It is surely a significant new year for me. Am winning battle with depression and weaning myself off of the medication. Yay!!!

Have torn my ACL. Sigh. The docs will put me back together on Jan. 19th. On the minus side, surgery. On the plus side, pre-surgery therapy has led to the loss of 10 lbs over the holidays. Who knew?!! Also, I've begun a new, sedentary hobby -- cow-seeing excursions -- which will get me through surgery recover and give dogs, camera, and me the opportunity to roam all over the area.

I've been happily motoring along country roads for the past few weeks, windows down, pups in the back. We have discovered many new and interesting grazing creatures (collectively classified as "cows"). We've seen black cows and brown ones, spotted cows, long-horned ones, and huge gray ones with strange fleshy humps, goat-cows, llama-cows, horse-cows, sheep-cows, gazelle cows, and donkey-cows.

I've started bringing my camera. Cows of all varieties are very expressive when faced with hysterically shrieking herding dogs hanging out of car windows right in front of them.

And there are loads of moody, abandoned, dilapidated buildings begging to be captured on e-film. Historical landmarks -- also very cool -- provide interesting side trips. I've found a teeny tiny historical mini-cemetery on that I'll visit when the weather is nicer.

Despite upcoming surgery, there are so many new and interesting things to look forward to. I wish everyone a joyous, relaxing, new year of exploration and discovery!

I'm still here. Went through a bit of a difficult time, but I'm feeling better now, thank goodness. I had forgotten about the messages on my profile page. When I saw that everyone had been asking about me, I cried big fat happy tears. No, seriously!

I am so sorry that I disappeared. I lost myself for a little while. Still searching, but seem to be a bit more on track than before.

I am so glad to be back! I missed you all -- don't know what I was thinking, withdrawing from my friends like that. Not good for me. Nope. *nods seriously*

Pictures soon, perhaps. I saw a magical field adorned with butterflies last month -- am kicking myself for not going home immediately for camera. Don't like that kind of regret. Camera is now by the door -- nothing scheduled for Sunday -- weather is amazing. There will be pictures. Don't know of what yet.....

Thank you again for your concern and well wishes. They have made a huge impression on me. *still all teary*

s2b

Mood: Exhausted
Listening to: Flourescent Lights (ew!)

Just back from a flyball tournament that wiped me out all weekend. Sore but very happy. We didn't win much, but Rhett and I had a load of fun. I took 400 pictures, almost ALL of which were so noisy that they're almost unusable.

Time to do some research and figure out why. *sigh* I have another chance in 3 weeks to try again. Hope to get partway to the bottom of the mystery before then!!! Would love to show you what it looks like.

I apologize for being so behind on looking at my devwatches. They have skyrocketed up to 316!!!! Eeks!

I'll try to get acught up as soon as I can!!!

s2b

My devwatch is completely down. I have no idea if any of my friends have tried to post anything today. Is everyone having the same problem?

This is very frustrating. I have tried to check a few galleries individually for new posts, but it's hard without devwatch!

I'm reluctant to post anything until they fix it. I think my last 2 Chance shots got caught up in the mess. They're up, but I don't think anyone knows they are. If you have enjoyed the Chance Expressions series and haven't seen #V yet, pop by and take a look.

s2b

Thank you so much, everyone, for taking the time to give me feedback about my monitor situation. I know it's not a serious problem, but I was quite upset about it. I realize you are all very busy, and I am so grateful that you took the time to help me out!

I got lots of helpful feedback and advice from everyone.

~JogiART has given me an excuse to purchase a bigger more modern LCD monitor some time in the near future. He says the newer ones are much better than the ones from a few years ago. We'll see.

~natureguy69 sent me some very useful links. Thank you!!!

*desmo100 has been extraordinarily patient and supportive and let me whine talk about it ad nauseum without a single complaint.

I think I am on the road to recovery now (darker, less red/green, much less blue, check black point, white point, gamma, etc...).

Thanks again to all of you for your generous help!

s2b