Jennifer Zalewski Studio

Quick lunchtime blog post, since my poor home computer died. I don’t get it. For the past 2 years I’ve played Russian Roulette and had absolutely no virus protection at all. Did I get a virus, have issues? No. My computer was totally fine.  A few  months ago I decide to buy Nortons Antivirus for the hell of it, and then last week my computer gets nailed with a virus and BSODs, kapooee. Kicks the dust. Thanks for nothing, Norton.

It was an old laptop and out of hard drive anyway. The death was a convenient excuse to buy a new machine (I heart shopping) so I’m not too broken up. Flirted with the idea of a Mac, but for economy rea$sons, went with a PC again (Dell this time). It’s not set up yet… I’ve been too busy with some art projects, some pup training,  and CLEANING the upstairs loft, which has been my catch-all since the move. I promise to get everything squared away, laptop set up and new pictures posted asap. ;o)

Jen

Hmm, this scan came out a bit smaller than expected! (I just realized though, if you click it, it will enlarge to a good size).  Anyway, here is my newest Monotype- done in the reductive method. It’s the first piece of artwork I’ve been able to do of Lucy since she passed away. She loved to lay in the warm grass and sunbathe… boy I miss her.

Our view from the campsite...

Well, how do I begin this post? It was the best of camping trips, it was the worst of camping trips…. LOL….

Labor Day weekend, the boys and I headed up to Lake Harris campground in Newcomb- the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. I’ve never been to that area before, and boy… I wasn’t disappointed. Everywhere you looked, the vistas were INCREDIBLE. Wow.

Our trip started out rocky. Clifford shat in the car the whole way up. P At first I thought *someone* had bad gas but about an hour into the drive, realized that something brown was smeared all over the dog beds and blankets in the back. WTF? I almost drove off the road- “Is that crap back there??” Oh no you didn’t!!!!! Seeing that nights were going to be freezing (high 30′s, low 40′s)… we NEEDED those blankets and beds. Son of a. I had to throw them all out at a rest stop on the Thruway, and then stop at a Big Lots to restock… another hour into the drive, I smelled something rotten again and sure enough, Clifford had pooped again… feeling rather frantic that he wasn’t feeling good, I pulled into a parking spot near a grocery store (to grab something for his tummy) but crashed the car against a telephone pole. Whoops.

My poor Scion had some bad cosmetic damage but otherwise was okay. I figure since Clifford had been defiling it anyway, what the hell? We made it to the campground late but all in, relatively, 1 piece.

It ended up being a tempermental weekend. It would drizzle for an hour, sun would come out for an hour, become overcast for an hour, drizzle again for an hour… etc etc. We tried to make the most of it. Hiking in the woods, we didn’t feel a lot of the drizzle- we highly recommend the nature trails at the Newcomb Visitor Interpretive Center! We had been impressed with the VIC at Paul Smiths (farther up north in the mountains) and Newcomb was just as impressive. We did a nice 1-mile trail that Cliff was able to enjoy- a little hilly but not too rocky or rooty at all.

View from Goodnow Mountain (roof is the ranger station I think)

Afterwards, Cliff rested and “guarded”  the Scion while Jack and I climbed Mount Goodnow, almost right across the road from the VIC. The trail was fantastic- very well maintained. I think this is the highest mountain Jack and I have done to date (2690 feet- I know, you folks living out west can laugh)…At the top was a large fire tower, which supposedly offered incredible views. I made it up to the second platform (of 8 I think) before my stomach attempted to flee through my eyeball sockets. Feeling shaky and nauseous, I made my way back down. At that point, a bunch of 10 year olds came running up the trail and climbed up to the top of the tower without even waiting for their mommy and daddy. Embarrassing!

After this brief sunny lapse, the skies clouded and drizzle began anew. The boys and I went back to our campsite and ate lunch in the tent.  They were totally dead to the world! Even Jack didn’t lift his head when I went in-and-out of the tent. Sweet. As soon as the drizzle let up and blue sky popped out, I decided to put the canoe in, paddle across Lake Harris and down the Hudson River.

Yep, that’s right. The Hudson River! I had no idea the mighty Hudson began in the Adirondack Mountains before traveling downstate to New York City.

It was a gorgeous paddle…

Shorebirds... need to figure out what species!

Awesome sign along the river!

Anyway…that was our trip. It was challenging, it was fun, and afterward the pups and I came home and slept a lonnnng time in our comfy warm bed. We’d definitely go back to Lake Harris again though- really nice area.  However next time, I’ll be sure NOT to switch Cliff’s food the day before we leave. And not go up a weekend when the remnants of a hurricane are due to arrive, lol…

Jen

Dear Mr. Tabby Cat,

Are you insane? Mentally challenged? Why the hell did you think it was okay to waltz into a yard obviously well-marked by two adult male dogs? Is your nose not working? Did you not smell their urine around the fenceposts? You squeezed under the fence and waltzed over to the patio like you owned the place. I tried to stop Jack but he saw you way too quickly. You didn’t see him laying there, did you? He certainly saw YOU. You stopped to spray all over my flowers you little douchebag, and in that instant he was on you like a Monkey on a Hambone. I know you tried to run, and I really thought (hoped) you’d be lucky, but I could tell by your screaming that it wasn’t to be. It happened so fast. I tried to get help for you, but you crawled away while I was in the house preparing blankets and a box. Where the hell did you go? Did you crawl off to die? Are you still suffering somewhere? Do you realize I’m pissed to hell that you put me in this situation but worried sick about you too? Where the hell are you? Did you go back to your family? Did they bring you to the vet?  Are they caring for you now? Did they have to put you to sleep? Are you okay?

I’m not mad at my dog, Cat. My dog did what his instincts and training told him to do, heck what most dogs would do in this situation. And you trespassed onto his turf- which he vigorously defends from small, furred critters of all types. You were a big squirrel to him, Cat. A tabby-colored groundhog. You tempted fate. Why did you do it? Were you raised with docile dogs and that’s why you weren’t scared? Were you just a bit haughty? Did you not really care, because you are a cat and cats do whatever they please? I’m angry at you. I’m angry you weren’t more aware of your surroundings. I’m angry you were so cavalier. I’m angry you didn’t use your instincts wandering through strange territory.

I saw two of your feline pals in my front garden last night, before bed. I almost crapped a brick. Seriously cat, if you are out there somewhere, you better tell them to stay the hell away, for real. Actually, some advice: stay away from dogs of any sort, gender, or kind. It’s better to be safe then sorry. They are the Apex Predators of the domesticated animal world, Cat. I’m sorry to say, but you aren’t. Not by far.

Are you out there somewhere, Cat? I sure hope so. I hope you still have many more of your nine lives left. But please don’t be an idiot. Don’t visit my yard again, mister. Spread the word.

Sincerely,

Me