From the Barefoot Files...

This photo was probably taken in the early to mid 1950's. I have always liked this picture. This is my great grandfather (mother's mother's father) standing in front of a castor bean plant. If you want to have an interesting plant in your yard one summer -- check out how to grow a castor bean plant. I also have a photo of my grandmother standing in front of it.

I remember my granddaddy -- he was around when I was very young. He was born in 1890 and died when I was 7 years old. The time I knew him -- he was an invalid. I would sit on the bed and talk to him. Sometimes I would bring a kitten or a baby chick in to show him. I remember one day after I had fallen near the wood stove and burned my arm. I sat with him having a snack and getting over the fall.

My great granddaddy was a carpenter. So was his son, my Uncle John. I have an old wooden level that I believe was my grandfather's. I also have some tools and a carpenter bench that belonged to my Uncle John.

What's In The Bag?

Many times I am asked about what I carry in my bag -- well here it is...

The bag is Lowepro and packed full (I guess I really need a bigger bag). In the zip compartment on the outside is a notepad, pen, cheatsheet, bulb blower, close up diopter filter, step up ring, and filter wallet containing 98% of my large sized filters.

The large inside compartments opens up to zippered pockets containing spare memory cards, a reversing ring, and batteries. The large open padded area holds my lenses. I have the 14mm and the 18-250mm Tamron lenses, Nikon 24-120mm & 35-70mm (I used the 35-70mm to take these photos). The Canon 50mm is on the Canon 40D. I have the Lensbaby 3G with its aperture kit and the Composer and another aperture kit, plus the creative aperture kit, wide angle and the tele attachments. Also in a smaller filter wallet are the 37mm filters that fit the Lensbaby lenses. In this section is also the ProOptic extension tube set.

Along with the filter wallets, lenses, batteries and such are some non-photographic tools. Those little desiccant packs that you find in many things -- like shoe boxes; I put them in my camera bag. I love love love the micro fiber cleaning cloths. I bought a big pack at Sam's Club. These wrap around my lenses. They are perfect to clean a lens, filter, or even my glasses. And I have a Leatherman with me -- just in case I need to have a MacGyver moment.

Oh -- the 40D and the XTi don't travel in the bag much -- there is not enough room. And some of you may be wondering what a Canon shooter is doing with a couple Nikon lenses? I bought an adapter ring, OK I bought two, (from ebay) that allows me to use my old Nikon lenses (from film days) on my digital Canon. The shooting is very manual -- manual focus -- everything manual -- but it beats not using the lenses!

(click on the photo to see it larger)

Chair-ity Event

Last year I participated in a local fundraiser -- a Chair-ity Event benefiting The Children's Village at Christian City. When my piece was finished, I wrote a blog about it and put up a photo.

This year -- the 3rd annual event -- I am again participating. My contribution this time around is a footstool covered in vintage photos. Anyone bidding on this and winning gets a baby picture of me! The underneath has my signature and a logo photo. I have also been looking through my photos for any with a chair in them -- I think I have one or two that might work and also be up for bid at the event.

It is all for a good cause -- maybe I will see you at the event. The chairs will also be on display at Dogwood Gallery November 9 through 14.

From the Barefoot Files...

Not really vintage -- but old. This weekend is my high school reunion. I am not able to attend -- but to show support I am posting my yearbook photo to the blog today. The "old" bunch will be at the homecoming game tonight and having an event tomorrow night. I have been promised that many photos will be taken and posted to Facebook so I will get to see everyone.

Have a great weekend!