Café Ludwig

Thief in the shadows

2026-02-11T12:33:00.001-05:00

Squirrel steals bird food

Our suet and seeds feeder is meant for the birds. Our squirrels think it is for them as well. Here one steals some tidbits, leaning into the shadows to get a bite.

Day by day the sun gets higher in the sky and brings our bird feeder into the light. Maybe in a few weeks I can get good quality photos of the activity there.

Another Look

2026-01-15T11:00:00.002-05:00

McDaniel Farm Park

Here is another look at that barn at McDaniel Farm Park that I showed in my previous post. This photo is from way back in 2011.

Visit to a local park

2026-01-12T16:45:00.001-05:00

McDaniel Farm Park

It was a blogging challenge that got me to find some old photos in my archive. On a visit to McDaniel Farm Park way back in the Fall of 2009 I shot some photos panning across a couple of buildings. If I made them into panorama pictures they did not wind up in the archive.

Today I preprocessed the images. They seem nice enough to me.

What do you think?

Here is the link to my challenge post: The Numbers Game - 260112 - Cafe Ludwig

Happy Holidays!

2025-12-19T15:16:00.001-05:00

Christmas cookies for you!

Happy Holidays!

2025-12-17T11:28:00.001-05:00

All the best wishes for the holiday season!

Happy Holidays!

2025-12-16T14:01:00.000-05:00

Can it be?

2025-09-22T15:31:00.000-04:00

Is it really?

Years ago, actually decades, I always looked for sparkplugs on the street. They were quite frequent in those spaces at intersections near the curb. Always intriqued me as I could not figure out how they got there.

Then they disappered, maybe cars got better.

Then this past Saturday as I was stopped at a red light a saw something gleaming on the steet. Could it be a sparkplug?

Well, it wasn't. Turns out it was a fuel cap - some cars still have those.

Sacrilege

2025-08-17T13:49:00.001-04:00

When old newspapers sit around the pages generally turn yellow.

Old artworks too suffer the ravages of time. They become dark and dingy. Sometimes they turn off-color. That happens even to the best of them.

Van Gogh is one of my favorite old greats. So when I saw an image of one of his paintings, that of a restaurant, looking quite shabby, I almost despaired.

I decided to see if I could do some restoration. Mind you, just on a digital image, I have no access to the real thing.

I spent two or three minutes on the chore and this is what I got:

Now I can hear the shouts of "uncouth sacrilige!" "How dare you touch a masterpiece!"

Well I just wanted to admire the painting and see it the way old Vincent mght have seen it.

In todays world the real painting looks like this:

Surely that can't be what Vincent painted. A lifeless, amost monochrome scene. No, I think my version is closer to the real Van Gogh.

What do you think, dear reader?

Where's my lunch?

2025-07-27T19:50:00.001-04:00

It seem that word has gotten around about the "Bird Cafe" hidden in our bushes.

Among a variety of birds, a couple of brown trashers, Georgia's state bird, keep hanging around and emptying our feeder.

Wild manipulation

2025-07-14T16:17:00.002-04:00

It isn't often that I talk about my "cafe art". I show my creations over at Silver Canvas (Silver Canvas – a gallery of playful photo art) and Ludwig Gallery (Home - Ludwig.Gallery) among other places.

Here is the starting photo for my latest item:

Sometimes it takes me a while before I am happy with an item. This one even I liked:

Yes, that got "created" from the cloud photo via a long digital manipulation session. When I do like one well enough I add it to my online "gallery store", first at Ludwig Keck - Official Website and then it also becomes available in my "private membership store" usually at a 20% discount.

Occassionally I check to see if everything is working. Earlier today it wasn't. I struggled and could not get into my own store. Finally managed to get it working again. Checked once more. To make sure it functioned I even paid for a membership myself. Seemed to work.

Please look around in my "store" - it doesn't cost anything to see Kaleimodoodle 25o711 by Ludwig Keck - there are many options, even reproduced on merchandise like a coffee mug or pillow. And if you really like it, well, you can get it a bit cheaper in my membership store. Not many people find my place. I don't advertise.

I would like your thoughts on my art there.

Chuckling

2025-07-11T11:33:00.001-04:00

I had a good laugh this morning. This is what I was chuckling about: "Unlock the Secrect of Mesmerizing Art! Explore Kaleimodoodle, a stunning fusion of kaleidoscope patterns & doodle art. Get ready to be hypnotized! Discover more and shop now".

It was an A.I. creation of Meta on Facebook to get $77 from me. I didn't fall for it. Their proposed ad misses: this art is not for sale.

These days most everything seems to be about money. This piece is not:

Kaleimodoodle – 250707 – Silver Canvas

So what is this about? Well, what do you think?

Warm days

2025-06-26T13:12:00.001-04:00

Actually yesterday was a hot day. I don't get out much these days and my car is still covered inside and out in pollen. Wiping down with a micr-fiber cloth helped until the air conditioning came on and blew more pollen all over the inside.

On my way home from my medical appointment it had gotten warmer still.

I will have more to share from my adventure, and the ones to come in the next two weeks, on my other sites.

Gardenia Blossom

2025-05-27T11:37:00.001-04:00

First one this season

This is our first gardenia blossom in 2025. This is also my first photo of it. The second photo made it first over in Gallery Ludwig.

There is a reason why I am neglecting this blog. It always has trouble showing up over in my home Cafe Ludwig. It must be a Google thing.

Will it work today?

Art

2025-04-20T17:19:00.000-04:00

Art for the frame's sake

As I was working on a Monday Window post showing one of my earliest digital photos, it occured to me that I had not used an elaborate, sumptuous frame. Just framing the photo seemed inappropriate and an insult to the frame. So I worked it up ad a painting.

Is it museum quality?

More AI

2025-03-24T16:32:00.000-04:00

Artificial Intelligence isn't very intelligent, but sometimes it seems like it is.

Over on Foolishness ... Or Is It, Smartfella got a comment from Anonymous that included "... write a paper on why AI should be dismantled or at the very least be regulated by requiring AI percentage of input be a footnote."

I took that phrase to ChatGPT and got this:

"

The Case for Dismantling or Regulating AI Through Transparency Requirements

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed numerous aspects of society, from automating labor to generating content. However, as AI’s influence expands, so too does the risk of misinformation, ethical violations, and the erosion of human creativity. While some advocate for AI’s continued proliferation, it is imperative to either dismantle AI or at the very least impose strict regulations that require AI-generated content to be footnoted with the percentage of AI input. Such measures would uphold transparency, accountability, and the integrity of human knowledge.

The Risks of AI and the Need for Dismantling

1. Misinformation and Deception

AI can generate text, images, and videos that are nearly indistinguishable from human-created content. This has already led to widespread misinformation, deepfakes, and the manipulation of public opinion. Without clear attribution, individuals cannot differentiate between human and AI-generated content, leading to an erosion of trust in media and academia.

2. The Undermining of Human Creativity

With AI’s ability to generate literature, music, and art, there is a growing concern that human creativity will be devalued. Artists, writers, and musicians risk becoming obsolete as AI models replicate and appropriate their work. By dismantling AI or at least ensuring transparency in its use, society can preserve human ingenuity and prevent a homogenization of culture.

3. Ethical and Bias Concerns

AI models are trained on vast datasets that often reflect societal biases. This leads to the reinforcement of stereotypes and systemic discrimination. AI-generated content may inadvertently propagate prejudices, making its unchecked use dangerous. If AI cannot be dismantled, it must at least be held accountable through clear labeling and transparency measures.

The Case for AI Regulation Through Footnoting

1. Ensuring Transparency in Knowledge Production

A requirement for AI-generated content to include footnotes detailing the percentage of AI input would provide clarity on the origins of information. This would help readers assess the credibility of a text and prevent AI-generated misinformation from being mistaken as fact.

2. Upholding Academic and Journalistic Integrity

In academic and journalistic fields, authenticity and original thought are paramount. Mandating AI percentage footnoting would prevent AI from being used to plagiarize or fabricate research. It would ensure that human authors receive credit for their intellectual labor and that AI is used as a tool rather than a substitute for critical thinking.

3. Promoting Ethical AI Development

If AI developers are required to disclose AI’s role in content generation, there will be a greater incentive to develop AI responsibly. Transparency requirements would encourage companies to refine AI models to reduce biases and enhance accountability.

Conclusion

While AI has the potential to revolutionize various industries, its risks far outweigh its benefits when left unregulated. The ideal solution would be to dismantle AI before it causes irreversible harm. However, if AI persists, strict regulations must be enforced, including the requirement that all AI-generated content be footnoted with the percentage of AI input. Such measures would protect human creativity, preserve truth in media, and promote ethical AI use. Without immediate action, society risks ceding knowledge, culture, and integrity to artificial systems that lack human accountability.

"

Not bad, wouldn't you say?

So I said "great, now prepare a photograph showing a flock of sheep on a mountain meadow with two shepherd dogs keeping them safe." And true to form one of the sheep has only one front leg. That's AI for you.

Footnote: Some 99% of this post was generated by A.I.

Spring Messenger

2025-03-11T11:18:00.001-04:00

From our small daffovil collection

Greetings

2025-01-21T16:40:00.001-05:00

Busy Lizzie

2025-01-17T12:34:00.001-05:00

This little plant just keeps blooming away ...

See my story at the other corner - The Dark Side of Me – Cafe Ludwig

Reminiscing

2024-12-28T16:04:00.001-05:00

At the end of the year we like to look back at the past twelve months. I will look back a little farther. Here are some cookies photographed back in 2009.

And here are some cookies I painted way back in 1949.

I hope that you have some goodies left over to enjoy as we ring in the new year.

Happy New Year!

Ludwig

Merry Christmas!

2024-12-18T14:38:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas!

Ludwig

Norcross - Photo Exhibit

2024-11-23T19:48:00.002-05:00

Come see my photos.

See more here: Photo Exhibit - Cafe Ludwig

Reveal

2024-09-04T20:50:00.001-04:00

Reveal? What is this revealing?

This photograph shows the location of the Art Gallery post over in Ludwig.Gallery.

If you have trouble making out the name, this is the Emory Johns Creek Hospital. The gallery is located off the Lower Lobby.

Bon Apetit

2024-05-08T15:58:00.000-04:00

Seems like everything is getting into the act of reminiscing. Even my phone. Here is the latest example. At least this is an appetizing one.

2024-05-01T12:38:00.003-04:00

Happy May Day!

No Fun

2024-04-18T12:51:00.000-04:00

Sign in a new parking lot: No jogging, no dog walking, no driving learning, No cutting through, no trespassing -- shucks, they don't want us to do anything there.