Christmas Day

Last year it snowed here. A rare white Christmas in central Texas. No snow this year. In fact it was like a Spring day in the 70s on Tuesday. Then yesterday it turned rainy and cold, more typical for this time of the season. Today, Christmas, the sun is out and it's a beautiful day.


As a warm weather guy I just as well do without snow or ice. Can't walk in it. Don't want to drive in it. Making my way back to central California is the best way to avoid lousy Winter cold and rain.

I began reading Robert Heinlein's "Starship Troopers" last night. The 1959 controversial bestseller was made into a movie, of course, but I had never read the book. He gets right into the story with a mobile infantry attack on a town of creatures eight feet tall called "skinnys" because they evidently don't gain much weight eating people. He tosses out a reference to the Bugs, giving a hint of what is to come.

I'm just about finished with Stephen Sears "Chancellorsville" as I continue my study of civil war battles and military history. A lesson to learn from General Lee: when you're out numbered two to one by an enemy, don't run. Look for a way to impose your will and take the initiative. 

An East Texas Christmas

Having Fun at Christmas

Nikon D7000 Practice Shots

Nikon D7000 Requires a Learning Curve

I purchased the new Nikon D7000 this week (it hit the stores in October/November) and have begun to learn how to use it. I've spent the last two days shooting and poking around inside the Menu and Controls and have learned a great deal. The Instruction Manual is okay, but still requires some general knowledge of photography to understand it. This is not a camera for beginners.

I'm posting some samples here to reflect my testing of the camera and its features. To see some samples of my work, go here: My Nikon D7000 Testing and Practice Shots.