Manipulating Photographs, Soaps and Getting Wet

I was told about a brilliant program today for playing with photographs and have used it for the photo below.  I just need someone now to say "You ain't no oil painting"!

I just love it.  I did a module at Stroud Art College for a year in the 80s which was called Image Derivation.  It involved manipulating photographs while developing in the dark room.  We used to vote at the beginning of the year on which modules, two per year, the class would do for the end of year assessment exam.  I voted against doing this course, but was outvoted.  In the end, I really enjoyed it and you couldn't keep me out of the darkroom.  I did all sorts of stuff, but it was years ago and therefore not digital so I can't post any of it here.   I hope I'd be more open-minded now I'm older and wiser.

Today I was up in time to see the sunrise - it doesn't seem to happen very often.  It was worth it and these two photographs were taken just a few minutes apart.

No manipulation necessary on these skies behind my oak tree - ain't nature wonderful?

I've had a lazy day today filled with listening to watching omnibus episodes of soaps.  This morning while I cooked lunch I listened to The Archers, "an everyday story of country folk", which I usually do, if I haven't listened to odd podcasts during the week, this programme I really like.  The Archers had it's 60th anniversary programme this year - so it's a tradition now.   For those who don't know:

"The Archers had been launched in 1950 as a propaganda tool for the postwar Ministry of Agriculture. Rationing was still in place, farmers needed encouragement to increase production, and a radio programme extolling the virtues of the countryside and educating its folk as to best practice was seen as a good way to speed things along." from the telegraph.co.uk."

Then this afternoon I watched the Eastenders omnibus.  I got fed up with watching this rubbish every night so watch it on a Sunday all at once and fast forward through the most boring bits.  I am multi-tasking though, being a woman, and sort out photos, reply to emails, eat, drink and play with the cats, while the omnibus chugs along in the background.

Tonight I've had a conversation with an old boyfriend of my oldest son.  I haven't spoken with him for ages and it was lovely - all the years just melted away.  My oldest son has, about two months ago, given up smoking - I'm so proud of him, and it seem that his old boyfriend is going to do the same.  He is runner and does half marathons and marathons and I can't believe he does it being a smoker.  I wish him all the best in quitting - I know isn't easy.  I gave up as soon as I knew I was pregnant with my first son and didn't have a problem at all, even though I had been smoking up to 60 a day.  I'm so glad I stopped.

I walked up to the field this morning and this evening,  at this rate it won't be worth mentioning as it will have become the norm, but tonight while I was in the barn feeding the goats, it started bucketing down and by the time I'd walked back home I was absolutely soaked.  I need one of those Drizabone coats and hats I think.  I have sorted out some cut off wellies, but went out in my Crocs, so my feet were soaked through too.

Three things I like:

1.   Hearing from someone I didn't think I'd hear from again - you know who you are!
2.   Crunching crackling from the pork joint I cooked for lunch.
3.   Laughing on Skype with, my good friend, June and meeting her sister too.