THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: thoughts


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Da Weekend

I still like Saturday mornings even though I no longer work for someone else. The excitement it generates in others is infectious and leaves me in line with that party bus. Also, that chocolate doughnut my grandson left behind yesterday was a nice start. Now that I have my sugar buzz on, we can proceed with the day’s activities.

It’s grass cutting day, so I hope to knock that out early afternoon when it dries. There is a local car show that is just starting up, and I thought I’d go for a slice of pizza and see what locals show up. There are the semifinals of March Madness this evening and I have a ton of creative work to squeeze in sometime today.

My friends have big appetites. Photo by Mike Hartley

We rode by our local butcher shop the other day and I passed on going in. But I ran across this image this morning and I feel I made a mistake. My better half has prepared a feast for tomorrow so I won’t be needing steak this weekend but after that cold front rolls through for a few days I think Thursday will be grill day.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • The 2- to 4-year-old age range is so adorable.
  • If our planes are being shot down, we do not have control of the skies.
  • I didn’t accomplish what I hoped for this week. One thing I didn’t finish bothers me. The rest rolled off because I did accomplish a lot. I’m learning to set my goals a little higher each week.
  • If we are taking away Iran’s nuclear capabilities where is the Uranium?
  • I have a taste for a burrito today.
  • We are headed to the gas station. I hear it’s taking longer than usual to fill the tank.


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Threads

Just blowing in the wind this afternoon. I don’t know how many shades of blue it takes to describe a sky, but it seems almost infinite.

Sometimes simple is best. Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I’m either finishing the month strong or getting an early start on the next one.
  • The last year has changed the way I look at a lot of things.
  • The best time for creating in my workroom is right before I need a shower.
  • It helps when you know what you’re doing but I’ve never let that stop me.


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Tight Tuesday

Feeling tight this morning. The body is constricted and therefore the mind isn’t free. Let’s see if we can work things out. The treadmill hasn’t helped so far. Neither has some stretching. Trying round two of both of those with some light dumbbells to hopefully work out the kinks.

It sort of feels like a rude cloudbank creating a lot of turbulence that bounced me around too much.

Rumbling through the morning so far. Photo by Mike Hartley

Monday was very productive. Uploaded a few series of shots of a local town I had missed before and filled out a better look at that little slice of Maryland. I’m going through my vault each day and trying to find things I haven’t uploaded to the photo site before. That is one of my priorities each day this year.

Once I’m satisfied, I’ve got most of my good stuff there and organized and presented correctly I’ll start making more references to it here. The Canon printer was also active on Monday so there are some new images to hang on the family and friend walls.

Accomplished some editing from the Florida shooting and will finish and upload that later today.

But I’d really like to spend some time painting and photographing. So let me get up from this keyboard and back to addressing feeling better.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Oh crap, tax season.
  • Oh my, Tuesday already.
  • Oh jeez, I’ve heard enough politics for the day already.
  • Oh yeah, time to create.


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Strength in numbers

There is a saying “Strength in Numbers”. Time to make it felt before it goes off the rails.

Photo by Mike Hartley

In a photo like this it’s hard to tell if that steel is hot or cold to the touch. In some videos, some things become very clear to see.


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When

I see the great snow debates have started already. How much, what date is the first snow, will it snow on Christmas, will it be colder than normal. I’m preparing for both. If it’s nice I’ll put the top down on the convertible in the middle of winter. If not, it will stay covered a good bit.

If memory serves me correctly this is off Centennial Lane. Photo by Mike Hartley

I do know that I have to test fire the generator. The shovels are out of the shed and in the basement. We have about half a cord of wood. Thinking of ordering more. We don’t burn much but in an emergency it’s nice to have available.

Winter and I do not get along. Cold is my kryptonite. The last couple days I’ve been adjusting to the trees being bare again. Soon the colorful leaves on the ground will turn brown and be absorbed by the ground.

Frosts will start, frozen mist, sleet, snow and then slush and refreeze and slush. More cold with some even colder wind mixed in. It’s all got me thinking about a song from my youth by a group called The Animals. And the song was “We Gotta Get Out of This Place.”

I will have to fight the overwhelming urge to hibernate all season. It takes my entire willpower to venture outside in winter. The only time that isn’t true is after a snow. Usually, I’m the first one out and done shoveling. I’m going to have to get a snowblower soon. This old back doesn’t react to shovels too well anymore, but it seems to pull through each season.

The season does have its beauty. It’s so crisp and clean and sometimes so quiet like after a snow. Sitting around a roaring fire in the cold is special.

Having to warm up a frozen car isn’t special. Having to dress in layers isn’t special. Having huge utility bills isn’t special. Having to walk from point A to point B while dressed as the Michelin Man isn’t special.

I’m sorry, I promised a friend I was going to be less winter hostile this year. But the cooler summer and then cold fall has tested my patience already. And if we get a lot of snow this year I’ll be making up for lost time with additional rants about cold on a daily basis.

But till then I’ll cool my jets about the pending onslaught of winter.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I paint, to brush off other things.
  • If tariffs were so good, why is he rolling them back on some food?
  • Never make light of any progress. It’s hard enough as it is, for some.
  • That bright sun from the window feels good on my back.


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Just another day

It’s never just another day. Unless you want to look at it like that. I find each one unique and special in some way. Even the worst days. It’s my own fault if I don’t learn something or find something special about the day.

Just trying to brighten the day. Photo by Mike Hartley

Trying something new. Not being afraid. Taking a chance. Living, it’s great and it’s tough.

The flip side of life and not finding those special moments or parts of each day is remarkably easy when feeling down or troubled. They are ignored, overlooked, bypassed or not attended or answered. And that is a shame because we don’t get those back.

I’ve wasted time myself stuck in ruts. Age gave me some wisdom and that helped me avoid some, but I still go off road occasionally and get stuck.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • With the fire warnings out, I won’t be lighting the firepit tonight.
  • I like pizza in the morning. Not all the time but occasionally.
  • I’m going to do something out of the ordinary that I’d like to make routine. I’m going to pick up a book.
  • There are few things better than a day without obligations other than to yourself.


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Mondays recap

Should have, Could have

I should have gotten motivated Monday and gone on a hike again. Maybe I’ll make up for it with some shooting early this morning.

Tomorrow is another opportunity. Photo by Mike Hartley
More people traffic on the bridge than cars. Photo by Mike Hartley
And yet more people emerging from the trails. Photo by Mike Hartley
And why not walk along the water paths. Photo by Mike Hartley

Quiet Again

I know more working people than retired like me. That means Monday is a bit more quiet than other days of the week.

Hopes

Sometimes I get my hopes up. I should know better at this age.

Dentist Time

Nothing wrong that I know of, just a cleaning/check-up tomorrow. I’m still getting used to my new dentist.

Young Artist

My granddaughter is excited and working on various arts. This makes me so happy and inspired to help her. I’m looking forward to her inspiring me. I need to think younger and without as many boundaries.

Alone

We’re more alone than we think we are. I’ve been good at deluding myself to this fact for a long time.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Ice cream additions are sweet.
  • I don’t know why I’m amazed when I shouldn’t be, but I still am. It feels like were going through the motions when we shouldn’t be.
  • Made some progress on basement cleaning Monday.
  • I’m so tired of dealing with Verizon issues.


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Getting in the swing again

Trying to approach the day with a better mindset and it’s working. Now I must keep stringing days of photography together, regardless of the weather outside. And I better get used to it because the cooler than normal weather that has been upon us looks like it will continue.

As one of my friends says, “dress for it.” I won’t be looking for a swing with the sunrise this morning and the temps are still in the 30s but maybe this weekend when it gets near 60.

Looking at this reminded me of my youth. Photo by Mike Hartley

It’s been some time since I’ve sat in a swing. This is the type of swing we used to have. Sometimes a single rope with a round disk with the hole in the middle for the rope. I paused for a few minutes looking at this one in a yard in Granite MD.

Nothing like a swing on a hot summer day where you create your own breeze going back and forth with little effort. My Uncle Bob had one at his home and I’d always be out on that when visiting.

You know, I could easily put one out in front of my house, and I think I might run that by the boss. The grandkids might like it. Or at least that can be the pretext for putting one up.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Music is inspiring me this morning.
  • At what point will the majority come together and say enough is enough?
  • Yesterday was going so well. And like life, it changed.
  • I’ve got more power washing to do on a large fence. I hope the wind isn’t blowing again. It’s too chilly for a shower.
  • Don’t forget, you’re responsible for your own happiness.


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Fighting through

The last couple days I’ve started strong but ran out of energy. That old ability to light the candle at both ends and keep it burning long, seems to be fading. Yes, it still works some days, but more often than not, when I give the day a good effort for 8-10 hours, I’m getting spent.

I wouldn’t blink at working 12-18 hours in a day for decades. I wouldn’t even guess the number of 24-hour days I put in and some 36-hour ones here and there. I believe there was one 60-hour day when the press broke down, and then the inserter.

Hey, I’ll take 8-10 hours. Any day I can be productive and get an opportunity to create something, its a good day.

Partial success on one of my photo projects yesterday. Over 140 images edited and uploaded to the gallery of the 100 that were there. The end is in sight for collection of all the images of a very important subject. One that has been a joy and sorrow at the same time.

The collection of shots from my son’s first pet, one that was very loved and is missed. Step one is almost complete, going back 12 years. That’s one of my goals to finish this week. 80% done.

The next goal is to edit the 400 remaining shots from the first pass through of the Endless Summer Car Show and upload the best of those to the photo site and add a few links to share them.

One of the colors that caught my eye last weekend. Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I’m not intimidated by bullies.
  • Hopefully the next to last lawn cutting of the season.
  • I work with pastels, and I got some charcoals and a pad recently. Which reminded me I haven’t tried black and white photography in a while.
  • I became a better listener recently.
  • It’s grandchildren and grand-dog week.


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Tools of the Trade

Learning by doing. I’m trying to learn, test and practice with the multitude of settings on today’s cameras.

I’ve replaced the small point/shoot Kodak 812 that I believe I got in 2007 and I purchased the Nikon Coolpix P950 from B&H Photo earlier this year. I still keep the old Kodak in the bag in case I need to go out in bad weather or a dangerous spot.

A tool I plan on using a lot more this year is my tripods. My body’s frame isn’t as stable as I’d like. Especially with that heavy Nikon 7100 and zoom. It’s not the fastest lens anyway and my thoughts are that it’s going to make me think more about position/angle. Something I should do more of, and that is to take time to think about the composition.

I also have a monopod that I’m starting to use more frequently.

So my work is cut out for me. New knowledge, new practices, new day, new fun.

Leaf me alone. Photos by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I know there is a salad fork, but if you get the full size salad instead of the side salad do you use the larger fork?
  • One of my best friends was talking about all the trips he has planned for next year. Got me thinking I had better start planning.
  • If you think about your parents long after they are gone they did a good job.
  • I’m going to try to top my shooting record this week. (photography shooting)


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Out and about

Yesterday was a free afternoon so I headed out for some cruising time with the top down. I just don’t get some people with convertibles. I understand I can tolerate heat and cold more than most. And that people might be on their way to an event and be done up nicely and not want wind damage.

The people running around with the tops up on beautiful days is astounding to me. So, to each their own. I’ll provide the balance in the force by going topless more often than not. The top is up when it’s under the cover and if I get caught in a rainstorm.

I traveled the back roads of Howard County for the most part. On a sunny day there are beautiful tree lined ups and downs with twists and turns.

Not today though. Rain and clouds are obscuring a beautiful day. I’ll use the time to catch up on some indoor tasks and work on a few hobbies.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • The weight scale and I are on speaking terms without cursing again.
  • Lies and bullshit usually becomes obvious to the majority after some time. But I believe incompetence will hit everyone first.
  • Rain sometimes gives me a pause from yardwork that I didn’t know I needed till it was here.
  • Learning to overcome things is a valued skill to get through life.


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I’m loving Labor Day

I fell asleep very early last night, so I rose very early this morning. I went back to bed mid-morning and slept till almost noon. I guess it’s fitting, being I’ve been laboring all weekend, so I took today off and enjoyed life some.

Finally got around to ordering a fire pit today. I wanted one last year but put it off but not this year. Hope to start making good use of that outside patio this fall and winter season.

Took a casual cruise and stopped for ice cream at Bruster’s with my better half. Grilled out some chicken and now ready to enjoy the evening. I’ve got some shots to download, some more writing to do and see if the artist easel calls my name.

This guy decided to pose for a mug shot just before dinner. Probably guilty of crapping on my car.

Visiting for building materials in my backyard.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • The treadmill was glad to see me back.
  • I saw someone going down the wrong side of Rt 40 by Normandy this afternoon. They recognized this when traffic came over the hill at them. No accident luckily.
  • Standing outside on the last day of August yesterday, I never thought I’d be glad to stand close to the fire on the grill to keep warm. Usually, I’m sweating you know what off.
  • I’m having lunch with an old friend this week.