The 90 Minute Second.......................................
I live 10 minutes, or less, from the small town of Claysville Pa. That is where my family doctor's practice is located, along with a branch blood lab of Washington (Pa) hospital. I was scheduled for blood work today. Piece of cake.
Prior to my leaving the house (8 a.m.) we had quite a large thunderstorm move through, thunder, lightning, power blinking on and off, wind howling, just a plain nasty day. Then it had passed on, leaving dark clouds and still some wind, but the rain had stopped, for a while. We're supposed to have wind and rain all day.
I left at 8, got 4/10 of a mile and, guess what, there was a large tree across the road. This was the paved state road, and who knows when the state will get around to it. So its turn around, go the other way, the longer way, but still state road.
I got 2 miles. Another larger tree across the road. This certainly was not my lucky day. But actually it was.
Our good friend and neighbor is our neighborhood (if you can call miles of scattered homes with acres of farm land and woods a neighborhood) guardian. He is always there for you. I had just reached this second tree when I saw headlights coming from the other direction. It was Tim, with his trusty chain-saw.
In the winter he makes the rounds, plowing snow from driveways, helping where help is needed. After storms he makes the rounds, with his chain-saw, ready to open roads and driveways. In addition he keeps many acres of our neighborhood cleaned up, as he sows crops and bales hay for his beef herd. Tim is a fourth generation farmer, he and his wife own the farm that adjoins ours, and Tim and Jerry have been friends since kindergarten. Tim's wife and I are friends, have taken cruises and bus tours together. Just part of our family.
He got enough of this tree cleared out that I could go by, and finally I reached the lab. I know for a fact I was in there less than 60 seconds as there was no one else ahead of me.
I figured, since I had mentioned the other tree down, that I could go home the regular way, and I was right. My road was open all the way. There is a lot of trash (all the small branches, bark, that sort of thing) covering all the roads. I am really surprised there were no more large trees down, but glad.
Tim is our neighborhood guardian. He doesn't expect, or ask for, anything in return, he is just a good neighbor, doing the right thing, thinking nothing of it.
He doesn't have stories written about him, he is not on the evening news, or even in the local newspaper, he is just a good friend to our entire neighborhood, regardless of whether they are long-time residents, or newcomers. It really doesn't matter, if they need help he is there.
My 60 second blood sample took 90 minutes to get it done, 89 minutes of trying to get there and back. Then as I was in the middle of this blog, the electric went out. I thought "why not, everything else is going wrong today".
The power is on now, I don't know for how long, as the wind is still blowing. So thought I had better finish this and get it posted before the next black-out.
February is definitely going out like a lion. I wonder how March is going to come in?
Have a safe day and God Bless.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
OH MY ..........................................
I just have to share another funny story with you. Remember my friend who had the crazy check-out experience at WalMart? Well, I received another e-mail from her last night titled OH MY! I just had to share it.................
This friend, guess you could call her one of my adopted kids, is a pastor and currently lives in the Pittsburgh area. She has 4 cats, Buster, Norman, Napoleon and Buddy. They are quite a crew. Enjoy her story.
ONE PERSON, ONE HOUSE, ONE BIRD, FOUR CATS. WHICH DOES NOT BELONG?
To make a long story short, as I was taking the garbage out at dinner time, a small sparrow flew into the house through the kitchen door. I have spent the evening with flying cats and a terrified sparrow.
We all shared in an adventure that spread into every nook and cranny of the house. The cats have learned that if they jump up in the air from one of the couches or chairs, they can bump their heads against the ceiling.
Buster can hit the ceiling from the floor; he appears to have the best jumping skills in the house. Norman,not so much. (Norman is the over-weight cat). At the end of the adventure, though, Norman required a b-a-t-h, because he was definitely the best at staying UNDER the bird.........
I am pleased to report that in a mere three hours the bird was saved in a blanket and returned to the great outdoors. It is nice to note that none of the boys tried to catch the bird in their mouths. They just swatted at it with their paws.
Life is fun.....................
I hope your enjoy this adventure as much as I did. I mentioned to my friend that she really should write a book about the adventures she and the four boys have. She already knows a publisher.
Have a great day and stay out from under the birds.
I just have to share another funny story with you. Remember my friend who had the crazy check-out experience at WalMart? Well, I received another e-mail from her last night titled OH MY! I just had to share it.................
This friend, guess you could call her one of my adopted kids, is a pastor and currently lives in the Pittsburgh area. She has 4 cats, Buster, Norman, Napoleon and Buddy. They are quite a crew. Enjoy her story.
ONE PERSON, ONE HOUSE, ONE BIRD, FOUR CATS. WHICH DOES NOT BELONG?
To make a long story short, as I was taking the garbage out at dinner time, a small sparrow flew into the house through the kitchen door. I have spent the evening with flying cats and a terrified sparrow.
We all shared in an adventure that spread into every nook and cranny of the house. The cats have learned that if they jump up in the air from one of the couches or chairs, they can bump their heads against the ceiling.
Buster can hit the ceiling from the floor; he appears to have the best jumping skills in the house. Norman,not so much. (Norman is the over-weight cat). At the end of the adventure, though, Norman required a b-a-t-h, because he was definitely the best at staying UNDER the bird.........
I am pleased to report that in a mere three hours the bird was saved in a blanket and returned to the great outdoors. It is nice to note that none of the boys tried to catch the bird in their mouths. They just swatted at it with their paws.
Life is fun.....................
I hope your enjoy this adventure as much as I did. I mentioned to my friend that she really should write a book about the adventures she and the four boys have. She already knows a publisher.
Have a great day and stay out from under the birds.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
HUMAN BEASTS and HOWLING DOGS.........
Firstly I am going to address human beasts.
Have you ever attended high school plays, concerts, etc? If you have you will know what I am talking about. If not, you have missed a great experience.
Last night was one of those great experiences. Daughter Rebecca's No 3 kid, a son, has participated in the school plays for several years, (he is now a Junior), and last night was no exception. The play was BEAUTY and the BEAST. Coleman has a dual role, and of course being a proud Grandma he was the best!!!!!!
By the way, he is the one in black, just in case you were wondering.
Son Jerry and I arrived at their home near Bentleyville Pa in time for supper. We timed it just right. Then we arrived at the High School around 6:30 as the play began at 7 p.m. This is the Bentworth School District in Washington County Pa. They put on 4 performances on consecutive evenings, this was the second.
It was, of course, a sold-out performance. It is amazing to see the sets, the acting, hearing the singing and dialogue - and to think it is ALL done by the students, with adult supervision. What a fun way to spend the evening. I am already looking forward to next year, as Coleman will be a senior and it will be his last hurrah! so to speak.
Every single one of the kids was great, and you could just tell they were having the time of their lives. I don't think there is never enough said about them, their school, their teachers, and their parents.
Now it is time for the howling dogs.
Got home late, got to bed later. Glad today was Saturday and I could sleep in, not that I have that option a lot. Son Jerry would say otherwise. I also knew he would be up fairly early as a couple of his buddies were coming to finish working on, what they call, a mobile hunting shelter, then they were going rabbit hunting. Today is the last day of the spring season, Steve has a beagle named Molly, and we have 2 beagles, named as you know Sam (short for Samantha) and Coco, our hot chocolate with whipped cream type of coloring.
Steve arrived, putting Molly in our outside dog pen until they were ready to go hunting. Sam and Coco saw Molly, and all (you can guess what) broke loose.
Molly is outside, Sam and Coco are running from room to room, barking, howling, more barking, more howling, looking out the windows, trying to paw their way outside. They will be exhausted before they even start. And, so much for sleeping!!!!!
Coco is the largest, Sam, of course, a smaller little lady.
When the guys were finished with their hunting shelter, it was time to go hunting. Steve came to the house to get Molly. Dogs went crazy, I needed ear-plugs. Jerry came up through the basement, opening the door. Sam and Coco tried knocking each other down to be first - basically running, and falling, down the steps. How those dogs love running the rabbits.
In a couple of hours the hunters will return, with 3 VERY VERY tired dogs, as they would have run the entire time. It usually takes about 3 days for Sam and Coco to get completely rested up, and then they can hardly wait to go again.
And so, the last 24 hours has been a combination of watching a beast being tamed by a beautiful girl, and listening to howling dogs.
If I am lucky the rest of the weekend will be more normal. But then again, if it were normal all the time, where would the fun be????
Have a good weekend and God Bless.
Firstly I am going to address human beasts.
Have you ever attended high school plays, concerts, etc? If you have you will know what I am talking about. If not, you have missed a great experience.
Last night was one of those great experiences. Daughter Rebecca's No 3 kid, a son, has participated in the school plays for several years, (he is now a Junior), and last night was no exception. The play was BEAUTY and the BEAST. Coleman has a dual role, and of course being a proud Grandma he was the best!!!!!!
By the way, he is the one in black, just in case you were wondering.
Son Jerry and I arrived at their home near Bentleyville Pa in time for supper. We timed it just right. Then we arrived at the High School around 6:30 as the play began at 7 p.m. This is the Bentworth School District in Washington County Pa. They put on 4 performances on consecutive evenings, this was the second.
It was, of course, a sold-out performance. It is amazing to see the sets, the acting, hearing the singing and dialogue - and to think it is ALL done by the students, with adult supervision. What a fun way to spend the evening. I am already looking forward to next year, as Coleman will be a senior and it will be his last hurrah! so to speak.
Every single one of the kids was great, and you could just tell they were having the time of their lives. I don't think there is never enough said about them, their school, their teachers, and their parents.
Now it is time for the howling dogs.
Got home late, got to bed later. Glad today was Saturday and I could sleep in, not that I have that option a lot. Son Jerry would say otherwise. I also knew he would be up fairly early as a couple of his buddies were coming to finish working on, what they call, a mobile hunting shelter, then they were going rabbit hunting. Today is the last day of the spring season, Steve has a beagle named Molly, and we have 2 beagles, named as you know Sam (short for Samantha) and Coco, our hot chocolate with whipped cream type of coloring.
Steve arrived, putting Molly in our outside dog pen until they were ready to go hunting. Sam and Coco saw Molly, and all (you can guess what) broke loose.
Molly is outside, Sam and Coco are running from room to room, barking, howling, more barking, more howling, looking out the windows, trying to paw their way outside. They will be exhausted before they even start. And, so much for sleeping!!!!!
Coco is the largest, Sam, of course, a smaller little lady.
When the guys were finished with their hunting shelter, it was time to go hunting. Steve came to the house to get Molly. Dogs went crazy, I needed ear-plugs. Jerry came up through the basement, opening the door. Sam and Coco tried knocking each other down to be first - basically running, and falling, down the steps. How those dogs love running the rabbits.
In a couple of hours the hunters will return, with 3 VERY VERY tired dogs, as they would have run the entire time. It usually takes about 3 days for Sam and Coco to get completely rested up, and then they can hardly wait to go again.
And so, the last 24 hours has been a combination of watching a beast being tamed by a beautiful girl, and listening to howling dogs.
If I am lucky the rest of the weekend will be more normal. But then again, if it were normal all the time, where would the fun be????
Have a good weekend and God Bless.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
GETTING READY..................
February fast running out, with March's out like a lion. Had rain, sleet and hail Monday night, got up Tuesday morning with 5 plus inches of snow on the ground on top of ice. A fun day for everyone. All of our roads, interstate ramps, and interstate highways became parking lots for the night. Then folks complained because the snow wasn't being plowed Tuesday morning. How do you plow a road that is clogged with parked and abandoned cars?
Today we are supposed to get heavy rains, flood watches and warnings are all over the place. I'm sure that now people will complain about all the water everywhere and wonder why someone doesn't do something about it. Go figure.
Anyhoo this is my "getting ready" period of time, when I start trying to get organized for the coming festival months. I have to decide what pictures to print, mat, and/or frame for the coming year. Old standbys and pics I have never shown for. A little of each. Am sharing one new pic with you.
This lighthouse was photographed when the family and I were in Michigan a couple of years ago. Just loved all the colors.
No one really realizes how much time is spent in editing, choosing what to be printed, printing, cutting mats, and framing. If I had to charge for my labor no one could possibly afford me. So all labor is free.
Getting ready No 2.
Son Jerry has decided this is the time to start fixing up the inside of the house - the living room and computer room to be exact. So I spent a couple of hours in Home Depot buying perfa tape, joint compound, and corner strips. Also had to bring paint chips home to decide on what color we would paint these two rooms. We've never done any major inside work since buying this place in 2005, mostly landscaping and outside work, such as adding a deck to the front, expanding the work shop, things like that. Now it seems to be inside time. So watch out living room and computer room.
I told Jerry I was willing to do the painting, but he HAD to do the taping of all surfaces he did not want paint on. That I WOULD NOT do - but painting I WOULD do. He seemed satisfied with that arrangement. We'll see what happens.
So now I'm back to GETTING READY No 1, choosing and printing this year's new pictures. Think of me slaving away on this as you all relax with your coffee, and morning paper, not a care in the world...........
Have a good day and God Bless.
February fast running out, with March's out like a lion. Had rain, sleet and hail Monday night, got up Tuesday morning with 5 plus inches of snow on the ground on top of ice. A fun day for everyone. All of our roads, interstate ramps, and interstate highways became parking lots for the night. Then folks complained because the snow wasn't being plowed Tuesday morning. How do you plow a road that is clogged with parked and abandoned cars?
Today we are supposed to get heavy rains, flood watches and warnings are all over the place. I'm sure that now people will complain about all the water everywhere and wonder why someone doesn't do something about it. Go figure.
This lighthouse was photographed when the family and I were in Michigan a couple of years ago. Just loved all the colors.
No one really realizes how much time is spent in editing, choosing what to be printed, printing, cutting mats, and framing. If I had to charge for my labor no one could possibly afford me. So all labor is free.
Getting ready No 2.
Son Jerry has decided this is the time to start fixing up the inside of the house - the living room and computer room to be exact. So I spent a couple of hours in Home Depot buying perfa tape, joint compound, and corner strips. Also had to bring paint chips home to decide on what color we would paint these two rooms. We've never done any major inside work since buying this place in 2005, mostly landscaping and outside work, such as adding a deck to the front, expanding the work shop, things like that. Now it seems to be inside time. So watch out living room and computer room.
I told Jerry I was willing to do the painting, but he HAD to do the taping of all surfaces he did not want paint on. That I WOULD NOT do - but painting I WOULD do. He seemed satisfied with that arrangement. We'll see what happens.
So now I'm back to GETTING READY No 1, choosing and printing this year's new pictures. Think of me slaving away on this as you all relax with your coffee, and morning paper, not a care in the world...........
Have a good day and God Bless.
Monday, February 21, 2011
FROM A BLANK MIND COMES ............
My mind has been blank the last couple of days. I had about decided there would be no blog again today, but while eating my lunch and starting a new book, that all changed. So here I am.
My blogs are for everyone, but this one today is aimed at you folks who love reading, read for the shear enjoyment of it, read to leave the real world for a while, read to learn new things, or even looking at something mundane with a new outlook. You folks know what I mean.
I love reading, have read since a child, practically living in the library my school years, buying every book I could afford my adult years. I have never stopped reading. At one time I read the westerns - Max Brand, Zane Gray, Louis LaMour, just to name a few. And then I grew up for real, raising a family, but still reading.
I guess my adult life favorite stories are romantic mysteries and thrillers. I love all the twists and turns, trying to figure who is the bad guy, how it is going to end, will it be a happy or sad ending. If it is a good story, I enjoy it.
But during my years of raising my children, I didn't have as much time to read as I did before, and as I do now. It was during those hectic years that I discovered Gladys Taber. She wrote a series of books about Stillmeadow.
Stilmeadow was, and is, a seventeenth-century Connecticut farmhouse and surroundings. Her books are her observations, about life, and death, about happiness, and sadness, about laughter and tears, but mostly about life. I never failed to cry at some point when reading her books, as they were so unique, and real, and brought home the realization of the magic that exists all around us, land, animals, birds and people. The type of book that makes you feel richer for the reading. Gladys has passed on, but her Stillmeadow still remains as a living monument to a great Lady.
Now that I am old or older or middle-aged, whatever, I have again found two authors whose books have all of the above, and even so much more.
Luanne Rice was recommended to me while browsing the book department in a local Wal-Mart. Sunny Serafino I discovered while attending one of Florida's Writers Guild seminars, getting to meet her, sort of becoming friends, and reading her books.
These two authors I highly recommend. When you have read one of their books, you feel refreshed, the story lines are wonderful, heart-warming stories of life and love, and, of course, faith. Without the faith, life and love are never as fulfilling. You will shed a tear or two when you read these authors, but they are happy tears, reminding us that there is a lot of good out there, we just don't hear about it enough.
Luanne Rice books are carried in the bookstores. Sunny Serafino books are carried on her blog and she also can be contacted in person through her e-mail which is sunnyone@strato.net
If you want an easy to read, hard to put down book, leaving you with a warm fuzzy feeling deep inside, please read their books.
Everyone have a good day, good week, and God Bless.
My mind has been blank the last couple of days. I had about decided there would be no blog again today, but while eating my lunch and starting a new book, that all changed. So here I am.
My blogs are for everyone, but this one today is aimed at you folks who love reading, read for the shear enjoyment of it, read to leave the real world for a while, read to learn new things, or even looking at something mundane with a new outlook. You folks know what I mean.
I love reading, have read since a child, practically living in the library my school years, buying every book I could afford my adult years. I have never stopped reading. At one time I read the westerns - Max Brand, Zane Gray, Louis LaMour, just to name a few. And then I grew up for real, raising a family, but still reading.
I guess my adult life favorite stories are romantic mysteries and thrillers. I love all the twists and turns, trying to figure who is the bad guy, how it is going to end, will it be a happy or sad ending. If it is a good story, I enjoy it.
But during my years of raising my children, I didn't have as much time to read as I did before, and as I do now. It was during those hectic years that I discovered Gladys Taber. She wrote a series of books about Stillmeadow.
Stilmeadow was, and is, a seventeenth-century Connecticut farmhouse and surroundings. Her books are her observations, about life, and death, about happiness, and sadness, about laughter and tears, but mostly about life. I never failed to cry at some point when reading her books, as they were so unique, and real, and brought home the realization of the magic that exists all around us, land, animals, birds and people. The type of book that makes you feel richer for the reading. Gladys has passed on, but her Stillmeadow still remains as a living monument to a great Lady.
Now that I am old or older or middle-aged, whatever, I have again found two authors whose books have all of the above, and even so much more.
Luanne Rice was recommended to me while browsing the book department in a local Wal-Mart. Sunny Serafino I discovered while attending one of Florida's Writers Guild seminars, getting to meet her, sort of becoming friends, and reading her books.
These two authors I highly recommend. When you have read one of their books, you feel refreshed, the story lines are wonderful, heart-warming stories of life and love, and, of course, faith. Without the faith, life and love are never as fulfilling. You will shed a tear or two when you read these authors, but they are happy tears, reminding us that there is a lot of good out there, we just don't hear about it enough.
Luanne Rice books are carried in the bookstores. Sunny Serafino books are carried on her blog and she also can be contacted in person through her e-mail which is sunnyone@strato.net
If you want an easy to read, hard to put down book, leaving you with a warm fuzzy feeling deep inside, please read their books.
Everyone have a good day, good week, and God Bless.
Friday, February 18, 2011
LOOKING AHEAD
The planet is spinning way too fast, and the months are just flying by. Only 10 days left in February, then it is March, April, and busy time getting started. I have applied for 11 art shows for this year, have 4 that I usually do that I have not received applications for yet. 4 of the 11 are new festivals I have not done and am waiting for the jurying results. The other 7 I have done in the past and am automatically juried in, with one exception. The exception I have done for almost 30 years, but they require jurying every year to keep the quality as good as possible. Never a done deal.
Of the 4 I am waiting for the applications I have done all in the past, but only one requires annual jurying. Again the waiting game. About 75% of the applications are received in late December, January and February. That is where the looking ahead comes in.
I have to look ahead to make sure I have the money available to pay the jurying fee, if there is one, and the entry fee, which is a sure thing. The jury fees are anywhere from $10.00 to $30.00, non-refundable. The entry fees are anywhere from $40.00 to almost $500.00. It is not cheap to be in business!!!
I have to look ahead to make sure I have new pictures for each year. There are always the old stand-bys that sell and sell, although after I have sold a certain number of one picture I retire it. Sometimes the first question I get from a prospective customer is "What do you have new this year?" This is especially true as I have many repeat customers. Therefore I have to keep taking pictures to have pictures.
I have to look ahead to make sure my supply of mats, frames, glass, hangers, clear-bags for packaging, labels for labeling, etc., is adequate.
I have to look ahead and make sure my van is in as good working condition as possible so I can load my display - which completely fills the van, even the passenger seat Good thing I travel alone.
I am always looking for new things to photograph. I am sharing one of the new pictures I have taken this month for the business. This is in the LANDSCAPE - STILL LIFE category. My work is matted and/or framed 11 x 14's and 16 x 20's. So you can imagine how much space is used for transporting all my "stuff". There is that "stuff" word again.
I have plane tickets to fly to Phoenix Arizona in April to visit daughter Linda and her family for a week. Hopefully when I return I will have some new southwest pictures for the business. I know I will have lots of pictures, but for the business? That can vary from several to none. I have to do a very thorough editing process to decide what will be business and what will not be business. There again I am "Looking Ahead".
I get started for real in April and continue through mid-November. In April in addition to going to Phoenix I have an art guild photography competition In Ohio that I have been asked to judge. That will be 2 days for me, one day judging, one day for the awards ceremony. As I have good friends living in the area it gives me an excuse to spend some time with them, like overnight. Then there is the one day by invitation-only art show held annually in April at the South Hills Country Club. Very high end, what a great way to kick off the season.
Don't expect blogs every day. I will try to keep up as much as possible, but as I get busier I will have less time in front of the computer. But I will keep you posted on my comings and goings as well as I can. There again I am looking ahead.
Just remember - It is the looking ahead that gets you out of bed in the morning, gets you through the day. It is that "wonder what is going to happen tomorrow" mind-frame that keeps you young.
Everyone have a great week-end and God Bless.
The planet is spinning way too fast, and the months are just flying by. Only 10 days left in February, then it is March, April, and busy time getting started. I have applied for 11 art shows for this year, have 4 that I usually do that I have not received applications for yet. 4 of the 11 are new festivals I have not done and am waiting for the jurying results. The other 7 I have done in the past and am automatically juried in, with one exception. The exception I have done for almost 30 years, but they require jurying every year to keep the quality as good as possible. Never a done deal.
Of the 4 I am waiting for the applications I have done all in the past, but only one requires annual jurying. Again the waiting game. About 75% of the applications are received in late December, January and February. That is where the looking ahead comes in.
I have to look ahead to make sure I have the money available to pay the jurying fee, if there is one, and the entry fee, which is a sure thing. The jury fees are anywhere from $10.00 to $30.00, non-refundable. The entry fees are anywhere from $40.00 to almost $500.00. It is not cheap to be in business!!!
I have to look ahead to make sure I have new pictures for each year. There are always the old stand-bys that sell and sell, although after I have sold a certain number of one picture I retire it. Sometimes the first question I get from a prospective customer is "What do you have new this year?" This is especially true as I have many repeat customers. Therefore I have to keep taking pictures to have pictures.
I have to look ahead to make sure my supply of mats, frames, glass, hangers, clear-bags for packaging, labels for labeling, etc., is adequate.
I have to look ahead and make sure my van is in as good working condition as possible so I can load my display - which completely fills the van, even the passenger seat Good thing I travel alone.
I have plane tickets to fly to Phoenix Arizona in April to visit daughter Linda and her family for a week. Hopefully when I return I will have some new southwest pictures for the business. I know I will have lots of pictures, but for the business? That can vary from several to none. I have to do a very thorough editing process to decide what will be business and what will not be business. There again I am "Looking Ahead".
I get started for real in April and continue through mid-November. In April in addition to going to Phoenix I have an art guild photography competition In Ohio that I have been asked to judge. That will be 2 days for me, one day judging, one day for the awards ceremony. As I have good friends living in the area it gives me an excuse to spend some time with them, like overnight. Then there is the one day by invitation-only art show held annually in April at the South Hills Country Club. Very high end, what a great way to kick off the season.
Don't expect blogs every day. I will try to keep up as much as possible, but as I get busier I will have less time in front of the computer. But I will keep you posted on my comings and goings as well as I can. There again I am looking ahead.
Just remember - It is the looking ahead that gets you out of bed in the morning, gets you through the day. It is that "wonder what is going to happen tomorrow" mind-frame that keeps you young.
Everyone have a great week-end and God Bless.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
One Down - 27 To Go!!!!!
Have all the pictures in the living room and computer room re-arranged. Looks a lot less crowded, I think the arrangements are a go. Are we done now? No!
Now all the pictures are coming down, Jerry wants to do some work on the walls, and then we are going to paint these two rooms. Then we will have to hang the pictures again, but at least now we know what it will look like.
I recycled a few back into the business and the rest in to my bedroom. Haven't gotten them hung yet. There is always another day.
I have a Family Wall, a Georgia Dangel Wall, a Russ Shaffer Wall, a Terry Redlin Wall, and a couple of Martha Dougherty pictures hanging.
Jerry is very much a wildlife person, he has the Terry Redlin's of which a couple are limited editions.
Georgia Dangel is a wonderful water color artist, also working with oils and I have several of her pictures. Wish I had room for more.
Russ Shaffer does embossed engravings, which are all one of a kind originals. He is also an art teacher. His work is awesome.
I just wish we had more room. But then doesn't everyone?
Just finished printing one of my pictures that I took last fall. It is in the business, framed, and I gave a matted print to a friend who is also the Mother of a friend. When Russ and I and Peggy's daughter Vicki (who makes jewelry) exhibit at the Christmas Arts Festival in Morgantown, West Virginia, we get to stay with Peggy. So not only is it business, it is fun.
The picture was taken at Maple Lake near Bridgeport, West Virginia, where Peggy lives. As a "thank you" for her hospitality I had given her the above mentioned print. I received phone call yesterday from Vicki. A friend of Peggy's who also lives at Maple Lake saw the picture and wanted one for her home. Vicki is coming by today to pick up the matted print.
This is just an indication of how much "word of mouth" is one of your best advertising outlets. The same goes to books, I have bought many books by authors I had never read, but had been recommended by another reader, there again word of mouth.
I do have to say that one of the best parts of doing what I do, is the many many friends I have made over the years, folks I would never have know otherwise. Maybe I only see them once or twice a year, but we keep in touch via e-mail, cards, etc. Who can ask for anything more?
But back to work. Have to get the mats cut for the new picture, then label it and bag it for Vicki when she gets here. Everyone have a good day and God Bless.
Have all the pictures in the living room and computer room re-arranged. Looks a lot less crowded, I think the arrangements are a go. Are we done now? No!
Now all the pictures are coming down, Jerry wants to do some work on the walls, and then we are going to paint these two rooms. Then we will have to hang the pictures again, but at least now we know what it will look like.
I recycled a few back into the business and the rest in to my bedroom. Haven't gotten them hung yet. There is always another day.
I have a Family Wall, a Georgia Dangel Wall, a Russ Shaffer Wall, a Terry Redlin Wall, and a couple of Martha Dougherty pictures hanging.
Jerry is very much a wildlife person, he has the Terry Redlin's of which a couple are limited editions.
Georgia Dangel is a wonderful water color artist, also working with oils and I have several of her pictures. Wish I had room for more.
Russ Shaffer does embossed engravings, which are all one of a kind originals. He is also an art teacher. His work is awesome.
I just wish we had more room. But then doesn't everyone?
Just finished printing one of my pictures that I took last fall. It is in the business, framed, and I gave a matted print to a friend who is also the Mother of a friend. When Russ and I and Peggy's daughter Vicki (who makes jewelry) exhibit at the Christmas Arts Festival in Morgantown, West Virginia, we get to stay with Peggy. So not only is it business, it is fun.
The picture was taken at Maple Lake near Bridgeport, West Virginia, where Peggy lives. As a "thank you" for her hospitality I had given her the above mentioned print. I received phone call yesterday from Vicki. A friend of Peggy's who also lives at Maple Lake saw the picture and wanted one for her home. Vicki is coming by today to pick up the matted print.
This is just an indication of how much "word of mouth" is one of your best advertising outlets. The same goes to books, I have bought many books by authors I had never read, but had been recommended by another reader, there again word of mouth.
I do have to say that one of the best parts of doing what I do, is the many many friends I have made over the years, folks I would never have know otherwise. Maybe I only see them once or twice a year, but we keep in touch via e-mail, cards, etc. Who can ask for anything more?
But back to work. Have to get the mats cut for the new picture, then label it and bag it for Vicki when she gets here. Everyone have a good day and God Bless.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
UP-S and DOWN-S continued
As I stated yesterday, it is time to do some serious down-sizing. We have been doing the up-sizing for years. Every time Tom and I traveled, there was always some little something we liked to remind us of our wonderful trip. And we were given things, Jerry was given things, they just kept multiplying. Now we have run out of room, not just one area, but in three areas.
Area No 1 - the knickknacks, which consist of everything from miniature lighthouses, to pen knives, or something unique created by someone where we happened to be.
Area No 2 - the mugs. I think I have collected a mug from just about anywhere I have been. But they are functional, nor ornamental, so I feel justified in my mug purchases.
Area No 3 - the books. We are all readers in my family, I always have a book open that I am reading. When traveling books go with me to fill in the dead spots of waiting, or whatever.
Will deal with the knick-knacks first. We have been sorting, keeping just the ones that really mean the most, ie: limited edition collectibles, or some really special meaning. I am packing boxes of this stuff to donate to my Church for their next raffle, or bazaar, whichever comes first. Whatever doesn't sell will be donated to the House of the Carpenter.
Now for the mugs. I don't own a cup. We have always preferred mugs. When we have one of our holiday dinners, cookouts, or just get-togethers, I have my good china, but no cups. I just place the mugs, along with creamer, sugar and sweetener beside the coffee pot.
We always do our get-togethers buffet style, because there are so many that love to come to our hill-top, and we are spread over two rooms, the dining room and living room. Hence the buffet style meals. So I am keeping my mugs, some are in the curio cabinet, the remainder in my kitchen cupboard. Someday someone is going to get a lot of mugs. Scratch that particular down-sizing off my list.
Finally the books. Tom was a WW II Veteran, serving in the South Pacific and the occupation of Japan. He also loved reading, westerns, history, farming (as at one time he was a dairy farmer), and life in general. For years he received books for Christmas and Birthday, and sometimes in-between.
We have shelves of hard-back books falling into all the above genres. We will have to do some major sorting. What we are not going to keep will also go to my Church, then to the House of the Carpenter. But there are many we will be keeping. Good luck down the road kids!
I have both hard-back and soft-back books that I read, and I love reading just about anything, especially if there is a mystery connected. I buy all soft-backs, but have both hard and soft back books given to me at times. I have been and will continue donating the soft backs to other readers, my Church, etc. The hard backs I will keep, at least for the time-being.
The one series of books neither Jerry nor I will to let go is the collection of all the books Rebecca's publishing house has published. Every one of them is an excellent read, and I always anxiously await her new release so I can read the story. To check out the different books go to www.doubleedgepress.com - which is her web site. All books are listed there.
I forgot one very big category, and that is framed pictures. Of course you all know I have my own photography business, selling my photographic artwork. Then there is the artwork of various artist friends, Jerry's wildlife prints, and limited editions, along with other pictures that have just jumped out and grabbed my attention. We are in the process of rearranging the walls. Some of my work is being recycled back into the business, either that or build an addition on to the house, which Jerry says "You got to be crazy". I guess that means "NO"
I think we will look good after we finish that project, and the over flow is going into my bedroom. I may end up with wall-to-wall pictures, but love every one of them.
I am attaching a picture here of part of my family. Mike's wife and Linda and her family were not available at that time, but that will come later.
As I stated yesterday, it is time to do some serious down-sizing. We have been doing the up-sizing for years. Every time Tom and I traveled, there was always some little something we liked to remind us of our wonderful trip. And we were given things, Jerry was given things, they just kept multiplying. Now we have run out of room, not just one area, but in three areas.
Area No 1 - the knickknacks, which consist of everything from miniature lighthouses, to pen knives, or something unique created by someone where we happened to be.
Area No 2 - the mugs. I think I have collected a mug from just about anywhere I have been. But they are functional, nor ornamental, so I feel justified in my mug purchases.
Area No 3 - the books. We are all readers in my family, I always have a book open that I am reading. When traveling books go with me to fill in the dead spots of waiting, or whatever.
Will deal with the knick-knacks first. We have been sorting, keeping just the ones that really mean the most, ie: limited edition collectibles, or some really special meaning. I am packing boxes of this stuff to donate to my Church for their next raffle, or bazaar, whichever comes first. Whatever doesn't sell will be donated to the House of the Carpenter.
Now for the mugs. I don't own a cup. We have always preferred mugs. When we have one of our holiday dinners, cookouts, or just get-togethers, I have my good china, but no cups. I just place the mugs, along with creamer, sugar and sweetener beside the coffee pot.
We always do our get-togethers buffet style, because there are so many that love to come to our hill-top, and we are spread over two rooms, the dining room and living room. Hence the buffet style meals. So I am keeping my mugs, some are in the curio cabinet, the remainder in my kitchen cupboard. Someday someone is going to get a lot of mugs. Scratch that particular down-sizing off my list.
Finally the books. Tom was a WW II Veteran, serving in the South Pacific and the occupation of Japan. He also loved reading, westerns, history, farming (as at one time he was a dairy farmer), and life in general. For years he received books for Christmas and Birthday, and sometimes in-between.
We have shelves of hard-back books falling into all the above genres. We will have to do some major sorting. What we are not going to keep will also go to my Church, then to the House of the Carpenter. But there are many we will be keeping. Good luck down the road kids!
I have both hard-back and soft-back books that I read, and I love reading just about anything, especially if there is a mystery connected. I buy all soft-backs, but have both hard and soft back books given to me at times. I have been and will continue donating the soft backs to other readers, my Church, etc. The hard backs I will keep, at least for the time-being.
The one series of books neither Jerry nor I will to let go is the collection of all the books Rebecca's publishing house has published. Every one of them is an excellent read, and I always anxiously await her new release so I can read the story. To check out the different books go to www.doubleedgepress.com - which is her web site. All books are listed there.
I forgot one very big category, and that is framed pictures. Of course you all know I have my own photography business, selling my photographic artwork. Then there is the artwork of various artist friends, Jerry's wildlife prints, and limited editions, along with other pictures that have just jumped out and grabbed my attention. We are in the process of rearranging the walls. Some of my work is being recycled back into the business, either that or build an addition on to the house, which Jerry says "You got to be crazy". I guess that means "NO"
I think we will look good after we finish that project, and the over flow is going into my bedroom. I may end up with wall-to-wall pictures, but love every one of them.
I am attaching a picture here of part of my family. Mike's wife and Linda and her family were not available at that time, but that will come later.
From left to right: Son Andrew, Son Michael, Unknown subject, Son Jerry, Son-in-law Neal, Daughter-in-law Lauri and Daughter Rebecca. The rear end is dog Sam.
Everyone have a good day and God Bless.
Monday, February 14, 2011
UP-SIZING and DOWN-SIZING
When you get to a certain age - or stage, in your life - you start looking back and you start wondering where did all that "stuff" come from? "Stuff" everywhere. In every nook and cranny. Hidden behind doors, in plain sight on every conceivable surface. Drowning in "stuff".
Am going to give you a thumbnail sketch before I start on this. When my husband Tom and I married, we had my stuff, his stuff, my kid's stuff, his kid's stuff, his Mother's stuff (as she lived with Tom). We had to decide whether we would live in his house or my house. We decided on his house. then the fun began.
For weeks there was sorting, a truckload from my house went to his house, then a truckload went from his house to my house. We had decided to have an auction at my house as it would go up for sale. So back and forth, truck always loaded, I can imagine what the few neighbors thought as they saw the same truck going back and forth, and always full.
Finally the day of the auction. What a blast, but we got rid of all that "stuff", even got paid for getting rid of it. And some of the things that were bought I wouldn't have given to my worst enemy, but who knows?
We settled in. Tom's oldest daughter Linda was already married, but we had his son Jerry and my son Michael, both same age, so we got an immediate set of twins. Then my middle child Andy and my youngest Rebecca. With them, Tom's Mother, Tom and me we had a houseful. But it was a houseful of love and laughter, good times and bad, but always worth the effort.
The kids all grew up, started their lives, getting married. We had two weddings in our back yard, Rebecca's and Michael's. Reception following.
By this time Linda lived in Arizona and had children of her own. Her daughter Rachael flew back with Linda for Rebecca's wedding, (she was 12) and she said when she went home that she wanted me to do her wedding). When Rachael married, Tom, Jerry and I flew to Arizona, and I was in charge of overseeing much of the reception. Guess her wish came true.
Finally there was Tom, Jerry and me, as Tom's mother had passed away several years before. We had 4 acres of ground with house and 4 car garage adjoining a rather large farm. Jerry wanted more land. He was negotiating with the local farm-owner to purchase 10 additional acres when our real estate agent told him about this 160 acre farm that had just gone up for sale. Jerry had never married, was engaged once, but she decided to go elsewhere.
After much discussion Tom and I put our place up for sale, with the intent that if it sold, the money would be used for a down-payment on the farm. And that we would have life-time residency on this farm. I guess we were meant to move, as our place sold, and the deal was made on the farm.
Six years ago this coming May we moved to the farm. Again truckloads of stuff being moved, but this time the truck was only full one way. Then we had an auction. Got rid of a ton of stuff. Again!
We settled in, starting making the changes everyone does when they move into a new place. We loved our new home, everything about it. Then my husband passed away, and there was just Jerry and me. But we have a good relationship, I have been blessed with all my kids - there was never any comparison between kids, never your kids and my kids. Always our kids.
TO BE CONTINUED..............
When you get to a certain age - or stage, in your life - you start looking back and you start wondering where did all that "stuff" come from? "Stuff" everywhere. In every nook and cranny. Hidden behind doors, in plain sight on every conceivable surface. Drowning in "stuff".
Am going to give you a thumbnail sketch before I start on this. When my husband Tom and I married, we had my stuff, his stuff, my kid's stuff, his kid's stuff, his Mother's stuff (as she lived with Tom). We had to decide whether we would live in his house or my house. We decided on his house. then the fun began.
For weeks there was sorting, a truckload from my house went to his house, then a truckload went from his house to my house. We had decided to have an auction at my house as it would go up for sale. So back and forth, truck always loaded, I can imagine what the few neighbors thought as they saw the same truck going back and forth, and always full.
Finally the day of the auction. What a blast, but we got rid of all that "stuff", even got paid for getting rid of it. And some of the things that were bought I wouldn't have given to my worst enemy, but who knows?
We settled in. Tom's oldest daughter Linda was already married, but we had his son Jerry and my son Michael, both same age, so we got an immediate set of twins. Then my middle child Andy and my youngest Rebecca. With them, Tom's Mother, Tom and me we had a houseful. But it was a houseful of love and laughter, good times and bad, but always worth the effort.
The kids all grew up, started their lives, getting married. We had two weddings in our back yard, Rebecca's and Michael's. Reception following.
By this time Linda lived in Arizona and had children of her own. Her daughter Rachael flew back with Linda for Rebecca's wedding, (she was 12) and she said when she went home that she wanted me to do her wedding). When Rachael married, Tom, Jerry and I flew to Arizona, and I was in charge of overseeing much of the reception. Guess her wish came true.
Finally there was Tom, Jerry and me, as Tom's mother had passed away several years before. We had 4 acres of ground with house and 4 car garage adjoining a rather large farm. Jerry wanted more land. He was negotiating with the local farm-owner to purchase 10 additional acres when our real estate agent told him about this 160 acre farm that had just gone up for sale. Jerry had never married, was engaged once, but she decided to go elsewhere.
After much discussion Tom and I put our place up for sale, with the intent that if it sold, the money would be used for a down-payment on the farm. And that we would have life-time residency on this farm. I guess we were meant to move, as our place sold, and the deal was made on the farm.
Six years ago this coming May we moved to the farm. Again truckloads of stuff being moved, but this time the truck was only full one way. Then we had an auction. Got rid of a ton of stuff. Again!
We settled in, starting making the changes everyone does when they move into a new place. We loved our new home, everything about it. Then my husband passed away, and there was just Jerry and me. But we have a good relationship, I have been blessed with all my kids - there was never any comparison between kids, never your kids and my kids. Always our kids.
TO BE CONTINUED..............
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Are You Sure????
Are you sure you want to shop at WalMart? We all do. We have average service, there are long lines sometimes, and other times you breeze right through. Why do we shop WalMart? Because it is convenient one stop shopping, the prices and usually reasonable, and the quality is as good as anywhere else.
I had a phone call last night from a friend who lives in Munhall Pa (a suburb of Pittsburgh) about an hour from where I live. She just had to share her funny story with me. I am going to tell it in her words to the best of my ability. It probably isn't in the proper sequence, etc. etc., but you will get the jist.
The first thing she said was that my daughter Rebecca really needed to write a book about her experience. (My daughter Rebecca owns DoubleEdge Press, and is also an author) Now I will try to tell the story. It probably won't be as funny as when she told me, but I'll try.
I needed a few things and decided to go to our local WalMart. I don't usually go there as it is always so crowded, but went today. I didn't need a lot, and when it came time to check out, all the check-out lanes that were open had 10-12 people in line, except for one. There were only 2 in that line, one lady being checked out, and one other lady behind her. My lucky day?!
I got in line, number 3, and did notice the line wasn't moving. Then I noticed that the check-out lady was talking to the customer regarding every single thing she scanned. I just assumed they new each other and were passing the time of day.
Finally she left and the lady directly in front of me was checking out. Again the check-out lady was commenting on her every purchase. I wasn't close enough to hear what was said, but it sure didn't speed up the line any. By that time there was another lady behind me. Guess I'll just wait it out.
My turn. Won't be long now. The first item I had on the counter was a clothes hamper, and the price tag was inside the hamper on the lid. I assumed she would use the hand-held scanner. Wrong!. She held the hamper upside down, the lid was flapping, she was trying to scan and mumbling to herself, and after a few minutes I asked if it wouldn't be easier to use the hand held scanner.
She gave me this look and informed me that hand held scanners let "aliens" into the brain and that evil scanner would never be used by her. Finally the hamper was scanned. Then came the red ink ball-point pens. She handed them back to me and told me I really didn't want those pens, they were evil. I handed them back, told her I DID want them, and with much protesting she finally scanned them. By now I had been in here almost 20 minutes, had 2 items scanned.
Next came my warm pajama bottoms as I like WalMart sleep pants. She asked me what kind of kinky sex act was I going to perform, where was the top, she didn't know if she should scan this item or not, on and on.
By that time the lady behind me was able to pick up the order divider and place it on the conveyor belt so she could start unloading her cart. The check-out lady asked her, not in a nice way, where did she get the divider, to put it back, no one was ever allowed to use those evil things on her watch. They just caused stuff to fall over them and get mixed up with everyone elses stuff. The poor lady put it back, and we just looked at each other.
Finally, finally we were on my last two items. She picked up the first one and had the nerve to ask which one of us did it belong to, me or the lady behind me.
My final item was an ink cartridge for my printer. She took one look, laid it down and told me I DID NOT want that item. I told her I DID SO WANT that item. This went back and forth. She asked me what it was for, I told her my printer for my computer. She told me computers were evil and I would be in affected if I bought the ink. I told her to ring it up. She told me if she did that then she would have to walk three aisles over to have the plastic container removed from the ink package. That would take time. Why didn't I just put it back. Finally she rang it up, had the package removed from the plastic container, came back (took her all of 8 minutes, I timed her).
I paid and left before she could say anything else. This was 45 minutes later. I also noticed that in the other lines where there had been 8 - 10 people, there were now 8 - 10 new people. All those lines emptied out while I was still in line. Needless to say there were no other folks behind me but the poor lady who was told to put the divider bar back.
She had me laughing so hard we could hardly talk.
Now for more normal stuff. We have anywhere from 3 - 30 plus deer in our yard on any given day. Sometimes all at the same time, other times coming and going.
We manage our deer herd. During the harsh winter months we put out mineral blocks in different areas of the farm, and on the hill outside the house piles of deer feed (corn and grain specifically for the deer) as so much of the time all their normal grazing areas are covered with ice and snow. We also have several areas on our farm that are designated as sanctuaries, which means absolutely no hunting is allowed in those areas. They are wooded areas, lots of underbrush, safe places for the deer to hide during hunting season, and good places for them to rest, sheltered from the weather and other predators.
During hunting season we will have anywhere from 2 - 8 hunters, some family even come from North Carolina for deer season, sometimes family from Arizona. But our deer are never shot just to be shot. They are shot for food. Everyone that hunts on our farm has a list of folks who like deer meat, or food banks that are grateful for the donations. We never take more deer off of the farm than we have orders to fill. We average about 30 - 40 deer taken in a season. That leaves us several hundred deer still in the area, helps prevent over-population which leads to disease and death.
We are very careful with our deer herd. That is one of the reasons we live where we do, our outside dining room wall is all glass, looking out into the back- yard and hillside above. We see the deer, and turkeys, sometimes as many as 35-40 turkeys. They like to join the deer in the winter and enjoy the deer feed. We see coyotes, bob-cats, rabbits, raccoons, possoms, foxes, skunks, ground-hogs, and many many different kinds of birds. There is never a day goes by that we don't see something, sometimes lots of somethings.
It is snowing again today. Supposed to warm up and rain, but really cold and windy today. Glad I don't have to go anywhere. Am in the middle of making big pot of home-made vegetable soup.
Everyone stay warm and God Bless.
Are you sure you want to shop at WalMart? We all do. We have average service, there are long lines sometimes, and other times you breeze right through. Why do we shop WalMart? Because it is convenient one stop shopping, the prices and usually reasonable, and the quality is as good as anywhere else.
I had a phone call last night from a friend who lives in Munhall Pa (a suburb of Pittsburgh) about an hour from where I live. She just had to share her funny story with me. I am going to tell it in her words to the best of my ability. It probably isn't in the proper sequence, etc. etc., but you will get the jist.
The first thing she said was that my daughter Rebecca really needed to write a book about her experience. (My daughter Rebecca owns DoubleEdge Press, and is also an author) Now I will try to tell the story. It probably won't be as funny as when she told me, but I'll try.
I needed a few things and decided to go to our local WalMart. I don't usually go there as it is always so crowded, but went today. I didn't need a lot, and when it came time to check out, all the check-out lanes that were open had 10-12 people in line, except for one. There were only 2 in that line, one lady being checked out, and one other lady behind her. My lucky day?!
I got in line, number 3, and did notice the line wasn't moving. Then I noticed that the check-out lady was talking to the customer regarding every single thing she scanned. I just assumed they new each other and were passing the time of day.
Finally she left and the lady directly in front of me was checking out. Again the check-out lady was commenting on her every purchase. I wasn't close enough to hear what was said, but it sure didn't speed up the line any. By that time there was another lady behind me. Guess I'll just wait it out.
My turn. Won't be long now. The first item I had on the counter was a clothes hamper, and the price tag was inside the hamper on the lid. I assumed she would use the hand-held scanner. Wrong!. She held the hamper upside down, the lid was flapping, she was trying to scan and mumbling to herself, and after a few minutes I asked if it wouldn't be easier to use the hand held scanner.
She gave me this look and informed me that hand held scanners let "aliens" into the brain and that evil scanner would never be used by her. Finally the hamper was scanned. Then came the red ink ball-point pens. She handed them back to me and told me I really didn't want those pens, they were evil. I handed them back, told her I DID want them, and with much protesting she finally scanned them. By now I had been in here almost 20 minutes, had 2 items scanned.
Next came my warm pajama bottoms as I like WalMart sleep pants. She asked me what kind of kinky sex act was I going to perform, where was the top, she didn't know if she should scan this item or not, on and on.
By that time the lady behind me was able to pick up the order divider and place it on the conveyor belt so she could start unloading her cart. The check-out lady asked her, not in a nice way, where did she get the divider, to put it back, no one was ever allowed to use those evil things on her watch. They just caused stuff to fall over them and get mixed up with everyone elses stuff. The poor lady put it back, and we just looked at each other.
Finally, finally we were on my last two items. She picked up the first one and had the nerve to ask which one of us did it belong to, me or the lady behind me.
My final item was an ink cartridge for my printer. She took one look, laid it down and told me I DID NOT want that item. I told her I DID SO WANT that item. This went back and forth. She asked me what it was for, I told her my printer for my computer. She told me computers were evil and I would be in affected if I bought the ink. I told her to ring it up. She told me if she did that then she would have to walk three aisles over to have the plastic container removed from the ink package. That would take time. Why didn't I just put it back. Finally she rang it up, had the package removed from the plastic container, came back (took her all of 8 minutes, I timed her).
I paid and left before she could say anything else. This was 45 minutes later. I also noticed that in the other lines where there had been 8 - 10 people, there were now 8 - 10 new people. All those lines emptied out while I was still in line. Needless to say there were no other folks behind me but the poor lady who was told to put the divider bar back.
She had me laughing so hard we could hardly talk.
Now for more normal stuff. We have anywhere from 3 - 30 plus deer in our yard on any given day. Sometimes all at the same time, other times coming and going.
We manage our deer herd. During the harsh winter months we put out mineral blocks in different areas of the farm, and on the hill outside the house piles of deer feed (corn and grain specifically for the deer) as so much of the time all their normal grazing areas are covered with ice and snow. We also have several areas on our farm that are designated as sanctuaries, which means absolutely no hunting is allowed in those areas. They are wooded areas, lots of underbrush, safe places for the deer to hide during hunting season, and good places for them to rest, sheltered from the weather and other predators.
During hunting season we will have anywhere from 2 - 8 hunters, some family even come from North Carolina for deer season, sometimes family from Arizona. But our deer are never shot just to be shot. They are shot for food. Everyone that hunts on our farm has a list of folks who like deer meat, or food banks that are grateful for the donations. We never take more deer off of the farm than we have orders to fill. We average about 30 - 40 deer taken in a season. That leaves us several hundred deer still in the area, helps prevent over-population which leads to disease and death.
We are very careful with our deer herd. That is one of the reasons we live where we do, our outside dining room wall is all glass, looking out into the back- yard and hillside above. We see the deer, and turkeys, sometimes as many as 35-40 turkeys. They like to join the deer in the winter and enjoy the deer feed. We see coyotes, bob-cats, rabbits, raccoons, possoms, foxes, skunks, ground-hogs, and many many different kinds of birds. There is never a day goes by that we don't see something, sometimes lots of somethings.
It is snowing again today. Supposed to warm up and rain, but really cold and windy today. Glad I don't have to go anywhere. Am in the middle of making big pot of home-made vegetable soup.
Everyone stay warm and God Bless.
Friday, February 11, 2011
A Battery Dead Day
Yesterday was my "battery dead day" - not the car battery, my internal battery. It was one of those days that I accomplished absolutely NOTHING. Well not all nothing. I did get my barn cats fed. I have 4 barn cats, that have a straw bed in our small barn, and where they spend most of their time. However they are outside on my patio every morning waiting for their breakfast. I have a small shelter on the patio so they are not out in the weather eating, and they are always waiting. Maybe not all of them at one time, but I will see kitties coming and going all day long. So I did ONE thing.
I did let the dogs in and out as necessary. I did fix some soup for my lunch. I did cook a half-way decent supper for so Jerry and me. Even my brain was dead. Couldn't think of a single thing to talk about.
The dogs love playing in the snow, as long as it is on their terms. That is Coco in front and Sam following behind. She was smart, let Coco do the work of breaking the path. She know how to work the system.
Possibly tomorrow I will share a picture that I took last night, of the deer in my backyard just off the patio chowing down. I haven't downloaded the pictures yet, so if I get that done today you will see one tomorrow.
Some time during the night my battery recharged, and I am up and at it. Fed the cats, checked e-mails and check-book balance (I have to go grocery shopping today), and everything else I normally check in the morning.
Also playing the "waiting game". I have applied for 3 new festivals I have never done, and as all art shows are juried am waiting for acceptance or rejection. Rejections, whether it be with my writing or my pictures, is always hard to swallow, but I have learned through the year to keep trying. Sooner or later you will be accepted.
Many moons ago I was told by another artist about the Salt Fork Art Festival held yearly in Cambridge, Ohio. I applied. I was rejected. Again I applied and was rejected. This went on for years. I guess you could call it determination, but I kept applying. The 10th (yes 10th) year that I applied I had made up my mind that that would be it. I was accepted. I have participated every year since (15 plus years), I have won awards and ribbons and some awards with ribbon and check.
Now when I talk to other artists who have become discouraged I tell them my Salt Fork story.
I have been rejected from other shows during the years I have been doing this. Sometimes I will re-apply, sometimes something else interesting comes along and I will do that. So many of the major shows will fall on the same weekend of the month. This is especially true when you do shows in three different states as I do.
Sometimes in the jurying process they will tell why you were rejected. Don't take it the wrong way. Take their criticism seriously and try going another direction. It is never too late to make some changes.
I guess I have rambled on long enough today. Places to go and things to do.
I would ask that if you enjoy reading my blog please pass my address http://marthad-picturelady.blogspot.com along to your friends and family. And don't forget to e-mail me if you have any comments, suggestions, or questions. I WILL answer every e-mail I receive.
Have a good day and God Bless.
Yesterday was my "battery dead day" - not the car battery, my internal battery. It was one of those days that I accomplished absolutely NOTHING. Well not all nothing. I did get my barn cats fed. I have 4 barn cats, that have a straw bed in our small barn, and where they spend most of their time. However they are outside on my patio every morning waiting for their breakfast. I have a small shelter on the patio so they are not out in the weather eating, and they are always waiting. Maybe not all of them at one time, but I will see kitties coming and going all day long. So I did ONE thing.
I did let the dogs in and out as necessary. I did fix some soup for my lunch. I did cook a half-way decent supper for so Jerry and me. Even my brain was dead. Couldn't think of a single thing to talk about.
Possibly tomorrow I will share a picture that I took last night, of the deer in my backyard just off the patio chowing down. I haven't downloaded the pictures yet, so if I get that done today you will see one tomorrow.
Some time during the night my battery recharged, and I am up and at it. Fed the cats, checked e-mails and check-book balance (I have to go grocery shopping today), and everything else I normally check in the morning.
Also playing the "waiting game". I have applied for 3 new festivals I have never done, and as all art shows are juried am waiting for acceptance or rejection. Rejections, whether it be with my writing or my pictures, is always hard to swallow, but I have learned through the year to keep trying. Sooner or later you will be accepted.
Many moons ago I was told by another artist about the Salt Fork Art Festival held yearly in Cambridge, Ohio. I applied. I was rejected. Again I applied and was rejected. This went on for years. I guess you could call it determination, but I kept applying. The 10th (yes 10th) year that I applied I had made up my mind that that would be it. I was accepted. I have participated every year since (15 plus years), I have won awards and ribbons and some awards with ribbon and check.
Now when I talk to other artists who have become discouraged I tell them my Salt Fork story.
I have been rejected from other shows during the years I have been doing this. Sometimes I will re-apply, sometimes something else interesting comes along and I will do that. So many of the major shows will fall on the same weekend of the month. This is especially true when you do shows in three different states as I do.
Sometimes in the jurying process they will tell why you were rejected. Don't take it the wrong way. Take their criticism seriously and try going another direction. It is never too late to make some changes.
I guess I have rambled on long enough today. Places to go and things to do.
I would ask that if you enjoy reading my blog please pass my address http://marthad-picturelady.blogspot.com along to your friends and family. And don't forget to e-mail me if you have any comments, suggestions, or questions. I WILL answer every e-mail I receive.
Have a good day and God Bless.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
WHITE SNOW AND HEROES
We have a fresh 3 inches of snow on the ground, with lots of hills and valleys where the wind has blown the snow this way and that. Where we live we are lucky, our white snow stays white. You see the occasional animal tracks, but otherwise stays beautiful. Even when melting, it is still white.
But then you go into town. What a difference. The snow is slushy, muddy, dirty, just plain ugly. No wonder city folks dislike the snow so much. I would too if I had to live in the city, but here in the country it is a whole different ball-game. Of course we have our drawbacks - like I can always get off of my hilltop, but can't always get back up. So I stay home, which doesn't bother me at all. Since I am RETIRED, as I keep letting everyone know, I don't have to go out unless I want to.
There are always so many photo ops for me right around home. But if someone volunteers to drive (because they have 4 wheel drive and I only have front wheel) I am out of here like a shot. Aren't friends great?
Our dogs have different thoughts on the matter. We have two beagles, one large and one small. The large is Coco, and he loves the outdoors. Smaller is Samantha (Sam for short), and she is definitely a couch potato. Only goes out where there is absolutely no other option.
Coco is our good dog, Sam is our bad dog - not that she is nasty or anything, but she is the one that ALWAYS ALWAYS gets into trouble. In fact I have written two stories have been written about her that are in Volume 2 and Volume 3 of my "If Only I Could Talk" books. They definitely make you shake your head, and laugh.
Enough about the snow. Now it is time to discuss some heroes.
Because I stay home this kind of weather I hear a lot of news on TV. Just in the last week I have heard three of the most heart-warming stories of heroism, news snippets that usually get lost in the bigger picture. Hero's come in all sizes, shapes, and types.
The first one was about a pet cat. You know how aloof cats are, leave me alone and I'll leave you alone sort of thing. But not in this case. This particular cat realized something was definitely not right when the house caught fire during the night. Very persistently this cat meowed and meowed and meowed until her owner awoke during the night, and it was because of this that she and her cat were able to escape the house unharmed. The house was destroyed.
The second is a portion of a message to Parliament by the Prime Minister of Australia. You all probably have seen the news about their (1) horrendous flooding, (2) huge wildfires, and (30 the largest cyclone in years to hit their coast.
As their Prime Minister was speaking, she was in tears, telling some of the heroics that she was aware of. There were so many.....she didn't have the time to share them all.
She told of the folks filling sandbags. They worked non-stop, hours at a time, backs breaking from the labor, but because it had to be done, they were doing it. They didn't know if it would help or not, but they did it. No one will ever really know of their long hours, but they did it.
She told of the firefighters risking their lives to try to save homes, and to be sure that everyone was evacuated that needed to be, there again hours without rest, just there, because it was their job, and they did their job right.
She told of the 12 years old boy trapped in flood waters with his Mother and little brother. When a rescuer reached them he told this person to take his little brother first. They were unable to save the older brother and Mother.
Last of all is the story of the dog named, ironically, Hero. Some time ago Hero was hit by a car and very seriously injured. The vet suggested putting her down, but the family wanted everything possible done to save her. She healed and went home. A couple of nights ago her frantic barking awakened her family, and when they investigated found the entire kitchen was engulfed in flames. Hero managed to het herself and her family, husband, wife, daughter, out of the home with minor inuries. She had come full circle.
Heroes all. Common ordinary folks or pets, going above and beyond, because it was the right thing to do. It makes you realise that there is so much good in the world that goes un-noticed and un-sung.
If any of your readers would like to comment or discuss any of my blogs, please e-mail me at the address on the top of the page. Blogspot seems to have a problem with their comment area, it usually doesn't work.
Everyone have a good day and God Bless.
We have a fresh 3 inches of snow on the ground, with lots of hills and valleys where the wind has blown the snow this way and that. Where we live we are lucky, our white snow stays white. You see the occasional animal tracks, but otherwise stays beautiful. Even when melting, it is still white.
There are always so many photo ops for me right around home. But if someone volunteers to drive (because they have 4 wheel drive and I only have front wheel) I am out of here like a shot. Aren't friends great?
Our dogs have different thoughts on the matter. We have two beagles, one large and one small. The large is Coco, and he loves the outdoors. Smaller is Samantha (Sam for short), and she is definitely a couch potato. Only goes out where there is absolutely no other option.
Coco is our good dog, Sam is our bad dog - not that she is nasty or anything, but she is the one that ALWAYS ALWAYS gets into trouble. In fact I have written two stories have been written about her that are in Volume 2 and Volume 3 of my "If Only I Could Talk" books. They definitely make you shake your head, and laugh.
Enough about the snow. Now it is time to discuss some heroes.
Because I stay home this kind of weather I hear a lot of news on TV. Just in the last week I have heard three of the most heart-warming stories of heroism, news snippets that usually get lost in the bigger picture. Hero's come in all sizes, shapes, and types.
The first one was about a pet cat. You know how aloof cats are, leave me alone and I'll leave you alone sort of thing. But not in this case. This particular cat realized something was definitely not right when the house caught fire during the night. Very persistently this cat meowed and meowed and meowed until her owner awoke during the night, and it was because of this that she and her cat were able to escape the house unharmed. The house was destroyed.
The second is a portion of a message to Parliament by the Prime Minister of Australia. You all probably have seen the news about their (1) horrendous flooding, (2) huge wildfires, and (30 the largest cyclone in years to hit their coast.
As their Prime Minister was speaking, she was in tears, telling some of the heroics that she was aware of. There were so many.....she didn't have the time to share them all.
She told of the folks filling sandbags. They worked non-stop, hours at a time, backs breaking from the labor, but because it had to be done, they were doing it. They didn't know if it would help or not, but they did it. No one will ever really know of their long hours, but they did it.
She told of the firefighters risking their lives to try to save homes, and to be sure that everyone was evacuated that needed to be, there again hours without rest, just there, because it was their job, and they did their job right.
She told of the 12 years old boy trapped in flood waters with his Mother and little brother. When a rescuer reached them he told this person to take his little brother first. They were unable to save the older brother and Mother.
Last of all is the story of the dog named, ironically, Hero. Some time ago Hero was hit by a car and very seriously injured. The vet suggested putting her down, but the family wanted everything possible done to save her. She healed and went home. A couple of nights ago her frantic barking awakened her family, and when they investigated found the entire kitchen was engulfed in flames. Hero managed to het herself and her family, husband, wife, daughter, out of the home with minor inuries. She had come full circle.
Heroes all. Common ordinary folks or pets, going above and beyond, because it was the right thing to do. It makes you realise that there is so much good in the world that goes un-noticed and un-sung.
If any of your readers would like to comment or discuss any of my blogs, please e-mail me at the address on the top of the page. Blogspot seems to have a problem with their comment area, it usually doesn't work.
Everyone have a good day and God Bless.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
I WONDER WHAT THEY WILL THINK
Who are they? Why am I wondering what they will think? As to the who, I don't know. What I do know is that someone in the United Kingdom (UK) has purchased my first autobiography, BITS and PIECES, which was originally written in 1970 and released in 1972.
As for the what will they think - I can't even begin to imagine. My autobiographies are written as a 12 month journal outlining life in general in a small rural community. And I do mean RURAL.
West Alexander Pa is a very small (possibly population 1200) town in the middle of no-where.
In the 1970's it was all farms, cattle, sheep, goats, crops. The little town had a post office, bank, two small (very small) grocery stores, bank, hardware and gas station and a grade school. Maybe a small snack bar, not really a restaurant. Life was slow, peaceful, and even though we had the interstate, anyone on said interstate did not even know there was a town. Just a sign saying West Alexander. Just a dot on the map.
And so I am wondering, what will this brave soul in the UK that purchased said book, think upon reading it? And if they do, will they be interested in purchasing the follow-up, written in 2006 (36 years after the first book) and, strangely enough titled THIRTY SIX YEARS LATER.
Thirty six years later the town is still small (maybe the population is still 1200). We have a post office. that's right, a post office. The bank is gone, so are the two grocery stores. The grade school is now the community center and Donegal Township police headquarters. No gas station, no hardware store. But we do have 3 churches - Methodist, Presbyterian and Christian. They are the center of all activities in our small community, and all three are very active and hard working.
Life goes on, but never stays the same. I have seen the farms being sold and homes built. I have seen the consolidation of many grade schools into one or two. I have seen just 4 miles down the road a large rural area being built into a shopping mecca with stores, restaurants, theaters, college branches, a little bit of everything. But West Alexander is still rural, laid back, life in the slow lane type of place.
Even with the new homes being built, we are still a sleepy little town. I know it is not possible for it to stay this way forever, but at least for my life time I still have my sleepy little piece of tranquility. I am blessed to live in the country, on a farm, on top of a hill, 360 degree view, and all the wildlife to watch that you can imagine. How can it get any better than this?
Who are they? Why am I wondering what they will think? As to the who, I don't know. What I do know is that someone in the United Kingdom (UK) has purchased my first autobiography, BITS and PIECES, which was originally written in 1970 and released in 1972.
As for the what will they think - I can't even begin to imagine. My autobiographies are written as a 12 month journal outlining life in general in a small rural community. And I do mean RURAL.
West Alexander Pa is a very small (possibly population 1200) town in the middle of no-where.
In the 1970's it was all farms, cattle, sheep, goats, crops. The little town had a post office, bank, two small (very small) grocery stores, bank, hardware and gas station and a grade school. Maybe a small snack bar, not really a restaurant. Life was slow, peaceful, and even though we had the interstate, anyone on said interstate did not even know there was a town. Just a sign saying West Alexander. Just a dot on the map.
And so I am wondering, what will this brave soul in the UK that purchased said book, think upon reading it? And if they do, will they be interested in purchasing the follow-up, written in 2006 (36 years after the first book) and, strangely enough titled THIRTY SIX YEARS LATER.
Thirty six years later the town is still small (maybe the population is still 1200). We have a post office. that's right, a post office. The bank is gone, so are the two grocery stores. The grade school is now the community center and Donegal Township police headquarters. No gas station, no hardware store. But we do have 3 churches - Methodist, Presbyterian and Christian. They are the center of all activities in our small community, and all three are very active and hard working.
Life goes on, but never stays the same. I have seen the farms being sold and homes built. I have seen the consolidation of many grade schools into one or two. I have seen just 4 miles down the road a large rural area being built into a shopping mecca with stores, restaurants, theaters, college branches, a little bit of everything. But West Alexander is still rural, laid back, life in the slow lane type of place.
Even with the new homes being built, we are still a sleepy little town. I know it is not possible for it to stay this way forever, but at least for my life time I still have my sleepy little piece of tranquility. I am blessed to live in the country, on a farm, on top of a hill, 360 degree view, and all the wildlife to watch that you can imagine. How can it get any better than this?
Monday, February 7, 2011
THE ASSIGNMENT
I have an assignment. In fact my entire Church family has an assignment. Pastor Dan asked each of us to call one person this week and have, what he calls, A GOD TALK. Sounds easy, but for so many of us mere humans, no matter how strong your faith is, it is not always easy to talk God Talk.
For some of us a lot of things are easier to write about that talk about. I think that is one of the reasons I enjoy writing so much. It is much easier for me. I'm a lousy speaker anyway.
So today I will follow my assignment, and use my computer "telephone". My ramblings will be strictly what and why I believe. Nothing earth-shattering, or mind-blowing, just about little snippets of thoughts that have come to me at many stages of my life, or maybe just a feeling. But I know, deep in my heart, that these little "things" are nudges from God keeping me on the right path.
I was raised in the Church. It was as much a part of me as going to school. You just did it. Like all kids I grumbled and complained, but went.
When my kids came along, they went to Church. They grumbled and complained, but did it. They, like me had a period of time in their lives that they grew away from the Church, but we all came back. After all it was what kept us going.
God gives us all a gift, some call it a talent. We all have different abilities, but all of us never have the chance, or time, or desire to follow through. Sometimes you have to be pushed.
Why do I believe in God? How do I know there is a God? I can't begin to explain it, I just know it. Having a Church background helped, and as I grew my faith grew with me. You have to believe there is something, someone, out there keeping watch. If there isn't, why are we here. We didn't just appear like magic.
I don't believe in coincidences. For everything that happens, good, bad, happy, sad, there is a reason, and that reason is God. He is always there for us. We just don't always realize it, or just shrug it off.
How many do you know that actually say they don't believe in God, or if they do, feel uncomfortable admitting it? How many times have you heard those very same people say "Oh My God" without even thinking about it, just calling out? We all know he is there, regardless of race or religion. We all believe in a greater being, most of us just can't come out and say it.
How many times have you struggled with a problem, nothing seems to work. Then one morning you awake and the answer is right there, in your mind? Did you ever stop to think it wasn't your solution, it was God showing you the way?
How many time have you decided to do something, and deep inside you get that uncomfortable feeling, but because YOU are in charge you ignore it? And when you do it, it backfires, is a disaster, or you keep trying and trying and keep hitting that stone wall. Don't you think that God is trying to tell you something.
How many times have you gone through really hard times, divorce, death, loss of job, etc? But you keep on going because there is nothing else to do. Life goes on, things change, new beginnings are just starting. You are walking down life's road. How many times after you have traveled this road have you looked back, and realized that what you have now is far more rewarding than what you had before? Even the death of a loved one eases, and you can remember all the good times without the pain of the hard times.
Life is a journey. It is not supposed to always be easy, fun, rewarding. there are the ups and downs, but just remember that God, even though you can't see him, he can see you, and he is with you. Just reach out and ask for help. You will always get the help. It might not be in the direction you would like, but it turns out that is a much better direction.
Live each day to its fullest, look around you and wonder at the wonderful world we live in, the beauty, the changes, the hardships, and the good times. Every day is a gift from God. Live it to the fullest, do what you do to the best of your ability, and some day, like me, you can look back and say in wonder --
WHAT A WONDERFUL LIFE IF I HAVE HAD. THANKS BE TO GOD.
I have an assignment. In fact my entire Church family has an assignment. Pastor Dan asked each of us to call one person this week and have, what he calls, A GOD TALK. Sounds easy, but for so many of us mere humans, no matter how strong your faith is, it is not always easy to talk God Talk.
For some of us a lot of things are easier to write about that talk about. I think that is one of the reasons I enjoy writing so much. It is much easier for me. I'm a lousy speaker anyway.
So today I will follow my assignment, and use my computer "telephone". My ramblings will be strictly what and why I believe. Nothing earth-shattering, or mind-blowing, just about little snippets of thoughts that have come to me at many stages of my life, or maybe just a feeling. But I know, deep in my heart, that these little "things" are nudges from God keeping me on the right path.
I was raised in the Church. It was as much a part of me as going to school. You just did it. Like all kids I grumbled and complained, but went.
When my kids came along, they went to Church. They grumbled and complained, but did it. They, like me had a period of time in their lives that they grew away from the Church, but we all came back. After all it was what kept us going.
God gives us all a gift, some call it a talent. We all have different abilities, but all of us never have the chance, or time, or desire to follow through. Sometimes you have to be pushed.
Why do I believe in God? How do I know there is a God? I can't begin to explain it, I just know it. Having a Church background helped, and as I grew my faith grew with me. You have to believe there is something, someone, out there keeping watch. If there isn't, why are we here. We didn't just appear like magic.
I don't believe in coincidences. For everything that happens, good, bad, happy, sad, there is a reason, and that reason is God. He is always there for us. We just don't always realize it, or just shrug it off.
How many do you know that actually say they don't believe in God, or if they do, feel uncomfortable admitting it? How many times have you heard those very same people say "Oh My God" without even thinking about it, just calling out? We all know he is there, regardless of race or religion. We all believe in a greater being, most of us just can't come out and say it.
How many times have you struggled with a problem, nothing seems to work. Then one morning you awake and the answer is right there, in your mind? Did you ever stop to think it wasn't your solution, it was God showing you the way?
How many time have you decided to do something, and deep inside you get that uncomfortable feeling, but because YOU are in charge you ignore it? And when you do it, it backfires, is a disaster, or you keep trying and trying and keep hitting that stone wall. Don't you think that God is trying to tell you something.
How many times have you gone through really hard times, divorce, death, loss of job, etc? But you keep on going because there is nothing else to do. Life goes on, things change, new beginnings are just starting. You are walking down life's road. How many times after you have traveled this road have you looked back, and realized that what you have now is far more rewarding than what you had before? Even the death of a loved one eases, and you can remember all the good times without the pain of the hard times.
Life is a journey. It is not supposed to always be easy, fun, rewarding. there are the ups and downs, but just remember that God, even though you can't see him, he can see you, and he is with you. Just reach out and ask for help. You will always get the help. It might not be in the direction you would like, but it turns out that is a much better direction.
Live each day to its fullest, look around you and wonder at the wonderful world we live in, the beauty, the changes, the hardships, and the good times. Every day is a gift from God. Live it to the fullest, do what you do to the best of your ability, and some day, like me, you can look back and say in wonder --
WHAT A WONDERFUL LIFE IF I HAVE HAD. THANKS BE TO GOD.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
SUPERBOWL SUNDAY
I love football, watch all the games I can, and enjoy them immensely. But when the Steelers play I just can't relax and enjoy the game. I get pretty stressed out. If you don't think I do, I will share a phone call with you that I received last night.
Daughter Rebecca called. She knows the scenario. I was informed that "If I decided to have a heart attack during the ballgame, don't expect anyone to be at the hospital until after the game"!!!!!
Guess I'll postpone the heart attack for a few days.
Son Jerry, with whom I live, always visits friends for the Superbowl game. Son Michael, who lives the closest to me (his wife is a CNA, and as usual works on Sunday), and a couple of his close friends who are not married usually join me for the game. We live 5 miles outside of town on a farm, and I am positive that during the Steeler games they can hear the guys in town. No kidding.
So after I got home from Church I started basic preps - sloppy joes, macaroni salad, brownies, chips, dips, soft drinks, iced tea, and coffee for anyone who wants it. Our two dogs (Beagles) usually hide in their indoor kennels (personal territory) when the guys get started. Too much excitement for them.
It is now 4:30 p.m. Kick-off in two hours. If I make it through the game I will hopefully blog tomorrow, deliriously happy, disappointingly sad. Time will tell. That is if I don't have my heart attack!
Everyone enjoy the game, or the day, depending on your likes, and God Bless.
Superbowl Sunday! Everyone seems to go a little crazy at this time of year, especially on Superbowl weekend. Two hours and counting.
I love football, watch all the games I can, and enjoy them immensely. But when the Steelers play I just can't relax and enjoy the game. I get pretty stressed out. If you don't think I do, I will share a phone call with you that I received last night.
Daughter Rebecca called. She knows the scenario. I was informed that "If I decided to have a heart attack during the ballgame, don't expect anyone to be at the hospital until after the game"!!!!!
Guess I'll postpone the heart attack for a few days.
Son Jerry, with whom I live, always visits friends for the Superbowl game. Son Michael, who lives the closest to me (his wife is a CNA, and as usual works on Sunday), and a couple of his close friends who are not married usually join me for the game. We live 5 miles outside of town on a farm, and I am positive that during the Steeler games they can hear the guys in town. No kidding.
So after I got home from Church I started basic preps - sloppy joes, macaroni salad, brownies, chips, dips, soft drinks, iced tea, and coffee for anyone who wants it. Our two dogs (Beagles) usually hide in their indoor kennels (personal territory) when the guys get started. Too much excitement for them.
It is now 4:30 p.m. Kick-off in two hours. If I make it through the game I will hopefully blog tomorrow, deliriously happy, disappointingly sad. Time will tell. That is if I don't have my heart attack!
Everyone enjoy the game, or the day, depending on your likes, and God Bless.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
FUNNY, SAD, ENTERTAINING, EDUCATIONAL!
The stories in my TALK books create wonderful worlds and lives for many subjects. These whimsical tales bring history to life and turn creatures and buildings into friends you will never forget. (This paragraph is a quote from publisher Rebecca as appearing on the back of my books.
I am going to feature my Volume No. 2 today.
The subject matter of all stories has been researched prior to being written, so that the facts pertaining to the subject are as accurate as I can make them. This is especially true of the historical places/things that I have written about.
For instance, the story "I Just Wanted to Play". This story is about a little lamb, a breed I had never heard of before. I have a friend who lives in Georgetown Pennsylvania, Suzanne Sell, (she and I worked together a hundred years ago, and we still keep in touch, one of my many great friends), she raises these sheep. They are Churro. I can't believe how much I learned about this breed of sheep.
Then there is "Friends Good Will", a sailing ship involved in the war of 1812 a it was fought on the Great Lakes. I learned about the war of 1812 in school, but no real facts. It was surprising how big a part the sailing ships played during this war.
Friends Good Will is a replica of the original FGW, which was American, captured by the British, recaptured by the Americans, etc.
My family and I were fortunate that Jim Spurr (Michigan) had written three books about the sailing ships and the war of 1812, and Publisher/Daughter Rebecca Melvin was chosen by Jim to be his publisher. What great books they are, and the 200th anniversary of this war is coming up next year - 2012.
Jim invited us to come to South Haven Michigan, and he would see that we got to take a sail on this beautiful sloop. We did, he did, it was a wonderful day, Jim was a great host, friend, and sailor.
I have met so many many wonderful folks thru the years of my photography and writing, good friends I would never have know otherwise. I have been greatly blessed to be able to follow my dream(s) - traveling, photography and writing.
Tomorrow is SUPER BOWL SUNDAY - GO STEELERS!!!!! Hopefully they will win, but win or lose, they are still our STEELERS. Football is the only sport I really enjoy, and now will be the long wait until the season re-opens in August (If there is a 2011 season).
Temperature here today right at 32 degrees. Snow is predicted. From the looks of the sky, it could definitely start anytime. Spring, where art thou?
Everyone have a great weekend, enjoy the ball game, don't throw stuff at your TV, and God Bless.
Friday, February 4, 2011
IF ONLY I COULD TALK - Volume 1
Today I think I will discuss this first volume of my talk series. I grew up in Martins Ferry, Ohio. When I married we found a small place out in the country at West Alexander, Pa. You had to drive through a covered bridge to get to our place. It was the first time I had ever seen a covered bridge. Love at first sight.
Through the years I took many pictures of this bridge, and any others I could find. The more I looked at this bridge the more I would wonder - what went on around here? Who used this bridge and why? (There were other ways to get to the little town other than just this one road.)
One of my favorite pictures of this bridge was taken one January, snow on the ground, zero degree weather, and fog, lots of fog. Overnight the fog froze into hoar frost - or frozen fog - covering everything.
And then I started thinking, or imagining, whatever. If this bridge could talk right now, what would it tell me? I began playing around with this idea, wrote several different stories, and off and on through the years I did the same with some of the other pictures I had taken. I had no idea if or when anyone else would ever see these stories, but they were fun.
When Double Edge Press publishing company came into being, it was suggested that they would like to do a photography book of my pictures. It was at this time that I mentioned my idea. The rest is history.
Volume 1 contains this bridge's story - THE OLD COVERED BRIDGE. All my stories have one or two pictures accompanying the story of the subject.
Volume 1 contains 21 short stories with pictures told from the subjects view point - covered bridges, carousel horses, cats, barns, alpacas, outhouses, fort. I never in all my life imagined that I would be doing this, and oh! how much fun I have had telling their stories.
Anyone wanting more information on this, and my other books can contact me at my e-mail address www.marthadou@hughes.net, web-site address www.marthadheritage.com, or through Double Edge Press www.doubleedgepress.com
Thursday, February 3, 2011
PICTURES and STORIES
Today I think I'll talk about pictures and stories.
There are the stories about my pictures, and the stories told by my pictures.
When people come into my booth at the art festivals looking at my work, they like to know about the picture or pictures they are looking at. I will explain to them why I took the picture, what I was thinking, how did it want it to look, etc etc. It seems everyone loves to hear a story.
For instance - on one of my trips to Niagara Falls I was looking for something different. As I walked upstream from the falls on the American side I noticed a very large boulder in the middle of the river. Most folks would just notice it and think "just a rock". I stopped to look.
The water was very blue that day, and swirling around this bolder it was white, you could see it was very fast-moving. And growing out of that rock was a tall (probably 18-24 inches), blooming. Nothing but rock surrounded by water. But here was this flower blooming.
This is the story about the picture.
There are the stories about my pictures, and the stories told by my pictures.
When people come into my booth at the art festivals looking at my work, they like to know about the picture or pictures they are looking at. I will explain to them why I took the picture, what I was thinking, how did it want it to look, etc etc. It seems everyone loves to hear a story.
For instance - on one of my trips to Niagara Falls I was looking for something different. As I walked upstream from the falls on the American side I noticed a very large boulder in the middle of the river. Most folks would just notice it and think "just a rock". I stopped to look.
The water was very blue that day, and swirling around this bolder it was white, you could see it was very fast-moving. And growing out of that rock was a tall (probably 18-24 inches), blooming. Nothing but rock surrounded by water. But here was this flower blooming.
This is the story about the picture.
************
This would be the story as told by the boulder: this is a very abreviated version of what I think the boulder would tell.
I live in the Niagara River. I have been here forever. I thought I had seen everything, but no, there is always one more thing.
Somewhere along the line a seed was dropped on me, maybe many seeds. I get that all the time. But this time one of the seeds decided to make me its home. Pretty soon i felt little roots creeping down through my many cracks and crevices, and next there were little green shoots
reaching toward the sky.
This little shoot grew and grew, and all at once it began to bloom. I was transformed from just a plain old rock to something unique and special. It just goes to show what miracles can occur from one little seed randomly dropped on.
This gives you an idea of the difference between the story behind the picture and the told b y the picture.
For more of these stories go into my web site - http://www.marthadheritage.com/
There you will find my pictures and the books I have written as told from the subjects view point. They are Volume 1 and 2 entitled IF ONLY I COULD TALK. Volume 3 is currently at the publishers, to be released sometime in late fall before Christmas.
Also on my web site you will find my pictures. Go into Landscapes and scroll through, you will find the picture of the Niagara River, the Rock, and the Flower.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
THE REASON FOR THE NAME
You may wonder why my blog's official name is marthad-picturelady. It is really a very simple explanation.
Through my 30 plus years of selling my artwork, I have met, literally, thousands of great folks. Needless to say, somewhere along the line, in a store, on a sidewalk, even on vacation, someone will approach me and ask "Aren't you the picture lady?"
Many are like me, remember faces, forget names. So I am known as the "picture lady".
It's kind of neat to have such a nick-name.
One of these days I'll figure out the attaching of pictures, and other stuff, but in the meantime I just enjoy writing a little bit about life in general.
February 2. Groundhog Day - the 125th one. Must be one really old groundhog, poor thing. Everyone hates his predictions, regardless of which way it goes. He is so mis-understood.
Anyway, 6 more weeks of winter. Last night it rained and rained and rained. Most of the snow melted. When I got up this morning it was 48 degrees and bright sunshine.. Now, at approximately 1 p.m. the temp has dropped to 30 degrees, and it is pouring down snow.
At least we didn't get the sleet and freezing rain predicted. That went north of us.
This is my "down time", the last festival I participate in is early November, and the first one of the year is in mid-April. Hence the down time. This is when I decide what I am going to print for the new year's shows, what festivals I am going to apply for, what pictures will I use for my CD for being juried into the art shows. writing checks and checks - jury fee checks, entry fee checks and sometimes even a check for the little bit of electricity I will use in my display. I believe that January-February are the two most expensive months I have. Don't they realize that Christmas has just passed, and usually all the money is spent on the holidays?
But I understand their viewpoint. There are so many festivals now compared to the relatively few when I started participating in 1979, and the quality festivals that I participate in realize that there are fewer high-quality artists than crafters and so-so artists, that they send their applications out early - even tho some of the festivals aren't until November - to get the quality artists before they apply to another festival in another area.
Of the 18 festivals I am considering for this year, I have received, and replied, to all but 3, which have not been received as of today. Of the 18, half of them I have to be juried - they are either new festivals I have not done before, or festivals that require jurying every year regardless of the number of years I have participated. The remainder are usually festivals that you are juried the first time you apply, then if accepted, you are automatically juried each year during the festivals by a panel of judges. Normally when that happens, you can be assured of being accepted year after year. Some festivals I do I have been doing for over 25 years.
The lowest entry fee I pay is $40.00 for a one day show, then from $100.00 - $500.00 for the weekend shows. As you can see, the entry fee and jury fees add up. Most jury fees are anywhere from $10.00 - $30.00, and these are non-refundable.
I hope I am not boring you, and I am going to give you my various addresses in case you would like to contact me for anything.
e-mail: marthadou@hughes.net
web site: http://www.marthadheritage.com/
Have a good day. Hopefully your weather will be half way decent. Take care and God Bless.
You may wonder why my blog's official name is marthad-picturelady. It is really a very simple explanation.
Through my 30 plus years of selling my artwork, I have met, literally, thousands of great folks. Needless to say, somewhere along the line, in a store, on a sidewalk, even on vacation, someone will approach me and ask "Aren't you the picture lady?"
Many are like me, remember faces, forget names. So I am known as the "picture lady".
It's kind of neat to have such a nick-name.
One of these days I'll figure out the attaching of pictures, and other stuff, but in the meantime I just enjoy writing a little bit about life in general.
February 2. Groundhog Day - the 125th one. Must be one really old groundhog, poor thing. Everyone hates his predictions, regardless of which way it goes. He is so mis-understood.
Anyway, 6 more weeks of winter. Last night it rained and rained and rained. Most of the snow melted. When I got up this morning it was 48 degrees and bright sunshine.. Now, at approximately 1 p.m. the temp has dropped to 30 degrees, and it is pouring down snow.
At least we didn't get the sleet and freezing rain predicted. That went north of us.
This is my "down time", the last festival I participate in is early November, and the first one of the year is in mid-April. Hence the down time. This is when I decide what I am going to print for the new year's shows, what festivals I am going to apply for, what pictures will I use for my CD for being juried into the art shows. writing checks and checks - jury fee checks, entry fee checks and sometimes even a check for the little bit of electricity I will use in my display. I believe that January-February are the two most expensive months I have. Don't they realize that Christmas has just passed, and usually all the money is spent on the holidays?
But I understand their viewpoint. There are so many festivals now compared to the relatively few when I started participating in 1979, and the quality festivals that I participate in realize that there are fewer high-quality artists than crafters and so-so artists, that they send their applications out early - even tho some of the festivals aren't until November - to get the quality artists before they apply to another festival in another area.
Of the 18 festivals I am considering for this year, I have received, and replied, to all but 3, which have not been received as of today. Of the 18, half of them I have to be juried - they are either new festivals I have not done before, or festivals that require jurying every year regardless of the number of years I have participated. The remainder are usually festivals that you are juried the first time you apply, then if accepted, you are automatically juried each year during the festivals by a panel of judges. Normally when that happens, you can be assured of being accepted year after year. Some festivals I do I have been doing for over 25 years.
The lowest entry fee I pay is $40.00 for a one day show, then from $100.00 - $500.00 for the weekend shows. As you can see, the entry fee and jury fees add up. Most jury fees are anywhere from $10.00 - $30.00, and these are non-refundable.
I hope I am not boring you, and I am going to give you my various addresses in case you would like to contact me for anything.
e-mail: marthadou@hughes.net
web site: http://www.marthadheritage.com/
Have a good day. Hopefully your weather will be half way decent. Take care and God Bless.
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