A Blogger's Pic In Poetry 2

This the second in the series titled

A Blogger's Pic In Poetry 

Like the first one, this photo is by Daniel Plumer 

 Whoda Thought

I stand in place, never thought to be seen

Stand I sure I do, mine eyes do believe

Possible not, but here I do

Standing strong proudly tis true

I have weathered storms of many

More to come, they are a plenty

Faulter not have I, years gone ago

Up to now and now until, who know

Photo by Daniel Plumer    

Poem by me

A Blogger's Pic In Poetry 1

I recently came across this photograph by way of my Google+ stream courtesy of Anissa Mayhew  who shares a lot of nice pictures on her stream from other members.

I don't know what it was about this photo but I was impelled to write a poem about it. 

To give you a heads up, this is the first of more to come in a series I'm calling: A Blogger's Pic In Poetry. 

I'm not sure where I will find them or how often I will see a poem in a photo, but when I do, it will be included in the series.

I will say that I have spent some time on Daniel Plumer's Google+ page and I have four poems from some of his photographs. This is the first and I will post the rest in the order that I viewed and wrote the poem for each one. 

Reflection

What is, reflects of itself

Doubling of single, non-stealth

Rocky hard, branches sticking

Softly seen, yellow green lifting

I am who I am, am I?

Seen as such is, to eye

Same as is, unchanged two one

Crazy it is, when seen how it's done

Photo by Daniel Plumer 

Poem by me

Here They Are

Here they are....the most recent Shadowbox Clocks I finished. The first is the gift clock I mentioned before. 

It has a picture of Theresia's son Austin, as a baby with a poem from him to his mom. 

This is the printout of the design that was used in the clock. I wrote the poem after a few thoughts were given to me what he (Austin) wanted to say.

What you see in the bottom left corner is something I can't go into, but it was requested.

           Here it is in the frame.

Some of you know of the Rise Above design on the left. So this is the front side of the picture in this post.

Now this next clock was designed for one of TheWife's co-workers. Sitiquat explained to me what she wanted but I asked her to draw a sketch for me.

This is the picture she sent to me in an email and I tried to use it for her clock but because all the elements are joined together, I couldn't get the fill colors separate. So I started going through my inventory of art and came up with this. I used The Bottomless Heart in place of a solid heart and I think it gives a ribbon type look as a bookmark.

She wanted a digital clock instead of a dial clock but I forgot that when I was doing the initial work. 

If you're interested in what the dial face looks like.....

These are my two most recent and I'm currently #workinon a few other things.

See anything you like?

It Just Takes One

It's funny sometimes how things work out or just plain Divine intervention...a wake up so to speak. Any number of people can tell you the same thing over time but when one person speaks it, you finally hear it. You actually stop to breath, and it feels so fresh. It puts things into perspective again. That happened today. So that coupled with what I have and haven't been doing brings a welcomed collision. 

What I haven't been doing is finishing some projects I started, but that did give me time to take the time to review what I have been doing with my designs and some other things I could be doing. So that got me started.

I have been busy coming up with some new designs and was in the process of putting products on the site when the server crashed. I did get a few items up but not what I really wanted because I didn't have the images in my basket on the site yet. 

So I'm actually pecking this out instead doing that. But this is one of those things I haven't been doing and has bothered me more than I should have let it. One of those things that I have struggled with the past few weeks. I haven't felt like writing or doing much of anything on the social network (which I have trouble with anyway), discouragement settling in and getting a pretty good grip.

Then out of nowhere, the words come to light and they shook me. A much needed breath of fresh air. So thankful that it finally clicked. It just took one.

A Needed Break

I had taken an unannounced break from writing and it actually felt pretty good...it wasn't even planned, but I guess I needed it.

Although I haven't been writing, I have been busy doing other things. I'm trying to keep my website and blog distinct from each other, making this one personal and the other strictly business...that shouldn't be too hard huh? Of course after a little thought, this was my launching pad for where I am today. I'm sure I can come up with a good balance. 

Here are three frames I put together and I'm pretty sure I know what is going in each one....they may not even be clocks.... 

Not counting the frames above, I'm about to start a custom clock for someone.

On another note, my veggies are coming along rather well...the bell peppers are getting huge and I've had a few tomatoes and they are pretty tasty. I'll have to get updated pics soon.

That's all I have for now....WhatrUWorkinOn?

MyQuesMark Winner Announced

The winner for the 5x7 MyQuesMark Designer Clock giveaway has been announced.      

Congratulations to The Laotian Commotion 


She has chosen the Love In Time design and you get to see what it looks like....

.....but she gets to hold it....


 Many thanks to The Mahogany Way for holding this giveaway.   

Giveaway Time!

Today is the first day to enter for the MyQuesMark Designer Clock giveaway. It is being held at The Mahogany Way, my daughter's blog.


All the details are there, so hop on over to enter!


Good luck!!

The Day Before

Tomorrow is the first day to get in on a 5x7  shadowbox MyQuesMark Designer Clock giveaway. You can't enter here.

The giveaway is being held at  The Mahogany Way, my daughter's blog. She has been my biggest supporter and I couldn't see having this giveaway anywhere else. Of course I'll be looking elsewhere for future giveaways.

This giveaway is limited to those living in the Continental United States and family members are not eligible to enter.

I hand make each clock along with the clock face design.

The clock for this giveaway is a 5x7 shadowbox, a $34.95 value. The winner of the giveaway gets to choose which clock face design they want.

So head on over to The Mahogany Way to get your shot at this clock tomorrow.

I Found Myself In Thought

I finally got around to making it comfortable to work outside. The shade and the breeze are soothing. TheWife was off Wednesday and 'reminded me' that it would be a good idea to put the umbrella up. We have a dining room table that's been around since we've been married....well after we got our first apartment.....anyway, I digress ; the only thing I had to do was to drill the hole and set the umbrella. We had chairs but the table is the only thing that  survived, but these will do for now. 


Now I'm outside and I realized my thoughts spanned several years of my life. A couple of days ago I was thinking of "the thought that kept driving me to do better than where I am" at any given moment in my life, that is what I want to do. Strive to do better, even when others see it as just someone else with a dream. The driving force in this particular thought stems from my tenure as an Autoglass Technician. When I first got into installing, it was a new adventure...learning, hands on, making decisions, getting things done under, at times almost impossible circumstances. Sure there were lots of times when a call was necessary but for the most part it was if I was my own company.


So over the years I made manager and this was a whole new ballgame. I felt as if I was fed to the wolves. I was a 'working manager' and many aspects of the job were never taught...yeah you know, on the managing end. Of course I was to 'pick up on this part' in between installs. It was almost a torturous number of years. So when that didn't work, I was offered a tech job....that's pretty much what they all do when you don't work out as a manager....unless you really screwed up bad. 


Besides my drive to want a better life for myself and my family, I scoped the ranks of the technician pool and I didn't want to be one of those who has toiled and labored for years on end and then retire as a tech. I saw the battered bodies and frustrated minds....but I kept listening to the promise of opportunity...even with another company....and there too, the years of labor taking its toll on the seniors of the tech pool....realizing, if I stayed the course, I would be one of them. 


I'm no better than any of them, but I finally chose to pull myself away from that table, and let the plate fall to its breaking....while I still have the drive and desire to fulfill accomplishments. 


Now I turn my attention to other tables to see what feasts or spoils await.     
    

New Neighbors

We spotted this cocoon in our Canna Lily yesterday.

This is on a branch hanging over into our back area.

The Ending

June 1st marks the ending of the first six months of 2012. Thinking ahead....I wonder what all of those superstitious people are gonna do about next year.....anyway, my mind goes to all of the resolutions that have been broken or never made it out of the gate. It's been awhile since I've done the resolution things....very long time.


I penned the poster below November 12, 2011. I'd have to do a little more digging to see when it was first published on my blog or my CafePress website. It may sound cliche but I do get inspired when I read it. I wrote it in a way that whoever reads this, can apply it to themselves....the question at the end?....I ask myself, what have I done since the last time I read it. Sometimes I am so angry with me because I've missed easy ops, but I know there are more doors ahead. There are times when I muster a smile or two just knowing I am able to even try to pursue dreams. I frustrate myself by trying to do too much at one time....multi-multitasking. I love it when I get that giddy feeling.


I'm more determined than ever to reach for goals, achieve them and reach for more. I'm not going to wait until the beginning of the year to start my new year. Right now I feel as if I'm making that turn....you know the feeling....you've been on THAT road for such a long time you can tell that the scenery is starting to change. It's such a good feeling.


I did edit the wording on this new poster...I took out the words "have to" on the third line and replaced them with the word "can" and did a little realignment with the rest.

I'm going to be posting pictures in a couple of weeks and I would very much  your advice, opinion, input. I'm going to have a few small giveaways during the month of June so it would be a good idea to tell your friends to like my Facebook page. That's a few of what's up and coming....gonna ride this wave as far as it will take me.


If you'd like to see this in a different flavor you can go here.
  

One More Please

Hi everyone if you would like to see today's post, click one more please...here at WhatrUWorkinOn.com 


Thank you,


Reggie

This Was My Today

Today is not as busy as it was yesterday. I was able to get some things done online that I had on the table. I have been in my 'design studio' making some changes. I think I'm going to make a broad change on some designs and take some off the board altogether....although TheQuesMark will still remain the focal point.

I'm #workinon something that may be of interest to some. 

June is my date to bring everything into the public eye. I hope to have some fun with the 'thing' of interest. Getting to where I know I need to be on June 1st will take a lot of work.

  

It was really wet here today.

So what is now done on the van, is good it was done yesterday.

 Reg brought half of a chicken home from work today at The Cheesecake Factory. The Rice a Roni was already here so I was in the kitchen about to get dinner on the table.

About a half an hour or so and we were eating....no veggies....bummer.

I think I may stay up late tonight and get into my 'design studio'. I'm feelin' it tonight.

Reggie

This Is My Yesterday

One of the advantages of working from home is that I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn, but at the same time I don't sleep in either. It was around 7:30 when TheWife wakes me. I get myself ready and we're out the door just after eight. 


I forgot to mention in my last post about the nails that I found in  the two rear tires after I moved them to the front. They probably went undetected due to the lack of weight put on the tires because the van is empty at the moment. After I put them on the front I then noticed right away how deflated they were, now due to the weight of the engine. Since that time I have had to spend money to inflate the tires and I was about to make sure this morning was my last time doing that.


I drop TheWife off at work about nine and head to WalMart. In my haste to get food shopping out of the way, I forgot to stop at a parts store to get a tire repair kit, then as I parted the threshold of WalMart remembered I can pick one up there. 

I've used one of these before, years ago and was really pleased with the outcome. I like the handle on this set because the first one I had was like a screwdriver handle. 

I didn't get pictures during the process because if you don't want to lose all of the air from the tire...if it isn't flat...you need to move fast. But I did get pics after the test drive.

What air I did lose , was replaced using this portable air compressor.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the other motivating factor in doing this myself...I stopped at a gas station to see how much to plug one tire...$25.00.

Moving on, while in the automotive section I spot spark plugs and put those in the cart too...knowing I should get everything for the tune up at one time. 

I think this van had been sitting for awhile because of the corrosion on the plugs....I don't think you get that when a vehicle is driven regularly. 

Darcel and The3Grands were still here while I was replacing the plugs....the kids sat in the van while I worked. They left just before I was finished with that and that is when I repaired the tires. 

After the test drive, I hit the shower, finished drying and folding the clothes, and did the dishes.  By the time I sit to do this post, it was 10:00....checking email, facebook and what not. I finally give in with an unfinished post just after 11....what did it cost me to purchase the parts?....about $25.00. 

I almost forgot about whipping up pancakes for Kiah and Darcel....hot dogs for Ava...more pancakes for Kiah....playtime outside...this not long after getting home from shopping. Picking up TheWife from work, before working on the van.....I did mention the laundry...didn't I?

That was my yesterday....WhatrUWorkinOn?

Reggie

                                                 

It's About Time

I think it's about time to let you in on what has been going on in my life these past few months. It took a lot of prayer and searching within to make the major decision that took place in January. I talked to TheWife and Reg and we all agreed that it could be done. 


So in January I gave my two weeks notice with a company I had been with for 5 1/2 years, but an occupation I have been doing for the past 35 years. I believe I had mentioned in a previous post or two how over the years my income was depreciating. Like many big businesses, it was becoming customary that employees get paid by production. It's not like I remember back in the day when raises were awarded yearly. I do understand that times change and companies have to restructure in order to stay afloat, but it was becoming more difficult for me to adhere to the fact I had to work harder and harder as I grew older and the wear and tear began to take its toll on my body. Sure I could have stuck it out for many more years, but my speed was becoming an issue which played a part in my income. 


If you're not aware of the work I am talking about....it's auto glass replacement. I remember when I first got into this type of work. I was originally a warehouse driver for a auto glass distributor.....that was in 1977. At the location where I was employed, they also had a retail shop for installations. Customers would bring there cars in to have broken windshields, door glasses and back glasses replaced. On a daily basis I walked past these cars and the guys working on them. I was fascinated at how complicated it looked but also amazed at how they got it done. They would prod me often about getting into that line of work but I would always refuse.


I was in my early twenties at the time and started thinking about the future and what I would do to support the family TheWife and I talked about. I began to see how becoming an installer (what we were called back then) would be beneficial to me and my future. 


A guy by the name of Tom K. trained me. He was a top notch installer and everybody had a lot of respect for him and his quality of work. That rubbed off on me big time. I was gradually becoming a mirrored imaged in the quality of training given to me by Tom. Speed wasn't important to me but quickly became a factor in the changing times. So I stepped it up quite a bit and the years of that and the decrease in pay was too much for me to deal with anymore.


I have to admit this wasn't the only driving force to have a part in my decision to quit, but it was major.


So what's in store for the future?.....stay tuned.....

Introducing

I uploaded another video to YouTube. This one didn't take long because the material was already in files...all I had to do was put the arrangement together. The music mix is from the first growing heart video.




I found some new features in the movie maker earlier today...wish I had come across them before.

Here's The Revised Edition

I wasn't able to sit and work on my new video like I thought I would but I finally got it finished tonight and although it still isn't what I really wanted concerning the speed of the heart growing, I'm happy with the video. 


The border in the image is my own hand doodle design in 3D of course. You'll be seeing more of those. 


I had new ideas come to me while finishing this one and I'm gonna get busy starting it before I turn in.


I hope you enjoy the video.....and the audio is my own mix.

Some Changes Along The Way

I started messing around with animation with my Serif Draw Plus X5 software. This is my very first one that I consider complete. I wanted to see what I can do with it and what I have to do to get it done. I guess you can call this my first animated button.

You may want to turn down your volume before the video starts...I think I'm gonna try my hand at composing a little something of my own.

Mr Fix-it

I had featured this mini rocker on Memories & Magic January 5th of this year.

Well, one day Ave strolls into what use to be my ManCave and says PeePaw, I need you to fix my chair for me...I think I was too heavy for it.  

After surveying the damage, I decided to remove the long staples that supported the seat before.

It was obvious to me at this point I was not using the same type of fasteners to support the seat. 

So my choice was to use these small
nails with a twist.

It was really an easy fix, but the look on her face made it even more satisfying.


#whatruworkinon

A Vintage Collection

While working one day this summer, the owner of these vintage classics allowed me to photograph his collection.

1923 Ford Model T
Convertible 1 door

1937 Pontiac Coupe

Chevy BelAir

1969
Chevy Camaro

I forgot the year and model of this one he was
currently #workinon

Mercedes Benz

#whatruworkinon