Now there’s an interesting post title, don’t you think?
The rain we had on Tuesday was very heavy – I’d use the word torrential. The ground and gardens and trees got a very good soaking, indeed. Now it’s sunny and quite lovely out there.
As you know, lately I’ve been reading first thing in the morning. I’m getting so much more accomplished in terms of my personal reading and the reading I must do for review books. And I feel more centered and calm as I start my day.
I am going to get my eyes examined, however, because lately my eyes feel very strained after working on the computer. Making the adjustment from screen to distance to book to whatever is not so easy as it used to be. So I’ve been limiting my time on the computer even more. And that’s a good thing anyway, isn’t it?
I bet there’s a whole new category of eye strain that is centered around looking at a computer screen for hours.
Look who I saw the other evening. Henry. Or Henrietta. He spent a long time dining on the grass. I must admit it was good to see him again. I’m sure he’s suffering from Empty Nest Syndrome, since all the youngsters have gone off on their own.
A particularly lovely and larger zinnia from the chicken wire fence garden.
Don, Stop Here!
I did some more work on the Top Secret Project yesterday afternoon.
One side of the building has been board and battened (is there such a phrase?) and painted. But I’m out of the basswood strips I’m using for the batten, so that means another trip to Michael’s. I haven’t even touched the inside of the studio yet.
Can I have a life-sized version of this, please?
Happy Thursday.
I love your Top Secret Project, Claudia! So pretty! My Grandmother Davis’ house was a little board and batten farm house; so many sweet memories were made there. I don’t see anything board and batten that I don’t think of it immediately. Can’t wait to see your finished project. Hope that you have a sweet day! ((Hugs))
Thank you, Charlotte! I love board and batten – I secretly wish our little cottage was in that style!
Perhaps boarded and battened?
I thought of that, but then I was immediately thinking of ‘boarded’ as in ‘staying with someone.’ And since I’m really only technical battening, I’m not sure what the answer is!
We had some very heavy rains the other day and it’s helped all the flowers. Love the little studio, it is looking fabulous. Have you read ‘Orphan Train’ yet? I finished it yesterday and it was really a good little book. Well off to enjoy my day off this week.
hugs,
Linda
I have in on my shelves but haven’t been able to get to it yet. You know how these TBR lists get longer and longer!
Claudia, I have been talking to my ‘eye doctor’ for the past few years about eye strain at the computer. As I’ve aged, and had to transfer from contact lenses to ‘eyeglasses-only’ due to a dry-eye condition I came up with in my early 40s, my vision is a constant nuisance/worry to me and has inhibited my great love of reading, both a book or being too long at the computer screen, which is tough if you like to surf/research, blog, etc. The doctor’s own wife has struggled at the computer screen, too (it’s actually her living; her job), so he’d suggested I do what she does, and have one pair of glasses for the computer, separate from my regular eyeglasses. I have a narrow field of vision for close-up work because I have to be so heavily-corrected to distance vision, so the computer glasses are solely for looking straight ahead at the screen and can double of course as reading glasses for off-computer time.
So, I tried it, and got very tired of flinging off glasses right and left depending upon task, and it made me headachy. Lately, though, I’m going to do it/try it again. Coincidentally, I’m supposed to pick up my new glasses today. I just bought two new pair of glasses; they’re so darn expensive, too. Anyway, converse to the dry eye, my eyes water constantly at the computer screen and the doctor said it’s because our eyes fix on the screen and then lack movement, and I don’t exactly remember why that’s a cause for the watery eyes, but it is, according to him. Maybe the eye’s need to bathe itself and keep moist; I guess that seems obvious, as I think of it!
I think it’s a case for taking the frequent breaks from the computer, not just to stretch and keep the circulation in your legs going, but to also then rest the eyes for a few minutes. Thing is, if I don’t set a timer, I just go on and on and forget how much time passes to where I’ve then been sitting and staring for too long. Anyway, to the question you posed, my doctor says that eyestrain at the computer is an ever-widening problem for a lot of people.
Henrietta is as big as a small dog!
About the “Top Secret Project,” I saw an interesting piece on one of those DIY or HGTV shows about Tiny Houses, and a couple who worked in either TV/Film/Theater, both of whom were involved in some aspect of set construction/design, and how they planned their tiny house via computer model…forget what you call those programs…and, hmmm, let me see if I remember this, perhaps a mockup of it as well, like an actual model, such as a model airplane or whatever. Reminds me of how salesmen of old, maybe hawking a new appliance, would have those miniatures of their product (a stove, a sewing machine, etc.) to show the potential customers they visited…these minis of which are now highly-prized vintage scores at antique stores, etc. Perfect little replicas, in other words. Your project similarly aligns and you’ll make it the studio you both want in ‘real’ life!!!
That makes sense about the eyes not moving as much – I am taking more frequent breaks. We’ll have to see what the eye doctors come up with – we are very tight in terms of budget right now, so I need an economical solution.
I love it when your post titles say anything about ‘minatures.’ I can’t wait to jump right in. The studio is coming along very nicely. Can’t wait to see what you’ll do with the inside. My imagination is running with ideas. Yours must be, too!
It is – but budget will determine just what I can get away with!
O my – I’m seriously loving your ‘top secret project’ ! The curve of the roof, the board and batten sides and the white trim against the red. Can’t wait to see how you decorate the interior. Makes me want to start a ‘top secret project’ of my own. Great job and thanks sharing with us
You’re very welcome, Regina Anne! It’s a fun project, for sure. And just the right size for this little-cottage-with-not-a-lot-of-extra- space that we live in!
Claudia, your work looks very professional. I love the roof-line of that building, and your colors are perfect.
Thank you, Nancy!
I would like a “real” size place like that. I have always loved the board and batten look and the paint color is perfect for Don’s studio. Glad to see Henry/Henrietta out and about. He/She will have much more time to do what he/she wants with the kids all grown and gone. I know I have!
Blessings,
Betsy
I suppose Henry is experiencing a feeling of freedom, Betsy!
Hi Claudia, It is fun to see the studio coming together. I would love to have a real one like it. Doris
So would I, Doris, so would I!
We need rain…I’m getting tired of hand watering. We pulled lots of weeds over the last 2 days…it was cooler outside with low humidity. I’m anxious for you to start on the roof! What will it be…hmmm….corrugated metal? Enjoy your day…we might even get a little rain…very slim chance I believe! ;)
I’ve thought about corrugated metal, but I’m not sure. The roof that comes with the kit is pretty cool. I hope you get some rain!
Now I’m even more anxious to see it! ;)
As Donnamae said, we have a very slight chance of rain. We need it so badly. The humidity is back and the upper 80’s for temps and 95* heat indexes into the weekend. It just bakes the ground. We sound like we are walking on snow as we go through the yard on the crunchy grass. But it ISN’T snow….. so I am still happy. ?
We just picked and processed 24 pounds of tomatoes into sauce for the freezer this morning. So. Many. Tomatoes. Worked on some garden stuff really early this morning as well. (And JUST turned on the computer.)
The project is looking wonderful! The color is really perfect. Such fun to watch the progress.
Hope you have a great day!!
That’s a heck of a lot of tomatoes, Chris! I bet that sauce will be yummy! Have a great day.
My son (32) just went for an optometrist visit and asked the doctor about computer eyestrain since he works on a computer nine hours a day. The doc said for him to look away from the screen every 20 minutes and at a distance. Maybe that will help!
It can’t hurt! I’m getting new reading glasses (no more readers!) and new distance glasses. Yikes!
I’m thinking the roof would look great with a sky light..either part of it or maybe even the whole roof..just a thought….
I’ve thought about it, but I really don’t want to cut a hole through the roof – it will all depend on what I decide to do with the roof.
Gee, no kidding – I think I want a life-size version of this new little dollhouse too! Too cute for color TV. Sleek and contemporary without being all glass and steel, which is why I usually DON’T like contemporary architecture. And the red you chose is very country, “barny” red – tones down the contemporary feel somewhat too. Don is going to love this. I can’t wait to see the next thing you do with it – it’s like watching someone paint a picture. Have a great evening… :>)
Aw, thanks, Janet! I love the lines of this piece and the windows and sliding doors.
Hi Claudia, I found your post kind of related to something I’ve been thinking about quite a while now. First I just want to note that the older we get the longer it takes for our eyes to refocus, from near to far and visa versa. Maybe you knew that all ready?
Now my profound thought, why does it seem that when ever we find something we really enjoy doing .
it’s like it automatically becomes really bad for us and we have to cut way down or “Quit” because,……… . . . .
because why? Is it going to take over our lives? are we learning bad things? will we become unbalanced ? or worse yet addicted? Of course I’m trying to be funny. but it just seems I have seen this scenario over and over in my life time. Do you see what I mean?
You are such a fab writer, Please don’t go away, -Judy A-
I know what you mean! I just got back from the eye doctor and I’m getting new reading glasses – no more inexpensive readers says the doctor – and some glasses for distance, which I’ve not needed in years! I got the “ValuePack” the least expensive way to get them, as our budget is tight. But I know they will help.
Don’t worry – I won’t stop writing. But limiting my time on the computer doing other things that aren’t really all that important is a good idea, no matter what!
All this talk of battens — and yours look perfect, by the way, — made me curious about the spacing of ours. Went out to measure and found that the battens are just under 9″ apart.
Interesting! I’ve seen them 12 inches apart and even further apart than that. I think making them the equivalent of 9 inches apart on the mini would be too close together…I’m jealous that you have battens, Margaret!
It has been raining so much here too. Wish it would stop. I am trying to talk up the chance of an Indian Summer! The studio is looking really great, I would love a real one like that too! xx