tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204062912009-11-10T13:28:01.104-06:00artwork, photos, rants, raves, revues, experiments, doodles, more photos, pills of wisdom and other miscellaneaalbinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-51181739080213353562009-11-10T13:28:00.000-06:002009-11-10T13:28:01.113-06:00

Think you have a secret? PostSecret will make you think again. Get stampede with "low brow and contemporary art" at My Love for You... I am always delighted to find freebies. HERE is something to have fun with!

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-48190685252665515922009-11-09T15:36:00.003-06:002009-11-09T15:45:00.337-06:00

Collage making appears simple, and on some levels it is a simple process: all you need is scraps of paper, glue, scissors. On another level collage making is not as simple as it seem. There is much to consider : how much of paper, color, images etc. is too much, how much is too little, what too add, what to subtract, when it is enough, when to leave it alone ? Too many elements and collage looks

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-42529848405626068062009-11-08T16:28:00.001-06:002009-11-08T16:29:29.658-06:00

A few remaining leaves cling to the trees, just to fly away with every gust of wind. Dressed in gold and crimson, they are pirouetting down in the last dance. Indian Summer: days of sunshine and blue sky. Sun is going down. Tang of smoke is in the air. Night is falling. Winter is coming.

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-22245543948787556102009-11-07T19:48:00.000-06:002009-11-07T19:48:34.566-06:00

One of those amazing days when things go the way they suppose to, and all the tasks get done: high energy, effortless productivity, song in the heart, and bounce in the step day! In addition to kicking weedy butts of weedy weeds in my weed patch (yep, garden clean-up), I also decided not to wait for studio to be finished and commandeered dining room table for creative pursuits. Four collages

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-64756351736823975902009-11-06T17:46:00.001-06:002009-11-06T17:48:21.545-06:00

Here I am, six days into the New Year, and yes, you heard that right. My own personal New Year starts on November 1st.Some time ago I decided that I stress too much around the calendar turn of the year: I was starting to dislike everything that was represented by countdown, midnight strike of the clocks, resolutions that were made then abandoned, and bothered by vague feelings of betrayal when

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-85196472528665881852009-11-05T18:33:00.005-06:002009-11-05T18:41:14.116-06:00

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-84078582026194261862009-11-05T14:58:00.002-06:002009-11-05T15:00:00.986-06:00

1. vivid, 2. crabby, 3. tangle 3, 4. man on the moon -- sandy rendition, 5. Sun Bay beach, 6. he sells sea shells, 7. local architecture, 8. self-portrait with sea foam, 9. pretty in green

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-41929620578062941862009-11-05T10:15:00.002-06:002009-11-05T13:34:15.404-06:00

Sun is shining today, and it is a lovely day out there ... it may not be tropical paradise, but it is home.This morning finds me sorting through photos. I am trying very hard to get through as many of them as possible, because if I don't do it now, or soon, they will be sitting in one of the files. So, photos first.While on the holiday I was able to use my cell to post, but there was no way for

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-34801178798969248432009-11-04T20:24:00.002-06:002009-11-05T13:35:59.724-06:00

On solid ground once again, and ready to reunite with my computer! I am avoiding looking around on the drive home. I am sure yard covered in leaves will be shock enough in the light of morning, and a far cry from lush Vieques. But at the end of the day, it is nice to be back home.

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-4952279785023757682009-11-04T04:13:00.003-06:002009-11-05T13:36:57.142-06:00

...catches a sunrise. Waking up at the crack of dawn was never my thing to do, but I found myself up with the roosters in the past few days. Natural rhythms here seem easier to adjust to -- catching the cool of the morning, then moving indoors for the hottest time of the day, and then back out in the evening. I am watching sky now, as it lightens up: from dark to pearl grey, then delicate blue.

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-18926028409549601882009-11-03T15:52:00.001-06:002009-11-05T13:32:07.182-06:00

Up at dawn, and off to the beach. We were soaking sunshine with a desperation of two Midwesterners getting ready for a long grey winter. I have noticed how just one week of being constantly out and about made a big difference - we are both healthier, and leaner from our endless walks.

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-67892568544604811212009-11-02T19:21:00.002-06:002009-11-05T13:31:15.083-06:00

This is one of those days when I started to count down toward the end of our vacation. We have tomorrow yet, and then just a fraction of Wednesday. And while we realize that remaining time is limited, we are determined to take advantage of each available moment.I wondered today if people living here take this incredible island living for granted, and the answer is that they likely do... Perhaps

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-22978867408842591042009-11-01T10:10:00.001-06:002009-11-05T13:28:22.946-06:00

Happy New Year, all druids big and small!I am still playing LOST on my favorite island. I am sort of connected at the moment, but only to an extend of small snippets... I am still not able to post any photos.And another month brings a question, once again, about every day posting. Should I ? I think I will. I think I will continue till the end of the calendar year. And will take this next two

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-74161112814835849912009-10-31T21:35:00.001-05:002009-11-05T21:25:59.579-06:00

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-9880148127670551222009-10-31T19:17:00.002-05:002009-11-05T13:32:35.358-06:00

Suddenly almost full moon, trick-or-treaters and palm trees, Happy Halloween!

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-6029279483369364622009-10-30T19:54:00.001-05:002009-10-30T19:54:19.952-05:00

Bright half-moon chasing clouds across starry night.

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-67571079059208671602009-10-30T10:46:00.002-05:002009-11-05T13:27:13.160-06:00

Morning sounds of the village work better than any alarm: roosters greeting a new day, barking of dogs, pounding noise of not so distant sea. Now sitting on the beach, fretting about becoming a victim of the falling coconuts. Counted three people on one-mile stretch of the beach. My photo collection of palm branches is getting a bit out of hand. OK, that's all for this morning - back to counting

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-50530375607630211182009-10-29T14:57:00.001-05:002009-10-29T14:57:27.397-05:00

Sun Bay is yellow sand, tall palms, crash of waves, tidal pools, sea shells, blue sky (with white poofy clouds).

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-61536945436961239952009-10-29T12:35:00.001-05:002009-10-29T12:35:48.185-05:00

Testing, testing... Will it work? How will I know?

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-42881351643494823772009-10-28T14:10:00.001-05:002009-11-05T13:24:35.739-06:00

"Chicken plane" ride away from San Juan, and we are back in paradise. Internet is unavailable at our guesthouse, so I am figuring out mobile blogging... a new thing for me. In a few days we will move bases again, and I will be able to post photos and more detailed accounts of our adventures. For now, it will be "twitter-style" updates. I hope. Adios for now!

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-2285537205818017602009-10-27T20:54:00.001-05:002009-11-05T13:23:31.738-06:00

Here we are, looking over the shimmery ribbon of lights that follows the coast of Isla Verde area of San Juan. But just for one night. We have changed our plans, re-arranged our schedule, and will be going to Vieques tomorrow! I am doing my happy dance. While I was excited about being in San Juan for a time again, we landed in a spot we knew instantly we would not be happy with. And so, instead

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-7931067082227349822009-10-26T21:05:00.002-05:002009-10-26T21:12:39.749-05:00

Today it is grey, misty, and cool, with some splashes of colored leaves. Tomorrow it will be blue skies, blue waves, t-shirt and flip-flops weather. Today it is about trying to remember to pack what you don’t want to forget. Tomorrow those important things will not matter at all. Camera – check! Passport (just in case) – check! Tickets confirmation – got it. I may not be ready, but I am going!

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-77317247863587391702009-10-25T19:23:00.003-05:002009-10-27T02:15:42.902-05:00

Here is a prime example of what happens here sometime: I write a post. I publish a post. I see that post the next day, or a week later. I don’t like what I see. I edit it. I delete it. I write something else instead. I have talked about it before, and I have received encouragement and support, despite my loony blogging behavior. I promised not to do that. I have broken my promise. Simply put –

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-90323818617479601992009-10-24T20:14:00.009-05:002009-10-24T20:40:03.377-05:00

photo by gemslingI was reminded recently about those little differences that exist between British English and American English. There are many of them, but my favorites are cookies vs. biscuits. I know, it is silly, but I find it infinitely amusing: in the UK

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20406291.post-86546948306403606792009-10-23T19:52:00.001-05:002009-10-23T19:54:16.798-05:00

Few more pills of wisdom to pop on the way of reinstatement of domestic bliss (less chaos, but house is still under some construction):Some things look easy on the surface, but reveal a monstrous host of problems when confronted and dealt with in depth.That saying that goes about money and clothes when you set on travels, that can be applied to any sort of home improvement (however minor it may

albinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00126344698236214226albinamcphail@gmail.com0