simply u photography
I just spent an hour and a half in my raised bed square foot vegetable garden. The fact that I can work in it without having to bend over a lot, and can plant, weed, harvest, and pull – a ll at about chest level – is really, really nice. That said, I’m still old and I still get really hot working in the sun. :0)
We had a really odd combination of a cooler than usual spring with lots and lots and LOTS of rain and not much sun followed by blazing sun and 90 degree temperatures. This has resulted in my lettuce bolting, my spinach doing the same (both shooting up to about 4 feet in height and going to seed on the top.) The only thing to do with the lettuce at this point is save the little bit that I can and pull the rest of the plants. At the beginning, my plants were looking really good. Even with the best growing medium and supplements, square foot gardening, etc., some years your plants simply don’t do as well as you would hope.
The last storm also made the tops of my onions bend over and start to yellow. I looked at things today and decided to go ahead and harvest them. I pulled them all out, cut off the tops, and left them in a few piles on the planter while I came in to rest. I’ll read up on how to dry them for storage. I have 4 of the six planters cleaned up, pulled up, or pruned. I’ll try to finish in another session out there today.
It looks as if I’ll actually get at least a small spaghetti squash or two! I have a long vine with blossoms and two actual squash bulbs. I spread it out, allowing it to go where it will and do whatever it wants. I’ll take a pic later.
My celery plants are still growing, but they don’t look a thing like a bunch of celery you would buy in the store. I have no clue what I’m doing, but the plants look great! :0)
Our tomato plants on the opposite end of the house are looking good and we have lots of small green tomatoes now. We’re keeping all appendages crossed that we have a good year for red, ripe, sliced tomatoes at any meal we like…
I’m hoping we’ll get the greenhouse finished soon and ready for me to start seed for my fall plants. It’ll be such fun to try to grow plants to transplant out into the garden at the proper time. Again, I have a LOT of reading to do as to when to start the seeds in order to have them ready for the fall.
This spring I’ve learned a lot about what NOT to do next time. If I live long enough, one of these times I’ll know what I’m doing!
Filed under Arkansas, Challenges, Changes, Greenwood, Square Foot Gardening - Raised Beds
It’s not officially summer yet, but our temperature right now is 93 degrees F. – much too hot to do a lot of work outside as we had planned.
We’ve decided to rest up this afternoon, and then dash outside when the sun starts to go down. I’ll use the riding lawn mower and my husband will get what I can’t with the self-propelled mower and we’ll get the lawn reasonably under control again.
We have a big light on the corner of the shop that we can turn on later so that I can at least do SOMETHING in my garden. I need to pull out the lettuce plants that have bolted, see what’s what otherwise, and plant one celery plant.
We also want to put up the last of the framework on the greenhouse so we’ll be ready to install the film over the greenhouse, hopefully starting early tomorrow.
We just went out onto the porch to play with Amber, and it’s lethally hot out there. Amber doesn’t seem to mind it, and she is in the shade with plenty of water. I’ll also take her for a walk in a bit and see if she wants to get into her kiddie pool. (I may join her!)
I hope the weather is nice where you are, and that you’re having a wonderful day.
Filed under Arkansas, Challenges, Gardening, Greenwood, Lewis projects
I lost Sally, my bright yellow goldfish, the day before yesterday. I had her in a small goldfish bowl and we had added a pump to provide more than enough oxygen. Suddenly, after months and months, the pump failed. I immediately ordered a couple, and they were delivered today, in record time, but it wasn’t quick enough to save Sally. :0(
I can’t say Sally was effusively friendly, but when I started to feed her, morning and night, she would swim close to me and wiggle excitedly. She really enjoyed feeding time.
Today we were in Fort Smith, so I bought another fish. This one is black with googly eyes. I looked him up and he is a black variant of a telescope goldfish that has a characteristic pair of protruding eyes. This fish is commonly known as a black moor.
I tried to get a picture of him, but he is elusive so far.
He looks like a silhouette here, but I got him to show himself by giving him a small bit of food.
StickPets
I found this great picture on the net so that you can see what he actually looks like. It’s like a cartoony version of a fish, and I love it. I’ve named him, “Boo.” Happily, our two cats, Molly, and our new puppy, Amber, won’t have to accept him, and he won’t be freaked out by them, either. It’s basically just the two of us, enjoying each other.
Filed under Amazing Animals, Family
Sherry Dell’aria McGrath has dived into a technique called “Acrylic Pours” to create stunningly beautiful artwork for your home or office. They’re affordable, so you could even give them as gifts! One-of-a-kind, originals that’ll make your mouth water. Snap these up quickly. They won’t last long!
Filed under Uncategorized
Art Therapy: Fictional Self-Help Book Titles Painted by Johan Deckmann
by Christopher Jobson on May 25, 2017, Colossal
“Copenhagen-based artist Johan Deckmann examines the complications of life through clever titles painted on the covers of fictional self-help books that appear to tackle life’s biggest questions, fears, and absurdities. A practicing psychotherapist himself, Deckmann thoroughly recognizes the power of language in therapy and possesses a keen ability to translate his discoveries into witty phrases. “I like the idea of distilling words to compress information, feelings or fantasies into an essence, a truth,” he shares. “The right words can be like good medicine.”
Deckmann often takes his pieces beyond simple language and into the realm of visual puns, such as an LP cover titled “The very best of the voices inside my head” or the juxtaposition of smaller and larger suitcases labeled “Baggage” and “Emotional Baggage.” All of the pieces have the faded color and worn texture of 1970s era self-help guides that were popular at the time.
Deckmann’s books have been exhibited around the world since he began the series in 2015, including a solo show last March at Andenken Gallery in Amsterdam. You can follow more of his recent work on Facebook, and on his website.”
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Thanks to Christopher Jobson of Colossal
Filed under Creativity, Grin for the Day, Reading is FUNdamental
Margarita Bloom via Cathy Ruggiero
Filed under Attitude, Encouragement, Favorite Quotes
Mary Frey
It was really foggy when I went out to walk Amber – our maniac puppy – this morning. The spiders had been busy making webs anywhere they could find. The light caught them just right, making them sparkle. Even if I had had my camera with me, the morning walk with Amber is much too intense for her to allow me a moment to try to capture the beauty of nature.
The ground was super wet, and special spiders had gone to work there, too, with white irregularly-shaped webs in the grass. Amber had no respect for their artistry, though, crashing through them in her quest to chase the new smell or sight.
Today would be a good day to try to put the film on the greenhouse, except we have an appointment in Fort Smith this morning. We’ll lose too much time while the temperature isn’t set to roast whoever is dumb enough to be out in it this afternoon. It looks like tomorrow will be a good day to tackle a project that – once started – there aren’t many good places to stop and take a rest.
Today we’ll probably put up the last of the framework on the greenhouse and then get set up to put the film on. The other day I cut a bunch of pieces of 1×2’s so that we can wrap the edge of the film around each and then screw the combination to the foundation boards. At least, that’s the plan.
We bowled last night – for the first time in a LONG time, due to our mens’ surgeries – and we had a blast. We didn’t set any records with our scores, but we caught up with what’s been happening to each of us, PLUS had ice cream at Braums afterwards. :0)
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Please remember to take a few moments to honor the veterans of D Day today. Without their sacrifice, our world would be a much different place today.
Filed under Good Thoughts
Art Therapy: Fictional Self-Help Book Titles Painted by Johan Deckmann
by Christopher Jobson on May 25, 2017, Colossal
“Copenhagen-based artist Johan Deckmann examines the complications of life through clever titles painted on the covers of fictional self-help books that appear to tackle life’s biggest questions, fears, and absurdities. A practicing psychotherapist himself, Deckmann thoroughly recognizes the power of language in therapy and possesses a keen ability to translate his discoveries into witty phrases. “I like the idea of distilling words to compress information, feelings or fantasies into an essence, a truth,” he shares. “The right words can be like good medicine.”
Deckmann often takes his pieces beyond simple language and into the realm of visual puns, such as an LP cover titled “The very best of the voices inside my head” or the juxtaposition of smaller and larger suitcases labeled “Baggage” and “Emotional Baggage.” All of the pieces have the faded color and worn texture of 1970s era self-help guides that were popular at the time.”
“Deckmann’s books have been exhibited around the world since he began the series in 2015, including a solo show last March at Andenken Gallery in Amsterdam. “
Filed under Creativity, Grin for the Day, Reading is FUNdamental
“Crossing the Bridge from a World to Another World” – Paul Militaru Photography
Filed under Paul Militaru Photography
Trying to teach a dog the difference between “inside” and “outside” is difficult.
Amber knows that when she’s ‘inside’ the crate, she doesn’t want to make a mess. She waits – and we get up early – to take her ‘outside’ each morning.
Now she SEEMS to be learning that when she’s ‘inside’ on the back porch, she shouldn’t make a mess. She hasn’t made a mistake in over two weeks now! We take her ‘outside’ 6 to 8 times a day – sometimes for a ‘hurry up’ walk where we take care of business and go back ‘inside,’ and several times a day much longer walks, where we explore, sniff, see interesting stuff, interact with other family members, find interesting sticks to chew on, or take a dip in the kiddie pool.
Now we’re bringing her ‘inside’ the house a couple of times a day. Sometimes it’s only Amber and her people. Other times she sees Molly, our 12-year-old cocker spaniel/schnauzer cross, who barely manages to stay in the room with her, since Amber is so busy jumping into her face, wanting to lick her and play. Sometimes our two cats are ‘inside.’ Abby, the older cat, tries to disappear, hissing. Smoke taunts Amber. They get nose to nose, Amber’s tail wagging madly. Then Smoke calmly whaps Amber in the face.
These ‘inside the house’ visits are short, intense, and are getting a bit better each time. Amber gets excited, of course; and even though she has just been ‘outside’ to take care of business just before she comes in, might have an accident.
Each day we make progress. Amber’s vocabulary now includes:
She is also responds, but may or may not actually:
Sometimes she has to wear a barking collar, but is having to wear it less and less. Each day she is a bit better on not pulling on the leash, though all bets are off if there is a dog or cat to be greeted.
She loves anything that squeaks. Yesterday while we were out, we found a pig that makes a farting sound. She LOVES it. :0)
To sum it up – EXTREMELY active, happy puppy. Exhausted, but in love ‘parents.’
“The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.” ~ Unknown
Filed under Amazing Animals, Family
Simply Creative – Blogger
Taste of Home – Watermelon Pig
Feminiya
Filed under Creativity, playing with your food?
“Dandelion and Fluff” – Paul Militaru Photography
Filed under Paul Militaru Photography
BuzzFeed
As excited as I am about having a greenhouse, I’m really glad we’re taking a break from our labors today.
We got up early to take care of the puppy, as usual, and then went to get groceries for the week. Soon after we got home it started raining. We got a LOT of rain.
My husband was working in the shop and he told me later the sound of the rain drowned out his music in the shop – and he plays it LOUD to be heard over the sound of the machinery he’s using.
The first thing I’ll need to do tomorrow when we start working on the greenhouse again is to sweep out all the water. I just finished doing that yesterday, but we might even get MORE rain today.
My husband figured out how to mount the exhaust fan in the greenhouse. He made a support box out of 2×4’s, attached the fan to it, and made mounts to attach to the 2nd doorway. We should be able to get that up tomorrow, plus the diagonals for the second doorway, plus the rest of the plywood strips that go on the inside of the foundation. He also did some thinking about the electricals needed. If weather permits, I’ll take more pics of what has been accomplished tomorrow.
Meanwhile, I’ve done some cooking for tonight and lunches for the week, laundry, and got the porch – where Amber stays – cleaned up. It was REALLY wet. The table had water standing on it. I toweled that off, wringing the bath towel out and bringing it in to wash, then squeegeeing and mopping the floor. We have Amber’s crate and toys on the protected end of the porch, so she had a dry place to be until I could fix the rest of it.
I hope YOU’VE had a happy Sunday, too.
Filed under Lewis projects
Hand-Sewn Hairstyles That Cascade From Embroidered Hoops by Sheena Liam
by Kate Sierzputowski on May 24, 2017, Colossal
“Fashion model and embroidery artist Sheena Liam hand sews images of women whose hair seems to gracefully dangle from each of her 2D surfaces, Liam using black thread as a substitute for her subjects’ long locks. The works are all completed and displayed on embroidery hoops, with hair styles extending from the women in french braids, messy buns, and long ponytails. In one particular design, tiny pieces of thread are seen attached to the wall below the hoop, creating the illusion that the embroidered woman above is messily trimming her bangs.”
“Liam creates relatable, solitary moments within each hand sewn hoop. You can see more of her elegant designs, as well as snapshots from her travels, on her Instagram. (via Teen Vogue)”
Filed under Creativity, Embroidery/Sewing Art
You are looking on the latch to the new door to the greenhouse!
We got one doorway up and the other doorway that will actually hold the exhaust fan up, but not finished yesterday and last night. There is an ‘inside’ and an ‘outside’ now!
Since we were working around rain showers, I spent a lot of my time sweeping the water off the black weed barrier. It had accumulated in large puddles. It’s raining even harder today. My husband is out in the shop doing ‘something,’ while I used the rain to do two loads of laundry, get a chicken chili in the crock pot for dinner, put sausage balls in the oven for our lunches, and cut up some leftovers to add some extra goodness to Molly’s dinners this week.
This is the doorway on which we’ll add diagonals and then horizontal pieces to hold the exhaust fan. We got a thermostat control for it, so we can control when the fan goes on and off.
I’m excited. When we finish the 2nd doorway, I think it’ll be time to think about how to tackle the issue of putting the film on the greenhouse. We’re using one sheet that goes over the whole thing at once. We’ll use 19″ strips of wood, wrap the film around them, and then screw them into the wood foundation on one side, and then stretch it over the greenhouse to the other side. I have no clue what we’ll do about the ends of the greenhouse…
Filed under Lewis projects
After installing two pvc straps for each rib of the skeleton during the day yesterday and painting the pvc pipe to keep it from giving off fumes in the sun that deteriorate the film we’re going to use, we got the skeleton up right before dark!
I wasn’t sure how difficult it would be to put the pvc pipe skeleton up, but I stood in the middle, holding the skeleton up as high as I could while my husband took the ribs one at a time and slipped them into the straps on one side of the greenhouse. Then it was easier to get them in on the other side. We then went all the way around, tightening the screws that held the pvc straps.
We’ve put in one session out there today, working on installing the door at one end. We decided to take a break, and then the rain started. When we have a chance to catch our breaths and the rain stops, we’ll do another session. It’s starting to come together!
Filed under Lewis projects
Yesterday we put the 10 foot pieces of pvc pipe onto the ‘spine’ we had made previously. Today we went to Yeagers and got 1 x 2’s and 1 x 4 x 12’s and a paint brush. When we got home from Lunch Bunch, I started painting the pvc pipes and connections while my husband created my door!
The film people warned us that if we just used the film and the pvc pipe, the fumes from the pvc in the sun would cause the film to deteriorate. My husband scoffed, but I took them seriously. They said that if we painted the pvc pipe with latex paint, it would solve the problem.
I spent 3 hours (2 sessions) out in the hot sun painting the white pvc pipe beige. It didn’t matter what color we chose. Apparently the latex paint barrier stops whatever the chemical reaction is between the pvc stuff and the film. I got really hot and tired, but I finally got two coats of paint on the side of the pvc pipe that will touch the film.
Here you can see the pvc pipes coming out of either side of the spine. This is what I was painting today. UGH.
Here’s another view of it. After I cooled off some, my husband was raring to go again, this time wanting to screw on the pvc pipe straps on the outside edge of the foundation on the 1×2’s my husband screwed on there earlier. We put two straps on for each end of the pvc pipe, screwed in loosely, until the ‘great pvc pipe raising’ we’ll do later this evening when the sun goes down some. I’m picturing standing the pvc pipe on end, one of us holding the pipe complex while the other one puts the end of the pipe in the straps and then tightens the screws. When one side is in, then the other side should go in more easily, with our bending the pipes down to go into the straps. Wish us luck, please.
Filed under Lewis projects
Allie’s Affordable Creations
Feminiya
Filed under Creativity, playing with your food?
Art Therapy: Fictional Self-Help Book Titles Painted by Johan Deckmann
by Christopher Jobson on May 25, 2017, Colossal
Copenhagen-based artist Johan Deckmann examines the complications of life through clever titles painted on the covers of fictional self-help books that appear to tackle life’s biggest questions, fears, and absurdities. A practicing psychotherapist himself, Deckmann thoroughly recognizes the power of language in therapy and possesses a keen ability to translate his discoveries into witty phrases. “I like the idea of distilling words to compress information, feelings or fantasies into an essence, a truth,” he shares. “The right words can be like good medicine.”
Deckmann often takes his pieces beyond simple language and into the realm of visual puns, such as an LP cover titled “The very best of the voices inside my head” or the juxtaposition of smaller and larger suitcases labeled “Baggage” and “Emotional Baggage.” All of the pieces have the faded color and worn texture of 1970s era self-help guides that were popular at the time.
Deckmann’s books have been exhibited around the world since he began the series in 2015, including a solo show last March at Andenken Gallery in Amsterdam. You can follow more of his recent work on Facebook, and on his website.
Filed under Creativity, Grin for the Day
Sean Dietrich writes a blog post called “Sean of the South.” I’ve told you about it before, and I can’t say enough about his writing. I can’t just read his thoughts. I FEEL them. I react. I laugh, sometimes out loud. I tear up. Sometimes the tears spill out. He tells us about life. He reminds us of the good in the world – many times when we might feel it’s mostly gone. I’m reposting today’s blog post, called, “Happy.” You’ll see what I mean.
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HAPPY
“The happiest day in eleven-year-old Aaron’s life was when he went hunting for the first time.
“All he ever wanted to do was go hunting,” says Aaron’s mother. “His daddy was a big hunter and fisherman.”
Was.
But Aaron’s daddy died in a car accident many years ago. He never got a chance to go.
Enter Joe Seuferer, neighbor and avid hunter, who just moved in next door with his girlfriend.
The first things little Aaron noticed were the Browning stickers on Joseph’s truck. One thing led to another.
Aaron’s first buck was a six-pointer.
The best moment in eighteen-year-old Erica’s natural life was her first guitar recital—which happened last week.
As a girl, Erica lost two fingers in a ski-lift accident. She’s been wearing her sleeves long ever since.
A year ago, she she saw a YouTube video of a man with no arms, playing guitar with his feet.
“When I saw that guy,” said Erica. “I was like, ‘I got no excuses.’”
Erica claims that after learning guitar, she feels she can do anything.
Forty-three-year-old Danny just experienced his happiest earthly day acting in a Hollywood Western.
The lucky dog.
Producers put him on a horse and dressed him in full cowboy regalia.
“I was an extra,” said Danny. “It was like living a childhood dream.”
Danny started riding horses during childhood. He wanted to be in rodeos, but it was not to be. His family went bankrupt when he was a teenager, they sold the farm.
“Losing everything at that young age was traumatic,” he said. “I quit riding altogether.”
Today, Danny makes good money pushing a pencil. He has a wife. Two kids. He pays the bills.
He started riding again last February.
When a friend arranged for Danny to be in a movie, he nearly had a heart attack.
“I got to ride with the outlaws. I know it sounds silly, but I was REALLY happy.”
Seventy-four-year-old Mary Lee’s happiest minutes were seeing her grandbaby, Grace, for the first time. Grace was born with Down’s syndrome. Her birth mother put her up for adoption—post-birth.
Mary Lee heard about the child and suggested her daughter apply to adopt.
“My daughter can’t have kids,” said Mary Lee. “But we knew she was meant to be a mom.”
So, Mary Lee and her daughter spent the first eight months in a hospital, watching Grace undergo heart operations, surgeries, and illnesses.
Bringing her home was a victory.
On Grace’s first overnight stay at Grandmama’s house, Mary Lee didn’t sleep a wink.
“That’s the most beautiful child I ever saw. She makes me so happy.”
Happy.
I don’t mean to point out the obvious, but I’m going say it: you’re not going to live forever. Neither am I.
I don’t know what makes you smile, laugh, or feel good, but you deserve to be doing more of it. A lot more. In fact, you deserve to be so giddy your cheeks hurt.
And if for some reason, you aren’t happy today, then find someone to make happy.
And you will be.”
Filed under Blog Repost - Wonderful Posts, Encouragement
This is the tall, lone sunflower that was about to bloom the other day. It’s fully open now. We have no idea where it came from or why it’s by itself on the way to the shop, but we like it.
Some petunia seeds obviously fell onto the ground off the edge of the deck. These are volunteer blooms just in the yard, that form a very happy spontaneous bouquet off the end of the deck. I’m very happy that Amber hasn’t run right through it or decided it’s something to eat.
Filed under Mother Nature
She’s a sweet, lovable puppy, but she’s a living destruction machine when left to her own devices for long. She has a gazillion chew toys – some really hard rubber, some solid bones, nylabones, some soft, squeaky toys, etc., and yet she also wants to chew the cover to the electrical socket, her crate blanket (behind her, where she’s pulling on some of the strings that hold the fabric together), the edge of a chair on the porch, her un-spillable water bowl, etc.
And she looks so innocent! Such a happy, playful pup. We only walked her six times today, so you can understand her frustration at being neglected…
Filed under Amazing Animals, Family
On the way to town this morning, we put up Yosemite Sam, one of our favorite cartoon characters. This is the back of the piece.
This is the front. He makes us smile.
Filed under Lewis Art, Lewis Mailbox Decorations
Last time I showed you where our wonderful tractor guy, Eric, cleared some land for our proposed greenhouse.
This is the foundation of the greenhouse. It will be 12 feet wide x 14 feet long. You’re looking at it from the west, looking east. We put down two sheets of black 4 mil plastic sheeting that we hope will keep the weeds from growing. This will be the floor of the greenhouse. When we get a bit farther, we’ll put rocks and bricks around the bottom to hold the sheeting in place better.
My husband made four of these stakes. The pipe is solid and 2 feet long. Then he welded on heavy angle iron, and then drilled a gazillion holes so that we could attach the foundation wood at whatever level needed for the structure to be as level as possible. Since the piece of land isn’t flat, and we run into solid rock at different depths for each stake, this is quite a process. We drilled as deeply as we could, then poured some water in the hole, and then used a sledge hammer to get the stakes in. Then we screwed the wood to the stakes after leveling it and making sure the corners were square.
This is another view.
This picture is taken from the south, looking north. We’re going to put the door on the north end and an exhaust fan on the south end.
We’ve had two sessions of work today, although we don’t have a lot to show for it, picture-wise.
We bought a sheet of plywood, lots of 2x4s, and lots of pvc pipes and fittings today. When we got home, we took it all out to the shop and cut it all up into the lengths we needed for the greenhouse. We cut the plywood sheet into strips 8 inches wide. We’re going to screw these pieces to the inside of the foundation wood you see here so we’ll have wood to the ground all around.
We made the ‘spine’ of the greenhouse that will go along the top of the oval we’ll make with the pvc pipe. We’ll attach 10 foot sections to the spine, bend them and attach them with straps along the outside perimeter of the greenhouse.
After we cut the pieces, we put it all in the truck again and carted it to the work site. My husband was wearing shorts and we have lots of briars out there, so I emptied the truck, putting things in piles around the foundation.
We rested, and then a wind came up and rain threatened, so we rushed out to the site and I started moving the stuff I had put in piles onto the black sheeting to keep it from blowing away. Everything is battened down now, but – BOY! – did I get my exercise for the day with all the pulling and hauling of supplies!
Things have calmed down outside now. I’m not sure if we’ll try to do another work session tonight before it gets dark or not. I can tell you that I should sleep well tonight…
Filed under Lewis projects
creativeartworksblog 