Learning to use a new camera

A little over a year ago, I purchased a new camera. A Canon EOS 1300D and only got it out once in a while. I think I was afraid of it.  It was the first "fancy" camera I had ever gotten.  One where I could change the lens and I had three different lenses to chose from.  It has so many bells and whistles that I felt a bit intimidated.
Once I finally decided to learn to use this cool tool, I began watching YouTube videos and have learned quite a bit on how to operate this fancy camera, plus I have a notebook of cheat sheets I carry in my bag.  I've been using it quite a bit now.  Taken photos of all the flooding we've had this spring.  I've lived in the same area for over 35 years and have never seen the level of flooding as this year.  

I snapped this photo of James while we were out checking on the flooding.  He too has been working on his photography skills.  I took this photo by the Grand River, The water behind him is all flood water. 

 Along with this new camera and the quilting I've been doing, I have begun to put my stories up on Wattpad.  For me it was a more economical way for me to publish and get my stories out there then to try and do it myself as an Indie Author, while nothing wrong with that, I've found that the expenses can add up rather rapidly.  Yes it is good to pay for quality work in editing, and cover design, but at this moment in time I've taken a leave of absence from the work world, so funds are to be looked at more carefully.

You can search my name on Wattpad as well as the title "Cowboy's Tribulation" the first two chapters are up.  The plan is I'll be posting a new chapter each week on Tuesdays by 1 pm.  This is to get me into the habit of "working" and adhering to a deadline, so far its working.

I am planning to upload a chapter even during the two weeks in May I will be gone with Mom on our trip to New Orleans LA.
 We will be attending the first BookLovers Convention.  This is a spin off from the annual trip we use to take to the RT BookLovers Convention.  The Couple who put that convention on decided to retire in 2018 and their fabulous crew they used to put it on decided to branch out and do their own.  Mom and I are excited since we skipped last years convention because it was in Reno NV and with flying and all it was just too far to go.  BUT, when we found out that 2019 was in NOLA, well we were instantly excited and ready to go, but of course we have had to wait a whole year.  Soon the waiting will be over. We are working on packing as minimalists this year, trying to cut down on the luggage since we don't really travel light.  And that's putting it mildly.

Proof we don't travel light.  This is from our first convention in Kansas City MO in 2013 and the car has looked like this for four of the conventions we've attended.  The goal is to eliminate at least half of this. Oh and this is just the back you don't see what's in the front of all this in the back seat.  How the hell do two woman take so much along? We wondered that too, hence the challenge to leave a lot behind. I'll post how we do when we get to NOLA. 
That's all for now, take care and Happy Trails.

UPDATEING AND RECAPPING 2018
Yes I know its been quite awhile. 

The above photo is an important milestone for me, being listed as a new member of PAN in Octobers issue of Romance Writers of America's Romance Writers Report was a huge highlight for me in 2018.  This might not mean much to some but for me it was a 30 year goal met. Yes I've been working at this writing gig off and on for 30 years.  Some things just take time. 
When I came across this photo today I decided I wanted to use it for this new post.

Another highlight of 2018 was participating in my first quilt show.  I didn't have any of my quilts done at the time of the show so I took my Grandma Marguerite Viola Scudder's prohibition era quilt that she made. This is what I wrote on the yellow sheet.
"Prohibition Era Quilt"
"This quilt was made by Marguerite Viola Scudder during the winter of 1932-1933 while working as a live-in nanny in Clinton IA.
Later while still working as a nanny on weekends, she got a full-time job during the week at the Clinton Garment Company making blouses and house dresses.  The fabric for this quilt was leftover scrap fabric from the garments she made,
This quilt is the Periwinkle pattern.  85 years old.  Completely handstitched.
She worked on this quilt during the winter to pass the time.  Since in those days there was no tv.  Just radio shows and the occasional phone call.  Unless you went to the Speakeasy on Friday and Saturday nights! But that was prohibited, it was the era of Prohibition you know.
Marguerite also made a Double Wedding Ring quilt the following year.  Currently that quilt is lost."
The quilt show was a first at the Markesan Residents home in Markesan.