MIDWEEK MADNESS BLUES CMMC – April Pick a Topic from my Photo Here's the photo: Cee's original I've got a few pictures 🤩 This is a very blue CBD Coffee House in Rhode Island. I don't know what it means. Guesses anyone? A bright blue door under a bright blue sky Big ladder for a short person The perfect blue This Red Star yeast is still -- repackaged in a sealed container -- in our refrigerator. At the rate we use it, it's likely we'll never run out of yeast.

MIDWEEK MADNESS BLUES

CMMC – April Pick a Topic from my Photo Here's the photo: Cee's original I've got a few pictures 🤩 This is a very blue CBD Coffee House in Rhode Island. I don't know what it means. Guesses anyone? A bright blue door under a bright blue sky Big ladder for a short person The…

WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS – B & W CBWC: Anything with wheels So many wheels in so many places! In living black and white, many wheels. Old fire truck wheel Jeep steering wheel Working on a farm Wagon wheels on a wagon View through a bicycle wheel - Photo: Garry Armstrong Miniature steam engine

WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS – B & W

CBWC: Anything with wheels So many wheels in so many places! In living black and white, many wheels. Old fire truck wheel Jeep steering wheel Working on a farm Wagon wheels on a wagon View through a bicycle wheel - Photo: Garry Armstrong Miniature steam engine

HOW AMERICA LOST ITSELF Editor's note: The following is just as true now as it was when Marily wrote it 4 years ago, perhaps more so. We had lofty pretensions when we created the United States. Despite that, we had lunch with the devil and included slavery to soothe the South and, more than a little, to also soothe the North. The importation and sale of human beings was a big money-maker.

HOW AMERICA LOST ITSELF

Editor's note: The following is just as true now as it was when Marily wrote it 4 years ago, perhaps more so. We had lofty pretensions when we created the United States. Despite that, we had lunch with the devil and included slavery to soothe the South and, more than a…

MORE ABOUT THE WHITE ORCHID FOTD – April 21– White Orchids Since I took these pictures yesterday afternoon, another bud has opened. I still had some of these I thought worth posting, so I'll take new pictures tomorrow. Outside, it's cold. It's not as cold as it is in Alberta, where it snowed yesterday, but it's not warm either. It went up to 58 degrees (14 C), but it's dropping down below freezing tonight.

MORE ABOUT THE WHITE ORCHID

FOTD – April 21– White Orchids Since I took these pictures yesterday afternoon, another bud has opened. I still had some of these I thought worth posting, so I'll take new pictures tomorrow. Outside, it's cold. It's not as cold as it is in Alberta, where it snowed…

OF GIRLISH THINGS I never thought being a woman was a deterrent to becoming what I wanted to be. I didn't worry if it would be more difficult because I was a woman, even though I was working in a very male profession -- which computer development was back in the 1980s. I probably should have, but that's not how my mind works. That being said, there were two occasions when it was impossible not to notice that my girl-ness made me different.

OF GIRLISH THINGS

I never thought being a woman was a deterrent to becoming what I wanted to be. I didn't worry if it would be more difficult because I was a woman, even though I was working in a very male profession -- which computer development was back in the 1980s. I probably should have, but…

WATER WATER EVERYWHERE CFFC: Water We live between rivers, amidst streams, dams, and waterfalls. There are many problems in the valley, among them a lack of work and a fair bit of poverty -- but I have always thought the beauty of the Blackstone Valley compensates for everything. Jackman, Maine - Photo: Garry Armstrong Manchaug - Photo: Garry Armstrong Roaring Dam - Photo: Garry Armstrong Photo: Garry Armstrong

WATER WATER EVERYWHERE

CFFC: Water We live between rivers, amidst streams, dams, and waterfalls. There are many problems in the valley, among them a lack of work and a fair bit of poverty -- but I have always thought the beauty of the Blackstone Valley compensates for everything. Jackman, Maine -…

MACROS FROM THE INDOOR GARDEN FOTD – April 20 – Macros from the Indoor Garden It was warm, and now it's cold. Below freezing at night again. Rain in the morning, sun in midday, but it never got warm, even with the sun out. But, on a more positive note, the sun let me do some close macros of all the blooming orchids, plus the Easter lily and the cactus flower.

MACROS FROM THE INDOOR GARDEN

FOTD – April 20 – Macros from the Indoor Garden It was warm, and now it's cold. Below freezing at night again. Rain in the morning, sun in midday, but it never got warm, even with the sun out. But, on a more positive note, the sun let me do some close macros of all…

FAILING GRADE Last year, the following article was presented on the SERENDIPITY website concerning the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. Since then, the administration's war on learning has continued. Trump vs. Education by Rich Paschall It should have come as no surprise. Last year, we mentioned in "2025 or 1984" that the Heritage Foundation's "Project 2025, Mandate for Leadership" called for the elimination of the Department of Education.

FAILING GRADE

Last year, the following article was presented on the SERENDIPITY website concerning the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. Since then, the administration's war on learning has continued. Trump vs. Education by Rich Paschall It should have come…

SHARING THE WORLD AS APRIL MOVES TOWARD MAY Welcome to Share Your World - 19 April 2022 I'm glad I'm not the only one to find that somehow, AM has become PM -- or vice versa -- and the post isn't where it ought to be. I thought it was personal. I've been averaging one missing post every day. I often stay up late to make sure at least the first couple of posts go up.

SHARING THE WORLD AS APRIL MOVES TOWARD MAY

Welcome to Share Your World - 19 April 2022 I'm glad I'm not the only one to find that somehow, AM has become PM -- or vice versa -- and the post isn't where it ought to be. I thought it was personal. I've been averaging one missing post every day. I…

SUNSET ON THE ROAD HOME I took these pictures a couple of years ago, and I was never quite happy with them. I went back to the originals and redid them with minimal processing, and while they are less colorful, I like them better. My favorite The filters had changed the colors. I lost the pink in the clouds, but I got back the correct color for the sun that time of year. You have to make choices.

SUNSET ON THE ROAD HOME

I took these pictures a couple of years ago, and I was never quite happy with them. I went back to the originals and redid them with minimal processing, and while they are less colorful, I like them better. My favorite The filters had changed the colors. I lost the pink in…

SKETCHBOOK 57 – DAY’S END We watch "The Ten Commandments" every year at this time, give or take a day. It isn't out of admiration for the movie. It's because over the years it has become downright comedic and Garry just loves watching the Red Sea part for Moses, Moses, Moses. It's a very long movie -- close to four hours with an intermission that lets you change the DVD.

SKETCHBOOK 57 – DAY’S END

We watch "The Ten Commandments" every year at this time, give or take a day. It isn't out of admiration for the movie. It's because over the years it has become downright comedic and Garry just loves watching the Red Sea part for Moses, Moses, Moses. It's a very long…

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR OWN WRITING? Sunday Poser # 76 - From host Sadje: I like that I can write. I like that my writing never fails me. I love that I can keep tweaking what I've written until it's perfect and says precisely what I intend to say -- yet I can publish it with plenty of imperfections, and it will still be understandable. Writing keeps me alert.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR OWN WRITING?

Sunday Poser # 76 - From host Sadje: I like that I can write. I like that my writing never fails me. I love that I can keep tweaking what I've written until it's perfect and says precisely what I intend to say -- yet I can publish it with plenty of…

BLOOMING AT HOME FOTD – April 18 – Orchids, Anthurium, Cactus, and Easter Lilies For a while, nothing -- except the anthurium -- was blooming. Now, everything is blooming. Well, almost everything. Two of the orchids are thinking about blooming, but haven't gotten there quite yet. Most of the indoor garden Anthurium Easter lily and orchids Christmas (Easter) Cactus

BLOOMING AT HOME

FOTD – April 18 – Orchids, Anthurium, Cactus, and Easter Lilies For a while, nothing -- except the anthurium -- was blooming. Now, everything is blooming. Well, almost everything. Two of the orchids are thinking about blooming, but haven't gotten there quite yet. Most of the…

SKETCHBOOK 56 – ORCHIDS & A LILY Completely different, but done on the same day.

SKETCHBOOK 56 – ORCHIDS & A LILY

Completely different, but done on the same day.

DAFFODILS IN SUNSHINE FOTD – April 17 – Daffodils by Owen Kraus Owen took these with his phone, but it was a good day, and the sun was out for a while. It has gone back behind the clouds now, and it's chilling down. Now, it's really -- almost -- spring. If you look, you can see the leaves of the daylilies and columbine. In about three weeks, the flowers will all bloom. These last weeks of waiting are hard.

DAFFODILS IN SUNSHINE

FOTD – April 17 – Daffodils by Owen Kraus Owen took these with his phone, but it was a good day, and the sun was out for a while. It has gone back behind the clouds now, and it's chilling down. Now, it's really -- almost -- spring. If you look, you can see the leaves of the…

BLACK & WHITE LANDSCAPES CBWC: In the Distance This is work I almost always do in color, so finding pictures in black and white was interesting. But there are so many pictures, pretty much everything is there. I just have to find it. Photo: Garry Armstrong Peachum, Vermont Phoenix Mountains, Arizona A sky full of clouds and the endless wires

BLACK & WHITE LANDSCAPES

CBWC: In the Distance This is work I almost always do in color, so finding pictures in black and white was interesting. But there are so many pictures, pretty much everything is there. I just have to find it. Photo: Garry Armstrong Peachum, Vermont Phoenix Mountains,…

WOOD CFFC: Wood I've been planning to do this one for a couple of weeks, but it got lost in the pile of email. Today, I finally deleted enough and-- tada -- I found it! A handmade dulcimer Bark with beak

WOOD

CFFC: Wood I've been planning to do this one for a couple of weeks, but it got lost in the pile of email. Today, I finally deleted enough and-- tada -- I found it! A handmade dulcimer Bark with beak

WHO DID THESE SONGS? FIBBING FRIDAY - April 15, 2022 (These are still funny, perhaps more so) I don't usually do these because I can't think of anything clever or funny to say. Everyone else seems to find amusing stuff, but I go blank. BUT this time, I thought maybe I could do it, so I'm giving it a try. Another Brick in the Wall…

WHO DID THESE SONGS?

FIBBING FRIDAY - April 15, 2022 (These are still funny, perhaps more so) I don't usually do these because I can't think of anything clever or funny to say. Everyone else seems to find amusing stuff, but I go blank. BUT this time, I thought maybe I could do it, so I'm giving it…

APRIL’S BLOOMING CACTUS FOTD – April 16 – Out-Of-Season Cactus Bloom Is it a Christmas cactus? A Thanksgiving cactus? How about an Easter cactus? Because this one was blooming just in time for Easter. It's not a major bloom. Just one big bud, but still, way out of season. It's not the first time a Christmas Cactus has decided to bloom in spring or summer.

APRIL’S BLOOMING CACTUS

FOTD – April 16 – Out-Of-Season Cactus Bloom Is it a Christmas cactus? A Thanksgiving cactus? How about an Easter cactus? Because this one was blooming just in time for Easter. It's not a major bloom. Just one big bud, but still, way out of season. It's not the first time a…

THE KITCHEN DOOR Thursday Doors Sometimes you might need a new kitchen door. The project may turn out to be more work than anticipated. It always seems to turn out that way. A one-hour project could, in fact, be an all-day project. That's OK if the result is good. When Marilyn had the back door replaced, she also had the camera at the ready, as usual. A four-legged helper Success A New kitchen door Photos by Marilyn Armstrong.

THE KITCHEN DOOR

Thursday Doors Sometimes you might need a new kitchen door. The project may turn out to be more work than anticipated. It always seems to turn out that way. A one-hour project could, in fact, be an all-day project. That's OK if the result is good. When Marilyn had the back door…

Boston from the Baptist – The Citgo Sign and Fenway Park I had to be at the Baptist Hospital today to see my spine guy, harboring a hope that something can be done to make it hurt a bit less. I have been to the Baptist before, and I remembered that it was at the top of the hill on Parkman Hill Avenue in the area known to everyone as "hospital city."

Boston from the Baptist – The Citgo Sign and Fenway Park

I had to be at the Baptist Hospital today to see my spine guy, harboring a hope that something can be done to make it hurt a bit less. I have been to the Baptist before, and I remembered that it was at the top of the hill on Parkman Hill…

A LOOK AT THE WHOLE GARDEN FOTD - APRIL 16 - THE GARDEN INSIDE Owen brought me a new mini-orchid, which is lovely. I think that's it for flowers at that location. I did my best to try to take a decent shot of the whole batch. Not a great photograph, but it seems to be as good as I can do with the lenses I have available.

A LOOK AT THE WHOLE GARDEN

FOTD - APRIL 16 - THE GARDEN INSIDE Owen brought me a new mini-orchid, which is lovely. I think that's it for flowers at that location. I did my best to try to take a decent shot of the whole batch. Not a great photograph, but it seems to be as good as I can do with the…

BOKEH & THE INDOOR GARDEN BOKEH - THE SHARP & THE SOFT OF PHOTOGRAPHY My son brought home another orchid. I think that is it for room on my indoor garden table. I wish I could find another window, but this house isn't set up very well for window lighting. It's a bit frustrating because there was a time when I had hundreds of plants and flowers growing in my house.

BOKEH & THE INDOOR GARDEN

BOKEH - THE SHARP & THE SOFT OF PHOTOGRAPHY My son brought home another orchid. I think that is it for room on my indoor garden table. I wish I could find another window, but this house isn't set up very well for window lighting. It's a bit frustrating because there was a…

MACROS AND CLOSEUPS CMMC - April Close Up or Macro I used to do more macros and fewer close-ups. I've switched it around because a lot of the time, I prefer to look from just a wee bit further away. Orchid Petunia Chrysthemums Goldfinches The Duke

MACROS AND CLOSEUPS

CMMC - April Close Up or Macro I used to do more macros and fewer close-ups. I've switched it around because a lot of the time, I prefer to look from just a wee bit further away. Orchid Petunia Chrysthemums Goldfinches The Duke

YELLOW OR PURPLE CMMC April Colors: Yellow or Purple I just happen to have some lovely purple orchids -- and a few other purples to go with them. Purple Orchids Purple Crocus - Hearts of yellow Purple on the Prudential Tower Yellow and red peppers Purple and white ground cover on a stone wall. The house is yellow - Photo: Owen Kraus

YELLOW OR PURPLE

CMMC April Colors: Yellow or Purple I just happen to have some lovely purple orchids -- and a few other purples to go with them. Purple Orchids Purple Crocus - Hearts of yellow Purple on the Prudential Tower Yellow and red peppers Purple and white ground cover on a stone wall. The…

NOW THAT I’VE PROVED I’M ME, WHO DID I USED TO BE? I did it. I got my "real" official U.S. legal driver's license, which is an official ID. Today, I proved I'm me. It was a close call. Getting a car loan or a mortgage was far, far easier. In the process, we all went through periods of significant confusion. For example, I had two marriage certificates, both of which were for Garry and my wedding.

NOW THAT I’VE PROVED I’M ME, WHO DID I USED TO BE?

I did it. I got my "real" official U.S. legal driver's license, which is an official ID. Today, I proved I'm me. It was a close call. Getting a car loan or a mortgage was far, far easier. In the process, we all went through periods of significant…

A PROVOCATIVE QUESTION RERUN Fandango’s Provocative Question #6 Revisited It's a rerun, but it's probably even more relevant now than it was the first time around. “Is technological advancement a net positive or a net negative?” Technological advancement is too broad a term for me to address. It would include medicine, electronics, computers, cell phones, social media, television, CGI -- really just about all the stuff we use in our day-to-day lives.

A PROVOCATIVE QUESTION RERUN

Fandango’s Provocative Question #6 Revisited It's a rerun, but it's probably even more relevant now than it was the first time around. “Is technological advancement a net positive or a net negative?” Technological advancement is too broad a term for me to address. It…

SKETCHBOOK 56 – DUKE ON GROOMING DAY This isn't the first time I've drawn The Duke, but it's the first time I've drawn any living thing from "life" rather than a photograph. I was just sitting there, pad in my lap and pencil in hand, looking at the Duke who was considering another nap on the sofa. We had him groomed yesterday, so he looks like a Pitbull with a big fluffy tail.

SKETCHBOOK 56 – DUKE ON GROOMING DAY

This isn't the first time I've drawn The Duke, but it's the first time I've drawn any living thing from "life" rather than a photograph. I was just sitting there, pad in my lap and pencil in hand, looking at the Duke who was considering another nap on the sofa.…

SHARING MY WORLD Share Your World 4-12-2022 – Tena Carr, Guest Host Today is the first morning in more than a week when I've gotten up to see a blue sky and sunshine. Even when it hasn't rained, it has been cloudy and grey most days. Often, it was so dark that my photographs looked like they were taken at night rather than the afternoon.

SHARING MY WORLD

Share Your World 4-12-2022 – Tena Carr, Guest Host Today is the first morning in more than a week when I've gotten up to see a blue sky and sunshine. Even when it hasn't rained, it has been cloudy and grey most days. Often, it was so dark that my photographs looked like they were…

OUR GARDEN’S NEW LOOK It used to be that when I looked out my back door, mostly I saw crabgrass. In early spring, for a while, we have dandelions and violets, but mostly it was crabgrass all summer and snow all winter -- with leaves between summer and winter. This morning, I looked out and watched four squirrels chase each other around a tree. They move fast, but not nearly as fast as the chipmunks.

OUR GARDEN’S NEW LOOK

It used to be that when I looked out my back door, mostly I saw crabgrass. In early spring, for a while, we have dandelions and violets, but mostly it was crabgrass all summer and snow all winter -- with leaves between summer and winter. This morning, I looked out and watched…