Z is for Zooks and Zounds

Now everyone that has been following along on this challenge will  know that Z is for Zooks and Zounds  for a reason.
I could have smartly  chosen "Zip" as in "zip the lip since A to Z is finished already ". 

We're on a roll now, we're meandering over the finishing line of the A to Z challenge at half speed, perhaps even nonchalantly, to enjoy the sensation of actually having completed  a challenge.

Because the challenge took much supreme dedication  and putzing about, and a bit of outstanding work, (cheer now)    I did not care to use common words like 'zoo' or ' zipper', even though both of those  fine 'Z' words would  suitable for closure.
 So are ' zloty', 'zither'  and 'zippy'.  Being bribed in Polish zloty's  to stop playing the zither and finishing up at an extra- zippy pace just in time for dinner works every time.

 However much I may have been tempted to make  tongue-in-cheek oaths never to pack it in and never attempt such foolishness participation in challenges  again, I shall stand firm and not waiver.... professing dedication to the AZ'y  very end.  
( It would have been just a mild oath, mind you.....  A zook, or a zound.    That's why, today,  Z is for Zooks and Zounds.)
Have you heard the old oaths  "Zounds!"  or  "Gadzooks!" ?  Mild oaths were  invented back in the days when nobody cared to take the oaths of Deities in vain. Gad and Asher must have been particularly careful not to make unnecessary  zooks when Zilpah, their mother, was listening too.
 "Father, I heard some Gad zooks today, you better speak to your boy!"

    Famous old sculptors were also heard to say "Gadzooks!" or 'Zounds!"  when the village putz knocked an arm or the  nose off of one of their wonderful marble statues.  Dear readers, we would probably offer a coloured comment too, after fourteen years, six months and three weeks of Sundays trying to carve a magnificent, perfect  historical work of art. 

We now know the heady feeling of success.   We have the A's through Z's  all covered with a veritable salad of ideas.  Transmogification   of the English language.  We have spinach superflooie at hand.  A few collards, cabbages, and a variety of squashtickles decorated with xylography too.
We're ready to whackify  collard-snatchers, play  with the pups  and get winning lottery tickets on Friday so we can ride in that yellow submarine.
  Surprise!  We have chosen a preemptive strike for the  rebellious nonconformity and appreciation we have for our loyal readers at Incoming Bytes. I have  officially decided to complete the challenge with flourish,  a kaflooie and a head-stand in appreciation for life itself. We hope you smile.

so,  ....Zookeris and and Zoundifiers....
We're all finished, we'll just stand on our heads for a while. 

 After all, we need something to chat about after the challenge, don't we?
 The challenge is part of life, and that is what life is 'about' --life  with all of it's challenges, from A to Z...and if you remember, A was for About everything. 


Is that incoming I hear?

Y is for Yellow

The Age of Light is Upon Us

Got the spring blahs?  Tired of waiting for nice weather? You can fix that today. Think Y for Yellow.

At the end of a long, cold winter we all have the blahs. Cabin fever. Boredom. We're tired of snow, road salt, mud, and the dark. We need light.  Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin. Got none?
Okay, let's try Yellow.   The colour of sunshine.  Wakey-wakey.... Open the eyes and let the beautiful yellow light of sunshine into your heart and into your very soul.
Concentrate on yellow.
The brightness, the light that everyone wants in their lives. Daybreak. Warmth.  Cheery, bright, and light.  Somewhere between orange and green. Yellow helps growth. Do you like growth?  With yellow you are well on your way.  Allow your mind to grow, to expand.  Drink in the  yellow light of change for the better.
  It is one of my favourite colours.  Yellow is sunflowers,  and  lemons. With yellow, life can be sweet lemonade.

Don't like lemons?  Got no sunflowers yet?   Maybe all you need is  a yellow submarine!

Maybe all you  need is a yellow submarine...

Is that incoming I hear?

X is for Xylography

 X is for Xylography

  Xylography?  What?  What's that?   "X" by  itself  is unusual enough. That's why X is for xylography.

  Of course, everybody wants to know what xylography is!  Xylography is the  production of  an beautiful piece of artwork and is done by engraving on wood. Xylography is an old name for 'wood cuts'.    Sounds familiar, doesn't it?   Something like linoleum printing,  potato prints, or even plasticine printing.   Perhaps we'll have to explore those possibilities at some point too!

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by  Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528)

 The process is simple. Develop a raised-relief 'picture'  using art and creativity of woodcarving. Spread some paint or pigment carefully on the wood block. Press the block firmly on suitable paper. Voila!  A beautiful wood cut print.  A Xylograph.
 That is why X is for xylography.  If you are an xylographer, you know how to carve beautiful pictures on wood blocks, and using paint and other media, make prints !
 Even amateurs can participate in this beautiful, antique art form. 

• Use woodcarving tools or a knife as simple as a penknife. You can even use a modern rotary tool like a Dremel(R)   to make it  easier to make an antique-style picture!
• Start with a soft wood like pine, butternut or cedar, it's easier to carve.  
• Draw a simple picture on the block of wood.
• carve out a 'relief' of the picture. 
• Spread some oil paint, acrylic paint or hobby paint on the block. You can use one colour for a monochrome print, or use several colours.
• Press the block firmly and carefully on a suitable piece of craft paper or canvas. 
•   
• The most interesting thing is, if you do make a very beautiful xylograph, you can print numerous "original copies"  using the same block. If they turn out to be exceptional, make sure you number the prints and sign them!

Here at Incoming Bytes we believe some clever readers might want to explore the world of Xylography further. There may be 'other' interesting reasons to know what Xlography is.
Look around you. Check the attic and the old trunks Granny left you.  See any old, old  printed pictures that look a bit  old-fashioned, strange, monochrome,  maybe even  primitive and unusual? How about looking around at yard sales?
 Look twice.  Some pieces may even be historical, valuable pieces of art--an Xylograph from the past!
What a great hobby!  Isn't it cool?  Xylography is a very old art form--one that may be returning.
 No wonder old guys appreciate it!

Is that incoming I hear?