We bought the Kodak SD710, 7.2 MP with a 10x optical zoom.  It has over 20 features for taking pictures.  My favorite feature so far are the manual settings.  They allow me the feel of a 35mm SLR but with the instant gratification of the digital technology.

The manual that came with the camera was sadly lacking in instruction.  After finally doing several searches at the Kodak site I tracked down the information I needed to properly use this camera. It has such nice features but if I can’t figure them out it does me no good to have the camera.

I have been doing some experimenting with both digitals that I have.  I do like the newer one better.  What really tipped the scales for me was the fact that I could actually purchase two other lenses for this little compact camera.

Kodak offers a wide angle and telephoto lense for the Kodak SD710.  I believe the lenses are compatible with all the Kodak S series cameras.  However they cost more than what I actually paid for the camera.  It will be awhile before I sink $150/lense for this camera.

The camera I am saving for is the Pentax K10D.  It is a beauty!!  It is considered a serious player in the advanced amateur DSLR camera’s on the market today.  I like that I am able to use the Pentax lenses all ready in my possession.  I have an older 35mm SLR Pentax K1000.  I will never give up using that camera. Having the ability to use the lenses on both is a big draw for me.  Alas I am greedy.  I also want the battery powered pack and a  few of the other items that are offered.

My dream camera however is a Mamiya Medium Format version 365.  Maybe after all the kids have finished with their braces.  We get all of the colleges and weddings out of the way….It would make a nice retirement gift for my husband…..;-).

I will start adding some of the experimental shots I have taken……this has actually given me the desire to pick my cameras back up and start doing some more photography.  I had shoved all of that to the background for awhile even contemplating selling all of my darkroom equipment.  My husband nixed that one.  I know that digital gives one the ability to do black and white in camera……But I can’t begin to tell you the fun it is going into the darkroom and manipulating the negatives.  Those who take their computers and do the same with the various photoshop programs and are good at it understand.  It just isn’t the same.  I use Gimp but I miss the darkroom.

The biggest draw for digital for me is the instant gratification of plugging my camera into the computer and viewing my pictures.  Not to mention the cost.  It is alot cheaper this way.  I have been known to shoot several (5-10) rolls of film experimenting with a variety of techniques.  That gets costly after awhile.

I am being dragged into the digital arena…..whether I like or not…..but hey….a new camera helps…:-)

He has taken to pulling his plants out and knocking over his castle. He seems to like playing with them. If you put reattach them to the gravel, he just pulls them back out. He resides in a 50 gallon tank. It is approximately 2’w x 4’l x 3’d. Tiger Oscar is maybe 7″ I believe. It is really hard to measure a fish when he won’t sit still. He does seem to actually possess a personality for a fish.

He really is alot of fun to watch swim back and forth. I know Loki (my African Timneh Grey) likes to watch him.

So there you have it Caedemon, Camryn, Noah and Adrian. Caedemon enjoyed fishing in my fish tank…he was just never able to catch the fish poor guy. It is hard to believe that it has been a year all ready. I guess it is my turn to come visit you this time…….

I have a friend who happens to like blue eyed cats. I thought I would post these for her…….Hope you like the kittens.

Blossom is on the grass. Tiger is on the concrete.

Shapes, Numbers, Patterns, And The Divine Proportion In God’s Creation

by Fred Willson, M.S.

I read the above article when it first came out and ever since I have had this facination with looking up into trees. It’s a neat way to teach your children (us homeschooler’s) a better way to understand Fibonacci numbers. If you are saying “Fibo What?!” Go read the article….lol. I like to study the branches and how they spiral down the trunk. I can’t help but look around at creation and wonder how there are so many that think this was an accident. I am a literal creationist. There is another camp that is called the “Theological Evolutionist.” This group tries to mesh the theories of Darwin/Evolution with God’s account of what He did. I just can’t help but think if God said 6 days……God meant 6 days. This is what I believe. I also believe there is enough evidence to prove a worldwide flood event….so I don’t think the Noah’s Ark story is a fable. I do believe there was a whale of tale with Jonah. It’s okay if you don’t believe what I believe….I won’t hold it against you…:)

This tree was planted on my husband’s Aunt’s property around 1961. It came out of a little bucket. It’s a big treeeee now.

I thought it looked like looking thru a veil.

I just figured out if I don’t bold the script…it can actually be seen and read…:)  Sorry Folks….

This picture is of a Bleeding Heart. It is on the property of my husband’s Aunt and Uncle, who live in Ohio. She was telling me that she was very surprised to see the plant growing. They had it in a pot and it had died. Apparently some of the rhizomes had fallen down in the dead tree stump and started growing.

They do like shade and come in two varieties. I will post a couple links to information on these plants. I had no idea they were so poisonous.

Bleeding Heart

How to Grow Bleeding Heart

Dave’s Garden

This was the serious look he was aiming for…..but this was the first shot I got…..

The boys love that car and would really like Daddy to drive it and then in it….but here they are…..Cool Son #1

The only issue was asking the boys to grab a box of tissues and they brought a new roll of Charmin…you know the one in the blue bag….My hubby is picky.

I’m walking thru the neighborhood camera in hand, carrying my tissue bag and a roll of Charmin….:). It wasn’t too bad until I dropped the roll of tissue and had to chase it down the street……

I stumbled across a yard that had this gorgeous “cherry tree” ,I had to snap some pictures. I played around with the camera putting it on the B&W,Sepia and Color settings. Here are a few examples……These are not very good…..they are adequate however…..this is just a very basic cheap digital……

Yes….I took a picture of my cabbage with baby red potatoes.  My stove was occupied so I had to cut everything up and bake it in the oven in my roasting pan.  We chopped up bacon and thru it on the top.

That was the best cabbage and potatoes I have ever had…it was yummy!!!!