2021 Review

 

A look back at 2021: The highlights were: getting vaccinated, going to the beach (twice),  and getting a tattoo. In between, there were lots of photos of sunrises, flowers, wine, and Beau. I painted quite a bit at the beginning of the year and then tapered off; it must have been a New Years' resolution effect. Health-wise, it wasn't a bad year as I managed to dodge the COVID bullet. It certainly could have been worse. 

Looking forward to 2022, I'm not going to make promises I can't keep.  I know there will be a change of residence because my niece/roommate is moving back to Florida.  Since I have no desire to move to Florida, there will be decisions ahead.

Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve Eve

 

It's almost over. On the plus side, the weather has been mild and 70° expected for Christmas day. 

Tattoo update:

Socks

On Instagram, every so often, there will be a monthly 'challenge ' with prompts for a photo each day of the month. For example, this month is #decemberreflections2021 and today's prompt is 'socks'. I tried to think way outside the box of socks but most ideas involved shopping... in person. So, sometimes socks are just socks.

A Keeper

After a couple of false starts that wound up in the trash, I finished a painting that I will keep. 

Desperately Seeking

More on that phrase later....

I've gotten a table top tree this year. I threw out the old, taller one last year and by next Christmas, I will be living somewhere else. More on that later also.

Autumn leaf in black and white.

Picnic in December

It's a beautiful day, 70°, sunshine. A picnic at the lake was in order.

The world keeps turning

December 1 will mark thirteen years since my husband passed away. We miss him still. The first photo was taken in 2003, in Florida. He was always up for taking me wherever I wanted to go to take photos.

A sunset from yesterday:

And one from the carwash:

Thanksgiving 2021

Well, I'm in digestive agony from too much turkey... and all the trimmings. My son cooked Thanksgiving dinner. He's a great cook, much better than me. My mom was a great cook too so I guess it skips a generation. ;)

A few pics from the past few days:

A delicious wine

Sunset

Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake

Relief

I am embarrassed

It was 3:45am, I had my camera ready to go. I live on the 5th floor, so I had to take the elevator to the parking lot. (the moon wasn't visible from my balcony) So, I took several shots, none of which looked great. Thought to myself "I need the Nikon with the 80-400mm lens." Went back upstairs, got the Nikon from the top shelf of my closet, found the lens in the box where I had stored it, put a fresh battery in the camera because it was dead, headed back to the elevator. The Nikon did worse than the Fuji. What I DID NOT DO was take a tripod with me. I have taken many eclipse photos in the past, with pretty good success. But never, NEVER without a tripod. I don't know if I was so preoccupied with the trip outside or what but the tripod never crossed my mind. I should probably attribute my lapse to senior-itis... Basta!

During:

After:

Where ya headed?

Climbing out at 7:40am.

Sunshiny

I've been in this apartment for two years and I still haven't found my spot for creating art. I need light, space and privacy. Just one of the things I'm struggling with at the moment. 

Pineville Lake Park

Monday was a beautiful Autumn day, perfect for a visit to a new (to me) park. 

The Explorer

I adopted a turkey at @farmsanctuary. Faye the Explorer.

I'm sure the names are matched to your name (great marketing) when you visit the site but I was going to adopt one anyway. 

I think I was once an explorer... I seem to have lost that in my old age. Is that how it works? Do we rein in our bravery as we get older? It's easy to take chances when you have someone supporting you. I lost my last cheerleader when my mom passed away. 

Update: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4032616/Why-cautious-age-Taking-risks-changes-brain-structure-older.html

So.... more grey matter, please. 🙂

Flora

Details from an Autumnal bouquet. My computer is driving me crazy. I updated to Windows 11 and it's slower than molasses... or ketchup.  (I hate Microsoft but I hate Apple more)

Happy Friday!

 

Sunrise is free

But shouldn't be taken for granted.

Veterans Day

A moody sunrise

And a photo of my Dad

Yesterday's weather was perfect - upper 70's and sunny. By the weekend we'll be back to normal Fall temps. Oh well. 

My Dad was in the Army during WWII. He was stationed in the Philippines. He eventually got into the Army Air Corp (I think that's what it was called) but before he could finish his training, the war ended. He loved flying but never pursued it in civilian life. I remember on many Sunday drives we would end up at the local airport, watching planes land and takeoff. 

Change is in the air

 

Cold sunrise.

Fading, Faded

Thirty-six degrees this morning... but it will be in the seventies next week, so I'll survive.

Knees still doing well.

Better

One of these got the Hipsta filter and the other got Lomo'd. I like both much better than the originals.

Chilly weather today but back to 70's next week. 

Autumn Color

 Made a trip to the McDowell Nature Preserve this morning and managed to find some color.

Update on the knee injections: I wasn't expecting to see any real relief for at least four weeks (the doctor said 3-4 months) but on the second night (and since) knee pain did not interrupt my sleep. It's amazing. 

Near and Far

Autumn is finally here. Cool weather, leaves just beginning to turn. Trees at higher elevations are nearly past peak. I miss my annual drive to Black Rock Mtn State Park in north Georgia. C'est la vie. 

Today, I'm getting gel injections in my knees (monovisc). I'm hoping they will ease at least some pain... I need sleep.

It was...

a faded macro kind of day.

I can't say that I'm thrilled with my 80mm lens; I can't seem to get the focus where I want. I put the 60mm on the X-T3 and it might have been a little better. Frustrating.

Update: I've done some research and I now understand when to use the 60mm and when to use the 80mm. 

Threes

Just three vultures having a chat.

Two new wine glasses and a tattoo.

Real Fall temps are promised this weekend...