THE JOY OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Becoming a blogger has expanded my experience and knowledge of computer and photography. This shelf of photo albums is two of five shelves filled with pictures that I rarely look into.

However, with digital photography, This box holds all of my pictures  from 2003, which includes  hefty picture-taking trips to China, Alaska, Peru, and Thailand and seven months of meandering across the United States and back last year. They give me so much pleasure. Oh, that it were easy to convert all of my older pictures to digital, I would do it in a flash. Digital photography is a marvelous technology and then…and then… my camera,  for no, discernible reason, quit taking flash pictures.
Hunting for a camera on-line is hard work. I feel fortunate that so many cameras are given very detailed revues by photography magazine editors and professional users as well as hobby photographers.  Hundreds of  models to choose from made me cross-eyed. Features continue to increase as technology advances and you know fully loaded features are just bells and whistles that you’ll never use.  Most of the day was spent on-line but I did get out early with my now limited camera in hand and caught this unusual sight.

I heard the chain saw before I got to this new neighbor’s place. Grateful that my zoom wasn’t gone, I caught this interesting photo.

What I didn’t think to focus on was the three men hanging around watching as she did the cutting.

I  couldn’t see the  tree and why it had to be felled. A dead tree behind a screen of live ones is what I expect  she was removing.  I can use a chain saw, and have, for small cuts; trimming.  But, I have  never felled a tree.  All I can say is Wow!  I must get acquainted with my new neighbor.

CHAINSAW BREAD

My life partner Jim has done the Atkins diet, and would avoid bread if it was in any way avoidable. My view is that life is too short to do without good bread, so he has capitulated. Of course, even if it takes a chainsaw to cut through it, as he complained over this last wonderful, but very hard crust, we still eat it. Shucks, a sprinkle of water and a quick zap in the microwave renders it edibile. Besides sustainance, a good, hard, chewy crust cleans your teeth and gives you a visceral wolf-like feel. It can change your personality in one, tearing bite.
Good bread has always been a staple in my life, but my good friend, Fred Williams, who did some time in the Navy brig on bread and water stamped that nugget of wisdom home for me. "...but, it was the best bread I ever ate," claimed Fred. "It made me really appreciate how bread became the staff of life." For the rest of his life, Fred made it a point to enjoy good bread. And, I will... even if it takes a chainsaw.

DID WE ESCAPE TREE DISASTERS? NO, BUT DAMAGE LIGHT

This morning the sound of chain saws resonated throughout the area as everyone addressed their storm damage. My upper driveway was blocked and is now clear, thanks to the quick action of Gabe and his handy chainsaw. One huge multi-trunked oak is dangerously positioned above a second driveway. One tree is down on a storage building. Several other random branches have broken off in several lengths. I guess that is the price of living in the country. Even so, I wouldn't change it...except when I'm ramblin.
Hasta la Vista