...of Jaunts and Journeys

Saturday, January 30, 2010

THEN ..... NOW

Today was the scheduled day for major aquarium maintenance. Water was changed, gravel was vacuumed, decor was rotated, and fish were exchanged. It has been about 7 months since the aquarium was initially set up. How much I've learned since then!

In the interim, fish have mysteriously disappeared without a trace, some fish became the tank bully, some fish had babies. Others simply died. But overall, I've been able to maintain a tank without too many mishaps. I even still own some of the original fish. This is what it looked like then.... when I first entered the world of aquarists.



And this is how it looks now.... after the complete cleaning and rearrange. Four fish were removed to make room for a couple new ones of a different color. As of this writing, there are 4 OB Zebras, 1 demasoni, and 1 johanni. I know the OB Zebras are happy in this aquarium since they have reproduced. I want to add a couple of yellow labs. We'll see...


It won't be long and I will be changing this aquarium again. I am in the process of setting up a 70 gallon beauty which will house my cichlids. I am seriously considering using this small tank as an aquatic plant aquarium and keeping some very small fish among the plants. It is worth further investigation.

Thanks to the awesome cousin who helped with this project. Helped nothing. He did all the work. He said next time he'll watch while I do.... sounds fair to me. I already told him I'd make him a home-cooked meal for all his help with the upcoming set-up. I still think I get the better end of that deal.

Until I post again...

Saturday, January 23, 2010

OFF TO A ROUGH START....but with promise

This new year has gotten off to a rough start. Make that very rough. In the short course of 23 days there has been a change in college plans, a readjustment to an un-empty nest, a death in the family, a family member undergoing major surgery and then experiencing undesirable major complications, unforeseen financial mishaps, and enough additional events to leave ones head spinning and psyche reeling. "Will it ever end?" has practically become mantric.

I don't wish to leave the impression nothing *good* has taken place. Several events have actually softened the sting of the seemingly endless cascade of troubles. My cousin "with connections" has located a sweet deal (how much sweeter can FREE be?) on a fabulous aquarium setup so I can further indulge in the relaxing world of an aquarist....not that I claim great knowledge other than which fish is prettier than the next, but the fascination and feeling of calm that overcomes my senses when I watch the underwater activity is better than any repertoire of anti-anxiety drugs in existence.

And I finally got to go on a photo adventure! Knowing me ...err... I mean understanding me the way he does, H picked up on my agitation this past week and literally ordered me to come up with an out of town adventure so I could relax and quit being "such a grumpy old b!tch" (his words; not mine). With much hemming and hawwing I obliged him and at his suggestion we hit the road at 7:00 a.m. today. This alone was an indication of how desperate H was to have me in a better mood. If I'd suggested this early hour he would have had a fit and convinced me to make it 8:30 a.m. or later. So we drove west.

After many months of no courthouse shots, we unexpectedly found ourselves in Montague, Texas seat of Montague County. Winter is my preferred time to take photos of courthouses because the bare trees allow the capture of the entire building. The building in the background is the old jail.


Heading further to the west and then south, we found Amon G. Carter Lake. Those with knowledge of Fort Worth know that Amon Carter is a familiar name in the area, being the namesake of the coliseum where the stock show and rodeo is held each year (which is coincidentally running as I type this). I thought the brushy grasses at water's edge were wonderful.


A bright spot.... these flowers are called Paperwhites and I see why. They are very delicate and translucent. The bulb was a Christmas gift from my friend Anne. It is truly lovely.


Other things are good as well. I found a book I wanted to read offered on amazon.com for one penny. I am currently reading an excellent historical novel about Cleopatra. I am working feverishly on an applique quilt which was begun 5 years ago... and I'm thoroughly enjoying the tedium of the multitudinous pieces! The coming days are looking less grim.

Good-bye January and hurry up February!!! Surely you won't be as dismal.

Until the next opportunity...

Sunday, January 10, 2010

PHOTO FAILURE

I have never tried to photograph food until today. I don't think I will make a career of it. I totally suck at it!

My house smells so good right now because I've been making my super-secret [translated "no recipe; no idea; keep adding stuff until you think you have it right"] Chicken Soup all day. I just added the vegetables and the colors look so wonderful together that I thought I'd try to capture them in a photo. Uhhh... not! Let's just hope it tastes as good as it smells and not as bad as it looks.


Until the next time...

FOUNTAIN OF ICE

Dallas has been below 32 degrees for several consecutive days. Yesterday was the first time we'd gone above freezing and it was only by a few degrees for a couple of hours and then right back down to 18 by this morning. As a result, the creeks, ponds, and fountains are frozen. This fountain has been fun to photograph. Actually, I've enjoyed it from the aspect of experimenting with Photoshop (none shown here) more than anything. Despite the fact this fountain is ice encapsulated, the pumps are still running and water cascades over the exterior of the ice, adding yet more layers of visual wonder.




Until I have more to share...

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

CAMERA PLAY

The other night I made the opportunity to play with the 50mm fixed focus lens and experimented with bokeh. Another thing which I need to practice is post-processing to achieve the ultimate composition regardless of how cluttered the photo I've managed to capture.

This shot included much more originally and the details of the elements on the table were lost. The side of the sofa as well as a framed picture on the wall (not to mention Christmas stockings no longer filled) made the photo cluttered and busy. Then I noticed the gold ribbon and the red ribbon and started cropping. I also "erased" the name on the stocking so the eye had nothing to draw it away from the main focus I was trying to achieve. I'll keep working on this concept!



(I'm not liking the way this new template is formatting!!!) The remaining photos were a play with bokeh and no flash. Another concept upon which I will continue to work!






Until it gets warm enough to go on an a "real" adventure...