Zinnia Test!

   For the past few weeks, I have been camera-less.  The old thing finally bit the dust and refused to take nary a photograph.  For someone who has been known to take over a hundred photos in a single day, this was devastating, to say the least.  I felt lost.  So much beauty was slipping away without me recording it.  I was saddened beyond belief and was left feeling an certain emptiness.  It has long been a goal of mine to record any and all doings here on the Bayou from the tiniest bloom to the largest alligator and without the use of a camera, I was beginning to feel mightily like a failure, even though to some, it was a silly goal.  

  Since the type camera I had is no longer made (that tells you how old it was), Son has been trying to repair my old trusty one.  He has met some obstacles such as "no replacement parts available" and "part requested is unknown".  But!  All is not lost as this was not the only camera in my possession.  In fact, over the years, I have acquired three of the exact same camera albeit two were used ones when purchased.  This was not the most exciting news since all three had met their demise but, then again, it was thrilling news.  It seems that each had died a different death!  Parts galore!  Now, Son is attempting to "create" a working camera by a compilation of parts from the three.  He is getting close!

  The trial photograph of the makeshift camera was somewhat of a success!  A sole zinnia bloom in the Small Gardens this evening was a good subject as most of my photography takes place outdoors.  While there are still a few "bugs" he wishes to attend, the camera did pretty well.  My zinnia photograph brought a huge smile to my face and gave me hope that soon...soon, I would be back to doing what I love.  Those new-fangled cameras can stay at the store with their hefty price tags!  Oh, I do have one but it does not do what I want it to do so it stays in the box awaiting someone who has the patience to deal with the thousand or so buttons, dials and do-gadgets.  I prefer my simple and straightforward camera.  I am so appreciative that Son has the knowledge and patience to tinker with the broken ones.  He amazes me.  Soon...soon!

Be A Butterfly!

   I have a lot of time to ponder things since the social distancing thing has pretty much always been a thing with me.  I prefer to be alone so, generally, people accept that.  This does not mean I am antisocial.  It merely means that I am fine with solitude at any given time and for any length of time.  Like I said, it gives me time to ponder things.  More folks should try it.  Pondering is good for the brain!

  Today's ponderance was about butterflies.  As I watched a black swallowtail sip nectar from the zinnia blooms, I began to wonder how something so fragile can survive in the harshness of a world full of predators.  Here I was not but about a foot from the butterfly and yet it had no fear.   Had I wanted, I could have easily crushed the life from the insect.  Not that I would ever kill one but just the size difference alone would make me seem threatening.  The butterfly totally ignored my presence and kept flitting from flower to flower. 

  You know, sometimes I think we all fret far too much over things.  We see what others are doing and get ourselves in an uproar.  Perhaps if we were more like the butterfly and kept to our own business, others would just go about their merry way, too.  Hopefully, by sticking to the Bayou by myself, peace will continue to surround me.  It is delightful!