Mixed Bag

First of all, my eye is still giving me grief. No matter what regimen I have tried, none has helped much. In spite of this, every day I aim to accomplish at least one project, be it large or small. Today was James 2 and the removal of his autumn leaf garland. My daughter found a piney one with cones and red berries at a garage sale and it has been attached. It was a finger-freezing. 'do not fall' project and I am on the lookout for a large red plastic ribbon to complete the job. James #1 is not decorated at all - at least at this point. No good pictures of James 2 yet, road too muddy to go out there to snap 'em.

Two days ago I kept busy cooking down the Thanksgiving ham bone and then freezing the works so I could skim off the fat that accumulates on the top before adding the split peas. Then yesterday the peas were added and the brew kept on low for many hours with frequent stirs. Two quarts were the final yield and they are in the freezer.

The ice covered the lake for only one day and then it warmed up and melted. I hoped the geese were gone, but they still remain. 

Today I will do some upgrading of paperwork and 2024 clendar marking with birthdays, anniversaries, etc.  I'm seriously considering to not create or buy and send holiday cards this year via USPS. 

Pretty soon the daily sunset will be coming later and I look forward to that.  The good thing is that everyday the view through my windows is changing. Can you see how beautiful it is through the image my neighbor took?

Oh, yes I am only a little crazy with my computer creations. I like to escape once in a while.

Creative Project

I have finally reached the achievement of creating my own backgrounds with an old application I have —"Art Rage Lite." It really boggles my brain to experiment with creating my own colorful backgrounds and the possibilities are numerous. Here are two that I made this morning and after that are photomanipulations I put together yesterday with the first of my new backgrounds. This is fun for me. No cleanup messes either like I'd have with actual artist supplies!

Oh, such possibilities!

tap on image to view larger

 

Back in Time

And...this morning!

Not manipulated - actual colors!

I'm living the life I want to live at my age, surrounded by friends who make my life better. I am very fortunate!

Red and Wonderful

I received my first real Poinsettia as a gift last evening and it took my heart up a few notches. You see, my yard guy and his wife gave it to me, knowing that I don't like cut flowers and having no idea that I never had a live poinsettia plant before. 

I took many photos of it at different angles as it sat on the counter with the early morning sun. I tried no flash, flash, and all kinds of angles. Actually I had a good time shooting. Well, after culling most, I did keep a few. The next step was to create a digital image to send to my e-mail friends as I only sent out 21 "snail mail" cards this year. After a couple of hours I was satisfied and will now share with you. First, a selection of subject matter for experiments!

Then I cut, pasted, skewed, and made the creative piece. It took time. I didn't use any application except the Preview which came on my computer. Result below.

Next was to incorporate it into a greeting card for e-mail distribution. Finally I was satisfied, and sent them out.

This is for you, my friends.... I wish you all the very best!

P.S. BIG SNOW predicted tomorrow. Camera is ready!

Moving Forward

 What is a SEM murmur?

Midsystolic murmurs — also known as systolic ejection murmurs, or SEM — include the murmurs of aortic stenosis, pulmonic stenosis, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and atrial septal defects. 

What is a 2/6 murmur? Faint but easily audible.

Systolic Murmur Grades are based on the intensity of the murmur.

My physician noted in the checkbox for 'heart' that I have a 2/6 SEM.

Anyway, for now I've decided not to have the  removal of a cataract in my right eye, at least for a year. I'm doing OK and I'm not as angry now.

The last of the Oxhearts sits in my 12" pottery bowl and I really hate to think of cutting it!  I may save another  packet of fermented and dried seeds from this one, as it is the perfect example of the heritage variety. Isn't it beautiful? It measures 4" across and is heavy with meat, few seeds, and actually smells good. It is a feast for the eye!

My daughter is processing all the rest from her garden today and they will be made into tomato sauce. There were many, though smaller than years before, due to the drought.

There hasn't been a hummingbird at the feeder for two days so I took it down and sanitized it for storage. I miss them already.

The schools in this area have started. Now I know the summer is ending and I don't anticipate the coming of the next two seasons but will try to get through the best I can. I think the trick is to keep busy, mind and body. 

I did another photomanipulation because the shadows in my neighbor's image caught my eye.

Drastic Change of Images

First of all, since I'm still healing and not out and about as much as last year, I'm testing myself with new ways to change images on the computer. Yes, I know — I sit too much. I did take a short ride but everything is dust-covered  and dull and dried out (like me) and that buggy ride was a fail.

After going into the catacombs of this computer I found two old images with which to work. I killed them but did learn a few new techniques with trial and error. The end result isn't awful but it isn't my favorite either.

If you look it in larger size the iridescence comes through.

Yesterday I made a slide show with the laptop application. I do not like this application. The one on the big iMac is easier to use and understand - or maybe it is me?  BUT that computer is no longer able to connect to the internet as its general system is so old. Its sound system is the best ever for playing my music files though. Well, I was finally able to upload the 'iffy' slide show to my personal YouTube channel. The images I used are some of the ones my neighbor at the lake took and they struck me as inspiring and lovely views. Yes, she did give me permission to use her images. It's not my best work but not my worst. I think if you click on the link you will be able to view it. 

Slide show

Rose Love

I have never grown nor had any roses but I do love the various shapes and colors of the rose. A bouquet of them to me, is not good. They must be living, never cut! My images are numerous as they enchant me and give me inspiration. I got an idea of "marrying a couple" so here you are!

"Rosesmarry"

Sitting....

I sure am sitting a lot while waiting for my foot to totally heal but I also have creative juices flowing, so.......

YESTERDAY (Too many steps and adjustments to display the process.) I'm still not too happy with this final result. I took these rose images in SC in 2015. 

Today is another story...One image sent to me by a granddaughter to show her frog pond hyacinth gave me ideas....

Did I go too far? Well, maybe but was tuned in to a far-out place!

Today's Work

I KNOW I shouldn't be sitting for long stretches because of my leg situation, BUT......

I took the first picture in SC several years ago. I was looking through old images and it jumped out! So............

I pushed onward with an idea — fade it!

Then...delete background — cool!

I 'almost' thought of twisting and turning it, but — created new background!

Named it "Pretty in Pink."

I think you can see it larger by tapping on image.

Small to Large

My daughter's snap of one of her flowers is now a piece of art. 

I have learned how to create my own backgrounds in a metallic format.

please click to view larger Feelin' Buggy!