Surprising Beauty

An evening spent with my children, watching their interaction and learning about the wonders of the elemental chart, and amazed at the power of a set of rolled blue eyes can make the exhaustion of the day be washed away.

The enrichment I got from the two hours I spent with them tonight was as surprising as this photo of the flowers on the creeping vine around their mom's house. It makes the coming day something to be conquered, because the unexpected will always find you.

D300 300mm f/6.4 1/300 ISO 200

Moonset

I left home at 6:30 am this morning, headed west (as usual) and the moon was so huge, so orange in reflecting the rising sun, and trying to tuck itself within the folds of the earth, the trees and the exit sign to Jordan Lake. When I saw her sitting there, I pulled off the side of the interstate and started clicking, and finding the right match. Focusing does elude me sometimes and this was a hard fight to find the right point.

It seems like there is always a struggle. The little adjustment, the random thought or memory, the moment of frustration at something said, the realization that life is what it is right now. And then the moon sets to start the day, and everything seems as straight as a mountain road.

D300 70mm f/5.6 1/6 ISO 200

Indecision about flight photos

The hardest part of finding a picture some days is just finding one. There were two today that struck me -- both taken from the air. While flying from South Bend to Chicago, we flew over Lake Michigan (thankfully we had those handy seat cushion/floatation devices available in the unlikely event of a water landing... meaning crash).

As I looked out though, I was struck by the peacefulness of the water, the slight ripples which were actually waves of indeterminate height, and an undeniable slate gray to the horizon to the north. It was enough to cause me to be lost for the briefest moments from my thoughts, my concerns, and my worries. I was just transfixed by the contour and the movement...and I just sat back and enjoyed the moment.

D90 300mm f/8.4 1/640 ISO 200

The second one was taken on the flight from Chicago to RDU, and the stars in the nighttime sky, the curvature of the earth, and the clouds creating a light blanket beneath us was truly awe inspiring. It was probably the most beautiful night sky I've seen while flying.

I just wanted to get out on the wing and feel the wind and look up at the sky without any light pollution other than the bright full moon reflecting the sun's light on to the earth. Then I realized it would a bit too windy to actually enjoy it, but to imagine it, and to think I might have captured just a bit of it, brought a smile to my face.

D300 12mm f/4 8 sec ISO 200

Touchdown Jesus...

Admission: I really didn't get this until I had laid my eyes and my lens upon it. It's actually hilarious -- my man Jesus is pretty much right outside Notre Dame Stadium and while some (non-football worshipping) Christians might believe his is simply blessing those in need of the same, he is apparently recognizing the scoring of six points on the field of battle.

Woke with Drew's knees in my back, and got on the way to Indiana mid-morning. Arrived in South Bend in the late afternoon, and struck by how... old, rust-beltish the place felt. Yes, the university is very pretty, and pretty clearly the most important thing around, but wow...

It was interesting though to be outside Notre Dame Stadium... and taking pictures of the Son... felt very touristy, which I frankly hate. But was very glad that I was able to capture something to remember (and that's all) this trip by. Tomorrow Chris and I meet with some partners up here and then I head home again.

So in the meantime, remember what the folks around here already know: Jesus is a football fan, and he pulls for Notre Dame. Oh, and too bad Duke won -- I really wanted a Butler, West Virginia, Baylor and Tennessee (ugh) Final Four.

D300 24mm f/5.6 1/300 ISO 200

Cherries

My favorite fruit... and the blooms are always so amazing to me. I have a nice collection of cherries in my bedroom - an incredible print I bought in Banner Elk last summer, a cherry wood vase and an unbelievable photos of a cherry tree that a friend gave me last June.

I love to eat cherries, and they will make me spend crazy amounts of money to devour a bag... My Taylor grandparents had a cherry tree beside their house that I spent many a summer Sunday afternoon in, high up among the branches. The beauty of that approach was that you could pick, eat, discharge the seed and repeat without worries. It was one of my favorite memories of that house. I visited the Taylor house this past summer and the tree was left with just a trunk, and only my imagination to remember a tree that seemed hundreds of feet high as a child.

During the summer of 1995, I visited Seattle for a conference. Doing the usual tourist thing, my then wife and I visited Pike Place market and discovered these odd colored cherries -- a muddled red and yellow variety that I discovered were named Rainier. I was offered a sample, and nearly fell over in love. The taste was so different, and as I discovered, so rare that getting them has been a crazy exercise over the years since. One year I spent nearly $100 to get some shipped to me overnight from Washington state.

Four years ago, I was in Washington for the cherry blossom festival, which honestly was nearly overwhelming -- so many trees that it became a blur.

So today, when I saw these blooms, joined throughout by emerging and growing leaves, I was thankful for such a wondrous image to inspire me today.

D90 300mm f/11 1/80 ISO 200

Regret v2

A collection of things that I've collected over the last few weeks: "enjoy the view of the sun, and clouds, and moon, and life."

"being emotive -- more importantly not hiding your true, raw emotions -- are good and honest and authentic."

“You strip away the denial, the rationalization and you come to the truth,” he said, “and the truth is very painful at times, and to stare at yourself and look at the person you’ve become, you become disgusted.”

“Because I loved her. I loved her with everything I have. That’s what makes me feel even worse, to do this to someone I loved that much.”

I hate what I lost to get where I am today.

D300 85mm f/1.4 1/80 ISO 200

Regret...

...no pic today worth sharing... too many memories of a year ago today...

Nashville

Man alive, I love this picture. It was from the lobby of the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Nashville.

The driving and the tired were going to get me, but three mojitos and three hours with friends from California and Nashville made the evening go well. The amazing thing is how easy it is to spend time very good friends, even when you don't see them often.

I will probably write more later....

D300 85mm f/4.5 1/60 ISO 200

Rutherfordton

...spent the day in Rutherford and Polk County, and had dinner with my friends Lee Ellis and Mike McKinney at a place in downtown Rutherfordton...

I have to say that I like this town -- I always have. My roommate from high school went to high school here before NCSSM, and his parents still live here. I went on a bunch of youth trips with the Presby youth there in high school and my former pastor from Banner Elk is still at First Baptist. One of my favorite jokes is that only in Rutherfordton (a four syllable word) could the town be reduced down to just 2.5 syllables). It was odd driving out of downtown tonight and realizing where I was vs. where Hood Moving and Storage was located many, many, many moons ago.

The consensus from yesterday was bradford pear blooms. Still looking for other opinions...

I loved these buildings, and I love small towns. But the find of these colors on different buildings brought great color to Main Street. A little color was what I needed on this day.

D300 85mm f/5.6 1/300 ISO 200

Sometimes...

...writing eludes me. Tonight, after 300+ miles on the road from 2:30 until 10 pm, I fell promptly asleep. So I write this in absentia.

I love these flowering trees (or bushes -- could someone tell me the difference?) and have wanted to get some pics every time I see one. Today was the first chance I got to capture one, and was generally NOT pleased with what I got. They are complex flower collections to capture, with their white and pink flowers nearly overwhelming the landscape. But man, do they stand out.

Could not figure out what they are either. Not a tulip tree, I've been told. So if you know, offer it up...

D300 85mm f/8 1/200 ISO 200

Bowling and Forgiveness

I just heard an artist at South by Southwest (who described his group as a new-age, indy rock band) say that he believed that forgiveness was the most important emotion. Made me think a long time about the statement — I am not sure that I think that forgiveness is an emotion. It is an act, almost always of love, and one that is necessary for more reasons than we can ever comprehend.

Tonight, we went to a friend's birthday party at the bowling alley on Hillsborough Street and it was great fun... Watching MK and Drew bowl (after years of doing on the Wii) was fun, but I have to say that the damn ball is far heavier than the cool Wii device I'm used to bowling the upper 190's with... Oh, and the real thing is way harder than the computer-assisted version. The 69 I "earned" was a helluva a lot harder than I thought it would be. And Drew still beat me.

Tomorrow starts another week -- and it will be a good one, I hope.

D300 35mm f/2.4 1/60 ISO 200

Thirteen

Mary Kathryn turned thirteen today. I cannot tell you the weirdness of being the father of a teenager, but at the same time, today was no different than yesterday. She is still a maturing young woman, whose indifference can be infuriating, and whose beauty and complexity are overwhelming...

She came into this world a little light, but an amazing sight to see. I still talk about those minutes, and first days and weeks, and get a little teary-eyed. To know the wonderment of holding my child in my arms was more than I could have ever imagined. To think that I could do that again is so real, and possible, and yet so distant right now....

So this day, I am thankful for seeing my grown up daughter blow out candles, play soccer, laugh about boys, make cupcakes, and have a spa day with Carolina, and pray that the hugs and the love remain the foundation of our love for one another.

D300 35mm f/2.8 1/30 ISO 200

Setting sun

After a night of recovery (with plenty of sleep) and a morning of teaching and enjoying a Frosted Orange from The Varsity, I returned back to NC to take care of some business and to begin the weekend.

This evening, enjoyed more time with the camera and the opportunity to teach how to capture different images with various settings. And in wonderment, and surprise, this photo of the sun setting over Lake Crabtree appeared as the best example of a mix between a small aperture and a fast shutter speed, in the face of a bright and setting sun...

Two interesting thoughts shared tonight: One from a friend dealing with winding down of a relationship: "Oh, I get a maudlin email in the evening, and I TRY to be nice, but my impatience kicks in and swipe goes my cat's paw." I love the simplicity, and the strength of the language, and the raw frustration and emotion of the reaction. Made me wonder if others react the same to me sometimes...

Second was the realization that we all have unfinished business and that the need to stay on the task at hand is sometimes an essential element of our process. Watching the sun set, you realize that the process moves forward and that tomorrow is unknown. The sun will set tomorrow, but will it be seen as clearly as it was today? It all depends on so many factors. The lack of specific knowledge, and the powerlessness in our reality, should force me to accept that the river flows, and I will not bend it to my will. I have to be open to all possible outcomes. It is the only way to be.

D90 35mm f/32 1/3200 ISO 200

Perspective

We all need perspective, as I was reminded today. I enjoyed dinner with a high school classmate, comparing notes about former spouses, raising children, balancing work and life, and what is important. So much of how we view the world is from our own place, tall or small, good or bad, without the ability to view the long piece, except through the eyes of others. It is a blessing to hear those perspectives and to be reminded how much better we are (and I am) than I was twelve months ago.

I have felt the tears of others being shed today. I have shed my own, for my own reasons. I was so tired that I nearly fell asleep during a conference call. And I got to experience the joy of trying to rent a car without my drivers license (btw, if you find it, please call my cell phone number....). But I also got to live in the afterglow of a good day, great friends, new friends, and the realization that today was a great day for its own reasons...

And I loved this thought, which came by email today: happiness is good health and a bad memory. Memories, of course, bring up moments that are past, whereas happiness is always found in the moment that is here, now. Constantly remembering bad things, or sad things, can

rob you of your present -- that is, your pre-sent -- joy. Happiness has been sent to you in advance by God. It is here, in this moment, if you will seize it...and share it.

D300 85mm f/1.4 1/20 ISO 200

Caution prevails

Tonight's pic is from a walk around the Capitol.

Tired from too little sleep and too much driving, but a great dinner and an even better conversation.

We all live our lives making cautious decisions, ones that will keep our places safe with our families, our friends, our community and the easy parts of living life. I've lived it, I've experienced it, I've suffered from it and I struggle every day to understand why we do. Perhaps one day I will understand.

D90 85mm f/1.8 1/20 ISO 200

New Growth

I am becoming so enamored of the growth, of the sprouting life around me on trees, and bushes and in the most unexpected places.

I love the delicate elements of the emerging flower, the pre-fruit or leaf that is attracting the eye, the pollen carrier and the perpetuation of life.

I was so pleased with my photo from Saturday when it was printed out. I gave the first print to Guilford Green Foundation for the Gala auction. The live auction is a week from Saturday and goes to help GGF serve it's mission to the LGBT community in Greensboro and beyond. I hope it is well received.

My college professor friend mentioned a Plato diatribe about men being twice removed from the truth, which sparked my curiosity. After doing some reading and learning, I found the source of his view was based in large part on his belief that reality is the only truth and that artists produce some facsimile of the truth by their painting, or sculpture, or art... This blog posting was very interesting to me and gave me a chance to expand my brain.

We are meant to have new growth, in our minds, in our hearts, in our lives, in our spirits. Spring is a great time for that to happen. Nature reminds us every year...

D300 14mm f/8 1/800 ISO 200

The New Yorker

I love the New Yorker and love that I can read it online now... The first time I ever read the New Yorker was when I was nearly thirty years old, laying in a maternity room at Durham Regional Hospital, waiting for the prolonged arrival of Mary Kathryn Chesson Smith. This day was nearly thirteen years ago -- missing it by only a few days.

I picked up the issue laying the waiting room and lay down upon the bed (which was normally reserved for those about to deliver their child, but was made available to me bc Mary Jo was trying to sleep in her room and there was plenty of room in the Inn). I was immediately grabbed. I don't remember the story, but I remember thinking that I had never read such an in-depth story, and how I couldn't wait to read the next one.

In the weeks that followed, when my subscription had kicked in, reading the New Yorker became my pasttime while feeding... and not sleeping... I remember reading it in the car in Wilson where we had stopped to do a little breastfeeding (her, not me)... and being so into this article about the handoff of Hong Kong to the Chinese that I lost track of time.

It is the best written magazine in America. It is at the forefront of opinions, and perspectives, and the best damn way I have found to keep me growing and learning and intrigued. And the article on John Paul Stevens this week is great!

iPhone Camera

Random daffodil thoughts

Today was my first day back teaching my Sunday School class since January. The lesson today was on Jesus's discussion about being the bread of life with the people he grew up with in Nazareth. Numerous thoughts ensued. First, John was clearly under the influence of something because his analogies, while strong, were over the head of most contemporaries... Telling the people they must eat Christ's flesh to have everlasting life was clearly a concept, out of context, that most would never get. The ties back to Joseph (Jacob's son, not Jesus's daddy) and manna were great but you can also see why the structure of the church was so necessary for people to even understand their faith (or enforce it).

This afternoon did not involve naps, but I did get some pictures today around Durham which I enjoyed taking. Of course I was too into the picture and not paying enough attention to details like sunlight or exposure speed, or aperture. Got to keep working on those muscles.

D300 35mm f/2.8 1/500 ISO 200

Nighttime Flowers

I love the beginning of spring, which for me always starts with the first flowers and the time change. Tomorrow morning begins the daylight savings time, which I always cherish as evidence that the days are longer, and warming.

Dogwoods and daffodils are those first signs. Tonight, on my way to grab some dinner, I stopped and took some shots of this dogwood in near full bloom. And got home to be amazed at what I captured. These are not black and white -- instead the night sky and the white florescent lights created amazing shadows and incredible translucence through the petals. Unbelievable beauty in such a simple shot.

Spring is going to lead me in wonderful directions, and provide fantastic inspiration.

D300 35mm f/2.8 1/30 ISO 200

Freckles

I took this picture yesterday at Foster's Market in Durham. After picking her up from school, Mary Kathryn and I have been spending a few minutes together, talking and getting some time one-on-one.

I loved how her freckles popped out and it highlighted both the fact that she still is my little girl, and yet, becoming so grown up. To listen to her, and hear how things are going at school, with her interactions with others and how being grounded has ruined her life.

Last night, the days and weeks of exhaustion caught up. When the blood sugar dropped, I realized I needed sleep. When I woke up at 2:45 am, I found that Drew was still awake, watching TV. His reaction when I told him he needed to go to bed? "Dad, Everyone Hates Chris is on." Nice try...

D300 170mm f/4 1/25 ISO 200

"Curiosity is the essence of human existence." Gene Cernan from a press conference about the need to return the moon (see link).

Masks

The Terrell House owners are avid collectors. A dining room full of spoons, teacups, and silver. A living room of trinkets and doodads. But at the top of the steps, was an amazing collection of masks.

Every kind of mask, from African to clowns, New Orleans and theatrics. And arranged in a way that completely surprised me the first time I saw them last night, my first reaction was "WOW! I have to take a picture of that." I was headed out to the car to get something I needed, and on the way back in, I had completely forgotten about them.

So this morning, as I was coming out of the room and going down for breakfast, I saw them again and was again so surprised. And pissed I had missed it last night. So I scooted back up a few steps and started clicking shots. And shot, and shot, and shot. Adjusting light, holding focus, trying to get the right perspective. And then I went down and enjoyed breakfast. Warm muffin, eggs and bacon and a little potato cake. The right way to start the day.

But the masks stuck with me all day. We all have masks, and we wear them well. The truth of ourselves are hidden from all but those who care. Some are worn so much they can't be seen past, others abandoned by reality, misuse or the need to grow up. I feel blessed that many of mine are hanging on a wall, and was thankful for a surprising wall of colors and shapes to remind me of where I am.

D300 12mm f/4 1/12 ISO 200

Wood and Glass

Tonight, a nice dinner in a small place in Marion. Loved the collection of glass, wood, and color and a perspective of light.

A long drive, but a wonderful night in a bed and breakfast in Burnsville. A small room, with the promise of a nice breakfast in the morning...

D300 24mm f/4 1/6 ISO 200

Paperwork

God, why does this aspect of parenting have to be so maddening?

You ever feel that getting told how to do everything, how to make decisions, and the way that things ought to be has gone on long enough? Well, I have done it too long, and will not do it any more...

Tonight's disagreement about a form, email address, and the desire for Mary Kathryn to go to Costa Rica devolved into a bunch of empty threats and the unnecessary putting of the kids in the middle. And the hardest part is I can get sucked into the anger so easily. ugh.

So pray for patience, for strength, for paperwork, and the next step in the process to be focused on the kids, and to be reminded that I have to be a good example for and honest with the kids in every situation.

D300 85mm f/1.4 1/40 ISO 200

This city...

There has always been something magical to me about Washington DC. I remember the first time I came to the nation's capital as a kid -- during the Carter administration -- and the awe that I felt when I first saw the Washington Monument. I remember taking a tour of the White House and staying at a Howard Johnson's, but really the memory of seeing this tall structure actually on the horizon, coming out of the ground, instead of on a picture or an image on the screen meant that it was real.

Nowadays, while the Monument still gets me, I would have to say that the two buildings that most touch my soul are the Capitol, and the Lincoln Memorial — each for entirely different reasons. The Capitol's architecture is amazing -- the bright white marble, the unbelievable dome, its place up on the Hill, and the reality that its primary occupants are mostly people who overestimate the connection between the number of votes that they received and their intelligence. (Sorry to disappoint, folks — I am not a huge fan of the legislative branch...)

The Lincoln Memorial though has always struck me as a temple to democracy. The way that Lincoln sits in that chair, looking over the reflecting pool, toward the Washington Monument and the Capitol, somber and assessing the work that he accomplished to save the Union. The inspiring words upon the wall, and the reality that his death did not result in a massive revolt and destruction of the dream (as Caesar's death did to Rome -- yes I think Julius would not have been the autocrat that his nephew and the 400 years that follows actually became). But it's also its columns, its incredible steps, and so many great places to go from there. To me, it remains the moral center of our American ideal in a way too few truly understand.

Today was a good day for pictures -- some of my favorites are posted on the Facebook page, and I particularly enjoyed seeing Marine One land on the front lawn of the White House with the President returning from a speech in Pennsylvania. I, of course, took some pictures tonight, but remembered how much I HATE my old tripod and why it is so damn difficult to take good photos at night. Must buy a new tripod since I cannot lug around the damn 10 lb one and the light one sucketh.

But this picture was one the first I captured this morning. I woke, and opened my curtains and realized that I had gotten the KILLA room, with a great view of the Washington Monument. And as I was taking it, I captured a bird flying and think it best captured something unexpected, something wonderful.

D300 500mm f/6.5 1/20 ISO 200

In reflection

So many things I could say, but this picture I think says it all. Hope you enjoy.

D300 12mm f/22 1/1250 ISO 200

Pathways

Today, I drove Drew to Camp New Hope for their Church annual retreat and coming back, I found that where NC 86 and Mt. Sinai Road crossed, there was this old store beside the railroad. But when I walked along the rail, I found its path was amazing.

The rail bed was built up and kept level by rock. The rails were quite simple and the cross ties were of an imperfect distance from one another. To think of the millions of tons of material, the thousands of rail cars, an innumerable number of people who have travelled along the few feet that I walked today was staggering.

Tomorrow I am headed to Washington DC. I am taking the train there and so the symmetry... But then I realized how much of our lives are driven by pathways, some of which are of our own making, others created for us. This spur caught my eye and it's beginning or ending struck me as what I often find myself in this conflict.

So this image is where I found myself today, unexpectedly, and its inspiration lead me to realize where I am today.

D300 200mm f/5.6 1/200 ISO 200 (color adjusted for B&W)

Diet Pepsi

Sorry for the delay in "today's" posting. After three hours of sleep on Thursday and then working all day on Friday, I was tired. So I fell asleep last night at 10 pm and woke to the demands of a waiting audience.

I love Diet Pepsi. It's my drink of choice, but it must come in a 20 oz. plastic bottle. I don't like it from a fountain, I really cannot stand it in an aluminum can (in fact, I really cannot stand cans at all). It's the only soda I've had in over 14 months and I think I would die if I had to stop drinking it because there is something wonderful about it.

I like a cool (but not cold) one, and would NEVER drink one on ice. The burn that I get at the top of my throat when I take that first drink is wonderful. I don't think I like it because of the caffeine but who knows - that could also be a part of it. But I know that it is the only thing I've drank since Christmas 2008 other than water.

Finally, I have to say that the logo is pretty cool. Pepsi's redesign a couple years ago was great -- with different sized swooshes for different drinks (Pepsi, Pepsi Max, etc.) and just a nice revision to a classic look.

So, with that, I have paid homage to my favorite drink. And admitted my absolute insanity...

D300 (yeah -- a new camera) 300mm f/5.4 1/10 ISO 200

How do I...

...learn how to tie a tie?

That question -- how do I -- is one of life's most puzzling. I find myself asking that a lot... the tasks, the lessons, the understanding that comes with actually learning how to do something is very intimidating. Often, my own procrastination is simply about that question.

For some things in life, finding the answer is about pushing and learning. How do I become a better person? How do I learn how to write better? How can I be a better dad and not get frustrated with the kids? How do I figure out how to implement a new client without pissing every one off but also getting it done right the first time.

For other things, it's about impatience. Not wanting to wait long enough to learn the way that I am supposed to learn. I don't always know how to manage that piece. So I just plow ahead forward. It becomes the siren call of my life: How are you? Work is great. Kids are great. The rest just is.

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/10 ISO 400

Colors and Light

This painting was one of the first gifts I received from her, and it sits in my bedroom. It's colors are very reminiscent of the Georgia O'Keeffe painting that it is based upon, but tonight, in the low amber light of the bedroom, it was transformed.

The clouds shine brighter but the subtlety of the colors are lost. The unexpected reds and the greens fade away and the abstract nature of the paint is revealed.

A busy day, one filled with some work, and bought some goodies to go with the new camera (that comes tomorrow!!) and lots of calls. The best news was the no-bad-news on a medical test for a high school friend. Answered prayer and good thoughts.

Colors, Light, Thoughts, Perceptions. All shifted by the slightest nudge. A great realization for many steps forward.

D90 85mm f/1.4 1/6 ISO 400

Mourning with laughter

I've taken to making notes during the day for what I will write at night, which is really helping a lot. Funny how these habits (like driving water for me a year ago) become so easily integrated after a while...

Today, I went to Hendersonville to the Episcopal church there for the funeral service for my friend, Rob Cranford. It was a joyous occasion, with so many people filling this fine church, most of whom were laughing their way through the eulogies. Rob was a great guy -- I knew that without having to hear the stories -- but it was wonderful to hear people tell their own experiences and to see that they matched my own so well. And on this day, the Hendersonville paper published this editorial about Rob's role in their community. It was a fine tribute, joined by the smiles, the laughs and the tears of so many at the death of a man with a heart too big.

My favorite words were from a eulogist who said to Rob's two sons (both in the twenties): Your dad did not leave big shoes for you to fill; he gave you your own shoes. And then Rob's 23 year old son paid his father the highest tribute possible when he said that his dad was a free thinker and a lover of knowledge. Wow!

I would reflect on more but I was struck by so much and was glad most of all that Rob was my friend. I will miss him, and I keep his family, his friends and the Morrow survivors in my prayers.

Today's picture, and being in the church reminded me what I miss about the Episcopal service. I love the architecture and the feel of the building. The ritual, and BCP and so much made me lng for a Sunday in that worshipful environment.

I wanted to close today by sharing a great new video from a couple "kids" in my old neighborhood in Durham. It was cool to listen to their song, but cooler to see the sights of Durham in this way.

D90 12mm f/5.6 1/1250 ISO 400

Moonday thoughts...

The full moon for the new month, captured at about 1:30 am this morning. It was a remarkable moon, moving nearly perfectly across the sky from east to west and a challenge to capture. I apologize that this is not in better focus, but it has been one of the most humbling aspects of my aging that nearsightedness severely impacts my focusing skills. Don't know how to deal with that issue yet, but it is weighing on me.

So I had this conversation about the Avery County High days with some classmates last week and we were discussing someone who had hit on nearly everyone, but I didn't know that. I always thought it was odd that I had been hit on, but when I realized that I wasn't that special, I figured out that it was like Amway. If you're male, under 30 in America and you haven't been approached about Amway, then something is seriously wrong with you. Those special opportunities are sometimes just a marketing ploy.

One final observation for the day is on left-handed scissors. I picked up a pair today to open up a new SD card, and realized that left-handed people really are different than the rest of us. I think I pulled a muscle in my knuckle trying to get them on my hand. A pretty amazing invention, especially when I have to abandon my right-sided bias and appreciate how tough it really must be to be left-handed. A good perspective, even with all the meds I'm taking for my aching hand.

D90 on Telescope f/12 1/250 ISO 400