photography

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are very striking flowers and fields of them are so impressive to behold.  I have seen only two such fields that I can remember.  I used to grow a row of Sunflowers in my garden along the edge where our small cornfield was.  I really wish I would have taken pictures of that garden and many other things.  Photography was not a priority back then and was expensive to develop.

My post is dedicated to Sunflowers but I am thinking about my cornfields right now.  One year was dedicated to what I believe was the “Silver Queen” late corn, very sweet and tender, and another year we planted hulless popcorn.  Never together because of possible cross-pollination issues.  I have since found “hulless” at markets, but not often and none has ever been as tender as the popcorn we grew so many years ago.  We hung the ears out to dry and then stored them in large mason jars still on the ears, kernels removed right before popping.  Not sure of how to do this at first, we somehow dried them to perfection because they popped beautifully.

Butterflies Are Beautiful

I feel sad that our later generations might not ever see these beautiful creatures except in some “Butterfly House.”   Over 50 years ago butterflies were plentiful, this is no longer the case.

There are numerous reasons why this has happened.  Besides the overuse of pesticides and herbicides in our culture, most of our fields are now parking lots just like the song.

Enjoy these lovely Monarchs, it’s about time for their migration in Michigan. They claim they fly through the summer but I have usually seen them in late summer in my area.

Not sure what tiny butterfly was sitting on my doorbell.

Graphic Art Techniques & Attempts

Created using Microsoft PhotoDraw text and animation effects.

I have not done much in the way of fine arts in the last 20 years or more.  I am sadly out of practice.  Ever since I began taking more photographs and purchased my first Graphics Software, Microsoft PhotoDraw 2000 version 2, I have gotten very lazy.  I have given up on the idea of spending many hours concentrating with pastel or paintbrush when I can receive the same results in a few minutes with my original photographs, a computer and decent software.  In fact I can do much more with less effort.  I am so spoiled that I thank God this was NOT around during the time of Rembrandt & Leonardo Da Vinci or we would have missed out on so many great works.  I do think that Da Vinci would have come up with  better software ideas than all of them!

I have really enjoyed the years I just experimented and piddled in all kinds of mediums just for the heck of it.  I posted the “Fish Curtain” I did with transfers and free hand painting on a muslin panel last year.

Please view the video I created presenting a few computer graphics followed by brief instructions for each.  If you have any questions feel free to post them in the comments.

 

Daily Prompt: Baby It’s Cold Outside

I loved that song that was written by Frank Loesser in 1944 and sold to MGM which they used in Neptune’s Daughter and performed by Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban.  It’s since been recorded and sung by many others but no other rendition beats the original or this remake by Homer & Jethro with June Carter.

Spring is on the way but temperatures are still in the 20’s today with snow flurries.  Temps are expected to climb into the 50’s by next week so fingers crossed!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Tour Guide

Can I be a Tour Guide to a town I don’t fully know yet?

I’ve lived here a couple of years but know I will never see all this small town has to offer located near Irish Hills.  There are 5 Wineries in the immediate area.  I don’t drink the stuff but love to add wine to my cooking.  Stews, meats, stewed fruit, etc.

I had been wanting to move to this area for over 20 years and now that I have, I can’t afford it and the tourism has really died down.  Between fear of crime or terrorism and easy access to stuff in our virtual world, most don’t leave their homes but for work and school and then scurry back for safety and relaxation.  I really miss crowded tourist spots.  We used to take the kids to Prehistoric Forest, Stagecoach Stop, their favorite, Wamplers Lake, Twin Towers, Walker Tavern to name a few.

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Weathered

I love weathered buildings, houses and the shabby chic of good, well loved antiques.

Rain barrel
Northville Mi abandoned home.
Weathered Plymouth gate.
Screened Door of yore.
Abandoned in Calumet Mi.
Antique effect to old building.
Antique effect to old barn.
Weathered Wooden Door
Tecumseh Cemetery Statue
Weathered bricks on one of my family’s old homes in Ohio that used to be an Inn once upon a time.
Abandoned Quincy Smelter
Plymouth Michigan Historic Home enhanced.