Colliding

.
Here are several

kaleido-scopic images I made in Paintshop Pro, again using a scene from natural surroundings.

Orbit, petals, cycles, n angle digit options are varied in these very different, yet from the same original pic.
.

.

.

I apply a texture effect or two, then a color effect or two, n that's how I end up with these nifty bright colors I like to re-arrange with geometric effects like the kaleidoscope function.
.

.

I like the feel of this one. The original texture n color were not altered. Can you tell what simple elements this could be?

.

Two orbits, new angle, original's texture n color make yet another very different pattern...

So many versions, so little time!

.
.

.

This is the original pic compo-sition, with texture n color effects applied.
The first two kadeido-scope images were made from this. I could post twenty more examples of very different angles producing new color combos n shapes from this same starting point, but due to time, memory, n attention span limitations, I'll spare you-
.

Is it possible to guess what it really is from these?

.

.

.

.

.

Just some eel grass at fav beach as a wave has just washed thru it, flattening some of it...

from an outing there the second week of the month.

Hard to believe the end of the official summer season is here this week! Hard to wrap in the thought it's been five years since Katrina washed thru New Orleans already.

.

Time hurries,

Waves wash thru,

Colliding elements-

Optical news...

Garden Party

.
.
.
The blind-folded white bird
Sings of a grey fox
Masking a bleeding Heart
Muddied in the splatter
Of a green disappearing
As a Butterfly basks
Finding nectar in the
Blue blossoms surrounding
A strange Place
Beyond description...
.

.
.
.
I get such unique sights when playing with my natural scenes, color effects, n the rotating mirror-
Think I spot a varmint too...
-Did I miss anything?

Grey Daze

.

Rain's been resident this week again. This pic is part of the deserted boat n fishing wharf at the narrows in the center of town this evening. I added more to the grey collection today, n hear tomorrow will also be spitting water.

.

That'll slow me down a bit. I slept extra hours, then did some chores n errands. Even walked around on the wharf in the rain, carefully on the slippery wet planks, of course. It just doesn't feel like Day Off to me without getting outdoors.

.

It's been cool in the 60's F range, n I ended up digging out warmer clothes I haven't needed for months. I really need to wash all my jackets n hoodies- (Too dusty, I'm allergic to dust mites) It was tough finding a clean, sleeved shirt to substitute, n go get fuel.

.

The winds have been up the past few days too. Driving to work the other day over the D-bridge you could see little white-caps out in the B-cove, but alas, I had no time for to stop for pics.

.

The damp, cool weather has reminded me about that achy arthritis affliction again tho. The leg injury is healing, but also complaining.

.

One more work-week to put in before I get to have enough free time to get to so many put-off projects. I've been so burnt-out from enduring the exhausting summer work-load, that I've been in doubt I'd make it to the scheduled vaca week without quitting or collapsing- but the finish is close-

.

After I get back to work from the upcoming requested time off, it'll be back to lighter orders n cut hours again... n hopefully a much easier time for me. With any luck I'll be caught up n rested enough to get more art accomplished this fall too.

.

I'm optimistic I'll get alot done, altho alot of rest to feel good is important too- I just hope neighbor folks don't mess with my plans too much. At any rate, I've needed to reduce my stress-level for awhile, n not spending energy at work will certainly help.

.

Now, I just need to endure one more crazy week...

Public Canvas

Under the bridge by the marina there's a simple, weather beaten, acrylic painting of a light house on a boulder. We don't have any light houses in the harbor here except this one...
.
Of course I had to re-paint it new colors- No I didn't paint it on the rock- I'd like to think If I had, it would look a bit more realistic, (perspective, shading, trees, shadows), n prob contain more animals. I'm not a fan of acrylic work. I prefer oils, n use water colors also.
.
Once I painted an itty-bitty landscape on a curved piece of wood, with mountains, railroad tracks, n itty-bitty-er holsten cows- (black n white spotted) based on Vermont memories. I hinged a stand-bar on the back for the plaque, n my Mom kept it on the piano. Someday I'll dig out the packed art from the old house again.
.

Uptown near the triangle, mini-hangout area is a new breakfast-coffee bar this season, called the "Sunrise Cafe`." I had occassion to go to the laundrymat across from it, n took a pic of their outdoor mural near sunset time...

Then I re-painted that one too! Nope, never had breakfast or coffee there, but I'm sure they do a good deal of business with so much summer foot traffic to the post office next door going on.
.

Come to think of it, I have pics of the post office lobby murals somewhere, n then there's also pics of school kids contest winner paintings to decorate the bath-house on the front beach. I'll have to do file digging for those sometime too.

So stay tuned for installment 2, n hope I actually have digging time at some point soon...

Grey Days

.
.
A couple of greyish weather days following more heat n humidity didn't slow folks down much this week.
.
Even with a recent, large, lower-shin injury sporting cuts n bruises, n tender to the touch, I got out n walked a bit under the cloud cover, DigiCam in pocket. Yep, another salt-soak badly needed in my free time. Always an excuse lately, tho would like to just write I did it, "for fun..." one of these days-
.

Now I have a whole collection of Grey Days pics to play with, so you'll prob see more of them. Composition can be challenging here under these low-light,low-color conditions, but I think these pics weren't too bad.
.

Only a few weeks of tourist peak season are left, before work slows down. It's concert night at the bandshell, plus there's a carnival at the playground all week. Two large festivals are over with in the village, but the strewn garbage around the hill woods lingers, n I haven't the ambition to get to it this week.
.

Hopefully I'll last a few more weeks of high volume n make it unscathed to the week I requested off at the beginning of next month...
I hope it's still warm, n the sun shines too!

Won't be long now...

Troll Alien

.
.
Remember Troll dolls? This reminds me of one with short green hair, but with a Space Invaders (the Atari arcade game) body.
.
Asteroids used to be my favorite on the large console. I wasted tons of quarters on that one, circa 1980. I often hit the 100,000 beep n got the extra play.
.

Young folks may not realize that we actually had to go out to play games in the old days- Now a days we can sit in our house on tv, on a laptop, or portable device n play electronic games at whim, without per play paying, n without a line of folks behind us watching, n waiting their turn. How easy gaming is. I still play Blungo n FreeCell while waiting to load pages...

How much the world has changed these few decades...

.

Never know what I might find...from the most unassuming nature scene.

Yes, these are all from this same pic...

which wasn't bad to begin with-

Shakers

.

This week I received some unexpected freeloaders... I mean, visitors. I was perplexed to get a Post Office window Pick-Up Notice in my box, as I haven't ordered anything recently, or won any giveaways... So I made a special trip to get to the window before they closed today.

.

Imagine my surprize to find perky black n white ceramic chickens staring at me, with a designer note card, explaining their predicament.
.

The note was properly handwritten, not chicken scratches I'd expected. They must well educate their fowl out West...

.

It read:

To Snag,

Sorry to drop in on you like this, but we were not happy at Paige's house in Texas.

If it is not too much trouble for you, may we stay with you? If not can you please help us find a home?

Thank you,

Salt n Pepper

.

(I believe these could be the same chickies sent to Paige awhile back from Jannies...) Well, I told them they can stay as long as they like, as long as they don't mind getting sand in their feathers.

We're used to tourists from all over being here, but haven't seen alot of chickens. They may decide later it's not much fun in wintertime, as it does get pretty cold.

.

.

.

.

why'd the chickens cross the road?

To go to the M-cove!

.

Oh yeah, they want me to tell Paige not to worry, they're doing well, n think this is a good adventure, tho they got a bit sunburned at the beach today...

Shiny

.

.

.

Before errands I made it out to fave beach on Day Off again. Another sight shifting from moment to moment, each with unique beauty to appreciate. It was moderately windy n the incoming tidal water was wavy, bouncing the yellow-peach sunshine along the ripples in constant motion, a dazzling sight to behold.

.

Another fleeting moment of life to savor. A feast for the eyes, n a show for the other senses. My ears were full of the crashing waves, n wind. My legs have been throbbing from the past weeks punishing travails. The massage of tropically warm temp water (75F) of Buzzards Bay was a much needed theraputic soak. My frazzled brainwaves needed a peace n contemplation session.

.

The side-trip stop here for me is perhaps the most important thing in my travels today. All else will no doubt be forgotten. I don't take this for granted. There isin't always time, or good weather. Important keeping up with bill stuff so often takes priority. Health n transportation can be unpredictable, n I don't always get to fit fave place into my schedule, tho I'll always shoot for it.

.

I'm so greatful to have the ability to enjoy this location, even for just a few minutes. Thirty-five years ago I found myself at this beach. Lately it seems all else is a chore, but these few moments. All other trips are rushed n full of descisions n deadlines to beat. Here that all melts away.

.

Here, at the edge of the Earth- my heart feels full of treasure!

Challenging

.
.
.
Hope you're all having a grand week-end. Turns out, this is the businest summer week-end for work we've had this summer to date! Orders are off the chart...
.
The reason for a sudden surge of extra week-end population is the PMC, The Pan-Mass Challenge. it's a two-day bike ride to Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod, all the way from Sturbridge in Western Massachusetts. Over 5k cyclists will ride for their pedal partners n sponsors to raise money for the Jimmy Fund n Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Even both of the state's senators are riding this year.
.
The route stops overnight around the Canal zone at Mass Maritime Academy in Bourne, near my village, then continues down Cape the rest of the route on Sunday. The riders, their Pedal Partners, volunteers, n family members brings thousands of extra folks into my home n work zones. Rumor has it there aren't any available hotel rooms all the way to Middleboro (off the Cape)!
.
I tried to comfort bewildered, frazzled co-workers with the thought that this would be the busiest week-end order n all the rest of the summer would seem easy...
.
The annual PMC event has grown from a modest crew years ago to a massive turn-out rivaling a marathon. My personal challenge tho- is trying to drive in the very slow traffic to work, n get the work orders done, so I can get home again. I'm zonked! But I wouldn't think of letting the week-end go by without giving these bike folks a well-deserved plug. It's a great project for a great cause, n I'm amazed at these determined folks who can ride so far!
.
About 20 years back, my Dad was a patient at Dana-Farber. Those specialist folks work wonders for many. Altho my fathers miracles had run out, I'm sure many are still in store for all those current patients n Pedal Partners (Patients teamed up with riders). In the future we can hope for better cures to be discovered.
.
So pedal onward, be carefull driving around the bicycles, n choose worthy charities!
Ride on...

Peek

The sunset I'd gone to fav beach for this week was for the most part obscured by thick clouds on the horizon.

.

I think I've mentioned on ESR that my Digi-Cam doesn't seem to see the reds my eye does, expecially when I can see that odd phenomenon of the setting sun as a glowing red ball. It has until now been seen on my pics as only a white space when I get home.

.

Finally, I got a small Digi peek of that pink orb I could see with my eyes filtered thru a thin spot in those clouds. It was so windy (25 to 35 knots), it's amazing any shots came out in focus- I was braced against a rock for this one. You can see the water being pushed by the strong gusts.

.

My hair got really messed up, but I went to the store after for errands anyhow... after somewhat twirling it back with my fingers.

Meanderings

.
.

In a colorful dream realm, an alien, dog-like, playful creature form to write a new story about just appeared, flapping a colorful nose-horn as it shakes off.

"Orff!Orff! ..." More of the story waits until I'm more rested, apparently a rare occurrence lately. The village has a lovely array of loud festivities this week. My sleep time got post-poned on this Day Off- n I'm still not recovered.
.
.
In all this heat, it's difficult to remember the icy chill of winter, until sipping an icy drink or succumbing to fattening brain-numbing ice cream.

I read somewhere brain matter n nerve cell coatings are formed of fatty tissues n cholesterol-like substances, so I easily justify the yummy eating, n always pick stuff with natural sweeneners- no high fructose corn syrup for me! We got teased all week here with perfect 70F somethings n dry air, (Work days) but here comes that hot, hazy, humid again. (Day Off).
..
.

I took a trip down memory lane instead of blogging as usual today, after a video search turned up some VHS converted from 8mm film, home movies from my youth I didn't even know I had! Must've been forgotten in the shuffle of cleaning out my parents house a decade ago.

.

I'd like to thank my Dad's ghost for recording me with animals, the zoo, my childhood boxer dog, Champ, fishing catches, horseback riding, n playing on boats, which made me feel all warm n fuzzy. Seeing so many passed on folks, my grandparents, aunts n uncles, n old neighbors tho- really got me misty... I set my reading glasses down somewhere, n now can't find them! (Search time wasted, 1 hour). So I'm using the wrong strength right now, n will continue the sight challenge until they are miraculously found in daylight, or I go to the store for more. (It's difficult to find the glasses without the glasses)!

.

.

Meanwhile, I'm working on adding to the Ragweed pollen head-ache with an eye head-ache. Might as well eat more ice-cream while I'm at it...