Classic Snow

Today, we got the first serious snow since my move to Syracuse.

 

Big puffy fluffs all over the place with more to come. So I bundled myself up, and went out with my camera(s), testing out my new boots.

The sound of snow plows and dogs whistled in my ears as I strolled around my apartment complex. Eventually my better senses came to me and I went back inside to the warmth and some tea.

Walking in the snow, when you don’t have to be anywhere is actually really relaxing. I didn’t think I liked snow, but today might have put a seed in my heart to change my mind. Don’t worry sunshine!  you are always my first love.

Guys, thanks so much for reading about my little adventures,

Raven

Oh. P.S. if you become a patreon you can see some more beautiful macro shots of today’s snow!

Reowouch!

I was getting ready to write. I was snuggled in my blanket.

When my cat Manu was hunting my other cat Bandit. These two do. not. like. each. other.  (and please, no advice. we are working on it)

But Manu was way more riled up than normal and I got the brunt force of his “play” all over my arm and leg now. Looks like it’s time to clip the nails again.

Anywaaaaays, that being said, I spent the afternoon drawing. Baaadly.  I am so rusty, it’s not even funny. And the location, the historical society, wasn’t really setup for comfortable positions, so after the first long session my back was a mess.

I took a note from some of the other artists, put my easel away and sat on the floor with my back up against some steps, and that helped.

Normally we aren’t allowed to take pictures, but today was different.  This was a genuine flapper dress she was wearing.  The only camera I had with me was my Lomo’Instant so I just rolled with it.

 

 

 

 

 

Look at that dress, and you can’t see here how shiny it is. It sparkled! And she had this round face that seemed to fit perfectly.

My arm hurts, it’s bleeding, i think it’s bedtime. 😉

xoxo,

Raven

Forestparktopia

Today. has. been. exhausting.

cold.

thrilling.

dirty.

Drove a little more than an hour to meetup with some other photographers and meetup at a waterfall/dam in Forestpark NY. I thought I knew what the weather was going to be like, but somehow 20 Degrees was much colder than I was ready to handle. So here I am trampling in the snow with my Camdon-Helper dragging along my tripod behind me.

I felt like a total walking disaster.  My brand new New Balance boots weren’t worn in yet, and i’m making my way along slippery slopes covered in a thin layer of snow and a thick layer of ice. I dropped a lense in the snow. I dropped filters in the snow. I couldn’t feel my fingers.  I was grumpy.

But you know what it was fun. I got some nice shots — I am not great at nature photography. I learned what kind of tools i’m missing for good waterfal shots… I ate in this dinner with the rest of the photographers talking shop and what not.

Delightful.

And to wind the day down there was a trip to the library, comic books and starbucks.

So a grumpy day can still be a good day.

Raven.

P.S. Most of the waterfall pictures will be on my patreon later this month!

Holidailies

Some days are just plain boooring to talk about.  Today is one of those days.

Do you want to hear about how I folded my laundry in the KonMari Style, or how I chased away my cat, Manu from chewing on my knee?

Maybe you want to hear about the crazysauce that is finding a doctor in Central New York.

It took me a week of phone calls. Of cold calling number after number on my list, asking “are you taking new patients” …. “NO…, oh ok”   *click*

Finally I emailed my Ohio doctor and he gave me a tip, so I reached out to the university and was able to find through the residency program an office that had gotten new doctors thus, was taking new patients.

Even with that, the next available appointment for me to have my”get to know me and all my meds” was mid-january.  exhausting.

If I had the desire to do so, I might try to do some research to figure out why it is so crowded here, that the ratio is so bad. Is it harder to be a doctor in NY? Do other states pay better? I’m sure their is something.

Lesson? Does a blog need one? If you move to a new state, start looking for a new doctor ASAP, you know, before your mind saving meds run out. (ps, mine didn’t!)

Also my Yule Tree is decked out in all kinds of geekery. Enjoy.

“

Sorrowful Kitty

What plight is this? Bandit is saying to me I am sure.

I desperately wish cats could understand me when I say “its ok, you’ll be ok”

Bandit is covered it scabs. Since at least october. He saw a vet in ohio, and was given an injection. We thought it was stress, but he also went on flea treatment. The scabs have flared back up — probably the steroid wore off.

So off we go to a new vet. Stack Vet was so warm and friendly, they even have a separate waiting room for kitties! And now bandit is on hypoallergenic cat food, as diet is probably the cause for the reaction.

But we take care of our cats. Sometimes more than we take care of ourselves or our friends. Because pets always seem so innocent and free. With their non judgemental head butts and panicked chasing after the house elves.

But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t love each other as much as we love our fur babies. If we bring love to the table, the table is full with love. So in this time when fur babies are tortured by vets, and storms brew and lightning strikes all around us, send a little love to the friends and strangers alike near you.

Raven

Game of … Cake

What can I say, titles, not my thing. (seriously, have you looked at the titles of my photos or art works.)

Today has been a busy day, where does one start in a blog.

On mondays I go to a local game night at a pub. I enjoy it. It makes me happy. We’ve started playing Kingdom Death – this epic level game with mysterious storylines and wonderfully wicked art.

And to add joy to it, we’ve been naming all the characters after Disney characters. You know, cause dark games need some cheer. or giggles. at least I think so.

Beast. Lelo… to name a few. And the lifespan of a character can be short. You can’t get attached. And I bond so quickly, I am sure I will cry a thousands deaths over before this game finds its end.

But, as I learned in my daily meditation (ok ok, semi-daily) today, being present matters. Being attached is okay, as long as letting go is also okay.

So stop for a moment, and breath in the scent of life and the game of death. (ha!)

Raven.

p.s. I tried the pub’s carrot cake, and it was delish.

Market Day!

For the first time I ventured out to the Regional Market. Its HUUUUUGE. 4-6 buildings of vendors. Not just food but crafts and arts and jewelry.  I picked up some tasty cheese bread, a whole local chicken, cheeses, NY maple syrup and other goodies.

The thing is, with markets this big, in fairground style buildings you have to really talk to the vendors. you have to make sure the eggs you’re buying are from the shop owner, and not some reseller trying to get into the local market. SCANDALOUS.

On top of that, I am doing a LiveSnapLove challenge of one picture a day for december, and with today being the 2nd I was already behind. me never!

So I hauled my camera with my 20mm on intending to take some long shots of the market but instead found myself doing these wide close ups — see! Pretty bread and handmade noodles.

And lastly, you can sample beer and booze in new york farmers markets. Local ciders, beers, bourbon and wine. We could’ve gotten tipsy if we had sampled everyone’s fare. I felt warm and happy seeing all these people following their passion.

That’s it for me today,

Raven