This is momma cat, a feral, that had many litters in my backyard. These are the two kittens from one liter - Ruby, the tortie, and Oscar the long haired Black kitty. Two are with the 135mm f2.0 ai, and one with 300mm f2.8 ais - all of them through 2 layers of glass at an odd angle, because I took out a basement window, and created a cat house between the floor joists. They all have real homes now.
Seems to be not the most merry of times to return to the fold, but I have been silently reading along with the happenings, while work kept me from photographing mostly.
I wish to express my sincere condolances to you, Rafael, for the loss of a brother, and Andy for the loss of an uncle and Peter, for a brother lost as well.
Over here, everyone is healthy. Anouk is such a creative and witty child. So on a somewhat lighter note, Kristina was making some fresh buns, and placed the on a tray on baking paper, to place them in the oven. Anouk was helping her, shape some dough to buns and placing them on the tray. She placed them pretty close together, and Kristna told her to leave some more space between the puffs of dough.
Anouk asked: "Why? Can the buns get Corona too?" She was just pulling Kristinas leg though, and we could not help but laugh out loud at her well placed pun.
It is a somewhat bizar connection, and shows how much this crisis is part of our lives on both conscious and unconscious levels. But it also shows that life goes on. Buns need to be baked (and eaten) and, for the moment, Kindergarten continues as well.
Kristina, Anouk and I helped a local artist create beautiful mosaic sculptures for the Kindergarten too. Once they are placed, I might be able to make some photos of them, using some manual focus Nikkor glass. As for the oment, all I have is a cellphone photo, showing Anouk and Kristina at work, filling in the mosaic.
Germany goes into a 2nd lockdown today. It actually came into effect 39 minutes ago, and will last until the 10th of January, unless the lockdown is extended. Since my work is considered vital for the global economy, I still go to work and commute across borders each day.
Knowing that Ken B and Colin have an interest in horticulture among others here, I had some time to kill in town yesterday so took the XT2 + 28/2 ais to the Botanic Gardens. It's an amazing place, always absolutely pristine and with areas constantly being worked on. Created in 1874 I think. Probably the last time I'll visit before I leave.
rafaelcasd wrote:
It is with immense sadness that I communicate the loss of my 71 year old but other wise healthy brother Jose Alfonso Batlle to COVID, he had the best of care under difficult circumstances. We could not visit but spent many hours talking to him at the hospital.
He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, who did a fantastic job of raising his children and was still a great influence on his grandkids. His barbecues and fishing expeditions are legendary, his orchid garden beautiful.
Foncho was a member of a very large extended loving latin family, present across continents. He is sorely missed by many who felt his home was ours.
Here is a very old snapshot of much happier times, he is the one dead center with his then girlfriend, Lya, now wife of 47 years. On the side my sister Carmen and myself.
Thank you for your support during these trying times.
