8MNTI/AAAAAAAAEB8/SMOBSDrPg90/s640/_0114982-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my absolutely <b><i>favorite</i></b> shots. My kids 10/11/12</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bK0woHC9a_w/TxWm5IfQfpI/AAAAAAAAECE/D_IBDeV2Tcc/s1600/_0113945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bK0woHC9a_w/TxWm5IfQfpI/AAAAAAAAECE/D_IBDeV2Tcc/s640/_0113945.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Muir House - His office 01/02/2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At least you know you will get to see some different stuff as long as I can acquiesce to my resolution. Hang in there... who knows what's next? I surely don't! Happy Trails, my friends.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-14528903200654972322011-12-22T22:36:00.000-08:002011-12-22T22:54:10.531-08:00Yeah, yeah.... I Have Been Bad About This....The world of Google Plus or G+ has invaded my computer time much like the first moments in MySpace as a social network. For those of you who are not familiar with this social media, it appears to me, despite a valiant attempt to become a replacement for Facebook, a complimentary associate. I use Facebook for family and friends as I have always done. My photography foray on Facebook was a brilliant flop. I think I have 27 wonderfully responsive "fans" of which I am afraid I neglect terribly. Or maybe that is why they like me... I don't bother them with daily photos - who knows.<br />
<br />
I do know that as of now I am a part of 1357 people in my circles full of fellow photographers from all over the world. That is just since August. As much as it is the same, it is different than Facebook and I don't think I am going to get into it here now. I just wanted you to know - if you care, that is - why I have been remiss at posting recently. I am having great fun filling the pages of G+ with photos from each theme for the day. Themes like Manly Monday, Froggy Friday, Caturday, Paint it Saturday and so on. Like I said, it's fun and I get to brainstorm, learn, share and just plain have fun with others doing photography in a multitude of applications and levels. I think this is a first and you undoubtedly will see a <i>60 Minutes</i> story on the news as soon as the media catches wind. If you are into photography or any kind of art, technology, science or even something like bee-keeping this new media is an incredible resource to tap into international levels. Any time you want to know about my experience, just ask... I will not bore you all here today with all this. I want to talk about CHRISTMAS!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XB9GAj22N38/TvQfgO0S9_I/AAAAAAAACpY/3iC1pw7tzfg/s1600/mall_santa_oil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="449" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XB9GAj22N38/TvQfgO0S9_I/AAAAAAAACpY/3iC1pw7tzfg/s640/mall_santa_oil.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa at Sun Valley Mall with oil filters in Photoshop. Or maybe I painted it... notice I did not miss the "Diamonds" in the background ... (hint, hint Santa Baby... ooooh)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I am ready ... heart and soul. I wanted to rant about the commercialization and all the stupid ads on TV saying , Buy, Buy, Buy.... but I just don't know. I have my "buying" done and wrapped and the tree is all sparlky, and the lights outside are all ..... "Christmasey" and stuff and the music on the radio is all "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" and "I'll be Home for Christmas" and well, that old Hot Buttered Rum is warm and rummy. What the Heck! I'm going to don my Santa Hat and jump in with both feet here and just say, Merry Christmas everyone! Here's some photos I did for my Christmas Card that never got sent out. Maybe next year I won't be down with a stupid cold the week before the holiday and I will get the chance to do "it all" myself.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gm0PfEY_Geo/TvQhTf9sj6I/AAAAAAAACpk/7LV7IR4scTI/s1600/_0113713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gm0PfEY_Geo/TvQhTf9sj6I/AAAAAAAACpk/7LV7IR4scTI/s1600/_0113713.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cover. Bokeh lights done in oil. This is actually my Christmas tree for this year also played with in Oil in Photoshop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ue4S8HwX2xE/TvQiy1EPfWI/AAAAAAAACpw/RjsHUc8MsXM/s1600/inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ue4S8HwX2xE/TvQiy1EPfWI/AAAAAAAACpw/RjsHUc8MsXM/s1600/inside.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was to be the inside of the card... kind of a "2011 - The Year in Review"<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, here's to a prosperous, healthy, environmentally and mentally sound 2012! Merry Christmas my friends. And if you celebrate in other ways, I wish you Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, and "your choice greeting here" or as my dear sweet Grandma used to say, sit down and pass the ravioli. Buon Natale, pisans!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-38576274316271011242011-11-23T23:16:00.000-08:002011-11-24T13:10:08.372-08:00Thankful for the Silly Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0gJDXw1rtc/Ts3XCj3F4nI/AAAAAAAACGY/WWGBUWCEBkI/s1600/DSC_8990-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0gJDXw1rtc/Ts3XCj3F4nI/AAAAAAAACGY/WWGBUWCEBkI/s200/DSC_8990-Edit.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I am thankful for many things in my life. I have a husband who loves me most of the time, two adult children who have started families of their own which has brought me two more adult kids to love and four wonderful, energetic, engaging, creative, funny, incredibly loving children to be a grandparent to, a warm home, many accouterments of a comfortable lifestyle including motorcycles and my camera and a good life to live and look forward to.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NGbJD1NXGY/Ts3mjQ48C_I/AAAAAAAACHE/oLHKlASAhik/s1600/mY_kIDS_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NGbJD1NXGY/Ts3mjQ48C_I/AAAAAAAACHE/oLHKlASAhik/s640/mY_kIDS_2011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I have lost my parents but have a wonderful, strong and caring step-mom who is one of the most courageous women I know and sisters who have brought yet more family to love and admire for their accomplishments and great nephews too cute for words.<br />
Friends who are family and their families that have made it more of an extended family of friends.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tkk4iO1_a6A/Ts3s594FhOI/AAAAAAAACHQ/EBcLS_JPD_g/s1600/FAMNFRIENDS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tkk4iO1_a6A/Ts3s594FhOI/AAAAAAAACHQ/EBcLS_JPD_g/s640/FAMNFRIENDS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>But... and here's the rub.... there are some things that I appreciate often due to a lack of it or the lack of "functionality" of it that I am thankful for....<br />
<br />
So here we go:<br />
(Those that know me will understand more how thankful I can be for these things)<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Indoor plumbing</li>
<li>An oven that works</li>
<li>A drain that actually drains</li>
<li>Paint on my house! (that's a big one)</li>
<li>New house numbers</li>
<li>A car that runs</li>
<li>Some time to myself</li>
<li>Work</li>
<li>Walking on two legs </li>
<li>My new computer</li>
<li>Photoshop </li>
<li>A day without the television on</li>
<li>My eyesight - even though my eyes are getting old</li>
<li>My big blanket on my bed - how I love the weight and warmth of it!</li>
<li>Going into the laundry room to do laundry (not the laundromat down the street)</li>
<li>A day shooting photos of just about anything</li>
<li>My external hard drive (backing up my photos and keeping them safe)</li>
<li>The time my sister and I spent scanning the pictures from when we were kids</li>
<li>A morning without hearing the stupid beep beep beep of my alarm clock</li>
<li>My garden shed</li>
<li>The strange twist of fate that has decided I can actually have a green thumb</li>
<li>The boys of summer (SF Giants)</li>
<li>Sunshine on my face</li>
<li>Cookies</li>
<li>My pampered spa treatments from my daughter</li>
<li>Wrinkle reducer</li>
<li>Acid Re-flux medicine</li>
<li>The birds that sing (from Kim)</li>
<li>Getting better after a bad case of the Flu (from Sonya)</li>
<li>And yes, Sonya... I was thinking that same thing this morning... - My HOT shower and all the joy it brings</li>
</ul><div>And so the list begins. Your comments would be nice if you can think of anything else. Remember this is for that kind of stuff that you really don't think about but actually would have a tough time living without. I plan on finishing out this year's blog by posting still more photos from the year 2011. A photo countdown so to speak. Keep checking for when you make the blog. My eyesight might be a tad failing but my memory for photographs is hanging in there. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Keep yer stick on the ice.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-49570654537586327172011-11-10T17:38:00.000-08:002011-11-10T17:38:41.554-08:00Turkey Day Approacheth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Id_dWk5Dz6E/TrtkaNIsD7I/AAAAAAAABvw/zzVTJ_8lj3Y/s1600/turkeyday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Id_dWk5Dz6E/TrtkaNIsD7I/AAAAAAAABvw/zzVTJ_8lj3Y/s640/turkeyday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Working hard this week to put the garbage behind and thinking of all the things I am thankful for. Maybe I will have to make a list! It has to make me feel better, right? Right.... More to come.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-41490607664062503752011-11-09T09:47:00.000-08:002011-11-09T13:16:59.311-08:00Disregard and Disrespect - A Rant on the Construction IndustryI just want to go to work and make a living. I don't want to be socially connected with the people I work with. I don't need their friendship or kinship, just a basic human respect that all sentient beings should be granted on this planet. Granted, that respect, in my mind, should be earned. Either by action or by reputation. I have been working in the construction trucking industry for over 25 years. I go to work, do a good job - the best I can - and deliver a service that is (I am told by my customers) top notch. I do not cry and whine about minor infractions to the laws of common sense. I make a fuss or comment when the condition of the job is creating a detrimental or dangerous situation for me or my equipment. I expect that common sense should prevail and the condition be corrected to some level of satisfaction taking into consideration the layout of the project. Some things can't be fixed. I know this. But then, some things are easily fixed with a little time (of which many contractors don't wish to invest) and effort.<br />
Case in point, my day yesterday. Background: many of you know that I was stupid enough to trip on a combination of items in the dark last week and twist my ankle. The doctor said it was a strain, put it in a boot and said when I could walk on it, go back to work. Now sympathy is not something with which I am familiar. My dad always told us kids if we wanted it, to look it up in the dictionary (sorry 'bout this language folks but it's a direct quote) "between shit and syphilis" ... That's my life. My husband is not far from my dad on this issue.<br />
Back to the story... I go to work - light duty - stay in the truck. The hardest thing I have to do is get in the truck. I can handle that. But getting out and walking on a job site of muddy clumpy dirt is somewhat beyond my capabilities and comfort level. I can do it, but it hurts. Ok... so, stay in the truck.<br />
The job is a pipeline project adjacent to the waste water treatment plant (that's poop plant) in San Leandro. I am on time, ready to start at the location. The haul road upon which we are required to get to the excavator is extremely rough. Not because it has to be, but because the contractor does not feel it important enough to fix it. I proceed as slowly as possible to the loading area. I am watching the operator holding the bucket of the excavator higher than necessary and dropping large buckets of bay mud (thick, clay type clumps) into the truck in front of me. The truck has to have everything inside the cab, including the driver, bouncing around like a ping pong ball when the material hits his bed. I am instantly on alert as to what this job will mean to my equipment, my ailing ankle, my sanity to this day. As he pushes the mud into the truck that he has partially spilled to it's sideboards I see air under the right side rear tires. More alarm bells go off in my head.<br />
My turn, as I approach the operator I give him the "slow down, easy on the truck" sign with my hands. In my uninjured state, I would have gotten out and had a conversation with the operator. That wasn't going to happen and may have been the biggest mistake of the day. Creating a dialog with the contractor on a job like this is paramount to making it through the day. Despite how the conversation results, at least you have started the string with "don't damage my truck" and are in a defensive pose.<br />
The "operator" laughed at me and shook his head... not a nod (yes) but a shake sideways (no friggin way) and I was immediately aware of the sucky possibilities of this day.<br />
The first load was executed by another operator as the guy laughing at me was only sitting in for him. No problem. Off to dump.. the returning road is rough and getting rougher. I am coping but it still had the hackles up on the back of my neck.<br />
Fast forward, seven loads later... I am watching the truck in front of me almost tipped to the side sitting on uneven loading area getting this bay mud loaded to the top of his cab. As he backs up to drive out, I again see air under one side of his truck. At this point I had a non-verbal conversation with another operator in a loader just hanging around watching and occasionally putting rock into the ditch over the pipe they were laying. I pleaded with him to fill in the hole which made the loading site uneven and he again, laughed. I am so glad they had comic relief in my attending their cluster****,,,,<br />
I had at this point decided I did not have to stay and take the abuse on both my equipment - which had as of now, 2 broken side boards and a bent cover to my roll tarp from the excavator and the bay mud - and told them I was signing out. Unfortunately for me, it was not in the cards. Both my broker and the contractor threatened me with back charges if I left before another truck could take my place. Again, much to the merriment of the crew... I stayed on for the day. As the day progressed, I trudged through the mishandled project.<br />
The end finally came. I was sitting away from the group of men working near the excavator. One of them walked over to the back of my truck, got my attention, and gave me the "sign out" signal. Then he walked away. I had gotten out at one point earlier in the day to move some debris from the front of my truck and everyone was watching me. They could not have missed the big black boot on my foot and the fact that my gait had a definite limp. I sat there waiting for someone to come over to sign my tag.... no one.<br />
This is where the biggest perversity of the day began. I had to get out with my paperwork, walk around my truck to the trench where the operator and 4 of the employees of the contractor stood. Seemingly looking at the hole, and sniggering as I approached. "Suck it up" I told myself. I asked more politely than I felt, who signed the tag. The operator told me the guy with the black hard hat. He was in front of me not 10 feet away. This man said he would not sign my tag and that the boss had to do it. "Where is he?" "Up there next to the pickup" .... This "boss" would not look up from the papers he was looking at and would not respond to my request to come down to sign my tag.<br />
If ANY of these men had missed that I had an injury previously, it was obvious now. They were looking at me holding back laughter. I had to climb a 2' berm from the muddy cut in which I was standing to get over to the "boss." He signed my tag, I made a disparaging remark - I am LIVID at this point - tore off his copy and turned to climb back down into the mud to return to my truck. On the way down the berm, I caught my stupid boot (the one the doctor put my injured ankle into) and just caught myself from landing face first into the track of the excavator. I can't be certain, as I was at this point shaking, mad, hurting and crying inside but I think the laughter was baleful as I hitched myself back up and limped back to my truck.<br />
Note to self:<br />
If you think the job's going to suck the minute you get there, find an excuse (ie: air leak, flat tire, my period just started) to get the HELL OUT!<br />
Note to RGW: I am filing a formal complaint against your workers. Bite me!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-30724240887595919962011-10-25T21:01:00.000-07:002011-10-25T21:01:15.022-07:00My First Photo Walk ... following the yellow brick roadLast Friday, I got off work and as I am prone to do, was perusing the various social networks I use. On my Google+ page, there was an invitation to join in on a photo walk in the city. Never having done one of these before, I was hesitant. I figured first and foremost, my sweet husband would not want me to go alone and I was curious if I could find someone to go with me on such short notice (3 hours from the time I read the post). Secondly, never having done one of these things, not knowing what to expect, what level of expertise was expected of me and who would be walking the Haight/Ashbury district in San Francisco along with me... it was all just a bit much.<br />
<br />
Low and behold, when the Big Kahuna rolled in the driveway just a few minutes from the onslaught of this internal debate, he suggested he go with me and we take the bike. Win/Win!!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8e4SqYlql1Y/Tqd_uyWAy9I/AAAAAAAABic/LYWco9Sdne8/s1600/DSC_2113_4_5_6_7bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8e4SqYlql1Y/Tqd_uyWAy9I/AAAAAAAABic/LYWco9Sdne8/s400/DSC_2113_4_5_6_7bw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Haight and Ashbury in San Francisco</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Long story somewhat short, we were off to the city through the reverse commute and Friday night traffic. Not too bad, we showed up on time. I did not know anyone there but had heard via the posts on Google+ that the photog from whom I was taking "Webinar" HDR classes last spring was going to make an appearance. I doubted I would ever meet this guy. His name is Trey Ratcliff (<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/105237212888595777019/albums/5623042490481885105">here's his photo site</a>) and he does some of the most beautiful photos. Take a minute to look. He has an instruction web site (<a href="http://www.stuckincustoms.com/">Stuck in Custom</a>s) where he shares most of what he knows about this version of post-processing. Fascinating guy...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CXwqrvIP6qg/Tqd4Pg7LJ1I/AAAAAAAABgE/EhLcDa24qxk/s1600/DSC_2316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CXwqrvIP6qg/Tqd4Pg7LJ1I/AAAAAAAABgE/EhLcDa24qxk/s400/DSC_2316.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People snapping shots everywhere. Trey is the guy on the left facing the crowd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We were off wandering the street - 30 plus - and people kept looking for the celebrity. I was trying to figure out what they were talking about but with 30 or more photographers equipped with multiple cameras, tripod, lenses and the like, we looked like a band of traveling paparazzi. The weather that night was incredible. A fall shirt-sleeved clear evening in the city! Wow...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Yf8xe6C7uI/Tqd4YHwfBcI/AAAAAAAABg8/hf5hcjPA65A/s1600/DSC_2439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Yf8xe6C7uI/Tqd4YHwfBcI/AAAAAAAABg8/hf5hcjPA65A/s400/DSC_2439.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPVJUDvbFnk/Tqd4pZPCDqI/AAAAAAAABh8/eAtSpHFAC78/s1600/DSC_2326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPVJUDvbFnk/Tqd4pZPCDqI/AAAAAAAABh8/eAtSpHFAC78/s640/DSC_2326.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QpOPR1b-vsM/Tqd4PUWy9II/AAAAAAAABf8/qBJuPJV_FpY/s1600/DSC_2302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QpOPR1b-vsM/Tqd4PUWy9II/AAAAAAAABf8/qBJuPJV_FpY/s400/DSC_2302.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple on the bus as I was setting up a shot across the street.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We shot up one side of the street, crossed and shot down the other side. Taking in restaurants, shops, head shops, vintage shops, leather shops, you name it... some of which I was not sure of the focus! So I got all these great photos, met some really nice photographers and met Trey. Regular guy and all! Then, as I had not eaten (Mark snagged a piece of pizza while I wandered the street) - we rode off to the other side of town and had a great dinner at Eddie Rickenbackers. Always nice to go there. Home by midnight and up at 4 the next morning for work. I was tired, but really happy...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sclVMh8F0HM/Tqd4dRc6KeI/AAAAAAAABh0/0AlTvcyZW08/s1600/DSC_2519-Editbw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sclVMh8F0HM/Tqd4dRc6KeI/AAAAAAAABh0/0AlTvcyZW08/s640/DSC_2519-Editbw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
This weekend I am off to an antique motorcycle show ~ in the city again.. I am sure you will be seeing more stuff from me then. Until next time we meet, Happy trails.<br />
Oh, and if you want to see the album with all the shots from the night, just click<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/112140116371194470444/albums/5667630787923972049"> here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-42520324295557997122011-10-19T19:12:00.000-07:002011-10-20T10:25:26.564-07:00Try Something New!I am trying this new layout for my blog. On the bar up and to the left, there are options for viewing. You can click any that you prefer or just leave it with the default. Give me a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" if you would, please.<br />
Worked since Monday this week. Not sure about tomorrow yet. It's been weird after being off for so long. I need to get out and take some new photos. Any ideas? Can't go far but....<br />
<br />
Well, hang in there friends ... who know what trying something new will bring?<br />
<br />
I did get a chance to take some pics in my yard the other morning just as the sun was coming up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmiqbhhA4D0/Tp-CFX5-iNI/AAAAAAAABZg/S3-y406GULU/s1600/buddah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmiqbhhA4D0/Tp-CFX5-iNI/AAAAAAAABZg/S3-y406GULU/s400/buddah.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-59313179571834261252011-10-16T20:21:00.000-07:002011-10-16T20:21:38.926-07:00The Gilgours: Show Us Your Life- Crockpotapalooza<a href="http://beckyandpatrickg.blogspot.com/2011/08/show-us-your-life-crockpotapalooza.html">The Gilgours: Show Us Your Life- Crockpotapalooza</a>:<br /><br /><a style="font-size:13px" href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk">'via Blog this'</a><div><br /></div><div>This is a good looking Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings recipe. I'm going to try it... I'll let you know.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-7404217062299122442011-10-12T01:19:00.000-07:002011-10-19T19:14:55.518-07:00Montana Dreams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NnoN0kDKhCg/TpVMqmwY8uI/AAAAAAAABWY/4C-lLyUFwfA/s1600/59ford_montana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NnoN0kDKhCg/TpVMqmwY8uI/AAAAAAAABWY/4C-lLyUFwfA/s400/59ford_montana.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JVBuPtbrau8/TpVMs61XPVI/AAAAAAAABWg/9NA5S1xUfRc/s1600/dorothy+chickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JVBuPtbrau8/TpVMs61XPVI/AAAAAAAABWg/9NA5S1xUfRc/s400/dorothy+chickens.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kux7pI6cDe0/TpVMwAlugMI/AAAAAAAABWo/tW5yccODS7w/s1600/Montana+in+June+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kux7pI6cDe0/TpVMwAlugMI/AAAAAAAABWo/tW5yccODS7w/s400/Montana+in+June+060.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZDSSywK9CY/TpVMznz-HiI/AAAAAAAABWw/tcm6feGDBts/s1600/Montana+in+June+064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZDSSywK9CY/TpVMznz-HiI/AAAAAAAABWw/tcm6feGDBts/s400/Montana+in+June+064.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUaUVwsgri8/TpVM2MZ2X0I/AAAAAAAABW4/ud5CFU8Ln7E/s1600/Montana+in+June+065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUaUVwsgri8/TpVM2MZ2X0I/AAAAAAAABW4/ud5CFU8Ln7E/s400/Montana+in+June+065.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0A0cFmslew/TpVM5Pwxl4I/AAAAAAAABXA/rWwNK4SNZ34/s1600/Montana+in+June+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0A0cFmslew/TpVM5Pwxl4I/AAAAAAAABXA/rWwNK4SNZ34/s400/Montana+in+June+066.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S5o9yccNb48/TpVM7A5XjmI/AAAAAAAABXI/TWvqZoYgoGs/s1600/Up+to+Montana+202+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S5o9yccNb48/TpVM7A5XjmI/AAAAAAAABXI/TWvqZoYgoGs/s400/Up+to+Montana+202+031.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey Woody... how's it goin?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-18900464047525755552011-10-11T08:05:00.000-07:002012-01-04T07:56:46.803-08:00Empanadas<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">For those of you who remember getting these downtown in Martinez back in the day... here's the recipe. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">EMPANADAS - This makes about 10 to 12,depending on size<br />
2 pounds of ground beef<br />
1 pound of onions (yellow) I chopped every small, don't like long srings of onion<br />
3 cloves garlic chopped<br />
2 cups tomato sauce<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">4 cups water<br />
2 tablespoons cumin seed<br />
2 tablespoons chili power<br />
1 tablespoon salt<br />
1/4 tablespoons pepper<br />
Saute beef, onions, and garlic. Add the rest. cook 30 minutes<br />
Buy Bridgeford bread (I won't even try to make my own) Defrost and roll out about 1/4 inch. Use salad dish or bigger or smaller, depending on what size Emp you want, as a pattern. Put meat mixture on bread roll over and pinch close. Make sure it stays closed. Put in deep fryer until bread is cooked. Another way is put in cast iron pan and fry in oil. I tried both ways, deep fried looks like the typical Emp, pan fried looks a little different, but the taste is the same. ENJOY!!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-37178594000225446682011-10-10T16:26:00.000-07:002011-10-10T16:26:16.947-07:00Shots from the Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJ4fx2jVwgooyoZ800FF0da0_krlPtOTloFFvD_ITZgKqfm_HCmA7_4j6XcaH2AFwQBvBq78Wd94phh8lhxmRgGrWoTRN3_kFH1qs94sa1XaXF_PR9oK97L2MZJVpZ7MwF6MSX8YBDukc/s1600/DSC_1794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJ4fx2jVwgooyoZ800FF0da0_krlPtOTloFFvD_ITZgKqfm_HCmA7_4j6XcaH2AFwQBvBq78Wd94phh8lhxmRgGrWoTRN3_kFH1qs94sa1XaXF_PR9oK97L2MZJVpZ7MwF6MSX8YBDukc/s640/DSC_1794.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This was before the show when I had everything set up.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWbJt149iRw/TpN9uJJzIXI/AAAAAAAABVg/eh8aJFa-qRo/s1600/DSC_1876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWbJt149iRw/TpN9uJJzIXI/AAAAAAAABVg/eh8aJFa-qRo/s320/DSC_1876.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coffee shop before the show. If you look really hard, you<br />
can see one of my prints inside on the opposite wall. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwkR9F7GR0s/TpN9XpSWytI/AAAAAAAABVY/qqZMPVDmGLE/s1600/DSC_1900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwkR9F7GR0s/TpN9XpSWytI/AAAAAAAABVY/qqZMPVDmGLE/s400/DSC_1900.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is in the back patio of another show. Sorry, I don't know the artist but<br />
they had a band and everything. I already had my tripod out so I shot some<br />
of the happenings.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1dazwB0Vvg/TpN9avWNP_I/AAAAAAAABVc/HPX5bJHk9bE/s1600/DSC_1921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="403" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1dazwB0Vvg/TpN9avWNP_I/AAAAAAAABVc/HPX5bJHk9bE/s640/DSC_1921.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark hanging out after the show while I wandered town and took photos.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-89211065869265103282011-10-08T21:14:00.000-07:002011-10-08T21:14:03.782-07:00A Job Well DoneWell, the show was successful. It was nerve wracking at times getting all my photos ready and hung but I had some great help. Thanks to Jody and his helper for all the work and staying open late for the show. If you are local and did not get a chance to see, the prints will be up through the month. They are supposed to be up till December, but as they do the Art Gallop every month, they may be featured at another business.<br />
On the down side, I fried my video card on my laptop and had to invest in a new computer. I am down until I get all my software loaded and the info switched over. On the up side, I am hoping this one will be faster and I know it won't hurt my eyes as much - I got what my husband describes as a B-A-M... (big ass monitor)... it's a 21" and it rocks!<br />
Keep posted for some new stuff. In the meantime, enjoy this beautiful fall weather and the colors Mom Nature has given us.<br />
Happy Trails folks.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-7794739776847823612011-10-01T16:18:00.000-07:002011-10-01T16:18:08.181-07:00Life's Turns and Twists<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wGO-Fr-uCT8/ToedVgZHLhI/AAAAAAAABTc/FIc8oiODCDM/s1600/photos_up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wGO-Fr-uCT8/ToedVgZHLhI/AAAAAAAABTc/FIc8oiODCDM/s200/photos_up.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First attempt at hanging the pics. <br />
We tried to use the nails already in the wall<br />
and then took them down and spaced them <br />
better. Don't know what to do about the glare...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It's been awhile since I have posted. Sorry about that. I have been industriously fixing, printing, matting and framing prints for a show in my local town. I spent this morning with my son at the coffee shop hanging pictures. I am somewhat disappointed in the final product but have to do some more photos for a spot we did not cover and have hopes that when it is all done and night falls, it will look better. They all looked wonderful in my living room. Unfortunately, the wall space for displaying the prints is high and the lighting is fluorescent. This results in glare on the glass and a visual far from eye level.<br />
<br />
I am just going to work with it. The show is this coming Friday evening so I will be surrounded by my work and hopefully lots of people who think as highly of it as I do.<br />
I told my husband if nothing sells, I like everything I printed so it can adorn our walls at home. Even too, would make great Christmas gifts! I have spent a lot of hours working on this project and now work is picking up so I start to get a bit scattered. I had to revamp my <a href="http://www.sometimethemagicworks.com/">website</a> and of course, update my blog.<br />
So wish me well, my friends. I will let you know what happens!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_e9QVtqIck0/Toed6QGSmsI/AAAAAAAABTg/ILNIlLaPPDg/s1600/Sunrise+and+Shadows.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_e9QVtqIck0/Toed6QGSmsI/AAAAAAAABTg/ILNIlLaPPDg/s400/Sunrise+and+Shadows.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the photos I will be displaying. If you go to my website, you can see them under<br />
"Photos of the Month" and check out some of the rest of my stuff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-24016214201729536902011-08-21T21:30:00.000-07:002011-08-21T21:30:44.002-07:00New Paint, Quiet Time and Trees that Reach the HeavensWell, that green house my son built was so stinkin beautiful that we just <i><b>had</b></i> to get a 5 gallon bucket of paint and start the process to make the rest of the house look as good. My son-in-law has spent many hours so far working on it. He got a friend to help one day and I was there with paint brush in had to do a lot of the detail work myself. It is looking <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">mahvoulous!</span></i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzG2hcqZgfM/TlHRSFC4IVI/AAAAAAAABQw/jgX1FChaVqs/s1600/DSC_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzG2hcqZgfM/TlHRSFC4IVI/AAAAAAAABQw/jgX1FChaVqs/s320/DSC_0244.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up on the ladder. This is pretty special, he does not like heights at all~</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jiKH8W-n8Mo/TlHRULj4r1I/AAAAAAAABQ0/MaBH88LUKxM/s1600/DSC_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jiKH8W-n8Mo/TlHRULj4r1I/AAAAAAAABQ0/MaBH88LUKxM/s320/DSC_0251.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank You SOOOOO much, Jason!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNjsgbZ-AQg/TlHRWg3t4pI/AAAAAAAABQ4/cNVv1R1qs-Y/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNjsgbZ-AQg/TlHRWg3t4pI/AAAAAAAABQ4/cNVv1R1qs-Y/s320/DSC_0252.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He is really much further along than this, I just have not taken more photos.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I took a break from life. My sister has a very nice place up in Avery, CA near the Calaveras Big Tree State Park. We took some time to just chill. Both of us have little grandkids. She has a brand new baby grandson along with her "big boy" (almost 2) Lucas. We both have very busy lives and it was just time to take a break for some recharge. We took off for 3 days and had a wonderful time. We even went for a long walk in the Big Trees State Park trail with all the big trees we remembered from when we were kids. We visited, swam at the the park pool, hung out at the lake and touristed about. I shot about 700 pictures. Of course each photo takes 5 exposures the way I do it, so it was not really that many. It just sounds like it. I have some here to show y'all of course. But first, a very gracious thank you to my sister and her husband for letting me stay at their place. It was wonderful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJMcMRMh2-c/TlHSUJF_KGI/AAAAAAAABRA/voqrfmBWc_0/s1600/DSC_0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJMcMRMh2-c/TlHSUJF_KGI/AAAAAAAABRA/voqrfmBWc_0/s400/DSC_0951.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister's lovely trailer. It is so nice! And comfortable, quiet, peaceful, beautiful ..<br />
...need I go on? It's a great place to just sit and read a book~<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUe7-OmlcOw/TlHVQ9PrAOI/AAAAAAAABRI/dJ27Z66Py-s/s1600/DSC_0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUe7-OmlcOw/TlHVQ9PrAOI/AAAAAAAABRI/dJ27Z66Py-s/s400/DSC_0285.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little playhouse a local builder made from scrap wood. Isn't it the cutest?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_3w26lgxvs/TlHVUVNg1mI/AAAAAAAABRM/71e6GCnRgD0/s1600/DSC_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_3w26lgxvs/TlHVUVNg1mI/AAAAAAAABRM/71e6GCnRgD0/s640/DSC_0415.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the lake. How peaceful is this?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eO4S4vylG0s/TlHVXjY8YQI/AAAAAAAABRQ/Evt48nmxAqw/s1600/DSC_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eO4S4vylG0s/TlHVXjY8YQI/AAAAAAAABRQ/Evt48nmxAqw/s640/DSC_0437.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The logging museum near the lake. That's my sis...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZZ42yJxdGw/TlHVahxR5HI/AAAAAAAABRU/w9QHFH91qpA/s1600/DSC_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZZ42yJxdGw/TlHVahxR5HI/AAAAAAAABRU/w9QHFH91qpA/s400/DSC_0492.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me leaning on one of the fallen big tree trunks.Amazing place~</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1YJBJ359sE/TlHVdawCj2I/AAAAAAAABRY/iz2twiNtEvI/s1600/DSC_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1YJBJ359sE/TlHVdawCj2I/AAAAAAAABRY/iz2twiNtEvI/s640/DSC_0958.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little spot in the woods. The porch room is screened in and there is a tent trailer in the back for overflow guests.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uwl4GQhKXBg/TlHXefnKutI/AAAAAAAABRk/jjrZ1LgPBaM/s1600/DSC_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uwl4GQhKXBg/TlHXefnKutI/AAAAAAAABRk/jjrZ1LgPBaM/s640/DSC_0526.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stump of Chummps.... This is quite a story. It's about some logging greed that backfired. This poor thing has been a<br />
dance floor that had a bowling alley and a bar constructed on top. It is still solid 150 years after being cut down.<br />
Guess that's why we want redwood for our fences...<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcrXc_xqa0dlH3efQWviuBLSUlwkx8kQAEhvzuWfO7U44YzFlRGT56CiIznImuNmhnFZ1FKTQAdH5-j-ZKyFViuYpZBKI_rOYlIdp5-P3ZVLZ_nYQHRBEp5c89_ncFhgLXSbHvqT51-63/s1600/DSC_0760+as+Smart+Object-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcrXc_xqa0dlH3efQWviuBLSUlwkx8kQAEhvzuWfO7U44YzFlRGT56CiIznImuNmhnFZ1FKTQAdH5-j-ZKyFViuYpZBKI_rOYlIdp5-P3ZVLZ_nYQHRBEp5c89_ncFhgLXSbHvqT51-63/s640/DSC_0760+as+Smart+Object-1.jpg" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walk-through tree. Look hard through the tunnel and then look up! It's a trip. Better yet,<br />
click on the photo and look at it bigger.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q-Yt5mRhtTE/TlHYRJuO90I/AAAAAAAABRw/5kgHOLWzImU/s1600/tree_25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q-Yt5mRhtTE/TlHYRJuO90I/AAAAAAAABRw/5kgHOLWzImU/s640/tree_25.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This place was dizzyingly amazing!<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, back to the real world tomorrow. Painting, hopefully working, and all the other stuff that comes along with it. Back to reality? NO! Oh well, Happy Trails my friends. Enjoy the summer while it lasts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-10120941970353231362011-08-07T09:58:00.000-07:002011-08-07T09:58:06.502-07:00Wishes Come TrueIt's DONE! Don't need words for this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbZitlkpXK8/Tj7DDgl9dgI/AAAAAAAABLY/t4TXU9aGEbk/s1600/DSC_0062_3_4_5_6_tonemapped+as+Smart+Object-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbZitlkpXK8/Tj7DDgl9dgI/AAAAAAAABLY/t4TXU9aGEbk/s640/DSC_0062_3_4_5_6_tonemapped+as+Smart+Object-1.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uB1cCyANLdo/Tj7DGYVx-qI/AAAAAAAABLc/9zcnNgFUcTE/s1600/DSC_0072_3_4_5_6_tonemapped+as+Smart+Object-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uB1cCyANLdo/Tj7DGYVx-qI/AAAAAAAABLc/9zcnNgFUcTE/s640/DSC_0072_3_4_5_6_tonemapped+as+Smart+Object-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWNytQlp3EE/Tj7DIlU-QnI/AAAAAAAABLg/yTMA3skJzvM/s1600/DSC_0082_3_4_5_6_tonemapped+as+Smart+Object-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWNytQlp3EE/Tj7DIlU-QnI/AAAAAAAABLg/yTMA3skJzvM/s640/DSC_0082_3_4_5_6_tonemapped+as+Smart+Object-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<b>BEFORE:</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmVp7TUV_bo/TjojkmMK27I/AAAAAAAABKw/a_Am5Rr8GbQ/s1600/pottong+area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmVp7TUV_bo/TjojkmMK27I/AAAAAAAABKw/a_Am5Rr8GbQ/s640/pottong+area.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<b>AFTER:</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOvCcdy9x2Q/Tj7DoeiWoHI/AAAAAAAABLk/49vDuQzJxFI/s1600/bw_final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOvCcdy9x2Q/Tj7DoeiWoHI/AAAAAAAABLk/49vDuQzJxFI/s640/bw_final.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Nice, huh? Thanks to Jesse and to Mark for helping. Happy potting, people!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-87993962328432657142011-08-03T22:27:00.000-07:002011-08-03T22:27:09.607-07:00The Little Girl Who Wished for a Green Thumb<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>There once was a little girl, one of three sisters. She was the youngest. Her father worked all week long very close to home in an oil refinery. Her mother stayed at home and kept the house running smoothly and took care of her and her sisters. The house was always clean, the clothes always washed, folded and put away and dinner was <b><i>always</i></b> on the table at 5:00 p.m. every day of the work week.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6dqQzNDuh7o/TGNuyReXRYI/AAAAAAAAArU/G23wLl8o_Mo/s1600/pat_chrysler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6dqQzNDuh7o/TGNuyReXRYI/AAAAAAAAArU/G23wLl8o_Mo/s320/pat_chrysler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Now this story sounds much too good to be true, but it gets better! The father's family lived in the same town and even within only blocks of the little girl and her sisters. In the summer they could walk the few blocks to visit cousins and especially their grandparents. The little girl had a very happy life.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoSAU2Nn4dnFpXqLNpauh_dfAGYqTHdHHMk6NEY-2kvtufnQjiMSj6osd9PZRmjUeOZmAqhj8Li1tOXYkNI6WbgJswfwPmU0VjqVi5nlyiZJ6kM1jDXXsF8A0DlApK7izqVaON2BRbWCg/s1600/09_05_30_%252B149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoSAU2Nn4dnFpXqLNpauh_dfAGYqTHdHHMk6NEY-2kvtufnQjiMSj6osd9PZRmjUeOZmAqhj8Li1tOXYkNI6WbgJswfwPmU0VjqVi5nlyiZJ6kM1jDXXsF8A0DlApK7izqVaON2BRbWCg/s320/09_05_30_%252B149.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>One of her favorite things during the summer days when she was not in school was to watch her mother make the yard of their house the prettiest in the neighborhood. The picket fence around the house always had a fresh coat of white paint and the roses her mother grew bloomed bright pretty colors all summer and into the fall and even the winter. The yard of the house had flowers on every side. Some for the shade and some for the bright sun but always there was something blooming and growing up, up, up high.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E5yywWiQXNc/TjodYMPlIOI/AAAAAAAABKA/2MqSL3EBEaI/s1600/09_05_30_%252B147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E5yywWiQXNc/TjodYMPlIOI/AAAAAAAABKA/2MqSL3EBEaI/s320/09_05_30_%252B147.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The little girl's mother had something very special, you see. <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">She had a green thumb</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">! </span>Not really green, but that is what everyone would tell her. It was rumored she could make a telephone pole sprout green leaves! And everyone knows, telephone poles don't grow at all!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ngudFw95Kc/TjodgEvejSI/AAAAAAAABKE/q0kcxlj2WPk/s1600/09_05_18_72+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ngudFw95Kc/TjodgEvejSI/AAAAAAAABKE/q0kcxlj2WPk/s320/09_05_18_72+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Once the little girl grew up and had a house of her own, she wanted to be just like her mother. She would grow plants in pots, in the ground, in the shade and in the sun so there would always be colorful blooms no matter what time of year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-on4rmS7Kr50/TjodzZcuqyI/AAAAAAAABKI/NoCE4y9qjnI/s1600/houseatranch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-on4rmS7Kr50/TjodzZcuqyI/AAAAAAAABKI/NoCE4y9qjnI/s320/houseatranch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This eventually became a conundrum for the little girl once she did grow up. For no matter what she did, nothing would grow! She would buy a plant at the store and within a few days, it would be wilted and beyond saving. She could grow grass for a little while but it too would brown come winter and again the dirt would be ugly and spotted with weeds in the spring. Only one year did she actually get vegetables to grow in a garden but it was way up north, you see and she did not count on giant hail falling from the sky in August only to bash her tomatoes into the soil and look like a pile of compost when it was done.<br />
The little girl grew older and soon married and became a mother with children of her own and refused to be beaten at this gardening game. For that is what she considered it. A game she had to keep playing until she could win the grand prize of a beautiful yard just like her mothers.<br />
Time passed for the woman (for now she was getting a bit long in the tooth) and they moved from house to house, she and her husband watched their children grow up and soon have families of their own.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjywcwMNvEY1267jyYxOB_Pz4G8MUm9WirSZcVQoowdceWCLsaGbe_oScEGcD_BgAehlru1NhAnNQbpCpspFxhSWMpy4ZIhyphenhyphenRXYA-5WHANRok5MkRf8FLohqwZz6e4QTEAG8d2LZ1aKm1/s1600/019_Grandma+and+Sofie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjywcwMNvEY1267jyYxOB_Pz4G8MUm9WirSZcVQoowdceWCLsaGbe_oScEGcD_BgAehlru1NhAnNQbpCpspFxhSWMpy4ZIhyphenhyphenRXYA-5WHANRok5MkRf8FLohqwZz6e4QTEAG8d2LZ1aKm1/s320/019_Grandma+and+Sofie.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><br />
And then, a wonderful thing happened. Her childhood which she had treasured for so long, materialized in present time. Lots of the people from that glorious time were gone but definitely not forgotten. Some of the cousins and aunts and uncles were still living in her home town and her family. She came back to live only blocks from the home in which she grew up. The neighborhood was different but very much the same. Some family from her childhood was still close by but most importantly, her children and their families were living so close together that her grandchildren could walk down the street to visit her! They were too young to do this by themselves, so often along with the joy of seeing her grandchildren - for they were indeed a joy - she got to spend much time with their parents - all of whom she considered her own.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NaRCwgJBGbc/Tjof8hoHGLI/AAAAAAAABKQ/-rqX-A1itpo/s1600/DSC_7364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NaRCwgJBGbc/Tjof8hoHGLI/AAAAAAAABKQ/-rqX-A1itpo/s320/DSC_7364.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The story might end there, for that is indeed a happy ending but it gets even better. Somewhere in the game of gardening, the woman reached her goal! She won the game, you see. Hers was one of the most beautiful gardens in town and everyone who came over exclaimed on the beauty of the flowers in bloom, the green of the grass and the fragrance of the herbs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bboxy5R6oo0/TjoppJGPvbI/AAAAAAAABK4/-oBnc1rC72c/s1600/DSC_6420+as+Smart+Object-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bboxy5R6oo0/TjoppJGPvbI/AAAAAAAABK4/-oBnc1rC72c/s320/DSC_6420+as+Smart+Object-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnSjvskE5Ms/TjoprYFBuAI/AAAAAAAABK8/re7hJEilvT8/s1600/DSC_9845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnSjvskE5Ms/TjoprYFBuAI/AAAAAAAABK8/re7hJEilvT8/s320/DSC_9845.JPG" width="299" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4W4qCncUZFE/TjoptNi3uNI/AAAAAAAABLA/JSgeRD5yN80/s1600/DSC_9853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4W4qCncUZFE/TjoptNi3uNI/AAAAAAAABLA/JSgeRD5yN80/s320/DSC_9853.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
She even helped the neighbors across the street along with her family create a family vegetable garden abundant with vegetables, giant pumpkins and the tallest sunflowers you have ever seen!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NOd4OGCS-SY/TjohT5af1eI/AAAAAAAABKY/_Ymo_5Ln9lE/s1600/DSC_6605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NOd4OGCS-SY/TjohT5af1eI/AAAAAAAABKY/_Ymo_5Ln9lE/s320/DSC_6605.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yxIYrgg9xT0/TjohUcL_6EI/AAAAAAAABKc/5wctOR1fJzU/s1600/sunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yxIYrgg9xT0/TjohUcL_6EI/AAAAAAAABKc/5wctOR1fJzU/s320/sunflower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The woman was very happy. That little girl still inside was jumping for joy. And then even as she thought it could get no better, her son and her husband built her a special room off the side of her house just for her gardening. It was the most beautiful room with a clear roof so the sun could shine in on her while she worked and all her tools were hung from hooks on the wall. And everything she grew blossomed and reached tall for the sky. She was even thinking about getting a part of a telephone pole to try but then thought better. Why push her luck? THIS is the happy ending to this story.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">the end</span></i></b>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmVp7TUV_bo/TjojkmMK27I/AAAAAAAABKw/a_Am5Rr8GbQ/s1600/pottong+area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmVp7TUV_bo/TjojkmMK27I/AAAAAAAABKw/a_Am5Rr8GbQ/s640/pottong+area.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what the garden shed looked like before it was rebuilt by the woman's son and husband. Next posting will show you what it looked like after they built her a new beautiful room!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-19034150284573023542011-07-22T23:20:00.000-07:002011-07-22T23:20:43.407-07:00What do you think of Crepes?I made a dish tonight and invited friends over for dinner. It was an incredibly wonderful evening on the deck and dinner was equally good. I think this recipe came from my sister Theresa. I remember that things like Fondue and Crepes were kind of a '70's thing. I had a crepe maker back in the day. It traveled with us to Montana and the last time I can remember making this particular dinner was up there. Then I lost track of the crepe maker. Really just an electrical inverted pan. You dip it in the crepe batter and flip it and let it cook ... peel it off and then drop it onto a plate and make another one.<br />
The filling is what makes the dish. One pound each crab meat (the real stuff) and one pound shrimp meat (bay shrimp). I will post the recipe below but you have to know there is no way to describe the richness of this dish. It melts on your tongue with secret little flavors slipping around the creamy sauce with each bite. Do I sound like I like this? Yeah...but I would not even try to count the calories! So here ya go... try it and fall in love!<br />
<br />
Crab and Shrimp Crepes<br />
<br />
The Crepe:<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 tbs melted butter or oil (I use olive oil)<br />
1 1/3 cups milk<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
<br />
Beat with a rotary egg beater or electric mixer till smooth or use a blender - this works great and you can pour the batter into a pan to dip the crepe iron. If you don't have one, you're on your own. I never could get the hang of the frying pan method<br />
<br />
The filling:<br />
<br />
2 tbs butter<br />
1/2 cup chopped onions<br />
1/4 cup chopped celery<br />
1 can or 6 oz crab<br />
1 can or 6 oz bay shrimp<br />
1/2 cup Mayo ( I used the olive oil Mayo but always thought plain yogurt would work)<br />
2 tbs pimento<br />
1 tsp curry<br />
1 tsp lemon juice<br />
1 can cream of shrimp soup (10 oz)<br />
1/2 cup milk or Half and Half<br />
<br />
Preheat oven 350<br />
Saute onions and celery in butter until tender crisp. Combine remaining ingredients except soup and milk in a bowl. Add celery/onion mixture. Mix well Spoon 1 - 2 tbs into a crepe, roll it up/ Butter a baking dish and lay the crepe in a row. Mix soup with milk and pour over crepes. Bake 15-20 minutes (covered)<br />
<br />
This is a very rich dish. I pairs well with a fruit salad and maybe a green salad.<br />
<br />
There you have it.... my Crab and Shrimp Crepes recipe. Enjoy! I'm full and ready to head to bed. It's been a long day. Happy Trails, my friends.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-29662872817936099472011-07-21T17:20:00.000-07:002011-07-21T17:20:00.240-07:00What's Next in My Life?I am thinking of selling on eBay. Cash is short these days and I have an abundance of 'stuff' that I don't really need or is cluttering up my life. Trouble is, I can't decide what to part with. It's a conundrum of sorts. I have this 'stuff' because it's something I wanted. I probably still do, but I am running out of room for it or maybe I have moved on to something else and it does not hold as much value for me as once it did. I have a large collection of stoneware bowls and pitchers, quite a bit of 'chachkies' ~Yiddish for trinkets ~ and of course, I would like to sell my calendars. My daughter is coming over later to explain the intricacies of selling on eBay. I have a sellers account set up already and am gearing up for the photo session.<br />
<br />
The biggest problem I am facing is that even though all my stuff was only purchased if I got a 'great deal' on it, I think the economy or maybe the fact that everyone else is as un-infatuated with this 'stuff' as I am, the price has not gone up. In fact, in some cases, it has gone down. So then the next quandary is, "Do I sell or not?" I can just leave it where I have it stored for a bit longer in hopes that the value increases, or just take what I can get and be grateful for the time I had it and say a loving good bye and put some postage on the package.<br />
<div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf5EyYshu321mtSLshG2b1DTXxT0iyWfP3o0maunz3YPXqHgLlQlJrHP-LbATpmbptuvxyUI0ugBqzG98bLN-ynLd2VlxhA10oAM9N3udLKFf8Wv3VHNUeGo_0T2bnlsBqj4AGqsU2yPN/s1600/sw001_+%25281+of+4%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf5EyYshu321mtSLshG2b1DTXxT0iyWfP3o0maunz3YPXqHgLlQlJrHP-LbATpmbptuvxyUI0ugBqzG98bLN-ynLd2VlxhA10oAM9N3udLKFf8Wv3VHNUeGo_0T2bnlsBqj4AGqsU2yPN/s320/sw001_+%25281+of+4%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is my first item. I posted two bowls like this ... I will wait and see how they go.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Work is still very slow. We have actually been looking at relocation for an option to the lack of trucking work in our area. North Dakota was mentioned but whoa... it's really cold there...Oh Yaa, don't cha know... Texas is hot and humid or just plain hot and full of snakes, y'all. Montana is always an option in my mind. We still have a couple of houses there we have rented out. The thought of moving makes me sick in my stomach. Not only would it mean to leave my back yard behind (hell, I can do this again if I need to) but all the 'stuff' I would have to pack... That brings me full circle back to eBay.... Maybe I should just stop procrastinating and get started...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the meantime, Emily and I are working on making oversized men's t-shirts into chick shirts. I don't know how that will go but we are having fun! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will post photos of them when I get some. Hope you are enjoying your summer. I am loving the time off with the exception that it pays for crap! Life could always be better but the Lord gave us lemons this year and we are trying to sell lemonade ... happy trails people!</div><div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3103091567951019918.post-3611512822393874002011-07-03T22:02:00.000-07:002011-07-03T22:02:02.400-07:00La La La LaBeen super busy with my g-kids the last two days. It finally caught up to me and now I am waxing poetic with one of my anti-anxiety pills. (I call them f*k-it pills because that what they make me feel like - in a good way)...<br />
Probably kind of like 'drunk dialing' without the alcohol...<br />
<br />
Anyway.... I have been on the floor, on the grass, in the sprinkler and manning the end of the hose for the last two days playing with my sweet grandkids. I am the luckiest G-Ma in the world! My kids are within a block (both of them) and I get to play whenever I want! I took Sofia with me on Friday to have lunch and celebrate my "wicked" step-mother's (Not At All - inside joke people) birthday. I was feeling really bad because I forgot to call her (my bad!) for the day of and so I told her we were going to lunch and I was at her service - even with a toothbrush to scrub her grout for my faux pas. Not like me if you know me to forget or not recognize a special day. We were in So Cal for the bike show but that was no excuse. I forgot to sing the Last Day's Here to my good friend Linda at the end of school too. What is going on! I have electronic crap everywhere to remind me but I find I forget more and more. One day soon every day will be a "new day" to me, I guess.<br />
<br />
So I went to lunch with Dottie and took my Sofia with. We had a great time and got to spend quality time together - so nice. Then Fia and I stopped at Fry's to get a connector cord for my old video cam to hook it up to the afore-mentioned electronic crap to digitize some old home movies. We picked up a new video for my play room collection - something about dinosaurs - and a couple of computer games for the kids to play. We had a good day! When we got home her brother and folks came over and we played with the hose - it's gotten to be the heat of summer all of a sudden - and spent more quality time.<br />
<br />
Last night my daughter brought me her two munchkins for a sleepover. I was on the floor with the toys and the kid cushions watching the previously purchased Dinosaur movie and crawling around doing more kid stuff. Lots of fireworks around the neighborhood - good thing they are illegal or it would sound like Bin Lauden's hideout in Pakistan on the night of his capture party. (That should get some military hits on my blog!)<br />
I had to explain to Mac about the 4th of July and fireworks other than the ones we see at the Marina so he was not worried about the missals whistling outside. Radley decided it was bedtime and as his spot is in the only extra room in my house - the living room - Papa was watching a movie. Poor little guy was so tired but fighting it. Papa took him out of his day crib and cuddled and he was asleep in 2 minutes. 1 down 1 to go.<br />
Mac finally decided he wanted to sleep on the couch so we had to vacate in order to make it up for him. He only lasted a couple of minutes as well. So very sweet when they are asleep - except Mac wanted me to know so I did not worry that "I sleep with my eyes open, Gramma." yeah, right...lol<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yckyYknOyrY/ThFGkl22ftI/AAAAAAAAA70/6dluX2pHDAQ/s1600/fia+in+the+water+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="483" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yckyYknOyrY/ThFGkl22ftI/AAAAAAAAA70/6dluX2pHDAQ/s640/fia+in+the+water+table.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry about the poor quality - phone camera...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Today the parents picked up their kids and I ran off to the store to stock up on vittles for the masses. Jesse and Renee` were back in town and it was so so very hot out - their back yard is yet to get done and mine is so inviting. So, they came over and tried to get cool with me in the afternoon shade of the house aided by a garden hose to spray off when it got too bad. The kids were up for playing in the water table. Best damn thing I ever bought for them! I think we are going on 3 or 4 years now and it looks as new as the day I brought it home. By the time I got it filled, I sent the parents off to do their shopping and errands and had the kids engrossed in the water play. Well, except Cole who told me he was going with his mom and dad unless I gave him cookies. Hah! As if I would EVER give my g-kids cookies!!! Hah! So, cookies consumed and back to the water we played with the hose making rainbows and finding bugs. Life is so wonderful when you are 4 and 5! Dad brought back a SlipNSlid from Wallmart to play with tomorrow and packed his two up to go to friends for a cook out.<br />
<br />
Then Emily came down with her two and we took out the SlipNSlide. It had a hole in it from the manufacturer and we patched it up with duct tape. We got it going and after two slides down the hill on it, the lower end which made a sort of water pillow blew out. More tape and now we have a sprinkler that will water my entire yard! Wow! But, we will probably take it back and get one that is not messed up. Still, the garden hose and the water table that Sofia filled up and sat in were a hit for the 100 + degree day. Life is simple, why complicate it?<br />
<br />
So now I am getting my "ok - time to go to bed - buzz, and my anxiety level is so low if I saw a pig fly, I would just say "huh..." like I did with this picture my step-brother's wife and fellow photog, Susan Valladao got at the fair today.... Happy trails people. Dream sweet dreams... I promise not to "buzz write" again. Who wants to know how wonderful my grandkids are, anyway? Love, Love Love each and every one!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--RGxIRWluro/ThFGpz2fXkI/AAAAAAAAA74/glaMUBaX9uU/s1600/pigs+fly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--RGxIRWluro/ThFGpz2fXkI/AAAAAAAAA74/glaMUBaX9uU/s640/pigs+fly.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Susan Valladao from today's fair in Pleasanton (I believe) Pig Race. So Cool!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0