tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256892452024-03-12T18:08:00.230-07:00Tapirgal's World - BlogMy photo journaltapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.comBlogger635125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-68567571840717392742014-12-06T17:43:00.000-08:002014-12-06T17:44:31.719-08:00Espresso in Orange<div align="center">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCfrwwrt9HY/VIOuj_vCHJI/AAAAAAABDAU/75d3iW5qm24/s1600/IMG_4661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCfrwwrt9HY/VIOuj_vCHJI/AAAAAAABDAU/75d3iW5qm24/s1600/IMG_4661.jpg" height="394" width="640" /></a></div>
<b>Astoria, Oregon ~ December 6, 2014</b><br />
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Coming back from Starbucks and the AT&T Store in Warrenton. I'd already gone to Safeway and enjoyed the gorgeous change of the light after the rain stopped. A rainbow crossed the entire sky, but I'd been in a bad spot for any nice photos. This short scenario doen't mean much if you don't know my history. I will (perhaps) fill in later. Right now, suffice it to say I am getting better. I'm again stopping to take photos along the way even on a day when I didn't sleep well and my feet hurt.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-20906795037830045732014-10-09T11:46:00.002-07:002014-10-23T20:23:35.005-07:00When Creativity Bites Your Ass<div align="center">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhXEbF5csx4/VDbQb9hxM2I/AAAAAAABC7A/JJ2AYNr_NT0/s1600/green-animals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhXEbF5csx4/VDbQb9hxM2I/AAAAAAABC7A/JJ2AYNr_NT0/s1600/green-animals.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
<b>I love it. One customer personalized her world </b><br />
<b>by buying all green plastic animals.</b><br />
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As it turns out, running a <b><a href="http://store.tapirback.com/" target="_blank">web store</a></b> is not for sissies. Between the information I got a few days ago from Lee's SEO guru relative Ben and the expensive hour I spent yesterday on the phone with the Big Commerce SEO Team counselor, I've got my work cut out for me - about 1,000 to 1,500 hours' worth as nearly as I can estimate if we do it right, or even almost right. Things have changed a lot in the Google universe in the last year and a half. I thought we were following the guidelines reasonably well, but they have gotten more and more specific, and I also missed the boat in a big way when I tried to personalize the site in a way that works for me but not for Google. I have a nice web store, and the only reason I care about these guidelines is that we need to do better than barely breaking even at the end of each month. With expectations of cheap prices and free shipping, there isn't much margin for profit. This means I have to increase volume. </div>
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Sales volume has actually dropped significantly since opening the new store. It looks better, it works better, but it does not generate more income. The new web store has made a good start, but anywhere between 15 minutes and an hour's worth of tweaking per page could make all the difference. The thing that feels overwhelming is that there are about 1,700 pages to edit in multiple places!</div>
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It doesn't all have to be done overnight, and it certainly won't be, but let the tweaking begin. I'm working way too hard for the kind of returns I've been getting this year. My old web store used to come up within the first few places on page one of Google for almost every item, and the photos came up well, too. Many people found the store through the photo links. That just isn't so anymore, and I finally know why. I feel like a dinosaur learning about grass-fed vs. corn-fed beef. There are some technical things about how many keywords to use, which keywords, long-tailed or short-tailed, and where to put them (all requiring research for each product), but here's the thing that's bumming me out. I was thoroughly enjoying combining educational information and nice photos about real animals with the store animals, building something that I felt was valuable and was certainly fun for me. As it turns out, that's one of the things that's hurting our sales. </div>
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Diluting information about stuffed animals, plastic animals, animal beaded keychains, and realistic animal painted pins with information about real animals doesn't cut it. (For example, <i><b><a href="http://store.tapirback.com/megalodon-extinct-giant-shark-replica-f3632/" target="_blank">Megalodon</a></b></i>.) Reworking the pages will help. In the end, if we do everything right, helping to educate people about real animals and their conservation status, perhaps exciting someone to want to learn more, encouraging them to buy a plastic replica because they have learned something about the real animal, or just providing the opportunity to take home a better experience than simply purchasing a toy, the best we will achieve according to the experts is that this added enrichment "may not hurt us." Maybe things will look better to me once the sales improve, but today, yeah, I'm pretty bummed. Adding in the real animals and the real science has been a project of love and passion. And in a weird way, an aesthetic project as well. </div>
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I understand what the search engines are looking for, but their algorithms have come up hard against my personal values. I am still more artist than businessperson, and I can see that this trait is hardwired in. Still, I'm making the mental adjustment today and moving forward with an Excel sheet that lists every page on the site. </div>
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Soon I will be well enough to start working on real art projects again, and maybe this erstwhile aesthetic excursion won't matter so much to me. Or maybe it will.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/s3Nq48sHF8M?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3Nq48sHF8M" target="_blank">Linda Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys ~</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3Nq48sHF8M" target="_blank">"Different Drum"</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-63694179154809060682014-10-03T20:29:00.000-07:002014-10-03T20:39:15.355-07:00Tabula Rasa<div align="center">
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<a href="http://www.tapirsworld.com/1949.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYbL2C17YPI/VC9mE9tQO8I/AAAAAAABC6Q/K2pJcHA-TMs/s1600/1949-st.jpg" height="400" width="356" /></a></div>
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<b>Me in 1949</b></div>
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I've just started another site for real animals as an adjunct to the <b><a href="http://store.tapirback.com/" target="_blank">web store</a></b>. I wanted the store to be educational, too, but It turns out Google gets confused when you combine real animals with fake ones, so it may be the best of both worlds to split them up and link back to the store. Yes, the sites look about the same, and I'm fine with that. I've just made a <b><a href="http://www.tapirsworld.com/1949.html" target="_blank">new menu for my personal chronology</a></b> on my own site site. It will be pretty cool, but only the top line and 1996 are working so far, because that's all I've done. The web is nothing if not an exercise in evolution. I guess I needed more projects. Once the foundation is laid, I hope it will be like an easy-to-use scrapbook.</div>
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So far, I'm still happy using <b><a href="http://www.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Weebly</a></b>. I've had to simplify some ideas and think up a few work-arounds, but it usually turns out for the best. I'm still trying to see if I can put more than one image in a wrapped text block, or if I have to <b><a href="http://www.itsabouttheplanet.com/snowy-owl.html" target="_blank">fake it like on this page</a></b>. They have quite a library of free photos that come with your account. If you need others, you can use the $5.00-per-photo library if you need to. So far <b><a href="http://www.itsabouttheplanet.com/" target="_blank">all of the pix on the new site</a></b> and most of the <b><a href="http://www.tapirsworld.com/" target="_blank">headers on my personal site</a></b> are from the free library. Some of them are really great.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-43831141375923879412014-10-02T00:19:00.001-07:002014-10-02T00:28:23.170-07:00Working on 1996<div align="center">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BmtG2JoZ2NU/VCz4ojT1ieI/AAAAAAABC5w/Ydvn60mBd7U/s1600/gate001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BmtG2JoZ2NU/VCz4ojT1ieI/AAAAAAABC5w/Ydvn60mBd7U/s1600/gate001.jpg" height="419" width="640" /></a></div>
<b>April 22, 1996 ~ Gateway, Colorado</b><br />
<b>Photo by Marco Herranz</b><br />
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I've been having fun with Weebly making my new web site and figuring out how to make things work. Always, one of the hardest parts is figuring out menus, layouts, basic organization. That was going pretty well until I ran up against things Weebly is doing poorly or not at all. I almost want to go back to habd-building, but that is so slow and tedious. I will either find ways around the stumbling blocks by working with them more or (more likely) start simplifying - especially the internal menu pages. Ugh. I liked my design. I guess I don't know enough about what it does well (or not). It seems totally unable to use name codes to jump to certain parts of a page and I've designed pages where the "drag and drop" elements, don't.</div>
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Here's <b><a href="http://www.tapirsworld.com/1996--mesa-county.html" target="_blank">one page I do like</a></b> - I think. I wanted to make the top listing clickable so you could jump down to the page sections, but the coding doesn't work that way. The galleries are easy, and that was something I especially wanted.<br />
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No, I think a different arrangement is needed - but not tonight.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-70895930056372260172014-09-25T14:17:00.001-07:002014-09-26T11:54:23.059-07:00How to De-stress (Among Other Things)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UyyjU8fzEYU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU" target="_blank">"Stroke of Insight" Video</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU" target="_blank">by Jill Bolte Taylor</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-61328028934579829702014-09-21T12:51:00.002-07:002014-09-21T13:01:55.588-07:00It Isn't "Jaws"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mSZXEptDwIc/VB8ZaJajAhI/AAAAAAABC3A/FZ8opcsST1Y/s1600/tapirgals-world-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mSZXEptDwIc/VB8ZaJajAhI/AAAAAAABC3A/FZ8opcsST1Y/s1600/tapirgals-world-cropped.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.tapirsworld.com/" target="_blank">My New Web Site</a></b></div>
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I'm building a <b><a href="http://www.tapirsworld.com/" target="_blank">new home on the Web</a></b>. It's just started, so don't expect much content. I've chosen a visual theme, organized categories, and added a few paragraphs and a couple of galleries.</div>
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After a conversation on Facebook, consulting with my friend <b><a href="http://art101.com/" target="_blank">Andy the graphic artist/web site maker</a></b>, reading reviews and customer love/hate discussions, and watching a few videos, I finally decided on <b><a href="http://www.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Weebly</a></b>. The test drive was easy and free, and I liked what the site could do (lots of things, but I especially wanted an easy way to build <b>galleries</b>). The one-hour video tutorial was excellent, although I picked up everything I needed to get a good start before watching it just by playing around for awhile. Weebly was so easy, I started adding final content even as I was experimenting. That's why, if you go there today, it's hard to tell what is experiment and what will stay. I threw in the site name, "Tapirgal's World," and I liked it. But then I had a problem. "Tapirgal's World" was the name of my personal blog, so the blog name would have to change. </div>
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Believe it or not, I have just spent two days trying to come up with that new name (as I write this, the name is "Tapirgal's Journey." (I say that for when it changes again.) It is kind of a boring title, but for now it says what I mean. There is a fun book called, <i>Now All We Need Is a Title: Famous Book Titles and How They Got That Way</i>, wherein we learn that choosing the right title can take longer than writing the book. Would <i>Jaws</i> have become an international phenomenon and part of world culture if they had named it, <i>Why A Lot of People were Afraid to Go in the Water One Summer</i>? Apprently the name was finalized in about the last three seconds before the book went to press. Benchley and the editors had been batting around titles that nobody could agree on and basically nobody liked until they finally went with the one that everybody disliked the least, and the meeting-closer understatement was, "It doesn't matter, it will never sell, anyway."</div>
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My new title is not <i>"Jaws,"</i> but it does say who I am (in a way), and what the blog is about. I guess you would have to read enough posts to know whether the journey is in interior or exterior space, but it's about both at different times, so that's fine. I had "Journal," but it felt wrong. It's amazing how many titles have felt wrong. The title. among other things, needs to remind me to record something now and then. I have not made many posts this year. The year has been overfilled with work due to building the <b><a href="http://store.tapirback.com/" target="_blank">new web store</a></b> and training two new employees, In addition, these past four-plus years have been about some pretty intense recovery issues from parathyroid disease and the aftereffects of the surgical cure. The endocrine system is pretty interesting as well as having the ability to cause no end of emotional and physical trauma and make way too many doctors say "I don't know" and send a bill anyway. Fortunately, a big chunk of that part of the journey is beind me. Maybe I will write more about it later. One of the side effects of this whole "event" is that typing comes with consequences. Even dictating does.</div>
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I wanted to mention "<b><a href="http://leesamizadeadventure.blogspot.com/2014/09/welcome-to-america.html" target="_blank">Welcome to America</a></b>," Lee's first post about his trip across the US with Sergio. I talk with them many times a day and Lee textx photos. I only wish I were well enough to join them. Maybe in another few months or a year I can do that much traveling - I hope! Also, thanks to Lee for helping me think about blog titles. <b><a href="http://leesamizadeadventure.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lee's Daily Adventure</a></b> is about perfect.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-58700465636595135932014-09-17T14:03:00.000-07:002014-09-19T16:36:23.089-07:00Sergio Arrives in Miami<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ItpxExrTIW8/VByZATkX1PI/AAAAAAABC0w/YiPibGQiJjo/s1600/2014-09-17%2B09.35.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ItpxExrTIW8/VByZATkX1PI/AAAAAAABC0w/YiPibGQiJjo/s1600/2014-09-17%2B09.35.08.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>Lee, Ready and Waiting</b></div>
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<b>Sergio Gets through Customs</b> </div>
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<b>They Found Each Other!</b></div>
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What an exciting day! Around noon Lee picked up my tapir friend and colleague of about 10 (?) years, Sergio, from the airport in Miami. Sergio is also the <b><a href="http://tapirgallery.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tapir Preservation Fund's</a></b> Vice President. In a day or two they will start their trip across the US to Oregon, where Sergio will visit for a few more weeks. We've never met in person, although Lee met with Sergio in Bogota for a couple of hours on his trip there. Cuban food - a good start! Facebook says I'm with them, but only in spirit. Hopefully both of them will be photoblogging the trip. I will share their posts. This should be fun.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wPUc_6U9fXE/VByZBSmj6tI/AAAAAAABC1E/KM6t_fCT74k/s1600/2014-09-17%2B15.09.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wPUc_6U9fXE/VByZBSmj6tI/AAAAAAABC1E/KM6t_fCT74k/s1600/2014-09-17%2B15.09.10.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>First Stop, Cuban Food and Lots of Coke</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-67169688859428941242014-09-13T14:32:00.002-07:002014-09-13T14:49:38.674-07:00Bye-Bye, Fossa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWU71C4QP3s/VBS0q6Z36tI/AAAAAAABCy4/7ZbiXlRFS6M/s1600/fossa-in-madagascar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWU71C4QP3s/VBS0q6Z36tI/AAAAAAABCy4/7ZbiXlRFS6M/s1600/fossa-in-madagascar.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>A Fossa in Madagascar</b></div>
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Photo by Lee Spangler</div>
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The problem with my digital world (a reflection of my real world) is that it has way too many branches to manage. I can't cut them off, but I can keep trying to organize them. Sometimes I feel like I've done that, then something falls apart, which is where I am now.</div>
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I'm still grateful for finding the book, <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Refuse-Choose-Revolutionary-Program-Everything-ebook/dp/B000SEKMS8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410644939&sr=8-1&keywords=refuse+to+chose" target="_blank"><i>Refuse to Choose</i> by Barbara Sher</a></b>, because it shows me that I'm not <b><i>wrong</i></b>, I just have a different way of getting through my life. I should finish reading it.</div>
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The latest "catalyst" to put it positively, was the other day when I <b>accidentally deleted about six pages</b> on the <b><a href="http://store.tapirback.com/" target="_blank">website</a></b> I was building to go along with my store (I've linked to the store, because I don't knoe whet will become of the actual SITE pages). The store platform works great as a store, but the method of building an attached website was not that good, so when I deleted those pages (deleted a top menu page and all of the pages under it went bye-bye as well, without any warning, such as "Six pages you worked very hard on will now be deleted. Are you sure you want to do this?"). I wish I could get text back, but it's gone. They were mostly about animals, but they were not item pages. As bad as I felt, I knew it was a signal to come up with another solution for non-store pages. I still have the photos, so I may try to partially reconstruct the pages when I figure out where to go with it. Joomla!? WordPress? Back to basic HTML? I don't mind working. I do hate being in the unknown zone for too long. Sometimes organizing is a bitch.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-62715736014782750162014-08-31T11:40:00.000-07:002014-08-31T11:52:52.167-07:00Why Animals?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJBgRGKrYq0/VANkmaFGIQI/AAAAAAABCNE/BaYU9RelBkw/s1600/2007-04-18-capybara-at-sorocaba-zoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJBgRGKrYq0/VANkmaFGIQI/AAAAAAABCNE/BaYU9RelBkw/s1600/2007-04-18-capybara-at-sorocaba-zoo.jpg" height="388" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Sorocaba Zoo, Sorocaba, Brazil ~ April 18, 2007</b></div>
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<b>Capybara</b></div>
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Whether it's a real animal or the idea of one, it is sometimes less lonely having them in your world than trying to relate to people. This seems to be a very old story for me.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: <a href="http://www.tapirback.com/">tapirback.com</a></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-84483705223199774802014-08-23T12:09:00.000-07:002014-08-23T12:10:45.583-07:00Eocene Exhibit and Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j2NmEal7cM4/U_jg40XITwI/AAAAAAABBvI/w5B0qaWM6_8/s1600/eocene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j2NmEal7cM4/U_jg40XITwI/AAAAAAABBvI/w5B0qaWM6_8/s1600/eocene.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>American Museum of Natural History, New York, </b><b>Eocene Exhibit ~ </b></div>
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<b>May 5, 2009</b></div>
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When I have time, I'm still adding images from my photo archives to the pages of the store web site. In this case, the <b><a href="http://store.tapirback.com/eocene-55-8-to-33-9-mya/" target="_blank">Eocene category page</a></b>.</div>
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Sometimes I feel as though this work is just for my own fun, plus window dressing plus search engine optimization. I also know it can be educational, but sometimes I forget how much the educational aspect may be needed. This is a true story: </div>
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The other day Lee was at Starbucks talking with a barista. She said she was attending community college and wanted to be a veterinary assistant. He asked about her interest in animals, and she said she loved all animals, large and small. He asked if she liked mammals, but she didn't know what the word meant. He mentioned primates and vertebrates, and got equally blank responses. Having gone through school in the 1950s and 1960s, I can't even imagine this lack of understanding about basic biology, but there's a lot I don't know about the way the world is today. I'm grateful that I had good teachers and the climate of the times valued learning. One thing I know for sure is that if visitors can learn something from <b><a href="http://store.tapirback.com/" target="_blank">my website</a></b>, I'll feel that the "extra mile" I've enjoyed adding to the site has been worth while.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-31559688947795105192014-08-21T15:20:00.001-07:002014-08-21T15:24:41.989-07:00Henodus is Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FU2mk1NzQvk/U_ZqzNsyziI/AAAAAAABBsE/svONvXlVcjY/s1600/henodus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FU2mk1NzQvk/U_ZqzNsyziI/AAAAAAABBsE/svONvXlVcjY/s1600/henodus.jpg" height="335" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Henodus</i>, <a href="http://store.tapirback.com/triassic-251-0-to-199-6-mya/" target="_blank">Triassic</a> Turtle</b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KWIg3VgeZGM/U_Zq4lS42fI/AAAAAAABBsM/b3D7rbnN8oE/s1600/nothosaurus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KWIg3VgeZGM/U_Zq4lS42fI/AAAAAAABBsM/b3D7rbnN8oE/s1600/nothosaurus.jpg" height="207" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Nothosaurus</i> (False Lizard or False Reptile),</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://store.tapirback.com/triassic-251-0-to-199-6-mya/" target="_blank">Triassic</a> Semi-oceanic Creature</b></div>
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This morning Amy found the plastic <i>Henodus</i> I'd lost on the floor last night. It was the same color as the rug. I had been feeling inordinately out of sorts for losing it, because I was finally making progress with the giant pile of stuff that needed cataloguing and photographing before putting on <b><a href="http://store.tapirback.com/" target="_blank">the site</a></b>. The Halloween items were all organized in a folder with their info and Lee was working on them. Next I'd taken on organizing and photographing the extinct sea creatures when <i>Henodius</i> went missing. And, I was really tired.</div>
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There is not much in the <b><a href="http://store.tapirback.com/triassic-251-0-to-199-6-mya/" target="_blank">Triassic</a></b> category right now, so it will be good to get these guys (and their friends) online finally.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-56890950883508575802014-08-20T19:00:00.000-07:002014-08-21T16:52:48.063-07:00No Rocks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UcLnVHzKtvg/U_Z7wiKGvbI/AAAAAAABBsk/EHWQgN5185k/s1600/2014-08-20-ships-at-evening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UcLnVHzKtvg/U_Z7wiKGvbI/AAAAAAABBsk/EHWQgN5185k/s1600/2014-08-20-ships-at-evening.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>August 20, 2014 ~ Astoria, Oregon</b></div>
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Taken with my phone camera, toward the end of the day, this pic is a bit fuzzy. I normally carry the Canon, but Kent had borrowed it for a project. I'm trying to get out more now that it's doing less damage to walk a few yards or drive to someplace where I can take photos. What was amazing about today is that even after working on the web site all day I still wanted to walk to the bench, and when I did, <b>my feet felt almost normal, not like I was walking in shoes filled with gravel</b>. Even after I got home, the flatness in my feet stayed with me. </div>
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This may be a first in a long time. The "rocks in the feet" sensation (and blood under my skin at the ends of my toes) still has not been explained, except as veins becoming tender and swelling up. Why is hard to say, but I've had this going on for over four years now, since June 2010, with a brief exception after my first parathyroid surgery in April 2012. Maybe the the change in thyroid medication is helping.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-75715328938239910542014-06-07T20:05:00.002-07:002014-06-07T21:57:35.111-07:00Adding Animals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjKJt8Pd5QI/U5PPT0xtf3I/AAAAAAABBd8/cPZadL-li08/s1600/canada-goose-photo-by-sheryl-todd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjKJt8Pd5QI/U5PPT0xtf3I/AAAAAAABBd8/cPZadL-li08/s1600/canada-goose-photo-by-sheryl-todd.jpg" height="640" width="505" /></a></div>
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<b>Drake Park, Bend, Oregon ~ February 7, 2009</b></div>
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Canada Goose Photo by Sheryl Todd</div>
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<b><a href="http://leesamizadeadventure.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lee</a></b>, <b><a href="http://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kevin</a></b>, <b><a href="http://longbeachpeninsuladailyphoto.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Amy</a></b>, and I have all been working hard on the <b><a href="http://store.tapirback.com/" target="_blank">store site</a></b> adding text. When I've had a chance I've been adding photos of real animals, which has been fun. I'm enjoying watching the site come alive as a place of learning and entertainment as well as a place to buy things. I've always wanted to add more of an artistic flavor, so I'm working on that this year also. Here's a <b><a href="http://store.tapirback.com/geese/" target="_blank">smaller photo</a></b> from the same day.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-20979756453486251892013-12-01T10:09:00.003-08:002013-12-01T10:31:50.945-08:00The City of New Orleans Song<div style="text-align: left;">
Here's what can happen when you click on the suggested YouTube links. I really enjoyed this fascinating explanation behind one of my favorite songs. Sorry, the narration is kind of awful, but wait till he gets into it. And, the narrator is actually from Kankakee. . . . </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/s87ODcsXFKE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Here is the video Lee sent me yesterday that led to the above:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WYjOMIki6qs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Here's Steve Goodman's version, 1972:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/AJ0JgqoF2W4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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And Steve Goodman, 1982:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GNb-TN1J3Hg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-66972450238655329782013-11-23T10:49:00.000-08:002013-11-25T12:11:52.169-08:00Two Flower Photos in my Zazzle Store<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LTQ8pcL3PdY/UpD3LBD4SxI/AAAAAAABBQM/GS7wFamNXAU/s1600/pink-disies-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LTQ8pcL3PdY/UpD3LBD4SxI/AAAAAAABBQM/GS7wFamNXAU/s400/pink-disies-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ASTsNeIP9tQ/UpD3GR0PC3I/AAAAAAABBQI/ojlAH4Yj0aM/s1600/flowers-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ASTsNeIP9tQ/UpD3GR0PC3I/AAAAAAABBQI/ojlAH4Yj0aM/s400/flowers-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I took both of these flower photos in Bend on August 9, 2009. Now both are on products in <b><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/tapirgal" target="_blank">my Zazzle store</a></b>. Which photo do yo like best? I think the top one would make a nice mousepad.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-36828630895046696372013-11-22T12:17:00.002-08:002013-11-22T14:13:41.102-08:00Iguana Eating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CxR3mNGKugw/Uo-6UKaxA5I/AAAAAAABBPk/RRF0-CtoXbQ/s1600/iguana-eating-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CxR3mNGKugw/Uo-6UKaxA5I/AAAAAAABBPk/RRF0-CtoXbQ/s640/iguana-eating-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first image I put in my new <b><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/tapirgal" target="_blank">Zazzle store</a></b> was this iguana, and the main reason I used him was because the exposure and focus are both good. Lots of people like iguanas. At this point, it's all experimental. He reminds me of a T-rex, but without the teeth.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-8582836167315760772013-11-21T11:27:00.000-08:002013-11-21T11:32:36.179-08:00Two Variations on a Seagull for my New Zazzle Store<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PxukQbq0XoM/Uo5XZ4ZCebI/AAAAAAABBOo/dcJmzD10vGk/s1600/pink-seagull-closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PxukQbq0XoM/Uo5XZ4ZCebI/AAAAAAABBOo/dcJmzD10vGk/s640/pink-seagull-closeup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sYXM-JFfbHc/Uo5XnpMAbqI/AAAAAAABBO4/SJiDT0cM3sk/s1600/yellow-seagull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sYXM-JFfbHc/Uo5XnpMAbqI/AAAAAAABBO4/SJiDT0cM3sk/s640/yellow-seagull.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I started a <b><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/tapirgal" target="_blank">Zazzle store</a></b> the other day. I have not put up a header or made the store look nice yet. I also don't have any illusions that it's going to take off fast, but if I post enough images over time, maybe it can help pay for my time to write books. After a learning curve I find that I can post about 100 products quickly with one image in about 20 minutes (after the image is already found and prepared, which can take some time). Of course, it's going to take additional tweaking and time to make some of the products look right. This is quite an improvement over the <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/dd/28091746" target="_blank"><b>CaféPress store</b></a> interface I used a few years ago. More on that later. Although people like one of the designs, it hasn't been that successful.</div>
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I had a lot of fun late one night tweaking a seagull photo into the pink Image at the top. I also did a version that is more square, the same shape as the yellow seagull below, but facing the other direction. I like the cropping on the top image, but a lot of the products do better with the square image. I now have products online using both of these images and a couple more which I will post later. I hope I can keep it fun long enough to make a difference :-) It was fun having an excuse to use filters.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-33045290868807448062013-11-07T09:17:00.001-08:002013-11-07T09:20:16.989-08:00Gorgeous Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-586oqUfp4QI/UnvJQd4YDjI/AAAAAAABBMI/QlgUNA4aaFg/s1600/2013-10-28-trees-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-586oqUfp4QI/UnvJQd4YDjI/AAAAAAABBMI/QlgUNA4aaFg/s640/2013-10-28-trees-cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Astoria, Oregon ~ October 28, 2013</b></div>
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The trees were gorgeous on Exchange Street last week. Sights like this, and photos in particular are still rare for me, as all my energy is going into business. I'm not taking walks yet, but I stopped the car on one of my rare trips out because I had to catch the colors. I've begun working with a doctor in Pennsylvania who understands mitochondrial dysfunction and is working with me through diet and supplements. I am improving some, but the last few weeks were stressful, and my energy dropped again. I'm taking it easier this week. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BamXcnE4pO4/UnvJHs7v9GI/AAAAAAABBMA/lyScbGzHALA/s1600/2013-10-28-trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BamXcnE4pO4/UnvJHs7v9GI/AAAAAAABBMA/lyScbGzHALA/s640/2013-10-28-trees.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-54753097350256139342013-10-06T13:02:00.000-07:002013-10-06T13:28:38.088-07:00Sunny Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7T2a2V9E9Mc/UlHAdph3TeI/AAAAAAABBEc/_BNGYdiyLEU/s1600/2013-10-06-river-view-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7T2a2V9E9Mc/UlHAdph3TeI/AAAAAAABBEc/_BNGYdiyLEU/s640/2013-10-06-river-view-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Astoria, Oregon ~ October 6, 2013</b></div>
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It's super nice out today after last weekend when we were doused with an epic rainstorm, where we got 9.7 inches in three days (or 10.1; see below). Here on the river it didn't seem much different from any other heavy rain. It poured at times, but not all the time, and the River Walk didn't seem any soggier than usual. At least not where I was. We did have some thunder, which is unusual. One loud burst came within a mile. I love storms. </div>
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<b><a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2013/09/oregon_storm_2013_portland_ast.html" target="_blank">Here is the scoop</a></b>: "Astoria recorded 10.1 inches during the same period, the most since records were started in 1890 and a drastic increase from the city's 'climatological normal' of 2.14 inches for the month of September, according to the weather service."</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-87829463526468781842013-03-03T17:59:00.000-08:002013-03-04T09:58:09.898-08:00My First Digital Book: Next Steps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OlMzlgIf5WM/UTP-NwL0n7I/AAAAAAABAyo/BkFJ2ZdNGN4/s1600/securedownload+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OlMzlgIf5WM/UTP-NwL0n7I/AAAAAAABAyo/BkFJ2ZdNGN4/s640/securedownload+(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll have to stop thinking in terms of making a Kindle book and think of it as a digital book, or even a Smashwords book. I've been reading the <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/52" target="_blank"><b>free Smashwords guide</b></a>, and I'm impressed. Of course, Amazon and Kindle are a tremendous marketplace – you'd be insane not to publish there – but Smashwords says they are growing, and they provide an amazing service. </div>
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You upload your Word file, they "smash" it through their affectionately-termed Meatgrinder, and it comes out in multiple digital formats. Unless you do something very wrong, in which case it comes out, as they say, <i>hamburger</i>. But they have a handy mistake-finder in the system which tells you what you need to correct. I haven't gotten that far by a long-shot, but it sounds pretty wonderful after my first experiments last year with another conversion software on a different still-unfinished project. I had no idea how to fix the things that were going wrong.</div>
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If you take care with your book and it comes out looking reasonably professional, Smashwords will even distribute it through their catalog to numerous sellers of digital books, including some big names. You can still take your original Word file and upload it to Amazon as well. Oh, there is just so much to learn! The whole thing is making me a little nervous daunted, but I've taken a few more steps today.</div>
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They tell you what to do and what not to do in Word, the best software for your manuscript. So I turned on the "reveal formatting" feature (see above) and fixed some no-no's. </div>
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I still have a few things to learn about preparing the text before I move on with the photos. But so far, so good. If you're thinking of putting together a digital book, do check out the <b><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/52" target="_blank">Smashwords Style Guide</a></b>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-38342389787422526792013-03-02T19:32:00.000-08:002013-03-03T17:59:43.664-08:00Anatomy of My First Kindle Book: All Eight Went (Getting Started)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJN-qmIhiqA/UTKzI5_oRzI/AAAAAAABAyE/EAkTboZ4_uI/s1600/all-eight-went-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJN-qmIhiqA/UTKzI5_oRzI/AAAAAAABAyE/EAkTboZ4_uI/s640/all-eight-went-001.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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<b>1910-1911</b></div>
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<b>All Eight Went</b></div>
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<b>From the diaries of</b></div>
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<b>ELOISE JAMESON . </b><b>HETTY JOY JAMESON</b></div>
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<b>BERNICE JAMESON TODD . </b><b>HETTY JAMESON ELMORE</b></div>
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In 1977 I helped my grandmother edit a cherished bit of family history which culminated in the 224-page self-published paperback, <i>All Eight Went</i>. Grandma (Bernice Jameson Todd) provided family diaries, wrote pages of additional material to fill in the story, and answered my many questions as best she could after a lapse of 67 years. Her sister Adelaide Jameson David also supplied personal insights. I set the type and pasted up the pages, designed the cover and chapter titles, and wrote introductions for each country.<br />
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The first printing was about 200 copies, and I remember that Grandma was surprised when they were all sold and given away. One relative in particular liked to buy ten at a time and give them to friends. Soon they were all gone, and we discussed a second printing, but I don't remember if we actually printed more. I think we did. The only copy I have left is the faded cover you see above. I decided this year that it was time to digitize.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByR8JlTOqwU/UTKzIzweeqI/AAAAAAABAx8/dDq6cd21JDI/s1600/all-eight-went-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByR8JlTOqwU/UTKzIzweeqI/AAAAAAABAx8/dDq6cd21JDI/s640/all-eight-went-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fortunately I had kept the original paste-up boards through 36 years and countless moves. I found them on my bookshelf in a box originally made for selling a ream of paper. The box was the perfect size to hold this book, and it was all there and nicely protected. My first task was to scan everything to PDF files so I could copy the text into a Word file. I completed that over the last few weeks, proofed it for scanning mistakes (and typos in the original), formatted the text, and ran the spell-checker, which brought up interesting points in how people wrote back then vs. now. </div>
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Most of the pages were still attached in their original 2-up signature format. In other words, page 75 might be followed by page 73 so the order would come out right when printed on both sides and cut for the book. The white scotch tape on most of the pages was still in place and flexible, but for some reason I'd had to use masking tape on the last part, and the masking tape was brittle now, so I removed it. That's why the last part is stacked as single pages. The cover you see in the box is one that was never used on a book and didn't fade.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--oE9P3RAn5E/UTKzIPvRsyI/AAAAAAABAx0/wDsVvGVPiUU/s1600/all-eight-went-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--oE9P3RAn5E/UTKzIPvRsyI/AAAAAAABAx0/wDsVvGVPiUU/s640/all-eight-went-003.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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I've gotten so used to digital type that it's fun to look back and see how we used to send things to the printer. This is strike-on type set on an <b><a href="http://tinyurl.com/bp34jw9" target="blank">IBM Selectric Composer</a></b>, not the Selectric typewriter everyone used, but its upscale cousin that would do many of the things word processing programs do, only slower. We used "photo blue" (or maybe that should be "non-photo blue") pencil to draw the margins because the camera didn't see that shade of blue. You could even write notes in blue to yourself or to the printer. The pieces were hot-waxed on the back with a roller (blue wax was the best, again because it wouldn't show up when photographed onto a plate) and carefully positioned and burnished to the card-stock "boards." I was impressed that not a single piece had fallen off in 36 years.</div>
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Every one of the 143 photos was shot through a screen to create a halftone and pasted onto the page. This is what I have to work with next. I have to scan all the photos and figure out the best way to make captions for an e-book. I've read that the caption will often fall on another page from the photo if you don't connect them. Ugg. More learning curve. I've seen good text captions in e-books, but of course I don't know how they did it. Right now I'm using <a href="http://cyberkenblog.com/2011/09/29/how-to-use-photos-in-kindle-ebooks/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="blank">Cyberken Blog's</a> info<b> </b>as a guide, and soon I'm going to have to read the guide on <b><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/52" target="blank">Smashwords</a></b>. I don't mind doing the work, I just don't like having to figure it out. But it's a brave new world out there in digital publishing land, and I hope what I learn now will serve me well on the next phase of my journey.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-88304897090726060232013-02-28T12:57:00.002-08:002013-03-02T11:29:20.557-08:00Robin Williams: "Like Trying to Catch Lightning in A Butterfly Net"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/owGMZ6yJ57o?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Long video, but amaaaazing. Just when you think he's forgotten he's not running the show, he loops back to the question and answers it by example. I had watched a couple of Actors Studio interviews, and the format seems to be for the actor to cut the talk-show persona and give straight answers for the students. This interview was, needless to say, different. . . .<br />
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If the video doesn't show up, here's the link:<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owGMZ6yJ57o">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owGMZ6yJ57o</a></b><br />
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<i>To Francisca: </i>One of the things that caught my attention about this particular interview was that often when you see him doing his thing, not knowing where it comes from, you think it spills out naturally, and that he has no control over it. But to see an interview like this, you understand that he works and studies as much as any actor or performer crafting his performance. He's built up his toolbox consciously and then he has it at his command when he needs it, with the added factor of his lightning-fast ability to create in the moment. I thought this was brought out so brilliantly in this particular interview. </div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"></span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-42959920714130662512013-02-25T14:50:00.001-08:002013-02-25T14:57:48.450-08:00Bye Bye, Jaguar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ErKeV6jmCwU/USvpe9O1BPI/AAAAAAABAw0/b0aYuZVPcZc/s1600/jaguar-action-figure-plastic-f570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ErKeV6jmCwU/USvpe9O1BPI/AAAAAAABAw0/b0aYuZVPcZc/s1600/jaguar-action-figure-plastic-f570.jpg" /></a></div>
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I hoped I would be posting interesting or meaningful things about my life once I renamed this blog, but I've been busy just <i>coping</i> with my life. I'm working on reinventing some aspects of it - more on that later. Meanwhile, we have sold out of this movable <b><a href="http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/gifts/friends/cats.htm#jaguars">jaguar</a></b> permanently. I liked his green eyes and curious, somewhat-friendly face. He's been in the store almost since the beginning.</div>
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Yesterday I made final changes to <i><b><a href="http://astoriaoregondailyphoto.blogspot.com/">Astoria, Oregon, Daily Photo</a></b></i> so I could turn it over to Cyndi. Sad, but also a good thing. I'm nearly done transcribing (converting) the text portion of <i>All Eight Went</i> to a Word file so I can take the next steps toward getting it online on Kindle.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">.</span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-39041092777708159672013-02-06T18:30:00.003-08:002013-03-02T19:54:23.019-08:00I Sold A Collage on Etsy Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9f8o9rBs8Lo/URMPOzEIROI/AAAAAAABAsE/NM9r7jjsOiY/s1600/1983-02-07-outer-garments-558x795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9f8o9rBs8Lo/URMPOzEIROI/AAAAAAABAsE/NM9r7jjsOiY/s640/1983-02-07-outer-garments-558x795.jpg" width="449" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Outer Garments</i></b></div>
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<b>Original collage painting on press board</b></div>
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<b>Made 2/27/1983</b></div>
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<b>SOLD 2/6/2013</b></div>
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Yes, yes, yes! Somebody liked this collage enough to buy it from <b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TapirgalLovesArt?ref=si_shop">my Etsy store</a></b>. It's the second one I've sold. It's very exciting, especially as I have a goal to market more of my creative work online this year. Maybe this weekend I will add some more collages to the store. This one was a particular favorite.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJsgLI4AT2U/URMPNZmk4QI/AAAAAAABAr0/Hq6QyU3-OF8/s1600/1983-02-07-outer-garments-on-table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJsgLI4AT2U/URMPNZmk4QI/AAAAAAABAr0/Hq6QyU3-OF8/s400/1983-02-07-outer-garments-on-table.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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"Original collage painting on press board is 10 x 15 inches. Image about 8 1/2 x 11 inches depending on how you want to crop it. Signed, dated, and titled at the bottom of the board, which, in my opinion might be cropped off or covered by a mat (Outer Garments, Sheryl Todd, 2-27/83). I wrote 'Crop here' with a line, so you can either crop it or use as part of the art to keep a very immediate feel.</div>
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"Cut paper from magazines and postcards, spray and acrylic paint. This was one of those passionate moments. Facades and masks. Target shooting at a human frame. Smiles and pain. Innocence. I can't seem to make an intense collage without a touch of comic relief somewhere. What do you think?</div>
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"Made in Corona, California, February 27, 1983."</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGtvCc6s-6Y/URMPOM9IWoI/AAAAAAABAr8/PXetiG0NuS4/s1600/1983-02-07-outer-garments-sig-date.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGtvCc6s-6Y/URMPOM9IWoI/AAAAAAABAr8/PXetiG0NuS4/s400/1983-02-07-outer-garments-sig-date.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Blogger changed the orientation.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">.</span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25689245.post-52510364232224197882013-02-01T16:58:00.001-08:002013-02-01T21:06:57.938-08:00Debbie's Watercolors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.watercolorsbydebbie.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ2gjJz1SkQ/UQxjkgw1QzI/AAAAAAABApg/URYZrzcMn7w/s320/dsc_0001-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.watercolorsbydebbie.com/">Watercolor by Debbie Loyd</a></b></div>
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This painting is not by me (I wish!). It's by my counselor and friend Debbie Loyd, whose work I just love. Very few artists get the drawing part down correctly and in a balanced way, and I like that as much as I like her colors and technique. I'm thrilled that she finally has her <b><a href="http://www.watercolorsbydebbie.com/">watercolors</a></b> online :-)</div>
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<a href="http://www.tapirback.com/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">My Web Page: Tapirback.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">.</span></div>
tapirgalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10098235462073493603noreply@blogger.com2