thanks, it's always gratifying when some image works for another.  but the grass tufts did fall a bit short of what I was trying to do with them.  this is why I am hoping that better corrective lenses will bring about a better alignment between the mind's eye and the ones I live with. 

perhaps I hadn't been completely clear about the floater: I do think that image does an excellent job of conveying a sense of sinister creepiness.  I should admit to having fiddled the brightness/contrast ever so slightly with PSE.  what can I say?  it was calling out for it, and I couldn't help but respond.