Musings of a Random Sort

Kitchen of the Week: A Modern Kitchen With Japanese Style

2016-06-19T10:20:00.001-05:00

Kitchen of the Week: A Modern Kitchen With Japanese Style:

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Posting on Pintrest

2016-06-19T10:00:00.001-05:00

I am expanding my social media footprint. Feel free to check out my work at the below listed site. Enjoy. https://www.pinterest.com/mccoycrafts/a-list/

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Beautiful Japanese Music | Traditional Japanese Music | Relax, Sleep, Study, Meditation - YouTube

2016-06-17T07:52:00.001-05:00

Beautiful Japanese Music | Traditional Japanese Music |- YouTube:

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Think about this.

2016-06-08T13:52:00.002-05:00

Each of these stairwells perform the same function. They allow a smooth transition between floors of a building. If my statement is true, why is there such a disparity in style?

Humans are creative. Each of us has, in various amounts, a sense of shape, size, and proportion that allows us to control and improve our existence. Our choices, define our humanity. We live in a world of our own making.

Just Joking

2016-06-07T06:23:00.002-05:00

If you tell a joke in the forest, but nobody laughs, was it a joke? Steven Wright
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/steven_wright.html

Retirement

2016-06-07T06:20:00.002-05:00

Finally Retired. Enjoying organizing my shop.

20 Thought-Provoking Differences Between Successful and Unsuccessful People

2015-11-20T09:21:00.001-06:00

20 Thought-Provoking Differences Between Successful and Unsuccessful People:

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My theory of evolution is that Darwin was adopted. - Steven Wright at BrainyQuote

2015-10-20T09:09:00.001-05:00

My theory of evolution is that Darwin was adopted. - Steven Wright at BrainyQuote:

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Fish scales to fangs: Surprising tale of how teeth got their bite | NewsDaily

2015-09-24T08:05:00.001-05:00

Fish scales to fangs: Surprising tale of how teeth got their bite | NewsDaily:
Yet another wonderful confirmation of my "small changes, bring big results" theory of life. If others share this view, Darwin for example, consider it just a chance mutation.
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Grammarphobia: Language Myths | Grammarphobia

2015-09-22T09:19:00.001-05:00

Grammarphobia: Language Myths | Grammarphobia:

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Physicists determine 3-D positions of individual atoms for the first time: Finding will help scientists better understand the structural properties of materials -- ScienceDaily

2015-09-22T09:17:00.001-05:00

Physicists determine 3-D positions of individual atoms for the first time: Finding will help scientists better understand the structural properties of materials -- ScienceDaily:

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I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done. - Steven Wright at BrainyQuote

2015-09-22T09:10:00.001-05:00

I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done. - Steven Wright at BrainyQuote:

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Ancient ancestor of humans with tiny brain discovered: Homo naledi raises intriguing questions about our evolutionary past -- ScienceDaily

2015-09-10T09:50:00.001-05:00

Ancient ancestor of humans with tiny brain discovered: Homo naledi raises intriguing questions about our evolutionary past -- ScienceDaily:

There is no such thing as "the science is finished".
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Human body has gone through four stages of evolution -- ScienceDaily

2015-09-01T09:39:00.001-05:00

Human body has gone through four stages of evolution -- ScienceDaily:

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Graduation Day

2014-12-08T08:52:00.001-06:00

In December, at long last, I will be receiving my MEd diploma. As Willie Nelson says"It's been rough and rocky traveling, but I'm still upright on the ground".

Rough, yes. Am I bitter? No. I am well in all iterations of the word. I am thankful for what I have and have no jealousy for those who have more. Suffice it to say that with therapy, reflection, and a supportive family, I can safely say that I am as whole as I can be.

Apple-Cinnamon Pork Loin | Paleo Leap

2014-09-15T10:55:00.001-05:00

Apple-Cinnamon Pork Loin | Paleo Leap:
This should be good.

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New ideas on Creativity

2014-09-15T10:23:00.003-05:00

Creativity is much in the news these days. It seems that new and innovative products, think Iphones, computer apps, food and entertainment advertisements, and most of all automobiles.

Think about what today's automobile can do. We now have backup video, lane drift alarms, computer controlled fuel and braking systems, and entertainment possibilities that were unheard of even 10 years ago.

Granted, most of the innovations are in high end products, but eventually these systems become standard even on lower end cars. Follow the link below to see what a simple phone app can do.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/products/10-handy-smartphone-apps-for-drivers#slide-1

My question is this. Are all of these reminder apps, memory tools, and life managing aids making our lives better, or are they lulling us into a false sense of security?

Please comment, I would like to know what you think.

semccoy

Obsessing on a Fence

2012-11-29T16:59:00.001-06:00

Recently, I have been taking photos of an old fence that is falling into ruin. This fence was in use when I was born in 1955, although the actual age is unknown. It serves no real purpose now since we no longer raise cattle, pigs, horses, or sheep. I like it because it shows a consistent and dignified decay that I feel is a metaphor for any time and in particular a time like ours.

See if you agree, and feel free to tell me I am wrong.

After seeing these images, I see a timeless strength, bent, battered, but not yet broken.

As always, enjoy.

semccoy

Photos Old and New

2012-11-27T19:24:00.000-06:00

These photos represent a range of efforts toward developing a photographic style. Enjoy and comment if you want to.

Lake Shore Drive

Lake Michigan

Robin

Fighting Roosters

Palm Trees

Fern

Tree Branch

Fence 1

Fence 2

Broken Pane

High Line

Morning Sun

Mushrooms

Grinding Wheel

Prairie Grass

Prairie Grass Detail

Milk Weed Pod

Milk Weed Pod 2

Thistle

Weed

Weed 2

Weed 3

Thistle 2

Thistle 3

As always, enjoy

semccoy

Issue no.1, Discussions on art, design, and philosophy.

2012-11-23T09:15:00.001-06:00

Issue no.1 of a series of discussions on art, design, and philosophy.

My plan is to examine various art principles such as form, line, color, and balance and explain how I use these to create my work as a wood turner. These postings will form a kind of design journal, from which the reader can derive ideas and inspiration for his or her own work.

ash closed form 6" High by 4" in Dia.

Please feel free to comment, criticize, and contribute to the discussion.

Below is a collection of work that I think represents my style of wood turning. I show these pieces in grey scale to emphasize the form of the work. In other postings I will discuss how color plays a part in the design process.

I Focus on three design criteria in most of my work.

These criteria are:

Simple and balanced form
Emphasis on the character of the wood
Appropriate level of finish

The process:

Wood turning is initially a mechanical skill. A piece of wood is selected, roughly shaped, and securely attached to the lathe.

For background information about the lathe and the history of wood turning go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lathe

I have included a couple of shots on the process involved in turning. More will follow.

scraper work

shaping the base detail

Viewed in silhouette, the form of the piece is evident.

chestnut bowl 4" High by 6" in Dia.

In the above example of a closed form (meaning the opening is relatively smaller than the diameter of the piece), the balance point of the piece is above the mid point, which causes the eye to interpret the form as uplifting (aesthetically, not spiritually).

elm bowl 4" High by 7" in Dia.

This closed form moves the balance point below the center line, with a corresponding lowering of the center of gravity of the piece.

spalted maple vase 6" High by 4" in Dia

ash vase 7" High by 4" in Dia.

spalted maple bowl 7" High by 8" in Dia.

In each of the above open forms, (open form being anything that is roughly more open at the top. Think of bowl, vase, etc.) the balance point is near the top of the form. The idea is to create a form that performs a function, as well as, show good design. In many cases, but not always, function and design are synonymous.

In conclusion, I have shown a few basic forms a wood turner uses to create a functional, pleasing, and practical object. Not all wood turning is practical and not all practical items are pleasing.

These issues will be addressed in future postings.

Enjoy.

semccoy

New Photos Celebrating Fall

2012-11-14T08:40:00.003-06:00

Morning shadows looking west

Early morning mist

Morning mist 2

Grassland

Dew on a milkweed pod

Fall here in Illinois has been oddly warm and dry, following a warm summer. Some would blame climate change, I simply call it weather.

Enjoy

semccoy

2012-11-10T07:53:00.000-06:00

Today, November 10, 2012 dawns slightly gloomy. Temperature here in Illinois is in the mid fifties.
In honor of the pleasant weather, I have decided to post some of my most recent photographic work. As always, I welcome constructive criticism, as well as, praise. In either case, please tell me what you like or dislike about the image.

Enjoy

Morning Harvest, Illinois

Fall Flowers

Black-eyed Susan

Moon set

Barn

Moon set through the trees

Morning fields

Harvest at sunset

country road

Standing corn

House at sunset

Fence line

Starlings gather

"Obligation Avoidance Syndrome"

2012-09-20T07:14:00.002-05:00

For the past 2 days I have been getting caught up on promised custom pieces. These are projects with actual paychecks involved and yet I find myself reluctant to finish them. I have named this particular fear, "Obligation Avoidance Syndrome". The result of having this condition is a determined effort to do anything but what I am supposed to do.

I am certain that I am not the only person who suffers from "obligation avoidance". I see it all around me. In the grocery store, clerks avoid eye contact, airline flight personnel remain in their cubicles, and public restrooms somehow always seem to need cleaning. I can justify my own "obligation avoidance" because I am only a part-time wood turner. (subject to be examined in another post) If only I was able to complete my other obligations on time, I might even be able to convince myself that I had my condition under control.

Tell me what you think. Is this the next great medical discovery or am I succumbing to pop psychology?

Beginnings

2012-08-27T08:19:00.000-05:00

Today I begin to take my creative interests into a more professional direction. Recently, my family suffered some financial setbacks and we now require some new sources of revenue. Although, I am retired and work part-time, I need to increase my income. My solution,

"McCoy Crafts"

My family and I will begin selling our creations in earnest. Until now we have been hobbyists, dabbling in sales. We are now marketing our products to a larger audience.

Stay tuned for further updates and product information.

Tackle weeds in your garden

2012-08-27T07:48:00.001-05:00

Tackle Weeds the Natural Way

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