You never know what you'll miss till it's gone

It's coming up on 11 weeks since I quit smoking and I've picked up around 15 pounds and tonight after stepping on the new, weight watcher scale - I decided that's it.

The weight irritates/depresses me and that puts a squelch on anything creative, so... that's the fucking end of that!

If I can quit smoking cold, I can drop the weight or at least tone everything up to an acceptable point. When I quit smoking I said I would accept staying the same clothes size. I'm sticking to that line and so far - it's not a problem.

I'm being reasonable, not radical [at least at the moment]. I'm not 30 so things are a little more resistant to change.

So, out of irritation and an excess of energy I started an exercise regimen outside tonight while the dogs were out. Very Army, albeit lightweight on the repetitions for the first few days. I'll talk to the doctor on Friday about getting more aggressive and the resident cyclist at work about where to take my mountain bike for a tune up.

If I start working the nastiness out at night I might have a chance to get back into the mosaic pieces I have on hold... hopefully I can snap out of the funk I've settled into and get back to it.

Happy Thanksgiving

A comment going out through the ether to all and sundry: Happy Thanksgiving to all and may all have a safe upcoming Holiday Season.

Speaking for myself, I just got back from a phenomenal Thankgiving feast put on by a friend of my sisters.

Dinner for about 20 served on the veranda of their log house... sigh.

So, uh... I am stuffed on: turkey, ham, asparagus and hollandaise sauce, green bean casserole, Waldorf salad and a wondrous coconut cream pie with a 4 inch loft of meringue - that tempted me for thirds [small bits mostly of meringue].

The slight buzz comes from two Michelob Amber Bock's not chased by coffee.

The dogs have been out, the next plan is fix their dinner and then I'm going to bed... oh, at around 8 p.m.

Hopefully I can get somethings moved out of the way of the birdbath so I can get back at it.

It's fall... and things change

It has been a while since I posted - indeed, since I have picked up a piece of tile in a creative manner.

I did rock out of my lethargy long enough to enter a piece into the SAMA 'Beneath the surface' conference... more on that later.

Hurricane season - soon to be over - does that to me. So does attrition of people at work. So far, we are down two editors and one reporter and coming up - the paginator. However, we are getting a replacement editor next week.... everything else is in the works.

Big changes throw off the creative drive temporarily... I know, I quit smoking in August and it's been eight weeks [I think].

I lit the last cigarette the day before the first editor quit. Held my ground when the second one quit, and the reporter is gone as of this week. While I really like him, his leaving doesn't affect me as directly as the loss of the editors.

When you quit an addiction such as smoking, medical things that hadn't shown up before raise their heads... I had a full battery blood test run and I am [thankfully] healthy and within range on all the tests. My EKG was fine. The small snag I do have is a lite case of high blood pressure, more related to not having a replacement for the smoking - I quit cold.

So when I would stress out, walk out and lite up - I don't have a support for that. I will walk out and wander around outside, which doesn't quite make it. But, I haven't given over to eating either. I am still within 8 pounds of where I was when I quit.

I have picked up a small addiction to replace the smoking - it's called iced mocha latte and I need to go make one NOW.

Hurricane Katrina animal relief - ways you can help

Here is a list of some groups that are helping:

•The Disaster Animal Response Team of Tampa Bay (DART) and the Society for the Protection of Animals in conjuction with Federal Wolf Dog Rescue, Lost Wolf Rescue and Dog Lovers: The Ultimate Dog Store are collecting pet relief items to be transported to the Gulf Coast.

Donations will be accepted through the end of this month, one shipment has already gone north.

All donations are tax deductible, forms are on-hand. Suggested items are: pet food (dog, cat, bird, horse), cat litter, collars, leashes, blankets, towels, sheets, metal crates and airline kennels (all sizes), bowls, muzzles and paper towels.

Dog Lovers: The Ultimate Dog Store, 14330 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, contact Penny Midulla at (813) 962-8646, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

• The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Tampa Bay is collecting supplies. The SPCA and volunteers from the Disaster Animal Response Team are in Hattiesburg, Miss., to help displaced animals.

Needed supplies include medium and large crates, disposable rubber gloves, liquid hand soap, paper towels, garbage bags, canned puppy food, bleach, cat litter, scoops for litter, leashes, collars, harnesses, blankets, dish soap, cleaning supplies, brushes, food bowls and food for guinea pigs, mice and other pocket pets. For a complete list, go to www.spcatampabay.org.

Bring supplies or send checks designated for "Hurricane Katrina Relief" to SPCA Tampa Bay, 9099 130th Ave. N., Largo FL 33773-1441. For information, call (727) 586-3591.

• Emergency Animal Rescue Service is sending volunteers into disaster areas to help tend to lost and abandoned animals. It also is accepting donations. For information, go to www.uan.org.

• The Humane Society of United States Disaster Relief Fund's Animal Response Teams are working with state officials, federal agencies, and other organizations to evacuate animals out of the worst areas. They are preparing to establish pet-friendly shelters and deliver supplies, resources and medical assistance. To help, go to www.hsus.org.

• The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is accepting donations to help hurricane-damaged communities rebuild their animal shelters. To make a donation, call (866) 275-3923.

• Best Friends Animal Society is reuniting people with pets that were lost or left behind during Hurricane Katrina. Call (435) 644-3965, Ext. 4455, or e-mail hurricane@bestfriends.org. To volunteer, go to www.bestfriends.org or call (435) 644-3965, Ext. 4242. To make a donation, call (435) 644-2001 and tell the operator you want to make a donation.

• The American Kennel Club its affiliated organization, AKC Companion Animal Recovery, is working with member and licensed clubs in hurricane-stricken states and the American Veterinary Medical Association to determine where shelters and staging areas will be established so that supplies and assistance can be provided. The AKC is shipping crates, exercise pens, and food and water bowls.

Dog clubs, shelters or individuals in need of assistance or that want to help, can call the AKC at (800) 252-7894.

Tax-deductible donations also may be sent to the AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund, American Kennel Club, 260 Madison Ave., Fourth Floor, New York NY 10016-2401

• North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington, N.Y., will transport animals from overcrowded shelters to its shelter. For details, call 1-877-472-3738 or see www.nsalamerica.org.

• Noah's Wish, a national organization dedicated to helping animals during disasters, has a rescue team in Louisiana. To learn how to help, go to www.noahswish. org.

• Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine's Animal Evacuation and Recovery Plan for New Orleans is accepting financial donations to support efforts to house, treat and feed displaced animals. To help, go to www.vetmed.lsu.edu.

• Alley Cat Allies, a national nonprofit clearinghouse for information on feral and stray cats, is working to help cats displaced by the hurricane. To help, go to www.alleycat.org.

I just don't get it - or "There but for God"...

I have said for years - for many events and situations "I just don't get it" and that seems to be my usual reaction to things that fall into the "how did they let that happen," otherwise known as "stupid tricks" catagory.

Florida residents know Hurricanes, so do the Gulf Coastal residents of Mississippi and Alabama - especially after 2004 when we were collectively battered by more than three hurricanes passing over Florida alone. Louisiana residents that I know remember Camille - but they weren't ready for Katrina.

Last year our fate was to have Charley cutting in from Punta Gorda - taking a surprising turn two hours before it was supposed to take Tampa to task. Francis coming in on the eastern side and slapping the state at an angle with a slow moving, rain generating cruise over the central portion of Florida - happily, of course - winding down to a Tropical Storm by the time it got to the midsection. And of course, there was Ivan who took a run up the Gulf and went into the panhandle. Jeanne - almost in Frances' path, alittle faster and again dropping down to TS level, however to again drench the midstate swamps, some of which came up into my property.

2005 Déjà vu

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/index.shtml. This site provided by NOAA is interesting to visit occasionally. Selecting a name of a specific storm - then clicking on the "graphics archive" will replay in a loop the track of that storm.

Dennis was a fair replay of Ivan.

Not that I can forget, but what do I remember of Katrina's march?

I watched via the Internet Weather Channel, videos of it going into the 'Gold Coast' of Florida; of watching Jim Cantore of the Weather Channel get slapped around in what should have been the calm eye of a weak Cat 1 hurricane [for the record: weak and hurricane don't go together].

Once it crossed over, praying for a continued drive to the west and going through our own personal hell worrying that it would turn. When when it was nearly level with Tampa and we were getting the squalls... I got a phone call from my sister who lives about three miles away saying, "The sky is falling, the sky is falling."

Watching it ramp up to an intensify of Cat 5 with 175 mile per hour winds, well... you didn't have to be a rocket scientist - all you had to do was watch the Weather Channel and NOAA and know that it was going to go pay a visit to the Gulf Coastal states that remember Ivan all too well. A jog one way or another is really moot... there was going to be catastrophic damage no matter where it hit. So where was the prep?

So... if a common Internet surfer could see that - mind, at work my desk is next to the weather guru so I am sensitive to the way things work - you would think that FEMA would have seen what was happening. The graphic above is brutally clear.

I was flat-out shocked by the Emergency Management guru for New Orleans talking about what he couldn't help if it did score a direct hit on NOLA.

I watched with horrified facination the non-changing storm track over the entire weekend... I even got up on Monday morning at 4 a.m. hoping that it would have turned more to the west, dropped in velocity, something. Not to be. And then, pouring insult on injury weeks later, Rita came to dinner...

I guess will never get to see the NOLA that I have always heard about... it will be rebuilt, but never be the one.

Crap...

I went into work today after a nice four-day weekend - no problems on the horizon other than I had lost a day and would have to really put the proverbial 'shoulder to the wheel' to get the usual entries finished by tonight so Wednesday wouldn't be such a nightmare.

I was rudely awakened out of my pleasantly hazy world by the weather expert that shares my alcove... there is a threat on the horizion.

At least we will have the weekend, but it's still not a fun time coming.

You can check out the little bastard here

The 'studio' has arrived...

My long awaited storage container arrived Friday morning. It was delivered at around 9:30 a.m. However, it took two hours and a heavy weight tow truck to get the delivery truck out of the mud. That is a story unto itself.

The day before, Spike got his first real road mission: To go in with me to work and then go onward to Home Depot where I picked up four 8 foot long 6 x 6's to keep it off the ground. Pouring down rain driving a light 4WD truck with mud tires was a white knuckle flight, but we did it. After making it home with no accidents or incidents I decided that he had paid for himself. No way could the van have moved those posts.

Friday morning was bright and dry - but every day up to that point had received rain twice and so the ground was damp. The truck driver was game, he said it could be done and it was... it was when he was trying to back out that he found a wheel eating hole that almost swallowed his axle. Once the towtruck arrived, he was out in minutes, but I have some serious ruts I have to fill - gravel is the most likely fix at the moment.

But, the container is watertight, dry with a good wood floor and will soon have storage racks to keep things fairly organized - at least in the beginning.

June is birthday month - Elba reaches 11

Happy birthday wishes are being fulfilled to Elba [von Hussar AD TT CGC] who turned 11 years old today. She received her very own air-conditioning system which she is allowing me to share. Pris, whose birthdate is unknown as she is a rescue, is guestimated as the 19th should be about 4, Sully turned 2 on the 23rd and Vain turned 8 on the 2nd.

Say hello to 'Spike,' or I bought a toy...

For the past 4 or 5 vehicles and almost every year, I have been stricken with a severe case of 'Spring Fever' and have gone looking to purchase a new car - or as in recent years - have denied the call of spring that regularly occurs during the month of March.

This year it raised it's ugly head but I ran and hid, teeth gritted and all. I lost the fight this past week. So what? [she says], at least this time I waited till June. Although, to be honest, one of my co-workers said that he knew I was figeting.

But at least this time, I didn't trade anything in - which is a first.

The last two vehicles have been Toyota's. So is this one... I can SAY that I bought it for practical reasons - which I did - but it's also a toy.

It's a 'not shiny and new' but dinged and scraped,'working in the field' 1988 Toyota 4WD pickup longbed with mud wheels. It has some cosmetic issues that I will work on, but I don't really care. It's cute and as of this evening - it's paid for.

Now, you may consider it trite, but 4WD and mud wheels are important. Someone that my sister knows marvels at what they see as Floridians fixation on 4WD. Well, there is a reason.

After the third hurricane, with all the rain that saturated Central Florida, the Green Swamp - aquifer for the middle of the state overflowed. There is a sepage spring, for lack of a better term, on the property to the north and it is influenced - as are the wetlands to the west, by the Green Swamp. To cut to the chase - I had a lake in the back and the swamp to the west was coming in to join the spring in turning my yard to mush. So... mud tires are important.

My car history is interesting at best. Not counting the Corvair that my parents bought for me [they said] but refused to let me drive alone and the loaner from a mother-in-law of a 1969 Mustang Ghia during my first Army school, I have owned: 1973 VW Thing; 1979 Fiat X19; 1982 Audi 4000 sedan [diesel]; 1985 Subaru XT Coupe; 1989 Isuzu Trooper, 1991 Toyota 4Runner and my current 1995 Previa van. Looks like the selection process has finally leveled out - but I would love to have a VW Thing again. Perhaps Spike will cure me of that.

Back to the present and Spike: I got to test drive it in 2WD and play with it in a sand pit in 4WD... inst and amongst the owner's family cattle who laid there thinking 'Now, that's a picture... but what the hell are they doing?'

I brought it home today and then had to go back to work... The first three days of the week are brutal. I will get it titled and tagged on Friday and then take it in to get it checked by my mechanic when I get time. But, the way it ran for me in 2/4WD I have no real concerns. . . but it's the newest baby here so it gets special treatment and the 'elder-by-mileage' gets to take a break a couple of days a week.

Driving it home on a state highway [with no plates, but insurance] was a bit dicey, but it was only a mile away. I waited till the stream cleared and then launched it into the road... It can definately accellerate and cruise.

So, as of this moment, it sits in my front pasture - tonight when I get home I will move it to the front of the house, take off the front tag, clean it out and give it it's new steering wheel cover. It will sit in the front yard till Friday when I get it plated. We will see if it goes to work with me...

The quintessential test message...

You know how it is. “I wonder if this [e-mail] thing works like they say it will.”

Nice. Interesting possibilities come to mind with the e-mail capability... of course, there were two messages sent. The first one I had forgotten to click publish.

A long ramble about dogs and containers... [?]

Waiting with bayted breath [well... sort of] for the delievery of my storage container. I have been wandering around the property in the morning with my coffee in hand, throwing rocks [and other available objects] at the black racers [snakes] in my path, looking at available neat nooks to have it dropped and thinking, "Well, that would be a nice place, but what if a tree falls on it?" I have some lovely cedar trees where I would like to put it, but I lost one in 2001 to the residuals of Gabriele and lost another, it's twin, [they grew up side-by-side] last year to Jeanne. Or was it Frances? The time-line and memories of hurricane season 2004 all seem to run together.

Maybe I will take the time and cut that one up with my neat, new, never used chainsaw. I bought it last year in anticipation of having to use it to clear hurricane debris. May I never have to use it for that reason.

So... Chez Container is probably going to go in the one clear area that is also higher than the shaded area. Too bad, really. The little glade would have been cooler.

I might be considered bizarre [not the first time, nor the last] but I want to get several of the containers and build a 'house.' My brother-in-law is also interested, so something might come of it. There are several Web sites about doing just that that we have discovered.

The fun part is that I can just visualize the county building folks trying to come to grips with that: 'No, it's not a house, its nonpermanent structure... I can break that weld...'

Anyway, it will be interesting once it does get here. I'm really at a serious choke point where I can hardly move... the birdbath that I have 3/4 of the way done is sitting in the living room surrounded by stuff that will end up moving out into the container.

So, in preparation for it's arrival on 1 June, this coming weekend I really have to mow [the incredibly rich and very green] grass. It's getting deep enough that if a dog lays down - they are essentially off the radar till they sit up [talking adult Rottweilers here]. It's also difficult to find the doggy land mines at this length, but that is another story.

Speaking of of the 'kids'... the old girl, Elba has been getting shots weekly for the past two weeks to reflow the lubrication in her arthritic leg. She started crying out when she moved and I took her into the vet. We did a muzzle thing because I wanted him to really check her out and he did. She didn't growl at him, even though I know the manipulation must have hurt. So, 200mg of Rimadyl a day [she's down to 100], supplements and Adequan.

Lovely thing, those shots - yes... expensive - but you get what you pay for. The first week she got two of Adequan. Adequan is used to ease arthritis in sport horses [hunter jumpers]. At $40 a shot, it did what it was supposed too, but I asked to go back to Legend - a varient that we used in 2004 when I thought I was going to lose her. Legend is one IV shot a week at $50. She got one today and because the Adequan was in a muscle, I had forgotten about it being IV... and she growled at the vet, she growled at him for the shots last week, too, but after it was all over - went and wagged to him. Now that's my girl - a Rottweiler to be proud of.

She is also went on a doggie weight regime because he wants weight off to ease her leg. Two weeks ago she weighed 98 pounds. They cut her a weight-loss schedule and I have to calculate her food just like I would my own. Do you know that two pieces of bacon is 90 calories? We started with the food - Purina OM [overweight management]. I didn't even get to make a comment about using sawdust, the vet beat me to it, but it's actually peanut hulls.

You may well laugh, but let me tell you... she loves it. 'We don't do the Science variety' been there, done that and ended up throwing it away after we gave it a go years ago... but we absolutely love this.

For the record - Elba says that she also likes the food's coordinated dog cookies. She weighed in at 96 today and the vet was very happy.

Misery loves company. I was so impressed by her inhailing of the food the night that I put her on it, that the next night - Miss Piggy [Pris, the rescue, who weighed in at 105 on her vet visit in May] - got put on the same schedule. Pris agrees with Elba about the tastiness of the food, but especially about the coordinated cookies.

First on deck - Arlene

It figures... this hurricane season, per Dr. Gray, is supposed to be more intense and start earlier.

Well, Mother Nature decided to play along and just trumped by starting it WAY earlier. Oh well, again, it figures. The first named storm last year was Alex who went to Cat 1 and he rose from the depths on 31 July.

For those that are interested... NOAA just put together a very nice little program called 'Storm Tracker' that can be found on their main Web page [www.NOAA.gov] in the upper left of the page. It opens a small browser window that updates itself and has everything you would rather not see in regards to a named storm. Keeping it open while you surf will save you time bouncing back and refreshing everything or changing page views... Rather nice of them, really. ;)

This girl doesn't seem to be much of a worry to West Central Florida at the moment... but we can't be sure that what used to be normal will continue... that being - the real storms come at the end of summer.

It would be nice if normalcy reigned.

What a surprise...

You would think after all the years I spent carrying around a Franklin Planner and having a 'more than worthy' Palm Tungsten C and a laptop to keep on top of things that I would have a decent 'time management' system... Doesn't look like it, but... well, I do - for work, and other things of grave importance - but not so [obviously] for everything. I'll admit I'm embarrased.

I can remember to get the dog to the vet for an appointment, I can remember to call the shop and tell them that I won't be able to bring the car in because of the quasi-emergency vet appointment... I can remember when sections need to be completed by... but I completely forgot that the EBSQ show closed voting a day earlier. We all have moments like this [I hope].

That being said... it was VERY nice, and a complete surprise to see that Abby [short for abnormal] pictured in the missive below, tied for second place in the EBSQ sculpture show and was tapped for a Member's Mention award.... Oh yes, a very nice surprise.

Everything happens for a reason...

Boy, has it been a while since I have had the time to take to write thoughts down!

On the mosaic front I have completed the last of the EBSQ pieces that I had planned at the beginning of the year and the publishing of the show schedule. My newest work, the 3D ‘The Savage [beast]’ and Jessica are entered in EBSQs ‘Tangible’ show which is in voting phase.

Other than that, I am almost finished with the birdbath I said I would make for the kind kennel owner … she has NO IDEA what she is getting. I bought a second base when I bought hers so I can have one for myself someday. I think I can actually get around to going back to work on ‘the elf’ … now that’s a reward.

I have made a major change… several actually, but what is relevant here is that I have decided after last year’s 3X “pickup and scurry” … [read: hurricanes] that I would take a break and go completely mobile. Dragging the tower, its cords, and my monitor in and out was a real pain. There was no such problem with my lovely little Mac iBook – a Firewire clam, but as everything else I do revolves around PCs… I went with a new laptop [keeping the Mac because it has a DVD player and to keep my hand relatively close to MacWorld].

So, what you see is being typed out on my new [to me] refurbished Compac Armada 20 gig laptop that has ALL the muscle that my tower has – or had minus a CD burner. After the major thunderstorm earlier this week [recounted below], said tower has been plagued with problems so the purchase of Mr. BeepBeep was timely.

I will be taking pieces/parts off the tower – programs, files … things of that nature – and then take it and perhaps the monitor [a sweet 15 inch ViewSonic flatscreen] over to the place I got the laptop and use it to pay for enhancements to BeepBeep once I have everything I need off of it. I definitely need a CD burner and to have the RAM maxed out … and other things I am sure I have not thought of yet.

The night after I bought the laptop I was moving programs and files – working on battery and I lost power due to a mother of a thunderstorm, dropped once, then twice in a row … if the tower was having minor problems before – it definitely has them now. Though, nothing that a little “format C colon wouldn’t fix. At least … so far.

Other things have changed. I have finally gotten down to committing to renovate or obliterate my little ’50s era Cracker house… so I have gone to the point of purchasing an onsite steel storage container [40 feet worth] so I can FINALLY get everything that needs to stored – stored. When I first moved down here after retiring… I used the little house as a storage unit for all my household goods. Those got sorted out and then I decided to move in it. THEN I discovered that the son of the owner had used particle board as a floor base. Brilliant. So, I moved out and have been stuck between the house and the mobile home since because I needed storage space so I can clear out everything that I can in both so I can renovate and repair both… If this isn’t a dictionary definition of a ‘vicious circle’ I don’t know what is.

Anyway, the storage container will only be storage for a short while… I plan to make it a studio, especially since on one of my sisters and my travels, we found a 22 inch +/- commercial kiln for sale [$50 for it and all its furniture – how could we loose] so she bought it. She has one already… this one is going to be mine to play with. First thing in it will be shelving units... then everything else.

As I sit here and put this all down, the tower computer is doing everything it can to avoid coming up. Well, no … here it is. No, it locked up again. As it looks right now, the storm toasted the CD burner so I think it’s time to go get at least a 512 USB jump drive.

If you have never tried one of those – called a memory stick to some – USB bulk transfer devices to others – you should really check them out. One of the things that this laptop does not have is a floppy drive. A 256 MB jump drive is equal to 177 [give or take] floppies… Now that is some room to move. Wish I could find mine ...

I remember when that was more memory than my hard drive had ... well, now the CD burner is back on line … Looks like I will have to make moving everything a priority for the next few days.

So that is enough for this point in time … If you are so inclined ... go look at the new piece on EBSQ. Ta.

Too much to do and so little time...

Working on my newest 3D is time consuming - nooks and crannies and having to let the thinset dry in order to be able to work on the other side - but, it's coming along. It should be done in the next two weeks. I say it's the newest... it's the oldest really since I have several in the works, but it will be the newest completed one since 'Jessica.' Minutia really...

Whatever, once I get it done I can go back to the 2D work... the elf is calling me back and I have a real deadline on that.

I have another 3D in the works, though I am already against a wall on that one. That one will be used more as a 'take time out from the elf and his pony,' although if I can get it done by the end of May I will enter it into the Tangible show. Anyway, I'm looking for round ceramic medallions, black ones, 3/4 inch. I had one supplier, but they don't have black in the size I need... hopefully they just ran out and will get more - I'm waiting for an e-mail back.

In case they don't, I will be going to the Coverings show in Orlando next week - maybe I can find a supplier there.

If you know of a supplier - e-mail me :)

Entries and acrylics...

I decided to pull out the paints during down time between working on two competition pieces and a small flower pot - both are something I haven't done in years.

One of the things I enjoy out of EBSQ is the shows they put on for their members to compete in... regular shows, set themes... fun to work towards when there is both interest and time. It also gives me a chance to test new ideas in a small way.

Speaking of not-so-small... The 'elf Himself' is in hiatus while the two entries get completed... one isn't up till May but it's a sculpture [something I did several years ago]. Mosaicing a 3D object is extremely time comsuming and intensive work. The 2D piece is almost finished - well... over half completed - the hard parts are done anyway. That one comes up in April so it's right on schedule. Once those are done it's back to the elf...

I still have a cough, but the plague for all intents and purposes is gone - just down to a 'cold' at this point.

A week of the plague...

I caught the plague [as some call it] from a coworker who brought it to work and who shall remain nameless; I have spend my week of vacation - well, most of it - with a horrendous cold.

I intended to take the week and go to the Society of American Mosaic Artists 2005 conference in Washington, D.C., but I decided early in February that my car needed work more. From what I have heard, the plague was there, too, so not going was a good thing. Nothing commends you less to people than passing on a plague. I would have liked to go, traveling to Australia in October to attend the International symposium is responsible for focusing me more into my art, but I will go next year.

Yesterday was the first time I felt like doing anything outside since Saturday when I relapsed but I got the urge to mow the grass for the first time this year before the rain came back in that evening. Considering that the amount of 'grass' is right at 2 acres and interspersed with trees... It was fun. Lawn tractors are the best inventions for the mind that there is... Nothing like puttering along and coming up with ideas, resolving mental disputes, leveling yourself out into balance again.

I have almost gotten my mosaic work area clean - that was a goal - one of many on a mental list that I had made - and one of the few that might get done before I go back to work on Wednesday. Cleaning and arranging and moving things has been a major effort. I did get a new piece's substrate cut - going outside and using a jig saw to cut it put me back on the sick list Saturday so I've been hesitant about getting more active outside - so far the jaunt on the tractor has not caused a problem.

Regarding work in progress - the elf and his pony are taking a break as I work on two other [new] pieces that will be entered in competition in the next few months. There is no real rush on him - I just have to have him finished by the end of August.

Taking photographs of work in progress is an 'aid'

I just posted a photo of the grout work I did yesterday on my work-in-progress page. It's funny how when you look at things in the process you can see things that you either forgot to do -or- need to do. That's what happened... neither thing is completely 'necessary,' but will enhance the overall design. Nothing needs to be removed [thank God], just two pieces added to ease my requirement for the subject horse to look like an Arabian.

I have a photo album of all the work in progress photos on Yahoo! - private for the moment - to be changed to public when the piece is finished. The album is helpful also... I can see the progression of work and then make decisions based on what I see. Nothing like sitting at work during lunch and debating the next steps.

The 'good life' consists of simple pleasures...

especially on a Sunday. Good coffee in the morning. Going to the toy store [HD] and picking up two new pieces of 48 x 24 substrate. Getting the lawn tractor fixed - not so simple, but a pleasure. Getting around to grouting the elven piece so that I can move on with it.....

While my brother-in-law delivered my Christmas present - to discover and fix my tractor which screams and dies when I attempt to engage the blades, I finished up the first round of grouting the horse under the trees on my outdoor worktable which I set up for the first time. Not bad until you know that I purchased it prior to the hurricanes coming through last year. It breaks down and folds up so it's a nonpermanent item in the yard.

Mosaic is turning out nice, I will post photos tomorrow. The horse will have four colors of grout.... no telling at this point about the elf Himself. Started to glue down the base skin color... Standing back and looking at it - it's going to be even better than I thought.

I am going to have to put another group of tile in to soak for the new piece that the substrate is for and work on getting them off tonight - my nails and the tips of my fingers are black from grout [again].

I hate removing glue...

Whoever came up with the formula that is used to adhere Lyric unglazed porcelain tile to its mesh should be forced to go thru the motions to remove it like I've been having to do.

Stuff almost gains a life of it's own and removing it requires soaking the tile in hot water - then scraping off the large bits - then letting it soak overnight to soften the smaller bits, then getting those off. Nasty - but the hot water does wonders for the cuticles.

I have masked off most of the current piece with painter's tape, worked through three grout tests and have come up with a plan for the horse's face. Grouting-as-you-go is complicated - but the results are well worth it. Hopefully, tomorrow I will be taking it outside to grout and then I can move into putting the star and main color of the horse down to above the breastcollar.

I will also be going shopping for substrate for at least one other project - again - it will be using mostly Lyric. Fun stuff to work with - once you get the glue off. Looking forward to getting my Starrett cutters in next week... that should put a real cap on it.

I went out this morning to the Gasparilla Art Fest. Interesting... there was only one mosaic artist out of over 300 booths. After that, we went to the art toy store [Pearl] and I picked up new acrylic brushes and some other bits and pieces that I needed. Wish it were closer.

I suppose it's time to jump in...

I created this site over two months ago - time I got down to it.

Over a period of years I have been rambling on my Web site - a running commentary along with photos of work I happen to be doing at that time for people that are interested. I still do that, but I will also be doing it here.

Last year during the hurricane season, I was putting weather-related commentary up and it wasn't that easy - the HTML was being a pain in the rump. With a Blog now, this might be more fun.

Hopefully [knocking on wood], we will not see weather like we did last year. I may be a Florida native... but it scared me numb.

But, as in all things, we will deal with it as it comes...