THE NEW COMPUTER

Once again, it's time for a new computer.  My last arrived in 2009!  So I had grown complacent -  until I began receiving dire warnings about no longer receiving updates each time I went onto the internet.  So I called my very own Super Hero "Computer Man" to rescue me - and "migrate" my data!

I gave him carte blanche to buy a computer, monitor and software - and he suggested that I upgrade to the dreaded Windows 10.  (I suspect he's hoping that after this he will never  hear from me again . . . .)

He came and installed the set up in an afternoon.  I was impressed, since it would have taken me somewhere around a year of teeth gnashing, crying and pulling out hair to get this done!

He also suggested I purchase Office 2016 for Dummies (do you think he was actually making a statement about me???) and then I opted to also purchase Windows 10:  The Missing Manual by David Pogue since I thought it might be a good idea to be able to look up what's going on when I have stupid questions and not have to call Computer Man - after all, he might be out on an important computer-based call and not have time for me!  Plus, David Pogue used to be on the Martha Stewart show and has appeared on the Kelly Ripa show and knows all kinds of neat tech-y stuff that I don't understand.  Hey - if he's good enough for Martha and Kelly, he's good enough for me!

Old "stand by computer" on left, new monitor on desk and new computer on floor under desk.
Disregard all mess - I'm an artistic person, remember!

So, now I make small forays into the netherworld of Windows 10 while awaiting my shipment from Amazon.  So far I have not lost any documents (at least I don't think I have, but since I don't understand half of what I'm doing it's all a crap shoot!)

Collateral damage of the "great migration" has been the transfer of my photos - which were in alphabetized albums according to subject - which have migrated over in date order.  A pretty useless way for me to access them.  Crap.  (Am I allowed to say "crap" on the internet?).  Which means it will be taking me a while to re-create folders that make sense to me so that I can access my photos.

Which accounts for keeping my older computer "just in case".

I must say, when you look in my office it looks like a real techno-geek lives here - two computer set ups - 24 in. monitor - wow!  Unless you know me, in which case you know that I can't bear to let go of anything that I think might remotely be important to me in the future.  Then you will look at the double set up and knowingly shake your head and mumble something like "oh boy, here we go again".

My daughter and I were on the way to visit a friend, and we had lunch in Osgood, Indiana on the way.

On the edge of the parking lot of the restaurant were these metal sculptures.  They look to have been created using scrap materials, and I got a kick out of them.  There must be a story behind them!

Can you see the 2 spiders?

Here's a guy on a horse - view one and . . . 

. . . view two, more from the side.  Makes me think of  Don Quixote!

There is also this guy - looks like a military man!

MORE BIRDS - AND OTHER TALES OF COUNTRY LIFE

Mama (and her babies) checking me out while I check her out!

We had a mourning dove family set up housekeeping on the deck rafter behind the thermometer!

At night when I turned on the deck lights to let the dog out, she would eyeball me, but never move.

As the babies grew they would sit outside the nest.  I was amazed by two things:
first, the babies never made a peep!  They seemed like polite little children!
second, Mama Dove would sit on top of the grill and NOT MOVE until you were within a foot of her and reached out - then she fluttered off, but not too far.  Even if the dog came out, she stood her ground.

Baby mourning doves ready to fly the coop!

Either mourning doves are dumber than geese (!) or are extremely courageous in protecting their young!

Any birders out there - please fill me in if this is normal mourning dove behavior - or did they get so used to seeing us come and go all the time they became tame?

THE DUCK SAGA
As an aside to the doves and geese - my husband ordered 21 ducks earlier in the spring.  He even built a floating Duck Palace for them!  Unlike baby chicks, all of these survived and in about 4 weeks were ready to hit the water.

Next day - 12 ducks.

Next day - 8 ducks; then 5; then 2; now . . . . .

My son renamed the Duck Palace the "Turtle Feeding Station".

Someone came in and trapped several snapping turtles.

So my husband order 22 ducks last week.

He may have parboiled them, as we had hot weather and they had a heat lamp . . . a couple didn't make it through the first day.

He turned off the lamp and put on a screen door.  They peeped their satisfaction.  Until . . .

Next day - 6 down . . . and so it goes.  He said we have 6 currently alive.  I don't hold out much hope for them.

We are also losing our chickens, which makes me sad.  We started with 14, 2 disappeared and we had 12 for quite some time.  Then dogs got a couple and we ended up with a steady flock of 8 for quite some time.  Then he moved the chicken coop to follow the cattle again and now were are losing them at an alarming rate - down to 5.  And we really like our eggs!  We will be getting replacements soon from the farmer up the road.  But, I fear, we just don't do well with feathered objects.

AND OTHER FARM ANIMALS
On a happier note - 5 calves this year!  and 5 little piggies (all survive!)

The piggies are darn cute, what a shame they will grow to be as U G L Y as their mama and papa!  As with the cattle, I do not interact with the pigs.  Mama got out and took a little jaunt with her younguns and my husband walked them home - it was cute!  Daddy got out just today and he also was escorted home.  Jeepers, we don't want them getting out and running all over the place!

Now that I think of it, I will have some interaction with those pigs - BACON!!

NEMESIS!

Everyone needs a nemesis.
A worthy opponent to keep them on their toes and make them strive to excel.
Someone (or something) to push them into doing better.

Here is my dog's Nemesis!

Taken with my iPhone through the dining room door, so squirrel is a bit "squirrel-y" in this photo!
Can you tell that he's holding that piece of cardboard in his "hand"!

This crazy squirrel comes to the deck all of the time and usually manages to find something to eat  at his chosen spot - the bench in front of the dining room slider.  In this case, he found a piece of cardboard left by my son.   Of course, once the dog sees him he goes crazy to be let out to catch that squirrel.  I hate to tell him, but, ain't gonna happen!

By the time I open that door the squirrel is off and running. Sometimes I give Stray a little help and take him out to the garage and open that door.  Still, the squirrel must hear either the door opening or the dog's toenails on the concrete, and he's gone - way before 60 seconds!

Sometimes the squirrel only has enough time to leap onto the maple tree adjacent to the deck and run up into the branches.  When that happens, Stray will sit at attention (I'm not sure he even blinks) for a half hour or more just watching that squirrel.

Once, and this was the funniest to me, the squirrel was running up the steps and popped his head up above the deck just as I opened the kitchen door.  I saw him, Stray did not.

As the door opened the squirrel ducked his head down, Stray took off toward the side yard, the squirrel popped his head up again and ran for the tree.  Stray must have seen him from the corner of his eye or sensed him, because he made a 180 deg. turn and took off across the deck, but, again, too late.  Squirrel was up that tree chortling at the dog!

Not sure Stray would really know what to do with him if he ever did catch him!

THE NEW PHONE (or: The Reason I Have no Time to Paint!)

I kept saying that I was going to get a “smart phone” this fall.  But I did not specify exactly when “fall” was going to arrive. 

Not to worry – my friend did it for me.

She bought a new iPhone and GAVE me her old one!  So, no more excuses - it was sink or swim.

The phone sat about a week (much to my daughter’s chagrin) before I finally went to Verizon and had it activated.

I was so worried about texting that that’s all I did.  So, when my phone actually rang and I had to answer it, I had no idea what to do!  (Yes, this IS a true story).  

Help!  The phone's ringing!!!!!

Well, I’ve gotten over that and have graduated to being able to take photos (including "selfies") and get them transferred to my computer (via email, but, hey, whatever works – I’m learning!).

I can even change settings and add people to my contact list.

Sometimes. 

Other times I add them and they just disappear. 

My daughter and my friend’s daughter have become my “phone gurus”! 

Speaking of daughters - my daughter convinced me that I would drop my phone at any moment and it would shatter into smithereens – even though my friend had it for 2 years before and it was in excellent shape.  So . . . .

I purchased an OtterBox to protect it.  

The phone - totally protected from any catastrophe known to man.
(Not even the Ebola virus could figure out how to get into this thing.)

I was thrilled when it came, but then could not figure out how to get the phone into the box!  I waited until my daughter could come over and take a look at it.  Turns out she couldn’t figure it out either but went to the internet on her phone (something I have not yet graduated to doing!) and watched a video.

It’s pretty bad when you not only have a phone that is smarter than you are, but a box to store it in that is smarter, too!

Now my phone is totally protected from splashes, crashes, spills and all manner of other ills.

Wish I was!
ps - my husband hates this photo - guess he doesn't get the humor!

WHO EGGS-ACTLY ARE YOU?

This was tooooo funny!

We get our eggs from neighbors up the road. When I opened up this carton I was certainly surprised to find that our eggs had been named!

My husband and I think this carton may have contained someone’s Easter eggs – and the kids had all put their names in line with the eggs they had decorated. It’s a theory, anyway.

(We may have eaten some “named” beef before - but certainly never any named eggs!)

MUTT AND JEFF

This photo, taken at the ViewPoint opening, is too funny!

Here I am next to the Cincinnati Art Club president, Todd.

I met Todd at my first ViewPoint drop off about 5 years ago. He was so pleasant and sat down and talked to me for an hour that day.

Then, at the ViewPoint opening, I realized that some people probably could not reach the top of their paintings to hang their ribbons after the awards ceremony. I called out “Where’s Todd Channer – raise your hand” – and he did, almost brushing the ceiling with his hand! I then told everyone to find him and ask him to hang their ribbons if they needed help.

So that’s how our friendship started – me bossing him around!

The last year that I chaired ViewPoint Todd became president so I was fortunate to work with him. He’s a really swell guy, but he makes my neck hurt!

If you look carefully at this photo you will see that he is slightly slouching and his knees might even be slightly bent, and I’m still only about half his height!

I’m keeping this one on my desktop for a good laugh on bad days!

SO THIS IS SPRING ? ? ?

Ahh yes - spring in the Midwest!

Here's a little poem for your enjoyment.

Spring hasn't sprung,

The flowers ain't riz - - -

Why the heck the

SNOW STILL IS?????

P.S.  I don't think I'll be winning any Pulitzer prizes any time soon! 

THE CANINE PATIENT

All zonked out on pain meds and muscle relaxants - on his new found favorite blankie!

I was really worried about Stray. He was lethargic and yelped when he got up. He didn't want to lay down, and when he did, it was only on his side. He didn't eat or drink, didn't do anything - and I thought we were killing him (G U L P) since I had fed him a beef bone the other night, and Mike had given him some deer meat we are trying to clean out of the freezer. I was crying when I left to teach yesterday and Mike had to go out also - but he called me when he got home with 2 "patient" updates!!!

Mike found him on the loveseat when he returned home! Since Stray knows he's not supposed to do that, I knew he wasn't feeling good. I let him sleep inside last night, covered with a blankie, rather than in the garage, and I slept on the couch by him! (Talk about spoiled!)

This morning he wouldn't bend down to eat so Mike put his food on the step and he ate.

At 10 this morning I took him to the vet. Of course, at the vet's office he was FINE. I let go the leash when I checked in, turned around and he was GONE - making a new friend of the person behind me! He was very friendly to everyone - he's a charmer!

He was soooo good at the vet's, I was proud of him! The vet pushed, poked and prodded (same as I did yesterday and with the same results - no yelping) and then she moved his neck, like a chiropractor would - she said she heard a crack! And when she pushed down he yelped. Turns out it's his NECK!

It also turns out that the lumps we occasionally find are just what my Future Favorite Son-in-law said they were - fatty tumors, not to worry, unless they get so large as to "impede his mobility". I got him heartworm meds, and he's on anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxants until he feels better.

Also - much to my chagrin and Mike's delight - I put down "unknown" for breed and they filled in - get ready - - - - Rhodesian Ridgeback!

Also, the vet said he's probably 6-7 years old and weighs a whopping 101 lbs.!

He ate several treats from the vet - and even took one off the floor - so he could bend his neck for that – and when we got home he felt well enough to devour one Pupperoni stick! Just like a kid!

He does like taking the pills - I get hot dogs, cut them into small pieces, just large enough to hide the pills in - and he eats them like treats, not realizing he just ate a pill!

For now he will be mellowing out on pain killers and muscle relaxants for a couple days - my own personal pure bred Drug Dog.

I . . . AM . . . NOT . . . A . . . ROBOT . . . . . . .

What the heck is up with these stupid Blogger word verifications all of a sudden?  It was bad enough before when you looked at them, but at least only one word was required to be deciphered.

Now - two.  And it takes forever to figure it out, and of course each time you "miss" there is another jumble to look at.

I'm starting to feel like I'm playing the lottery - when the page says "your comment has been saved . . . " I expect to see little cherries flying around and I'm so happy I feel like jumping up and dancing a jig.

Good grief - is spamming REALLY so bad that we need to use an eye exam just to post a comment on a blog? 

"Is that an l followed by a d, or a b followed by an l".  Gee, I dunno - YOU figure it out.

We should all band together and inundate Blogger with emails and texts and tweets and maybe an actual phone call and have this stupid and probably unnecessary verification withdrawn.  Hey, it worked for all those Verizon customers who got extra charges taken off their bills, maybe we should try it!

Until then,

(I was going to insert a scan of some of their gibberish - but now the scanner on my printer doesn't work - even though I've scanned plenty of stuff in the past - jeesh - COMPUTERS).

LITTLE OLD LADIES WHO PAINT

At our January GCWS meeting one of our members stood and read an article he had found on the internet that talked about watercolor.

Several colleges had been interviewed in the article as to whether watercolor was taught at the college. Not a one – and these were high level art schools – “bothered” to teach watercolor. Most of the instructors interviewed did not paint in watercolor, did not know how to paint in watercolor, and more than once watercolor was referred to as an inferior medium, relegated to “little old ladies who paint”! (For the rest of the meeting we called him “lady”!)

Can you believe this??? Are you as stunned as I am, that, in this day with all of the advancements in paints, and all of the great watercolor painters we have - especially those “little old ladies” like Ted Nuttall, John Salminen, Mark Mehaffey, Nick Simmons, Charles Reid, George James, Bill James, Fred Graff, Gerald Brommer, Laurin McCracken, to name but a few – watercolor is still considered “inferior”.

Who are these idiots who are supposedly “teaching” in respected institutions of higher learning? To them I say - “Get a clue, people.” Jeepers. All they have to do is look at an art magazine that does not cater to oil or pastel. But, they probably wouldn’t know where to find one of those, right?

My question is, and always has been – if watercolor is so hard to control, so difficult to learn and use – why is an oil painting still valued more than a watercolor of same size and skill level?  Usually in life something that is hard to do is valued more than something that is easy to do – think brain surgeon versus store clerk (and I mean no offense to all you store clerks out there, but I think you get my drift).

Is it because one is on canvas and the other on paper? But, both have longevity if handled properly, and you could argue that the one under glass is better protected than the canvas since one could easily cut or punch a hole through the canvas.
So, why is the medium that is so hard to learn, control and handle (watercolor) valued less than an oil painting that can be changed or scraped off ad nauseum?

I’ve asked this question over and over and no one can really say, other than, it all goes back to the “olden days” when watercolors were fugitive, didn’t come in many colors and were considered “ladies’ paint” or just a sketch medium.

It’s not the 1800’s anymore. Watercolor has come a long way, baby. Isn’t it time that it gets its just due in the art world?

What can we watercolorists do to change the art world?

Have today’s watercolorists made watercolor the dark sheep of the family just because of its difficult attributes?

Someone in our watercolor society suggested that watercolor is the medium for “the thinking artist”. Have we become elitist in our attitude? Have we somehow demeaned this medium?

All you watercolorists out there – let’s band together and take the art world by storm. We know what watercolor is capable of, so let’s try to get noticed by the art world!

Let’s create shields of 300# Arches, make some tri-pointed hats out of 140# and bury those oil painters under a mountain of fine cotton paper as we attack with our #6 pointed rounds held high!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!

The beginning of a new year is a lot like a painting – literally a blank canvas. We haven’t had time to screw anything up yet, all possibilities are bright and shiny and we are optimistic – “this year (painting) will be better than the last”.

I spent most of my day painting and listening to the wind blow – it’s very windy here, guess it has arrived from the far west where semis were being blown over on the highway. Not THAT windy, but our lake had waves and there were some thumps and bumps not normally heard that indicate something was blowing around outside.

Also spent time cleaning – even “hot mopped” – and creating an impromptu family dinner. Originally it was just me and my husband, until my daughter called. I had spoken to her yesterday and she never mentioned coming for dinner, but I should have known. Joe was working and she didn’t want to eat alone, especially when she found out pork chops were on the menu. And Joe might come. (I’m learning that means he will be here come heck or high water, since he can drive his patrol car anywhere. Of course, that also means he may fly out in the middle of dinner if he gets a call out). So . . . another package of meat to thaw and a quick spot clean (mostly my spotted kitchen floor) with the hot mop. Now I’m back to painting – oh yes, and typing while paint dries!

I’ve been painting all through the holidays on very detailed paintings (gee, I’m sure you are all very surprised to hear that last bit of info!!!). It’s very zen-like and gives me plenty of time to let my mind wander to ponder various offbeat items, and to daydream.   (See my photo and notes below about my new favorite brush!)

Today I got to pondering about people without hobbies or friends. Whether you find painting a hobby or your full time career, consider yourself blessed. You have a way to occupy your time in a productive way and create something wonderful. It’s very fulfilling. And if you are lucky you have found other like minded people and have created a group of artists/friends to paint with, which makes the whole enterprise even more enjoyable. I’m blessed to have found that and regularly meet with one or two and yearly meet with our special painting group for a fantastic week. I would probably not be sane without them!

Sometimes, while waiting for paint to dry, I read or . . . . . fritter away time watching TV. Particulary HGTV. I’m fascinated with wealth (who isn’t!) which is not to say I need a vast amount of wealth to be happy. (I refer you to the prior paragraph!). But that doesn’t mean I would say no to someone handing me boatloads of cash. (If you have a few extra million laying around you don’t need, email me and I’ll send you my address)!

Lately HGTV has been showing the “Millions” programs. “Million Dollar Houses”, “Million Dollar Pools”, “Million Dollar Outdoor Spaces”, ad nauseum. Which is why I’m currently feeling Candy Spelling’s pain. After all, she’s downsizing and was forced to move from her home within 30 days after she sold it.

Now, is it just me, or isn’t it usual to move out of your house after you sell it? And, isn’t 30 days a fairly normal amount of time to do this? And, don’t most people move on their own without a “staff” to assist. And don’t they normally accomplish their move in one moving van versus a fleet?

Oh well, I still feel her pain. After all, she is downsizing - into a space the size of her prior attic. Now, I’ll bet you are feeling her pain too as you contemplate being forced to reside in your own attic. Oh yes, feel her pain - until I tell you the size of that attic - which is to say – 17,000 square feet. Or, as I figured out, a space about 8.5 times the size of my house (give or take a 1,000 square feet). Down from a 100 room, 27 bathroom mansion. I’m sure there were some servants quarters in there somewhere too, but who’s counting? Oh, yes, I’m feeling her pain.

And I’m fascinated!

HGTV is a veritable fairyland for adults. Oh, magnificent houses! In far away places. Where people get to work from the beach or their penthouse condo. Or, not work at all – let the staff do it!

Once a year HGTV will even let people win one of these magnificent houses. (“Oh, maybe I’ll win someday!” I tell myself as I daydream about how wonderful it would be to live in such a place. If only I had entered). HGTV even lets us take a private tour before anyone moves in.

Of course, HGTV doesn’t tell you how you will be able to afford the upkeep on this magnificent home, or what the cost to furnish it will be. Maybe you can call up Candy and she’ll give you a good discount on some of her stored furniture. After all, she probably needs the cash, seeing as how she’s been forced to move and downsize, and all.

Well, enough of my day dreaming! I’ve got work to do! But before I go . . . .

Hope this year is good to you (even if it ends dramatically on December 12 rather than December 31, as per the Mayan prediction). May your painting improve and your life be richer for it!

And remember - if you are having a bad painting day go watch HGTV and drift off into Fantasy Land - maybe you’ll even win a house!

Then I’ll feel your pain.

Here is my new favorite brush. 
It's a "Silver" Black Velvet, #6.  It's soooo soft, like a sable but at a tiny price, and as you can see the tip
comes to a tiny sharp point.  And, best of all, it holds TONS of paint.  I think I also have a slightly
larger one, but this one has been my steadfast partner on my last few paintings.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

While you enjoy looking at all of the paintings on the blogs noted below – I’ll be having fun accepting the dropped off paintings for the ViewPoint show at the Cincinnati Art Club!
Our shipped works have already arrived and now I get to see all of the works “up close and personal”. Show opens Friday evening and we are expecting a large crowd – join us if you are in the area – Friday, November 4 from 6-9, valet parking available and awards presented – 1021 Parkside Place (corner of Parkside and Martin Drive in Mt. Adams).

From the sublime to the ridiculous!

Chris Beck asked me to participate in a Halloween challenge, so how could I say no?
In defense of my terribly juvenile painting, I went with the idea that Halloween is for kids and on Halloween we all become kids. Put on a silly costume and you do instantly lose your inhibitions and become quite child like!
For years I would dress up like a witch and sit at the end of our driveway (which is more than a mile long, so we did not get trick-or-treaters at the house!) to pass out candy – dressed like a witch.
I’ve been out there in sweltering late season heat and frozen with snow on the ground! I’ve scared more than a few kids, chased some of the “non-believers” around their cars until they became believers, stopped traffic, had my photo taken, flirted with and dissed strange men and generally had a blast! The adults enjoyed it as much as or more than the kids! I even scared myself on a few occasions – you never know what could be lurking in the brush, and when it gets real quiet, no kids or cars around and it’s you all alone, there are certainly lots of sounds to be heard that can be attributed to any kind of strange beast (it is, after all, Halloween!).

Two incidents sadly put a stop to all of this fun. One year a girl on a 4-wheeler thought it would be fun to run me down and grab my hat. (Trust me, it was not). Then the next year a trailer loaded with thieving kids and their drunken parents (most of whom were related to the aforementioned girl) sealed the deal. I decided that it was not a good idea for a lone woman to be out alone after dark.

But it was fun while it lasted and I know I made an impression on many of our neighbors (including a very lasting impression on the drunks, unless they don’t remember it!)

So – enjoy my pitiful rendition of Halloween here, then go see some cool paintings at these other sites:
Challenge organizers:
Chris Beck: http://chrisbeckstudio.blogspot.com/
Pablo Villicana Lara: http://www.mylittlepaintbox.blogspot.com/

Participating artists:
Janet Belich: http://janetbelich.blogspot.com/
Debbie Cannatella: http://www.dcannatella.blogspot.com/
R. Garriott: http://www.rgarriott.blogspot.com/
Jeanette Jobson: http://illustratedlife.blogspot.com/
Ron Morrison: http://watercolourproductions.blogspot.com/
Diahn Ott: http://artbydiahn.blogspot.com/
Suzy Pal Powell: http://www.suzypal.blogspot.com/
Terry Rafferty: http://terryrafferty.blogspot.com/
Kay Smith: http://kaysmithbrushworks.blogspot.com/
Brenda York: http://brendayork.blogspot.com/

MY KLEPTOMANIAC DOG!

Whenever we go out, even for a short while, and leave the dog at home, he feels the need to surround himself with something of ours.

It started with one of my husband’s slippers, then both slippers. Then one of my Skechers slip ons, then both; then one sneaker, then two.

Now it seems he cannot do without the TV remote control! The first time he stole that it caused quite a catastrophe – until I found it buried under his SECOND bed - the one by the big glass doors! (His THIRD bed is either in the mud room or the garage, depending on the weather!) Now I try to remember to put it on top of the TV when we leave!

The above photo is typical of what we return to after a short jaunt in the car! There were probably more objects scattered around the living room, too. And he only does this when we are gone! So far none of the shoes have been eaten and I’m hoping there won’t be a “first time” for that!

THE (NOT SO) ROYAL WEDDING!

Apropos of nothing, and way past the proper time to have posted this, here is a photo of Kate (or, since she and I are not exactly on a first name basis, should I say Her Royal Highness Princess Katherine) at her recent wedding and me at my not so recent wedding.
I know, it’s really hard to tell the difference, but as a hint, she’s on the left and I’m on the right!

Note the similarities in our “gowns”. Who knows how many thousands hers cost; mine $50.00 - on sale at The Limited during prom season (circa 1977)! I also had a “train” on my “gown”. Since I’m so short, the seamstress simply hemmed the front of the dress and let the rest drag on the ground behind me! Quite classy, huh?
By the way, Kate’s got good taste, don’t you think?

Hope you got a good chuckle - just thought I’d share this with you!

GLASSES ANYONE?

In my recent vertigo post I joked about the doctor locating my glasses inside my empty, dizzy head.

In reality, I do seem to keep misplacing my reading glasses. Not to be confused with the bifocals which I actually purchased at Lenscrafters to the tune of a couple hundred dollars, including frames. But I did get them in about an hour. These are my 3rd pair of bifocals.

The very first ones never were correct and the optometrist never made a proper correction, so I never wore them.

My 2nd pair are the sunglasses I currently have and they are great. (Got them at Lenscrafters too.)  But my last pair are very narrow and I think that is why I have to elevate them on my nose for close up and push them down for distance. Very annoying, so I don’t wear them unless I’m driving on sunless days, pushed halfway down my nose, and even then I usually end up with my sunglasses on – looking very Hollywood in the gloom, quite a lot like Raquel (Welch)!!

Hence the 5 pair of el cheapo readers that are scattered about the house. You would think that with that many laying around somewhere there would always be a pair within reach but, no, you would be wrong. I think that they currently reside – in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in my art box, on my drafting table and . . . um . . . crap . . . . See what I mean – I am simply incapable of keeping track of them. Maybe I need a clapper or beeper or something affixed to them.  But, what the heck, the last 2 pair cost $1.00 each so guess I can afford to lose them periodically.

Just yesterday I was in a panic - couldn't find the sunglasses.  Well, don't blame me on that one - haven't needed them in ages since we have not had any sun for weeks!  I remembered wearing them in a car, but whose car?  Looked in mine, nope.  My husband's, nope.  Thought I'd left them in my daughter's but decided against making that call until I had exhausted all other possibilities.  Maybe left them in my friend's?  Didn't want to bother her at dinner, so looked again.  Then again.   Finally, on the last search I found them on the chair behind the purse covered with several light jackets, an umbrella, a pair of winter gloves, the dog leash and, for some unexplained reason, an unopened package of roach traps.

HELP ME!

VERTIGO UPDATE

Had a quick in/quick out visit with the doctor on Thursday. (He’s nothing if not “to the point”.)

It seems that my “condition” is BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) and just something that I’ll have to get used to living with. Apparently this is just “one of those things” that occurs, comes and goes, and who knows why.

The ear therapy did seem to help, and, combined with the meclizine, I’m driving again. If I get the vertigo bad again I can go in for another therapy treatment. And I’ll use the meclizine as my “fire extinguisher” the way I’m using my nitro pills for my heart. (When my cardiologist gave me the nitro pills he likened them to a fire extinguisher – you have one, but have never used it, but it’s nice to know it’s there in case you need it).

It seems like each day it’s a little better. I can look up farther and down farther before the dizziness begins, but I’m still not about to do a twist and turn of my head. I’m able to roll to my left side to sleep, so that’s nice, and I’m hoping that eventually I’ll be able to roll right without taking a “trip”. Maybe by the end of weekend I’ll be able to lay flat enough to get back into my own bed, although the recliner is becoming quite comfy!

Since I just heard some bad health news about some people I care about, it makes my ditsy dizziness seem minor, indeed.

So I’m just going to “suck it up”, “man up”, keep my head in plane, walk like I’m wearing a neck brace, turn like Frankenstein - and get on with my life.

Here’s hoping now I can get back to painting more – I’ve got several things “in the works” but haven’t gotten anything ready to post yet. But soon . . . .

Thanks to those of you who follow and care!

p.s. I’m still looking for my glasses!

WHAT’S UP WITH ME?

Some of you may be wondering why I haven’t been posting enough art related subjects lately.
Here’s the scoop.

I’ve been too busy with other stuff, like getting ready for a demo, getting ready for a class, working on the ViewPoint prospectus and mailing list and working on the Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society blog.

I’ve also been, as we call it here in the rain soaked southeastern part of Indiana – “doctorin’”.

That’s a verb meaning having health problems and going to a doctor frequently. When I was young(er) I always got a kick out of someone using that term; now it ain’t so funny.

No, for those of you who might be worried (all one of you!), it’s not my heart. It’s my head.

I’ve always known there was something wrong up there, but now it’s about to be verified. For the past few weeks I’ve been suffering and “doctorin’” for vertigo. I know a lot of you have had it, currently have it, or know someone who has/had it. Apparently this is a common ailment that, like hemorrhoids, is never mentioned unless someone else mentions it. (Ewwww, there’s a visual, what if hemorrhoids were in our ears!)

But I digress.

If you’ve never had vertigo, I pray you never get it. The world is spinning around you and it is the most terrifying thing I can imagine. Besides that, I don’t feel comfortable driving, and so am reliant on being driven around, like Miss Daisy, by my ever lovin’ hubby who is rapidly getting tired of it!

Anyway, after the tests were run and I picked up my shaking, quaking, crying body, along with what was left of my dignity (which now fits easily into my jeans pocket) I came home to collect myself before another doctor’s visit in a few days.

I’ll let you know what (if anything but air and a few paint chips) they find.

ANTS AND OTHER PERILS

I guess I could tell you that it’s spring in southeastern Indiana just by looking at my countertop or desk top.

“What???” I can year you asking.

Well, it seems that every year there comes that day when I look at my kitchen countertop – a speckled Corian – and it appears to be moving.

“Huh???” you say?

It appears to be moving because some of the moving specks are actually little black ants. Where they come from and how they get in, I have no idea. They just appear about this time every year.

They also appear on the desktop in my office, no where close to the kitchen.

I squish them as I see them. Then, just as suddenly as they appear, they disappear.

Who knows.

They are just one of those mysteries of nature that we must accept.

We have also had an infestation of strange green and gold striped bugs about the size and shape of a wasp, with long antennas. They don’t appear to fly, at least not yet (thank goodness). I have never seen anything like them and have been searching the internet for them. They were all over our garage, so I’m blaming the stove wood for them.

I spent a happy 10 minutes the other day crunching them underfoot. 

I tried to get a photo of one, but my camera refused to comply, no matter what setting I put it on.  Apparently it also has an aversion to bugs.  (Since my husband found lots of holes in the wood and wood dust in the wood bin recently, after an internet search I think they might be metallic wood borers - I must show them to my future son-in-law, the arborist, for confirmation!)

It’s also time for the mating of the bumblebees, or so I call it. Again, early spring every year the bumblebees that live in the deck roof begin going crazy, flying around each other in circles. Since they are large insects and rather ungainly, these bee “dances” can sometimes interfere with human activity on the ground. And, for me, this is a particularly frightening time, since:
(1) I hate bees in general;
(2) I am terrified of bumblebees in particular – I mean, come on, have you seen the size of these things? Some are as large as a hummingbird for goodness sake;
(3) bumblebees home in on me like moths to a flame – they follow me, I’m not kidding.

Prior to exiting the house, I carefully look through the kitchen window and survey the vicinity of the door before I open it so as not to allow a bee inside. Once outside I’m ever mindful of that “bzzzzz” sound and am particularly fearful when it gets louder – “BZZZZZ” – since I know they are heading in my direction.

As if that’s not enough to keep a girl inside all day, there’s also the pollen count. We here in the Greater Cincinnati area are known for our allergies and sinuses. This is because our area is a perfect “bowl” to hold all of the pollen and mold spores, which the wind then picks up and blows along the entire Ohio River Basin. Lucky us.

And here in the country, we can add to that mix the fertilizers and pesticides that the local farmers shoot into the air. Yummm.

And then, let’s not forget the “spring rains” (spelled m o n s o o n) that create lots of mud, flooding and hydroplaning on the roadways and you realize just how dangerous it is “out there”.

I prefer to stay inside during these dreaded times, waiting for the inevitable drought that appears mid-July.

THANKS FOLLOWERS!

Just a quick shout out to my “followers”.
Each time I see another name go up on the sidebar I get a little smile on my face and a chuckle – makes me happy to think that someone wants to “follow” me!
I usually think I need a sign on the back of my car (or pinned to my shirt) that clearly states NOT to follow me or you are soon going to be lost or headed for the longest line in the supermarket!

However, Followers, now I’m going to tell you that I know something about all of you!
“How can that be?” you are probably asking.
Well, I know for sure that you are highly intelligent folks who appreciate good art and enjoy a good laugh now and then!!
See, I told you I knew something about you!
So, thanks to you, my Followers!