Persistently I scraped my knife along the edge of the saucy barbecued rib to separate the meat from the bone.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.
I literally jumped an inch out of my seat having a trigger happy startle reflex.
"Clearly I haven't been socialized enough," I commented.
9 years ago on TTaT: Talking 'bout the car wash
30 March 2016
27 March 2016
Flutter, Vol. 1: Hell Can Wait
13. Flutter, Vol. 1: Hell Can Wait by Jennie WoodMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Though I had a little trouble keeping track of some of the supporting characters on my first read through, I thoroughly enjoyed this YA LGBT graphic novel. I look forward to reading more!
10 years ago on TTaT: Little Creatures: Fred's Rescue (part 2)
26 March 2016
19 Polar Bears
Out for a ride with my parents. Dad was driving, I sat behind Mom looking out the side window at houses, trees, and yards as we passed by. The trees were all still bare from winter, but surprisingly for this time of year, the snow was all gone. The grass was still short and pale, not ready yet to green up.
We passed a white clapboard house with a small pond beside it. Lounging on the bank beside the water was a large white polar bear.
He must be hot so far away from the arctic circle, I thought to myself.
In the next yard over, I saw a mama polar bear and two little cubs sauntering along.
And then a polar bear sitting amidst a cluster of trees, camouflaged like part of a puzzle. I started counting the bears. 6, 7, 8, 9, ...
Dad was driving fairly fast, 40 miles per hour on a rural road, so I only got to see each bear for a couple seconds before we were out of view. I kept thinking of reaching for my camera but I didn't want to look away for fear of missing any bears.
On an odd large wood structure next to someone's house, I saw two polar bears (18, 19) stretched out. One was lying on a low platform and the other was on a higher platform a few feet away. It made me think of bunk beds if the top and bottom were askew.
Dad kept zipping along. Mom handed back her pocket camera. It's newer than the one I use and I thought it might have more reach with its zoom. I asked Dad to turn around assuming he would once there was someplace to pull in.
When I looked at Mom's camera, it wasn't the one I'd remembered. It had a sort of articulated screen on arms that hinged up. That could be useful.
We were a few miles past the bears and Dad still hadn't even slowed down. I figured he hadn't heard me.
I said, "Would you turn around and drive back, please?"
"No," he answered.
That's when I knew I was dreaming, but it was a dream within a dream, a step or two away from lucid dreaming. He kept driving onward, but I wasn't angry with him because it was only a dream.
Dream bears are fleeting after all, you have to soak in their presence when they choose to appear.
BearWatch 2016 totals to date:
Real bears: 0
Dream bears: 3 black bears, 19 polar bears
10 years ago on TTaT: Little creatures (part 1)
We passed a white clapboard house with a small pond beside it. Lounging on the bank beside the water was a large white polar bear.
He must be hot so far away from the arctic circle, I thought to myself.
In the next yard over, I saw a mama polar bear and two little cubs sauntering along.
And then a polar bear sitting amidst a cluster of trees, camouflaged like part of a puzzle. I started counting the bears. 6, 7, 8, 9, ...
Dad was driving fairly fast, 40 miles per hour on a rural road, so I only got to see each bear for a couple seconds before we were out of view. I kept thinking of reaching for my camera but I didn't want to look away for fear of missing any bears.
On an odd large wood structure next to someone's house, I saw two polar bears (18, 19) stretched out. One was lying on a low platform and the other was on a higher platform a few feet away. It made me think of bunk beds if the top and bottom were askew.
Dad kept zipping along. Mom handed back her pocket camera. It's newer than the one I use and I thought it might have more reach with its zoom. I asked Dad to turn around assuming he would once there was someplace to pull in.
When I looked at Mom's camera, it wasn't the one I'd remembered. It had a sort of articulated screen on arms that hinged up. That could be useful.
We were a few miles past the bears and Dad still hadn't even slowed down. I figured he hadn't heard me.
I said, "Would you turn around and drive back, please?"
"No," he answered.
That's when I knew I was dreaming, but it was a dream within a dream, a step or two away from lucid dreaming. He kept driving onward, but I wasn't angry with him because it was only a dream.
Dream bears are fleeting after all, you have to soak in their presence when they choose to appear.
BearWatch 2016 totals to date:
Real bears: 0
Dream bears: 3 black bears, 19 polar bears
10 years ago on TTaT: Little creatures (part 1)
25 March 2016
Life of Art SitRep #319 iPhone SE and Samsung Galaxy S7 Cases
This was a week for smartphone cases and digging into my photographic archives.
iPhone SE Cases are available now at my shop Rocklawn Arts!
Rocklawn Arts blogged A Guide to Choosing the Best iPhone SE Case for You.
Finished another week of 28 to Make. (Free to download and participate!)
Shot 17 photographs and 13 videos, sheep and sunlight.
Created several Samsung Galaxy S7 Cases:
Black and White Meanders and Diamonds Case by RocklawnArts
Look at galaxy s5 covers online at Zazzle 
Black and White Gingham Pattern Smartphone Case by RocklawnArts
View more Black and white gingham pattern Casemate Cases at zazzle.com 
Light Blue and Black Chevrons Samsung Galaxy S7 by RocklawnArts
Look at galaxy s5 covers online at Zazzle 
Navy Polka Dots on Sky Blue Samsung Galaxy S7 Case by RocklawnArts
See case for galaxy s5 online at Zazzle 
Rainbow Colored Polka Dots on White Case by RocklawnArts
Find other Rainbow colored polka dots white Casemate Cases at zazzle.com
See more Samsung Galaxy S7 Cases.
Curated a new Classic Navy and White Gingham Pattern Home Decor collection:
Worked on a colchicum flower photograph a bit in Lightroom but started to lean against using it.
Culled 107 photos I shot in 2015.
Started consolidating keywords in Lightroom, cleaning up and re-establishing the hierarchy I'd used in Bridge.
Downloaded the free Nik Collection of image editing plugins from Google. It's more software to learn, but I figured I'd best strike while the iron was hot, or in this case, free.
Watched The Unconventional Power of a Pre-Mortem webinar with Tara Gentile.
How was your week?
10 years ago on TTaT: I'm a little lamb
iPhone SE Cases are available now at my shop Rocklawn Arts!
Rocklawn Arts blogged A Guide to Choosing the Best iPhone SE Case for You.
Finished another week of 28 to Make. (Free to download and participate!)
Shot 17 photographs and 13 videos, sheep and sunlight.
Created several Samsung Galaxy S7 Cases:
Black and White Meanders and Diamonds Case by RocklawnArts
Look at galaxy s5 covers online at Zazzle
Black and White Gingham Pattern Smartphone Case by RocklawnArts
View more Black and white gingham pattern Casemate Cases at zazzle.com
Light Blue and Black Chevrons Samsung Galaxy S7 by RocklawnArts
Look at galaxy s5 covers online at Zazzle
Navy Polka Dots on Sky Blue Samsung Galaxy S7 Case by RocklawnArts
See case for galaxy s5 online at Zazzle
Rainbow Colored Polka Dots on White Case by RocklawnArts
Find other Rainbow colored polka dots white Casemate Cases at zazzle.com
See more Samsung Galaxy S7 Cases.
Curated a new Classic Navy and White Gingham Pattern Home Decor collection:
Worked on a colchicum flower photograph a bit in Lightroom but started to lean against using it.
Culled 107 photos I shot in 2015.
Started consolidating keywords in Lightroom, cleaning up and re-establishing the hierarchy I'd used in Bridge.
Downloaded the free Nik Collection of image editing plugins from Google. It's more software to learn, but I figured I'd best strike while the iron was hot, or in this case, free.
Watched The Unconventional Power of a Pre-Mortem webinar with Tara Gentile.
How was your week?
10 years ago on TTaT: I'm a little lamb
18 March 2016
Life of Art SitRep #318 Acrylic Wall Art
This week, I shot 163 photographs and 6 videos. Ultimately culled 3 videos and 88 photos. Getting better at being ruthless now to save myself time later.
Also culled 5 photos from a shoot from last year. Alas I wasn't able to keep up well with editing my photographs down last year due to computer issues, but I'm gradually making headway on it.
Finished another week of 28 to Make. (Free to download and participate!)
After watching Zazzle Chat -- "New Products: Watches, Doormats & More", and seeing an example and learning more about the high quality Acrylic Wall Art, I decided to add more pieces to my shop:
Double Arch Photograph Acrylic Wall Art by RocklawnArts
Browse more Home Acrylic Wall Arts at Zazzle 
Epimedium Flowers (Fairy Wings) Acrylic Wall Art by RocklawnArts
See more Home Acrylic Wall Arts at zazzle.com 
Ski Lift and Sky Photograph Acrylic Wall Art by RocklawnArts
Check out other Home Acrylic Wall Arts at zazzle.com 
Downtown Kansas City Skyline Acrylic Wall Art by RocklawnArts
Find more Home Acrylic Wall Arts at Zazzle 
Adobe Passageway Photograph Acrylic Wall Art by RocklawnArts
Find more Home Acrylic Wall Arts at Zazzle 
Red Dianthus With Raindrops Acrylic Wall Art by RocklawnArts
View other Home Acrylic Wall Arts at Zazzle.com
Check out more Acrylic Panel Wall Art pieces.
Rocklawn Arts blogged New Acrylic Wall Art at Rocklawn Arts!
Watched "Sell More of What You Already Have" and "3 Back-to-Basics Ways to Stop Business Burnout" webinars with Tara Gentile.
What would you like to hear more about next week?
10 years ago on TTaT: Query
Also culled 5 photos from a shoot from last year. Alas I wasn't able to keep up well with editing my photographs down last year due to computer issues, but I'm gradually making headway on it.
Finished another week of 28 to Make. (Free to download and participate!)
After watching Zazzle Chat -- "New Products: Watches, Doormats & More", and seeing an example and learning more about the high quality Acrylic Wall Art, I decided to add more pieces to my shop:
Double Arch Photograph Acrylic Wall Art by RocklawnArts
Browse more Home Acrylic Wall Arts at Zazzle
Epimedium Flowers (Fairy Wings) Acrylic Wall Art by RocklawnArts
See more Home Acrylic Wall Arts at zazzle.com
Ski Lift and Sky Photograph Acrylic Wall Art by RocklawnArts
Check out other Home Acrylic Wall Arts at zazzle.com
Downtown Kansas City Skyline Acrylic Wall Art by RocklawnArts
Find more Home Acrylic Wall Arts at Zazzle
Adobe Passageway Photograph Acrylic Wall Art by RocklawnArts
Find more Home Acrylic Wall Arts at Zazzle
Red Dianthus With Raindrops Acrylic Wall Art by RocklawnArts
View other Home Acrylic Wall Arts at Zazzle.com
Check out more Acrylic Panel Wall Art pieces.
Rocklawn Arts blogged New Acrylic Wall Art at Rocklawn Arts!
Watched "Sell More of What You Already Have" and "3 Back-to-Basics Ways to Stop Business Burnout" webinars with Tara Gentile.
What would you like to hear more about next week?
10 years ago on TTaT: Query
16 March 2016
The Trickster's Hat: A Mischievous Apprenticeship in Creativity
11. The Trickster's Hat: A Mischievous Apprenticeship in Creativity by Nick BantockMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you're interested in getting into collage making, I highly recommend this book.
Collage isn't my normal mode of working (probably all the more reason I should try it), but there are also drawing, writing, and other creative prompts that could be applied to all manner of disciplines. I got more into the book the more I read and have bookmarked a bunch of things I want to try.
It's also a fun look into how the author (who wrote and illustrated the Griffin & Sabine books) thinks and creates and solves his own creative blocks/stagnation.
10 years ago on TTaT: For my amusement
11 March 2016
Life of Art SitRep #317 Duvet Covers
Did another week of 28 to Make drawing prompts. It's free, so join in if you want to kickstart your creativity. I'm using it to get over some perfectionist tendencies that have been keeping me from drawing and painting.
This week marked the addition of Duvet Covers to Zazzle. I made a variety of reversible covers and am thinking of new combinations to create. Click the images to see the different but complementary patterns on the back.
Reversible Red/Black/White Diamond Stripes Pattern Duvet Cover by RocklawnArts
Browse Reversible Duvet Covers online at Zazzle.com 
Reversible Black/Red Gingham Patterns Duvet Cover by RocklawnArts
Check out more Reversible Duvet Covers at Zazzle 
Reversible Deep Blue and White Diamond Patterns Duvet Cover by RocklawnArts
Browse other Reversible Duvet Covers 
Reversible Purple and White Diamond Patterns Duvet Cover by RocklawnArts
See other Reversible Duvet Covers at zazzle 
Reversible Black & White Angled Equal Sign Pattern Duvet Cover by RocklawnArts
Find other Reversible Duvet Covers at zazzle.com
Made Geometric Rainbow Squares T-shirt and updated my collection:
Added a couple of photographs to the new Power Banks:
Rearranged fabric collection a little:
Updated links and LOA files for duvet covers.
Checked autopost blog post and found several new blogs to post to, huzzah!
How was your week?
10 years ago on TTaT: Shake it off
This week marked the addition of Duvet Covers to Zazzle. I made a variety of reversible covers and am thinking of new combinations to create. Click the images to see the different but complementary patterns on the back.
Reversible Red/Black/White Diamond Stripes Pattern Duvet Cover by RocklawnArts
Browse Reversible Duvet Covers online at Zazzle.com
Reversible Black/Red Gingham Patterns Duvet Cover by RocklawnArts
Check out more Reversible Duvet Covers at Zazzle
Reversible Deep Blue and White Diamond Patterns Duvet Cover by RocklawnArts
Browse other Reversible Duvet Covers
Reversible Purple and White Diamond Patterns Duvet Cover by RocklawnArts
See other Reversible Duvet Covers at zazzle
Reversible Black & White Angled Equal Sign Pattern Duvet Cover by RocklawnArts
Find other Reversible Duvet Covers at zazzle.com
Made Geometric Rainbow Squares T-shirt and updated my collection:
Added a couple of photographs to the new Power Banks:
Rearranged fabric collection a little:
Updated links and LOA files for duvet covers.
Checked autopost blog post and found several new blogs to post to, huzzah!
How was your week?
10 years ago on TTaT: Shake it off
09 March 2016
BearWatch is Go!
It had crossed my mind a few times and Sunday night, I declared BearWatch 2016 on.
Some people might hold fire and disaster drills, but I went over bear sighting protocols:
It's been a few years since I've seen one in my yard. There's been a lot of logging at the top of the street and I don't think anyone has bird feeders out anymore (which attracted them). Still, there's always trash days and a creek nearby, so you never know. Gotta keep an eye out.
Sunday night, I had a dream that I was on a small tour somewhere. I felt something touching my leg and thought it was a herding dog leaning against me. I looked down and it was a black bear. Not trying to herd me anywhere, just leaning into me as if to say, "Hey, I'm here."
A couple of small cubs ran ahead of us to a playground. The bear next to me was larger, well up my thigh, but I decided not big enough to be their mama.
There was some concern about how I was going to step away from the bear, but I was calm. I didn't want to do anything to upset the bear, so I was content to wait and walk with it by my side.
Though it was a dream, it felt like a wonderful start for BearWatch this year.
Here are some bear sightings from previous BearWatch years:
•Biggest Bear Yet
•Claire's Bears
•I'll take a bear in my Easter basket any day
•The moment I've been waiting for
•To sum up
10 years ago on TTaT: Cleaning up
08 March 2016
Today's Sightings (in more detail)
Today's sightings:
2 cows, 1 with a black head and rump and really wide white band around the middle
2 pygmy goats
a cluster of ponies having a powwow in the trees
some dogs including The Black and The Blonde
2 llamas
the horse without his blanket
sheep
and at least 19 tiny lambs, a few quite frolicsome, hopping and jumping around. Hilarious to watch!
10 years ago on TTaT: I miss my basketball court
2 cows, 1 with a black head and rump and really wide white band around the middle
2 pygmy goats
a cluster of ponies having a powwow in the trees
some dogs including The Black and The Blonde
2 llamas
the horse without his blanket
sheep
and at least 19 tiny lambs, a few quite frolicsome, hopping and jumping around. Hilarious to watch!
10 years ago on TTaT: I miss my basketball court
04 March 2016
Life of Art SitRep #317 Power Banks
A mix of practical, educational, and a small creative side pursuit this week.
Created some new templates and started adding some select designs to new portable Power Banks which allow you to charge up to three electronic devices at once:
White Scrolling Curves on Black Background Power Bank by RocklawnArts
Check out Charger Power Banks online at zazzle 
Black Equal Sign Geometric Pattern Power Bank by RocklawnArts
See more Charger Power Banks at zazzle.com 
Light Blue and White Gingham Pattern Power Bank by RocklawnArts
Look at Charger Power Banks online at Zazzle.com
Shot 64 photographs and 4 videos.
Created a Classic Black and White Gingham Pattern Home Decor collection:
Rocklawn Arts blogged New Classic Black and White Gingham Pattern Home Decor Collection.
Watched some short classes on Creative Live:
Advanced Photoshop Compositing with Jason Hoppe
Advanced Automation in Photoshop with Dave Cross
Understanding Color Space for Print and Web with Jared Platt
and the final day of 28 to Make.
Though it was the wrap-up for the daily creativity prompts, 28 to Make remains free to watch and download. I had done a couple of the prompts last month, but I started anew on Monday creating a physical drawing each day, following along with the videos.
Updated descriptions for about 12 designs.
Updated LOA file for end of month.
Made monthly backups. Have you backed up lately?
10 years ago on TTaT: Enter the lion
Created some new templates and started adding some select designs to new portable Power Banks which allow you to charge up to three electronic devices at once:
White Scrolling Curves on Black Background Power Bank by RocklawnArts
Check out Charger Power Banks online at zazzle
Black Equal Sign Geometric Pattern Power Bank by RocklawnArts
See more Charger Power Banks at zazzle.com
Light Blue and White Gingham Pattern Power Bank by RocklawnArts
Look at Charger Power Banks online at Zazzle.com
Shot 64 photographs and 4 videos.
Created a Classic Black and White Gingham Pattern Home Decor collection:
Rocklawn Arts blogged New Classic Black and White Gingham Pattern Home Decor Collection.
Watched some short classes on Creative Live:
Advanced Photoshop Compositing with Jason Hoppe
Advanced Automation in Photoshop with Dave Cross
Understanding Color Space for Print and Web with Jared Platt
and the final day of 28 to Make.
Though it was the wrap-up for the daily creativity prompts, 28 to Make remains free to watch and download. I had done a couple of the prompts last month, but I started anew on Monday creating a physical drawing each day, following along with the videos.
Updated descriptions for about 12 designs.
Updated LOA file for end of month.
Made monthly backups. Have you backed up lately?
10 years ago on TTaT: Enter the lion
03 March 2016
Operation - S.I.N.: Agent Carter
9. Operation - S.I.N.: Agent Carter by Kathryn ImmonenMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
It's a little misleading because Hayley Atwell aka Peggy Carter from the movies and tv show is on the cover, yet the comic Peggy is blonde and clearly has a different backstory when you get to the Captain America issue at the back. (Presumably following the character's original comic appearance more.)
Nonetheless I thoroughly enjoyed the Operation: S.I.N. story. Her voice sounds very close to the Peggy I'm so fond of.
As I prefer Steve and Peggy's movie storyline, I didn't like The Captain America and the First Thirteen issue as well. Peggy seems more like a different character in that one.
10 years ago on TTaT: On to Egypt
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