Saturday, January 31, 2015

The Brazos of Northern New Mexico

Last weekend some friends took me along for a ride to the Brazos and Chama.  We had a blast.  First we stopped at Bode's for burgers.  They changed their homemade patties to store bought ones and it just wasn't the same.  They still photographed much better than they tasted!
We continued on our way and I took some photos out of the moving car.  I just held up my camera and clicked, not looking through the viewfinder.  I got lucky!
We drove through Tierra Amarilla towards the Brazos.  Our mission was to find some deer and other wildlife. 
These are mule deer.  There isn't a lot of their normal food available.  This group was waiting by the side of road and had no hesitation to come up and be fed.  We had crackers.  It is always exciting to be so close to nature but yet my heart breaks because of the condition they are in.
This is Keith, one of my friends.   There are three bucks in this photo alone.  
My friend Alyce, surrounded by deer!
We have gotten a lot of snow the last two days.  My work was actually closed yesterday because of it.  

A friend fixed my little netbook so I'm back to using it.  Although I can't help but notice that my Chromebook has a much larger screen.  I'm going to have to crack down and figure out how to download images onto it.

I'll write another post about the other animals we saw on the road trip.  Hawks and wild turkeys!

Peace,
Kay

Friday, January 16, 2015

Friday Smiles - 102

Hello everyone!  I'm joining up with Annie at A Stitch In Time. for Friday Smiles.  If you need to smile hop on over and see what others are sharing.

I've been busy knitting the last couple of weeks so my funny is related to knitting, along with another past time that I enjoy. 
I must admit, I haven't seen any of the new season.  I may end up watching it at the end, having a marathon Downton Abbey day!

Peace,
Kay

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

WOYWW 293 - And the winner is.....

Hello everyone!   I'm joining the party that is called What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday.  Our lovely hostess is Julia at  Stamping Ground.  People from around the world join in and show their desks and projects.  

I've been busy in my easy chair, knitting away.  I finished a cowl and started a ruffled scarf.  First I had to cast on 648 stitches!
The winner of the 2015 calendar is...... 
Glenda!  Can you please send me your mailing address and  let me know if you'd like a floral, animal or New Mexico photo.

As always, I will visit those that visit me (please leave your number) and those that end in the same number as me.

RE: computer.  My new computer is a Chromebook.  The operating system is Chrome OS; everything is stored and ran from the cloud.  It's sleek and lightweight but I had no idea I'd need to be hooked up to wifi when I use it.  I'm still not sure about photo editing or exactly how to download an entire SD card.

Peace,
Kay



Saturday, January 10, 2015

My First Random Act of Kindness

Hello peeps!  I hope all is well with everyone and the year is starting with adventure!

Today I've been sitting in Starbucks.  I bought a $5.00 gift card and placed it on a table.  
I was giddy with excitment, looking forward to see who would pick it up and enjoy the surprise.

These two guys looked at it but didn't make a move to pick it up.....
I waited, and waited and waited.  It took almost one hour and a half before someone got the nerve to pick up the card and look at it.  
There it sat, right next to the purse.  Just waiting.
Finally, someone picks it up!
He shares it with his friend and then his wife.  They really didn't know what to think.

I hope they pay it forward, as I've requested.  This was a fun morning for me.  I caught up on blog visits while waiting to surprise someone with just a little bit of kindess.

Peace,
Kay

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

WOYWW 292 and a Giveaway

Hello Peeps,

I hope everyone has had a great start to 2015!  I'm joining the party that is called What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday.  Our lovely hostess is Julia at  Stamping Ground.  People share their creative spaces and sometimes what they've been working on.

To celebrate 2015 I thought I'd host a giveaway.  I've made some calendars using my photos.  

All you have to do to enter the giveaway is:

1.  be a follower of this blog;
2.  leave a comment and tell me to put your name in the hat.
The winner will be announced next Wednesday.

My desk has been almost cleaned off (yay).  I have been making some calendars to send to friends and family.

I will visit those that end in the same number as me and also those that visit me (please leave your number).  Don't forget to let me know if you want to be part of the giveaway!

It's possible that I won't be around until the weekend so please be patient with me.

On another note (no pun intended), my netbook finally died.  I have a Toshiba Notebook that uses Chrome OS. Do any of you have a computer that runs on Chrome OS?  What photo editing software do you use?

Peace,
Kay

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Photography and Me

Hello peeps.  I hope 2015 is starting off with a bang for everyone!  I'm finally over feeling sick, just in time to return to work in 1.5 days (can you tell I'm looking forward to that prospect!).

Several of you have complimented me on my photography.  I have enjoyed sharing my photos with you.  I use a Canon PowerShot SX30 IS.  It has a 35x optical zoom and I just love it.  

Imagine my surprise when I get an email from someone wanting to use two of my photos in a college textbook!  Honestly, I googled the person and sure enough, she was legitimate!  VERY legitimate!!  Woo hoo.

I emailed her back and said that at first I thought I was being "punked."  A form of a prank for those that aren't familiar with that term.  The photos will appear in the “History of New Mexico” by Brandon Morgan, PHD (the e-book).  This is for the Central New Mexico Community College (CNM).

Two things I've learned from this  is to take higher resolution photos and to be sure to label my posts accurately.  This is the post where she found the photos.  Spanish Market - Featured Artist Ramon Jose Lopez

I was blown over.  The check arrived but I haven't cashed it yet.  I just like looking at it.  
Peace,
Kay



Thursday, January 1, 2015

Holy Moly it's 2015!

Hello peeps!  I am blown away by how quickly 2014 went by.  For most of the year I was very disorganized and really didn't have any, how do I say it, inner mojo (motivation).

The end of 2014 brought some very cool surprises for me, which I will share soon.  This year I'm looking forward to starting on the right foot, literally!

I have some resolutions/goals to share:

  • doodle/sketch something every week,
  • work with my body rather than against it,
  • do a random act of kindness every month,
  • if I don't want to do something I'm not going to say "yes."
I can't believe how much art I HAVEN'T done!  I need to get back to doodling.  Devoting to doodle once a week is definitely doable (all my goals are easily achievable).

The therapy pool is once again open.  I'm excited to get back into the groove of going after work several evenings each week.  It will strengthen my core and get me in better shape for my upcoming vacation and total knee replacement.

The random acts of kindness is something I've done off and on over the years but never on a "schedule."  This could be as easy as clearing the snow off the car next to me in the parking lot, paying for the coffee of the person behind me to donating knitted newborn hats and blankies to the local hospital.  

In the past I've been that person that agreed to do something and then spend the next however many days regretting it.  No more.  If I'm not sure I want to do something then I'll just ask if I can have some time to make up my mind; if I know I'm not interested I'll just come out and say it.

I feel very comfortable with my resolutions/goals and am still thinking about what my word for the year will be.  

What about you?  Do you have any changes planned and do you choose a special word for the year?

Peace,
Kay