First World Pains

I'm blogging from my BRAND NEW COMPUTER!  Feeling happy and blessed to have this luxury birthday present ordered by Adrian.  

What are my "first world pains?" The learning curve, for sure.....lots of newness to deal with.....My "old" computer was purchased in 2007 with hopes of doing all kinds of photo editing and movie making, etc.  As it turned out, I never did need the fancy photo editing software, and I never made any major movies.  My old computer served me well, though, and it worked very hard, down to its last 4.46 gigs....bless its heart!

Painting from Photos of Birds in Tasma Gardens

For the past few months I have been playing with paints.....painting the birds that I have photographed in Tasma Gardens.  Each one of the paintings below has a bird in its candid-camera pose.  

Australian Magpie

Learning to Use SoundCloud

Sometimes I reluctantly learn things.....and other times I jump into learning with excitement.  I think learning to use SoundCloud has come by both avenues in this musical road trip I am undertaking down under.  Here's the result of what I have learned about using the free bits of SoundCloud:



It's not pretty....the artwork might not make sense, the song selection might be a bit random, and the recordings are homemade with a digital voice recorder, but it's just a learning exercise.....and I'm okay with that.

Pinterest

I'm experimenting with Pinterest.  I have hesitated entering Pinterest world, because I did not see a need for it.  I'm still not sure I "need" pinterest, but I see that it is a GOOD thing.  It is basically a virtual, visual, collection space.  A place to pin-up what one wants to see again and to share those things with the world while keeping the original photo's credit/copyright, location, etc.

Old School Art -- Learning to Watercolor

For the past few weeks I have been reintroducing myself to hands-on art.....painting on paper.  Painting with water colors is new to me.

Years ago I took a few painting classes (workshop-style) in the stockrooms of stores that sold craft supplies.  Tole painting, oil painting, I remember, but I don't remember ever studying watercolor techniques.  So, I'm learning as I go.   I'm learning old-school-style.....by taking a brush and putting it to the paper and teaching myself what I like and don't like about my skills.  I am enjoying this!

New News About Table Hill in Lyonville!

Table Hill played earlier today at the Radio Springs Hotel in Lyonville, Victoria, Australia.  There was a full-house!  All ages included.  I always appreciate the chance to play music, and sometimes sing, with a mountain dulcimer.  I like it when people like the music of Table Hill, of course.  Although, at times, I am surprised by kind comments when the music critic in my head is giving me grief.  That happened today, as I had some internal conflict about what I wanted to play and what I was actually playing.  Nevertheless, people seemed to and said that they did enjoy the music.

Snapshots of My Day in Daylesford

There's no real reason to write about today or share pictures.....other than, "Because I can."

As usual.....I have taken LOTS of pictures today, randomly and unnecessarily, but also, as usual, I am happy for the chance to look at these pictures, remember the simple blessings I have received, and be thankful.

Table Hill in Lyonville, Victoria, Australia, October 23, 2011

Last Sunday I enjoyed an afternoon of music with friends, great food, and fabulous beverages, at the Radio Springs Hotel in a little town called Lyonville in Victoria, Australia.  I took a few snapshots of my day, btw.....and here's one that I am particularly happy with:

Hoping for Many More Road Trips to Come

It has been five years since Adrian Kosky, with one of his sons, and I left Cullowhee, North Carolina, and headed for Memphis, Tennessee, on our first road trip together.  It's been quite a journey, so far, and I'm happy to continue wondering whilst wandering and planning more pondering......plandering.......with Adrian, as I believe the commencement of our friendship was an act of God.  I am thankful for blessings that come as answers to prayers.

2006 Mississippi River, Memphis, Tennessee

Old Pictures, New Places to Share

I'm enjoying the pictures shared by my friends -- old and new -- and my family via facebook.  

What a blessing it is to have a way to renew, continue, and make new friendships, whilst being so far away from where I started out in the world!  Here's a photo that was recently shared with me by a friend from my high school.

I'm holding my clarinet, third row, second on the left; and, although it has been over 30 years since this picture was made, I can remember enjoying this moment and being with my musical friends.  This picture brings back good memories!  

Drawing......Again.

It has been a while since I had a reason to draw.....I mean, as a teacher, I used to draw pictures as a teaching tool/method for primary students, but it has been about four years since I have had any students to teach.....and I have been without my usual reason for drawing.  

When I was a child I drew pictures just to be drawing pictures.  I think I am reverting to that reason for drawing, and I like that idea.

Wounded Cockatoo

For the past few months I have been observing and feeding a wounded cockatoo.  I'm happy to see improvement! The cockatoo seems to be getting along as well as all the others now.  Here's a slide show of some recent pictures I have taken:

Wounded Cockatoo in Daylesford

Scrolling Text on a Blog

I am experimenting with scrolling text on my blog. :) This is speed #1



I am experimenting with scrolling text on my blog. :) This is speed #2



I am experimenting with scrolling text on my blog. :) This is speed #3



I am experimenting with scrolling text on my blog. :) This is speed #4



I am experimenting with scrolling text on my blog. :) This is speed #5

I found the html code for this at www.GoldCoastWebDesigns.com.

Letting the Leaves Lay Where They May

Double Doozies Down Under!

Chocolate Chip Double Doozie Cookies......I am thankful for them.

I baked up a batch a couple of days ago.  It had been over two years since I baked my last batch, I think.  My cookbooks have been in storage in Memphis, and I think I have had a slight fear of finding another recipe and converting the measurements here in Daylesford.  I found out that my fears were well founded, btw, as I dealt with creating a whole new recipe from my favorite one.....because of the differing units of measurements and being unfamiliar with Australian packaging, etc., etc.,.......as I left my American kitchen's comfort zone in my past.