Puppies and Pears

My blog has gotten so dull lately. I can't think of a thing to post. I've been caught up in the Olympics for the last couple of weeks, and there hasn't been much else going on. Cody is sick again, and stayed home from school today. He is still running about a 99' temperature, so I'll probably let him stay home one more day. I ordered a bunch of snake supplies from Petco online. They should be here in a couple of days. I have a grotesquely swollen knuckle on my right hand with a bruise that covers most of the back of my hand. I guess I'd better lay off the breaking boards for a while. Or at least palm heel them. Gotta head for karate now.

Cherry Tomatoes

I could eat these like grapes.

Just don't pick them in the rain...

Lesson For Today

Never, but never, dissolve your Echinacia Plus Vitamin C in your Diet Dr. Pepper, no matter how badly your hiatal hernia is acting up. Trust me on this one.

I kind of like the way this bear turned out, though the shape of the head is a bit narrow.

And for your dose of humor for the day, check out this sign:

Same Duck

This time just the head, and this one drawn from memory. I have this one sketched out to do a detailed drawing, but I haven't done it yet. After gridding and doing the line drawing, it suddenly seemed too indimidating. But I may do it soon. I've got some exercises from D for D that I'm working on now, though. This section is on drawing people, and I'm determined to finish the book. I have never been able to draw people, though. I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

My mother sent me several boxes of yarn that were hers and my grandmother's. I've already sorted and databased one big black garbage bag full of worsted weight, and I've still got the sport, fingering, and thread weight to go. I think I am officially SABLE. For those not in the know, that is an acronym for stash acquired beyond life expectancy. I need to get busy knitting....

Duck on a Dock

Like I need another way to waste time on the internet...

Falling Sand

Running out of Ideas

of what to sketch. So I worked on some technical exercises. I was trying to sketch a realistic leaf, and make it appear to be floating off the page. It took four tries to get this one. Sometimes I dispair of ever being able to sketch the way I want to.

This is Chad. He is 11 years old, and a high purple belt. He will be testing for his third degree brown belt soon. He is in the adult class because he simply was not being challenged in the children's class. He is that good. Last night, Chad led his group in kata for the first time. I think he was amazed that these adults were doing what he told them. As the highest rank in his group, it was his place to bow them in and begin the kata. It was good for him to get a little taste of leadership. He's a bit on the shy side.

Speaking of karate, sensei told me I'd better get started on my black belt essay.

This made me laugh out loud:

Squirrel Revival

Playing with Light and Shadow.

I was trying to make this look three dimensional. I've got to find time to do some detailed drawing.

Missed the Worst

of the ice storm. It didn't get nearly as bad as they had predicted. However, it was bad enough that the schools closed for the day. Work didn't close, though, even though about half of the employees didn't show. Most of the roads were pretty clear, but the bridges had ice on them. There were lots of wrecks on the bridges. Fortunately, the power never went out, and I didn't lose my water. I was hoping to get some good pictures, but since I didn't, I'll leave you with this link to some I took 7 years ago:

Ice Storm 1998

Speaking of crazy, the daffodils think it's spring, and my Christmas cactus has finally decided it's Christmas. The crazy thing is BLOOMING!

I'm going to go take a hot bath, now, before the Olympics come on.

Oh, before I forget...my weight was down to 130 this AM. Yippee! I'm at the high end of my target range, which is 125-130.

Flowers

in the dead of winter. I needed a little pick me up today, and this daisy did the trick.

And it seems winter has finally arrived with a vengance. We are under a winter storm warning, with freezing rain and power outages expected. It really bites. We never get snow--just ice.

I Need This

after the week I've had. A nice, comfy chair to relax in. A roaring fire, an afghan, a cup of hot chocolate, and a good book to read would make it all just about perfect...

Another No Sketch Day

There's been so much going on lately I haven't been into sketching. My electricity still isn't fixed, though I'm beginning to think it has something to do with my heater. It has been unseasonably warm these last couple of days, and my power hasn't gone out nearly as much. It stayed on all evening yesterday, but this morning when the heater was running, it flickered ominously and went out some. This afternoon, it hasn't even flickered, but then it is 65 degrees and the heater isn't running at all. Friday when it was so cold, the power would hardly stay on at all. JB came over and found a very loose connection and tightened it up. Maybe that will finally fix it. I don't know. We'll just have to see.

Karate last night was a little wierd. James had just found out about Nina's death that day, and sensei didn't know until James told him. He just kept saying things like, "hmmm", "whew" and "well". James was very upset over it. All he said was, "Now I don't have a dentist," but there was a world of hurt expressed in those few words. Her funeral will be Friday, but I doubt I will be able to go. Sensei is sending flowers on behalf of the dojo.

Monday night I got a call that my brother in law, who lives in Alaska, was lost in a blizzard. I found out yesterday that he'd been found, but I didn't know his condition, or even if he was still alive. Today I learned that he'd managed to turn around and go back to the village he'd been working in. He was able to build a fire and had some MREs to eat. The next morning-- yesterday--, he managed to drive back down to where the snowplows were clearing the roads, and followed the plows back to Fairbanks. So he is ok, just very tired. That was a worrisome couple of days to add on to everything else that's been happening.

Now for some better news, I got home and Slider was out and about in his tank. I was able to get a better picture of him, and here it is.

Meet Slider

Meet Slider. He is a ball python, about 1 1/2 to 2 years old. Robert brought him to me Sunday evening. His new landlord won't allow pets--not even snakes. So we have him. I told Robert that if he ever wanted him back, just let me know. But I told him not to leave Slider with me long enough for me to get really attached to him, then decide he wants him back. We've pretty much been leaving him alone to let him get used to his new home, but since he's in the same setup he's always been in, I may try to get him out tomorrow. I need to measure him anyway, and check him out for any potential health problems.

I forgot to post my weight again yesterday--133. Slowly it's coming down.

I'm still having problems with my electricity. I though replacing the main breaker would fix it, but after a couple of days, it started doing it again. So I called the electrician again, and he came out and worked on some more stuff today. We'll see if this works...

I Taught Her Seisan Kata

Nina Evans Dies at 41

Grenada dentist and community volunteer Dr. Nina Evans died Sunday.

An autopsy has been ordered, according to Grenada County Coroner Richard Crenshaw, who said Evans was 41 years old.

Jan Carter, Grenada Exchange Club member, says Evans had served as president of the Exchange Club and she and her husband Kenny Mitchell were the first husband and wife to serve as president.

"She was big on crime prevention and child abuse prevention," Carter said. "Nina was a good person and she loved to hunt."

National Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which were incomplete at press time.

My Sister's Kids

This is Andrew, who is 8 months old, standing for the first time.

And Nate, who is 5. Napping with the dog, and with his dad.

Northwest Passage

The Memphis Zoo is opening a new exhibit called Northwest Passage. It opens to the public next month, but members are allowed in early for a sneak peak. It is going to be such a cool exhibit. Right now, the only animals in there are the polar bears, but when it is finished, it will also house seals, sea lions, eagles, and three black bears. There is an underwater viewing area for both polar bears and the seals and sea lions.
Not together, of course. There are plexiglass windows where you can get up close and personal with the bears.
And the whole thing is decorated with beautiful Native American artworks found in that region of the country.
It's going to be great.