Brake Pads Replaced on 2019 Kia Sorento

Was beautiful day today in Chaumont, N.Y. with sunny sky and 60+ degrees. It was nice for changing the front brake pads on our 2019 Kia Sorento. I started about noon and was finished, tools put away and cleaned up by 2:00. For the past 3 weeks we have had intermittent squealing coming from the brakes. I'm pretty sure from the front. We will find out after driving it awhile.

Bintz, Kilroy Was Here, A Visual Feast

Kilroy Was Here

It's always interesting to visit my artist friend Tom Bintz, aka Captain Honk. His Lake Ontario cottage on Pillar Point, NY, is like an ongoing, living assemblage. He has an eclectic collection of knick knacks, memorabilia, and odds and ends. To me his place is a visual cornucopia. A feast for my photographic eyes. I dropped in on him this past Sunday, (October 25th). This little piece depicting a pregnant woman caught my eye. It's tiny. I don't think I ever noticed it before. 

First Place Photo Award in NCAC Fall Art Show

 

My photo titled Below Zero Morning garnered first place in photography in the North Country Arts Council's 78th Fall Art Show opening at the Jefferson County Historical Society in the Paddock Mansion, Watertown, NY. Friday October 23, 2026. The photo is view of my neighbor's house at sunrise, winter 2026. Following are some photos I snapped at the show opening. It was a good turnout and lots of first rate artwork.

AI Recreates DaVinci's Last Supper in the Style of Picasso and Others

 Leonardo DaVinci's Last Supper painting:

DaVinci's original.

Out of curiosity and to try using Artificial Intelligence to create images, I asked Chat GPT to recreate Leonardo DaVinci's painting The Last Supper in the style of ...  various artists. The result for each one was incredibly fast, in seconds of time, under a minute, each one. I was blown away by the results. I had no idea that AI could produce such results at such speed. 

The Last Supper in style of Claude Monet.

The Last Supper in style of Edward Hopper.

The Last Supper in style of Vincent van Gogh.

The Last Supper in style of  Legos building blocks.

The Last Supper in style of Maud Lewis.

The Last Supper in style of Pablo Picasso.

The Last Supper in style of Salvador Dali.

The Last Supper in style of Thomas Kincaid.

Painted Window Shutters and Baby Snapping Turtle

There is always something interesting in my life. Every day it seems. Most of them simple.  A week or so ago, (probably more like 2) I hired Matthew Anzalone to paint a section of our house above the front porch. I was going to rent a lift and do it but he owns a lift and it wasn't too much more to have him do the job. He scraped, caulked, primed and painted it for $1,200. I removed the window shutters and painted those. I used rustoleum oil based paint. This afternoon I got on porch roof and put the shutters back on. While up there I spotted a small snapping turtle walking down the sidewalk. Well, I needed to "snap" a picture of him. So I present it here.

Window shutters above porch in need of paint.

Newly Painted shutters.

Hired a painter with a lift to do the peak area above our front porch. 

2011 Kia Sedona Rear Brakes Replacement

Just replaced the rear brake pads and rotors on my 2011 Kia Sedona van. I've done it before. Job was easy. One brake pad gave me trouble, didn't want to fit in place. Very tight. So I took a file and filed away a bit of the pad's "ears". Problem solved. Each side took about an hour. But there was another hour and a half or so gathering up tools, and then putting them away. I did drivers side late yesterday afternoon, the passenger side today. Price for pads and rotors at Auto Zone was $208. 42.

Visit to Pine Grove Community Church, Watson, NY.

Pine Grove Community Church, Town of Watson, NY

 Yesterday (Sunday August 16th) brother Al and I met Troy at the historic Pine Grove Community Church in Town of Watson, NY.  The church is a couple miles down the road from Troy's cabin. The church was hosting an annual ice cream social. Donations accepted. Music was provided by Capo 3, a man and woman duo. They were excellent. The church's acoustics were really good too. Ice cream provided by Stewart's Shops. I snapped very few photos. 

Ice Cream Social at Pine Grove Community Church, Sunday August 16th

Ice Cream Social at Pine Grove Community Church, Sunday August 16th

Ice Cream Social at Pine Grove Community Church, Sunday August 16th

Troy, brother Al and one of Troy's friends at his cabin near Lowville, NY.

Photo Exhibit Opened July 12

 Sunday July 12, 2025, 5:00pm.

Iva Smith Gallery Photo Show Opening

My photo exhibit opened at the Iva Smith Memorial Gallery in Hammond, NY. There was a good turnout, mix of people and friends that I know, and many folks I had never met before. Other artists in various mediums were also showing work in other sections of the gallery. So it was a good mix of people. The work will be on view through the Summer. Gallery hours

Wed., Thurs., and Saturday 10:00AM to 5:00PM

Fridays 1PM - 5:00PM Other times by luck or appointment (718)753-7947

Iva Smith Gallery Photo Show Opening

Iva Smith Gallery Photo Show Opening

Iva Smith Gallery Photo Show Opening

Iva Smith Gallery Photo Show Opening

Iva Smith Gallery Photo Show Opening

Photo Exhibit Preview-Indian River Lakes Conservany

 

Friday evening, July 10, I attended the Indian River Lakes Conservancy meeting at the Iva Smith Gallery in Hammond, NY.  Their event happened 2 days before the opening of my photo exhibit at the gallery. Thus, that group had a preview viewing. It was a great event. Music by violinist / fiddler Kathy Sommers (she has same sound system as me, a Fishman SoloAmp 220.) I spoke about my photos for a few minutes and then mingled with the guests. Real good response to my work.  Today is the official show opening at 5:00. I am still under the weather from whatever head cold or resperitory illness I came down with. The Better Half is currently sick with it and will not attend todays event.