Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Shimmer Circles. It's just a cheery assembling of colors that I did while attempting yet another experiment- yes, I know you're getting a little tired of those words! I still have a couple of assignments that I must finish this week, so I really need to hype myself up to do it somehow. And this seemed to be the fastest way to do it.

I still have yet to start my house-assembling project too- but that can wait a little while longer, especially since I'm working toward being able to actually build it. I've spent more than enough time simply daydreaming.

So, onward and upward! I'm going for it!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

It's time to get another cup of coffee, then get back to work. Meanwhile, enjoy the image which I simply titled Green and Blue. While I had made an image using similar methods to this before, the results were quite different. I'll have to go back and see what changed.

I'll also have to do a bit of catch-up with my school work: While I've not fallen behind yet, I'm getting close to it even though I have started work on the other thesis that was required. I used to be pretty bad about procrastination, but I can't afford that any more if I want that degree. And as you can tell from my previous postings, I do.

Wish me luck, Gentle Readers!

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

I suppose you are wondering about the image. Well, a friend of mine described how she and a few friends were outside when a really strange storm suddenly arose- with unusual colors of lightning. In honor of her, I drew a picture of that storm.

Now that the family emergency seems to be past, I've decided it's time to buckle down and finish those term projects for school that I've been talking about. One shouldn't be too hard: It will largely be based on life experience. But I need to get a few tables complete with numbers for the other. Oy vey! Still, I would rather deal with the project than with the family emergency!

I also have in mind another project: I want to actually design an eco-friendly self-sufficient house that a real actual working family can afford, instead of one of the pretty model families that seem to be used as a reference by a number of marketers. It's down-right ridiculous how hard it is to get a nice house for less than a half a million bucks! And it's not fair to the people that work and sweat their lives away and have nothing to show for it. I hope the people up on Capitol Hill are paying attention: Discontent has become stronger than ever. If you have any suggestions, please make them! I can't promise I will use them all, but I would like to see them.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

The things one sees...

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

While the image immediately over us isn't exactly what my husband and I saw coming home Sunday night, it is a reasonable facsimile thereof. In a way, it was eerie watching the sky light up, and watching the mist roll off the roads like the ghosts of rivers past. At times, it almost seemed to boil. At other times, it looked solid enough that one could just about go kayaking in it. I was pretty pragmatic about keeping an eye on the sky: The National Weather Service had put out a warning about that especial storm. But the fog where the hot asphalt met the cold rain was a perfect playground for the imagination.

The image at the top is something I drew this morning while thinking of my grandmother. She may never see it, but now there are Trails to the Sky for her.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers.

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Yes, I have been gone for a couple of days, but I'm back for a while now.

You remember that I mentioned my grandmother needing surgery. Well, she has come through it amazingly well, and now with a bit of therapy she'll be able to get back to the business of living again. That pleases the entire family mightily indeed!

We had a huge storm last night: Lightning danced all over the sky and the thunder was almost constant. Otherwise I would have written in before. But I did see something unusual as my husband and I were coming home: Fog and steam rolling across the road like the ghosts of rivers past. I wished I had ready access to a pad and pencil so I could write poetry about it. Perhaps I will create an image so I can show you what it looked like.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

This is It!

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is Autumn Flower by Ron Venable. I've presented samples of his work before on occasion.

What a night last night! I was up until after 1:00 AM working on my school things. Normally I would have hit the sack before then, but that was not an option. Let me explain.

I'm not going to have internet access during the weekend, and I have a number of projects due. My grandmother is going through with surgery, and my parents will need help taking care of things until tomorrow at least. I have asked this before, and you have been wonderful, but I ask again: Keep us in your prayers.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers.

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Emeralds. But I really want to make something a bit more fiery. Let me explain.

I got an update concerning my grandmother this morning. She still is extremely weak- But she seems to have made up her mind that she is going to fight back. She will probably be transferred out of the ICU later today. Way to go!

I still am having some difficulty with one of my school assignments. But now that I've got one big one out of the way, I should be able to concentrate better. Wish me luck! I think I've got the worst of the kinks out of the way in my head, but I now need to actually write it down: In my head won't make me good grades.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

I've titled today's image Amethyst. While I wasn't absolutely certain how it would turn out, I must say I am quite pleased.

I've no further news on my grandmother this morning, so I am assuming she is stable at the least. To all of you who sent energy her way, a great big THANK YOU!

I just ran into a glitch with my college courses. Hopefully I'll have them ironed out before too long. I could swear I had turned in one particular assignment- but either it got lost in cyberspace, or I was thinking of a similar assignment elsewhere. Needless to say, I didn't get to sleep until quite late last night. I'll be up late again I think fighting with another assignment that's giving me the willies- But that's what Inner Valkyries are for!

Wish me luck!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Sunset

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Sunset. And considering some of the news I got this morning, I fear it may be appropriate.

You may remember that I spoke of my grandmother being in the hospital. This morning I learned that she has had to be moved into the ICU because of breathing problems. I like to think that I don't panic easily, but this does have me down-right scared. I'm not terribly surprised, though: She hasn't really been the same since Grandpa died several years ago.

Send her thoughts and prayers, Gentle Readers.

Until we meet...

Monday Morning

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

And welcome to another beautiful Monday Morning. There is a chance of storms today, but we could use a little rain for our plants.

Today's image is titled Lights. It's a bit of an experiment, though part of it actually is very much on purpose.

Boy do I have a busy morning! The hard assignments with my college start today- though some actually won't be as hard for me as they will be for some of the other students. They involve making use of the university's library, but I've already been doing that for some of my research. I also need to decide what to write for my other thesis as well as another essay. C'est la vie!

Wish me luck, Gentle Readers.

Until we meet...

Welcome to the New Blogger!

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Yesterday, my husband finally took a deep breath and plunged on into the blogging world. He doesn't have much content yet, but he does have a lot to say. So give Freereflection.blogspot.com a visit when you have a moment!

He will be talking about a lot of things that I usually don't- especially things that you might find actually in the news. Or things that are noticeably missing from the news. It does worry him that so many rules and regulations have been created about what should and shouldn't be read, or taught in schools, or even what people may do with their own land. I do agree that these things need to be aired.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

A Candle

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is of a candle that I made for a friend who was dealing with a number of difficulties: Fall-out from Hurricane Rita and a thoughtless supervisor, I believe it was. Today I am posting it for another friend whose mother had just died. So far he says he is calm about it- But he won't be much longer. A number of us will be watching him for a long while.

As you know by now, I tend to avoid some of the weightier subjects in my ramblings- though not always. But once in a while, avoidance becomes difficult and even inadvisable.

We've all heard the platitudes about how those we love have gone on to a better place and won't suffer any more and so on. But the fact is that platitudes really don't offer that much comfort- and may indeed be mistaken for shallow excuses.

Letting go of those we love can be hard- very hard. And Death can seem extremely final indeed. But it needn't be: We will always have the memories we made. We can always plant a tree or make a memory scrapbook or even light candles. And eventually we move on. We can step in to cook and clean and shop for those for whom the loss is still fresh, and listen when it is needed.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers.

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is the original version of one I had posted some time ago. I was a little surprised when I searched through the pictures I had made for one to share at how many I still had saved in the original Paint format, but it does serve to demonstrate the evolution- or perhaps lack thereof- of some of the work I've done.

News from the College front: So far it's all good. In fact, I think I might have surprised my instructors just a bit at how hard and fast I was trying to dig away at my syllabus. Though not as much as I surprised me! I still have my end-of-term projects to do, but I am ahead on the one that's likely to be harder.

I got a little bit of a surprise yesterday too, when the computer that my husband had ordered arrived. I wasn't really looking for it until today, but now he can set it up to his liking and do some of the other projects he was thinking of doing.

I have little else to say right now- But if that changes, I'll be back!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Celebrate!

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image, and a piece of poetry, are inspired by a friend who received some fantastic news yesterday. He had been dealing with a number of severe difficulties- including an illness. But he is whole now. Tal, this one's for you.

I danced in the darkness, danced through the pain
I danced when the demons said I couldn't gain
I danced when it was stormy, all the sky rain.

Now I dance in the light, put darkness to shame.

Naysayers defied, all hurt denied,
Even through tears I always still tried
Now in shared joy all evil deride.

If I should again have to dance in the rain
I danced so once and came out again!


Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

The Wisdom of Sheba The Cat

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Sailing Under Sirius' Light. It really has nothing to do with today's subject, but it is a change from the blue and white I've been trying to work with recently.

Today I will present to you words of wisdom from a feline companion of the past.

Despite the name, Sheba was actually a tom cat. He was the runt of his litter, and he was such a beautiful kitten that my mother said there was no way he could be a male. Sheba forgave us that error, and romped through our lives until it was his time.

He did have a kind of philosophy of life that we all could benefit from.

1) Don't try to scamper and sneak through life even if you aren't as big as the critters around you: March with your head held high. The bigger critters won't know what to make of it and will stay out of your way.
2) If perhaps you should run head-first into an obstacle, pick yourself up and dust yourself off, and carry on. You can keep on moving, but the obstacle is stuck where it is.
3) If you should perchance get in a fight with a skunk, forgive your people when they wash you with tomato juice. It's no fun for them either.
4) String beans are good! Make sure you eat some whenever you can!
5) When your people are cleaning the rest of your home, help them out by sweeping around your eating area. Paws work just as well as brooms, and they will appreciate it.

Sheba also made sure we had fresh mice and things to eat, and he was something of an escape artist. The latter could be a bit problematical since we lived in a second-story apartment, but c'est la vie!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers.

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

As you can guess, this didn't quite come out as planned. But I can redo it later, and I plan to. Right now, I have too many more Important things to do.

And yes, that extra capitalization was done on purpose. The easy week in college is finished: From now on, if I want to earn the good grades, I have to dig in. Some of those extra assignments look down-right scary. But I have a head start on the biggest one, so I'm not panicking yet.

I have a lot of references to find and tables to figure out how to make. I need some actual numbers to prove a point I wish to make. Fortunately, I think I know where to find them.

I think I scared a few people with my descriptions of the assignments too. But they'll come around.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

We've had a few thunder-grumbles through here last night, and even some rain. We've not had the scary storms I was expecting, so that is a relief, sort of. But I do feel for the people that are getting hit!

Last night before I closed down my computer for the night, I checked on my school work and did a bit of research for the paper. I was most pleased to see three shiny new certificates from the workshops I had completed! Three! It took some time for me to settle back down after that.

Anyway, I think I have some idea of what form my paper is going to take. Now to get back to it.

Wish me luck, Gentle Readers!

On the Home Front

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image resulted after many many attempts to produce something like this effect. It is take three on Quasar, and while the jets are coming out the sides rather than the top and bottom like I originally tried for, I'm finally actually happy with it.

You may remember how a few weeks ago I spoke of a lady who found herself in a position where she had to move. Well, she finally is situated in her new home. While she hasn't finished unpacking yet, she has decided she actually likes it. Her feline companion (a gorgeous black and white Persian) thoroughly approves, and likes sitting in the window watching the trees and the neighborhood children.

I have some good news on my front too: I've earned a couple more certificates from my college, and that has left me feeling down-right bouncy!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Good Afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image- Quasar- as usual didn't quite come out as planned. So I'm going to have to try it again using a slightly different method.

Apparently the virus writers decided they wanted a second try at my machine. This time I was waiting for them and ousted them with much glee!

Wish me luck: I'm going to try to do some work on a major paper I need for my college tuition, and while I have a basic idea of what I want to present as my thesis I'm not at all sure how I'm going to go about assembling the ideas.

With much befuddlement, Gentle Readers....

Butterflies

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image was inspired by a tale a man I know only as Waycyber wrote about a caterpillar who became a butterfly. It is truly a wonderful tale.

It talks about how a caterpillar, who was comfortable as a caterpillar, wakes up one morning and finds out suddenly that he doesn't have many many stout little legs to hold onto leaves with any more: Instead, he has six long skinny delicate ones. He has wings, which he still isn't sure of how to use. He no longer has a proper mouth for eating.

At first, he is very unhappy and tries to become a caterpillar again. Even his former friends don't recognize him, and when the other butterflies try to help him he doesn't want to hear what they have to say. But he can't, of course. And he gets skinnier and skinnier from hunger, until finally he decides to try the nectar like the other butterflies suggested.

It is the most wonderful thing he has ever tasted. And he discovers that his wings will let him get to many more flowers than he would have been able to as a caterpillar, so he starts to sample a rose here, a dahlia there, or a honeysuckle somewhere else.

He is happy again. He has well and truly become a butterfly.

Thank you for sharing this story, Waycyber!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is one Ron Venable- whom I have spoken of before- made in celebration of Spring. I now bring it to you for your viewing pleasure.

School has kept me busy- far busier than I expected to be. Trying to catch up after having had to rescue my computer from a very nasty assortment of malware has not helped. Fortunately, I have actually managed to catch up somewhat, and even managed to attend to one assignment that was due today.

I think in the future I'll refrain from taking two workshops at once on top of a course load, though!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

And I do have a word of warning for you: Yesterday I got hit with a very nasty trio of Trojan viruses, one of which tried to hijack me to a Porn site and another that masqueraded as antivirus software. Beware of such things if you didn't order them! I'm careful almost to the point of paranoia with my computer. I can imagine that someone else would have been infected far sooner, and with more devastating effect. As it is, I believe I've managed to confine the effects of the viruses.

As it is, it has put me behind on my school work- But I think I can catch up.

Wish me luck, Gentle Readers!

A week in School

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Wish me luck: I have a positively brutal schedule coming up, now that I'm almost comfortable with my school's web site! It's really my own fault, though: I was the one that decided to sign up for the extra workshops, after all. I've fallen into a few decidedly lazy writing habits, and that simply will not do while writing for business purposes. Nor will it do if I really want to spin a convincing tale even in fiction.

I have managed to get a couple of assignments out of the way, but the bigger projects will take far more time and thought. Fortunately I have a few friends I can bounce ideas off of.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Catching Up

Good morning, Gentle Readers! As you probably can tell, I am still trying to catch up on my weekend correspondence and some other things.

I'll have to catch up on my school work too, but at least that won't be so painful since I did do everything I could Friday.

Right now, we are actually getting a nice gentle rain instead of an all-out storm. Our little plants will enjoy that, at least.

Today's image is one I titled Nova. As you can tell, it is an experiment- but it is considerably closer to what I was looking for than most of my others. Hopefully it is a sign of things to come. And I don't mean just in terms of my attempts at writing and art.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Good Evening, Gentle Readers!

I know this post is late- Very late. But after having missed giving you yesterday's entry, I thought it only fair that I make up for it now.

The image at the bottom I titled Stripes. I made it in honor of the Fourth Of July. There is one more touch I want to add to it, but in the meanwhile I present it for your perusal.

The top image I simply call Circles. As you can imagine, it is another experiment that didn't quite go as planned. But then, how many experiments actually do?

There were no fireworks this year that I saw at least. Nor were there in a lot of other areas of the country which were under burn bans, and for a good reason: These areas have been subject to a dangerously dry hear for some time. Some of you might remember the image I put up on Memorial Day titled Bombs Bursting in Air, though. So I did get my fireworks from that.

I have no further news on my grandmother, other than she seems relieved that something will actually be done about her ill health now. But when my husband and I went to visit my parents, we didn't talk of that much: Instead, we got to admire their gardens. The Blaze roses have quite completely climbed all over the trellis put up for them, and the squash and cucumbers have seen their first harvest. In addition, the local farmers actually have thriving crops of corn. I'm very sure that is a relief to them.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers.

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

This morning's image was an experiment in creating a tri-colored starburst. I still haven't figured out how to eliminate the lines I used to demarcate where the fills would go, but the results aren't half bad if I do say so myself.

Those of you who are following me might remember that I mentioned placing a couple of inquiries concerning my college. I did get back one of the answers- and I must say, it is a relief! Even if it is just a shade disappointing that some of those answers aren't what I had hoped for. But I can live with that: I'm a past master of making do with what I have.

Oh, boy, did I get a load of news yesterday! My grandmother is in the hospital. That in itself is not a surprise: She had been very ill for a long time. At one time she was a strong, vital woman who could walk and work circles around kids a quarter of her age. But the first doctor she was taken to tried to make noises about how she was old and frail and it was best to just make her comfortable. When my parents suggested another hospital with a physician who had worked with them before, this first 'doctor' tried to talk about how that other hospital didn't have any beds. Then when my parents didn't back down, he did agree to discharge my grandmother so they could take her to the other hospital. Which, contrary to what the first doctor said, had plenty of space. Needless to say, I am quite angry over those lies the first doctor tried to foist off on my family.

Once she was in the other hospital, the physicians there actually started the tests immediately when she was in the door. And they were able to propose a course of action which just might help her.

Wish her love and luck, Gentle Readers.

Until we meet...

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

This morning's image is a remake of one I had attempted to create some time ago in Paint. I wasn't happy with the first results, but this one came out much better. I call it a Rose of Many Colors.

Oy, my poor brain is still fried from yesterday! I expected a call to help with yesterday's study assignment. But when it didn't come, I took a deep breath and plunged on in. There were a few things I wasn't completely sure of, but the mental exercise will be good for me. Fortunately I printed off pages of some of the more detailed stuff so I can study at my leisure, rather than having to bang it all in at once.

I did place a few inquiries during the course of my studies. I hope I can get answers! Meanwhile, I've opted for a rather heavy workshop load to correct a few of my own admittedly lazy writing habits.

Wish me luck, Gentle Readers!

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

I know I usually am not up this early- But I have orientation today, and so much to do before it starts. So here is a little light to help me wake up. I probably ought to get extra coffee today too.

I did spend a little bit of last night with my study books, and was just a teeny bit surprised at how much I actually did remember. But I didn't remember enough to actually be confident, so I have more studying to do. Let that be a warning to young readers, that they should pay attention in class instead of doodle with their i-pods or assorted text-messaging devices! You really don't want to be lost in a world where none of these things are available.

In a way now, I think returning to college was better for me than trying to go through it before: I was dealing with a number of issues when I was fresh out of high school that finally are actually resolved. Now that I don't have the extra emotional and physiological baggage to deal with, I should be able to actually learn what I came to learn. Some might think that's a silly thing to get excited over, but I really don't think so: There is something freeing about not having certain worries and angers. To be sure, I do still have plenty of anger over a number of wrongs hat have been done to me by people I should have been able to trust. But it is no longer in the center of my thoughts.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers.