Scattered Thoughts . . .

I've written about this before so, as many of you already know, a "data plate" in my name was to be installed on the "Wall of Honor" at the National Museum of the US Air Force. My plate was installed about two weeks ago and the US Air Force dedicated this "Wall of Honor" in a ceremony last Thursday. Unfortunately, we had a prior commitment which kept us in Vermont on that day. We hope to get to the museum in late September/early October to finally view my name on this wall and have a little dedication of our own. Until that time, I (and we) can view the video of the official dedication ceremony provided by the National Museum of the US Air Force...  I wish we could have been there for the official ceremony with our own group of people but we'll get there soon enough. This is a great honor to be remembered and honored in this way at the National Museum.

Assuming my health cooperates, we will be visiting family in New York soon.  As always, I plan to shoot a few photos while we are out and about in New York City and on Long Island.   Whenever I am thinking about a photo shoot, even if it is simply sightseeing, I like to review photos I have previously shot as well as photos others have shot.  Basically, I like to research. I like to prepare. I like to figure out the best time to photograph a particular sight...  finding the best light, best shadows, a new interesting angle... Truth be told, I research before doing anything including photography. So, while I am up and awake in the middle of the night tonight, let me share some of my old photos I have shot while in New York on previous trips.... This first shot is from the Museum of Natural History...  elephants stampeding through the Africa Hall...  This is a very dark hall which makes it difficult to focus without getting motion blurring.  In this case, I made the motion bl