April 9, 2020 Oil Painting Session #2

COVID_19 Journal
What began this morning as a solo 2.5 hour painting session, quickly advanced into a 5+hour marathon. 😄Indeed, #inaworldofmyown.
It was easy to forget about the frustrating, fearful, and questionable events of COVID_19.
I had my paint, my pallette, and my brushes in hand.
It was easy to forget about the isolation, the pollen, the virus, dirty clothes, the news, and my dwindling supply of toilet paper.😏
And for a brief period of time, I was able to forget about the hugs, kisses, and physical company of my family and friends. 😢😢😢
Never have I claimed to be a neat-freak, particularly when it comes to mixing paint colors together.

Mistakes? New techniques? Non-intentional colors created and used?
The opportunities seem unbounded.

This independent study and experience, is starting to give my 'left-brain right-brain' a workout !

Last week,👇👇👇 I ventured out on my own (March 31st) for a month or two.
The designated sewing, laundry, craft room is now being squeezed together to allow for a mini painting studio..... minus the natural daylight.

My art instructor is using the new acclaimed app, Zoom, with many of her students.
As of this week I've added this trendy app, and laughed my socks off with my monthly lunch girlfriends.😂😂😂
No doubt, this new-fangled technology will be jumping into a session soon with my instructor.
But for today.........
Here’s to my #2nd unsupervised session.😃😃😃

🤣🤪😳😂 
#nogutsnoglory

April 6-8 ISS, Venus, More Stars, and 'Super Pink Moon"

Covid_19 2020 Journal
WHAT A WEEK+  FOR WATCHING THE NIGHT SKY.
I don't know when I've been as excited to sit out on my deck..... especially in April!
The skies have been clear.
April 3........... The 70% Waxing Gibbous Moon: and Venue and Pleiades star cluster......putting on a rare evening show!

Exposure 1/160 sec. at f/9
ISO 200
Tamron SP 150-600mm
Focal Length 600mm
Canon EOS 5DMarkIII

Exposure 2.0 sec at f/8
ISO 5000
Tamron SP 150-600
Focal Length 600mm
Canon EOS 5D MarkIII

Here👇👇 is what you are seeing in the above☝☝ photo:

Exposure 15 sec at 5?5.6
Focal Length 16mm
ISO 1250

April 4............
Catching the ISS  (International Space Station) is always a treat. The skies were not quite as dark as I wanted, but it was easy to spot, shooting straight up  from the horizon, to the right of Venus, taken at 8:31PM

Venus is usually one of the first stars to see at night, and boy was she beautiful.

And, of course, the 98% full moon photographeded at 9:30PM, just before the clouds moved through the skies.

April 7th............ a little looney this morning at 5:29AM..... using the "Looney 11 Rule" (Aperture f/11). The moon is now 99% full.👇👇👇

Hello 2020 April 'Super Pink Moon"

Both of these photos ☝☝☝and 👇👇👇 were taken at 7:52PM and 8:30PM in our driveway. The forecast indicated cloudy skies. Sometimes spur of the moment photos turn out to be the best! The Pink Moon was getting ready to be clouded out for the rest of the night.😖😖😖

Exposure 20 sec at 5/11

16mm (wide angle)

ISO 400 

"The 'Pink Moon' is just a nickname from folklore--- a reference to moss pink, or ground phlox, whose pinkish flowers are among spring's earliest flowers in the eastern United States."

Wednesday, April 8.........
The Pink Moon is 100% full
This  photo was taken at 6:54AM

Exposure 1/250 sec at f/18
256 mm
ISO 3200
Tamron SP 150-600

April 5, 2020 Walking near our house is NOT cancelled.

COVID19 Journal
Week 4
We took advantage of the warm sunny weather today.
The many parts of our area greenways are now closed😭😭😭.
Understandably so.
While this area has always been favorite spot for us (due to flat ground), too many people were congregating in large groups, making it impossible to do the social distancing necessary for precautions. For now, we must think outside the box, and abide by the restrictions.
We are fortunate to reside within walking distance of a trail.
This trail is part of the Chestnut Ridge Trail.
The trails cross through the Roanoke Campground site, which has been closed to camping since ...... well.... for many years.

Isolation, social distancing........... I'd say this met the golden standard award.
Cars are not allowed on this section, 👇👇👇which eliminates all vehicle traffic. It is a continuous loop.

The trees are budding, and the pollen is also in full force.

Notebly, as the weather remains warm, the foot traffic will increase.
Picking the less traveled time and day might be a consideration, for total isolation 😀.

The Chestnut Ridge Trail is a 5.4 mile loop.
We did not do the entire loop.
Fun trails for the whole family are provided.
It is a place  to run, hike, or walk.
It is nature and fresh air at its best.

Shirt and sunglasses were purchased through our local FLEET FEET ROANOKE store.
Curbside pick-up or local delivery is available.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL AREA BUSINESSES.
Let them know you care.

We survived another week.
Being outdoors is an important part of our my mental health.
We have been refreshed and renewed for yet another day.

April 5, 2020 Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday 2020, the beginning of Holy Week.... a very big day for Christians.
'Palm Sunday is celebrated before Easter Sunday. However this day denotes the starting of holy week and this day had a history. This Sunday reminds us of the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem. Moreover, on this day Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem by riding on a donkey. There was a big crowd who only came to see Jesus Christ. In his respect the crowd of people laid Palm leaves in his way. In order to connect with this story you also have to take Palm branches. And waving it in the air and showing people that you are celebrating Palm Sunday.
Hosanna Hosanna.

COVID 19 has forced Church buildings to shut down.
Who knows when returning to our place of worship will transpire.
For the time being, churches across the country are providing "services" on line.
Not only can we be a part of our own church, we can view thousands of other services.
The following links are but a few that I have visited this week.
TODAY, I AM THANKFUL FOR TECHNOLOGY.

1.First Evangelical Presbyterian Church. 
https://vimeo.com/404106142?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=29220&fbclid=IwAR3f3nZywofHDWuXuPyxlQfsIsaNOZxFxY-V17LGxhwAOUJ942pKg8-pWI4
Scripture verses: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Matthew 27: 11-26

2. Bedrock Community Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=TxDmdjNxobw&feature=emb_logo
"Balanced- Generosity is Good"
Matthew 6:19-21

3.Crystal Spring Baptist Church 
https://www.crystalspringbc.com/
"Some Things Never Change"
John 19:12-30

4.Fellowship Community Church
https://fcclife.org/live
The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37

5.Bonsack Baptist Church.
Sermon: Do This in Remembrance of Me
Luke 22:7-23
https://www.bonsackbaptist.org/online

6. Mountville Baptist Church

Sermon: The Resurrection Should Be Told

https://www.facebook.com/mountvillebc/videos/804646093361692/

John 20:1-18

7. First Baptist Church
Sermon: Fear Not
John 6:
https://www.firstroanoke.com/ondemand/

May the Lord Bless you and Keep you, May His light shine upon you an give you peace.

April 2, 2020 Today I took a trip!

COVID19 Journal
Week 3
Today I took a trip.......
In my yard💓💓💓

The day was windy and cooler than I expected, but I needed to get my thoughts together.
"This is going to be the new normal for awhile," I keep telling myself.
So, let's get with the program, and make the best of it!
We can do this💪.
And that pollen count😆😆😆 is over-the-top-high, making for a shorter than normal trip.
Wanna guess how many stepping stones circle around the tree house?

The trip to the treehouse brought up fond and FUNNY memories of our 3 children, and their activities inside this structure.
40 years of memories 😍😍😍.
Here is a peek at it's beginnings.
Click on the highlighted link for some laughs👉👉👉 SHELTER IN THE WOODS written March 31, 2016

This is what I call social-distancing at its finest!

Venturing to the other side of our yard, my trip included sightings of CandyTuft, Periwinkle, a statue, green grass, Rhododendrons, and blue skies, redbud trees, azaeleas, dogwoods..... 

I have been refreshed, and renewed for today.

Not all trips are long, or overnight.

Today's trip was just what I needed.

  

And oh yes, a few unwanted items, pleasantries......... kinda like life.

What is today?

Anyone else having trouble remembering the day of the week?
I know I'm 'over that hill' , but really???
I sincerely thought I was 'of sound mind'.😜
Now when we get up, we look at our phones/calendars to double check the day👀.
And then we groan momentarily at that empty calendar of events that have been erased.
Oops, was yesterday trash-pick-up day?
Is Monday the new Saturday?
Oh wait.... this is Thursday.
I'm considering a purchase of these....

Daily restrictions are being updated.
This.Dreaded.Invisible.Unknown.Virus.
'Stay home, wear masks, shop for groceries online, keep your hands away from your face, keep your distance from other people, wash your hands.
As for me?
*****You bet your bottom dollar that I am heeding the advice of the medical professionals to avoid this virus!*****
So much for my thoughts...............................
One day I'll look back at this Journal.
One day our world will be a new normal.
But for today, I enjoyed my trip.

March 29, 2020 Campground

Covid19 Journal
Week 3
Hansel and Gretel walk to the woods.
They are alone.
Peaceful
Social distancing at its finest
Taking in as much of nature as possible.
If only they could get lost here. sigh................

It was a somber walk in the woods.

What is going on?

How long will this last?

What about our children?

So many unanswered questions.

We breathed in, and we breathed out.

We soaked up the solitude.

Where was everyone?
Nature put on a display of springtime blooms.

 Keeping a keen sense of humor through is be high-ranking.