Dog Days of Summer

I'm not sure exactly what the phrase means "dogs days of summer" (I'm sure I could look it up on the 'net). I believe it's something about the heat, of which we've had a few days of some hot weather again. Luckily my downstairs stays fairly cool, and the wrap-around porch helps alot. My dogs seem to sleep 20 of the 24 hours in a day and I get to listen to them moan and grown, toss and turn, and one who even snores. When one barks or whines in their sleep, the others come to attention to see if they need to bark at something. So to that tune...I took some pics over a couple days to show my funny dogs sleeping. (Yes, I do love my dogs)

Black and White Photography Love

I love black and white photography. I keep forgetting that Canon digital camera can take black and white photos! (along with many other functions I'll probably never learn). I guess its how the subject in the photo seems to be the only thing you focus on, instead of all the extraneous background in a black & white that makes it so intriguing . I wish I was a "photographer". I wish I could see a subject and make it seem "more" on film that it was in real life. So these are my measly attempt at being a photographer and trying to make a black & white seem "arty", lol. There's always room for improvement, but it satisfies me...for now.

I remember when instant pictures came out, i.e. polaroid. We couldn't get enough of those new fangled color pictures. I remember my parents getting the "new" Polaroid, where you had to use this tube like device and run it over the photo to I guess "seal it" or something. Then came the shaking of the Polaroid picture. How iconic was that (there's even a line in a song about it!) I look back at the color pics of my newly married parents in the late 50's and love the muted colors. I see how people use imaging programs to take new pictures and manipulate the color to seem more "old" if you know what I mean. I also love when they add just one element of color in a black and white pic. I also remember my parents having a Brownie camera. I sure wish we still had that, not that I'd use it, but just for display.
Someday...I'll have a fancy digital SLR. My daughter and boyfriend have a fancy Canon that I covet. I've made her promise I have first "dibs" if they ever decide to get rid of it. She assures me they won't.
I just finished this latest piece, I wanted to dip into some painting which I haven't done in awhile. I've been loving this color combination lately and wanted to use them. I'm pretty satisfied with how this one turned out. I painted it on an old book cover, so it has a ragged edge. I pick up books by the handful whenever and where ever I can, and like that I can re-use them before they go into landfills.

Out of the Comfort Zone

I’m really liking graphic art lately and I’ve been wanting to create something different (at least for me). Wanting to go (a little) out of my comfort zone. I came across some large ledger sheets that I forgot I had hidden away (not usual). I just started doodling and cutting and pasting. Two of these came out (somewhat) to my satisfaction.

I really like the artwork of swallowfield, jp-art and abbyjane among many. Eventually I want obtain some carving tools and try making a couple carved blocks to try my hand at block prints. I just love all the two color graphic art you see everywhere. I see fabric, pillows, curtains, etc. in all the home dec. magazines. I’ve just got so many ideas floating around, and I’ll never live long enough to do them all.

A Trip to the Zoo

A huge weird flower

A couple weeks ago I was having a bad time, so I took a little trip to stay with my oldest DD and grand D. I had to put down one of my jack russell terriers so I just had to “run away” so to speak, and not be in the house where I knew it would be tough. I wanted to go to the San Francisco Zoo with them as I hadn’t been there in many years. In fact my youngest DD and son were tiny the last time we went, maybe 12-14 yrs ago? I was a little dismayed as alot of the exhibits were closed and areas of construction were evident. But there were many new exhibits/enclosures that were modern and soo much better for the animals. I'm sure it will be really nice once they finish.


The giraffes had a 1 yr old and a 5 mo. old baby. We watched them at feeding time and talked to the keepers while we watched.



These were all juvenile gorillas, doing much of nothing. They had a nice enclosure with a viewing window.



The last flamingo was doing this dance in the water where he/she stompped his feet each in turn and then spun around while doing it. I told the grandbaby that the flamingo was dancing for her!


This prairie dog sat at the viewing window for the longest time, like it was in a trance. Then all of a sudden just turned and ran away. Cute!



I could watch the meerkats for hours, they're such characters.







I don't remember this "island" with birds of prey from before, everyone rushed to the edge when they saw this bald eagle emerge to drink. I had to wait until it was clear of people to get a decent pic.





The female lioness was down in the corner of the "moat" grooming! (because she can!)


I had the best time with my granddaughter!