Daily Archives: May 21, 2015

 

 

How’s that for some openers!  I know, weak!  I’m in Orlando where Sherelene is attending a Diabetes meeting sand seminar.  I planned to drive over to Tampa today and visit with the Kelby One crew, especially Pete Collins and R.C. Concepcion, but was really sick by the time I got to the hotel last night and am recovering slowly today.  Not sure what I’ve got, stopped up head, coughing, feeling run down, I think I’m allergic to airports.

 

Topic ONE:  I hate air travel.  I actually like flying, I just hate dealing with the TSA, the ticket counters, the lines, waiting to get on the plane, getting off the plane, walking the 44 miles my gate always is from Baggage claim, to get my bags.  Schlepping all this stuff to the rental car.  Dealing with the rental car folks, finding the exit from  the airport that gets you at least approximately going the right direction!!!!!!!!   Sherelene said this morning I’m in “Grumpy Bill” mode.  Afraid she is right!

 

Topic TWO:  I love to drive!!!!!! My trip back in March to Peoria and then down Route 66 and then to Arches and then home, was as delight!  Took my time, enjoyed being alone, stood in no lines, well once at a McDonald’s to get a cone!  It was so much better than flying but, when  I was finished it took two and half days to get home!  You can’t win!!!!!

Topic THREE:  Great people you meet along the way in life.  John Oakley is great man, and a interesting man, and a man I admire immensely!  He has dedicated himself to seeing that his granddaughter Ralphi Oakley gets to all the photo events she can!  He drives Ralphi and her sister Nina to all our events and we really enjoy having them and having John!  His father taught him about the ships messenger when he was a boy, when we saw this one and moved the lever at Black Dog Salvage and heard that thing bing,  his eyes lit up.  What that meant to me I could never describe!  I wanted to buy it and have it shipped to him, oh if I were a wealthy man, the fun I would have giving gifts!!!!!

 

Topic FOUR:  Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Why am I hanging around in Orlando while Sherelene attends meetings all day????  I have to honestly say that in 45 years of marriage to Sherelene I’ve never had enough time with her!  I have travel from 250 to 125 days a year for much of our marriage. and it is being way from her that makes me realize how much I love her.  I once had a dear friend that went from being dirt poor to being a multimillionaire.  I asked him once what it was like to be able to travel anywhere he felt like going without regard for the money involved!!  He shocked me with his answer.  He told me that before his family business took off and made him and his family millions, they used to look forward to their one week vacation each year, planning, dreaming and anticipating it, once they could have anything they wanted the thrill of “anticipation” was gone.  Maybe that is what makes Christmas, the Fourth of July and even weekends special, they are not “everyday” affairs.  It’s good to be thankful for what we treasure and know it is a gift, and one, not to be squandered!

 

Topic FIVE:  The value of friends.  It is amazing to me how much I think about, pray for, and have great hope for my friends.  I’m truly invested in Jim and Sue Haverstock, Jim Begley, Jack Graham, my brother-in-law Ron Oliver and all mine and Sherelene’s family members.  I pray daily for Sue’s wrist, Jim’s long service to her, for Jim Begley as he settles into retirement, Jack’s detached retina and safety out on the road,  Ron’s leg amputation and Diane’s taking care of him.  The list goes on and on!  God has blessed me with great people to love, care for, and pray for, what a privilege it is to stand in the gap for them!

 

Topic SIX:  The great folks at Fujifilm!  O.K. you knew that was coming but not for the reason you may think!  Yes I’m madly in love with their X-System,the bodies and lenses which are incredible, but that is not why I love the company so much.  Now I want to be very clear before I share this, that I still respect Nikon and have many friends there, but my relationship with Fuji has been far different.  I shot Nikon for 44 years and waved the flag proudly for them for many years before I ever got a dime for my efforts, and never asked for a penny either!!!   I am sure that thousands of shooters were influenced by my love for the Nikon system.  Then I worked for Nikon as an NPS rep for the Southern U.S. for 11 years.  In all that time, I was never asked to speak at a Nikon National Sales Meeting, never invited to visit the factories in Japan, or ever honored with the title of a Legend Behind The Lens.  I have no hard feelings, but  I am appreciative that Fuji has honored me with all three of those things, except their select group of pros is called the X-Photographers.  I feel fortunate to be affiliated with Fuji, they certainly have been very nice to me!

 

Well, those are my rambling thoughts for today!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim