Mostly Madrid

 Just a quick note that I am moving into, Mostly Madrid, this gallery is right across from where I was.

Here is a sunrise picture from this morning.

Click to see the full size image.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I hope you have survived this final year of the most failed administration ever. May this year bring some much needed changes.

Now on to the book review.

"FACEBOOK BLUES"
by
Trixie Bloom

My friend, Trixie, sent me a copy of her book. This is not the genre of book I would normally, choose to, read: Chick/Lit, Rom/Com.

I have put books down because; they are boring (though I usually finish them), or perhaps I wish to prolong the outcome.

I have never ever, before, had to put down a book because it hurt my stomach or blurred my vision to read it. This book had me laughing, so hard, on almost every page that I had to keep putting it aside every few pages. 

I will not give away details (sex, drugs, clubbing, more sex) of this delightful book, read it.              

5 STARS

Trixie Bloom Website

I will leave you with some recent yearend photos
Link to my:
WEBSITE

A New Heart to Heart Maze

Been Awhile

So to pick up where we left off. 
I finally gave up on Lowe's and John Deere's ability to resolve the issue, so I took the plow back. I then went to the dreaded, Home Depot, where I ordered the plow from them. They where able to deliver it within a week. It came with the hardware, or most of it. I had to supply a couple of washers and nuts. Be aware this time has to have some adjustments, jury-rigging, to make it work. Best to order the chains if you want this to move over snow and ice. 

Unfortunately, do to the virus we were forced to close the gallery for a couple of weeks in November. Good news is that my online sales have been picking up.

Have been capturing some really nice sunrises and sunsets. You may check these and others out at my website. CLICK HERE

I have, also, complete another Heart to Heart Maze.

I have been capturing some nice shots of the birds. CLICK HERE

I will be at the Tapestry Gallery every Saturday in December.

Gypsy Plaza

5 Firehouse Ln

Madrid, New Mexico.

Hold My Beer

I ordered a snow plow blade for my John Deere Lawn Mower a couple of weeks ago. I was informed that it had arrived and was ready for pick-up. I should note that I read all the reviews and the worst problem seems to be not receiving all of the hardware needed to put all the parts together. Didn't think that would be much of a problem. HOLD MY BEER!!!

On Saturday I awoke early to make a run into town to get my plow and do a few errands, I like to combine as much as possible into one trip. When I got to the store to pickup my plow it turned out the top of the box was open, but everything should be inside, I was told. After I got home I put everything away and left the plow for Sunday.

I was walking by my window when I spotted a Ladder-backed Woodpecker, so I grabbed my camera and started to shoot some pictures.

All of a sudden all of the birds took flight and cleared the area. That usually means....

a predator has entered the area, in this case a Copper's Hawk. He decided to stick around for awhile allowing me to get a few good shots.

After spotting some prey running under the hot tub he swooped down to attempt to grab a meal. He left here still hungry. Click here for more pictures

Sunday, rolls around and it is time to put together the plow. I go out and open the box, pull out all of the parts and check them against the parts list. Everything is accounted for, except, the hardware to put it together. I am not talking about a missing nut or bolt, I mean every single nut, bolt, cotter pin, you name it it is not here. I figure I probably won't get much help on a Sunday, so I put everything aside and waited to call the store on Monday.

Early on Monday I call the store, the Head Cashier answers and asks how she can help. I explain the problem, her answer is for me to return it and they will refund my money. I explain that I want the plow and can they send the parts, NO. Return and get a refund. I ask for a manager. after being on hold for about 10 minutes I am hung up on. Call back, no one answers I am put on hold for about 10 minutes and then disconnected. Call back, someone answers, I ask for their name, they will not give it after five requests I ask to speak to a manager. I am put on hold and after 10 minutes I am disconnected, again. I call back again and request a manager, I am finally connected with a person who actually does something. I have now spent an hour on the phone. He takes all the information and says he will get back to me.
I receive a call that afternoon giving me a number to call at the manufacturer, they want to verify with the customer before sending the parts. I call the number, I am told that they can not help me until 30 days after the purchase, before that the store has to make the request. No amount of explaining on my part will change her mind.
Call the store, after four attempts and three disconnects, I am speaking with the manager again. He apologizes and says he will call them and find out what the problem is. He calls back and says their customer service department had closed and we had been connected to another department that basically knew nothing about how to handle the situation. He said he would call the next morning and again attempt to resolve the issue. 

to be continued....

First Day back at the Gallery

Woke up this morning and checked my e-mails. During the night I sold four masks, from my online site, to 3 different customers.

I prepared to go to the gallery, I brought a few more pieces to fill in the wall and new price tags for all my work.

Drove down early so I could take care of everything before opening. Another artist was there hanging some new pieces. We chatted a bit and aided each other with hanging our work.

Just after she left a couple came in and bought two of her paintings. Later I sold two copies of my book to two different customers. Unfortunately, that was all for the sales today.

I thought I brought enough piece to fill the wall, I need at least three more pieces. My mazes are on the left, my sister, Denise's, oils are in the middle and my photography is on the right.

Hopefully, with more pieces showing and having them displayed together, will help with the sales.

After arriving home I check my e-mails and found someone had purchased a tee shirt online. Later in the evening someone purchased a mask. Online sales are picking up.

Out of Quarantine YEAH

So, I have finished my 14 day quarantine, now I have nowhere to go.

Got up to take pictures of the moon setting, didn't get any that I liked. Went ahead and filled the bird feeders and checked to mouse traps. Since we had a good downpour yesterday I don't need to water.

I set aside this morning to get the lawn tractor going. Was already with my curse words, the manual and the phone numbers for customer service. I had charged up my battery jumper so it was ready to go this morning. Went out and attached the jumper, no luck the starter whirs but does not engage. I look around the engine compartment, I don't want to do too much as it is still under warranty. It looks like I can remove the cowling with out disrupting to much. Mouse pee everywhere, wash it off and spray a little WD40 on the spring of the starter. After about 15-20 minutes of taking this apart and putting it back together, it starts right up. No cursing, had to put those words away for later. 

I had allotted the whole morning to get worked up and now what am I supposed to do with this pent up energy.

Came in the house and worked on two months of gallery sales. That went smoothly, too. Then reviewed my pricing.

Well, at least, the energy has dissipated and I can carry on with what is looking to be a beautiful day.

Besides cooking, the rest of the day was relaxing. One load of laundry. 15 minutes in the massage chair. Finished one book and have started another.

Quarantine Day 12-14

French Toast with Bacon for breakfast.

Started the day with a nice breakfast.

Cooler today, just kept the windows open all day. Didn't need the A/C at all.

Worked in the garden timing back some bushes, preparing to work on the dikes I am making.

Okay suddenly it is Tuesday. How time flies.

Saturday and Sunday were just working in the yard, photos and eating.

Sunday I was gathering the things I will need at the gallery, on Monday, I will be moving and rehanging all my photography. 

Went out to the gallery and rehung my work. I have to bring some more pieces down since I have more room.

Started to put together a shopping list for Tuesday. I figure to hit all the store first thing in the morning and get home before the thunder storms.

Went to all the stores on Tuesday and loaded up the freezer, should be good for awhile.

Sunset on August 31st