"Sunrise (Summer - SPA Guest Host)" - Postcard

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This week I have the honor of guest hosting Sunday Postcard Art, and I chose the challenge theme "Summer."


When I made this art piece months ago, I didn't realize it would reflect how hot the Summer would be where I live in the northeast US. We will be having our third or fourth Heat Advisor this coming Tuesday and Wednesday, when the Heat Index will be 100 F to 105 F (37.7 C to 40.5 C).

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

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The sun is gonna keep on shining
Brighter days on the horizon

Alright - Red Carpet (Brad Carter Radio Edit)

"Cowboy" - Postcard

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This week's Our Midweek Muse theme was "Cowboys".

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

"The Brain Drain" - Postcard

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I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

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Only private sector employees in America experience what this art piece shows, while public sector employees do not. (Definition: "The public sector is tax-payer funded." "The private sector is also required to shoulder the tax burden that ultimately funds the public sector."  definition source)

Happy days are here again
Times are so bad and getting badder
Your cares and troubles are gone
They've cut my wages
There's nothing surer:
The rich get richer and the poor get laid off

Ain't We Got Fun? - Rosemary Clooney

"Celestial Bubbles" - Postcard

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This week's Sunday Postcard Art theme was "Bubbles".

I had to enforce my "pencils down!" rule for this one. I found a celestial bubbles inspiration piece on the Internet, that I tried to base my design on, but in the end, this looks nothing like the one I found. And my bubbles look more like circles, even though they are bubbles.

Note: I am still resolving computer issues, so I apologize for my lack of comments, etc.

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

Tabby Cat - Photograph

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It's been about seven months since I last made a blog post featuring my "cat", as Teddy calls him ;-). I cherish him and am grateful to have him in my life. This photo of him is from a long time ago. I've been resolving computer issues, and part of that involves a "Swedish Death Purge" on all of the files I have, to reduce how much space I will require on a new computer's hard drive.

And for anyone out there who uses the Windows Operating System: I highly recommend making a bootable USB memory stick / USB flash drive or bootable DVD, using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool. If your computer crashes, you might be able to get it working again by booting from the USB drive. (There are more instructions than that, but for now, I'm providing the Microsoft links, without those additional "how to" steps.)

Windows 10

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Create Windows 10 installation media

See the section about "Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) to install Windows 10 on a different PC"

Windows 10 Media Creation Tool download link:
https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=2265055

Windows 11

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Create Windows 11 Installation Media

See the section about "Before you begin using the media creation tool"

Windows 11 Media Creation Tool download link:
https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2156295

"Blue Woman" - Postcard

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This week's Our Midweek Muse theme was "Blue and Brown".

Note: I am still resolving computer issues, so I apologize for my lack of comments, etc.

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

"Circus" - Postcard

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This week's Sunday Postcard Art theme was "Circus".

Note: I am still resolving computer issues, so I apologize for my lack of comments, etc.

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

Featured in the weekly sampler.

"Burning Sunshine" - Postcard

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I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

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Sunshine in an empty place
I can ease you of your pain
Think of me and burn

Rhythm Of The Night - Corona

"Beautiful Angel" - Postcard

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I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

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Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful angel
Don't believe the lies they feed you
Started when we were younger
Tomorrow comes and goes before you know
So I just had to let you know
Beautiful, beautiful life right now
Beautiful, beautiful night right now

Beautiful (Angel) - Bazzi

"Keep The Balance" - Postcard

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This week's Sunday Postcard Art theme was "Keep The Balance".

Note: I am still resolving computer issues, so I apologize for my lack of comments, etc.

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

"Hedgehog" - Postcard

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This week's Sunday Postcard Art theme was "Hedgehog".

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

Featured in the weekly sampler.

"Death Smoke" - Postcard

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I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

"Ignis Factuus (will-o'-the-wisp) Revision 2" - Postcard

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The 2 June 2025 theme for My Soul's Dark Imagination was "Ignis Factuus (will-o'-the-wisp)". I had created an art piece for it, and posted it to my blog, but I had not yet backed up my computer files, which I usually do once a week. Two days later, the Solid State Drive (SSD) Hard Drive failed without warning in the Dell computer that I bought 1 year and 1 month ago, and I lost two days of work. I was able to recreate my art piece, although this is not a 100% match.

I am still in the process of regrouping to determine how to move forward, so my online activity will be minimal until I get a new computer.

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

"Uncle Sam's War" - Postcard

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My piece is a "cartoon" in the same vein as Charlie Hebdo cartoons. (Their "cartoon" offended me, but apparently some thought it was "funny" so, I too, can make cartoons that others might find offensive.) My piece and words are also free speech that is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. (Well, it used to be, prior to the ascension of the US Government Ministry of Truth dictating to Social Media Platforms which of their users need to be banned for "misinformation" as defined by the Government.)

Maybe Tom the bully will leave me another comment, telling me to shut up, because I'm not allowed to say anything unless he (and other "Free Speech is fine as long as it agrees with mine" bullies) approves of it.

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

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Uncle Sam's War

Israel and Pakistan can have nuclear bombs, but Iran can not!

7 countries 5 years

Iraq Bush
Libya Obama
Lebanon Biden
Syria Biden
Iran Trump

Coups R US!

1953 Iran Eisenhower
2014 Ukraine Obama
2025 Iran? Trump

If you don't know the historical facts that this cartoon artwork refers to, please move along, because the 1% will tell you there is nothing to see here, and want you to remain in the Divide And Conquer trap that they put you into.

"Ladder" - Postcard

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This week's Sunday Postcard Art theme was "Ladder".

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

Featured in the weekly sampler.

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Step by step, one by one
Higher and higher
Step by step, rung by rung
In climbing Jacob's ladder

All I want from tomorrow
Is to get it better than today

Jacob's Ladder - Huey Lewis & The News

"Archer (Vertical)" - Postcard

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This week I have the honor of guest hosting Sunday Postcard Art, and I chose the challenge theme "Archer." This blog post is another piece that I had made, but I decided to use this one for the inspiration piece posted on SPA.

Note: The Solid State Drive (SSD) Hard Drive failed without warning in the Dell computer that I bought 1 year and 1 month ago, so my online activity will be minimal until I can regroup and figure out how to move forward. I will try to leave comments, etc.

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

"Archer (SPA Guest Host)" - Postcard

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This week I have the honor of guest hosting Sunday Postcard Art, and I chose the challenge theme "Archer."

Note: The Solid State Drive (SSD) Hard Drive failed without warning in the Dell computer that I bought 1 year and 1 month ago, so my online activity will be minimal until I can regroup and figure out how to move forward. I will try to leave comments, etc.

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

Teddy Tales Thursday - The Hound of the Baskervilles

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Teddy Tales Thursday - The Hound of the Baskervilles

The other night, Teddy and I awoke around midnight.

Shortly thereafter, we heard a long, plaintive howling. Teddy ran to the back window, and said the sounds were nearby, behind the house.

This is where Teddy and I have two different versions of what happened next.

Teddy claimed he saw a large canine in the shadows, with glowing red eyes, moving near a tree. Teddy said the beast snarled at him, then paced back and forth, looking for a way inside. Teddy said it was the same ghostly hound of the Baskervilles that we had heard during the daytime in the Hound of the Baskerville Woods, as Teddy calls it. I say we didn’t see anything behind the house, and that it was a lone Coyote howling nearby.

The Hound of the Baskervilles: Truth or Teddy Tale? You decide. ;-)


The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle, which takes place mostly in Dartmoor, which is an "area of moorland in Devon, England".


Note: Due to my computer crashing / dying, my online activity will be minimal until I can regroup and figure out how to move forward.

I have an upcoming SPA guest host theme, and will try to leave comments, etc.

Computer Crashed / Died

My (brand new) Dell computer crashed / died a few days ago. The SSD Hard Drive failed without warning. I bought that Dell computer 1 year and 1 month ago. The warranty is expired. And I lost two days of work. I know: it could be worse, I could have lost 1 to 2 weeks of work. I also know there are bigger problems in this world, and in life, but this is a big deal to me, for several reasons. I now own a very expensive Dell brick, and if I hadn't been able to get my previous computer revived, I wouldn't even be posting this message.

My online activity will be minimal until I can regroup and figure out how to move forward. I will NOT be getting another Dell.

I have an upcoming SPA guest host theme, and will try to leave comments, etc.

"Ignis Factuus (will-o'-the-wisp)" - Postcard

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This week's My Soul's Dark Imagination theme was "Ignis Factuus (will-o'-the-wisp)".

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

"Gypsy" - Postcard

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This week's Sunday Postcard Art theme was "Gypsies".

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

Featured in the weekly sampler.

"Mist In The Moors 2" - Postcard

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This week's My Soul's Dark Imagination theme was "In the Mist in the Moors".

One of my favorite stories is The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle, which takes place mostly in Dartmoor, which is an "area of moorland in Devon, England". This is a horizontal version of two similar art pieces.

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

"Mist In The Moors 1" - Postcard

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(Click on image to enlarge)

This week's My Soul's Dark Imagination theme was "In the Mist in the Moors".

One of my favorite stories is The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle, which takes place mostly in Dartmoor, which is an "area of moorland in Devon, England". This is a vertical version of two similar art pieces.

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

Teddy Tales Thursday - The Wheel Barrow Cadaver

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Teddy Tales Thursday - The Wheel Barrow Cadaver

Early one morning this past week, before dawn, Teddy said he heard a squeaky wheel barrow outside. Teddy said the sounds were identical to a Midsomer Murders episode, where a dead body was moved using one, so he peeked out of the living room window.

Teddy said that, despite the darkness, he saw a cloaked figure pushing a wheel barrow uphill, with a bloody corpse in it. Teddy said the ghoulish individual dug a hole in the garden, placed the body in it, and then shoveled the dirt over the shallow grave. Teddy said when he saw the fiend turn in his direction, and start walking back toward the house, he told Team T to run and hide!

I told Teddy he knows that was me, it was after dawn, I wasn’t wearing a cloak, and it was a bag of mulch, not a body, that I was moving.

The Wheel Barrow Cadaver: Truth or Teddy Tale? You decide. ;-)

"Cancellation Marks" - Postcard

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This week's Sunday Postcard Art theme was "Cancellation Marks".

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

"Blue And Orange" - Postcard

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This week's Our Midweek Muse theme was "Blue And Orange".

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

"Fantasy House" - Postcard

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This week's Sunday Postcard Art theme was "Fantasy House".

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

Featured in the weekly sampler.

Bearded Iris / Butterfly - Photograph

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I took that photograph this past week.

Teddy Tales Thursday - “The Cat” Mauled HT

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Teddy Tales Thursday - “The Cat” Mauled HT

Anytime “the cat” (as Teddy calls him) walks past Team T’s perch in their rolling cart, Teddy’s histrionics begin. Teddy cries and carries on that “the cat” is eyeing them with the intent of attacking them. I tell Teddy “the cat” doesn’t even notice them, where they are.

 A few weeks ago, Teddy and HT were on the bed, waiting for me to take them somewhere, anywhere, they didn’t care where, as long as they got to go out for a ride in the car.

When I wasn’t looking, “the cat” jumped onto the bed, and started pawing at HT. This is where Teddy and I have two different versions of what happened next.

Teddy claims “the cat” ripped HT’s arm out of the socket, and Teddy had to perform emergency surgery, to reattach it. I say that HT was unscathed, and I removed him and Teddy from further danger.

“The Cat” Mauled HT: Truth or Teddy Tale? You decide. ;-)

"Dinosaurs" - Postcard

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This week's Sunday Postcard Art theme was "Dinosaurs".

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

Featured in the weekly sampler.

"Polar Bear Sky" - Postcard

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I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

Teddy Tales Thursday - The Wendigo in the Shadows

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Teddy Tales Thursday - The Wendigo in the Shadows

The other night, Teddy and I awoke around 2 am, and decided to watch television, until we felt tired enough to fall back to sleep again.

Shortly thereafter, Teddy told me heard something outside, so I opened the living room curtain to look. We both saw shapes moving to and fro, casting eerie shadows in the outdoor ground solar lights.

This is where Teddy and I have two different versions of what happened next.

Teddy claimed he saw several Wendigo, with glowing red eyes, moving back and forth, near the pine tree. Teddy said they glared menacingly at him, after they saw me move the curtain aside. I say that several deer were walking through the yard.

The Wendigo in the Shadows: Truth or Teddy Tale? You decide. ;-)

The Wendigo by Algernon Blackwood

"Blood Tears" - Postcard

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(Click on image to enlarge)

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

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I don't know what I'm crying for
I can't change the weather
And if I'm turning blue, please don't save me

Birds Of A Feather - Billie Eilish

"The Wendigo" - Postcard

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(Click on image to enlarge)

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

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The Wendigo by Algernon Blackwood

"Great Expectations" - Postcard

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This week's Sunday Postcard Art theme was "Literary".

I was unsure what this challenge was supposed to be, so I waited until it was posted. When it was, I thought I would be unable to do anything, because I had no ideas. Then, without realizing it, I got the same idea that I did in 2020.

The things you forget along the way.
And the things you remember.

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

Featured in the weekly sampler.

"How The Rhinoceros Got His Skin" - Postcard

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This week's Our Midweek Muse theme was "Up in a tree".

My piece is based on an artwork that is based on the fable How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin by Rudyard Kipling.

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

"Golden Bird Dreams" - Postcard

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(Click on image to enlarge)

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

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It's a beautiful day
The sun is shining

It's A Beautiful Day - Queen

Teddy Tales Thursday - Leper Zombie Ghosts in the Fog

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I’ve decided to try a “series” for Thursday blog posts. (But I’m not a good writer, so I might abandon this idea.)

For those who are unfamiliar with Teddy, he is my irrepressible and incorrigible “companion” when I go places to take photographs. He always offered to serve double duty as my main image plus as my "T-Day ticket" for my T-Day posts over at Bleubeard and Elizabeth's T Stands For Tuesday Tea challenge.

Frequently, Teddy had exaggerated tales to tell afterwards, about what happened, wherever we went.

Later in time, Teddy’s cousin HT (Halloween Teddy) and his nephew Minnie T joined him, to form Team T, who Teddy always refers to as his witnesses to anything he claims happened.

And now begins this week’s Teddy Tale…

Teddy Tales Thursday - Leper Zombie Ghosts in the Fog

Last week, Teddy, HT, and I were out and about, and happened to go to Southport Beach in Fairfield, Connecticut (CT). As we approached, everything looked strange. It took me several seconds to realize there was a thick fog. The weather had been clear everywhere else.

I parked so that I could take some photographs, because I love fog. As I did, Teddy’s histrionics began. Teddy said he saw leper zombie ghosts in the foggy water, and claimed they were whispering, “Teddy. Teddy!”

Teddy told me not to exit the vehicle, because his life was in danger. If you’re already familiar with Teddy, then you will understand why I ignored him.

The fog dissipated while I was taking photos.

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When we returned home, Teddy told Minnie T what happened at the beach, with the fog. Teddy said he saw his life flash before his eyes, as he heard the sound of a metal hook hand scraping along the windows of the car.

Needless to say, Minnie T started crying from Teddy’s horror story. I told Teddy to stop telling Teddy Tales, because he was scaring Minnie T. Teddy said it was true, and that the 1980 movie The Fog was non fiction disguised as fiction! Teddy said those same leper zombie ghosts appear whenever and wherever there is fog at any beach!

Leper Zombie Ghosts in the Fog: Truth or Teddy Tale? You decide. ;-)

"Addams Raven Poe" - Postcard

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This week's My Soul's Dark Imagination theme was "The Raven, Mr. Poe, and Wednesday Addams".

I don't have any Wednesday Addams images, so I used a vintage photograph of a lovely young girl, instead. I also included some lines from The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe.

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

"Eyes Without A Face" - Postcard

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(Click on image to enlarge)

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

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I'm all out of hope
One more bad break could bring a fall
I spend so much time
Believing all the lies
Now I close my eyes

Eyes Without A Face - Billy Idol

Feel the sky fall down upon me!
...and then it's over.

Evacuee (miles full of promises of home) - Enya

Old Fashioned Bleeding Hearts - Photograph

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I took those photographs this past week.

Fern Leaf Bleeding Hearts - Photograph

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I took that photograph this past week.

White Cherry Blossoms - Photograph

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I took that photograph this past week.

Pink Cherry Blossoms - Photograph

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I took that photograph this past week.

"Hares For Earth Day" - Postcard

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This week's Sunday Postcard Art theme was "HARES for Earth Day".

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

Beach Fog - Photograph

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(Click on image to enlarge)

I took those photographs at Southport Beach in Fairfield, CT this past week.

"Fairy Godmother" - Postcard

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This week's Our Midweek Muse theme was "Fairy Godmother".

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38.

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

"Law No More" - Postcard

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(Click on image to enlarge)

I created this using GIMP 2.10.38

The vintage images are from an Internet search. (See the side of my blog for links.)

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Growing up, one of my favorite movies was the 1932 movie Island of Lost Souls. The horror scenes were mostly unseen off screen, allowing my own imagination to complete the scenes. Whenever the "Sayer of the Law" scenes happened, my brothers would chant the replies along with the characters in the movie.