Progress!

So, I got the 4 wheeler going. But now I understand that it needs more than just my help.
I sat down yesterday morning and read the manual and Troubleshooting Guide for this machine. Really, I do like this 4 wheeler, and I think with a tune up and spark plug change, it could run for me all winter long, but other than hauling things with the cart, I don't use it much in the winter.

So at CrossFit we were sitting around after working out and someone made a suggestion that was actually a great idea.

This:

Yeah. A Polaris Ranger with a snow plow. These newer UTV's are for working and have engine block heaters and electronic fuel injection and all sorts of gizmo thingies to run in the winter or summer and the cheaper version can haul 800lbs of 'stuff'.
Oh my heart be still.
Yes, it is expensive, but I think I could easily sell the skid steer and get one of these which would be sooooo much more useful!

I'm thinking of how to approach Rich. It may take a year or so, but I think I have found a solution.
Yesterday I 'aired' up the truck tire and moved it to a level spot so if it goes flat again I can take the tire off.
One of the reasons I haven't sold the truck is that we had a conversation about it last year. Rich said that truck was to last as long as he lived. Huh. Do I need to say more?

So on to the fun stuff.

Yesterday morning ... going out for chores....

The dawn was delightful.
The temperatures were mild and dry!

So later in the day I thought I'd take a short walk with Charlie. I took a bagful of stuff for ... well, here it is:

I'm always searching for a fun way to use the woods as a backdrop for some still life photography.
Can you guess which camera I used to take this photo? Hint [the little Tough Camera!]

Or this?

Charlie was not amused at this intervention of his job to smell and search out squirrels. However he did sit still for me. Just would NOT look at me directly. I'll have to try this again with some dog treats!

Lighted vase in between two mossy rocks...

An Elf...

Grumpy Gnome...

Cowboy snowman...

All sorts of fun in the woods!

And then an incredible sunset....

Let the Winter Solstice celebration begin!

Conversations with Charlie

The sun was coming up. Charlie was snoozing in my lap as I had my second cup of coffee.
I remembered that I was supposed to run to the local gas station and grab some milk for breakfast.

I grabbed a camera and tucked Charlie under one arm and his little bed under the other. I was going to test how well Charlie liked to ride in the car. I hadn't had him in a car since I'd brought him home.

I was rather surprised that he actually sat in his little bed and watched me drive. I only had to push him back once.
I pulled into the station and locked Charlie in the car telling him to 'stay'. Oh, I know he had no idea what I told him. But I was rather surprised that he in fact was still sitting in his bed when I returned.

On our way back across the bridge, I stopped. This was one of my favorite places to watch the sun come up. The trees reflected beautifully on Blackbottom Creek.
I parked and took Charlie on leash over to the bridge. Some Canada Geese flew in and landed. Charlie looked up at me. The scene was breathtaking.
I took some photos and then picked up Charlie. He looked up at me.
"Charlie, wasn't that the most amazing thing you've ever seen?"

Well, Charlie didn't really answer.

I talked to him as I drove home. I discussed the situation with Mom in Law and the Nursing Home, I told him about rehab and then I stopped on the ridge and told him about the Eagles soaring in the morning light. He was more impressed with the Eagles, I think.

I'd planned on going to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve in the afternoon. I couldn't leave Charlie at home. Rich was feeling tired and didn't want to deal with a puppy.

"Hey Charlie. Want to try another car ride? Want to go to the KVR ponds and watch waterfowl?"
I picked up his pet crate and Charlie suddenly took a keen interest in what I was doing.
"Is that a yes?"
Charlie trotted next to the crate.
He followed me along all the way to the Subaru. I gently picked him up and set him in the crate.

Rich had suggested that for a 20 minute drive, Charlie should be in the crate. What would happen if he suddenly jumped down by my feet while I was negotiating a nasty curve on 131. I hate to admit it, Rich was right.

Charlie was not happy with the arrangements. But he settled in after a few miles and was quiet until we reached KVR. I opened up the crate. Charlie wasn't sure of what to do.

I attached the cord and shouldered my back pack. I could hear more Canada Geese in the distance.

"Charlie. The guess are at the ponds. Let's go. Have you seen these guys? They are huge! I can't wait! How about you. I have treats and I brought water too for you.
Oops, there is a huge black mucky hole.
Let me grab you.
Hey, yup.
Okay."

I prattled on and on as we walked up the partially paved old 131 Trail. Charlie trotted ahead. Ahead I saw a lady walking towards us. We stopped so Charlie could greet her. Puppies are always worth conversation with strangers.

Charlie greeted the woman with wiggles and wags. She knelt down and pet him. He wiggled harder.

On we traveled. I told Charlie about the sky and the colors and how the world would change in just a month or so. There would be the sound of green leaves blowing in the warm breezes. The grass would be green, wild flowers would blossom. I told him to listen to the geese, they were going crazy.

We got to the pond. The geese were making a lot of noise. I sat on the bench and Charlie asked to sit in my lap. The sun was warm.

I sat at the edge of the blind in the sunlight.

I whispered to Charlie. And we sat quietly watching the geese.

We eventually left and headed back towards where I'd parked. I knew Rich would be waiting for our return.

Charlie and I talked about things. Nothing in particular, just things.
I think he listened.
No matter.
He won't tell on me. He won't disclose my secrets. Charlie is a good guy.

On our way back to the car Charlie greeted another photographer and we gave him directions to the 'blind'. Just before we got to the parking lot a class of 4th graders swarmed us. They were out with their teacher to see the spring birds.

Charlie was a champ. He didn't get too excited over all of the kids mooning over him.

I knelt down next to him when we got to the car.
He wagged his tail.

He went back in his crate for the ride home.

He slept. I drove.

Conversations with Charlie are one sided, but at least I feel like he is listening to me.
And that makes me smile inside and out.

Things I am learning about Still Life Photography

I really thought I disliked Still Life photography.
In fact I knew that I did not like it.
I would be terrible at it. I'd suck at it.
I wouldn't know what to do with it.
I didn't have the patience for it.
I didn't have the cameras for it.
I liked the outdoors, I was a nature person...

However. When the bleak November skies are dreary. Sometimes a bit of indoor photography is a good alternative.

I don't know what I'll do with some of these shots, but they were fun to 'make'.

I set white painted boards down, and tossed some scrap clothes along with beads, fake jewelry, and a doily that I picked up at the Flea Market. I used a page from my grandmother's daily diary and an old photo of my father in law and his family taken...well, when he was little.

Elliott's book keeps finding its way into my photos. I find the entries pretty interesting.

Then of course, I have to do a bit of silliness.

An old wooden crate, some toy soldiers my youngest son left years ago, and toy dinosaurs.

The real challenge would have been to get them all in focus with some focus stacking.

Then I went back to a favorite of mine that had been packed away for nearly a year. The salt and pepper shaker donkey.

I used a bit of High Key style editing and was pleased.

There is a strange side effect to doing Still Life. You find yourself looking at a scrape of ribbon or cloth and wondering if it would look good in a shot. So you save it.
You find a coffee cup at the flea market with chips and cracks and think, "Wow, this would look neat if I..." and you purchase it with other pieces of "junk".

Slowly your collection of stuff accumulates.
An old lace table cloth.
Ribbons.
Toys.
Cups not fit for drinking out of, and some that are.
Glass bits.
Fake jewelry.
White boards.
Crates. Wood chunks.

Your husband wanders by and watches you set up a tea party with stuffed animals and shakes his head as he walks by.
He is sure that you are certifiably nuts.

And perhaps you are.
Nuts over Still Life.

Wednesday Fun.

With morning temperatures in the below zero area, I decided not to take Mr. Morris for his morning walk.  

I thought I'd wait for a bit and perhaps take him out later.

I'd gone last Saturday to an indoor flea market in our local little town and had picked up some items for about $15 for my 52BeStill photography class.  I felt a few new items [or old!] might help with inspiration.

It did!  I set up some wooden boards on the floor after I'd hung out the laundry to freeze dry.  I got out the old white sheet and some chairs and began to play with some items.

Of course Morris had to get involved in setting things up.

After the wild soup was set up in the crockpot, I gathered my books and walked to my neighbor's house.  We had some fresh brewed chocolate coffee and I read to Allie and Logan.

Logan loved the way I growled and roared while reading the story about how Morris's toys found Terrible Tiger.

It was fun to see him point out Morris in the book photos and he even growled in imitation.

Story time ended and I went home to make sure all of our animals had nice fresh water.  I wore my heavy coveralls and rabbit fur lined bomber hat.  After a few trips with buckets, I was actually too warm.

After 3:30, Carson called and asked if we could meet up and go for a walk.  So I met them in the driveway and we went on a little adventure.

It is amazing what children can find to do in the woods. I think I can call this sport, rock jumping.