THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: snow


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Funny

I downloaded the shooting from Christmas day of the kids and grandkids unwrapping some gifts and around the house. But I found two images in the beginning of the batch that I didn’t remember even taking. Shot on 12/14 which was about 10 days into my flu battle. That was about half-way through the total fight.

Photo by Mike Hartley

I must have opened the back door, looked out and took these shots of the sky, trees and part of my small shed and looked the other way towards the neighbors behind us.

That was the only activity that camera got in 20 days and having no memory of doing it is strange. I know my better half couldn’t have because she doesn’t know how to turn it on.

Photo by Mike Hartley

But the camera and I are back in action. Partners in crime and all that nonsense. I think I’ll head out this evening or tomorrow night or both and collect some holiday lights in the county we live.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I like Christmas leftovers better than Thanksgiving leftovers.
  • Young grandchildren are the best. That is all I know so far that opinion may change.
  • I reached out to some people who were once close but had gotten very distant. They have chosen to stay distant and that’s both fine with me and sad for them.
  • Change is good if it’s the right change.


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Targets

Hitting that sweet spot on a target feels good. I didn’t hit all my exercise goals every day last week but I did exercise each day and maintained my previous standard and had 3 days of matching new goals. Adding more miles, is adding more time commitment. There’s the rub.

I see none of this in the 10 day forecast and if I’m lucky I won’t see any more. Photo by Mike Hartley

I’m maintaining the communication targets I try to keep with family and friends. But as the grandchildren get older I’ll have to increase time with them. I’ve already started to send the kindergartener cards and letters by mail.

I’ve certainly missed my target of shooting new images this year so far. Some days okay, some not so good. I’ve been to the workroom for 4 days straight now and sanding a few projects. And I got back to work on the abstract pastel I started a while back.

I’ve missed my target of 4 posts a day. Kind of unrealistic in some ways given all that balls I have in the air at one time. But in other ways it is very simple. I could just get back to posting some images without a lot of words and that doesn’t take much time at all.

With a third of the month remaining, there is much to do. But getting my priorities right and not wasting time is the key to success.


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Fresh

An inch or two of fresh snow fell overnight. That means a quick shovel at daylight and cleaning the cars off so when it freezes later tonight I won’t deal with ice. This looks like the last snow for a bit but some colder than normal weather is still forecast for next week.

I’m entering survival mode now. I can’t stand cold and it’s colder than normal for what seems longer than normal. And were only on the 11th day of the month. It’s possible I’ve shoveled more snow in the last few days than the last few years.

I was a bit stiff so I laid down for an hour or so this morning before going out and low and behold a neighbor did the driveway with his front end loader and my better half did the cars and edging. What a nice treat.

A promise to my better half this month was to hit the movies. I think we are going to see A Complete Unknown, about Bob Dylan. I need to take her to the movies more. She likes that activity. Maybe we’ll put that on the schedule this coming week.

We don’t get gifts except for stocking stuffers for each other. But I did give her a number of tickets to redeem with me for activities like the movies this month. I plan to honor all of them.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Listen to the music, smile to the music, move to the music.
  • It’s daylight so I had better get the shovel in hand and have at it.
  • I have a taste for Italian food today.
  • Sam Moore of Sam and Dave, may you RIP.


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Photo work

Today is a indoor photography today. I thought I’d work on textures and objects.

Photography Journey Day 69 Recap – 1/8/25

Completed a lot more on Wednesday than I thought I would.

  • Completed family Xmas prints and uploaded those and more to photo site.
  • Read all 18 quick tip articles on Street Photography.
  • Read some more of the Photography Playbook
  • Watched some videos on lighting.
  • Sorted a few hundred slides.

Photography Journey Day 70 Recap – 1/9/25

Thursdays accomplishments were more limited. I took a few snow shots and did some more reading. Only uploaded about 30 shots to Zenfolio and did some organizing there. Still tons of work ahead to make that site presentable.

Shadow from my fence on the back yard. Photo by Mike Hartley

This weather is affecting my motivation to get outside. Right now, I saw the feel like temp at -3 degrees. That is dangerous cold for exposed skin and for older people it can be a struggle just to be out in it. I stepped outside yesterday morning and I think it was -10 at the time to take the shot below.

It’s a very busy day ahead. Paying final respects to an old friend, and providing transportation to a few others who wanted to come along. I’m thinking, I’d like some BBQ from our local spot called The Canopy today.

Let me get this posted and to work. I guess I should charge the camera batteries before thinking of more shooting. Have a great morning.


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Uncle

The second shoveling got to me this morning. The wind really blew a lot back in the driveway, and there was fresh snow from last night to clear. I began the shoveling around 5:15am and finished about 7am. It wasn’t quite daylight yet and sunrise was still 30 minutes off.

I took a shot of the plow going up our street. I was fumbling for my glasses and had in on manual focus from something I was doing inside last night. I tried to adjust but without the glasses I just shot. Sorry for the focus problem on shot one.

Thank you Howard County workers. Photo by Mike Hartley

I took a walk trying to stretch out a bit. I was smart enough to take the camera with me. But I was a bit concerned because it still is icy and the side of the roads are still deep.

Photos by Mike Hartley

It’ didn’t feel as cold as the temps indicated. I guess I dressed correctly for the weather. Though carrying the camera with bare hands that last 30 minutes was a bit chilly.

If it was just a little deeper. Photo by Mike Hartley

Up the street I went where one neighbor still has some holiday decorations out.

Maybe I’ll look at one of these in the future. Photo by Mike Hartley

A couple of locals had the snowblowers fired up. This one above on Woodstock at the Snowball Stand.

I’m not sure what all these are for but there is a 30K gallon water tank underground here I believe. Photo by Mike Hartley

I always am looking for color when nature isn’t providing it. She was trying but that sun wasn’t up yet.

Another shot looking at the HoCo Conservancy. Photo by Mike Hartley

As the Beatles would say “Here Comes the Sun” which is a good song I should go listen to.

A peek at the sun this fine 7th day of January looking over the Howard County Conservancy. Photo by Mike Hartley

I’m going to start getting out for the sunrise more often. I’ll see how good I am at that by posting the beginning of the day here.

Photos by Mike Hartley

A couple of the mansions along Woodstock Road driving up my property taxes on my little 3 bedroom rancher.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I’d rather be walking in the hot sand in flip flops than cold snow in boots.
  • There is a beautiful quiet to snow. We all have heard it.
  • Taking a swing at some abstract art for the first time. It’s interesting.
  • Got an important meeting today.