Quote of the Day: 11 August 2026 #QotD

“An extraordinary life is made up of ordinary days. Of a summer breeze, and small hands, of cold cheeks you kiss in the autumn afternoons, of a steady hand that holds yours, of the wonderful miracle that is having everyone you love, all with you under the same roof.” -@tanyaelisabethh
[It is so hard to remember in the moment, though. And not all the moments are entirely pleasant. The pup is being particularly surly as I type this, thinking he is so put upon to have to accept his mother's and my decisions about certain things. But there are other moments that make up for (and more) all of that.]

Quote of the Day: 3 April 2023 #QotD

“When [kids] don’t feel as though they are inherently more special or important than the rest of the human race, they will be able to enjoy their world more.” -Amy McCready
[I'm trying—Really trying—to convince The pup he's not more special than everyone else around him. I hope I am able to impart this lesson before he becomes an odious brat. So, far I have not been successful.]

Quote of the Day: 11 March 2023 #QotD

“You know as well as I do that for young lads, a warning is about the same as an invitation.” -Podo Helmer, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
[Man, have I found that to be true with The pup. He's bound and determined to do the things that I've warned him not to. And he often doesn't care for the consequences, but he hasn't learned to stop doing them yet.]

Quote of the Day: 30 December 2022 #QotD

“[I]f we don’t allow our kids to contribute to the family, we erode their feelings of belonging. How can you belong to a group if your most meaningful role is that of couch warmer?” -Amy McCready
[The pup seems to resent my efforts to provide him opportunities to contribute to the family. But he likes it when there are extra opportunities that allow him to earn a bit of cash. I guess I shall have to persist.]

2021's Photo Challenge: Day 31 #APicADay

 I have reached the conclusion of this year's challenge. Though I could have said I was done yesterday.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 42mm, f/4.0, 1/20 s, and ISO 160

Just a door decorated well that I saw on a walk today.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/52 s, and ISO 160

These pink flowers are among the longest lasting blooms I see around here. I still don't know what they are, but I think I'd like to add some to our yard.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/110 s, and ISO 160

The pup saw this, and wanted me to take a picture of it. I had a hard time adjusting for the direct light hitting only a part of the subject. Not my best work, and the post processing required more of me than most of my shots do. I'm sure it helped me to better understand some of the processing that I can do though.

2021's Photo Challenge: Day 20 #APicADay

I took a trip that took about two hours this morning, to get some fertilizer, and then The pup took most of the rest of the day to get his lessons done. So, I wasn't able to go out and take a picture on a walk today.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 148mm, f/8.0, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

This gala apple was sitting on the counter, and I thought it would make a good subject for a studio shot. This is the result. I'm mostly OK with it.

2021's Photo Challenge: Day 19 #APicADay

 Today, The pup wanted to ride his bicycle. So, I got him shod, put on The babydoll's jacket and shoes, and grabbed the camera. We went around the same place about three times.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/8.0, 1/120 s, and ISO 160 (cropped)

Near the end of our time outside, I heard the tell-tale tapping of a woodpecker, and I was able to locate it.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 148mm, f/8.0, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

I am unsure of the type of tree this leaf grew on.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 148mm, f/8.0, 1/100 s, and ISO 160

But this is a single red maple leaf amongst green ones.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 77mm, f/8.0, 1/280 s, and ISO 160

And these daisies were still in good condition despite the cold temperatures and rain recently.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 134mm, f/8.0, 1/320 s, and ISO 160

This leaf was picked up by The pup, and he said I needed to take a picture of it. So, I did.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/8.0, 1/120 s, and ISO 160

Another shot of the woodpecker just after the featured image of the day.

2021's Photo Challenge: Day 18

 There was a lot of sunshine today. And The pup was at preschool, so I only had to worry about The babydoll. That left me with a chance to go for a walk.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 110mm, f/4.5, 1/100 s, and ISO 160

I just liked the way these sat on the wall, and the water the overturned leaf had collected.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 141mm, f/11, 1/100 s, and ISO 160

The neighbors have some mums that are still in full bloom.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 164, f/4.6, 1/680 s, and ISO 160

There are a surprising number of roses still blooming.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/140 s, and ISO 160

And it had rained recently.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/8.0, 1/40 s, and ISO 160

This was another leaf on the same wall as the featured image for the day.

2021's Photo Challenge: Day 16 #APicADay

 The babydoll had me put her shoes on this morning, and then went to the front door, and insisted that I take her out. So, I grabbed the camera and followed her. The pup rushed out with us, and quickly took over the walk.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 60mm, f/5.0, 1/160 s, and ISO 160

How nice of my neighbors to set this display of pumpkins up in such a convenient location.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/70 s, and ISO 160

You can see the vitality leaving the leaf.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/800 s, and ISO 160

It was foggy as we were walking along, and I saw these trees reaching up into it. I thought I could make an interesting image out of it, but I think my vision may have exceeded my abilities in this case.

2021's Photo Challenge: Day 15

 I was busy with housecleaning while the light was good, and expected the day to be overcast anyway. So, I had brought an interesting leaf into the house after retrieving The pup from preschool.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 181mm, f/11, 1/125 s, and ISO 160

This birch leaf exhibits several stages of color change. I thought it was interesting.

2021's Photo Challenge: Day 14 #APicADay

 The pup dragged his feet with his lessons (he's homeschooled, even though he wouldn't be starting kindergarten until next year) so I didn't have a chance to go out for a picture today. Instead I stepped out the front door, picked the first object that looked photogenic, and headed to the studio.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/11, 1/125 s, and ISO 160

This is the same off camera flash setup I have used with all month. I did set the shutter speed one stop slower, but because the flashes are set to TTL and then adjusted instead of absolute power settings, the image keeps coming out a little underexposed, and I have to fix it in processing.

2021's Photo Challenge: Day 11 #APicADay

 I was able to take The babydoll on a walk this morning while The pup was at preschool. I brought my camera along as well.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 46mm, f/4.0, 1/600 s, and ISO 160

I could have gone with either picture today. This was the one I put forward today. A ragged daisy, doggedly hanging on despite the weather and elements.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/160 s, and ISO 160

This one is a rose bud. There was a break in the shadow on the rose bush, and it illuminated just this water dropped bud.

2021's Photo Challenge: Day 4 #APicADay

 I took the kids on a little walk today. It is certainly easier to find interesting subjects, and then execute my vision if I don't have to worry about a couple of fairly young children.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/80 s, and ISO 160

There are actually many roses still hanging out at this late stage of the year, but nothing like they were in their prime. I did hold a stray branch of the bush out of the shot to clean up the composition. Otherwise, this is a scene as I found it.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/100 s, and ISO 160

I liked the look of this leaf, but the light wasn't good enough about it to really get ti to stand out, and I should have put focus on the tip of the leaf instead of the base.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/58 s, and ISO 160

The fruit on kousa dogwood is always a bit striking because it is not common.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/100 s, and ISO 160

I like these particular daisies, and they were the subject of more than one of my pictures last year.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 18-55 @ 55mm, f/4.0, 1/150 s, and ISO 160

The pup found this snail shell, and very much wanted me to take a picture of it. He had a very hard time holding still long enough for me to get it in focus, and then framed interestingly.

Quote of the Day: 15 September 2021 #QotD

“A runny nose is a great defense mechanism if you’re a kid brother.” -Patrick F. McManus
[The pup has had a runny nose for the past five days. It's pretty gross. And The babydoll has had one as well for the past two. She's worse, since she's not yet two. You try to get two kids who are five or younger to blow their noses instead of doing ... other things with the discharge. Good luck.]

Quote of the Day: 25 August 2021 #QotD

“The capable communicator who can elicit and assert information is far less likely to be a victim than is the wallflower.” -Gavin de Becker
[I don't know that I'll have to worry about this with either The pup or The babydoll, as they both seem intent on talking to everyone they encounter. But we do try to get them pointed in the right direction.]

Quote of the Day: 12 May 2021 #QotD

“A boy does not become a gentleman—by which I mean a man who is courteous, kind, and unselfish. That behavior is not hardwired. It has to be taught.” -Leonard Sax
[The nature versus nurture debate flaring again. In my mind there are aspects of both that are necessary. At least to judge by my attempts to civilize The pup.]

#APicADay 2020: Day 366

 Today marks the end of my year long project to take and post a picture every day. I only missed posting one day, and I took pictures every day. I think it has made me a better photographer. Hopefully I am a more thoughtful one, and my skills have increased as well. I know I tried different things throughout the year.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 86mm, f/8.0, 1/250 s, and ISO 160

This was shot with the same setup I used for the picture yesterday. I did move the main light back a bit, and the focal length is slightly different. But it's largely the same. These are two of the four gingerbread houses my wife and The pup decorated this year. I think they're proud of how they came out.

#APicADay 2020: Day 352

 I was able to go for a longer walk today, because we had a nice sunny day. Toward the end of the walk we were getting a light sprinkling, and we did see a rainbow, but for the most part, it was a nice, pleasant, sunny day.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/20 s, and ISO 160

I am surprised by the number of rhododendrons that I see flowering right now.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 90mm, f/3.9, 1/250 s, and ISO 500

The sun was making this spider web very visible. Though, I forgot to bump down my ISO to account for the sunny day after the rainy days we've had recently.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 86mm, f/3.9, 1/150 s, and ISO 500

I usually detest black berry canes, but the color on these are so pretty.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/300 s, and ISO 160

This shot was at the request of The pup. He loves dandelions.

#APicADay 2020: Day 349

 I finally got the kids packed up for a walk a bit after 3 this afternoon. The pup didn't want to go, until I started getting ready to go, then he wanted to come. That did mean that I was going during low light levels. And I had to adjust my course because of where the kids were willing to go. But I did get out and got some pictures made.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 74mm, f/3.7, 1/42 s, and ISO 500

I don't know what kind of tree this is, but the bright red fruit at least give me something visually interesting to photograph.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 148mm, f/4.5, 1/10 s, and ISO 500

You can tell that there wasn't much light, because I had the aperture wide open, and I still had to increase the ISO up to 500 just to get a tenth of a second on the shutter speed.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 58mm, f/4.0, 1/10 s, and ISO 500

I liked the way the water was dripping on these needles. I would have liked a larger drop, but you work with what you've got.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 55mm, f/3.5, 1/28 s, and ISO 500

This was a scene The pup asked that I photograph. So, I did. It's alright.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 74mm, f/3.7, 1/14 s, and ISO 500

I thought the needles in the lower left quadrant would be a bit more prominent, and that it wouldn't be quite so apparent that they are suspended by spider web. But you can clearly see it on the one more toward the middle.

#APicADay 2020: Day 347

 I was able to go for a walk today. I did have The pup with me, which meant that I was not able to get every shot that I would have wanted. Like the bird that flew off before I could get him down off my shoulders and camera in position. Oh well.

Today's image:

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 86mm, f/5.0, 1/105 s, and ISO 160

This little maple tree is left with bare branches, except for these few seeds.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 172mm, f/5.6, 1/85 s, and ISO 160

People like to put these large ornaments in their outdoor trees.

Fuji X-T3 with XF 55-200 @ 200mm, f/4.8, 1/75 s, and ISO 160

This little oak tree has retained its leaves, and they have a pleasant coloration.