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While on vacation visiting my brother and sister (IL) every day was packed with fun and relaxation. We spent time at the ocean, frolicking in the waves and enjoyed the warm sun and sand. We ate at an oceanside restaurant that served scruptious seafood. Oysters on the half shell, smoked fish dip, crab cakes, shrimp, scallops - you name it. Yum!
My brother B taught my husband (above) and I the art of catching fish from shore. We had a blast and caught fish and a few other sea creatures. B, with a background in DNR and wildlife conservation, was ever so careful to let the creatures go, administering as little contact and trauma to them as possible.
We caught whiting and pompano fish, a sting ray and this fellow, an
electric torpedo ray. At first, we thought it was a version of a sting ray, however my brother, while trying to remove the hook, was stunned by a good dose of electric current. Torpedo rays have electric organs in their wings that generate electric current they use as a defense mechanism and to stun their prey. After the initial jolt, B cautiously pushed this fellow back out to sea.
This man brought his pet goose teathered on a leash to the ocean for a swim. It was quite evident that the goose loved the ocean, as he swam and paddled along, bobbing and riding the waves, oblivious of the fact that there weren't any other geese enjoying the same. He'd wade onto the beach, only to go back for more.
Offshore the shrimp boats had their nets strung out and we enjoyed watching them move back and forth across the ocean gathering their haul for the day.
The waves were incredible and the surfer's were enjoying a perfectly beautiful day. Now if you could do this every day, or every weekend, why would you want to live anywhere else?
I am rebelling and want to wear my bikini under my clothes to work, I still want to be on vacation!
Slowly going through the mass of photos we took while on vacation. Reminising along the way as I look at each one of them. Ok, B & NJ, I will get the photos to you, but I am not sending the whole shebang, so it is taking a bit of time. K and I talk every day about what you are up to and we agree, every moment of the trip spent with the two of you was just so awesome-you're the greatest tour guides ever and we learned so much!
While taking photos we saw the coolest grasshopper. Yes, he really is as big as pictured here. They were everywhere and as we walked along, many jumped around us. While I understand they are a nuisance, they're still really colorful and it's not every day you get to see one this big.
Update on my hand and arm: diagnosis,
Carpal TunnelI already suspected I had carpal tunnel in my hand but never went to see a doctor to confirm it until now. He put me in a splint for 30 days at night time. While on vacation, I didn't have any pain but he said I still have inflamation around the nerves. Now that I am back to work, the pain has returned. Hopefully the splint will help; I started wearing it to work to see if I can speed my recovery along. The splint is a bit big (even though it is for a small hand like mine) and is rubbing the skin off one of my knuckles, so I am a bit challenged at the moment.
I just finished the bi-monthly newsletter (that I am editor of) and have a brochure to create by the 27th and I hope I can manage through it all. Think positive- I know I can!
I am off to bed for some rest to see if that will help too.
Reluctantly, we are home from our trip to Florida, but only reluctant because we had such a hugely (can I say that?) fabulous time with my brother and sister (IL). I can't begin to tell you what that trip meant to me and to my husband, life just doesn't get any better than when I spend it with my family. Being such a geographically diverse family, it only draws me closer to them, as I am sure many of you can relate. I will be posting a few photos soon-took almost 1800, but I will only post a few here. :)
On another note, I'd like to say thank you to Pam for this great award; it's meant to be shared and I am a bit behind on my postings, please understand!
The rules for accepting the award are as follows:
1. Add the logo of the award to your site.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Leave a message for your nominees on their blog.
Awarding:
Laurelines,
Maria,
Sherry,
Michelle,
Kim, Holly,
CarolPlease understand, this is not a "have to," I just want you to know that what you bring to me through your own blogs and your friendships fills my cup each day and I'd like to thank you. :)
We're lovin' it here on the ocean, enjoying a well deserved vacation with my brother and sister-in-law! We're having such a great time with them and we've done so many awesome things. The weather is great and the ocean is so warm. Now off for something to eat-and more incredible adventures! See you soon!
For Illustration Friday's "Sour." My husband and I enjoy going to our local Barnes and Noble Bookstore to read and hang out in the Starbucks coffee shop there. I always bring a sketchbook and enjoy sketching the people reading. Unfortunately, on this particular evening, the woman who I was sketching glanced up and gave me the most sour look I have ever seen. Of course I immediately stopped sketching her and she stared me down until I had to look away. I stopped sketching for a while but continued (I was halfway through my sketch!) when she wasn't looking though she kept glaring at me from time to time with eyes that looked as if they were shooting daggers.
I thought she was quite an interesting subject with her eye glass chains dangling but I fear she didn't find me as interesting. At the onset, I thought she was going to get up, lunge at me and grab my sketchbook and destroy it. It was the first time I felt like that of a protective mother bear over her cub, in this case the cub was my sketchbook which holds some of my most precious drawings. Out of respect for her discomfort, I captured only what I needed to finish and put my sketchbook away and enjoyed the rest of the evening reading with my husband.
FinallY! The best Bachlorette season yet, DeaAnna Papas chooses the right man, Jesse Csincsak to be her husband and has found her soul mate.
Ok, so I am a bit sappy over this one. I watched every night as she slowly sent home each of the guys as I held on to the hope that Jesse would be the one DeAnna fell in love with. I truly believe anyone who was ready to send Jesse home has completely under estimated the man-and my husband agrees! DeAnna & Jesse, can we come to the wedding?
Many were quick to judge Jesse's profession, however being a pro snowboarder shows dedication, focus and discipline. What kind of a future job is in store for him you say? Not only is he a professional athlete (did you see
Jesse snowboarded carrying DeAnna on his back and didn't drop her-now that's hot!), but his opportunities are open for sponsors, franchise and product endorsements, educational and television opportunities, just to name a few. He is so marketable, great looking and sincere. You rock Jesse and your just the sweetest-next to MY husband that is! DeAnna, trust him with your heart, treat him right, and you'll have a soulmate for life.
Check out their new website -is this the real deal?
Picture: Delphiniums in my garden.
Silver Bella 2008 is fast approaching, set for November 13 - 15th.
Last year's event was such a fabulous time and I had the opportunity to meet so many creative and talented
women. The classes I attended were so inspiring and I came home with oodles of projects, some I must admit are still unfinished and lying in a drawer-a winter project maybe? I will get to them one of these days, I promise!
I won't be attending this year as my priorities have changed however I am tickled that so many of the great women I met will be in town again. I do hope I will get to see them all! Of the priorities I mentioned, one is to to get my arm back into tip-top shape. No news on that front yet, I still have to see a hand specialist and I think I will need surgery but that isn't a definite either.
We'll be heading to Florida for a vacation soon and I am SO excited, I can hardly wait. We'll be going to see my brother and SIL and it's been way too long since we last saw each other.
Feeling small as a bug today, wish I could fly away! I had my EMG tests today and let's just say, they were shocking! I took a couple of tylenol prior, hoping it would take the edge off. The pain from the needles wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, though the electrodes were the most painful/uncomfortable.
The doctor actually gives you a shock or jolt of electricity, then more and more until she/he gets the results they are looking for. Painful enough to get your attention. It made me jumpy, anticpating the next jolt which would leave you flinching from it. Most weren't bad until the doctor tested the area where I had the most pain. Then I really took notice.
The doctor was 30ish, and a pretty red head, German, with no bed side manner whatsoever, quite void of emotion. Completely analytical, focused and all business, yet she was wearing a long floral skirt and a blue jean jacket. What's that all about? Cold as a fish. :) She didn't smile however when I asked her a particular question about her profession for a milisecond I think I actually heard a smile in her voice rather than saw one on her face. I have to say she did a thorough job and my anticipation was worse than the procedures. NOTE TO SELF: never read about the procedure on the internet prior to the appointment.
She did give me a glowing report though and said I had no never damage- YAY! I will survive. Now on to the hand specialist for more tests.
This morning I go in for an EMG test. My understanding is that the test is unpleasant and painful-oh joy! I feel like a human guinea pig, not enjoying the thought of being stuck with several needles intramuscularly (electrodes) and then the electrical activity is picked up by the electrodes and monitored to see if there isn any nerve damage. Geez Louise! I KNOW.
The knowledge that in 20 minutes to an hour I will be out of there and back to work motivates me. Then once the test results are in, I will be sent to a hand specialist. I just want to get on with working again without pain.
I am off to take some Tylenol...I was hoping to take something much stronger...he he, but tis not the case.
Have a great Wednesday and say a prayer for me will you?
By:
Maggie Summers,
on 6/22/2008
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My gardens are a bloom with color!
I've recently been struggling with pain in my right hand and arm. It is exasberated by doing anything with my right hand which as a graphic designer and illustrator can be disheartening. I don't believe it is carpul tunnel though I do experience a bit of it from time to time. I've had a blocked vein (feels like a little nodule) near my elbow for at least 12 years now and often when working,when I rest my arm on something, it puts pressure on that spot. I try to adjust this as needed. The nodule seems to have gotten bigger and is tender with inflamation. I believe it is blocking the blood supply to my right hand resulting in some of the pain, the other I think is some form of arthritis.
An injury occured at my oldest son's birthday party (when he was young). One of his friends who was quite a big, sturdy fellow for his age, was rocking back and forth on our oak kitchen chair and fell backwards. I tried to break his fall by grabbing the back of the chair and went down with it crushing my hand between him and the floor. Oak is not forgiving. It took quite a while to heal but my hand has suffered the damage and now from time to time it has started to ache. It couldn't have been my left hand, right?
So, tomorrow I will make and appointment to get the nodule looked at. Years ago I showed it to my doctor and he didn't seem concerned, just said as long as it doesn't bother you don't do anything but watch it. It's one of two I have on my arm.
Drawing has been put on hold for time being. I also belong to a professional organization where I am the editor of the chapter's newsletter (more about that later) and have some concerns as the next edition is due soon and any time spent on the computer hurts (like now!) My hope is that my hand and arm will recover so that I can continue doing what I love to do best.
So I will sign off but apologize for my lack of illustration postings. Posting photos will have to be it for now. I have to say I just love photography and its so hard not to take pictures of such beautiful subjects. Don't you agree?
On thoughts about injuries and recovering from them, it brings to mind an article I read about in the
newspaper, about Thomas Auen, 14, of Sioux City, Iowa, a young boy scout who was injured in the recent tornado that killed 4 of his fellow boy scouts while on a camping trip in Iowa. Thomas who is in intensive care is unable to speak because of a breathing tube. When asked by his father if he had anything to say, Thomas took a notepad and wrote:
"Lord, together we can handle anything." What an impression this boy's words left upon me, from one so young but so wise. It is his thoughts, courage, and that sentence, that will stay with me as I deal with my hand and arm. Thomas, you are so right and I thank you.
May God be with all the families of the 4 young boys that lost their lives, the young boys who are still recovering from their injuries, and those boys who walked away from the storm unharmed but emotionally in need, I wish you a swift recovery, I know you are in Good Hands!
P.S. Mother, don't worry, I have a handle on the arm thing and will be fine! :) I'll let you know what I hear after I see the doctor.
Local police, Fema Disaster Relief and Home Depot were there to offer assistance and supplies to families to shore up their homes and businesses.
Glimpses of the worst hit areas, blocked off by police. The homes in this photo have lost their roofs and walls.
A new home with it's windows blown out. The fencing also went through the windows.
An old farm that has been around for a very long time.
The inside of a local business that blew across the street.
We saw three trampolines, this one was out near the road with no home in site where it might have blown away from.
This brand new car wash lost its roof and the cement pillars toppled over on it.
Truck after truck of tree branches and debris headed for dumping areas.
Early this morning at about 2:30am I was awakened by the sound of an enormous rain storm, high winds, and the most incredible sound, like a train roaring toward our home. I had a hard time awakening but realized it was time to move. I literally rolled out of bed and looked out the window. The sky was unbelievably grey and the rain was coming straight sideways at an unbelievable speed-and the trees were completely on their sides also. K and I headed for the basement to take cover.
An F2 tornado (111 to 135 mph winds) went right over our home then touched down and started a path of destruction many miles long about a mile and a half from our home. This afternoon we went out to see the damage and I was able to take a few photos. The police had several subdivisions completely blocked off so you couldn't get in to see the serious damage as was understandable, so many families were trying to clean up. More storms are coming in tonight and many homes had no roofs or walls. People were out cutting down the trees that blocked to roadways and on their homes. We saw truck after truck loaded down with trees and debris.
Thankfully our home didn't suffer any damage and we only saw minor damage in our neighborhood. We are so grateful and blessed that we are safe and sound and pray for those who's homes sustained damage. Thankfully no lives were lost.
Promises of spring and summer ahead amidst the violent storms the U.S. has been having.
Every time I look at our clematis in the front yard I want to pull up a chair on our deck and kick back, dreaming of the promise of lazy days, bbq's, lemonade and fresh fruit in crystal bowls topped with a dollop of yogurt. Mmmmm.
If you live in Midwest USA, you are living in tornado alley. Last night our area experienced multiple (up to 19 and 20) funnel clouds in the sky, significant storms that went right over the top of our home. Fortunately, we did not see any tornados touch the ground but some areas and homes in other cities were destroyed. The toll has not been completely counted yet.
Needless to say, it was the first time I took the storm warnings seriously since moving here and prepared a spot in the basement to take cover in and ride out the worst kind of storm. I had a safe area supported complete with mattress overhead, plenty of big floor pillows, blankets and cover, water, peanut butter, crackers, fruit, a flash light and wind up radio, a cell phone, two portable phones and a book -which I found little comfort in. The hail sounded like someone was throwing rocks at the windows and roof. Some areas had hail as big as baseballs, thankfully not ours. Flash Flooding is the result of massive amounts of rain fall. As you can see from above, someone's vacation plans have been ruined.
Tonight we are still under a tornado watch though we don't anticipate anything severe. I hope I get more sleep tonight. It's tough to sleep through all that racket. Now off to bed to catch some z-z-z-Z-Z-Z's!
Did I say how blue our water is on the Great Lakes? Unbelievably blue- a turquoise and marine blue. I captured this photo while we were driving along the river and I only had a moment to snap the picture. There was a man with her, down on the rocks fishing from shore.
The waves were high on the river that day, a gorgeous color of blue.
Another impressive ship as it quietly glides through the water making it's way down the river.
Every time I exercise like I did today outdoors I have a huge craving for ice cream. It must go along with the warm weather and sunshine because I don't eat ice cream very often- well there was the time about a month ago, that we had ice cream- Moose Munch to be exact- at my parents and children, every night while we were home with them. Yes, that's right, I said EVERY night.
I really watch what I eat and ice cream in just not on my list of every day foods. Eating it every night was all my Mom's fault! :) She has been allergic to everything dairy for most of her entire life and never ate or drank milk products. When we went out together Mom would always have sherbert. Then, one day a couple of years ago, she did the forbidden and ate some ice cream and didn't get sick. It turns out that she CAN eat Moose Munch ice cream. Well there you go, she opened Pandora's Box and now has it in her freezer she and my Dad it all the time! And, of course Mom wanted K and I to join her and Dad-what could I say? What would you say when it was presented to you like this? :) The cake was double chocolate-Mmmmmm.
We ate this dessert on a gloriously sunny day on their deck on the river, watching the ships go by. I'm still working off those calories! :)
Did I say how much I LOVE this new camera? Especially the telephoto lens-it's amazing! Here I am hanging out at my favorite Starbucks. I still need a few filters and a macro but they'll come soon enough. I love black and whites just as much as color photos and can never decide which I like better, it all depends on my mood.
I changed up the order of the photos, Mr. Beaver below just looked too strange being at the top of this post.
My first real taste of summer came when I was home at my parents who live on the Great Lakes of Michigan. These photos were taken off their front deck. The ships that ride the lakes are magnificent when you see them up this close and I never tire of watching them go by. We've recorded them from all over the world. They make their way up through the various locks from the ocean. When they start running again it means the ice has all melted and it's the signal for spring and summer to begin...then boating and water skiing and just hanging out on the beach- my kind of living!
I ran a little over 4 miles around the East lake this morning. The weather is about 82 now and gorgeous-finally! On my trips around the lake I have been fortunate enough to see a lot wildlife and came upon a beaver twice in the past week. I know the damage they can do but still- you can appreciate these industrious characters when you see one. K and I stalked this one for a little over 1/2 hour so we could get a good photo. He was about 4 1/2 feet in total length, his tail about 2 1/2 of that.
Now I have a big job ahead of me and it's off to plant flowers. The iris' are just starting to open around the yard so I'll be posting photos of them later. Enjoy your Saturday!
More tomorrow...
We recently returned from our trip to Canada and Michigan, where my family spent some very precious time together. It was perfect and I cherished every moment-can't you tell? Every time I look at my sons, a non-stop video plays in my head filled with moments from the time they were born to the present and I am SO proud of the young men they have become. Their wit and charm, love and compassion makes me all teary-eyed and leaves me smiling from ear to ear.
I am the shrimp now, they all tower over me and here I am wearing 2 1/2 inch heels!
Happy Mother's Day to Me- I am so blessed! Happy Mother's Day to you too!
Signs of spring! Blossoms of flowering cherry, dogwood and many other varieties I cannot name but I can capture them in my lens. Beautiful aren't they? Oh, and how marvelous they smell!
Tomorrow I am off to shop for flowers for the garden. It is suppose to be cool and rain but I won't let that stop me, no, not with this type of encouragement egging me on.
The sunshine and rays streaming through the clouds; lovely aren't they? My husband said, "capture them please." "Oh yes" I say. God has touched the petals and the rays with his brush of magnificence.
My hubby recently surprised me with a new camera, the Nikon D40 and I couldn't be happier! He truly is my best friend and I am so blessed. I've completely fallen in love with this camera and on our most recent trip took 1300 photographs (I Know!). Thank you K, you are SO Awesome!
On the way back from our trip we stopped at a Starbucks in Chicago and noticed that they attached a print out of our order to our cups. I for one still prefer when they indicate my order by check marking the boxes on the side of the cup. I also prefer the original Starbucks logo in green. They've just recently started using this new brown design and it just throws me off a bit. I like the logo design, just not in all brown. Hopefully it is just a spring promo and they'll go back to the original design soon. Green works, so why mess with perfection?
I'll be posting more photos later as time permits.
I've been so busy lately I haven't had time to post and I apologize and hope to get back to posting regularly.
This past month I worked on illustration gifts for my sons. We just got back from a week's vacation with my them and my family in Michigan and Canada; it was so wonderful and was just what I needed. I will post fun photos later. Above are the illustrations which I created and had printed 16 x 20 and framed. They turned out great and the boys really liked them. I decided to create one background illustration and use it for both designs since both boys love music and enjoy playing the guitar, so it seemed appropriate. For the foreground illustration I worked from photos that I took of them a few years ago. My youngest son (bottom illustration above) has short hair now and my older son (top above) actually wears his hair a tad longer so this was a nice way to capture their younger years.
Above, a photo of the illustrations side by side right after my sons unwrapped their gifts.
Remember when I made
reference to an illustration of a CD cover I was working on? I've finished it and I'm now happy with the results. I've left header room for the title.
I've had to place a copyright on the illustration which I've found I have to do more and more. Recently I found out that in China, someone using an online store (very similar to Ebay) illegally downloaded and posted
my illustration and used it to help sell some Aerapostle jeans they had for sale. Everything on the website of course was in Chinese which didn't help and I had to log in and register to communicate with them. Easy enough if you could read their language. Now how does one go after someone who breaks US law internationally? They never asked nor had my permission to post my artwork and have clearly broken the laws of US
copyright infringement. I'm disgusted to say the least. but let's not dampen the day. So please try to understand when you see that I've added copyright to my illustrations.
Moose Pancakes! That's what we had over the weekend. Or, technically, that's what we had last weekend. Since then Blogger's been a pain and I've not been able to upload a thing or you would have seen this post sooner.
I hope you have a great start to the week with a good night's sleep and we'll catch up later. Until then find out more about our experience with Moose Pancakes.
By:
Maggie Summers,
on 3/8/2008
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For IF's "garden."
Spring is fast approaching and I can't wait to work in our gardens. Last weekend the temperature on Saturday was 65 degrees. I wanted to get my shovel and wellies out and start planting. Right now it is 11 degrees with a biting north wind. I think my planting days are still far off in the distance though one can dream and prepare. I think I'll pull out my seed pots and start there, maybe that will encourage spring to come sooner.
And another, older illustration that fits this theme well,
"roots."
By:
Maggie Summers,
on 2/25/2008
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I headed to Parables for book browsing and grabbed one off the shelf to sketch. I haven't read it, but liked the cover so it became part of my prop along with my new handbag and leather pencil case which I carry with me at all times. I love to capture moments whenever I have the opportunity.
Today it rained and snowed simutaneously and was relatively warm (low 40's) and you needed and umbrella however by the time I left the office for home it had turned to freezing and I had to scrape the windows. I cranked up the heat and my feet have finally thawed. Not a good idea to stand in snow and ice while scraping your windows. I should have had boots on but who was to know?
By:
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on 2/22/2008
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Joining in the fun of the
Self Portrait Party. Ok, so my chin is not that saggy but what do you expect from a half of a blind contour?
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Great photos! I love the beach, we live about 3 hours from the coastline. Looks like you had so much fun.
Roxie