End of the First Half

It does not seem like the first half of 2016 is getting ready to slam the door shut in just under three hours from where I sit. So, as this first half of the year ends, we can say about the same thing Queen Elizabeth II said to the PM of Ireland: "Well, I'm still alive,anyway.Ha", the Queen said.

 In 1952, I remember watching the Queen's coronation on television. It was in black and white and I am trying to recall, but I think it was a delayed broadcast because of the time difference. Technology was not up to our speed then, but of course, then, it was the latest gig. So, The Queen has had two birthdays and I'm only going to have one. "We've been quite busy. There's been quite a lot going on." she continued. Hear, Hear! I'll second that. I broke in thee new doctors and here I though I was only going to have one new doctor!

The past couple of days  have been spent lining up work that I can do while the heat hits Texas right on schedule. One of the weather quiz questions today was: what was the lowest daytime temperature  ever recorded on July 4th in Dallas? Well, as it turned out, it was 63 degrees F in 1924. That was 92 years ago. Mom would have been only a few days old. Then, tonight, I read an article about the sun spots going away and what that means. First it starts with no sun spots for a couple of days, then none for a couple of weeks and then none for several months. According to NASA, its the beginning of, or could be the start of a "mini ice age". It's called a Minimum sun vs. a Maximum sun. It's cyclical. Sun spots run a 11-year cycle more-or-less, give-or- take a year or two or thee, here or there.

It is to be hoped that you had a good first half of 2016 and the second half will be equal or even better than the first half.

This is a little different . Usually the American Flag is displayed. However, there has been so much going on this year that I have really been looking for new material that doesn't repeat a lot of what has been said. My admiration for the Queen has been a long running admiration and passing up the parallel on so many fronts, it had to be included.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Happy New Year to our loyal readers and those of you that have found our blog for the first time.

The loyal readers will notice a couple more ads from Zazzel as well as from Google. It's been a hard decision, but one necessary if this blog is to continue. The cost has reached the tipping point of either find additional income or shut down an essay in pictures from a freelance photographer. For the last five years, the cost has fallen totally on this photographer with out complaint. But, as mentioned earlier, additional income to cover the cost of operations is now, not an option, but a critical choice.

Cameras must be cleaned professionally, lens and camera bodies need to be upgraded as technology improves. The cost of operating a car has always been just a fact of life. Now, gas and maintenance has become a major expense, even riding the trains as much as possible. The cost of this web site annually and the cloud storage for the images is also rising.

As I have had fun with a little competition between Hotdog, my cat, and me during the holiday period when I would joke and say, " Now go buy something, Hotdog needs the sales", I can now honestly say, "Now go buy something. We both needs the sales!"

Other options will continue to be explored. And, this blog will continue to provide you, our readers, with copy and images. There sometimes my be more copy than images. It will be a  day-to-day adjustment.

Regardless, we cherish our readers and those that drop by accidentally. These are the methods of transportation we have considered during the past year, don't you see?

NASA's lease payment is far to expensive.

This guy was most gracious to let us photograph him at the St. Pat's Parade last year on Greenville Avenue. Little did I know he was the real thing. He doesn't provide commercial transportation, however.

This guy only works at one speed and would cost to much to charter for the day.

This one is retired permanently, now.

The City Lights of US East Coast at Night

These images to me are the most amazing use of the international space station.

   The images are in the public domain but credit goes to NASA and the crew of the International Space Station. Please give them credit if you copy this image. If you want the full credit you can go to NASA's web page.