Challenge.
It’s what I had in mind to write about.
My printer apparently read my thoughts:
“Ah! She wants a challenge!“
!*&£@*!!!!
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Printers have been challenging me now for more than 50 years. Every single stinking one!
Dealing with them is not challenging, it’s just plain annoying and futile.
As I typed these words, the wretched thing re-set itself, as if it heard what I called it. I’m ignoring it.
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My iPhone captured what was too vast for my eyes to take in
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November 23rd, Black Friday.
A great day for staying safely at home, cloud gazing.
Instead we went to Schenectady.
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But first I took some pictures.
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Are yon people aware of the drama?
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What do they see, looking our way?
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A dopey woman photographing them.
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“Okay, okay, let’s go to Schenectady…”
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Another favourite tree, although….
it makes me need to loosen my collar!
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It was a day of sun-spots.
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Spotlight on the half-barn.
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The rushes were beautifully lit.
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Suddenly, I was being nudged urgently.
Oh my goodness!
That was unexpected.
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The Empire State Aerosciences Museum @ Glenville
Their display includes old fighter aircraft made by the factory on Long Island where my aunt worked.
Concorde’s nose looks a little foreshortened, but how nice to see a dear old friend!
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We avoided traffic, but the journey was longer than expected.
Cat lunch was going to be very late.
.
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What is it about trees at this stage?
What do those last leaves say?
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We had to cross the Erie Canal.
“You didn’t tell me to bring my passport!”
Looking at the map, I can’t quite figure out where this is.
But we were a long way from the actual Erie Canal which is near Syracuse.
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Across the canal, another sunspot.
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Better without all the obstacles.
What isn’t?
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Yet when I had the chance, it was out of focus.
Impressionist.
Which brings me back to challenges.
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Recently, I discovered that there is a Monet Immersive, in Schenectady coincidentally. I mentioned it to Grant who talked to our neighbour about it.
So now we’ve got tickets to go.
But why is this a challenge?
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Being a passenger in a car for 2-3 hours is all very well because I can squirm.
Add on 90 minutes walking around a museum and it becomes a challenge.
Our friend Ed has kindly offered to let me use one of his walkers to lean on, or sit if I need to. So what’s the problem?
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Vanity? Do I not want to be seen using a walker?
No. I think it’s more a matter of my accepting that I can no longer manage to walk around unaided for 90 minutes.
It’s that by giving in, I admit to being dependent.
.
That’s partly what it’s about.
It’s also committing to a social activity of several hours. How feeble this must seem, but it’s the bigger issue.
Social interaction has always been extremely difficult for me despite, or maybe because of a life of dealing with people at work.
When I retired, fostering and re-homing cats forced me to have contact with people, but since I moved to my current home I have withdrawn into my safe place.
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“OK, come on Carolyn! Get back out there!”
(Those trees seem to say)
We carefully arranged tickets on a weekday, so in all probability I’ll manage the experience.
It’s even possible I may enjoy it.
Thank you, Carolyn. for the stunning sky pictures!
Joanna
“November 23rd, Black Friday.
A great day for staying safely at home, cloud gazing.
Instead we went to Schenectady.”
Just one of your many wonderful turns of phrase and unexpected little leaps.
One challenge at a time….And it’s ok not to rise to every occasion.
I do so hope you manage to enjoy what should prove to be an interesting and informative evening with Monet and Grant. 🤗🧡
While thinking about what I was thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend, I realized that I was certainly thankful for your blog. I look forward to reading it and just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your outlook on life. I too am one of those “animal lovers” and I understand both sides of having beloved pets. Keep on keeping on Carolyn!!
Kind regards,
Gladys
What a nice thing to say! Thank you!
Oh, forget the (&!$#) printers and instead enjoy your beautiful photos in this post 😉. Yes, go to the exhibition … I’m sure it’s going to be fun! And think of all the photos you can take on this trip!