Why No Radio?

While walking The Girl on a circuit around the campground, I noticed this frame and captured it. Captured with X-T5, 2025-11-09 10:23:36, 55mm, 1/220sec, f/8, ISO-500, in-camera Velvia film simulation, SOOC.

I paused to overnight at the Lake Texoma campground near Mead, OK on my way from Missouri to Texas. My youngest and his wife live near there, so a family meal was in order. We arrived late and I had to back into my camp in the dark, of course. But I learned that my handlight (EDC) worked well as an improved back-up light and permitted the alignment of the rig in the spot.

It did not take long to set up camp. Then I got The Girl out for a walk in the dark. She was on high alert for critters, of course. But, we found none.

That handled, we settled in for the night and I fed us. Then we slept.

I woke early, of course, made coffee, then walked over to the central facility to do my morning regimen, including a shower. When I returned, The Girl was ready to start her day, so we got out and walked the perimeter of the campground. A few others were stirring, some breaking camp; others enjoying the fall morning.

As we walked, I found a frame I liked. So I paused to make a capture. I rather like this one, if the colors are a little accentuated by the film stock selection.

We broke camp and then met Young Son and spouse for a meal before heading on to Lubbock and friends there.

The answer to the question posed is simple. I do not have the personal bandwidth necessary for radio operations at the moment. Work and personal obligations are sufficient that they use up my available resources. But, this will change and I will have an opportunity to go operate in the field. I will be ready for some POTA and SOTA activations and will enjoy those exercises.

Despite being busy, I remain grateful. Life is good.

Desert Peach

The Desert Peach is in full bloom. Shot with Fuji X100vi using the in camera Velvia film simulation. I did some light post-processing using PhotoLab 7.

After a full day of work, yesterday, The Girl and I finally headed out for a hike at Silver Saddle Ranch about 1715h. This is late for us, but the Sun was really warm yesterday and I did not want The Girl to overheat. I noticed some heavy clouds to the south and paused at the rig to check the weather before we left. Light rain was forecast for the next hour.

“I guess we’ll get wet,” I said to The Girl.

Sure enough, as we drove to the upper staging area, the sprinkles started. I made her contain her excitement while I retrieved a packable puffy I keep in the back of the rig. It was not particularly cold, but I knew the light jacket would shed most of the rain.

Prepared, I got her out, grabbed my camera, and we headed out. We had the place to ourselves. No one else wanted to hike in the rain.

The Girl chuffed and sniffed (on lead, of course) as we walked south. I did not really expect any critters, but I simply do not trust her to stay out of trouble.

The rain came a little harder for a bit. She paused to shake now and again, but did not ask to return to the rig. Neither of us minded a little rain to close out the week. The jacket kept me mostly dry.

The Fuji X100vi is waterproof with a filter affixed to the lens. I have had a filter affixed to the lens since I got the camera. I often use a light diffusion filter at night or indoors, but use a UV filter during daylight hours. A diffusion filter can really drop contrast if the sun shines on the glass.

As we neared the end of the hike, the shower passed off to the north and a bit of Sun peeked through the clouds. That lit up the vegetation wonderfully. So, I took advantage of the serendipity (the moment, not The Girl) and paused for a few images. I think some of them are decent.

We then hiked the couple-hundred feet back to the rig and mounted up. I decided to go by DQ for a bite of supper (cheeseburger, fries, and small Blizzard), all of which were shared with The Girl. She was a little grabby with the fries, so I had to correct her.

We then headed back toward the house, with a stop at Costco to refuel the rig. It was a good day. I am grateful.

Life is good.

Purple

While working my way over to the Re-Signed site, these purple flowers jumped out at me. Captured with the Fujifilm X100vi and the in-camera Velvia film simulation, with minor adjustments in post.

It was a very cloudy morning here in Carson City, Nevada. But, The Girl and I had to get out for morning walkies and I had a short break between morning meetings. So, we walked one of our local circuits so she (and me) could get a little exercise.

Along the path I came across this flowering tree. With the overcast, the colors really pop. The Velvia film simulation just increases the pop.

So, I paused and made the capture.

We then finished our walk and I made my next meeting. There is another new project for me to work on this year.

I am grateful. Life is so very good.

Daily Image: Stacked

Captured on walkies with The Girl. Shot with Fuji X-T5 and Fujinon 60mm f/2.4 at f/4, in-camera Velvia film simulation (factory) with light post.

I had The Girl out Sunday morning (as usual) for exercise. She is recovering and seems to be more like herself every day. I still give her a dose of Carprofen at night because she sometimes seems sore.

This stack of pallets caught my eye (hat tip to Wife) and so I paused to make an image. It being Sunday, there was no traffic at the business nor on the street in this industrial area.

Life is good.