On the Branches of Time

Oh my! 

A relative sent me a photograph of a watercolor I did January 1995. 

I use to stare at the way the very thick main trunk leans over with its branches waving at the sky. 

It was the first painting I did that year. There is another watercolor of the same tree that I probably did as a sketch before painting the one above. With no camera or cell phone in those days, I don't have a photograph of the tree. I painted it from sketches and looking out the window.

I feel inspired to start another sketchbook for plein air sketching. 

Open Water

Dead Creek East Branch
Cold & Windy

There is still open water on the lake 

and at Dead Creek in Addison, Vermont.

Lunch outdoors was not a good idea.

It was too cold and windy.

Connections Commentary

Making sense?

If being outdoors refreshes your spirit, helps you feel less depressed, gives you a clearer outlook on life, brightens your day, makes you feel at peace, then consider adding indoors viewing of outdoor material via books and videos to your love of the outdoors.

The last blog post here provides a few links to YouTube videos that I have watched in full. No browse and post what's looks good for the subject there going on there.

There is a caution, however, on what videos to select for viewing.

What I have noticed is that YouTube either doesn't have or there are so few outdoor camping videos done by women they aren't suggested. Thus, I did a couple of YouTube searches for women camping solo. 

Both results are not impressive. Up front, pardon the pun, it appears that highlighting a woman's breasts is a video must have. After that, butts, tight clothing and suggestive poses. Oh, and none of the women in those results are homely. They look like super models.

I did a similar YouTube search: men camping solo.

The results are an impressive spot on the subject. Up front are men, young and old, fully dressed, whiskers, beards, hats, tents, tarps, dogs, snow, chopping wood, making camp. I've seen not one removing his pants, in a bathing suit or in tight pants. 

However, the ads on YouTube that go with such male focused videos, a high percentage have a sexy female vibe. I don't see a comparable ad line up on the women camping solo searches.

In Conclusion, my opinions as a not a prude person: 

Sex sells is a no brainer.

The women posting videos highlighting their bodies isn't as much about camping as it is to generate ad income and/or fame. I will not watch their videos.

Men don't have to act like wannabe porn stars to attract attention. I watch their videos.

It is disappointing that online soft porn has polluted the Internet, especially in advertising. 

I think YouTube would be better if they stop posting soft porn ads, and select better ads for the outdoorsy wilderness camping videos.

An Adventurous Soup Thermos

Say hello to the new to me soup thermos Iris by Barcelona.  After I return home from thrift store shopping, a nice neighbor brings over a container of her stew.

Saturday's lunch (today) will be in the great outdoors. Forecast to be mostly cloudy, I feel mentally prepared after (recent) watching a few below zero degrees winter bushwhacking YouTube videos.

Lost In the Wilderness...Clay Hayes

30:13 minutes

Caught in a Storm...Wargeh Bushcraft

37:55 minutes

-33ºC Winter Camping in a Christmas Tree House...UPNORTHOF60

48:56 minutes

Discover the Secrets of the All Night Fire...Clay Hayes
15:53 minutes

Day 33 of Week 5 February 2024

Fake Cat & Real Carnations

 Well now, it is another dreary winter day here at this lower Vermont elevation of 282 feet. There is plenty to do to keep busy, cleaning, laundry, cooking, looking out the window, napping, crafts, art. Running in my brain background is grasping the fact it is February already. New Year's Day feels like just a few weeks ago. It was a few weeks ago.

Latching onto something that takes time can create a feeling the hours move slower.  When I am deep into a painting, for example, even meal times can go by unnoticed.

Have a big stretched out fabulous Weekend!

Have a big bowl of cereal for lunch

Draw a cat 

Read about local authors

Consider joining a library book club

Learn how to read music

Write a poem about your weather

Research growing watercress

Watch a video of how rope is made

Design a pair of sandals

Bake a squash with maple syrup

Have you noticed?

On the Blogspot page for Posts when you are logged into your blog, there is a Share symbol on the right next to the posts on the list. If you click on theShare symbol, a black background pop up box appears with a list of places to Share that post with and more. I don't know why or how those places are chosen.

 I know very little about what Feed is. I know that a Share button allows you to send the post to various places easily. 

 I click on share on YouTube. A list appears with optional places to Share with. Here, for example, on Blogger, the video link appears with the option for me to Publish. What happens to a Share to someplace else, I have no idea what goes on there. I only know about the places I am logged into.

In summary, I need to learn more about things I don't know what they do or are for.

😕

Watercolors & Downsizing Fabric

There is, somewhere in my memory's forgot it space, a blog post in the brain storming stage that these two photos are meant to illustrate. Instead, I'll tell the story of that painting.

The small watercolor sketch is of a place that doesn't have good memories. I was very ill at the time. Looking out the window for hours was a height of activity for me then. Slowly, as body chemicals adjust, I took up a brush. Months later, things did get better. 

Tearing up old artwork isn't done very often. This time, though, I threw away the pieces. It felt good. When I pass the area, I still feel an uncomfortable shadow over that episode in my life. 

Will I find another sad piece in my stuff? 

Not so far. 

This morning I went through two fabric bins with the intent on making them one. Downsizing to one bin is not possible at this time. I tried. 

The best part is the unfinished projects I found are far fewer than I expected. One is a sweater I took apart to makeover as a bright colorful yarn embellished tabbard. 

Next is going through costume jewelry. That will be fun.

Pondering the Seasons

Autumn Sunrise 1995
9 x 6 inch watercolor

There was a place on my (deceased) parents old property, down into a gully where there are or was a grove of poplar trees. In the fall, the area lights up with a golden glow when the sun shines through. 

Standing under a large maple tree in autumn provides the same experience. Whenever I have a chance of being out in the woods in the autumn, I try to find a place or tree to stand under for that shower of light.

In the winter, I try not to stand under trees because possible snow always seems to make it down the back of my neck. However, walking through a grove of evergreen trees is as magical as foliage in the fall or an orchard in full spring bloom. Summer, though, is about being in the shade looking out at trees.

On this last Saturday of January 2024, I'm pondering what the four seasons mean to me, memories, feelings, events. What I remember up front are clothes.  Shorts are always tailored, strong French seams, pockets, cuffs, good woven fabric. Jackets crusty with snow and ice. A raincoat hung on the back of a closet door to dry. A  pair of fringe hem jeans and a plaid flannel shirt. Every season has a uniform. 

What I notice is that my cold weather coats are warmer, and my summer shorts are lighter. My age is a factor given I have thinner skin and move around less. Climate change also plays into it with damper cold weather and hotter summers.  

This year I'm embracing winter as a time of fun exploring closets and cleaning out old stuff. I also like to think of myself as walking outdoors regularly. Maybe all this seasons' pondering will encourage me to do that.

P.S.

Spring is only 52 days away in this Northern Hemisphere.

Mug, Fog & Thrift Stores

Old Orchard Beach Maine

 What a delightful mug to find at a thrift store, heavy, gorgeous blue, summery artwork with the name, Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Thus ends the Winter 2024 yearly hunt for a special mug.

On very foggy late morning, I made the trip to Middlebury to drop off a box of donations. From Route 7, the mountains are not visible, even the lower ones close by are whited out.

There are paths I follow at each thrift store to check on things I am interested in. Pans for example are a big plus. I rarely buy one, but when I do, it is what I need at a very good price. Art supplies, office supplies, yarn, tee shirts, mugs, glasses, dishes, furniture room, kitchen things, and, maybe the footwear section. I also like to have a quick look at the gowns and wedding dresses. 

Is there a path you follow at your local thrift store?

Art In Winter

Herding Sheep in a Winter Landscape at Sunset
Joseph Farquharson
1846 ~ 1935
Born in Edinburgh Scotland  

 

When the West With Evening Glows 
1901
Joseph Farquharson

Farquaharson on Wikipedia

Images from Wikiart.org

I've posted landscapes of Farquaharson's in the past.

His realism paintings capture winter's warmth beautifully.

Mental Health Blog Break? Nah, Just an Initial Reaction

Dark Road

The New Hampshire* primary results are depressing,

sending America down a dark road.

I need a few days to recover.

Edited...Maybe not

because this helps me feel better:

*I still love New Hampshire