Day 233. En La Boca Cerrada No Entran Las Moscas - SOLD

En La Boca Cerrada No Entran Las Moscas 

(Flies Don't Enter a Closed/Shut Mouth)

Day 232. Invigorated by Her Ingenuity

With a dull spark and a puff of smoke, Midge's toaster bit the dust.  What was she to do?  She was a woman of routine, and she enjoyed her coffee, hard-boiled egg, and 2 pieces of toast each morning for taste and ritual.  If her pattern was altered, her day felt off-kilter.  Her eyes darted frantically around her tiny kitchen.  Could the skillet work?  Why not?  After all, she made "toasted" cheese sandwiches, didn't she?  Wasn't a skillet a flat toaster?

Of course, her hypothesis worked perfectly, as many have toasted bread like this for years.  Midge didn't know about that though.  She felt energized, not only because she had fed her body the breakfast it craved, but also because she was newly invigorated by her ingenuity.

Day 231. Ever Watchful, He Lie in Wait

Ever watchful, 

Borigard lie in wait in the tall grass, 

waiting for careless butterflies.

Day 230. Indian with Green Earring

Indian with Green Earring

I guess I could put the mouth in the right place, but it's so predictable.  This actually started out as a balloon-faced, cartoon chicken.  You just never know.

Day 10. August Photo Challenge - RED

RED

Day 9 August Photo Challenge - TASTE

Taste this.

North African Scampi

Day 8 August Photo Challenge - Selfie

A Girl Who Loves Her Shoes - Self- Portrait

Day 7 August Photo Challenge Skyline

 

 August Skyline in Illinois (definitely not in Chicago today)

Day 229. She Could Go Anywhere (SOLD)

Yes, she had a pasty, pallid face that glowed in the dark and dishwater brown hair that had never known a highlight in the sun. Yet lying on her floor with a book in front of her, she could be anyone, go anywhere, breathe in adventure, love, and fantasy at any moment.  Why, she had traveled to places unknown to those around her.  She was...content.

Day 228. Itching and Computing with Intensity on a Saturday

Itching and Computing with Intensity on a Saturday

Day 227. Speak The Truth Quietly SOLD

From a Cherokee Prayer:

"O Great Spirit, help me always to speak the truth quietly..."

Day 226. Feeling a Bit Sluggish

A conversation with my subconscious:

"Hurry up!  The world is WHIZZING BY!"

"I know, but I'm feeling a bit sluggish."

"I'd say!"

Day 225. He Was Coming Out of His Shell

It was finally happening.  The day came when he was finally coming out of his shell. (-:

Day 6 August Photo Challenge - Diagonals

 Diagonals

Day 224. Unfettered by Convention (No Longer Available)

Unfettered by convention, Clementine fell to her knees, grabbed her boyfriend, and took matters into her own hands.  Knowing that he was the man for her, she proposed that they remain crazy in love together forever. No furtive glances, approving or otherwise, held any sway on her impulsive actions.

Day 223. Sudden Realization

Sudden Realization

Day 5 August Photo Challege - Close-Up

Close-Up

Condensation on a plastic wrapper, found on ground while walking Saturday morning.

Day 4 August Photo Challenge - LOVE



Day 222. Lungs Under A Brick

There is an Italian way of cooking chicken called, "Pollo al Mattone," (mattone is a heavy tile), or more popularly called in the United States, "Chicken Under a Brick."  According to a 2008 NY Times article, this method of cooking also has Russian roots.  That fact, I was unaware of, but I have seen a heavy skillet or brick or some sort of weight placed on top of a split chicken to weigh it down in the skillet or on a grill in order to increase the surface area of the chicken and give its skin a crispier searing than traditional cooking methods.  It's delicious, to be sure, but that's not what I want to talk about.

We just had our busiest week at work, fall payment due for college classes.  During these times we--literally--wait on over a thousand people, many of whom are sick, and we hand papers and pens and credit cards back and forth.  Sure enough, Friday I started feeling sick (really Thursday).  Saturday I managed in the morning to get my shots of "yellow" photos, but I felt weak.  My family was supposed to go out of town, but we only made it as far as a local restaurant.  Last night and today, I spiraled down, down until I was at Walmart FastCare again.  What is happening to me?

Allergies.  Allergies from beyond.  The doctor was concerned--um, very.  She said they were raging out of control, my nostils were worse than swollen, they were small slits barely open.  I left with 6 prescriptions.  I know no one wants to read about someone's sickness.  It's boring, and I've been sick a lot this year.  Never--regarding lung capacity--have I felt so near death.

So here you have it, Lungs Under a Brick.  Some sweet lady sitting next to me asked if I were o.k.  She was on a day trip and had lost her blood pressure pills.  She said she would pray for me; the kindness of strangers, non è giusto? (Isn't that right/the truth?)  I was so grateful.  Other friends saw me and said I would be alright.  I'm sure I will be as soon as I can get rid of this brick and struggle for breath.  I don't know how I wrote or drew this today.

Day 221. Take A Picture of Something Yellow - August 3rd Yellow SOLD

My photography assignment today (Susannah Conway - August Break) was to take a picture of something yellow.  Suddenly, everywhere I turned, a yellow object appeared.  The whole world is filled with yellow!  Isn't that the way it works, though?  Once you sharpen your perception to a thought or idea, it manifests itself?  "The Secret" at work again.  Anyway, I made my painting a day about it as well.

Here's my land of yellow:

Our door knob:

August 2nd - Circles

Day 2 - Circles*

 

 

(*Photography suggestion from http://www.susannahconway.com/the-august-break-2013/)

Day 220. Fido Engages All of His Senses (No Longer Available)

Mmm.  The snap back sound of the can lid; the vacuum releasing the pungent aroma of mystery meat into the air; the sight of the aluminum tab flying through the air signifying imminent joy.

Fido engages all of his senses at the anticipation of his afternoon treat.

August 1st Breakfast - August Break with Susannah Conway

O.K., I'm running out the door for work, and I know I'm not doing this correctly, but here's the link to Susannah Conway's "August Break"  Thirty-one days of photography prompts.  Check it out, and join me in the fun! (-:

http://www.susannahconway.com/the-august-break-2013/

Breakfast:

Huevos con Chorizo with Texas Medium Salsa and Shallots

Day 219. Smoke

Smoke

 6" x 12" Acrylic and Ink

 A little different lighting