DVArtist, Art, Food and Everyday Things

Thursday stuff.

2026-06-11T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

OMGosh it's been a busy few days. Yesterday we drove over to North Bend and Coos Bay.

You have to know that N. Bend and Coos Bay are really one place. You have no idea where one town meets the other.

It's about 120 miles round trip for us.

Early this AM I had a dr's appt. Nothing bad just a check up.

This is actually a boring post. OK, something with a bit of excitement.

Last week I binge watched a series on Netflix called, "1899" A light sci-fi that has the best ending.

It's about immigrants on a steamship traveling from London to New York. They get caught up in a mysterious riddle after finding a second vessel adrift on the open sea that has been missing for 4 months. The story stakes off from there and it will keep you watching. There will not be a second season. For some reason Netflix canceled it. Too bad.

It's strange that some of this trailer has subtitles. The movie is all in English.

I refuse to read a movie.
Oh and the music is great!

See it on Netflix.

The other series I really enjoy is, "Silo" on Apple TV. Season 3 will begin July 3rd.

If you like post end of the world living you will love this one.

This trailer has subtitles too. Not sure why.

Well I know this was just a mundane post. Hope you weren't too bored.

I really just wanted to wish all of you a happy day.

Nicole

T Tuesday

2026-06-09T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

It's Tuesday ( actually I'm writing this on Monday) and I'm joining Elizabeth and Bleubeard for T-Tuesday.

I was going to get photos outside today but it is storming something wicked out. My driveway is flooded, the wind is gusting at 30mph, so we are watching the fence, and it's cold. I had to turn on a heater.

Today you get AI images and a cookies that really suck. 😁

First the AI. I made these last night. As I mentioned before, NightCafe change some of the rules for non paying customers. It does take longer to receive your image. Also they removed style selection, so we only get to use models. However, I'm finding that my images are better. More detailed and better reaction to my descriptions.

A week or so ago I asked for well wishes for Mr. M. As hard as we try to keep him in good health his body is just not cooperating. His renal blood work came back with all great results. Then, his AIC came back and he is now type 2 diabetic. In addition that same day his cardiologist informed us that Mr. M. now has AFib. This is all do to CKD. We are OK and over the shock of it all. Have you ever tried to create a kidney friendly, diabetic, heart healthy diet? It's impossible! Some things overlap but what's good for kidney is not good for the other two things.

We don't see the dietitian until August.

In the mean time, we are just going to live life. Stop worrying about every little thing we eat or drink.

With that said, I decided to make diabetic cookies. YUUUUKKKK. This recipe is horrible. I will make up my own recipes like I do for kidney friendly.

These are spice cookies made with splenda. First splenda does not mix will with no salt butter. The dough was heavy and I knew before I ever baked them that they would not taste great.

They don't!

Mr. M. said they were just dry. Uhhh I think he would eat anything I put in front of him. LOL I tossed them.

Later, I gave him some fresh cantaloupe.

OK for heart and diabetes but I have to portion it for CKD.

My drink for today is hot water. This will warm me up.

That's it for now.

Have a great day everyone!

Nicole

Monster Monday 6/8/2026

2026-06-08T01:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to

There is a movie that I enjoy so much that I have watched it many times. It's called, "The Tomorrow War" staring Chris Pratt. It's a sci fi comedy. I know that goes against all of my morbid nature. However, I do like a good laugh that has great monsters and this film dose. The monsters are called, "White Spikes" and they are of course aliens. The war takes place in the future and that's where it gets interesting. You can watch it on Tubi and Prime for free.

Oh and there is a part 2 coming out this year.

But back to the monsters.

I went to NightCafe and describe the White Spikes and here is what I got.

None of these look like the real White Spikes but I'm happy with how they came out.

Now for some pretties.

That's it for now.

Have a fabulous Monday.

Nicole

Sunday in the Art Room SITAR

2026-06-07T01:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to

SITAR is about ANYTHING art. Your art, someone else's art, writing, photography, the art of cooking, the art of sewing and textiles. Sharing historical art, street art, a story about art. Do you have a question or need help with art? Write a blog post and link it up here. We will all try to help with it. My only rule is that if someone asks for critique it must be done with generosity and consideration.

This is a place of learning, encouragement and inspiration.

An artist by the name of Sherry joined FFO a few weeks ago and I hope all of you have had a chance to visit her blog.

I wrote to her asking if I could share some of her art on SITAR. She graciously said yes.

Sherry told me she is a self taught artist who now has more time to create since her boys are grown. She enjoys working with all kinds of pencils, such as graphite, pastel, and colored.

Here are a few pieces

from her blog.

Graphite

Colored Pencil

and my favorite in graphite.

Sherry also loves to crochet and knit making amigurumi animals,

Here is the blog for these

clothing, blankets, etc. She also enjoys making primitive dolls and holiday decorations, all sewn by hand. She finds the hand stitching to be very relaxing. Other thing on her list is gardening, reading, cooking/baking, and learning new things.

As you can see Sherry is quite talented and I hope you visit her.

I have not forgotten all of the very talented artists that join FFO and SITAR. Over the rest of the year I want to feature all of you. You are my inspire and make me want to be a better artist.

Someone that has always impressed me with her tiny art is Christine.

I do believe that Christine and I met during Paint Party Friday so many years ago. Christine has been bloging since 2007 and has a website where she sells her unique and beautiful art.
Not only does Christine feature art on her blog but she has some great recipes too. An art in itself.

I hope that you will visit both of these artists.

Here is some other art I really like all black artists who didn't get their recognition. You can see the website here.

Charles Alston

B. 1907, Charlotte, North Carolina.

D. 1977, New York

Untitled 1963

Dentist woes

2026-06-06T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I'm just ranting.

As most of you know I went to the dentist yesterday. Am I just living in the twilight zone for prices on EVERYTHING?

I had a comprehensive exam a few months ago and everything was fine. That doctor retired. I stayed with the people that took over the practice.

Today I had to go in because my upper partial was too tight and making my back tooth hurt. I fixed the partial myself. But wanted to make sure the back tooth was OK.

I'm scheduled to get new partials in 2 weeks. I have saved for that.

Today's visit cost me $358.00 for them to take 2 exrays and look at my back teeth. He said the back tooth is fine and I most likely upset the tendon. However, the tooth next to it has a small cavity right at the cap line. He showed me the exray. Fortunately I do read exrays, and sure enough there was a problem. He said he would have to remove the cap fix the problem and put a new cap on. Are you ready for this?

$3,000.00 Yes, 3 grand.

Then the partials are another 2 grand.

Lord have mercy. There is no way I can do this. Mr. M. says, just bite the bullet put it on the credit card and we will deal with that as we can.

It just seems ridiculous that everything costs so much.

OK, I'm done ranting.

I hope all of you have a really wonderful Saturday.

Nicole.

FFO Show me your face

2026-06-05T01:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome To Friday Face OFF (FFO)

This is the place to show off your face art.

You know, ANY type of face, nature, the face of a flower, photography, drawings, paintings, AI. There just needs to be a face in your blog post, a link back to my blog and please use the image below.

Thank you.

It feels like a long week. This morning I had to go to the store early for just a few items that are on sale. Then over to the dentist. Uhhhggggg.

I did get a face finished this week. One I really like.

It started like this. But I didn't like the all of the body.

So I cut it off to this.

I finally ended up with this.

It actually looks better hanging on my wall than it does here.

Now for a few AI beauties.

Are you ready for the features?

Lisca Post cards and a lovey trip.

Mae There is always something good to eat there.

Kwarkito such interesting posts

That's it for now

Be sure to join in for

Sunday in the Art Room

I'm joining Gillena

Now it's time to show me your face.

Nicole

Thursday garden

2026-06-04T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

It's over cast today with spurts of rain. Good for my garden.

I showed, a few weeks ago, how my garden lupine was blooming. Well, it was a quick bloom and after the flowers dropped these appeared. Soft but firm and fuzzy. Not quite like pussy willows.

My radishes are doing very well in the little container.

and spinach, is already coming up.

The lettuce is starting to show and the beets are good too.

These little white flowers come up every year in my yard.

More foxglove in white.

This is what we call the natural area. The barn used to be there. We just let it go wild. I do throw flower seeds in it and a lot of garden soil went it too. In fact there is celery and potatoes growing there.

I love all the different grasses that have grown.

Well that's it for now.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day.

Nicole.

Wednesday Rantings

2026-06-03T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Before I start in on my rant. Thank you to everyone who has Mr. M. in prayers and well wishes. When I calm down from the news I will write about it.

Me and Mr. M. in the early 1990's.

For now!

I don't read about the "thing" in the white house everyday, because no one can keep up on his evil ways. Plus it upsets me too much. However, lately his vicious antics are beyond belief. The "thing" makes sure that there is so much chaos every day that we forget what he has done in the past.

Today however, I read this.

The "thing's" administration is dismantling a $368 million deep-ocean observation system that was put in place a decade ago to monitor coastal environments, marine ecosystems and powerful currents that affect the global climate.

These Ocean Observatories also detect weather changes and a host of other valuable information.

The National Science Foundation said it would send ships in June to begin removing more than 900 deep-sea instruments anchored off Oregon, Washington State, Alaska, North Carolina, and an area between Greenland and Iceland known as the Irminger Sea.

Craig McLean, who was the acting chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration during the first "things" term, said the move was part of a pattern in the "things" administration.

“This reflects the further lack of understanding that the current administration has of scientific value and scientific merit,” Dr. McLean said. “By dismantling such a system, we push the United States back, yet again, into a rear seat in global scientific leadership.”

The ocean observation system began operating in 2016 and was expected to continue for 25 years. Jim Edson, a marine meteorologist who led the Ocean Observatories Initiative, called it “the world’s most advanced continuously operating ocean observing systems.” When it was first proposed, the science foundation said it was important to have a long-term presence at scientifically important sites in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

There is a lot of writing on this. Just google it.

Since the "thing" is a total brain dead, moron. It stuns me that there are people advising him to do this. The devastation that he imposes on our country goes far beyond the writings of Project 2025.

I can't find an explanation to why?

Nicole

T Stands for

2026-06-02T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I'm joining Elizabeth and Bleubeard for T-Tuesday. I had several photos on my camera to share this week and when I went to download them they were no longer there. I have no idea what happened to them.

So....

I made a few AI

I would also like to ask for prayers for my dear Mr. M. His health has taken a bad turn. He tries very hard to stay healthy but his body is not cooperating. So, prayers, spells, healing energy, and well wishes are all accepted. Thank you.

Now for my drink.

On occasion I like an ice cold

Diet Coke

That's it for now.

Have a nice day.

Nicole

Monster Monday

2026-06-01T01:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to

Happy June!

Someone once asked me if I have always been macabre. Uhhh yeahhh, since I was a little kid. But it wasn't until AI art that I could really express the visions in my brain. This week my monsters just want to look pretty. Hey every girl needs heels.

Especially red heels.

Uhhh I need another shoe here.

I'm not lending her my shoe. LOL

Even though I think the lady monsters with heels are pretty, I will show some other pretties too.

That's it for now.

Have a fabulous Monday.

Nicole

SITAR

2026-05-31T01:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to

This is a place of learning, encouragement and inspiration.

Art in Austria

Gustav Klimt is considered Austria's most famous artist. He was a pioneering symbolist painter and a leading figure in the Vienna Secession movement. His masterpiece, "The Kiss" and his

Golden Phase are universally celebrated.

I first heard of Gustav when I was in my twenties from my Nan. Of course, at the time I was not that interested.

Gustav Klimt was born July 14, 1862 in Baumgarten, Austria and died February 6, 1918 in Vienna Austria. Age 55, from complications of the Spanish flu. In early 1918, he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed, contracted pneumonia, and died. Historical records and biographies also indicate he lived with syphilis, which heavily influenced his art.

He worked in a long shirt and loved cats

A few of his pieces.

The Kiss

Golden Tears

Part of his golden phase.

The Tree of Life

Hope

The Virgin

Adele Block Baure

(1881–1925) was a prominent Viennese socialite, patron of the arts, and the only subject Austrian painter Gustav Klimt painted twice in full-length portraits. She was known for hosting a famous cultural salon, which brought together Vienna's intellectual and artistic elite

Adele Brock Baure

Life and Death.

I have to say that klimt's life is quite interesting and if you want to read about it click here

The one thing I find extraordinary is that

in 1901, the Austrian parliament convened its first-ever cultural debate. A parliamentary debate on art.

He was a rebel for sure.

This next bit is taken from

The Scienctific Breakthrough That Revolutionized Gustav Klimt's Art.

The subject was the enormous allegoric paintings Gustav Klimt had been commissioned to paint for the ceiling of University of Vienna’s festival hall. “Official outrage session” might more accurately describe the occasion that channeled public fury and saw only the education minister come to Klimt’s defense.

Why all the anger? Most immediately because the three paintings were experimental, profane, and weird. The works were asymmetrical, filled with languid sensual bodies, along with octopus tentacles and snakes, skeletons, and sphinxes. Klimt had been tasked with creating idealized images of Philosophy, Medicine, and Jurisprudence. He refused, offering abstracted impressions instead.

The kicker came later that year when Klimt’s proposed professorship at the Academy of Fine Arts was rejected by the government. Not that the Vienna native wanted the post; he repaid his commission fee later telling journalist and friend Berta Zuckerkandl, “I refuse any help from the state, I renounce everything.”

Despite such protestations, Klimt continued to work in a city governed by conservatism and censorship. One way Klimt navigated these constraints and remained forward-thinking was through deploying images from the latest in scientific research.

Four decades on from Gregor Mendel’s experiments with garden peas, the foundations for the science of cells and genetics were being formed. Klimt was obsessed. In Vienna, art and science were mixing, in part through salons that brought together artists, intellectuals, and academics.

You can read more on this and view more art here

21 facts about Kustav

The above link is very interesting and is written in short paragraphs.

I hope you enjoyed this little bit about Kustav Klimt

I personally love his

defiant, actional, nonconformist behavior.

That's is for now.

I'm joinng Gillena for

Looking forward to seeing your arty post.

Nicole

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/gustav-klimt-gold-2543498

https://byronsmuse.wordpress.com/2015/03/08/gustav-klimt-magical-kaleidoscope/

https://www.factum-arte.com/pag/1171/medicine

Saturday Garden

2026-05-30T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

This is NOT the year to NOT have a garden. OMG! I made a quick drive over to the store yesterday morning to get a few veggies.

Ice burg lettuce was $3.49 a pound. Are they effin kidding me?

I have lettuce, spinach and beets starting to show up in my big garden but that doesn't help me today. No, I did NOT pay that price.

We know who to thank for this.

On a happier note, today is my Son's birthday. He is 57. Last year I wrote that he was 57 but I was a year off. EEKKK!!!

My Son and DIL at the fair

Yumm corn dogs

Back to gardening

Just starting to come up.

Spinach

Beets

I have several types of lettuce.

In our natural area I noticed foxglove blooming.

and in the back Salvia is starting to bloom I'm very happy because it's been storming, cold and windy.

I did get some romaine at the other store in town. I washed and dried it then put it into quart size mason jars.

I've showed this trick before with my food saver, but that has bit the dust. Last year I got a hand held sealer.

place a new or used canning jar lid on the jar. Then push the sealer on, press the button and watch the air get removed from the jar. When the sealer is done it makes a pufff sound.

Screw on the ring, label and place in the fridg. This lettuce will last about 3 months. I use small canning jars to preserve herbs this way. They last so much longer.

To end this post here is a little guy that comes to visit everyday. He turned his head just as I snapped the shot.

Have a nice Saturday

Nicole

FFO too much going on

2026-05-29T01:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome To Friday Face OFF (FFO)

This is the place to show off your face art.

You know, ANY type of face, nature, the face of a flower, photography, drawings, paintings, AI. There just needs to be a face in your blog post, a link back to my blog and please use the image below.

Thank you.

There is a lot going on right now. One thing we needed a new mattress for awhile now. Without knowing about it we drove over to The mattress store. To our surprise it's closing and everything is VERY inexpensive. So we were able to get a mattress. I'm sorry that the store is closing. Just one more place that can't make it in my town.

More going on but I just can't speak of it right now. So let's play with AI.

Here are a few features.

Heidrun

Roentar

Erika N

That's it for now.

Be sure to join in for

Sunday in the Art Room

Joining with Gillena

Now it's time to show me your face.

Nicole

Lupus awareness month

2026-05-28T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I've been neglecting lupus awareness month.

Image made by Margaret

Over the years I have explained what lupus is. For those of you who are new.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system becomes over active and attacks healthy tissues and organs. This causes widespread inflammation that can also settle in different parts of the body. That's the simple explanation.

These are the everyday things.

The deep horrible things are

Did you know that people with lupus can have seizures? 3 kinds, Tonic Clonic which are grand mall and the most common type. It involves two phases: the tonic phase (muscles suddenly stiffen, causing the person to collapse) followed by the clonic phase (rhythmic, uncontrollable shaking of the limbs).

Absence Seizure Petit Mall. These look like an absent stare. Stopping whatever they are doing.

The other rare generalized seizures include myoclonic seizures. These are brief shock like muscle jerks and atonic where sudden loss of muscle ton causing the person to drop to the floor.

I have experienced the first two.

The most common types of heart disease for people with lupus are; Accelerated atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease), pericarditis (inflammation of the heart linning), Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), and various heart valve abnormalities.

If you would like to read more info on lupus and heart disease click here. Johns Hopkins Lupus center.

People with lupus can have one or all of the above symptoms. They can come and go making it difficult for doctors.

As for me, I keep moving, I keep my mind busy, I try not to think of what is wrong, rather what is working on any particular day. Because as you all know.

and

Nicole

Wednesday

2026-05-27T09:56:17.954-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I slept in today, didn't get up until 8:45 That is unheard of for me. I was having the best dreams though. For me a sign of a good sleep. :)

With that, I'm off my normal routine. I decide to watch some of the art videos that are accumulating in my email inbox.

After viewing them I thought I would share with you these two.

I've been watching this guy for sometime and he has some great advice and he is easy to comprehend.

The first one is on colored pencils

and the second is on graphite powder.

I have made my own graphite and charcoal powders. I find both quite messy and wasteful. If you have used either what are your thought on the powders?

Have a great day

Nicole

T Stands for Pretty AI

2026-05-26T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Today I'm joining Elizabeth and Bleubeard

Not much gong on today. It has been storming all day long so it's just been quite for us. Yesterday I made homemade chili from beans and meat that I canned last year. OMG good.

I made chili burgers without the bread for dinner. Topped with cheese, onions and lettuce and then some chili.

On another night for dinner I made veggies in a butter sauce mixed with noodles. I topped it with dill.

Here is an AI piece I created last night.

For my drink, it's clean clear water from my zerowater filter machine

That's it for now.

Have a great day today.
Nicole

Monster Monday

2026-05-25T01:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to

As we all know there are a lot of monsters in this world. Non more monstrous than war. Today is the day that we remember those who have fallen and those who still serve. To all we give thanks.

Now for my monsters

You all know how much I love bones.

Now here are a few pretties.

That's it for now. Have a fabulous Monday.

Nicole

Sunday in the Art Room. SITAR Cake

2026-05-24T01:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome To

This is a place of learning, encouragement and inspiration.

I was going back and forth on a SITAR subject for today, when I answered an email from my good friend Gene.

He had mentioned that he was baking cakes for his mom's 90th birthday. He bakes one with sugar and one diabetic cake. He sent me a photo of a cake he made for his brother's birthday. This is a lovely cake.

We all know there are some outstanding cakes being made by bakers around the world. Today, I want to focus on a bit of history of cakes.

So where did the cake come from?

The earliest evidence of cake baking dates back over 4,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. These ancient cakes were essentially sweetened breads. Not at all like the fluffy, sweet deserts we make today.

In ancient times the ingredients were grains, dates, rains, honey and nuts. They used yeast to make the cakes raise

The first birthday cake came from the ancient Greeks. They baked moon shaped cakes to honor Artemis, the goddess of the moon. They placed lit candles on top to make the cakes glow.

In the middle ages Europeans expanded on cake baking. Their cakes had a dense structure with a high content of sugar/honey and heavy laden with fruits and or ginger. These cakes would last for months and often used as a food source on long journeys. Oh and did you know that the word "cake" comes from the old Norse word "KAKA"

By the 17 and 18th centuries cakes started to be more airy and light in structure.

The growing availability of refined sugar and chocolate (courtesy of global trade routes) transformed cake into an elite, sweet treat.

There are a few Youtubes that bake centuries old cakes. My favorite is Tasting History with Max Miller. He has a lot of info on historical cakes.

This is a civil war cake

There are many election cakes but I like this image.

Here is another cake made by Gene

Here are some of the cakes that I have made and shown on my blog. Not as pretty as Genes.

Lemon cake

Peach Cake

Molasses ginger cake

I had to change my baking habits to kidney friendly when Mr. M. lost one kidney to cancer.

Kidney friendly strawberry cake,

And here is a chocolate graham cracker cake I made just for this post.

I didn't have any regular graham crackers. I seem to always have the chocolate ones. I changed a few things to make it Kidney friendly.

Right out of the oven.

After dinner for Mr. M.

Cake with whipped cream.

It's a strange cake but not too bad.

You will need.

1/2 C APF all purpose flour

1 1/2 C graham cracker crumbs. About 20 squares. 2 1/2 t baking powder. 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened. 3/4 cup sugar or honey or sugar substitute, 2 eggs or 6T aquafaba, 1 t vanilla extract

3/4 C milk. I did add 1/2 c melted chocolate chips.

In a small bowl mix graham cracker crumbs, flour and baking powder. Set it aside. In a larger bowl mix butter and sugar until fluffy. Add one egg at a time mix in well. Add in melted chocolate chips. Mix in vanilla. Add dry ingredients a little at a time altering with the milk. This is a very thick cake batter. I baked mine in a 9x13" pan but I should have used a bit larger. It took longer for the middle to bake. You don't want this too deep in the pan. Bake at 350°F or 176°C for about 20 minutes. Check to be sure it is baked all the way through.

Join Gillena for

That's it for now, can't wait to see what arty thing you posted.

Nicole

Friday Face OFF 5/22/26

2026-05-22T01:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome To Friday Face OFF (FFO)

This is the place to show off your face art.

You know, ANY type of face, nature, the face of a flower, photography, drawings, paintings, AI. There just needs to be a face in your blog post, a link back to my blog and please use the image below.

Thank you.

It's been a busy week. Mostly just everyday things. It makes me feel good that I can do the everyday things.

Now this next portrait I drew I have mixed feelings about. I see so many things wrong with it. If I feel this way, why show it? Showing what we think may be not so great artwork is vital because it shatters the myth of perfection, promoting an authentic human connection to it.

This is my brother Tom. I have never seen him without a smile on his face.

I started drawing from the colored photo, then later flipped it to black n white.

I started in on his portrait.

It started like this.

Then to this. I think it was here I went to black n white.

I was shaking a white pen and ink landed on my paper. uuurrrggg...

I figured I could just draw over it.

I finished like this. I was putzing around with it too much and had to stop.

He has deep wrinkles by his left eye that I just couldn't get right. I lost the curve of his upper lip, and because of that he doesn't have a smiling face. By this time was not into drawing his suit. The things I do like about it, it is dose look like my brother, I really like how his nose turned out and (wait for it) his hair and beard. Yes, I said hair. LOL

I would like a do over on this one. It was a total learning experience and I would like to get right.

Here are a few AI that I do like.

Here are a few features

Elizabeth and Bleubeard

Traude

That's it for now.

Be sure to join in for

Sunday in the Art Room

Joining with Gillena

Now it's time to show me your face.

Nicole

Voting, lupus and more

2026-05-20T07:41:27.177-07:00

Hi Everyone!

The month is closing in. Seem like May is flying by. I have neglected lupus awareness month for a bit. One thing I want to write is, when I tell bits of my lupus story, it is NOT for anyone to feel sorry for me. I don't feel sorry for my life. I tell it so people will understand what the disease is.

So, did you know

that 63% of people have never heard of lupus?

In the mid 1990's I had finished my education as a Vet Tech, while working in a clinic. By the late 1990's I was having trouble remembering things I had done a million times. Like how to run the autoclave, or the Hematology Analyzer. It wasn't all at once. Little by little I lost the ability to do my job. Work that I loved.

Eventually, I had to quit working. It was devastating to me. As it is for everyone who has lupus and can no longer function in a work place.

On another subject. 6 states had primaries yesterday. Oregon was one of them.

Yes

Now for the mundane. Since this weekend is memorial day. I'm going to the store to get a few things so I don't have to go out later in the week. This last weekend was Rhody days. It's a huge event every year and really sets off the beginning of terrorist season. Oppps I mean tourist season. It is estimated that 35,000 people attended this year. I live in a town with a population of 9,000. You don't want to know how bad the traffic is on the only main road in town. Which is hwy 101.

NOOOO we do not go out for this. People are stupid, drunk, and oh did I mention stupid? LOL We used to go every year but really just too many people to deal with.

It's the 119 annual Rhody days.

Here is part of the parade.

and the carnival

and the car show

That's it for me. I'm off to the store before it gets busy.

Have a great day everyone!

Nicole

T Stands for Birthday

2026-05-19T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Today is T Stands for Tuesday and it's

Elizabeth's bEARTHday.

Stop by to wish her a great day.

I haven't been doing many link ups because of my health but I'm feeling a bit better (due to prednisone) and will join in as often as I can.

I'm sharing some AI that I created last night.

I like how all of these turned out.

Now for a drink

I really enjoy these sparking waters. I like mine with no flavors.

Have a great Tuesday

Nicole

Monster Monday

2026-05-18T01:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to

I'm trying to get used to the new platform of NightCafe. Unless I pay for a pro platform I can only create one image at a time. It takes forever, and there are no more styles to choose from. However, I did make some monsters for today.

Wanna eat out?

Now for something pretty.

That's it for now. Have a fabulous Monday.

Nicole

Sunday in the Art Room SITAR

2026-05-17T01:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to

This is a place of learning, encouragement and inspiration.

Before I get started with SITAR, I have to tell you I could not help myself. It's too overwhelming for me. 😁

The other day I took 2 small container and planted some radishes. They are already coming up. It rained most of the night and then got real nice out. It was too much for me. I took half of the big garden added a few nutrients and planted.

I'm not suppose to lift. 5 lbs is my limit right now. And no bending and lifting at all. Soooo I figure some easy low growing plants. On the outside I have a row of spinach, then sweet onions, 4 rows of different lettuces and the last row my favorite beets. I'm happy now.

A few weeks ago our dear friend Gillena showed some art she created with painted dots. It instantly reminded me of the Aboriginal dot art that has deep ceremonial and spiritual roots.

The Origins of Aboriginal Dot Painting

Let's be clear, Aboriginal dot painting is not a new invention but rather an evolution of an age-old artistic tradition. Aboriginal Australians have one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world, and their art, particularly rock and cave paintings, is an integral part of this cultural heritage. These ancient artworks, often found in sacred sites, depict Dreamtime stories and are believed to be created by ancestral spiritual beings. Ephemeral body painting and ground paintings, traditionally used in ceremonial rituals, are also fundamental in understanding the roots of dot painting.

In its essence, Aboriginal dot painting emerged from the heart of a culture that deeply revered and lived in close harmony with nature. The traditional art forms served multiple functions: they were educational, spiritual, and a means of passing on lore and law.

As in all indigenous art each symbol has a meaning.

Here are a few for Aboriginal dot art.

Check this youtube for some history and instruction.

For more Aboriginal dot art info check out the links. Especially the Misconceptions link.

See Gillena for

That's all for now. I look forward to seeing what arty thing you have to share today.

Nicole

ArtArk

Misconceptions of Aboriginal dot art

Japingka Gallery

Saturday this n that not all lupus

2026-05-16T06:43:32.030-07:00

Hi Everyone!

This is kind of long, sit back and enjoy. It's not all about lupus.

On top of all that lupus does to the body the one that really upset me was my voice changing.

When my Mom, Nan and Sister were still alive.

I hadn't seen my mom and Nan for about a year. My sister and I walked into our mom's house and surprised them. Nan lived with mom and was almost blind by this time. She was 101 years old. I walked into the living and said, "Surprise, Hi Nanny!" She looked up and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Your voice has changed." I really didn't notice it until she said that. I used to have a strong deep voice. Over the years even Mr. M. has noticed that my voice is higher, not as heafty and at times breathy. Yeah, thanks lupus.

Lupus can affect a person's voice by impacting the vocal cords and diminishing speech and voice quality.

The condition can lead to several voice related symptoms including hoarseness, difficulty speaking, vocal fatigue and the breathy speech. All this can be caused by joint issues in the throat, acid reflux or

tissue damage. I have some tissue damage.

Now wanna see some fun photos?

Mr. M. and I (bit the gas bullet) and drove over to Charleston, Or. It's about 55 miles away. Nothing is close to where I live. Charleston is the only place that sells marina supplies. Mr. M. wants to work on the little boat he made back in 2009. It needs some painting and a few repairs. So off to the "boat" store. OMFG!!!!! The prices were out of reason. Mr. M. didn't want to buy it but I told him I had a gift card and to just do it.

He never spends money on himself.

After that we drove over to the marina. I got some photos.

If you know me at all you know I really dislike living by all of the water that surrounds my area. With that said, I love boats. Little boats, big boats, huge ships. Your won't catch me ON ONE of them but I like seeing them.

I walked down to the dock

To see if this place had any fish for sale.

Two guys were just unloading their catch for the day and allowed me to take a photo. Rock and Lingcod. They had several of these containers of fish.

Wherever there is fish there are harbor seals.

This is the fishery. Boy did it smell bad.

All of these fish are made of wood and attached to the building.

On the way out of Charleston we got stopped by road work. "shocker" However, I was able to get somewhat of a shot of this geodome house. The photo doesn't show it but this place is huge.

A month or so ago Mr. M. and I had to drive to Coos Bay to get some items at Harbor Freight and of course I had to go into the Ross store. As we were leaving we noticed several huge animal art pieces in the parking lot. These are all made of garbage from the ocean.

I've been in salad mode. I have never been one to put dressing on my salad. I want to taste all the elements that make the salad. This is from last week with chicken. Tonight I made a taco salad but forgot to take a photo.

Nothing like a salad sandwich. LOL

To end this long post. My garden lupine is finally blooming.

Because I can't stand not to grow some kind of food. I planted some radishes about 4 days ago. This container is already coming up.

I try not to make long posts but I hope you stayed to the end and enjoyed it.

Have a great Saturday

Nicole.

Friday Face OFF 5/15/26

2026-05-15T01:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome To Friday Face OFF (FFO)

This is the place to show off your face art.

You know, ANY type of face, nature, the face of a flower, photography, drawings, paintings, AI. There just needs to be a face in your blog post, a link back to my blog and please use the image below.

Thank you.

Thanks for all the well wishes. I'm better now. On a prednisone high. I love it!!! Energy and no pain. YAY!

I started this portrait a few weeks ago. I could only work on it a few minutes at a time. However, slowly I got it done. It's my Sister-in-Law, Linda. I took a photo from her FB page. It's a selfie and so her head it tipped just a bit. It was quite difficult to get that just right without making her nose look piggy.

Here is the image.

I did make it black and white.

My drawing started like this, well I'm pretty far a long before I realized I hadn't taken a photo. LOL

Then this.

And I finished with this.

I noticed I didn't get her exactly right. But overall I like it.

I have a photo of my brother that I want to start then when it's done send both portraits to them.

Here is some AI I played with.

Here are a few features. If I don't say it enough, I want all of you to know that I am always so very impressed with your art and the images you share with FFO.

Thank you

My dear friend Kwarkito

Sherry is new to FFO and look at this graphite art. Amazing. I hope you will stop by and make her welcome.

Don't forget to join in for

Sunday in the Art Room

Joining Gillena today

Now it's time to show me your face.

Nicole