DirectBuy

All I can really say about it is that if you are building, remodeling or decorating and planning to spend some real bucks you should consider a membership. They can save you up to 50% on many, many items. I was considering them for the kitchen cabinets and appliances at the Townhouse but it is more practical for Karin than for me and they don't allow a shared membership.

I spent an hour and a half at their presentation then decided to leave when that fact became apparent to me.

Late January Surprise

The Suet Feeder is empty and not all that inviting with snow on the roof and porch. The accumulation is much more evident on the shrubbery.

My personal favorites are the feathery boughs laden with snow.

I was up from 4 to 6 a.m. when I couldn't get back to sleep after having a short nightmare about the I.R.S. How they continue to plague me now that I only get Refunds is beyond me but they were what woke me from a sound sleep. Walked and fed the dogs, had some breakfast and diddled with the computer then went back to sleep from 6 to 9 a.m. I awoke to a Winter Wonderland. Steady snowfall for a few hours now and we've accumulated more than an inch that looks as if it might stay. Forecasters have rain to follow so it shouldn't be much of an inconvenience.

Speaking of Squirrels

The birdbath was frozen this morning but when we returned from the dog walk 'Bunny Baby' was waiting patiently so I threw out a bunch of nuts and shot this from my office window. Then it occurred to me that she is fearless so I went outside with the 50mm lens and shot this at f1.8 at a distance of maybe 3 feet. I cropped the excess and that's why she appears closer. Can't you just hear her saying "Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!"

"Brrrrr"

Looking up into the snow laden bough canopy this morning. The snow was still falling lightly as I got up around 8 a.m. It didn't stay long but it brought out the squirrel beggars for a nut cache.

Playing with Photographic Art

I found this wonderful Contemplative Primate at the Oregon Zoo. Somehow the scene I captured reminded me of Vermeer. I decided to transform it to Comtemplative Primate with The Music Lesson. Next year perhaps the Calendar will contain projects relating photographic pieces to fine art paintings.

Photo Safari

Meet Sam, the baby elephant born in July at the Portland Zoo. Sam and his mother, Rose-Tu are obviously delighted to see the elephant keeper who has a snack for them.

A Day of Celebratory Contemplation

Chris came over at 8 a.m. for a day of watching and commenting on the Inauguration. Maybe a new routine since she can network easily here in my living room as we work on our blogs. Biggest impression was made by the Quartet put together brilliantly to reflect our diverse heritage. Perlman has always been a personal favorite of mine.

We had breakfast and a light snack between dog walks and TV watching. All in all a relaxing day.

This Afternoon a Diversion

In spite of the fact that I fall asleep whenever I sit quietly for even a minimal time period I accepted an invitation to the Vancouver Symphony's Schostakovich #10 Concert. I did Ok until I ate the 4 cookies at Intermission and fell asleep during the last 15 minutes of the concert. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the 5 Bassists and ended up day dreaming of my High School Orchestra and the Bass I hauled around there. I wonder if it IS like riding a bicycle?

A Quick Shoot before dinner

We stopped near PDX and took shots West and East. I liked this one with incoming aircraft looking like UFOs.

Looking East toward Mt Hood from a spot near PDX on Marine Drive. This is the I-205 bridge (Glenn Jackson) connecting Portland and Government Island then on to Vancouver, WA. It was a great night for shooting but extremely cold.

On to Vancouver and El Presidente for dinner.

Another night for bridges

When the shot fails try improvising. This is my experimental art shot.

Out we went, this time to the Ross Island Bridge. I got this panorama then I took a couple shaky images of the underpinning and shot the OHSU Tram.

Another Photo Project for Indoors

Lee Blalock and Lois Knowles

1933

Bakersfield, California

I bought myself a Photo to Digital Converter (scanner) with the idea that the big box of photos should be digitized. Hammacher Schlemmer had this clever unit with photo trays for 3 x 5, 4 x 6 and 5 x 7 photos. Reasonably priced and having the capability for repair of Exposure and Color casts I figured it would be a solution to taking care of the huge box of photos and provide hours of productive entertainment for me. I've got a work station all set up in the corner of the living room.

My 1st project was to copy 7 old beatup photos of my Dad from 1933. They are Adagio poses with his partner and will make a great collage once the photos are 'repaired' or restored. I included this photo because the face looks just like I did at age 16. The set is posted on my Flickr website. http://www.flickr.com/photos/patty_max_and_min/

Canon Camera Backpack

3 Cameras, 3 lenses, 2 teleconverters, filter pack and note cards all in one place with the camera manuals, Full Moon Cheat Sheet and extra Compact Flash Cards organized neatly in their own compartments.

What's missing from the picture is the Canon Rebel Xt that fits at the very top. It took the picture. There are also pockets for the battery chargers. Ready to go with just a last minute check.

The NEW Canon Lens

UPS delivered the new 50 mm lens today. I shot this at Maximum Aperture, f1.8 with an ISO of 100 using available overhead light from the incandescent fixture. The shutter was slow, 1/10th of a second. I like the results. Handheld, Clarisse did not bat an eye!

Upper!

Started the morning with an email on Flickr. Schmap selected one of my pics for their Schmap Guide of Vancouver, BC. It's on the short list but I won't know until the end of January if it will actually be selected. Needless to say I went back onto Flickr and uploaded more photos for that area.

Tuesday, January 6th of the New Year

Cold and dreary outside but warm and comfy inside. Nothing but Snow and Rain so far. Would love to get out in it but the dogs melt in the rain. Busy putting together my Portland at Night Calendar for 2009. This will be my 2nd Calendar made using Vista Print and I am quite content with their product. It is a learning experience however.

Today we will practice using the Remote Control for taking Self Portraits with the Canon Rebel XT.