Wednesday, July 21, 2010

UNCLE HARRY ENTERED THE DVR & HD-TV WORLD TODAY

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It was the distant rumble of thunder that had me out of bed at 4 a.m. & outside closing garden shed doors, checking car windows & covering up the motorcycle.  The computer weather radar map later showed that band of storms came in across the lake & went to the north of us.  No matter, I was up, I was on my feet, & my day had again started early.

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A RELAXING PLACE IN OUR FRONT YARD

The cable guy had an appointment between ten & noon this morning to hook up HD (high definition) TV & a brace of music channels for my Uncle Harry in Mitchell so Kelly & I were there by ten.   The fellow was late & didn't make it until Harry headed off for lunch.  It was after 2 by the time we left but Kelly was very thorough in explaining the new DVR set-up to Harry.  It's a big leap in technology for him coming from his old VCR machine.  I have a feeling we'll be going back shortly to help him out again.

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There has always been background music in our family & my Mother had the same music channels during her 4 year stay in a local nursing that Harry has now.  He is looking forward to his channels of Big Band, Ambient, Oldies & Memories of Yesteryear & the music will help him pass the time while at the Ritz Villa.  I have always had music playing throughout the years no matter where I lived & my Aunt Jean in Florida is the same.  We are a family that has always loved it's music.  My Mother played piano by ear but she was the only one outside my Grandfather with his 'screechy fiddle' that actually played any instruments.  The rest of us were were just great music appreciators.

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RETIRED ROD  may have shed a little light on my failed Live Writer download Tuesday morning.  I tried downloading the new version onto an XP platform & he suggested maybe that was the problem.  I am now debating whether to try the upgrade on our newer Win 7 Toshiba laptop.  I was a little unnerved by a fellow blogger who said the upgrade wiped out his existing Live Writer & he had to do some fancy footwork to get it back.  I'm really not in the mood for having to do fancy footwork these hot & humid summer days!!

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QUEEN ANNE'S LACE

Didn't mean to shake up the RV troops with yesterday's post about 'downsizing or dropping out of the RV lifestyle.'  I sometimes like to flip the coin over & talk about what is on the other side.  No, we won't be getting rid of our Motor Home, car, television, cell phone, dust bin, or extra broom handle.  I just have a habit of blogging about things that pop into my mind from time to time & sometimes when I have a frustrating day it just shows up in the blog.  As I have said before, I blog about how I feel, & sometimes I have a tendency to stir up the pot a bit:)) 

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OUR LITTLE FROG POND

I particularly liked Thom's comment in Tuesday night's blog that said, "Al;
maybe the bike, cameras, computers, the blog, etc. give us more than something to do. They give us the closest thing to a purpose that we've got... and everyone must have a purpose.  Without a purpose what are we good for?"  Thom is right on with that comment about 'purpose!!'  My blog dealt with the sometimes frustrations of having too much stress related stuff & becoming discouraged about things.  We all have those moments or days when we temporarily lose site of where we are, where we're going or what the purpose is of everything!!  Our Snow Bird RV lifestyle definitely gives us a focused purpose & we won't be giving that up any time soon.   In fact, as you all know, I would much prefer to be out there on the road going places & doing things than sitting here at home all summer!!  But, that's another blog for another day!!

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GROANER'S CORNER:((   A group of Americans were traveling by tour bus through  Holland.  As they stopped at a cheese farm, a young guide led them through the process of cheese making, explaining that goat's milk was used.  She showed the group a lovely hillside where many goats were grazing.  'These' she explained, 'are the older goats put out to pasture when they no longer produce.'  She then asked, 'What do you do in America with your old goats?'  
A spry old gentleman answered, 'They send us on bus tours!

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

"UNTIL ONE HAS LOVED AN ANIMAL, PART OF THEIR SOUL REMAINS UN-AWAKENED"

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

AL'S SMUG MUG PHOTO GALLERY http://stargeezer.smugmug.com/ (a work in progress)

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.

12 comments:

  1. That's quite a large step for Uncle Harry into the technology world, but he will love it.
    Okay Al, I have to ask. How do you do such great photography esp of the Hummingbird in midflight capturing his open wings. Your pics are totally incredible. I think I have all the right equipment for taking good pics but can't seem to get the hummer in midflight. Also your pics a soft and very worm to the eye. How do you do it, if you don't mind?
    Thanks in advance!
    Mike & Gerri

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  2. I am soooo there with ya, Al. Yesterday I was ready to "throw in the blog towel".....Tired, depressed and thinking how simple it would be to NOT blog...But then I got my alter ego back and found that I actually NEED to blog...What is it that drives us to do it?? Strange alien karma from outer space??? Nevertheless....I'm addicted to it...

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  3. It is true that the Live Writer will replace the existing one you have now!! I comes in and covers over the top of the old one. If you want to go back, you must completely remove the new one with control panel, so it is all gone. Then you reinstall the old one. It is important to note that this is talking about all windows live applications including mail. I use mail too so it was updated along with live writer. The new menu system is about the same between writer and mail.
    So as you learn one you are really learning both. I think the new menus are easier once you get the hang of it. I do not think you would go back to the older version! Have to stick with the newer stuff and get updates as they fix and add stuff. You agree to that when you agree to use Beta versions. The trade off is you get to use the latest and greatest early, even if it might have a program error that strands you at times. Might have to close the program and restart. But like Rick said it is backing up all the time so shouldn't ever loose your work. Shouldn't, not wouldn't. Its Beta, they don't know for sure yet, your a tester for them! Your mileage may vary!

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  4. Oh I forgot to say that your pictures with the long telescope lens and its narrow depth of field are just stunning!!!!! Keep it up, and enter them in a contest somewhere.

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  5. Maybe Uncle Harry will surprise you by offering you a few tips next time you visit him, Al.

    That hummingbird pic is a beauty!

    Rod's correct about Live Writer Beta as it does require either Vista or Windows 7. I'm pretty sure that when the final version is released in the next few months, it will be supported on XP.

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  6. I need to blog too, but I'm just going to try to lay low for a while. I thought I had a good idea for a blog paragraph, but I'm sure someone could construe it as being negative.

    I agree that your bird pics are just wonderful. I sat out on the patio this afternoon trying my best to get the hummingbird, but I think he knew I wanted a picture and as soon as I was ready he flew off. I finally gave up, but I really want to get a decent photo some day.

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  7. Al your pictures are OUTSTANDING!! I don't know how you do it!!

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  8. Ditto, ditto on that hummingbird pic. Awesome isn't a great enough word.

    Good for Uncle Harry in being receptive to new technology. Even if he doesn't get full benefit due to it being confusing, what he does get the hang of he'll enjoy.
    Go for it... Uncle Harry!!!

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  9. You know, I read your blog because it is honest and I get a real sense of your mood....plus it has pretty pictures! Even if you bogged about paint drying, it would be interesting.

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  10. If Al blogged about paint drying you would be sure to know exactly how he felt about it, and whether he liked it or not, nothing wrong with shooting from the cuff, and I for one like it. Al is a straight shooting tell it from the heart, truthfully, whether everyone likes or or not guy. No BS. no phoneyness, just the truth as he feels and knows it. Keep it up Al we love it.. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

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  11. Hummingbird pics are stunning! And I'd love to read what you would say about paint drying. Maybe you should host a contest, let all of us contri ute a blog about paint drying, then you get to pick the winner. What's the prize? A paint brush, what else!

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  12. So, you finally got a hummer to visit your yard. Good for you! All the dozens of hummers we had at our feeders decided to disappear last Wednesday. :( Looks like my quest for the perfect hummingbird picture is over for right now.

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