Category Archives: Writing

Garden Musings, Personal, Writing

Spring Break 2020 – Day 28

Leave a comment

The latest lessons with my software lessons. The changes are a bit stark that I am doing so I have a good reference on what they do when I am working with them in the future. I do like what the results were in the flower though.

My project today was to clear 1 garden area to plant some of the irises in I had brought from a friend’s house yesterday. I wound up clearing four areas. Not looking forward to how my shoulders are going to feel tomorrow, but am looking forward to seeing the flowers bloom.

Plants in the ground, all tucked in and ready to shoot into life. We have no idea what color any of these are going to be. So, it will be like Nature’s present as they bloom and unwrap.

And the other areas that were planted before are coming along just fine. I even have some tulips about to burst forth that got planted last year. It will be nice to have colors in my yard again. I let it go for far too long. I forgot how much I love working in the garden.

And the highlight is the tulip about to burst forth next to my Dancers to the End of Love sculpture. I think it is and may always be one of my favorite pieces of art I have.

Personal, Writing

Spring Break 2020 – Day 25

Leave a comment

The day began with breakfast. Not so very interesting. Oatmeal, banana, and a boiled egg. *sigh* Then I did a couple lessons on photo editing. The second was color pop in black and white and the results are above. I think I did pretty good on this one. I am slowly starting to understand how the controls work and how to manipulate things. This is one lesson that I can see me using often. I love photos where they are monotone with just one item left in color.

I realized that I forgot to give treats to my feathered buddies. When I went out though, there was only one there. Greedy little bastard took every single one for himself. He’s a cutie, isn’t he?

And Her Little Self thinks she should be a part of everything. Here she is trying to tell me how to edit my post before moving to the other side to hope for a portion of my dinner. Yes, she was able to talk me into sharing.

Jay Butt!!!

And last night I ground up some graphite and charcoal to try playing with reverse drawing. This is the first attempt. I think its kinda cool but I definitely need a lot more practice with this medium and probably need to grind the powders up a bit more than I have. And once this lockdown is over, maybe invest in some from the art store that is ground super fine. We shall see when that time comes.

Well, I think that is it for the day, other than I did get my hammock chair put up today and will try and enjoy some of the sunshine just relaxing in it before it turns again. Its still Spring here. The sunshine is a temporary thing in the Spring.

Personal, Writing

Spring Break 2020 – Day 24

Leave a comment

I didn’t get a post done yesterday, so I shall catch up with a double day entry. I made a double batch of Vile Brew yesterday. You know the horseradish is good when your eyes are watering and the inside of your nose feels like you inhaled fire. The house still reeks of it today. Yummm! I think I found another name for it that I may start labelling it with. HellFire Brew!

Made the mistake of walking out the door before breakfast this morning and my stellars started screaming at me. So, I had to turn around and go back in to get them their peanuts. Didn’t think to grab the camera, but I do need to do that in the next few days. They so love their treats!

God some more work done on the garden today. I started moving the border out to make it bigger and dropped in the plants I got from the nursery yesterday. 6 of them came from the sad plant rack. One of my favorite places to get plants. I rarely lose one of them. And these all looked like they had enough life that they will save. I still have two more plants to get in the ground, which I will do in the next few days.

I also put a few herbs in planters out front. I got hover-buzzed by one of the male Anna’s because I was in the way of his feeder. What is it with the ungrateful birds today? Yelling at me and buzzing me. Plllttthhhzzz!

And the editor says it is time to go for now as she needs to be brushed and petted. So, till the next time!

Personal, Writing

spring break 2020 – day 22

Leave a comment

Worked with the perfect mask tool today. Got all the way through the lesson and then realized I had done something dumb because when I pushed the “finish” on it, it went black. So, I stormed off in a huff, stamped my foot a couple of times and then realized that really hurts! When I returned from my walk, I tried it again and got it right. Okay, the masking needs some work and it could be this was the wrong technique for trees like are in the picture. But, I got the principle and learned a lot.

It does make it easier to get yourself out for walks when you have views like this!

The first flowers of Spring are out. It took a great deal of self restraint. Yes, I do possess some of that. Not much, but a little. But, I didn’t set the fairies free from that one. Tis fine. There was a breeze this afternoon and I have confidence that they were freed by the kiss of the winds.

This is my neighbor’s dog. She doesn’t think her dog photographs well. I completely disagree. Don’t you? On my way back, we ganged up on her husband about the joys of misbehaving. I don’t think he realized what a bad influence he had living so close. hehehehe

The end of the day was finishing up restringing these. One was sent to me for restringing, but when I pulled mine out to use as a reference, I noticed it had a break as well. So, I had to do both of them. Luckily, I had 2 cords and didn’t lose one in the process. I have a few friends out there that know what these truly are and what it takes to make one, Each is unique to the person it is for. And there are only a handful of them. But, I don’t think I have ever shared pics of these two.

That about covers today, other than I am still waiting to get approved for unemployment. I have my stock partially chopped for a new batch of “Vile Brew”, but I need to go into town for a few more ingredients. The local herb store can’t let me inside, but she is putting my order together and will place it outside the door when I tell her I am on my way and she has an honor box for the cost. I so love living somewhere that there are such things as honor boxes!

Till tomorrow.

Personal, Writing

spring break 2020 – day 21

Leave a comment

Today, I was playing with the Color Range and Luminosity Masks in the software. The first photo is the original, the second one is applying a gradient mask to certain colors in the photo and the third one is replacing the sky.

I am partial to the as taken version, however, it was great learning what I could do with the tools. I doubt I will use them to the extreme these examples are done in, but I can see how I can use them for minor corrections and adjustments. Fun! Fun! Mostly its not so hard to keep from getting bored when you are housebound.




And here is the spice cabinet from yesterday. And yes, they are alphabetized as much as possible. Not the blends. But, I did make one of my own to add. A Baharat spice I had a recipe for. Gonna try it on some baked chicken sometime in the next few days.


On to the garage. They can oft be scary places with strange spills and buildups. I, however, was prepared and did have on my handy dandy medium level work gloves. I did forget to wear a head covering, but my spell wishes that creatures which belong in the out should not hitch a ride in my hair into the in seemed to work as I returned to the house without any new friends. Cassie said she would have liked one or two though and could I go back out and bring her one. Such a silly floof!

Well, as you can see in the pictures above, I did get some arranging done on some of the shelves. I also discovered that I do, in fact, have an extra jug of white vinegar, so that is no longer an active search at the store. Still need the rubbing alcohol, bleach and hydrogen peroxide.

And above is much of the stuff that needs to be rehomed through local thrift stores, if they ever reopen. There are some exceptions, such as Cassie’s poopie dirt, my mat cutter and the things further back. But, all in all, I would say it was a job well done today and it will take at least 2 trips to clear all the offerings from the garage.

I didn’t intend to do any organizing in the bookshelves, but decided to pull out some magazines I didn’t see any need to keep around. In the midst of pulling them out, I found a book of writing I didn’t remember existed. There were only a few things in it, but one was something I had written on the 10th anniversary of my father’s death. I think that was the first time his death truly hit me. And it hit me like a sledgehammer. I remember having to leave work that day because I needed to be alone. I went to the local park and after having a good cry, I wrote this. Funny that I didn’t remember I had written something that day. But, seeing it, I remember it.

Ten Years After

It’s been ten years today you’ve been gone from me. I have little to remember you by save one small picture and a few small mementos. I wonder what you would think of me now, your youngest one with the rebel spirit and eyes of fire matched only by yours. Would you praise or condemn me for what has come of my life? I have made many mistakes, severe ones as in all I do in life.

I wish you could have found a way, a reason to have stayed around just a little while longer. You left me when i needed you most. I wonder, would I have made those same mistakes if you had not left?

My children shall never know you, and for that especially I grieve. They will know only what is said of you. the beauty and darkness of you can never be taught to them.

You made me who and what I am. If you can look upon me and mine, I hope that you do so with gladness in your heart. I know I never said it often enough, but I love you and hope that whatever god there is up there granted yo forgiveness and allowed you to enter that part of the netherworld I feel you to deserve to be in.

October 15, 1990

Well, that about covers it for this day. Tomorrow is another day and another chance to find hidden and forgotten treasures. Or maybe make more to be found at the next Spring Break.

Personal, Writing

Spring break 2020 – day 20

Leave a comment

I actually started the day organizing the smaller spice cupboard, but I seem to have accidentally deleted the picture from it. In lieu of the missing picture, I have substituted my favorite stump just past the end of the street. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

I went through a couple lessons on my photo software (didn’t use the cool effects on these. Will get to those on another day) Then I went for a neighborhood walk. The cherry trees are in bloom. And luckily, I don’t have to go into Seattle to see them. We have plenty of them around here! Pretty, aren’t they?

There are also a couple of people who have been going for walks. The lady carries a walking stick with a net bag of big jingle bells. She wants to get the people in the neighborhood to join her and this is her way of retaliating because she was told we won’t post it on the website. She complained about it to me today, telling me that the secretary turned her down. Told her I knew that. I told her that if she said yes, I still say no and I am the one that takes care of the site. She wanted to know why. I told her because it was stupid and I have already lost access to the parks, I wasn’t going to let her cost me my neighborhood walk. I’m thinking she doesn’t much like me anymore. 🙂

The robins are out foraging. People are digging for gardens, grubs are easing pickings. And look! One of my neighbors down the street has a bat house. I am soooo jealous!

Oh, the lady in the above paragraph was complaining about one of the neighbors up in the area from these pictures. Seems they told her it was a private road and they shouldn’t be up there. Funny, they never complain to me. Many of them come out to visit, from a distance. And the guy with the bat house asked me to tell him when I get my own up.

And I live for the views along the walk!

This is the lodge at the end of the road. It’s called the Rainbow Lodge. Truly, that is its name. Their website says you have to book the whole lodge and its for spiritual retreats.

And this is my favorite tree on the walk. Cool tree, huh?

Mustn’t touch! Stinging nettle. I am a bit sensitive to these plants. Touched one with my thumb and felt like I had a blister on it for 3 days.

Just a weed, but isn’t it cool the way they wrapped around each other? It must be love and they are certainly not observing the 6 ft. rule.

More views. Pretty up here, isn’t it?

A Pacman cloud! How cool is this?

And now we are back to the homestead. And the flowers that are blooming here. As you can see, I also have a cherry in bloom. It’s only a mock cherry tree. They castrated it or something. I have two of them. One white and one pink. They bloom, but no cherries.

And the garden that is my main project for this year. There is still a lot of cleaning to do in it. Unfortunately, I am waiting to see what comes up first. I forgot where I planted things last year. There wasn’t much, but a few things. And there is my wonderful garden dancers sculpture! And yes, they are anatomically correct.

And the amazing dandelion root I pulled up. I am quite impressed!!

And when it is time, this it what it looks like inside of my bed. I thought that scarves would be much more interesting than blackout curtains and I can still have my windows open to hear the birds outside.

Well, Cassiekins is hiding somewhere so she gets to miss out on this one. She’s probably in the bedroom since I turned on the mattress warmer and lights. She wants her bedtime treats.

Till tomorrow!

Writing

It’s a Matter of Time

1 Comment

It’s a Matter of Time

Aubrey made one final sweep with the piece of chalk she had in her hand, then smooched back and leaned against the tree and looked at her brother.

“Is it finished?”  he asked.

“What do you think?” Aubrey asked.  “Doesn’t it look finished to you?”

“I think most of them look finished many times before you say they are done.  So, I ask.”  He tossed one of her rags at her head, barely missing it.

“Well, we shall see how I did shortly.”  She replied.  

“You really don’t think they will notice?  I don’t see how they can’t.”

“People see what they want to see.  They’ll see everything else.  So no.  I don’t think they will see.  Now, let’s go back by those trees over there and watch.”

The street was always a busy one.  Today was no different.  The clouds in the sky didn’t affect it in the least.  But, the people did slow.  They slowed, many stopped, all stepped around the amazing chalk painting on the ground.  Large, luminous clouds covered the area, the buildings poking through and parting them in fits and bursts, the clock tower standing out taller than all the rest.  On the ground were people, hundreds of them.  Fleeing and screaming as the clouds unleashed a hellfire volley of lightening and rain at a velocity that pinned them to the ground.  

The pedestrians began to start in horror as they saw themselves in the figures in the chalk.  Some tried to wipe their image off.  But, the chalk held.  More terror rose in their throats at the discovery of this.  They began to swarm around the scene like hornets to a nest.  An elderly lady began laughing at them and their behavior.  A few people stopped and glared at her.

“Look at you all!” She said between giggles. “Afraid of a little paint on the ground.  Thinking that some brightly colored chalk will usher in the Armageddon. Such Nonsense.”  She laughed a couple more minutes, then opened her umbrella, pointed its tip at a spot in the painting that made her snicker, then lifted it over her head after giving a quick glance at the skies and wandered on her way.

Some of the other people began laughing as well.  Pretty soon, almost all of them were in peals of laughter at their silliness.  In the lightening of the spirit, they made note of the images they thought looked so like themselves.  Most began taking pictures and all began talking about the incident.

The bell on the clock tower began to toll 11 PM.  As it reached the last bell, the clouds overhead erupted into a barrage of lightening, hail and rain, driving all below to the ground.  A few tried to make a break from the storm, but a bolt of lightning stopped them in their path.  The storm ravaged for a few moments, just long enough to put an end to those below.  

“I told you someone would notice.”  He said before taking a bite out of the apple in his hand.

“But, no one took note of her.  So, in the end it is the same.”  She said as she began packing her chalks into their case. 

“Doesn’t it ever bother you?  All those people dying?”  he asked

“No.  They don’t have to.  They just need to look and really see.  Had they noticed, they would have left the area and gone somewhere safe.  Maybe not all of them, but at least some of them.”  She snapped the lid shut on her case and stood up.  “Its the job.  We need to cull those that lack the sense for them to survive.  Besides, this one was too easy for you to feel sorry for them.”

“I suppose you’re right.”  He took the last bite of the apple then tossed the core behind him.

They walked off, skirting around the painting, streaked and fading, but still intact.  Aubrey glanced once more at it, the clock tower looming high above the clouds.  Its hands read 11:00.  

Writing

Before Alice

Leave a comment

It was quite a warm day for so early in the year.  Extra care needed to be taken as the eggs were hidden so they were not in the direct heat of the sun where they might spoil before being found and turning the festivities into a tragedy.

I sat fanning myself under one of the brightly colored umbrellas and sipping slowly on an ice cold julip while watching the mass scatterings of small people rushing about on the lawn and through the bushes, gaskets waving from their little arms, voices rising in squeals of laughter and colliding words that could make jibberish make sense.  I half expected to see a white rabbit emerge at any moment, pocket watch in hand exclaiming fear of tardiness for a royal event.

Instead, my eyes spied a lone figure emerge from a near bush.  She looked to be about 6 or 7, but what struck me was her clothing.  For she looked to be dressed out of a Dickenson play.  She could easily have been one of Oliver’s gang, if he allowed girls.

She walked right up to me and took the seat across. “What’s that you’re drinking sir?” she asked.

“It’s a mint julip.  Would you like one”

“Oh, no thank you.  But is there any chance there is any ice cream?”

I reached over to the cooler and pulled a small container out with a little wooden spoon and pushed it across the table to her. “There is only vanilla left.  I hope that is okay.”

“My very favorite!” she exclaimed, reaching quick and had the lid off and the entire container consumed in no time.  “Thank you, kind sir. I was so very hungry.”

“There is more food over there.” I pointed to the barbeque area.

“That’s okay.  I only come for the ice cream.”

“Only the ice cream?”

Yes sir. Twas the last thing I ate and the only thing I hunger for.”

“What do you mean, the last thing you ate?” confusion overtaking me.

“Why yes sir. Afore I did battle with the Jabberwocky and lost” she ran her fingers around the inside of the container then pushed it back my way and stood up.  “I suppose I should get back now.  They shall be expecting me.”

“But wait!” I called, but she was already entering the bush.

She turned just before, entering and smiled. “It’s fine sir.  Alice will be next and I hear she is a much better warrior than I>”

Her form turned to mist as the leaves closed behind her.

But wait. Alice wasn’t the first?

Copyright – Sephi PiderWitch March 31, 2019

(Prompt:  A hungry ghost, a holiday, ice cream)

Writing

I Will Speak No Evil. Well, Maybe.

Leave a comment

The First Amendment of the Constitution reads:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Many people, myself included, think this is one of the most important amendments in our constitution (besides the ones that enfranchised blacks and women, which should not have been necessary to define them as people with rights)  The impact of this freedom cannot be overstated in my opinion.  When you have a country that allows the free expression of opinion, the ability to petition the government for change, freedom of the press to explore the truth when it is found, you have the foundation for a free society.  There will still be abuses, power controls, etc.  There always are. 

There are, and should be, some exceptions to this freedom of speech.  You do not have the right to incite violence.  You do not have the right to spread knowingly false statements.  Other than those, there are few limitations. 

Which brings me to the bug up my butt right now. 

It started with a white supremacist march a couple of months ago.  Now, I have absolutely zero use for white supremacists or klansmen.  I have no use for hate purveyors of any kind.  I would like to believe that we should have evolved beyond such things by this time.  It is obvious that we have not.  But, so long as they are engaging in a non-violent demonstration, they have the right to speak their words of hate.  And as offensive as I find their words, I will defend their right to speak them.  Many people don’t agree with me on this, and that is also their right. 

One of the things that followed this demonstration was people posting pictures of people who were part of this demonstration.  They identified many of these people and searched out where they worked and lived.  Then they demonstrated and protested to their employers, neighbors, schools.  Many of these people were fired, their homes put in danger, etc.  And many will say they got what they deserve.  I am not sure I agree with that.  I believe all that was accomplished in this was creating even more anger, hatred and increasing the numbers of the haters who had been hiding in the shadows.  By targeting a few, they gave the numbers a greater cause to raise a flag to.  Hate is not solved by creating more anger and hostility.

There was recently a woman who was riding her bike and flipped off what she believed to be Trump’s motorcade.  Whether it was or not is irrelevant .  When she was identified, she was subsequently fired from her job.  Even though she was on her own time and simply gave a visual comment to a figure she didn’t like.  Because the image of her (from the back) went viral online.  She was fired.

A dear friend of mine almost lost her job of many years for speaking her mind after the presidential election.  The social media and in person campaign waged against her and her partner was horrific, invasive and reprehensible.  I believe the only thing that saved her was the equally strong forces that stood behind her while she fought the attempted character assassination. 

Women are stepping out from all corners about sexual abuse in their workplaces.  Not that this is an issue that we don’t all know is a commonplace occurance.  And no matter how powerful some of these women are, they are still in a battle of their lives for their character.  They are made the victims all over again and accused of false accusations, Ulterior motives.  Calls for them to be dismissed from their roles. 

Freedom of speech is so very powerful.  And it is also so very vulnerable.  All freedoms are.  We want to step on the moral high ground and say “But, they are speaking hate.  It has to stop.”  But, they are saying things I don’t like, it has to stop.  They aren’t saying it the way I want to hear it.  It has to stop. 

When you seek to silence the klan, the supremacists, you weaken everyone’s right to speak.  Because they will take what you did to them and apply it to everything you do or say.  As they did with the woman on the bike.  As they are trying to do with the women coming forward.  As they try to do with anyone that has something to say that they don’t like.  As you try to do with anyone that has something to say that you don’t like. 

I do, however, believe an exception is a person in political power.  They are public servants and sworn to serve all the people.  And first responders and medical people.  We need to trust that these people will serve all the people equally.  To not sever the rights of any of the citizens because of their hate stance or affiliation or religious conviction.  The minute they leave that arena, they can do what they want, say what they want, so long as they are not bringing harm on others.

I do boycott companies whose practices go against what I believe in.  I do not tell others not to buy from them.  I do tell they why I don’t.  They have to make their own choices.  If after I tell them my reasons they don’t feel those reasons work for them, that is their choice.  I will join in protests if their practices take away or limit the rights of other, such as Hobby Lobby and Walmart.  But, herein lies the truth.  They still exist.  They still prosper. 

This is not to say that you should not counter protest.  Of course you should.  We should all make sure our voices are heard on matters that have meaning to us.  We worry about Big Brother.  But the truth is that WE are Big Brother.  There are many groups whose speech I despise.  Westboro, the klan, the supremacists, many of the hate preachers like Pat Roberston, Jerry Falwell Jr., Jim Bakker and his pasty food.  But, I will defend their right to speak their words.  I won’t silence them.   Because I don’t want to be silenced.  I don’t want the people I respect and love to be silenced.  And I want to know who the haters are as well.  I can’t fight what I can’t see.  I need to know where the shadows are.

The reality we need to understand is that if any one of us is silenced, even the most base of us, then we all are silenced.  We don’t win by silencing.  We win by speaking.  We win by talking and listening and understanding.  We don’t win with hatred.  We win with connection.  Walls only separate.  Even walls of silence. 

SephiPiderWitch
11/14/2017

Writing

Ode To Strangers

Leave a comment

Prompt Week 05/15/2017 – Shadow, Photograph, Darkness, Ode to Strangers, Swinging & Sliding

Ode To Strangers

I see you.  I have watched you from near and far.  You have not seen me though.  I would have known if you had by the startle in your eyes, the slight stiffening in your shoulders, the tightening at your lips or the little tremble in your fingertips.  None of you, in all the places I have watched, have spied, have studied, have ever had the slightest hint of my presence.  Or, at least of my focus on you.  I have not always been obscured by the darkness, though it generally began there.  The shadows are my friend and co-conspirator, veiling me whilst I learn and watch, making notes in my book of you.  The places you like most, the foods you order most often, the things you dislike that make your scowl.  I also bring my camera with me.  Just the little one most of the time.  I do need the big one if I am a distance away.  But, I keep it in the car behind the seat always, just in case.  But, the little one fits nicely in my pocket, almost silent when I click the button to take photographs to go with my writings.  I print them at home and watch with anticipation as they slide out of the printer.  Full color, glossy memories of my day with you.  I add them to the rest on the lines over my bed.  This is so I can look on your faces as I close my eyes to sleep at night.  I just lay there, tapping gently on the newest pictures and watch them swinging and sliding along the lines.  A dancing mobile of all of you.  Often, I smile, needing just a little bit more and I reach for the box next to the bed and spread out the contents across my lap on the blanket.  The presents.  One from each of you.  Grandma’s ring.  Father’s cufflink.  Mother’s necklace.  Sister’s bracelet.  All wrapped up in a soft piece of velvet in the box.  And in a little jar next to them, a tooth from each of you.  The blood has dried almost black on them and I have to be very careful so it doesn’t flake off.  They just wouldn’t be the same if they didn’t have that part of you as well.

This room, this place, these treasures are all an Ode to you, once strangers.  But now you are all mine.  Strangers no more.  And fear not.  I will find others to join you.  The family will grow.  Yes, the family has only just begun.

Sephi PiderWitch
05/16/2017