THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: butterfly


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Fire it up

I think I’ll crank up the firepit this evening, sit outside and listen to nature again. But before that the cover comes off the Miata, and I’ll fire up the 2-seat fun machine and eat up some local roads on this hopefully sunny day.

Let’s fire this thing up. Photo by Mike Hartley

It might be a good week to fire up the grill also. I think this coming weekend is the time for that. Then again, the price of meat might just set fire to the weekly budget.

And of course, the body needs to fire out, and I’ll get to the treadmill and dumbbells in a few minutes. I also have several long walks planned this week.

Starting the week off on a Monday in retirement is an entirely different mindset. I look forward to the busy week ahead.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Best time of day – 3am to 11am – I just like early mornings.
  • My 1-year-old granddaughter’s smile and laugh at me is like a super fuel.
  • I need to make reading more a priority.
  • Harford Road off the Beltway and up to Belair is a road full of twisties. A new route for my Miata.
  • That fog this morning was like driving through a white out.
  • It looks like Mother Nature has taken that “Go Green” slogan to heart. Everything went green in no time.
  • I hope to do something today that my body might not want to do in the future.


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Finding my wings

Wishing it was a sunny day but that isn’t happening so a little color from nature to start my day. Feeling a little tense to start, but there is a cure for everything if you watch TV. Hopefully I won’t need any of those meds in the future. Plus, I have my mind and that is a strong tool against poor feelings and pain.

I’m excited about today and this coming week. Starting to set my goals a little higher in several areas. This blog is one of them, so more content is on the way.

Today is overcast so I’ll do some indoor shooting, but Monday is good from sunrise to sunset, and I’ll be taking advantage of that both shooting and driving with the top down. It looks to be the warmest day of the week.

Wow, time to get out of this chair already. Duties call. I’ll return this afternoon.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Finding a bag of jellybeans you didn’t know you had is a nice treat.
  • I like taking new routes to destinations I’ve been to.
  • There are 20 plus bags of mulch in the driveway to spread elsewhere.
  • Being at peace with oneself isn’t always the easiest thing to do.


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Differences

We all have them. None of us are exactly alike. How we deal with our differences is often the issue. In the last few months, it seems like I’ve encountered an increasing number of differences with people. Some, that I used to overlook, but now are much harder to accept.

I don’t know if it’s age and a growing lack of tolerance for BS or maybe I’m just noticing the differences more and accepting them less. Maybe it’s because differences have turned into non-negotiable points with some people. Like it or leave it sort of mentality.

Could be those around me are also getting older and struggling with differences also compounding situations.

Maybe I’m the one who’s different and people are just less accepting of it now.

Or maybe others are just more front and center in my face now.

For today, I’ll pick get a haircut and look a little different.

Had to get a different color flower in the shoot. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Return

With the feels like temp at -18 degrees when I started this post, I think this might not be the season yet for this guy. But I’m dreaming of warmer weather soon. I have to think of warmer weather with that cold wind whipping outside.

Adding some color to this colorless season of winter. Photo by Mike Hartley

Thankfully we have been able to stay under power today. The lights flickered once or twice but that was it. I do see lots of branches and sticks that will need picking up once the big melt comes along. That won’t be today unfortunately or anytime soon unfortunately.

My friends have been talking about spending more time in a warmer climate. Easier said than done for some of us. I don’t have the money for a second home or to live in another spot for a few months out of the year. And that is okay because I’m not sure I’d want to own a home in Florida for instance.

Insurance for storms, upkeep, renting it when not in use are all headaches I don’t need. Plus, I’m not a big fan of flying and that is too long of a drive to do on any regular basis.

We have settled on a few trips here and there. But till then, we endure.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I never knew it could be this cold out with bright sunshine.
  • I see the publisher of The Washington Post resigned. In the 2 years since I’ve been gone you and JB have pretty much destroyed that publication. Should look good on your resume Will.
  • The house is filled with smells from the kitchen as snack day gets underway.
  • MAGA cheering against our Olympic team because they hold a different political view is typical of the intolerance of anyone who holds a different view than theirs.


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Lucky

When I was trying to discover what I wanted to be in my teens, I thought I wanted to be an artist and photographer. I spent my first and only year of college as an Applied Art and Design Major.

The term starving artist exists for a reason. And I was scared to move ahead because of that and the fact I saw more talent around me and wondered if I could compete over the long run. I was used to having money having worked a lot of my youth. But not in the art field.

I was worried about making a living. Having funds to go out, keeping my car running and fueled, keeping my own engine fueled. So, when offered a position as a cameraman in the engraving department in a publishing operation I jumped at it.

It was an easy out of my initial dream and I didn’t look back till a few years before retirement. I discovered I still had that desire. But this time the pressure is off. I can pursue those interests without the financial pressure of having to support a family.

I still do things on a shoestring budget. I ask for printer paper for birthdays and Xmas. I stretch life out of every computer and camera I use. I pick up a pad of drawing paper and paint when I can. I make old scraps of wood come alive.

At one time before I retired, I thought I might make a business out of my arts and photography. But I discovered I don’t do this for money. I do it because I like it. I’d rather give something I’ve created as a gift than earn a dollar from a stranger. Not that I won’t give a gift to a stranger.

I love the chance to create and that is what I take to the bank. Photo by Mike Hartley


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A fuzzy start

Just like the off-focus of this shot below, I’m a little fuzzy this morning. That late start to the championship game last night and some creative work after that have led to a little bit of sleep deprivation.

Don’t fence me out. Photo by Mike Hartley

I recover quickly from these events, so I’ll be back at full speed by the afternoon.

The car is washed and polished a bit. The engine bay is the next area to be detailed. I’ll spend a few minutes doing that but it’s too nice a day out, not go for a spin. My better half has already expressed interest and I need a snowball, out we go sometime today.

Hopefully, I’ll capture a few images to share later.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Clean cars look faster.
  • Just realized my go-cart is 8 years old today. Happy Birthday MX5
  • Grass grows, grass cut. Repeat for the next 8 months.


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Realize

It’s too bad we don’t recognize how great things are when we are going through them and experiencing them.

Sometimes that relentless pursuit of perfection clouds the real accomplishments.

I wasn’t working for the money all these years. I was working for my family.

Before you know it you’re past it.

Mother Nature reminds us we are here and under her control every once in a while.

The more time I spend watching the sunrise and the sunset and filling the time between with family and friends the less I give a hoot about the Internet or Politics or any man-made object.

I hope to see a ton of these this year. Photo by Mike Hartley