Commuter Lifestyle

Here's an art installation at Village Gate during First Friday.  Unfortunately, it appears we just missed some great presentation.

I wish I knew the story about this outhouse (aka the rockin' crapper).  If you know, please feel free to share.  I'm very curious...

Instead of driving through traffic jams through ugly suburbs, this is my commute right now.  "Always look at the bright side of life" (in the key of Monty Python).

FINALLY SOME BUDS ON THE TREES!

A good place to relax.

$1 Easter candy at Big Lots.  I don't think so.  25 cents = Happy Mike

Please check out my art at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

Don't see anything you'd like, let me know and I could create something special for you!

SUMMER DAYS! (Limited Time ONLY)

Bringing a little bit of Chicago to Rochester.  Take a nice walk on a 80 degree day, running errands, with an adult Capri Sun...

Unlimited entertainment.  The neighbors are chopping down/trimming a bunch of trees.  I've never seen such creative use of a chainsaw before.

FINALLY!  Megan walking Scout through Linear Park for the first time on my commute to work.  This was a really big weekend for Scout with all the walks and all.  With the warm sun out, she discovered that she does like going outside now. 

Megan and Scout along Irondequoit Creek.   

Heaven is sitting on the porch chewing a stick 

 A good place to cool off and hide from Megan's scary rake.

This was a good weekend.

Time to rest now that winter is coming back...

Please check out my art at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

Don't see anything you'd like, let me know and I could create something special for you!

Quesobago

Hiking at Thousand Acre Swamp (http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/newyork/placesweprotect/centralwesternnewyork/wherewework/central-thousand-acre-swamp.xml) in the Polar Vortex!  If there was ever a time for the Quesobago to appear, this was it (http://www.quesoforall.com/).

This is the first time we've been out here on a winter hike.  During the summer, it's so primordial.   You almost expect a dinosaur or something to pop out.  

More vines overtaking the trees. 

A clearing in the middle of the forest.  It appears to be old farmland.  You can't see it in the picture, but theirs an old stone fence just slightly in the woods.  In the summer, the grass and other plants are over your head.

Snow covered boardwalk leading into the pond.  Just follow the little animal prints. 

Megan stomping through the snow. 

Steve's Diner (http://www.simos.net/steve/) for lunch.  We've only visited for breakfast and we've been missing out.  This is the O.C.D. Burger with sauerkraut, fried pickles, swiss cheese, and thousand island dressing.  You had me at steak fries...

After eating that burger, time to burn off some calories with more winter hiking through Linear/Channing Philbrick Park.  With the fresh snowfall, it looks like a scene from Calvin and Hobbes.

Snow hanging out on the rocks in Irondequoit Creek 

The little island in Irondequoit Creek 

Well, if there's one dog ready for spring, it's Scout...

Not sure if anyone else is on Reddit, but if you are please friend me at: http://www.reddit.com/user/mikekraus/

7 Things To Make Up For Last Weekend...

We met another one of our fine neighbors.  This is Kiki the Yorkie.  She was barking in the middle of the road.  Megan crouched down and said "Here puppy" and she ran over and lept into her lap.  Fierce guard dog.  She's back home with her loving family.

 Kiki likes laps

Kiki does like the grass

Thanks to Jen, we went to a Western New York Flash (http://www.wnyflash.com/) game.  This is outside at Sahlen Stadium 

Pretty good seats! 

CORNER KICK!

Abby Wambach penalty kick.  Did not go, but we did see her head in another goal earlier in the game.

Baby deer update:  They are all good.  Had a little bit of a scare last Saturday finding a fawn hit by a car on Five Mile Line Road.

Megan at Irondequoit Creek in Linear Park

Me at the same place

That is a really red sweatshirt...

Sgoh-Sa-Is-Thah.  Saw this sign on the other side of Irondequoit Creek when we were wandering around finding new paths.

 Moving!  Not us again (thank god).  Dave and Alison got a new place and we helped them move.

Megan in "Mom's Attic" resting once everything was unloaded.

 Stella seems to like the new house

Stella's also tired from a long day of moving...

Yotini's finally opened up near us (just northwest of the intersection of Penfield (441) and Five Mile Line Road at Liberty Street).  Haven't tried it yet.  Lots of yogurt shops going in lately.

And, you know what this means.  The Battle Against Beige Tyranny continues at the Bell/Kraus household.  The first coat is up and we'll finish it up this weekend.  

Hiking Into My Brain

Megan at Spring Lake Park in Penfield/East Rochester area by our house.  Not sure why it's called "spring lake" since there's no lake.  Just Irondequoit Creek...





A view of Irondequoit Creek from the top of the Honey Creek Trail heading toward Linear Park


A nice little bench





AND NOW FOR SOME MORE FOUND ART!!!

"First To Fly?"  This is from a school project I was working on, which was illustrating a weird book I found about Michigan mysteries.  This was about a guy who claimed to be the first to fly a plane.  Interesting fact: The character on the right is based on Bruce Willis and at one on the left is Joe Millionaire.


"Manhunter" from the same series.  If I remember correctly, it was about a lunatic who hunted hunters.


"Dexter/Hillsdale Incident."  Something about UFOs or flying donut holes?


"Where's Jimmy" I think the semester ended as this is an unfinished piece about Jimmy Hoffa.


Self portrait from 2003 with silkscreen.  This was inspired by a Russian religious icon painting that I turned into regional humor...


Self portrait for August 2006 zine


From July 2004 zine


From July 2004 zine (detail): Safety Sam was a creation of mine for a group promoting water safety in Muskegon.  They use to have a small picture of him on a sign at Pere Marquette Beach and pass out bookmarks at local schools.  Doubt either are still there.  He's a trout that needs a life preserver.  Then there's Sparky Anderson, former coach of the Detroit Tigers


From July 2004 zine (detail): If I remember correctly, this was inspired by a drawing on Aristotle or Socrates.  Either way, the philosopher was thinking, not sleeping while the TV was on.


From July 2004 zine (detail):  Angel with hockey equipment and my Aunt Linda's dog.


From July 2004 zine (detail):  Man with a big fish


From July 2004 zine:  Raccoon, cactus, Belle Tire guy, and a monkey setting pins.  Also, one of my favorite signs of all time.


From July 2004 zine: Crackle with a Native American


From July 2004 zine: French soldier at Mackinac Island


From July 2004 zine: Inspired by an Egyptian tomb, I believe.  There was some writing in the boxes on the original publication.  


From July 2004 zine: Fort du Detroit about the French founding of the city


From July 2004 zine: Great Lakes Great Times bowling.  


From July 2004 zine: If I remember correctly, this is Chief Pontiac


From July 2004 zine: Frauenthal Theatre sign from Muskegon, Michigan, the People Mover, Little Caesar, and La Grande Vitesse sculpture by Alexander Calder.


From July 2004 zine: Lighthouse and a DJ scratching some records for Snap and Pop.


From August 2006 zine (detail): My friends Nick, Matt, and Brian shopping at Maxwell Street Market in Chicago.


From August 2006 zine (detail): More inspiration from Maxwell Street Market with the sign.  "EVERY'S THANK IN THEY BOXES BE $1.00!"  I was sold at the googly eyes.  The weird character building guy was someone I saw dressed like this at the Two Way Bar in Chicago. He walked in, looked around a bit, and walked back out.  It was not anywhere near Halloween.

THANKS FOR WASTING YOUR TIME WITH ME!  HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY!