Toys Are Where It's At

Taking pictures is an inherited trait, and I got the gene. I'll never forget the family vacation to the Rockies where my dad had to stop every 10 miles (I am not even kidding) so that mom, grandma, and us 3 girls could get out and take no less than half a dozen pictures each before getting back in for the next 10 mile leg. And this was back in the day of film cameras. (If you're too young to remember those, just don't tell me, okay?)

Sam and I didn't take a honeymoon (don't even go there) but we did have that fun 9 day drive to Alaska a few days after we were married. After getting into the wilderness of Canada I realized that it was some of the most beautiful scenery that I'd ever seen (including that trip to the Rockies) and Sam wouldn't stop to let me take pictures. I got very good at 60mph shots, but I have a few albums full of photos with the rearview mirror and windshield wiper in them. It's a shame, really.

I'll never forget when Sam got me a Canon EOS Rebel. That thing was absolutely wonderful. There was nothing that camera wouldn't do for me. We were inseparable for many years, and then, eventually, the love affair cooled. While it was still all that as far as picture taking went, it certainly lacked a little in the toss it in your purse and go department. I stopped lugging it with everywhere I went. I do not have photos of the kids early soccer games. I do not have picture stories of the kids formative years. And I think Luke has 5 pictures of him as a baby.

Okay, I may have exaggerated there a bit, but the fact remains that I stopped taking pictures because that thing was huge and lunky. Sam insisted that we buy a digital camera, and after much persuasion I caved. (That's a story in itself, but it'll be for another day.) I was in picture taking heaven again. I have pictures of flowers growing in my garden simply because my camera fits in my pocket and can go with me everywhere.

My one beef with digital vs. film is the picture quality. When we got our first digital, the megapixel count was 4.0, and was top of the line. We were pointing and shooting fools, filling albums with fuzz. It was sad. We've upgraded over the years and now the photo quality is much improved, but I still longed for my Rebel.

My dear and loving husband heard my sighs of longing and treated me like a goddess. (He's wonderful that way.) I am now the proud owner of a Rebel once again. Digital this time. I am in clicking and shooting heaven. The kids have taken to hiding, ignoring me, and giving me the finger. (Okay, I'm exaggerating again, but you get the point.) Luke did say that he felt like a movie star though. I'm just trying out setting, and need models. If one has toys, one must play. No?

Apparently Micah thought so, too. In the 5 seconds I put The Rebel down yesterday (to get him a drink) Micah reached out his little hand to try his picture taking skills. While we all know that his photographic endeavors are better than mine, I just can't allow him to play with toys of that caliber.

Yes, I'm teaching my kids that I am the most selfish of all with my new toys. But really, it's for their own good. I'd hate to make the choice between one of them and The Rebel. I'll be featuring pictures from it just as soon as I figure out how to get them uploaded to my computer.