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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Winter is Here

And that is making me think of summer and flowers and warm breezes.

Don't get me wrong, now that I'm in Arizona the weather and temperatures are certainly better than in Boston (at least for me.) But it doesn't take much for me to feel chilly.

If you feel the same, maybe you want to bring summer to your home all the time? This lovely, summery tile is now available in my Zazzle shop:



Along with these matching coasters, you'd have a wonderful gift for a wedding or anniversary or birthday.



Enjoy looking at them in any event, while Dreaming of warmer days to come.

Happy 2013 and may you have the best year yet!

Peace, Judi

Monday, November 12, 2012

Thanksgiving Comes Before Christmas

I have been bloggy friends with Jim of Suldog fame for several years. (We even met once when he purchased a crocheted item from me that he gifted to a family member. He's a cool, and thoughtful, dude no matter what he tries to make you believe!)

Each year Jim posts about the loss of Thanksgiving in the rush of retailers to get on to the Christmas season.

Jim's 2012 post on this topic can be found here.

I hope you'll go check it out, sign the petition, and make this an even bigger movement than previous years.



Meanwhile, please enjoy this turkey who is keeping an eye on the situation from across the country.

In peace and gratitude,
Judi

Monday, October 29, 2012

Pyracantha #flora #berries #plants #shrubbery #landscape

The Pyracantha berries have finally turned a deep orangey-red color, just in time to bring some in for holiday decor. Prints available here.

It's less than a month to Thanksgiving and less than 2 months to Christmas - are you ready?

Peace, Judi

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Loving My Newest Toy

First some history

For my entire adult life, my main source of income has involved working with IBM mainframe computers - these used to be the big ones that took up lots of space; they still allow thousands of users simultaneous access to programs and data. There are users on some of these systems 24/7/365.

I've had various jobs including programmer, analyst, system support, database administrator, and more. Because of the need for round-the-clock access, I have almost always been "on call". Some places I worked had a rotating schedule, other places it was based on which application or database I was supporting.

My most recent, full-time, "real job" was for a consulting firm where there were many technicians, each of us with a beeper originally, or more recently a mobile phone. Since we often need to speak with each other, the most recent cell phones used there were on the Nextel network - we could push a button and talk to each other in time of crisis.

When I left that job, I got a gig as a support technician for a former client. They had someone on staff who could also support the platform, but needed additional support as he often traveled out of the country. So, I got myself a cell phone of my very own - something until then I had never cared about.

I got my phone through Verizon; there was a store front in my town within walking distance, and friends worked for the company - so why not help keep them employed!

All was fine until the first time my client called me on the cell phone while I was at home. The service kept dropping ("can you hear me now?") and I finally called the client back from my land line (and I also gave them that number, just in case!)

Two years later, and long after that contract ended, I was hired by my current employer. This was, of course, another "on call" 24/7 assignment. On my way to my first meeting with the actual clients, I called my employer at the site. Just as we were finishing the call, didn't the line drop!

My Verizon 2-year commitment was up soon thereafter, and since I had never had a problem with the Nextel network, which by then was owned by Sprint, I went and got me a new contract, new phone, and was now a Nextel user once again.

Forward to 2012

Sprint announces they are dropping the entire Nextel network, and all users have to transition to at least the Sprint 3G. This needs to be done by, I think, next February, so they've given us all fair warning.

First thing I did was check out the web site showing strength of service at my then Boston area home - Sprint looked OK.  Next, even before purchasing my new place in AZ, I did the same. Nextel was stronger by one bar at the new place, but Sprint was OK here, too.

I decided I would wait until my September billing cycle to make the upgrade as I knew a new phone would be in my future (the old one wasn't supported, naturally).

Because I am a photographer, I didn't choose my new phone for any reason other than it had the best camera (IMHO).  My old phone did include a camera, and in a pinch it could be used, just don't try to see the picture any larger than about 3" x 2". Here's one of the best pics I ever got with it.


It does have a certain interesting quality, if you like the out of focus thing for all of your pics.

My new phone is an iPhone 4S. First app I personally installed after leaving the Sprint store was Instagram (I later found out that Facebook bought them that same day!)

I'm having a blast using my new toy. Here's some of my latest shots. I hope you enjoy!


Hooks all over!

Can you say table?

Oro Valley Storm


Peace to all, Judi

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Feast


Feast, originally uploaded by Judi FitzPatrick Studio.

Yummy dinner for the birds, lovely colors for our eyes, just don't get too close!

Peace, Judi

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

My New Home - Sans Furniture

Hope you enjoy this walk through my new place.

The interior shots were all taken the day before my furniture arrived.

Peace, Judi


Thursday, July 12, 2012

It's Time To Come Clean

I've been trying to keep a secret from much of the world since March. It's now time to come clean and share the news.

 On 3/20/2012 I closed on a casita-style home in Tucson, AZ. Shortly thereafter, my Massachusetts home went on the market. Not being one for convention, I moved most of my worldly goods to AZ in April, leaving only enough furniture in MA to support my living there until a sale was completed.

That sale was closed on Tuesday, 7/10/2012, to my delight. So, the attic clean out wasn't just for spring or summer cleaning, it had to be done before the sale went through. Everything that was up there was either trashed, donated, gifted, or small enough to come here with me in my suitcase.

In all, I made three round trips between the 2 locations. I'll try to write up some details of what occurred during each time in MA and each time in AZ in later posts. I will also share some pics of my new digs soon.

For now, please "enjoy" these photos of last week's trash/recycle. (BTW, I had almost as much again this week, but failed to take any pics.)
Goodbye JUNK!
SOLD! 

















 Peace to all, Judi

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Behind the Scenes...Downton Abbey

In case you missed this on your PBS station, here's a look behind the scenes of the making of Downton Abbey. Please note, it will expire April 2, 2012 (or 2 April 2012). Peace, Judi

Watch Downton Abbey: Behind the Drama on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

Monday, March 19, 2012

First Crocus

Although this image was shot in March, 2010,
It is that time of year again.

Peace to all this lovely early spring day!

Judi

Via Flickr:
This is the first crocus that sprouted in my yard this spring. Seeing flowers start to bloom is more of a joy than usual since we've had so much rain and gloomy weather this month. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Through The Roof - Week 7

This photo was taken on 2/12 while I was in Tucson, AZ. The view to the sky is there on purpose on an upper story outdoor balcony.

Had a fun visit with my daughters and SIL.

Peace to all,
Judi

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Tree Of Hearts Times 3 - Week 6

3 images of a tree covered with fabric hearts merged together in GIMP.

Have a great week!

Peace, Judi

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Empty - Week 5

Empty - Week 5

It was chilly on my walk yesterday so I didn't linger after taking a few pictures near the Town Hall in the park. This one, of the empty bench, seemed very representative of the feel of the day.

I also took a couple of shots of the bricks lining the pathways in the park. This particular one cried out to be digitally enhanced and expanded.

Brick Abstract

May your week be a wonderful and peace one!
Judi

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Both Sides Now - Week 4

Both Sides Now - Week 4

Spiders inside, bare-branced tree outside, at a window. Part of my windows series which you can see here.

I hope you all enjoy the week ahead.

Peace, Judi

Monday, January 16, 2012

Pressing Matters - Week 3

Happy Monday (Tuesday in some parts of the world!),

It's the 3rd week of my 52 week photography project. I thought I'd make another shot of something around the house.

Pressing Matters - Week 3

In my youth I used to love to iron, even on the hottest day of the summer. I don't dislike it now, but don't have much need to perform this household task - especially when knit turtlenecks and sweaters are the daily attire.

I hope you enjoy the week ahead.

Peace, Judi

Friday, January 13, 2012

Wednesday, January 4, 2012