Behind Bars

Dot is not the only one that likes to get into the dog crates. I don't know what is so appealing about them, but when the dogs are out the cats will play. It takes some real work to get a picture of Gus in the crate because he is such a momma's boy that anytime I come into the room, he comes over to me. This was about the third time he was in the crate and I finally got the shot. I like the shadow stripes and the bowl in front of him as well as the darkness to the right and behind, it was some fun tonight.

Puppy Love

Is he adorable or what? I met this little guy today, he's half lab and half dachshund. He is so cute and fun and so puppy! We haven't had puppies around here for 13 years, and I forgot how much fun they are and how much energy they have and even how hard they sleep. Thanks to Wade and Natalie for letting me play with both pups today.

Hi-Matic

We recently got this old family camera. It's a Minolta Hi-Matic 9, here are the specs:

• Produced 1966 Minolta Camera Co., Japan
• Film type 135 (35mm)
• Picture size 24mm x 36mm
• Weight 26.4oz (748.4g)
• Lens Rokkor 45mm 1:1.7-22 (6 elements in 5 groups)
• Filter size 55mm screw-in, 57mm slip-on
• Focal range 3' to infinity
• Shutter Seiko-LA
• Shutter speeds B, 1/4-1/500 manual or automatic
• Viewfinder coupled rangefinder with auto parallax correction
• Exposure meter lens mounted CdS CLC with viewfinder needle (EV)
• EV range 5.5 to 17 @ ASA 100
• ASA 25-800
• Battery originally PX625 1.35v mercury
• Easy-Flash system; set GN on lens barrel for AE
• Hotshoe, PC sync (syncs at all speeds on X setting)
• Self-timer
• Slow-action wind lever

Under Construction

Welcome to the new UNT football stadium! This season will be the last for Fouts Field (1952-2010) and the new stadium will open for the 2011 season. It is as yet, unnamed and under construction. This is just one side of the stands, and they are still going higher, all the way up to the top of that crane before it's finished. It looks like it will be an impressive facility when it's finished, it is huge already.

Hot and dry

What's wrong with this picture? I took this one along the lake where I usually run, except that I went for a little walk "on" the lake to get this shot. This shell washed up from the lake this summer. Because of the heat and lack of rain, the water level dropped so much that the new lake edge is around 10 feet in and this area is now solid ground with plants and all. But the shell remains where it was originally washed ashore.

Pecans!

I was working out this afternoon and I glanced out the window and much to my surprise I had this sight. It wouldn't be too extraordinary except that we have been waiting on this tree to produce pecans for close to 10 years now! It is so very exciting as we both like pecans and this is our first batch. Despite the very strange weather this past year, we have a bumper crop of almonds and apples and now pecans!

KaBOOM!

This is what happens when you leave a full can (or 12 pack) of Dr. Pepper in the car in 105 degree weather. Need I say more?