Fun Stuff

Have you seen the size of the Skeeters in the woods lately?
Wow! 

Just kidding. It is a Tetradactyl Lego Dino, I tossed some Dinosaurs in my camera back on my early morning walk on Sunday. I was hoping to get around in the woods before the bugs woke up too much and while it was still cool outside.

I'd been working on my Lego Challenge for this month. I did some fun shots for the challenge. I really enjoyed working on doing it.
Seeing the work of other photographers really was interesting. Some shots were meh and some were just SO WOW that it took my breath away.

I have a hard time creating a backdrop out of Legos for my 'scenes'. However, I am working on it. I like to just dump some bricks in a bin and start building in no particular manner. Ideas come as I continue to build and often, I will redo one build several times before I am satisfied.

These were my latest space efforts.

This is George, he is a space Explorer who is hunting Power Crystals. In the Lego land of adventures, many of the space sets come with little 'power' crystals that are blue. I thought I'd pick up all the loose little clear red pieces and see if I could 'create' something in red.

This is what it looked like on the kitchen table. 

I wanted a more 'spacey' type scene so I suspended a girl astronaut with a blue crystal in her hand.  I wanted her to be floating.

It was another fun try at making a scene. It is okay and not spectacular. I don't consider it a flop nor a winner. But worth the time and effort to learn how to 'float' a minifig. I used floral wire to hold her up and simply erased it out of the shot.

Finally! It looks like Francine the Astronaut found the motherlode of blue power crystals!

Again, this was a practice build and not really worth submitting. Personally I had fun building the scene and making it so colorful.

I will keep trying to make something awesome even though the contest is over. I know I am much better at finding places in nature to take shots of Lego figures and it is so much easier.

I can combine it with my daily walks [while warding off monster bugs!].

I think these shots turned out much better than the above ones, but then...I am a person who loves putting the minifigures out in the woods!

The walk in the woods and the dry run where I took a shot of the Dinos:

I guess I like to struggle with making 'things' up because it is such a fun distraction of play. I have walked the same woods and trails for 28 years now and enjoy finding something new each time I am out there.

If that includes silly things like toys, then so be it.

I'm not the only one either that does this! There are a so many hobby photographers that carry a toy, a teddy bears, or rubber duckies around just to place them in interesting places! There are groups of photographers on Flickr that just photograph and collect teddy bears! Or dolls...or anything you can imagine.

I do it because it brings me joy and keeps me thinking in creative ways.

So off I go today to do my chores, check my fences, grocery shop, clean house, garden, and see if I can find some time to think of something to imagine.

I really should set aside my Legos and perhaps take a Teddy Bear for a walk.

Why not? Anything is possible with a good imagination.

It's been a while since Bear and I have been out together.

Teddy Bears save the Day by Sunshine

Did you know that Teddy Bears can stop the killing instinct that bicycles have?  I didn't know this!

See how the bike seems subdued and harmless? Obviously these wild bears have tamed it!

In fact, the Bears took down the bike and laid it on the ground!

Down the bike went in a big heap! The Bears crawled all over it until it showed no Aggression.

 Siera is still not quite convinced, however with the Bears nearby, she manages not to snort at it. Her reply is:

"This Wild Mule Eating Bike may be subdued! However those mini humans with Unicorn Heads probably cannot control their Meat Eating MiniBicycles!  Bicycles are evil as are Baby Strollers.

I rest my case." 

I think I'll see if Val can bring a Teddy Bear with when we ride next. She told me last night that we are on 'Staycation' because the weather is getting very hot and humid along with icky air. I'll miss the riding and play time.
Sigh.

Vermont Teddy Bear

I received a surprise package in the mail from a friend of mine in Alabama. BJ and I have never met face to face but somehow our friendship that started on Flickr morphed into something quite different.

It was a box. On the top of the box it says: Someone who cares about you sent you a Vermont Teddy Bear.

So Charlie was pretty darned sure that this toy was intended for him.

A Teddy Bear in a Moose Jumpsuit with my name embroidered on it!

Here is what the card inside said:

Share your Bear Story

There's a story that goes with every opened Vermont Teddy Bear box, and we want to hear all about yours. Was your Bear a birthday gift? did someone far away want to say they miss you? No matter the occasion, we want to hear all about it! Share your Bear story and pictures with us on social media using the hashtag #LoveIsInTheBEAR.

On the next section the card says:

Love Is in the Bear

Someone who cares about you designed a Bear just for you! A Vermont Teddy Bear is more than fur, stuffing, and joints - giving a Teddy Bear is an act of love. Each Bear is as unique as the person who receives one, but each says the same thing in his or her own special way: "I love you."

The last section of the card:

Guaranteed for Life

If anything should ever happen to your Bear, even if the family dog decides to make it a favorite toy, send your Bear back to us and we will nurse him or her back to health in our Bear Hospital at no charge. If, by chance, your Bear was too badly injured with no hope of recovery, we will replace your Bear with a new one for FREE!

This came just when I needed it. I held Moose close all evening while we sat and watched some programs. Moose. I guess that is what I should call him/her? Not sure. But he is so soft and huggable. Not only that? He is jointed which makes him extra special.

So today marked our first adventure together. 

I may have to trim a little of his long hair around his eyes. But I think we are going to get along just fine.

Moose seems to like the forest just fine.

And Bear agrees with me. It will be a good fit.

They even spent some time at the creek watching the trout below. Notice who had to join in!

There is one last note that came with Moose Bear.

"When you go down in the woods any day, take a companion along. BJ"

If you go out in the woods today
You're in for a big surprise
If you go down in the woods today
You better go in disguise
For every bear that ever was
Will gather there for certain because
Today is the day the teddy bears have their picnic

The Teddy Bear's Picnic ~ by Rosemary Clooney

If you were my Grandma...

...that would be kinda cool. 

Such a wonderful compliment from a 10 year old. I picked up my pal Briar and took him to CrossFit with me where he read a book and I worked out. We headed home and he chatted about the weather, Covid, school, insects, history, and what he was doing for the weekend.

He was going to visit his Grandparents on mom's side. 

His mom and one sister had a doctor's appointment and for these appointments I've offered to help out by taking Briar to my house so we can take a walk or he can play with my neighbor's kids. 

After all, I have a bit more leeway in my schedule than most folks. 

After the kids gathered...

As Briar has said before. "If we come to your house we always walk to the creek. Always."

Water draws doesn't it? It draws us to it.

With the drought parts of the creek are dry. The kids were discussing what to do when I suggested a castle.

A castle for Teddy Bears...

A couple of Bears just happened to be in my camera bag.

And furious building ensued. The Bears needed a grand castle with sticks as a roof. Grass, moss, and bark were layered onto the roof to make it more secure.

And Groundchalier [not my name, but the kids came up with it] was born. Named as such because it was like a beautiful chandelier but it was on the ground.

I sat and watched and stayed quiet. This was all their fun. I was there just to keep an eye out in the woods.

Plans were hatched to build future huts for the army they were going to hire to protect the castle.

They asked if I had toys they could build huts for.

As

if...

Of course!

We headed back and stopped at the Forest Garden where they re-arranged the Gargoyle, unicorns, dragons, and dinosaurs. 

All was as it should be. 

Charlie was very sad to see his new friends go.

Until next time.

Make your own...

 ...Fun....

on the 4th.

The Teddy Bear Gang wanted to celebrate and cool off. They look very happy.

Saturday night was tough for Charlie. A far off farm set off a huge firework show and the booms were enough to awaken Rich. He figured out what it was  --- and where it was --- while Charlie quivered underfoot. I made a pile of my clothes and a special blanket next to my side of the bed and Charlie got burrowed in. Safe from the noises.

My mules and horse don't get excited about the noises as they are used to things like gunfire at hunting season and fireworks in the distance. The practice runs from the C 130's that fly at tree level rarely bother them any more. 

Storm fronts set them off running. 

Okay. That aside.

Just my luck to spot this guy in the meadow across the fence while Charlie and I returned from checking the mailbox for Saturday's mail. We must have a substitute mail person. I had everyone else's mail. 

I kicked myself for not having the super duper zoom lens. Oh well, more opportunities will arise as always.

This is how Charlie spent his afternoon. I spent some time with him. I find the slight breeze under the trees and the song of birds so much nicer than the sound of fans and A/C.

Charlie loves the hammock. Odd little dog!

Our morning walk have gave us quite the view of Smokey sunrise skies perhaps from the Canadian fires?

This with no filter...it was that dusky as the sun peeked over the trees.

Haze is the word of the day. Hazy and hot:

All critters were moved to areas with plenty of water and plenty of shade to enjoy. 

Sunday's sunrise was much prettier and it was a good morning for a walk in the forest. I got plenty of black berries picked.

It was a fine day for seeking interesting insects too. More later on that. I was really hoping to find some fantastic fungi shots to share...

The advice from my Garden Dragon today is to simply meditate and chill out.

I think I will listen to him.

For whatever reason I feel exhausted. 

Toys and toys

I took this shot of this tiny tiny rabbit [it is for Fairy Gardens and Terrariums] while out counting broken fence insulators. I was going to toss it, but the light was neat and it was next to a tree with mossy roots. I let it simmer for a bit on my hard drive...and then this morning I 'felt' it.

I'll admit it. I like hiking with toys in my pocket. Did you know that Toy Photography is a Thing?

I would love to be like Mitchel Wu, but he uses a studio. He is creative and his toys are always doing something fantastic. I could look at his stuff forever. I want to run out and purchase Lego People. But, I don't ... yet. They are pricey!

I like to take my items out hiking with me. Or fixing fence. Or riding. Or keep something in my pocket at all times. Of course Spidey is taking on a yard thistle.

I'm sometimes like a child and take delight in finding 'things' for my toys to do. My favorite toys are the mini soldiers. I carry them in my back pack all of the time.

Years ago, my neighbor chopped off a Barbie Doll's hair and made her a set of coveralls and a skunk hat. I started finding ways to pose and photograph the doll for entertainment.

I had such a blast.

[Note to self, get out Val Barbie again!]

A childhood friend sent me her tiny wooden animals to join my menagerie of toys.

The squirrel is my favorite.

A friend I've made on Flickr sent me a huge box of Superheroes! Yes, that is where the Spiderman came from. 

And of course there are the dragons and dinosaurs.

And...

some of my other favorites?

Teddy Bears. 

Lil' Bear who is the CrossFit Mascot. Our coach would set him up after workouts and I'd do a little blurb for our CF site. Now Lil' Bear is just waiting to get back to the gym after a year!

He does look a bit lonely doesn't he?

And then there are the Teddy Bears that I picked up for a quarter at a Thrift Shop. 

I had a notion and tossed the bears into a canvas sack.

You know these Teddy's if left unchecked can do some interesting things.

I think they were brewing a spell!

Bbbbbabbby it's cold out there!

It was -6 this morning and there was a windchill going on. But by the time I was done with hauling hay and water, I was hot! 

I took Charlie with me to get the mail and got a surprise. There was a thing left by the post person on Thursday. "Sorry we couldn't deliver". I looked the item number up on line and it showed an attempt of delivery at MY address at 9:15am on Friday. Well hell's bells. They never tried. I was outside doing chores on Friday at that time and the mail is never delivered until afternoon anyway.

I've gone through this before. Items that need a signature are never delivered to my door. Not since the last post person retired and the new person took over. Tsk, tsk. I paged through my 'Informed Delivery' and it was not included there either. 
Last year I went to the Post Office and talked to our delivery person and explained to him that he had to drive past the upper house to the lower house. 

Alas. Any complaints to the Post Office are met with deaf ears and attitude.

Well oh well. A trip to town come Monday morning is on the docket then. 

But on a good note~~

The VA called and Rich gets his first vaccination on Tuesday. Apparently I could have driven to Madison tomorrow and done it, but our high temps will be below zero. The VA used an auto dial and recorded message for us to call in an make an appointment. I was surprised that there was NO long wait on the telephone and that appointments were not that far out!

That was very good news. I prefer the Madison VA because Rich has had some severe reactions to meds in the past. Better there than a clinic or drug store.

I had a happy dance.

Fred, the Elder Mule and Mica were doing just fine bathing in the sun next to the big shed. I filled their water 4 times with warmed water. By Wednesday everyone will go back to their regular places. My shaggy mule monsters were napping on the forest edge in the late afternoon sunlight. 

But they looked quite content. 

I read a book after shoveling a path from the driveway to the house.

Then I took some time to play with some toys a Flickr pal sent me. Seems like people think I like toys to photograph!

These are hilarious. I wind the toys up and they hop or walk in circles. Charlie nudges them with his nose. He is not quite sure what to do with them. I think the wooden Squirrel is trying to organize them but it doesn't look as if anyone but the flopping teeth toy is listening!

Old Teddy Bears

happy not to be outside.

Something just for fun. 

I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.

Hmmm.

Tomorrow it is supposed to get up to something like -4! I wonder if the creek did a 'flash' freeze.

I guess I will find out!