Marilynn's Blog

Creat your own Flat Catan Board

2012-01-22T20:51:00.000-08:00

1. Get a piece of foam core from your local art or office supply store.

2. Paint it ocean blue with acrylic paint. Wisp in white to suggest waves.

3. VERY IMPORTANT. Not only do you need to put theborder pieces together on the board before gluing – you need to arrange thehexagonal pieces inside it to make sure the borders are at the proper anglesand shape. Otherwise it may end upbeing too tight to fit the pieces in. Pencil around the outside and/or insideof the border pieces so you know exactly where to put them once they are glued.

4. Lay the border pieces on a disposable worksurface face down. They need to be perfectly flat so that the spraying gluedoes not creep under them to the front.

5. Spray with sprayadhesive. (or use white glue) Immediately arrange on your prepared foamcore.

6. You now have a lovely lightweight permanentCatan playing surface!

Hint for cutting foam core. If you do not have a papercutter and want to use an exacto knife, make several light scores along astraight edge before making any heavy cuts.

Open Drop Ether

2012-01-10T20:57:00.000-08:00

Mom's story about the old days of anesthesia.
Apparently "open drop ether" was an anesthetic technique that she used for years. Ether was dropped onto a gauze mask worn by the patient. Keeping track of vital signs was the only monitoring system. This was back in the low tech days when they could bring a baby into the dining room to monitor recovery while they ate. One reason that ether is no longer used is that it is highly flammable. "That is the reason that electrical outlets in operating rooms are up high, right? Because ether sinks?" (A bit of trivia I knew.) This reminded her of a demonstration one of the professors did. From a container of ether up high, he lit a match to some papers down low. Unfortunately other things on the desk started to catch fire and he had to staunch flames for a while before continuing. He often had things go wrong. Another time, he gave some morphine to a cat to demonstrate how it sped it up. He probably gave it too much because the cat sped around the room so fast no one could catch it. And in one of his examples comparing the effectiveness of a medicine, the wrong rat died.

Funny things

2012-01-09T18:37:00.000-08:00

Two funny things Dan said last week:
1. "Oh yeah...that oven mitt has a hole in it"
2. "Now if I was going to work with glitter, I'd put on an apron first!"

New Year's Day

2012-01-01T11:32:00.000-08:00

Every New Year's Day there are articles about people who did something mildly interesting every day for a year. Like, date a different guy, send a thank you note to someone new, not buy anything new (except food and basic toiletries.) Then they write a book about it, because it becomes somehow life changing, or at least meaningful in some way. So I feel pressure to start a year of doing something... It really needs to start out sounding boring. Take a picture of everything I eat. Done that. Take a picture of my dog every day. Already do that.
Maybe it should be something I want to do, but don't make time for. Keep a journal. Do a sketch every day.
Maybe instead of trying to improve myself every day, I should tell other people how to improve themselves. "you should get more exercize", "talk less and listen more", "make eye contact please". This might end up being good book writing material.

Tiramisu Test Day 2

2011-12-02T15:03:00.001-08:00

Today's tiramisu is from Camillo Trattori, our favorite restaurant in Florence. This tiramisu is better than last nights with more separation in flavors and the persimmon coulee was a unique and tasty addition.

Tiramisu testing, Day 1

2011-12-01T23:50:00.001-08:00

smooth, custardy consistent flavor throughout.

Queen Nefertiti

2011-11-25T18:01:00.001-08:00

Bunny Hunting

2011-11-20T20:39:00.001-08:00

2011-11-17T21:27:00.001-08:00

"These medical students sure know a lot," Mom said.

Isla Vista

2011-11-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

Me 'n Jameson

2011-10-24T22:07:00.001-07:00

The Happy Hunter

2011-10-21T16:46:00.001-07:00

Needing crunches

2011-10-18T21:58:00.000-07:00

Jameson hurt her foot running into the tv case. It was so traumatic that "crunches" were needed.

We salvaged wood from the back 40 and made some.

Sunset in Santa Barbara

2011-10-12T21:02:00.001-07:00

Apple Pie

2011-10-07T08:41:00.000-07:00

Jameson makes apple pie. First we had to pick apples from the trees in the yard. Her sword came in handy for reaching the apples up high. She rolled out the crust and poked fork holes into the top in the shape of the first letter of each of our names.

Field Trip

2011-10-06T21:11:00.000-07:00

Who should I run into on my walk, but Harley! He was with his class on a field trip to watch the train go by. An added bonus was to watch the sky writing airplane.

Special Dog Service

2011-10-04T21:08:00.000-07:00

Tito has gotten used to first class service at Hotel Solamar.

Repitition of shapes

2011-09-28T19:01:00.000-07:00

Italian Postcard

2011-09-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

1968 photo

2011-09-21T21:07:00.001-07:00

Warm Blackberries

2011-09-13T20:55:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that just two days ago, I could smell warm blackberries - like an outdoor pie.

Winners

2011-09-05T13:50:00.001-07:00

The champs with their trophy.

Golden Coonhounds win

2011-09-03T16:38:00.000-07:00

Rascally Behavior

2011-09-01T20:59:00.000-07:00

Naturally I had to let go of Tito's leash to snap and adjust this photo with my iphone, so what does Tito do while I am artistically occupied? She goes WAY into the sticker bushes hot on the scent of a bunny. And gets stuck. No way I can go in there with sandals and short pants. Fortunately the man with the dog named Rags, tromped in to find her. Her retractable leash was at its limit and hopelessly tangled. With my blessing, the man sliced off the leash to free Tito.
Sadly this was Dan's favorite dog walking leash. But since this is his birthday month, I'm going going to get him a new one!
That Tito! Such a rascal...

Sunlight

2011-08-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

Old Jeans into a Quilt

2011-08-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

Stubborn

2011-08-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

Dog days of summer

2011-08-02T20:06:00.000-07:00

Ttto gets in the picture

2011-07-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

Tito has a way of sneaking into my pictures.

Anniversary

2011-07-16T21:35:00.000-07:00

Dan and 3 Tubas

2011-07-04T23:38:00.000-07:00

Rotary Auction preparation3

2011-06-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

Color

Rotary Auction preparation 2

2011-06-30T19:19:00.000-07:00

black and white

Rotary Auction preparation 1

2011-06-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

A find at the Rotary Auction sorting. I tried to convince the arts and crafts department that if they didn't want it, it should go in collectibles. I remember making these as a kid.

Mini Tito

2011-06-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

Watermelon

2011-06-20T22:02:00.000-07:00

How to turn an unsightly propane tank into a WATERMELON!

1. Purchase spray paint. Wow – I found “John Deere Green” and “John Deere Yellow”. Perfect colors for making utilitarian metal products attractive. I also got another can of slightly darker green.
2. This project is best done on a pleasant summer day when the husband is away on business, because he is likely to come up with some reason why you “can’t” do this.
3. Using a hose and scrub brush and an environmentally friendly cleaner, wash off dirt.

4. Mask off areas that have labels, valves, hoses, etc.

5. Do a light overall coat of John Deere Green. I originally planned to do a zucchini, but the little back and forth strokes looked more like watermelon.
6. Apply some rows of dark green in long continuous strokes.
7. Add John Deere Yellow between the dark green.
8. Re-apply a few more light continuous stripes of green and yellow.
9. Remove masking tape, and look at the great watermelon!

Sun

2011-06-17T22:33:00.000-07:00

Low Tide

2011-06-16T20:52:00.000-07:00

Such a low tide that Tito and I walk from Wing Point to Seattleand back again

Making a loop trail

2011-06-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to try this loop and finally did it today. Started at north Gazzum parking lot and walked south to the water tower, then followed a trail behind the water tower which looked pretty clear up top, but going down the hill it got worse and worse with 5 foot high stinging nettles and no real trail. I'll bring Becky's machete next time. There was a house at the bottom which I finally got to after crossing fallen trees and boggy ground. I realize if I had turned right instead of going to the house, I would end up at some other kind of water "tower" that I'd found once before. So next time I'd go that way. Then you can go straight down that road to Crystal Springs. I went a little ways down Crystal Springs to get down to the water then walked the beach (low tide) to the Close trail water access and back up that way. It took about two and a half hours.

Becky/Becky

2011-06-13T21:04:00.000-07:00

Dreadlocks

2011-06-13T20:39:00.001-07:00

Hannah and I start out slow, but soon get the hang of making dreadlocks!

Uncooperative Model

2011-06-05T21:37:00.000-07:00

Finally a sunny day

2011-06-03T22:06:00.000-07:00

Pre party fun

2011-05-31T17:28:00.000-07:00

Guacamole sampling

Rolling Hills

2011-05-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

Tito in Grass

2011-05-20T21:23:00.000-07:00

Forget me nots

2011-05-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

infection in my Foot

2011-05-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

I had to find a picture that was not too gross. This was back when I thought it was really bad - before it got worse.

Tito teaches Porter

2011-04-26T21:57:00.000-07:00

Tulip Time

2011-04-25T21:11:00.000-07:00

Lexa's passing

2011-04-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

Lexa,Diana's family's English Mastiff passed away peacefully yesterday.
This was taken about 5 years ago, and is still one of my favorite images because I love the triad of expressions and body language.

at play

2011-04-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

Santa Rosa

2011-04-05T22:45:00.000-07:00

Tito joins the photo shoot

2011-03-23T11:06:00.000-07:00

Tuba for Dan

2011-03-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

Tito Romps

2011-03-20T21:08:00.000-07:00

I love how her ears curl up

Wildflowers

2011-03-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

Easter Egg Coloring

2011-03-19T07:46:00.000-07:00

This lovely scene lasted about 30 seconds. Then the first egg was handled roughly and cracked, so we decided to eat it. Then the rest of the 8 eggs had a similar fate.

Capturing Nature

2011-03-10T21:27:00.000-08:00

Beach Cottage with Tito

2011-03-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Harley

2011-03-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

now you are 2

Back Yard

2011-02-27T23:44:00.000-08:00

Tito's Snow Day

2011-02-25T14:12:00.000-08:00

Hunt for an hour in the park, don't come when called, roll in stinky stuff, get a bath, eat dinner, relax by the fire.

Lifeguard

2011-02-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

Dog in Vineyards

2011-02-21T21:21:00.000-08:00

Two of Leslie's dogs

Relaxing Turtle

2011-02-20T20:44:00.000-08:00

Gecko on Banana Blossom

2011-02-17T21:14:00.000-08:00

Stringing Shells

2011-02-07T22:13:00.000-08:00

Pool

2011-01-26T12:48:00.000-08:00

Brick wall

2011-01-20T21:33:00.000-08:00

Cousins

2011-01-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

Study in Black and White

2011-01-14T18:11:00.000-08:00

Pixelization

2011-01-13T15:28:00.000-08:00

Olden Days

2010-12-06T08:20:00.000-08:00

Popsicles and a wagon

2010-11-05T21:04:00.000-07:00

Family Night Dinner at University Club

2010-11-03T21:14:00.000-07:00

Costumes

2010-11-01T23:22:00.000-07:00

The Girls
The BoysThe Dogs

Cross country meet

2010-11-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

Halloween Cat

2010-10-31T20:48:00.000-07:00

Halloween Party

2010-10-30T22:31:00.000-07:00

Bears in Oregon

2010-10-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

Tito is like a grumpy teenager about posing today

5 year anniversary

2010-10-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

Last month was the 5 year anniversary of my blog! It started on a drive to California with Gwen where she was about to start college. Now I am on another trip to California. And Gwen has finished college and is in medical school.
The first post was pictures from our first stop at Gloria's. I didn't take any pictures there yesterday but happen to have recent photos of Heather and Garrett

October Swim

2010-10-20T21:06:00.000-07:00

Sunset at the Beach

2010-10-13T22:35:00.000-07:00

Tito romping.
Rambo, apparently at the beach on his own, wandered right into my photo of the delicate sand formations.
I was late for drawing class because the beach was so pretty

Bainbridge Island

2010-10-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

Trellis

2010-10-10T16:00:00.000-07:00

Statue of Liberty

2010-09-24T18:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Dan

2010-09-19T21:06:00.000-07:00

Dan makes his birthday dinner - I made raspberry pie.

Labor Day Party

2010-09-07T20:53:00.000-07:00

Opening the very old bottle of wine.
Judy - decanter

Keith - sniffer

Paul and Cyndy - tasters

birthday cake for Dan and Keith

New Stethoscope

2010-09-05T21:30:00.000-07:00

Gwen was presented with a stethoscope for medical school.

Becky in Zanzibar

2010-09-02T20:56:00.000-07:00

Late afternoon at the Beach

2010-08-24T21:18:00.000-07:00

Dinner under a Mackerel Sky

2010-08-23T22:19:00.000-07:00

Truce

2010-08-18T20:11:00.001-07:00

Tito and Pippin agree to live peacefully

Explorers

2010-08-18T19:34:00.000-07:00

Super low tide at Manitou Beach

2010-08-10T22:15:00.000-07:00

Pink Bike

2010-08-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

Mel's Fashion Show

2010-08-04T09:19:00.000-07:00

After and Before

2010-07-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

Special order salad

Lunch stop

2010-07-24T21:20:00.000-07:00

Where bikers,cops, and hikers go for "The Overload" hamburger, milk shake and fries.