Trying more things...

I had an idea that it would be fun to try and photograph food dye as it drops through a glass receptacle.

I watched a video and then another one and another one. Then I decided to try it anyway. I used an old vase with defects that showed up, but still enjoyed the process. If nothing else, it was a great use of time to NOT sit on the couch and watch the boob Tube [as Dad used to call it].

I did this on the kitchen counter and all the lighting is off and not great. The first photo is with my cellphone.

Then I decided to do a mini video.
15 seconds.

I decided then that what I really really would love to love to have is a good ol' Lava Lamp.

After deciding that I'd go ahead and try this in a better spot and with better lighting, I ended up with this below.

 

Well, it didn't come out very well. I need to study it better and figure out why everything is so bleh. I'll pass on it for right now. I moved on.

I got out a white mixing bowl and thought I'd try some paint swirls. The red wasn't happy and dropped to the bottom and the glittery blue metallic blue did some interesting things. I dropped in some dish soap drops and everything moved all over. 

Fun, interesting, and interesting. But not worth more of my time.

I wanted to try a high key shot in the bowl of a tiny tiny pink flower.

I had a trick up my sleeve that involved water, playdoh, and a tiny bit of milk.

The playdoh held up the tiny flower in the water. The milk added white to the scene. I added lights from a desk lamp and a cube light.

Cha-Ching! I liked the feel of it. I know I could do better, but instead of starting all over, I thought I'd toss in some food dye.

So I added some drops of red. WHOA! 

Then some drops of blue.

I finally took a toothpick and pushed the mixture around a bit and settled on this as my final, though I actually like them all.

By now it was getting late and Charlie was groaning and complaining on the couch about not having his 'cuddle' time. I explained to him that this was much better than staring at a screen and that I was using my brain and making a huge mess.

He gave me his big Googlie eyes and I did relent after cleaning up my mess. 

No big celebrations here. Today is a day. Tomorrow is a day.

An Un-day

I woke up to a second day of incredible fog. I thought it would be fun to see what the infrared camera captured in the thick fog.
I was surprised at the amount of light I did get!

The bark of the trees actually reflected an unforeseen light back to the camera.

The green pine needles turned white in the black and white version of Fred in the morning paddock waiting for his breakfast...the yard reflected white also.

When the sun broke through just before the rain started...

the whole winter pasture and sky looked amazing!
I took a similar shot with my regular camera and it did not pick up the sky detail like this did.

The rest of the day was dreary and grey with about 1/2 an inch of rain.

Neither Rich or I slept well the night before so we took naps. I don't often do that, but Charlie convinced me that taking a day nap while reading a book with him cuddled on my legs would be perfect.

When I woke, I really wasn't in the mood to do anything at all and the day was still quite dreary. I decided to let my list of to - do's wait another day while I took a day off.

I think my mistake the night before was reading an article about a doctor in Chicago and his account of putting people on ventilators. Of trying to calm them, to suit up and do so many procedures each night. And then watch them on monitors as they respond or don't.
The story was sobering and gut punching. Just the sort of thing I like to read.

But I shouldn't...not ever...ever read something like that before going to bed.
I didn't sleep and when I did it was fitful with dreams of breathing machines and doctors with face masks...
of never being able to touch or hug someone again if they got sick.

Of how this virus has de-humanized us in so many ways. I did finally sleep towards morning. But the night was a nightmare.
I finally found a good book and dove into it until my eyes were too heavy.

Tomorrow is another day.

Mixed Bag

A horrible shot of Charlie, but evidence that now the two dogs are tolerant of each other.
Charlie was a bit put out by Teslin taking over that side of the couch. He preferred it when she would lay in her cozy little bed or go upstairs. She has quit going upstairs now and prefers our company.

She has decided that Charlie's food is better and has gained a pretty good appetite. Teslin will come and stare at me when she wants dry food. She has free feed food in her own bowl. That is fine with me. When Miss Picky eater is hungry and she gets food.
Both dogs went with me on a long walk yesterday. Mistake. Don't let Tes off leash, she has a way of deciding to take her own way and wander. My son said she isn't deaf, but she is when I call her.
So she was put on a leash and our hike was rerouted towards home. Coming through the meadow ... I had to carry Charlie. The grasses were so thick and hip tall on me.
Note to self. Stay out of the tall stuff with the dogs.

I took an afternoon to start to clean all of the saddles and gear. I sat on the porch Sunday with the dogs and cleaned 5 saddles and oiled britchens.
After pulling a tire off the zero turn mower, I took it in for repairs and then spent the evening trying another first.

Rich has always roached our mules' manes. So I decided to use the clippers this year as I'd used scissors last year with okay results, but it took forever.

So there is Sunshine with her Shaggy Messy mane.

Clipped! And I did her ears too. She looks much better. I used an old set of clippers on her. I asked Rich why he had quit using them. He said something about not cutting or some such thing. I thought I'd find it's manual and well...

Holy cow! I fixed them, cleaned the blades, oiled it, and then used the clippers on Sunshine! I even watched videos on YouTube to see if there was an easier way to clip. I followed a video and it worked out better.

Siera was a cakewalk. I used the large clippers on her. I'd taken them apart and cleaned and oiled them also. See? I am learning!

 Messy...

Stunning!

Last night I caught up the youngest mule. Rich said she hated clippers. I put her on the tree and turned on the quiet clippers. Sundance lost her mind. I know Rich had twitched her in the past to do it. But I am in no hurry. I left Sundance tied to the 'Naughty Tree' while I put everything away.
I was going to have to calm her down and we'd take our time regarding clipping.

Sundance and I went to the round pen and worked for a while. She decided that the goat in his pen was a mule-eating transmorgifying monster of some sort. Eventually she walked over and stared at Sven who just talked to her through his pen.

Sundance thought he was okay to look at. But I was still the enemy and I was NOT going to touch her at all. This was my own fault for not properly dealing with her clipper issue. But at the same time, it opens up a door for us to work together. She was doing so well last fall and it fell apart last night.

I worked with her and as soon as she turned, dropped her head, and walked to me with a kind look in her eye...I praised her and then took her back to the pasture after a short time grazing in the yard.
I let her loose in the pasture and she decided to glue herself to me.

I think I was forgiven. Her sister, Sunshine thought she'd like to get caught again.

Soon.

I think I am glad I didn't do a vegetable garden this year. I'm hoping to spend a lot of time working with Sundance. My goal is to have her under saddle this summer at some point.

Here is where we were last year when I had to end our lessons in the round pen.

~~ This is where the large square hay bales are stored for the winter. I dislike having to use this space but hopefully I'll work something out soon enough.