The Snow's Aftermath

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Rectangles. I confess, it was just a bit of a surprise when I applied a solarize filter. As always, I had no idea what would happen with it. I think I will keep this image for future experimentation.

The snow has stopped, and the parts that are in the sunshine are melting just a bit. I doubt seriously we will get a full melt-off today, though: It's chilly outside! In fact, when I tried to open the door to sweep off the porch, I found it had frozen shut just a bit. Fortunately. I was able to break the ice without too much effort, unlike what I had heard from a friend earlier this winter- who had to pound her door HARD three times to make it open after she had walked her dog! That incident also makes me glad that I have cats!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Valentine's Day

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

This is not one of my images: A friend sent me an e-mail some time back with a bunch of cat pictures in it. Since Valentine's Day is coming up, I thought this one seemed appropriate. Isn't love adorable?

I was a little bit curious about the origin of Valentine's Day, so I looked up the Wikipedia article. Wikipedia isn't always the most reliable source due to its very nature, but it's good in a pinch, and can point one in the direction of sources.

I found that the modern version of Valentine's Day didn't appear until medieval times, with the giving of cards and candy. However, I did see several versions of tales of Saint Valentine, all of which ended with him being martyred in Rome. One of these stories talked of Saint Valentine performing secret weddings for young men against the orders of then-emperor Claudius II, and being killed for that. But the night before he died, he wrote the first 'valentine' himself, depending on the source to the blind daughter of the jailer that he had healed, or to some other young girl.

It was a common practice of the Christian church to try to overwrite non-Christian holidays with holidays of their own making, so Valentine's Day was celebrated in mid-February- which is the day dedicated to Olympus' first couple, Zeus and Hera. Needless to say, the holiday took on the traits of the holiday it was supposed to replace.

Valentine's Day has a long and varied history in which verses and cards were created for those who don't have a talent for words, which was eventually associated with romance, and which was even associated with even more gifts of candy. As with many holidays, it has evolved a long was from when it was first instituted.

May your Valentine's Day be a happy one.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

College Thoughts

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Egg. I must say I am a great deal more pleased with this one than I am with most of my past images where I tried for a framed kind of effect. Besides, I think I've finally figured out the retouch tool, at least enough that I can use it without mussing up the rest of the picture.

I've one more paper to actually do this week for school. It's time to break out the yellow pad again, I think: I have to talk about Amazon.com as a business, and I don't naturally think like that. The experience, at least, will be good for me: If I want to run a business or two, I'll have to think of businesses as that, not just as enjoyable hobbies.

After I get done with this week of work for the college, I need to make a good head start on next week: I've found the workshops can be as demanding as full courses for the time they are running, and this especial workshop is going to be a real bear. APA formatting, yuck!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Winter Ponderings

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Pinwheel. Like most others, it didn't quite come out as planned- But I thought it would be nice to enjoy in the interlude between one winter storm and the next.

Yes, I did say the next: According to the forecast, we're supposed to have a wintry mix dumped on us tonight or tomorrow, and this first snow hasn't finished melting off yet. Fortunately, it has melted down enough that the driveway isn't too dangerous. The good thing about this winter is that it is a winter that will kill off most of the insect pests. I hope by next winter to be settled elsewhere, though!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Burn Baby Burn!

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Rosy- and I think you can see why. When I was saving it, I forgot to check and see what format it was saving in. Fortunately, that is a simple thing to correct, once you have some familiarity with the program.

Talk about excitement! A couple of days ago, a friend of mine had a toaster blow up and catch fire, so she had to grab the thing and throw it out in the driveway! She's not happy about not getting her cinnamon toast either.

However, one good thing has come from this event: I was inspired to go look for a particular song that I've enjoyed before, but haven't heard in ages!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_sY2rjxq6M

Enjoy!

Until We Meet, Gentle Readers...

Warming Up

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Seeing Inside. I believe I made this when I first started experimenting with reversing the background and foreground colors- Though in this case, it might have been easier to just rotate the image itself before I applied the deformations. I also put in just a little bit of smoke too: That almost always looks better in the end product than at the start, where it looks like a bunch of scribbles.

When I carried the garbage can down to the road this morning, I was surprised by how almost warm it felt. It could be that I am adapting somewhat to the more or less constant chill that we have had during the past week, but I'm not going to argue with it! This is one bod that simply does NOT like to be cold! It will still take some time to melt the snow off, but I've a feeling we will see considerably more of just that than we would have yesterday.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers....

New Toys and Snow Stuff

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Sky and Rose. I was thinking to try a slightly darker background than I did end up using, but I noticed the shade wasn't quite as I wanted. I'll probably try again later; Right now, this is pleasant enough.

Yesterday, my marvelous husband installed a pair of new graphics programs on my machine. I'm going to have to study one of them a lot: It has a large number of new tools I'm not used to, and I can't seem to access the color palette. But it is very promising! I did read part of the manual, and saw a number of descriptions of things I could do with it. I've not looked at the other program yet, but I'll try to later on today.

The snow has stopped and the sun is shining. I don't think much will melt today, but perhaps there will be enough for the roads to clear at least. The snow doesn't bother me personally, since I have the option of staying in. Alas, some companies have shown they are incapable of showing consideration for the lives of their employees.

Until we met, Gentle Readers...