I was going to post this yesterday, but I was tired. Tired to the point where I fell asleep, last time looking at the clock, at 8:33PM. I woke up at just after two this morning thanks to Mr. Bladder, had a quick look outside (clouds and cold), watched an episode of the X-Files and passed out. I didn't even set my alarm; thankfully I woke up at 7AM. And thankfully my job is such that I can leave here when I want, as long as it all gets done.
On that note, yesterday I had about 200 miles (320km's) in driving, plus the 15 stops. I got my sorry carcass out of bed at 5:30AM, and an hour later hit the road for my first call at sunrise; about 7:30AM here. It was supposed to be a sunny and clear day; big change from the humidity and snow the day before.
Knowing I might not make it back before the spot-filled Sun was too low on the horizon, I took my CG4 and C80-HD with me in the back of the cab in the truck, and I put my Baader solar filter in a Tupperware container for the ride.
Just after 11AM, I pulled the truck over on a sideroad in Heidleberg and took 25 shots of the Sun with the above-mentioned rig with my Canon T2i at ISO 400 and 1/640th sec exp. From left to right are AR2790, 86 and 85. The outside temp was 30F (-2C) and crystal clear skies with no wind. I gotta do this more often, especially now with Solar Cycle 25...
For whatever reason I can't do links to this from an image file or post it full size on here, so if you want to see it full-size, click here
After that is was a short distance to my next call. Time to go see Brutus... This is a dog who does not like strangers. Probably why his name is Brutus. He's three years old, weighs in at 215 pounds (just under 100KG), and thankfully he really likes yours truly; especially since he outweighs me by 50 pounds (22KG)... The first time I saw him about a month ago, his owner informed me it might not go well. I said we'll see... I went in, he started growling, and I stooped down and didn't look at him, though I held out my hand and called his name. He approached, sniffed my hand (all this time I'm hoping I won't be a snack), the growling stopped, his tail started wagging and not a minute later he was washing my face; so nasty..!! His owner was amazed, and Brutus and I have been good since
My daughter has often said to me, "Daddy, you're like a male Snow White, everything four-footed so loves you" Well, not all, but I have surprised more than a few pet owners. And you have the few who are just going to hate you no matter what...
Yeah, so this is me petting Brutus. My hand, his neck. At that moment, he's more concentrated on his beef bone...
I rolled in at just after 4PM. I was so tired and cold, more cold than anything. I lit a fire in the shed, and baked in the heat. I actually placed a milk crate just in front of the fire and literally put my feet up. Hot maple embers can so soothe your tired feet..
After that warmth, we had dinner. By then it was just after 7PM, and I took a look outside. The forecast was calling for rain and snow overnight, and already the humidity was building. Still, I could see Saturn and Jupiter setting in the west, and wondered if they'd both fit into the
I know these two are going to be literally overlapping each other come
After that I went to sleep; like I said before, at 8:33PM. I must be getting old... I thought I'd feel all refreshed this morning, but it took a few hours and coffees for that to happen. Now I'm ready for bed again
Tomorrow is Friday. TGIF. I hope you all have a good night/day!
All the best,
