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While "Vibing in Victoria" last week, my intentions were to knit and paint during some downtime at my home away from home. I had packed the necessary items in my suitcase. Downtime never did transpire and in hindsight I should have assumed that would be the case and left the supplies for painting and knitting at home. Once I got home was when downtime came about. I am back a few days now yet my whale watching experiences are still occupying a not so far back spot in my mind. I gathered a few of my photos then picked out bits and pieces of each photo to create these watercolour paintings of the Orca Whales. During the peace and quiet of the painting process, I let my mind hear that sound of the whales cresting the water near the boat. Once again, I "felt" the beauty of nature! Not only did I hear and see the whales, but the experience created a feeling too, which I felt
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Archways, canopies, framings! Oh how Mother Nature presents her welcome during these autumn days. I gladly accepted her offer and ventured in. Later I created my interpretation of what that welcome looked like, through this watercolour painting. The vibrant golden glow, with a chill in the air, seeing my breath then spotting the first ice of the season, all were gladly embraceable. I strolled around the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary as did dozens of others who were also making the most of this gift of a day like today was. The one female Mallard Duck along with three Males entertained us. I like her reflection in the water. Many White-breasted Nuthatches were gathering breakfast. This is one of four Muskrats I spotted. A male Hairy Woodpecker was naturally framed by the leaves and stayed long enough so I could capture this photograph. It is a very quiet time for birding here, but the shades and scenery offer up a treasure to make up for it.
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Well over more than a month ago, I shared with you a photo of my knitted slipper gone wrong saga. Soon after completing that slipper, I started a second one, but only knitted two rows. Fast forward to downtime this week, I finished knitting that second slipper with complete success. It is the right size measuring an inch shorter than the first slipper and the toe does not curl up creating that elfish-like look. I tried it on and it fits and feels perfectly. That ball of yarn behind the slipper is ready to be cast onto needles to knit a third slipper to pair with this one. That first slipper, shown in the bottom photo, is already in the basement ready to be unknitted when there is an over abundance of downtime, meaning it may never be unknitted!
