NEW GALLERY PAGE

Dear Readers, aka Friends,

I've added a new page of photos to my blog called GALLERY. Click on the word GALLERY among all the page tabs, located just above and to the left of the date shown on this post. GALLERY is beside the CONTACT page.  I thought it would be interesting to me, and perhaps you, to see some of the activities writing has brought into my life.  You will find me with many new friends I've made as I've done book signings over time.  You'll also see pictures of my handcrafted wares  available only at craft/art shows, along with my novels.



If you ever wonder why I don't produce more books quickly, you'll see some of what I'm up to when I'm not writing. Please know that besides this blog, a pleasant time-stealer for me, and painting small objects like my Secret Pebbles, among other things, my first love it writing.  Stay tuned for the next book.  I won't say when it will be out.  I will tell you to visit this blog often and look for the latest Goodbye Lie Diary entries by Peeper or Aunt Noreen or Breelan, etc.  Along with their help, we'll keep you up to date ...


Meanwhile, take a look at what goes on this side of the keyboard!

Jane Marie

Nineteen Shades of Day

Amelia Island, Florida

 

 

 

 

 

Spanish American War Reenactors

Once a month, Fort Clinch in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida has reenactors. They are usually dressed in Civil War period costumes.  Recently, they represented the Spanish American War of 1898.  As it happens, 1898 in Fernandina is the setting of my upcoming book Mark of a Man, the third novel in my Amelia Island's Goodbye Lie Trilogy.  I took over 200 photos, the best to use in MM's promotional video. There is so much history here.  Below are a few of the pictures of this beautiful place.


approaching Forth Clinch

                                       

soldiers posing

 

belt buckle

 

jail cell with daylight

 

 

 

"Fire!"

 

Red Cross nurses on duty

watching the gun demonstration

 

chow time

 

officers' dining

 

arch tunnel

 

drawbridge

Battle of Olustee Photos

We were recent spectators at the 148th Anniversary Reenactment Battle of Olustee near Lake City, Florida.  Go back in time to February 1864 as you look at a few of the pictures I snapped.  Attending any reenactment battle makes a wonderful educational family event.  For more information on the history of Olustee, visit http://battleofolustee.org/. 

Alana Bishop poses while shopping at the one of many tent shops set up in Sutler's Row.

Confederate band plays antique instruments during Sunday morning period church service.

Yankees headed toward their camp.



Family tent living.



Washing up after lunch.



Gentlemen soldiers



a gathering of ladies- note little girl playing with hoop



proud posing





During the reenactment battle.

After the battle...

Colorful Me

Here's an easy and fun thing to take snapshots ( <--let's keep this word alive) from ordinary to extraordinary. All you have to do is alter the color in your photo software program. This is how I, the queen of limited computer skills, do it.

1. Take a digital face shot of yourself or anyone who might appreciate your keen eye for color mixing.  You can have someone take the photo of you,with your face washed/in full make up and your hair combed, you can extend your arm and shoot the shot yourself or you can set the self timer and stand in front of the camera. Remember, the beauty of digital is you can take as many pictures as you want and they're free. Just delete the less than attractive shots. (Don't forget - off center is perfectly fine.  Check out commercials and interviews on TV and notice how many are off center!)

2. Transfer the best photos to you computer. Be sure and  save the original picture and start playing with  a copy in your photo software program.


3. Here is where the fun begins. You will probably find choices like: adjust exposure that includes brightness and contrast.  There may also be adjust color that has color temperature, tint and saturation..  My software has bars you move to the right or left for maximum or minimum result.  Slide back and forth and see what wonders you achieve!

You may like yourself with green hair or a pink halo around your entire face. I did a couple of my daughter and she has them on Facebook.  In one, she has red highlights in her blond hair and another her eyes are a bright teal blue with golden leanings in the background.  My husband, Bruce, liked my "blue face" so much, I gave him a framed  copy and he took it to work with him to show everybody.  He mentioned how several of his co-workers were taken with the frame more than my picture but then, clearly, they aren't the art lover he is.

With very little effort, you can create a thing of beauty at the same time removing all your wrinkles.  How can you go wrong?

Hugs and blisses!

Jane Marie