XC Season Begins Again, and...

a friend of mine let me borrow his 100-400mm lens. It's a real beast of a lens, and I'll admit, my left wrist was quite sore after an hour of straight shooting.

This young man is the one to watch on our team. We have the #1 State Champion in XC at the moment, but this young man arrived last spring during Track and Field and he has been giving #1 a run for his money. He came in 2nd today after leading for 2 miles.

Thanks to those of you who gave me some well-wishes over my sadness. It's a very stressful time of my life with parents aging and with children tugging at me for so many things. I get sad, and I get awfully tired lately.

Photography keeps me active. So I liked finding a shot I enjoy. That lens will be on loan for the season. I can't imagine being without it now. It's hard to handle, but it is amazing.

[Danette Thompson]

So glad you are able to find happiness with the XC shots. It is very sad dealing with aging parents.

[katy]

A fabulous professional grade photograph!
❤

[Jane Pittenger]

Thanks for more info re the sadness. It is a hard stage of life and the tiredness doesn't help..great shot

[Jane Pittenger]

So glad you shared re what the sadness is. It is a hard time of life and feeling so tired doesn't help. Great photo though and glad you have the lens for the season

[Rachel]

Sorry to hear about your struggles. It's hard to have aging parents. I also have a 100-400mm lens, and I love it. I agree it is a heavy beast, but it takes such clear shots.

[Taffy]

It's a very hard time for you...take care of yourself as you can't care for others if you aren't in a good place. Thinking of you.

[Daryl O'Hare]

@888rachel I think I will need to work with a monopod for the crisp effects and because I really am not that stable, but I see the future good photos!

[Daryl O'Hare]

@danette @grammyn @jgpittenger @888rachel @taffy Thanks all. I am doing everything I can to keep my wits strong and my activity directed. I truly understand that "midlife crisis" has less to do with regret as it is dealing with the onerous tasks of a generation before me and one behind me--all while functioning in my personal space as an individual. It is also not a time to plan too much into the future, but to relish those things as they happen, even if they create more labor in the end. The body and mind have to work together and when one doesn't function, the other needs to do what it can. :)

[Jane Pittenger]

well said

[Annie D]

I don't have the aging parents - mine passed many years ago - I do have the pulling of the children - even though mine are of the age where they should have flown the coop - too expensive out on their own and they're on a good wicket here - I fully get the personal space and mind body tug-o-war.....look after you and keep the camera close at hand