Little Things

My Grandmother asked to see me. It's been some time since I had visited. She's pretty much been off her rocker of late so I've been told. She had let her kids know that they'd be going to H.E.Double Hockey Sticks because.....well, no reason, they just were. She informed my parents that she wanted to die but "The Old Guy" didn't want her so she's stuck here. She still throws things, swears like a sailor (I have never in my whole life heard so much as mild curse pass her lips) and runs people down with her walker. They restrained her with a body restraint and a tray on her chair and she managed to untie the restraints from behind the chair. The next time she found scissors and cut her way out. Another time after they had removed all scissors from her room, she was found sawing away at the straps with a nail file, crafty devil that she is!

I must admit that I proceeded to the home with great trepidation. I didn't want to see her this way or possibly be in the line of fire. I certainly didn't want the curse of H.E.Double Hockey Sticks put upon me.

I found her sitting quietly in the activity room with about 20 others listening to an entertainer with a guitar playing a variety of songs, many of which were Elvis songs.

She was very pleased to see me and once I settled on the floor beside her she started singing along to an Elvis tune. I never knew my little French Canadian Grandma was a connoisseur of Elvis. She knew each and every word. I don't know why I'm suprised though. She was rockin' to Billy Idol in the car with me one day.

Sitting there with the crazy old people made me remember why I enjoyed them so much when I was working the Family Medicine unit in the hospital. One lady was flirting with the entertainer and flaunting her sexuality, another was correcting his mistakes. One man just about tackled the nurse when he came in with the icecream. Another was visibly excited just to get juice. You know....sometimes you just have to appreciate the little things in life. They help us to remember that.

I have to say that's the best afternoon I've had in a long time.

Goldfish Babies

We have baby goldfish.....AGAIN!

I accidentally dropped the temperature too abruptly when changing the water in our 50 gallon tank. I brought the water level right down to the top of the fish who were on the bottom of the tank. There are 10 fish of varying sizes. The largest is a 3 year old female named Cocoa who is about the size of my closed fist. She's the only female in the tank. The only time you can really sex goldfish is in the Spring. The males will sport small white spots on their gills and sometimes front and dorsal fins. My males were not sporting their spots currently.

1 of 1 informed me early in the morning a week or so ago, getting me out of bed might I add, that her goldfish was spraying eggs and I had to come and rescue them because the fish were eating them all.

"Hello! I'm Sleeping!" Was my reply. "Plus the last batch of fish was fathered by a fish whom is now deceased. The new guys just don't have it in 'em honey."

"No Mom, they're fertilized probably! Come and get them!!!!!" she yelled anxiously.

By the time I got upstairs they ate all but a few eggs. We counted 3.

Goldfish eggs are sticky and stick to the sides of anything they touch. Including the other fish. I pulled out the ornaments where we saw the eggs and put them in a bowl of tank water with a bubbler. Turns out there were at least 7 eggs hiding on the objects.

Once hatched the fry look kind of like mosquito larvae. Personally I need to use a magnifying glass to get a really good look at them. Even then they just look like lines with dots on the end.

They have an egg sack that remains for a couple of days around their heads so they don't have to eat until it's been consumed. Now comes the hard part. Keeping the water quality up until they are big enough to be in a tank with a filter.

Apparently goldfish rarely successfully breed in a tank. Usually this only happens in ponds. Somebody forgot to let them know this! This is our third generation in about 5 years. Next time maybe I won't drop the temperature so abruptly.

The Chain Of Pain

After a weekend of hosting multiple birthday parties someone reminded me that Monday (today) was the day I had agreed to assist on a field trip to the Museum of Science and Technology for a number of classes from my kids school. Yikes! Did I really agree to do that?! What the heck was I thinking?

After about an hour of a dry presentation the kids were broken up into groups and sent around to various stations to work on experiments. I was asked to man the station which contained hand held microscopes and magnifying glasses with various samples for the kids to view. In one group one of the children brought his microscope up to a frame with sugar crystals and other various powdered substances and loudly proclaimed,

"Awww, Cool! This one looks like cocaine!!!"

He's 9. His parents must be so proud.

********************

My favorite part of the whole darn trip was nearing the end of the day when after my group had managed to give me a nauseous headache from taking multiple trips through the crazy kitchen with me in tow, they decided they wanted to watch the "electricity demonstration."

The scientist called all volunteers up onto the stage who were brave enough to participate. Approx. 40 kids felt just brave enough.

"If you have a pacemaker, hearing aid or are pregnant please return to your seat." she announced to the crowd of children. Hopefully none of the 8 to 10 year olds were pregnant. D'uh! A few actually did decide this might actually not be a pleasant experiment to experience and left the stage.

"Okay," the Scientist announced "now that everybody is holding hands and the girl at the end is holding the large metal ball grounded to the stage we will proceed with the experiment called "THE CHAIN OF PAIN."

Half the kids on the stage dove back into the audience in a matter of seconds. We were down to about half the number of children. I'm not sure if the remaining kids were stupid or just trying to save face, but they awaited their impending fate.

Let me just tell you when they set that thing off, there were screams and kids flying all over the place. The first half of kids closest to the largest metal sphere seemed to get zapped the strongest. The sound of the static zap was quiet loud and I was glad to be enjoying the action from the sidelines, not the stage. The second half of the group seemed to receive a milder shock and remained with their hands joined looking just slightly stunned.

I'm wondering if I can borrow that equipment for the party I'm doing next weekend;-)

Wild Thing In Progress

When she looks at you with that crooked smile you know there's trouble brewing somewhere. Here's my latest "Wild Thing" in progress and aptly named might I add!

A Sticky Situation

The sticky note faeries at work.

P.S. His hand is on his calf people!

These little guys had to jump down an area of large rough boulders which were placed along the bank last summer to prevent further erosion of the land into the stream. The first jump was the big one and I was sure she'd lose a couple in the crevices. It was close, but the one that did get stuck found a cave and made his way through the rocks out to safety. Hopefully they were able to get back up the bank again!

Vicki's Off to Poland

Hello Darlings!

It's been a long time! I've been feeling neglected of late but it's finally time to dust me off and pack me up, I'm heading off to Poland for a week. Hopefully Mr. P will take some fabulous pictures for Perp to post when I get back.

Hugs and Kisses your way,

Vicki Stripes

xoxoxox

I'm tired. I've just burnt the breakfast muffins I've made for tomorrow morning.

I have been drawing, drawing, drawing this past week. Pictures to come. I think this next portrait will be titled "Wild Thing." We'll see.

My expressive drawing class is going well. My instructor has been quite pleased with my progress. I find drawing from nude models quite a challenge. I often tape the drawings, which are quite massive, (approx. a third to a half the height of my wall) on the walls of our living room and office to self-critique for a couple of days and determine what changes I possibly would make. After the kids get home from school on Wednesdays I find my sticky notes missing from their assigned drawer and pasted over all offensive dangly bits on said drawings. I threatened to hang the whole lot out for their birthday parties coming up in the next few weeks for their friends. They weren't amused.

American White Ibis Complete

"Strut"
8"x10"
Coloured Pencil on White Stonehenge

Today we sculpted our model in clay instead of drawing her. This was my first time working with clay like this. It started off badly, but finished well. It's funny how much easier I found it to get the proportions correct than when drawing them. I actually wouldn't mind trying wax next time as instead of clay. It's supposed to hold it's form better.

The instructor I have had for these past 3 semesters is amazing. I was watching her working some clay today. She's a petite very slim lady with very strong muscular hands. She called her hands "farmer hands." I have to say though I thought they were more beautiful than any perfectly manicured hand out there. I suppose seeing what they produce leaves me in awe of them.

"Breeze" Complete

"Breeze" (Brise)

12.5"x19.5"

Coloured pencil on white Stonehenge

My butt got wet sitting here

His butt got wet sitting here

He wasn't wet at all, just hungry

The Latest Poop

My Mom received a phone call the other evening. It was Grandma.

"I'm at the hotel and I'm ready for you to come and pick me up now." Grandma told Mom.

"Ummm, Mom, you're at [insert name of nursing home here]." Mom replied.

"Hmmm.....noooo! I don't think so!?" she insists.

"Yes Mom, you are at [insert name of nursing home here]." Mom repeats.

"Well, they're just getting me ready for bed. Let me check...." Grandma checks with the nursing staff trying to ready her for bed and then returns to the phone.

"Your right! I am at [insert name of nursing home here]. In that case, pick me up tomorrow instead. Bye."

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We had a tornado here while I was gone on my blogging vacation. It was an F zero. Hit all of the adjacent neighborhoods to ours but didn't even leave a stick on the street here. Tore off bits of roofs, threw a kid across a street apparently. It took down some very large trees and did some other menacing things like destroying outdoor furniture at my favourite Starbucks.

Bastard tornado! Now where the heck am I supposed to sit this summer. It rammed the tables right into the Tim Horton's drive through next door. What are they supposed to do with them? They don't even have a patio!


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I had my first request for an autograph this past week. It was from that kind artist who previously had liked my painting "Oh Rats!" I was very humbled by his encouraging words and he provided me with a bit of advice when I shyly thanked him.

"WAKE UP!" he suggested. Good advice. How can I sell paintings if I act like I'm shocked when someone else likes them. I am grateful to him!

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The weather is warm, the flowers are starting to bloom, the coffee shops have their patios set up (well....the ones that still have patio furniture), I've purchased a couple of great art books lately and I've just finished my painting "Breeze" with the girl on the beach. It's hanging at "La Veille Alliance" in Aylmer, Quebec. If you don't want to buy the painting then go and try a pastry or the most delicious bread anywhere. They also serve coffee and lunch. Don't say I sent you unless your manners are impeccable, OK?

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm Baaackkkkk!

I'm not dead. Not that it much matters though in the grand scheme of things. I just took a blogging vacation. Why?

I was starting to dream about the various blogs I visit on a more regular basis. The final straw was when I was being chased by Bella Rum's Fathers dentures around the neighbourhood. I thought perhaps I needed a break. Now I'm back. It was like detoxing. Or at least what I imagine detoxing would be like. I struggled to forget and fought the urge to run down and blog about something funny that happened. I probably could use another week or two, but here I am. I'm back.

I now have enough people to do my apple demonstration. I'll work on that and hopefully will post it later this month or early June.

We're Up To 7 Volunteers

Our count is up to 7 people who have agreed to try a coloured pencil drawing or at least pretend they are interested in doing a coloured pencil drawing if I post one. I was looking at the list of bloggers who have volunteered and see a lot of artistic people who contribute a lot to the internet through their art. Have you visited any of their sites?

Adventurer is an award winning photographer and also draws, writes, sews, cooks and does a hundred gazillion other things. Adventurer has three upcoming exhibitions of her photographic work. You can probably find details on her blog at http://mongoadventurer.blogspot.com/ I know a bit more about her because I've actually met her, have worked with her and call her a good friend.

Serena is a painter in Australia. She has some of the most beautiful stuff on her blog and has a very talented family member who has just started creating hand sewn dolls. I find her blog to be very uplifting and I'm a regular visitor there.

Patti has a blog called Writes for Chocolate and is a writer whos blog I have been reading for years. She homeschools her kids and that in itself takes an amazing amount of creativity!

Kurt is at Other People Exist. He is another blogger whos site I've been visiting for years. He is a cartoonist and does ocassionally post one on his site. He puts out an OPE zine which I've yet to purchase a copy of. Why haven't I yet? I'm not yet convinced he exists. I enjoy his quirky blog. My 9 year old still talks about "the guy with the bacon on his blog." I won't explain further though.

Shoreacres is a new addition. I look forward to checking out her blog!

Elderly

I was just reading Bella Rum's post over at Red Umbrella. It got me thinking that nothing is ever easy for the elderly. You'd think after you've lived long enough that life would go a bit smoother. (No pun intended Bella. I'm sure your dad was wishing for less smooth, more chew!)

My Grandmother, yes the 96 year old rockin' to Billy Idol, decked out in leather Grandma, threw a wee tantrum the other day in the nursing home dining room. Apparently they changed the seating arrangement and refused to allow her her regular table. The table that has been hers for eons.

She threw dishes and let out a string of curses that would make a sailor blush.

They've (the nurses) asked for a psychiatric assessment.

As a registered nurse I worked for a time in "Family Medicine" and in the "Geriatric Assessment Unit" with many elderly people. They are set in their ways, like what they like and don't appreciate what we consider progress and change the same way as we do when we're younger. Especially the confused ones! You have to be understanding of their need to feel in control, respect their need to maintain their self-esteem, work with them to encourage change gradually or make them believe that the change was their idea in the first place. If not then look out, you're gonna be wearing their dinner plate. I've taken my fair share of lumps in the past from trying to ignore this in the interest of saving time in the workplace.

When I've gone to visit I've seen bruises on my grandmothers arms. She doesn't remember how they've gotten there. I'm getting suspicious. My Grandfather was physically abused years ago by one of his caretakers and had his finger broken. (Different nursing home.) He did remember how it happened! The elderly can be frustrating but I'm glad that my Grandmother doesn't let anyone push her around. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, eh?;-)

Bella sounds like such a wonderful person for the sacrifices she's making and the care and love she's providing to her Father. I admire her and her husband for that!

White Mocha - New Artist Born

Okay all of you doubting Thomas'. This apple was created yesterday by "White Mocha" (my very kind guinea pig.) We worked step by step together on each of our own paintings. I'm not posting a picture of mine because, hey, they look the same. It took us approx. 3 hours to do this painting. That's pretty quick for coloured pencil art.

White Mocha has never taken an art class. She doesn't draw (or so she says!), or paint and this is her first time doing a coloured pencil painting. She had no problem at all. She did so well that it leaves me wondering if she is a closet artist painting behind closed doors.

She did suggest that it is easier to work along with me while watching rather than just following instructions. Has me thinking of posting a video instead. Hmmmm.....

Free Coloured Pencil Painting Lesson

I've been hearing how untalented the general population of visitors to my blog tend to be...according to them. At least when it comes to art. I don't for a minute believe it. It's like anything else, the more you practice the better you get. If you never try you will suck at it!

Is there anyone interested in doing a step by step demonstration with me of a simple item? If so, I can do a very simple, but realistic looking painting using just a few of coloured pencils (maybe as little as 3 or 4) that involves a very simple contour drawing. An apple. Everyone can draw something resembling the shape of an apple! If not I can even provide the contour drawing to print out. You can see how talented you really are!

If there is enough interest I'll do it. Leave a comment so I can see whether or not it's worth doing.

If I do this I will do it from start to finish in one post so there will be no waiting for the next step. Most pencil artists charge a fee for a lesson kit, but you'll get it for free! I have to have at least 10 people who are interested for it to be worth my time to create and post it. Why if it's free do I need to have at least 10 people? Because it does take time and I want to know there is actually someone trying the exercise with me.

"Breeze" About 2/3 Complete

For every 10 minutes I spend colouring I spend another 50 contemplating. After I come back to it I have a eureka moment and I can continue. Makes for slow art.

If this were acrylic I could paint on the splashes last. If this were water colour I could mask the white out. Since this is coloured pencil I have to colour around the splashes as much as possible to keep the paper white. Now onto the bubbles. HA! A whole new challenge awaits!

P.S.
Bella, that's 20 celsius not F. It's supposed to go up to 68 F. Unfortunately it doesn't actually hit that temperature until around 4pm. Makes for a couple of nice hours in the day at least. It's funny. I've seen more people this morning in shorts, tank tops and sandals even though it started out at about 39 F. in the morning and doesn't actually start to warm until at least 11 or 12. That's a Canadian for you. When we hit in the 90's or 100 F in the summer we tend to not do so well.

Grandma C, don't say the S word! Hope they've made a terrible mistake! If it snows here again I think I may start crying.

My Bike - My Death Wish

I have a carbon bike. I can pick it up with just one hand with no effort. Probably a couple of fingers if I tried. It has the ability to go really fast. If there is a cross-wind I can feel it give a bit under me. I feel like it's going to blow out from under me.

I have clip-less shoes that physically attach me to said bike. If I'm not moving fast enough I have a hard time clipping out of the pedals when I'm trying to stop.

I can't find my bike helmet. I wear my daughters ill fitted one instead.

Our bike paths have been swept, but still remain littered with branches, sticks, stones and glass not to mention slick sand and damp leaves.

I've seen bears, deer, chipmunks that dart out in front of bikes and crazy people on the bike path I regularily travel.

Just wondering......think I might have a death wish?

P.S. HI GRANDMA C! YOU WERE RIGHT! IT'S GOING UP TO 15 TODAY AND 20 TOMORROW! YIPEEE!

Cranky.....yes, again!

I've been cranky of late. No kidding you say? Yes.

I caused a 15 minute tie up at the grocery store in the express line because their new computer system at the cash charged me for Anjou Pears. I was buying an onion. The difference was 20 cents. I kept my cool, but made them fix the problem.

I called the city to complain about a 38 cent interest charge on our water bill. They refused to remove it and so I plan to turn it into a campaign. They charged me for what they thought I might have used that month and I paid for what I thought I actually used. They charged me interest on it since I wouldn't pay their estimate instead of mine. Stupid city won't read the meter more often and want me to overpay until they actually do. (Three times a year they agree to actually come and read it.)

Yesterday two gentlemen at our local Starbucks started to get into a shouting fight. I was itching to get into the middle of it. They were irritating me with their argument during what was supposed to be my happy time! But I was good, just this once.

I'm not sure why I'm so angry of late. I suppose partly I'm tired of getting taken advantage of. Everyone wants everything for free but wants me to pay them for crappy service. Prices go up and service goes down. Maybe I'm taking the wrong approach. Maybe I should happily just laugh at them while I refuse to let them take advantage of me. I think I'll give it a try.

Braces

"Well now. That completes the first phase of the braces." the peppy hygeinist notifies me with regards to 3 of 4's teeth. She had her upper braces removed today.

"Um, how many phases are there exactly?" I ask. I was told originally and a few thousand dollars ago that there was an upper, retainer and possibly lower later when she's older if need be.

"Well," she states nervously looking like a deer caught in a headlight, or a hygeinist caught in a lie "those were the ones to correct the crossover bite. She may need braces again in the future up top to correct any problems if the rest of her baby teeth don't come in straight." she says now relieved by the end of the sentence because I haven't lost it yet.

"huh. More braces. On the top again possibly you say." [insert scoffing, hysterical laughter here.] Yah, right! Once they've got you hooked they've got you for life.

Recently an orthodontist told White Mocha to save every extra penny for the foreseeable future because she's going to need it to fix her kids' teeth.

Funny thing is that they actually brace themselves (no pun intended) for the blow up when they mention the fact that there may actually be cause to put braces on again in the future up top.

When the Dr. first consulted with us he obviously gave us a watered down version of the steps. I guess they figure once you get started there's no turning back and they've pretty much got carte blanche with your bank account. WRONG! As long as the ones that show when she smiles are straight, then anything else is just gravy baby.

Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy.

We had two visitors this weekend.

I tell my children a giant rabbit carrying disgusting amounts of candy and chocolate will come to our house while they are asleep, break in, leave said candy and disappear into the night like a bandit. All for free! Why does this not disturb them? I don't normally let them eat candy from strangers!

I tell my children that a strange lady that is of the fairy species will also break into our home and leave a gift or money in exchange for a used, discarded, pulpy, bloody little tooth.

"Why does the fairy do this?" my daughter asked.
"How the heck should I know. Maybe she's just a sick, sick, repulsive little creature that likes to collect used teeth." I reply.

They've heard the tale of a fairy using teeth to build her castle. One I personally always found repulsive, but passed on just the same. They know the story, but ask every time anyhow. Why are they okay with this? Normally they wouldn't accept gifts or money from strangers. Especially weird people that want a body part in exchange for their gift.

It has always surprised me that the older ones don't spoil the fantasy for the younger ones once they find out. Goodness knows there's been a few times when I've wanted to!

New and Improved

This may look like the same one, but it's actually a new one started from scratch. It's slightly smaller than the first and I've varied the colours slightly in the clothing. It's coming along quite quickly. Now comes the most difficult part. The splashing water will be the most time consuming part.

Bad Art Day

Adventurer has told me in the past to keep making art. Even if it has to be bad art. If it's a bad art day keep doing it anyways and get through it so you can start making good art again. Today was one of those difficult art days.

I went to my "Expressive Figure Drawing" class. It's the last one this session. The model was an hour late, but the time was spent productively viewing an art show in the schools gallery of whom my instructor was the feature artist. When the model arrived the work proceeded and although I was making positive progress, my frustration level was high and for the first time ever, I packed up and left the class early. Why was I frustrated? Why was my charcoal not doing what I wanted? Who knows. I think it just would have been one of those days regardless of what I was doing. The art wasn't going much better at home. I was afraid my bad art day would spill onto my current painting and potentially do irreparable damage. I put it aside with my temper and did laundry instead.

Just as Grandma C promised the nice weather is on the way from her part of the country, I just know the good art days are too! I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm suffering from a Vitamin D deficeincy much like many others around me. And no, not the kind you can get from a pill.

Canada Day Cookies

Recipe:
Take one kid
Add one maple leaf shaped cookie with red icing
Add one artist with a camera
Also add a set of unsuspecting parents
and..... VOILA!
You get a painting called "Canada Day Cookies"

Still snowing. Blahhhh! When will summer come? In the region of Canada we're in we really only have 2, occasionally 3 seasons not 4 as many believe. We often go directly from winter cold to summer hot. I miss those days. We are actually getting an old fashioned Canadian Spring with unexpected snowfalls, rain and a sunny day about one day every 2 or 3 weeks.

April showers bring May sours. At least sour is how I'm feeling right now.

At least I finished another painting today! The snow stops my hapless wanderings through the hood in an attempt to exercise thus increasing my overall productivity level.

Snow....Yet Again. Yippppeee.....NOT!

It's snowing here again. AGAIN...and AGAIN!! The sun's not supposed to come out until Friday. What flippin' happened to global warming? I was looking forward to that!

White Mocha informs me that the maple sugar season is pretty much over for this year. There was not a big run this year so if you like real maple syrup it's going to cost you! We only had a couple of good days for the sap to run. The temperatures need to go below zero degrees C at night and above zero during the day. The trees won't run if it's windy or cloudy or warm. It needs to be sunny but not too hot. Picky trees. How does she know all this? Her family's in the business. Why don't I call her Maple Syrup instead of White Mocha? I dunno.

PLEASE! PLEASE GOD! Bring us some warmth and sunny goodness!

The Day After April Fools Day!

I didn't post on April Fools day. I don't like April Fools day. If you've read any of my other posts lately let me ask you, do I need help looking like an idiot?

2 of 4 got a skateboard. I've tried it and I haven't killed myself on it yet.

I went for my first bike ride of the season the other day with my clipless, clip-in shoes. I didn't fall that day.

I went to my expressive drawing class yesterday and left with a charcoal nose but no other injury.

I went to "Framed!" yesterday and put together my last project. I didn't glue, nail, or break anything in any way than how it should be dealt with. Well......okay, maybe I glued myself a little bit, but it was only white carpenters glue not that crazy stuff.

My family KNEW I was not in my happy place and quickly discontinued their plotting. Smart people.

I appear to be on a roll. Why jinx it by participating in April Fools day. Whether as a joker or jokee, I would always land up coming out the fool.

Coloured Pencil Savings Tip a la Frank Spencer

TIP: You can save on coloured pencil cost by glueing a pencil stub to a new pencil with crazy glue. Once it is dry you can continue to use the smaller pencil and sharpen it normally.


I've read this suggestion from many well know established coloured pencil artists. I have used this tip once to use up an entire pencil of a discontinued colour. Waste not because you have not! I thought I'd try and save the remains of my "Sky Light Blue" pencil. I could still buy this colour. It's not like they've discontinued this one, but why buy a new one when I can just keep using the remains of this one after all?

Are you familiar with Frank Spencer from the 70's British comedy "Some Mother's Do 'Ave Em?" I am the female version of Frank.

The Crazy glue was jammed up in the tube. I cut off the tip after being convinced there was no other way to rescue it. If I bought another crazy glue that would defeat the purpose of saving money by not buying another coloured pencil!

I glued a kleenex to my countertop, two of my fingers together and the pencil to my left hand.

Luckily for me the glue actually acts more like a paint stripper on the outer paint of the coloured pencil and I was able to coax the pencil from my fingers. I pried my fingers apart to wipe the glue from the counter. I pried my fingers from the counter and painstakingly picked the kleenex now glued to my fingers, from said fingers.

I now had a disturbing problem. How to get the thick layer of now hardened crazy glue and sky light blue Prismacolor pencil paint from my fingers. They were hard to bend because of the glue!

I got out my sanding block. I sanded my fingers until the blue and glue came off.

I now have fingers that any criminal would envy. Smooth and fingerprintless. The crazy glue remained in the ridges of my print and I sanded them to perfection.

I threw away both the crazy glue and the pencil bit.

If you are one of the artists that suggests this method for saving on pencil costs to you I say,
"Pthpppsssssts!!!!!!!!!!"

Spend the $2 for a new pencil you cheapskate!

Cou Cou

This one is now up for sale in Aylmer at the bakery. The owner was telling us that a few people had not realized it was a painting and thought it was a photo. If it sells it will feel like I'm letting go of one of my babies. With portraits it's a bit easier because they look like they belong to someone else. With these, I'm giving away a wee bit of my creative self.

It's title is Peek-A-Boo. In Quebec it's listed as Cou-Cou which is peek a boo in French. Thank God for the owner who translated it for me and is allowing me to sell through her shop!

She's Ripped:-0

I got farther on one of my previous paintings. Unfortunately I was using a kneaded eraser on it and lifted the paper with the pencil. C'est la vie. There goes 10 hours of work. Happens.

I asked Mr. P. if he could tell where the "accident" was. He couldn't, but to me it looks like a scab and it will always bug me. I'm starting over. I won't destroy this copy just in case. You never know what it will turn in to.

I've got 4 paintings on the go right now. I want to always have a few and work them simultaneously. Sometimes if you get hung up on one for a bit, working on another helps you to mentally work out the problem on the first. If you stop working on anything all together you stay hung up. At least in my experience.

Mr. Hunter - Line Drawing

I'm using black Stonehenge for this drawing.

At this stage I've taken the line drawing that I've done and put it on a piece of white transfer paper with the chalky side facing down onto the black Stonehenge paper. I then use a coloured pencil and lightly trace over the lines of my line drawing. Why a coloured pencil? So you can see where you've already traced on your graphite drawing. You don't want to press hard or you will score the paper making the drawing more difficult to work.

You will then need to erase the chalk lines as you start colouring so that no chalk remains. If you use coloured pencil on chalk it may lift at some point and remove parts of your painting.

It's challenging working on black paper. The coloured pencils don't show the same way as they do on white and you have to find what works. It helps to take a scrap piece of black and try different colours to see what they will turn into when put down on the black.

It also helps to remember that when you spray the painting with a workable fixative when you are done that the painting will probably darken. If you have used colours that aren't light enough they may not show up on your painting once it's sprayed.

I Smell A New Painting Coming On.......

Here's 4 of 4 with her new best friend. I've always wanted a pet tarantula. Mr. P. won't let me get one so I won't let him kill the little fellows you find around the house. A house isn't a home without spiders. They keep away the nasty things.


I got to hold hands with Annabelle the alligator today. 1 of 4 wanted a pet alligator until she found out that captive gators feed on rats. She's not lovin' them as much now.

Two Days Later

OUCH! When does the hurting stop. More importantly.....when does the mocking stop?

Lesson in Safe Scootering

1 of 4 wanted to go scootering without a helmet.

1 of 4 had a serious skiing accident a couple of years ago that required surgery, a cast and weeks of physio to recuperate. I thought reminding her of that incident would assist her in seeing the necessity of proper safety equipment when performing sports. She didn't buy it.

I, being the fabulous mother that I am, decided to show her what would happen when you used a scooter without a helmet. It wasn't pretty. I had to hit the mud filled crack dead on at racing speed on a downhill pitch, which I did. I then had to make the scooter come to a dead stop so that I could fly over the handle bars, which I did. I then needed to take a couple of running steps to show that one could not indeed catch their balance when going at that speed, which I did. I then had to show her that you will fall on first your left knee, ripping it to shreds, on your right palm, and left side of your face, which I did. I then had to describe the intense immediate headache, pain from the scrapes while lying on the ground moaning wondering if your ipod has broken or has just shut down due to the shock of the hit, which I did. Don't worry, it wasn't broken. I was.

On the way past that spot again later she looks up at me with her mocking 13 year old voice and says,
"Does this place bring back fond memories?"
BRAT!

What did I learn?:
*40 year olds shouldn't ride a scooter without a helmet
*40 year olds shouldn't ride a scooter at all

What did she learn?
*Not a damn thing!

What should I do next? I have many wonderful photos but none that jump out at me. Not that much would get done during March break anyways. I like to have at least one on the go.

I attended another coloured pencil workshop at Allison Fagan's studio. It was an open studio workshop of sorts. I got pointers on completing the water on the girl on the beach painting. There is always that one I guess.

2 of 4 is currently enrolled at the OSA. She is loving taking full time art classes. She finds it tougher than school but more rewarding too!

I went to pick 2 of 4 up yesterday at the end of the day. I went into the classroom and was looking at the conte drawings pinned to the wall. I scanned through them all trying to pick out the one I believed to be hers based on her style. I choose one, but my eye was drawn back continually to one other one. I was thinking to myself that the kid that drew that did an amazing job. It was an impressive and complex work. Beautifully done. Why the heck can't my kid draw like that!!!;-) Turns out IT was hers. I wouldn't have guessed it. I was impressed. She's come a long way in just a day.

Hopefully this one will be done within the next day or two. A bit harder to complete with March break in full swing.

Well I have to take back part of one of my previous rants. The individual that was trying to get a meeting with John Baird our MP, finally did. Hopefully now it will make a difference. The city still sucks, but maybe not quite as much as it did the week before last.

It Cost How Much????

I keep reading about how cost effective coloured pencil art is. That may be true in comparison to other forms, but I must say it's still not a cheap way to express yourself. I had a neighbour comment on how it was a nice little past-time and another provide me with a suggested price for my work. He though $100 dollars would be fair. Here's a quick look at the cost of doing a coloured pencil drawing in case you should feel the desire to get into this form of art.

Starter kit of Prismacolor pencils (24 set): approx $33
If you want the whole set of 120 pencils you're going to pay up to $239 depending what you choose.
Open stock pencils (which I buy) $1.60 + tax per pencil. (prismacolor)
Other brands are generally a bit more. Some are over $2 and I frequently use Faber-Castell brand as well.
Stonehenge paper: $2.50 to $12 depending on the size of paper you want. Per sheet.
Electric eraser: $79 to start. $10 for the re-fill box of erasers
Electric sharpener (trust me....there is no other way!) $40ish You really do need a good one.
Kneeded erasers $1.39 (these last quite a while though)
White plastic eraser: $1.00

Don't forget to add the tax on all the above items!

Subject: Then there's the cost of the photography. A good digital camera is the cheapest way to go because you don't have to first develop the film to see your pictures. I generally take about 100 photos to start of a subject if I can. Walmart develops for approx. $0.19 a picture. If you want enlargements they are $2 to $3. I work from 8x10's so I can see the small details of a subject.

You need an art desk (drafting table) and stool: $100 to $300 depending what you want.

Lighting: $30 per lamp

Something to hold your pencils on.

Framing: Time to mortgage your home or sell your children;-) On average for a 20x26 portrait done professionally with a double matt you are looking at approx $230 to $300 more or less depending on the frame you choose. For a small drawing with an inexpensive frame and single matt I've paid $79 + tax.

So, since I don't actually need to purchase everything every time what is the actual cost?

The example I will use is the painting called "Looking for Her Prince." The young girl holding a frog.

This picture had a solid blue background. It took 5 layers of colour and 6 hours to get it that way. (The final layer is done using a method called "scumbling" which is very time consuming.) It took 2.5 pencils to do this section alone. I would have went through a couple of brown, and peach pencils as well. The rest would have used up approx. a quarter to 3/4 of other colours. I use about 30 to 50 different colours in one painting. (If I use grey....there are 18 different prismacolor grey shades.) In her hair alone I've used probably 15 different colours.

You then have to look at the time factor. I've sped up of late, but even the fastest coloured pencil artist is still going to take 20 to 40 hours for a painting this size. The more detail the more time. What would you expect to get paid for a 40 hour work week? Would you work a whole week, full-time for $100 excluding the cost of supplies? Probably not.

Here's the one I'm working on now. I am finding the texture of the paper difficult to work with since I'm working on the rougher side of the "Stonehenge" paper as well as issues in working with wax, clay and oil based pencils all together. I suppose the challenges are what make the work interesting. It just takes longer to complete a painting.

White Mocha and Kat Von D

Here's Kat Von D trying to talk White Mocha into a tattoo;-)

There are days where I actually do stay home and work around the house, on my art, or volunteer at the kids school. Today wasn't one of them.

Although I've never actually seen her show, I knew Kat Von D was coming into town to do a book signing and asked White Mocha if she felt like using public transit to get downtown to wait in line for eons to attend the book signing of a tattoo artist. I didn't actually think she'd say yes! We went, it was fun to ride a bus again like common folk, something neither of us do unless completely necessary;-) We did a tour of the art school and I signed up for my next course. So I guess technically it was a work related trip.

I didn't actually get a book. I guess I just wanted to see what someone looks like who actually gets paid big money to create art and who gets to draw on people for a living. I'm jealous.

Well I sent a kindly worded comment through the home page of the local city councillor for this ward, Alex Cullen. If you want to tell him anything here's his page:

http://www.alexcullen.ca/

Maybe you can let this person know that he needs to tone it down during these tough times when people are struggling. Footbridges and atheistic signage aren't worth discussion time with the current state of the economy. Fix roads, water, sewers and garbage pick up, keeping your nose out of where it doesn't belong. Find ways to lower taxes not increase them.

A funny story about Mr. P's cousin. He is a dead ringer for Mayor Larry. When he gets into a cab they greet his as Mr. Mayor. He was in a bar when two city employees walked in. They quickly turned and left and went to change out of their uniforms before returning. They later introduced themselves and said they did indeed think he was the mayor and didn't want to get caught in the place during working hours by him. Although I don't wish that I looked like the mayor I think that if I did I would use it to my advantage to get stuff done in this city. How cool would that be!

Mr. John Baird our local MP sent out more mail yet again today asking for comments. Funny thing is that I know of someone trying to get 5 minutes with him for about a month now and he doesn't have the time to spare. He's much to important to deal with the constituents directly. A busy guy like that can't talk to everyone who wants to speak with him. Mail him instead. I'm sure the letter box is right over the garbage can where he receives all his suggestions and comments.

After literally years of convincing people that they need to get out and vote if they want to see change I have decided that the people who don't vote are right after all. I'm done with voting. I will make an exception however for the local city politics. I want Alex Cullen out so bad I'll vote for my garbage can if it will boot his ass to the curb. I hope he runs for mayor as the rumours suggest. Then I hope he loses big time.

Today was my naked people class. My favourite model was working today. He's an older gentleman who is is top physical form. His muscles are quite defined and he holds a pose well without complaint.

It's no secret that I find drawing from live models extremely difficult. Usually I'm pretty much burnt out by the end of the morning. Today though, I could have kept on going. Not that I found it any easier, just that my focus was a bit better once I got into it. Maybe in part the weather was a help as well. It's warming up and the vendors are back out along the market selling their goods. They're about the only ones left with jobs in this city. I wonder what I could sell on the street;-)

There was a feeling of sadness looking down the street towards the AChannel media building. They let 30 people go yesterday and canceled the 6pm and 11pm news casts. I hear that the CBC may be next. More Nortel employees were let go again this week. Are there any actually left working for the company? I only know of a small few. That is if they haven't been let go in the last few hours;-)

Tax bills came out this week. Apparently we can afford the increase and want to spend it on frivilous things such as footbridges and expensive transit expansions. The road repairs, toxic waste and sewage spilling into the river (our drinking water source) aren't all that important.

I would like to personally pay for a ticket for my council member, Alex Cullen, to go to the moon. One way. Since he thinks an increase in taxes is a good idea during difficult times, maybe he would like to pay mine. You know.....I think I'm going to just send him an e-mail telling him just that.

I lived through a big and nasty flu. I haven't been that sick in years. After being bedridden for a few days I'm stir crazy. Unfortunately it's minus a gazillion degrees out and outside is as unwelcoming as inside.

I was on my way home after picking up 2 of 4 at a party on Sunday. I found myself driving in Adventurers neighbourhood and decided to detour one street over to drive past her house. When 2 of 4 inquired about the quick turn I just said I missed her. It was nice to just drive by. She feeds my artistic monster who is a little famished of late. Her whole neighbourhood oozes artistic energy as does the adjoining one which is know for that. The only thing missing was warmth. Nothing inspires like a walk on a warm Spring evening though the heart of this artisic oasiss. There's even statuary to decorate should the mood find you.

I'm not going to post the pictures from this weeks art class. I was starting a nasty bug and wasn't in top form to start. Yes, I'm one of those jackass' that goes out sick to spread the love. I wasn't going to be up close to anyone so I thought they'd all be safe. The second reason they didn't turn out I believe was that my brain was terribly confused. We all have bad art days, but with other external influences added on to a bad day things just tend to snowball.

Wednesday was "female shoulder girdle" class. We were to focus on that area of her body the most while creating the drawings. Her poses would accentuate this area of her body.

She walked in the room. Tall, over 6' I'd say. Extremely long and lank. She is a model as well as a nude model. A dancer and I believe possibly a contortionist. She did her stretching exercises prior to the class. For this she undressed the upper half of her body. I've never seen a model stretch before posing and I was impressed. This seemed like a sensible thing to do! She walked around with absolutely no shame whatsoever. Like a naked babe playing in the pool, she would go in front of the door, window without concern.

Her face was beautiful. Flowing burgundy hair, manicured nails, deep voice, small hips, small breasts.....you know where I'm going with this by now don't you. She completed the disrobing process and yes, she still had some male parts.

No matter how hard I tried the images were very masculine. I finally settled in the last drawing to something in between. Her limbs were so long and slim, with large hands and feet that it was hard not to capture her masculine features and accentuate them.

I brought the drawing home and asked each family member whether they thought it was a boy or girl. There were no breasts or genitals showing in the drawing. Two said girl and two said boy. 3 of 4 who is 9 years old said,
"I think that person is both."

There is the next artist in the family!

I've started hanging some of the exercises from my art class in the basement. I spend a half a day a week at the art school. (hey, shut up! I'm new at this.) We have a live model for each weekly class. I'm hoping they will inspire me to actually take some time to draw similar style drawings from a program I purchased which provides like models. (I refuse to use the correct name "n*de", as it seems to bring all sorts of crazies to the site. Okay, other than the regular crazies I mean.)

One of the models is shown in the accompanying book looks like a clone of one of my brothers-in-law. At least, as far as his less personal areas that I am familiar with. I don't know about the rest. No offense, but I don't want to see the rest and I think I may just skip that particular model.

Mr. P. asked me if they should be hanging where the kids can see them. Normally I'd say he was right, but with all of the art books around and me explaining about the beauty of the human body in art I'd be a hypocrite to hide them. I have however covered the models dangly bits to post here as to not offend any readers sensibilities. If I wanted to properly cover him I guess I should probably have used two sticky notes.

Freedom And All Her Perks

I've spent more time either skating or watching skating of late than I have in many years. By watching skating I mean I attend the skating events held at the rink across the street from the kids school. They require a certain number of parents to tie skates and stand around looking like they actually are concerned for the kids welfare and are therefore keeping track of them. They do this once a week, which translates into 3/4 of the day for me since I have 3 at that school.

I had to laugh last week when young Freedom was being reprimanded by the teacher for knocking down another student. She just shrugged her shoulders and skated on. Now names have been becoming very unusual in the last few years and I kind of thought that Freedom was an odd name to choose for a child. Kind of Hollywood, like choosing Apple, or Moon Unit or other such bizzare choices. As it turns out, Freedom was a pretty good fit for this kid.

The next pass around the rink Freedom skated like a roller derby queen at break neck speed and took down a fellow student yet again. The perplexed teacher pulled her aside again and asked why she was being so inconsiderate of other skaters. Freedom simply replied,
"That's how I stop. I don't know how to stop any other way."
"But you'll hurt the other children. You have to slow down and learn how to stop without using them as a cushion." the teacher instructed.

Now, I didn't actually see what happened next, but a small group had gathered around a hurt child sitting wailing on the ice with a guilty looking Freedom standing at her side telling the teacher,
"I didn't do it!"

I guess with a name like Freedom, you are free to do pretty much anything you want.

Hooker's Beavertails

We managed to get out and skate on the canal again for Winterlude. Of course, when you have children the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is a Beavertail at the end of the skate, with hot chocolate of course. Even Ms. Vicki managed to get something out of it. We picked her up a pin since she couldn't make it.

President Obama caused quite a stir when he insisted on shopping on the By-ward market when he was in town last week. He also requested a Beavertail and got an Obamatail. I don't imagine he actually ate it. He doesn't look like a fried pastry kind of guy. He doesn't know what he's missing. They taste best when served right away. Now that I'm not so young, I also don't need to eat them anymore but can enjoy them vicariously through my kids. They don't get the Obamatails though. Just sugar and cinnamon. Somehow whipped cream just seems so wrong.

This Means War

"Does your daughter have a high sugar diet?" he firmly asks.
"No!" I answer in kind
"Does she drink juice?" he queries.
"Yes, but only at breakfast and then she brushes her teeth right after." I say with a sigh.
"Does she eat bread?" He shoots back.
I just stand there with my mouth agape and reply, "uh, YA! She eats sandwiches for lunch at school."
"Well you know, bread is carbohydrate which causes tooth decay!" the dentist reminds me.

"And your eyeglasses are weakening your sight with each passing year so you may eventually be blind, so maybe you should stop looking at things." Okay, I didn't actually say that but.... MORON! Beets, corn, carrots, fruit....what, should we give those up too? How about spinach!!!? Maybe a piece will get stuck in her teeth and sit a little too long and cause some bacteria to built weakening the enamel. Maybe she should stop eating those too! Maybe we should all stop eating everything except cheese and sugarless gum. Then we can all go around with with a beautiful smile and chronic constipation! IDIOT! High fibre bread may be a carb, but it's also a, HELLO, part of a healthy food group.

I can't believe these people. I shouldn't have gone back. I did the responsible thing and went to have a cavity filled. I put up with the morons lecture. I even made up with the insulting hygienist. I bit my tongue and went to take a seat in the waiting room as he filled her tooth. I wasn't prepared for what came next!

"......he was 9 years old. It was unbelievable! If I was her I would be HIGHLY ashamed of the state of his teeth!" said a different hygienist from one of their other offices quite loudly.

What happened next was great. Apparently the wrath they suffered from me after my last visit was still sitting uncomfortably with them. The two receptionists froze and visibly stiffened. Next all I could hear were whispers. Lots and lots of whispering. The visiting hygienist left, but not before sending me a look laden with daggers as she passed by. I gave back what she dished out.

"......well, Mr. Monster tongue needs to come back for another appointment......" the dentist joked with the staff. Unfortunately Mr. Monster tongue had just left and wasn't there to hear his new pet name.

I was cordial with the receptionist. She had been the one to deal with my complaint after the last visit. She had not actually been there the day I had the rant, but called me the next to get my affairs in order. I told her then I would be looking for a new dental office. I made the mistake of going back because the work needed to be done before the end of the month. I think now I'll need to fire off a letter to the owner of the office. He doesn't actually work there and probably doesn't care, but just in case he does.

I understand that workplace conversations happen, but one should always be aware of how you act in front of customers. You are representing the business and breaching confidentiality isn't a good way to keep customers.

I'm sure they had a fine laugh after my rant the other day.

I Apologize Profusely .....

.....but I just have to rant or I'm going to have a stroke or something.

Today was the glorious day that I had to bring 2 and 4 of 4 for their semi-annual dental check-up. It was also a new hygienist. This office changes staff like some people change underwear so I wasn't overly surprised to see someone new.

After 4 of 4's cleaning I was called before the dental hygienist. She has always had perfect teeth up until now. The conversation went something like this:

"Ms. Chocoholic, I did the cleaning and found there may be "cavities" in your daughters mouth." she pretty much whispered this.

"Uh Huh...." I replied suspiciously.

"I also found lots of plaque and some ..... [gasp] tartar!!!!" she said wide eyed.

"Okay....." I again replied

"She is going to need to start flossing!!! You know, floss. Do you know how to use floss Ms. Chocoholic?" she asked in her most serious condescending voice. "....and she should be using a toothbrush for kids. One with a smaller head, not an adult one! .....and you're going to have to brush them for her."

"I'm 43 friggin' years old. Do you think I've been living on the blasted moon?! Do I look like I've just arrived from a flippin' third world country? Maybe I just fell off the turnip truck!!!! D'uh...what's floss? Do you use it to get the toe jam out from between your toes?! They make toothbrushes for kids? Reallllly? I thought you didn't have to clean your teeth until you hit 40. MORON! I THINK I DAMN WELL KNOW WHAT DENTAL FLOSS IS AND I EVEN KNOW HOW TO USE IT. And we actually have childrens floss and brushes and rubber tip stimulators and sulca brushes, not to mention the blue dye that shows them any spots they've missed so they can brush again. One of the kids actually has an electric toothbrush that sings a Hannah Montana song for two LLLLLLONG minutes each time she brushes her teeth!!!? And since I'm supposed to brush her teeth, ya want I should wipe her little bottom too when she goes for a poopie?" Okay, I didn't acutally say this but ruminated all the way home. I meekly replied,

"Yes, we even have the special little flossing sticks for the kids and each child does have a child's toothbrush not an adult one." I said as I turned and left the room.

Then 2 of 4 went in. I braced myself. Out of all four of our kids she is the only one who has had cavities. Or at least was. We have a horrible time cleaning her teeth for some reason, but do just the same.

At then end of her appointment I heard her tell the receptionist we'd be setting up their next appointments earlier than previously scheduled once she talked to "the mother."

"Ms. Chocoholic, 2 of 4 has terrible plaque deposits on her teeth." she says in her sternest, you suck at parenting voice.

"It's an ongoing issue, but she does brush and I help her occasionally to cull the problem, but I don't expect that will change. No matter what we do there are always issues." I'm biting my tongue. I am behaving.

"Well, maybe you could start brushing her teeth for her, at least once a week." she glared while she said this.

"I do help her scrape off plaque, but the crazy stuff just keeps acomin' back!" I tried to stay calm as I replied.

"Well I have an 11 year old and I even still brush their teeth! We have lots of other kids in here who have perfect teeth and have no plaque whatsoever....." she says turning away as to not meet my eye. She must have seen the spark ignite and decided she wanted to see the fireworks, just not be blinded by them!

"I am not brushing my 11 year olds teeth. I will help her, but I WILL NOT BRUSH HER TEETH! She can brush them herself with my occasional assistance or she can GET FRIGGING DENTURES WHEN THEY ALL FALL OUT!!! WHATEVER!!!!" I did say this just before I stomped away.

Our last dentist was extremely pleased with my children's dental hygeine. He had said that they'd have their teeth forever, except that 2 of 4 did have softer teeth. Sadly he couldn't continue on as their dentist.

I was already looking at changing their dentist. Mr. P. thought they seemed to always be looking for something to fill, or do beyond the normal. Their offices always seem quiet and it makes me wonder if they are lacking in a customer base and therefore going that extra mile to make money.

Sadly, I'm sure that she is a wonderful hygienist and seems very nice. I don't like being treated like I'm an imbicile and if I wanted a lecture I'd just call my mother (Just joking MOM!)

If you read through this thinking it was the next step in the coloured pencil painting, well, I'll try to get to that in the next couple of days.

Ms. Vicki

Well Hello again Darlings!

We've made it back safely although not quite uneventfully. Here I am at the beach. Were you to see a current photo of me you would note that I adorn not the expected one pin, but two!

We had almost landed on the runway when at the very last minute the pilot pulled up quite sharply and whisked us off to another city. Apparently the runway was not at all safe to land on with an unexpected snow storm that made a slippery mess of the runway. We were halfway to Toronto before we even knew what was going on. Oh well, we managed to catch the next flight home and I am even further decorated than was planned.

Until next time,

Ms. Vicki Stripes
Hugs & Kisses
xoxoxoxo

Day 7 - Sit! Good Hippo.

Yet another ham at Busch Gardens. This hippo loved the attention and stayed glued to the glass when we were mulling around the area.

Last day in Florida we decided to spend at Busch in the overcast but warm weather. There were about 5 other people in the park aside from the staff. Once the rain came there was no one left but us. There were no line-ups for rides even before the rain came later this afternoon and they'd start up rides for us. What a way to enjoy the park!

Please don't make me go home to the snow!

Day 6 - Yes, We Are Canadian!

In my defense, it made it up to 81 F today. This evening the kids wanted to swim and although we discouraged them due to the temperature of the pool, they thought it was okay. We had after all been swimming in the ocean just today. We passed by a gentleman on the way to the pool when he shook his head and laughed saying,

"Y'all must be Canadians!"

I have to say that even though it was 81 degrees, the Floridians were still dressed in pants and sweaters. I just would love to see them in the 30 cm of snow we supposedly had gotten in the city I previously lived in, today.

Day 5 - See World

As I suspected....feeding these fellows by hand annoys the heck out of the other tourists, but they (the birds) weren't complaining.


This photo was taken at the dolphin nursery tank. The mother dolphins in the tank apparently teach the babies how to perform for the crowd. Amazingly this seems to be true. As soon as the people come around they start to jump and pop out of the water. Dolphins are such hams!


2 of 4 loves manitees. It's incredible how blue they look under water.