Mockingbirdlets

I discovered a mockingbird nest in the lower limbs of the Chinese pistache planted in our back yard. I had been hearing odd chirps coming at fairly regular intervals over the preceding few days, but didn’t really think anything about it until Saturday afternoon when I noticed some unusually persistent mockingbird presence around the tree. … Continue reading Mockingbirdlets

Software Overview: Tonality, a black and white photo editor

I’ve always been enamored of black and white photography, dating back to the little Polaroid that I used in the Sixties. Seeing some of Ansel Adams’s work in Santa Fe only added to the attraction of that medium. All of my photography nowadays is in color, although I occasionally experiment with black and white effects… Continue reading Software Overview: Tonality, a black and white photo editor

Random Thursday: The Wednesday Edition

[Insert pithy yet winsome introductory text here. Please.] Every now and then, something happens that restores my faith in humanity and I think that perhaps there really is some hope for mankind. Then I read Facebook comments and come to my senses.   Forget Ebola. What I want is a concentrated scientific and medical research… Continue reading Random Thursday: The Wednesday Edition

Mileage of the Beast

This happened on State Highway 18, just south of Grandfalls, Texas. Sorry for the poor image quality. Something kept obscuring the instrument cluster, some seemingly malevolent unseen force that nonetheless was able cast a pernicious shadow wherever my phone was pointed. Finally, either by a quirk of light or a supernatural intervention – you decide… Continue reading Mileage of the Beast

Published
Categorized as Cars

Polygonal Me

So, I ran across this cool tutorial (via Twitter) explaining how to create a polygon portrait poster design in three easy steps. I have no idea what a “polygon portrait poster” is, but the result was interesting and it seemed to be a process that meshed well with my artistic aptitude (read: stupid simple), so… Continue reading Polygonal Me

Published
Categorized as Art, Design

One of these things is not like the other, but I forget which

Oh, hello. I didn’t notice you standing there, in the shadows. You’re quite patient, considering how long it’s been since I’ve come around. Perhaps you should take up a hobby. Anyway, as long as you’re here, please allow me to share a cautionary tale. It’s a simple story about what happens when you reach a… Continue reading One of these things is not like the other, but I forget which

Coming soon to a beach near you: OK, you don’t really want to know

As if there’s not enough biting going on at the World Cup, we now learn that the Shark Attack Capital of Brazil is Recife, where the US team lost/won yesterday. Apparently, the sharks in that area are feisty enough that the beach lifeguards do their training in a swimming pool, a practice that no doubt… Continue reading Coming soon to a beach near you: OK, you don’t really want to know

Return of the Quail

As an alert and perceptive Gazette reader, you no doubt recall this time last year when I undertook to stalk the wily blue quail residing in our landscape. I was able to see but not photograph the two baby birds that the adults were protecting. And shortly afterward, the entire family moved out, apparently tired… Continue reading Return of the Quail

I say manly affection; you say assault and battery. ToMAYto, ToMAHto.

Since time immemorial, it’s been the duty of uncles to harass nephews at every turn, particularly  during family reunions. This is a manly way of displaying affection without, you know, being affectionate. Both sides know their roles, generally speaking, and the tradition is passed down through the generations. I have only one nephew, and that… Continue reading I say manly affection; you say assault and battery. ToMAYto, ToMAHto.

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Categorized as Fashion