My daughter is going to have a fine art show soon and has recently created a new web page at http://www.gabriellamoyer.com I am attaching a gallery show flyer and I hope some of my followers will stop by her sight. It has front static page of one of her paintings and a few more paintings in the blog.
About a month and a half ago, we lost our trusty friend Domino after twelve and a half years. He was known to us as our other child. A son if you will. He was the best Boston Terrier and dog ever. Extremely intelligent! I have been through many dogs in my life and I knew there would be no comparable companion. He will always be in our hearts. Without a dog the world seems like it is missing something to me personally. I knew I had to get another dog. Which brought me to a dilemma. Do I get another pure breed Boston Terrier or opt for a shelter dog? After searching for Boston Terriers, I found quickly that they were not as easy to find as Domino was, and in twelve and a half years the price skyrocketed to well over $1,200 for most. I heard so much about saving dogs from rescues that I gave it a try. My first few trips I really hated it. Way to many Pit Bulls! Breed and fight! Geez dog fighting losers! Get a real job. However, I did not give up.
One day, I arrived at the shelter early with family and we came upon this beautiful rat terrier/chihuahua mix. He was just jumping to see us. We knew he would be the one. His shelter name was Taco, but we chose Raphael for him. We adopted him and he has been a wild man and little bundle of joy for a whole $50 for neuter and shots too. It was great price and we saved a life. So many pets are euthanized(translation: KILLED), during their stay at shelters do to incoming dogs and cats. It is happiness for all parties! It felt great even though it was not another Boston Terrier.
My daughter always wanted a cat and she was looking at me like, “Dad! Can we get a cat too?” Cat’s were so plentiful that they were literally giving them away for one dollar adoption. I thought,”O.k. Let’s give Raphael a companion. A dog and a cat? What could go wrong?” So we searched the cats and came upon a playful beauty that we named Dinah. She is a Russian Blue mix. She runs all over, plays, climbs, purrs, and has become a buddy to Raphael or Raphael has become a buddy to her. Mutual friendship! As Jackson Galaxy says in his book TOTAL CAT MOJO,” A Mojito Cat!” She has been PURRRFECT! On another note, if you are a cat lover, I do highly recommend Jackson Galaxy’s book. It has a host of information to make your cat experience excellent and not a “Cat From Hell!” Also check out his YouTube channel on cat’s here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCheL-cUqfzUB8dfM_rFOfDQ
To shelter or pure breed, that’s the question, and it was answered. Save a dog, save a cat, love an unwanted pet or stray. They will love you greatly for it.
Besides photography, poetry, travel, dining out, cooking, and the other things I blog about I also spend a great deal of time playing my drums. On my YouTube channel I have been posting many songs as of late featuring my practice sessions. I often pick 15 random songs and just sit down and play them. Sometimes I listen to them a few times and other times I just sit down and go for it. Drums for me are cardio, therapy, enjoyment, and somewhat spiritual in a sense. Music in general is a great love of mine. It is something I definitely love versus say a video game or watching T.V. all day, and there is always the added bonus of playing with a band and making a little money. Thank you to all my fellow bloggers for the kind comments and checking out my material.
This weekend I attended a Sam Houston State University football game in Huntsville, Texas which happens to be my alma mater. It was homecoming weekend, and I did shoot many shots, but this one is by far my favorite of all. Sitting about 50 yards away, I noticed a player set his helmet on a fan. Shortly thereafter, a trainer set down the Gatorade bottles right next to the helmet. The colors blended well, I took aim, and I captured a great photo.
One of my many favorites, and some of the best things in the world to eat are pancakes with fresh Maple syrup, and blackberries. They are also great to photograph. Here is a macro photo of some delicious pancakes I made for breakfast.
Pancakes with Blackberries
2013 Albert Moyer, Jr.
Steel Cut Oats with Raisins, Walnuts, Apples, Cinnamon, and Honey
One of my favorite breakfast foods is steel-cut oats. I prefer their nutty crunch to the flat pasty style rolled oats. Steel cut oats take longer to cook. They usually take about 30 to 45 minutes. If you are looking for a healthy, natural, breakfast choice, this is about as natural as one can get, and your body will love you back for it.
A lot of times I am asked about my life and how I accomplish things. “Help! I hear.” Sometimes, I am the one asking for,”Help!”
So today, I decided to do a post about the things that benefit me, and I know can benefit others. These ten things can change your life.
Help! It’s right here.
1. Banks- Banks have a main goal that is to make money and earn interest off their assets. Their goal is really not the customer even though they must pretend that they love you to death. Banks have high priority for those who are ultra-wealthy and low priority for most of society. They often see the lower-income earners as burdens even though they are glad to have what little money you own to help their bottom line, which is to make money. So with that said, don’t pay the banks! Pay yourself! How do you pay yourself? Invest in stocks, mutual funds, and bonds that pay you interest(money). Avoid credit cards and borrowing! If you don’t have the money, then don’t buy it! Do not give the banks extra money, so that you can have a depreciating (losing money) asset. Think assets (what pads or lines your pocket), not liabilities (things that take away from your money).
2. Insurers- Insurers protect you from liability(responsibility to pay for loss) and protect the things your own(assets). Many times, we do not have the necessary cash flow to pay for huge losses. With that said, buy insurance on everything of value, that you cannot replace with the cash you have on hand. I believe in insuring everything possible.Insurance can be expensive, but the price is small when you have a disaster.
3. Retail purchases and autos- Purchasing anything new is like throwing money away in the trash. Why? Almost anything new loses extreme cash value. Purchase clothes, shoes, goods, and autos used so that someone else can lose the cash value and take the big depreciation hit for you. In return, you are benefiting your assets and helping the environment by recycling. The money saved can be invested so that you are paying yourself.
4. Groceries- Purchase fruits and vegetables that are in season so that you get the best value. Buy dry goods and other items in bulk if you have storage capacity to save money. Buy organic foods when possible to avoid chemically laden food products. Natural foods will save your retirement money for you and not prescription drugs to maintain your health. Avoid most cleaning products because they often do not work as stated and they are hazardous. One can clean and disinfect almost everything with bleach, lemon juice, vinegar, and soap.
5. Entertainment- Always look for early season bargains on passes to museums, zoos, water parks, amusement parks, etc. The passes allow you to go to a place as much as you want without paying for a ticket every visit. The passes usually pay for themselves within one or two visits. For movies, hit the matinees and save up to 25% per ticket. If you want to take it further, pack your own food. This is always healthier and a huge savings.
6. Health- Avoid all drugs (prescription and illegal) as much as possible. The body hates drugs especially your stomach, liver, and kidneys. Avoid alcohol as much as possible and limit to no more than one drink a day maximum. Eat as many plant-based foods as you want, love and use fresh garlic, and limit consumption of animal products. Diets high in vegetables, grains, and fruits help you to have the power to enjoy life in your senior years and save your retirement money for trips and not prescription pills. At my age, I am watching friends far apart and break down, because they never took the lifestyle choice of being healthy serious. Protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen and clothing for that beautiful youthful look. Drink plenty of water and limit sugary drinks. I would say to avoid all man-made food additives as much as possible especially monosodium glutamate (makes you gain weight) and high fructose corn syrup (diabetes link).
7. Donate- Donate what you do not need to charity organizations or others. Donate time to help make a difference in the environment or someones life. Donating time, money, and goods are great for the soul and health of the body. Another added benefit is the government recognizes the importance of donating and often many things can be used as a tax write off.
8. Religion- Prescribe to a faith and stick to its teachings as much as possible. I say as much as possible, because it is unreal to expect perfection. Of course, I am bias to Jesus Christ and Christianity, because Jesus washes me clean even though I am a sinner. Many religions base salvation on good works, but you can never have enough good works. It is impossible! We can never be perfect and Jesus knows this. A benefit of religion is added years to your life which is backed by research. It also gives one and improved state of mind and greater outlook on life.
9. Human relations- Listen and watch a person to know their heart and state of mind. Know who they hang around. Unfortunately, not everyone is nice or good. If something is great and another tells you it is bad, then you must realize that person is bad. If committing a certain act is bad and another tries to convince you it is o.k. that person is bad. Great people work to bring you up, help you, and show you good things. Bad people are the opposite because they tear you down, do not help you or your life, and they will show you in the worst way how not to be successful. A rattlesnake has a pattern and rattle for a reason. To warn you of it’s danger! Humans also have patterns and characteristics.
10. Education- I cannot state it enough! Read, study, and learn all that you can about as many topics as you can. Be a renaissance man/woman!
This is what it looks like from behind my kit when I am playing rock n roll. This photo taken at Irish Stew Festival Gig in Houston before a show.
A Drummer’s View
This is what it looks like when I am playing a Cajun music gig. Only the basics. This photo taken in Baton Rouge at Cajun Music Dance U.T.C. Hall.
This is what it looks like when I am playing Jazz or some other gig that needs less volume.
Photo taken at Bohemeo’s in Houston.
And finally this is what it looks like when I dream about another drum kit. Hahaha!
A big vintage Ludwig Vistalite Kit.
Photo from Google Images.
My favorite poem is Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It just so happens that my favorite song on bass, that I have been learning, is Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Iron Maiden. A really technical and well-written piece of literature, and a technical monster of a song by Iron Maiden that lasts around 13:30 min/sec. based on the poem.
Samuel works my mind and Steve Harris’s licks give my fingers plenty of exercise.
Rime Of The Ancient Mariner Video
Albert Moyer, Jr. 