Scattered Thoughts . . .

Today is a perfect example of how just one small errand can put a quick end to my day. I awoke feeling halfway decent... I decided to tackle some small tasks around the house this morning since I was feeling well but first I needed to run a quick errand. I needed to run to the local grocery store this morning to pick up something for lunch and a few other odds and ends. On the short drive down to the store, I actually felt much better than I have in recent memory. As a result, my thoughts were filled with all the wonderful things I could accomplish today... even thoughts of activities I used to be able to do when I was healthy.  I knew this errand wouldn't take long and I was looking forward to having a very productive day for a change.  I had so few things to purchase that I was in and out of the store within a few minutes but, unfortunately, this simple errand required more energy than I had in me to expend today despite how great I felt only a few short minutes earlie...

Konica Hexanon 40mm f1.8 lens... 40-something years old and in excellent condition. I've been searching for a low-priced, yet high quality 35mm or 40mm lens on the used market for about a year. (I'm disabled with no income other than my ridiculously small disability insurance pension through Social Security so all my photography gear is acquired used at bargain basement prices.) I have been in no hurry so I just patiently waited until I found the right lens for my needs. Late last week, I found a beautiful 40mm lens that fits the bill and instantly ordered it. I also ordered a lens hood and the appropriate mount adapter so I could mount it on my best camera. Now, I was excited about getting this lens and playing with it! The lens arrived quickly...  delivered by Fedex  only two days later. As I removed it from the box, I immediately noticed that this lens is in excellent condition for a 40-something year old lens. Now I was really excited to get to mount this on my cam...

As one might expect, according to Liza, the kids awoke on Halloween morning and wanted to jump right into their costumes and all the Halloween festivities. Needless to say, by the time evening had arrived and time for 'trick or treating' with the rest of the little ghosts and ghouls in our neck of the woods, the kids were having difficulty keeping their eyes open... actually, they were even having difficulty holding their heads up!  Liza and the kids arrived at our house at 5pm to get ready for their night of festivities in downtown Waterbury... asleep, groggy and even a bit cranky (which I should mention that Sheila and I rarely see!) . They had fallen asleep in the car on their way to our house and now needed to catch a second wind. Little by little, costumes were put together again and put on the kids. Makeup was applied... well, re-applied... they had been wearing makeup all day but most of it was smeared under eyes and rubbed off... onto their couch as well as c...