Inktober 2024

This year, I’ve chosen not to use my usual water-based ink pens that I used for 2019, 2021, and 2023. Instead, I’m using the set of 172 Professional Colored Pencils and the special erasers that I bought from Amazon during 2023.

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Here are the prompts for the 2024 Challenge. This whole list is urging us to create a special story-trip. You’ll see what I mean, as you read down through the list that follows.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Backpack
                        
                     2. Discover
                     3. Boots
                     4. Exotic
                     5. Binoculars
                     6. Trek
                     7. Passport
                     8. Hike
                     9. Sun
                     10. Nomadic
                     11. Snacks
                     12. Remote
                     13. Horizon
                     14. Roam
                     15. Guidebook
                     16. Grungy
                     17. Journal
                     18. Drive
                     19. Ridge
                     20. Uncharted
                     21. Rhinoceros
                     22. Camp
                     23. Rust
                     24. Expedition
                     25. Scarecrow
                     26. Camera
                     27. Road
                     28. Jumbo
                     29. Navigator
                     30. Violin
                     31. Landmark

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I posted this drawing eight minutes after midnight, the night of 10/01/2024, which means I didn’t make my first deadline, but only missed it by eight minutes…not too bad! 😉

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I posted this drawing at about 11:45 PM on the night of October 2, 2024. Hooray! I made the deadline! I hope I will be able to keep up, this year. We shall see how it goes! 😛

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I posted this at 1:18 AM on 10/04. However…I finished drawing it at 11:44 PM on 10/03. HOORAY!!! It just took quite a bit of work to get it oriented and tagged correctly. 😛

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I finished this drawing at 12:38 AM on 10/05. It was posted at 1:30 AM on 10/05. A few extenuating circumstances caused the delays, but hey! At least it’s done! 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #4: Exotic
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/04/2024

—DEFINITION of EXOTIC—

…of foreign origin or character; not native; introduced from abroad, but not fully naturalized or acclimatized: exotic foods; exotic plants.

…strikingly unusual or strange in effect or appearance: an exotic hairstyle.

—ETYMOLOGY & USAGE—

The etymology (origin) of the word goes back to “exo,” which means “outside of.” In other words, exotic originals, people, emotions/reactions, or sights, would be “WOW factors.”

This freshwater crawdad (which could also be called a crawfish or a crayfish) is exotic in more than one way. First of all, the colors I chose for this (still live) crawdad are a bit exotic and fancy, though the creatures do come in a variety of strange colors, from the different places all over the world where they can be found. Secondly, it is exotic because of its exoskeleton (just as shrimp, crabs, and lobsters would be).

Unlike it’s ocean “cousins” (as mentioned above), most crawdads are no longer than about 6″. They look more like a lobster, but they taste more like shrimp. We used to have a slough out behind our home when we lived in Porterville, California. During the late summer months, we could get slews (grin) of crawdads, and they made great additions to many dinners. As with other shellfish, you wash them while they are still alive, then place them into boiling water immediately, cooking them until they turn a bright orange-red, before feasting on them.

The crawdad in this picture looks like he is much larger than normal, because it is in front of the background that I laid in as a reminder of the #1 drawing (Backpack). Obviously, this crawdad, and a bunch of others, were scooped out of the waters of that shallow stream, so that the family could have their exotic feast (probably cooked over a lovely campfire as the sun was going down). Yum!

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I finished this drawing at 11:40 PM on 10/05. It was posted at 12:08 AM on 10/06. Made the deadline again, at least for the drawing part! 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #5: Binoculars
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/05/2024

—DEFINITIONS—
MONOCULAR:
having only one eye; of or referring to vision with one eye.
BINOCULAR:
having two eyes; of or referring to vision with two eyes.

When an optometrist tests your binocular vision, you will have both eyes open. He will sit in front of you and tell you to focus on his finger (which he has held up in front of your nose). He will then tell you not to move your head, but to follow his finger to your left, and let him know the moment when his finger disappears from your view. After jotting down the results, he will do the same routine, but to your right. This tells him about your “field of vision” using both eyes at one time.

To test your monocular vision, the optometrist will cover one of your eyes, then will have you watch his finger move to the left and to the right, in the same manner as before. Then he will cover the other eye and have you watch his finger move to the left and to the right, the same way. This tells him about your “field of vision” using one eye at a time.

When traveling in the wild as we are doing on this imaginary journey, you might carry a binocular tool which lets your two-eyed vision expand to much further away from yourself than is generally the case. This instrument is usually just called “binoculars.” You might also carry a monocular tool, which allows one of your eyes at a time, to see further away from yourself than is generally the case. This instrument is sometimes called a “monocular,” and sometimes called a “telescope,” depending on how far the the instrument can extend your vision.

Instead of drawing a “pair of binoculars,” I chose to draw the following chart, which could help you to sneak up on certain types of birds, in order to take some excellent photographs.

For each bird, the orange triangles show the natural way its eyes look outward. The lighter-colored part of the circle shows what each bird’s natural monocular vision would be, without any head movement, due to the position of its eyes. The darker-colored part of the circle shows what each bird’s natural binocular vision would be, without any head movement, due to the position of its eyes.

You might try to get close-up photographs of these types of birds. However, you are not going to easily sneak up on a woodcock from any direction. If you quietly approach a sparrow, you might be able to get fairly close, by approaching it quietly from behind. As for the owl, you might THINK you could pretty easily sneak up on it from behind, An owl, however, is capable of quickly swiveling its head (without moving its body) almost completely in the opposite direction! Its binocular vision then allows it to see almost anything in a full 360-degree circle around itself.

Also, your group (especially the children) would need to be aware that all three of these types of birds (especially if guarding a nest) can be quite vicious, so be careful, and watch out for your OWN eyes!!!

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I finished this drawing at 11:00 PM on 10/06, and posted it at 11:33 PM on 10/06. HOORAY! 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #6: Trek
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/06/2024

I have created a very simple drawing, that’s similar in some ways to my #14 prompt in the 2023 challenge, but not as detailed or complicated. There have been a ton of BIG delays today, including having to take my PC’s keyboard apart. It’s temporarily fixed, but then I had to take the time to order a new one, because this one has about had it.

This day actually fits in quite well with the description that is…THE DRAWING ITSELF.

Let’s hope the travelers in this rather strangely unfolding INKTOBER 2024 journey, are having themselves a friendly, leisurely, and beautiful nature walk, rather than having to trek their way through beautiful, yet somewhat dangerous and strenuous trails.

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I finished this drawing at 9:45 PM on 10/07, and posted it at 11:15 PM on 10/07. YAY! 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #7: Passport
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/07/2024

— DEFINITIONS —

1) A passport is generally an official document (varying from country to country) which is issued by the country’s government, to one of its citizens, which then authorizes travel to foreign countries by authenticating the bearer’s identity, citizenship, right to protection while abroad, and the right to re-enter his native country.

2) A passport could be anything that ensures admission or acceptance.
Example: A good education can be your passport to success.

3) A passport could also be a certificate intended to secure admission to any particular place or event.

4) Additionally, a passport might be a document issued to a ship (especially to a neutral merchant ship in time of war) which requests or grants permission to proceed without molestation in certain waters.

— NOTE —

ON THE OTHER HAND…you could just go check out the Honda Passport , which has NOTHING to do with entering other countries, unless you want to pack up your luggage, stuff the family into the vehicle, and begin a “trek” to another nation!!

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I finished this drawing at 10:00 PM on 10/08, and posted it at 11:30 PM on 10/08. Can I keep this up? 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #8: Hike
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/08/2024

— DICTIONARY DEFINITION —

1) to walk or march a great distance, especially through rural areas, for pleasure, exercise, military training, or the like.
Synonyms: backpack, trudge, trek, ramble, tramp

2) to move (or move up); to rise (or rise up): changing place or position (generally upward).
Example: My shirt hikes up if I don’t wear a belt.

3) Nautical: to hold oneself outboard on the windward side of a heeling sailboat to reduce the amount of heel.

4) Football: a signal from the quarterback to the center, to pick up the football and put it into motion.

— ETYMOLOGY (FOOTBALL) —

Back in the 1890s, John Heisman — of Heisman Trophy fame — introduced the word hike to football. Originally, the center (who puts the ball into play) used one hand to flip the ball under his legs to the quarterback. To alert the center that he was ready to start, a quarterback would use a touch signal, often scratching the center’s leg. When playing as a center for the University of Pennsylvania team in 1890-91, Heisman got tricked by an opposing player who scratched his leg. He flipped the ball back, and the quarterback missed the pass. Heisman’s solution was to have the quarterback use the word hike to put the ball into motion so that everyone was clear when the play started. Hike was a good choice, since it can mean “to pull or raise with a sudden motion,” and that’s what the center does with the ball.

After a lot of traveling on foot and camping for the past week, the family has stopped for a day of relaxation and pretending they are a football team, just for the fun of it.  😛  😀 

… Attribution to the Original Digital Artist (Regis Frey) …

From Linda … The original file that I printed, in order to hand-draw it for my own use, is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license. which is licensed under … Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported. Users are free to share, copy, distribute, transmit, remix, or adapt the work, under the following conditions: Attribution (appropriate credit) that includes a link to the license, and an indication if changes were made. Permission is given for the drawing to be used in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses the user or the usage.

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I finished this drawing at 10:50 PM on 10/09, and posted it at 12:30 PM on 10/10. I was fighting with my printer’s scanner, and with Paint Shop Pro, that isn’t scanning the colors in my drawings well.

The Passport drawing looks OK, but the blue color is NOT what it is in my original drawing.

Yesterday’s Hike grid, in my drawing, has a very nice, grass green background, with nice, dark blue Xs and dark red Os. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get those colors adjusted the way I wanted them, in Paint Shop Pro.

The same thing happened tonight, with the sunrise. The colors in my original drawing have a similar vibrance to this scan, but there is nothing ORANGE about the drawing, greenish-blue about the sky, or fall colors for the grassy hills. The sky is a beautiful cerulean blue and a light sky blue (so pretty). The sun and its rays are pure YELLOW, in various light-to-dark shades (no red tones at all). The grass is a rich summer green, brightened at the center by the beautiful yellow sunlight. Part of my purpose for DOING this drawing, was to show a DIFFERENCE from the autumn hues of the earlier drawings. Since the story is advancing to a new and unknown land, I wanted to show that the days themselves are changing, as “the crew” advances to “Who Knows Where.”

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #9: Sun
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/09/2024

After spending the day playing “football” yesterday, then pitching their tents and camping under a beautiful moonlit sky, our traveling group woke to a beautiful SUNRISE, which beckoned them onward , on their journey to “Who Knows Where.”

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I finished this drawing at 10:32 PM on 10/10. It was posted at 11:25 PM on 10/10. Hooray! 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #10: Nomadic
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/10/2024

What does that mean?

“Nomadic” is the adjective form of the word “nomad,” which means that a person is…

…a member of a people or tribe that has no permanent abode but moves about from place to place, usually seasonally and often following a traditional route or circuit according to the state of the pasturage or food supply.

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I finished this drawing at 10:05 PM on 10/11. It was posted at 10:50 PM on 10/11. I’m so happy! 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #11: Snacks
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/11/2024

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I finished this drawing at 11:00 PM on 10/12. It was posted at 11:45 PM on 10/12. YES!!! 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #12: Remote
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/12/2024

REMOTE is linked closely to REMOVE. Whenever you see the prefix RE in a word, it means AGAIN. The word MOTE goes way, way back, and basically means a VERY SMALL PIECE OF something (as in dust, sunlight, etc.).

REMOTE can describe a place that is far away from where one is currently standing. When you get there, it is no longer REMOTE. It also can define how a person acts, who does not seem to be paying attention to you, when you speak, because his mind is focused on something else. A shy person could be understood as having a REMOTE personality, because he doesn’t like to interface closely with other people.

A REMOTE (as a THING) can be the shortened version of the term “remote control,” which helps us to change things (like TV channels) while not being particularly close to them, and by not having to press the buttons that are on the TVs, radios, toasters, ovens, heaters, coolers, etc., that we might be wanting to control.

Also, as I kept waking up during my sleep time, I found myself remembering the movie “Princess Bride,” and the part where “The Man in Black” has given Vizzini the choice of the goblet of wine that has poison in it, vs. the goblet of wine that does not have poison in it.

When The Man in Black asks Vizzini if he’s made up his mind, he is told snappily, “NOT REMOTELY!!! Oh! What was that over there?” Vizzini points somewhere behind The Man in Black, who turns his head to look, even though he knows full well what is happening, Vizzini then quickly switches the goblets, and then says, “I’ve made my choice! I’ll drink from the glass in front of me, and you drink from the glass in front of you.” After drinking, Vizzini immediately dies, because he has been fooled by The Man in Black.

I couldn’t get it out of my head, that Vizzini’s statement, “NOT REMOTELY!!!” actually would have meant that his answer was QUITE CLOSE, not FAR AWAY! Indeed, that was actually played out by Vizzini’s immediate actions (which he THOUGHT would kill The Man in Black…not himself).

SO…YEAH!!! How in the world can one DRAW the word REMOTE (other than drawing it in fancy letters similar to what I drew for TREK).

Finally (because the “clan” has now become nomadic — which means they are free to move anywhere they like, at any time, and for any reason, since selling their country home in which they previously lived) I decided that they would have, perhaps, drawn a little “shorthand map,” that projects some of the places they have heard about, from other travelers.

Some of those places will be quite NEAR to where they were, yesterday, while snacking around their campfire. On the other hand, some of their travels will be to places they have never heard of or seen before, that are quite REMOTE from where they were enjoying their dessert yesterday.

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I finished this drawing at 8:30 PM on 10/13. It was posted at 9:30 PM on 10/13. It’s been a great day, with lots of family participation!!! 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #13: Horizon
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/13/2024

— DICTIONARY DEFINITIONS —

The word HORIZON is a noun. It refers to the line or circle that forms the “apparent boundary” between earth and sky. One thing I might note, is that the “apparent boundary” cannot be seen, when you get up TO the line or circle. It can ONLY be seen when the horizon is still quite REMOTE from where you are standing.

If you want to get a little more detailed, you could check into some information about astronomy. In the language of that science, the small circle of the celestial sphere whose plane (level surface) is tangent (in contact along a single line or element) of the earth at the position of the observer, or the plane of such a circle regarding the sensible (believable) horizon.

There is also the rational horizon, wherein the great circle of the celestial sphere’s plane passes through the center of the earth and is parallel to the sensible horizon of a given position, or the plane of the celestial horizon.

Additionally, there are differing types of geographical ways of measuring horizons, which can be stratigraphic or involve correlation (relationship).

Regarding the use of the word when speaking of people, you could say that the scope of a person’s interest, education, and understanding, would effect his life’s horizons (viewpoints, domains, or perspective in life).

— USAGE FOR THIS CHALLENGE —

Because we have a group of people who are learning more and more about how the different surroundings through which they are nomadically traveling, I have only created a drawing that addresses the first of the definitions. I hope to reveal an “apparent boundary” that can be seen (even without binoculars) between the earth (or sea) and the sky, as that boundary is approached.

In this particular drawing, if you take a look at the map that the new nomads have made, for their upcoming travels, you can see not only their first stop (the pond), but the second stop (the mountains that really firm up the horizon line).

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I finished this drawing at 11:21 PM on 10/14. It was posted at 11:55 PM on 10/14. Both my grandson Wesley (nine years old) and my granddaughter Abi (seven years old) had some WONDERFUL input for this drawing. I ended up making a very simplistic combo of their two ideas. 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #14: Roam
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/14/2024

— BASIC DICTIONARY DEFINITIONS —

1) To walk, go, ramble, wander, prowl, stroll, stray, or travel without a fixed purpose or direction.

To use the word as a noun (a thing), one might say something like, “Let’s go for a little roam!” Just substitute it for the word hike, climb, walk, run, stroll, or even trek!

To use the word as a verb (having innate action, in and of itself), one might say something like, “Go NOW! Just…ROAM!” or “You are now free to roam about the country!” In this case (since passports have been issued for the entire family), they are now free to roam all over the world, anywhere they like — especially since they have become “nomadic” in their ways!

— IN THIS CASE —

Since passports have been issued for the entire family), they are now free to roam all over the world, anywhere they like — especially since they have become “nomadic” in their ways!

Also, if you take a look back at the map that the family created for themselves, that was based on what others had told them, you already know that they have traveled all the way to the little lake. Now they have moved on around the base of the small mountain range as depicted on the map, with the intent of reaching the tent village that they had been informed would come next, along the trail.

They didn’t really expect to find tipis (teepees), because they didn’t think anyone still lived in those types of tents. However, they were quite pleasantly surprised to discover that there were, indeed, teepees, and that anyone roaming through the countryside was allowed to choose one (or more) in which to camp for a night! They chose a fairly large one, and here it is, in all its glory.

l’ve also scanned the VERY quick sketch (drawn in about three minutes top), that I made to illustrate the idea that Wesley gave me, in which I used some interesting cabins, rather than tents. Also, I scanned the mountains that Abi drew for me, because she said the family had roamed all the way around the feet of them.

My Drawing, as Wesley Told Me His Idea

Abi’s Drawing
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I finished this drawing at 10:00 PM on 10/15. It was posted at 11:00 PM on 10/15. I know it’s simplistic, but it was a kind of weird day. 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #15: Guidebook
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/15/2024

— DEFINITION (noun)—

1) A guidebook is a book that lists directions, advice, and/or information, usually for travelers or tourists. It also could be a “how-to” book that lists directions, advice, and/or information about things like crafts, woodworking, cooking, raising your children, or … you name it.

— IN THIS CASE —

The man of this family (while his wife took a bit of time to find out some of the history of the people who ran the little teepee resort area) discovered that there was a small gift store at the resort, as well. In there, he found this little book, and enthusiastically purchased it immediately!

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I finished this drawing at 11:14 PM on 10/16. It was posted at 11:52 PM on 10/16. I didn’t think I’d be even close to getting this one done in time, because I searched and searched and searched for ideas, and nothing was hitting me just right! 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #16 Grungy
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/16/2024

— DEFINITION of GRUNGE (noun) —

1) dirt; filth; rubbish

2) something of inferior quality, trash: “He didn’t know good music from grunge.”

3) a person who works hard, usually for meager rewards: a grind.

4) a style or fashion derived from a movement in rock music:
in fashion, characterized by unkempt clothing;
in music, characterized by aggressive, nihilistic songs.

— DEFINITION of GRUNGY (adjective) —

1) ugly, run-down, or dilapidated: a grungy, abandoned mill town.

2) dirty; filthy: a pair of grungy sneakers.

— ETYMOLOGY of GRUNGY —

“sloppy, shabby,” 1965, American English slang, perhaps based on, or blended from, GRUBBY and DINGY.

— IN THIS CASE —

I don’t know what type of music the group was listening to as they resumed their “forever traveling,” but I do know what the next stop on the map appears to be! It looks like the pathway was pretty level and clear, with lots of space around them.

From what they had been told, however, they would soon come to a farm or ranch with pens and corrals for different animals. When the little map was being created, neither the clan nor I had looked to see what the next few prompts would be! Seriously! I had gone through the whole list several times, but I haven’t been looking at each next prompt after beginning the project, until it has become time for it!

On that map, however, there has been a visible horizon, which changed as they roamed around the foot of the mountains and found the teepee resort when it was time to rest. Now that they’re on the move again (after beginning to study their new guidebook) the map has foretold the next stop, which actually has quite a bit of grunginess available!

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I finished this drawing at 11:59 PM on 10/17. It was posted at 01:00 AM on 10/18. WHEW! 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #17 Journal
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/17/2024

— DEFINITION of JOURNAL (noun) —

(1) a daily record of occurrences, experiences, or observations.

(2) a newspaper, especially a daily one; a periodical or magazine, especially one published for a special group, learned society, or profession.

(3) a record (usually daily) of the proceedings and transactions of a legislative body, an organization, etc. In bookkeeping, a daybook may be kept, into which all transactions are entered, in order to facilitate posting into the ledger. Nautically, a log or logbook may be kept.

— DEFINITION of JOURNAL (verb) —

Writing down daily activities as a record for the future. This could pertain to a huge variety of subjects.

— IN THIS CASE —

Early in the morning after arriving at the farm, the family was invited to use the “facilities,” and they all took turns taking showers and putting on clean clothes for the next part of their journey.

This young lady was the first one to get back to the family’s own tent, which had been pitched near a little stream that flowed through the property not far from the barn. She fished her journal out of her backpack, and began to record the history of the journey from her own viewpoint, while enjoying the peace and quiet of the sunrise and the lack of other human voices.

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I finished this drawing at 12:00 Midnight on 10/22. It was posted at 2:00 AM on 10/23, due to some scanner problems. 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #22 Camp
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/22/2024

— DEFINITION of CAMP (noun) —

1) a place of any type, where any person or group is lodged, in a temporary means of shelter.

2) a recreation area in the country, equipped with extensive facilities for sports.

3) such shelters, collectively speaking: “The regiment transported its camp, in trucks.”

4) the people who are sheltered in one of these places: “The camp slept through the storm.”

5) any position in which ideals, doctrines, etc., are strongly entrenched: “After considering the other side’s argument, he changed camps.”

— DEFINITION of CAMP (verb) —

1) establish or pitch a camp: The army camped in the valley.

2) live temporarily in (or as if in) a camp or outdoors — usually for recreation (often followed by out ): “How would you like to camp by the stream for a week?”

3) move into somewhere temporarily or irregularly — especially into an apartment, room, or house: “They camped in our apartment whenever they came to town.”

4) settle down temporarily, securely, and comfortably: “The kids camped on our porch until the rain stopped.”

5) take up a position stubbornly: “They camped in front of the president’s office.”

— IN THIS CASE —

This particular camp was prepared by the men of our little group who were not already involved in helping the women and children buy food and other goods that had become necessary over the past several days. Actually, this is just one section of the camp that they set up, because they had just purchased two new (larger) tents, to add to the one they had already been using since the beginning of their wanderings, since there are now more people who have joined the endeavor. I wonder how many other changes will be upcoming, since it seems to have become inevitable that they WILL continue “traveling forever.”

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I finished this drawing at 11:25 PM on 10/23. It was posted at 12:30 AM on 10/24. 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #23 Rust
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/23/2024

— BASIC DEFINITIONS of RUST (noun) —

1) the red or orange coating (consisting mainly of ferric hydroxide and ferric oxide, formed by oxidation) that forms on the surface of iron when exposed to air and moisture: Synonym = corrosion.

2) a stain resembling this coating.

3) any growth, habit, influence, or agency tending to injure, deteriorate, or impair the mind, character, abilities, usefulness, etc.

4) regarding plant pathology: any of several plant diseases characterized by reddish, brownish, or black blisters on the leaves, stems (caused by a fungus commonly called “rust fungus”).

5) any of several other (human or plant) diseases of unknown cause, characterized by reddish-brown spots or discolorations on the affected parts.

6) colors like “reddish yellow,” “yellowish red,” “reddish brown,” or “brownish red” (all of which are usually called autumnal colors).

— BASIC DEFINITIONS of RUST (verb) —

1) becoming or grown rusty, as with iron (see the #1 noun definition).

2) somehow contracting rust (as in a stain, a growth, a disease, or GRUNGY changes to a shiny metal surface.

3) deteriorating or becoming impaired, usually by inaction or disuse: Synonyms = decline or decay.

4) somehow becoming rust-colored (see the #6 noun definition).

— BASIC ETYMOLOGY (adjective) —

The word “rust” is generally seen to be connected to the ancient root “reudh-” (meaning “red” or “ruddy”). In English, it’s the only color for which a definite English root word has been found. The Latin take on “reudh-” also leads us to, “ruby,” “rubric,” “russet,” etc.

— IN THIS CASE —

As this growing number of new nomads set out to leave Washington State, heading eastward across the U.S.A (or possibly north-eastward into Canada), they have DISCOVERED that their surroundings are definitely turning to RUST! Autumn is here, even though it’s been a bit slow settling in, in some areas, this year.

ALSO…they just saw a sign that has them turning off of the road to check out the prices on the items that are for sale!! It’s a good thing there’s also another cozy-looking campground nearby, because this little venture might take a while!

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I finished this drawing at 1:30 AM on 10/24. It was posted at 2:30 AM on 10/24. 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #24 Expedition
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/24/2024

— DEFINITIONS of the ROOT: EXPEDITE (verb) —

1) speed up the progress of (hasten) (hurry) (accelerate) (push) (quicken): Please expedite the shipments.

2) the opposite of “delay.”

3) accomplish anything promptly (dispatch): You must expedite your tasks for today, as we’re closing early.

4) issue or dispatch: This official letter must be issued/dispatched immediately.

— BASIC DEFINITIONS of EXPEDITION (noun) —

1) an excursion, journey, or voyage made for some specific purpose, as of war or exploration.

2) a group of persons, ships, etc., engaged in such an activity: They were a large expedition of scientists and military personnel.

3) promptness or speed in accomplishing something: Synonyms: quickness, alacrity, dispatch: He worked with great expedition.

— IN THIS CASE —

You may wonder how this drawing actually fits with all of the above definitions and origins, because you’re not seeing a parade of vehicles of any type, taking a crowd of people anywhere. However, because the clan has now gone back to their newest campground to settle down and sleep, the story is being related AFTER the EXPEDITION has been completed. Here is what happened, while they were all “out and about,” before darkness set in…

After visiting the pumpkin farm and buying about 100 of the beautiful, ripe, RUST-colored melons, all of the group went on an EXPEDITION throughout the next town they came to. They walked from doorstep to doorstep, dropping off at least one free pumpkin at every home, until they only had half a dozen left for themselves, to use for the upcoming Thanksgiving celebration.

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I finished this drawing at 12:00 Midnight on 10/25. It was posted at 1:00 AM on 10/25. 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #25 Scarecrow
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/25/2024

— DEFINITIONS of SCARECROW (noun) —

1) an object (usually a figure of a person in old clothes) set up to frighten birds (especially crows or other birds who eat planted seeds, and/or seeds that haven’t yet been harvested for the following year) away from crops.

2) anything frightening but not really dangerous.

3) a person in ragged clothes.

4) an extremely thin person.

5) at Halloween, the #1 definition, used as either a costume or as a doorstep figure, designed to scare kids who knock on doors as they are out trick-or-treating.

— IN THIS CASE —

While I was growing up, we lived on a homesite two miles outside of Old Valdez, Alaska, and we had more than one garden. My dad had grown up with a Polish Mom who grew and then processed her own small crops. When we would visit her, she would let me help her with both harvesting, and then down in her basement where she stored things, and made her own Polish pickles (YUM). Until the year she passed away, when I was 20 or so, she would send me a couple of jars of those carefully-packed pickles, all the way from South Dakota, to Alaska, for both my birthday, and for Christmas.

When I was just a toddler, my dad tried putting a scarecrow in the middle of one of our two strawberry beds, for two reasons. One was that birds (crows included) loved to dig the small transplants out of the ground, in the beginning. Then, when the berries came on, they loved to do their own harvesting, because strawberries have exterior seeds. As I grew older, I helped my mom harvest the strawberries (and we also went wild-berry picking every fall). I would get really upset when finding strawberries half-eaten by either birds or mice — scarecrow or not.

In later years, Daddy solved the problem for the small amount of over-ground crops we grew. Being an excellent carpenter, he simply made a really nice, good-sized (12′ x 16′ or so) greenhouse out of 2x4s, 1/4″ plywood, and “Visqueen” (very strong, clear, heavy, plastic, that came on rolls). He made the bottom 3-feet of the greenhouse out of the plywood, and the floor was covered with a solid tent-canvas tarpaulin, to help keep mice, rats, and wolverines out. The visqueen stapled to the upper parts of the frame was effective at keeping out any birds (crows, seagulls, hawks, or eagles). Partly, it was because the boards and heavy duty plastic screened out the aroma of the seeds and young, growing plants.

SO…I’ve not drawn a scarecrow, because I don’t care for them in the least. Instead, I’ve drawn a small, easily-constructed, strong, sturdy, glass-topped “greenhouse” that (when filled about halfway up with dirt) actually works to help crops grow, without the use of scare tactics, whereas scarecrows generally do not help in the least. By using several of these interesting boxes, the nomads can grow a few very small, protected crops (like herbs, carrots, radishes, onions, or even potatoes) as they travel, at least during warmer seasons. Once it’s too cold for gardening, the boxes can be emptied of dirt, and used to store things like dried foods, small gardening tools, and seeds for the next crops.

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I finished this drawing at 1:00 AM 10/27. It was posted at 3:00 AM on 10/27. 😛

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #26 Camera
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/26/2024

— DEFINITIONS of CAMERA (noun) —

1) a device for taking photographs or for making videos/movies, to be displayed locally or on social media.

— DEFINITIONS of CAMERA (adjective) —

1) as a word that describes a noun: “He learned long ago, what “camera angle” he needed to use, in order to get the correct lighting for each shot. He had been a “camera operator” for many years.”

— IN THIS CASE —

QUESTION: What is the most commonly-used camera (by the general public), in this day and time?

ANSWER: See Below:

There’s already been quite a bit of opportunity for our nomads to use their “cameras” to take pictures of many different things. The photographs and videos that have been taken have helped to round out our knowledge of where they have been and where they might be now, and why. There may be other types of cameras in use from time to time, but mainly, they are using their cell phones.

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I finished this drawing at 12:15 AM on 10/28. It was posted at 2:00 AM on 10/28. 😀 

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #27 Road
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/27/2024

— NO DEFINITIONS NEEDED —
— JUST READ THE INFO BELOW, and FOLLOW THE LYRICS—

Beyond Belief – PETRA Cover
by Dan Vasc, with Victor the Guitar Nerd,
featuring JOHN SCHLITT & JOHN LAWRY (of Petra)

Posted November 20, 2020
(Daniel Vasconcelos had turned 31 on October 13, 2020.)

The first part of Dan’s PINNED COMMENT on YouTube, says …

“The day I discovered Petra and John Schlitt’s voice was the day I decided I would become a singer, 12 years ago. To have him along with Petra’s keyboard man John Lawry here in this channel is the happiest moment of my career so far. If it weren’t for those guys making music even before I was born, there would be no Dan Vasc.”

Original “Beyond Belief” (by Petra)

— LYRICS —
(Watch for ALL CAPS that define prior drawings AND today’s drawing.)

We’re content to PITCH OUR TENT
When THE GLORY’S EVIDENT
Seldom do we know the glory came and went
MOVING CAN SEEM DANGEROUS
In this stranger’s PILGRIMAGE
Knowing that you can’t stand still, you CROSS THE BRIDGE

(Chorus)
There’s a HIGHER PLACE TO GO, beyond belief, beyond belief
WHERE WE REACH THE NEXT PLATEAU, beyond belief, beyond belief
And from faith to faith we grow
Towards the center of the flow
Where He beckons us to go, beyond belief, beyond belief

LEAP OF FAITH WITHOUT A NET
Makes us want to hedge our bet
Waters never part until our feet get wet
THERE’S A DEEPER PLACE TO GO
WHERE THE ROAD SEEMS HARD TO HOE
He who has begun this work won’t let it go

(Chorus)

And it takes so long to see the change
But we look around and it seems so strange
WE HAVE COME SO FAR BUT THE JOURNEY’S LONG
AND WE ONCE WERE WEAK BUT NOW WE’RE STRONG

(Chorus + Interval + Chorus)

NOTE: I had thought of drawing Dan, John Lawry, and John Schlitt, but finally decided to just draw the ROAD. HOWEVER … I do plan to do the three of them to add to this prompt AFTER the entire INKTOBER list is done.

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I finished this drawing at 1:00 AM on 10/29 (because I had to throw my first attempt away…I had bitten off more than I could chew! It was posted at 2:30 AM on 10/29. At least it’s not yet November!!! 😀 

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #28 Jumbo
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/28/2024

— DEFINITIONS of JUMBO (adjective — describes a noun) —

1) (There is ONLY one definition given): This adjective describes something that is very large (larger than anything of its genre that has ever been seen before).

There are guesses about WHY this word means what it does, but even going back to 1882 (when the largest elephant that anyone had ever seen was NAMED Jumbo, because it was…the largest elephant that anyone had ever seen), the definition didn’t take place until AFTER the word was used.

Etymonline walks around this unknown instance, by saying, “The name is perhaps from slang: “a jumbo” [a clumsy, unwieldy fellow] which seems to have been used for the first time in 1883 {NOTE THAT DATE, as compared to the huge elephant that was so-named in 1882}. They also note that “jumbo” is possibly from a word for “elephant” in a West African language (compare Kongo nzamba). It is also suggested it is possibly the second element in mumbo jumbo.

It STILL puts the made-up word BEFORE its meaning!

Century Dictionary says “The name was given as having an African semblance.” It began to be used as a product size, by 1886 (for instance, when speaking of cigars). Jumbo jets (jets larger than those normally seen or known of) were attested by 1964.

— IN THIS CASE —

Our nomads have been busy, busy, busy, and the number of them seems to be increasing every day (which is interesting, since the word “JUMBO” is being discussed at this point). This evening, after a couple of pretty long days on the road, one of the drivers stopped off in the town located just before the campground that had been chosen for the night.

Everyone was pretty tired, and nobody wanted to bother to cook. So that particular driver offered to bring food to the campsite, if someone would set up his tent for him. Deal done!

He found a little drive-in in the town, that advertised JUMBO BURGERS, with a BIG discount if 12 or more of them were purchased. How perfect was that?! He went ahead and bought 24 of them, with all of the same “fixings.” There were two hamburger patties in each sandwich, with a layer of cheese, a layer of pickles, a layer of tomatoes, two layers of leaf lettuce, and a layer of bacon. Plus the buns were the kind with sesame seeds on top! He didn’t have onions added, because he wasn’t sure if anyone in the group liked them (and he knew that he, personally, did not).

When he got to the campsite, the rest of the nomads were waiting patiently for him, while singing “campfire songs” in the twilight. They all feasted, and then settled in for the night. They still haven’t reached “Who Knows Where,” so the 29th of October will be yet another surprising day for them all. It’s possible that they just might need to appoint a NAVIGATOR, very soon!

—–   —–   —–   —–   —–   —–   —–

I finished this drawing at 1:03 AM on 10/30 (because I got a REALLY late start on the drawing, due to the complications of the information about the word “NAVIGATOR”. It was posted at 1:45 AM on 10/30. 😀 

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #29 Navigator
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/29/2024

— The BACKGROUND for the word NAVIGATOR —

The word “navigator” is a noun (a person, place, or thing) which basically means, “One who navigates.” This means we have to look at the word “navigate,” to make any sense at all, out of the word “navigator.”

Looking back to the 1580s, we find that the word “navigate” is a verb (an action word) which basically means, “move from place to place in any type of a ship.”

The base for both words stems from the Latin “navigatus,” which is the past-participle (which means that it refers to an action that was started and completed entirely in the past)  of “navigare,” which means, “to sail, sail over, go by sea, steer a ship.”

The base for “navigare” is “navis,” which means “ship.”

The root of “navis,” is “nau,” which means “boat.”

The other word involved is “agere,” which means “to set into motion, to drive, or to drive forward.”

The root of “agere” is “ag,” which means “to drive, to draw out or forth, or to move.”

Going forward to the 1640s, all of the above gave way to the transitive (moving) sense of “passing over in a ship (or ships), or “sailing onward.”

In the 1660s, navigating became more like, “steering,” “directing,” or “managing the whole art of sailing.”

In 1784, the word “navigate” became extended to balloons. Then, in 1901 it became extended to aircraft.

Currently (for a LONG time, now), the word “navigate” has become extended to pertain to any moving vehicle! This means that a person who drives a car (which, of course, means that the car has been put into motion) gets the same title as a person who sails a boat, steers a hot air balloon, or pilots an airplane! By extension, the term also applies to the person who sets a trip (of any type) into motion, in general.

A “navigator,” then, is the person who sets the whole “picture” into action. The “navigator” must know the plan, in order to make sure that it is “set into motion, and then carried through.”

This person MAY be the driver of the vehicle(s), the planner of the entire movement, or simply the one person who knows EXACTLY where and when the movement is to take place, and how!.

This means, of course, that the navigator has to hold the course by proper steering, and the proper working of everything involved in the actual “navigation” (movement) of the entire venture.

The two fundamental problems of navigation, are the determination of the position of the venture at any given moment, and the decision of the most advantageous course to be steered, in order to reach any given point.

— IN THIS CASE —

Our nomadic navigator has been chosen, and will make the decision for each “next stop along the way” for the growing “troop.” At this point in time, the chosen navigator has decided that there are at least two more necessities that SHOULD lead to “Who Knows Where” in a successful manner. We shall see what happens, over the final two days of this particular adventure. Now THERE’S another word that could/should have been inserted into this 31-day list!

NOTE: My life’s Navigator, by the way, is The Lord Jesus Christ.

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I finished this drawing at 11:55 PM on 10/30. Because I added a LOT of special info just before the drawing, it was posted at 2:35 AM on 10/31. 😀 

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #30 Violin
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/30/2024

— Why Music Might Be Important to a Nomadic Lifestyle —

In ancient days, if a traveling bard {you can find a basic definition of the word “bard” at: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/bard} happened to have had a traveling minstrel on hand, it might have been a “crwth” (the ancient Celtic lyre, which is a predecessor to both the harp and violin).

The Oxford Companion to Music defines a crwth as…

“…an ancient plucked and bowed stringed instrument which had a more or less rectangular frame, the lower half of which was filled in as a sound-box with a flat (or occasionally vaulted) back, and the upper half being left open on each side of the strings.”

This is the instrument David played while tending sheep, as recorded in the Bible. It was used by bards beginning in the 8th century BC. Later, in Rome, the lyra. It was the first European bowed string instrument. The number of strings varied, with the original Celtic version having seven strings.

Harps became common closer to the 10th century when we find evidence of a triangular-shaped, small, hand-held harp, that would probably be played by a Welsh bard.

Medieval harps in general were small and portable. Travelling musicians often had to carry their instruments on foot or horseback, and the materials required to build a quality instrument were expensive. The shape and string material of harps during this time largely depended on what part of the world they were from. Welsh harps were often strung with hair; Irish harps with wire; Scottish harps with gut.

Some bards (or the musicians traveling with them) used different types of string instruments, such as the lute, mandore, or gittern. Sometimes they also carried a psaltery (a cross between a harp and a lyre, with twelve strings), and sometimes pipes and bells. They also might have a dulcimer, similar in structure to the psaltery and zither and predecessor to the pianoforte (the original name for piano). The pianoforte was originally a plucked instrument.

The lute remained almost unchanged from appearance, around the year 1000, up to the middle of 1500.

In more modern times, a traveling musician, storyteller, and/or singer might carry a violin or a fiddle. Basically, those are the same instrument, and the difference is only in how they are played.

However, some instruments are expressly designed for fiddling, as opposed to classical violin playing. Such instruments often have a flatter bridge, which brings the strings slightly closer to the fingerboard.

Throughout her life, my mom was a classic violinist. However, she also fiddled. She always played a classic style of violin, though she had more than one variety of that instrument over the years, including a lovely black one, that was digitally wired.

As she got up into her 60s, Mom found that she really LOVED bluegrass music. She had played just about every other style there was, including some western fiddle music at times, but bluegrass grabbed her hard. She fell in love with the music of Shoji Tobuchi, and the two of them corresponded for many years, before Mom passed away, and then so did Shoji. She even got called up onto the stage with him, in Brandon, Missouri, during one Christmas season!

THIS LINK will take you to the article about her, that I wrote some years back, when beginning my website. It has been updated several times, since it was originally posted. There are pictures of her, several short recordings of the music she played, and a link to a very special video I posted on my Grandma’s Gone Gaming YouTube channel some years back.

Phyl and Her Fiddle–September 2007–Her Final Public Performance

At the end of the article, there are two short recordings of music that are me whistling, and me playing my trumpet.

— IN THIS CASE —

The new navigator was correct. The traveling group had already made up their minds that they needed some nightly campfire music. One of the younger guys who had recently joined “the pack,” mentioned that he could play the violin. He brought it out to show them, and played a couple of amazing country songs. Most of the rest of the group knew them, and sang along, as well.

Perhaps you might know the two songs he played for them.

If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)

The Charlie Daniels Band – The Devil Went Down to Georgia

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When I completed this drawing at 1:30 AM on November 1, 2024, I completed my own INKTOBER 2024 journey. As I post the drawing and this last chapter of the story (as I know it), it’s 3:15 AM on November 1, 2024. I will turn 75 in just 28 days!

INKTOBER 2024 — Prompt #31 Landmark
Linda A. Wingfield — 10/31/2024

— DEFINITIONS of LANDMARK (noun) —

1) a prominent or conspicuous object, on land, that serves as a guide, especially to ships at sea or to travelers on a road.

2) a distinguishing landscape feature marking a site or location: “The post office served as a landmark for locating a particular street.”

3) something used to mark the boundary of land.

4) a building or item that is of outstanding historical, aesthetic, or cultural importance, often declared as such, and given a special status landmark.

5) a significant or historic event, juncture, achievement, etc.: “The court decision stands as a landmark in constitutional law.”

SYNONYMS: benchmark, watershed, milestone

— IN THIS CASE —

Since our group of nomads has been traveling quite a distance, now, and since they have been headed eastward since leaving the State of Washington, I figured that they might be really close to South Dakota by October 31 (the final day of 2024 INKTOBER entries for me) though they may keep on going and end up with a much larger group of people and many months more of CHARTING).

So I called my sister Cindi, who lives very close to the following South Dakota landmark. She takes photographs all the time, and she visits this particular landmark quite often, because it is a beautiful and peaceful place. Sometimes she carries cleaning supplies with her, and makes sure everything inside the building is clean and tidy, before she leaves.

The landmark is called “Brown Earth Indian Church.” You can read about its history in several different official South Dakota listings. Here’s the one Cindi sent me, after she sent me some of her own photos of the little church, so that I could choose which directional setting to draw.

Brown Earth Indian Church

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