2012 - Happy New Year

Happy New Year, 2012. This year I'm making the switch. when I talk about the year I'm not going to say two thousand twelve. I'm going to say twenty-twelve. I probably should have done that with twenty-ten but twenty-twelve really has a nice ring to it.

We stayed home on New Year's Eve. I admit that I was in bed and asleep by the time the new year rolled in but we had done our best for good luck in 2012. We ate black-eyed peas, a southern tradition,  for prosperity and twelve grapes with good wishes attached for the Mexico tradition.

We had a wonderful Christmas with the boys and their families and Ned's sister's entire family including our newest addition, Baby Finn. And one of her sons brought a girl friend. This is the first one he has brought around so we are all wondering if she will be joining us for good.  Ned's Aunt and cousin also joined us. 

I worry so about my oyster stew for Christmas Eve but it turned out just fine although we barely had enough. I felt really good when Jack, Betsy's Dad, said the oyster stew was one of the reasons he came to Texas for Christmas. This year I had a little more attention from Mike and Betsy while I cooked it. I think they realize that they better learn how to do it 'cause I ain't getting any younger.

And speaking of younger.....I had a birthday on the 30th. What a shock this one was. At 75 I finally have to admit I'm a "senior." All the times when I've bought a senior ticket or taken advantage of a senior discount, I've felt a little like a fraud. I really wasn't THAT old. Well, I still don't feel it but this birthday makes it feel legit. I no longer have to feel guilty about saying, "Senior ticket, please."

We are headed in to 2012 with high hopes. Ned is feeling good. We will be taking a break in treatment and be able to head SOB for a few weeks. We are looking forward to being in our home, seeing our friends, and catching up on all the happenings in San Miguel.

Another photo made on my walk along Buffalo Bayou shot with the iPhone Instagram app. Give me some slack while I explore the iPhone. I don't think it ever going to substitute for my DSLR but it is fun. I'm learning about using some of the apps besides Hipstamatic and Instagram. And it will be a camera that is always with me. I think of it as a Camera/Phone instead of a Phone/Camera. Now I have to get it unlocked so I can use the Phone part when we are in San Miguel. Gotta get that done this week before we head South.

What The Camera Sees

Are you wondering what this is? It is the top of the fountain pot where the bouganvilla blossom was floating in the image from yesterday. In the image yesterday the water seems so smooth but here there seems to be a hundred ripples. I have to tell you that when I took the picture I was not expecting to see this. My eye was seeing almost smooth water but the camera is not the human eye.

I think water may be one of the best examples of why you need to understand how the camera "sees" and to know how to use the controls on your camera. Do you want to see every drop of water  or do you want the water to look as smooth as glass or somewhere in between?

Seeing in the Dark

A wedding carriage waiting for the bride and groom in front of the Parroquia. What is great about this picture? Not much except it was shot at f1.4 at 1/40 of a second at 3200 ISO. There is some noise in the file but very little, very smooth and with a little noise reduction, I think it is a printable image.

I'm loving the Canon 5D Mark II camera.

You may be seeing more low-light photography from me.