The 30th of the 4th

I remember when a shaft of sunlight made me want to just puff up and take on the day!

Remember to double click the image for larger presentation. 

I will be showing today at a little festival in Olympia Mills Village.  That's a sub of Columbia, SC and will be my last outdoor show (ever).  Unless of course someone wants to pay me an outrageous sum to change my mind.  From now on it will be only indoor shows.  And if you have to ask what an outrageous sum is......Well, you probably can't afford it. 

The 29th day of the fourth month of the year of Emergence

I remember!

A little town of Crumpton, Maryland where there was a huge auction every Wednesday every week of the year.  Three football fields and a football field sized building of stuff.  Stuff from junk to antiques and works of art.  Pickers, collectors, dealers alike.  It was a ball and I bought some pretty good antique frames in which to put my work.  Miss it and the people I got to know.  I am sure some of the stuff was never placed in a home or shop....just the back of trucks going from auction to auction.  Even the Amish were present, either buying for their own needs or selling bake goods in the bakery.  Ever get up that way on a Wednesday, it is an experience in pure Americana.

The 28th day of the 4th month of the year of Emergence

I remember when we all had puppy dreams

I borrowed these three one afternoon from a local SPCA just to set up a shot.  It took about three hours of playing with these guys to get them calmed down enough to photograph.  It was like they had a get out of jail free card for the afternoon.  Became a centerfold for Ducks Unlimited that year.

The 27th of the fourth month of Emergence

Things I remember!

Exploding sunsets on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay.  This one at Chesapeake Farms between Chestertown and Rock Hall, Maryland.  The former a county seat and the latter a small sailing and watermen's village.  It always seemed that we got sunsets like this in October and November.  A sure sign of changing seasons.

The 26th day of the fourth month of Emergence

Things I miss!

A fogged in backwater with a small dock built for one!

The 25th day of the fourth month of the year of Emergence

THINGS I MISS

Often, as I get older and I can't speak for others, I reminisce about people, places and things that I have met,done or visited.  For some reason I just get all soft and mushy with nostalgia.  OK, maybe it's not macho to speak of things soft and mushy.  My liberal friends tell me I have to get in touch with my inner self and become a metro sexual.  WELL!  I can no longer stand the metro(I'd rather drive) and as far as sexual is concerned.....I think I remember that but am not sure.  I'll stay after and clean the erasers.

I miss blue crabs.  Having spent some fifty years on Maryland's eastern shore I have caught enough of the critters to become some sort of proficient non commercial crabber.  I have also eaten enough to know that they taste pretty darn good.

You all have seen this photo of the "Cranky Crab" before.  It sells pretty well.  It was made on a neighbor's dock a number of years ago.  We were sitting on the dock hanging bait (Chicken Necks) over the side and catching a Mess of them.  The crabs would also attach themselves to the pilings of the dock and we could dip them with a long handled net.  The colors on the image just popped because it had rained and all the wood was looked as if it had just been oiled and cleaned.  Of course we could, (as kids, explorers, fishermen, watermen, and all around pains in the butt to the adults) take my fourteen foot boat out into the Chesapeake and catch all sorts of sea food.  But crabs were our staple source of great food and money.  Back then, we could catch a bushel of crabs and take them to the fish house and make money.  If we had the time, meaning if our parents didn't have chores for us, we took the boat down the bay to a place called Eastern Neck Island.  There were flats (shallow water) there.  We would wade the shallows and dip crabs that would flee from the net held in front or our toes.  Tough duty.  Often we would come back with treasured soft crabs, which brought a real premium at the market.  Bear in mind we were in our mid teens when all this was going on.

This crab was made to create a poster used to promote a printing company.

I caught him during my supposed adult years on my dock on the Chester River in Chestertown.

The commercial fishermen, "Watermen" as they are know on the bay, caught the crabs in any number of ways.  Primarily they preferred setting out pots, which they would check and bait each morning. 

Theirs is a fiercely independent life style.  They are their own boss and success or failure lies totally on their own shoulders.  They fish in all weather, catching whatever is in season on the bay in order to make a living for their families.

No matter how they are caught, there are not many treats in this world that can beat a couple dozen steamed crabs on a table covered with brown paper, some potato salad, cole slaw, and a pitcher of beer or ice tea.  I can almost taste it now.

The 24th day of the 4th month of the year of Emergence

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Headed off for Sunrise Services.

The 21st day of the fourth month of the year of Emergence

Been tracing my family tree back to when we lived in it!

Actually that is a Disney gorilla.  Taken a few years back in Animal Kingdom or some kind of kingdom in Orlando, Fl.  These guys are really huge!



Remember to click or double click on the image for full screen

These are actually wild, no really wild, Rhesus monkeys that live along the Silver River in Florida.  While not big foot, there is a notion that some sort of bi pedal ancestor can really make it in the wilds with our southern friends.  Now for those of my friends who don't believe in the Darwinian Theory, good.  It is a relief to know that is not my Aunt, and that God put us all here separately for a purpose.  Evidently these were brought to Florida by humans as a tourist attraction in the 30's and have thrived.  The boat ride from the landing is outstanding on this extraordinarly clear river.  You can see to depths of 30 feet with ease.  Of course the usual suspects are always present.  They are the snakes, blue herons, green back herons, great and snowy egrets and the ever present cormorants.  Not to mention turtles the size of automobile tires.

One of the little feet out begging along the shore.  Unfortunately their human descendants feed them as they pass by.  Mabye this is where Washington got the idea of welfare! As in any natural setting, not a good idea.  Always got to wonder, as in a zoo, what are the animals thinking as these strange big two legged creatures throw morsels of food at them.  Just sayin.

The River is spectacular and can be traveled by motor boat, kyak, or canoes.  There are tour boats which can pretty much monopolize the river scene as it passes.  But the critters are used to it and pop right back up after it passes.  Like the critter below!

The 20th day of the 4th month of the year of Emergence

There is a certain grand daughter out there who is 8 years old today!

Happy Birthday to a real emerging Princess

This is Isabelle.

The 19th day of the 4th month of the year of Emergence

I continue to try to make Google Analytics pick up this new format, and is frustrating.  I am not a programmer but rather a plug and play type of guy.

A friend and a friend of a dear friend passed away yesterday.  Gov. Donald Schaefer of Maryland is now plugging potholes on the road to heaven.  He was a great Governor for the state and particularly active in all politics in the state.  You may have not liked his politics, but he was one of the old line Democrats who told it like it was.  You always knew where you stood with him and he was a fine man.  I had the privilege of presenting the Governor with a signed and framed print of the "Lighthouses of Maryland" when it was first published.  His personality will be sorely missed.

The 18th day of the 4th month of the year of Emergence

This is a cedar wax wing that I took on the Riverwalk.  They are certainly colorful birds with a mask that makes them look like the Lone Ranger.  Remember him kids?  I actually met Chief Silverheels this spring.  He is the son of the Jay who played Tonto opposite the Long Ranger.

Unfortunately, the image had to be cropped fairly hard, so I can't make him into a big print.  But for the blog he is just fine.  Double click to see the full screen image and enjoy.

The 16th day of the fourth month of the year of Emergence

April showers bring May flowers, yada, yada, yada.

But there is something about an early morning shower.  I think it is cleanliness.  Well at least God's way of cleaning the air and that which we try to grow.  I work hard at keeping the yard and gardens at least passable.  But a shower sure puts a glow to stuff.  Just around 70 degrees this morning and looks like it will clear a little bit later.

Oh yeah, it looks like the ice is out on the Big Lake and only 37 degrees up there this morning.

IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE IT BY NOW....YOU NEED AN EXTENSION!

In honor of money day....I present a Green Clauser.  But because of taxes it's all bent outa shape!

Remember to double click for full screen images.  Please visit my friend's links on the right.  You should be pleasantly surprised.

The 14th day of the fourth month of the year of Emergence

Victory Garden up date!

We already had some spinach the other night and a few leaves of lettuce for my sandwich yesterday.  Reminds me of that time honored poem.

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary,


How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells,

And pretty maids all in a row.

And a great big freakin egg plant right in the middle!

No, OK. here's some more Gunk listed on ArtFire.

This is actually one pretty messed up flamingo!

TWO DAYS BEFORE THEIR COMING TO GET ME, HAHA HEEHEE

It's fifty degrees in South Carolina, but only 42 on the big lake.  Add a slight wind and the 42 in the woods feels like only six degrees over freezing and it's cold.  The places where we fish still have some ice, but the edges are free and the morning may produce fish or at least perhaps the last glimpse of the sinking ice cover.  This is when we want to be on the water, just after ice out.  The warmer water is pushed to the surface by the falling ice creating the temperature inversion.  The forage and predatory fish follow the warmth to the surface for the first time since late fall.

The boat still lies on shore where we left her a year ago.  This is "Putt" which appears to have wintered over without harm, and a clean motor that actually starts on the third or fourth pull.  Life is good.

Often we have some of our best success is within 500 yards of the house and it is that area I intend to work. 

This morning, like most, I choose to use a tandem hook Red Grey Ghost streamer fly tied on 20 feet of six pound leader that is all but invisible under water.  I let out the full fly line, about 120 feet, as I slowly pull away from shore.  The fly is meant to represent a small fish called a smelt, which is one of the primary forage fish in Lake Winnepasaukee.

 

This particular morning I was right and was doing exactly what the fish Gods had planned.  While slowly moving past the summer house or gazebo on the point, a salmon of modest size strikes my offering.  I have tried impart the feeling of that electric second on a light fly rod when the fish hits.  That feeling of a sharply powerful pull on the line. An immediately jumping fish.  An electric impact to the nervous system is the only term which pays respect to what the salmon is doing at the end of that line.

A fish that can run fifty yards in a split second, dive 30 yards in equal time, and jump clear of the water 3 or 4 times often does not  allow the end result as seen above.  But the satisfaction of being "Mano e mano" with a wild being,  in a secluded environment, alone with your own thoughts, and uncluttered by the mundane,  is simply priceless.

The Fouth day second edition

GUNK!

Grey Ghost

Double click for full screen



The 12th day of the 4th month of the year of Emergence

ICE OUT!

The ice will be out on the big lake in New Hampshire this week.

This image was captured yesterday around eleven am.  You can see the lake still iced in about half way to the horizon.

Remember to double click on the images to get full screen.

This image is today around eight am.  All gone and they are actually fishing!

Images made by the Wolfeboro Real Estate Cam.

For other lakes region cams go to this link.

http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm

Tight lines everyone!

The eleventh day of the fourth month

We had a small gathering here yesterday afternoon to celebrate my seventy one years on this planet.  Small group of friends who ate hamburgers and chicken cooked on a new grill.  Probably not smart to cook for a group of people with a new grill on her maiden voyage, but the burgers "Mooooed" and the chicken "Clucked".  Potato salad, tomatoes, mac n cheese, with chocolate cake and or strawberry short cake.  We even had some french fried sweet potatoes.  Sounds like the summer cookout season has started.  The ice is almost out on the big lake up north and the flies and ants are attacking any piece of food left outside here.  Life is good!

The game plan for this week is to work on photo files and list some more on FAA.  Then re-list and start working on Etsy, Yardseller and Art Fire accounts, which I have neglected for some time.  Need to reseed the back yard as the resurrection of that area continues.  The victory garden is coming along fine with the "Emergence" of carrots, beans, and summer onions this weekend.  I continue to try to trick more songbirds into the many feeders and have set out two nesting boxes but have no takers yet.

I have told my good friends at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse in New Jersey that I will not be attending their August Maritime Festival.  It is just too much work, stress, and cost to participate in outdoor shows.  The tent, tables, booth, buckets of sand to tie the tent down with, the inventory to maintain, create, carry around the country is just too much.  The income from those shows is just not enough when you travel great distances, pay for gas and lodging.  And physically it is becoming a bit much.  Inflation, it's here.  Just check the super market!  But people are still reluctant to pay for wall art and publishers continue to be cautious.  I will be doing one small outdoor show here in town and the big one in Easton, MD in November.  One is no travel and the other is my 21st year and an indoor show.  I will be trying to sell the entire outdoor booth at the show here in town.  Tent and all and it's going cheap, so if anyone has an interest give a shout.  I will not be selling the five tables I use.  I may need them to help set up the new Bingo and Smoking Parlor business where I will also sell lottery tickets from all 52 states.

My oldest grand daughter went to her Junior Prom this past week end and had a great time according to the photos taken.  I remember mine.  First we had to find the fiddle players to provide the music, hook up the wagon, wash down the horse, slick up our hair, then around the mountain to pick up our dates.  I think it was called a hoedown or something.  I guess that term means something else today.

Actually we weren't that bad.  Had a real band (by yesterday's standards), a car (fifty one ford coupe all tricked out), a GF just across town, and a gymnasium all decorated by the sophomore class for us juniors.  Or were we seniors.  Can't remember.

Elizabeth your getting more beautiful every day and are quite the young lady. I am so proud of you.  Now it will be Emily's next turn to stun us all (and you better believe that one---she is going to be nothing short of stunning).  Then Isabelle (assuming she doesn't marry some prince or king somewhere first) .  But that will take a couple or five years to happen.  I will still be around to see all that!!! That's just a statement of fact.  I told someone this weekend that I wanted to live to be a hundred (I do have a 99 year old uncle).  Just think of all the people I can piss off if I do (he proudly says)!

Well I have rambled on enough for an old seasoned citizen.  No rants to day just some introspection and another piece of "Gunk".

"Purple Pansy"

Seventy plus three hundred sixty four in the year of Emergence

Some more "Gunk"

"One Twisted Lily"

"The Red Poppy"

Nine days in, nine months out in the year of Emergence

Just a couple of more Gunk images.

"Red Wave Twirl"

"Yellow Grey Ghost"

The 8th day of the fourth month of the year of Emergence

You ever have one of those mornings where you wake before anyone else for absolutely no reason.  Wide awake.  The usual mind games don't work.  Sleep won't come back no matter how hard you try.  When this happens, I usually take my mind to a favorite fishing or photographing spot and re-run the one that got away.  Other times, like this morning, sleep seems irretrievable.

The only alternative is to slip out of bed and quietly put the Pike Peak Roast in to brew and give up all sensible attempts to go back to bed.  It's quiet in the house and neighborhood at four in the morning.  I guess that's why they say most home break-ins occur between three AM and dawn.  Everyone else with a modicum of sense is still deep in never never land. It's just me and the crooks out and about.

Yesterday, I ventured out to the zoo in search of an image of four or more howler monkeys in a single tree.  Yes, there is a buyer out there.  Well the monkeys were there, but not in the numbers I needed so that op never happened.  It was interesting, however, to stand along a fence with a hundred other people looking at potential predecessors, aka ancestors, swing from branch to branch screaming their heads off at each other.  Or perhaps they were screaming at us!  If you would like the zoo page just go to Riverbankszoo.com.

Remember to double click the image for full size.

These animals actually have incredible strength in their hands, fingers, legs and arms.  They swing from branch to branch with such ease that you would think they could support themselves with one finger or toe.  The large pouch under their chin fills up with air and a low rumbling sound is emmited.  That sound is often followed by a howl that can be heard for miles.  There were only four out and about yesterday in two separate trees, so the photo needs weren't met.  I did get some decent stock out of it and the weather was outstanding. 

Our zoo also has a huge garden which is not only a great place to photograph flowers, but insect life as well.  I did spend some time with the flowers as I intend to start a section of the website devoted to computer or digital manipulation to create what we used to call modern art.  Me, I am going to call it "Gunk Art"! 

An example.

These will be pieces of bright color which can be used as wall accents.  The source of most of the photographs will come from nature or some man made brightly colored creation.  The one above is a lone poppy I found in the garden.  The image of course I have manipulated to create something else with the base shape and color of the original image.  This is not pure photography and I don't purport it to be, but rather a form of digital art.  Kinda fun.  Will it sell?  Who knows, but we're going to find out.

A blue circular saw?

The Sixth day of the Fourth month of the year of Emergence

We got down to where we had frost warnings last night.

Almost went out to cover the Victory garden so that it wouldn't freeze.

Well I'm on my own, so why shouldn'tt the garden be as well?  All I got to do is talk to the plants and they will be strong!  They will make up their deficit.  No sense in me taking responsibility for it!  Freeze baby freeze!

I also strongly suggest that part of our longer term happiness boils down to one simple action.  Do not, I repeat do not,  listen to the morning news on TV or the radio.  It's that simple.

So I will do what the other fifty percent do......live on in ignorant bliss.

I think I'll try that, at least for an hour or two anyway!

If you want to see my real rant, go to my twitter page at;

http://twitter.com/#!/skipwillits

The fifth of the fourth of the year of Emergence

We had a pretty stiff storm front move through about four this morning.  The temperature dropped at least thirty degrees.  No damage done other than to our Ambien induced beauty sleep.  Missy, our border collie mix still thinks that she can chase and herd the thunder.  I wrote some time ago about how she took off for about two hours during one such storm.  Took her two weeks to recover from that little trek.  It was one of those things when I found her, did not know whether to hug her to pieces because I found her or kick the stuffing out of her cause I was so mad. 

I found these images that I made some time ago on Assateague Island, Virginia.  The storm came in from offshore, but didn't quite make it to land.  Great photography op and we didn't even get wet from the rain. 

I framed the aftermath so that one could not tell it was beach side other than the sand.  Could well have been desert.

The bush beans I planted in the garden a week ago are just making their presence known, and the rest of the "Self Defense" garden is filling out.

The 4th of the 4th of the year of Emergence

Saturday we spent the day at a Scottish festival here in town.  Never been to one before, so it was a nice experience.

One of the competitions they had was a rope toss!

The object of this event was to take a three prong pitchfork (farming implement), stick it through a sixteen pound burlap sack of rope.  Then your throw it over a suspended bar.

That bar is over 22 feet high.  And you do all this without flashing your panties from under your kilt!

The Hammer toss was also interesting.  Long stick, big metal ball weighing either 16 or 22 pounds. 

Now, just in case your wondering.  Yes, they are wearing Kilts.  No bad jokes because these guys are huge and probably don't like kilt jokes.

It' all a generational thing as well.  I was surprised to see so many young people participating in this.

The Border Collies were also on hand demonstrating their herding skills.  Now I know what to get my own border/spaniel mix. 

Just what I need to go with the two dogs and a bird.  Four mix breed mallard ducks.  These dogs were good though!

Finally, only in the south can this happen!

My son and family stopped by on Saturday night on their way back north from Florida.  We had a great dinner and good camaraderie.  All in all a good day and weekend.

The first day of the fourth month of the year of emergence

This morning seems to be acting like it wants to end our week long monsoon.  The river has risen, the gardens and lawns are super soaked, and the temperature is supposed to get over sixty degrees.

Congress has decided to cut two Trillion, with a T, from the remaining 2011 budget which they never made in the first place.

The President has pulled all the troops from Libya, Iraq, and Afghanistan effective immediately.

The 2010 health care lie has been repealed.

The SEIU has agreed to permanently shut up.

Congress has decided to grant (aka give) every citizen one million dollars each to end the recession.

Governor Walker in Wisconsin has be re-elected in perpetuity.

Chuck Schumer as started a new blogging business called "Lies you father never told, but that you will believe because I am smarter than you".

And the President has agreed to finally lead, if only he can find his way from the basketball court to the Oval office.

Remember, it's my blog and you gotta live with it.

Oh, and happy April Fools day!