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Vote on 5 November 2024
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
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| 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
37:55 minutes
48:56 minutes
Discover the Secrets of the All Night Fire...Clay Hayes
15:53 minutes
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
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.
Art In Winter
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| 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 |
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
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| 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
An Easy Day
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| Bartlett Pear |
The shape and color of the Barlett pear is perfect to sketch and paint. I removed the produce sticker easily. However, the skin of the pear sticks to the sticker.
Anxiety is like that. It sticks to you no matter how you try to manage it. Despite snow in the forecast, I decide I would not miss the dental appointment I need to get to. I told myself if the anxiety becomes too sharp, then as before, I can cancel. The world will not fall apart and neither will I.
Everything this morning went well. I didn't wake up tired, cranky or very anxious. I didn't send myself into a tizzy figuring out what to wear. My focus is to get out the door to the appointment. So I did.
I was on my way home in less than a hour there. In all of it, nice people, clean place, good information, spot on answers to all my questions at Aspen Dental.*
As a treat, I stop at a favorite place to pick up a sandwich and coffee on the way home. I planned to go back out to do errands, but instead, me and my sort muscles (from the closet clear out yesterday) dozed off. Now I'm awake with a hot chocolate, and wearing my new sweat pants as I sit on my deriere.
How has your day been?
*Not a sponsored post
Excercise: The Stretch
On my right side, I felt a muscle cramping up. Immediately I stop what I'm doing when that happens. As slight and brief as the muscle cramp was, the area is still tender.
No matter what age, I believe, stretching is a component of keeping yourself healthy.
I learned in the late 1980s when taking martial arts instruction, stretching my muscles properly is as important as the action itself. Sitting on the floor in a leaning position with my head on the floor, I nearly fell asleep, I was that relaxed. The sensei explained to me to follow the right amount of stretching.
This morning is a wake up call. I am old. Stretching must be a daily routine. The odd moment of remember to stretch something isn't enough. A routine for all muscles at my ability level is the best way for me to keep healthy.
Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing
American Heart Association
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