Printing Workshop in Rochester, NY

Seven people in my business unit were at RIT in Rochester, NY, for an offset printing workshop this week. Good workshop, but hard to sit still for 3 1/2 hours at a time. This is one of the many vineyards we passed along Rt. 90 in New York (8/16).

This is a shot of sunset outside my window (8/16):

RIT has a pretty courtyard on the campus, with umbrellaed tables, shade trees and a covered terrace with cushioned couches. The fountain has a tall green glass part, and smaller jets coming from the pavement. Very peaceful. Lots of groups, chatting and enjoying the weather. (8/17)

Thursday night, I had dinner on my own - just not up for another 2 1/2 hour dinner watching sports on TV. Went to kitsch purgatory (Cracker Barrel), then out for a walk. played a little bit with the Queen Anne's Lace. Couldn't decide which I like better, so am posting them both. (8/18)

 

We're on our way back right now, can't wait to be home!

(written on my iPad, in the car. Typo central!!)

Wandering Around the Backyard, 8/15

A bunny, a stalking cat, my shed, lit by the setting sun, brilliant gold marigolds, and tiny mushrooms growing in the garden compost. A whole world of interestingness in a third of an acre.

Double Dahlia

Same shot, processed two ways. The first one is sharpened, the second with a softer focus. I think I like the second better.

Family Dogs, Saturday August 13

Saturday at Mom's is always fun. Couple of brothers, Mom, Marge, and just about every dog in the family. Hard to catch them being still, except for Marco. Smokey has to give the pick-up trucks hell, Khloe greets everyone by running in small circles and barking like crazy. And Max, well, chewing on Khloe's ears is his full time job. And they'll want to be out in assorted groups. Unless it's dinner. Then they're all around the table, waiting for the first French fry to drop...

Anyway, here's the pack:

Marco, trying to get a nap in:

Smokey, on full snack alert:

With one eyebrow raised, Khloe looks like she's questioning every one's sanity:

And Max, cute as a bug's ear:

Random Daily Life

I might have mention before that I love bargain plants. And that they tend to overwinter on the front porch because, well, I can't resist a botanical bargain, even if there's no time to plant them. Anyway, I bought three thornless raspberries last year and left them on the front porch over the winter. Only one survived, so I put the other two by the garage until I could dump them in the compost heap. Remember how rainy May was? Those "dead" raspberries were busting out of their pots in a week. As you can see, they're tucked in their own bed now, happily sprouting new leaves and branches. Looking forward to some berries next year.

This was really 8/8 - the brownies were 8/9.

Chuck, telling a story, 8/10.

Love the blue of this umbrella. 8/11.

Very grumpy Friday, cured by butter pecan ice cream at Handel's. This is their little water fall. 8/12.



Light Painting, Kayaking and Brownies

My Project 365 photos are a little bit more experimental this time around, there are still a lot of straight on flowers, macros and miscellaneous life stuff. The one below is a "light painting" done in my back yard. It was supposed to be lightening bug trails, but they weren't cooperating. Used the remote and set the timer for a couple of seconds. The hardest parts was figuring out where to stand to get the whole heart in the frame. 8/5/2011.

Dahlia on the top deck. The package photo looked a little more pink and soft yellow. I softened the colors a bit, it's a little more lurid violet an yellow in real life. 8/6.

Sunday's kayak adventure. I went with Crooked River Adventures in Kent from Tannery Park to Middlebury Road. Pleasant trip. Easy paddling, much like canoeing except one one person in the kayak. I'm going to get another, longer trip in before the summer's out. 8/7

Making fudge walnut brownies. They were delicious. One of my friends at work lost her beagle after 14 years, so I figured comfort food was in order. Set the timer for the shortest time, and they came out much better, moist and yummy. 8/8

I got the swirl effect by stirring up the brownies real fast the dropping the spoon back in the bowl and using a longish exposure. The batter settling back in the bowl made the motion swirls.

Early August Photos

8/1: Finally redoing my bedroom. Need to buy curtains and a new chair. Should take roughly 6 months of dithering...

8/2 & 3: It's hard to get a good picture of Sootie. Either his white fur is blown out, or his black fur is blocked up, or he's in motion.

8/4: Every once in a while, we get some really spectacular back light clouds. Tonight was my lucky night.



 
My $6 maple is sprouting new leaves:

Chuck and I went to downtown Kent for an outdoor concert - a very relaxing evening.

Kingfisher

7/31: Kingfisher near the old Kent dam. Panned the camera and really love the effect.

More Catch Up: July 27 - 30

7/27: MMmmm watermelon for Chuck.

7/28: The groundhogs strike again, the little rats. I now have a dog gate guarding the upper deck so they can't eat the tomatoes or the strawberries.

7/29: This was a sad day, our last visit to Borders Chapel Hill. We spent a lot of happy hours there, but like so many other folks, didn't buy a lot. My last couple of purchases: a photography book by local favorite Ian Adams, Stampington & Company's latest Art Journaling Magazine, and a Sara Paretsky mystery.

 7/30: So glad to see the swallowtails back, finally. Seems like summer has so far been a little light on butterflies. Or maybe it's because I'm not riding in the fields all the time now. Jeez, I miss Larry. Tearing up, move on.

P365, Almost Done with July

Lots to catch up on!

7/20: Just after a rain. Can't remember what these green things are called. The flowers aren't anything to brag about, but it's really cool how water droplets catch on the edge of its leaves. The white flowers are new guinea impatiens - they look great, and aren't being eaten by the bunny and groundhogs.

7/21: One day, Sootie is going to take that groundhog down!

&/22: This thing has been leaking, about $10 worth, according to this month's water bill. New flapper, new guts, still leaks. What the ?!?



7/23: Love the Kent Farmer's market. Every Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm. Music, produce, baked goods, plants, plenty of stuff to see. Come for a visit if you have time.

7/24: Dinner at Pufferbelly's. Thanks, Honey!

7/25: Bird's nest fungus in the garden - they're about 1/4" across. Took this shot with a 22mm extension tube.

Wow, am I behind!