Live to ride

It's a good thing we try to keep our windshield clean. This photo -- perfect for Moody Monday's "cycling" theme -- was one I took from inside the car as we were driving around Titusville, Florida, back in February. When I realized just how cool the guy on the motorcycle in front of us really was, I grabbed the camera, turned it on, and kept my fingers crossed he wouldn't turn down a side street or zoom away from us. He did get ahead of us, but not before I captured three great photos.

Art every day

I am going public with a project I challenged myself with earlier this month. I call it art every day. Here's how it happened.

Somehow, I stumbled across the Aminus3 site, which offers free weblogs for photographers; they call them photoblogs. Cool, I thought. So I created my own photoblog. I could use the site to post photos for the various challenges I like, such as Photo Friday. That way, I wouldn't have to blog here when I participate. But I quickly realized I like to blog about the photos I post, so that didn't work. Moving on, I had a brainstorm. I decided to create my own challenge. Post art every day. Every single day, no excuses. So that's what I've been doing. Every day I post a photo or bit of artwork -- sometimes altered heavily in Photoshop, sometimes not.

You can see what I've been up to here. Above, for example, is what I posted for today, June 29th -- although you're probably not reading this on June 29th, since by my clock that day is almost over. So you're seeing something different.

If you've ever visited my Flickr site, you'll notice a few duplicates. I have been using my Aminus3 photoblog as a bit of a testing ground. If I decide I like what I've posted, I'll likely share it on my Flickr site too. And you'll notice art that you've seen here.

I can't lie, it's been both fun and a surprising challenge to make myself post something there every day. But now I've made myself accountable to everyone who pops by here, haven't I?

My fierce Viking ancestors

I am proud to be one-quarter Norwegian. My paternal grandfather, Ole Severud, was born in Norway in 1900 and lived most of his life on the west coast of Canada until 1988, when he died quite suddenly. Quite a wonderful, full, long life. It's that strong Viking heritage. A fierce people, they conquered the seas and were amazing explorers. They had their nasty side too; it was a rough world a thousand years ago. The Viking longboats traditionally featured a dragon's head, as you see pictured here. Illustration Friday's theme this week is "fierce" and I could think of nothing better than to honour my ancestors by choosing this photo. Believe it or not, I took it at the Norway exhibit at Epcot, at DisneyWorld. Truly a must-visit if you've never been.

We see you in the midnight sky

Yes, that's a garden gnome. Yes, he has an axe. And yes, he's guarding a tombstone. I know. It's a tad, um, unusual.

The theme this week at Photo Friday is "religion" and while I am definitely not formally religious, I do have lots and lots of photos of churches, stone angels, grave sites, etc. All represent religion. And then I remembered this photo I took on the same day I found the swamp. In a tiny graveyard on a back road, I spied the gnome. The grass had grown up around him, so he had been at his post for quite some time. Why he is there is anyone's guess, but someone -- maybe a family member honouring the wishes of the deceased, or just a survivor who hears a different drummer -- was obviously not afraid to buck convention. And if you're at peace with your beliefs, whatever they might be, then more power to you. And if you need an afterlife guardian, don't forget your gnome.

Hellllllllp!

So I went to the local farmers' market this afternoon. It's a new one -- the East Lynn Farmers' Market, near Woodbine and Danforth for all my local loyal readers (hi, Nancy) -- and all participants have to certify that they are indeed farmers, not cheaters who buy their fruits and vegetables elsewhere and then pass them off as freshly picked. I bought tons of stuff -- fresh strawberries, hydroponic yellow tomatoes, the first cherries of the season, baby potatoes, and what you see pictured above. Fresh garlic. Sold by the bunch, like green onions/scallions. So what-the-bleep do I do with it?

Hey, I'm a foodie. I should know this stuff but damn it, I don't. Are the tops the infamous garlic scapes? But the garlic is attached, and I thought you cut off the scapes with the garlic still in the ground, to make the garlic grow. The garlic attached, btw, looks fab. And the tops? They're HUGE. I can't believe how long they are. So if they are scapes, how do I store 'em? For that matter, how do I store the garlic bulbs? I'm thinking the fridge; it's fresh garlic, almost like a fresh onion. Very cool. Should I cut the tops off? I'm thinking I will.

I should have asked the lady who sold the bunch to me, I know. That's what I get for being in a hurry. So if anyone has any ideas, both for storage and for cooking, I'm all ears.

A boulder in Boulder

Ha! I crack myself up sometimes. This photo really is a boulder in Boulder. Back when I had the glamourous job (cough, cough) as the editor of a computer magazine here in Canada, I ventured out to Colorado to tour the production facilities of a popular hard-drive manufacturer. They wined and dined all the journalists they had invited, including treating us to dinner in Boulder. As the rest of my crazy much-more-energenic-than-me colleagues ventured off on a mountain hike before dinner (really, they did), I hung around the bottom, taking pictures and trying to get as much oxygen into my lungs as possible. The air is thin up there!

Totally changing the topic now -- are you a potato ho? I mean, do you really love potatoes? If so, surf on over to Noble Pig and join the Potato Ho-Down. Really. You'll be glad you did.

And unexpected topic change #2. For all you Canadians out there -- so sorry, my American friends, but these are only-in-Canada -- I have a new favourite junk food. But they are available, according to the box, for a limited time only. Damn you, Vachon! I want you to add these "orange sorbet" Flakies to your permanent product line. I love these flaky pastries filled with orange cream and am sure I will need a continuous supply. On second thought, my hips probably don't need them. Rats.

The unexpected

When you wake up in the morning, you just never know what the day will bring. Take this photo, my submission to this week's Photo Friday challenge ("the great outdoors"). This was taken three years ago, June 2005, on the first photo expedition I took with my friend, Nancy. We've done many since then, the latest being just a week or so ago. That day back in '05, cameras in hand, we took a country drive and had a wonderful seafood lunch, all a birthday treat for me. It was the kind of day where, when you came to a crossroads, you just picked a direction on a whim and turned. And that's how we found the swamp, pictured above. Don't ever ask me to find it again; I couldn't. I have no idea exactly how we ended up on a narrow country road beside a magnificent swampy area.

I also had no idea when I woke up this morning that I'd be spending the afternoon sitting beside the captain as he lay in a hospital emergency room bed. A routine trip to the doctor this morning, an irregular heartbeat diagnosis, a trip to emergency at the doctor's orders. Turns out there was no irregular heartbeat, according to the hospital, and there was absolutely nothing wrong. Thank heavens.

It's not my studio, honest

Not that anyone really needs to know, but I bit my tongue this morning. Big sneeze and then a bigger ouch! It hurt like the dickens and it wouldn't stop bleeding. We were driving around checking out yard sales and so I was limited in my selection of emergency first aid supplies, so wad after wad of tissue went into my mouth, and still the bleeding continued. At first I wussed out and wanted to go home, but couldn't stand driving by all the yard sale signs without stopping and so we headed to the drugstore instead for some proper gauze to shove into my mouth. And then, yard sale trouper that I am, we continued shopping. But now I'm talking funny and it hurts to chew on one side of my mouth. Sigh.

Anyhow, here's my contribution to Illustration Friday. The topic is "hoard". If you know me, I know what you're thinking, "just walk around the house and take random photos, you packrat." But I'm better, I'm really really better. I don't keep everything anymore. Honest. And so the picture has nothing to do with any personal collections of my own. Noooooo. It's from a junk store. Or should I say junque store, as the prices there weren't terribly thrifty.

Off to sip lukewarm tea. Enjoy your weekend!

One Saturday morning

I just learned about another photo challenge site: Unique's Photo Challenge. I was really enthused to discover that this week's topic is gone fishing, because one of my favourite pieces of artwork/photography that I've done this year fits that very theme. The photo of this fisherman was captured on the first morning we spent at our condo in Florida back in February. As we walked the beach, I spied him standing there, beside his rod, gazing into the ocean.

The image you see above was created by layering the photo on top of itself and experimenting with filters, blending modes and opacity. I'm delighted to have the opportunity to share it at one of the challenge sites!

Update, June 23rd: Moody Monday for June 22nd is not a mood this week, but rather a place: beach. This works for that challenge too -- how appropriate!

I love the ocean

I finally checked out the Photo Friday challenge today -- nothing like being several days late! The topic is movement, which left me in quite a dilemma (note: also the challenge for Lensday, July 23rd). Birds-in-flight fits the topic, and I have several bird pictures. But water fits as well, and I just had to go down that route. I was born in Vancouver -- a city right on the Pacific Ocean. We currently live near Lake Ontario. And the condo that we rented back in February, and will return to both in October and next February, looks straight out onto the Atlantic Ocean. While he is Canadian, the captain grew up in Florida -- in Satellite Beach, just south of Cape Canaveral, where the condo is located. We both love water, especially oceans. I may be an air sign, a Gemini, but I have to be near the water. And so I went with one of my ocean pictures, this one taken at Sebastian Inlet, in Florida. I am SO looking forward to being back in Florida this fall!

Tin ceiling

The theme for Moody Monday this week is shining. This photo sure fits the bill. Isn't this a beautiful ceiling? When I was down in Leslieville last week, Nancy and I checked out a terrific clothing boutique, and this was their ceiling. Just gorgeous. I don't think the saleslady quite understood why I was taking so many pictures, though. I guess we weren't your typical customers!

What a wonderful day!

Can't resist blogging even though it's late. We are home from our birthday/father's day adventure. We shuffled off to Buffalo early today for some food and fun. We being me and the captain, our son and his girlfriend, and the captain's mom. First stop was Casino Niagara, where both my MIL and I were up over twenty bucks each in the first couple of minutes -- playing the penny slots! What's up with that? That's too early to be winning, it just gives you time to lose it all. Which, um, we all did. But it was a lot of fun and we only lost what we thought we'd lose anyway. Then a fast, easy border crossing and off to IHOP for lunch -- where it was very crowded. We waited about 20 minutes for our table, but the wait was worth it as all enjoyed our lunch very much. Carrot cake pancakes! They were different and yummy; I want to try to make them myself. Anyone got a recipe?

Then we shopped for the rest of the afternoon -- SuperWalmart and Target -- then dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. Big surprise -- no wait! I was sure there'd be a huge lineup but we got there about 5:30 for dinner and they seated us immediately. The captain and I have been to The Cheesecake Factory in Columbus (OH), Indianapolis and Buffalo, but this was a first visit for the other 3. We stuffed ourselves silly. The border crossing back into Canada was a breeze -- no lineups, empty booths! -- and the drive home was uneventful except for a rainstorm and some heavy traffic once we got closer to Toronto.

It was a wonderful birthday and I was terribly spoiled with great gifts, and I had such an enjoyable day out and about with the ones I love. A GREAT way to start a new personal decade!

Today's creativity

I'm tired. The captain and I were out yard-sailing all morning, dodging raindrops as we explored. I am now the proud owner of some more vintage pyrex as well as some very cool recipe booklets from the 1930s up to the 1970s. And now the captain's gone off to work so I have spent the afternoon relaxing on the loveseat with my laptop, doing a little web surfing and a little collage work in Photoshop. Results above. And now I think I'll wander out to the kitchen, rustle up a snack, and then watch some cooking shows I've dvr'ed. A wonderful lazy afternoon after a busy morning.

Forties: the final hours

Once upon a time, a girl named Lennie had her 10th birthday. Then her 20th (see above), then her 30th. Then her 40th. Then her 49th. Which meant that the next birthday would be the one known as THE BIG ONE. The big 5-0.

And so it came to pass that the months counted down, the weeks counted down, then the days counted down -- and now here we are. It's Friday afternoon and in less than 48 hours, I won't be in my forties anymore. Weird, weird, weird. How can that be when I barely feel like I'm 30?

But it's just a number after all, albeit a momentous one. But since I'm all about you're only as old as you feel, I shall briefly wallow in an I'm-getting-old moment, and then move on. Thanks to the wonderful invention of hair dye, my hair doesn't look like I remember 50-year-old ladies looking, and thanks to good DNA and spf-1000 sunblock, my skin doesn't look it either. Wallowing done. I'm good to go.

By the way, a brief comment on the above photo. It wasn't exactly taken on my birthday, but close to it and it was the only photo I could find that I knew was taken in June 1978. And that "captain" bit? As I get to know people through their blogs, I've noticed that many refer to their husbands by pet names. Noble Pig has her Wild Boar ... Evil Chef Mom has The Man ... Undomestic Diva has her Candy Ass ... Pioneer Woman has her Marlboro Man. Etc, etc. And so I felt like my hubby deserved a nickname too. I was leaning towards Barney Miller -- hands up if you're too young to know who Barney Miller is -- but that had the distinct possibility of being shortened to BM. And that's not really nice, is it? Barney was a captain though, and that's when the lightbulbs went off and I decided to go with captain.

There were a few other famous captains back-in-the-day, Captain Kirk being one, along with that musical guy. And so referring to my hubby as such might lead to me being mistaken for Tennille -- another 70s reference for you kiddies out there -- but hey, that's not all bad.

Out and about

I love it when I get the opportunity to spend a few hours wandering around a neighbourhood different than my own, especially when it's with a like-minded soul like my friend Nancy. We spent yesterday afternoon walking about an area in Toronto known as Leslieville, a neighbourhood that's been down on its heels in the past but is enjoying an obvious renaissance. Lots of photo opportunities too; I had captured over a hundred photos by the time we got back in the car to head home. Urban, floral, retro, textural, you name it. I'm really pleased with the day's productivity. Here's just a small sampling: above is a wall we walked by, as well as a doll inside an antique store.

A floating rooster?

It's funny how you look at things. Every time I look at this beach photo I took in St. Thomas, I concentrate more on the cloud than the water. I thought it would be a great choice for the perspective theme over at Tuesday Challenge, but it's the cloud that makes the picture for me. I see a flying, floating rooster. Really. What do you see?

And for the fun of it, here are two more photos fitting this week's theme.

My garden is thirsty

I have a parched, dry garden today. Taking into consideration the humidex, the all-news television channel I watch is claiming it's 42 degrees celsius this afternoon here in Toronto -- and according to my fahrenheit converter, that's 107F! Yikes! So it comes as no surprise to me that the Photo Friday topic, tools, makes me think of my suffering garden. I took the photograph of this ol' watering can back in September 2005 at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, when my girlfriend Nancy and I went to Art & Soul. A watering can is one of my favourite garden tools as I hate using a hose. It always seems I get just as wet as the plants when I work with a garden hose.

Worry no more

It's happy-dance time here in Toronto! Remember my Worry post? Well, guess what? Yup ... my son's record bag is currently sitting in my hubby's office right this very minute! Turns out it's been in the taxi's trunk the whole time and the cabbie just discovered it this morning. So hooray for all the honest people out there who do the right thing and a double-hooray for happy endings!

Over the bridge

It's Tuesday, time to check the Tuesday Challenge -- this week it's Bridge. I have photographs of bridges, lots of 'em. Which to choose, though? After browsing through umpteen folders, I chose this railway bridge in Melbourne, Florida. I then decided a little photoshopping was in order, just for fun. I needed something to take my mind off the book I just finished, Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men. Whew, what a read! I truly enjoy his style and after reading The Road several months ago I know to have no expectations as to where the plot will go. But this book was particularly violent and this afternoon I definitely needed a distraction. So, bridges to the rescue!

The Minimalist Sandcastle

Over at Photo Friday the theme this week is "minimalism". Is this not the most minimalistic sandcastle you've seen? Simple, basic. Lowrise. Quite a courtyard, large and empty.

Walking the beach back in February on our first morning at the condo where we spent a blissful month, I spied this abandoned royal realm. Sandcastles are so often highly ornate creations and I just loved the simplicity of this one.