"The foot coverings were hung somewhere in the living area with care"

On our way out the door and down the street to get a shot of the Jolly Old St. Nick (photo below) who magically appears atop the salt piles of Eastern Salt across the street every December, our eye was caught by the usual "beauty in unexpected places," in this case light -- and unanticipated camera effects -- reflected off the windows on our side of the street onto the street, sidewalk and landscaping elements of Eastern Salt.

"With a little old driver, so lively and quick person at the helm who could operate the appropriate mode of transportation effectively," writes fellow Cotillion Babe Merri of Merri Musings re Santa Claus "the appropriate holiday figure" in an inspired "ACLU'd Version of Twas the Night before Christmas." A few choice excerpts (be sure to treat yourself to the whole thing):

The foot coverings were hung somewhere in the living area with care, In hopes that the appropriate holiday figure soon would be there. The people of a certain age were nestled all snug in their sleeping areas, While visions of whatever appeals to them moved about in their favorite way in their heads (or other parts of their body if that makes them feel better) . . .

The stump of a pipe s/he held tight in his/her teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his/her head like a wreath.
S/He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when s/he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

"Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!" Six tiny reindeer plus Rudolph fearlessly guide Santa's sleigh atop the saltpiles of Eastern Salt across the street year after year, oblivious to the rantings on all sides for less -- or more -- Holiday Christmas cheer.

From now on our troubles will be miles away.

Comments

[Kat]

Sissy, you really are very talented!

Hey, like I said, Beloved Hubby just did the upgrade to PhotoShop CS2... And I've never learned to properly use PS6!

Do you have any suggestions for good tutoring books or online classes? I found one online course over here (http://apex.vtc.com/photoshop-cs.php), and it looks good, but to access the real "meat" costs $30/month.

I suppose, if I'm dedicated, I could shell out $30-90 and *do* the classes, but I'm wondering if it'd be worth it...

[puzzling and puzzling 'til my puzzler is sore...]

-- R'cat
CatHouse Chat

[Sissy Willis]

Well, I never took any formal Photoshop course other than what I picked up from fellow students who happened to know a little more than I did about it in grad school. Adobe seems to have a free course in the basics: http://www.adobe.com/education/training/photoshop_elements/main.html Oh, and thanks for the kind words. :)

[Merri]

Thanks for the linky love, Sissy. I sometimes think I should drink more so I sound sane...but why start now? Hee Hee Hee!