Thursday 28th December 2023

[Dave]

Almost the end of another year.

I hope it was a good one you all, and that 2024 is even better.

And in going through all my archived photos I'm almost finished with 2017. Here's one I rediscovered and reprocessed...

   

[Luv2shoot]

That is a really sweet photo DAVE.  I love the crop with the buds being the POI!  Unique and skillfully photographed. 

I just finished making a pot of soup using my leftover potato casserole, bacon bits, and ham from Christmas dinner.  I added a little corn, chicken broth, milk, and onion and I think it turned out good. It is yet another gloomy day here in Michigan.  Everyone is complaining, but I think their voices would be a lot louder if it were snow and not rain.  The rain is supposed to continue into tomorrow. 

I did have Natalie's email address and told her that we were wondering about how she was doing.  She replied with a message that the bad side effects of getting old have hindered her mobility. She has not picked up a camera in two years and the motivation for taking photos is no longer there. In addition, when PhotoShop updated its software, it was no longer compatible with Natalie's computer. She does not plan on getting a new computer anytime soon, so even though she is such a fine photographer, we all like to tweak our photos some just to my US happy.  Currently, she and some members of her family are battling a bad upper respiratory cold that they can't seem to shake.

It is sad that after working so hard all those years, doing the simple things in life is even a struggle.  She might stop in just to say HI, but I am not sure.

Here is one from my archives.  I took this at Stah's museum with my FISHEYE lens

[Man From Ironbark]

Dave, what Lorell said. Nice buds.

Do you know which motor that is, Lorell?

I've only got some photos of things that end up laying around as if some giant hand places them.

[Luv2shoot]

Peter, I will try to find out that information for you, but I may come out empty handed.

On the other hand I vaguely remember some sort of animal that collects items like that and then places them in a collection like the one in your photo.

[Man From Ironbark]

It isn't a bower bird.

In my Flickr I do have an album on the only bower I know of around here.

About the bower

[Luv2shoot]

Peter, here is what I found.
I often take a photo of the information plaque that is on the floor in front of the car which I am photographing.
I think this is the plaque that is associated with that engine.

[Man From Ironbark]

Thanks.

[Don]

Good morning all. Sat morning here... I may pop over and start the weekend post in a bit.

Some might nice images here. Dave with his usual top notch flower photo and Lorell with a nice image of the engine. It constantly amazes me when I see some of the engines and other items from back in the late 1800's and early 1900's. I vividly remember touring the Smithsonian and marveling at the locomotives.

Sorry to hear about Natalie. I have sent a couple of emails with the email address she has here on file, but no reply. Could be it is not a current email though. Glad she answered even though it isn't the news we wanted to hear.

[Dave]

Thanks Lorell.

That is one impressive engine. 392 cubic inches! And the 50 horsepower was outstanding given the technology back then.

Thanks for the update on Natalie. Tell her we miss her. And also that I'm sorry to hear that her Golden Years have brought some troubles. (Same here, but I've been lucky: I hate the compromises that my age-related deterioration has necessitated, but I I'm still mobile - slow but mobile.)

Thanks, MFI.

You showed that there are interesting things to photograph all around us.

[Man From Ironbark]

There are interesting things all around us and we do rely on all these things in order to have a place to be alive in.