Stochastic Colour

The Birthday That Might Have Been

Today would have been Mom's 83rd birthday. I'm still a bit shocked that just weeks ago we were discussing how to celebrate. Mom initially thought it would be nice to go to La Ronde. I wish it could have happened. 

But maybe she's celebrating with Dad. I'd like to believe that. 

Here's Mom in 1960, the year she turned 18. Looking beautiful, Mom, as always. 
 

Elizabeth Blanche Woods, 1942 - 2025

Mom passed away very early yesterday morning. Up until the beginning of April, Mom was enjoying her retirement with full independence. But she was hospitalized with pneumonia in April and again in May; in June, she enjoyed a short return to health with in-home support before another infection hospitalized her again--for the last time. 

While we've always loved her, Sean, Sylvia and I got even closer to Mom following Dad's death in 2018. We're all grateful for that strengthened connection. 

Mom was tough. She was resilient. Strong. Principled. Generous. And compassionate. She was a fantastic partner for Dad and a great mother to Sean and me, as well as a great aunt to her many nieces and nephews. 

She loved to read. She loved to garden. She worked hard and took things in stride. She loved her family and the outdoors. She was an excellent curler. She was a teacher, though she left that career behind to raise Sean and me. 

We did our best to help Mom through the stress and worry of the last few months. Even in her hardest moments, Mom was most worried about me, Sean, Sylvia, and her sisters. 

I hope, in some way, that she's with Dad now. 

Good travels, Mom. Thank you for everything. 
 

Mean-Spirited Pizza

 Ramzi's is a burger and pizza place in Westlock. Watch out for this mean-spirited pizza! 

The Propreantepenultimate Straw

Came home to this today after an afternoon that was already difficult. Lost my temper, doubtless because I spent so much time suppressing my feelings; this gave me an excuse.

Sylvia was the voice of reason and found a solution within minutes. Thank goodness for her. 

Why is there a Molson box in my garage, given I don't drink alcohol? Some miscreant put their recycling in my garbage bin the last time I put it out for collection. I know that sort of thing shouldn't annoy me, but that, too, made me irrationally angry. 

Sometimes I don't like who I am. 
 

Mutant Overlords

I painted a set of Star Schlock`s mutant overlords. These guys are clearly inspired by the mutants in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, so I tried to paint them as they appeared in the film. I had a little trouble with the veiny faces revealed when the mutants take their human masks off, but at least I tried. 
 

The Missing Key to Tomorrow and Yesterday

 

Golden Hour Hydrant Crossing

 

Granddad's Partsman Award

I was straightening out some things at Mom's place while she's in the hospital, and I stumbled across this plaque. I've seen it before, of course, and I'm pretty sure Dad told me what his father's award-winning idea was . . . but I've forgotten. Sometimes it feels like some of the most important memories slip away. Was this one of them? I'll never know. 

 

Frustrated Scavenger

I was in an ill temper today (my present normal), and so this annoying bird received not a scrap. Now I feel guilty. 
 

A Most Valuable Coin

A couple of weeks ago--which now feels like a lifetime--Mom and I went to Co-Op after one of her medical appointments. While she waited in the car, I went in to get her some lemonade and Sprite. When I returned, she said "I have a present for you." It was this coin, the first doubloon with King Charles III on the obverse. She knows I have a small collection of coins, so she saved it the last time she received change from a store by herself. 

Mom is not doing so well now, but after her last six-week hospital stay, she returned home and had a pretty good most-of-June. We were planning what to do for Mom's 83rd birthday when she had to be hospitalized again. Sylvia and I went to visit her today, and it was a hard visit; Mom's cancer has left her confused and not herself, and she demanded we leave after we were there about 20 minutes. 

But I know that's not Mom talking; it's the disease. I still have hope there are more lucid moments, and moments of happiness, to come. In the meantime, I'm very glad for this keepsake, which symbolizes how Mom always took care of us. 

Stealth Sky Fighter

I figure Diana probably has a secret police force, and I'm sure they fly around in something dark and sinister. I didn't put landing gear on this one; instead, I'll mount it on a clear flying stand. 
 

Another Visitor Sky Fighter

I'm getting better at painting the Visitor symbols. 
 

CARTEL1

"We shouldn't park here," Sean said. 
 

Bold Bunny Bush Blog

Super Mutant Suicider Fumbles the Ball

Well, really I fumbled the ball as this guy's painter. The base looks okay, but the mutant itself is rather undistinguished, messy, and too dark. 
 

Gold Plated Synth

 

We’ll Be Right Back

Copse and Robbers

 

Wildfire Copse

 

Jungle Copse

 

Copse

Using the trees Jeff printed for me and some other odds and ends, I created a copse suitable for use as wargaming or roleplaying terrain. 
 

Half Baked Halo

 

Spun Unspun

Thoughts whirl like
All the space stuff caught in the event horizon of a singularity
Splash and fuss spinning around the nothing at the centre
 

A Visual Metaphor