HAPPY 7TH SCOUT-IVERSARY!

 HAPPY 7TH SCOUT-IVERSARY!

EXTENDED COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS EDITION!  In the before times, we'd lazily wander around Corbett's Glen, the site of Scout's first walk after adoption.  To follow health and safety guidelines and avoid crowds, Scout-iversary has been extended to a full weekend and covers the Finger Lakes Region!

BUT WAIT!  THERE'S MORE!

Here's the view from Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill (https://www.co.ontario.ny.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/Ontario-County-Park-at-Gannett-Hill-4)

Enjoy the sunlight now.  The next time you'll see it is in May...

Weird place to find a Roman highway

COVID-19/Coronavirus Discovery: Mountain bike paths are an absurd and tiring way to get lost in the woods.

Judging from the distance, looking at Boston...

So this is then looking toward Montreal...

Megan's vision of the perfect photo with Scout

Scout's vision of the perfect photo with Megan

PUPPY ATTACK!

Previous Scout-iversarys!
Year 6) https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2019/10/happy-6th-scout-iversary.html

Year 5) https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2018/10/happy-5th-scout-iversary.html
Year 4) https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2017/10/happy-4th-scout-iversary.html
Year 3) http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2016/10/happy-3rd-scout-iversary.html

Year 2) http://mikekraus.blogspot.mk/2015/11/happy-scout-iversary.html

Year 1) http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2014/10/celebrations.html

In The Beginning) http://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2013/10/our-new-dog-scout.html

The Raccoon

Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

The Raccoon #397

pen and ink on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

202010095

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/234445844/raccoon-397-artist-trading-cards-25-x-35

*NOTICE - SHIPPING DELAYS HARMING SMALL BUSINESSES MAY BE EXPERIENCED: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/16/usps-mail-delays-postmaster-general-changes-workers

The raccoon: official Coronavirus (COVID-19) mascot.  Always wears a mask, constantly washes hands, and stays home in its den for weeks at a time.  Stay safe!    

Having Fun During Coronavirus

Art Project: 
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/07/art-project-having-fun-during.html
Building a Fire Pit:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/building-fire-pit-having-fun-during.html
Share Heart of Hope:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/coronaviruscovid-19-heart-of-hope.html
Hiking:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/hiking-having-fun-during-coronavirus.html
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Parlor Game:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley-parlor-game.html
Celebrating Women:
 https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/celebrating-women-having-fun-during.html
Have A Picnic:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/have-picnic-having-fun-during.html
You Haven't Seen That?!? Game:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/you-havent-seen-that-game-having-fun.html
Have Some Theme Spirit:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/have-some-theme-spirit-having-fun.html
Working For the Weekend:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/working-for-weekend-having-fun-during.html
Honor and Remembrance:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/honor-and-remembrance-having-fun-during.html

Apple Picking and Other Farms:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/10/apple-picking-and-other-farms-having.html

Halloween Gravedigger Flashlight Game:

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/10/halloween-gravedigger-flashlight-game.html

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Halloween Gravedigger Flashlight Game: Having Fun During Coronavirus

Halloween Gravedigger Flashlight Game: Having Fun During Coronavirus

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed how we celebrate Halloween, but it won't stop us from having fun.  Here's a fun game, especially on a dark, foggy, autumn night.

1) What You Need - A flashlight, yard, black/dark clothes, and a dark and eerie night.

2) Set Up - Use items to mark "graves."  It can be anything, but cardboard tombstones can be fun to make beforehand.  Spread them out evenly throughout yard.

Place 4 "cemetery exit" alarms equally around the yard.  These should be something that light up or make a noise (ie - bells, whistles, kazoo, lantern, etc).   

3) Choose the Gravedigger - It can be completely random.  Draw straws, closest birthday, etc.  Give them the flashlight.  To have extra fun, wear an oversized black coat/blanket and carry a shovel.

4) Choose your Grave - Lie down in the marked grave.  You and everyone else are now a Zombie 

5) Play Game - The game starts when the Gravedigger says "Who goes there?"  The Zombies must crawl to one of the 4 exits to set off the alarm.  But, if the Gravedigger shines the flashlight on you while moving or making noise, you must return to your grave they say "back to your stone wayward soul."  You may remain if you're perfectly still and quiet.   

6) Other Movements - The Gravedigger cannot touch the Zombies.  But, the Gravedigger is allowed to try to trick you into moving, laughing, or making other noises.   

7) New Gravedigger - The first Zombie to reach a cemetery exit and say "Mmmm...  Brains!" is the new Gravedigger.  All Zombies must return to their graves.

AND DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN! And, please feel free to contact if you have any questions or suggestions!

More Having Fun During Coronavirus

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

Health and Safety Considerations for gathering:

1) No indoor activities

2) No sharing bathrooms

3) Wash hands before and after gathering. Don't touch your face.

4) Bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and utensils.

5) Do not attend if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.

6) Do not attend if you have or have had Coronavirus or showing symptoms (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).

7) Wear a mask and practice social distancing (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html)

8) Limit attendance. Check local health department for guidelines and restrictions.

9) Talk with everyone about comfort levels. Expect and allow non-participation and last minute cancellations.

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Latest Winter Fashions

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Latest Winter Fashions #396

pen and ink on Bristol paper

2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 cm x 8.89 cm) 

NOT A PRINT OR REPRODUCTION

202010094

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/236466225/latest-winter-fashions-396-artist

*NOTICE - SHIPPING DELAYS HARMING SMALL BUSINESSES MAY BE EXPERIENCED: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/16/usps-mail-delays-postmaster-general-changes-workers

The thing about other people is when they breathe, cough, and talk their infected droplets get into your mouth, nose, and eyes. Eventually those droplets get into your lungs. That can happen from 6 feet away. Ew! We can create a style with a higher standard - i.e., a pop of color or a pattern. By covering your nose and mouth, you are telling the world you have loved ones with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old parents/grandparents. You are saying "I love my family and friends and I don't want them to die alone on a ventilator drowning in their own lungs.

With only one mask, you need to take every opportunity to make it count. What's the best way to do this? Well, find a mask that fits your personality at: Etsy Masks (https://www.etsy.com/market/masks).  Luckily, there are so many exceptional piece that won't break the bank. This includes beautiful masks with original Mike Kraus Art (https://society6.com/mikekraus/masks). With over 200 designs, there's a fun and creative piece just for you. Check out our sexy selection of statement-making masks, all at an affordable price at: Etsy Masks (https://www.etsy.com/market/masks)  

More about how masks save lives at: https://news.umiamihealth.org/en/your-questions-about-cloth-face-coverings-answered/

Having Fun During Coronavirus

Art Project: 
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/07/art-project-having-fun-during.html
Building a Fire Pit:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/building-fire-pit-having-fun-during.html
Share Heart of Hope:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/coronaviruscovid-19-heart-of-hope.html
Hiking:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/hiking-having-fun-during-coronavirus.html
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Parlor Game:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley-parlor-game.html
Celebrating Women:
 https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/celebrating-women-having-fun-during.html
Have A Picnic:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/have-picnic-having-fun-during.html
You Haven't Seen That?!? Game:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/you-havent-seen-that-game-having-fun.html
Have Some Theme Spirit:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/have-some-theme-spirit-having-fun.html
Working For the Weekend:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/working-for-weekend-having-fun-during.html
Honor and Remembrance:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/honor-and-remembrance-having-fun-during.html

Apple Picking and Other Farms:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/10/apple-picking-and-other-farms-having.html

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

Hemlock Lake

 Brightscapes: The Way To Beauty

Hemlock Lake

acrylic paint on canvas board

202010093

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 25.4 cm)

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://mikekrausart.etsy.com/listing/708800293

*NOTICE - SHIPPING DELAYS HARMING SMALL BUSINESSES MAY BE EXPERIENCED: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/16/usps-mail-delays-postmaster-general-changes-workers

Over 100 homes and 5 hotels used to ring Hemlock Lake connected by 5 large ships. The pollution began to poison the waters. In 1852, the City of Rochester began to process of improving water quality after contamination lead to a massive disease outbreak. Over 5,000 acres were purchased and all buildings demolished to improve the water's purity. Today, it's the prime example of how to live with these sacred lakes.

Having Fun During Coronavirus
Art Project: 
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/07/art-project-having-fun-during.html
Building a Fire Pit:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/building-fire-pit-having-fun-during.html
Share Heart of Hope:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/coronaviruscovid-19-heart-of-hope.html
Hiking:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/hiking-having-fun-during-coronavirus.html
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Parlor Game:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley-parlor-game.html
Celebrating Women:
 https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/08/celebrating-women-having-fun-during.html
Have A Picnic:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/have-picnic-having-fun-during.html
You Haven't Seen That?!? Game:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/you-havent-seen-that-game-having-fun.html
Have Some Theme Spirit:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/have-some-theme-spirit-having-fun.html
Working For the Weekend:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/working-for-weekend-having-fun-during.html
Honor and Remembrance:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/09/honor-and-remembrance-having-fun-during.html

Apple Picking and Other Farms:
https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/10/apple-picking-and-other-farms-having.html

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

For more information or custom order, please visit:

Store: MikeKrausArt.etsy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MikeKrausArt
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikekrausart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MikeKraus/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MikeKrausBlog

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mkraus

Choose Your Own Title: "This Is 40" or "COVID-40"

BIRTHDAY BLOWOUT!

Can you believe of the dozen of photos this is the best bubble Megan made?

Megan took the day off of work and we celebrated all around the Finger Lakes.  We started off the day having a picnic breakfast at Bare Hill Unique Area (https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/37438.html) overlooking Canandaigual Lake and Bristol.

Onward and upward!  Visited Conklin's Gully at the High Tor Wildlife Management Area (https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24439.html).  The vertical climb at the start did burn off the apple cake breakfast.  And, it is a pretty amazing very from the edge of the cliff.

Megan preparing lunch at Keuka Lake State Park (https://parks.ny.gov/parks/keukalake/maps.aspx)

It's like living in a brochure for visiting upstate New York.

Bench looking toward Branchport

Megan put all my favorite meats into one sandwich.  It was delicious and drove our pup Scout insane.

When magic is delivered to your mailbox

Spiderman says #WearAMask

Seneca Mills Falls on the Keuka Outlet Trail (https://www.keukaoutlettrail.org/) between Penn Yan and Dresden.  

If you're going to have ruins, they might as well be beautiful

Megan's Totally Tubular 80's Quiz: Mike Edition.  Thanks for everyone who participated.  I don't know what's worse: how much I forgot or how much my wife learned...

To go with the 1980s theme, Megan and I split a bag of Big League Chew (https://www.bigleaguechew.com/).  It's exactly how I remember it.  And I was instantly transported to being an 8 year old playing pee-wee baseball and having the whole bench being yelled at by the coach because we're blowing bubbles instead of paying attention to our game. 

Downtown Penn Yan at the end of the trail.  It reminded me of the old paths connecting towns and villages in Europe.  A perfect setting for Robin Hood and other medieval characters.

If you're going to make pancakes anyway, just use a 28-foot griddle and set a world record.

For all you singles out there, find a partner that will make you sloppy joes and tater tots on your birthday and never let them go..

If you didn't know, Megan is a trained cake decorator.  Really?  That's amazing!  Her creations are scattered throughout my blog over the years.  You can tell because she was smart enough to avoid using 40 individual candles.  A stylistic choice my asthma appreciates.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE TEXTS, POSTS, CALLS, MAIL, AND BIRHTDAY GREETINGS IN OTHER FORMS OF COMMUNICATION!!!  I really appreciate it.  I love and miss you all.  In a year full of difficulty and grief, I'm so grateful to have such wonderful friends and family to celebrate with.  When life happens, I'm glad we're all in it together!