MY SONY CAMERA SUFFERED A NASTY BASH

What a marvelous morning for a sunny, blue sky drive through this late February countryside.  Although cold at 24F. I could have my side window down if I kept my speed under 15 mph on the snowy country roads.  If Pheebs had been with me, we would have had her window down as well.  And, of course, the heater going too.  It was a great feeling this morning under sunny skies, knowing we are indeed closing in on Spring.  In fact, we have temperatures predicted to be up in the 40s and 50's next week.  I am soooooooo much looking forward to that.  Yes, there will be more snow and possibly more nasty storms coming up in March, but winter's back is broken, and we are rounding the fourth corner and entering the home stretch for Spring. And yes, all the wonders it will most certainly bring:)))))  

I THINK EVEN THESE HORSES WERE HAPPY TO BE OUTSIDE IN THE SUNSHINE THIS MORNING

SOON THESE HORSE TRAILERS WILL BE OUT OF THE SNOW  TRANSPORTING HORSES AGAIN

I OFTEN SEE THIS FELLOW AND HIS DOG TRAVELING BETWEEN TWO FARMS, AND IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY YOU CAN SEE THE BLACK DOG RUNNING OUT FRONT OF THE CART

 IN THIS QUICK PHOTO ABOUT HALF AN HOUR LATER YOU CAN SEE THIS SAME FARM CREW RETURNING TO THE HOME FARM AND TURNING INTO THE LANE

I also took a little cruise around our Park this morning.  There have been a lot of work trucks and various machines in the Park this past week, and I was curious to see what they were all up to.  Nothing was going on this morning, but I could see where machines had been digging.  I'm sure it all has something to do with the new homes that have come in and additional new homes that will be coming in, maybe over this Spring, Summer, and Fall.

 AS YET UNOCCUPIED, THIS NEW HOME AWAITS AN OWNER

 I'M GUESSING THIS NEW HOME IS SOLD BECAUSE A GARDEN SHED HAS ALREADY APPEARED, AND HEY, DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT MIGHT BE A BIG OLD ORANGE HULA-HOOP IN THE FRONT YARD

 THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OLDER UNITS IN THE PARK FOR SALE AS WELL, WITH NEITHER ONE OF THEM OCCUPIED

ALL STREETS AND ROADS IN THE PARK ARE LINED WITH TALL PINE TREES

 WHAT A FINE TREAT IT WAS TODAY TO SEE BLUE SKIES OVERHEAD

 IT IS A VERY PICTURESQUE, PEACEFULLY QUIET PARK THAT WE ALL LIVE IN HERE

 

My Sony DSC RX10 IV camera suffered a nasty bash Wednesday afternoon when I slipped on a patch of ice and took a little tumble down our front porch steps.  I didn't see the small patch of ice on the middle step, and when my right foot slipped on it, my leg shot out from under me, and down I went.  Naturally, in a fall, our arms flail outwards trying to grab onto something, and that is exactly what my arms did.  Unfortunately, in my right hand was my camera, and in a split second, the camera impacted the wrought iron railing as I tumbled down the next step to land on my kiester on a large concrete patio stone.  A short, slight pain in my lower right back, but it was soon gone and never amounted to anything.  My camera never left the tight, secure grip I always have on it, but it struck the railing right at the base of the lens, leaving an impact mark on it.  So far, the camera seems to be working, except I'm not sure about the f-stop ring, and I've noticed a shimmering light image around objects in the viewfinder.  That bright shimmering does not appear in the photos, but it is very annoying.  If the camera turns out to be further compromised, I have my backup Nikon D90 camera standing by.  But I do really treasure my Sony.

 THE CAMERA IMPACT HAPPENED RIGHT ABOVE THAT #8 ON THE F-STOP RING

I am still very much enjoying the exercise bicycle machine I bought about three weeks ago.  It's not only been great for strengthening my weakened legs, but what a marvelous way to get caught up on all my reading.  I'm learning while I'm exercising, and what an unexpected winning combination that has turned out to be.  Lorraine extensively uses the bike as well.  We have to have our legs strong for when we get our E-bikes back on the road in a few months.

SNOW CLUMPS ON A MUGO PINE TREE AT THE END OF OUR DRIVEWAY

 IT'S ALWAYS A CIRCUS OF SQUIRRELS IN OUR FRONT YARD

 THIS LITTLE FELLOW WAS VERY DETERMINED TO GET AT THIS SUET

Al's Music Box:: Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree by Tony Orlando and Dawn.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Researchers for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority found over 200 dead crows near greater Boston recently, and there was concern that they may have died from Avian Flu. A Bird Pathologist examined the remains of all the crows, and, to everyone's relief, confirmed the problem was definitely NOT Avian Flu. The cause of death appeared to be vehicular impacts. However, during the detailed analysis, it was noted that varying colors of paint appeared on the bird's beaks and claws. By analyzing these paint residues it was determined that 98% of the crows had been killed by impact with trucks, while only 2% were killed by an impact with a car. MTA then hired an Ornithological Behaviorist to determine if there was a cause for the disproportionate percentages of truck kills versus car kills. He very quickly concluded the cause: When crows eat road kill, they always have a look-out crow in a nearby tree to warn of impending danger. They discovered that while all the lookout crows could shout “Cah”, not a single one could shout “Truck.”

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A few Chess jokes:))

Patient: Doctor whenever I cough it sounds like this 'pawn, bishop, queen. - Doctor: Sounds like you have a chess infection.

- When Australian chess players finish their meals in the restaurant...they say, "Cheque, mate."

- Where do chess players like to go to look for a bargain? The pawnshop.

- How did the king lose his home? One of the horses took his castle.

- Which knight always gave up at chess? Sir Render.

- Why do chess pieces look so uninterested?
They’re part of a bored game.

- Why did the chess player win the disco competition? They had all the right moves.

When the King started telling a bedtime story to all the chess pieces, he said ..."Once a pawn a time..."

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A woman went into a busy cake shop, and when it was her turn to be served, she commented, "You know, I came into this shop 15 years ago when I was just a girl."The harassed shop assistant snapped, "I'm sorry about that, but I'm serving as fast as I can.

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Al's Doggy World

Meanings::

Al's Art Gallery