Crystal Writes A Blog

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Blog Break ⛓️‍πŸ’₯ I Did it Again


AI (Gemini) A Blogger With a Full Mind by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

I started off with a simple idea, and then I started the research. How do I caption this? What are the copyright rules to use this song lyric? What do you actually call a piece of cotton growing in a field?

Oh, and which video is the best to embed with this? And why can’t I find one with lyrics? And oh, I should add that anecdote to the story.

If you were in my head, you’d be worn out by the cacophony of thoughts and sounds and ideas. But I can usually tug on a thread to make it more focused for these posts. When I realized that was going to take too long, I decided to ask Gemini to make an image of a blogger with a lot of thoughts. It decided to include almost everything we’ve talked about for various posts, and I’m only now seeing the misspelling of the word “lyrics” but if I keep making changes, this won’t be a break at all. Lol πŸ˜‚

Good night and I’ll try to finish the promised post by tomorrow. 😴

July 28, 2026 Posted by | AI, Blog Break, Gemini (by Google), Nonfiction, Slice of Life | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blog Break 2–Busy is as Busy Does


A collage of digital squared circle kaleidoscope mandalas created using the Mirror Lab app for Android. Each square is filled with a circle of various colors, including reds and golds and pinks and browns, and they have multiple crossover points that create beautiful mirrored designs. There are 9 squared circles in a collage of outlined squares created in the Photo Studio Pro app for Android.
Digital Squared Circle Kaleidoscopes by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Because of many days of not staying on top of things, I got into some very old dust on the back of a shelf desperately needing organizing. I got lots of steps and busy stuff done to prepare for a busy day tomorrow, but I need more sleep for real preparation. That means, another day of taking a break from trying to write any meaningful words, but I can almost always find some pretty images to share.

These images are called digital squared circles because they are created with software (digitally designed in the Mirror Lab app for Android) and you can clearly see the circle in the middle of the square. I learned about these from a Flickr group I’ve now inherited and need to add more of my own images to. But it’s fun to see what others addβ€”when they follow the rules. (That is, when they actually add squared circles and not just add whatever in haste to get their stuff out to multiple groups.)

And with that, I say goodnight and sweet dreams. I hope my busyness will pay off with some good sleep to revive my creative words. 😴

July 23, 2026 Posted by | Collaged, Creativity, Mirror Lab app, Mirror Lab Images, Nonfiction, Photo Studio Pro app | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blog Break ⛓️‍πŸ’₯ Need Some Rest πŸ˜΄


A  set of digital images created by Wombo Dream AI using the "Optimistic" filter and the "knitting" filter plus the prompt: A look inside a pair of human lungs filled with water and fish swimming around in the water. The lungs are on a silhouette of a person sitting on an exam table in a doctor's office next to a big machine that is also filled with water with fish swimming around in it. On the outside of the machine is the word text:"SUCTION"
AI (Wombo) Trials for Lung Fluid Pics

Try as I might, my creative ideas for tonight are either too long or too short, so I think I need some rest. But just so y’all know the efforts put into just one image on a regular post, here are some I had created for yesterday’s humor post but didn’t use. I really kinda liked the knitted ones, but I decided to go with the optimistic filter for the atmosphere of it. Still, these were fun and worth sharing, so have fun imagining how yarn can hold waterβ€”and fish. 😁

July 22, 2026 Posted by | AI, AI Image Creations, Blog Break, Creativity, Nonfiction | , , , , | Leave a comment

I Break for Creativity


A collage of 3 fireworks images originally captured in 2013 and 2020 by much older cellphones. These have been edited and creatively manipulated before being placed in the collage together using the Photo Studio Pro app for Android. Part of the creative editing included the alchemy filters in the Mirror Lab app for Android where the filter builds up and stretches the points of light.
Old Fireworks Made New by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

I’m running late on some things today while I rest from sciatica pain, so in my photo memories, these actual fireworks I captured were desperately needing creative editing. The pink one is the most obvious that it’s a real picture because it only needed a little creativity, but I really have fun with the alchemy filter in the Mirror Lab app for Android.

Here’s one before image…

Mostly white exploding firework with lots of sparkle, but taken with an older cellphone, so lots of photo noise and elements of smoke that needed to be edited out.
Old Fireworks Cellphone Picture Before Editing

You can see where I got rid of the smoke and added some saturation for better colors. Those simple edits, plus an AI request to clean up the smoke behind the big fireworks were done with the Photo Studio Pro app. (Link goes to the free ad-supported app, but if you have Play Pass, this is one of the included pro apps.) After that I applied the alchemy filter.

One more mid process…

Triple fireworks in reds and greens with some editing before the major creative editing done in the Mirror Lab app for Android.
Original Fireworks Image from 2020 by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

This one has been cropped and had contrast and saturation adjustments before putting it through the strong alchemy filter to really stretch out all those points of light.

Finally, when I got a few I liked (and it got too late to work on anymore of them, I grabbed my 3 favorites and put them in a collage using the Photo Studio Pro app.

And that’s my day and night for this post. I sure would love to see some responses from people trying any or all of these apps I share to tell me what you think and maybe show me some results. I do not use affiliate links to share these, so I’m not even certain what’s clicked on, but it’s important to me to think I’m being helpful to people. And because I have no Apple devices, I can only hope you can find some of these if that’s the system you prefer to work in.

July 18, 2026 Posted by | Blog Break, Collaged, Mirror Lab app, Nonfiction, Photo Editing & Manipulation, Photo Studio Pro app, Photography | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kaleidoscope Video Blog Break


Shadowy Mandala Collage by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

I fell asleep in my chair, so I think that means I need to get this done quickly and get to the bed for some real sleep. 😴 But enjoy these multi-toned gray kaleidoscope designs. And even more, you’ll really like this one that’s turned into a video and makes your eyes feel like they’re dancing a nice waltz.

Shadowy Twists and Turns Kaleidoscope Mandala
by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

July 13, 2026 Posted by | Blog Break, Collaged, Mirror Lab Images, Nonfiction, Photo Studio Pro app | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blog Break ⛓️‍πŸ’₯ Fireworks


AI (Wombo) Eagle with Fireworks by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

I fell asleep in my chair and couldn’t get my mind to complete the task I started for this post, so I’ll try to finish tomorrow. I hope you all had a beautiful Sunday that included giving thanks to our Creator for His love, mercy, and provision. He is so worthy of all praise! πŸ™Œ

July 5, 2026 Posted by | AI Image Creations, Blog Break, Nonfiction, Photo Studio Pro app, Wombo Dream | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blog Break ⛓️‍πŸ’₯ Patriotic Butterfly


AI (Wombo) Patriotic Butterfly Wreath by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

I created a similar design years ago for Zedge wallpapers, but I can’t share them due to their terms of service, so I just started over from scratch with Wombo Dream AI. Then I used the Photo Studio Pro app for Android to add some glitter and a frame from their recently added patriotic set.

The Jetpack app seems to be broken on my tablet, so I’m using the backup WordPress app. I’m so glad I had both installed. But the timing has me running late for a busy day, so I’m just sharing the image with the note that I hope to do patriotic colors and things all month. I’ve got some wonderful fireworks shots to share when I pull them off my camera memory cards.

Blessings during this whole year of USA 250! πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈπŸ—½πŸŽ‚πŸ•ŠοΈ

July 2, 2026 Posted by | AI, AI Image Creations, Blog Break, Creativity, Current Events, Nonfiction, Photo Studio Pro app, Wombo Dream | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blog Breakβ€”Here’s a Picture


AI (Gemini) Jesus and a Little Child (CC0)

This was the image from Gemini for the day-after-Father’s-Day post, but I was looking for the older image that I see more as God with aged wisdom and like a father figure for that post. Still, for those who love the verses where YahShua says to bring the little children to Him, this represents them well. I left it as a public domain image so people can freely use it.

As for today, I had at least 3 ideas for new blog posts, but a friend went to the hospital for IV antibiotics, and with texting most of the evening and up to about 4 AM, my mind couldn’t put anything together. Please pray for the friend, SM, to feel God’s presence and hear His answers to get through the days of diabetic swelling and ulcers on her feet. It also happened last year, but it was worse because she didn’t catch it as early. I’m hoping this time is better from catching it early (who knew wearing tight shoes could cause such a problem?), and she can get back to her lonely kitties. I’m glad to be available for her when the rest of the world is asleep, but I’d rather her be healthy and at home. Thanks for praying with me for that. πŸ™πŸ¦‹

So I’ll say goodnight for this day and try to catch some nice deep winks to prepare my brain for writing an engaging post for tomorrow.

June 24, 2026 Posted by | AI, AI Image Creations, Blog Break, Creative Image Editing, family, Gemini (by Google), Prayer | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blog Break: Sharing Some Pictures


AI (Wombo) Stained Glass Pink Butterflies
by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

A very long day that ended with a visit to a medical provider for a UTI and antibiotics means I must simply share some nice photos and then go to sleep quickly. I’m thankful I got my first dose by a shot to start healing faster. And I’ll know tomorrow how much the muscle will hurt since they pack the medicine in that way (have not experienced this before), but the advice was to drink lots of water and move a lot. I spent time walking on the treadmill as soon as I got home, and it eased the pain tremendously already.

Now, enjoy some beautiful rainbow images I captured with my Olympus camera some years ago. I had 4 all together, so I made a collage of 3 with the 4th as a background.

Collage of Rainbows in the Sky by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

June 16, 2026 Posted by | AI, AI Image Creations, Collaged, Hard Days & Emotions, Nonfiction, Photography, Slice of Life | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blog Breakβ€”Sunny D Kitty


Photograph of an orange tabby cat sitting on a window ledge in front of a window. Behind the window is a screen and a view of a big pine tree outside, but I used Photo Studio Pro to blur the background to bring all the focus to the cat. This beautiful red-orange kitty with greenish eyes crossed the rainbow bridge a few years ago, but still holds a huge place in my heart.
Sunny Delight; Rainbow Bridge Kitty by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

I’ve got a big post planned for tomorrow to share the new release from my brother’s latest album track. You can look up Shayne Savage Music and find β€œMakin’ Chains” if you just can’t wait to hear it, but I’m taking Sabbath off for this night and coming back with all the links and fanfare you could want tomorrow.

In the meantime, enjoy this capture I took of my big orange kitty, Sunny Delight, sitting by the window at our previous house. I still miss my big boy sitting on my lap and all the comfort his sweet purring brought to me. And just look at those beautiful greenish eyes! Kitty 🐈 Love πŸ’•

June 12, 2026 Posted by | Blog Break, Nonfiction, Photography, Sabbath/Shabbat, Slice of Life | , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Real Blog Break This Time


AI (Bing) Doves and Butterflies Peace Break by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 40)

I’m having trouble getting things to connect here even after restarting my tablet, which apparently included a UI update I didn’t even know was pending. So, I’m writing a short paragraph, and I’ll try to add a picture, but I don’t want to invest a lot of time into something that may not actually post or that I cannot preview since that’s what I cannot bring up on my screen. Oh well, another chapter for my cyber journey of learning how the world works (or doesn’t) in Cyberspace.

May 19, 2026 Posted by | Blog Break, Nonfiction | , , , , | Leave a comment

🎡Writer’s Weekendβ€”Blog Break


AI (Wombo) Woman on a Swing by Crystal A Murray (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

I found an old golden hour sunset that I was trying to edit, and I couldn’t get it quite where I wanted it without turning on the computer with better software. That’s when I decided to ask Wombo to add the swing and the woman, and now I can take a little break for tonight.

We had a great writer’s meeting today, and I’m so impressed by the hearts and writing talent of those in our group. But it also means I get home a little late and have so much on my mind that a single topic for a blog post is a little hard to focus on. I wouldn’t trade it, though, and I hope it just gives readers an excuse to read old posts they may have missed. 😁

But just for fun, here’s a little squeeze box (accordion) tune to go with the funny fish poem I posted about in April called I Fished in a Tree.

AI Gemini Musicβ€”I Fished in a Tree by Crystal A Murray

May 9, 2026 Posted by | AI, AI Image Creations, AI Music & Vocals, Blog Break, Gemini (by Google), Nonfiction, Photo Studio Pro app, Poetry, Wombo Dream | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

   

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