Just This and That

I am enjoying learning and experimenting with my new little Nikon, when it isn't raining. There is an unbelievable amount to learn about it. I haven't even installed the software yet, but since I am able to put the pictures into my computer without that, I haven't tried to figure it out yet.




I am anxious to learn about the macro setting. I made a first attempt at that. Not too wonderful, but I'll read more and get better at it - I hope.

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All of this is distracting me from getting my tax form done. I usually have that out of the way by the end of January, but just couldn't make myself do it yet this year. Technically, I don't even have to submit a tax form, but it's needed if I want the State tax rebate, since that form is attached. From the sound of things this year, there won't even be a tax rebate if the governor has his way, so it may be a total waste of time for me anyway. This governor is slashing everywhere. I could be happy about that if it meant getting rid of wasted spending - and there is plenty of that. But he seems to be adding spending on the one hand, for those who need it least, while he is cutting funds for things like schools and libraries and the blind and other disabled.

Well, I guess I wouldn't be happy if I didn't have something to whine about. But I'm afraid this one will cause a whole lot of whining for the next four years. Might save me filling out tax forms though.
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Wouldn't you think, since I am retired and have very little to do, that I could find lots of time to read books and blogs? Granted, my eyes won't let me read for long periods of time, but still... The camera does take up a lot of time of course. I do enjoy that more than anything. But the weather often prevents me from spending a lot of time on that. And yet I seem to be reading less and less. What on earth am I so busy at? I think I am just getting to be so old that I nod off, or sit and daydream too much. Soon they will have to find me a corner with a rocking chair.
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Speaking of blogs, my friend, Singing Bear, from Wales has a question. He gives us much wonderful music on his blog, but is finding that many of the U-Tube videos are just too big to fit. How can he make them smaller? Anyone have an idea? Actually, he asked this a while ago, and may have found a solution, but I'm interested myself. Every once in a while I run into this problem. I see that many bloggers place videos on their posts and they are a very small size. How is that done?
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Enough of this for today.

Delayed Account of My Week

I've been going just a little crazy the past few days because my camera stopped working. I am lost without a camera. Good thing it has been raining so steadily, so I really haven't had too much to take pictures of. But still, I see some of my crocuses are blooming - well, would be blooming if the sun ever came out. They are up. Purple and white. All those I planted last fall are still just sprouting along with the daffodils and tulips.

But there are a few things I would like to photograph in the house. My darling grandson sent me a hug. He lay down and his mom drew an outline around him on paper. Then they cut it out and colored it. His arms are reaching out to hug me. I tacked it to the wall in the hallway, and I would like to take a picture to show him where I put it.
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I started this post last week. But now - the sunshine has returned, I bought a new camera, still to be delivered, and things are looking up. Of course the first thing I will photograph will be the hug that Isaac sent me for my birthday.

The sun shone again for my birthday too. Can't get better than that! Both of my out-of-state daughters called me, and the other two kids came bearing birthday cake . Lisa, my "other daughter" came too. Here are miniature roses that she brought me. So of course it was a great day for me. The crocuses opened wide in the garden as well. And the hawk laid her second egg on my birthday. - But I only see one egg left in the hummer's nest. - There was a real close up picture of the eagles, and as the parents changed places, the three chicks were easily seen. The biggest was craning its neck over the side. So cute!
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I bought another point and shoot - but its a Nikon with a stronger zoom and more megapixels. Always wanted a Nikon. Of course, I envisioned something more fancy, but this will do just fine. I'm past the point where I can go on real photo safaris. I don't have it yet. Staples let me down and didn't send it out when promised. But I'll have it next week. Meantime, I took pictures of my crocuses because Lisa was kind enough to let me use one of her cameras. Figured they wouldn't last forever. But, I should have another crop of them by the time mine arrives anyway.

I'm so grateful for these past few days of glorious weather. They say it will be chilly again next week.
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Today we had another birthday celebration. My son turned fifty! Rita and I enjoyed a visit there, along with their daughter, SOL, and the two babies. Jimmy is a pretty precocious two year old, and Joey is an adorable five and a half months. And of course, their dog, Eli. Here he is with Rita.

Thanks for the loan of the camera, Lisa!
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By the way. I removed the hummingbird nest video from the sidebar for now. After a couple of encounters with a lizard, first one egg then the other disappeared and I believe Phoebe abandoned the nest. Hopefully she will move to a new one.