Miscellaneous

Colorful Sea Foam

It was a rainy day today, not raining all day but off an on. We did go out on the beach but the surf was rough and the cross-beach current strong so we didn’t stay out in it very long. This picture is from a walk along the beach, looking down at a bit of sea foam washed in with a wave. From a distance, the foam is a fairly uniform grey, but up close it’s a rainbow of colors. I think that’s like a lot of what we see in life. From a distance, it isn’t very interesting. But when you get to know a subject or even more so a person, you start to see all the various colors, which is what makes the subject, or person, really interesting.

Ocean Isle Pier

Shortly after I took the picture of the little sandpiper, on the same walk down the beach, actually, I took this picture of the Ocean Isle Beach pier. I can’t actually remember the last time we’ve gone out on the pier, actually. I guess I don’t see much need. It does add a point of reference when you’re on the beach, though, and give a handy turning around point when walking.

I like the drama in this picture, of the crashing wave. It’s nothing to the waves in the surfing destinations around the world, but it’s a good enough wave for riding and no so big that you are in any danger when out, particularly on days as calm as this.

Slit Lamp with Argon Laser

I visited my retina specialist today. The appointment was set up before I even had the cataract surgery scheduled but because of that surgery and the problems I had last week, I was glad to have it set up. The doctor saw a small piece of retina that was torn, so he had me wait a little while and give it a blast with his laser. This is not the greatest picture because of the dark background, but it shows the equipment he uses for this procedure. The box on the right (the lower one) controls the laser mounted on the slit lamp. He gave my eye 41 pulses of the laser to weld my retina to the underlying choroid layer of my eye. Afterward they took a photo of my eye that shows the site and I asked the technician to email me the picture, which is pretty cool. I won’t say I enjoy having a laser shined into my eye, but when it’s a choice between that and a detached retina, I’ll take the laser.

Turn Left

Dorothy was driving home this evening and I was in the passenger seat so I pulled out the camera and took some long exposure images of signs and lights as we went past. This is sort of a hit or miss process with a lot more misses than hits. One problem is that when the shutter is open, the viewfinder goes black. If you are moving (as we were in the car) it is difficult to keep the camera aimed at any particular subject. These images are more interesting when there is some movement, anyway, but getting it under control is, to a great extent, chance.

Rain

I love the sound of rain. Whether it’s beating on a tin roof or dripping through leaves in the woods or splashing on the surface of a pond, the sound of rain is a peaceful, restful sound for me. Of course, I have the option to go inside and get out of the rain. If I didn’t have that option, the sound of rain might be depressing or even oppressive. But, for me, in my circumstances, it is the sound of life and I look forward to it and enjoy it when it comes. Sometimes, I just sit and watch the rain. It may sound like watching the grass grow or watching paint dry, but I enjoy it. Sometimes, I think we should stop and watch the rain.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cathy baked chocolate chip cookies today. They were mostly for some neighbors who are going through a tough time, but she put some in a bag for Dorothy and me to take with us when we leave for Philadelphia tomorrow afternoon. Can you almost taste these? They were so good.

Thanks, sweetheart.

P.F. Chang’s

Dorothy wanted to meet a friend at Columbia Mall this evening so we all went. Dorothy drove and then went off to find Lauren. Cathy and I went into the mall for a little while and then had dinner at P.F. Chang’s.

This is the candle on our table. There is an interesting mural on the wall over the bar. It depicts eight characters that I assume are from Chinese history or legend. It’s a nice restaurant but I have to admit that I would prefer a small, hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant. Generally the food is better and you aren’t paying extra for expensive decor. But that’s just me.

Pin Cushion

It was a very busy week and I didn’t get out to take pictures today. In the evening I took some pictures of a pin cushion that’s next Dorothy’s sewing machine. It isn’t actually Dorothy’s machine, but rather my mom’s back-up machine, her old Bernina. Anyway, this pin cushion was there and looked like a good subject for a photograph. I’m not sure what the little note says in full. I think the Red Cross pin is one I earned back before the Red Cross decided I was at too high a risk for BSE (too much time in England).

Balance

I was working in the basement this evening, taking apart our dehumidifier to see if I could figure out why the compressor isn’t coming on. Of course, it could be the compressor that’s gone bad, and if that’s the case then it is probably done. But there are two other possibilities, and I wanted to test them out. While I was in the basement, I decided to take a few pictures. This scale is one that I’ve used in the past for two different things: photography and ceramics. For photography, I used it to weigh out chemicals for processing black and white film and prints. For ceramics, to weigh ingredients for glaze. It’s been a while since I did either of those things, but I’d really like to get the ceramic work going again. I have the wheel and kiln here and just need to get a few things in place and I’d be ready to pick it up. I’m pretty much out of practice, but you never know, it might be like riding a bicycle. Or not.

Actually, the balance seems pretty significantly out of balance and I need to figure out what’s going on with that before it will be much use.

Liquor Bottles

Cathy and I went out for a somewhat late dinner this evening. We decided on Branded 72, a barbecue place that used to be O’Brien’s. The barbecue is good. If you are trying to cut down on carbohydrates, your side order options are a bit restricted. Fortunately I actually like collard greens, although what I had left a bit to be desired. Certainly not as good as the ribs. The restaurant is divided into two sections and we were alone in our half. There was talking and laughter coming from the bar (the other side). This windowed wall separates the two halves of the place and I set my camera on the table so that the 1/3 second exposure wouldn’t be blurry.

Hose Faucet and Bricks

I enjoy little things. I suppose anyone who has been following my blog for any time already knows that. We were up in Olney for dinner this evening at our favorite little Thai place and had to wait a little while for a table (did I mention that it’s a little place?). I walked around outside a while looking for things to photograph. I like the simplicity of this picture and also the colors. It’s just a hose faucet in a brick wall, but we often forget how convenient life is, when we can get water practically anywhere, just by turning a knob. Life is good.

Ophthalmological Instruments

As many of you know, I had cataract surgery in my left eye yesterday. I had a follow-up appointment this morning and all seems to be going exactly as planned and hoped. Here are three instruments in the ophthalmologist’s office. On the left is a phoroptor, used to determine the eyeglass prescription needed. The instrument is familiar, even if the name isn’t. Then, in the middle, is a keratometer, which is used to determine the shape of the cornea. Finally, on the right is a slit lamp, used to examine eyes. I’ve spent a lot of time behind this last item over the last five years or so.

Purple and Orange

Cathy and I went out to dinner this evening. While I usually have my camera with me these days, usually a crowded restaurant isn’t the sort of place I’m comfortable taking lots of pictures. I had the camera sitting on the table as we waited for our meal, however. I turned on the screen on the back and moved it around. seeing what I could see through the electronic viewfinder and taking a few pictures. This abstract image is one of those pictures. I’m not sure what it is supposed to convey, but there you are.

Rainy Reflections

Another rainy day today, as we come to the end of April. In fact it was a very rainy day. As I got to work it was coming down quite hard. I sat in my car, enjoying the sound of the rain and the quality of the light. The back of my office building has a large area of mirrored glass that reflects the trees in and around the parking lot. I’ve posted pictures taken in them before and I’m amazed at how different they can look, depending on the time of year and the weather. So, here’s a reflection on a rainy day.

Loose Screws

It’s pretty widely acknowledged that there’s a screw loose somewhere. Well, that’s what I’m constantly being told, anyway. I think I’ve found a few of them. They were in a box on a shelf in my kitchen. That’s probably because I put them there. I’m glad they aren’t with my marbles, because I lost them. These, or some of them, are destined to hold up some brackets that will hold up a ladder that’s taking up altogether too much space in my garage. Hanging it on the wall should make it much less of a bother.

Hot Sauces

Many years ago now we went to dinner with Cathy’s parents, our friends Brian and Lisa, and another couple. Our hosts were from Bangladesh and our dinner was wonderful, Bengali home cooking. One dish happened to be a little spicy. Actually, it wasn’t bad if you didn’t bite into one of the small green chilies. Well the wife of the other couple didn’t realize what they were and had one. Her reaction was the title of this post. We tried not to laugh at the time, and our hostess was a little embarrassed. She said she thought they were green beans. After we left we laughed and laughed. Over 20 years later we are reminded of it when we walk past the hot sauces in the grocery store. We even quote her on occasion. “Wow, that’s hot!”