Well not really running like a stream, but I’m walking more and that is kind of like this stream. Slow and steady. Just like these shots along Henryton Road earlier today. It’s a goal of mine this year to get back in fairly good shape. The weight part is doing well but getting my energy and stamina back is the first thing on the agenda for this month and next.

I’ve gotten out now 2 days in a row shooting a bit. Not a lot of time either day, but its good to keep plugging away at the craft. And the exercise while doing it helps my first objective. I’m also starting to realize how much exercise leads to a good attitude again. Always knew that but when pain is in the way that benefit gets deluded. But as my health returns a bit I’m again feeling the benefit.

I don’t know if this warm weather has changed the growing season or not. But I did see this farm combine with some activity around it along Route 99 today. I don’t know why farms are so interesting to me. I admire people who work the land I guess. It’s a business where so many things aren’t in your control. Things that can wipe you out. Weather I would be guessing is one of them. But on the other end, you see harvest of your hard work and skill come in.

You know, I’m going to have to start reading about whom I’m going to vote for very soon. At least that is what I thought of when I looked at the shot I took at Centennial Lake the other day below. I can hear the Republicans (gulls) saying look at those stupid ducks swimming in that freezing water. And I can hear the Democrats (ducks) saying look at those stupid gulls standing on the freezing ice. And neither realizing they are in the same body of water. In all my years of voting, I can’t remember a time when I’ve been more disappointed by all the choices available on either side of the fence. I’m tired of the lies, soundbites, money grubbing, arrogance, hate and lack on leadership and a plan everyone can get behind to be a real leader in the world. Yeah we might be the biggest guy on the block because of our might. But were showing that we aren’t all that smart and are easily divided and have gotten so petty with our own self interest that getting anything accomplished now in Government is impossible.

You know I’m thankful for small things in life, like the tools my Mom passed down to me. And two of them were camera lenses. One a AF Nikon 70-210mm f/4-5.6 and 35-70 f/3.5. The guy at the photo store laughed and said maybe a hundred or 150 for the two of them together. Certainly not fine pieces of glass I’ve had to work with in front of that nice D7100 body. But you know what, they work just fine for lenses that are 28 years old. And I’ve used them the last 2 years (I wish more) and they have held up fine. Yeah they might not give me the professional quality or abilities of fine glass. But they got this amateur photographer off the ground. One of them was so bad it made the 10 worst Nikon lens list by a prominent reviewer. And yes I know I need to move on from them and will but a big thanks for leaving them for me and enabling me to get shooting again at a level above using that Kodak Z812 I bought long ago. See, even when your parents are gone they are always leaving you gifts along the way in life. From tools and lessons to many memories.

So I hear the sun makes a return again today after the rain last night so let me get things charged up and ready to go. Because while Tom Cruise might feel the “need for speed.”  I feel the need to create.