Halloween!

Good Afternoon, Gentle Readers!

I suppose you are wondering about the collection of images today. Well, it is the day known as All Souls' Day, All Saints' Day, All Hallow's Eve, Samhain, or Halloween- depending on which tradition you follow. It is also my husband's birthday, which causes no end of amusement for us.

We do have candy to hand out to the neighborhood kids, but don't anticipate getting many trick-or-treaters: There have been a couple of years when we got none at all, and we've not bothered with getting a pumpkin to carve. Perhaps in a year or two when we are settled to our liking we can consider it again. In the meanwhile, I have seen some very realistic artificial pumpkins: Very different from the plainly artificial ones of some 20 years ago. It might be worth our while to get one after the holiday.

How many of you have special holiday traditions, not just for Halloween but for all holidays of the year?

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

One More Day...

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is the original Ghostly Tree. As you can see, I added a few leaves on the ground as well as those on the tree. I still have to figure out a few things about the shadows, but I'm getting there!

Halloween isn't an easy time for me: As I've said before, I'm addicted to chocolate. Guess what's in the house! A lady in one of my forums talked of handing out glow-sticks for Halloween, and I think that's a great idea. I'll have to suggest that for next year!

Until we meet....

Halloween is Closer!

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

And in honor of the approaching holiday, I created this image titled Another Ghost Tree. The original Ghost Tree will be displayed later.

It has been a while since I really got excited over Halloween. There is the candy of course, and I am a hopeless chocolate addict. But something feels different this year. Perhaps it is that I'm in school now, with a fairly solid plan for a future that doesn't involve a paycheck-to-paycheck existence. Or perhaps it is something else. There is a wind of possibilities blowing now. And this time I mean to follow it.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Rainy Morning

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Autumn Moons- but that may be changed. I was experimenting with an area of the color spectrum that I usually don't touch when I made this. Enjoy!

I managed to get my mini-powerpoint done last night. It wasn't really due until today, but I didn't feel like leaving it hanging over me. At least it was only a small one instead of one of the huge monsters! Now to finish the rest of my course work...

I do have a small issue with a change the school made about 9 weeks ago: They decided to put the syllabuses where the students can't access them until the course starts. Personally, I think that is a mistake. The students now have little chance to prepare and familiarize themselves with the material they will be studying, and that's hard on people who need more time to let things set in and to shift the gears of their minds, so to speak.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

The Crunch is On...

Good afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Shine. I did a little strange work with rotating the images while I was creating this, and I wasn't at all sure what I would get!

The crunch is on. I have one last capstone project to finish, a small power-point presentation, and a couple of sizable essays. Fortunately, a large part of the reading is done. I think the instructor may have deliberately posted the chapters required the week before so we would have time to digest them, so to speak. I'll still have to go back and read it again, but I won't be completely lost.

Wish me luck!

Until we meet...

Victory! Sort of...

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is on a theme similar to what I made for Pond and Rose Tree- which I featured some time ago. Only today's flowers are a sunny yellow instead of the more familiar reds and pinks.

I finally finished one of my end projects last night- Yay! So I can relax a little. But only a little: I still have quite a bit more to do, not to mention the capstone assignments in a couple of weeks. Wish me luck!

Until we meet...

About Felines

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Red Crystal Ball. I didn't really intend for the crystal in the middle to be lavender: I was trying more for pink. But the result was pleasing, so I decided to save it.

What is one to do with a feline? Galahad- the big momma's boy of our pair- has lately been introducing himself to my lap whenever I'm studying, and at present is laying on a flyer I really ought to finish reading. It can become annoying, having to push him out of the way so I can finish my assignments or whatever. But he really is such a sweetie (most of the time!) that I can't stay mad at him. His sister would disagree on that point: He tends to play a little too rough with her. But even then, he behaves if I speak to him.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Scholarly Musings

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Star of Fall. I tried to bring a pair of autumn-associated colors together in a starburst pattern. I've yet to really figure out how to do it without a visible line for a divider, but that will be for a future experiment.

Time has passed so quickly since I started school. I honestly didn't even try to see into the third block when I picked up the textbooks again, but it starts in just a couple of weeks. Perhaps that is for the best: I spend less time worrying about things that haven't happened yet. In any case, it is considerably less boring than video games become after a while. There is always something new going on, something which a lot of kids don't realize on a conscious level until they become adults.

Now that I think about it, a lot of gaming systems cost nearly as much as a good college course. Perhaps parents need to think about that when trying to decide what to get for Christmas!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Raspberry-Lime. I didn't try using shadows with this one, but I am in the middle of planning another picture where I can.

I am feeling a bit panicky right now over school. But I don't dare back out now: For one thing, I'm not ready to start paying back student loans! Such is life, though: I have taken a look at some of the new course material, and some of that isn't quite as scary as what I just got past. Wish me luck, Gentle Readers!

Until we meet...

Mother Nature is Confused!

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

I really wanted a yo-yo for today's image, but I didn't have one. So I chose this one instead, that I titled Crosshairs. There is a reason why.

Yesterday, it was cold enough in the morning for frost and never did really warm up. Today, and for the next three days, I'm looking at highs in the upper 70s to 80, and lows in the 50s to around 60. Then, according to the forecast, a storm will hit and drop the bottom out of the temperatures.

I thought it was autumn, but I'm beginning to wonder!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Brrrrrrrrrr!

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

And believe me, today's title is not gratuitous: We got frost this morning, though it was starting to melt off by the time I crawled out of my nice warm nest! So today I decided to warm things up with today's image, Red Crystal Ball.

My grades for this block of classes are still looking pretty good, although I'm still a bit goggle-eyed over the studying I had to do in Critical Thinking. Still, it could be better. I did receive a few surprises I would rather not have concerning some of the paper requirements which I probably ought to challenge. But it is partly my fault for not erring on the side of caution too. I'll have to keep that in mind for my next block of classes: I've been given to understand that a potential instructor for one of my future courses is a real monster. Hopefully I won't get assigned to that person.

Wish me luck, Gentle Readers!

Until we meet...

Early Taste of Winter

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Some of us are getting an early taste of winter this week: Unusually strong cold fronts and unusually powerful low pressure systems have formed in various parts of the country- including near where my parents are. So today I'm offering an image with more of a spring feeling to it titled Lavender Blue, Lavender Green.

Today is promising to be incredibly busy with school. I have a lot of work to do, including wrestling with a few completely alien concepts. It's time to bring out Ye Olde Yellow Pad again! I seem to have even more trouble without it.

I looked at some of the stuff for my next block of classes too. I have only one word for the moment: Wow! Wish me luck, Gentle Readers!

Until we meet...

Chill Morning Thoughts

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image, Shadowed Ruby, represents the start of a new series of experiments. By now, you would have noticed I've done a lot of work with light: Now I should see what I can do with its obverse.

It has gotten even colder here than it was yesterday. According to the forecast, it won't stay that way. But I believe what we have is a harbinger of a long chill to come. My husband doesn't like snow, and I don't really blame him: We do have a steep drop on the other side of the road leading to our place. But frankly, a good solid freeze is exactly what we need.

Yesterday's work on my project was interesting. I did find a few features in my programs that could be either helps or hindrances, depending on how they're approached. But now that I've made a good start, the rest should come fairly easily.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Scary Things? Not any more!

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Halloween Ball. I made it while I was still trying to find the bugs in my assorted programs, and this is one I tripped over while trying to figure out how I finished making yet another image- which you will find displayed earlier in my blog. I thought it was appropriate for this time of year, so I saved it until now.

Have I said I love eureka moments? It took a while, but I managed to have one with regards to a school project that was giving me a fit! I'll have to make a table, a couple of flow charts, and at least one graph. But somehow that's not really scary now. Wish me luck!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers....

Furry Study Partners

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

This morning, I'm taking a small break from my autumn-themed images. I'm looking at a week of chill and rain, and don't really need a reminder of what time of year it is. But never fear! I will get back to it soon!

You know, it's really strange how fast a book can attract a feline: Wednesday, when I was studying and had all my books stacked around me, I almost couldn't keep Galahad off my lap! But Thursday and so far today, he's been quite content to sleep on the bed nearby while I'm typing. Now I wonder if I should read my textbooks to him! Just a few days ago, my friend with the little dog talked about how her furry companion would pout at her if she stopped reading.

Talk about incentive to study!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Rainy Day Gratitudes

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Oak. I may change that later, though. I was a bit surprised to be able to find the browns on my color palette while working on this, but it was an experiment well worth doing.

Today I am extremely grateful for coffee! It's cold and wet and rainy outside. No wonder I was late waking up!

I'm also grateful for nice new socks. That may sound funny, but my toes don't like being cold, and the cold damp is calculated to make them become just that.

I'm grateful that I was able to finish turning in my weekly assignments for the school yesterday. Now I have the rest of the week to work on my end-of-term projects. I'm sure Galahad will be pleased with the end of the work too: He wanted so much to get in my lap, but he can't sit still- and he's a big kitty! Needless to say, he got pushed off a lot.

Speaking of end-of-term projects, I really ought to focus a bit more on them. I think I have a handle on the business one, though I'll want to look over the requirements for it again. The critical thinking one is another matter. So it goes: The work isn't going to go away just because I want it to.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Winter Strikes the Northwest

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Golds. I chose what is (for me) a rather strange background color, and the fills interacted with it in a very odd way. As you know by now, that usually means even more odd colors that aren't in the original palette. Still, the results are very much the colors of autumn.

This morning, I learned that Oregon got unexpectedly snowed on while they still had summer and not-quite fall foliage. I can feel for them: Where I live didn't fare so well during various ice storms either, with trees snapping off about halfway up or crashing down on power lines. The neighbors and I watched a branch hanging on the power line while throwing off sparks. Eventually it caught fire and burned through. In a way, we were lucky: We got power back relatively quickly, and while one porch got a tree through it our homes were spared. I suppose I should go see what my news service has to say about this storm.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Ways of Thinking

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Ball. I decided that I needed to get away from the darker colors for a while, so I created this instead.

Today I am borrowing inspiration from a number of sources. One of them is a friend in Canada who always seems to be cheerful in spite of any number of problems. The other is from a new writer in one of my gardening forums who seems to be quite knowledgeable in a number of matters, including wildcrafting. Today I am going to write a list of things I am grateful for.

1) My health. While I do have a number of problems (who honestly doesn't?), I've never been healthier in my life.
2) My mind. It has been great learning things at the University of Phoenix online.
3) Sue and Vivian, two of my teachers at the University. These ladies have been wonderfully responsive to my questions, and have put forth a tremendous effort to make the material easy to understand. Way to go!
4) My husband, who spoils me rotten every chance he gets.
5) My cats. While they can (and do!) demand attention, they're so loving that it's hard to stay angry at them for long even when they do things they know they're not supposed to.
6) My computer, which allows me to remain in contact with my friends.
7) My talents, which permit me to create both in images and in writing.

What are you grateful for today?

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Fall and Future

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

I promised myself that I would create a series of autumn-themed images, and this is the first one titled simply Autumn. I have a few more that I am saving for later, of course- including one that I made early in my experiments with distortions. That one will be a surprise, for those who like such things.

It was very cool outside when I carried out the garbage this morning, and according to the forecast it's not really going to get hot for the rest of the week. I hope we do get a cold winter, surprising as that might seem to those of you who are acquainted with my love of creature comforts: Hopefully it will kill off a number of pests.

There are a number of things that concern me. By this time next year, I want to be in an entirely different location, for one thing. But I've got to figure out how to make it happen. If anyone has ideas that can work starting right about now, I would love to hear them!

Until we meet...

Fall's here!

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Yes, it is true: Autumn has well and truly arrived in my little corner of the world. For a while, the temperatures have been hovering around the summer-ish range, but they have started dropping considerably. There are still a few days left where a freak mass of warm moist air will make things feel muggy, but they are becoming the exception rather than the rule.

Today's image is titled Floating Triangles. As you can see, I added a couple of threads too, but there was an experiment I wished to try. The results are mildly interesting at the least. I'll be sharing my autumn holiday images soon, perhaps even starting as early as tomorrow.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Picky Picky!

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Gold and Garnet. I made it while taking a break from my attempts at Christmas Tree pictures- None of which were really coming out quite right. Thus the title of today's note.

The fact is, I'm having a VERY hard time with those trees, and getting the snow to lay just right around them. But I do want to have at least one image ready to go by December. I had better do a little bit of work for autumn in general too: I've done a lot more work with blues and purples than with reds and oranges. Still, I do have an idea or two. So there is absolutely no sense in panicking over it.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Woo-Hoo!

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

And guess what: Last night, my husband managed to get a pair of tickets to the next local performance of Lord of the Dance. Michael Flatley- the creator thereof- most likely won't be taking the lead role: While he can still dance circles around a lot of youngsters, the lead is demanding, and he isn't young. Today's image- Irish Cross by Ron Venable- is in honor of that.

A few months ago, a friend found a group of Celtic Dance videos on Youtube and pointed me at them. Needless to say, I'm hopelessly addicted now! Not that I didn't thoroughly enjoy Irish dance before: A group that performed at a local theme park for the season a few years ago had already turned me on to it. The group was called Irish Thunder. I wonder where they are now.

In any case, I mean to watch everything: I may never get a chance like this again.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Where's the Rest?

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Wormhole. And boy is it appropriate for today!

At least half of yesterday's post got cut out, and I've no idea where it went! Perhaps it went down one of those mysterious black holes that occurs in cyberspace.

Let me see if I can recover it for you.

Yesterday, I was talking about bears- including the fun and soothing little song that a friend of mine found on Youtube. If you haven't already, by all means go listen to it!

The day before yesterday, a lady I've spoken of to you before was taking her little dog out for his last call of the evening. Now, there are bears where she lives, and they have ambled through her yard before. But there is a difference between knowing the critter is there, and seeing a huge black mass coming toward you. She very calmly told her little dog, "Let's go inside now: You're done." This little dog is a terrier-chihuahua mix, and those breeds of dogs tend to be fearless. But he didn't argue when she locked the door behind them.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Waltzing With Bears!

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

I don't have a bear image to go with today's title, so I chose this fun little image. Like many others, it is something of an experiment.

Yesterday, a friend found this on Youtube. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbNp7kDwvsE

I suppose you're wondering why I'm talking about bears today. Well, a friend of mine had one come calling last night while she was out walking her little dog. You've heard me talking about this lady and her dog before. It's not the first time she has had a bear amble through- But it's one thing to know they're there, and another to see a huge black shape coming through a field toward you. She just calmly told the dog it was time to go in. The dog didn't argue- which is a little bit of a surprise from a Chihuahua/Terrier mix. The wee doglet's predecessor would have done his darndest to attack!

I'm going to have to fix that lack of a bear picture.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

News from the Business Front

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

You may remember I spoke of offering prints of my art for sale, such as the one to the left that I titled Rays. I'm going to try to go through with it, but my husband and I need a few supplies before we can really set up well: Photo paper and a printer that isn't an ink hog, for starters. So far, it's the most promising plan I've got.

I hope it takes off fast: My husband's employers have been showing a remarkable lack of common sense when it comes to building a business that will really prosper, and my husband himself is having a lot of stress-related health problems. I myself have delayed long enough in getting a project- any project- off the ground.

There is still so much I don't know. But there are times when- pardon the cliche, please- a leap of faith is absolutely essential.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Traveler's Tales

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

I intended to let you know I was back last night- but I had a lot of other correspondence to catch up on, as well as chores that required immediate attention as usual after a weekend away.

This year's Autumn Days festival in Victoria, Virginia marked the centennial of the town. The planned fireworks display never did occur: the people who were handling it apparently got caught in some very bad traffic due to an accident. But I did locate a number of items that I very much wanted, including a book that I can use for research for some of my tales. The author was there selling, and it was really great meeting him too. Apparently he travels all over the country collecting lore and putting it together. He also had a book about humming birds, which I thought would be nice. I don't have anywhere to keep it, though. So it will have to wait to be added to my collection.

I also managed to obtain a jar of raw honey from a local beekeeper. I'm going to find out this year just how good it is at controlling illnesses: While I've not been sick in a while, my husband does have to deal with a lot of stress, which is doing him no favors.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers.

Over The River And Through The Woods...

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

And I am speaking literally: I will be out of town for the weekend to visit my parents. I had thought to skip this weekend, but a couple of things happened to change my mind.

One is the Autumn Days festival near where my parents live. It's largely a gathering of music, games, food, and crafts held in part to raise money for other ventures in town. During the past few years, the festivals hadn't been as good as the first one I saw. But I am told that the fest is coming back with a roar. So this I gotta see!

Another thing is that my nephew wants to come up with my husband and me to see it. The lad has been a source of concern for the family lately: He's more naive than even I was at his age, and that's pretty bad. And he has gotten into trouble before by not thinking. Hopefully he'll mind us this time.

Until we meet...

Early Morning

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

I normally would be just getting up right about now. And indeed, I probably ought to have tried to sleep a little longer. But what was the point when I couldn't get comfortable? And when something was nudging at me most insistently?

I don't try to argue with these nudges any more: They have proven to be reliable and indeed profitable in the past. And while I do have a project coming due in- you guessed it, school!- I think there is something more involved. While I do have a hunch about my potential table-top business, it's one of those things that about has to be a wait-and-see thing.

It could be a key: I did read an article a few months ago about a lady who became a millionaire by building a business from decorating sandals. If she can do it with plastic sandals, then I can with my computer programs. Wish me luck, Gentle Readers!

Until we meet...