iPhone 14 ProMax Setup

My current iPhone is an 8plus. My husband’s is a 6plus. We were having charging issues with his and we’re waiting for it to crash. Now it can no longer be updated with the new operating system. Whenever I get a new phone he inherits my old one. Because I do a weekly photo challenge, I was waiting for the iPhone camera to improve to a degree that made a difference because I didn’t want to buy a camera. The iPhone is my camera. Last year I decided to wait until this year to upgrade. I can’t believe it’s been six generations since the last time. I’ve always been in to gadgets so was looking forward to the new option. So I preordered the phone and it arrived this week. Before that I was checking the internet to see if anyone was having issues. I’m glad I read about the fact that the old phone needed to be updated to iOS 16 because that’s the only way you could do the esim cell phone transfer. But I was also concerned due to the glitches of iOS 16 and that my hearing aids may not pair with the new update. Anyway, I was taking several deep breaths before I started the process. And to my astonishment it went seamlessly and since then I haven’t had any issues to speak of - or that I know about. I had also ordered the bandolier case that I love to accommodate this new phone. The huge difference are the camera lenses. I have set up a phone at home before but that was many years ago. I didn’t have any problems setting up my iPad that I use for my digital art. Luckily we have an Apple Store just down the street and I’ve always had great experiences chatting with the help desk. I’m glad the charger from my old phone works with this phone because the charger that came with the new phone doesn’t work - I prefer a universal usb cable and this came with a size that doesn’t fit any of my plugs. Anyway what could have been a dreadful experience actually went very well thanks to iCloud. I’m continually amazed by technology and can only imagine what lies ahead.  Now I need to explore all the features on the new phone. Getting rid of duplicate photos is a great addition!

The Able Archers Book Event

We love going to book events at the Library of Congress. When I worked there for ten years my husband would oftentimes meet me at lunch time or after work to attend any number of events. And since I retired it is always a pleasant experience to wander about the beautiful Jefferson Building and enjoy the surroundings. So when we learned a resident in our building had written a book, we were looking forward to attending the event that would be held in our building. We ordered the book “The Able Archers” beforehand and were hoping to get an autograph at the end of the session. What was nice is that we didn’t have to fight the traffic and find a parking space on Capitol Hill. Our commute was about two minutes to the meeting room. There were several people in attendance. It was very interesting to learn about the process and the general story line. Obviously the author, Brian Morra, is very well versed in the subject matter and has a remarkable background. We had met both he and his wife at a gathering a couple of years ago mid Covid and he said he was writing a book. There is also a contract for a movie or series. That must be so exciting! I’m always impressed by anyone who has written and published. My three children’s books that I wrote and also illustrated were self published on Amazon after the more than I can count rejections I received. What was more interesting was that the author knows a friend of mine from Florida State - only two degrees of separation! I had a feeling he would know him based on the subject matter of military fiction. It was a great opportunity to hear our neighbor talk about his book. He’s planning on about six or seven in all. And his has a wonderful support system in his wife. 

YAG Laser Eye Procedure

My husband had cataract surgery at the beginning of the pandemic in February and March 2020. One of the side affects of it is a membrane formation that creates unclear vision. My husband usually doesn’t realize if there is an inconvenience, but the last two eye exams showed the issue exists. So a YAG laser procedure was scheduled in April and yesterday was the day. The last time he had a laser procedure for glaucoma we had to go to the OP department of the hospital and he had to take drops afterwards - and it was a bit painful. This visit was for something different and we had to go to the other office - not the one in our neighborhood - because the equipment is only located at one facility. So we left in plenty of time to avoid a delay due to traffic since the appointment was for four in the afternoon. The office was overwhelmingly decorated for Halloween. After getting all the different drops for freezing, dilating, and everything else to the eye the actual process took about a minute. I was in the exam room with my husband and you could hear the laser as it did it’s work. I was surprised that no eye drops would be needed and that there were no restrictions at all. Things have sure come a long way since we first started in health care. How lucky we are. 

The Strange Phone Call

It’s been a few months since we have heard from my husband’s classmate and friend who lives in England. He occasionally sends emails but also calls at fairly frequent intervals. My husband also has another classmate who lives in France. The two of them - the one in England and the one in France - get together every once in a while and travel together. Though since the pandemic things have changed. My husband has not spoken to his friend in France for more than two years - which isn’t unusual. But when they do talk it like they just saw each other yesterday. We have visited with them all a few times over the years but haven’t obviously for the last few years. The other day we got a FaceTime call from his friend in England. I happened to answer it and immediately got my husband who was out on the balcony. Apparently he called to wish me condolences - because someone they all know told him that my husband had died! While we were talking, his wife showed us her iPad where the French friend and wife were on - to prove to them that my husband hadn’t died. As soon as the England call ended, his French friend called and they spoke for at least an hour or more. The whole experience left a bad taste in our mouths. The person who reported the incident should be shot! Having not heard from either of my husband’s friends for quite a while ended up with this phone call. There’s no photo I can add to show my feelings about this. 

Portrait Diversity

I didn’t know it at the time. Last week I needed to take photos of people I didn’t know for the weekly photo challenge. We knew we would have a lot of options on the National Mall. The idea of having to ask someone if you can take their photograph can be daunting - especially since we have been out of practice for a couple of years. So we parked at the Air and Space Museum and made our way around the mall starting at the Smithsonian gardens. Without even thinking about it - and after two flat out rejections - there were five really nice portraits of a very diverse group of people. There was a white guy gardener at the Smithsonian Gardens by the castle, an African American male and an African American female greeter at the National Gallery of Art east and west building, a Vietnamese male at his food truck in front of the Capitol, and another female white gardener at the US Botanic Garden talking about bees. It was actually a fun excursion and all of the people who participated were really animated and posed so nicely! I told them all I would also be posting their images on Instagram. So far the many comments I have received on my 52frames page this week have been so positive. I ended up selecting the truck vendor because his smile was simply contagious. Sometimes the subject matter for the weekly challenge is not very exciting. I really liked this one. 

52frames Portrait of a Stranger

This week’s photo challenge was actually fun, even though I was a bit apprehensive. Out of the seven people I approached, there were five enthusiastic yes responses and two flat out rejections. Since the subject this week was “portrait of a stranger” we thought that we would probably find something on the national mall. We got a great parking spot by the air and space museum, then headed to the Smithsonian gardens. We found a gardener who was watering plants and he graciously posed in front of a lovely display of greens. The next stop was the national gallery of art sculpture garden. The security guard didn’t want to have anything to do with it. As we were walking along constitution avenue we stopped by a street vendor. She didn’t want to have anything to do with it. I was feeling a bit rejected even though I tell everyone that I’m doing it for a photo challenge. Next stop was the national gallery of art where there are always greeters out front - how could they refuse? They didn’t - neither at the front entrance of the east nor west buildings. Then we walked over towards the Capitol and there was a wonderful Vietnamese gentleman with his food truck. He gave us the biggest smile and the background was so colorful and animated. It was perfect! The last stop was at the US Botanical Garden. One of the gardeners was out front talking about bees. She was a lovely subject too. It was very difficult to select the final portrait for the challenge because they all turned out so well! It was a fun and interactive challenge and my portraits represented all walks and colors of life. It was a lovely experience. I posted all of the images on Instagram and got a “like” from Smithsonian gardens. It seems people still like to have their photos taken - and I really enjoy taking them. 

Wall Vase Yellow Bamboo

We have had our wall vase for years. Every once in a while we would add fresh flowers to the greens. It has two tiers. At the beginning of the pandemic I ordered some bamboo shoots to put in the top vase. The lower vase now has cut greens that have rooted, a couple of dried flowers, twigs and cuttings from the balcony vines. We have tried a lot of different things - even orchids. But nothing seems to last very long, although the unusual items last longer than any cut flower. So when one of the bamboo sticks started turning yellow I knew it was only a matter of time when it would deteriorate. So I removed the sick bamboo yesterday. Now there is only one bamboo shoot left. Rather than leave it alone the rooted variegated leaves from the balcony flower basket were added, along with a twig and another green that was moved from the bottom vase. The cuttings of another green had rooted elsewhere in the house and it was added to the top vase to give it more volume. I think the bamboo is getting too tall and may need to move it to the lower vase. Right now it’s looking much too green. What’s nice about having the wall vase is that it adds a bit of whimsy to the living room and the greens last for a long time. It’s also a nice spot to appreciate the seasons by adding an appropriate reminder - Christmas ferns, pine cones, and colorful tiny ornaments always look nice. We have even stuffed the vases with small gourds for Halloween and thanksgiving. The sky is the limit for any option. All it takes is a bit of imagination.