Scattered Thoughts . . .

Sheila's COVID test earlier in the week is negative so we are no longer quarantining.  This also means that I don't need to bother getting tested.  She is the only one of us who had some new COVID-type symptoms which is why she is the only one of us who was tested.  She seems to be faring better today than she was earlier in the week.  We're both assuming she is suffering from seasonal allergies again since the COVID test was negative. So, that is a spot of good news in what has been a rather lousy month.  This heat and humidity must break soon...  my health needs a break.

Sheila was tested for COVID-19 again this morning so I suppose that means we are both in quarantine until we get word on her test results.   She is feeling kind of lousy...  mostly symptoms in her sinuses and nose...  although she has watery, itchy eyes and fatigue as well.  It is possible she has a cold or allergies but we thought getting tested was the wisest idea because she was exposed to the public at the hospital a few days ago for one of her regular cancer checkups.  Other than that, we really have not been exposed to anyone in the past few days.  We've only been at home as we should be during a worldwide pandemic.   Anyway, now we wait for test results.  I suppose I will need a test as well if she tests positive.  My bet is that she is suffering from some far worsened allergies.  It is better to be safe and responsible so we'll sit tight while we wait for her test results... 

Most people simply buy manufactured train tracks to run their model trains. Some people will painstakingly build their model track just like building the real thing... railroad ties, rail, tie plates and spikes... and drive every single spike themselves. This option looks the best but it is a lot of tedious work. Some of us find some middle ground for various reasons. I'd prefer to be getting some work accomplished on the house outdoors but it is damp, wet and waterlogged out there so nothing is getting accomplished outdoors. Besides, since we are at the hospital every afternoon for Sheila's radiation treatment, there really is little time for any home renovations. By the time I set up all the tools, saw horses and materials, I would need to start cleaning up so we could eat lunch and then head to the hospital. Needless to say, I've been indoors for the past few months. Every fourth tie removed using a Dremel tool. I am currently indoors working on building a 12 fo

For years and especially the past few weeks, I've been agonizing over getting my hands on the best telephoto lens I can afford on a very limited budget. Our time at the lake house is quickly approaching and this is where I use both my widest lenses and my longest lenses... wide for full-view landscapes and long for zooming into wildlife. I have the wide end covered but the long end has always been a problem. There are great lenses out there but spending as much for a lens as I would need to spend to purchase a good car is not an option.  That leaves me with only a few low cost options... Rather than spend more money I don't have to spend, I decided to do a quick and very unscientific test this morning with four camera bodies using the best lens paired for that body. I have to say that the results were a bit surprising in some areas.  This unscientific test was shot in quite poor light as it was snowing.  My target was the little airplane on a mileage sign in our driveway