The Long Story….

about why I hated this morning phone call. This is just a tongue in cheek rant so read on.

A little background. I get all of my healthcare through the VA (Veterans Adminstration) I am blessed for this. After the age of 50 a person should have preventive test like mammograms and such. Mine right now is the and such. So no worries. I had my yearly health check up this past September so consults were put in for all these test.

Skip to October and because of COVID the clinic is doing all of the preop appointments virtually I’m ok with this. So I have that appointment and get told that no tests are being done unless you are bleeding. So I’m thinking December maybe. It is finally scheduled for early May.

Fast forward to this morning, Saturday. I had an awesome night on Friday coupled with a full day which made me bone tired. Not even 9am (I rolled into bed at about 5am) the phone rings, I answered it and hear this perky voice on the other end. My first thought was how much coffee have you had, I had none, brain not functioning. I get over that first hurdle realize it is not someone trying to reach me about my extended car warrenty.

Now onto the appointment, I want early; so we start with how far do you live I say about 55 miles. You live less then 60 so on Saturday you will have to come to the hospital for a COVID test. What is my other choice I live 60 miles from the hospital. I am answering these questions by trying to get the answer out of a sleeping Roy, I don’t even know where I am when I don’t get my beauty sleep. Well, then you have to come an hour before your scheduled test. A rapid COVID test will be given. So far so good we settle on 7am, that means 6am for the test; yes and it takes an hour for the results. Then she informs me that the lab doesn’t open until 6:30am. So I’m trying to wrap my head around how I can have my test at 7am and still be able to get the results back. You can’t she said but we will still make it for 7am. So in my mind I’m thinking I would be throwing off a whole days schedule I was an OR tech for way too long. I am also thinking I am way too tired for this. Bottom line we found a day where I will be there at 6:30am so the tests can go on.

On to the instructions this is where I am starting to feel bad for her, because it was like she had a step by step flowchart and she could not miss a step. I even asked if this would be in the information sent out she said yes. I then asked if it would be ok if she could let me go. I explained I was too tired to function. Guess what! She continued like I said nothing, to go on with her steps. So I just let her speak because there was no way to stop her. At this point I came to the conclusion she was trying to reach me about my extended car warranty or another prerecorded message. Amazing though how hard it is to grasp things when you are half asleep.

In the end she was finally done and a call that felt like an hour was really only 15 minutes, but a very painful 15 minutes. It is all good, I was able to stay up and some pictures and a blog up.

I hope you enjoyed this little story about my morning cal. Out again tonight for some more photos.

So Many …

Titles for this

Last night was awesome
I hate morning phone calls
An almost all nighter
Wow – This used to be easier.
More fun then Sex (Almost)

So you ask what was more fun then Sex (Almost). I have to say the start of milky way shooting season for me. The opening act is happening at Anza Borrego State Park in California. Even after helping to pack up and set up in near triple digits. On a side note: I have learned so much over the last year, that I am waiting to try in my photos. I owe credit to Roy who gave me the inspiration, NPAN (National Parks at Night) for the great learning materials (and conference), there will be others I will give a shout out to along the way this year.

Yes, getting ready to go places with the camper, and staying up late used to be easier. I also used to be younger and a size 4. (LOL) I am glad I have the ability and desire though to pull an almost all nighter and be able to help get things done for camping and adventures. I have to admit it was not an all nighter as I did take a nap in the late evening. Now a quick word on why I hate morning phone calls. After only 4 hours of sleep, phone rings and it is someone who is way too perky. Long story short I am getting scheduled for a routine screening test that has been put off for 6 months due to COVID protocols. (See upcoming blog post).

Last night was truly AWESOME!

After getting the tripod set up, taking some test shots and figuring out an approach to the night I was able to just sit and be still. I am not sure I’ve experienced a quiet like that in a very long time. I do know that this summer there will be darker and quieter night shoots but this was my first time. Speaking of first times, it was also my first time shooting the milky way with very little light pollution and I think I have seen a new shade of black. Being still I heard an owl, plus a bunch of coyotes (I got nervous). But I enjoyed this so much, and can’t wait to experience it more this summer. I do want to clarify that Roy did get out of the car a few times to look at the sky. (in between snores).

I will leave you with a few of my unedited photos. I was able to work on stacking the photos. I took numerous pictures of the same thing with the same settings and used software to combine them. I also took a picture of the Milky Way over the town of Borrego Springs, so even with some light pollution you can still see the Milky Way.

Enjoy, the quiet.

Tis the Season!

No silly not that season, Milky Way season. Although that season is fast approaching, it is already April. Ok I’m a month late it started last month. I am heading out to Anza Borrego State Park this week to photograph the milky way and if it is not too hot maybe some daylight photos. (I don’t know 97 on Saturday). It is way too early for it to be this hot. Sorry, I had to whine a little; I’m just glad we planned ahead and have reservations for this summer. More blogs and photos coming your way.

We did go out on a scouting mission to check out the campground and the area. I will write more about the sculptures and post pictures if the weather is doable. (I’ve packed my ice vest). Check just a few of the sculptures in Galleta Meadows I borrow this from California Through My Lens website. He has some great travel escapes.

I have also been photographing the full moon as promised, just have not gotten my butt in gear to post the pictures. See some of them below. It is sometimes worth the effort to photograph the moon the day before when there is still light for the foreground, I did that in my February’s picture I actually shot the moon the 2 nights before so you can see the difference. Slam Dunk I am imagining that it will make a basket. The other photo from February I used part of a tree for a moon holder. We were at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Arizona for those moon shots. I am starting to think outside of the box when it comes to taking photographs. March found me at home so I tried my first blend as I could not get the day before the full moon shot to work. The Coachella Valley has welcomed back Desert X which is an outdoor art exhibit placed throughout the valley. (one is right near where I shoot the moon. ) So for March I did a creep over the mountain shot and a blend shot.

This summer I am planning on getting back on the horse so to speak. I plan on more posts and more pictures of Roy and mine crazy adventures. I might even throw in some thoughtful posts in the future.

One Down Eleven to go

Yes, I took the challenge. It seems at one point and time when a photographer becomes interested in night photography, they chase the moon. I am chasing it this year. I took the first step tonight.

We are camping at Usery Regional Park near Mesa AZ. Our campsite is perfect to get a shot of the moon. Here is a jpeg of the moon getting ready to rise.

The clouds and mountains were still visible, this was about twenty minutes before the moon popped up. This is just a tease until I get home and process the other images.

I am going to experiment this year with taking the moon the day before it is full, this way you will be able to see more of the foreground. Next month the moon chase will bring me to Cottonwood AZ. The summer will see moons over Custer, SD and some place in the Rockies. I do promise to add milky way, star photographs, and creative things you can only see at night.

So please come along with me on this night time journey.

Joy at the Mailbox

Yes, it can happen. Mine, however, was short lived. No it wasn’t a tax refund, a PCH prize notification, or even an Amazon package, I see the envelope Jury Summons, my mind starts to race. Roy might get his wish, he got called. This is a man who has always wanted to be seated on a jury. He has come close twice. I’m getting happy and excited, then I see the name. Darcy Quimby, my mind shouted THIS IS INSANE! I will explain. I understand that serving on a jury is my civic duty. I would love too. The state of California says I can’t have a driver license because I can’t see or stay awake. (They do not live in Palm Desert, you know how many people can’t do this but still drive?) They will try and put me in charge of someone’s fate.

I can see this happening in my near future; I am sitting behind bars, I get asked why are you in here. Well here’s the short story. I get a jury summons, I get seated, I fall asleep.

I think if I did fall asleep it would be ok, until I argue with the judge that I was not sleeping. I do that sometimes when Roy is talking and I fall asleep. I do know that I will probably get medically excused, it just struck me as funny.

This is a short post I just thought I would share the insanity. I hope to bring you more snippets of life with MS this year. I am also getting ready to embark on at least two months of summer travel and wildlife pictures. We have reservations for Custer State Park in South Dakota. This year I promise not to be so scared of the burros.

Most Memorable Photography Experience

I was given a challenge from my friend Lisa Langell, to post a picture and story of my most memorable photo experience. By far my trip to Alaska with her for my 50th birthday year hoThe whole trip was memorable as you know from reading my blogs. This Orca picture is the one that is the crème for my memories.

I have always been fascinated with killer whales; I had to see one in the wild.

Back story about me and what led up to this picture. I had a small mid-life crisis and in 2007 I joined the Army (what was I thinking). I served until 2009 because in 2008 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Those who know about the disease know it affects balance as one of the symptoms. (Keep this in mind for later).

In 2016 Roy and I decided we wanted to go to Alaska and drive there. We purchased an A-frame trailer to do this in. On one of the shake down cruises to prepare for the trip we attended a rally with other a-framers, this is where Lisa Langell enters the picture. Camped next to her we get talking and I find out she is a photograph, she loves Alaska and she does workshops in Alaska. (Add to bucket list).

Fast forward 2 years to 2018, I’m now 50 and have been dealing with MS for 10 years. I made it and wasn’t in a wheel chair which is another thing that can happen if you have MS. I was celebrating because a doctor once mentioned that if you are not in a chair by 50 its likely MS will not put you there. I am starting to show some signs that I’m not all ok when it comes to balance issues, I look like I’ve had one too many some times. So the perfect storm came together I had a husband who loved me, a friend who did workshops in Alaska, not in a wheelchair and turning 50.

The picture of the orca is just the fin, I have a few others from that day but seeing them in living color was the best part the photo was a plus. We were on a boat outside of Seward Alaska on Resurrection Bay not a calm body of water. I mentioned that my balance was off because of MS I came to a realization because of this, I think when I am on dry land I feel a little like I’m on a boat. So my brain tried to over compensate for the motion of the ocean (this did not bode well). The end of the day the brain lost that battle and seasickness won.

Picture the fact that my bucket list involves seeing orcas, the mind and body was saying it’s today or never again because boats and me are not a good match. I keep pestering Lisa asking are we going to see one, I need to see, she made no promises.

Well what to my watering eyes I think I see an orca pod. The boat slowed and I gingerly made it up to the bow of the boat. Once there the other people in our small group made room for me, to squeeze in even though I was turning green. This was an amazing site and the orcas were so close we had a baby breach right next to the boat. (I don’t think anyone got a picture.) We are bobbing in the water which is not going to work for me. I am getting ready to head back to the stern when, the fin appeared right in front of me. I snapped the photo and immediately headed back to the stern to embrace a pail and begin the dry heaves.

The whole trip was memorable and I’ve taken other pictures that are also memorable. This picture taught me a few things

Never give up
Take time to enjoy the scene and not worry about the pictures
Stay off boats.

I Understand

I had my foot appointment today (surgery 3/7/20) those who know me know I used to be an Operating Room Technician 68D in the Army so I understand. It’s a look a person gets when they have not touched a scalpel in weeks I had that look after I got out of the Army. I knew what was coming next as she looked at the one part of my scar that still had a scab (it was coming off on it’s own) but she needed to use the scalpel for her own mental health as a surgeon.

Picture this she tells me she is just going trim up the edges. I’m like cool, then she picks up the scalpel and has that look. It was fun remembering those days in the OR. I gave in and let her gently use the scalpel because it is a need a surgeon has. I understand. I am wondering how her Easter dinner will look and what way she will be slicing the ham.

Other things I understood today is how much I do not like wearing a mask outside the OR, she does not like it either. I think it was drilled into me as a student ‘you DO NOT leave the OR with your mask on’. On a side note we talked about music in surgery and I guess at the VA the OR Techs get the main say in what music is played. In the Army we pleased the surgeons, could be they out ranked us.

On the progress side; foot is doing good. I just need to be more active in moving the big toe and rolling up on the ball of the foot. So I return in a month and hopefully she will be over her surgery withdrawals or back to working in the OR.

So, I also understand happy surgeon happy patient!

Words Have Power

This is why I have decided to no longer be social distancing. I will now be doing the same thing but looking at it as physical distancing.

In fact I do not think I am alone during this break from ‘normal’ life, in reconnecting with friends. I for one am going to come through this closer to some people and am going to try and get out more with friends face to face.

When you tell someone to social distance it a least for me was the feeling I must back up and back away. When you switch to the term physical distance it hits the nail on the head “don’t stand so close”. It is almost like looking at a glass half full or half empty, your attitude and viewpoints will help or hurt your mood.

I know I haven’t blogged recently I usually save the blog for our summer trips. Roy and I are still planning to hit up the NWT Canada when they open the border so there will be photos this summer.

So I want to know who is with me with calling it what it is physical distancing.

It Does Exist

What is it you ask a magnet to snow. I feel all my life snow has followed me, possibly because I was born on the first day of spring and it snowed. In fact it snowed almost every year on my birthday when I was in a cool climate. I live in SoCal so it doesn’t snow on my birthday, it does however snow every time I go near a cold climate. For example, the trip to Reno for New Years Eve 2011 when the return trip took 18 hours in the snow, middle of summer on the Dempster Highway NWT, Las Vegas mountains Christmas 2019. More on the Christmas snow later.

So this Christmas we decided to go to Vegas and take Toni with us. We had a blast, did the cactus gardens at Ethel M’s https://www.ethelm.com/cactus-garden-lighting I will say there were quite a few people there I did manage to get a picture of some of the lighted angels, the garden covers 3 acres one of my thoughts was I hope they get paid well for stringing the lights through the cacti or wear heavy gloves.. At least the angels are placed among the cacti The gardens are open all year long but they really come to life around the holidays. I have to say this place has the best chocolate cover cherries. The factory is also open to take a tour and get a free sample. So I would have to say if you enjoy chocolate this is worth a stop when you are in Vegas. They even ship the wonderful chocolates year round.

Yes, we did treat ourselves to a diner experience at one of Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris https://www.caesars.com/paris-las-vegas/restaurants/gordon-ramsay-steak#.XghMgEdKhPY Most restaurants will bring a cart showing what deserts are on the menu this place brought by the cuts of meat available. The wait staff was attentive we had a table on the second floor and were able to look down on the first floor.

What is something you think of doing during the Christmas season. Since childhood it has always been a dream to see the Nutcracker performed on stage. Last year was the first time I had the opportunity was last year Christmas Eve so if it is done once it becomes a tradition. This is my story. I was able to share the joy with Toni and Roy. That is the three of us before the show arrived a little early before the doors opened I do like being early. https://www.thesmithcenter.com/event/the-nutcracker-2/ This is a ballet any age can enjoy. I myself have become fond of the peacock.

Later that evening we headed out to drive through the Las Vegas Speedway Glittering Lights http://www.glitteringlightslasvegas.com/ You drive under the grandstands of the speedway and see light displays sponsored by local businesses there was actually a living Nativity scene something I have never seen before. Finishing up Christmas Eve we went back to the hotel/casino (strange because we always take the camper) to eat dinner at The Angry Butcher https://www.samstownlv.com/dine/the-angry-butcher . This place had me at Rack of Lamb very good. Sams Town Casino also has a indoor park atrium which features a water show on a small scale I will have pictures of this over New Years visit.

Finishing off the adventure of a Vegas Christmas we went to Twas The Knight at Excalibur https://excalibur.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/tournament-of-kings-holiday-show.html Fun fact Merlin’s costume is 34lbs. I myself had fun eating Cornish Hen with my hands and drinking a Pina Colada, Roy and Toni had wine in a can. I know Toni enjoyed the horse and Roy enjoyed the maidens and the food I myself loved the snow.

Speaking of the snow magnet me it does not snow that often in Southern California. So the morning we were due to leave I look out the window on the way down to get coffee in the morning and you can’t see the casinos on the strip it looks icky out. I new there was a chance of rain and mountain snow but thought we would get ahead of it. We did not the border to California was closed at Primm NV. For those not familiar with the I-15 headed into Vegas from Los Angles there outside of Baker CA is Mountain Pass with an elevation of 4730 feet so it was snowing and snowing total amount of snow that had to be cleared was over 3 1/2 feet. That amount of snow explains why it wasn’t opened the next morning when we planned on leaving. We took 95 out of Vegas and I still got to see snow in Searchlight Nevada and a little out of the way trip to 29 Palms and snow.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and Holiday season we are now off to Vegas for New Years to ring in the 20s. I just hope there is no snow but I think my magnetism is very active.