kicking at the new blogger

So am I here at this converted kick.against.the.goads for now. I dig this new version of blogger and how it is tied to gmail; for gmail roxxers the boxxers!

Here is another beautiful photo of the camera and lens Hannah and Luke gave me for Christmas; take note of the sexy beast operating the all mechanical, precision instrument.

Well for now I will post this rather lame entry to be sure that this account works. My thoughts and prayers of late have been focussed on the numerous young families with babies and those expecting a newborn at my parish.

Leitz Elmar 5cm 3:5 lens

My son graciously gave me this pictured Elmar lens as well as a Leica Summitar lens for Christmas; and I love using both on the Leitz IIIc body Hannah gave me (which is pictured in my previous post below). Thanks heaps and heaps, Luke and Hannah!!! I am sure Ramone does not appreciate their generosity, but she will in time learn to forgive their lack of thrift and move on to other joys and worries.... :)

In other news I have slowly started to enjoy Sufjan Stevens' music; more specifically his song "Transfiguration" off of his album Seven Swans is such a beautiful tune. I maintain the oboe is what makes the song have a magical feel. But the story Sufjan has to work with is no slouch.

Today our house was entirely un-Christmased; all of our decorations are now wrapped, boxed and waiting to celebrate the glory of Christ's Nativity next December 25th. I will miss the lights of Christmas.

To make matters one bit harsher I just noticed that the Lenten pattern starts earlier than I am used to this year; Zaccheus Sunday is coming two weeks from now on Jan.21st! I know that is not the real beginning to Lent, but it serves as a huge kick in my spiritual arse; the upside being that Pascha comes so much sooner, too:)