About Me

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I have been in the newspaper and website business for over 40 years. I am a fan of NASCAR and saltwater fishing. I graduated from Westminster High School and attended Frederick Communty College. I was a member of National Press Photographers Association, Eastern Motorsports Press Association, Carroll County Oldtimes Baseball Association and AP Photo Managers. I am retired now. I would appreciate any comments or just to let me know you stopped by, thanks!

Thursday, December 31, 2009

End of Year Snow











Once again we woke up to a white countryside in Eldersburg. What a pretty sight in Carroll County.
I grabbed my camera on the way out the door with the dog. I was disappointed, even after shooting around the neighborhood last week.
I love the snow and the chances to shoot the white stuff. As I noted last week, it is so quiet in the morning before folks go out to shovel or snow blow.
Shirley threw out peanuts, which attracts the blue jays and squirrels. I will make an entry on the squirrels tomorrow and one about birds in the next week.
Have fun and Happy New Year.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

One Last Look









Yes, I know we are a couple weeks into winter. I have a few shots from fall I want to share.
Fall is one of the seasons that reminds me to always carry my camera. The others are summer, spring and winter.
The shot of the barn and woods was shot on Klee Mill Road. I saw it for the first time while a passenger in a vehicle. I have driven by that barn for about four years and never saw it. So we went back the next afternoon to shoot the image.
The image of the barn and fog was captured one morning when I was getting the newspaper.
The shot of the trees and shadows was one morning when I took the dog out.
The next two images came from Morgan Run. We like to stop there every once in a while. Shirley likes peace and quiet and being close to nature, as do I, but I also like to take photographs.
The plow and flag were shot on Old Washington Road.
The street scene is York Street in Gettysburg while we were on a trip north.

A What?

I know I usually write about photography, but I had an experience the other day I want to share.
When you get in your 50's, between elderly parents and grandchildren you think nothing would surprise you in a hospital.
Well, that changed this week.
My mother has had a cold and sinus problems since October. My sister took her to a local hospital one evening this week. They gave her more medicine and sent her home.
The next day, while on the way to see my mom, I got a call.
"Turn around and meet us at the hospital."
My mother had a reaction to the meds, so back to the ER we went. We sat in the ER waiting room for about two hours. Finally back to a room and soon after were two men in scrubs. I figured it was the nurse and doctor, until one spoke.
"I am doctor so-and-so and this is my scribe."
My sister and I almost got whiplash turning to look at one another with a what did he say look on our faces.
My mother and sister have spent their careers in healthcare, mostly in hospitals.
Scribe, this was a new one on us. He had on scrubs and carried a clipboard.
He didn't write down everything as we watched. You can't turn on TV or pick up a paper without seeing something on healthcare. So the question is who is paying for the scribe?
Yes, my sister and I got a lot of jokes out of this. Things like if you were a scribe just starting out, you would be a SIT-scribe in training. If you had a class after becoming a scribe, you would be a SAT-scribe advance training. There were many others. It took the edge out of about a six hour trip to the ER.
Chalk one up for mom. One time doctor came back into the room alone and started talking. When the scribe appeared, she asked the doctor if he had to start over so the scribe knew what was said.
We ended up later in the day at an ER in Baltimore, as my mother still had her original symptoms. The personal there got quite a laugh when we mentioned the scribe.
While the first ER took care of the medicine reaction and gave us a story to retell. The second ER handled her sinus problems.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Sunrise














Now that the snow has stopped falling and you have shoveled out the driveway, don't put the camera away.
Early morning and late afternoon offers great light for photographs. It gives you a chance to snap an image that might make a good Christmas gift showing Carroll County with it winter suit on.
After taking the dog for a walk early Tuesday morning I saw the light in the eastern sky. I went back in the house and said to Shirley "I think I am going to drive down to Liberty Lake."
So away we went. Traffic was light in Eldersburg, so we made good time. I usually like to go the back way, but not knowing the road conditions we traveled on Liberty Road.
We arrived before the sun rose, which was perfect. I was familiar with the area as I have shot there before. By before, I mean when it was warm and green. It helps to know the area, then you do not spend too much time looking for the right angle.
Yea, I know it's cold out, but when you get a good image you feel warmer and having a woman like Shirley along, warms your heart. You will have to find your own partner, as she is mine.
So keep that camera handy.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Even More Snow

































































































































































































































































































The morning after a snowfall to me is one of nature's master pieces. I like the quiet, the early morning light and the look of the freshly fallen snow. We measured over 20 inches in the yard.

I love walking around first thing in the morning in the winter wonderland. Yes, I know it is the day before winter, but it is beautiful outside. Every where you look it looks like a calendar or postcard.

It looks like we will spend the day trying to get the car uncovered. The dog likes to play in the snow, but the cat has a completely different opinion, but don't they always.

Enjoy natures beauty and be safe digging out the white stuff. It looks like a white Christmas
in Eldersburg, some thing we sing about, but don't get to see often.