In a Sea of Ks

I Have a Pell in My Backyard

2009-04-20T20:23:00.008-06:00

There's a pell in my backyard.

While I was mowing around it earlier (with "Wynn-power" -- a push mower), I was thinking about it and laughing at myself. It's one of *those* things. Somehow, I don't think the guy who my mom is encouraging me to meet at the book club or the singles group at church or the dude Dad wants me to pick up at the local cowboy bar would truly get that.

"Oh, that? That's a pell. My ex-boyfriend put it up so that he could practice ... ummm ... hitting people with sticks. Y'know to do more precise combinations faster, with less thought... Oh, yeah, that ... I have a lot of friends who do it. They put on armor and use practice swords made of a wood-like material. What? Ummm... Yeah, I'm pretty sure he's over me. Ummm, about 6'4", ~245? ... Oh, you have to go now, really? ... Well, I'll talk to you later? Call me?"

There really should be a special dating site for SCA people. I really can't put the pell on Match.com:

"Countess and Laurel (that means I can sew) who's not that jaded -- with long blond hair, and, well, I think I have dainty ankles, but everyone else says my best feature is my smile -- seeks male fighter, for mutual support... I'll watch you fight, make sure you drink enough, and cheer you on at all the right times (I'm good at this, I have references); you let me watch you fight (you don't even have to be that good) and be there to tell me it will be alright when things go bump in the night; please be either over your mid-life crisis or have a few good years left before it starts. I own a car that will carry a 9-foot spear -- on the inside, and did I mention I have a pell in my backyard?" :o)

A Darn Fine Axe

2009-03-30T15:55:00.001-06:00

Photo courtesy Nancy Belcher (Rigela)

Sometimes a photo says it all...

Better, Stronger, Greener

2009-02-20T17:54:00.002-06:00

On the way home, we passed through Greensburg. They are rebuilding. The thing that was most striking (aside from the many blocks of nothingness) was all the little sprouts on the decimated trees.

Lozengy Horse's Arse

2009-02-19T17:53:00.000-06:00

In Liberal, KS, on the way home.

Dirty Window

2009-02-18T17:51:00.000-06:00

Calontir Camp at Estrella

2009-02-17T17:46:00.000-06:00

Sunrise over the merchant area.

Calontir camp

Cold morning!

Across the road

Toward the battle field.

Always Having a Chair

2009-02-16T17:43:00.000-06:00

Sunrise and Banners

2009-02-15T17:41:00.000-06:00

Cold Camping

2009-02-14T17:40:00.000-06:00

My frosted tent

Frosty Scuta

2009-02-13T17:38:00.003-06:00

Finally Arizona

2009-02-12T17:37:00.000-06:00

Cattle and Snow in New Mexico

2009-02-11T17:35:00.000-06:00

Salt River Canyon

2009-02-10T17:33:00.000-06:00

Red Dirt

2009-02-09T17:30:00.001-06:00

Hope

2009-02-08T12:35:00.000-06:00

Positive Wetness

2009-02-06T12:34:00.000-06:00

Condensation not frost on the windshield this morning!

Rocks and Pots

2009-02-05T12:31:00.000-06:00

You may recognize this from this post about my fabulous dentist's office. Another checkup with no cavities! (That's two in a row! I may be making Jennwynn history!)

Frozen Feather

2009-02-04T17:16:00.003-06:00

A feather frozen to my windshield.

Recently Kept

2009-02-03T17:13:00.001-06:00

(Already boring...)

Things that have made it on my wall recently.

A gift from an author,

a bookmark my boss brought back from Italy,

and the site token from my Queen's Prize.

Nebraska Sunrise

2009-02-02T19:11:00.001-06:00

Sunrise on the way home from my parents' in West Point, NE.

Bats and Traps

2009-02-01T19:08:00.001-06:00

At the hardware store in West Point, NE, where my parents live.

You can buy a bat, or a trap...

Another Beginning

2009-02-01T18:39:00.001-06:00

February seems to be my time for starting things. January seems to be for endings...

So, I'm back here, with photos. Not sure about my strength of commitment here, no one to prove anything to, and not a lot going on in daily life to document. But I enjoyed this project while I did it, and I've missed it.

Yay, February and 2009!

Jennwynn

Calontiri Ice Cream

2009-01-23T19:04:00.000-06:00

Purple Yam (Umi) Ice Cream

From Zen Zero

YUMMMMM!

I Now Have a Work Blog

2008-07-30T13:33:00.002-06:00

Come check me out there:

http://www.grit.com/blogs/blog.aspx?blogid=188

More surprises...

2008-06-05T11:33:00.000-06:00

More flowers that just appeared in my backyard.

Purple and viney, not necessarily a part of
the surrounding vegetation in these pics.

The yard is getting more and more overgrown with each rainstorm. Even my welcome mat is green. :) (You think I'm kidding, after this last storm and the humidity and warmth, I've got some kind of algae growing on my front porch mat...)

For Dad

2008-06-04T11:29:00.000-06:00

Humidity can be pretty.

This is for my dad because he said, "Where are the skies, the flowers, the dog pictures?!?" And apparently, I respond well to guilting. ;-)

More chickens

2008-06-03T11:22:00.001-06:00

A fuzzy photo of a silky hen and some chicks that a coworker brought in. It's evidently time to order chicks. We've had several groups (including a group of quail!) arrive at the office recently. I love the sound they make, but it's really better in smaller doses.

My new phone does some things better (see below for some actual close-ups of flowers), but it's less forgiving, and the button isn't as easy to push! :)

For Posterity

2008-06-02T09:38:00.000-06:00

This was the day of my grandmother's funeral.

Afterwards, we went to the farm to do some arranging and such, and I took some pictures of her flowers. This is the walkway being impinged upon by irises and the view from the hill. You can see all the different types in this photo: iris, cabbage roses, peonies, and a lily of some type (as well as some overgrown grass).

One of my favorite iris colors--so vibrant!

I've always loved poppies.

These are the color of the cake she made me for my 16th birthday.

Peonies in the shade.

The roses are about done. I love the cascade of petals in this one.

She hasn't lived on the farm for about a year, so this is the flowers after being untended for that long. The relative lack of weeds (there are some, but not nearly as many as in my flowerbeds) is a testament to how carefully she watched them. This is at ground level up the path. The green stalk in the middle will become firecracker flowers by July.

A Normal dog

2008-06-01T09:35:00.000-06:00

A not-so-great pic of Parker, Tom and Kim's dog,
who now lives in Normal, Illinois.

Office fun...

2008-05-28T09:06:00.001-06:00

Taken during a FOUR HOUR planning meeting... You certainly can't say that my workplace is too staid...

Another Beginning

2008-05-12T16:31:00.002-06:00

The first photo taken with my new phone. ;-) (The old one was dying regularly due to battery issues. :( )

Homecoming Surprise

2008-05-05T16:47:00.001-06:00

Kyle did some decorating on my house...

Life Changing

2008-05-03T16:50:00.000-06:00

Guest images!
The first from Winnifred:

Friendship

And this one is Copyright © 2008 Verla Herschell (Mistress Rhianydd Arbeth)

Good Luck Bear

2008-05-02T16:44:00.001-06:00

Emelye made Luther a good luck bear (with a hoodie). :)

A Banner Day

2008-04-29T16:39:00.000-06:00

Nikko and the Turtle

2008-04-26T16:34:00.000-06:00

Nikko subdues a giant turtle...

The dress for Kora's wedding on the left, the color on the right.

Patriotic

2008-04-21T16:30:00.000-06:00

Even my yard is purple and gold...

Leaving Colorado

2008-04-20T16:29:00.000-06:00

Farming Air

2008-04-18T16:26:00.000-06:00

On the way through Kansas.

Weed or Not Weed?

2008-04-17T16:12:00.000-06:00

All of these are in my yard, which ones should I pull?

Tenacity

2008-04-16T16:10:00.000-06:00

Editors Understand...

2008-04-14T14:53:00.006-06:00

As an editor, you need a pen that isn't black or blue to have contrast from the printed word. Red sends all kinds of "red flags" to people's brains because of all the lovely teachers we've had. (I've been paid to edit for 13 years, and I still react to red marks.) So, special colored pens are an editor's joy. My job has been especially emotional lately. Thus, colored pens to the rescue. It's really crazy how a "sunset orange," "fandago pink," "margarita green," or "hot aqua" pen can make all the difference.

Just One More...

2008-04-11T14:43:00.000-06:00

Guest image of one of my daffodils that I gave away. :)

Not Really There...

2008-04-10T14:39:00.002-06:00

I can't imagine who or *what* this might've been at CM Fighter Practice...

First Dandelion

2008-04-09T14:36:00.000-06:00

Now That's a Cloud...

2008-04-08T14:33:00.000-06:00

It's a Sickness...

2008-03-31T14:06:00.000-06:00

Yet another new kind of flower in my yard:
It's kinda like Christmas, these things come up out of the ground, and then you wait to see what they'll be.
These are *tiny* and they look like little upside-down grape clusters.

And this is the last daffodil shot, I promise. :)

More Name that Car?

2008-03-29T14:00:00.000-06:00

For my dad and brothers...
Couldn't resist...

Full Circle?

2008-03-28T13:51:00.001-06:00

Last year on St. Patrick's Day we went to the M&M site. This year, it waited until the 28th...

Can't wait until it looks like this.

Progressions 4

2008-03-27T13:30:00.000-06:00

Two of My Best Guys

2008-03-25T15:57:00.001-06:00

Dad and Taro
(sorry for the crappy lighting)

Progressions 3

2008-03-24T16:03:00.000-06:00

Finally, daffodils!

Progressions 2

2008-03-20T16:01:00.000-06:00

Progressions 1

2008-03-19T16:00:00.000-06:00

Signs of Spring

2008-03-14T15:48:00.002-06:00

There's green in the grass!

And the car is just wet...

Something Purple!

2008-03-13T15:32:00.004-06:00

As I went over to my soon-to-be daffodils to give them their morning pep talk ("Come on daffy-dills, you can do it!" [Yes, I actually do this.]), what should I notice next to them, but something already blooming! :)

And something just about to be blooming. Don't worry, I cleaned the leaves and stuff out from around them so that they can breathe better.

As if it isn't obvious, I am breathlessly awaiting spring!

Dorothy Returns?

2008-03-10T15:30:00.000-06:00

The important bit...

Bathroom Beauty?

2008-03-08T15:30:00.003-06:00

We were in Atchison today and stopped at a couple of late 19th century homes. This mural was in the bathroom at the Evah C. Cray Historical Home Museum (built in 1882). I became enamored with the ladybug... :)
We also stopped at Amelia Earhart's birthplace--so awe-inspiring.

On the way home, we paused to find out that the winery in Oskaloosa had closed their doors... :( No more pyment...

Spring Is Coming...

2008-03-05T17:28:00.003-06:00

See those flowers in there, just bursting to get out?
Soon, Grasshopper, soooonnn...

Much Prettier in Person

2008-03-04T17:23:00.000-06:00

Just Words

2008-03-02T17:33:00.002-06:00

Things I could have photographed this week (but didn't):

Eva sleeping like a ragdoll at Grimwulf and Aoibhean's
Maerwynn's Delight
Taro's authorization as a fighter
FIVE Chieftains tournaments
Hat fluffing
A Baronial Investiture
Mom and Dad in St. Louis
MORE snow
My nephew's last YMCA basketball game (a bunch of 7-8 year olds who don't really care about basketball, a few who do, and their parents)
Sirius covered in mud from trying to dig out of my brother's back yard
Ethan reading to me about dinosaurs
Wii Bowling tournaments

Guest Photo: Congratulations, Kora!

2008-03-01T17:22:00.000-06:00

More Wind Machine Parts

2008-02-22T15:42:00.001-06:00

Seems hwy 75 is a trade route for wind energy...

Japanese Clothes a la Wynn

2008-02-22T15:32:00.001-06:00

Wynn me fecit...

A Cinemaphile's Birthday

2008-02-18T17:45:00.000-06:00

The haul...

One Perfect Blossom Remains

2008-02-17T17:44:00.001-06:00

Not Art...

2008-02-16T17:39:00.001-06:00

Drying roses in the doorway.

I had to explain they weren't permanent.
Some people must think I'm extremely eccentric... :o)

Something Green!

2008-02-15T13:15:00.002-06:00

There are three clumps just like this down the side of my house. OK, gardener-types, what should I do? Leave the mulchiness to keep them warmer for now, right?

And this is the bullseye pothole from the parking lot. Water has such amazing properties... :o)

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T10:48:00.001-06:00

Sometimes traditional is just lovely... :o)

More Frosty Fotos...

2008-02-13T17:22:00.003-06:00

This is a photo of all the *different* types of frost on my car. Particularly of the fuzzy pretty stuff on the rail mount... Purty... :)

Color Palette Hell...

2008-02-12T17:11:00.000-06:00

Where I've been for the last few days... (It's a *special* hell...) ;-)

To get to the gallery in my phone (from whence I email my photos to myself), you have to pass through the "take photo" option. This is why so many of my photos seem to be taken from my point of view at my desk... Sometimes, what shows up on the way by catches my eye.

Meeelllltiiiiiing...

2008-02-07T17:08:00.000-06:00

Snow + native grass + 45-degree temps...

The Last Snow?

2008-02-06T16:42:00.000-06:00

Hope "springs" eternal... :)
My car, drifted...

And the trashcan. Notice the gate as well.

Snow-covered

2008-02-05T16:39:00.000-06:00

I didn't realize it was snowing until Sirius came in snow-covered...

A New Dawn...

2008-02-04T17:08:00.000-06:00

I've been thinking about this blog a lot. I have to admit that I automatically took a crappy picture on February 1 and then was blissful about not thinking about it at all on the 2nd and 3rd. :) But this morning I got up and took these photos, kind of on autopilot.I think what I'll do is this: I won't do the desperation late at night thing. If I haven't run across a picture in the course of my day, there won't be a picture for the day. But, if something presents itself, I'll take it and put it up. So, if you're into it, check back periodically for more photos. :)
And here are some lovely sky photos to get us started...

The Last Day...

2008-01-31T15:31:00.000-06:00

Silliness and fun at Fighter Practice. Click the links for comparisons with a year ago.

Kyle clowns at fighter practice. (Previous shots of Kyle.)

Jacque at 3. (Jacque at 2.)

The dastardly duo... (Adventuring with Conner.)

[PS -- Happy Birthday, Dad!]

When Plastic Was King

2008-01-30T17:15:00.000-06:00

So, you've got a big wooden planter and don't want to put actual plants on it. What to do, what to do?

First take some river rocks and throw them in there. Then, pour some clear acrylic over them:

Lots and lots of acrylic...
Then, stick some huge vases in and add some more acrylic... And throw some dead/dried flowers in there. It'll be lovely!
This craft project brought to you by my "nature-y" dentist's office. :o)

Seven-Layer Sunset

2008-01-29T17:13:00.000-06:00

In Memoriam...

2008-01-28T17:14:00.000-06:00

Vicki died a year ago today. These are the ribbons we wore to her funeral.

A Travellin' Dog

2008-01-27T17:03:00.000-06:00

Polka-dots...

2008-01-26T16:53:00.000-06:00

A bead that a friend made and gave to me today...

Icicle Perspective

2008-01-25T15:22:00.000-06:00

These are all of the same icicle, from different perspectives.

Out sitting in his field...

Just waiting for the rabbit to run by...

The Latest in Dog-Walking Wear...

2008-01-24T15:14:00.000-06:00

Very rare that I get out the whole she-bang--hat, hood, scarf, *and* gloves...
but it's coooooold out there today!

Coming Full Circle

2008-01-23T14:28:00.000-06:00

Nearly a year ago, one of my first photos was a test looking up from my keyboard. When I reached for my phone this morning, this was on the screen. (I had just taken my hair down and it was looking crazier than usual. But the fact that I didn't notice until I saw it on the screen does make me wonder how much of life I see through my hair. ;-) )

When the Human's Home Sick

2008-01-22T14:15:00.000-06:00

That's when it's time for puppies to really relax...

What a rough life he leads...

The Prodigal Hat

2008-01-21T14:13:00.000-06:00

What was lost, is found! :) Bought this hat (with some cajoling) at the Boulder Handweavers Guild sale a couple of years ago (?!?) now. It's been my favorite ever since. :)

Steamy Sunset

2008-01-20T16:26:00.000-06:00

Who knew manufacturing could make something prettier...

What Goldfish Feel Like

2008-01-19T15:39:00.000-06:00

At War Maneuvers, people kept looking down on us through the windows...

Elsewhere, I've spoken of the uselessness of taking photos of fighting, perhaps you will agree after looking at this photo...

Deotrich made it from the Outlands.

Beware your friends and crawfish...

Murdoch, this is for you... (If you find it quick, maybe Emelye won't kill anyone.)

Sunsets R Us

2008-01-18T15:00:00.000-06:00

In the Midwest, the sky makes up a big part of what you see. It seems to always be attracting my attention.

Through the White and Drifted Snow

2008-01-17T15:20:00.000-06:00

I was lamenting yesterday that I hadn't gotten any good snow pictures yet this year, so, the weather complied. :) I work with a lot of photographers, and one of them signs his emails, "May the light be with you." This morning, it was. I'm not sure there would be a more perfect time to take these than when I took them...

(By evening these were totally obliterated by the wind...)

The Forest of OP

2008-01-16T17:17:00.001-06:00

Snow in the deep dark forest, aka the parking lot.

It was pretty at first, but now it's just blowing about.

A Hat Understudy

2008-01-15T17:14:00.000-06:00

My favorite hat is missing in action (think I left it somewhere in my travels), so this one stood in today...

Happy Trials!

2008-01-14T16:49:00.001-06:00

One of my coworkers is moving on to a new position closer to home (she was commuting from KC), and, well, we ordered an ice cream cake. It was supposed to say, "Happy TrAils!" in reference to her leaving and going off to have a happy life. Instead, we got the above cake, "Happy TrIals!" We're all editors. It's hIlarious... And I bet that ice cream worker thought that she'd never use spelling class, "Bleh, I hate this class! That's what spellchecker is for..."

Plus, my new favorite mug that Rozsa sent me from Colorado! It's SO red on the inside. :)

If Wynn Were Period...

2008-01-13T17:13:00.000-06:00

This is supposed to be me. Well, actually I think it's a recreation of this and this. It's on my fabulous gorgeous Lily scroll. (Rowena did this thing.)

Toward a Less Neurotic Cat...

2008-01-12T17:09:00.000-06:00

This is the room that Lex lives in, note that Sirius will not fit. This morning he got his nose in as far as it would go, though. :)

The Ogden Beach

2008-01-11T12:07:00.001-06:00

This is what happens when you have a few ice storms, then some snow, and then it all melts--a sandbar appears in the parking lot.

This seedpod was gorgeous with the frost and slanted morning rays.

Slippers and Me

2008-01-10T11:29:00.000-06:00

These are my new favorite in the house shoes. My bro and sis-in-law got them for me for Christmas, and I'm even wearing them with my new Christmas pajamas my mom made. Yes, Mom, I have worn these in public at least once. (Sheepish grin...)

And sleeplessness photographed:

The Final Frontier

2008-01-09T12:57:00.000-06:00

Sirius made it on the bed.
He didn't stay long because I squirm too much.
Boy was Lex surprised. :o)

And, sunset reflections.

Christmas at Home

2008-01-08T12:27:00.000-06:00

My grandmother collected Danish plates. While I was at my parents for Christmas, I got the one of hers that I had asked for.

It's not my birth year (just a little too late), but it's my favorite. I remember being very little and having people tell me that the little girl on her mom's lap was me. :)It's evidently titled "Christmas at Home."

Here it is on my wall.

Age Has Its Privileges

2008-01-07T10:37:00.000-06:00

My 96-year-old grandmother gave Sirius cookies. Not dog cookies, but butter cookies, from a tin. (No one else is allowed to give him people food...)

That blur in the lower left-hand corner is my dog wiggling himself into a frenzy for a cookie... :o)