Lens

I just got a new camera lens. It's a Tamron, 10-24 mm wide angle lens. If you look at the picture of the courthouse in my header at the top of the blog, you can really see how this thing works. that snowy, courthouse picture was taken with my 18-250 mm lens and I was standing across the street to get the shot. With these middle three pictures I'm practically standing next to the courthouse, yet I can get the whole building in the shot. The first picture of the Dutch front I shot downtown and I'm right underneath the building, yet I can get the whole view in the frame. I am excited about using this lens when I take my trip to Europe with Amy in a few weeks. We will be no doubt be slowed down because Sue is forever taking shots and changing lenses. Well, we'll see anyway.

No regrets

My cousin Carolyn died the day before Easter.
Growing up we were close. You know, sharing secrets as girls, staying overnight with each other, ignoring the boys together....After we were married our lives went in very different directions and I rarely saw her, I met her children only when they were quite little. She developed lung cancer and fought it for five years. But then in January the diagnosis was grim. So it was my brother Tom who called after we'd heard that news, and said, Let's go. We need to visit her. I responded by saying, 'well, I was thinking of sending her a card'. But I knew he was right, so we went together. I'm so glad I did. I would have been so mad at myself if I hadn't made the time to connect with her again. Sorrow and sadness and hard moments can be so important. I wouldn't have wanted anything less. I so appreciate my brother taking the time to do this....
No regrets this time.

Let's Go Fly A Kite

Two new kites for these boys for Easter! But appearances are deceiving, they didn't really get them in the air at all! Ok, well, the Lady Bug kite got up just high enough for me to snap a quick picture and for it to look like it might turn into a real "Charlie Brown" kite. Otherwise, the boys managed to get lots of energy out by running around quite a bit. You have to admit, that was the best part! I'm sure they'll pester their dad to try them out again!