The Nail Polish Art Project

Several years ago I painted (actually I poured/drizzled) a picture on paper with yard sale nail polish, but nobody could see that it was a face so that idea went out the door. 

Then about two years ago I got the "bright idea" that I would create a canvas painting and again use nail polish as the medium in a different manner. I even envisioned how I would apply the colors to make the creation. I had asked several friends if they had any unused, or half used bottles that they would be willing to give to me. Now, I don't now use nail polish and can't remember if I ever did, except for the clear which stopped runs in our stockings in the 50's. Heck, I don't even have shapely nails. At all! I knew that two friends have manicures and pedicures regularly. Another friend has teen granddaughters who are constantly experimenting with colors and then, after one use, never open the bottles again. 

And so, my request was fulfilled, more than adequately. The friends who visit their salons asked there and the owners and managers gave them outdated, unpopular and half used colors. A friend's aunt was an Avon Lady and she had a large stockpile of unused and unsold bottles. The lady with the granddaughters' unwanted polishes gathered them in a mesh bag for me and brought them with her from Tennessee to her beach place in the SC campground where we go. One brought some from West Virginia and another saved MANY for me from NJ and then met my daughter who was visiting my other daughter in the area. She then brought them back to PA with her for me. 

I had a fine time testing each lid, (top?) making sure I could open it and then put them all away in red plastic Huggie boxes that I had previously saved.  My plan was to start with a practice trial on a piece of paper. One sheet and I quit. I couldn't take the fumes! Of course I did this in the wintertime in the cabin and without any ventilation. Not good. I then planned to try again in the coming summer. That didn't pan out either because I fractured my humerus head and rotator cuff muscles and tendons due to a stub-your-toe fall in May. I now have a permanent "range of motion" disability. The recovery period took over a year. By then it was winter again. 

This year was going to be the year of the painting! Nope! I developed a viral infection of the cornea , AKA dendritic keratitis, in my "good" eye. There went my painting-using-nail polish project for another year. 

I WILL, someday, paint with nail polish. I WILL. My idea is to use as many as necessary to cover the canvas in little dots, all touching each other, and then overpainting with more dabs and dots, making a scene with a large naked tree as the feature. I plan to only use the brushes that come in the bottles. It will take time. You'll see.........someday. Look out Van Gogh!

By the way there is an art method called Pointillism which is a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots of pure color are applied in patterns to form an image. I've never done this. and mine will be similar but different. I really don't know where I'll be going but I'll know when I get there and it is finished. I haven't ever had art or design training and whatever I do will be the trial and error method. It's my way.

Summer's Ending

The cooling down process has begun...it's Mother Nature's way. When I woke up this morning, the sun was shining in my bedroom window and my feet were cold. I don't have my winter blankets on the bed yet. You can bet I'll dig them out and do it today! 

When I looked out the dining room window I saw the steam rising up from the lake. I then turned to see the thermometer that hangs on the carport pillar and the temperature was 42°! Yeow! This means the seasonal change is happening and it's only mid August. Maybe I don't remember things very well like this, but I do believe that it just might be a bit earlier than in the past years.  Yes, we have to put jackets and sweaters on in the evenings, but that is usually when it's "fairtime" here in my neck of the woods. The annual fair is always held during the third week of August. This year's 156th agricultural fair starts on August 19. For years I entered my crafts, my knitted and crocheted items, home baked and preserved foods and other objects, including horses but I have no interest now. Those award ribbons meant a lot at the time, but not anymore. It just ain't like it used to be. We actually used to sleep in a pup tent next to the horse barn during the fair! 

Well, I knew it was coming. It was cool in the cabin yesterday and I baked a batch of cookies. This morning "we" made a large meatloaf to be baked later for supper. When I say "we" I mean that I put all the mixin's in a large plastic dishpan and then sat back and watched them being squashed, kneaded and made into the large loaf. I'll bake it, slice it, serve it, store it, but simply am unable to mix it well anymore.  The bare hands method is the only way for a thorough mixing. Really. Usually I don't want help in the kitchen but do know when I need a bit.

Here are a few photos for you. Remember the green. It will be a while before it returns.

Click on picture for larger view

OOPS!  I was wrong about the steam rising from the lake! NO! "My" SC weatherman, Ed Piotrowski of WNEP explained it today and I've learned something new. 

"Steam fog forms when relatively cool air moves over warm water. When the cool air mixes with the warm moist air over the water, the moist air cools until its humidity reaches 100% and fog forms."

Hurry! Get one while there is one! FREE!

Project COMPLETE!

• First, I take the pictures.
• Then I play with the pictures, manipulating them to my liking.
• Next I have prints made in 5" x 7" size with matte finish.
• Then I get out my white, pink, green, lavender and blue card stock and a ruler.
• I use double sided sticky tape to apply the photograph and/or pieces where I want.
• Sometimes I cut the edges of the card stock with fancy scissors.
• Sometimes I just tear the card stock edges.
• Sometimes I cut the edges of the photographs with plain or fancy scissors.
• Sometimes I use a little bit of ribbon.
• Sometimes I use left over cuttings with stick glue.
• Sometimes I mount them crooked and have to throw the whole works away.
• Sometimes I mount them asymmetrically.
• If I have two of the same print I might cut one and put a piece on top of the main with a bit of 1/8" sticky foam so the top piece is raised. (The raised layer doesn't show when scanned.)
• Most of the time I have now idea where I'm going.

• I know when enough is enough - for me at least. When it isn't fun anymore I quit!

These cards (with envelopes) all measure 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and one postage stamp will get a card to where it is sent! They all open to a very large blank writing space. Time to move on to another project! 

Sigh.......Project complete.

Click on photo to view larger.

Dear Deer

Again, I'm showing off photos that I didn't take but I'm compelled to show them anyway. My quasi sister, Jen, took these in her residential neighborhood in north NJ when riding in her car. She was visiting a friend and is NEVER without her camera. Now I know why! You should see her bird and other nature pictures! I'm trying to persuade her to blog because she's also a great writer, but she is an extremely busy lady and very involved in many areas.

Here goes..... Enjoy!!!

See what I mean?  And these are only a few of the pictures she took that day.

The Red Lily

Who would think that I would sit in front of the boob tube for an entire movie - 81 minutes in length? I never, well almost never, watch movies. I landed on the Turner Classic Movie channel when surfing up and down on the little TV set in the dining room as I was finishing my mid morning breakfast. What drew my attention was the the lack of chatter and the old-time melodramic sound. It became to grab me as I saw such acting and the old performance techniques. It was an American film, produced in 1924.

As a young teen, I collected movie star photographs of the 30's and 40's. I sure wish I had them now because they were mailed to me and actually signed by the actual stars with a personal note added. I once had one of Wallace Berry! He was Long John Silver in Treasure Island. I recognized his face immediately in the movie I was watching this morning. Well the photographs are gone and I have no idea when, where, how or why I have them no more. Gone is gone.

Now, after some internet research, I have learned more about the movie that caused me to sit still for most of the morning.

You most likely, aren't interested at all in this, but I'll give out what I found anyway.

The Red Lily is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Fred Niblo, starring Ramon Novarro, Enid Bennett and Wallace Beery.

Jean Leonnec (Ramon Novarro) and Marise La Noue (Enid Bennett) are pennyless lovers who eloped to Paris, she to become a prostitute known as 'the red lily', he to learn the ways of the underworld from Bo-Bo (Wallace Beery).  81 minutes

Ramon Novarro: He took the role of Hollywood's top Latin Lover following the 1926 death of Rudolph Valentino.  (my note: VERY interesting personal life.)

To view his biography click below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramon_Novarro

Turner Classic Movies

To view movie clip click below: Give it a chance to load

http://summer.tcm.com/ramonnovarro/movie/theredlily

To buy video click below:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015268/

Pink, Red, White and Bark

I'm such a copycat and this is why.

When we go to the SC beach place, I take pictures of many flowers and trees, and many of them aren't to be found in NE PA. My blogger friend in Texas has shown me her crepe myrtle in bloom there and I would like to show "mine" as well. The ones in SC where I go seem to grow sideways due to the ocean winds, I suppose. I just love the bark - yes, the BARK!

Sun Flowers Galore

My NJ quasi-sister, Jen, is a marvelous photographer and she allows me to have many of her photos to look at as often as I'd like to, and doesn't mind if I share them once in a while.

She just took some sunflower pictures at a farm near her home in NJ and I love them too, so here they are! Her two other quasi sister friends are also fine photographers and they went with her for a "shoot."

Memory of Girl Scout Camp

I'm writing this because my memory was jogged by another blogger - Thanks Cindy!

My Girl Scout Camp adventure began when I was around 10 years old (1946). I was a first Girl Scout Brownie for a few years but I went to Camp Mogisca in Sparta, NJ as an older Girl Scout for just one year. I remember it well; mostly for the "incidents."

I also remember being involved in the making of a Girl Scout promotional movie in a historic place called Jockey Hollow. I felt honored that I was only one of three girls to be selected to make the movie. It was a big deal. I went there several times on one-day camps. The annual weekly camp of Camp Mogisca for my troop was just too expensive for my parents. I would have had a big tantrum if they thought I was going again to that camp anyway! I understand this camp was sold in 2010. 

Well, back to my one week for one year at Girl Scout camping. I first remember being dropped off and then registered in. I was assigned a tent and tentmates. There was a camp orientation session soon after and we were told when and where things would be happening. I think we were also told to look at the posted maps to find every place we needed to be and when we were to appear there. So off to my tent and to meet three other girls I went.

Now you must be made aware that I never had much of a structured daily routine when at home. I just got up, ate breakfast, went out to play, and came home for lunch when the fire whistle blew the noontime siren. The same activity was repeated for the rest of the day after lunch. Also, I'm now and was then, pretty much a loner preferring my own company over others, especially groups. Maybe that's why I was sent to camp. My parents were most likely hoping that I would become more social. 

I never did fit into the structured sessions. But the "incidents" were fun for all  others except me.

#1:  The smelly wooden outhouse was just down and around the corner from my tent so my brand-new green Girl Scout flashlight was put to use to find my way in the dark. Wouldn't you know it rolled into the hole when I put it down to pull down my pants. I had to find my way back for evermore with no light!

I found it on the web. EXACT Light!! (Eveready Circa 1940's) Whooppee! 

#2:  I couldn't swim so I was put in the beginner's group. When it was our turn, I refused to put my face in the water and was sent back to the bank to watch the others. Every day it was the same. I never got to go in the water!

#3:  I had no idea (because I probably wasn't paying attention when told) that we had daily assigned tasks. One night when I climbed into my bed I couldn't get my feet to go down under the blanket and my bed was wet! Then I discovered that there was a heap of corn husks in my bed. It seemed that I was supposed to go to the dining hall that afternoon and help shuck corn. After everyone stopped laughing they told me why they had put the husks into my bed - as punishment for not helping. 

#4:  Someone stole my brand new Girl Scout knife. I reported it to the counselor in charge of our tent and she wouldn't believe me. She kept telling me that I must have lost it. I didn't loose it!! I DIDN'T. See??

 Found on web.

#5:  I skinned my knee quite badly when I tripped over a tree root on the way to my leathercraft workshop. The nurse made me stay in her care throughout the whole time, and then when the workshop was finished for the day, she let me loose; with only a bandaid over my knee! I hadn't even cried.

I never did tell my parents that I lost both of the items because I knew they had sacrificed to buy them when they were listed as necessary to bring. I never told them that camp was a bad week for me.

The only things I liked about that camp was being able to have "free time." We had to stay in the tent and I would lie on my bed, pulling the mosquito netting all around me and then read. I liked the campfire at night with singing. 

Oh, by the way, I don't remember taking a shower or brushing my teeth or even combing my hair. I wonder where I did that????

For My Friends With Little and Medium Sized Dogs

Our 13 year old, 15 pound Rat Terrier's behavior during the last two days had us very upset. This dear pet has been overprotected, I'll admit. We love him. We know him. We immediately know when his demeanor changes. First, I should tell you that he doesn't ever run loose without his master keeping a keen eye on him every minute in all kinds of weather. We know his body and his bowel habits completely. He's a good boy and always dependable. He has never even been allowed to associate with other dogs for fear of him "catching something" or having the transmission of diseases at all possible. Yes, we know he should have been socialized as a puppy. We were in err there. He has extreme sensitivity to foods and treats. His diet is and has been the same ever since he, at 4 months of age, joined us. No other dog food has he been fed but one brand. The variety has changed as he has aged. The normal feeding time is always first thing in the morning and then again at 5:30 pm. One can lasts 4 days. We know this because when a can is opened, it is shaken out onto a paper plate, and divided into four sections. Each section is then put into a plastic container and cut in half. Every four days a new can is opened. He gets one half section in the morning and the other half section at suppertime, along with enough hard kibbles to cover the bottom of a small cup. A treat is a few dry Cheerios in the morning and a plain vanilla cookie without icing, broken into several pieces at lunchtime, along with a very small piece of ham lunchmeat. If he eats anything else he will, almost immediately, throw up. He's a "barfer!"

He has a complete veterinarian exam once a year. All shots are current - always. He is given a Heartgard wormer on the first of every month. We cut it up into many small pieces because he will swallow it whole and then throw it up. He loves his worm medicine! He has been treated with flea medicine only when we see a flea. Because he is mostly white, if he has even one flea we will see it. All medicine is purchased at the veterinarian establishment. Because he gets high anxiety, panting, drooling and running around trying to hide when it thunders or there are firework noises in the surroundings, he is given medicine prescribed by the veterinarian. Now to get down to the reason for this story.

On July 31 at noon, we saw a flea. Horrors! I had on hand the new package of Advantix II and administered the product exactly as directed, both directions being printed on the outside of the box and on the inside flier. We thought it was "funny" that we were to put it on his back from shoulders to tail as we had never applied flea medicine like that before. We had always applied it only across the top of the shoulder. We followed the directions. He wasn't even given his monthly wormer medicine because we didn't want so much stuff in his body at the same time.

That evening, he was acting "off" and his little tail was tucked tight. We thought he was in pain or something but hadn't yet connected his behavior to the medicine. All he wanted to do was to curl up on his pillow on the couch and sleep. When he did jump down, he rolled like his back itched. That evening he didn't want to go out to do his business. He didn't do it after being coaxed several times to do so. We thought maybe he was constipated or even beginning to be impacted. This behavior has never happened before.

Yesterday, he continued eating well, but was still tucking tail tightly and sleeping and rolling once in a while. He didn't have a bowel movement at all and at 4 pm we called the vet. The vet was suggesting that perhaps a suppository, not a Fleet, could help him go. Then, when we didn't have any other on hand a teaspoonful of mineral oil was suggested. We didn't have that, either. Well we gave him olive oil with his supper, but he only had two very little marbles when he finally went. I mean size, of course, not real marbles!

After passing the night, hoping he'd be better in the morning, I woke up with enlightenment. My idea was that the flea medicine caused his distress, so I researched it as best as I could on the internet. I've posted a bit of my findings here. I then called the manufacturer of the medicine and was on the line with the consumer assistant for a very long time. Between us, we have come to the conclusion that it was an allergic reaction to the application of the medicine and she really tried to help. It's called "paraesthesia" and has numbed his lower back and tail areas. I will notify our veterinarian tomorrow. Right now he is becoming perky again and has had one good "go" but his tail is still tucked. My husband gave him a bath this AM, thinking he could wash out the stuff, but we now realize that we should have used detergent instead of shampoo. Hopefully he'll recover completely. We want that little stubby tail UP!

Please look carefully at my graphics. WE will go back to using just flea medicine and not the flea/tick combination. We and the consumer assistant now all believe the pymethrin is the culprit.

If we can obtain a receipt from the vet for our purchase, which was last year, we can send it in, along with the box and remaining poison and they will send us a cash refund. If we can't get a printed receipt, we can send the box back with the case reference number and her name to have a trade for a new package of Advantage as we had used in the past. This is a rare and unusual case, but we just want him well and hope he'll be completely recovered soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Side Effects of K9 Advantix II-

K9 Advantix II is a highly effective product protecting your dog from pests, however many potential users have fears of the side effects from using an insecticide on their beloved pets. But what sort of harms can come from the use of K9 Advantix II?  Unfortunately the known risks come with a debate. Fears can range from mild skin irritations to more severe health issues.

Some users have noticed their pet react to burning, tingling, itching or numbness to their skin shortly after treatment. These effects should clear up on their own in a few days. Washing your dog with a non detergent shampoo may help soothe irritated skin and keep the formula from washing off.

Ingredients

Active Ingredients	% By Weight
Imidacloprid	8.80%
Permethrin	44.00%
Pyriproxyfen	0.44%
Other Ingredients	46.76%
Total	100.0%

Waterproof Formula

K9 Advantix II is waterproof, so there's no need to reapply after your dog has a bath or goes for a swim. Studies show that dogs are still protected against parasites after exposure to water, though for best results, dogs treated with K9 Advantix II should be bathed with a non-detergent shampoo.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please look at graphics full size by clicking on them.

The graphic below is of the notes I took when on the telephone with the consumer helper.