Uploads from oldog_oltrix

1968 - The Curious Lad

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Tue, 31 May 2011 20:56:32 -0700

I just opened a box of photos from my early darkroom days ... one that caught my eye was this print of a neighborhood kid that I'm guessing was taken back in 1968 or so ... I thought I'd scan and upload it for a "smiles" challenge in the "Senior Moments" group.

Shot with a Yashica 60mm (120 film) twin lens reflex camera, and I don't recall ever using anything but Kodak Tri-X film in that camera.

I remember that my friend Kerry and I were sitting on my back porch, shooting the bull about cameras, and this neighborhood kid was peeking around the tree watching us. Every time we would aim a 35mm camera at him, he would duck behind the tree. So I got out the Yashica (Kerry had a Mamiya) and I don't think the kid even realized that they were cameras.

My first darkroom was in the bathroom. The enlarger sat on the toilet seat and the processing trays were in the bathtub, and we worked on our knees; washing was done in the kitchen sink. Eventually I wised up and setup a darkroom in the kitchen. Young bachelors can do that sort of thing.

Today's Medications

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:50:51 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

Some people may be wondering what on earth has been keeping me from Flickr-ing, so here's a clue ... these are my daily prescribed meds ... some of you will recognize the larger objects as inhalators, for lung disease ... the two tubular tablets at the far left cost $12 apiece, but they keep my heart from losing its rhythm and causing a stroke ... I have no idea if this is a good photo, since there's no medication for my impaired vision.

I'm not whining or looking for sympathy ... this is just a report for those who are interested.

Today's Menu

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:49:51 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

I really need to lose 100 lbs (45 kg) before diabetes sneaks up and bites me in the butt, and adds yet another malady caused by my failure to take proper care of my body ... So I have joined a "weight management" program at the local hospital which has a remarkable record of success, typically 10 lbs (4.5 kg) per month ... if it works out as planned, for the next 10 months my daily menu will consist of 4 packages of bland protein-rich food substitutes ... 200 calories each, along with every vitamin and mineral you've ever heard of ... I am also allowed a daily snack of approved vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, green beans or yellow beans ... flavor extracts and vinegars are my new best friends.

My Great Grandfather's Seagoing Bible

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 05:11:30 -0800

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

My Great Grandfather (my Great Grandmother's second husband, actually) was a ship's engineer on the US Great Lakes steamships at the turn of the 20th century. Crew accomodations were such that each man was permitted one duffelbag of clothing and personal property, so every square inch was precious. The BFBS put out this complete New Testament that was 2.5 inches by 3.8 inches that was very popular with English-speaking Christian seafarers.

A great many of the seamen couldn't read, and so it was common for the literate to conduct readings each day, lengthier in foul weather.

Bargain of the week

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 04:40:46 -0800

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

Ran across this on the shelf at a Target Store (very famous chain of stores here in the US) ... I could hardly believe the price ... I paid 40 bucks for my New Revised Standard Version paperback this summer!

Columbine 1

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:12:59 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

After several false starts, I finally have a small columbine garden under way.

These are very special to me since they are from seeds that were kindly sent to me by Flickr friend Basha04 - thanks, Barb !!!

Columbine 2

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:12:56 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

After several false starts, I finally have a small columbine garden under way.

This is a large-flowered variety that I'm fond of, but I have lost track of where the seeds came from.

Mama Duck

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Sat, 22 May 2010 21:04:59 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

A couple of weeks ago this female mallard duck showed up in our yard and spent two nights sleeping on the lawn ... then she selected the weedy site of last year's tomato garden and proceeded to nest ... there is not a body of water within a Km of here, but she's convinced that this piece of prairie is the perfect spot to hatch a family.

Our half-acre of yard is host to a remarkable variety of interesting subjects!

The next challenge is a pair of Chickadees that are nesting in a birdhouse just over Mama Duck's head, and who come and go at supersonic speed ... time to get out the Nikon D90 and the 400mm lens and tripod.

Heidi

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Sat, 22 May 2010 20:38:33 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

This is Heidi, who was literally a last-minute rescue from the "pound" last autumn ... it has taken us months to socialize her ... I would love to know what her background was, and I'd bet that it includes abuse ... she hid in any and every nook and cranny for the first 2 weeks, so her name is a wordplay on the fact that she was a very 'hidey" cat ... she literally didn't know how to play, but is very observant and learned by watching the other cats

Fortunately, she quickly bonded with Roberta who is now the center of Heidi's universe ... she keeps a careful distance from me.

Today was a miracle day of sorts ... I was napping on the bed, and when I awoke Heidi was on the bed with me ... she let me pet her and scratch her, then rolled over and allowed me to caress her belly ... when I sat up, she was gone like a shot ... go figure.

Rudy #1

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Sat, 22 May 2010 20:14:05 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

Rudy is the latest addition to our family ... SHE (think "Bill Cosby Show") is a 7-month-old delight ... mellow, loving, playful ... Mr & Mrs Oldog are currently sharing their lives with adoptees Tina, Heidi, George, Gracie and Rudy ... she's the first cat that we didn't rename upon adoption, since her shelter name was so cool.

Rudy #2

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Sat, 22 May 2010 20:13:45 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

Oldog, New Cat

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Sat, 22 May 2010 19:42:52 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

George catches a catnap on Oldog who demonstrates excellent recliner technique ... this is the former incarnation of Oldog, all swollen with fluid before he lost 12 liters at the hospital last week ... the new incarnation of Oldog is able to keep his shirt tucked in.

PHOTO BY ROBERTA

Grandpa Dave and Emory

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Fri, 21 May 2010 21:20:13 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

A candid photo from a family party years ago ... the first event I shot after I got my beloved Nikon D50.

Michelle's Xray Machine

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:07:42 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

This is my dental hygienist Michelle with her trusty X-ray machine ... I shot this photo because I knew that sooner or later I was going to need an "X" photo for a Flickr alphabet game ... we senior citizens play those sorts of silly games, y'know.

Still Life - Classic and Modern

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:11:09 -0800

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

This is a just a composite of a couple of my still life photos to serve as an illustration for a Senior Moments group "challenge" event.

Yet Another Potato Masher

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:44:40 -0800

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

Just in case somebody guesses my first WHATIZZIT, I've got a spare on hand ... WHATIZZIT ?

Yes, another potato masher ... this one is nylon or some sort of nearly indestructable plastic ... essential if you're mashing potatoes in a non-stick lined pot ... also good for mashing pinto beans to put in a burrito or enchilada

Potato Masher

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:13:06 -0800

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

For the Senior Moments Group WHATIZZIT event ... WHATIZZIT ?

Yes, a potato masher ... potatoes of course should always be mashed and never beaten nor whipped.

Mexican Sunflowers

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:02:52 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

Just a snapshot ... I thought I'd give you a taste of what you might expect if you sowed a few of these seeds in a sunny spot next spring ... these give you a tremendous floral bang-for-your-buck.

I quite got carried away with these this year ... 3 dozen seeds is a LOT of Mexican Sunflowers :-)

They're quite breathtakingly orange on a grey rainy morning!

Mexican Sunflower

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:02:49 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

This is a Tithonia, aka "Mexican Sunflower" ... a bushy annual, easy to grow, and a wonderful showpiece in late summer and autumn ... if you like orange, this is your flower ... they're striking in the sun, but surprisingly they're breathtaking on an overcast day.

This variety was supposed to be a bush about 3 feet (1 metre) tall, but they're already at 5 feet and still going.

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted a photo ... way too many things going on this summer, way too many.

Whatizzit?

nobody@flickr.com (oldog_oltrix) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:18:12 -0700

oldog_oltrix posted a photo:

Posted for the Senior Moments group "WHATIZZIT" event ... you have at least one of these in your home, I know you do.