Saturday Slight

Not sure if it's the lovely Celtic music playing next to me or if it's just that Todd, the Wonder Dog (moniker given by his dad "Big Man") has the sweetest expression one could ever want in a dog.

 I'm inclined to think the latter, even though the accompanying sound to this photo, adds to my admiration of this shot.

I like it for another big reason.

It's a photo snapped yesterday afternoon with my "new old" telephoto lens.

Yes, here at the Lovestead, we have a new-old motorhome, but I made a discovery yesterday that adds to our "new-old" collection.

And, what a find it was!

Over the years, I've used a variety of cameras, constantly updating accessories whenever the need was seen and the pocketbook allowed it.

Well, somewhere along the way, I purchased a true telephoto lens---not one of those gargantuan models you see along football sidelines but a long one.

Not the highest quality for total clarity and precision but still a telephoto which brings images much closer.

This may have been a divine find.

As I walked past the washing machine, a double AA battery bounced from the cupboard and landed on the washer top.

I didn't think my presence would cause the house to rumble; maybe there was a slight earth tremor in that particular spot.

Whatever the case, I stopped to put the battery back in its container on the cupboard shelf.   Its container was kinda stubborn about wanting to stay in place, so it took two or three tries to find the perfect spot.

During that time I looked at the top shelf and saw a lens sitting there.

"Hmmm, I wonder if I've tried this old lens on my new digital camera," I thought.

So, I removed it, walked to the kitchen island, grabbed my camera and "Voila!" it fit the lens mount. 

Next task was to see if it worked, so I pointed it out the sliding-glass door at one of the pasture sheds.  

Brought that shed right up in close view.

Then, I pointed it at Todd, who was resting on the floor next to the door.

Snapping a couple of shots, I looked at the viewer window, and, by golly, I had pictures. 

A very nice discovery of a new old lens, indeed.

Of course, Todd's spontaneous doorside portrait is enhanced all the more by his Christmas collar, complete with jingle bells.

I walked by a display of doggie Christmas collars the other day and then walked on, thinking the items were just too frivolous.

A few minutes later, I walked back and grabbed four collars.

The grandpuppies love them, and, so far, only one pull-off while playing.

Now, with Kea and Kiwi, there's a challenge, since Kea takes free rides with Kiwi all the time, while gripping tightly to Kiwi's neck.  So, I don't know how the collar situation is going to work.

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In other news on this Saturday, is there anyone in the Northwest who does not know that today is the annual BATTLE IN SEATTLE?

Well, the match-up between the ZAGS and Arizona will highlight the television-viewing line-up in our family. 

That would be at 1 p.m. on CBS.  

I am already wearing my ZAGS sweatshirt.  Usually, it does not come on until just before the games, but our young ZAGS team needs intangible support. 

GO ZAGS!

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Willie most likely will be ready to step away from basketball after tonight.  He and his JVs have been following a rigorous schedule, with a tournament in Pendleton last weekend, a game at Sandpoint Tuesday, in Bonners Ferry Thursday night and another match-up at West Valley this afternoon.  

Once that game ends, Christmas break officially begins for him.  I'm sure he'll be ready for some R and R. 

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Cookie baking continues.  I'm almost finished, though, and the Christmas-card pile is dwindling.  I'm thinking today or tomorrow will be Christmas tree-decorating time.

Someone landed on my blog overnight looking for information about how to get Christmas trees securely fastened in their stands.

I'm sure my blog entry was not helpful because it probably dealt with a bunch of cuss words and a tree that insisted on toppling over a few years ago.

Since then, wisdom has set in.  

Those bushy but somewhat narrow Frazier firs do the trick.  Small enough to wrestle into just about any position you desire.

Since I discovered them, decorating at this household has been much more peaceful.  Heck, even family members could be in the house with me these days as I do the annual duty. 

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Guess that's enough for this Saturday.  That Celtic music could keep me rambling on forever, but there's work to be done and a great basketball game coming up.

So, happy Saturday to all.