Keeping busy

One of my frequent commenters has asked a couple of times what it is I do to fill my days now that I have a home base, and am not tooling around a National Wildlife Refuge and volunteering.  Well, guess what?  That’s what I’m going to post about tonight.  Thanks for asking, Sherry. 

I’ll start with today.  At 10:00 I went to my second meeting of the Photo Bugs Club in the park.  Normally, they meet every two weeks to view members photos on an assigned topic, and give constructive criticism.  Today was the first time I brought some photos, and those are the pics I’ll include in tonight’s post.

The topic for this session was winter plants.  I’m hoping to learn more about photography.  I think I generally do OK with  composition, but I don’t have a clue about ISO settings or some of that other stuff.  Might as well take advantage of free learning from others, and believe me many of the other members have great knowledge. 

Last Tuesday I went to a tree and shrub pruning class.  I learned a lot in a rather short time.  We didn’t get any hands-on experience because it was pouring rain outside, but I think I know how to take care of my orange tree now.

(These flowers are blooming on my lot in January!)  On Thursday, I went to the Fitness Center open house to learn how to use all of the equipment.  The beauty of this experience was that it was geared toward people my age that may be afflicted with back, shoulder, knee, etc. problems.  Right up my alley.  I’ve only used the treadmill and recumbant bicycle there, but now I know how to use the other equipment as well, and got to try it out with someone to coach me on its best use for me.

Tomorrow, I’m going to be trained in on volunteering at the park library.  I make great use of that library, and wanted to do my part.  In a Co-Op Park, like Jojoba is, just about all the amenities and activities are run and maintained by member volunteers.

(Can’t wait to taste this juicy morsel.)  On this coming Monday, there’s another air gun day in the morning, and a baked potatoe dinner with all the trimmings, after the weekly members meeting, to support the fitness center.  On Tuesday, the solos in the park are going out for dinner.  I think I’ll give that a try.

In addition to the assigned photo challenge for the meeting, you can also bring two of your favorite photos from the past.  You know I had to bring one with birds in it.    The next assignment is ‘macro’.  I don’t have a macro lens, so I’ll be bringing several close up shots.  Since I’m not on a refuge, the photo bugs give me an incentive to go take some pictures.

This is the second ‘favorite’ photo that I brought, and I’m pleased that everyone enjoyed it… a foggy morning in the long leaf pine forest of Mississippi.

So, I keep pretty busy here at Jojoba, with plenty of time to take care of mundane chores and not have to set the alarm clock.  I’m enjoying it.  As is usual, it’s mostly couples here at the park and I’d like to find a ‘best friend’.  You know, someone you can call up on the spur of the moment to do something.  I’m no big social butterfly, and I know relationships take time.  I’ll just give it some of that time…

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy