Country Life

Country Life
Country Life 18x36 oil painting by Mary Mapes

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Back online and posting

After months of net problems, then computer virus and lately electrical problems, I was able to get things working right, but had to start over as everything was taken off my computer.  I had to put all programs back on and naturally I am having problems getting some to work.  Oh well.  I have not been able to paint everyday as planned but will try to remedy that.  I have been busy painting commission dogs and cats.  Here is one interesting cat who must have nine lives as he is 21 years old and still going.

Friday, June 3, 2011

STILL having Problems with phone and net

I have charter and have to call them almost daily since May 9,  I have purchased a new ethernet, put in two modems from them and their techs say that the modems and or parts are outdated and blacklisted.  I have been told it was my computer took it in to local repair- they say the computer is OK, put in new ethernet controller new wires at Charters request- still problems.  Finally on the 20th of May they came out.  The tech put in all new wires to pole and house, and took the two modems with him.  Things worked for about 10 minutes and went out.  He came back and messed with the computer and had headquarters do something.  He reloaded drivers for the new ethernet.  still it didn't work, then he tried the original ethernet controller-  It worked.  But still after two more tech visits. I am still having problems.  This has been going on for a month!!!  It will cost me $150 to break the contract with Charter.  I have already put in two visits to a computer repair for a computer that works perfectly when connected at the repair shop plus a $50. ethernet, even changed computers and all wires and still have problems.  May be I'd been better off paying the $150. after the 10th call.  Hind site is always better.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Pet Portraits Horses Dogs Cats






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

Friday, May 20, 2011

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.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

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.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

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?

Monday, May 16, 2011

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