Life is a series of phases, commonly: childhood, school, profession, marriage, parenthood, more profession, retirement, and then what?
Like most people, I’ve skipped a phase and blended a bunch of others. After completing a 34-year career with the Postal Service and simultaneously finishing an over ten-year process of higher education, I feel like I’m standing on a precipice of opportunities. Like a high school graduate, there’s a whole new world awaiting me. Each phase of life has been interesting, so I look forward to this one as well.
The entries in this blog will be a random collection of my thoughts and curiosities as I explore the terrain to come. I hope my readers will be entertained and moved to participate in the journey as they peer over my shoulder.
Onward!
Rangewriter 
Hi Linda
Thanks for your kind comment on my blog. Nice when people drop by…
I like the look of your new blog. WordPress has a good feel to it. Look forward to reading some more of your rants lol!
Chris
x
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You are so right on in saying each phase of life is interesting and rewarding in its own way. Gracefully leading to the next. Or, sometimes we just seem to fall head first into the next. You have a wonderful attitude and I wish you well with the blog and life in general
Bill
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Bill, thank you. I embrace you in your journey and thank you for your good thoughts about me.
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I find the following line quite profound: …I’m standing on a precipice of opportunities.
I sometimes wonder if I’ll have the same zest for discovering new things many years forward from where I am now.
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Considering what I found on your delightful new blog, I suspect your zest for life will take you far and wide!
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Linda, the picture you’ve posted on this page, where was that taken? It looks like it can be used as a bike trail.
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Nel, you are perceptive, indeed. This is a popular trail northeast of Boise…part of the Ridges to Rivers trail system. It starts in the valley behind what used to be farmland (now houses) and leads all the way to the top of the front range, connecting with all sorts of other trails that are used for cycles, dirt bikes, and feet.
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Hello Linda,
I would like to present you with an award. Kindly follow the link to my blog for the details:http://directionallyimpaired.wordpress.com/honors-and-gratitude/
I feel you deserve this one. Have a good week! 🙂
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Nice to meet you Linda. Thanks for visiting my blog and letting me know that you were there. 🙂
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I found your blog over at Katiescamerablog, and wanted to say hello. I am going to subscribe to your blog and see what you are up to. I am a digital artist, and feel free to check out my blog and subscribe if you like.
Have a great day
Walter
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Goodness, I missed this comment! Thanks. I’ll check out your site right now.
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Thanks for visiting my Blog and for your kind comments. We seem to be mirroring each other’s journeys. My mom never mentioned me having a twin sister … I’ll be back, sis.
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Yes, twins seperated…
But really you even moved to launch your new journey. That’s even more bold. And I’m intrigued by where you live! I’ll be back, too!
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Linda, Looking forward… The Bike Hermit and I are formulating a plan to explore the Owyhee Scenic By-way on our bicycles Me thinks you and Don should be part of the adventure
http://www.sangres.com/idaho/scenicbyways/owyhee-uplands-byway.htm
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Thanks Sky King. I’ll pass this invite along.
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I have a quick question, and if the answer is yes, then I have some follow up questions. These flickr photos by “mystery in the mail”… did you you take them?
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Yes. I did.
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Clearly you are masterful. I find few things as inspiring as imaginative photography.
I can’t even tell you how moving I found these photographs.
My thoughts are that when a creative photographer looks through their lens, they see the world as God intended. And when they take their shot, they make that level of beauty available to the rest of us.
I’ve always used a very inexpensive little point and shoot camera. Recently I set aside $1000 for the purpose of upgrading to a better camera. I don’t consider myself to be a good photographer, yet, but I’m certain that I can do better than I’m doing with this point and shoot.
What camera/cameras do you use? Any particular lenses that you’re fond of for landscape shots? What lens do you use for those awesome close ups?
I’ve been looking into a DSLR, but I need something smaller because I photograph water towers, and I need to be able to easily climb with the camera.
So now my thoughts are leaning more toward Sony’s NEX 5n.
Any thoughts?
Again, your shots are simply amazing.
P.S. Thanks for taking my comment last night in stride 😉
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Ah gee whiz. Yer makin’ me blush. I’m always kicking myself for being so unimaginative.
My photography. Sigh. I’m even less confident about that than I am about my writing. I love looking through the viewfinder, but I rarely achieve the results I have in mind. I have two cameras. My Canon Powershot 1100 SD is a constant companion. It is small and light enough to take anywhere, including backpacking.
My retirement treat to myself was a cruise to Alaska which I augmented with the purchase of a Nikon D60. It is a very nice camera. It has more functionality than I have brain to master. It is large and presents problems because of that. I have 3 lenses for it. Besides the standard 18-55 that came with, I have a 55-200 zoom with VR, which I love. My most recent acquisition is a Tamron 60mm f/2 Macro 1:1. The macro is a great lens but I struggle with achieving the precise dof that I want. Everything is handheld or propped on a beanbag for now because I have no tripod…I resist because that is just one more heavy device to lug around. Often, especially in low natural light situations, I get better results with the little p/s Canon than with the fancy Nikon.
Cameras are like cars. There are so many bells and whistles and options and opinions. I think you could spend a life-time researching them! Actually, I was married to one of the best photographers in this area and though he is gone, I am still friends with his camera friends. A while back I was asking advice from one of them for the same question you have posed. He recommended the Cannon G12 http://www.amazon.com/Canon-G12-Digital-Stabilized-Vari-Angle/product-reviews/B0041RSPRS/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt_sr_5?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&filterBy=addFiveStar This guy is an avid photographer, does video for a living, but started as an old school darkroom guy. He goes no where w/o a camera and he needs a camera with both manual controls and instant-on, reliable presets. He swears by the G-12. It would be perfect for a water tower monkey. I’ve also seen great results from other photogs using this camera on 365 Project. No lens changing, but wonderful built-in zoom and compact. I sort of wish I’d purchased the G-12 rather than the Nikon. lol.
Hope that helps.
Now I must sign off and get busy. I actually just landed a PAID writing gig!
Linda
ps…feel free to email direct, if you prefer. linda@rangewriter.biz
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Wonderful. I don’t know why the G12 hadn’t come across my radar before. I may lean more toward the G11 though. I don’t know yet.
I have a few things to say here and there about some of your posts. As I have time, I will be crashing in to say hi and leave some comments.
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Nate sent me over here and I am glad I stopped by. You have some wonderful posts here and I look forward to reading the rest of what you have here as I find the time! Loved the post (part 2) about Sandy and Thumper!!!
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Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment! And welcome. I’m delighted that you’ve found something of value here.
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I never know how to thank you, how to show you how much I appreciate your comments and your support. Your kind words, your support, mean more to me than I can ever say. Sometimes there are no words.
To have someone like you, someone who takes the time to read and comment on my work, even if I don’t respond, is invaluable. It means so much to me that you would take the time to do this. I appreciate your comments and I’m so grateful that you enjoy my writing, more than you could ever know.
Thank you so much, Linda. Thank you.
Your friend,
Scriptor Obscura.
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S.O, I am always blown away by the power of your words. You choose historical topics of huge importance and you probe them with unflinching bravery. I love how you combine media to boost the impact of your message. Keep it up!
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To My Friend, Linda
Linda, writer, friend.
Your kindness, constant support
mean more than mere words.
That you stick with me,
continue to support me,
sans expectation,
this is true kindness.
not expecting a return,
knowing I’ll probably never see it.
To support somebody on your own blog, without asking, knowing they’ll probably never see it…Wow. Means so much to me.
I am so lucky, and so grateful,
more than you can ever know.
It means so much to me.
True admiration.
Thank you, Linda. You don’t know how good it makes me feel. A kindred spirit.
Your friend,
Scriptor Obscura
(I originally tried to write this as a haiku poem but then gave up. Oh well. You are……no words.)
(Sorry if this seems a little much. Its just that its so nice to meet someone like you. Sorry for the over-display of emotion here, I just don’t know what to say. Means a lot to me, I guess, is the gist of it. There. Sometimes, there are no words, you know?)
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Now I’m afraid to disappoint you, because you expect me to write so well…*sigh*…pressure! 🙂
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Funny you! You do write so well! Even when you don’t think you do. (Isn’t that always the case with us fragile writers?) I support you only because you deserve the support; your work should be seen. There are a handful of writers I’ve met through WP whose talent simply blows me away. You are one of them. I’m sure I’d find more if I took (or had) the time to read a wider range of blogs. I do hope you continue to write and that you will, at some point, find a way to get yourself published outside of WP. Keep up the good work.
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Nice Tribute to an awesome writer. Enjoy your reads so much.
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Gee thanks, Jan! I am always surprised when someone expresses joy in my writing. It’s one of those things that I guess we can never fully appreciate from the inside out. I am honored that you take the time to read and that you’ve shared your response with me.
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hey from ecuador
thanks so much for stopping by, and i love what i see here! am about to log off for most of the day but will be back to enjoy exploring your site! more soon!
thanks again!
lisa/z
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Me too! Excited to have some new material to enjoy. Back when I have some time to relax with your lovely site.
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Sounds like you’re living a great life! I’m doing pretty good myself. You just need to live in the moment and always know that there are adventures up ahead.
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That is so true. I think if more people recognized this, there’d be a lot less misery.Thanks for dropping by and leaving a calling card.
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Best wishes with this and every “phase” to come!
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Thanks so much for dropping by and looking around. And…for leaving a little calling card. I like that.:-)
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How I wish to live your lifestyle! Haha. Your words have inspired me so much to do the best I can with this life I have been given! Thank you so much, and please continue to make such worthwhile reading material!
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It’s gratifying to think I might have inspired someone to enjoy each precious moment of our brief blip on this planet. It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily dramas of life that we tend to forget the most important part. Thanks for your kind and encouraging words!
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Hi Linda, just wanted to let you know that I haven’t disappeared completely in case you were ever wondering; I have a new site in case you’re interested (its linked to my name in the comment). Also just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate your support, and I still think of your comments and thoughts on my old site, miss your thoughts.
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Also forgot to say that I’m also on Twitter if you’re interested, and I’ve still been doing those collaborations with Joe on his blog.
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I’m pleased to have found you, Rangewriter. We appear to share interests and passions. Look forward to reading more. Nancy
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Thanks for introducing yourself, Nancy. We shall be spending some time together, I’m sure.
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I love the way you write. 🙂
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Really? You are kind. I love the way you shoot! Honestly, since I came across your work, you have improved so dramatically. I’m really impressed. Happy travels.
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Yes really, and thank you!
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It’s good to meet you!
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I found your blog via Catherine at Catterel, Linda. Pleased to meet you and looking forward to reading more of your thoughts.
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Why thank you Dani! I look forward to popping over to bloomingspiders to see what you are all about! Thanks for reading and for commenting.
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Happy to do so, Linda.
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Pingback: Pollyanna solutions to really big problems / by Rangewriter – Humanity is Action
Hi Linda,
how are you?
Have a nice day!
Marianna & Clara
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Hi Marianna & Clara! I’m wonderful. Still high on the excitement of seeing Italy. I have tons of photos to go through and am looking forward to reliving the trip as I do.
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Interestingly, I noticed the first comment here was 2011. Cheers to your blogging longevity.
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Thank you Frank. I’ve been at it since 2009. Started on Blogspot and moved over here in 2011. It has been an interesting journey and I’ve met some amazing people.
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Interesting … most of my journey has been on WP since 2008 – although I did have a specific-themed blog on Blogspot, which exposed me to blogging … but not sure of the date range there. The people experience has been the biggest unexpected surprises!
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See, you’re even more seasoned than I am! Congratulations. Yes, I started out just to understand the concept of blogging. I expected nothing but writing practice. I have been completely blown away by the depth of connections that can be made here. I’ve even met a few of my blogging compatriots.
Another interesting observation is that my audience has changed nearly 100% from the early years. Most of the early followers have disappeared or moved on, but new people have emerged.
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OH yes … much different today. I closed my blog of 11+ years in February 2020 … then started a new blog in October 2020. … and now I have many new encounters. When closing the other, I too a ceremonial approach – capping off with a 5-part reflection.
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Oh … I can tell you are a seasoned blogger because you know how to interact. 😊
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Ha ha. Yes, that is the most time-consuming aspect. But it brings many rewards.
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Absolutely … Where are you located … I’m Cincinnati
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Boise, Idaho.
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Thanks for letting me know. Hope you try a beach walk.
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It’s been years, my friend. I’m happy you’re still writing and have published a book (which I look forward to reading).
Cheers,
Nel
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Oh my gosh, Nel, it’s good to have you back! I just spent some time catching up on your new blog. (I’m really behind in my reading.) I love each and everyone one of your posts and realize how much I’ve missed you. It’s fun to see how much you’ve accomplished during your hiatus.
BTW, do you have comments turned off or I’m I just too blind to find them on your blog?
I really enjoyed your initial post about “diets.” I may carry a few extra pounds, but I’m happy to have access to good, nutritious, and mostly locally grown/produced food. My pet peeve is the supplement industry that seems to have exploded in the gym trade. Why eat synthetic protein when you can have the pleasure of eating real, tasty, protein that you’ve cooked in your own kitchen?
I’m so glad you’re back.
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