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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Another 19 posts painted today

A couple of days ago, my blogger virtual friend Merikay wrote about Re-Learning to See.  It got me thinking.  I always try to see the little details around me during my days, but a reminder to stop, and look, and wonder, is always welcome.  So as I headed out to paint my 19 posts for the day, I kept that in mind.  I hope you enjoy what I found today.

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There was a pretty heavy fog around this morning as a result of the rain last night, and the abnormally high temps and humidity.  I just had to stop the truck and admire these delicate spider webs that were made so visible by the foggy dew.  Each of us creatures on earth make our own way through this world, but what beauty and symmetry I observed in the high branches.  Yep, it was one of those times to stop, and look, and wonder…  Of course, the guy in the Speedy Delivery van gave me on odd look, and probably didn’t appreciate me stopping in the middle of the road with my door open.  Disappointed smile

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After I finished my first four posts in the blazing hot sun, I headed across the street to paint the more shaded gate posts for the River Road Trail.  The gate was bordered on each side by large boulders left by the glaciers in times long past.  But I just had to wonder about these bluish lichens that were living on the boulders.  I sure wished I had my friend Jack’s macro lens when I took these shots.

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When you are out painting posts by yourself for six hours a day, you have a lot of time to ponder things.  This sign made me ponder.  Do you see what’s wrong with this picture?

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Yeah, some idiot with a shotgun decided to take a blast at this sign that designates a handicapped accessible fishing pier.  What’s up with that?  Can anyone explain to me why some people think it’s so macho to shoot at signs?  In my mind it ranks right up there with throwing your trash out your vehicle window.  However, I’d like you all to notice the beautiful stain job on the sign posts!  Open-mouthed smile

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I tried to identify the wild flowers in tonight’s post, but after consulting my Minnesota wildflower book I’m still not sure.

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I’m hoping the guru of Minnesota wildflowers, and fellow blogger that writes Far Side of Fifty, will help me out here. 

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I also found some little red berries ripening.  They looked luscious, but since I don’t know what they are, I wasn’t about to taste them no matter how much I was tempted.

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So, it was a day observing and enjoying the little things in life as I made my way through painting today’s 19 posts.  Thanks, Merikay, for the reminder.

Since I’m leaving on Thursday for a weekend down in Rochester for my Mayo Clinic appointments, I decided to do a load of laundry tonight in preparation.  I figured I’d just hang the clothes out on the line tonight, and they’d dry tomorrow during this continued hot spell.  What I didn’t count on was hanging the clothes out just at dusk.  Uff-da!  I was reminded in a very short time that the mosquitoes are still here in full force at dusk, and I was wearing shorts.  You can guess the results.  I have to quit now to scratch my legs!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

28 comments:

  1. That was a wonderful post by Merikay. My problem is not relearning but learning to see with a better eye. I actually feel I am doing a little better than I was five years ago. But I still can't help you with flower or berry names.

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  2. OH MY! The spider webs are totally awesome! I have never seen photographs of webs so detailed and pretty!

    Yes, I enjoyed Merikay's post as well...a nice reminder to slow down and look all around!

    I did notice the stained posts...nice job! How many more posts to go?

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  3. I need to run over and read Merikay's post. I do enjoy seeing little things ~ that spider web is a lesson in symmetry ... just amazing. Somewhere in my memory banks, I read that spider webs are stronger than steel. well, hells bells look at Spider Man climbing all over the place. wouldn't that be something!

    I hate to step on wildflowers when I'm walking .. I know this sounds goofy but I did inadvertently a couple of times and reached down and perked the little things back up! ... me and my old big self stepping on a flower... makes me sad MUCH LESS these rat bastards who deface MY house...

    public lands are MY house ~ shooting guns or defacing my property pisses me off. I think you already know how I feel about litter. rant

    fine post painting, Judy.

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  4. yellow cone flower maybe? hope you have a supply of calamine for those bites.,
    if a person stops to look, if they have an 'artists brain' it really helps to see.
    A friend of mine is a great artist, we can look at the same thing and she sees it totally
    different than I. she sees the beauty. I can so appreciate people like you and Al that
    can take such wonderful pictures of mundane items.

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  5. See now if you'd be more reckless when painting and spill lots of paint on your legs, the skeeters wouldn't bother you 'cause they'd think them legs were sign posts. How's that for some Yankee logic? :cD

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  6. Great photos! I especially like the spider webs. I think that since I've gotten interested in photography I've looked at things not only more carefully but from lots of different angles. Looking at "things" from a different perspective makes them look different as well. Kind of like everything else in life....

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  7. Who crocheted those spider webs? ;)

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  8. I've got to tell you some of the finest post painting I've ever encountered.

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  9. those spider webs are amazing!!
    hope the itching didn't keep you awake!

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  11. The spider web photo is amazing. Such a shame when some idiot vandalizes a sign. I don't understand what purpose it serves to destroy the property of others. Yep, Connie (Far Side) will know what those flowers are - she is the Minnesota flower expert.

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  12. That's an amazing web picture. So beautiful. I'm never able to capture them that well. Can't help with the wildflower id, or an explanation of idiot sign shooters. But the admonition to observe closely is one I try to follow especially when out in nature. I love the stop, look and WONDER advice.

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  13. Loved the spider web photo, the detail is beautiful. I too always wondered about sign shooters--what's the thrill???

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  14. Smart lady - do not eat berries if you don't know what they are. I am thinking that goes for mushrooms too?

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  15. Beautiful spider web photos.

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  16. Your spider web photo reminded me of a time some years ago, before blogger, when I sent a wonderful image of a dew covered web to my sister. She came back with spider webs gave her the creeps. We are very different people, and I'm glad I am who I am, and that I now know some others who also love nature as much as I do. I love macro images. I had a good macro lens on one of our cameras and enjoyed using it. I also love bones!

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  17. Good post Carolyn, public property belongs to all of us, and defacing it also pisses me off. There are so many wonderful "tiny" things we just walk passed. Thanks for the photo's.

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  18. Didn't get to your post until this morning - spectacular photos - especially the spider webs. I love the natural symmetry of that arachnacious (no such word) handiwork. Yesterday I came upon a spider on my water hose that had a huge load of eggs under her abdomen. She was a medium-sized brownish black spider, kind of non-discript carrying this giant load; I would guess she was looking for a place to deposit them. I didn't have a camera and she was gone when I returned. Drats!

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  19. Love today's post. What a great reminder to stop and smell the roses.

    I was admiring the posts so much, I missed the gunshot. lol

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  20. I didn't see the gunshots because I was looking at the beautifully painted posts. :-)

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  21. Most signs have some gun shot holes around here. It has always been that way. Your flowers are Woodland Sunflowers or Helianthus divaricatus and a Green Headed Coneflower or Ratibida laciniata. I believe your berries are High Bush Cranberry or Viburnum trilobum...I would check and make sure they have one flat seed inside the berry. They are tart and very sour. Some people make jam with them. Beautiful berries! I enjoyed your webs too, you get up way to early! The posts look good! :)

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  22. Absorbine Junior Liquid is my go to remedy for skeeter bites..takes the itch away:)

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  23. Very impressing spider webs. Your pictures are awesome! I like the yellow flowers as well.

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  24. I think the idiots shoot at signs because despite using a shot gun, they can't hit anything else.
    Those web pictures are fantastic.

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  25. Great pictures, interesting views. Can't be too many posts left to paint.

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  26. pics of the spider webs are magnificent. . .each time I read one of your posts, I'm reminded to look for the little things. . .really great!

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  27. It must be that the shooters are using the signs as specific points for target practice. I am not a gun owner but knowing kids that would be my guess. Shirley H.

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