The birds are returning. PopPop said he saw a Phoebe the other day, and I just heard one singing. He reported hearing the Canada geese flying over a few days ago, so the summer population will be here soon. There is a pair that lives here — they come up into the yard to graze in the spring, then move back to the pond. I think they probably lose most of their babies to the snapping turtles.
I saw a redwing blackbird a couple weeks ago, flying with the other blackbirds. We've got a lot of starlings as well, and quite a few crows, more than usual. The local Jehovah's Witnesses said, when they stopped by earlier this month, that they hadn't see a house that had so many birds as what we have here.
A red-bellied woodpecker is around every day. We have a pair of hairy woodpeckers — I don't see them daily, but they are a good inch bigger than the many downy woodpeckers. The grackles are here in force and the robins are singing. I'm watching out for the bluebirds, they should be back this week. A month from now, we'll see the Baltimore Orioles and the hummingbirds.
Birdsong Radio — how cool is that?!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Happy Birthday, Anhaga!
We won't count the years. I'm just happy to have you as a friend!
Hope you have a great day — I'll lift a glass in your honor!
Hope you have a great day — I'll lift a glass in your honor!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Another funeral
Queenee is staying with Uncle Ed this weekend. Uncle George's funeral was today and Uncle Ed ended up having the family back to his house, again. He just went through this four weeks ago when Aunt Betty died, and now, thanks to the bottomless pit of selfishness that is the snipe, he's having to do it again.
I hope Queenee and her brothers and sisters are holding their own. I especially hope cousin C and his family finally see that they are loved and valued by the same aunts, uncles and cousins that the waste of oxygen tried to turn against them. The prevaricating festering scumbag has just lost his last excuse to have his hooks into anyone in the family and I bet he's already working his phony sympathy routine to the heights. Jerk.
Is anyone unclear about my feelings toward the little piece of shit?
I'm happy that Queenee will get even a little time to spend with Uncle Ed. His children and grandchildren have been keeping an eye on him since he lost Betty, but it has to be very hard for him anyway. It's good that Queenee is there now.
I hope Queenee and her brothers and sisters are holding their own. I especially hope cousin C and his family finally see that they are loved and valued by the same aunts, uncles and cousins that the waste of oxygen tried to turn against them. The prevaricating festering scumbag has just lost his last excuse to have his hooks into anyone in the family and I bet he's already working his phony sympathy routine to the heights. Jerk.
Is anyone unclear about my feelings toward the little piece of shit?
I'm happy that Queenee will get even a little time to spend with Uncle Ed. His children and grandchildren have been keeping an eye on him since he lost Betty, but it has to be very hard for him anyway. It's good that Queenee is there now.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
R.I.P. Uncle George
Uncle Ed called last night and Aunt Flo just called — evidently Uncle George died today. I don't know any more than that right now.
I suppose the self-anointed-saint youngest son will play this for all its worth. He's already conned some of the distant relatives out of hundreds of thousands of dollars; this ought to be good for even more.
I feel especially bad for cousin C, who, thanks to the little prick, has been alienated from his father and elder brother for several years. Maybe cousin G will come to his senses. Little M can continue to play his games til the cows come home, but he's burned his bridges and I hope people refuse to accommodate the little asswipe from now on.
I suppose the self-anointed-saint youngest son will play this for all its worth. He's already conned some of the distant relatives out of hundreds of thousands of dollars; this ought to be good for even more.
I feel especially bad for cousin C, who, thanks to the little prick, has been alienated from his father and elder brother for several years. Maybe cousin G will come to his senses. Little M can continue to play his games til the cows come home, but he's burned his bridges and I hope people refuse to accommodate the little asswipe from now on.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
A busy week
It doesn't seem like a week has passed since the Titian show, but here it is, another Saturday, and where did the week go?
I've had a pretty busy week, web-wise. Two jobs (that will hopefully pay, although I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that I'm grossly undercharging people for what I do) have kept me busy all week. I'm happier every day with my MagicJack. It's turned out to be exactly what I needed for a business telephone line at an incredibly inexpensive price. In theory, despite the "unlimited" hours, you are limited to a fifty-hour usage per month, which I will never hit, but even so, for $20/year?? I can't complain. I'm waiting for Google Voice to go public to grab a better phone number, but other than that, I'm very happy with MagicJack.
Now if folks will just send me the money they owe me...
I was listening to a grackle earlier tonight. Grackles are pretty, iridescent birds and common here, and not known for being anything special. A couple years ago I saw what I've since been calling "The Grackle Dance" and I'm still trying to catch it on video. Who knew what a production the common grackle made of its mating ritual? I'd never heard about it or read any reference to it until I saw it for myself a couple years ago. Tonight I heard a bird singing it's heart out, making all sorts of sounds. I couldn't figure out what kind of bird it was and I thought maybe we had a very early Baltimore Oriole. Then I saw it — it was a common grackle, sitting high in a tree and going wild with song. I've never seen a grackle singing like this. It was imitating everything it heard. Not a loud as many of the other song birds, it was covering a wide range of sounds, including something between a woodpecker pecking and a grouse's thumping wattle sound. He hummed, he trilled, he sang … he made all kinds of sounds, none of which I'd ever heard or would have expected from a grackle. I dragged Queenee out to hear him so I'd have a witness. It was pretty cool.
I've had a pretty busy week, web-wise. Two jobs (that will hopefully pay, although I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that I'm grossly undercharging people for what I do) have kept me busy all week. I'm happier every day with my MagicJack. It's turned out to be exactly what I needed for a business telephone line at an incredibly inexpensive price. In theory, despite the "unlimited" hours, you are limited to a fifty-hour usage per month, which I will never hit, but even so, for $20/year?? I can't complain. I'm waiting for Google Voice to go public to grab a better phone number, but other than that, I'm very happy with MagicJack.
Now if folks will just send me the money they owe me...
I was listening to a grackle earlier tonight. Grackles are pretty, iridescent birds and common here, and not known for being anything special. A couple years ago I saw what I've since been calling "The Grackle Dance" and I'm still trying to catch it on video. Who knew what a production the common grackle made of its mating ritual? I'd never heard about it or read any reference to it until I saw it for myself a couple years ago. Tonight I heard a bird singing it's heart out, making all sorts of sounds. I couldn't figure out what kind of bird it was and I thought maybe we had a very early Baltimore Oriole. Then I saw it — it was a common grackle, sitting high in a tree and going wild with song. I've never seen a grackle singing like this. It was imitating everything it heard. Not a loud as many of the other song birds, it was covering a wide range of sounds, including something between a woodpecker pecking and a grouse's thumping wattle sound. He hummed, he trilled, he sang … he made all kinds of sounds, none of which I'd ever heard or would have expected from a grackle. I dragged Queenee out to hear him so I'd have a witness. It was pretty cool.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Borrowed Time
Hey Wabbit!!!! Long time no visit or post by the KeyDear. A friend from Georgia is here for the usual Friday night campfire in the front yard. He brought his glorious computer, hooked it up and said, "sit your ass down and check your mail!" Brought a huge bag of fresh veggies from my good friend Islandgirl and all the fixin's including meat to feed and neighborhood it seems. He poured me a glass of Crown with ice and so here I am &mdash a luxury!
I have one picture of the morning after a campfire with Pop Pop cleaning the fire pit, finding all the melted beer bottles and doing the cleanup (marshmallows, bottles, cooler, plates etc.). PopPop, Queenee, and Elder Pea were here for just one but all our friends that made it that night really enjoyed the conversation and good time while they were here. What a great time we all had. Everyone looks great! Some things never change.
I was dissapointed that I had to work during their stay, but Mr. B was in heaven. He has always felt like they are his as much as mine and that is the truth. My jealousy got me at times too, but he really enjoyed having some time with the family this time instead of always working. We really didn't get to do a lot due to only having a week, but what good fun we had anyway.
I can't believe wabbit went to the barn when no one was around!@! That freaks me out... hope you never do that again! If you fell out there and couldn't get up... I just can't imagine!!!!
The neighborhood campers will be arriving soon so I must go get some extra chairs out etc. and change out of my work clothes and start the relaxing night to come. Mia and John send a hello, as well as Dave and the local crew they met. The Double J was thrilled to see everyone again, and guess what, a 300 pound sawfish was caught just out in Bow Channel this week. To think, right out there in our bay, we could have been fishing for Lane snappers and snagged that one!!!
So okay folks, I'll try and get back online tomorrow. Our friend is going to bring me a computer back on his next trip and also finish our bathroom project!@! imagine that.
Uncle K finished rehab and will appear upon the scene in a few weeks. We are all proud of him for finishing his six month time up there. Much love to all.
I have one picture of the morning after a campfire with Pop Pop cleaning the fire pit, finding all the melted beer bottles and doing the cleanup (marshmallows, bottles, cooler, plates etc.). PopPop, Queenee, and Elder Pea were here for just one but all our friends that made it that night really enjoyed the conversation and good time while they were here. What a great time we all had. Everyone looks great! Some things never change.
I was dissapointed that I had to work during their stay, but Mr. B was in heaven. He has always felt like they are his as much as mine and that is the truth. My jealousy got me at times too, but he really enjoyed having some time with the family this time instead of always working. We really didn't get to do a lot due to only having a week, but what good fun we had anyway.
I can't believe wabbit went to the barn when no one was around!@! That freaks me out... hope you never do that again! If you fell out there and couldn't get up... I just can't imagine!!!!
The neighborhood campers will be arriving soon so I must go get some extra chairs out etc. and change out of my work clothes and start the relaxing night to come. Mia and John send a hello, as well as Dave and the local crew they met. The Double J was thrilled to see everyone again, and guess what, a 300 pound sawfish was caught just out in Bow Channel this week. To think, right out there in our bay, we could have been fishing for Lane snappers and snagged that one!!!
So okay folks, I'll try and get back online tomorrow. Our friend is going to bring me a computer back on his next trip and also finish our bathroom project!@! imagine that.
Uncle K finished rehab and will appear upon the scene in a few weeks. We are all proud of him for finishing his six month time up there. Much love to all.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese
Yesterday, Queenee and I saw the “Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese: Rivals in Renaissance Venice” at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Holland Cotter fears there may not be many more big art shows for a while. We were lucky enough to be able to go on a member's day, so the show was not crowded and we were able to move at a reasonable pace and not have to elbow our way around and through the galleries.
The show is hung by subject, not by date, and similar works are side-by-side or very close to each other, allowing the viewer to see the similarities and the differences. Many of the Tintorettos in particular stand out, because he used very heavy shadowing, almost outlining his subjects. However, not all his paintings are so obviously different from Titian and Veronese; some are similar in their technical execution, though his compositions are his own, full of diagonals and action. He seems to have been the wild man of the three.
Veronese was the quieter, gentler prodigy, taken under Titian's wing. Titian and Tintoretto had a true rivalry, but Veronese was more amenable and seemed less threatening to Titian, though Veronese's talent was unquestionably great.
Titians colors are luminous, especially his reds, and the visibility of brush strokes in his later works is so different from the invisible marks in the early work. In one painting, The Supper at Emmaus, the detail on the tablecloth is amazing — not the folds, but the actual pattern of the cloth. You need to be fairly close to even notice it. I'm not a fan of fussiness, but this doesn't seem fussy, it is part of the completeness and tranquility of the painting. The Tintoretto of the same title next to it seems harsh and violent by comparison.
An interesting part of the exhibit involves the restoration of Tintoretto’s Nativity. The painting is in a small, darkened room, along with x-ray images of the underpainting and speculation on what that painting was, why that particular canvas was reused, how the Nativity painting was made and changed, and more. A film crew was there, so something may show up on tv about this painting and what is being revealed by conservation science.
It's a wonderful show, made up almost exclusively of Titians, Tintorettos and Veroneses. The single Bellini at the start of the show is meant to illustrate the move from painting on wood panels to painting on canvas, which allowed painters to paint larger works and not have to paint on site. It's hard to pick a favorite room, but the portrait room is stunning.
The show is hung by subject, not by date, and similar works are side-by-side or very close to each other, allowing the viewer to see the similarities and the differences. Many of the Tintorettos in particular stand out, because he used very heavy shadowing, almost outlining his subjects. However, not all his paintings are so obviously different from Titian and Veronese; some are similar in their technical execution, though his compositions are his own, full of diagonals and action. He seems to have been the wild man of the three.
Veronese was the quieter, gentler prodigy, taken under Titian's wing. Titian and Tintoretto had a true rivalry, but Veronese was more amenable and seemed less threatening to Titian, though Veronese's talent was unquestionably great.
Titians colors are luminous, especially his reds, and the visibility of brush strokes in his later works is so different from the invisible marks in the early work. In one painting, The Supper at Emmaus, the detail on the tablecloth is amazing — not the folds, but the actual pattern of the cloth. You need to be fairly close to even notice it. I'm not a fan of fussiness, but this doesn't seem fussy, it is part of the completeness and tranquility of the painting. The Tintoretto of the same title next to it seems harsh and violent by comparison.
An interesting part of the exhibit involves the restoration of Tintoretto’s Nativity. The painting is in a small, darkened room, along with x-ray images of the underpainting and speculation on what that painting was, why that particular canvas was reused, how the Nativity painting was made and changed, and more. A film crew was there, so something may show up on tv about this painting and what is being revealed by conservation science.
It's a wonderful show, made up almost exclusively of Titians, Tintorettos and Veroneses. The single Bellini at the start of the show is meant to illustrate the move from painting on wood panels to painting on canvas, which allowed painters to paint larger works and not have to paint on site. It's hard to pick a favorite room, but the portrait room is stunning.
3.1415926535...
Happy Pi Day!
I'm thinking of a little project for myself. I'd like to know the first hundred digits of Pi. I'll settle for the first fifty. It shouldn't be too hard — I think the key is to take it in bits. Learn the first five, then the next five, then repeat all ten, then the next five, and so on.
I never did memorize the Presidents. Maybe I'll tackle that after Pi. If nothing else, it's good brain exercise.
I'm thinking of a little project for myself. I'd like to know the first hundred digits of Pi. I'll settle for the first fifty. It shouldn't be too hard — I think the key is to take it in bits. Learn the first five, then the next five, then repeat all ten, then the next five, and so on.
I never did memorize the Presidents. Maybe I'll tackle that after Pi. If nothing else, it's good brain exercise.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Verizon FiOS
We had Verizon FiOS TV connected yesterday. The picture, even on a non-digital tv, looks pretty good. PopPop says he thinks it's sharper than Comcast, though I'm not sure. So now we have the FiOS package — internet, phone and television. I won't save much, but even $10/month is better than nothing.
Here's the nickle & dime crap that pisses me off: when you read the prices for the various TV packages, what they don't tell you is that the price does not include the digital box you need in order to receive any stations at all. On top of that, they fail to advertise that there is a smaller, less feature-packed, but perfectly functional and $2/month cheaper box available. You'd never know about that little Digital Adapter box if you didn't know what you were reading in the FAQs. btw, the Digital Adapter is exactly the same box you get from Comcast, but Verizon has crippled some of the features, like Favorites, that would be especially useful for PopPop. Jerks.
I think if they are going to offer package prices and list all the channels you can get, that those prices should include a certain number of those basic Digital Adapter boxes. Why not? The satellite dish folks do that. Three DA boxes, or four, are included in the package price, always stated right up front. WTF is wrong with Verizon FiOS that they don't do the same?
Then there is the remote. Poor Queenee and especially PopPop are completely screwed up by the poorly designed remotes you get. There are too many buttons in the wrong place that are too easy to hit and will mess up your settings one way or another. Of course, it's the same with Comcast, so I can't smack Verizon around too much for this.
I suppose we'll adjust over time. I just get a wee bit steamed at the corporate incompetence on display.
Here's the nickle & dime crap that pisses me off: when you read the prices for the various TV packages, what they don't tell you is that the price does not include the digital box you need in order to receive any stations at all. On top of that, they fail to advertise that there is a smaller, less feature-packed, but perfectly functional and $2/month cheaper box available. You'd never know about that little Digital Adapter box if you didn't know what you were reading in the FAQs. btw, the Digital Adapter is exactly the same box you get from Comcast, but Verizon has crippled some of the features, like Favorites, that would be especially useful for PopPop. Jerks.
I think if they are going to offer package prices and list all the channels you can get, that those prices should include a certain number of those basic Digital Adapter boxes. Why not? The satellite dish folks do that. Three DA boxes, or four, are included in the package price, always stated right up front. WTF is wrong with Verizon FiOS that they don't do the same?
Then there is the remote. Poor Queenee and especially PopPop are completely screwed up by the poorly designed remotes you get. There are too many buttons in the wrong place that are too easy to hit and will mess up your settings one way or another. Of course, it's the same with Comcast, so I can't smack Verizon around too much for this.
I suppose we'll adjust over time. I just get a wee bit steamed at the corporate incompetence on display.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Homecoming
Yesterday we got some snow and sleet. It's all gone now, but when I took a bag of trash out to the barn this morning, the ramp still had ice and snow on the wood and I slipped and fell on my keister coming out. My back is sore, but thankfully my knee was completely unaffected. It's amazing how the mind works — as I was falling, I made a point of relaxing as best I could and letting my legs go out in front of me. I knew I'd hit the ramp hard, and I did, but my knee was safe. Another couple bruises won't make any difference, I'm covered with them from pushing furniture around this week.
It's been a quiet week here, which I've enjoyed. Cleaning out the computer room took longer than expected, but I can only do so much at any given time and moving the heavy stuff hurts. The filing and taxes remain undone, but those can wait. General cleanup took another day or so and was done piecemeal.
The cats are funny, they've fallen back into their old routine of looking for a small can of cat food in the morning. When it was just me and the cats living in NY, I used to split one tiny can between the four cats to force them to deal with each other, and the three remaining decided since it was just us again, the former feeding rule should recommence. Alas, it did not, but they haven't given up hope. Little One has even taken to sitting in my lap for long periods of time. They've had a few really nice weather days and got to spend a lot of time outdoors this week.
Queenee, PopPop and the Elder Pea get home from the Keys tonight. Their flight is scheduled to arrive at 9:30pm, so they will have had the better part of today to enjoy before heading to the airport. I'm sure they'll have loads of fun stories to share!
It's been a quiet week here, which I've enjoyed. Cleaning out the computer room took longer than expected, but I can only do so much at any given time and moving the heavy stuff hurts. The filing and taxes remain undone, but those can wait. General cleanup took another day or so and was done piecemeal.
The cats are funny, they've fallen back into their old routine of looking for a small can of cat food in the morning. When it was just me and the cats living in NY, I used to split one tiny can between the four cats to force them to deal with each other, and the three remaining decided since it was just us again, the former feeding rule should recommence. Alas, it did not, but they haven't given up hope. Little One has even taken to sitting in my lap for long periods of time. They've had a few really nice weather days and got to spend a lot of time outdoors this week.
Queenee, PopPop and the Elder Pea get home from the Keys tonight. Their flight is scheduled to arrive at 9:30pm, so they will have had the better part of today to enjoy before heading to the airport. I'm sure they'll have loads of fun stories to share!
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Cleaning up
I've spent the last two days and part of Thursday cleaning out my little computer room. It's a difficult room to work with — 10'x10', with a closet door on one wall, an entry door on another wall and a large picture window on a third. I'd be perfectly happy to make the closet a functional storage room, but it is the only downstairs closet, so vacuums, coats and all manner of crap end up in there. Still, I did get to wash the floor and baseboards and move things around for the summer. I'm not 100% done, but I'm close. My ankles and right knee are killing me.
Speaking of summer, today was unbelievable gorgeous. It got up to 65F! Tomorrow won't be as warm, but should hit 50F. I made the cats spend most of the day outside today. Only Ebony wasn't happy about that. She would rather roast in the house, laying in a sunny spot. I don't know how she can stand being in her own fur when you can barely touch it, it gets so warm.
I'll finish up in here tomorrow, and maybe get to washing the kitchen floor. Then I'll take a day off to paint and draw. Or sleep.
Queenee, PopPop and the Elder Pea will be back on Tuesday night. I hope they are having a great time and enjoying the weather. I'm sure they're enjoying the good meals they'll be having!
Speaking of summer, today was unbelievable gorgeous. It got up to 65F! Tomorrow won't be as warm, but should hit 50F. I made the cats spend most of the day outside today. Only Ebony wasn't happy about that. She would rather roast in the house, laying in a sunny spot. I don't know how she can stand being in her own fur when you can barely touch it, it gets so warm.
I'll finish up in here tomorrow, and maybe get to washing the kitchen floor. Then I'll take a day off to paint and draw. Or sleep.
Queenee, PopPop and the Elder Pea will be back on Tuesday night. I hope they are having a great time and enjoying the weather. I'm sure they're enjoying the good meals they'll be having!
Friday, March 06, 2009
Happy Birthday, Logito!
Logito is sixteen today! I remember him looking for frogs and turtles in the stream behind my house in NY. Now he's learning to drive.Queenee, PopPop and the Elder Pea are in the Keys for a few days and will help celebrate his birthday.
Happy Birthday, Logito!
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Animation of US Airways 1549 Hudson landing
Wow.
Great animation of an incredible landing in the Hudson.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
R.I.P. Aunt Betty
Queenee got a phone call at 3:30am from Aunt Flo. You know when you get a phone call in the middle of the night, it's either a wrong number or bad news. It was bad news.
After being sick and not feeling well for a long time, Aunt Betty passed away some time last night. She apparently had a heart attack while in the bathroom.
I last saw her about a year and a half ago, and she was getting around alright, but said she didn't feel particularly well and was dispirited about that. She was managing anyway, as was her way.
Aunt Betty was not a person who was easy to know. She was very private and did not suffer fools lightly. I really only got to know her a little bit over the last ten years or so and came to like her quite a lot.
Queenee spoke to Misha, who is with Uncle Ed now, offering her sympathy and checking up on her brother. Misha says poor Uncle Ed is devastated. I feel so sorry for Betsy's children, especially Misha, who was very close to Aunt Betty. They grew up with Aunt Betty and Uncle Ed. They will miss her terribly.
After being sick and not feeling well for a long time, Aunt Betty passed away some time last night. She apparently had a heart attack while in the bathroom.
I last saw her about a year and a half ago, and she was getting around alright, but said she didn't feel particularly well and was dispirited about that. She was managing anyway, as was her way.
Aunt Betty was not a person who was easy to know. She was very private and did not suffer fools lightly. I really only got to know her a little bit over the last ten years or so and came to like her quite a lot.
Queenee spoke to Misha, who is with Uncle Ed now, offering her sympathy and checking up on her brother. Misha says poor Uncle Ed is devastated. I feel so sorry for Betsy's children, especially Misha, who was very close to Aunt Betty. They grew up with Aunt Betty and Uncle Ed. They will miss her terribly.
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