Update(s)…….
First let me apologize to anyone that still comes here! Everyone knows that to keep readers you must publish every day or every couple of days, well I blew that, but good, but…. with good reason! Between Wes’ battle with Lymphoma and spending more time at home and remembering how much I love and enjoy my family, doing blog entries all of a sudden seemed less imporant! I started a blog to witness my love for Jesus and how much he loves all of us! That won’t end, I’ll try to do better!
The photograph above was shot by Wes of his children, my grandchildren, and I in the hot tub with them, one of my favorite places! We were down in Lexington to support Wes as he starts his last treatment regime’ at Markey Cancer Center. So first, an update on Wes. Thank you for your prayers because only God could have pulled off this miracle. Wes has been declared in full remission!! He has one last chemo tratment and stem cell transplants and we should be home free. He feels great, though this last treatment is a tough one he has been up to everything they have thrown at him! We continue to pray that by early September we can start putting this in his past!
The Future of Workshops! I have ten events planned with Jack next year, several Fuji Workshops included. I don’t have any His Light Workshops scheduled but will think about maybe adding a couple. I do a number of events for Fuji and hope to continue to do that. I want to slow down some, but I have no plan to stop until the Lord takes me home or my body screams for relief! So that’s, that!
Fujifilm X-System Updates: I have been doing more extensive testing of the lens line and I continue to be more and more impressed with each and every one!! The new 50mm f 2 continues to amaze me and surprise me, I was pretty sure that it was a useless focal length, I guess I wanted a 70mm so much more, but I have to say, I love the 50mm it really grows on you!
I had a 50-140 f 2.8 but sold it when I realized when flying, which I do way too much, because I came to understand I wouldn’t fly with both it and the 100-400 and I miss it, but still don’t think I would leave the 100-400 home and take the 50-140. So it’s best I did what I did, but wow is that lens special! I recently re-purchased the 55-200 and the 18-55 and I really love both of thoses lenses, they are really sharp and handy!
I’m really looking forward to the 80mm Macro f 2.8 (this fall) and wishing for the long rumored 8-16 f 2.8!!!!! I did say rumored, I know nothing, honest, except I want one if it ever becomes a reality!!!
Getting close to God! If you have a friend and you don’t talk to them very often, the friendship never grows much. God is our best friend and the last 6 months, He and I have talked a lot and it is amazing how much better our friendship is going! If I could be so bold as to offer a suggestion, talk to your Heavenly Father more, that way when you really need Him you won’t be as much a stranger to Him!
Blessings and stay cool,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 25th, 2017 at 7:47 pm
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Cant even say how thrilled I am to hear your news regarding Wes. God is good! Dont feel bad about the lack of entrees I think your efforts were needed else where. We will continue to remember Your family. Those are some Grand looking Grandchildren but of course they all are.
Thanks Steve!
We are so privileged and so blessed to have a God that we can approach boldly and confidently, without reservation. And I am so fortunate to have a friend in you that I can speak with so very often,
Me too!!!!
I echo Steve’s thoughts. Take care of the family and other things you need to do. We’ll be here whenever you are moved to post something.
Your post and the replies reminded me to do something I don’t do as often as I should. I owe you a big “Thank You” for sharing your time with us via the blog. You teach and inspire us to improve our craft. You share your faith. You serve as an example to to us in so many ways.
As for workshop location ideas, The University of the South has a beautiful campus. (I was there yesterday and I will be returning.) I did not visit the nearby Templeton Library but I will do so soon. Falls Mill is not far away.
Best Wishes, my friend.
David
I dont live far from there myself, I live in Fayetteville, Tn. Maybe somehow we can get together in the fall and shoot there. I dont know just how to get it worked out but might could do it.
Steve, I’d love to get together so shoot. There is also the possibility of Falls Mill, too. One good email is KN4BXI (at) arrl.net.
This fall is busy. I have 10 high school football games (I’m a band booster), 3 band competitions, at least two amateur radio service projects, and two other amateur radio events between mid-August and the first of November. And the eclipse is August 21.
Thanks David!
Glad Wes is doing so well and that you are spending some quality time with your family. Don’t worry about “having” to blog everyday. Those of us that love you will keep tuning in…Always enjoying your thoughts, advice, knowledge, and experience and your walk with our King!
Walking with our “King”, now that is something to make time for!!!!
Continued prayers for Wes!
Bill would the 55-200 be better than the 50-140 for my Kenya travels starting tomorrow? Taking the 100-400 and the 50-140 is way too heavy lugging through the airports
I think if youhave the 100-400 the 55-200 is a great companion!
take all the time in the world for your family!
Will do, thanks!
I’ve missed not reading new blog posts from you, but I’m aware you’ve been dealing with far more important things than your blog fans! And it’s important that you take a break now and again to enjoy your family – and to rest for upcoming workshops! Great news about Wes!
Thanks Richard, you are truly a scholar and a gentleman!
First, Bill. thanks for the update — and for sharing the good news about Wes. The power of prayer and praise is at work.
And, speaking of praise, the “thank yous” echoed above are just the tip of the iceberg. At many levels, not all good, the photography business has changed. Stock photo sales are down, prices as well, and assigned work few and far between. It seems just about everyone is running a workshop these days (about the only way to make a living for professional photographers) and the quality is highly variable. That said, GAPW (and as an alum I have standing to say this), was the granddaddy. Think of all the people those workshops inspired to pursue further their photography and the places we got to know! I know it was a lot of work but — wow — in some measure our accomplishments are YOUR accomplishments as well. GAPW was different in that it wasn’t all about technique but also about faith, fellowship and spirituality — things we’re missing so much these days. Sometimes when I am spending a few minutes grabbing another waterfall shot I remember when it was all new and much more work but often more exciting. I have to remind myself at times how privileged I am to do this and how thankful I am for both the opportunity and the fellowship and instruction.
I was going to end this here but need to point out that here in the Chicago-Milwaukee area we are still recovering for a series of “100 year floods” and while my home is still intact it did suffer damage (thanks to a bad sump pump which was replaced before the second round) but by comparison we got off easy with wet carpeting and walls. That prompted me to round up what looked a lot like the Canon EOS museum. The 1V HS, EOS 3, 1D, 30D and so on brought back a lot of memories. In packing it up for sale I was acutely reminded of the major differences and benefits from my Fuji gear today — lighter and often more advanced. I kept a 7D, 50D, 500 f/4, 300 f/2.8, 70-200 and 100-400 zooms and the workhorse 16-35 and 24-105 L glass. I use it once or twice a year and didn’t have the heart to part with it all.
Those memories were bittersweet. Each body or piece of glass I touched brought back so much history — and angst as well. As a loyal Canon shooter I remain disillusioned at Canon’s failure to offer a competitive mirrorless offering. I thought that when Nikon and Canon finally got with the program that their mirrorless cameras would smoke out the competition. I was wrong. At some point, I guess, the rest of the Canon gear will go but it will be tough to part with it. But I will not have left Canon. It left me.
Very interesting way of seeing the industry leaders, and I concur!