Remote Shutter

Newly found phone accessory, the remote shutter.

Hi, I found a new accessory for the iPhone camera. It’s a remote shutter. Originally I discovered a selfie stick that had a remote included. I liked it so much I found one independent of the stick.

Remote shutter

The AB Shutter3 was simple to pair to the phone. When I was searching Amazon, the description was vague. With the price less than 10 bucks, I decided to give it a try. Typically I do not write reviews, I did for this. I included my image above for others in case they had some of the same questions I had. I’m pleased Amazon approved my review!

Selfies remote shutter
Of course after the pairing was completed, I had to practice! The first picture I had met this young lady on a previous library visit. There was someone sitting at each table. She asked if she could sit at the table I was occupying. I was happy to share the table with her. It was a Saturday several weeks ago. In the times I have been to the library, I have not seen a same person a second time. Well today, I happened to look around and there she was! I asked her if I could take a picture of her and me, pleased she said yes.

The middle two I took a break from writing for the blog. And the last picture was while I was picking my grocery order up. Told the young lady I just got my remote and wanted to practice. She was a good sport and smiled with me.

The iPhone 14 ProMax is a large phone. Trying to hold and touch the shutter on the phone screen is quite awkward; almost dropping the phone on more than one occasion. The remote will definitely be handy in taking better pictures, especially selfies.

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo

The Wishing Bench 2023

Revisiting the wishing bench in 2023

Wishing bench 2023
Wishing bench 2023

Saturday I was not motivated. I had slid back into my funk. It could have been due to me not taking my happy pills the last two days. Needed to get them refilled. Or because my CPAP mask broke. Had to order a new one, took five days to arrive. Whatever the reason, I made myself get out of the house yesterday. Made a list of my to do’s while in Lawrence. It’s more difficult to remember things when I am in this funky mood.

My list included filling Adam’s pillbox, picking up Kevin’s and my prescriptions, picking up grocery order, having lunch with my mom and finally contributing to this week’s blog post. While making my list, the wishing bench popped into mind. It has been more than a couple years since I visited. I wondered if it was still even there. To my surprise, yes!

Below are close up images of this dreamy, happy bench!

Wishing bench 2023 2

If you would like to see the changes over the years, I have included links below to follow my previous visits.

The wishing bench in 2017.

The wishing bench in 2015.

Have you ever seen a bench like this before today, this post? I have not actually sat on the bench to make a wish. My next visit I will plan on making an addition to the set and make my own wish!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo

Daily Photo Opps

Gma’s photo

Daily photo opportunities.

I had such an opportunity today. Luckily my subject is stationary. My phone camera was not operating correctly. Panic set in. I went to settings, changed a few and still not working. It dawned on me, my phone updated yesterday to iOS Version 16.1.1. My camera worked just fine before the update. I decided to power off the phone. Waited a few minutes and turned the phone back on. Problem solved. Thank goodness!

Photo bike rack

It’s easy to get caught up in thoughts. I have been to my local library many times. The building and landscapes have not changed. On one particular visit, as I was walking back to my car, the bike rack caught my attention. I had never ‘seen’ the air pump next to the rack. This is such a neat and convenient thing to have next to the rack. There are daily photo opps, I just need to not get caught up in thoughts and ‘see’ my surroundings!

My husband and I do not live in town, we are in the rural community. I have two favorite local libraries, one in Lawrence and the other in Tonganoxie. During one of my visits to the Tonganoxie library I had a fun photo opportunity. And rather comically it also included a bike rack. A family of four. As we conversed the mother said they were taking one day a week to detox from digital. On this particular day they went on a picnic and a bike ride.

Photo opp

What caught my eye was the white bike that was connected to the black bike. During my visit with the family I did get her (mom’s) permission to take these pictures. If they had been inside the library I would have just taken the picture of the connected black and white bikes. I did not want them to think I was an odd bird!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo

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Visit with the Grand Girls!

Gma’s photo

Visit with the grand girls!

Hi, I am excited to see the grand girls any time I have the opportunity. This past weekend was such the time. Their parents had a lunch date Saturday and needed me and Kevin to stay with the girls. Come on over was my response!!

The girls arrived in the morning about 10 am. First i had to get my hugs and kisses. Those are a necessity! Next we played Dominoes. The girls are fun to be with. Listening to the them talk. Every time I see them they seemed to have grown so much. It was a short visit. Just enough time to play a few games, eat pizza. Briella went with Kevin to feed the calves while Brynlee and I stayed in the house. The 3.5 hour visit went fast.

Kevin does not like to have his picture taken. When I am able to get a nice shot, I treasure them! In the set of images below, the top middle. The girls are getting ready to go home. Brynlee went to give Kevin a hug and kiss goodbye. I just happened to take the shot. Even though he is not looking at me, you can still see him smiling.

Visit grand girls

Later Saturday evening my mom called. She said Erika and her family were going to hang out at my folks house Sunday. Mom invited me and Kevin over to join them for lunch. Kevin had made prior plans to help with serving the homeless. Even though Kevin wasn’t there, it was still a special day. My son joined us as well. It’s not that often we all can be together.

Special grand girls visit
Unexpected pleasure time spent with family.

As I had mentioned in a past post, I wanted to get a picture of Brie’s handwriting. She had written everyone’s name and assigned the sitting at the lunch table. Her handwriting has improved from the list she made just this past Thanksgiving.

My goal #38 on the 101 in 1001 list is a work in progress.

Best Wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo

Grandgirls
Some of my favorite images of my grand girls!

Visit with the grand girls, priceless.

Selfies, take part in pictures!

Selfies, take part in pictures!
Selfie picture Hi, if you are like me as you are looking back on the pictures taken, none of them have you as the photographer in them. One way to create better images for memories sake is being in the image. That’s why my post, selfie pictures.

As simple as this sounds, getting the best selfie is an art. My daughter said practice taking selfies and watch YouTube! There are lots of YouTube tutorials. My plan is first give you pointers today. As I add posts that include pictures, I will provide the techniques used to get that shot.

For example, this image of me to the left, I used my selfie stick. I am the grandma with a big purse! Actually the selfie stick folds up pretty small. Not only can I use it for selfies, it’s a tripod as well. I have been able to take pictures of a larger group of family and friends.

In addition to using a selfie stick, I have learned that having a ring holder on the back of my phone helps me hand hold the phone while taking pictures overall. PopSockets is another good option for stabilizing your phone while taking a picture.

Phone ring

In this next set of pictures, I was trying to figure out where to look and how to hold the phone for just the right pose.

You might be wondering why would you want a selfie? I like to have a picture reminding me of a fun time I shared with a friend.

Selfie pictures friend

We are our own self critics. And we are too critical. Just take the shot. Later you will be thankful for that! Here are just a few I enjoy looking at time again.

More selfie pictures
Taken with the selfie stick.

Best wishes, Debra

Old Barn

old barn

Hi, I am cheating a bit. Supposed to be a Wordless post- however, I was just so excited with these pictures of old barn & farm buildings. Every day I drive by these and always say to myself, “I want to take pictures of this place.” Well, last night was the night. The sun was just beautiful. Now I want to have enlargements made and hang on my wall! Below is the complete set of old farm pictures taken.

old barn

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo

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