Sleepless Sunday

So I've done it again, brought in a new week by welcoming 12:00 midnight.  I should be sleeping.  

But the truth is I've got great news. 

I was able to snap a few pictures over the last several days, as you can probably tell. 

And while I won't divulge the boring details I will just tell you that it was on clearance, it was just like the old one I used to have, and unashamedly, I am in love with my little blue Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital Elph.  It does everything I need it to and more.  It almost makes me appear as though I know what I'm doing!

As I said, ALMOST!

And oh my goodness does it feel great to be able to take photographs again!  It's like seeing good things come to life all over again!

*Yawn* and on that note, good-bye and good-night!

camera, thy camera, wherefore art thou?

It's highly personal, you know, this shopping for a camera.  For one, this is an intimate decision.  It will be close to my person almost all the time; like my favorite flip-flops. Second, I'm just very particular about my camera - having had a wonderful experience with a Canon, everything else seems less-than, now. Especially considering the much-to-be-desired experience I had with a Nikon and Fuji not too long ago.

But what is one to do when there are six hundred million five hundred fifteen thousand and one options to choose from?  And knowing that frugality is first and foremost on the priority list - do we buy used- and trust that it will all come out in the wash?  Or will we be smitten and then woe-is-me when it just suddenly stops working? Quality vs. Frugality - this is an excruciating compromise.

Of course all of the above can happen with a new camera.  With a warranty, even.

These simultaneously slow and tedious processes are at the top of my field-mouse-brain to-do list.

1. save for camera
2. shop for camera

Literally, number two is much more strenuous than number one. Shopping for a camera is stressful for me.  I get confused between the SD and the MP and the optical zoom and the MB.  Look for a digital camera lately that still has an actual viewfinder window?  Not just the humongous screen on which to review your taken photographs, but the little tiny eye ball window.  

So, here I am, talking to you, gentle and nearly faithful readers and asking for you to opine with me.  I'm not a professional photographer, although I like to pretend to be.  I love taking pictures, it is one of the very best ways I know to stay present; to live in the moment, while capturing a corner piece of the past to carry with me into the future.  It's my unorganized way of piecing together the visual quilt that is my life.  

Why is the choice of camera and picture-taking important to you?

Would you buy a used camera?

What are your thoughts on Canon?  Other brands?  

Do you pay close attention to how many MP and the amount of optical zoom or just go with an inexpensive price?  

Talk amongst yourselves, I'll be back with some herbal tea and we'll sit a spell and watch the clouds roll by.

I got this....

not really. When the seasons transition from one to another, it sorta jumbles everything up and I don't juggle well. I've been having company, having and attnding little Christmas party get-togethers and not doing anything crafty or creative and I'm getting kinda cranky about that.

Christmas is in one week, I have no camera and you know what? I'm OK with all of the above. I really am. I'm pretty sure Alzheimer's won't set in for at least 20 years so I'm good with collecting all the bits of memories this year in my head. It's been a pretty good year overall, Thank God.

Eddie is asking more and more questions about Santa and it's pretty cute. We Googled images of the North Pole last night and he enjoyed looking at the pictures. Today he wants me to find a movie of Santa and Rudolph and as it's still in the low thirties outside, I might as well give in.

Ed is outside building something and it's about time to go feed lunch in the barn. Old man winter has arrived, the chickens are laying eggs - we're getting five to eight a day - the steers are getting bigger, albeit slowly, and the horses are faring pretty well, considering Spencer's last bout with a bit of colic.

With a heart full of love and a wee bit of holiday cheer,

may we bid you, from our house to yours,

Merry Christmas!