Congratulations on your article being published out there. I say hello for you to the spring peepers on Goose Creek when I visit Meredith and Frederick. By the way
I thoroughly enjoyed your column on turtle rabbits.
It's good to "hear" your voice. I feel your pain about the noise. When I go visit family north of Chicago, I am fascinated at the white sky at night and the constant drone of traffic through the woods. I keep the best medication in the world (my dog) with me and survive the visit. I grew up inside the DC Beltway and know that eventually you will tune it out and realize peace. Hang in there.
I'm chuckling at the photo and pun at the end of your writing. "Spirit" indeed! hahaha! Glad your sense of humor is intact, Fred. There is enough in your changed environment to crush a sense of humor...or expand it. I'm glad you find ways to let it loose.
Fred, you are a very busy person. Have you tried noise cancelling headphones to get some peace and quiet?
from AI:
An Ode to Peaceful Solitude
Oh, blessed haven, tranquil and serene, A refuge untouched, where the world is unseen. Through rustling leaves and whispers of air, I find solace, beyond life's wear.
The hum of silence, a gentle embrace, Cradles my spirit in its vast, soft space. No clamor of time, no rush, no race— Just me, the stillness, a sacred place.
The sun dips low, casting golden hue, As shadows dance and skies turn blue. Each breath I draw feels pure, feels true, In this haven where peace renews.
Oh, quiet retreat, to you I return, For rest and clarity, my soul does yearn. A symphony of calm, a heart discerned, In your arms, life's simple joy is learned.
I have followed your reflections on downsizing and moving, with interest. At 75 (78, spouse), I know we'll have to do that one of these days, though with both in good health, we like to think that won't be too soon. Your concern about lack of private time and space in your house gives me pause. And the large-city noise... But surely it must be a relief not to have to keep a large house and property in decent order?
I was very pleased to hear of your joining those committees, taking an art class and publishing an article! Your new circumstances are certainly a huge adjustment but it sounds to me like you will be able to thrive there anyway.
Thrive is a hope, survive an imperative. Surviving so far, with a few good moments most every day. Thinking about the hundred things I might write about keeps my mind occupied and the one that makes it most every week lets me check the records and see there are still signs of life for the writer.
I always enjoy your writing, you make everyday living interesting, and it contains the tongue in cheek humor. My daughters have been lobbying hard for me to move to Atlanta, Ga to be close to them. Their concerns are my advancing age, I live alone, a rather difficult access to my residence and they want me in their life more. My concerns are my love for Floyd Co.,dark and quiet, star filled nites,pleasant driving conditions and my friends.Your story assures they are valid . Wishing you and Ann all the very best in your new home.
Fred, always good to find you in my inbox! I have decided to look for an FZ200 here in Ottawa because my other cameras are now too heavy for everyday use. Do you still like yours?
Honestly, I stopped using it after we moved out of the Goose Creek setting in 2020, from living in the woods to living in big sky country with clouds becoming my main photographic subject. The pano function of the iPhone and its always-with-me presence made it my go-to. OTOH without a tripod, the long end of the range did not hold up. I'm hoping to explore the FZ's capabilities more in this setting of open forest. I had a 52mm close up lens to assist with macro shots but never really used it, again the iPhone is just too handy.
The ergonomics and weight of the FZ and its menu (once you get used to it) are selling points.
Congratulations on your article being published out there. I say hello for you to the spring peepers on Goose Creek when I visit Meredith and Frederick. By the way
I thoroughly enjoyed your column on turtle rabbits.
It's good to "hear" your voice. I feel your pain about the noise. When I go visit family north of Chicago, I am fascinated at the white sky at night and the constant drone of traffic through the woods. I keep the best medication in the world (my dog) with me and survive the visit. I grew up inside the DC Beltway and know that eventually you will tune it out and realize peace. Hang in there.
I'm chuckling at the photo and pun at the end of your writing. "Spirit" indeed! hahaha! Glad your sense of humor is intact, Fred. There is enough in your changed environment to crush a sense of humor...or expand it. I'm glad you find ways to let it loose.
Fred, stick a tincture-squeeze in each ear.
Seriously, I'm still with ya, buddy.
Fred, you are a very busy person. Have you tried noise cancelling headphones to get some peace and quiet?
from AI:
An Ode to Peaceful Solitude
Oh, blessed haven, tranquil and serene, A refuge untouched, where the world is unseen. Through rustling leaves and whispers of air, I find solace, beyond life's wear.
The hum of silence, a gentle embrace, Cradles my spirit in its vast, soft space. No clamor of time, no rush, no race— Just me, the stillness, a sacred place.
The sun dips low, casting golden hue, As shadows dance and skies turn blue. Each breath I draw feels pure, feels true, In this haven where peace renews.
Oh, quiet retreat, to you I return, For rest and clarity, my soul does yearn. A symphony of calm, a heart discerned, In your arms, life's simple joy is learned.
I have followed your reflections on downsizing and moving, with interest. At 75 (78, spouse), I know we'll have to do that one of these days, though with both in good health, we like to think that won't be too soon. Your concern about lack of private time and space in your house gives me pause. And the large-city noise... But surely it must be a relief not to have to keep a large house and property in decent order?
I was very pleased to hear of your joining those committees, taking an art class and publishing an article! Your new circumstances are certainly a huge adjustment but it sounds to me like you will be able to thrive there anyway.
Thrive is a hope, survive an imperative. Surviving so far, with a few good moments most every day. Thinking about the hundred things I might write about keeps my mind occupied and the one that makes it most every week lets me check the records and see there are still signs of life for the writer.
I always enjoy your writing, you make everyday living interesting, and it contains the tongue in cheek humor. My daughters have been lobbying hard for me to move to Atlanta, Ga to be close to them. Their concerns are my advancing age, I live alone, a rather difficult access to my residence and they want me in their life more. My concerns are my love for Floyd Co.,dark and quiet, star filled nites,pleasant driving conditions and my friends.Your story assures they are valid . Wishing you and Ann all the very best in your new home.
Fred, always good to find you in my inbox! I have decided to look for an FZ200 here in Ottawa because my other cameras are now too heavy for everyday use. Do you still like yours?
Honestly, I stopped using it after we moved out of the Goose Creek setting in 2020, from living in the woods to living in big sky country with clouds becoming my main photographic subject. The pano function of the iPhone and its always-with-me presence made it my go-to. OTOH without a tripod, the long end of the range did not hold up. I'm hoping to explore the FZ's capabilities more in this setting of open forest. I had a 52mm close up lens to assist with macro shots but never really used it, again the iPhone is just too handy.
The ergonomics and weight of the FZ and its menu (once you get used to it) are selling points.
Be sure and watch these videos:
- Graham Houghton 12 Minute Video [(1989) Panasonic Lumix FZ200 Users Guide illustrated. - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J9eeDlxsyg)
- [Lumix FZ200 Users manual_updated.pdf](hook://file/OoSbcIUQT?p=TWFudWFscy9NTWFudWFscw==&n=Lumix%20FZ200%20Users%20manual%5Fupdated%2Epdf)
- [(277) Panasonic Lumix FZ200 Revisited n 2023 - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdBJ4fy-tJ4)
- [(289) Panasonic Lumix FZ200 the Users Guide Illustrated, part 2 - the iA and iA plus modes - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXJnK4uK9Wg)