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Severe storms. Net phone and power problems continue. Must get this on before things cut out.  Hope to see you again tomorrow.

Love Hate Affair with Computer Internet

My Old Saddle by M. Mapes
 Hopefully I will be able to ride tomorrow.

I have spent 2-3 hours, some days more, each day trying to get a consistent  Internet connection,  I have called charter several times each day.  Some days after I got a real person the phone would quit.  Each agent would have me do different things.  Some worked temporarily.  One agent said I needed a new Ethernet controller in my computer.  Fifty dollars later it still did not work.  Made another trip to the computer repair.  He said nothing was wrong and showed that it worked perfectly-  At home I have black screens with error messages, conflicts and even mouse errors.  I changed every cord, mouse, etc. still nothing worked.  Had only screen, mouse and keyboard.  Still I might get on one time but next try it was gone.  Agents would reload connection etc. and it would work but next time black screen and dead modem.  The tenth agent said my modem had been black listed because it couldn't handle the fast net.  So he would send me one to install.  Simple he said sarcastically.  Well first it said windows had not tested the CD. and recommended not loading, then it asked for the Ethernet driver and quickly gave an error and spit the CD out.  It got stuck loading the new net modem drivers on the middle section said it would attempt to shut and restart the modem and it would take 60-90 seconds.  Thirty minutes and it was still grinding away.  I killed the computer.  moved cords, disconnected the net wires and started the computer, then plugged in the net stuff.  It worked for a short while then both telephone and net went out.  Finally the 12th agent after I said I was going to pay the $150 penalty for breaking the contract said he'd send out a tech to fix it.  The tech repairman arrived at 1:20 and thought he was finished at 4:16.  He replaced the outdoor lines first said they looked bad and should not be so close to the electric.  The wires were over 20 years old.  Still didn't work, Next he replaced wires into the house.  No net no phone.  next he messed with the new modem,  Said the power cord was outdated, though it was new,  He said they don't use them anymore.  Things seemed to be working.  While he was contacting the home base I tried the net.  Can't get on.  I ran out and luckily stopped him. He reloaded the router and the controller drivers.  Still nothing.  Did have phone.  He hooked phone and net in one box. completely did away with the NEW box.  Then he plugged the cord into the original Ethernet controller that came with the computer.  It worked.  Said it was fine and not to use the new $50 Ethernet that was never the problem!!  The computer was fine the wires were in poor shape and caused the inconsistent phone and net connection.  So I have had no time to paint and no way to ad new pics.

Pleasant Morning

After a week of computer frustration--- still going on, I decided to go for a ride on my lovely horse instead of trying to do anything with my computer.  It was a wonderful ride.  I saw three turkeys grazing along the woods.  We got pretty close to them before they ducked into the woods.  After my rides I set up for some outdoor painting and turn my mare loose to grab some well-earned grass.  When first turned loose to graze she is a little timid and grazes almost on top of me.  Then she branches out 15-20 feet but never leaves.  I paint for up to an hour and then put her up in a lot by the old hay barn.  I have attached photos todays wildflower.
Geranium maculatum

Our beautiful native wild Geranium, with neat fresh foliage all season, and clusters of large pink to lavender colored blooms, held high above.

Roses and Kentucky Derby Winner Animal House

First Rose by M.Mapes

"First Rose " 

       In the 2011 Kentucky Derby winning jockey, John Velasquez holds up one rose- as this was his first Kentucky Derby winner.  For three years he was to be the jockey on Derby favorites but they were all three scratched.  This year he was to ride Uncle Mo who had stomach troubles a few days prior to the derby and was scratched.  Animal Kingdom a long shot had his listed jockey injured earlier in the week so Animal Kingdom’s trainer changed jockeys and took John Velasquez and so by a strange set of circumstances John won his first derby on a 24 - 1 long shot after his favorite scratched. 

The Last Laugh by M. Mapes

"24-1 Odds Animal House" 

    Here Animal House, the winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby stands in front of Churchill Downs giving a horse laugh as if to say he had the last laugh as few bet him even though in his previous five starts his worst finish was a second.  Will he repeat this Saturday?

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Computer Headache So just having a Painting Post of Birds and Flowers

The whole week has been spent dealing with massive computer problems.  No time to paint or anything else, so I am posting some older ACEO paintings, most are oil miniatures.

 

 

Winter Cardinal

Barn Owl

Eagles

Owlets

Apple-blossom Wren

Barnyard Boss Rooster

Goose and gooslings

Crocus

Violets- Woods is full of these beauties.

Single Rose

wild Yellow moss rose

Poppy

yellow Rose

Sunflower

Iris

Local History thru Eyes of an Artist's Paintings

" Wildwood Mill 1848"

All that remains at the spot of this old mill is a few stones, trees and a larger flow of water exiting Turner Lake on

Wildwood Rd.

  As recent as twenty years ago there still was the remains of a dam. Building of the mill in 1848 made it possible for the pioneer and early settlers of Hillsdale County able to use cut boards instead of cumbersome logs for building.  The area really developed after mills were established.  Mills were used for lumbering and milling grains into flour. 

“Eight- Horse Hitch.”

This could be a picture from the 1860's though it is a common one around here where we are surrounded by Amish Communities.   A team of eight equines. Four in front and four in back.  Three across in each set are horses with a mule on the ends to make the 8 horse team.  These 8 horse hitches are used for heavy work like dragging and discing.  This is done after the plowing is completed.  You will see two teams of Amish horses working in the field.  One team will number 8 like this team and they will be pulling a larger tool.  A second team, smaller, often 3 horses will be following pulling a planter.  The tools that they pull are typical of the 1940-50’s. All the area farmers are feverishly trying to get out their crops.  In one area you might see multiple teams working then a little ways down the road you will see the huge tractors rolling along

Wildflowers and Paintings

Wood Phlox;  These beauties range from deep blue to pale blue depending upon the light.



This is a wildflower that I have not been able to identify.  It if found in open areas.



Another view from the side.  Anyone know what it is.  I suppose a farmer would know as it looks like it would be a weed in fields and along lanes etc.

This is one of the woodland trails.  Down at the bottom is the red tip of  my horses ear.

    While riding today I saw many wildflowers, they are now in full bloom so much so that some of the trilliums have turned pink even dark pink.  I saw two Sandhill Cranes grazing in the hay field and a turkey in the woods.  This was the first time I've seen Sandhill Cranes this spring.  Turkey sightings are almost daily.  Below are some paintings I have done they are ACEO's miniature Oil paintings sized 2.5 x 3.5 Inches.  I thought I was uploading them to be saved in an online folder for future use.  In the past I have not been able to up load pictures from my files to a post here on blogger.  I have had to first put them in an online photo storage.  Sorry about so many.  I do not know how to take them off.  Just learning this Blogger stuff.

Painting Gallery



Blue Parrot



Curiosity

Yosemite

Summer Reds

Working Guys

Lounging

Old red tractor

Autumn Barns

Lion's Look

Shadows

Local Amish Lady

Princess

Yellow Water Lily

Mama Hummer