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Rent A Friend?

I’m not sure how I came across this, but there is a website called ‘Rent A Friend’ where you can, indeed, rent a friend.

Here is the link: https://rentafriend.com/

It is not a dating site – it’s a site for you to find somebody to do stuff with.  Like if you have an extra ticket for an event and can’t find somebody to go, or you’re travelling and in a town you’re not familiar with.

I think I might give it a try when I’m in a ‘stopover’ city on my travels.  You can look up people for free.  I did some trial searches in Fargo ND, Truth or Consequences, and Devizes UK just for kicks.  There were friends available at all of those locations!

Anyway, I will update you if and when I do Rent A Friend somewhere.  But it seems kind of a cool idea.

And, I added two paintings to the My Artwork page.  Check ’em out!

In the meantime, I am planning my next trip.  I’m tentatively thinking it will be a trip to the Bay Area, then South Lake Tahoe (that’s the only part cast in stone at the moment), up to Portland, OR and then maybe catching the Empire Builder Train to Chicago, then home.  Starting to try to fit the puzzle pieces together now.

Until next time!  (oh, and by the way – I am still coughing and still a little bit hoarse from my yucky illness!  Sheesh!)

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New Painting

So, I saw a ‘painting’ in a catalog that I kind of liked, so I decided to try painting it myself.

Here is the one in the catalog:

I had told my friend John that I had started another painting, and he wanted me to show my progress as I went along.  I’m glad he said that because I never would have thought to do that, and I found it interesting how the painting changed along the way.  Also note that I did this painting on top of another painting that I had started but just wasn’t ‘feeling.’   Actually, this canvas has 2 paintings I didn’t like underneath this one that I did finish.

So, here is Phase 1:

I really didn’t care for how it was looking.  Felt like the flowers looked too juvenile, like a kid could do it.

So, I let it sit for a few days and came back to it – Phase 2:

OK, starting to kind of like the direction it’s going …

Phase 3, fleshing it out a bit (sorry it’s blurry – I had my phone on the wrong setting):

Getting there …

Phase 4:

Pretty good, but needs one more little touch …

Final product!

I like it!  I’m starting to think maybe flowers are my thing, at least for now.  If you look closely you’ll see a blue dot right at the bottom in the middle of the painting.  I was painting on a hot day and had been out in the yard.  I came in and started painting but I was sweating like crazy.  And then a drop of sweat rolled off onto the painting!  I uttered an expletive and was going to wipe it up but then I thought, maybe it’ll end up looking cool – I’ll just leave it.  I thought it did come out cool!

In other news, today is Day 3 of my juice cleanse.  I cheated and ate 2 almonds the first day and 3 the second day, otherwise all I’ve had is juice.  It has been a good exercise for me, but I am looking forward to eating again!

OK peeps!  Until next time!

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Inspiration

Yesterday I had my annual gyno appointment (I know – TMI) – things seem fine – and then later in the day I got my hair ‘done.’  I was waffling back and forth about going to a restaurant for dinner after my hair appt.  Half of me wanted to go and half didn’t.  On top of that, I didn’t know where I felt like going.  But I knew I wanted to try somewhere new. Continue reading “Inspiration”

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Another Painting

As promised, I’m posting a photo of my latest painting, and also a photo of the painting at BMA that inspired it.  I didn’t go back and look at the original when I did this one – I just did what I felt like.

Here goes – enjoy!

I’ve also gotten interested in sealing the paintings – there is much more to it than I would have thought.  Hoping to start playing around with that in the next month or so…

Til next time!

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Happy New Year

Greetings blog readers —

It has been f—ing cold here!  And today it’s snowing!  Not supposed to add up to much, but definitely feels like winter here.

I’m working on a painting.  I had started it months ago, and got ‘stuck’ on it.  Didn’t feel like it was done, but didn’t know what to do with it.  The other day the painting spoke to me so I’m working on it again.  I’m not quite done with it yet so won’t post a photo just yet, but thought I would post some photos of past paintings I’ve done, in the meantime.

The first one is the first painting that I did when I got back into painting, almost 3 years ago to the day.

I didn’t title it, but it’s at the beach house.  The only thing I had in my head was to just use blue and white paint – to make it “ocean-like.”  I didn’t “think” when I painted it – I just let things flow.  I was pretty happy with the result!

The next one is admittedly a copy of another painting.  My friend Peter and I saw the original in a restaurant and both really liked it, so I surprise painted it for him, but with ‘my’ technique and colors.

First, here is the original:

And here is mine:

The next painting was done under similar circumstance – saw the original with Peter and did a version of it.  First the original (this is a huge painting – like 3 ft by 4 ft big):

And now mine (not even half as big as the original):

Oops – just realized this isn’t of the ‘final final’ painting, but, close enough for this!

In other news, I went to the airport this week and got approved for Global Entry!  Yay!

And when I went to get gas, I saw this little rock:

It said to post it on FB so I  posted it on my page – didn’t know where else to post it – and one of my FB  friends knew what the story is – “PRMD” is “Painted Rocks of Maryland” (I was at a gas station in Maryland – I live about 5 miles from the Mason-Dixon line).  Apparently these little beauties are all over Maryland.  And Pennsylvania also has something similar.  I think it’s pretty cool!

I’ve also been testing out clothing for my trip to England/Norway (mostly the Norway part since it will be very snowy and cold).  I have determined that my gloves are not enough for this trip, so I’ll be shopping for some next week.  And for some reason I have obsessed about what pants I will have with me.  I got some at an Eddie Bauer outlet that are water-resistant, stretchy and fleece-lined.  Wore them for a walk yesterday in the 16oF weather.  They worked pretty well.  Also got a pair of Prana adventure pants – also lined – and they seem okay too.  I ordered another pair of pants (stupid FB ad!) from Edgeness.  I ordered a size L.  Those of you that know me know I am not particularly large (in the grand scheme of things).  But they are tight!!  However, I do need to lose a few pounds, due to all the holiday feasting. So, I am planning on keeping those and planning to lose those pounds before my trip. Today I may be testing out different shoes/boots that I have, since there’s snow on the ground.

OK, one other random thought before I end this post that is all over the place :-).  I went to a party the other night.  Stopped at a liquor store to get a bottle of Tequila for the hosts.  Came back to my car, and there is a van, motor running,  darkened windows, backed into the parking spot next to the driver side of my car.  Due to my paranoia, I was unsure whether to try to get into my car, given I was going to be right outside the van driver door, and there was somebody sitting in it.  And did I mention their motor was running?

Anyway, my car has keyless entry – just pull on the driver door handle with your keys on your person and the door unlocks.  Wouldn’t you know I must’ve been standing at an angle where my body blocked the key’s connection to the car.  I pulled on that frickin’ handle 3 or 4 times before I got it open.  I started to panic.  Anyway, got right in and locked the door and got the hell out of there.  The guy in the van probably thought I was crazy.  But, I was ready to fight if need be :-).

On that happy note I will end this post with a hearty Happy New Year!  I may or may not post before 2018 arrives, depending on what’s going on.  Hoping 2018 brings you everything you need and want, and your end-of-2017 celebrations are joyful.

Talk soon!

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Checking In

It’s been a while since I posted.  Not much going on, but here goes anyway.

What has been happening:
1.   LOTS of leaf raking and blowing – NOT DONE (but temporary progress made)!

2.  Trying to perfect my vegan mac n cheese recipe – DONE! (Sorry – I didn’t take a photo of it, but, it looks just like you would think mac n cheese would look).  The base of the recipe is raw cashews.  Pretty good if I do say myself!  If you want me to post the recipe, make a comment on the blog (it will be private).

3.  Tending to my sore ITB.  KT Tape is the best!

So, this particular application was for ‘sore knee’ in general.  Today I looked on their website and there was an application specifically for ITB so I put it on today.  If you’ve never used KT Tape before, it’s pretty miraculous.  It stays on even if it gets wet, so you can wear the tape for up to 5 days.  By the way, I’m not sure what I did.  I got up last Saturday morning and my knee felt a little sore, and then I went for a run/walk of about 4 miles and then my knee felt bad.  Yes, I know, bad idea.  I know that now.

4. Painting.

This is a surprise present for somebody.  I don’t think she reads my blog.  For those of you reading this, if you recognize ‘who’ this is – shhhh!

And more painting.   I did these two a few weeks ago.  The first shot shows the orientation of how I painted it (mostly white at the bottom)

However, as I was walking past it from a different direction, I decided that I liked it better ‘upside down’ as shown below.  I posted the two different shots on FB and about 99% of the people who commented also like it better upside-down.  This is the second painting that the final ‘orientation’ changed from how I painted it to something else.

You may notice that those two pictures are blurry.  My LG G5, which used to take phenomenal photos, has decided that it is stuck in ‘closeup focus.’  I Googled the issue and it initially sounded like it was a software update.  But yesterday I found that a few people returned their phones and got new replacements, for minimal cost.  I may check out that option.  The wide angle lens is fine, just the regular one is messed up.  Very frustrating!

So, that made me think about getting a new point and shoot camera, since I will be travelling a lot and want to capture as much as I can.  Went to a camera store yesterday, and for what I wanted (fit in pocket, point and shoot, wifi, not that expensive) the Canon Elph 190 IS was recommended.  I looked it up online when I got home and it was not particularly recommended.  But I think the online review was targeted to ‘real’ photographers who probably also have DSLR cameras with lots of lenses.  So, I think I will go get it in the next few days.  Stay tuned!

5.  Watching some interesting movies.  Went to see “78/52 The Psycho Shower Scene” – if you want to see that scene deconstructed and learn about some of the detail of how it was shot, then go see it!  It was fascinating.  Watched “A Cure for Wellness.”  This is one of those movies that you either love or hate – I doubt there’s much in between.  It was beautifully shot, but had a lot of disturbing things in it.  I feel like I need to watch it again to take it all in.  The acting was top notch.

6.  Shredding.  I had paperwork from the EIGHTIES!!  Gotta get rid of that sh!t!

7.  Other ‘get rid of stuff’ cleaning.

OK, I know this was not the most interesting post, but it just seemed like I hadn’t posted in a while so I thought I’d check in.

I’m going to be trying out some new recipes next week – stuffed delicata squash, vegan mushroom gravy.  And I’ll probably spring my vegan mac n cheese on my unsuspecting guests.  I’ll report back on how those go.

All righty then.  Back to it!  Talk (relatively) soon!

 

 

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Day x Photos

I finished my Day 7 photos, actually going to Day 8 because I accidentally took a photo of myself – I’m not even sure how I did it!

Anyway, here they are:

DAY 1:  This was part of Longwood Gardens’ lantern exhibit

DAY 2:  I took this photo in Truckee when I was on my 27 day trip.  I thought it had good texture that would be enhanced by changing it to B&W

DAY 3:  One of those humungous groups of birds, flying overhead when I was out for a walk

DAY 4:  A bluebird house with a squirrel deterrent, at a local park.  I thought the tilted birdhouse looked a little ‘jaunty.’

DAY 5:  Longwood Gardens, on a meadow walk.  The clouds over Longwood always have an interesting shape

DAY 6:  Taken while I was waiting for help at the local AAA office – looking into travel insurance for my trip to Norway.  They were having a big sale so I scored an eyeglass fix-it kit, power converters and a car/home phone charger – all for $5!

DAY 7:  View from the beach house sun room

DAY 8:  I have no idea how I even took this photo, and didn’t even know I took it until much later in the day when I was looking at my photos folder on my phone!  I thought it was a funny shot and angle though.

I took some other photos at the beach – including them here for fun.  They are not B&W though!


I love this hotel – The Sands.  I think of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra every time I see it!

  Great Halloween House!  It’s a Bed and Breakfast Inn!  Would YOU stay there?

 Revelation Brewery


An unhappy deviled egg – Oh no Mr. Bill!


Found treasures at the local park.  There must have been a kiddie event – these were scattered all over the pavilion

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Downtime

While I’m home and not travelling or doing stuff to the house, I thought I would still try to stay creative.  So, I decided to go through some photos I’ve taken over the past few years and post them here.

For this post, today anyway, I’m just going to put one photo.  I’ll either add more to this post or add multiple photos in future posts.  I’ll see how I feel and how ambitious I am with my creativity.

This morning I actually was just trying to clean up some photos and I came across this one.  I don’t remember composing it this way specifically, but I think it’s cool how the guy’s bowed head is in between the arms of the 3 statues.  The name of the sculpture is ‘The Three Shades.’

In Dante’s Divine Comedy, the shades, i.e. the souls of the damned, stand at the entrance to Hell, pointing to an unequivocal inscription, “Abandon hope, all ye who enter here”. 

I think I need to drag out my Word Press ‘how to’ books to see how to add larger photos here.

Stay tuned!

UPDATE:  I decided to play with some editing stuff on some photos.  Here they are.  All of the photos have been cropped and enhanced in some way.


This is a lake in Oregon.  I believe I posted a photo of it before, but I cropped it and enhanced the image, trying to make it look like an old postcard.  This is from the return trip from Bend to Reno.


This one is also from the eclipse trip, but on the way from Reno to Bend.  Again, enhanced to look older.


This is from my trip to Tennessee.  This was in Virginia, down the street from that cyborg that I posted about earlier.


This is in Tennessee, on the lake near Chip’s family home.


This is from the hash we ran in Tempe.  Rotated, cropped, enhanced.  We had stopped so the other crazy people could build a human pyramid.  I was more interested in the fact that there was one shoe lying next to a trash can.  Where is the other shoe?  Somebody asked me if it looked like it was my size.  It did.  But, I didn’t want to put my foot into it.  I wonder why …

This has been fun.  I think I’ll try to be more timely with my editing from now on!  Hope you enjoy!